It has been one month since we completed our missionary service in Athens, Greece. As newly weds, we came into the relationship and our mission with separate friends; his and hers. During our 18 months of service, we have made numerous mutual friends, friendships that will last forever, friendships that we have forged together.
Here are missionaries at our last zone conference.
Athens SistersCrossley and XanthosDavid and Emiy NelsonFrodshams and NelsonsElder BonneyElder FronkElder GroabElder SchniederElder CorniaSister BlogettApril 2025 Zone Conference
We made many friends in Athens. Catherine befriended Kelly, a sales clerk on Monastiraki Square in Athens, and invited her to share dinner in our apartment. She came, and listened in on a missionary discussion with Kostas. Though she hasn’t attended church yet, she has been attending institute every week. We fed Mahmoud many times in our. apartment and worked with him on self-reliance and finding a job.
KellyKostasTasos and KostasKostas and CatherineMahmoud
Her hair dressers and her nails lady have become fast friends, and cried at her last appointment.
Maria and RaniaAngeliqueHair Stylists and Nail lady
Even at our favorite local restaurant, Catherine always gave the waiters a hug and a large tip each time we came for dinner. They would see us through the window as we approached, and give a hearty wave. It was more than just the money, we spent the time to laugh and talk with them.
AngeloOur restaurant servers
Catherine is always on the lookout for those in need on the street. At a strategic intersection on our way to the church, a refugee offered to wash windows while one waited at the stop light. It was a long light, so he could wash two or three windows during the wait. We had the cleanest windshield in Athens. There was also a man who waited outside the grocery store, and was there every time we came to shop. He was the kindest man, with a jovial smile and would tease me every time we came to the store entrance. It was winter and I was always in a polo shirt. He would hold his arms and shiver every time he saw me, and I would feign excessive heat, wiping my brow and fanning myself. Catherine left him 50 euros the last time we shopped and he was nearly in tears.
Our AB market friend
There were three apartments in our building. Our Landlady lived on the first floor, we lived on the second and the daughter and son-in-law lived on the third. We conversed well each time we met on the stairs or in the ground floor parking. They even invited us to share their Easter meal with us, which we mentioned in our Easter post.
Melania and new sonKaiiaki (Clarise)
We befriended many members of the branch. Aliki was baptized not long after we left Athens. Gogo is the oldest member of the branch. During one of our branch celebrations, she did a traditional Greek dance. Normally, dancers would throw glasses or ceramic dishes to the ground, shattering them during the dance. Gogo was throwing plastic cups during the dance. Jimmy is an excellent pianist, but his mother could never get him to play for Sacrament meeting. Catherine just needed to ask him once. He played the Sacrament hymn that Sunday, and has since played for the services.
Aliki and DaughterMissionaries with GogoJimmy and ChloeAthens branch relief society sisters
We love the missionaries, whether in our home or at church
Dinner crew at our apartmentTransfer day near the Elisia buildingMissionaries in the Halandri buildingMissionaries in the Halandri buildingIn our apartment before a lessionGathering in the Senior sister’s apartment
One of the greatest joys of serving a senior mission is working with other senior missionaries, and for us, both in the mission and in the area office in Frankfurt. We love these dedicated couples and senior sisters and look forward to many reunions after we return.
Frodshams to the airpportSisters Hornbarger and ChristiansenElder Lamb at the Athens military museumKanells at the Olympic StadiumSister Soulier in SLCFrodshams and Sister SoulierFrodshams at the temple of PoseidonNelsons at the Corinth CanalPatrice and Catherine on the hop on busElders Kanella and Frodsham ready for ParosSister Patrice Kanell fav jewlery storeSenior missionary retreatFrodshams and Nelsons at Corinth
On our last day as missionaries, we hosted an appreciation event for all of the people and organizations we had worked with over the last nine months, and who collaborated with the church over the last two years. We have to come to love these dedicated people who follow the light of Christ, even though many of them do not really know what this means. Many we have invited to visit us if they ever make it to the western United States.
Branch President Tasos and David NelsonApostolos ViezisElder KanellCoraline, Catherine and TheodorosCatherine, Theodoros and RoulaCoraline, Chloe (Irida) and the FrodshamsSister Nelson and Elder NelsonMedcins du MondeAppreciation eventSister VerschureSister Frodsham with Elder Crossley translatingThe Appreciation EventAppreciation eventSister FrodshamJonathan, Drop in the OceanSaffron KitchenSister VerschureTosos and Elder CrossleyTheodoros and ManolisAppreciation event
We love these new friends. We have served by them and with them. They remind us that, even in a world in turmoil, buffeted by the adversary and his legions, there are many stalwart people who follow the light of Christ and are his hands of comfort and service.
