Bonjour!
I know this email is early but we ended up having P-day today because most people could only meet with us on Friday or Saturday and then of course we have General Conference Saturday evening.
On Sunday FOUR of our amis came to church! We were so excited! Because of Nicole's testimony last week with Julia and Rui they came to Church. They even brought their daughter Bruna who loved primary and was so good during Sacrament meeting (I was surprised only because she's usually running around when we're at their house). They were going to bring Filipe, who is 14, but for some reason he didn't come. Last night though I asked him if he would like to start joining us in our lessons and if we could teach him as well and he said yes! It would be so wonderful if their whole family can get baptized. They've continued to read the Book of Mormon and they're so excited for General Conference; they're coming to all of the sessions! Rui's heart has started to soften because he was the one who didn't want to come to church for a long time, but yesterday he said he would try to see if he can get work off on Saturday to come to General Conference and he told us he really wants to get an answer and said, "So I'm still reading." Julia then said, "Well it's all true up until now." (Meaning the chapters they have read so far). Rui didn't say anything, but you could tell he agreed and Julia finally got him to say yes. Our rendea-vous went so well with them and Soeur Larsen and I bore our testimonies to them about have a living prophet. As I bore my testimony I had the strongest feeling come over me and I knew there was no doubt in my mind that Thomas S. Monson is a Prophet and that the 12 Apostles have also been called of God.
We met with Rita on Tuesday and again this morning and she is "golden." We taught her about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon because she had that lesson a year ago from the other missionaries and didn't remember much. As we told her the story and bore testimony the spirit was so strong and she just sat there thinking. Then she said, "Well of course there has to be a prophet." We talked about how the prophet has the authority of God to lead and direct us and also has the priesthood to bring about the saving ordinances such as baptism and also that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. She agreed with all of it. She wants so badly for her family to meet with the missionaries too, but her children and husband won't agree to it yet. Every time she prays though she asks God to help them have a desire. We promised her that if she continues to read and pray and is an example to them they will want that in their lives too.
We have visited a lot of in-active members this week and it's sad that none of their home teachers or visiting teachers ever come. We told them they can't use that as an excuse to not come to church, but my goodness what a difference that would make. I think I've said this in an email before, but PLEASE do your home and visiting teaching!!! The Prophets and Apostles have said before that that is one of the most important callings in the church. I have heard lots of stories before that if there's anyone who can get in-active members back to church it's their home and visiting teachers. Both Soeur Larsen and I were saying yesterday that we want to come live here and visit teach all of the sisters if no one else will. Remember the covenant we make at baptism: Mosiah 18:9 "Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—"
Sorry that this email is shorter than last week, but maybe you'll be grateful. I love you all and I am so grateful for all that you have done for me. I've been so blessed with such a wonderful family and wonderful friends! I'm so grateful for this gospel and the joy it brings into my life. I can't remember if I've metioned before that Julia said to us, "Every time you talk about these things you get a huge smile on your faces." She said the same thing yesterday and I said, "It's because we know it's true and it brings happiness into our lives."
Love, Soeur Valerie Reeves
P.S. Did I ever mention that almost all of our amis live on the top floor of their buildings? Soeur Larsen said, "Maybe Heavenly Father wants to see is we're willing to go all the way to the top." (You can relate that to any aspect of your life; are you willing to go all the way to the top? - Just a thought.)
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Week 5 - A Crazy Week of Events
I say crazy because some were amazing and others were strange.
Sadly none of our amis came to church, but 4 of our inactive members/families that we have been working with came! So that was exciting and Martha finally came (she is the mother of Jason who is hopefully getting baptized in one or two weeks). However she called Soeur Larsen the day before saying she had had a vision, but now she knew God loves her and she would come to Church. We weren't quite sure what that meant but we found out on Sunday...
