Greetings,
This week was such a good week and the perfect way to end the transfer. It is such a testimony that our hard moments can last as short as a week. The sun does rise again.
Let's start from the beginning. So this week we went back to see that new young family that we found last week. On the way there I started thinking 'oh mince...I hope that they are there...and if they are not there...I hope the Grenal's don't remember." The Grenals having been fasting and praying for a missionary opportunity for years and the last thing we wanted to do was to squash their hopes. Well, sure enough, we turn the street and the Grenals are in their front yard haha at this point I think, "well, now they HAVE to be there."
Sure enough we turn the corner and the family was waiting for us! The lesson went super well. At the beginning of the lesson, he said "well, I just don't see the point of religion because no one has all the truth." Me and my companion think "well this is perfect" And we tell him "well, that's actually what we wanted to talk to you about today." haha. We go back to the Grenal's and tell them about our lesson with them. They are freaking out while we're playing it all cool (but secretly geeking out). They then told us that they had been praying all day that the family would remember our visit. I was seriously touched by their devotion to missionary work.
Then Soeur Grenal asks us about one of our Amis who we had been teaching and who had come to church once. This was kind of a sad topic because this ami had dropped appointments for about 4 weeks straight. We told her that we weren't seeing her any more. She then explained to us that the time that Fatima came to church, she had asked about baptism. This was super surprising to both of us because before I came, they had not taught Fatima formal lessons. Fatima is Muslim but non practicing. The missionaries had kept the appointments more casual just to keep the relationship up and then ease her into the missionary discussions.
When I came, Soeur Hilton and I decided I could play the new missionary card and we could start to structure the lessons more. Anyway, after our visit with Soeur Grenal, we decided to call Fatima again and see if we could fix something. Sure enough, she says that she is free the next day! We call a member and have her come with us. We're teaching the Doctrine of Christ. The spirit is really strong and towards the end of the lesson, we invite her to pray to know if Jesus Christ is her Savior. She then starts describing these experiences she has had and then finally proclaims that she has Faith in Jesus Christ. I was floored!
I remember the lesson we had with her at the beginning of the transfer and she was so confused by who Christ was and his role. She went on to say "Now that I believe in Him, it's like I've known him all along." The spirit was so unbelievably strong. Apparently she had been searching the internet and reading all she could. She kept our commitment to pray and felt an outpouring of the Spirit. It was probably one of the more touching moments of my mission. I met this woman about 6 weeks ago and at that point she wasn't sure who Christ was but now it's "like she's known him all along."
Other great news: This week Elder Oaks and Elder Ballard were here and this last weekend we went to Paris to a multi-stake conference. Officially, there are no more districts in France. All Stakes now. The temple is finally under construction!!! WOHOOO!! One of the highlights of the conference was seeing all the people I love and miss from Melun. I was able to see Prisca and she is doing SO WELL!! The greatest news was when I heard, "Soeur Bitter!". I turn around and it's Benjamin! I was SO excited to see him! Even more excited to see him in a white shirt and suit! That was shocking! We used to go and teach Benjamin and his mom every Friday night. They were a less active family in Melun. Our lessons were always really good but it was hard getting them to church. As I left Melun, Benjamin was coming more and more often and starting to volunteer for the YSA activities and things like that. Well, I now find out, HE'S GOING TO SERVE A MISSION! Complete turn around!! I'm so excited for him. Oh my goodness!
Fun moment from weekend: We have an ami who is in Paris on an internship right now so we decided to set up a RDV while at the multi-Stake Conference. And where would we be meeting? In front of Notre Dame. Pourquoi pas? Ha. It was pretty magical as we were waiting for her in front of the most identifiable cathedral in the world while the Organ is blasting away. I serve in the coolest city in the world.
Last preparation day, we decided that after p-day was over, we would go and visit this family who live kind of far away. So far, that we can't take a bus or train...ROAD TRIP!!! We decided we would spend p-day down there and see the chateau and then after, just stay and visit this family. First off, driving for an hour through french countryside-just loved it. More than that, the Pahio's are the most Christ-like, loving people I think I have ever met. They have so much love for Christ and for others. When we heard their conversion stories and I was floored to find out that Soeur Pahio was the first member in her country! And now, just 11 years later, there are 2 branches there! They are so wonderful. It was kind of sad though because I could tell that being so far from the ward was really hard for them. Their car doesn't work 100 percent of the time and I don't think people go down and visit them often. So I'm thinking we're going to make a once per transfer road trip :) We love them so much.
Well, those are all my stories for today. :)
Jon & Sarah: You have been in my prayers so much!! I'll be thinking of you two more than usual this week! Also, loving all the pictures that you are sending. You guys are the best. Tell my favorite nephew hi and give my favorite niece a kiss for me.
I love you all and think of you often.
Sœur Bitter
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