Happy Valentines Day! When I married my first love, LaNae, we planned from the beginning to serve a senior mission, something I had contemplated even since my young mission service in Quebec, Canada. My financial plans, retirement funds, timing for retirement, revolved around serving missions. We wanted to serve at least three, with a year or two in between to visit children and grandchildren. The best laid plans of mice and men. Just a few short years before my planned retirement, LaNae passed away. At the time, single men, well aged such as I, were not allowed to serve missions, and I started looking at other options.
Portland Oregon Temple
I considered serving as an ordinance worker at the temple. Again, the single man question reared it’s head. A young acquaintance of mine with some disabilities and never married, served at the temple. On his 30th birthday, he was told he could never serve in the temple again. It turns out that at the time, single men over thirty could not serve as ordinance workers. One exception was men that were married in the temple and then widowed. I fit that exemption, but in good conscience, I could not serve knowing that other single men, much more worthy than I, could not work as ordinance workers in the temple..
I did work as a temple engineer. Each Saturday, to allow the full time staff weekend time with their families, I would come to the temple early, greet the night shift guard at the temple door, and then wake up the temple. Turn on and check lights, monitor and log the air conditioning and heating systems, check the chemistry in the baptismal font, wake up and check the audio visual systems for each endowment room and continue the checklist. The walk through took about 2 1/2 hours, and I would spend the rest of my shift indexing, answering the phone, responding to problems, and if all was quiet, walk the temple and converse with the temple workers. At that time, it was the best way for me to be His hands.
Ten years after loosing LaNae, I am on a full time mission with Catherine. From the time I met my second love, we talked about serving a mission. In fact, no desire to serve a mission would have been a deal breaker for each of us. We submitted our mission papers as soon as Catherine finished the semester teaching seminary and were well into our mission on our first anniversary. I wonder at times why it took 10 years to meet Catherine. We could have several missions under our belts by now. I have asked the Lord many times why it is that those who are the most willing to serve, who would make wonderful leaders, missionaries, mission presidents and bring about much righteousness in His kingdom cannot due to circumstances beyond their control, request the call. He has a much bigger picture of His children than I, and though they cannot serve a mission, He will use them and challenge them in other ways.
In the first years of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Joseph Smith and Brigham Young would call missionaries from the pulpit during church meetings, even during General Conference. These were not 18 year old boys, but fathers and husbands. They were expected to depart within weeks, or even days. These missionaries left wives, children, farms, businesses, civic and church responsibilities to answer the call. Many had no idea how their families would survive financially while they served. I have nothing but admiration for these early missionaries. It was their mission and their faith that converted my ancestors in England and Switzerland.
The Frodshams in CorsicaThe Frodshams on Mars Hill
Would we have such faith today? How would you, a senior couple surrounded by comfort, children and grandchildren, respond to a call from the pulpit? Could we, with a notice of a week or two, pack up and travel to the other side of the world? “Could we?” is the wrong question. For most of us, the more relevant question is “Would we?”
Humanitarian missionary training conference in Vienna
According to the unofficial statistics I found, about 1/2 to 1 percent of eligible seniors serve missions. Increasing that to even 5 percent, one couple in 20, would mean 5 to 10 times more senior missionaries serving the Lord around the world. In Athens, Greece, we had a humanitarian couple, yours truly, and two senior sisters serving in the remote mission office (the mission president and the official office are in Sofia, Bulgaria). Last month, two more senior couples came to serve in Athens and the whole dynamic of missionary service changed. These wonderful senior missionaries have been called to branch positions, providing a rock of support to our faithful but inexperienced branch president. Visits to members, active or not, are bolstering the faith and the faithful in this historic part of the vineyard. There is a synergy and a spirit of camaraderie and dedication among we seniors.
Rather than a surprise call from the pulpit, we have options to choose when we are going to serve, the length of our service, and to some degree, where we are going to serve. We have cell phones and internet to stay connected with our families, and jet planes to take us home for those events that cannot be missed. I listed all the reasons to serve a mission in my “Serve Now” post, so I won’t list them again. The delightful senior sisters in the office, whom we lovingly refer to as “The Angels of Athens” say it best. “Who wouldn’t want to be us?”