After Relief Society and during Sunday School we taught a lesson to Martha and her friend Gloria (who we thought was a new ami, but we later found out that she is a member but has been inactive for a really long time). Thankfully frere Salinas (our DMP or ward mission leader) was with us as well as Elder Costner, Elder Ellis and Nicole and Zeinab (a member and our recent convert). Anyway we started singing an opening hymn and all of the sudden Gloria screamed "Mon Seigneur!" and began wailing and crying. Frere Salinas tried to calm her down but then Martha told us that we need to be quiet and listen to her because she was "prophesying" and we needed to hear any important things she said. Gloria then knelt on the ground still wailing and then lay flat on the ground. All of us sat in silence and shock not knowing what to do. (I'm sure all of you are trying to imagine what this must have been like). ( :O :( 8-S :-/ - these were the looks all of us had on our faces) Gloria finally stopped crying and got back up and was asking God for forgiveness. As if it couldn't get any worse Martha then closed her eyes and started talking about the end of the world. Whenever frere Salinas tried to say something she said, "Don't interupt me, I'm prophesying, the Lord is speaking through me." I couldn't really understand much of what she was saying so I had to ask Soeur Larsen afterward. Soeur Larsen then took Zeinab out into the hall to explain that that isn't how we do things around here. Thankfully Zeinab said, "Don't worry, I know." Finally Martha stopped and frere Salinas explained to Martha that she didn't need to worry about the end of the world or going about warning people, everything she was talking about is already in the scriptures. He told her that the missionaries have been called by the prophet and it's their job to teach people and prepare them for baptism. Elder Costner then read Mosiah 2:17 to and told Martha that if she wants to help people she can do that be serving them and being a good example. We then ended our lesson.
I had heard of crazy experiences happening like that on people's missions, but I never thought it would happen on mine. Poor Soeur Larsen just started crying afterward because she was tired and stressed and frustrated with Martha, but later that night we had a big laugh about it. The other Elders were sad they had missed out; I felt bad for the gospel doctrine class that was next to it because they had all heard Gloria's screaming, but thankfully they thought it was a child. Thankfully, Martha is doing better now; we've visited her a couple times this week and one of her visiting teachers came with us.
On Monday we went contacting in Paris and while I was talking to a man another one came up to Soeur Larsen and asked who we were. She explained that we are missionaries and he then started talking about how not many people are religious now days. After finishing my conversation I came over and joined them. He then asked Soeur Larsen if she was from Bolivia or China because he said she has squinty eyes ha. Then he pointed to me and said, "Vous etes americaine! J'aime leurs sourires, ils sont trop grands!" (You're American, I love their smiles, they're so big) He then told me how big and beautiful my eyes were. That's when I realized we should start stepping back. He suddenly wrapped his arm around me and my whole body went tight as I tried to pull away! He then leaned toward me so I ducked down and he kissed me on top of my head! (Had I not ducked it may have ended up somewhere else). I told Soeur Larsen that I had felt like screaming, "Don't touch me! I'm a nun!" The man then left us smiling and said, "Bonne journee!" (Have a good day!) Oh dear! There are actually lots of stories of sister missionaries getting hit on here in Paris.
Well, now that I'm done talking about the crazy things how about the spiritual and exciting things. On Monday when we were on our way back from Paris I was sitting on the train when an African woman walked up and sat down in front of me. We had already been on the train for a while and I noticed that she had been staring at me. She said, with a smile on her face, "Les derniers jours." (the latter-days) "Do you really believe it's the last days?" I then told her yes and that these are the last days before Christ's second coming. She then told me she was Catholic and she asked who I was and what I believed. I told her I was a missionary and then I pulled out a restoration pamphlet and talked to her about the importance of having a prophet and explained to her the different dispensations. She saw the picture of the first vision and asked if I believed if God and Jesus Christ were actually different people. I said yes and explained to her that Heavenly Father is the Father of our spirits and Jesus Christ is his son and the Holy Ghost is a spirit. She then said, "Ok, so they're 3 different people, but one God with the same work." Yes! Exactly! I'm so glad she understood it right off. I then bore my testimony to her about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon and gave her a copy. We got her number and I called her yesterday; she has 3 children and works, but she said to call back next week to see if we can set up a time. (Her name is Lucille by the way). That was such a neat experience for me, because for a while I thought I would love it if someone just walked up to me one time instead of me walking up to everyone. Of course we have much more success when we contact as many people as we can but I thought, "Heavenly Father if there is someone that is ready let them come up to me." It's amazing how quickly prayers are answered as a missionary. Even yesterday I hadn't contacted many people and we were on our way home, but I thought to myself, "I won't feel like I really tried today if I don't contact one more person." I then said a prayer in my heart asking Heavenly Father to bless me with faith and have the courage to talk to the next person I passed and also to allow that person to stop and listen rather than walking off and saying they aren't interested. And guess what? It worked! The next man I talked to stopped and allowed me and Soeur Larsen to tell him that we have a message about God's plan for us. We talked for a little longer and gave him a pamphlet with our number on it (I should have asked if we could have his number, but I guess we learn from our mistakes and do better the next time), and he said that he would go home and read it.
