I don't have much time and I already talked with Mom, Dad, Allyson, Eric, Greg and Brittany on Saturday, so this will be really short. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! Our's was good! We had German pancakes, did our studies, then went to sacrament meeting where the first counselor and brach president both gave wonderful talks about the symbols we find in christmas and then eating from the bread of life each day - partaking of Christ's atonement. None of our amis came, but there were 3 other investigators who came with the famille Kokesha! Their oldest daugher and their two nephews. They're such a kind a sweet family from Africa. We are hoping to fix a rendez-vous soon with their friends who came to the baptism. After church we made Chinese food, since Soeur Creager has it each year with her family. We then opened presents. Thanks mom and dad for all you sent me! Mom that was so sweet of you to send the sweater, I forgot how pretty it was. Soeur Creager had wrapped all of my presents, so she made me open that one in the morning so that I could were it yesterday. We then went to dinner with the family Tannacher and were able to see François again (soeur Tannacher is his daughter and he was also with us on Christmas Eve at the famille Vauzelle's (Frère Vauzelle is his son-in-law)). He just can't get away from us!
I told Mom and Dad and everyone else who was on skype on Saturday that we have been playing secret santa for the members. It has been the funnest thing and there is so much joy in serving others. It has been amazing though to see how the Lord intervene's even in a little thing like this. It's hard to get into people's apartment buildings, but everytime we have stopped by someone's home, another person happens to come in or out of the building, or the door just happens to be open, which usually never happes. I know that the Lord will help us serve others, because they are also his children and he loves us all.
I love you!
Bisous, Soeur Reeves
Monday, December 26, 2011
Monday, December 19, 2011
week 43 - What the spirit of Christmas can do!
Joyeux Noël! (on Sunday)
And Happy Birthday yesterday to Sully. Ryan I'm glad you like the position you got in the office. I'm sure you get a lot of calls from different missionaries telling about things they need or asking if they can buy it. I know our greffier does, and he also has the great privilege of transporting the sister missionaries luggage during transfers. ;)
It was a great week, interesting, but the Lord brought about a miracle!
First things first, we had exchanges with Luxembourg again, since they're the closest soeurs to us (although it takes 2 1/2 hours to get there ha!) Soeur Dawson came here to Colmar with me and we had a great time! We learned a lot from each other. On our way to Luxembourg we sat accross from a Jehovah's Witness, we of course didn't know this at first, but Soeur Dawson set all of her scriptures out on the table plus an extra Book of Mormon. The man then asked her if she studies the Bible often (he obviously saw all of the tabs and book marks that were over flowing from her Bible.) She then started to talk with him about it and then showed him the Book of Mormon. He of course told us about his beliefs, but it was good, he is the first Jehovah's Witness that I have talked to that hasn't tried to argue with us and prove us wrong. He was very kind and before he got off the train we gave him a restoration pamphlet. The next day on our way home Soeur Creager and I talked with a Muslim. Her name is Uzma and she was so nice! Every Muslim woman that I have ever met has always been so kind! We of course aren't allowed to teach Muslims without President's permission, but we started asking her questions about her religion (Soeur Creager and I are now very educated in Islam) and she asked us all sorts of questions, we were able to talk to her about the restoration of the church and she loved listening. She was also very excited to meet "Sisters." The best part is that we are now pen-pals, or will be. She lives in Switezerland and wants Soeur Creager and I to come visit her. We explained that we can't during the mission, but we exchanged email addresses. We talked with her for the full two and half hours!
Well this week we didn't have very many lessons, lots of different things kept happening with our apartment, the car and I had to renew my legality, which took about 4 hours in all, and then travel time for exchanges, so we felt like we hadn't worked as hard as we could have and nothing went as planned. However Saturday night we had the branch Christmas Party and had invited a few investigators. There was also a baptism in the ward of a little girl right before the activity so we invited our amis to that as well. We weren't sure if they would come and we prayed to Heavenly Father asking him to send people to the baptism whether they were our amis or not. The baptism ended up starting late, but that is okay, beause Mamy, and François both came! Then a friend of the Kokesha family and her children also came! Soeur Creager and I were so happy, but then it just got better! During the party we had 10 less-actives show up and 14 investigators! Soeur Creager and I would cry each time we saw another one walk in! One of these in-active sisters hasn't been to church in over 15 years! The best part was that the family Raussin came! We had invited them a few weeks ago, but they weren't very interested, so we asked for some help from some members that know them well. Frère and Soeur Tomadon went and visited them and had a great visit and then invited them to the party, the Raussin's responded maybe, so we were so excited when we saw them!
I know that after all we can do and the trial of our faith the Lord provides miracles.
I love you all!
Bisous, Soeur Reeves
And Happy Birthday yesterday to Sully. Ryan I'm glad you like the position you got in the office. I'm sure you get a lot of calls from different missionaries telling about things they need or asking if they can buy it. I know our greffier does, and he also has the great privilege of transporting the sister missionaries luggage during transfers. ;)
It was a great week, interesting, but the Lord brought about a miracle!
First things first, we had exchanges with Luxembourg again, since they're the closest soeurs to us (although it takes 2 1/2 hours to get there ha!) Soeur Dawson came here to Colmar with me and we had a great time! We learned a lot from each other. On our way to Luxembourg we sat accross from a Jehovah's Witness, we of course didn't know this at first, but Soeur Dawson set all of her scriptures out on the table plus an extra Book of Mormon. The man then asked her if she studies the Bible often (he obviously saw all of the tabs and book marks that were over flowing from her Bible.) She then started to talk with him about it and then showed him the Book of Mormon. He of course told us about his beliefs, but it was good, he is the first Jehovah's Witness that I have talked to that hasn't tried to argue with us and prove us wrong. He was very kind and before he got off the train we gave him a restoration pamphlet. The next day on our way home Soeur Creager and I talked with a Muslim. Her name is Uzma and she was so nice! Every Muslim woman that I have ever met has always been so kind! We of course aren't allowed to teach Muslims without President's permission, but we started asking her questions about her religion (Soeur Creager and I are now very educated in Islam) and she asked us all sorts of questions, we were able to talk to her about the restoration of the church and she loved listening. She was also very excited to meet "Sisters." The best part is that we are now pen-pals, or will be. She lives in Switezerland and wants Soeur Creager and I to come visit her. We explained that we can't during the mission, but we exchanged email addresses. We talked with her for the full two and half hours!
Well this week we didn't have very many lessons, lots of different things kept happening with our apartment, the car and I had to renew my legality, which took about 4 hours in all, and then travel time for exchanges, so we felt like we hadn't worked as hard as we could have and nothing went as planned. However Saturday night we had the branch Christmas Party and had invited a few investigators. There was also a baptism in the ward of a little girl right before the activity so we invited our amis to that as well. We weren't sure if they would come and we prayed to Heavenly Father asking him to send people to the baptism whether they were our amis or not. The baptism ended up starting late, but that is okay, beause Mamy, and François both came! Then a friend of the Kokesha family and her children also came! Soeur Creager and I were so happy, but then it just got better! During the party we had 10 less-actives show up and 14 investigators! Soeur Creager and I would cry each time we saw another one walk in! One of these in-active sisters hasn't been to church in over 15 years! The best part was that the family Raussin came! We had invited them a few weeks ago, but they weren't very interested, so we asked for some help from some members that know them well. Frère and Soeur Tomadon went and visited them and had a great visit and then invited them to the party, the Raussin's responded maybe, so we were so excited when we saw them!
I know that after all we can do and the trial of our faith the Lord provides miracles.
I love you all!
Bisous, Soeur Reeves
Monday, December 12, 2011
week 42 - little miracles
Ma chère famille,
Comment allez-vous? I feel so badly that the email didn't go through last week, but I resent it so hopefully all of you got it. Well on Thursday Soeur Creager and I went up to St. Dié to teach Soeur Munier, (a woman who hasn't been to church in over 30 years). Our DMB (Branch mission leader) came with us and we knocked on her door, but there was no answer. We waited for a few minutes and then tried calling her, finally we heard a car pull up behind us and it was her! Now you have to understand that her car broke down and she used that as an excuse for not coming to church when we asked her to come and when we offered to have members pick her up she said she doesn't want to be a burden (whenever members offer, she refuses). She would tell us each time we visited her that as soon as all of her problems were solved and she had a car then she could start believing in God and come to church. We prayed constantly that the Lord would provide a way for her to come to church, little did we know that she would be able to get a new car with the little money she has. When she showed up she had a huge smile on her face and she said she had just bought the car that afternoon. A member who helps her get her groceries each week helped her find the car. During our lesson we told her that it was an answer to pray and that God had helped her get the car. She told us it wasn't God who helped her, but her friend, so we explained how God uses others to respond to our needs and places people in our lives to help us. She then agreed. We then asked her if she would come to church and she said no. Frère Fremery told her about the fact that we had been praying for two months now that the Lord would provide her with a way to come to church. She said she's not ready, but a huge change has come over her, she is going to start thinking about it; whereas before she didn't even have a desire.
We finally taught the first lesson to François after having have 5 lessons with him! Thanks to the famille Vauzelle who came with us. When we started teaching François said, "Okay, tonight I'll listen to you and I won't interrupt you." Without thinking before speaking and with a big smile on my face I said, "Oh, Merci!" He did interrupt us a few times with tons of questions, but we told him that if he would just listen he would receive the answers to all of his questions. Finally he stayed quiet and the spirit was so strong. We committed him to started reading the Book of Mormon and pray about it and then we gave him the soft committment for baptism. He said yes, but he still needs to act and there are quite a few changes that he needs to make in his life. I know though, that if people are willing and truly have the desire they can immediately have a change of heart simply by acting and repenting. We want to help him realize the blessings that come from baptism.
We had another great lesson with Cindy and Nicolas a couple who is friends with a family in our branch. They're coming to the Christmas party of Saturday and we going to invite them to church as well. Cindy is excited to read the Book of Mormon. I'll let you know how it goes.
Bisous, Soeur Reeves
Comment allez-vous? I feel so badly that the email didn't go through last week, but I resent it so hopefully all of you got it. Well on Thursday Soeur Creager and I went up to St. Dié to teach Soeur Munier, (a woman who hasn't been to church in over 30 years). Our DMB (Branch mission leader) came with us and we knocked on her door, but there was no answer. We waited for a few minutes and then tried calling her, finally we heard a car pull up behind us and it was her! Now you have to understand that her car broke down and she used that as an excuse for not coming to church when we asked her to come and when we offered to have members pick her up she said she doesn't want to be a burden (whenever members offer, she refuses). She would tell us each time we visited her that as soon as all of her problems were solved and she had a car then she could start believing in God and come to church. We prayed constantly that the Lord would provide a way for her to come to church, little did we know that she would be able to get a new car with the little money she has. When she showed up she had a huge smile on her face and she said she had just bought the car that afternoon. A member who helps her get her groceries each week helped her find the car. During our lesson we told her that it was an answer to pray and that God had helped her get the car. She told us it wasn't God who helped her, but her friend, so we explained how God uses others to respond to our needs and places people in our lives to help us. She then agreed. We then asked her if she would come to church and she said no. Frère Fremery told her about the fact that we had been praying for two months now that the Lord would provide her with a way to come to church. She said she's not ready, but a huge change has come over her, she is going to start thinking about it; whereas before she didn't even have a desire.
We finally taught the first lesson to François after having have 5 lessons with him! Thanks to the famille Vauzelle who came with us. When we started teaching François said, "Okay, tonight I'll listen to you and I won't interrupt you." Without thinking before speaking and with a big smile on my face I said, "Oh, Merci!" He did interrupt us a few times with tons of questions, but we told him that if he would just listen he would receive the answers to all of his questions. Finally he stayed quiet and the spirit was so strong. We committed him to started reading the Book of Mormon and pray about it and then we gave him the soft committment for baptism. He said yes, but he still needs to act and there are quite a few changes that he needs to make in his life. I know though, that if people are willing and truly have the desire they can immediately have a change of heart simply by acting and repenting. We want to help him realize the blessings that come from baptism.
We had another great lesson with Cindy and Nicolas a couple who is friends with a family in our branch. They're coming to the Christmas party of Saturday and we going to invite them to church as well. Cindy is excited to read the Book of Mormon. I'll let you know how it goes.
Bisous, Soeur Reeves
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
week 41 - a time of refining
I thought I should start putting an actual subject/theme with my emails instead of the week, this way you're more excited to know what happened during the week.
Well, there is lots to talk about. That was very sweet of the Finlay's to send me a wedding invitation for Alana, tell her congratulations! Thank you mom and dad for the letter that I received at the Christmas zone conference, it was very exciting! Ryan that story about Elena is great! Have fun in the office, obviously it will help prepare you for something you need to do in the future and the Lord has things in store for you. And of course Happy Birthday to Laurie today!
I too thought of Emily this last Friday and I'm so grateful for the knowledge that we have. A few weeks ago Soeur Creager and I listened to the recording of Emily's funeral and it was fun to hear all of the things about her life; I had forgotten some of the stories and things shared that day. The talks at the end given by Elder Kofford and Elder Callister were amazing!!! Wow, if only people knew what this life really is about, but that of course is why I am here as a missionary to share that knowledge with others. Jen that was neat to hear about your experience.
What a crazy storm! I heard about it from the senior couple serving in our zone. I'm so glad no one died. Mom and Dad you're such good examples, going and serving others and being prepared during these times. Mom you're so wonderful with all of your lanterns, it reminds me of how you had the lantern with us in the car the night of the accident. What a blessing that we had it there that night.
Well, last week I had an awful cold and had to sleep for almost 3 days straight, but we were still able to have some lessons during the week and we got lots of referrals from members. We went to branch council on Friday night and worked on a new mission plan for 2012 and I think we should see lots of progress here in Colmar if all of the members put it into practice.
We had an awesome lesson with Anna. She is the friend of a member and came to eat dinner with them and us on Sunday. She is Catholic but has heard a little about the church so we taught the restoration and the spirit was so strong. She wants to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. We are hoping to have another rendez-vous soon and invite her to be baptized.
Monday we had our Christmas zone conference. It was wonderful! It was just us and one other zone. President and Soeur Poznanski talked about staying focused on the true meaning of Christmas and Soeur Poznanski shared a story about the only Christmas she had during her mission and how she came to found the true meaning of Christmas, focusing on the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ and all that he did for us. It was so sweet and she filled up with tears as she told it. We then did the best object lesson I have ever had. Each of us were given an envelope and inside was a sea shell that represented us at the beginning of our mission. We talked about the texture and how on the outside it's rigid and coarse, but the inside is shiny and smooth and we discussed how it relates to us when we first arrived. We then each had a big piece of chalk (it looked like the chlorine you put in a pool. I don't know how else to describe it) and they had us write all of the things that are keeping us from being the missionary that we want to become. Then they had us use a screw/nail to scrape off all of the words we had written. It was awful! I hate the textrure and feeling of chalk, it took Soeur Creager and I forever. President Poznanski walked by me laughing and said, "It looks like you have a lot of repenting to do." So then I really started to think about it and how symbolic it was with the nail and trying to get rid of all of my weaknesses and sins. I thought of the Atonement and how through Christ we can wash away our sins and get rid of anything that's keeping us from being the person we should be. As I kept scraping and digging I saw something inside the chalk. At first is was dark, but then I started to see the shape and then it started to shine, so I kept going until I was able to pull it out. It was an even more beautiful and bigger sea shell that looked like a marble and it was smooth and transparent. We talked about the qualities of our new sea shells (other missionaries also had stars). It was such a spiritual and symbolic lesson! Soeur Creager and I both have our sea shells sitting on our desks now so that we can look at it each day and see how we are progressing and if we are becoming the missionary we want to be at the end of the mission, or more that the Lord would like us to be. I'm so grateful for the atonement of our savior Jesus Christ and the fact that we can become new creatures through him.
At the end of the conference we had a traditional christmas treat in France: hot chocolate with different gateaux (cakes) and an orange. Then we did a white elephant gift exchange... I got a little teddy bear that says "I love Luxembourg" and Soeur Creager got a huge gift bag that had 10 pokemon cards at the bottom! Pour thing. It was funny, but we also got stockings from President and soeur Poznanski with a few things inside and letters from our parents.