Bulgaria Greece senior missionaries in Ioannina, Greece
However, I need to add a word of caution here. You have no set schedule and few set responsibilities. You are your own boss and you have to be self starting and self-motivated. There is more work to do than you can imagine, but you have to find it and make it your own. Our own mission has been divided into two parts: Serving in France as WSR or welfare self-reliance missionaries and in Greece doing humanitarian work. Very different missions, and in both cases, we invented our mission. We dug in, looked around, asked around, and most important, we laid it before the Lord. If ever this verse of scripture is relevant, it is while serving a mission. “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs, 3:5,6. Our paths have been directed as we have served as His hands.
Souliers, Miners, Hardys, Dinkelmans, Frodshams Life Long friends – Senior missionaries in Lyon, France
We are not assigned over the pulpit to serve missions, but the obligation and the need is no less paramount. Over the years, the church has and is moving away from obligatory assignments. Home Teaching is now ministering. Ward budgets, building and temple funds come entirely from tithing funds. It is easier to attend temples than ever before, and attendance is neither required nor tracked. The church is following the council of D&C 58:26-28:
“For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward. Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness; For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.”
The Frodshams and Snyders in Paris, France
Serving a senior mission is not compulsory, and we are all the more blessed for following the wise and gentle council of our Brethren and choosing to serve.
Cathy here, I can’t even imagine being called over the pulpit. That was definitely a sacrifice. Our mission is a sacrifice but not like the early saints. Tim and I have thoroughly enjoyed serving our mission(s). At times we have had to be very proactive and look for ways to serve. Our mission presidents (Pres. Lepore in Lyon, Pres. Soulier in Lyon and now Pres. Nelson in Bulgaria/Greece) are so busy with all of the young missionaries. We Seniors need to be offering time and talents and helping to further work of gathering. It takes prayer and an open mind to see what needs to be done and to be available to answer a call at 10:00 pm to go give a blessing or pick up a missionary or mission president at the Airport. Service is never convenient whether you are serving a mission or serving at home.
I can honestly say yes, I have had bouts of homesickness- even with tears but then I look at my sweetheart and know we can do this and we can do it well. We are giving ourselves to our Savior Jesus Christ at this time and happy to be here in Greece. Now that we are about 4 months from returning home, we feel as though there are so many things we want to do before we leave. It is going by fast. We hope our children and grandchildren have been blessed by our service. That was one of the reasons we came to the mission field.
Both Tim and I had talked for years with LaNae and Zane about serving a couples mission. Our children all knew how important that was for us. We are grateful each other wanted to go right away after we were married. WHAT A HONEYMOON it has been!! Serving in FRANCE and then in GREECE; this was a 2 for 1 mission and we are so grateful to be disciples of our Savior Jesus Christ.
Seriously – WHO WOULDN’T WANT TO BE US?
Note: We wrote this post before learning that Jason Soulier, President of the Lyon France mission had passed away. We love him and pray daily for Sister Jennifer Soulier.
Late last night, Catherine was scanning Facebook, something she rarely does, and found that President Jason Soulier, Mission President for the France Lyon mission, had passed away in his sleep early that morning. We were shocked.
The Souliers started their mission service in June, and we served under them for several months before our urgent transfer to Greece. In that short time, we became fast friends. Catherine, in particular, formed an instant bond with Jennifer Soulier. The couples in the mission office were new, and although we were WSR (Welfare and Self-Reliance) missionaries, we were the most experienced senior couple in Lyon and developed a warm relationship with the Souliers as they began their mission.
In an earlier post, I compared the three mission presidents under which we have served. I love and admire all three of these couples, capable and humble servants of the Lord Jesus Christ. We pray for Sister Soulier, far from home, with so many missionaries under her care. Abruptly losing a spouse is scary, heart wrenching and extremely painful. It leaves one numb and in a fog for a time. Tim and I pray for Sis. Soulier as we know how that feels. We wish there was something we could do to help or relieve some of the pain. Tim and I both know there are no words that help but we want Sis. Soulier to know we care for and love her and are praying for her and her family. We pray for their family, children and grandchildren who have lost such a powerful and worthy father and grandfather. We are also praying for our sweet senior missionary friends and our young missionaries serving in the Lyon Mission. They are in our hearts. We love them and are asking angels to attend to all of them. This news has ripped the rug out from beneath all of us and they need our prayers.