On Tuesday Zeinab was with us all day! I love her! Both of our appointments fell through so we ended up contacting all day until English class that night and she walked everywhere with us. She didn't complain at all and when we tried to talk to people who ignored us she thought they were so silly. For her, being a person who immediately accepted the gospel and has partaken of it's blessings she can't understand why others aren't willing to listen. She also went out with us last night, and our lesson fell through again! But she still wants to go out with us on Sunday! Nicole (whom I mentioned earlier) has gone teaching with us 2 times and is going with us again tonight. Wow it makes a difference when members are present at lessons! To all of you my family members, if missionaries need members to go with them, take time out of your schedule or let them teach an investigator at your house. Julia and Rui loved Nicole and because of her they're coming to church tomorrow and bringin their children! Nicole shared her conversion story with them and told them how she gained a testimony of the Book of Mormon. She said she didn't have the desire to know and if we don't have a desire to know we can't receive an answer to our prayers, but she told them that they can pray to have the desire.
We taught Rita this week with Nicole and she is one fire! Rita just soaks up everything we teach her and she was talking to us about the God head saying, "If we were created in God's image why would he not have a body?" She talked for a long time and to tell you the truth the only word I understood was "image" (some days my French comprehension is great and other days it goes in one ear and out the other). I asked Heavenly Fahter to help me know what to say and suddenly the scripture D&C 130:22 popped into my head so I had her read it and she said, "I didn't think you could understand what I was saying." I thought to myself, "I didn't. That was not me, it was the spirit." She then said the scripture was perfect and that she always new that God and Jesus Christ had to have bodies.
Anyway, sorry this email is so long. I just never get the chance to write in my journal so I always want to email as much as I can so that I'll be able to look back at those. Don't worry I'm trying to get caught up on my journal writing.
Love you all! Bisous,
Soeur Valerie Reeves
Sadly none of our amis came to church, but 4 of our inactive members/families that we have been working with came! So that was exciting and Martha finally came (she is the mother of Jason who is hopefully getting baptized in one or two weeks). However she called Soeur Larsen the day before saying she had had a vision, but now she knew God loves her and she would come to Church. We weren't quite sure what that meant but we found out on Sunday...
After Relief Society and during Sunday School we taught a lesson to Martha and her friend Gloria (who we thought was a new ami, but we later found out that she is a member but has been inactive for a really long time). Thankfully frere Salinas (our DMP or ward mission leader) was with us as well as Elder Costner, Elder Ellis and Nicole and Zeinab (a member and our recent convert). Anyway we started singing an opening hymn and all of the sudden Gloria screamed "Mon Seigneur!" and began wailing and crying. Frere Salinas tried to calm her down but then Martha told us that we need to be quiet and listen to her because she was "prophesying" and we needed to hear any important things she said. Gloria then knelt on the ground still wailing and then lay flat on the ground. All of us sat in silence and shock not knowing what to do. (I'm sure all of you are trying to imagine what this must have been like). ( :O :( 8-S :-/ - these were the looks all of us had on our faces) Gloria finally stopped crying and got back up and was asking God for forgiveness. As if it couldn't get any worse Martha then closed her eyes and started talking about the end of the world. Whenever frere Salinas tried to say something she said, "Don't interupt me, I'm prophesying, the Lord is speaking through me." I couldn't really understand much of what she was saying so I had to ask Soeur Larsen afterward. Soeur Larsen then took Zeinab out into the hall to explain that that isn't how we do things around here. Thankfully Zeinab said, "Don't worry, I know." Finally Martha stopped and frere Salinas explained to Martha that she didn't need to worry about the end of the world or going about warning people, everything she was talking about is already in the scriptures. He told her that the missionaries have been called by the prophet and it's their job to teach people and prepare them for baptism. Elder Costner then read Mosiah 2:17 to and told Martha that if she wants to help people she can do that be serving them and being a good example. We then ended our lesson.
