Hey everyone! We are all safe and
sound, but very attentive this week given the events in Paris on Friday.It's
been a really crazy week this week (you might all imagine), but let me give you
the run down firstly all the good things.
Monday we went to visit the back doctor
(that's good news) and we ended up having several Amis show up for fhe. The
members give me so much joy and energy! It was so fun playing loup garou (were
wolf/mafia) with them and being super goofy. They make me feel like
myself.
Tuesday we went and visited with an
ami named Krystelle who we met on the bus the other week. She knits for a
living and has such a strong faith in Christ. She invited us over to her and
showed us her kittens. I, no joke, thought she owned ferbies (those little
fluffy stuffed animals) and then I soon realized that it was a month old
kitten! She let me hold it while we were talking. It wasn't until we got
halfway through our lesson that I realized that I was still holding the kitten,
drinking herbal tea and reading from the Book of Mormon at the same time.
That's multi-tasking! Haha. She's a wonderful new ami of ours, so open-minded
and so kind.
We also met with our branch young
women's leader and did some brainstorming to help our Portuguese girls come to
church and feel more integrated. I love them so much and all they need is 'that
one leader/member' who can reach out to them and be their role model. Never
give up on people!
Wednesday was district meeting
in Rennes and also a major holiday-November 11. Everyone was gathered at the
Mairie to celebrate and they had bag pipes playing amazing grace. Can you
imagine that blaring throughout the city on loud speaker?? It brought tears to
my eyes listening to that familiar melody and thinking about how much I love my
savior.
Thursday we had an amazing day
working with the members! We went out to the Devine's 'farmhouse' (it actually
was a barn before they started rebuilding it and turned it into their current
home). I got to see Sara Joelle and her fiancée! And guess what, they're
getting married December 26th. I knew Sara in Evry and then we ended
up both moving out to this branch at the same time. It's not a coincidence!
Later that day, we had a really neat
experience teaching Jaene (California dreaming) with Soeur David. She lives in
town in a beautiful 17th century apartment (Dad, you should've seen the
molding! Haha).We taught about the restoration of the gospel and it was so
powerful. Even more, Jaene kept on asking great questions that really showed me
she's considered a lot of things about the apostasy and about the changes made
in the Bible after many years of translation. Members make the world of a
difference especially because her and Soeur David share similar backgrounds and
immediately clicked once they started talking. It was like it was all coming
together in her mind.
And then, as if this rdv wasn't any
more eye opening, Soeur David and her found out that they are relatives and
their families come from the same region in Bretagne. Crazy! It was like we
were just third wheeling the conversation as they went on about families they
knew and what years they lived there, etc. She's leaving for the states at the
end of this week, but she'll be back in January and the Soeurs can get back
into contact with her!
Friday we went
out to see Francoise and then the Gentrys. We did service for them and it was a
lot of fun helping them. The Gentrys asked us to clean their windows and as we
were, we started talking about family, what we've learned on our missions,
parenting, troubled teenagers, differences with the church in France, etc. We
talked about how Heavenly Father's ways are not our ways, the culture of the
gospel is different from the cultures in the ward, we need to reach out to all
those around us and when all our efforts seem to be frustrated and troubled
teenagers become a lot to bear with, we must remember Pres. Hinckley's
counsel that, "It will all work out. It always does." It's never
about the windows, is it? ;)
Saturday we were preparing for
the day and I kept on having a phrase impressed in my mind as I was making
breakfast, putting on make-up. It was so clear: "Nothing can disturb my
peace of mind." All throughout my studies, it just came back to that
thought. And then right in the middle of studies, we got a text from president
telling us that we were all to stay in our apartments because of the attacks in
Paris. Then, all sudden, it became clear to me. Even when everything around us
becomes chaotic and uncertain, we can find peace in our hearts and minds. And
Christ is that source. Please pray for the families of the victims in Paris.
They need our loving support.
Sunday we went to Stake
Conference in Nantes and I got to see some of my most favorite people in the
world including the Girard family (spent last Christmas with them), Soeur
Babin's sister and family, the entire Calves family and yes, Soeur Mozos's mom!
It was such a wonderful reunion and a beautiful way to close off these next two
weeks.
Today, we've been allowed to go out
and continue proselyting, but with certain precautions. We've also started a
"40 day fast" leading up to Christmas. We are praying every hour on
the hour from 10am to 10pm and making it a goal to find one new
investigator a day. President is pretty enthused about this and how this can be
our gift to Heavenly Father for Christmas. What gift will you give for
Christmas? Something that can't be wrapped- but what about some sort of
sacrifice or service you can give to your Heavenly Father that would have no
price tag? I challenge you to think about this, fix a goal, do it and see the
blessings! Make it the most beautiful Christmas yet!
Yes, I'm getting so close to the end
of this mission and I have loved it. I've never seen God's hand in my life more
clearly than I do now. And looking back, I wouldn't change anything. Because
I've realized that when we give something up for our Heavenly Father, He
actually gives back so much more than you can imagine.
I love you and keep looking up!
We've got another miracle filled week to go and I can't wait to give you the
biggest hug ever!!!
Soeur Hopkins
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