Thank you President Soulier for your example. Thank you for you dedication, love, compassion and passion for the work. Thank you for your devotion to, and focus on each and every missionary in your care. Thank you for genuine friendship and Christ-like Example. Till we meet again, till we meet at Jesus’ feet. We love you President and Sister Soulier!
There is a young single sister in our ward. She has born her testimony a few times and I noticed her. I never really talked to her except the normal greetings “Bonjour, comment ca va?” She seemed to be struggling in life by her facial expressions and staying to herself at church.
Tim and I went to the Bern Temple a few months ago. We took another senior couple from Geneva to the temple with us to get to know them. They are James and Kim Powers, also serving in the France Lyon Mission.
While I was in the endowment room, I kept looking at the back of a young woman and I wondered if it was the one from our ward. I don’t even know her name. I still don’t. In the dressing room, I saw her come out from a dressing stall and I said you are from my ward. She said yes, I recognize you too. She spoke pretty good English. I said how are you. Then she started to pour out her heart and soul to me. She told me of how she came to the temple today to seek answers. I said what are your questions. She said I have a boyfriend, and he is not a member, and he doesn’t want to be. He doesn’t like my standards and wants to live together. I am afraid if I say no, he will leave. I said you came to the right place today. You are worthy to come to the House of the Lord to receive revelation just for you. How did you feel today. She said I feel as though I should leave him. I said then you have your answer. She said now will be the hard part, breaking up. I said yes it will be hard. But sometimes we learn the most from going through the hardest times. I said, I am so proud of you for knowing where to come for help from the Lord. He has spoken to you. What a blessing that is. I love you. I believe that we are here together because I can physically give you a hug from your Heavenly Father and tell you He loves you. I love you. When one door closes another door will open. I promise you that. We hugged and that was a very spiritual moment for both of us. AND I DIDN’T”T EVEN KNOW HER NAME!! But I knew her.
Here is a picture of my temple friend Anne-Flore and her new boyfriend! July 14, 2024
A few months passed and my son Zane was visiting us in Lyon with Zane, Weston and Bennett! I was on the stand to lead the music, and I saw her! By now, I knew her name: Anne-Flore. She was beaming and looked so happy. I went to give her a hug and she said, “I will never forget you. Thank you for talking to me in the temple. I want you to meet my “new “boyfriend!” She emphasized “NEW”. He is the brother of the 2nd counselor in our bishopric. He is a member and temple worthy!!! What a miracle!!! Heavenly Father knows each of us by name and He loves us, and He will help us through our trials and sometimes he will use those around us as His hands on earth. We need to always be willing to open our mouths and our hearts when we are prompted to do so even when we don’t know them by name. It doesn’t matter that I don’t know her name because I know her, and I love her. When she said I will never forget you, I said I will never forget you either!
Tim and I have been serving as missionaries in Lyon France for 9 months now. We are halfway through our mission. We have had some sweet miracles that I don’t want to forget so I am going to write about a few of them.
We had some missionaries (Elder Adams and Elder Brown) call us and ask if they could come over and bring one of their special “Ami’s”. They said you will like him. So we set up a time and they came for dinner in May 2024. This young man just turned 21 and is one of the most Christlike individuals I have ever met. He met the missionaries last January 2024. He had just left the Jehovah Witness congregation and noticed our missionaries wearing white shirts, ties and name tags. He started asking them questions. Those two missionaries were Elder Sumsion and Elder Beard. They were our zone leaders in Lyon and some of the best missionaries. They taught him about the church. He soaked it up like a sponge. He has since gone through several missionaries and when we talk to him, he knows more about the Book of Mormon and Bible than most members. He wants to be baptized but his parents are Seventh Day Adventist, and his grandparents are Evangelists I believe. They are not happy that he has broken with their traditions and their faith. He was told if he was baptized, he would have to move out and take care of himself. Basically, they would disown him. Oh how sad. He is such a good young man. So, for now, he attends church every week and participates in every way but has not been baptized. We had him over a few nights ago for the second time and the missionaries as well. He said his parents are on vacation for two weeks. I said, “Yes, you can get baptized, and they will never know!!!!” Haha. He did chuckle but wants them to support and be happy for him. So, in January it will be a year that he has chosen to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. We are hoping and we pray that Clemont’s parents’ hearts will soften and can sustain him in his decision to be baptized. I hope he will be baptized while we are still here, or we will have to fly back – I love this young man that much. When I looked at him, I told him – we are here for you. He is one that we are in Lyon to support. Maybe his parents will come to dinner at our apartment. I do know that the Lord puts people in the paths of others for reasons. Here is a picture of Clemont, Elder Adams, Elder Brown, Tim and me.