I had heard of crazy experiences happening like that on people's missions, but I never thought it would happen on mine. Poor Soeur Larsen just started crying afterward because she was tired and stressed and frustrated with Martha, but later that night we had a big laugh about it. The other Elders were sad they had missed out; I felt bad for the gospel doctrine class that was next to it because they had all heard Gloria's screaming, but thankfully they thought it was a child. Thankfully, Martha is doing better now; we've visited her a couple times this week and one of her visiting teachers came with us.
On Monday we went contacting in Paris and while I was talking to a man another one came up to Soeur Larsen and asked who we were. She explained that we are missionaries and he then started talking about how not many people are religious now days. After finishing my conversation I came over and joined them. He then asked Soeur Larsen if she was from Bolivia or China because he said she has squinty eyes ha. Then he pointed to me and said, "Vous etes americaine! J'aime leurs sourires, ils sont trop grands!" (You're American, I love their smiles, they're so big) He then told me how big and beautiful my eyes were. That's when I realized we should start stepping back. He suddenly wrapped his arm around me and my whole body went tight as I tried to pull away! He then leaned toward me so I ducked down and he kissed me on top of my head! (Had I not ducked it may have ended up somewhere else). I told Soeur Larsen that I had felt like screaming, "Don't touch me! I'm a nun!" The man then left us smiling and said, "Bonne journee!" (Have a good day!) Oh dear! There are actually lots of stories of sister missionaries getting hit on here in Paris.
Well, now that I'm done talking about the crazy things how about the spiritual and exciting things. On Monday when we were on our way back from Paris I was sitting on the train when an African woman walked up and sat down in front of me. We had already been on the train for a while and I noticed that she had been staring at me. She said, with a smile on her face, "Les derniers jours." (the latter-days) "Do you really believe it's the last days?" I then told her yes and that these are the last days before Christ's second coming. She then told me she was Catholic and she asked who I was and what I believed. I told her I was a missionary and then I pulled out a restoration pamphlet and talked to her about the importance of having a prophet and explained to her the different dispensations. She saw the picture of the first vision and asked if I believed if God and Jesus Christ were actually different people. I said yes and explained to her that Heavenly Father is the Father of our spirits and Jesus Christ is his son and the Holy Ghost is a spirit. She then said, "Ok, so they're 3 different people, but one God with the same work." Yes! Exactly! I'm so glad she understood it right off. I then bore my testimony to her about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon and gave her a copy. We got her number and I called her yesterday; she has 3 children and works, but she said to call back next week to see if we can set up a time. (Her name is Lucille by the way). That was such a neat experience for me, because for a while I thought I would love it if someone just walked up to me one time instead of me walking up to everyone. Of course we have much more success when we contact as many people as we can but I thought, "Heavenly Father if there is someone that is ready let them come up to me." It's amazing how quickly prayers are answered as a missionary. Even yesterday I hadn't contacted many people and we were on our way home, but I thought to myself, "I won't feel like I really tried today if I don't contact one more person." I then said a prayer in my heart asking Heavenly Father to bless me with faith and have the courage to talk to the next person I passed and also to allow that person to stop and listen rather than walking off and saying they aren't interested. And guess what? It worked! The next man I talked to stopped and allowed me and Soeur Larsen to tell him that we have a message about God's plan for us. We talked for a little longer and gave him a pamphlet with our number on it (I should have asked if we could have his number, but I guess we learn from our mistakes and do better the next time), and he said that he would go home and read it.
On Tuesday Zeinab was with us all day! I love her! Both of our appointments fell through so we ended up contacting all day until English class that night and she walked everywhere with us. She didn't complain at all and when we tried to talk to people who ignored us she thought they were so silly. For her, being a person who immediately accepted the gospel and has partaken of it's blessings she can't understand why others aren't willing to listen. She also went out with us last night, and our lesson fell through again! But she still wants to go out with us on Sunday! Nicole (whom I mentioned earlier) has gone teaching with us 2 times and is going with us again tonight. Wow it makes a difference when members are present at lessons! To all of you my family members, if missionaries need members to go with them, take time out of your schedule or let them teach an investigator at your house. Julia and Rui loved Nicole and because of her they're coming to church tomorrow and bringin their children! Nicole shared her conversion story with them and told them how she gained a testimony of the Book of Mormon. She said she didn't have the desire to know and if we don't have a desire to know we can't receive an answer to our prayers, but she told them that they can pray to have the desire.