Bisous, Soeur Reeves
Well, there is lots to talk about. That was very sweet of the Finlay's to send me a wedding invitation for Alana, tell her congratulations! Thank you mom and dad for the letter that I received at the Christmas zone conference, it was very exciting! Ryan that story about Elena is great! Have fun in the office, obviously it will help prepare you for something you need to do in the future and the Lord has things in store for you. And of course Happy Birthday to Laurie today!
I too thought of Emily this last Friday and I'm so grateful for the knowledge that we have. A few weeks ago Soeur Creager and I listened to the recording of Emily's funeral and it was fun to hear all of the things about her life; I had forgotten some of the stories and things shared that day. The talks at the end given by Elder Kofford and Elder Callister were amazing!!! Wow, if only people knew what this life really is about, but that of course is why I am here as a missionary to share that knowledge with others. Jen that was neat to hear about your experience.
What a crazy storm! I heard about it from the senior couple serving in our zone. I'm so glad no one died. Mom and Dad you're such good examples, going and serving others and being prepared during these times. Mom you're so wonderful with all of your lanterns, it reminds me of how you had the lantern with us in the car the night of the accident. What a blessing that we had it there that night.
Well, last week I had an awful cold and had to sleep for almost 3 days straight, but we were still able to have some lessons during the week and we got lots of referrals from members. We went to branch council on Friday night and worked on a new mission plan for 2012 and I think we should see lots of progress here in Colmar if all of the members put it into practice.
We had an awesome lesson with Anna. She is the friend of a member and came to eat dinner with them and us on Sunday. She is Catholic but has heard a little about the church so we taught the restoration and the spirit was so strong. She wants to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. We are hoping to have another rendez-vous soon and invite her to be baptized.
Monday we had our Christmas zone conference. It was wonderful! It was just us and one other zone. President and Soeur Poznanski talked about staying focused on the true meaning of Christmas and Soeur Poznanski shared a story about the only Christmas she had during her mission and how she came to found the true meaning of Christmas, focusing on the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ and all that he did for us. It was so sweet and she filled up with tears as she told it. We then did the best object lesson I have ever had. Each of us were given an envelope and inside was a sea shell that represented us at the beginning of our mission. We talked about the texture and how on the outside it's rigid and coarse, but the inside is shiny and smooth and we discussed how it relates to us when we first arrived. We then each had a big piece of chalk (it looked like the chlorine you put in a pool. I don't know how else to describe it) and they had us write all of the things that are keeping us from being the missionary that we want to become. Then they had us use a screw/nail to scrape off all of the words we had written. It was awful! I hate the textrure and feeling of chalk, it took Soeur Creager and I forever. President Poznanski walked by me laughing and said, "It looks like you have a lot of repenting to do." So then I really started to think about it and how symbolic it was with the nail and trying to get rid of all of my weaknesses and sins. I thought of the Atonement and how through Christ we can wash away our sins and get rid of anything that's keeping us from being the person we should be. As I kept scraping and digging I saw something inside the chalk. At first is was dark, but then I started to see the shape and then it started to shine, so I kept going until I was able to pull it out. It was an even more beautiful and bigger sea shell that looked like a marble and it was smooth and transparent. We talked about the qualities of our new sea shells (other missionaries also had stars). It was such a spiritual and symbolic lesson! Soeur Creager and I both have our sea shells sitting on our desks now so that we can look at it each day and see how we are progressing and if we are becoming the missionary we want to be at the end of the mission, or more that the Lord would like us to be. I'm so grateful for the atonement of our savior Jesus Christ and the fact that we can become new creatures through him.
At the end of the conference we had a traditional christmas treat in France: hot chocolate with different gateaux (cakes) and an orange. Then we did a white elephant gift exchange... I got a little teddy bear that says "I love Luxembourg" and Soeur Creager got a huge gift bag that had 10 pokemon cards at the bottom! Pour thing. It was funny, but we also got stockings from President and soeur Poznanski with a few things inside and letters from our parents.
Bisous, Soeur Reeves
Monday, November 21, 2011
Bonne Anniversaire!
Note from Soeur Reeves: There are still a lot more pictures to send in between but I thought I would send you some from our birthday.
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| Soeur Reeves on her Birthday! |
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| It was really funny, mom sent a CD with all of this romantic broadway music and soeur Creager and I were shocked. Then I opened up the CD case and there was no CD inside! We just started laughing, I don't know if mom was testing me or what? |
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| This was my hair yesterday |
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| This is my hair now! Do you like it? I do. It's so nice and light and I will be a lot easier to take care of. |
Week 39
Ma chère famille,
Happy Birthday yesterday Cambria! I hope you had a fun day! I can't believe you're already 7. Don't grow up too fast ;)
Thanks mom for sharing the story about the missionaries being told to push the rock. I've heard that story before, but it was good to hear it again, we definitely had to push the rock this last week, but that's okay because we learn from our experiences.
We had exchanges on Wednesday and I got to go to the little country of Luxembourg with Soeur Worsham. It was such a good exchange! She is such a great sister missionary and I learned so much. We had no rendez-vous that day so we did spiritual finding. Before we went out we prayed and told the Lord that we were going to go contacting, but asked him to help us know where to go. During the prayer we both kept seeing a park in our minds. We rode the bus to a big park and started contacting people there. We didn't have much success, but we realized that because we knew what we were looking for it motivated us to contact, rather than walking around trying to decide what to do. After a little while we sat down on a bench and said a prayer again because it was ABSOLUTELY freezing! and there was hardly anyone outside, and if they were outside they didn't really want to stop and talk. We had to catch a train in a couple of hours so we decided to go back to the apartment, grab our bags and then contact at the gare (train station). When we got there we sat down in the waiting room next to an African lady and right away Soeur Worsham started asking how she was doing, making conversation. We ended up finding out that she had been contacted by the Elders in Luxembourg (I'm not sure how long ago) and she told us they were supposed to bring her a Book of Mormon but never did. I handed her one of our copies and told her it was a free gift for her. She was so excited and kissed it! Her friend then came over and Soeur Worsham talked with her for a little bit, she's from Germany and we just happened to have a German Book of Mormon with us. We got both of their numbers and they said they would come to church on Sunday! We then contacted another African woman who was with her little boy and she wanted the address of the church and we got her number as well! While I was talking with her a Jehovah's witness contacted Soeur Worsham asking if we were also Jehovah's witnesses. He ended up taking a card and wanted to talk some more in the future. We then got on our train and a young man sat accross from us and we said hello and then Soeur Worsham started to ask where he was from and if he worked in Luxembourg. We talked with him for a really long time and he asked where were from and what we were doing in France. When we told him we were missionaries Soeur Worsham asked if he was religious. He was born into a Catholic family, but doesn't really believe in God. He then had some questions and asked what are beliefs were. I thought of just telling him the differences between our church and the Catholic church, but then I had the strongest feeling to share the restoration with him. So, Soeur Worsham and I ended up teaching him the restoration. He really listened intently and he accepted a Book of Mormon and gave us his number allowing us to give it to the Elders in Metz where he lives! I was shocked because at first he wasn't at all interested, but I know he felt the spirit and as we bore testimony it seemed like he has the desire to find out for himself if it's true. Which is exactly what we asked him to do.
I know when we do our part the Lord places people in our paths.
I love you all! Happy Thanksgiving, I'm so grateful for all of you and my companion and for the gospel and the Lord.
Bisous, Soeur Reeves
Happy Birthday yesterday Cambria! I hope you had a fun day! I can't believe you're already 7. Don't grow up too fast ;)
Thanks mom for sharing the story about the missionaries being told to push the rock. I've heard that story before, but it was good to hear it again, we definitely had to push the rock this last week, but that's okay because we learn from our experiences.
We had exchanges on Wednesday and I got to go to the little country of Luxembourg with Soeur Worsham. It was such a good exchange! She is such a great sister missionary and I learned so much. We had no rendez-vous that day so we did spiritual finding. Before we went out we prayed and told the Lord that we were going to go contacting, but asked him to help us know where to go. During the prayer we both kept seeing a park in our minds. We rode the bus to a big park and started contacting people there. We didn't have much success, but we realized that because we knew what we were looking for it motivated us to contact, rather than walking around trying to decide what to do. After a little while we sat down on a bench and said a prayer again because it was ABSOLUTELY freezing! and there was hardly anyone outside, and if they were outside they didn't really want to stop and talk. We had to catch a train in a couple of hours so we decided to go back to the apartment, grab our bags and then contact at the gare (train station). When we got there we sat down in the waiting room next to an African lady and right away Soeur Worsham started asking how she was doing, making conversation. We ended up finding out that she had been contacted by the Elders in Luxembourg (I'm not sure how long ago) and she told us they were supposed to bring her a Book of Mormon but never did. I handed her one of our copies and told her it was a free gift for her. She was so excited and kissed it! Her friend then came over and Soeur Worsham talked with her for a little bit, she's from Germany and we just happened to have a German Book of Mormon with us. We got both of their numbers and they said they would come to church on Sunday! We then contacted another African woman who was with her little boy and she wanted the address of the church and we got her number as well! While I was talking with her a Jehovah's witness contacted Soeur Worsham asking if we were also Jehovah's witnesses. He ended up taking a card and wanted to talk some more in the future. We then got on our train and a young man sat accross from us and we said hello and then Soeur Worsham started to ask where he was from and if he worked in Luxembourg. We talked with him for a really long time and he asked where were from and what we were doing in France. When we told him we were missionaries Soeur Worsham asked if he was religious. He was born into a Catholic family, but doesn't really believe in God. He then had some questions and asked what are beliefs were. I thought of just telling him the differences between our church and the Catholic church, but then I had the strongest feeling to share the restoration with him. So, Soeur Worsham and I ended up teaching him the restoration. He really listened intently and he accepted a Book of Mormon and gave us his number allowing us to give it to the Elders in Metz where he lives! I was shocked because at first he wasn't at all interested, but I know he felt the spirit and as we bore testimony it seemed like he has the desire to find out for himself if it's true. Which is exactly what we asked him to do.
I know when we do our part the Lord places people in our paths.
I love you all! Happy Thanksgiving, I'm so grateful for all of you and my companion and for the gospel and the Lord.
Bisous, Soeur Reeves
Monday, November 14, 2011
Week 38
Bon Anniversaire à moi! ;)
Soeur Creager and I went to Centreville today to see all of the adorable buildings and the decorations they're putting up for christmas. Once they have it all up and lit I will take pictures so that you can see what it looks like. We then bought some baguette sandwiches for lunch and then I got a banana nutella crêpe and soeur Creager a gauffre (Belgian waffle). It was fun but I think that's enough nutella for a while. I got to open my presents this morning. Thank you mom and dad for all of the hot chocolat, popcorn, CD's, peanut butter and dryer sheets! Don't worry my christmas presents are still in the bag under my desk.
Joyeux Anniversaire Allyson! I hope you're having a wonderful time in Galilee. Thanks for sharing that story about Dorette. That's so awesome! I love that even though you are not a set apart full-time missionary you are still involved in the Lord's work! Way to go! That's great that the Lord gave you the gift of tongues. It's true that Africans are hard to understand, I had no idea what they were saying when I first got here. It's fine now though.
This week we had the opportunity to have Elder Kopischke at our zone conference. It was wonderful!!! It lasted almost 7 hours! but we had 3 short breaks. The whole thing was in English because he and his wife only speak German and English, so we got to hear President and Soeur Poznanski speak English. I loved there accents and their talks were so powerful. Soeur Poznanski was so sweet and she said to me afterwards that now she knows what we go through every day. It was a very spirit filled meeting. When we got there President Kopischke asked us all of us to write down questions that we had and he promised us that each of us could receive an answer, however we had to listen to the spirit and have the faith that God would respond. He told us to not take minutes or copy down things he was saying, but only take notes on spiritual impressions that came to us. I have never written so many notes before! And I received personal revelation! It was wonderful. The next day in our studies Soeur Creager and I shared with each other some things that we had learned and it was very different yet similar to each other. That was a great learning experience for me. Elder Kopischke wants us to focus on teaching our investigators how to receive personal revelation. When we invite and commit them to come to church, read their scriptures or pray we should tell them to do it with a written down question and promise them that they can receive an answer. Why else read your scriptures, pray or go to church? It gives them a good reason to do those things and teaches them how to communicate with Heavenly Father.
I don't have much time left but I wanted to tell you that the family Kadou that Soeur Woodruff and I taught right before leaving Versailles got baptized! As well as Regna and her daughters! It's great when other missionaries keep working with those people and you see seeds that you planted sprout and grow.
Bisous,
Soeur Reeves
Soeur Creager and I went to Centreville today to see all of the adorable buildings and the decorations they're putting up for christmas. Once they have it all up and lit I will take pictures so that you can see what it looks like. We then bought some baguette sandwiches for lunch and then I got a banana nutella crêpe and soeur Creager a gauffre (Belgian waffle). It was fun but I think that's enough nutella for a while. I got to open my presents this morning. Thank you mom and dad for all of the hot chocolat, popcorn, CD's, peanut butter and dryer sheets! Don't worry my christmas presents are still in the bag under my desk.
Joyeux Anniversaire Allyson! I hope you're having a wonderful time in Galilee. Thanks for sharing that story about Dorette. That's so awesome! I love that even though you are not a set apart full-time missionary you are still involved in the Lord's work! Way to go! That's great that the Lord gave you the gift of tongues. It's true that Africans are hard to understand, I had no idea what they were saying when I first got here. It's fine now though.
This week we had the opportunity to have Elder Kopischke at our zone conference. It was wonderful!!! It lasted almost 7 hours! but we had 3 short breaks. The whole thing was in English because he and his wife only speak German and English, so we got to hear President and Soeur Poznanski speak English. I loved there accents and their talks were so powerful. Soeur Poznanski was so sweet and she said to me afterwards that now she knows what we go through every day. It was a very spirit filled meeting. When we got there President Kopischke asked us all of us to write down questions that we had and he promised us that each of us could receive an answer, however we had to listen to the spirit and have the faith that God would respond. He told us to not take minutes or copy down things he was saying, but only take notes on spiritual impressions that came to us. I have never written so many notes before! And I received personal revelation! It was wonderful. The next day in our studies Soeur Creager and I shared with each other some things that we had learned and it was very different yet similar to each other. That was a great learning experience for me. Elder Kopischke wants us to focus on teaching our investigators how to receive personal revelation. When we invite and commit them to come to church, read their scriptures or pray we should tell them to do it with a written down question and promise them that they can receive an answer. Why else read your scriptures, pray or go to church? It gives them a good reason to do those things and teaches them how to communicate with Heavenly Father.
I don't have much time left but I wanted to tell you that the family Kadou that Soeur Woodruff and I taught right before leaving Versailles got baptized! As well as Regna and her daughters! It's great when other missionaries keep working with those people and you see seeds that you planted sprout and grow.
Bisous,
Soeur Reeves
Monday, November 7, 2011
Week 37 - Miracles do happen in Colmar
Ma Chère famille,
Thank you for the emails and Ryan for the letter. That was fun to hear from you and see pictures. Happy Birthday tomorrow to Jenny and then Brett and Ashley! Thank you so much Mom and Dad for the package! It will be fun to have gifts to open on my birthday and Christmas.
