August 31, 2009

It has been a good week. We finally had our zone conference. It was so refreshing. I was thinking about it this morning you know when you are hot and you take a drink and realize that you were really thirsty and could just keep drinking. that is how zone conference was. I didnt realize that I was so spiritually thirsty, I couldnt drink it in fast enough. It was areally good conference. President and Soeur Carter had been to their regional training the week before and had many things to tell us. I was suprised to hear that in Europe there is 70% inactivity. As you can imagine we talked a lot about how we can help the inactives come back. I am realizing more and more that working with inactives ia big part of missionary work. I have also realized the importance to do visiting and home teaching especially if it is someone who is less active because we have been working on contacting the members in the ward list that we dont know as we were talking with some of the other members and such asking about different memebers they dont know very many of the inactives. Its interesting too we are finding many members who have moved, a couple who have died, and some that have turned back to their previous religion. In the back of my mind I keep thinking about the words to the the hymn 220, "I would would be my brothers keeper, i would learn the healers art....I would be my brothers keeper Lord I would follow thee." I've always thought the parable of the lost lamb to be talking about the nonmembers the people who dont have the gospel but really it is also the our brothers and sisters in the gospel who have just lost their way. Its an important work to do.
I cant imagine being anywhere else than here serving the Lord. No it is not easy, nor is it always fun but it is possible and at the end of the day it is always worth it.

August 24, 2009

Firday I was probably the best of the week. We had a rendez-vous with Celine she live way out of town so it was an all afternoon event but such a good lesson. She continues to read the book of Mormon and prepare for her baptism. I love talking to her she told me that she has been searching and prepareing slowly for this day and now she can hardly wait to be baptized. Her Husband is just as excited as she is. when we got back to Perpignan we had a Lesson with Cheik. I love to teach him. He always has such good questions and has a strong desire to learn more. It is an amazing feeling to see the light come on in some ones eyes and for them to start to understand their purpose here. We were at the church for the last Rendez-vous of the day with Christophe. I don't know if I have told you anything about Christophe so here is a little background. He is 42 and is basically starting his life over. He quit his job because he wasnt getting payed; He is also searching for an apartment. So he is starting new. our lesson with im was one of the most powerful lessons we've had; We had Jean-Luke and Christian, 2 members with us. The 2 Are absolutely amazing. They connnected very well with Christophe We started talking about the book of Mormon as the discussion went on we talked about how right now he is starting to rebuild his life and how if he builds on Christ and how Christ is a sure foundation. I cant explain how powerful Jean-Lukes testimony was. Heavenly Father really does prepare his childern to recieve the missionaries to receive his gospel. As we knelt to pray at the end the I really felt like Christophe is going to be baptized pretty soon. Oh how amazing the spirit is. The Lord prepares us to do his work and to help his children. I am so blessed to be here. It was very humbling yesterday we were invited to eat at a members house and as we sat and talked I realized that I understand French. I dont have to think about every phrase. Yes there are things I still dont understand but it is making sense. One funny thing about the family they have a son that is almost 16 and really I could have sworn that it was Jackson they act the same it was just funny. And a good reminder of my little brother.

French Missionaries singing?

Missionaries practicing ??? their singing in the MTC.

August 17, 2009

What an amazing week. It takes being humble and running and working all day and thinking that you have accomplished nothing then turning back at the end of the day and realizing the Heavenly Father was there everystep of the way and really blessed you in more ways you can count. THat is exactly how this week has gone. Tuesday was a perfect example of that We walked all day in the heat. Around 7:30 we had turned down this road to pass by and old amis apartment when I saw Didier. He had a crutch in one hand and 2 large bags full of groceries and he was walking veryslow. I said to Sr. Folituu I think he needs some help. When we asked if we could help him it was like a light turned on in his face. He was so appreciative. I dont know how he had walked so far already with the bags they were really heavy. We took the bags and walked with him to his apartment. Come to find out he makes the trip solo to get groceries every week and never has he had someone offer to help him. He is older and has many medical problems. It was a good experience to get to know him a little bit. We offered to help him each week. It is always so uplifting when you can serve someone else. He is there and always listening. Even on those days taht are long and frustrating he is there and helping us.

