The Amazing Charleroi 1st Ward - February 10, 2014

Well first off, I'm feeling much better :)

Before I start I just want to illustrate a story of how well we are taken care of in Charleroi. Our ward mission leader found out that we were sick. Next thing I know, I hear the phone to our apartment ring. Soeur Ypersier is downstairs! We open the door for her. She comes up with BAGS full of food. "we figured you didn't do your shopping because you have been sick. Have you eaten? What's wrong with you? Stomach? Eat this." Haha then she zipped over to the kitched and did all of our dishes. She then turned to us and asked her to give her our laundry. I tried to oppose but what can you do. She's our Belgian grandma! The next day she dropped by again with our of our laundry pressed and folded...and even MORE food. Oh my. The Ypersiers are too good to us.

During our invalid state (which lasted until about Monday night for me and then Wednesday for Soeur Mangum), we went out a few times and every time was just AMAZING. I think I will just share one story.

Tuesday, we decided to go to our RDV with Alain. We had his number so we could have rescheduled but we had already cancelled a RDV the week before because Soeur Mangum was sick. We decided to just tough it and go. He related a little bit of his background to us. It sounded like he had never really attached himself to any religion because none really were in accordance with what he felt to be true. He is Belgian and very believing. We decided to start by teaching him the Restoration. It went really well. The spirit was strong and he said he would study it more and pray for himself if it was true. Our recent convert Christel came with us and she recounted the miracles she has seen in her life since her Baptism, how she gained her testimony etc. It was definitely a good lesson but it was the next lesson that blew us out of the water.

We go back again on Thursday. And I'm thinking "alright. It's go time. Did he pray or didn't he."

Soeur Bitter: "Alain, did you re-read the brochure about the Restoration?"
Alain: "Of course. I even read the little definitions in the back. It's necessary to understand it ALL".

Soeur Mangum: "And did you pray to know if these things are true?"
Alain: "I pray every night and morning" 

       *At this point I'm thinking "I KNOW THAT ANSWER!"

Soeur Bitter: "But did you pray and ask if these things were true"
At which point Alain turned to me and said firmly "I already know it's true."

Dumbfounded. I just stared right back at him. Then suddenly I just continued to say that today we would be teaching about the Plan of Salvation. That thanks to the Restoration, we have the restored truth of what God's plan is for us. When we were talking about Eternal Families, we asked him what an Eternal Family would mean to him. He responded by telling us that that is exactly what he wants. But not just for him. For EVERYONE. "after all, we're all brothers and sisters aren't we?" 

He then told us that he had been waiting for this his entire life. We continued and really focused on the fact that Eternal Life is for those who make and keep covenants with the Lord. At the end of the lesson, we asked him if he would make these covenants himself. Again, he looked start at me and said "Yes. Not a problem." We then went a little further to set a baptismal date!! He committed to be baptized the first of March!! He said that was a perfect day :) because it's the day after his birthday. WHAT. A. MIRACLE!!

He came to church yesterday and LOVED it. And of course, the members LOVED him. Before church, he went across the street to Frere Butielle's house so he could follow behind him to church. We talked to Frere Butielle and he said that he told Alain to come at 8:30 but of course he was there at 8. He then asked Frere Butielle a few questions about the Plan of Salvation. He said that he re-read the brochure over and over that we gave him. Frere Butielle answered a few questions but then he said to bring his questions to church and if they weren't answered there, that the missionaries would be happy to answer them. So he brought his questions to church. 

Well what was the 1st hour about? The Plan of Salvation. What was 2nd hour about? The fall of Adam and Eve. How ideal. All of his questions were answered perfectly. He got along amazingly with the members. He integrated himself perfectly with everyone. He is so friendly that it really wasn't a worry. Well anyway, we're pretty stoked. Someone that we found porting about 2.5 weeks ago is getting baptized in 2.5 weeks. So amazing.

Other great news. Since I have been here, we have been seeing a less active named Christine Puissant. It had been since Christmas eve that we had seen her. We decided that she was someone we should see more regularly so we went and saw her a couple times 2 weeks ago. When we were preparing for her lesson, we decided to have a reality check with her and talk about the covenants we made with our Heavenly Father at baptism. One of those is that we take the sacrament each week and renew those covenants. We read from Moroni 6 together. After reading we asked her what she thought of the chapter. "Well....it's everything I'm not doing." 

