Monday, July 26, 2010

Yesterday we had one of the most spiritual and most incredible experiences I think I have had since I have been on my mission. After church we ahd an appointment with our ami Amed. He had told us when we got the the tram stop to call us and he would come and meet us. Well we get there and call but he didnt answer. WE stood there for a minute and thought well what can we do? We knew which apartment building he lived in but not which aprtment number(plus it was a 17 story building) But we felt like we should go and look at the mailboxes for that building and see if we could find his name. Well we found 2 boxes with the name Amed and siad we will try them and see what happens maybe we will find him. So off we go to the 7th story. We ring the doorbell and a young man comes to the door. I recognized this young man. We told him that we thought we were looking for our friend and we must have guessed the wrong apartment. He looked at us really confused and was like no but how did you find this apartment. we were like just randomly.
To give a little bit of backfround I had contacted him back the first week I had been in Bordeaux and it was a very humbling and a great teaching experience for me to say the least. AT that point he didn give me his number or anything. I had prayed that maybe I would see him again. But had kind of forgotten about him. Until the other day I had the thought just wondering how he was and if he had prayed.

SO to continue with the story. His name is Salim. He started to tell us that he had been praying out on his balcony and asking GOd for help with some problems he is having. SO that is why he was so confused that we had showed up at his house. He came out in the hall and talked with us for a few minutes. I cant give you all the details but I can say the spirit was very strong. We talked about why we are here in this life and how God answers our prayers. We gave him the Plan of Salvation Brochure. he trembling hands he read the first page.

THe spirit was strong and was there. I know that it was not just randomlly that we knocked on his door last night. Heavenly Father has been preparing him. and needed us to see him last night. I have no doubts that this is the work of the Lord. He leads and guides us his hands to be where he needs us to be. He really know each of his children and what they need and when they need it.

July 20, 2010

We had two amis that were supposed to come to church Jahwajah and Hademou, but for one reason or another they didn't come. Bus while we were in Relief Society Sister Lazof came in. We are working with her and her husband and son to come to church. We had been there Saturday and had a great lesson with them . we had invited them to church again and they said they were going to come. WE prayed really hard that they would come because last week they had said the same thing and didnt come. When I saw them there I was jsut extactic! Even Brother Lazof had come! They stayed until right after sacrement meeting. THere is still a lot to work on with them but they CAME to church!
I love the Lord and am so grateful for all of the blessing that he gives me. Right before coming to write we were at Belal's! I love to go and visit him. Everytime he teaches us and it seems to be exactly what I need for that day or that moment. He just got back from a trip to JOrdan. He showed us all of his photos and discribed some of the things that he saw. THen he shared with us a couple thoughts about serving those around us. It was interesting I needed wht he said and he gave me someideas especailly for serving my companions and other. Even if it is just a simple sincere complement taht come from the heart that can do great things. He really helped me remember the importance of not judgine others. I find myself especially when we are contactin or in the tram and bus that I judges people by their appearance of whether or not they will be interested; But it doestn work like that.
I just remembered somthing really cool from this last week! The 14 of JUly is kind of like our 4 of July. And we were out in the streets talking to peopel and we stopped a man his name come to find out is Theirry. He was having a rough day. He said that maybe he would be interested talking to us another time. He gave us his address but that was it. Said pass and if I'm there we can talk if not viola.
Well we were excited anyway and thoght you never know. Well the next day We had just got back to appartment and were fixing lunch when the phone rang. I didnt recognize the number or the voice. Come to find out it was Theirry calling to tell us that he had told us the wrong house number, he ended up setting an appointment with us for Saturday. He is amazing. He is seperated from the mother of his 2 daughters. and only sees his daughters everyother weekend. It is really hard for him. Just in talking to him he is very sincere. He is searching for the peace that only the gospel can bring. We are excited to see him again this week.

July 12, 2010

We had 2 really neat experiences this week with a less active family. the Family Lazof. I had only ever met soeur Lazof, whenever Sr. Madsen et moi had stopped by she was there alone. But this time they were both there. WE asked themif we could sing and pray with them. they agreed. After we had sang We asked them about their conversion. They both went on to share the things that had touched them about the church. The spirit was really strong as the two of them bore testimony. That night I can truly sayt that the spirit led us to know what to say. We testified that the spirit was there right then and we asked them what we could do to help them to have the spirit in their home and te help them prepare to come back to church. Sr.: Lazof lit right up and said "you come here every Saturday night and you spend time with us." she then turned to her husband and said "we will have a good time without smoking or drinking." He agreed! SO Saturday we went and they had fixed us dinner. We ate then were sharing our little lesson with them. Brother Lazof was kind of anxious I still dont know why. As we finished we asked if we could just leave them witha prayer. He agreed and said he would even give it! As he prayed the spirit was really strong. He prayed with all his heart. He finished and said that he felt a heat come over him. It was a very neat experience. THey are sucha neat couple. We are going to continue to work with them.
It was really fun this week we ran into our amis and serge all over. Especially Serge- that was handy because a couple of times he was actually able to teach with us. I have to laugh because m companion think I am crazy but we really are learing to work together. THis morning we were street contacting. Sr. Walton said to us we should try and just smile wear a really big smile as we walk. so we did. We were laughing and having a good time. THere was a man that was walking towards us we said bonjour, he had a really confused look on his face and replied "how are you? " and just like that we got taking; we ended up talking of over 20 minutes. It was really a good conversation and we are actuallyu going to see him tomorrow too!
Honestly things are going well! I love being a missionary. Time is going by so fast. I cant even stand it.