Well we had a week of miracles. Last Monday we finished teaching the first to Victor (Empire wasn't there) and we told him we would like to fix a baptismal date because this way he has a goal and it will help him progress. He said, "Well I don't want to move to fast, and I need to come to church." We agreed, but told him this is his baptism so he has to put forth the effort to come to church. He then said, "How about the end of November?" We were so excited! and we had actually felt like suggesting November 26th. Sadly he didn't show up to our next rendez-vous and then he didn't come to church, but he is a sincere person and I know that he is serious, I hope we can make contact with him tonight and find out what happened. I know it wasn't an accident or coincidence that we met him. We now have 4 referrals from members and are going to fix Family Home Evenings with them so that we can meet their friends and hopefully start teaching them. I love when members take missionary work seriously and try to help us find investigators. On Tuesday we had two lessons with our new ami Isabelle. She is the wife of an inactive member and was taught by the missionaries in the past but didn't really progress. We called her up and introduced ourselves and asked if we could come teach her, she said yes and was happy to have us. She is so nice and very open with us, I don't know if she is more comfortable with us because we're sister missionaries or it's probably just that she has a desire now. She finally agreed to ready and pray about the Book of Mormon! We also taught her about eternal families because she didn't understand what the difference is between our church and the catholics. She really liked learning about the eternal family and we asked her husband if he has been to the temple; he never has so we told him that we can help him to start preparing himself (I hope so badly for them to go to the temple together one day). Yesterday night after our last rendez-vous we still had 40 minutes before 9 o'clock and it was cold and we really didn't feel like contacting because it's dark and we didn't want to disturb people, but we knew that we had to be obedient and President Poznanski has told us of all of the miracles that happen when you stick to the missionary schedule, so we decided to do porte-à-porte (tracting). We tried a few apartment buildings and didn't have any success (and then of course the miracle usually happens when you get to the last door). We rang someone's doorbell and a young man came out onto his balcony we introduced ourselves and told him that we had a message to share about the family and the teachings of Jesus Christ. We told him that we didn't have time at the moment but that we could come back another day. He talked to us a little bit and told us that he is satisfied with his life at the moment and his family is happy. We promised him that our message would bring him more happiness. I pulled out my planner and asked him when he was a available. We have a rendez-vous fixed for this next Saturday, (his name is Delio) and I pray that he will be there.
I love my mission and I know that if we have faith and if we ask the Lord in prayer and if it is something just that we are truly in need of the Lord will give us miracles.
Bisous, Soeur Reeves
Thank you for the emails and Ryan for the letter. That was fun to hear from you and see pictures. Happy Birthday tomorrow to Jenny and then Brett and Ashley! Thank you so much Mom and Dad for the package! It will be fun to have gifts to open on my birthday and Christmas.
Well we had a week of miracles. Last Monday we finished teaching the first to Victor (Empire wasn't there) and we told him we would like to fix a baptismal date because this way he has a goal and it will help him progress. He said, "Well I don't want to move to fast, and I need to come to church." We agreed, but told him this is his baptism so he has to put forth the effort to come to church. He then said, "How about the end of November?" We were so excited! and we had actually felt like suggesting November 26th. Sadly he didn't show up to our next rendez-vous and then he didn't come to church, but he is a sincere person and I know that he is serious, I hope we can make contact with him tonight and find out what happened. I know it wasn't an accident or coincidence that we met him. We now have 4 referrals from members and are going to fix Family Home Evenings with them so that we can meet their friends and hopefully start teaching them. I love when members take missionary work seriously and try to help us find investigators. On Tuesday we had two lessons with our new ami Isabelle. She is the wife of an inactive member and was taught by the missionaries in the past but didn't really progress. We called her up and introduced ourselves and asked if we could come teach her, she said yes and was happy to have us. She is so nice and very open with us, I don't know if she is more comfortable with us because we're sister missionaries or it's probably just that she has a desire now. She finally agreed to ready and pray about the Book of Mormon! We also taught her about eternal families because she didn't understand what the difference is between our church and the catholics. She really liked learning about the eternal family and we asked her husband if he has been to the temple; he never has so we told him that we can help him to start preparing himself (I hope so badly for them to go to the temple together one day). Yesterday night after our last rendez-vous we still had 40 minutes before 9 o'clock and it was cold and we really didn't feel like contacting because it's dark and we didn't want to disturb people, but we knew that we had to be obedient and President Poznanski has told us of all of the miracles that happen when you stick to the missionary schedule, so we decided to do porte-à-porte (tracting). We tried a few apartment buildings and didn't have any success (and then of course the miracle usually happens when you get to the last door). We rang someone's doorbell and a young man came out onto his balcony we introduced ourselves and told him that we had a message to share about the family and the teachings of Jesus Christ. We told him that we didn't have time at the moment but that we could come back another day. He talked to us a little bit and told us that he is satisfied with his life at the moment and his family is happy. We promised him that our message would bring him more happiness. I pulled out my planner and asked him when he was a available. We have a rendez-vous fixed for this next Saturday, (his name is Delio) and I pray that he will be there.
I love my mission and I know that if we have faith and if we ask the Lord in prayer and if it is something just that we are truly in need of the Lord will give us miracles.
Bisous, Soeur Reeves
Monday, October 31, 2011
Week 36
Salut!
First I want to say Happy Birthday to Aidan today, Shelby yesterday and Eric tomorrow! I forgot to mention Emily in my last email. Soeur Creager's sister has the same birthday as Emily so we made a cake for both of them and sang happy birthday and then each blew out a candle for our sister. It was fun to tell each other what we love about our sister's. Thanks for your thoughts, Allyson and Mom about Emily. Ryan what an awesome miracle with Carlos! Good luck with that and transfers. Mom and Dad and Greg and Brittany I'm glad you're having fun in spain. What great stories about President Taylor getting to see his converts. I can't wait for that day.
This was a miracle week with finding new amis. We did some pass bys of former amis and got to the appartment of one girl but couldn't find the appartment number. We started to walk back to the car when we realized we had mixed up the apt. number with someone else's so we ran back and found the appartment, but when we got to her floor we didn't know which door was hers so we said a prayer and then decided to knock on one of the doors. A man, named Empire, opened it, so we asked him if he knew the woman we were looking for, he didn't, but we took the opportunity to introduce ourselves and invite him to hear our message. He told us that he had a Book of Mormon and had met with the missionaries once but they went home to the US and no other missionaries ever came back. We quickly asked for his number and fixed a rendez-vous. We went back Friday night and found out that we had misunderstood each other when fixing the time for our rendez-vous, so he was confused why we were there at 8 instead of 7 o'clock. Empire had invited his friend Victor to come over and Victor told us that he was going to leave when we didn't show up at 7. Thankfully Empire told him that he knew we would come and that Victor should wait, so they were very happy when we showed up and we were very happy that they were still there. It was an awesome lesson! We told them why we were here and what our objective was, and that they had to do their part in reading, praying, and coming to church if they wanted to know that our message is true. They both said yes and Victor told us that's why they were meeting with us because it's what they want in their lives. At the end of the lesson we committed them to read and pray to know that the Book of Mormon is true and that Joseph Smith was a prophet and then we asked them when they receive an answer that it is true if they would follow the example of Jesus Christ in being baptised. They both said yes! Victor said they were ready to come unto Christ.
It's so amazing when the Lord puts people in your path who are ready to hear the gospel. We have another lesson with them tonight and hope to fix a baptismal date with them. I'll let you know how it goes. Christine, our ami in St. Dié is doing well and agreed to fix a baptismal date at our next rendez-vous.
I love my mission and I love the Lord and I love inviting others unto Christ!
Bisous, Soeur Reeves
Monday, October 24, 2011
Week 35 - Colmar
Bon voyage! (to Mom and Dad and Greg and Brittany and whoever else might be traveling at this time)
I'm excited for you mom and dad that will be such a fun trip! Congratulations to Lesley and Alana! I'm so excited that they're both getting married! That's crazy that Evan is already done with his mission, you'll have to tell him hi for me Dad. I love that you ran into President Staheli at the temple and that you got to do sealings for people from France. Question for Jon and Leah. Did you go to Colmar when you went to Germany and France for Christmas? I saw the picture of you in the family caldendar and one of them looks just like Colmar. You'll have to let me know.
This week was a little crazy with having to update the area book and figure out where everything and everyone is, but we will start to see the fruits of our labors. Yesterday we did some pass bys and passed by a family that our Branch President had asked us to. We parked the car and started to walk down the street and saw a woman walking her dog, so we asked her if she knew where number 10 was and she turned and pointed to the house right next to us. She then said, "Do you want to come in?" We were surprised so then we told her, "We're missionaries for the church of Jesus-Christ of Latter-day Saints. We're looking for the Fehlmann family." She laughed and said, "Yes, I know, I saw your plaques. I'm Soeur Felmann." It was crazy that we ran into her as soon as we got there and we hadn't even checked the addresses. She was so nice to us. We went in and met her husband and daughter Rebecca (who looks just like Rebecca Trupp! and she's half German!) It's been great to go around and meet all of the members and they're excited to work with us. We've challenged each of them to think of friends or family that they can invite to church or have family home evening with. They're excited to start praying and looking. I know that through working with the members we will find many who are prepared and they will automatically have a support system.
Soeur Creager and I had the opportunity to speak in Sacrament meeting yesterday and both talked about ways the members can be good missionaries as well coming unto Christ themselves. I know that when we come to understand the Atonement of Jesus Christ and grow closer to him our desire to share the gospel with other grows.
Bisous,
Soeur Reeves
Monday, October 17, 2011
Week 34 - Colmar
Salut!
Sorry, I don't have much time to email, we have had such a hectic day and week. I love it here in Colmar but I hope that I never have to whitewash an Elder's ville again. (Now I probably will every transfer for saying that.) No, it's okay and besides the members here are amazing!!!! The relief society presidency called President Poznanski and asked if they could clean our appartment before we got there; Soeur Dubaut then gave us dinner. It was a 2 1/2 hour train ride to get here and that's not including the time it took to switch trains. Thankfully the Elders in Strasbourg met us at the gare to help us with our suitcases and get into the other train. While they were helping us they helped another man with his bags who noticed all of our tags; after the train started the same man walked past us and asked who we were and he told us that our two friends had been so nice to help him. We then asked if he could help us with our suitcases when we got to our stop (the train was going to Lyon and only stops at Colmar for about 2 minutes, so we knew there was no way we could get our bags off by ourselves). He said of course and then started to ask us all sorts of questions. We didn't have too much time to talk because our train ride was pretty short, but after we got off we gave him a Book of Mormon and our number telling him to call us because we could send some missionaries to him in his home town. (We had already written a thank you note and our testimonies in the Book of Mormon because we knew that he would say yes if we asked him to help us with our bags). He hasn't called, but I hope that he has started to read the Book of Mormon and perhaps he will refer himself to the missionaries online.
Colmar is gorgeous!!! You should all look up pictures of it online and when I get the chance I'll take pictures of it. We actually cover two branches: Colmar and St. Dié. We have a car! So we drive two St. Dié which is about an hour away by car and we get to drive through the mountains and all of these adorable little towns! I really owe the Lord a lot for putting me in such a gorgeous area with amazing members. We've already been invited to Branch Council in both Branches and set up multiple family home evenings and other rendez-vous to get to know the members better. It makes me laugh, they were all so excited to get sister missionaries; there have been Elders serving in St. Dié and Colmar for 45 years now. The soeurs from the Relief Society Presidency have called us multiple times to make sure we're doing ok and ask if there is anything they can do for us.
I'm so excited and feel blessed to continue with the work here in Colmar.
That's awesome Ryan that you baptized Maria! Continue with the good work.
Bisous,
Soeur Reeves
(for Elder Reeves, Adieu; you can see that it's almost the same as your other language)
Monday, October 10, 2011
Week 33
Bonjour ma chère famille!
Jon and Leah you're moving to Australia?! That's crazy! How exciting! I hope I can come visit you in the future! Thank you Allyson for your letter!
Ryan, I never get your emails .
Well for my news... I have been transferred to Colmar! It's really close to the border of Germany and the "Black Forest." All of the members and missionaries that know it have told me that it is the most beautiful town in all of France, especially at Christmas. I've also heard that it's freezing there right now too, but thankfully I've already pulled out my winter coat because it was freezing here in Nogent this weekend. I'm excited for my new companion, Soeur Creager. I went on exchanges with her last transfer and she was Soeur Carter's companion in the MTC. She is very sweet and a very devoted missionary. She is from Morgan, Utah, but about half of her family lives in Australia, so she goes all of the time. Maybe you will meet her family Jon and Leah. Other exciting news of this transfer... Soeur Carter is training! You should have seen the look on her face when the assistants called her on Friday. Her response was, "What!? I'm too young to train!" She was in shock for about 20 minutes. However the assistants explained that it's not the missionaries who have been out the longest who train, but the Lord calls us when he needs us at that time. I think all missionaries are capable of training, but we are needed for that specific companion. I know that Soeur Carter will be amazing!!!! I'm so excited for her and I know she will grow with her companion. She did ask me however to ask you to pray for her, she was very nervous and stressed this weekend, but she's doing a lot better today and is actually excited.
I'm very excited to go to Colmar, because Soeur Creager because we are going to do a whitewash. For those of you who don't know what that means, they take the old missionaries out and put two brand new missionaries in. They're actually whitewashing a lot of areas this transfer and there are no more sisters in Paris! Only Elders. I was told that missionaries in the past had a bad attitude about Colmar and say that it's a hard area and success doesn't exist there. However, President and Soeur Poznanski have been focusing on knocking the walls down, "cassez les murs" because almost every missionary before coming here hears from others, "Oh how exciting that you're going to France, it's so beautiful there, there's so much history and you'll get to see so many great things. But you'll probably only baptize one person during your mission." NOT TRUE! If you come in with that attitude, then, Yes, you will only baptize one person. If you come with the faith that the Lord has called you on your mission to find, invite and baptize those who are prepared to hear the gospel then you will. Of course success isn't measured by your numbers, it's by your diligence and obedience, and if you are diligent and obedient then the Lord will lead you to those who are prepared. This morning in my scripture study I read in 1 Nephi 15 and then Deuteronomy 4 and both chapters said the same thing, at least to me. Nephi talked to his brothers about knowing the things of the Lord, and the fact that you can't know unless you ask, and if you ask in faith then he will respond, but you need to keep the commandments. "Do ye not remember the things which the Lord hath said?—If ye will not harden your hearts, and aask me in bfaith, believing that ye shall receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these things shall be made known unto you." In Deuteronomy Moses talked to the children of Israel about keeping the commandments and being diligent and remembering that God is a merciful God if he will ask him. Don't be like Laman and Lemuel who would never invoque the Lord .
I know that Soeur Creager and I can invoque the Lord and ask him what it is he wants us to accomplish in Colmar and if we are diligent in keeping the commandments we will see MIRACLES! It will no longer be the ville with no success.
As for the work here, we had a great week! Especially with Daphné. I think another Claire has fallen into our hands. Daphné loved church and the members and Claire was such a great missionary, she and Daphné became friends immediatley! We taught Daphné the first lesson and when she heard Joseph Smith's vision, she said "Oh, it's by the grace of God." She is very excited to read the Book of Mormon as well. She told us she hadn't been to church in over 8 months because there were none that she agreed with, so she would pray and read at home with her son (I think his name is Elijah). She loved conference and said that all of our leaders were so humble and she could tell they were real servants of God. I'm very excited for Soeur Carter and her new companion to continue with Daphné.
I'm going to miss Nogent so much, I have loved it here, but I know the Lord has a work for Soeur Creager and I to do in Colmar.
Love you all!
Bisous, Soeur Reeves
Jon and Leah you're moving to Australia?! That's crazy! How exciting! I hope I can come visit you in the future! Thank you Allyson for your letter!
Ryan, I never get your emails .
Well for my news... I have been transferred to Colmar! It's really close to the border of Germany and the "Black Forest." All of the members and missionaries that know it have told me that it is the most beautiful town in all of France, especially at Christmas. I've also heard that it's freezing there right now too, but thankfully I've already pulled out my winter coat because it was freezing here in Nogent this weekend. I'm excited for my new companion, Soeur Creager. I went on exchanges with her last transfer and she was Soeur Carter's companion in the MTC. She is very sweet and a very devoted missionary. She is from Morgan, Utah, but about half of her family lives in Australia, so she goes all of the time. Maybe you will meet her family Jon and Leah. Other exciting news of this transfer... Soeur Carter is training! You should have seen the look on her face when the assistants called her on Friday. Her response was, "What!? I'm too young to train!" She was in shock for about 20 minutes. However the assistants explained that it's not the missionaries who have been out the longest who train, but the Lord calls us when he needs us at that time. I think all missionaries are capable of training, but we are needed for that specific companion. I know that Soeur Carter will be amazing!!!! I'm so excited for her and I know she will grow with her companion. She did ask me however to ask you to pray for her, she was very nervous and stressed this weekend, but she's doing a lot better today and is actually excited.