Also, the two missionaries that first met him. Elder Sumsion and Elder Beard who are home now.
Another sweet missionary miracle is Segolene Perez. Segolene is in our Port des Alpes ward in Lyon. I would see her on Sundays sitting by an older woman and man that I just found out are her parents. They did not smile much and were very quiet. We have lots of French members that do not smile much and are private and quiet. It seems to be the culture here until you get to know them. So, I taught Relief Society a month or so ago. I had written some of my personal stories that I wanted to tell them in French, and I wrote the words phonetically so I could read it correctly. I have not learned French as I hoped. But I don’t let it hold me back. I had a power point with quotes in French and pictures of my family so they could get to know me. I never shy away from telling my weaknesses or what trials I have gone through. I have been through some tough tragic events that I believe I went through so I can help others go through tough times. I am not afraid to tell hard stories if it can help someone else. So, I told a few from my life. I told of how members of our ward and stake had shunned my sweet daughter and me because she had gotten pregnant at a young age. I talked about how it is our choice to be offended if someone treats us badly or we think they are treating us badly. Sometimes we think they are being mean but most of the time people just don’t know what to say or how to act. It is out of ignorance on their part. There was a new older widow in our ward in Relief Society that Sunday named Jennine Roux. I asked her when her husband died was there anything we could do to make her feel better? She said no. I said what about us coming up to give you a hug and tell you we love you? She said that was comforting. I said the only thing we can do is not ignore but at least offer love and maybe take a meal in or give them a ride or take them grocery shopping, etc. Ignoring someone when they are hurting is the worst thing to do. I made a comment about being on the floor when my husband died, and I couldn’t get up. I prayed and Heavenly Father sent angels to lift me up off the floor. I talked about let’s be each other’s angels to help us off the floor when we need help. So now I get to the story of Segolene. She had never talked to me before, but I could tell she was touched in the lesson. She came up to me and said, “some of us in this room today are still on the floor.” What a profound statement and I gave her a hug. The next Sunday she came up to and told me she is married to a man who is not a member. He has started to ask questions. I told him about your lesson last week and he said I could invite you and your husband over to dinner at our home. MIRACLE!!!! I said we would love to. So, we went over last week. Tuesday, July 30, 2024. They have a lovely, very nice apartment on the 7th floor of a nice building. It has a deck around the entire apartment and air conditioning. We had a wonderful time. Her husband’s name is Serge. He was so kind and pleasant. We want to be friends, and we are friends. We talked about his family and our family, hobbies, jobs and education, etc. We laughed and enjoyed each other’s company. We will have them over to our apartment when they are back from their vacation in a few weeks. We are here in Lyon for Segolene and Serge Perez.
Here is a picture of Serge and Segolene Perez and Tim and me.
Early in our mission, Roland Léporé, our mission president requested that we help with a service project. At each zone conference, he wanted the missionaries to put together homeless kits that they could give out to the homeless they encounter during the course of their work. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has decided, however, to focus on larger humanitarian projects which impact many people. Smaller projects, such as homeless kits, are no longer approved for funding by the church.
After several months of work, we started a homeless kit project with the mission. Using a bit of creativity and finding local sources for materials, we put together, over time, sufficient supplies to have each elder and sister assemble two homeless kits; four per companionship. During the last sequence of Zone Conferences, the missionaries took the time to assemble the kits, and more importantly, write personal notes to put in each kit. After searching the web for resources on homeless kits, I came across this site, which gives many good recommendations on what the homeless need.
With the help of the office elders, we transported the materials, boxed up for each zone, to the mission office. For each zone conference, the supplies would be organized on tables for the missionaries to assemble kits.
We have already received posts and videos from missionaries who have given these kits to a homeless person they encountered during the day, tender stories of love and encouragement. It is our hope that over the next few weeks, these kits are distributed with love and care, as the spirit directs, to homeless individuals in the mission.