We taught Rita this week with Nicole and she is one fire! Rita just soaks up everything we teach her and she was talking to us about the God head saying, "If we were created in God's image why would he not have a body?" She talked for a long time and to tell you the truth the only word I understood was "image" (some days my French comprehension is great and other days it goes in one ear and out the other). I asked Heavenly Fahter to help me know what to say and suddenly the scripture D&C 130:22 popped into my head so I had her read it and she said, "I didn't think you could understand what I was saying." I thought to myself, "I didn't. That was not me, it was the spirit." She then said the scripture was perfect and that she always new that God and Jesus Christ had to have bodies.
Anyway, sorry this email is so long. I just never get the chance to write in my journal so I always want to email as much as I can so that I'll be able to look back at those. Don't worry I'm trying to get caught up on my journal writing.
Love you all! Bisous,
Soeur Valerie Reeves
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Week 4 "Hark all ye Nations"
Hello All!
So I have a funny story, guess what Soeur Larsen, Soeur Gappmaier and I did this last Saturday? We sang on the train! The night was not going so well for us; no one was home that we tried to go and see and it was raining and we usually don't go porting/sonneting (in other words tracting) at night so we decided to go train contacting. We had made it a goal that we had to sing on the train before Soeur Gappmaier left and we did just that. No we did not ask for money like everyone else does when they sing on the train, and for that matter I think a lot of people were confused when we didn't go around asking for money after we were done singing. It was probablly the funnest thing I have done since getting here. We were so nervous! The first three times that we tried to sing all three of us burst out laughing. When we got to La Dèfense we switched to one of the two story trains so that we could stand on the side rather than in the middle of everyone as we sang. We worked up the courage and decided to be serious. After choosing specific hymns we started to sing and we made it through the first verse, then the second, then the third, and finally the fourth. We pretty much taught the first lesson singing "Hark All Ye Nations," "Joseph Smith's first prayer," "Lead Kindly Light," and "God Be With You till We Meet Again." Lots of people watched and lots tried to ignore us, some of the Africans nodded their heads as we sang and other people said, "Good job," as they got off of the train. The best though was a man named Elder who was standing next to us and began talking to Soeur Gappmaier. Soeur Larsen and I continued singing, but Soeur Gappmaier talked to Elder about God and Jesus Christ and the Book of Mormon. He's had a pretty rough life and he was actually drinking while on the train, but Soeur Gappmaier promised him that he could change his life. He took a Book of Mormon and we got his number. We haven't had a chance to meet with him yet but hopefully will soon. Our night was so much better after that and I wasn't even nervous anymore. I would love to go train singing again!
Well we got 2 new baptismal dates this week! Tessy is a young mom with 3 children, from Africa (can't remember which country). The last lesson Soeur Gappmaier and Soeur Larsen had with her didn't go to well, so I was kind of nervous. We decided to teach her about the law of tithing, because she had had some questions about it the last time, but we presented it by talking about the blessings first and then explained how we get those blessings. She is so sweet and she pretty much bore her testimony to us about obedience but talked about how hard it is. We all bore our testimonies to her though that as we keep the commandments they become easier to keep and God is waiting to poor down those blessings upon it, so much that we will not have room enough to receive it. She understood and Soeur Larsen then explained that she didn't have to worry about tithing yet though, because she hasn't been baptized in Christ's church. She said that everyone should pay tithing though and that she just puts money in an envelope and takes it to any church. We told her that was great, but she doesn't need to yet because she has not made that covenant with the Lord. Tessy then looked at us and said, "So how do I get baptized?" All of us were shocked and excited and told her that she needed to prepare for baptism by reading the scriptures, praying and coming to church and to continue meeting with us. Soeur Gappmaier then committed her to be baptized on the 16th of April and she agreed! Tessy is so sweet and all she wants is to follow Christ's example.