August 10, 2009

Just this morning during our comp study we started planning our lesson for lext sunday; We get to teach the YW. I couldn't be more excited. As we were talking Sr. folituu explained that they dont do the weekly activities or activities at all. And our lesson something to the effect of how activites can help strengthen the YW. I am so excited to plan and maybe in some way help them learn to love young womens like I did. Like my mom, I like change. I really couldn't be any happier than i am right now. I love pergignan and my companion. Soeur Folituu is from New Callidonia. She was converted 8 years ago when she was 18. She is awesome. She does not speak english; that means I speak French all of the time. In just one week I am amazed at how much easier it is and how natual it is becoming. It is getting harder to write and speak english than it is to speak French. What a great blessing. I swear that she is happy all of the time which makes it easier for me to be happy. We sing and laugh and talk all the time as we are walking and while we are in the apartment and on the bus... ok so just all of the time. As for Pergignan it is much smaller than Nice. Iloved it the first day! As we pulled into town in the train and i saw the mountains in the distance, and then there are fields and open space. I honestly felt like I was a little closer to home. Something about the mountains and the feel of open space brings me comfort. i really think it is the small town girl in me. We walk alot here. there are buses but not nearly as many as in Nice and they dont always go where we want to go; Not only is that good for the health but for the contacting too. not only do we have the mountains in the distance but the sea is in the other direction. So really it is the best of both worlds.A lot of our work this week has been with less active members. This city is full of less active. I am seeing the importance of "being my brother keeper;" And helping the new members and those who could be struggling, to feel welcome and loved at church. and the importance of doing our visiting and home teaching. I pray that we will be inspired to say the right things and to really be able to help this ward become stronger. Yesterday it was fun to meet some of themembers. They are always excited to meet the new missionaries. They really love the missionaries. After church we had the opportunity to go eat with the family Oger. They are an awesome couple. they take turns coming to church each week because they have a little girl titan who is severly handicapped and cant come to church. It was so fun to be with titan for a few minutes. I was reminded of how special the handicapped are and also how much i miss Kyler.

August 3, 2009 - First Transfer

The big news first. Today was transfers. Sr. Bitanga and I both thought that we would stay together in Nice for another transfer but Friday night the assistants called and said I was being transfered Perpignan and would serve with Sr. Foulituu. To be honest I was really excited. I was ready for a change. I loved my time in Nice and am really going to miss it but I am excited to be ina new city.Saying good bye as always was not my favorite thing. THere are some members and amis that will forever hold a special place in my heart. But to back up a little bit We had a crazy week. It is deffinitely summer and very hot. It is always refreshing to climb on the tram or the bus for a moment of air conditioning. We had to travel to Toulouse so that I could do my medical paperwork for my carte that allows me to stay here. Tuesday we went as far as Marseille and worked with the sisters there for the evening. Then Wednesday we took the train for 4 hours to toulouse ate with one of the districts at the mission office went to my appointment then got back on the train to Marseille. i have to say my favorite part was to be able to see and talk with other sisters. Being in Nice we dont get to see them very often. Tuesday and Wednesday nights in Marseille we had companion exchanges. I loved every minute of it. I was able to work with Sr. Roca. We got talking and just getting to know each other. She told me something she learned when she had just started her mission she said remember to always "soyez vous meme." which means be yourself. A light all of a sudden turned on. for a couple weeks I have just not been content. but really I hadnt been myself. It was a great moment for me one of those everything makes sense now and I knew what I needed to do to be content. The rest of the exchange was fun it was good to learn different approaches for contacting and to be balanced in teaching; She is an amazing missionary.
Our testimonies the things we know the things the spirit has testified to us, no one can touch. I am so grateful for my testimony. i know this gospel is true. It wasnt something that I found or proved in chemestry lab or read in a book, it is things i have prayed about studied and learned by the spirit. No one can take taht away form us. Testifing is the strongest tool we have as missionaries. I'm grateful for this gospel for the knowledge of a Savior who loves me who is always with me who wont leave us comfortless.