A hand written note is one of the most important components in a kit. Tracts and other mass-published items are quickly recognized and tossed, but a hand written note makes a profound difference. They are all children of a loving Heavenly Father and recognize the touch of his spirit. It is our prayer that the tender messages written by these missionaries will touch lives, however gently.
We also pray that as the missionaries give out these kits, they will feel the same love for them as the love emanating from our Heavenly Father over all his children. These are the last days, and we are tasked with gathering Israel. Sometimes this gathering takes place in the smallest of ways, a hand-written note of love and testimony, a kit at a time, one by one.
We had the first of our rather large family visit this week. Anika Davis, Catherine’s granddaughter and her husband, Brigham.
At the Part Dieu train station
Theirs was the quickest trip possible. They took a train from Paris on a Thursday, spent the night with us and then took a train back to Paris Friday morning. When I saw my Anika I screamed, “SHNIKES!!” when I saw her on the walkway coming down to meet us! She said, “only my Nana calls me that!” We picked them up from the train station at around 9:30 am and brought them to our apartment to drop their suitcases off and then we headed out using the metro and a walking tour of Old Lyon.
Catherine and Anika at the Basilica Notre Dame de Fourviere * Our apartment is near those tall buildings in the background.
The city was founded before the time of Christ, and for many centuries was the capital of France. It was a major shipping and transportation hub in France and had a thriving silk industry.
It’s a bit of a jar to pop out of the metro to some Roman ruins in the middle of the city. The amphitheater and the theater were built at around the time of Christ, and early Christians were persecuted here.
Anika and Brigham at the Fountaine Bartholdi
We took the Metro to the Basilica and walked from there through the old city to the Fountaine Bartholdi. The fountain was designed by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, who also designed the Statue of Liberty in New York.
Brigham in heavenTour of a silk workshop in Old Lyon
We walked around Old Lyon and ate lunch there. One of the highlights for Brigham was the candy shop! haha! We had a wonderful time and beautiful weather.
It was hard to see them go the next morning. Way too short of a visit but made my heart happy!
Miller family at Basilica Notre Dame de Fourviere
Two days later, Elise and her family drove in from their visit in Normandy. We took them on the same walking tour.
Mya, Elise, Michael and Lydia at lunch near the Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Lyon
Walking through old Lyon, Elise stumbled on the cobblestones, and twisted her ankle.
At the Roman theatre
We were all to drive to Chamonix where the Millers wanted to ski in the Alpes. Michael took the girls with him to ski. Elise, Catherine and I came later to enjoy the sights.
On the streets of Chamonix
Nestled in the Alpes and a stones throw from Mount Blanc, the views in and around Chamonix are breathtaking. We spent just one night, plenty for missionaries taking a break with family.
Standing in the “Void”Looking towards Mount Blanc
We love family. We are missing so many family events; baptisms, graduations, marriages and more. We are delighted when family comes to visit, and though we are missing much, there is no place we would rather be than here in France on the Lord’s errand.
Welfare Self-Reliance (WSR) missionaries do not work as closely with the mission as do mission couples in the office, or those working as MLS (Member, Leader Support) missionaries, so we go out of our way to make time and energy available to the mission. Several weeks ago, we assisted the mission with transfers. For those not familiar with mission service in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, young men, 18 years old or older are asked, as part of their priesthood responsibility, to serve a 2 year mission for the church. Where they go is completely dependent on the church. Young women, 19 years old or older may also serve and are called for 18 months.
New Missionary Arrival
These young missionaries serve two by two. Two young elders or two young sisters work together. About every 6 weeks, the mission goes through a “transfer” where some of the missionaries are moved to a difference city or with a different companion. Not everybody is shuffled, thank goodness, only about one third of those serving in the mission. Transfer day is a hectic one indeed. Along with shuffling the existing missionaries, there are those who complete their mission and are headed home, plus new missionaries entering the mission. Those going home come to Lyon for interviews and then a trip to the airport. Seasoned missionaries, called as trainers, come to Lyon to meet with their fresh new companions coming from one of the Mission Training Centers.
