November 6, 2012

Ma chere famille!

 

This is my last week at the MTC! I'm outta here on Sunday night/late afternoon. And I could not be more excited.

 

If I had to name this week something, it would be the week of boldness. Miracles happened, and it's because I said things that the Holy Ghost prompted me to say that I probs wouldn't have had the guts to say if it was just me being me. First off, We invited Michel to be baptized last Monday and he finally said yes! Fifth time's the charm! hah. I forget if I told you last email, but it was great. I got to bear my testimony about the plan of salvation, and how even though I don't know everything and I don't know how everything's gonna work out after this life, I have trust in the Lord that things will work out how they're supposed to. Soeur Lamb and I had a lesson this week with Claude too this week that was super powerful. A couple, actually. The first one was earlier, and Claude's been praying to receive an answer to find out if God's there, but we weren't sure if he was like pleading (in french the verb is invoquer) to REALLY try and find out. So we had a lesson and I just straight up asked him, "Claude, do you really have a desire to find out that God is there and that this church is true? Cause we can come back and teach you all the lessons we have. But nothing is going to change until you really want to know and you pray and get an answer." So yah, that was a little scary, but I did it in a loving way and the Holy Ghost was there to testify. So we invited him to fast and we fasted with him for him to receive an answer. And!! He did. This Sunday. And we talked about it yesterday night and then proceeded to teach him about the law of chastity and the word of wisdom, hah. Both in the same lesson and both of which he has problems with... That was a lesson that was only made possible by the Holy Ghost. As is every lesson, but oh man. I've never been more nervous in my life. At least before the lesson, but we said our prayer and then I calmed down and we promised him the blessings that can and will come from his being obedient. And we offered to take his cigarettes from him! It was good. Nothing is possible without the Spirit. But when it is there MIRACLES occur. It's incredible. I love this work. I love inviting people to pray and come to know that Jesus is the Christ; and when they know that they want to change. They're willing to make these major changes in their lives because they know! Both Claude and Michel have a baptismal date for this Sunday! The day we leave, and even though we're not actually going to see them get baptized, I love them and I have come to love teaching and helping people! Nothing brings me more joy.

 

Halloween was fun this week. For halloween here in the MTC and specifically in the french zone, we did contacting trick or treating! hah. It was great. We went door to door and shared a short message and got candy. It was fun. Also, I got to host this Wednesday! THE BEST. I love helping the new lil mishs on their first day here. The first day's kinda a whirwind, so it's fun being a friendly face and just being their first friend that they have here. I hosted a girl that's from Japan and going to Tanner's mission! Nagoya, Japan! She was super cute. I think her name was Sister Katsuta, and she was super cute. She's a convert of 5 years and is the only member of her family. And! She has a 19 year old brother, which made me think of pup my bff. But yah. What a rock! She's studying english, so she's actually pretty good, but I still wish that I had had some Japanese so that I coulda talked to her more. I also hosted a Hermana Pearson from Colorado who's going to New Jersey (Becs' house) Spanish speaking! It was fun, and I think my district's doing it again this week! I hope I get to host Hermana Callister! My friend that I lived with spring and summer at the Brittany. She's the best!

 

PVL this week. It started out good, and then it was hard. More than hard. Extremely difficult. Thursday and Sunday were the worst days, no one in the district was speaking really. But in general, I shoulda spoken more french. However, it was a good experience, and I have seen the blessing of at least trying, cause almost every time I open my mouth now, it comes out french. Which I love.

Also, we got to move this week, which was an adventure for all involved. They had to evacuate the 4th floor of 17M, where I was living cause of a water problem. So now I'm living with Soeur Lamb and two Korean sisters. One of which was Becs' visiting teacher last year (Sister Wood.) But there great! And we still hang out with Soeur Hills and Soeur Olson all the time. And Soeur Campbell, who's going to Brasil, but probably knows more French than Portuguese thanks to us!

And, I went to the temple for the last time in a year and a half today :( I LOVE the temple. It's the best. Family! Make a goal to go to the temple, whether it be once a week, every two weeks, or once a month and go. Go for me. Cause I will miss it so much. I've gone every week since I was a freshman in college cause Mele challenged me too. And I know that it takes time that we don't have, but I know that if we make time and attend the temple we will be blessed! 

L'evangile est vrai!

Love, Soeur Santos