Joyeux Noel

Here we are during one of the snow days this December, after the snow the next day is beautiful and sunny and then after, of course, melt and mush, and then start all over, But, we love the snow even though we did have an accident and hit a truck one evening after driving home from the Institute. The Jura mountains are behind me in the other picture after the melt

Soiree Noel at the party

the centre de Jeunes Adults avec mon Amies

here are two friends as we decorate the centre, this is right after I got my hair done and as you can see it is a little french looking, more reddish and styled than usual. It took 3 hours for the hair dresser and it was all in french, I was hoping that she understood what I wanted, so all and all , it was OK

the famous hiding wall in old Geneva

this is the wall that they only open at Christmas to celebrate the Esclade, it is very narrow and feels medieval, all done with stones, the celebration honors the lady who poured soup and the pot to stop the French from conquering the swiss troupes, there are parades and fife and drums and costumes, it is the biggest celebration in Europe and we happened to run into it after we were trying to sing Noel carols in the street

caroling downtown, in french, mais Qui

the celebration ESCLADE , 1602 the swiss lady poured soup and then the pot on top of the french to stopo the war, today they break a chocolat pot filled with candy, this is at the Insitute with Amies and Bro Simonee

we have pics from the Institute decorating and from the cold outside.

ice and snow

and Lac de Geneva, with Mont Blanc in background

château de voltaire

snowed in Ferney Voltaire

snowed in Ferney Voltaire

my friend and neighbor, EIiiane

Eliiane lives below us in Prevessin and we are so much alike, here we are walking in the park by the Chateaux de Prevessin and we are hiding because we have are hair up and no make up. Twice a week we walk for one hour and we practice our language together, She is a professeur for art and is helping us learn about the best places to shop in the area.Today I made for her banana bread and she made apricot marmalade, WOW what a deal,ohm she has one fake hip, and she is tres jolie; The Senior couples are at the Reformation Wall at downtown Geneva .

the Institute, finally a picture

the beautiful places we have walked

Since we still don't have the internet it is very difficult to post each week. We have adventures everyday because we like to walk everywhere. We have been downtown to the Reformation wall. the Gex waterfall, the Thoiry fields, and lots of beautiful mountains and agriculture. We just love being in both France and Switzerland

Downtown Geneva

Prevessin,for a few more weeks

We are enjoying this petite ville. There are many beautiful walks and sights to see. This is our ting apt. Elder Chatterley is in the kitchen-living-dinnng area. Here he is doing his investgating of french.

Gex, France

First FHE at Geneva, Switzerland

Last night we held our first FHE, with about 12 by the end of the night. We had french, spainsh mongolian, italian and english speakers. The lesson was on Love one another is the same in any language and then we played a getting to know you game that I made up. I made applesause which was a hit because not everyone had tasted it before. We also discussed the three service projects we have until Christmas, Humanitarian for 420 Botswana children, who need school suplies and health products, Collecting food for the needy, and Caroling around the city. Today we took a little field trip 6 k away to Gex, France, a very cozy ville important during W W I and W W II.

success at last

I have tried to put a pic in but we do not have our own internet yet so until then I will try to keep all updated. I continue to type on a french key board so it is a little tiresome. But our success is in getting to the Institute in under one hour. We love our calling, it is beautiful and cold now. We are working with great couples and tonight will hopfully meet some more YSA.

The Mcdonald Grandkids

We enjoyed our brief stay with the grandchildren and especially helping out with Peter. Now we are off to the MTC for our official missionary training.

October Conference

Here at last- General Conference weekend

This week has been full of service projects for Jim, as typical of his self-less oriented style. I taught yoga at Nattie's classroom, and became Calvin's shadow. So we went to the park, the zoo, supermarket, and played outside. On our way to Angie's I received a call from Germany from President Shumway in charge on all the European CfYA. We also had to do some last minute paper work for insurance while over in Europe. Yesterday we visited with Nikki and family. And finally today is General Conference which we will attend the afternoon session. Can't wait the feel and be with all the Leaders of the Church

New Baby McDonald

September 22 Baby McDonald was born at 3:13 weighing in at 8'2 and 21 inches, Karina looks great and all the siblings are excited to have a new brother. This is just one more step that we wanted to have before we left for our mission. We are so happy that all is well.

We are staying with Derek,Missy ,Jake, and Kayla

Here is Jake with his "new Best Friend". We have had fun playing and now Jake can sing "I hope they call me on a Mission".

Made it to Utah

We left for Las Vegas later than I thought we would. At the end the house was empty and I reflected on how hard it was to but the home and keep it during all the single years. Sis Soper brought over two big boxes of jam and that took us over the edge for packing. We had to leave our coolers with friends. Good visit with the Warnicks then off the Provo. By the time I got to the MTC I had blisters all over my feet so I had to go barefoot! It was good to meet with our tutor and get more french training

We are on our way....