I'm very excited to go to Colmar, because Soeur Creager because we are going to do a whitewash. For those of you who don't know what that means, they take the old missionaries out and put two brand new missionaries in. They're actually whitewashing a lot of areas this transfer and there are no more sisters in Paris! Only Elders. I was told that missionaries in the past had a bad attitude about Colmar and say that it's a hard area and success doesn't exist there. However, President and Soeur Poznanski have been focusing on knocking the walls down, "cassez les murs" because almost every missionary before coming here hears from others, "Oh how exciting that you're going to France, it's so beautiful there, there's so much history and you'll get to see so many great things. But you'll probably only baptize one person during your mission." NOT TRUE! If you come in with that attitude, then, Yes, you will only baptize one person. If you come with the faith that the Lord has called you on your mission to find, invite and baptize those who are prepared to hear the gospel then you will. Of course success isn't measured by your numbers, it's by your diligence and obedience, and if you are diligent and obedient then the Lord will lead you to those who are prepared. This morning in my scripture study I read in 1 Nephi 15 and then Deuteronomy 4 and both chapters said the same thing, at least to me. Nephi talked to his brothers about knowing the things of the Lord, and the fact that you can't know unless you ask, and if you ask in faith then he will respond, but you need to keep the commandments. "Do ye not remember the things which the Lord hath said?—If ye will not harden your hearts, and aask me in bfaith, believing that ye shall receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these things shall be made known unto you." In Deuteronomy Moses talked to the children of Israel about keeping the commandments and being diligent and remembering that God is a merciful God if he will ask him. Don't be like Laman and Lemuel who would never invoque the Lord .
I know that Soeur Creager and I can invoque the Lord and ask him what it is he wants us to accomplish in Colmar and if we are diligent in keeping the commandments we will see MIRACLES! It will no longer be the ville with no success.
As for the work here, we had a great week! Especially with Daphné. I think another Claire has fallen into our hands. Daphné loved church and the members and Claire was such a great missionary, she and Daphné became friends immediatley! We taught Daphné the first lesson and when she heard Joseph Smith's vision, she said "Oh, it's by the grace of God." She is very excited to read the Book of Mormon as well. She told us she hadn't been to church in over 8 months because there were none that she agreed with, so she would pray and read at home with her son (I think his name is Elijah). She loved conference and said that all of our leaders were so humble and she could tell they were real servants of God. I'm very excited for Soeur Carter and her new companion to continue with Daphné.
I'm going to miss Nogent so much, I have loved it here, but I know the Lord has a work for Soeur Creager and I to do in Colmar.
Love you all!
Bisous, Soeur Reeves
Monday, October 3, 2011
Week 32
There's going to be a temple in Paris, France!!!!! Just to inform you if you weren't paying attention at conference ;). We had already heard about it because there was an article printed in the Parisien, but then I guess they started publicizing it in Salt Lake too. However, President Monson sent a letter to all of the members in France saying to not talk about it and that it wouldn't be official until and if it was announced in General Conference. My heart was pounding yesterday! I was so anxious, it was bizarre that President Monson spoke in the middle of the session instead of the beginning and then the Paris temple was the last one he announced! I was so nervous he wasn't going to say it! I'm so happy for the members. I know it is something that will help all of them as well as the missionary work here in France.
I love General Conference! I'm so grateful that we live in a time with living prophets and apostles upon the earth. It's crazy I feel like Elder Scott's talks are always directed toward me and what I need to hear, I learned something from each of the talks though and received losts of answers about the concerns of our amis.
The Elders met a woman named Daphné this last week and after they said, "Hello, we're missionaries..." and before they could get another word in she asked, "Where is your church?" and told them that she's been looking and praying for a church to go to. She ended up coming to two of the sessions of General Conference and loved them! She hasn't even had any lessons yet! The Elders are passing her to us, because we have a new rule that only the sisters can teach single women and only the Elders can teach single men (if both companionships are serving in the same ward). (Yes we have had some problems with people wanting to see us for the wrong reasons). So we gave the Elders lots of new amis. It seems like it's always after the test of our faith and hard work, when it seems like we're having no success that the Lord gives us a miracle, and it wasn't something that we accomplished on our own. I'm very excited to teach Daphné! She is so sweet and very ready to listen.
One of our amis only came to an hour of conference and thankfully we caught him right before he left. I guess some of the talks brought back hard memories of his past and he told us he feels like he is lost, that he is dead spiritually and can't do anything about it. We told him he can, because Jesus Christ died for him and he can repent. He said no, and that everyone else will automatically be saved no matter how wicked they are, but not him. We realized then that he doesn't understand the atonement and bore testimony to him that it doesn't work like that, that we need to repent and can repent. We told him the story of Alma the younger and had him read some verses from Alma 36. He ended up reading the whole chapter and then looked up and said, "I need to think." He then left. Soeur Carter and I prayed and prayed that everything will be okay and that he will have a desire to come unto Christ and be cleansed for him. I so badly wished that he had stayed for Elder Christofferson's talk. It was perfect! I love how he said we can have joy in repentance. I know that's true and I know that Jesus Christ used his agency to suffer for us so that he could know how to succor us. May we each repent each day and ask for his help in overcoming our weaknesses that we may become perfect in him.
I love you all,
Soeur Reeves
I love General Conference! I'm so grateful that we live in a time with living prophets and apostles upon the earth. It's crazy I feel like Elder Scott's talks are always directed toward me and what I need to hear, I learned something from each of the talks though and received losts of answers about the concerns of our amis.
The Elders met a woman named Daphné this last week and after they said, "Hello, we're missionaries..." and before they could get another word in she asked, "Where is your church?" and told them that she's been looking and praying for a church to go to. She ended up coming to two of the sessions of General Conference and loved them! She hasn't even had any lessons yet! The Elders are passing her to us, because we have a new rule that only the sisters can teach single women and only the Elders can teach single men (if both companionships are serving in the same ward). (Yes we have had some problems with people wanting to see us for the wrong reasons). So we gave the Elders lots of new amis. It seems like it's always after the test of our faith and hard work, when it seems like we're having no success that the Lord gives us a miracle, and it wasn't something that we accomplished on our own. I'm very excited to teach Daphné! She is so sweet and very ready to listen.
One of our amis only came to an hour of conference and thankfully we caught him right before he left. I guess some of the talks brought back hard memories of his past and he told us he feels like he is lost, that he is dead spiritually and can't do anything about it. We told him he can, because Jesus Christ died for him and he can repent. He said no, and that everyone else will automatically be saved no matter how wicked they are, but not him. We realized then that he doesn't understand the atonement and bore testimony to him that it doesn't work like that, that we need to repent and can repent. We told him the story of Alma the younger and had him read some verses from Alma 36. He ended up reading the whole chapter and then looked up and said, "I need to think." He then left. Soeur Carter and I prayed and prayed that everything will be okay and that he will have a desire to come unto Christ and be cleansed for him. I so badly wished that he had stayed for Elder Christofferson's talk. It was perfect! I love how he said we can have joy in repentance. I know that's true and I know that Jesus Christ used his agency to suffer for us so that he could know how to succor us. May we each repent each day and ask for his help in overcoming our weaknesses that we may become perfect in him.
I love you all,
Soeur Reeves
Monday, September 26, 2011
Week 31
Bonjour ma famille,
Comment ça va? Thank you Greg and Brittany for your letter! That was so nice of you and I was excited to receive it!
It was a good week, not a ton of lessons, but we felt like we worked diligently and it went well. We had interviews on Wednesday with President and Soeur Poznanski whom I love! I feel a special conection to them and President Poznanski was so kind in responding to my questions and concerns. Soeur Carter and I have really been trying to work on being worthy of the Spirit and following his promptings and President said that's the most important thing to focus on. If we are worthy of the Holy Ghost that means we are being obedient and we will be guided in all that we do.
On Friday I did worked with the Paris soeurs because Soeur Carter went up to Belguim to get her legality. It was a lot of fun! Soeur Williams and Soeur Smith are both so nice and such good missionaries. We did district contacting that afternoon outside of the George Pompidou center and had big posters up with information about the church. We had lots of copies of the Book of Mormon and we would talk with people about the church and then invite them to come over the Visitor's Center just down the street. Soeur Williams contacted a Portuguese man so we walked to the visitor's center with him to give him a Book of Mormon in Portuguese and while we were there a young French man stopped in front of the door. I said "Bonjour" to him and then told him to come on in. He entered a little hesitantly and told us that he was just walking down the street and stopped when he saw the center. I asked him if he would like to know about our beliefs and if we could take a few minutes to show him around. He said yes! so Soeur Smith and I started with the pictures of Christ and then as we walked around to each picture we pretty much gave him the first lesson. When we got to the picture of Joseph Smith's first vision I recited Joseph Smith's experience in his own words and was just praying that Dan (that's his name) would feel the spirit. He listened really intently. Soeur Smith and I both testified that we know it's true and then I said, "You're probably wondering how we know it's true." We took him to the picture of Christ appearing in the America's and showed him the Book of Mormon. We testified that it is another testament of Jesus Christ and told him that he can know for himself that it is true. We had him read Moroni 10:3-5 and then asked him what he needs to do, he responded "pray." We asked him if he would and he excitedly said, "Yes, yes, I'll read it and pray!" We promised him the he could get an answer and he said, "Yea, okay, okay, I'll read it." It was amazing!!!!!!! He wouldn't give us his number but he asked for ours and said he'd come by another time. I pray that he will. That was definitely one of the highlights for my week!
I know that there are people every where that are ready, but we need to search for them and if we do all that we can we will be lead to them and them to us. I love this work and I'm grateful to be a missionary!
Bisous, Sœur Reeves
Comment ça va? Thank you Greg and Brittany for your letter! That was so nice of you and I was excited to receive it!
It was a good week, not a ton of lessons, but we felt like we worked diligently and it went well. We had interviews on Wednesday with President and Soeur Poznanski whom I love! I feel a special conection to them and President Poznanski was so kind in responding to my questions and concerns. Soeur Carter and I have really been trying to work on being worthy of the Spirit and following his promptings and President said that's the most important thing to focus on. If we are worthy of the Holy Ghost that means we are being obedient and we will be guided in all that we do.
On Friday I did worked with the Paris soeurs because Soeur Carter went up to Belguim to get her legality. It was a lot of fun! Soeur Williams and Soeur Smith are both so nice and such good missionaries. We did district contacting that afternoon outside of the George Pompidou center and had big posters up with information about the church. We had lots of copies of the Book of Mormon and we would talk with people about the church and then invite them to come over the Visitor's Center just down the street. Soeur Williams contacted a Portuguese man so we walked to the visitor's center with him to give him a Book of Mormon in Portuguese and while we were there a young French man stopped in front of the door. I said "Bonjour" to him and then told him to come on in. He entered a little hesitantly and told us that he was just walking down the street and stopped when he saw the center. I asked him if he would like to know about our beliefs and if we could take a few minutes to show him around. He said yes! so Soeur Smith and I started with the pictures of Christ and then as we walked around to each picture we pretty much gave him the first lesson. When we got to the picture of Joseph Smith's first vision I recited Joseph Smith's experience in his own words and was just praying that Dan (that's his name) would feel the spirit. He listened really intently. Soeur Smith and I both testified that we know it's true and then I said, "You're probably wondering how we know it's true." We took him to the picture of Christ appearing in the America's and showed him the Book of Mormon. We testified that it is another testament of Jesus Christ and told him that he can know for himself that it is true. We had him read Moroni 10:3-5 and then asked him what he needs to do, he responded "pray." We asked him if he would and he excitedly said, "Yes, yes, I'll read it and pray!" We promised him the he could get an answer and he said, "Yea, okay, okay, I'll read it." It was amazing!!!!!!! He wouldn't give us his number but he asked for ours and said he'd come by another time. I pray that he will. That was definitely one of the highlights for my week!
I know that there are people every where that are ready, but we need to search for them and if we do all that we can we will be lead to them and them to us. I love this work and I'm grateful to be a missionary!
Bisous, Sœur Reeves
Monday, September 19, 2011
Week 30
Salut!
Happy Birthday Bradley! I can't believe you're 9! Children grow up too quickly. Ryan thanks for your postcard that was very fun to get, ha I don't get letters very often so it's always exciting to receive one. You are an amazing missionary! I love hearing all of your stories, keep up the good work!
We had a great week! Soeur Carter and I ran into Roger again! Last week we challenged a family in our ward to each pray and ask the Lord to give them a missionary opportunity and we promised them that the Lord always gives it to us, but we need to be on the look out and when the opportunity arrives, act. Soeur Carter and I then talked about how we ourselves should be asking the Lord for that; yes, we're missionaries and we have opportunities every day to share the gospel, but sometimes we just go through the same motions and don't ask the Lord specifically what we should do, or to help us recognize those opportunities better. (The key is being specific in our prayers and then following the spirit!) Before we went on that day we prayed and asked the Lord to give us an experience, we then did what we had planned for the day and in the evening decided to try passing by on of the former investigators from our area book. Sadly she wasn't there, but we had decided to do contacting after that and instead of staying in that area we decied to go back to Nogent. We started to walk back toward the gare (train station) and who ran into us?! Roger! He told us he had lost his phone and didn't have our number, so he gave us his new one. He's been reading the Book of Mormon and said he's been anxious to meet with us because he has a lot of questions, he then said that it was by the grace of God that we ran into each other again; which is true! We set up a rendez-vous and we asked him to invite his family as well. He said he'll ask them; I hope they agree. It was set up for today but didn't work out, but hopefully we can fix one for later this week. I'm so grateful we followed the counsel that we gave to our members and I know that the Lord does respond to our prayers.
Today I studied in the scriptures about faith and read Ether 12. I love this chapter! With each of the examples that Moroni gives he points out that there were no miracles or witnesses until after the test of their faith. Then verse 27 talks about our weaknesses can become our strengths if we will humble ourselves before the Lord and have faith in him. I need to do that! There are some areas that I am weak in and I've realized that I need to rely more on the Lord and ask for his help, then I will become strong and see miracles!
I love you all and I know that the Lord responds to our prayers and produces miracles when we have faith and put our trust in him.
Bisous, Soeur Reeves
Happy Birthday Bradley! I can't believe you're 9! Children grow up too quickly. Ryan thanks for your postcard that was very fun to get, ha I don't get letters very often so it's always exciting to receive one. You are an amazing missionary! I love hearing all of your stories, keep up the good work!
We had a great week! Soeur Carter and I ran into Roger again! Last week we challenged a family in our ward to each pray and ask the Lord to give them a missionary opportunity and we promised them that the Lord always gives it to us, but we need to be on the look out and when the opportunity arrives, act. Soeur Carter and I then talked about how we ourselves should be asking the Lord for that; yes, we're missionaries and we have opportunities every day to share the gospel, but sometimes we just go through the same motions and don't ask the Lord specifically what we should do, or to help us recognize those opportunities better. (The key is being specific in our prayers and then following the spirit!) Before we went on that day we prayed and asked the Lord to give us an experience, we then did what we had planned for the day and in the evening decided to try passing by on of the former investigators from our area book. Sadly she wasn't there, but we had decided to do contacting after that and instead of staying in that area we decied to go back to Nogent. We started to walk back toward the gare (train station) and who ran into us?! Roger! He told us he had lost his phone and didn't have our number, so he gave us his new one. He's been reading the Book of Mormon and said he's been anxious to meet with us because he has a lot of questions, he then said that it was by the grace of God that we ran into each other again; which is true! We set up a rendez-vous and we asked him to invite his family as well. He said he'll ask them; I hope they agree. It was set up for today but didn't work out, but hopefully we can fix one for later this week. I'm so grateful we followed the counsel that we gave to our members and I know that the Lord does respond to our prayers.