We continued to talk a little about the Sacrament to which she responded "that is definitely something I miss." that was the first time I had heard her say she'd missed something about church. We quickly grabbed onto that idea and then taught the rest of the lesson on that and the lesson following. Well AMAZING news, Soeur Puissant called the Bishop and told him she's coming back to church. She was there this last Sunday and our Ward Mission Leader said it was like she had never left. She jumped right back in with everyone and they welcomed her in fully like she had never been gone.

Charleroi 1 Ward is just killing it. Last Sunday there were about 9 non members at church (and for a ward that normally only has 60 people attending -- not bad at all) and SO MANY less actives who have started coming again. It's really amazing. And why is it doing so well you ask? Because the members here are passionate about Missionary work. They want it. Bad. So everyone do your part out there :) People are waiting for you and many of the less actives are actually just waiting for someone to invite them back.

Unfortunately I'm out of time. All the people who I haven't responded to, no worries, we're getting back online tomorrow morning. We received permission because our time was cut so short today. 

Love you all!!


Soeur Bitter


Grandpa!! HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! I've been thinking of you and Grandma a lot this last week. I got your letter and it made me smile to think of you two sitting around in the living room reading all the grand kid letters. It makes me smile :) I love you so much. You have always been such a support to me--especially in my passion for the Violin. I miss you!

Blessings Coming -- Even When Sick -- February 3, 2014

Oh lala where do I even begin? 

First off, I'm really sick. Haha...and then I got my poor comp sick. So here we are at the Church writing emails..because we're too tired to go to the internet cafe. Not telling you this to complain but instead so that you will understand if my letter is all over the place.

Huge highlight of the week was when Elder Kearon came and spoke at a mission conference. It. was. AMAZING. He is so inspired and so humble. It was one of those moments in my life of recommitment to the Savior. I think we all need those ever now and again (hopefully more often than not). But it was a beautiful conference and he really inspired me to kick missionary work to the next level. It was interesting because the other day I was thinking "I feel like I have gotten stuck in a bandwidth. I bring city to a certain standard of excellence but then I don't know how to push beyond that. I want to break my own limits". Well sure enough. That is what half the conference was on. 

Funny how it works like that isn't it? He talked about literally "breaking the bandwidth in which we work." How villes, missionaries and missions get stuck in a certain standard. And how we need to break the ceiling and work in a new bandwidth. He said that our Heavenly Father is SO pleased with us. But He is not satisfied. He went on to say that he really doesn't think our Father will EVER be satisfied with missionary work because he loves each child SO dearly and wants EVERY child to return home. So yes. He is pleased but how can He ever be satisfied when so many of His children are still wandering without the Gospel? It was really amazing. I wish I could describe it more than that but unfortunately...I can't haha.

Another highlight was seeing some of my favorite people on this entire planet--Soeur Hilton, Soeur Rhondeau and Soeur Barton. Unfortunately I'm a fool and never got a picture with Soeur Hilton but it was seriously such a blessing to see them all again. Every day I thank my Heavenly Father for the opportunity he gave me to come out here. Not only do I have a chance to share the Gospel every day but He gave me these amazing companions to do it with. These people who have changed my life for good.

With Soeur Rhondeau

With Soeur Barton

Theme of the last couple days: The Lord really takes care of His sick missionaries. Friday I started getting sick and it was downhill to Sunday (but things are looking up again). Well I hate staying in -- even when I'm sick. So I was praying BIG time that throughout the day that I could have energy and that we would be led to where we needed to go so we could maximize the time that I did have energy enough to do work.

Here is our day:

So I know a lot of you are dying to hear the update on the Duret family (family of 15 kids). So Friday we decided to have a rdv with just the mom and see how she's doing and what we can do for her. It was an amazing lesson. Let's start off by what her husband said to her after we left the first time "My love. I think it's time. I think it's time we start returning." 

Our lesson with her was so beautiful. She apologized for not really participating the last time we were there. She said that she was still angry at our Heavenly Father for a lot of things that have happened in her life. She has never doubted that He is there or that Christ is her Savior but she had a lot of experiences between our first lesson and the one last week that showed her that it really is time. At the end of the lesson I asked her what we could do to help her. She looked up, saddened, and said "it's up to me now. I'm the one who messed up. I'm the one who shut the door so it's me who's got to work to clean up the mess". 

With eyes full of tears we expressed to her that that is exactly why we are here. That she isn't alone and that the missionaries and more importantly-Christ will be there for her as she makes her steps back. There are those moments on your mission that you can never really explain. I wish I could. I guess it's a little like trying to describe what the Holy Ghost feels like. It feels good, you feel at peace and you gain understanding and direction but at the same time you really can't describe fully the feelings of the Holy Ghost. Just like I can't describe what these lessons feel like. But hopefully you get a feeling of what this marvelous work is like.

