29 Jan 1929
John Griffin to Mother / Grenoble, France
Here it is the last of January; another month gone. The time is surely going fast. I can't imagine where it is all going to, yet I am glad that January is passed. It has been a bad month for us because of the cold and bad weather, but then January always seemed like a blue Monday to me.
Things have continued to happen quite lively around here. Last Saturday the Elders from Lyon came up and we went skiing way up in the mountains here. It was surely great. There was a big storm raging up there and it was as cold as it could get. Yet we kept moving and managed to keep from freezing. I was surely glad the Elders from Lyon came up, because my companion will not go skiing, or for that matter do any sport. I get kind of lonesome sometimes for real companionship, and so am glad to see the other Elders come in. Saturday night we were all so tired we could hardly move so we went to bed early.
Sunday morning the sun came out bright and clear, and we saw that we were going to have good weather on Sunday for a change. However by noon the clouds were gathering and by time for meeting one of the worst blizzards of the year was blowing away at a fast rate. Of course this [hurt] our meeting. However, to recompense things a little, just before we started, in walked the President and one of his missionary friends from Germany. We were just about as many as the audience. However it was a very good meeting and a wonderful spirit was there.
The madame just came up with a whole handful of letters and not one for me. Oh well, I suppose I shouldn't gripe because I got two lovely letters from you on Sunday. I havn't received a letter from Dot now for 10 days, and American mail has come in twice since I received her last letter. I suppose she is going the way of all the missionary's girls. I've been writing to her oftener than once a week and up to a few months ago I received at least one letter a week, but now it's a different story. I guess I write too often. I'll mend my ways.
I was awfully sorry to hear of Aunt Marie's illness. I hope she is better now. I was touched by the change in sentiment of Uncle Ed. As you know, I've worked with him painting for two summers, and we have argued often about religion. I had just about given up all hope. I wrote him a letter last summer but have never received an answer so I hadn't written since. If I can find time I shall write to Aunt Mary.
I am quite interested in all your wonderful radio advancements at home and I'll be mighty glad when I can be home to hear it all. France is way behind the States in radio as well as in all other mechanical endeavors. I hope that we still have a radio when I get home. France is about to the stage where we were when I used to fool around with home-made sets.
That was surely good about Junior Patterson. However I knew he'd make good some day, because he was that kind. I wish I had a little of his head working ability. For the next two months please send my money in American bills (greenbacks) because I am likely to be moved soon and I think it will be to Belgium or Switzerland. If so, It will be difficult to get my check cashed. There is nothing definite but from the inferences of the President and the fact that I have been here 8 months I think I'm due to get it soon. Dr. Widtsoe is coming over next month and we are going to have some conferences and after that I think the moves will come.
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