The Todds in Geneva

As we boarded our plane we noticed that there was not enough room in the overhead bins for our carry-on bags. They told us we could check them all the way to Geneva without being charged. That was great news because we also had both of our computers that we were trying to manage. When we arrived in Geneva we discovered that Doug’s carry on bag had not made it to Geneva with the rest of our luggage. Now your carry-on bag is the one that put everything into that you don’t want to loose. Yup, that was the only bag that didn’t make it. This caused a delay for us getting out of the baggage area. We were in hopes that whoever was picking us up would not leave thinking we were not on the flight. It was a great sight to come out and see Pres. and Sister Murdock still waiting for us.They took us back to the Mission Home where we were so excited to see Denny and Mary Kaye Doyle our very dear long-time study group friends and former missionaries from the French East Mission. We had lunch, had our welcome picture taken in front of the Swiss and French flags and then took our things to the apartment we are to stay in until the Doyles leave next week. Then we will move into their apartment. They took us around to see some of the area we will be living in. Right now we are in Prevessin,France but when we move into the Doyles we will be in Ferney-Voltair, France. Both cities seem like country villages - only 10 minutes from Geneva. How can that be? That night we went out to dinner with Pres. and SisterMurdock as well as the the Doyles and the Asays. It was a lovely small French restaurant . The food was very delicious even if I couldn't read a thing on the menu.
On Sunday we went to the English speaking branch. The branch is about half the size it was before the economic recession. Many businesses had their employees return or the employees lost their jobs and moved. It was a sad thing for the families in the branch After church we went to see Lake Geneva and a little bit of the old city. The lake is beautiful and there are flowers everywhere and especially in boxes on the window sills. They are red and pink geraniums mainly. They are so beautiful! That night we went to a New Convert fireside at the Mission President's home and had dinner there. They have had more baptisms in August than they have had for several years. The spirit is here in abundance.

Monday we reported to the office to start our training. Wow is all I can say. There is a lot to keep track of. Tuesday the Doyles had been invited to go see the U.N. with a couple that work there. The couple are from the Philippines but have lived in Geneva for about 20 year. He just retired but was the head Meteorologist for the United Nations. Because they were the one's taking us we were able to go outside which you usually don't when you are on a tour.
On Thursday we went to dinner with the other Senior Couples and Mission Pres. to the Stake President’s home. He is a fifth generation member and was a little boy of about 12 when Doug knew him on his first mission. What a wonderful man. He served us barbecued beef that he brought back from Costco in the states - frozen - shades of bringing things back to the Philippines!

On Saturday we drove north and into the mountains to a ski resort to have dinner with the Doyles and the Asays. It was so green and beautiful with little chalets on the mountain sides with flowers planted all along the railing. I made the comment that this was just like the pictures of Switzerland you always see. Denny Doyle laughed and said that is true but we were now in France. Oh well. We had a delicious luncheon in a beautiful setting.

Our second Sunday in Geneva we went to church again and it was full with lots of visitors. One family visiting with their eight children is from Kaysville, Utah. They are the Zubeldia family and their 17 year old son is great friends with the Robinettes ands Mosses in our ward at home. It is such a small world. Their father is from Spain and they want the children to learn Spanish and so he has taken a year sabbatical and they are going to live in Spain and attend school there. They were in Geneva as part of a trip to visit all of the temples in Europe before school started . They are traveling in a large Mercedes van (it really looked like a mini bus). Their home teacher is Dad's friend Richard Daems from Kaysville. It is such a small world when you are a member of the church. We did all of these things while putting in 7 to 8 hour days at the office. We're exhausted!