Right after, her son and his friend walk in. The friend asked who we were. Before we could reply she boldly replies "They are the missionaries for the one true church on the earth. There are other churchs that teach pieces of the truth but we're talking about Heavenly Father's church." BAM! At which point I turn around and say "Hi. My name's Soeur Bitter". Haha

Right after that, we go to the bus stop and we see that the next bus isn't coming for a little while so I thought "alright. well we can stand here in the cold or we can start walking and contact people along the way". Then I hear *honk honk* and I look across the street and it's Helene! One of our members. She motions for us to cross the street and hop in her car. SUCH A TENDER MERCY. She drives us all the way to the church. 

We stop along the way to say hello to some people who were preparing for the wedding that night and then Sr Mangum and I decide to do a passby of someone who Soeur Mangum met on the bus (soeur magnum and I always split up on transportation so we both can contact someone. Double the contacting power! WOOT). Her name is Francoise and she plays the violin :) Win. Well she was there! We had a wonderful lesson and at the end she said "You know. I am never here on Fridays. Never. I literally stopped in to grab my violin and to change. God really wanted this to be." I nodded my head in agreement. She turned to me and said "You think so too?" "Most definitely" I responded. I left feeling so grateful to our Heavenly Father for taking care of invalid me.

Right after, we stopped by the wedding of a couple in our ward. Everyone INSISTED we come haha. That is one thing I adore about this mission. The missionaries REALLY are part of the ward. It was such a beautiful moment. They had a little service where they explained what would happen in the temple the next day and the power of the sealing ordinance. It was powerful to hear so many strong testimonies of Eternal Families. After that we mingled with TONS of non-members and less actives. A lot of them want to meet with us too. HAPPINESS. 

Unfortunately after all of this, I was dead. :(  We had to go home for the night. Besides an early turn in, the day was amazing and the next couple were just as good.

Wish I could share more of the weeks miracles but honestly, I'm not feeling well. It's time for us to go home. 

Love you all

Soeur Bitter.

Thanks Mindy! My boots now stand up straight.

This weeks spiritual thought is brought to you by one of my personal favorites: Elder Maxwell

"Whenever Church members speak of consecration, it should be done reverently while acknowledging that each of us “come[s] short of the glory of God,” some of us far short (Rom. 3:23). Even the conscientious have not arrived, but they sense the shortfall and are genuinely striving...

A second group of members are “honorable” but not “valiant.” They are not really aware of the gap nor of the importance of closing it (see D&C 76:75, 79). These “honorable” individuals are certainly not miserable nor wicked, nor are they unrighteous and unhappy. It is not what they have done but what they have left undone that is amiss. For example, if valiant, they could touch others deeply instead of merely being remembered pleasantly..."

I cut it off after the "2nd group" because I really do believe that so many of us fall into that category. May we rise to a higher level of conversion so that we can become more useful tools in the hands of the Father in blessing those around us.

Hot Water is Back in My Life - January 27, 2014

Well this week was a whirlwind of emotions!! For starters let's talk about the most joyous moment of my life (this may be an exaggeration but I think not). How about the moment I met for the VERY FIRST TIME a hot shower in Charleroi. Yes people--that is 7 weeks. OH QUEL BONHEUR!!! Tuesday morning, I called the agency to see if they had gotten the part in. (they told me they would call either Monday or Tuesday...so naturally I decided to call them Tuesday morning)

Me: Yes hello! This is the apartment under the name La Mission Française de Paris

Them: And how can we help you?

Me: Someone came last week because we had no hot water. They checked our water heater and they told us that it needed a replacement part and I was wondering if that part was in yet.

              *Employees speaking amongst themselves*

Them: I'm sorry miss. We have not gotten in the shipment yet (instantly deflated) but we will call you when we do.

"Oh well" I thought "it will come when it comes". Not even an hour later, I get a call back from the office telling us that the part is in!!

Them: So the technician will be coming next Thursday

Me: Ok let me check my calender...Oh wait. We'll be in Paris that day. Is there any other day?

Them: *disgruntled sigh* Fine how about Wednesday the 22nd?

At this point I think to myself "Wait...like tomorrow??" but I didn't want her to realize that and then move it back further so I quickly agreed, hung up the phone and let out CRIES OF JOY!!!!

