The Todds in Geneva

Week of November 8 to November 14

We could tell before this week began it would be busy but then once it got here it got even busier. This was transfer week but we only had one sister leaving and two new Elders coming in – quite a difference from what it has been in the past. Last week we received notice that on Tuesday (same day as the two incoming Elders) we were to go to Bourg en Bresse, France for our French visa. Bourg en Bresse is about two hours away and we had to be there at 11:00 am. President Murdock said it would be fine if we were gone when the Elders arrived so we confirmed our appointment. We left Ferney-Voltaire about 8:30 and headed out of town for the first time (other than Anncey for church). The way to Bourg en Bresse is through some mountains and it was raining in Ferney so we took boots with us just in case it turned into snow. Luckily it didn’t. Although it was raining it was still a beautiful drive.

The autoroute (freeway) goes through areas that have mountains and valleys but rather than tear down the mountains to put in the roads they tunneled through them. To get across the valleys or gorges’ they built tall beautiful bridges.

You can barely see one of the bridges in the distance. There were many and some were very high up and beautiful to see - but hard to photograph! As we traveled along on the autoroute we kept passing road signs that pointed out the way to Paris. Ohhh Paris!!!

Couldn’t we just miss our turn off and end up there by mistake? It would probably only take us an extra 3 hours. But no, we followed the mission rules and made the turn-off to Bourg en Bresse. Maybe after our mission we will finally get there. We made it to the Radiologist’s office for our lung xrays in plenty of time and then we had enough time for lunch before our physical exam so we asked the receptionist at the office where to go to lunch. They suggested a great restaurant a few blocks away. It was very, very nice and no more expensive than going to McDonalds (at least less than McDonalds over here).

After lunch we went to our exam and then drove around town for a little while. A little more around and around than we had planned but, oh well.

We were sad that we didn't have time to go inside this marvelous old church.

I think this beautiful building is being used as a movie theater and the other as a live theater. Aren't they wonderful!

I couldn't resist taking a quick picture of this bridal shop. The dresses were beautiful and contrary to popular thought they do get married here.

Then we were off to our home. We followed our “Tom Tom” – GPS and arrived without problem. The next few days at the office where busy as we got the new missionaries settled and our departing Sister Sudor off with her mother to tour Europe on their way home. Because the Transfer Week was on top of Zone training Sister Murdock had lots of things to do and lots of cookies to make for the Missionaries. They each get a cookie or two after their interview. I offered to help and she was most grateful. I knew I could make Peanut Butter Bars and I thought Chocolate Crinkle cookies would work well too so I spent my evenings making lots and lots of cookies. They were a huge hit and now all the Elders want the recipe. I’m so glad they turned out and that the missionaries liked them. I had to figure out a few things in order to make them. There are chocolate chips available but they are small and very expensive. However, they have lots of bars of chocolate so I just chopped up the bar and sprinkled it on top. It melted even faster than the chocolate chips and tasted much better. For frosting you can’t buy canned frosting except at the American Store where it costs $9.00 so I followed my daughter-in-law Nicole’s lead and made my own frosting and then added the peanut butter. It worked great. The Chocolate Crinkle cookies were easier to figure out but first, I had to find cocoa – strangely that is not easy to find here. Then I saw an ad for the local grocery store with a recipe to make truffles. And there was cocoa powder pictured in the ad. I took the ad with me to the grocery store and pointed out what I was looking for – hurray, they showed me where to find it – with the hot drinks. It is kind of like a treasure hunt to find the things you are looking for. First, they are not arranged in the grocery stores as they are in the states and second, everything is in French so reading what they are is a challenge. Oh but the joy when you find something you have been searching for. Ahhhhhhhh!

On Saturday we went with the other Senior Couples to the old ville of Geneva. On the way Sister Hansen suggested we stop to see the "Smurf Villiage" Actually it is an apartment complex that looks like it could belong to the Smurfs or at least in Disneyland. It had very bright colors and freeflowing design. Others were there taking pictures too so I hope the residents don't mind.

Even the plants seem to fit the design mode.

And then, of course, we got into the groove as well!

Then we were off to see the old part of Geneva and the Reformers Wall – a memorial to those men who were so important to the Reformation and in turn setting the stage for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to come forward. Most of those involved with bringing the Reformation forward paid the price with their lives. Many were burned at the stake or killed in other ways. We have been reading Fire in Their Bones about William Tyndale, who translated the bible into English so all people would have access to the words of the prophets. It’s a wonderful book. How grateful we are for their sacrifices that we may read those marvelous words and learn about Heavenly Father and what he wants us to do to return to him.

Wandering around the old part of Geneva was fascinating. We hope you’ll enjoy the pictures we took.

The clock tower as you enter the old ville.

This is in the courtyard of the Maire (Mayor's Office)

There are giant checker and chess boards painted on the sidewalk and people busy playing at the entrance to the park where the reformers wall is.

This is the Reformers Wall. It is very long and very touching.

Here we are L to R the Chatterleys, Asays, Todds, and Murdocks Sister Hansen is taking the picture

As we walked though the plaza there was a band playing and lots of people enjoying the music at an out door cafe.

You can't go downtown without a picture at the flower clock. It looks much more beautiful now than it did when we arrived.

After the tour of the old ville we had a delicious soup at the Hansens and then went to our apartment to watch a movie - a very old western. It was really quite good surprisingly.