Thinking back.

Carthage Jail & Historic Nauvoo

Our dear Québecois friends, Jeannette & Jules, came to visit us in July (13-17).  It was a joy to have them with us.  They bring such a spirit of love and faith with them.  They are so grounded in the gospel of Jesus Christ and it is sweet to be in their presence.  While they were visiting we did a day trip to Carthage Jail and Nauvoo.  The pioneers had already been on mind so it was especially meaningful to revisit these moving places.  At Carthage I was touched to think of how Hyrum Smith stood so faithfully by his younger brother, Joseph.  (I hope that our kids will similarly stand by each other.)  It also amazes me to think of the stamina of character those people had.  I really don't know if I would have had the faith to persevere.  On the drive home, while making final preparations on a lesson {on scripture study for the Young Women}, a flood of ideas came to me.  One main thought was how the scriptures tie us to our ancestors, that they too had turned to the very same scriptures to find peace and perspective to carry on.  

 Jeannette & Jules, on vous aime fort!

Je me souviens.

(21 juillet-26 juillet 2010)

A dear couple and friends of ours were sealed (for time and ALL eternity) in the LDS Montréal Temple on 24 July 2010. My Mom made it possible for me to be there...she decided to make it a mother-daughter trip and came along. We had such a special and wonderful time. Thank you, Mom!! And I can't forget to mention Bry. He so thoughtfully took care of Brie the whole time I was gone. Thank you, sweetie.

Lambert-St. Louis Int'l Airport.

Bienvenue à Québec! Welcome to Québec!

Cute Jules and Jeannette, they came to pick us up.

Jeannette making shepherd's pie for dinner.
She knows it one of my favorite québecois dishes.

Dinner's served. Yum, yum.

During Jule's meeting we toured the church building
(where I attended church while serving there).

All us girls in the kitchen, doing dishes and getting ready for dessert.

Jules in his PJ's---ready for dessert and tisane.
Jules & Jeannette are so fun and laid back and totally made us feel at home.

My Mom and me wearing pantoufles, getting ready to head to bed.

Thursday we spent in Drummondville. The highlight was eating at Marie-Hélène's sister's chic and gourmet restaurant, L'entracte. Unfortunately my camera died so all the pictures are on my Mom's. Maybe one of these days I'll do a post about our fine dining experience :0)

Friday--Vendredi

Part 1) Old Québec

** I have to mention that by the second day there everyone knew that they couldn't eat until I had taken a picture of their food :0) By the end of our trip they were calling me Sarah "Schlick Schlick" Sheets Graden because they would constantly hear the click, click, click of my camera as I documented everything. They were good sports! **

(the street performer was playing Chopin's "Raindrop Prelude" and it totally made me think of Bryan. Love that song.

Part 2) L'île d'Orléans

My Mom bought fresh raspberries for us to eat as we drove around the island.

Belgian chocolate-dipped ice cream cones.
The RICHEST ice cream cone I have EVER eaten. Wow.

My Mom was busy writing a card to my Brother Matt so when she went to eat her ice cream all of the chocolate had solidified around her spoon. Oops.

Beautiful, quaint drive.

Part 3) Dinner at L'Astral---A rotating restaurant in downtown Québec City

Looking up at the shaft in the glass elevator.










After bread, soup, the buffet, dessert and tisane...we had been there for 3 hours. It was fun to chat, eat and watch the view of Québec City change as the sun went down.


Our fun waiter.




Saturday--Samedi

Heading out for Montréal
(about a 2 1/2 hour drive from Valcartier)

My Mom and me in front of the Montréal Temple

Jeannette with part of the Garcia Family--a family
that I had known and LOVED in my greenie area.


Soon after their sealing. I love these two :0)

Although we had amazing food for EVERY meal, took in many BEAUTIFUL sights and had a WONDERFUL time in every other way...being in the sealing room for Jules et Jeannette's sealing was definitely the highlight of my trip. What a sacred and special occasion.


Sunday--Dimanche

Sunday I got to attend the ward that I attended while I served in this area on my mission. There were a lot of new faces, but there were a lot of dear people there that I was SO excited to see again after five years!!

Sweet Lucille---I was flipping through some old pictures.

Wonderful Diane.

The Dear Blouin Family
(His wife passed away almost a year ago, after having battled with cancer for several years. Yet they have such a knowledge of God's plan and such faith that they will see her again.)



After church we headed to the Therrien's home for a "light" lunch and to pick out some pantoufles. Soeur Therrien is known for being the "pantoufle lady"...she crochets a bunch and keeps them in a big basket, just waiting for visitors to come and pick a pair or two. What a generous and thoughtful way to share her time and talents.


Meals are never light at her house.
She is an excellent cook and hostess!


The Flamands came for lunch too...riding in style :0)


The missionaries joined us for dinner...


Jeannette, Jules & Marie-Hélène had prepared cheeseburgers AND homemade poutine, freshly made french fries and all.


Before heading to bed we had a little fire out back....


...and Marie-Hélène even humoured me by trying S'mores for the first time.


Monday--Lundi

Jules always seemed to be watching out for us as we were out and about. So when he was in uniform (heading to work after dropping us off) I had to take a picture. He looked like our official body guard or something. Perfect :0)

Marie-Hélène, waiting to see if her cowboy came in. She wants to marry a cowboy and is always on the lookout for one :0)

On our way back to St. Louis.

Oh Mom, MERCI for the wonderful mother-daughter trip. It was such a treat and so spécial. De bons souvenirs. Merci encore.