That next afternoon, the hot water people came!! They changed out the part and after, I made them check all the water pressure too :) muahah. They spent a lot of time in the shower and now it's like a fire hose!! WOOT WOOT! Instantly we had hot water. That whole time, the water heater was MAKING hot water but we weren't able to get to it. Well, our days of boiling hot water are officially over. I took my first hot shower on Thursday and the whole time I was thinking "wow. This is like 20 buckets of hot water!! We use so much hot water to shower!!" haha

Anyway--moving on to the important stuff. This week was really amazing. We met a lot of really cool people and continued to meet with the people we already knew :)

Honestly, I forgot to bring my planner...so I can't remember a lot that happened (all the weeks blur together) BUT I can remember yesterday :) So I'll share a couple stories from yesterday.

So firstly, we found a less active/part member family in the ward via the ward list. I asked Soeur Mangum "Who is this family?" She told me that she had heard the name before but didn't know them personally. So we decide to call them up to see if they will let us come and visit them. The dad was SO excited to hear from us. We set something up for Sunday (yesterday). On Friday, we are in a meeting with our Ward Mission Leader and I ask him if he happens to know the Duret family. "Of course. They're the family with 14 kids. They live down the hill from your apartment." I about choked on my chocolate mousse. "14?!" Well this is going to be a party!!

We go to the RDV and I am SO excited. We walk in and actually--he was mistaken. There are 15 kids. New baby. And there was a cousin there too :). Kids off all shapes and sizes were running around. Blonde hair, dark hair, curly, straight, tall, short. A little of everything. At first, I was a little lost as to where to start. But then I thought "Tant pis. We'll just start this and they will listen". 

Sure enough when I asked if we could start with a prayer, every kid found a place to sit and immediately it was silent. All the kids closed their eyes and bowed their heads and were COMPLETELY reverent. After the prayer--all eyes were on me. I did the first thing I thought of. Haha. I reached in my bag, pulled out a plan of salvation pamphlet and asked if anyone knew the man on the cover. All the children jumped up and excitedly said "THAT'S JESUS!"

Missionaries: That is exactly right! And who can tell me more about Jesus?

Hands shot in the air as child after child either related either a story or a fact about Jesus Christ.  My personal favorite was the 11 year old who said "The people killed him and hung him on the cross. But they didn't know that he would live again"

The first 4 kids are baptized but the last 11 are not. There are 4 kids who could be baptized and when I asked Stephen (the 11 year old) if he was baptized he said "No...not YET!" and then cute little Claudia quickly said "but soon!"

The lesson went really really well. We talked about the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the opportunity he gave to us to live with our families and our Heavenly Father again. We asked them if they wanted to live with their family forever to which all of them shouted excitedly "YES!!!!" We then talked about our personal responsibility so that we can make this happen. It was so much fun. I felt like a primary teacher. It was also so sweet to see all those kids who really love their savoir and who REALLY want to go to follow him and go to church. When we left I smiled as I thought "I wonder if the primary is ready be doubled in size".

Dang...I'm almost out of time. But let me just leave you with this spiritual thought brought to you by ours truly, President Uchtdorf:

"Patience—the ability to put our desires on hold for a time—is a precious and rare virtue. We want what we want, and we want it now. Therefore, the very idea of patience may seem unpleasant and, at times, bitter.

Nevertheless, without patience, we cannot please God; we cannot become perfect. Indeed, patience is a purifying process that refines understanding, deepens happiness, focuses action, and offers hope for peace.

...patience is not passive resignation, nor is it failing to act because of our fears. Patience means active waiting and enduring. It means staying with something and doing all that we can—working, hoping, and exercising faith; bearing hardship with fortitude, even when the desires of our hearts are delayed. Patience is not simply enduring; it is enduring well!"

I love you all so much.

Tune in next week for the latest news of missionary work in Charleroi Belgium!!!

Soeur Bitter

No More Boiling Water

Top Notch ZLs

Another Best Companion

Cold Water Won't Stop Us - January 20, 2014

Hello All,

Today is the end of the transfer!! We got the new news and me and Sr Mangum are both staying in Charleroi!! Woot woot. So nothing changing here.

Update on our hot water, because I know that seems to be a topic of interest whenever I talk to anyone. We don't have it yet but they figured out what is wrong and they're ordering the replacement part. It should be here this week!! So hopefully by the end of this week we should have hot water!!! PARTY

Lots of great things happened this week. I'll try to cover most of the highlights.

So first off, super awesome. Charleroi 1st Ward had a great challenge in December for the whole ward. For a gift to Christ for Christmas, they would write their testimony in a Christmas card and give that and a wrapped Book of Mormon as a gift to one of their friends or neighbors. Well it's been an awesome turn back. A lot of the members personally committed to do it (most have already done it) and now we are meeting with a few of these people who wanted to learn more.