Today I studied in the scriptures about faith and read Ether 12. I love this chapter! With each of the examples that Moroni gives he points out that there were no miracles or witnesses until after the test of their faith. Then verse 27 talks about our weaknesses can become our strengths if we will humble ourselves before the Lord and have faith in him. I need to do that! There are some areas that I am weak in and I've realized that I need to rely more on the Lord and ask for his help, then I will become strong and see miracles!
I love you all and I know that the Lord responds to our prayers and produces miracles when we have faith and put our trust in him.
Bisous, Soeur Reeves
Monday, September 12, 2011
Week 29 - New Amis
Salut!
Thank you Mom, Dad, Jessica, and Mike for your emails! It's always fun to hear from you! I forgot to mention that two weeks ago we had transfers, and as you can probably guess, since I didn't say anything about moving I am still here in Nogent!
Happy Birthday last week to Madeline! and Kate this week!
Allyson I don't know if I have mentioned but two different African men have come up to me while I was at the visitor's center and they were both confused when the looked at me, apparently they both danced with you while you were here attending institute! Haha! Cola told me to tell you Hi!
We had a good week! A little tough, but we keep going, we got 3 new amis! It's funny we have a bunch of new investigators but most can only meet on the weekends. Last Monday we were here doing our emails and a man was sitting next to me and my companion. His cane fell down so I picked it up for him and then he just stared at me! I wasn't sure why so I turned back to my computer to keep typing. He then tapped my arm and pointed to his computer screen. He had written "Soeur Reeves Neuilly" on Google search (Neuilly is the city we were in). I then said, "Oh, I'm a sister missionary!" and pointed to my tag. I then asked him if he had ever heard of L'Eglise de Jésus-Christ Des Saints Des Derniers Jours. I then realized he couldn't talk. He then started typing on his keyboard to communicate with us. We told him who we were and what we do and he asked if he could come to church. We then got his information and set up a rendez-vous. His name is Steve and Soeur Carter and I taught him twice last week. We didn't realize that he can hear, so we had written out some things to show him and we brought a mini white-board to communicate. He then wrote, "I can hear really well." That made things a lot easier. He still uses the white board though to make comments and ask questions. He's really nice and he's started reading the Book of Mormon. We gave him the soft commitment to baptism, but I can tell that we need to move slowly with him and make sure he understands everything clearly and what kind of commitment baptism really is. I'm excited though to keep teaching him and thankfully he is available all the time.
Our other two new amis are Sophie and Amil. I really like them, but we can tell that they're going to progress at different speeds. Sophie is Catholic and her husband, Amil, is Egyptian Orthodox. They want to come to church and Sophie is really excited to read the Book of Mormon!
Last Sunday we had been a little worried about Claire because we have a member who is a little overbearing and has caused some problems in the past with new converts, so when we went to visit Claire this last week we explained everything to her. Thankfully she told us that she immediately knew that nothing the member was saying was true and that we didn't need to worry. She said, "The gospel is perfect! but the members aren't; people aren't perfect." I was so proud of her! I'm so glad she didn't get offended or judge the church because of it. She told us to not worry about her. Claire, Grace and Darius are all doing so well! There was a different feeling in there home and they're understanding things faster and more clearly; I know it's because they now have the gift of the Holy Ghost.
I'm so grateful for the Holy Ghost and I know that he testifies of the truth of all things. I know that if we remain worthy, he will carry the truth of our words into the hearts of those to whom we testify.
I love you all!!!!
Bisous, Soeur Reeves
Thank you Mom, Dad, Jessica, and Mike for your emails! It's always fun to hear from you! I forgot to mention that two weeks ago we had transfers, and as you can probably guess, since I didn't say anything about moving I am still here in Nogent!
Happy Birthday last week to Madeline! and Kate this week!
Allyson I don't know if I have mentioned but two different African men have come up to me while I was at the visitor's center and they were both confused when the looked at me, apparently they both danced with you while you were here attending institute! Haha! Cola told me to tell you Hi!
We had a good week! A little tough, but we keep going, we got 3 new amis! It's funny we have a bunch of new investigators but most can only meet on the weekends. Last Monday we were here doing our emails and a man was sitting next to me and my companion. His cane fell down so I picked it up for him and then he just stared at me! I wasn't sure why so I turned back to my computer to keep typing. He then tapped my arm and pointed to his computer screen. He had written "Soeur Reeves Neuilly" on Google search (Neuilly is the city we were in). I then said, "Oh, I'm a sister missionary!" and pointed to my tag. I then asked him if he had ever heard of L'Eglise de Jésus-Christ Des Saints Des Derniers Jours. I then realized he couldn't talk. He then started typing on his keyboard to communicate with us. We told him who we were and what we do and he asked if he could come to church. We then got his information and set up a rendez-vous. His name is Steve and Soeur Carter and I taught him twice last week. We didn't realize that he can hear, so we had written out some things to show him and we brought a mini white-board to communicate. He then wrote, "I can hear really well." That made things a lot easier. He still uses the white board though to make comments and ask questions. He's really nice and he's started reading the Book of Mormon. We gave him the soft commitment to baptism, but I can tell that we need to move slowly with him and make sure he understands everything clearly and what kind of commitment baptism really is. I'm excited though to keep teaching him and thankfully he is available all the time.
Our other two new amis are Sophie and Amil. I really like them, but we can tell that they're going to progress at different speeds. Sophie is Catholic and her husband, Amil, is Egyptian Orthodox. They want to come to church and Sophie is really excited to read the Book of Mormon!
Last Sunday we had been a little worried about Claire because we have a member who is a little overbearing and has caused some problems in the past with new converts, so when we went to visit Claire this last week we explained everything to her. Thankfully she told us that she immediately knew that nothing the member was saying was true and that we didn't need to worry. She said, "The gospel is perfect! but the members aren't; people aren't perfect." I was so proud of her! I'm so glad she didn't get offended or judge the church because of it. She told us to not worry about her. Claire, Grace and Darius are all doing so well! There was a different feeling in there home and they're understanding things faster and more clearly; I know it's because they now have the gift of the Holy Ghost.
I'm so grateful for the Holy Ghost and I know that he testifies of the truth of all things. I know that if we remain worthy, he will carry the truth of our words into the hearts of those to whom we testify.
I love you all!!!!
Bisous, Soeur Reeves
Monday, September 5, 2011
Week 28
Salut!
Allyson I can't believe you're in Jerusalem! and Jaclyn too! That's so exciting, you'll have to send me pictures. Mom and Dad that's so exciting that you'll be able to go to Spain with the Taylor's! I can't believe Christian is getting back tomorrow and that all of the other boys from my Sunday school class have gotten home too. You'll have to tell them all hello.
Ryan that's awesome about the Chinese man and his wife and you other investigators! I hope they end up getting baptized. That's been one of the hardest things for me is when you're preparing someone for baptism and then they dissappear, but that doesn't always happen and after it does the Lord blesses you with a miracle, if you have done all that you can.
We had a long week full of contacting, but it was good, and we got 6 new investigators! Three of which are a family. Soeur Carter and I went through our entire area book and made of a list of former investigators to visit and potentials to call and we found Marie-Louise. She has four children and her two oldest daughters are, I believe, 11 and 15. They were all very nice and we weren't sure if they were going to let us in, because the last sisters wrote that two years ago, Marie-Louise wasn't intersted at all. Oh, and miracle too, we didn't know her number, only her address and when we got to her apartment building it's only last names on the sonneries and we didn't know her last name. I thought that we should just turn around, but Soeur Carter said that we should try a few of the names. We said a prayer and then pressed a random button, the woman came out and said that she didn't know Marie-Louise. We then remembered that Marie-Louise is African so we looked at all of the names that looked African, and the first one we pressed was hers! They let us in and we got to no them. She doesn't remember anything that the sisters taught her 3 years ago, so we're going to teach the restoration next time. She asked when our church was, but sadly she works every Sunday, but she said that maybe her husband can bring the children to church. I hope so! On verra. I know it was the Lord that helped us find her apartment, and made sure we came at the time we did, because she had just gotten home from work.
We also have Aicha, I can't remember if I told you about her. She is the woman I contacted on the street 2 months ago and was really excited to meet with us but went on vacation during that whole time. We met with her now though, and she had a lot of questions because she has been meeting with the Jehovah's Witnesses for the past year, but she hasn't gotten baptized yet because she said she feels like there's something more. She really liked our message and she's very excited to read the Book of Mormon. We gave her the soft committment to baptism and she said, but I don't even know anything, we reminded her that our question was, "When you receive a response that our message is true will you prepare yourself to be baptized?" not "Will you get baptized tomorrow?" She then said, "Of course." I'm so excited to keep teaching her! The only hard thing is that all of our knew amis can either only meet once a week or once every two weeks. We also have Chantal and Rose, they are both so sweet and we gave Chantal the soft committement as well, she was soooo sweet and kind. Rose has gone through a lot of trials, so we talked about the atonement and at the end of our lesson she just started crying. She really wants to read the Book of Mormon because she said she feels like it can give her a lot of support and peace in her life. I'm so grateful for the Lord's help in finding these people and hope that we can keep finding them.
Claire, Grace, and Darius all received the gift of the Holy Ghost yesterday! Claire bore her testimony afterward and told about her whole conversion experience, from her daughter's passing, and becoming Christian to running into missionaries. It was so sweet she told how the Chinese elders had given us her number and that she realized how much we cared about her and sharing our message with her because even when she would use excuses to not meet with us we would call back. I'm grateful that she saw that in us. She touched a lot of members from sharing her testimony. I'm so excited for her and her family; her husband even looked up the address of the church in Lyon so that he can go while he is there! I hope he goes.
Thank you all for your love and support! I love this work and I know it's the Lord's work!
Bisous, Soeur Reeves
Allyson I can't believe you're in Jerusalem! and Jaclyn too! That's so exciting, you'll have to send me pictures. Mom and Dad that's so exciting that you'll be able to go to Spain with the Taylor's! I can't believe Christian is getting back tomorrow and that all of the other boys from my Sunday school class have gotten home too. You'll have to tell them all hello.
Ryan that's awesome about the Chinese man and his wife and you other investigators! I hope they end up getting baptized. That's been one of the hardest things for me is when you're preparing someone for baptism and then they dissappear, but that doesn't always happen and after it does the Lord blesses you with a miracle, if you have done all that you can.
We had a long week full of contacting, but it was good, and we got 6 new investigators! Three of which are a family. Soeur Carter and I went through our entire area book and made of a list of former investigators to visit and potentials to call and we found Marie-Louise. She has four children and her two oldest daughters are, I believe, 11 and 15. They were all very nice and we weren't sure if they were going to let us in, because the last sisters wrote that two years ago, Marie-Louise wasn't intersted at all. Oh, and miracle too, we didn't know her number, only her address and when we got to her apartment building it's only last names on the sonneries and we didn't know her last name. I thought that we should just turn around, but Soeur Carter said that we should try a few of the names. We said a prayer and then pressed a random button, the woman came out and said that she didn't know Marie-Louise. We then remembered that Marie-Louise is African so we looked at all of the names that looked African, and the first one we pressed was hers! They let us in and we got to no them. She doesn't remember anything that the sisters taught her 3 years ago, so we're going to teach the restoration next time. She asked when our church was, but sadly she works every Sunday, but she said that maybe her husband can bring the children to church. I hope so! On verra. I know it was the Lord that helped us find her apartment, and made sure we came at the time we did, because she had just gotten home from work.
We also have Aicha, I can't remember if I told you about her. She is the woman I contacted on the street 2 months ago and was really excited to meet with us but went on vacation during that whole time. We met with her now though, and she had a lot of questions because she has been meeting with the Jehovah's Witnesses for the past year, but she hasn't gotten baptized yet because she said she feels like there's something more. She really liked our message and she's very excited to read the Book of Mormon. We gave her the soft committment to baptism and she said, but I don't even know anything, we reminded her that our question was, "When you receive a response that our message is true will you prepare yourself to be baptized?" not "Will you get baptized tomorrow?" She then said, "Of course." I'm so excited to keep teaching her! The only hard thing is that all of our knew amis can either only meet once a week or once every two weeks. We also have Chantal and Rose, they are both so sweet and we gave Chantal the soft committement as well, she was soooo sweet and kind. Rose has gone through a lot of trials, so we talked about the atonement and at the end of our lesson she just started crying. She really wants to read the Book of Mormon because she said she feels like it can give her a lot of support and peace in her life. I'm so grateful for the Lord's help in finding these people and hope that we can keep finding them.
Claire, Grace, and Darius all received the gift of the Holy Ghost yesterday! Claire bore her testimony afterward and told about her whole conversion experience, from her daughter's passing, and becoming Christian to running into missionaries. It was so sweet she told how the Chinese elders had given us her number and that she realized how much we cared about her and sharing our message with her because even when she would use excuses to not meet with us we would call back. I'm grateful that she saw that in us. She touched a lot of members from sharing her testimony. I'm so excited for her and her family; her husband even looked up the address of the church in Lyon so that he can go while he is there! I hope he goes.
Thank you all for your love and support! I love this work and I know it's the Lord's work!
Bisous, Soeur Reeves
Monday, August 29, 2011
Week 27
Bonjour ma famille!
Thank you all for your emails it was fun to hear from many of you! Julie and Brett, Andrew is adorable and Lindsey has gotten so big! Allyson I can't believe you're leaving to Jerusalem tomorrow!
Well.........Claire, Grace and Darius were all baptized!!!! It was wonderful, it was right after church so almost the whole ward was there! Claire's husband came and after I said, "Are you next?" He said, "Well, I'm not here all of the time (He works in Lyon for 2 to 4 weeks at a time) but when I'm here I'll come to church. And I still need to learn more." I agreed with him that he needs to gain his own testimony, but hopefully when he comes back from Lyon we can start teaching him. Claire's nephew also came and loved it. He has been there for the past few lessons and told us he wants to get baptized, but he of course needs to talk with his mom (he is only 11, and his mom works on Sundays, but he is able to come with Claire). We shall see what happens. Claire was sooooo happy during and afterward. I asked her how she felt and she said, "Light. It feels like all of this weight has been lifted off of me." I loved seeing all of them dressed in white. Darius was the first to be baptized and it was so cute, because all of the primary children were right up against the glass with their faces smashed against it and after he was baptized all of the little boys asked, "How was it Darius!? Was it good?" or in French, "C'était bien Darius?! C'était bien?!" I asked Grace how she felt and she's still somewhat timid, but she said it was good. Thankfully the other young women have been very welcoming and friendly toward her.
We had training at multi-zone conference this last week which I always love! We are working on accomplishing our mission goals and the assistants talked about praying and asking the Lord to help us see his vision for ourselves. Just like Nephi. After hearing his father recount his dream he believed him but he wanted to see it for himself. He prayed to the Lord and did see it, but he then asked for the interpretation of the dream and saw and learned even more than his father had.
We also finished teaching Claire and her family the ten commandments and we committed them to respect them and of course they all said yes, but then our relief society president (who came to teach with us that day) said something that really hit me. She told them to remember to keep the commandments out of love for the Lord and not because of fear. Yes we are taught to be a God fearing people, but even more than that we are taught to LOVE our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Christ said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." I had never really thought that deeply about it. Truly most of my life I often did what was right because I was afraid of getting in trouble. But now I realize I should do what's right to show God that I love him and I want him to be pleased with me.
I know that when we keep the commandments and do what's right we will be blessed and we are happy! (Mosiah 2:41)
I love you all!
Bisous, Soeur Reeves
Thank you all for your emails it was fun to hear from many of you! Julie and Brett, Andrew is adorable and Lindsey has gotten so big! Allyson I can't believe you're leaving to Jerusalem tomorrow!
