November 23, 2009

We have been so busy this last week we even had to start making appointments with people for the next week because we didnt have place. It is such a blessing to be busy and working hard. I am learning a lot about repentence and forgiveness this transfer. Everyone has the chance to repent and to change. There is no exception to that Christ doesnt tell us that only a certain number of people will be allowed to repent but rather each of us can and that if we have the desire and are silling to change he is willing to forgive us. Sister Garcia is an amazing example of forgiving others. She has suffered a lot in her life and when we were talking to her the other night I was near tear just listening to her story and how she has changed.
On top of weing busy I dont think we have had so many rendezvous cancelled at the same time. There were 2 days that almost every single one of our Rendezvous was cancelled just minutes before or a couple of hours before. It was frustrating at first but then as we worked and went with our backup plan to go see other people or to talk to the people on the road we were blessed. I cant remember which night but our Rendezvous was cancelled and as we were walking to go see one of our other amis we were stopped 2 different times by men who wanted to know what we were doing. It was really cool to see that there are people all along the way. That Laybe it was in heavelny Fathers plan that what we had planned was cancelled so that we could talk to the other people. One of the men was actually the man that owns the cyber cafe where we do our emails. We got talking and he said that he has never met someone like us that wears a badge that is not nice, polite and humble. He is muslim and not really interested in changing he beliefs right now but I really believe that he will always remember those missionaries.
We havent been able to meet with The girl that we contacted at bus stop last week. She was sick one day and something happened with her daughter the next but I have a lot of hope for her.
I dont remember if i have told you much about Rose-Marie one of the less active sisters we have been working with for quite a while now; But she raelly is an artist. She has showed us a lot of paintings that she has done and last night when we were there visiting she actually gave us one. well she gave me two. She is the sweetest sister. She is amazingI dont know anyone that prays as much as she does for other people. And when she gets tired she reads the book of Mormon.
I am so grateful for good people around me. I have been thinking about my blessing with it Thanksgiving this week.(its sad they dont celebrate thanksgiving here but we might do a little celebrating as missionaries) I really am so blessed and protected. I am have great family and so many great examples.
I hope that you have a good feast this week! I love you lots!

November 16, 2009

This week was good. We had our Zone Conference in Toulouse Wednesday and the theme that our zone leaders have chosen for this transfer is "open your mouth and see the miracles." In conjunction with something that Elder Holland had taught us "teach the byt the way lesson" where ever we are teach find someone to teach. It was so cool I had decided that I would do the very best I could to talk with the people where ever we are. and I have been praying that Heavenly Father would help me to see the miracles each day. He hads done just that. One really cool miracle was on Friday we had just left the church to catch the bus. (The bus stop is right next to the Church.) At the stopThere was a girl about 25 sitting there and asked us what time it was. her simple question started a conversation. During the conversation she said that she was from Africa, the same country as a brother in the ward. Long story short we talke about the church just briefly and as the bus arrived i asked if she would like to talk more another dayShe was excited and said oh ya I will write my address doan when we get on the bus. As we continued to talk she asked lots of questions. I feel that she is really prepared we are going to teach her this week. Heavenly Father really does guide our words if we put our trust in him and open our mouths.
Another miracle was Gabriel and Marcel both came to church yesterday. Gabriel is amazing since he had already been taught a few years ago it is cool to see the spirit work on him and help him remember the things he felt and learned before. for instance we were reading a scripture and at the end he said i remember that verse. i remember having read it before.
Honestly it is the little things that are the biggest miracles. Heavenly Father gives us miracles everyday And I have found that I need to pay more attention.
This work really is amazing! There are oppontunities all around to teach and to help others. But not everyone is willing to listen or to accept help that is why we have to continue and try again or try in another way. When we show Heavenly Father that we are willing to work and submit to doing what he has asked he is there and will help. I know that he loves each one of us. He is there for us.