This week we went to go meet one of the people but unfortunately she was busy when we came so we decided while (since we were already out there) that we would porte her apartment building. And what awesomeness! We found a BEAUTIFUL family that lives just across the hall from her. They were busy when we first went by but we went back this last Wednesday and had the most beautiful first lesson I have had my entire mission. The husband, Kennedy, didn't want us to come back until all the family could be there (including their 3 year old). We came back and taught the restoration. The spirit was so strong and they expressed their sincere gratitude for bringing the spirit into their home. They are such a strong, Christ-centered family already. It was really awesome to see how much the Lord prepares these people. They had the most inspired answers to questions we asked. For example:

"Why do you think Heavenly Father calls prophets?"
"Because he's organized. His church needs order. That way there is no confusion. The path is clear and simple."

And what more, their first language is English. SCORE. I felt like I was back in Rennes teaching Sophie or Tang or Tugsuu.

Another highlight, so last week we were coming back from Brussels (Sr Holmes and I) and I saw a woman who was struggling to get all her bags through the train. We offered to help her to which she gladly agreed but saying "but careful! They're pretty heavy". Thinking nothing of her warning I reached for the medium sized bag. SHE WASN'T KIDDING!! "IS THIS THING FULL OF BRICKS?!" Was the first and only thing that crossed my mind as we helped her off the train. We then told her who we were and why we're here. She immediately gave us her phone number, telling us that she knows so many members here in Charleroi and she would love to meet with us.

We got ahold of Nelly 2 weekends ago and set something up for this last Wednesday. A couple days before the RDV I was talking to the Elders and they said that they had made a goal to have a member at EVERY lesson that week. The day before our RDV with Nelly, the Elders' goal kept running through my mind. I turned to my companion and told her "I think we should have Julie come teach with us to Nelly's lesson". We called Julie up and of course she was more than willing. We go to the RDV, well what do you know? They're old friends. HAHA. But even more than that, during the lesson (we taught the restoration), Julie did not shy away from her testimony. For many it might be intimidating to testify to an old friend of Joseph Smith and the First Vision. But not Julie. With love, she boldly testified of how she gained her testimony of her the Restoration and what that meant for her today. The spirit was very strong and at the end of the lesson we asked her what it would mean to her if there was a prophet today. At first she was silent. She just looked down at her lap and, after what seemed like an eternity, looked up and said "it would mean that there is a living church".

She is awesome. I love her so much. Just a little about her. She is an independent business woman who travels everywhere from Brussels to Madrid to Paris to China. She then uses all the money to fund a school that she opened in Africa. In her spare time, she visits people all over the charleroi area. Brings food to the sick and the hungry. Visits those in the hospital and so so much more. She is a wonderful wonderful woman. Can't wait to see her again tomorrow!!!

GAH! So much more to tell you. But not enough time :(
But know that things are going really well. I feel so blessed to be able to meet all these wonderful people.

Funny story of the week. So we get a call from a private number this last week. He told us that we had contacted him and he would love to see us. At first I thought it was Marc (a dad we met a week earlier) because there aren't very many men who call us haha. So I ask for his address and then I say, "and what apartment are you again (because marc lived in an apartment)".   Reply: "I don't live in an apartment. It's a house. Number 19. Oh. I have to go. See you Wednesday"
*Click*

Oh mince. I have no idea who this person is...or in what ville they live. I quickly looked up his street in our map book....there were 12 options for where we could go. Oh glorious. I started to narrow down options until I realize WAIT! I bet it's that man that we met from Forchies la Marche!! He didn't have a cell phone so if he was calling from a payphone, it would make sense that the number would be blocked. So we frolic out to Forchie la Marche. Well where #19 should have been, we found this instead:



Yes. That is a man in a wheel chair being pulled by a pony. Welcome to Belgium everybody. It rocks.
Side note. That man is over 200 yards away. My new camera is a boss!!

Good news, I found out who that man was :) So we set up something with him and his family for later next week.

Well everyone, I LOVE YOU. Have a great week. 

Soeur Bitter

The Country side of Belgium :) we had a lovely country walk

Love My New Hat -- Thanks Grandma Weber

THANK YOU SO MUCH for the skirts and for the beanie!! And for the red-violet crayon :) haha. The skirts are great and I felt so cute when I gave my talk this sunday in my new skirt. Yes. I gave another talk. This one had to be 15-20 minutes though. Haha It went fairly well though.

Great Weather Follows Me - January 13, 2014

HELLO HELLO!!!!