Well.........Claire, Grace and Darius were all baptized!!!! It was wonderful, it was right after church so almost the whole ward was there! Claire's husband came and after I said, "Are you next?" He said, "Well, I'm not here all of the time (He works in Lyon for 2 to 4 weeks at a time) but when I'm here I'll come to church. And I still need to learn more." I agreed with him that he needs to gain his own testimony, but hopefully when he comes back from Lyon we can start teaching him. Claire's nephew also came and loved it. He has been there for the past few lessons and told us he wants to get baptized, but he of course needs to talk with his mom (he is only 11, and his mom works on Sundays, but he is able to come with Claire). We shall see what happens. Claire was sooooo happy during and afterward. I asked her how she felt and she said, "Light. It feels like all of this weight has been lifted off of me." I loved seeing all of them dressed in white. Darius was the first to be baptized and it was so cute, because all of the primary children were right up against the glass with their faces smashed against it and after he was baptized all of the little boys asked, "How was it Darius!? Was it good?" or in French, "C'était bien Darius?! C'était bien?!" I asked Grace how she felt and she's still somewhat timid, but she said it was good. Thankfully the other young women have been very welcoming and friendly toward her.
We had training at multi-zone conference this last week which I always love! We are working on accomplishing our mission goals and the assistants talked about praying and asking the Lord to help us see his vision for ourselves. Just like Nephi. After hearing his father recount his dream he believed him but he wanted to see it for himself. He prayed to the Lord and did see it, but he then asked for the interpretation of the dream and saw and learned even more than his father had.
We also finished teaching Claire and her family the ten commandments and we committed them to respect them and of course they all said yes, but then our relief society president (who came to teach with us that day) said something that really hit me. She told them to remember to keep the commandments out of love for the Lord and not because of fear. Yes we are taught to be a God fearing people, but even more than that we are taught to LOVE our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Christ said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." I had never really thought that deeply about it. Truly most of my life I often did what was right because I was afraid of getting in trouble. But now I realize I should do what's right to show God that I love him and I want him to be pleased with me.
I know that when we keep the commandments and do what's right we will be blessed and we are happy! (Mosiah 2:41)
I love you all!
Bisous, Soeur Reeves
Monday, August 22, 2011
Week 26
Bonjour ma chère famille!
It's crazy, I take back what I said to Ryan about it being cold and wet here, well maybe it was for the first half of the transfer, but now it's burning hot and I don't think I've sweated so not much like a pig in all my life. I am more a fan of heat than cold, but it's tiring as a missionary. However, we still had a good week. Tuesday we taught Claire, Grace and Darius about the covenant they will make at baptism and that they will become members of Christ's church. We then taught them about following the prophet and Claire got really excited, which we were happy about, since at first she didn't really accept Joseph Smith. We asked each of them to pray about Joseph Smith and Thomas S. Monson and ask the Lord if they are truly prophets. Claire then asked if President Monson ever travels or if he just stays in the U.S. We told her of course he travels and she asked if he will ever come here and we said for sure when there is a temple. She then got very excited asking when there will be a temple and we said that we hope soon, but we don't find out until General Conference and then of course we had to explain what General Conference is. Claire was just so happy and excited! She told her children that they all need to pray that there will be a temple soon here in France and she is anxious for General Conference.
Friday we taught them about tithing and fast offerings and they had no problem in accepting it. Claire wanted to make sure she understands exactly how to pay tithing so that she can pay it as soon as she's baptized. She is so dedicated to the Lord and has so much faith.
We had exchanges this last week. Soeur Carter went to Valenciennes and Soeur Creagar came to Nogent with me. She is from Morgan, Utah and is 5' 10" and is one of the happiest and nicest people I have ever met. I love doing exchanges and getting to know other sisters in the mission and learn from them so that we can help one another in the work. She was Soeur Carter's companion in the MTC and looks up to Soeur Carter so much, she told me that Soeur Carter helped her a lot when they were there together.
On Saturday Soeur Carter and I did a church tour with a man named Roger and our ward mission leader and his wife. It was awesome! We me Roger two weeks ago. I remember sitting at the gare and then I thought I need to pay attention to the people around me and see who I can talk to. We got on the train which was packed so I didn't talk to anyone, but when we got off I saw a man dressed in a suit, carrying his bible (it was Sunday by the way); he was walking fast so I tried to keep up with him and I pointed him out to Soeur Carter, so we walked faster. When we got out of the gare (train station) we walked up next to him and said, "Bonjour." He looked at us and saw our tags. He was happy to talk to us and asked what church we were from (he was just returning from his Sunday worship service). He then asked if we were Mormon and said he had seen some missionaries before, but I don't think he really talked to them. He asked what time our worship service was and said he would like to join us and see what it was like, because he church is later in the day. We gave him our card and took his number. We called him the next week asking if he wanted to take a tour of the church before coming on Sunday, he said yes, but then our rendez-vous fell through. He came this Saturday though! We briefly taught him the first as we walked from the gare to the church and introduced the Book of Mormon to him. As we took Roger around the church we showed him the baptismal font and explained priesthood authority; he had a lot of good questions and it was great to have Frère and Soeur Mathias there to help us out. We then talked about what our Sunday services are like and showed him a classroom and then the chapel. There was a great spirit and he loved hearing about the sacrament and we read some scriptures from the Book of Mormon as we went along. We then committed him to read the Book of Mormon and pray about it and also pray to know if Joseph Smith restored the church of Jesus Christ. He then told us that he had nothing against reading it if it testifies of Christ and he can't say that Joseph Smith wasn't a prophet so he said he would pray to know the truth; he has a strong testimony of the Holy Ghost revealing all truths to us. Roger then said the prayer at the end and it was so sincere. He asked Heavenly Father to help him read the Book of Mormon and to help him know the truth. As we walked back to the gare with him he asked some more questions about the church. He asked about our leaders and we talked about how all of them are volunteers and are not payed, he thought that was great and then asked how we get the money to construct the buildings and we told him that all of the members pay tithing, he loved that too! Then he asked how he can become a member of the church! We told him to continue the lessons with us and then he can be baptized. When we left the church he said, "I think it's by the grace of God that I'm here today." It was wonderful and he wanted to come to church, but didn't answer his phone, so I hope nothing happened like with Jeanne who was just like Roger and wanted to get baptized and then ended up in the hospital (we're still trying to make contact with her). It seems like sometimes those who are most ready suddenly face a bunch of opposition, but I know that they are strong and have a lot of faith and that they will have the opportunity to accept the gospel and come unto Christ. We're praying that we can get ahold of Roger.
I know that there are lots of people like Jeanne, Roger, and Claire here in France and we just need to keep finding them.
Love you all! And happy birthday to Clara, McKenna and of course James!
Bisous, Soeur Reeves
It's crazy, I take back what I said to Ryan about it being cold and wet here, well maybe it was for the first half of the transfer, but now it's burning hot and I don't think I've sweated so not much like a pig in all my life. I am more a fan of heat than cold, but it's tiring as a missionary. However, we still had a good week. Tuesday we taught Claire, Grace and Darius about the covenant they will make at baptism and that they will become members of Christ's church. We then taught them about following the prophet and Claire got really excited, which we were happy about, since at first she didn't really accept Joseph Smith. We asked each of them to pray about Joseph Smith and Thomas S. Monson and ask the Lord if they are truly prophets. Claire then asked if President Monson ever travels or if he just stays in the U.S. We told her of course he travels and she asked if he will ever come here and we said for sure when there is a temple. She then got very excited asking when there will be a temple and we said that we hope soon, but we don't find out until General Conference and then of course we had to explain what General Conference is. Claire was just so happy and excited! She told her children that they all need to pray that there will be a temple soon here in France and she is anxious for General Conference.
Friday we taught them about tithing and fast offerings and they had no problem in accepting it. Claire wanted to make sure she understands exactly how to pay tithing so that she can pay it as soon as she's baptized. She is so dedicated to the Lord and has so much faith.
We had exchanges this last week. Soeur Carter went to Valenciennes and Soeur Creagar came to Nogent with me. She is from Morgan, Utah and is 5' 10" and is one of the happiest and nicest people I have ever met. I love doing exchanges and getting to know other sisters in the mission and learn from them so that we can help one another in the work. She was Soeur Carter's companion in the MTC and looks up to Soeur Carter so much, she told me that Soeur Carter helped her a lot when they were there together.
On Saturday Soeur Carter and I did a church tour with a man named Roger and our ward mission leader and his wife. It was awesome! We me Roger two weeks ago. I remember sitting at the gare and then I thought I need to pay attention to the people around me and see who I can talk to. We got on the train which was packed so I didn't talk to anyone, but when we got off I saw a man dressed in a suit, carrying his bible (it was Sunday by the way); he was walking fast so I tried to keep up with him and I pointed him out to Soeur Carter, so we walked faster. When we got out of the gare (train station) we walked up next to him and said, "Bonjour." He looked at us and saw our tags. He was happy to talk to us and asked what church we were from (he was just returning from his Sunday worship service). He then asked if we were Mormon and said he had seen some missionaries before, but I don't think he really talked to them. He asked what time our worship service was and said he would like to join us and see what it was like, because he church is later in the day. We gave him our card and took his number. We called him the next week asking if he wanted to take a tour of the church before coming on Sunday, he said yes, but then our rendez-vous fell through. He came this Saturday though! We briefly taught him the first as we walked from the gare to the church and introduced the Book of Mormon to him. As we took Roger around the church we showed him the baptismal font and explained priesthood authority; he had a lot of good questions and it was great to have Frère and Soeur Mathias there to help us out. We then talked about what our Sunday services are like and showed him a classroom and then the chapel. There was a great spirit and he loved hearing about the sacrament and we read some scriptures from the Book of Mormon as we went along. We then committed him to read the Book of Mormon and pray about it and also pray to know if Joseph Smith restored the church of Jesus Christ. He then told us that he had nothing against reading it if it testifies of Christ and he can't say that Joseph Smith wasn't a prophet so he said he would pray to know the truth; he has a strong testimony of the Holy Ghost revealing all truths to us. Roger then said the prayer at the end and it was so sincere. He asked Heavenly Father to help him read the Book of Mormon and to help him know the truth. As we walked back to the gare with him he asked some more questions about the church. He asked about our leaders and we talked about how all of them are volunteers and are not payed, he thought that was great and then asked how we get the money to construct the buildings and we told him that all of the members pay tithing, he loved that too! Then he asked how he can become a member of the church! We told him to continue the lessons with us and then he can be baptized. When we left the church he said, "I think it's by the grace of God that I'm here today." It was wonderful and he wanted to come to church, but didn't answer his phone, so I hope nothing happened like with Jeanne who was just like Roger and wanted to get baptized and then ended up in the hospital (we're still trying to make contact with her). It seems like sometimes those who are most ready suddenly face a bunch of opposition, but I know that they are strong and have a lot of faith and that they will have the opportunity to accept the gospel and come unto Christ. We're praying that we can get ahold of Roger.
I know that there are lots of people like Jeanne, Roger, and Claire here in France and we just need to keep finding them.
Love you all! And happy birthday to Clara, McKenna and of course James!
Bisous, Soeur Reeves
Monday, August 15, 2011
Week 25
Bonjour à tous!
First things first, Happy Birthday mom!!!! I'm glad you got your book and that you and dad really liked it, it was fun as everyone emailed back and forth to share memories, there were definitely some where I couldn't help but laugh. That's fun that Jen and Nyall are living with you. How fun that so many missionaries will be coming to your home coming, I'm sure they're all so excited to see you.
J'ai des nouvelles..............Claire, Grace et Darius ont tous accepté de se faire baptiser le 28 aout!!!!!!!!
I know that's in French, but I'm sure you can guess what it means, yes, a family is getting baptized! They weren't at all hesitant when we extended the commitment, right away Claire said, "Yes we want to be baptized!" I was a little confused by Grace's response since she had told me at church that she wants to be baptized, because she then said, "But I have already been baptized." Claire than told her that it wasn't done with priesthood authority. She's understanding everything so well! When we went to see them on Saturday we walked into their home and Claire and Grace were reading from the Gospel Principles book and then looking up the scriptures as they read! She said it has helped her understand better. Claire's husband also came to church again! He has never been there for our lessons, but we're going to ask Claire if he is at all interested in taking the lessons. Yesterday in Sacrament meeting all of the talks were about the temple, and in Relief Society the lesson was on eternal families, I know that Claire really liked it. Grace asked me what we do at the temple and then Claire told her she can go and be baptized for her sister; she thought it was neat too that everyone dresses in white when they're in the temple.
I forgot to mention that we have a new ward mission leader and he has done an awesome job at getting the ward involved! He sends out emails to all of the ward members letting them know when we have lessons and then members call him to let him know if they're available. So many people replied, it was great! He also sends out emails with names of amis and less-actives that the members can pray for. I think we will really start to see a difference with members getting involved, and I'm very excited.
We also went to a funeral a week and a half ago for a recent convert who passed away. I actually never got to meet him, but the sisters baptized him about a year ago. His daughter had our number and called us to invite us to the funeral. When we went she asked if we were the people who teach the missionary lessons and told us that her dad had two copies of the Book of Mormon. Thankfully we had brought one for her along with a DVD and a Plan of Salvation brochure. She was very excited and said she will call us, she hasn't yet, so we are going to try and get ahold of her this week, but she obviously saw a difference in her dad's life and it has made her interested.
Sorry I don't have anymore time, but I love you all! I'm so excited for you Ryan and I'm glad you have such a great companion. You're lucky to have hot and humid weather. Here in Paris it's been pretty wet and cold, I think autumn is coming a little early.
Thank you all for your love and support, I'm grateful I have this time to devote all of my life to the Lord.
Bisous, Soeur Reeves
First things first, Happy Birthday mom!!!! I'm glad you got your book and that you and dad really liked it, it was fun as everyone emailed back and forth to share memories, there were definitely some where I couldn't help but laugh. That's fun that Jen and Nyall are living with you. How fun that so many missionaries will be coming to your home coming, I'm sure they're all so excited to see you.
J'ai des nouvelles..............Claire, Grace et Darius ont tous accepté de se faire baptiser le 28 aout!!!!!!!!
I know that's in French, but I'm sure you can guess what it means, yes, a family is getting baptized! They weren't at all hesitant when we extended the commitment, right away Claire said, "Yes we want to be baptized!" I was a little confused by Grace's response since she had told me at church that she wants to be baptized, because she then said, "But I have already been baptized." Claire than told her that it wasn't done with priesthood authority. She's understanding everything so well! When we went to see them on Saturday we walked into their home and Claire and Grace were reading from the Gospel Principles book and then looking up the scriptures as they read! She said it has helped her understand better. Claire's husband also came to church again! He has never been there for our lessons, but we're going to ask Claire if he is at all interested in taking the lessons. Yesterday in Sacrament meeting all of the talks were about the temple, and in Relief Society the lesson was on eternal families, I know that Claire really liked it. Grace asked me what we do at the temple and then Claire told her she can go and be baptized for her sister; she thought it was neat too that everyone dresses in white when they're in the temple.
I forgot to mention that we have a new ward mission leader and he has done an awesome job at getting the ward involved! He sends out emails to all of the ward members letting them know when we have lessons and then members call him to let him know if they're available. So many people replied, it was great! He also sends out emails with names of amis and less-actives that the members can pray for. I think we will really start to see a difference with members getting involved, and I'm very excited.
We also went to a funeral a week and a half ago for a recent convert who passed away. I actually never got to meet him, but the sisters baptized him about a year ago. His daughter had our number and called us to invite us to the funeral. When we went she asked if we were the people who teach the missionary lessons and told us that her dad had two copies of the Book of Mormon. Thankfully we had brought one for her along with a DVD and a Plan of Salvation brochure. She was very excited and said she will call us, she hasn't yet, so we are going to try and get ahold of her this week, but she obviously saw a difference in her dad's life and it has made her interested.
Sorry I don't have anymore time, but I love you all! I'm so excited for you Ryan and I'm glad you have such a great companion. You're lucky to have hot and humid weather. Here in Paris it's been pretty wet and cold, I think autumn is coming a little early.
Thank you all for your love and support, I'm grateful I have this time to devote all of my life to the Lord.
Bisous, Soeur Reeves
Monday, August 8, 2011
Week 24 - Claire
Bonjour ma famille!