November 9, 2009

My testimony has been strengthened this week. A little over a month ago i had told Celine that when we decide to follow the commandments and make a strong decision to change that is when the opposition is the stongest. Well that was the case this week for me. after the weekend of being well fed spiritually and really having that desire to do better and to work harder I have fixed some goals and was ready to do everything that i could. I can testify that Miracles happen amongest the opposistion.
Wednesday came Sr. Royer has literally been sick since she got to Perpignan. But she has tried dfferent things that the mission DR has suggested and nothing has worked. And Tuesday she was not doing well at all. We had a day full and were going to be running all day so instead of doing her language studies she took a nap to see of that would help. We ended up spending a good part of the afternoon at the doctors office. Sr. Oger had given us a ride and when she dropped us off she told Sr. Royer to get some rest. And she did. While she was sleeping I was able to make cookies as a thank you for some of the members as thank yous. So that was one advantage. Then Thursday we had a weird day, nothing we had planned worked out. SR. Royer had to go have blood drawn well we went the first time and she didnt have a paper for her insurance with her they couldnt do it. so we went back to our apartment and got the paper this time she didnt have enough money so we had to leave and come back again. It was litearlly a circus; I am so grateful for doctors at home and the fact they can do everything all at the same place at the same time. So after those 2 days I was thinking what else can we do evertying thatwe plan is falling through. But Heavenly FAther really did bless us on Friday He really led us for the day. We had Rendezvous with a lot of less active members and were able to see all of them. The very last one was Sr. Dulac. She is awesome. She was converted when she was 14. she is now married to a man that is awesome but not a member. (but I think one day he will be) And they have a little girl elora. She has such a strong testimony and even though she doesnt come to church very often right now she has not forgot and she is still strong.

November 2, 2009

This weekend was amazing all of the missionaries in the mission were in one place at the same time. I think we have somewhere around 80-90 missionaries total. there are 17 sisters. We were all assembled in Toulouse. It was the coolest experience to see to be there when Elder holland and his sister Holland, and Elder Kopischke walked into the chapel. They are men called of God. I can now say that i have shaken the hand of an apostle. He had planned the time to greet us all. I cant explain the feeling the spirit as i was standing face to face with elder Holland. Then as he talked to us. He has a great love for this gospel i have no doubt that he know that this church is true. I was very grateful yesterday that I understand english. During the Stake conference of course when Elder and Sister Holland, and Elder Kopischke talked they had someone translate. The translation miss a little bit of the enthusiasm and power. THey really focused on Christ. Christ has not and will not ever forget us or leave us alone. He is always there!
The conference was a great ending to the week. the work ahs beena little bit rough but it can only get better. The conference brought some great blessings. A young man who has been less active until just recently volunteered to take us to Toulouse yesterday. He has really started to come around and is finding the importance of the gosple again in his life. that was miracle number one Gael took us to conference. Miracle 2 was another one of our less active sisters who is going through many trials in her life decided that she would come to the conference. I was able to talk to her just breifly after yesterday and she she said she was reminded of how much Christ really loves her. and as we were leaving she said "a dimanche" or see you next sunday. She is going to come to church next week! I am so grateful today for all of the blessing that I have and to see the hand of the Lord in my life. This gospel is true. It is not a fairy tale. Christ will come again. He lives and loves each one of us. even if we arent perfect.

Halloween Pictures from France

Jenni with her companion, Sister Royer
Jen's Halloween Costume - half missionary - half goof ball

Jenni with a ward member dressed as Sister Lake

An American Family

Ward Halloween Party
The Sister Missionaries planned a Ward Halloween Party for Saturday, October 24th and it was a huge success; everyone had fun.