The biggest highlight of today, our apartment is getting a bath!! Scrubba dub dub!! I sent the zone leaders of Louise and Liege on a shopping trip to buy us all the things that were missing :) They're so great. They bought me a comforter too! (Before I was sleeping with that blanket you sent to me in the MTC. I'm so glad I had that!) Now I'm sleeping so much better.

We got a bunch of organizational stuff and items that were just missing in the kitchen (i.e. pans, 9x13 pans, cutting board, Tupperware, etc.). The hot water guy comes again tomorrow!! So hopefully that will be fixed soon too and my days of water boiling will be over!!

We spent all day cleaning. We are not even close to done and most definitely one of the most disgusting experiences of my life. I was gagging over and over again. BUT the worst of it is over! All the nasty stuff is out and it's just junk that is left right now. Good thing I'm not nostalgic at all or have any attachment to this stuff—five full trash bags later and I’m not even close to done. THE WRATH OF SOEUR BITTER MUAHAHAHA

Everything else is going really well. Also, I don't want to jinx it...but I think I may have found my super power....I bring warm weather with me wherever I go. BUT DON'T JINX IT!!! I remember when I got to Melun, Soeur Rhondeau said that it was the first time she had seen the sun since she started her mission (maybe that was an exaggeration on my part...but I remember it being a really long time). Then I go to Rennes, which supposedly rainy Bretagne. When I was there it was the most beautiful weather in the world. Well now that I'm in Belgium, Rennes is back to its original reputation of raining...ALL THE TIME. But how is Belgium, you ask? The last few days I've just worn my raincoat and a scarf. Pas mal if you ask me. So anyway, maybe I found my superpower.

HIGHLIGHT: So last week we found out that Chantelle had been going to the wrong ward. She was really well integrated...into the wrong ward. HAHA. So my companion and I decided it was GO TIME. I had to use all the tricks up my sleeve to make sure that the members in Charleroi 2nd just adored her. We scheduled a soiree with the Family Vandevelde.

I hadn't met them before and my companion didn't remember them but we both thought they would be perfect for her as we looked over names in our phone. Well as it turns out-they were. For the lesson, we taught the plan of salvation and the spirit was really strong. We testified that she would see her husband again and that she could live forever with him.

Then Frere Vandevelde bore a strong testimony of our personal responsibility; which means that the promises in the plan of salvation are only valid and reserved for faithful covenant keepers. She really understood and she immediately associated that with her upcoming baptism. I cannot count the number of times that I looked over at Chantelle during the lesson or in the car-ride home and she looked so blissfully at peace. It brought me so much joy to see her so happy.

Later, I talked to the Vandeveldes and I found out that Frere Vandevelde used to be the Ward Mission Leader for Charleroi 2. He then told us that ever since he was released, missionaries had not been to his house. We were the first in over 3 years. He was so happy to have us there and to have an ami in his home. And we were THRILLED that he and his wife were SO good to her.

She came to church this Sunday and the members just swarmed around her. Success!! She actually was at the metro stop at around 7:20 in the morning...even though church doesn't start until 9:30 Haha, she was just so excited. :)

ANOTHER HIGHLIGHT: MAJOR MIRACLE!! Sophie is getting baptized this weekend!! So a hang-up with Sophie was that she was in a work contract that required her to work on Sunday. She was trying to quit so that she could honor the Sabbath day but her boss wouldn't let her out of it. She works at one of the top restaurants in Rennes. Every time we would meet someone when we were with Sophie, they would say, "Oh!! I know the greatest Chinese restaurant you have to try! It's at such and such a place."

Sophie: "Oh ya. That's where I work."

Well when she couldn't get out of her contract. She then told the missionaries, "Maybe the restaurant will close down and then I will be out of my contract and can get baptized sooner!"

That's exactly what happened. Here is Soeur Barton's account:

"On Tuesday afternoon she found out about the restaurant for sure, and she talked with us on Tuesday night to ask if she could get baptized on January 18th! It was so cute yesterday. Sophie went around to all the brethren in the ward who she wanted to participate in her baptism and confirmation... they were so touched when she asked them in her adorable Chinese accent. All of these good men--their eyes welled up with tears and they just were all grins that she'd ask them to participate. It was a really sweet moment. "

I am happy for my Sophie. So sad I won't be able to be there but I am so happy that this ward has taken her in and just loved her. I know she will be a huge support to Rennes and they will be/already are her French family.

I feel so blessed to be here. To meet these people and to witness the Lord work that Mighty Change of Heart. He lives.