What an incredible week! Tuesday we went to teach Claire and when we arrived she told us that Darius wants to be baptized! We said great, and she asked what he needs to do, so we told he they should all continue the lessons with us and he needs to pray and read the scriptures so that he can gain his own testimony. Claire then told us that when they came on sunday she had forgotten her bus/train pass but every stop that she got to the doors just happened to be open and she got to and from church without any problem! She told us that she knew the Lord wanted them to go. By the way it takes almost 2 hours from their house to the church, but she felt really strongly that they needed to come. She is definitely prepared! We asked what else she liked about church and she told us that on her way to the bus stop after church Fatoumia told her that we preform baptisms for the dead in the temple. That really attracted Claire! She told us that she wants to go to the temple for her daughter and her dad. She asked what she needs to do in order to go and we told her that you have to be worthy, but also a member of the Church of Jesus-Christ of Latter-day Saints. She then went silent, because she had already brought up the fact that she's been baptized, we each, including Clara (one of our ward missionaries who is amazing and has only been a member for a year and a half, and is preparing to go on a mission next year), bore our testimonies about the Book of Mormon, and that if it's true, Joseph Smith is a prophet of God, and if he is a prophet of God, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the church of Jesus Christ. Claire began to cry and said that she will keep reading the Book of Mormon, but that she wants to finish it before praying about Joseph Smith. At the end of the lesson she told us that they were going to go their church this Sunday and then come to ours every other Sunday. She said I hope that doesn't bother you. She slowly wants to transition.
Saturday we went back and when we walked in Darius said, "We've decided to come to Nogent for church!" Claire smiled and said that they have kept reading the Book of Mormon and they all feel really good about it and that even Grace (her 13 year old) has started reading it. We read the family proclamation with them and talked about the importance of family scripture study and family prayer and family night. They already do each of those things! So we invited them to continue. Claire told us that they even fast together, so I brought up the fact that we fast the first Sunday of every month and Claire said, "Children did you hear that? The first Sunday of every month, so we'll all be fasting." I was in shock! She didn't even question us when we told how we do it, she just agreed to do it; so we told them to think of something to fast for.
Yesterday they came! I knew that her brother was planning on coming, but when we walked into our gospel principles class her husband was there too! I was shocked! The day before he hadn't been to happy about some of the things we teach, and he is actually still Muslim, but he wanted to see what we do at church and he participated in the lesson. The lesson was wonderful and it was about the gift of the Holy Ghost. Claire was wonderful and shared how she feels when we come and teach her and when she prays and reads the scriptures and comes to church. During the lesson her husband asked what one has to do to be baptized. Claire then said, "Can I be re-baptized?" It was incredible!!!!! After sacrament meeting Grace talked to me and she's usually really timid and quiet, but she opened up a lot yesterday, and she told me she wants to be baptized and that she wants to be a missionary someday. Wow! I almost don't feel worthy to be one of the missionaries who gets to teach this family. We're going to fix baptismal dates with them tomorrow.
I didn't have to do much, it's definitely the Lord who is the carpenter and we as missionaries are just his tools, and without the Holy Ghost testifying and touching the hearts of those we teach the work could not be completed. I'm so grateful that the Lord has put me here at this time and that he trusts me to do his work, I pray that I can continually stay worthy of bringing others unto him. I know that he is behind all of it. Je vous aime!!!!
Love, Soeur Reeves
P.S. Thanks mom for all of those pictures it was so fun to see! Samuel is darling and Ashley is so tall! All of those kids are growing up too fast! I love your house Carrie and Brian! Nathan Happy Birthday and this next week I believe Brian and Reid too!
What an incredible week! Tuesday we went to teach Claire and when we arrived she told us that Darius wants to be baptized! We said great, and she asked what he needs to do, so we told he they should all continue the lessons with us and he needs to pray and read the scriptures so that he can gain his own testimony. Claire then told us that when they came on sunday she had forgotten her bus/train pass but every stop that she got to the doors just happened to be open and she got to and from church without any problem! She told us that she knew the Lord wanted them to go. By the way it takes almost 2 hours from their house to the church, but she felt really strongly that they needed to come. She is definitely prepared! We asked what else she liked about church and she told us that on her way to the bus stop after church Fatoumia told her that we preform baptisms for the dead in the temple. That really attracted Claire! She told us that she wants to go to the temple for her daughter and her dad. She asked what she needs to do in order to go and we told her that you have to be worthy, but also a member of the Church of Jesus-Christ of Latter-day Saints. She then went silent, because she had already brought up the fact that she's been baptized, we each, including Clara (one of our ward missionaries who is amazing and has only been a member for a year and a half, and is preparing to go on a mission next year), bore our testimonies about the Book of Mormon, and that if it's true, Joseph Smith is a prophet of God, and if he is a prophet of God, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the church of Jesus Christ. Claire began to cry and said that she will keep reading the Book of Mormon, but that she wants to finish it before praying about Joseph Smith. At the end of the lesson she told us that they were going to go their church this Sunday and then come to ours every other Sunday. She said I hope that doesn't bother you. She slowly wants to transition.
Saturday we went back and when we walked in Darius said, "We've decided to come to Nogent for church!" Claire smiled and said that they have kept reading the Book of Mormon and they all feel really good about it and that even Grace (her 13 year old) has started reading it. We read the family proclamation with them and talked about the importance of family scripture study and family prayer and family night. They already do each of those things! So we invited them to continue. Claire told us that they even fast together, so I brought up the fact that we fast the first Sunday of every month and Claire said, "Children did you hear that? The first Sunday of every month, so we'll all be fasting." I was in shock! She didn't even question us when we told how we do it, she just agreed to do it; so we told them to think of something to fast for.
Yesterday they came! I knew that her brother was planning on coming, but when we walked into our gospel principles class her husband was there too! I was shocked! The day before he hadn't been to happy about some of the things we teach, and he is actually still Muslim, but he wanted to see what we do at church and he participated in the lesson. The lesson was wonderful and it was about the gift of the Holy Ghost. Claire was wonderful and shared how she feels when we come and teach her and when she prays and reads the scriptures and comes to church. During the lesson her husband asked what one has to do to be baptized. Claire then said, "Can I be re-baptized?" It was incredible!!!!! After sacrament meeting Grace talked to me and she's usually really timid and quiet, but she opened up a lot yesterday, and she told me she wants to be baptized and that she wants to be a missionary someday. Wow! I almost don't feel worthy to be one of the missionaries who gets to teach this family. We're going to fix baptismal dates with them tomorrow.
I didn't have to do much, it's definitely the Lord who is the carpenter and we as missionaries are just his tools, and without the Holy Ghost testifying and touching the hearts of those we teach the work could not be completed. I'm so grateful that the Lord has put me here at this time and that he trusts me to do his work, I pray that I can continually stay worthy of bringing others unto him. I know that he is behind all of it. Je vous aime!!!!
Love, Soeur Reeves
P.S. Thanks mom for all of those pictures it was so fun to see! Samuel is darling and Ashley is so tall! All of those kids are growing up too fast! I love your house Carrie and Brian! Nathan Happy Birthday and this next week I believe Brian and Reid too!
Monday, August 1, 2011
Week 23
Bonjour ma famille!
Ryan or Elder Reeves, happy birthday tomorrow! That's so awesome about all of the people you talked to at the Park! It definitely wasn't a coincidence!
Thank you also to the Orange Crest YW for your letter!
We had a great week! Claire came to church with all 3 of her children, that's the first time I have ever had a family come to church the first Sunday after teaching them. (well last week was technically the first Sunday, but they had already planned something, before we met them). The members were great in helping us welcome them and sitting with them. Claire really liked it, and said she'll come again next week. She's still not sure about baptism and priesthood authority, but yesterday in our gospel principles class the lesson was on baptism, so I hope that helped her understand better. We will see this week, but she still needs to pray about the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith. A cool thing though is that she invited her friend to come with her to church (she didn't end up coming, but hopefully next week); Claire had told her friend about the Book of Mormon and her friend told her that she needed to throw it out, because it wasn't good and that we were a sect, but Claire told her that we are not a sect and that the Book of Mormon is wonderful and testifies of Christ. I was so proud of her! And I believe it was this same friend that she invited to church, if it was another at least she invited her; she told her friend that she's meeting with 2 American girls and was going to go to church with them on Sunday, but she didn't say anything about the Book of Mormon, and her friend said, "Oh, I want to come!" Hopefully she will come next week. I love amis who share the gospel with others before they have even been baptized.
Things are still going along with Rolland, we're trying to understand him and his needs better and how to better teach him so that he understands and listens, but this week was better than the first. Yesterday we had a miracle as we did some pass-bys (stopping by the homes of former investigators). From what I've experienced so far, they're either not home or no longer interested, but yesterday we stopped by Thérèse's house and she was home! and she was excited to hear from us and let us in! She said that the Lord had intervened because she's hardly ever home and she was planning on going to her daughter's house that afternoon, but decided to stay home. It was a great lesson, Soeur Carter connected really well with her. It's amazing how the Lord gives missionaries the gift of tongues! Soeur Carter usually doesn't say a ton in our lesson nor understands everything our amis say, but yesterday she understood Thérèse and was able to share a couple of scriptures with her and testify to her and they had a great conversation. Thérèse didn't believe that she only arrived a week 1/2 ago. We're hopefully going to go see her again this next week-end, I hope that she has a desire to keep commitments and follow the example of Jesus Christ into baptism.
I love you all! I know the Lord places people in our paths and sends missionaries to certain places because there are specific people who they need to find that are ready to accept the gospel.
Bisous,
Soeur Reeves
Ryan or Elder Reeves, happy birthday tomorrow! That's so awesome about all of the people you talked to at the Park! It definitely wasn't a coincidence!
Thank you also to the Orange Crest YW for your letter!
We had a great week! Claire came to church with all 3 of her children, that's the first time I have ever had a family come to church the first Sunday after teaching them. (well last week was technically the first Sunday, but they had already planned something, before we met them). The members were great in helping us welcome them and sitting with them. Claire really liked it, and said she'll come again next week. She's still not sure about baptism and priesthood authority, but yesterday in our gospel principles class the lesson was on baptism, so I hope that helped her understand better. We will see this week, but she still needs to pray about the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith. A cool thing though is that she invited her friend to come with her to church (she didn't end up coming, but hopefully next week); Claire had told her friend about the Book of Mormon and her friend told her that she needed to throw it out, because it wasn't good and that we were a sect, but Claire told her that we are not a sect and that the Book of Mormon is wonderful and testifies of Christ. I was so proud of her! And I believe it was this same friend that she invited to church, if it was another at least she invited her; she told her friend that she's meeting with 2 American girls and was going to go to church with them on Sunday, but she didn't say anything about the Book of Mormon, and her friend said, "Oh, I want to come!" Hopefully she will come next week. I love amis who share the gospel with others before they have even been baptized.
Things are still going along with Rolland, we're trying to understand him and his needs better and how to better teach him so that he understands and listens, but this week was better than the first. Yesterday we had a miracle as we did some pass-bys (stopping by the homes of former investigators). From what I've experienced so far, they're either not home or no longer interested, but yesterday we stopped by Thérèse's house and she was home! and she was excited to hear from us and let us in! She said that the Lord had intervened because she's hardly ever home and she was planning on going to her daughter's house that afternoon, but decided to stay home. It was a great lesson, Soeur Carter connected really well with her. It's amazing how the Lord gives missionaries the gift of tongues! Soeur Carter usually doesn't say a ton in our lesson nor understands everything our amis say, but yesterday she understood Thérèse and was able to share a couple of scriptures with her and testify to her and they had a great conversation. Thérèse didn't believe that she only arrived a week 1/2 ago. We're hopefully going to go see her again this next week-end, I hope that she has a desire to keep commitments and follow the example of Jesus Christ into baptism.
I love you all! I know the Lord places people in our paths and sends missionaries to certain places because there are specific people who they need to find that are ready to accept the gospel.
Bisous,
Soeur Reeves
Monday, July 25, 2011
Week 22 - Training
Bonjour ma famille!
I love Soeur Carter! She is my new companion and is so kind and sweet and I love working with her! She is the oldest of 4 children and is from Highland, Utah. She has such a strong testimony of the Savior and his Atonement. She has such a desire to learn French, so we speak it everytime we are outside of our apartment! That's amazing for a new missionary, because I know all of the other American missionaries speak in English all of the time, unless they are speaking to a French person. I was so excited when she told me that was her goal, because I loved getting in the habit of speaking French all of the time with Soeur De Santis. Her French skills will definitely come a lot faster than mine did as result of this. Ryan I did meet Soeur Martin and Soeur Emilcy! They are adorable and they were so excited to meet me and tell me that they know you. Soeur Martin showed me her picture with you; you look like a missionary! and you look older and taller. They both laughed as they imitated how you walk with your broad shoulders; they said that you remind them of Rocky the boxer. They also told me what an awesome district leader you were.
Well, sad news I had a bad cold when soeur Carter got here, we were able to go teach a lesson that night, but then Thursday I had to sleep almost all day. I'm feeling a lot better now, only thing is that I passed it to Soeur Carter! Isn't that horrible, it's her first week here, but she's so good at putting up with it. We got 2 new amis last week! Claire and Rolland. Claire met the Chinese Elders on the metro and then they passed her phone number to us, since she lives in our area. She is from Gabon and has 4 children, but her oldest daughter passed away last year, so we talked a little about the atonement and how through Christ we will all overcome death. We gave her a Book of Mormon and she's excited to start reading it. We're planning on teaching her the Plan of Salvation tomorrow. Rolland met with the sister missionaries about 2 years ago, but quit taking the lessons after they were transfered. Hopefully as we start teaching him he will feel the spirit and realize the importance of the gospel, and not just want to talk with us (we're going to try and pass him to the Elders), but it was a good lesson.
Mom that story was so awesome about the 3 contacts you made when you were in New York, I love your example. Even before you and dad served in Riverside, you were always an amazing missionary!
I'm so grateful that everything is solved for Jessica and I'm grateful you're on the uphill now! I love you! Continue to feel better!
Bisous à tous!
Soeur Reeves
I love Soeur Carter! She is my new companion and is so kind and sweet and I love working with her! She is the oldest of 4 children and is from Highland, Utah. She has such a strong testimony of the Savior and his Atonement. She has such a desire to learn French, so we speak it everytime we are outside of our apartment! That's amazing for a new missionary, because I know all of the other American missionaries speak in English all of the time, unless they are speaking to a French person. I was so excited when she told me that was her goal, because I loved getting in the habit of speaking French all of the time with Soeur De Santis. Her French skills will definitely come a lot faster than mine did as result of this. Ryan I did meet Soeur Martin and Soeur Emilcy! They are adorable and they were so excited to meet me and tell me that they know you. Soeur Martin showed me her picture with you; you look like a missionary! and you look older and taller. They both laughed as they imitated how you walk with your broad shoulders; they said that you remind them of Rocky the boxer. They also told me what an awesome district leader you were.
Well, sad news I had a bad cold when soeur Carter got here, we were able to go teach a lesson that night, but then Thursday I had to sleep almost all day. I'm feeling a lot better now, only thing is that I passed it to Soeur Carter! Isn't that horrible, it's her first week here, but she's so good at putting up with it. We got 2 new amis last week! Claire and Rolland. Claire met the Chinese Elders on the metro and then they passed her phone number to us, since she lives in our area. She is from Gabon and has 4 children, but her oldest daughter passed away last year, so we talked a little about the atonement and how through Christ we will all overcome death. We gave her a Book of Mormon and she's excited to start reading it. We're planning on teaching her the Plan of Salvation tomorrow. Rolland met with the sister missionaries about 2 years ago, but quit taking the lessons after they were transfered. Hopefully as we start teaching him he will feel the spirit and realize the importance of the gospel, and not just want to talk with us (we're going to try and pass him to the Elders), but it was a good lesson.
Mom that story was so awesome about the 3 contacts you made when you were in New York, I love your example. Even before you and dad served in Riverside, you were always an amazing missionary!
I'm so grateful that everything is solved for Jessica and I'm grateful you're on the uphill now! I love you! Continue to feel better!
Bisous à tous!
Soeur Reeves
Monday, July 18, 2011
Surprise Visit!
