Tom and I got to walk those beautiful streets over the weekend, and loved it.
But it wasn't the patisseries and views of the Seine that brought us back over the channel. It was the temple!
Paris temple
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (our religion) just finished building a temple in France. We believe that temples are God's house and are places where Heaven feels close.
And this temple is gorgeous! Previously, members of the church in France had to go to other countries to attend the temple. Now they have one in their own backyard.
Tom served a two-year religious mission in Paris, helping people learn about God. The church members he served with desperately wanted a temple nearby, and prayed for years. Now they have one!
Fellow missionaries met up afterwards in Paris to celebrate the temple and catch up. What a good lookin' group!
It was fun to meet everyone.
Then it was time for patisseries, crepes, and a stroll along the Seine.
Chartres Cathedral
We've been to Paris a few times before, so we've done most of the traditional touristy things in the city. We wanted to get out and see something new, so we hopped on a train to Chartres.
Good luck pronouncing it. It's 90% back of the throat, 10% choking noise.
But it was beautiful! I mean, the place has its own hashtag.
The outside was nice...
But my goodness, the inside was UNREAL kind of beautiful. Get ready for stained glass overload. Most of it was original from the 12th and 13th centuries.
It was honestly too beautiful. We had to take a walk outside for me to process it all.
So we walked down the cutest narrow roads...
And we found yummy things.
And saw a pretty view...
And said one more goodbye to the Cathedral.
Church and crepes
We got to attend a church service and visit a congregation that Tom spent a lot of time with when he was a missionary.
I tried my best to sing hymns in French, but I have a long way to go before I blend in.
Later we got the see that beautiful Eiffel Tower sparkle on our last night in Paris.
Then it was up early to meet my Parisian friend Nel-Ange for crepes. How cool does it look? Why do we always fold ours on top of each other when it could look like subtle origami?
Merci Nel-Ange for showing us where the cool crepes are!
We had a wonderful time in France. It was the perfect way to ring in my 28th year!