Love you

Soeur Bitt

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR THE AMAZING CHRISTMAS GIFTS!!! Uncle Craig and Aunt Maria!! I absolutely loved the stocking!! And I loved the clever scriptures on it too :) You are so sweet to think of me. I also got your Christmas card yesterday! TALK ABOUT A SUPER STAR FAMILY!! I'll try to keep up.

Thank you Grandma Bill and Grandma Bitter and Bro & Sis Hawkins for the Christmas money!! I will most likely buy a warm winter hat with it :) I'm so excited. I hope you are all doing well and that your Christmas season was unforgettable.

MAYU!!! WOW!! YOU. ARE. BEAUTIFUL!! I FINALLY got your invite. It got lost in the mail. DRAT. But you look so unbeliveably happy and beautiful. not even kidding. Happiness just oozed out of the pics on your announcement. By this time your married!! I'm so sorry!! I was planning on sending my rents in my behalf. FAIL. But know that I love you and I'm sending you all my love from Belgium. Next time I'm in Bruxelles, I'll send you something pretty. (but for right now I'm in the ghetto...and there's not much to send haha).





haven't gotten my skirts but thankfully, it has been really temperate weather. I'm assuming they'll get here soon but mail takes a really long time to get to this city.

CHA CHA LE ROOOOOIIII! -- January 6, 2014

HELLO HELLO!!

I can't believe it's Monday again. I can't believe I've already been in Belgium for a month. Things are really turning around for the better here. WOHOOOO! We're finding some really amazing amis.

Last night was our last night to do Christmas Caroling (what our Mission president asked us during the Christmas season) and there were several people who let us into their homes to pray and sing with them. One of the families that we met the mom kept saying things like,

"So you do this all the time??...That's such a beautiful thing"

"I've never met people like you before. What you do is such a beautiful thing"

"Are you going to knock on all the doors?? You should!! People need this!!!"

When we asked them if we could return all their answers were always "WILL YOU REALLY?!" So we're really excited.

Chantelle is doing amazingly. She loves church. She loves the members. And she loves the Gospel. We gave her the film Finding Faith in Christ as a Christmas present. :) We saw her for the third time this last week and when we asked her about the film, it went a little something like this:

Soeur:    "How did you like the movie about Jesus Christ"
Chantelle: "It was sad"
Soeur: "That's true but-"
Chantelle: "but then he comes back in all white. I loved that part. It was so beautiful. I felt so good."

We went on to talk about the power of the Holy Ghost and his role in testifying. That everything that is or leads to do good is from God. She then interrupts us and said "And it's that feeling that I get at church. That feeling that after, I feel so much better than before and I want to be better than before". She is so humble and so teachable. It's crazy to think that we have only been teaching her for a few weeks. This last week we fixed a baptismal date with her for the 15th of febuary!! Wohoo! I haven't checked if that day is free with the building and what not but if it is, then our Chantelle is getting baptized next month!! So much to do before then. But I'm so excited for her :)

New years and new years eve were great. We spent New Years eve with a recent convert and her two little girls. Her girls are ADORABLE! I love the members here so much.

The problem with Belgium: the Chocolate is just too good...and the people are just too generous. Between the two of us, we have pounds and pounds of gourmet chocolates at our apartment...and I'm turning into quite the monster. It's grave really. Sigh. Such a difficult life I lead. muahaha

Happy New Year Everyone!!!
I hope all your new years resolutions still exist...or were even created haha

Know that I love you and pray for you often! Especially you Elder Bitter

Soeur Bitter

Christmas Fun - December 30, 2013

Hello,

Talking to all of you on Christmas was such a highlight. I am glad that everyone is doing so well. When Zoe said "I love you Kari" I almost started crying!  I am such a baby. 

Well this week was...different, mainly because of the holidays but we were still able to see a fair number of people. Christmas eve was really awesome. we went to several of our amis or less actives and we read the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. Every couple verses, I played on the violin (while they sang) the hymn that went along with that particular part in the story. For example, after it says "and she brought first her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn." after that, we sang/played silent night or Away in a Manger. It was so great and it was the best way to pass the day :).

But...at about 4, we had only 1 rdv left with one of our amis. After that, we would go to the Ypersier's and have Christmas eve dinner. So we get to the bus stop and it was FREEZING!! The wind was probably about 20 mph and it's raining pretty hard. We wait for the bus (scheduled to come at 4:12)...and it doesn't come. So then we wait for the next 4:42...still doesn't come. So then we wait until 5:12...still not here. So at 5:25, after waiting in the frigid cold, we decided to call Fr. Ypersier. He is our DMP and we were normally scheduled to be at his house at 6:30 but with the way things were looking, I didn't think we would ever get there. Of course! He comes zooming to our rescue and when we got to their house, Sr. Ypersier handed us blow dryers and took our wet coats away. After that, Christmas eve was magical. The Ypersier's took such good care of us. We were spiritually and physically nourished and they even gave us wonderful christmas presents! The missionaries of Charleroi 1 say it all the time---they are our Belgian Grandparents. and it is true! I love them so much.