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| Rachel Miles, one of Soeur Reeves' best friends since kindergarten, contacted one of the Elders to find out when she would be at the Visitors' Center and decided to surprise her! Rachel is studying Music in Paris right now and will leave on her mission to Rome, Italy on August 31st! |
Week 21
Well, first things first... we have transfers on Wednesday and all I can say is that I am humbled and excited and I hope that I will be a good example to my companion. I'm training!!! Soeur De Santis is going to Luxembourg, since it is now in our mission. My former companions, Soeur Larsen and Soeur Murray are also training. We have 5 new soeurs coming into the mission and two are francophone, so we will see. I of course do not know yet who my companion is since President Poznanski decides where they are going after he interviews them, but Soeur De Santis and I are meeting all of the new soeurs tomorrow to go contacting with them in Paris. When new missionaries arrive the very first thing they do after meeting the mission President at the airport is go straight to Paris with a Book of Mormon and do contacting. That will be fun, I remember my first time contacting in Paris, ha, I was so nervous, I probably only talked to two people and was short of breath as my heart was pounding, and I'm not sure they even understood what I was saying.
As far as our missionary work, Kamla got baptized on Saturday! She was just glowing afterward and couldn't stop smiling. It was actually kind of funny, because frère Leconte who baptized her is really tall so he had to bend down to get her into the water and fell in with her! The bishop joked that two people were baptized. I'm so grateful that I got to help teach Kamla and will continue to teach her as she learns more about the gospel of Jesus Christ. "Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life." 3 Nephi 5:13
We've been declaring his word among many people and have gotten lots of numbers, but the work has been kind of slow lately, I'm hoping that as we call our potential investigators this week we can get some rendez-vous, but I know that if we are diligent we will find those who are prepared.
On Thursday I was sitting at the computer at the visitor's center looking at the geneaology site, when I heard, "Sister Reeves?" I turned around and who was there? Rachel Miles! I covered my mouth with my hand as I gasped and sat there for about a minute in shock! I knew she was here in Paris, but I didn't think I would have the chance to see her! I then jumped up and gave her a hug, it was so exciting to see her! Weird too; I felt like I was in a dream. I was excited to introduce her to Soeur De Santis, who lives in the Rome mission, so I told her she will have to go on exchanges with Rachel when she is there. We only had about 15 minutes to talk, and she asked me how the mission was and what it's like to be a missionary, but I didn't know where to start. I would start talking about one thing, but then I would say, "oh but you're going to love this and that..." It was kind of a mixed up conversation, but it was still fun to talk to her. I know that she's going to be an amazing missionary!
I love you all and I'm praying hard for Jessica and for each of you every day! Happy Birthday by the way to Caden!
Bisous, Soeur Reeves
As far as our missionary work, Kamla got baptized on Saturday! She was just glowing afterward and couldn't stop smiling. It was actually kind of funny, because frère Leconte who baptized her is really tall so he had to bend down to get her into the water and fell in with her! The bishop joked that two people were baptized. I'm so grateful that I got to help teach Kamla and will continue to teach her as she learns more about the gospel of Jesus Christ. "Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life." 3 Nephi 5:13
We've been declaring his word among many people and have gotten lots of numbers, but the work has been kind of slow lately, I'm hoping that as we call our potential investigators this week we can get some rendez-vous, but I know that if we are diligent we will find those who are prepared.
On Thursday I was sitting at the computer at the visitor's center looking at the geneaology site, when I heard, "Sister Reeves?" I turned around and who was there? Rachel Miles! I covered my mouth with my hand as I gasped and sat there for about a minute in shock! I knew she was here in Paris, but I didn't think I would have the chance to see her! I then jumped up and gave her a hug, it was so exciting to see her! Weird too; I felt like I was in a dream. I was excited to introduce her to Soeur De Santis, who lives in the Rome mission, so I told her she will have to go on exchanges with Rachel when she is there. We only had about 15 minutes to talk, and she asked me how the mission was and what it's like to be a missionary, but I didn't know where to start. I would start talking about one thing, but then I would say, "oh but you're going to love this and that..." It was kind of a mixed up conversation, but it was still fun to talk to her. I know that she's going to be an amazing missionary!
I love you all and I'm praying hard for Jessica and for each of you every day! Happy Birthday by the way to Caden!
Bisous, Soeur Reeves
Monday, July 11, 2011
Week 20 - 1/3 of the way!
I can't believe that as of tomorrow I will have been on my mission for 6 months! The time passes too quickly! Jessica I was sorry to hear about your appendix inflaming and your surgery; and now that you're back in the hospital I hope everything will be okay! Know that I am praying for you! I'm glad mom can come and help you out.
By the way the only person who sent me their address was Carrie, it would be nice if I could have all of yours, so if you have the time... Thanks :D
Allyson that's so exciting that you're going to Jerusalem and that Jaclyn will be there too! I'm very excited for you, what a great experience that will be! I remember Julie coming back and giving all of us our little purses she bought while she was there. That's fun Ryan that you get to go out contacting in Madrid, it's true that a lot of people won't listen, but it's partly a culture thing. I realized when I would go contacting with the sisters in Riverside people would at least listen to what we had to say and then tell us whether or not they're interested. Here if they don't want to talk to you they won't listen, but that's okay, because you can be sure that those who are ready and are interested will listen to you. (I don't know if its the same case in Spain, but here in France there are a ton of Jehovah's witnesses, so almost half the people we contact think that that's what we are).
We had sister exchanges this last week. Soeur De Santis went up to Caen with Soeur Edgerly and Soeur Woodward came down to Nogent with me. She is such a great missionary, so sweet and wants to put her all into the work. She got her 2 transfers ago so she's still nervous with her French, but when we went to teach Kamla I had Soeur Woodward speak more than she thought she could. We taught about fasting and soeur Woodward wanted to share the story of Alma the younger and how he had changed because of all of the prayers and fasting of the people. She started then kept looking at me like she was waiting for me to take over, but I kept my mouth shut and let her keep talking. It was simple and short, but she did a good job, and it's actually best to teach that way with Kamla, because she learns slower.
Kamla's baptism is coming up this Saturday! She was supposed to have her interview Saturday but called us that morning and said her foot was swollen so she couldn't come to the church and she was going to go see the doctor. She said she would call us back, and she never did so we called her multiple times but she never answered. We were worried, because at the end of last transfer she got sick and disappeared for two weeks. We decided to go by her place and see if she was there. We said a prayer asking Heavenly Father to at least help us get ahold of her; there was no answer when we knocked on her door and we waited for about 5 minutes. Just when we were about to leave she came out of the elevator! We were very grateful that we had been there just at that moment. Thankfully her foot got better quickly (we told her she needed to put ice on it, because she had been out walking around thinking that would help the swelling and pain), she came to church yesterday and had her interview yesterday evening and it looks like everything will work out.
We got a referral last week from the church; a girl named Emily who speaks English requested a Book of Mormon. We called but the phone number doesn't work, so we tried going by her place but there's a code to get it and no one was there; so, I sent her a letter on Saturday telling her who we were and that we have a Book of Mormon for her and I gave her our information. Hopefully we will get a call from her this week... or we will try going by her place again and pray that someone opens the door.
I'm grateful that I have this opportunity to be a missionary and do the Lord's work, helping build his kingdom here on earth. I'm grateful for all of you and love you soooooooo much!
Bisous, Soeur Reeves
P.S. If you look of lds.org there is an article about the mission president's seminar and if you look at the photo gallery there is a picture of President and Soeur Poznanski as well as Uncle Robert and Aunt Janet talking to Elder Nelson, I think (although whoever took the picture titled them as President and Sister Andersen).
By the way the only person who sent me their address was Carrie, it would be nice if I could have all of yours, so if you have the time... Thanks :D
Allyson that's so exciting that you're going to Jerusalem and that Jaclyn will be there too! I'm very excited for you, what a great experience that will be! I remember Julie coming back and giving all of us our little purses she bought while she was there. That's fun Ryan that you get to go out contacting in Madrid, it's true that a lot of people won't listen, but it's partly a culture thing. I realized when I would go contacting with the sisters in Riverside people would at least listen to what we had to say and then tell us whether or not they're interested. Here if they don't want to talk to you they won't listen, but that's okay, because you can be sure that those who are ready and are interested will listen to you. (I don't know if its the same case in Spain, but here in France there are a ton of Jehovah's witnesses, so almost half the people we contact think that that's what we are).
We had sister exchanges this last week. Soeur De Santis went up to Caen with Soeur Edgerly and Soeur Woodward came down to Nogent with me. She is such a great missionary, so sweet and wants to put her all into the work. She got her 2 transfers ago so she's still nervous with her French, but when we went to teach Kamla I had Soeur Woodward speak more than she thought she could. We taught about fasting and soeur Woodward wanted to share the story of Alma the younger and how he had changed because of all of the prayers and fasting of the people. She started then kept looking at me like she was waiting for me to take over, but I kept my mouth shut and let her keep talking. It was simple and short, but she did a good job, and it's actually best to teach that way with Kamla, because she learns slower.
Kamla's baptism is coming up this Saturday! She was supposed to have her interview Saturday but called us that morning and said her foot was swollen so she couldn't come to the church and she was going to go see the doctor. She said she would call us back, and she never did so we called her multiple times but she never answered. We were worried, because at the end of last transfer she got sick and disappeared for two weeks. We decided to go by her place and see if she was there. We said a prayer asking Heavenly Father to at least help us get ahold of her; there was no answer when we knocked on her door and we waited for about 5 minutes. Just when we were about to leave she came out of the elevator! We were very grateful that we had been there just at that moment. Thankfully her foot got better quickly (we told her she needed to put ice on it, because she had been out walking around thinking that would help the swelling and pain), she came to church yesterday and had her interview yesterday evening and it looks like everything will work out.
We got a referral last week from the church; a girl named Emily who speaks English requested a Book of Mormon. We called but the phone number doesn't work, so we tried going by her place but there's a code to get it and no one was there; so, I sent her a letter on Saturday telling her who we were and that we have a Book of Mormon for her and I gave her our information. Hopefully we will get a call from her this week... or we will try going by her place again and pray that someone opens the door.
I'm grateful that I have this opportunity to be a missionary and do the Lord's work, helping build his kingdom here on earth. I'm grateful for all of you and love you soooooooo much!
Bisous, Soeur Reeves
P.S. If you look of lds.org there is an article about the mission president's seminar and if you look at the photo gallery there is a picture of President and Soeur Poznanski as well as Uncle Robert and Aunt Janet talking to Elder Nelson, I think (although whoever took the picture titled them as President and Sister Andersen).
Sunday, July 10, 2011
A Note from Allyson
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| I was able to go to President and Sister Staheli's homecoming in Valerie's (Soeur Reeves') place. It was fun to meet all the missionaries who served with her - and thus were confused to see Soeur Reeves' face at the homecoming. I was also able to see lots of the missionaries that I knew from the Paris ward while studying in France last year. |
Monday, July 4, 2011
Week 19 - Miracle Story
Bonjour ma famille!
Wonder of wonder! Miracle of miracles! 2 weeks ago Soeur De Santis and I met a woman named Jeanne after getting off the bus. It was a quick contact, but she gave us her number and said she would be happy to talk with us sometime. We called her last week, but she was out of town, so she fixed a rendez-vous with us for this past Thursday. We arrived at her place Thursday evening and she said, "So what is it that you preach? You're not, Catholic, you're not Protestant, you're not Evangelical, and your church is actually called The Church of Jesus-Christ." She told us that normally she's tired when she gets home and she wouldn't give strangers her number just after getting off the bus, but she felt good about it and was excited to talk to us." She asked us how she could enter into our church, so we explained our objective with her and that we teach people the gospel of Jesus Christ and prepare them for baptism. She then said, "If I wanted to could I be baptized this next Sunday?" Soeur De Santis and I were both shocked, but smiled. Soeur De Santis explained that we normally like people to come to church a few times before, and we invite people to pray about our message and ask Heavenly Father if it's really true. We talked about the Savior with her and shared Alma 7:11-12 and talked about how it's through him that we can repent and be baptized, being washed clean of our sins. We gave her a Book of Mormon and explained it's history. She said she felt good as she read the scripture in Alma. She then told us that she's going to take it with her to work, so that she can read it during her breaks, because she's usually really tired when she gets home and sometimes gets home late. I can't even get members to do that! She said that she wanted to come to church, and she is so lucky because she only lives 2 blocks away! After our lesson Soeur De Santis and I were so happy and excited! Jeanne was definitely prepared before hand, we were just blessed to be there and contact her so that she can have the opportunity to be baptized into Christ's church. Sadly she didn't end up coming to church, we tried calling a couple of times and she finally answered; she was in the hospital! I hope everthing is okay. Maybe it's because she's so ready that all of the sudden this opposition has to pop up. We're going to try and see her this week though, she told us to call her today.
We met President and Soeur Poznanski on Friday! They are wonderful! They have two daughters here with them, Marie who is 19 and Mona who is almost 15. The whole meeting and the interviews were all in French! It was great! I understood everything and I know it's really going to help all of the missionaries; Soeur De Santis definitely loved it. They are going to start doing everything in French and President Poznanski wants us to do our President's letters in French. His hope is that it will help the missionaries get over the barrier of not being able to express themselves, and if we don't have to worry so much about the language we can focus more on the spirit.
I love you all! I hope you're transitioning well mom and dad. Are you going straight back to Bountiful or traveling around first?
Bisous,
Soeur Valerie Reeves
P.S. CAN EVERY ONE SEND ME THEIR ADDRESSES PLEASE? THANK YOU!
Also, I think I missed your birthday Jon. Sorry. Happy Late Birthday!!!
Wonder of wonder! Miracle of miracles! 2 weeks ago Soeur De Santis and I met a woman named Jeanne after getting off the bus. It was a quick contact, but she gave us her number and said she would be happy to talk with us sometime. We called her last week, but she was out of town, so she fixed a rendez-vous with us for this past Thursday. We arrived at her place Thursday evening and she said, "So what is it that you preach? You're not, Catholic, you're not Protestant, you're not Evangelical, and your church is actually called The Church of Jesus-Christ." She told us that normally she's tired when she gets home and she wouldn't give strangers her number just after getting off the bus, but she felt good about it and was excited to talk to us." She asked us how she could enter into our church, so we explained our objective with her and that we teach people the gospel of Jesus Christ and prepare them for baptism. She then said, "If I wanted to could I be baptized this next Sunday?" Soeur De Santis and I were both shocked, but smiled. Soeur De Santis explained that we normally like people to come to church a few times before, and we invite people to pray about our message and ask Heavenly Father if it's really true. We talked about the Savior with her and shared Alma 7:11-12 and talked about how it's through him that we can repent and be baptized, being washed clean of our sins. We gave her a Book of Mormon and explained it's history. She said she felt good as she read the scripture in Alma. She then told us that she's going to take it with her to work, so that she can read it during her breaks, because she's usually really tired when she gets home and sometimes gets home late. I can't even get members to do that! She said that she wanted to come to church, and she is so lucky because she only lives 2 blocks away! After our lesson Soeur De Santis and I were so happy and excited! Jeanne was definitely prepared before hand, we were just blessed to be there and contact her so that she can have the opportunity to be baptized into Christ's church. Sadly she didn't end up coming to church, we tried calling a couple of times and she finally answered; she was in the hospital! I hope everthing is okay. Maybe it's because she's so ready that all of the sudden this opposition has to pop up. We're going to try and see her this week though, she told us to call her today.
We met President and Soeur Poznanski on Friday! They are wonderful! They have two daughters here with them, Marie who is 19 and Mona who is almost 15. The whole meeting and the interviews were all in French! It was great! I understood everything and I know it's really going to help all of the missionaries; Soeur De Santis definitely loved it. They are going to start doing everything in French and President Poznanski wants us to do our President's letters in French. His hope is that it will help the missionaries get over the barrier of not being able to express themselves, and if we don't have to worry so much about the language we can focus more on the spirit.
I love you all! I hope you're transitioning well mom and dad. Are you going straight back to Bountiful or traveling around first?
Bisous,
Soeur Valerie Reeves
P.S. CAN EVERY ONE SEND ME THEIR ADDRESSES PLEASE? THANK YOU!
Also, I think I missed your birthday Jon. Sorry. Happy Late Birthday!!!
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