Marguerite, who I think I've talked about before, is in her 70's and is from Madagascar. She is wonderful and we love meeting with her. It's hard with older people though because they are so set in their ways. She wants to be baptized and knows that she should be but has been very hesitant to set a baptismal date; at our last lesson Soeur Larsen committed her to be baptized on the 18th of June. We told her that it's good to have a goal so that you can work toward it and after Soeur Larsen asked a second time Marguerite agreed.
I love all of the people we teach and I'm so grateful that they trust in us as well. I've noticed that all of our amis feel like they can talk to us about anything and they are so friendly and kind. I got to meet Rita last night, our other ami with a baptism also on April 16 and she seems so excited.
I love you all and hope that you are all doing well. Mom and Dad your experience with Elder Holland sounded so great! What a neat experience that must have been!
Bisous,
Soeur Valerie Reeves
So I have a funny story, guess what Soeur Larsen, Soeur Gappmaier and I did this last Saturday? We sang on the train! The night was not going so well for us; no one was home that we tried to go and see and it was raining and we usually don't go porting/sonneting (in other words tracting) at night so we decided to go train contacting. We had made it a goal that we had to sing on the train before Soeur Gappmaier left and we did just that. No we did not ask for money like everyone else does when they sing on the train, and for that matter I think a lot of people were confused when we didn't go around asking for money after we were done singing. It was probablly the funnest thing I have done since getting here. We were so nervous! The first three times that we tried to sing all three of us burst out laughing. When we got to La Dèfense we switched to one of the two story trains so that we could stand on the side rather than in the middle of everyone as we sang. We worked up the courage and decided to be serious. After choosing specific hymns we started to sing and we made it through the first verse, then the second, then the third, and finally the fourth. We pretty much taught the first lesson singing "Hark All Ye Nations," "Joseph Smith's first prayer," "Lead Kindly Light," and "God Be With You till We Meet Again." Lots of people watched and lots tried to ignore us, some of the Africans nodded their heads as we sang and other people said, "Good job," as they got off of the train. The best though was a man named Elder who was standing next to us and began talking to Soeur Gappmaier. Soeur Larsen and I continued singing, but Soeur Gappmaier talked to Elder about God and Jesus Christ and the Book of Mormon. He's had a pretty rough life and he was actually drinking while on the train, but Soeur Gappmaier promised him that he could change his life. He took a Book of Mormon and we got his number. We haven't had a chance to meet with him yet but hopefully will soon. Our night was so much better after that and I wasn't even nervous anymore. I would love to go train singing again!
Well we got 2 new baptismal dates this week! Tessy is a young mom with 3 children, from Africa (can't remember which country). The last lesson Soeur Gappmaier and Soeur Larsen had with her didn't go to well, so I was kind of nervous. We decided to teach her about the law of tithing, because she had had some questions about it the last time, but we presented it by talking about the blessings first and then explained how we get those blessings. She is so sweet and she pretty much bore her testimony to us about obedience but talked about how hard it is. We all bore our testimonies to her though that as we keep the commandments they become easier to keep and God is waiting to poor down those blessings upon it, so much that we will not have room enough to receive it. She understood and Soeur Larsen then explained that she didn't have to worry about tithing yet though, because she hasn't been baptized in Christ's church. She said that everyone should pay tithing though and that she just puts money in an envelope and takes it to any church. We told her that was great, but she doesn't need to yet because she has not made that covenant with the Lord. Tessy then looked at us and said, "So how do I get baptized?" All of us were shocked and excited and told her that she needed to prepare for baptism by reading the scriptures, praying and coming to church and to continue meeting with us. Soeur Gappmaier then committed her to be baptized on the 16th of April and she agreed! Tessy is so sweet and all she wants is to follow Christ's example.
Marguerite, who I think I've talked about before, is in her 70's and is from Madagascar. She is wonderful and we love meeting with her. It's hard with older people though because they are so set in their ways. She wants to be baptized and knows that she should be but has been very hesitant to set a baptismal date; at our last lesson Soeur Larsen committed her to be baptized on the 18th of June. We told her that it's good to have a goal so that you can work toward it and after Soeur Larsen asked a second time Marguerite agreed.