Transfer meeting screen capture, one of five
The couple in the office in charge of transportation must purchase train and bus tickets for all the missionaries who are moving, plus coordinate with Salt Lake City concerning flights for those arriving and those leaving. All of this mayhem transpires over two days. In volunteering to help, we were assigned the task of picking up new missionaries at the airport and transporting them to the mission home on the other side of the city. With flight delays and cancellations, we have to be flexible. This last transfer was impacted by strikes in Germany, so connecting flights had to be rescheduled and arrival times changed. Through all of this flows a stream of tiny miracles. Connections, luggage, assignments, it all comes together.
Elders Cannon and Sumsion with Dorothee Cannon our MTC instructor, on the screen. Elder Cannon was in town for a transfer or training activity and ‘happened’ to stop by while his mother was on line with us
Our part this last transfer was to pick up one of the mission vans at the mission home, drive across the city to the airport and pick a group of missionaries arriving late due to flight cancellations, drive them back to the mission home and then deliver a group of Elders to the apartments they would be staying in that evening before traveling to their destinations the next morning. The mission president likes to meet with the newly arriving missionaries for the day to interview them and get to know them before assigning them a trainer. They have dinner that evening and then send them all to local apartments for the night. We arrived with the late batch of missionaries just in time for dinner, which President Léporé, invited us to share.
The Lausanne Zone
The love, care and concern that the Léporés pour out on these young missionaries defies description. I stood with Sister Aimee Léporé as she said goodbye to the departing Elders and Sisters. Her description was like having your heart ripped out, thrown to the ground and stomped on every six weeks. They have given their lives in the service of these young emissaries of our Savior.
Before the transfer confusion begins, the president holds a mission-wide zoom meeting for all missionaries in the mission. In this meeting, Sister Léporé talked about Joy in the Savior. We know that He pleads our cause and joy is a gift as we bind ourselves to Him. President Léporé talked about “Look” moments. In Nephi’s vision (1 Nephi 11 – 14), he was invited many times by his attending angel to “Look”. As Nephi “Looked”, he beheld many events that had unfolded before and that for him would take place in the future. Each time he “Looked”, the angel showed him more of the future of the world and the role of the Savior in all that transpires. President Léporé invited each of us to “Look”; be aware of the events transpiring around us. Be aware that all of this is the fulfillment of Scripture. Nephi was invited to “Look”, and he saw the very events swirling around us. President Léporé described the results of acting in faith from the challenges given at the last Zone conference. Though the numbers tell only a small part of the story, indicators in the mission are doubling and doubling again.
President and Sister Léporé
Each of the missionaries who are returning home have a few minutes to render testimony. Again, we can feel the love and devotion they have for their Savior, and the friendship and trust they have for the Léporés. Again and again, I am reminded of the strength of the rising generation. We are loosing many who listen to the jeers and mocking from those in the great and spacious building (1 Nephi 8 in the Book of Mormon) and drift away from the church, but those who remain are stronger still.
We love being here. We love being a small part of his work and witnessing the strength and testimony of the many who stand beside us in His service. We have taken to heart these last weeks to “Look”. Look at the people who surround us through the Savior’s eyes. “Look” at the work we are trying to accomplish, the events unfolding around us, the care, protection and love God extends to His children; all through the Savior’s eyes. We invite each of you to take the time to “Look”. The evil raging in the hearts of men around us can be discouraging, but “Look” at the events transpiring as did Nephi, with an angel beside us to guide and interpret. “Look” at the care the Savior has taken in creating and guiding this mortal experience. “Look” at where He has placed us, the talents He has given us, and the weaknesses He has given us to help make us strong.
In our call as Welfare, Self-Reliance missionaries, our responsibilities include all of French speaking Europe as well as the Netherlands. Because of this, we don’t work as closely with the local members and missionaries are those called as Member-Leader Services (MLS) missionaries. We put in extra effort into our relationships with the local missionaries and members of the church to build a comradery and feel of their testimony and enthusiasm.
Feeding 14 Elders on a Monday morning
Catherine and I talked about this for some time and decided that one thing we would do is periodically offer a waffle breakfast for the missionaries on their preparation day. Catherine contacted the Zone leaders to pick a time and to notify all of the Elders in the zone and within easy traveling distance of our apartment. What to serve was a no-brainer. We love waffles, and I have been tweaking a recipe for years. It has whole wheat flour, rolled oats, butter milk, chia, and if I can find it, ground flax seed and a dash of Zantham gum for a little bit of crunch. It’s a staple for us, we will make up a batch for breakfast and then freeze the rest for meals to come. If we’re having waffles, we have to have homemade buttermilk syrup. Nothing healthy to see there . . .