Three more days of clean up and packing and off to Utah

check, check, check

After the thumb surgery I flew to Val's to re-cooperate for a week then flew home late Wednesday night, Thursday the Dr. took the stitches out and we went to serve the last time at the temple with homemade cinnamon bread to celebrate. We slept at the temple Apt. and awoke at 4:00am to catch our flight to San Francisco to get our French Visa..Wow we were tired!, Visited SF ,and fell asleep awaiting for our flight. The French consulate was very French until he noticed that I was Lady Chatterley and then he joked with me about being the "Lady". We visited a 35 story building that Jim constructed and the "boss" let us up on the roof that looked over the whole city, golden gate bridge, coit tower, pier 39, after we had clam chowder and shrimp salad.

Saturday was wash, study French with our tutor and write our talks.

Sunday at 8:00am we and 3 other missionaries including one returning, met with the high council. We born testimony and visited with them

At 9:00am we were set apart and it was the most spiritual experience I have ever had. We are both blessed with the gift of tongues, and health. I, the power of discernment and an overflowing knowledge of the language and overflowing love for Jim. I was told that we would be more blessed away from our children and grand children. It was the most spiritual experience.

re cooperating from thumb surgery

Yesterday I had in office surgery on my triggger thumb and don't really ever want to go through that again, to hear and feel the surgery- no put me under, but at least i can say that I did experience it. So tomorrow, very early I fly to Val's for R&R while Jim finishes the major clean up on the house. keeping this short- can't type

Too much studying

We enjoyed the weekend with the Chatterley reunion and Seth's farewell. we went to Lake Tahoe on Sat. and Sunday was food, family and fun (along with church, of course). This whole week was about Seminary and Institute, classes and instruction, along with studying French in between.Thursday night was my last full night as an ordinance worker (at least for 2 years). I am attending the Southern California Institute training tomorrow in Valencia. And of course everyday a few more things get packed away. I even started folding my clothes for the mission! Just haven't packed them yet. Too soon.

family reunions continue

We are in between reunions so I will update. Hopefully sometime I will be able to post the family pics we took in Zions. First we went to Bryce canyon and with out cell phone we connected at noon from California, Michigan,Draper, and SLC. We hiked and visited as we all haven't been together since grandma Joyce's funeral. Then we drove down to Zion's. We stayed in a lovely large home and got to swim, hike, play dress ups, dance, sing, church, and eat. All the Lunds were there except the Mark Lund family and we greatly missed them., and of course Dallas who is serving in DI. Today is wash, water, study,clean some more and get ready for the Chatterley reunion. As Jim and I drove we studied the Scripture mastery and French. We had many blessings and prayers answered while we traveled, even a li.s

family reunions

This week we first the family reunion's. First we will be at the Lund's for the Zion's Ponderosa s Ranch.'s Then off to the Chatterley 's for Seth's farewell. In the mean time we have been blessed to have confirmed the date to get our French visa in San Francisco, Sept 10. We have also been studying the scripture mastery and have Cd's on French. So while we are traveling we will be studying.

Last week was a tough week getting all the info that is needed for our visa Today I am awaiting the last piece of info they need, my birth certificate coming all the way from Penn, I guess by pony express. Once we get that when we will quick mail all the SLC and then wait for the call the go to San Francisco to get our French visa. This I am preparing for the Lund reunion in Zion's Ponderosa and then off to the Chatterley reunion for Seth's farewell. One more interesting thing happen last Wednesday , we got the code to get into the S & I, that is Seminary and Institute! Wow there is tons of info there. Too scary! I am upping my study time after looking at all that! But many wonderful spiritual blessings already. The Lord answers prayers even my humble silly ones.

New travel stree Aug 2,2010

We get a phone call from Mission travel today asking where our info is, and wondering if we ever got it, well we never got it! So now we are having to get original birth,,marriage, police report, bank info, all for a French and Swiss Visa, It looks like we will be in Ferney-Voltaire, right across the river from Geneva, but in Frence, I sure am glad that I am studing Francais.

Aug 1, House rented

We have finally finished the paper work and are happy to say that Elaine and Rex will be living in our house while we are on our mission. Dorothy Ae helped make all this possible by being" at the right place and the right time." Today we feel blessed to have been working hard at cleaning up, and sorting ,and giving away many things that we no longer need. Jim celebrated his brithday this week and we are hoping to get him some better shoes to use. We are soring out suticases and trying to find theright backpacks. All theses things get in the way on me studying french everyday and reading up on Switzerland and of course studying Preach my Gospel.

mission call

Hopefully this will be posted today, July 11,2010. We received our call to Geneva Switzerland mission on July15, 2010. Thursdays are the evenings we serve as ordinance workers in the LA temple. We waited by the mailbox and then called as many as we could before we got to the temple. Since then we have had to make alot of changes in the home to get it ready to rent. This means there is alot for DI or anyone intersted in getting free stuff. Let's see if I did this right and I can post this blog. Luv to all, Mimbo Patterley