I love all of the people we teach and I'm so grateful that they trust in us as well. I've noticed that all of our amis feel like they can talk to us about anything and they are so friendly and kind. I got to meet Rita last night, our other ami with a baptism also on April 16 and she seems so excited.
I love you all and hope that you are all doing well. Mom and Dad your experience with Elder Holland sounded so great! What a neat experience that must have been!
Bisous,
Soeur Valerie Reeves
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
A day at the Louvre
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| Soeur Reeves and Soeur Gappmaier at the Louvre for their P-Day |
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| Cour Marly |
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| Napoleon III's apartments |
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Saturday, March 12, 2011
Week 3 - Versailles
Bonjour ma famille,
Well, that's sure exciting to hear about Julie's pregnancy! and I'm still waiting for pictures of Conner :)
This week has been great! On Monday we had the visitor's center and for the first 2 hours we go out and contact. While we were walking around Paris a group of about 10 people yelled out, "Missionaries!" We knew right away that they were not French. A couple of Mormon families were here from Florida and they treated us like celebrities B); they wanted a picture with us and everything. We have done a lot of finding and contacting this week in fact we only had two scheduled appointments this week. All day yesterday we were out and about Versailles finding and got a couple of phone numbers and gave out 3 copies of the Book of Mormon (so far this week we've given out 10). I gave out my first by myself on Monday on the train. I talked with a man named David. To start the conversation I asked if I could practice speaking in French with him (it's a great way to start talking to the French people because they are more than happy to help you with that). He of course asked me why I was here and I explained that I'm a missionary and then I told him about the Book of Mormon and gave him a copy. He said he would read it and he had a big smile on his face as he opened the Book. He doesn't live in our area, so I didn't get his information, but I totally forgot that I could have passed his info. on to the other missionaries. Hopefully he finds them, but I have learned from that to get their information anyway. The rest of the week almost everyone I have talked to has either spoken English or can't speak French or English! I keep thinking, "Heavenly Father, this isn't helping me get any better at my French." But it is slowly coming along.
On Wednesday we taught Julia again and she almost dropped us! She told us she was grateful for all we had been doing but she wasn't ready to change. Then each of us bore our testimonies to her about the Book of Mormon and promised her it would help her, because she's been really busy lately and a lot of hard things keep coming up. I then told her about Grandpa Reeves and how it took him six years after marrying grandma to join the church. What made him want to get baptized? He read the Book of Mormon! I started crying as I told the story, partly because I love Julia so much and we know how much the gospel can bless her and her family's lives, and because I realized how grateful I am that Grandpa did read the Book of Mormon and now our family is sealed for all eternity. We then challenged her to read the Book of Mormon every day for one week and to pray about it. We will be going back this next Wednesday; I have been praying so hard for her.
I'm sorry about Stacy, she will be in my prayers and I hope that everything goes well with the surgery. I was also very sorry to hear about Billy Yates. It was a shock and very hard at first because all of those feelings come back of what it's like to lose a family member. They will also definitely be in my prayers. I sent an email to Allyson for them and hope they can get it soon. We are so lucky to have the gospel in our lives and know that this life is not the end. We will continue on and can one day return to our Savior Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father and live with them and our families for eternity if we do what we are told so many times in the scriptures: come unto Christ.
Let us all continue to do what Billy, Emily and missionaries invite us to do, and the Savior himself. (Moroni 10:32)
Yea, acome unto Christ, and be bperfected in him, and cdeny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and dloveGod with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be eperfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.
I love you all so much and hope that you are all well! Let this great work continue forward until we can all bow down at the feet of Christ and he will say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."
Love, Sister Valerie Reeves
ps. I'm staying in Versailles! Transfers are next week and President Staheli is keeping me and Sister Larsen in Versailles. I am a little nervous though because Sister Gappmaier is going home and Sister Larsen has only been out here for 2 transfers, but she is very amazing at her French, we just both depend on Sister Gappmaier though. It'll be a challenge but I'm excited. I definitely need to start speaking up more. Love you all.
