Sprinting to the Finish - July 28, 2014

Hello hello!

So Sr Mason and I are in serious training mode. We go running every day---like clockwork. It's so awesome having a companion who wants to work out. Anyway, on our run every morning, we finish with this gnarly up hill and then immediately after it's a lovely downhill stretch. This morning, after reaching the top of the Goliath hill and starting my downhill sprint, I thought of my mission. I thought that I am now in that downhill sprint. Here in Vannes we have been INCREDIBLY blessed. The work isn't an uphill grind right now. In fact quite the opposite. But it's important that even though I'm tired and I can see the finish, that it really is a final sprint. So I ask all those who are reading this, please no more comments about the 21st of August. I am still in my race and I know that there is still much work for me to do here. I love you all but I'll see you in 4 weeks.

So this week was amazing. We'll start with the update on Françoise and Patrick. They are both doing well. Going strong. Coming to church. In one of our lessons this last week, we decided to talk about baptism. Obviously Françoise and Patrick had already heard a lot of baptism from us, the Gentry's and also at church but we thought that we should highlight a few doctrinal points that we didn't think were covered.

The Gentry's shared the stories of their baptisms and even brought pictures! The spirit was really strong and Françoise looked SO excited for that day to come. I then told her that I wished I could be at her baptism but before I could continue she said "BUT I'LL BE THINKING OF YOU!" I love her so much.

We then asked Patrick if he was continuing to contemplate about his own baptism. To which Patrick and Françoise simultaneously said "of course". His testimony is becoming stronger and stronger and he loves the church so much but then he told us that he doesn't think he can physically get baptized right now because of his health problems. Before I could say anything. Françoise cut in "BUT GOD IS STRONG! If He wants you to be baptized. YOU CAN BE BAPTIZED! That's just an excuse. Tell us. Why don't you really want to get baptized".

Haha I thought to myself "well...that was the best response imaginable". It is so impressive to me how much Françoise has progressed. It's crazy to think that we only started teaching her a month ago. When we first met her, she was pretty sure that there was a 'supreme being' but wasn't sure if that was God or who He was or what He was like. Now she boldly proclaims His love and His existence and His power. It really has been such a privilege teaching her.

We started teaching someone new whose name is Julie. She's also French and is about 25 years old. She is bursting with questions. Seriously. She will read from the Book of Mormon and the Bible and if she has questions, she will type them out and then print them off for us for the next lesson. She told us "I know that you come and you have prepared things to teach me...so i thought to stay on topic, I would send these home with you and you could just bring them back next time" haha so awesome. It is really cool to see someone so THIRSTY for the knowledge of the Gospel. This week we were able to teach her the Plan of Salvation.

Her entire upbringing, she has misunderstood that Heavenly Father is vindictive and unloving--and that's why there is so much saddness in the world. It was really beautiful to be able to teach someone of the profound love that Heavenly Father has and the priceless gift of agency. She says that she see's what we are saying so clearly and it makes so much sense to her but she can't help thinking also of her previous beliefs. So she is pretty divided right now but we are praying that with time it will become more and more clear.

So this last week there was a night that we had about an 40 minutes left before going home but we were near our neighborhood. Now Sr mason and I have pretty thoroughly ported that entire area BUT I noticed a small hidden neighborhood that I hadn't noticed before. Sr Mason said that we should go there and we start our little hike.

On our way there, we see (sadly) a dead bird in the middle of the road. It was just perfectly lying there with it's shiny feathers blowing in the wind. "awww" sad faces. JUST THEN! A car comes out of nowhere and RUNS IT OVER! The sound and the HORROR!! Instantly I gasped with hands over mouth and turned, wide-eyed to sr mason. For 15 seconds we just stared, HORRIFIED at each other. "Come on. Porting will make us forget". We went to that little neighborhood (literally like 8 houses) and after about 20 minutes, and without much success, we exited again. Looking down the street I could still see the sad little bird. Sr Mason and I both agreed--there was no way that we could walk back that way. We would have to walk the long way home.

We start hiking the hill and as I'm looking to the turn, I see this Asian girl turn the corner and start walking down the street. "NO WAY!" I thought. Now back story: Before I left Rennes, I said goodbye to my Best friend Sophie. Being the angel that she is, she gave me little gifts and then told me that she wishes me so much happiness and then (here's the important part) that I will be able to find my "Sophie #2" to share the Gospel with. At the time, I just smiled within myself thinking of how sweet Sophie is.

Fast-forward to two weeks ago: We were walking down the road to our house and I saw this same girl. The instant I saw her I heard Sophie in my mind saying "I wish that you find Sophie 2". The only problem, she was wearing headphones and in the process of reading something while she was walking--not exactly the easiest contact. So I didn't approach her. So. much. Shame. Now, 2 weeks later, while hiking a hill/fleeing a dead bird, I see the exact same girl turn the corner and start walking our way. Once again, she has her headphones in and this time she is typing on her iPhone. BUT this time, I would NOT let my opportunity pass.

I waved a huge BONJOUR to get her attention and then started talking to her. It was so interesting because everything I asked her--her responses were just like when I first started teaching Sophie. The idea of a life after, a God or anything of the sort had literally never occurred to her. She had never dwelt on such questions or ideas. And I believed her. Because I knew Sophie had experienced the same thing.


After talking for a bit, I asked if we could see her again, to which she responded "why not!". Then when we asked if she wanted to come to church with us she again responded "ya! how do I get there?". She came this last Sunday and the members were SO lovely to her. I am so grateful that my Heavenly Father gave me a second chance to meet her. So grateful for second chances.


In other news, the Batistas (a family that we have been teaching FOR.EV.ER) are progressing again! a few weeks ago we told them they are SERIOUSLY missing out on blessings from the Lord. And it saddens us as missionaries because we are seeing so many others take these opportunities and see for themselves. We told them that there wasn't much more we could do for them and that it was to them now to decide if they really wanted this or not. Well, last week, we are sitting in our classroom waiting for 2nd hour to start and I look out the window and I see Sylvain and Karene, walking hand-in-hand towards the chapel doors. BAM! So cool. It was so sweet to see them sitting next to each other in Sacrament fully participating and so happy to be there. We are really praying that this is the start of a real progression. Karene hasn't really been to church much....like once since I've been here (besides yesterday). So we're excited.

Well family and friends, I love you SO SO much. I hope that you have an amazing week :)
I actually wanted to include this link https://www.lds.org/pages/modern-day-pioneers?lang=eng.
It is a cool "Pioneer message" but it talks about modern day pioneers. I loved the first video by President Uchtdorf and it made me think of my beautiful sister-in-law Sarah. So I thought I would sent it for you to watch too. It's not to long. Just a little under 2 minutes.

Gros Bisous (Lots of Love)
Soeur Bitter

p.s. sorry no pictures this week. Computer is being weird. Maybe next week :)