Our lesson with Claire was really good. For those of you who don't know/remember who Claire is, she is an ami. She met the missionaries about 3 years ago. She comes to church every sunday. Loves church. Loves the members. Adores the missionaires. When we looked over what lessons she has been taught and when, I noticed that it had been a long time since she had been taught the basic lessons. (i.e. The Plan of Salvation). So we decided to start again with the lessons--and a good thing too! Even though she has been coming for over 2 years to church, she still had a ton of questions and a lot of confusion about Jospeh Smith and the Restoration. It was a really good lesson and she really opened up as to why she ins't baptized. She has no problem with what we teach and say but being baptized would be a form of betrayal to her to her family. So we're working with that and focusing on what her Father in Heaven wants for her. We asked her to bring a question like that to church last week to which she replied "I'm not comfortable doing that if you're not going to be there." I thougth that was kind of sweet :) Since we were at Charleroi 2 ward last week, she will be bringing a question to church this Sunday. We're really praying that when she receives her answer, she will have the courage to move forward.

Funny ancedote for the week: So this transfer, I have been really pushing that we get to know the members. Charleroi is a little tricky with that actually because we are over 2 wards--and they meet at the same time on Sundays--on opposite sides of town. So what we have had to do is really take advantage of the time we do have with members...or just invite ourselves over (more sneakily though)--during the holidays, that has been easier :). So it's coming along!!

Anyway, to the ancedote. So last Sunday (like 8 days ago) I scheduled a couple visits throughout the week with members in the Charleroi 1 ward. The family Rasolo, when I talked to them, immediately invited us over for dinner the following Sunday (yesterday). Well Yesterday, we were at the Charleroi 2 ward so I didn't have to chance to confirm with them to their face but when I called they were still planning on us coming and they were excited to see us. Bon! So we head to the metro and we see that the metro is coming in about 20 minutes. "Mince. I forgot that metros on sundays were so infrequent. I'll call the Rasolo's really fast and tell them we'll be about 10 minutes late". Of course they were completely understanding. Well...20 minutes passes...then 30 minutes. Needless to say. The Metro came VERY late. We FINALLY make it to our destination and at this point I'm pretty stressed. We're super late and we're going to a members house...of which I only have a vague idea of how to find their street.

We step off the metro and this man pops out of nowhere and says hello. We say hi but just continue on our way. We find the exit and we noticed that the escalater isn't working. Fantastic. It's only like 3 flights of stairs. Then that same man pops out of nowhere and tells us to take the escalator on the other end and that that one works fine. At this point I'm both confused and grateful. We head up the escalator and kind of distance ourselves from this reappearing man. We come out at a huge round about. I look at all the streets and try to figure out which one the Rasolo's were trying to describe to me. That same man pops up and says "no no! You have to cross here!" and points to the cross walk. I kind of smile to myself and cross the crosswalk and head over to the other side of the round about. We get to the other side and I start eyeing the street signs trying to find the right one. One again the man appears and this is how this conversation went:

Man: "No No, It's this way! This is the way to where I live."

I thought "well that's cool but I want to get to a different street" So I decided to take advantage of this moment and ask this nice man where this rue was.

Man: "Right here! That's what I'm saying. You're coming home with me."

Suddenly all the gears clicked together. This was the member!!!! Haha he had come to find us at the metro stop and we kept leaving him every time he reappeared. I felt so bad. Luckily, he didn't seem to notice. And that is why missionaries need to get to know their members!!!

We then had an amazing visit with the Rasolo's. They have SUCH strong testimonies of the Gospel and are incredibly proactive about missionary work. It has been really great getting to know all the members in these two wards. We haven't gotten to meet all of them yet but we have a really good start.

Well, I wish all of you a HAPPY NEW YEAR!! I hope you made a new years resolution to do some more missionary work :) Find a less active! Have them for dinner! Invite your neighbor for an FHE! Help the missionaries in your wards touch the people in your area. That's the way it's supposed to be.

Love you

Soeur Bitter

Christmas Eve With Ypersiers

PDay in Brussels

More Brussels

Two Words: Belgium Waffle

Beautiful Brussels

Warm Christmas Eve