July 5, 2010

This last week was really a good week. We are finding lot of new people to teach. Even this afternoon shortly after we had arrived in Bordeaux we had a Rendezvous with Serge. When we got off the bus we were walking across this open place and this lady came up behind us and was saying, "wait wait." We turned around stopped. She stopped next to us and said "I want to know more about the mormons, that interests me. can I get one of your Books?" I think that my mouth was on the ground. After I got it to close and actually work she gave us her information and said we could come by during the week. The on ly thing is she lives in the Elders area. In all of my mission I have never had anyone stop us like that before. You never know when the Lord is going to place someone on your path.
We had another cool experience this week. We received a text from someone saying that he had been admitted to the hospital but he wanted to let us know that he was doing ok. WE had no idea who he was. So we called him because we thought that maybe it was an ami or member that had just used a different number. Come to find out he was taught by the sisters a couple of months ago but some how they had lost contact or something with him. It was so cool. WE were able to meet him his name is Pedro he is really cool we will see what happens with him.
So yesterday we had the opportunity to celebrate the 4th of July. I had made brownies and we went with the elders to Gus' house. He is originally from Florida but came to FRance after the 2nd world War in 43. Heis now 87 and is really losing his memory he has a hard time speaking French and English and his hearing is going too. But I can say that is was such a fun night. we sang all of the patriotic songs in the English Hymn book. He was so happy to have us there. I realized how proud I am to be an American! I love France and the people here but I can ruely say that my heart is american!

June 28, 2010

One thing that I reallylearned was that Stress is a lack of faith. For most amis they really have oposition right before their baptism we were really suprised when The week before Serge's baptism it was calm everything worked out just fine. But this wee we really understand why. I can't give you all of the details but lets just say that it was rough. His situation is not easy. And many times during the week we had appointments with him just to make sure that he was ok. I can honestly say that he has so much faith. He has complete confidence in the Lord. One thing with him he doesnt have a cell phone right now so when we have an appointment with him and he is late we cant call him to see if he is even coming or not. And one night we really needed to see him and we had been waiting at the church for more than half and hour. I was kind of worried and started stressing is he going to come? has something happened? BUt as I sat there I realized that I had been praying and asking the Lord to help him get there safely yet there I was stressing out. I had a thought come to mind that really hit me" do you really have confidence that Heavenly Father is hearing your prayers or not?" As I thought about it I thought well of course I know he answers prayers then another thought came: "why are you stressed then?" It is just that I knew at that moment that Heavenly Father had complete control over everything. There were many moments when that inspiration really helped me this week to realize that Heavenly Father is in control. There is nothing to big, too strong or too powerful that He cannot handle.
It is really cool to to watch your new converts and amis progress in the church. Sometimes it is like being a parent. For example Belal another of our recent converts blessed the sacrement and received his first calling yesterday. I was so escited for him. I can see how really his testimony continues to grow and how well he is integated into the Ward. Ihope and pray that it is going to be like that for Serge in not verylong. THey really are such great examples.
We have been working with a lot of new people. The cool thing is they are all young single adults! THat makes it even more fun because they are at our level. We are facing the same kinds of things in our lives. It is really cool to share the gosple with them and let it change them like it changes me in my life.
the weather has changed to super hot! We went from like 20°C to 30°C over night. It really does tricks to you when it changes like that.

Serge's Baptism

Serge and Soeur Lake
Soeur Madsen, Bouba, Serge, Soeur Lake

Bouba and Serge

June 22, 2010

This wekk was incredible! SErge was Baptized! We were able to see him a couple of times during the week. One of the times we had Belal another recent convert teaching with us. SErge and Belal once again taught me so much more than I could have taught them. THey had the analogy that for the last 31years for Belal and 40 years for SErge they have been prisioners. THey didnt know they were prisioners. But as they have found the gospel and put into practice the teaching of CHrist and now been baptized they have been made free. How cool is that! Through and only through the gospel of Jesus Christ are we made free.
EAch time that we saw Serge he was more and more excited for his baptism. He shared his testimony many times too about how the scriptures help him and how he really feel the Holy Ghost teach him and help him. Saturday finally came. Not going to lie I was a little stressed I don't know why but I was. Everything worked out. THe Program was really good. Serge had asked Belal to give the talk about he Baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost. ANd he aske Bouba to baptize him. BOth of these brothers are new converts themselves. It really was something special. As we went in to the room for the baptism the spirit was so strong. I cant explain how the spirit really is special at a baptism. You could see the pure joy when Serge came out of the water. He even Bore his testimony. He told us that when he first met the missionaries he doubted what we were teaching him. "I didnt want to believe. But as I read the Book of Mormon and continued to pray it was like somthing was telling me it was true, but I still didnt want to listen to it. Little by little i came to know that it was true." As we have talked with him since hte baptism and receiving The Holy Ghost he there is something different about him. He said to us that it is like his heart is at rest. He feel light there was something lifted from his shoulders. It is so true! There is a difference in his countenance it isnt something you could capture with a camera. Almost like someone has turned a light on in his face. He glows.