LETTRE SEIZE POUR LE 28 AOUT 2012

 We are finally getting better acquainted with our city of Lyon.  Lyon was founded as Lugdunum in A.D. 43.  It was a critical transportation hub for the administration of Roman Gaul.  The city became the central metropolis of the Three Gauls---the integrated Roman provinces of Aquitiania (Aquitaine), Belgica  (Belgium) and Lugdunensis (Lyon Region).  Two Roman emperors were born in Lugdunum.  Last Saturday we visited some major Roman ruins (two outdoor Roman theaters) and a well organized and highly interesting Gallo-Roman museum that displays artifacts of ancient Lyon and surrounding locations.  I will write more about the museum in the next letter.

The ruins and the museum are located on Fourvière Hill which displays a dominating view of the Baslique Notre-Dame de Fourvière.  The construction of the cathedral began in 1872 and was completed at the beginning of World War I.  We caught the métro at our closest stop called Garbaldi and traveled past three metro stops to arrive at the Vieux Lyon stop.  From there we caught a funicular train that transported us up the hill.  When we got off the funicular and climbed up the stairs, we found ourselves right in front of and gazing up at the imposing view of the cathedral.  It took about thirty minutes to get there.  When we entered the cathedral we discovered elaborate mosaics on the walls that depict various religious events that took place in France with an emphasis on their view of the role of the Virgin Mary in these events.

In back of the cathedral we gazed out at the panoramic view of the city of Lyon and its two rivers, the Saone and the Rhone.  Of course the crayon building as it is called by the French dominates the view of the city.  We could also see the most famous “Place” (large square or park) in Lyon called Place Bellecour where there is a large bronze statue of King Louis XIV on horseback.  We celebrated our 44^th wedding anniversary by eating at a restaurant called PizzaPino located at one corner of the “Place” a few weeks ago.

We are fortunate to have good accessible public transportation since we are not driving our car right now because my wallet was stolen and I lost my driver’s license, some euros, and some credit cards that we are in the process of replacing.  Replacing my driver’s license is becoming a little complicated because I need my signature on forms sent by the state of Utah notarized.  The Notary process is more complicated in France especially when almost everyone takes off for three weeks of vacation in August.

A new couple, the Greens from the Salt Lake City area, arrived a week ago.  They replaced another couple and will direct the young adult activities for the Lyon Stake.  There is a building near our office where the young adults gather for activities and institute classes.  All of the couples from our mission traveled to Lyon for an afternoon conference last Friday at the office.  Six couples direct young adult activities in the cities of Geneva and Yverdon in Switzerland and the cities of Lyon, Toulouse, Nice and Marseille in France.  Two other couples serve in Member and Leadership Support roles.  I had not yet met two of the couples.  We enjoyed getting better acquainted and felt the Spirit of the Lord during our meetings as the couples shared ideas and discussed some of their experiences.

 Nos Petits-Enfants

On Sunday, I spoke for a while with Yan, a university student from China.  She will start school next week.  She is an amie (friend) who is being taught by the missionaries.  She told me that she is very impressed with our church’s teachings about the family and our family values.  She is the only child in her family.  Her parents live in central China.  I told her about brothers-in-law and sisters who have some connections to China through their experiences there.  She was very interested to learn about our family.  We are very blessed to have a close knit family that enjoys doing things together as demonstrated by all of the activities that took place while Liz was in town.  Many of our grandchildren have begun or will begin soon a new year of school.  Some of our children or their spouses will experience a new year of teaching.  Please study hard and take advantage of this wonderful learning opportunity.  During this time, it is also important to remember the words from the primary song, I’m Trying to Be Like Jesus.

Love, Grandma and Grandpa Jeppson      

LETTRE QUINZE POUR LE 2 AOÛT 2012

What is the significance of Place BirHakeim?  It is a park three blocks from our office where there is a monument containing glowing words from the main general of the French army during the 2^nd World War, Charles De Gaulle, paying tribute to Frenchmen who lost their lives there on June 17, 1942.  He was the President of France when I served in France as a young missionary.   

It was also the location where 26 missionaries gathered last Wednesday.  Thirteen were missionaries that just arrived the day before who represented families and wards in seven states and Canada.  The other thirteen were assigned to be their trainers.  They had come by train from all over our mission area.  Sister Jeppson took a picture of each equipe (missionary team) standing by some trees in the park with the marquee of a French café in the background (Le Grande Café Neuf).  One of the trainers was born in Cambodia.  His family now lives in northern France.  Another impressive trainer is a Navajo from the “Four Corners” area. 

The evening before we gathered with the missionaries and President and Sister Roney and their three boys for dinner at the Mission Home in Ecully about one half hour away from the office.  It was interesting talking with these twelve elders and one sister about their background.  They have a lot of enthusiasm and will become a great strength to the mission.  We really need them since we said goodbye to 26 missionaries the day before.  Two of them were an elder and a sister missionary from northern France.

After this latest transfer, we will be working with a missionary from Kaysville, Utah, Elder Frazier, who will train with his new companion to become the legal secretary.  Another missionary from Vancouver, Canada, Elder Ioannidis (his family is Greek), replaced one of the assistants to the President.  We will see a lot of him because they spend quite a bit of time in the office.  As we became better acquainted, I learned that he sang the Canadian national anthem before one of the major Winter Olympics events in 2010 and also performed with a group during the opening ceremonies.  His sister is currently serving a mission in Hungary.  One of the new zone leaders who will attend our ward is from Australia.

Nos Petits-Enfants
Two young men from our ward, David from Kenya and Johnny (English name) from China joined the church in February and April.  They then received the Aaronic Priesthood and were ordained to the office of priest.  Now they have the opportunity to bless, prepare and pass the sacrament.  Like these two young men, Zachary will receive the Aaronic Priesthood this year also on Sunday and will be ordained to the office of a deacon.  We will miss not being there for his ordination.  He will have the wonderful and sacred opportunity of passing the sacrament every Sunday and helping with the ordinance that allows his ward members to renew their promises with the Savior and Heavenly Father.  He will be a great example for his cousins who will one day receive the priesthood:  Brad, Caleb, Hunter, Noah and Cade.  His dad and Uncle Andy were good examples of servants and priesthood holders when they gave their brother Matt a priesthood blessing this week because of a serious health problem and then stayed to play a game with him and bolster his spirits.