I was skeptical that even a handful of Elders would show up, they are busy and their schedules are tight. P-Day time is precious. All 14 available Elders showed up and filled our tiny apartment. We mixed up four double batches of waffles and used every drop. Mingling with these Elders always restores my faith in the future of the church. They exude a spirit of faith, testimony and enthusiasm. After breakfast, we gathered in our living room for a group picture. In a spontaneous yet powerful gesture, the Elders linked arms and began to sing a hymn. Afterwards, one of the Elders asked to say a prayer before they departed. The faith and spirit in that room could have moved mountains.
The next Monday, we extended the same invitation to the Sisters serving in Lyon. Though the zone takes in a large area of Southern France, there are many missionaries serving here who have access to the Lyon metro system and our apartment is two short blocks from a stop on one of the major city lines. I had more faith this time, and indeed, all of the available sisters showed up for breakfast.
Catherine was in here element. She has been around youth most of her life, and taught seminary for many years. To be with groups of stalwart young men and women who have dedicated themselves to His service is for her, pure joy.
This was too good not to be a reoccurring event, the question is how often? Once a transfer, about once every 6 weeks is our current thought. We are working on other activities to draw closer to the members and missionaries here, but that is for another blog.
This week, we have talked at length about our mission service here. Yes, there were a thousand reasons to stay at home. We will miss the wedding of my first grandson, too many baptisms, high school graduations and the list continues. If one waits for the perfect time to serve a mission, if we have done family right, that time will never come. Of one thing we are sure, in choosing to serve the Lord, all of the other reasons fade in the perspective of His service. Miracles happen while we are away.
We are settling into our mission, learning the ropes and learning to love the people around us. There are several shops that we frequent, some of them recognize us from missionaries past, some are new friends. Even with my French language background, it is Catherine that communicates the best. They feel her friendship, her love and her enthusiasm and brighten each time she enters the shop. Our favorite is a small bakery just around the corner. When we shop, we hold off our bread purchases until we pass the shop the way home. At times, Catherine goes in for a baguette while I pop up to the apartment to unload groceries. She usually follows me in with an armful of bread, quiche and a sandwich or two.
There is a Saturday market at the corner that sells all manner of fruit, vegetables, meat and fish. I used to love the Saturday’s Market in Portland, but in recent years, it has become so commercialized with tourist trinkets and the like. I have yet to find a trinket at this market.
There is always a down side no matter where one ends up, and Catherine found an Ikea. I think the picture says it all.
Catherine has discovered the joy of French cooking and French meals. She found a Raclette on sale at the local Carrefour and we have fed investigators and missionaries alike. We cannot eat in true French style, taking three hours for a meal, but we have learned to slow down and enjoy the conversation around the table as watch those hungry missionaries devour Catherine’s cooking. Don’t worry, I am in the kitchen as well. I haven’t started up bread making, the bread here is too good and so inexpensive, but I do enjoy bouncing about our tiny kitchen with Catherine.
Next week, we are off to our first in person meeting with self-reliant specialists in Clermont-Ferrand. We are meeting with our ‘boss’ first, Momo Djemai, to go over training materials we are developing, then with the Membre’s to help plan some new self-reliance classes. As I study these programs and put together presentations to help leaders and specialists understand the courses the Church has developed, I can feel the power of the spirit that went into crafting these programs. The Lord is hastening his work in the last days, preparing his saints and seeking out the watchful.
In our last zone conference, the missionaries based their theme around the people of Alma; that the Lord did not lift their burdens when they covenanted to follow Him, but He lifted their hearts and their capacity to bear up under their ever increasing burdens with faith and joy. The missionaries have been teaching a young couple in our apartment, and after the last lesson, they had to scoot to their next appointment. This couple is going through some hardships at this time that seem to have no end. I turned to Mosiah to recount to them the faith of the People of Alma and we could see the Spirit bare powerful testimony to them that in spite of, and perhaps even because of their troubles, the Lord is mindful of every detail of their lives.
The story of the People of Alma is one of my favorite passages in the Book of Mormon. As I was reading it some years ago, I realized that in these passages, the Lord had set up, by modern standards, an excellent qualitative case study about how the Lord deals with his people based on their righteousness. I even wrote an article about it, which I posted on my website.
Latter-Day Saints 