October 26, 2009

we were trying to teach Mattius this last week that Heavenly Father is there that he does hear and answers. We dont need an appointment we dont have to worry if he is on vacation or if it is his day off because he is always there. It is hard for Mattius to understand that there is a way to get rid ofall the pains and trials that there is someone that understand exactly how we feel. But little by little he is understanding. Before I forget I have to tell you about the Halloween Party and this weekend. Sr. Royer and i really stressed and worked to prepare everything for the party. All week we were preparing little things. I have never planned a ward party before and i have to say that it is stressful; But it all turned out great! Saturday was a busy day. There was a baptism Saturday morning; It was a young man, Teddy, the same age as I am. He is actually married to a member that has been in active for a while. It was another amazing baptism; It is cool to see the love that grows betweena couple when the nonmember spouse is baptized. And they start progressing together to go to the temple.AFter the baptism we decorated a little bit bu then had a couple of rendezvous. The party was supposed to start at 6 and we got there about 5 to finish decorating and preparing; like most ward parties every started showing up shortly after 6. There were tons of people that came. It turned out so sell. They ate; The little kids did trick or treating int he church, and Fr. Neuvre brought his computer and was the DJ for the Evening. Everyone loved it! Halloween isnt really celebrated here. so it is kindo f a weird concept for them, but they love it. This week was an interesting week and a week that if you look at numbers and things was the greatest week but yesterday we were really blessed. We met this guy and the road and had just said hi to him when he says to us do you want my address come over visit with me and eat with me. It is has been so long since the missionaries have been to see me. I guess he lost contact with the missionaries and was soexcited when he saw us yesterday. Then shortly after that we were sitting on a bench waiting for Didier when another man walked up and asked what is your message do you preach the good word of GOd? I can testify that Heavenly Father helps us out. There are people that are searching for the light of Christ in their life. I am so excited for this week. We have set a goal to find 2 families to teach this transfer. And we are going to find them. This week is also the conference with Elder holland. I cant explain to you how extremely Excited I am! So tune in next week tko hear what he had to teach us. I love you! I hope that you have an incredible week! Happy Halloween!

October 19, 2009

I cant belive how fasts this week went by. As I was thinking about what I wanted to share with you and just what had happened this week i couldnt help but think that it feel like it should still be the first of October. Anywho It has changed from being nice fall weather to being freezing cold. The wind has blown pretty constantly for the last week. Soeur Royer and I decided that there is really no use in doing our hair because the minute we walk out the door it blows away. We are finding more and more that the wind and skirts dont get along very well....Aside for that it was a great week. There is a sister that we have been visiting a lot lately named Sr. Garcia. She is someone that has gives all she ahs for others. She is divorced but still stays strong, She has a son that lives not to far and she would do anything for him and his family. SHe has been like that all her life. But now she is in the last year of work and so stressed. so stressed that she is sick. The sad thing is that she is in a position that she needs someone to give back to her. So we go and visit when we can. We have talked about how sometimes Heavenly Father pushes us to the point that we really cant take any more yet we know that we cant giv up an just have to keep going even if it is only one day at a time. She is so strong. That is exactly it we have to stay stong even when we think that we will break. I have learned something really cool this week form One of our new amis Mattius. He loves to talk and it get hard to teach him. but the other nigth we were getting ready to go and he asked us what he could do because he has some problems with his neighbors and he doesnt know what to do. As he explained the problem we didnt know what to tell him he could do but the idea came to have him read int he Book of Mormon and pray. We invited him to read Enos that night and to start with a Prayer and ask God his question. He agreed but asked if we would read at the same time as he did. We agreed knowing that he was going to receive and answer. We called him the next day and he expalined that as he read he had a voice tell him what he should do. Later in the week he asked for another chapter that he could find an answer in. The same thing happend he received his answer as he read. For me I am realizing that it is the same for us that everytime we open the scriptures we can receive an answer. Like the promise in Moroni "if you will ask with a sincere heart" you can receive an answer. He doesnt say that it will only work one time but everytime we open and read we can find answers to all or our worries and questions. Sometimes it is jus peace that we find. I love the Book of Mormon I know that it is the word fo God. Its incredible to have the time each morning to study it fora few minutes.