Well, that's sure exciting to hear about Julie's pregnancy! and I'm still waiting for pictures of Conner :)
This week has been great! On Monday we had the visitor's center and for the first 2 hours we go out and contact. While we were walking around Paris a group of about 10 people yelled out, "Missionaries!" We knew right away that they were not French. A couple of Mormon families were here from Florida and they treated us like celebrities B); they wanted a picture with us and everything. We have done a lot of finding and contacting this week in fact we only had two scheduled appointments this week. All day yesterday we were out and about Versailles finding and got a couple of phone numbers and gave out 3 copies of the Book of Mormon (so far this week we've given out 10). I gave out my first by myself on Monday on the train. I talked with a man named David. To start the conversation I asked if I could practice speaking in French with him (it's a great way to start talking to the French people because they are more than happy to help you with that). He of course asked me why I was here and I explained that I'm a missionary and then I told him about the Book of Mormon and gave him a copy. He said he would read it and he had a big smile on his face as he opened the Book. He doesn't live in our area, so I didn't get his information, but I totally forgot that I could have passed his info. on to the other missionaries. Hopefully he finds them, but I have learned from that to get their information anyway. The rest of the week almost everyone I have talked to has either spoken English or can't speak French or English! I keep thinking, "Heavenly Father, this isn't helping me get any better at my French." But it is slowly coming along.
On Wednesday we taught Julia again and she almost dropped us! She told us she was grateful for all we had been doing but she wasn't ready to change. Then each of us bore our testimonies to her about the Book of Mormon and promised her it would help her, because she's been really busy lately and a lot of hard things keep coming up. I then told her about Grandpa Reeves and how it took him six years after marrying grandma to join the church. What made him want to get baptized? He read the Book of Mormon! I started crying as I told the story, partly because I love Julia so much and we know how much the gospel can bless her and her family's lives, and because I realized how grateful I am that Grandpa did read the Book of Mormon and now our family is sealed for all eternity. We then challenged her to read the Book of Mormon every day for one week and to pray about it. We will be going back this next Wednesday; I have been praying so hard for her.
I'm sorry about Stacy, she will be in my prayers and I hope that everything goes well with the surgery. I was also very sorry to hear about Billy Yates. It was a shock and very hard at first because all of those feelings come back of what it's like to lose a family member. They will also definitely be in my prayers. I sent an email to Allyson for them and hope they can get it soon. We are so lucky to have the gospel in our lives and know that this life is not the end. We will continue on and can one day return to our Savior Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father and live with them and our families for eternity if we do what we are told so many times in the scriptures: come unto Christ.
Let us all continue to do what Billy, Emily and missionaries invite us to do, and the Savior himself. (Moroni 10:32)
Yea, acome unto Christ, and be bperfected in him, and cdeny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and dloveGod with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be eperfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.
I love you all so much and hope that you are all well! Let this great work continue forward until we can all bow down at the feet of Christ and he will say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."
Love, Sister Valerie Reeves
ps. I'm staying in Versailles! Transfers are next week and President Staheli is keeping me and Sister Larsen in Versailles. I am a little nervous though because Sister Gappmaier is going home and Sister Larsen has only been out here for 2 transfers, but she is very amazing at her French, we just both depend on Sister Gappmaier though. It'll be a challenge but I'm excited. I definitely need to start speaking up more. Love you all.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Brussels and Baptism
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| Brussels |
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| Sister Jorgenson, Gappmaier and our Missionary |
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| Sister Pobst, Woodruff, Jorgenson and Gappmaier with ma jumelle at the train station after exchanges in Brussels. Valerie was very excited to ride the TGV (Train de Grande Vitesse = train of great speed in a literal translation) |
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| (Sister Larsen on the left) Zeinab, her mom Nicole and aunt Therese |
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| S. Reeves with Zeinab |
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| Elder Ellis baptized her |
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Week 2 in the France Paris Mission
Bonjour!
Sorry that I didn't write home yesterday, we made today our P-day because of the baptism yesterday and some other rendez-vous.
Jen, congratulations! That's so exciting about Conner! No mom, I didn't get any pictures of Clara or Conner, but I would love to see some!
Some notes about the food here; my goodness it's delicious! I didn't mention last week, but my first Sunday here we ate Raclette at a member's house. It's melted cheese with potatoes, meet and vegetables. I have also had two Crepes, two Baguettes and two Kebabs (the ones in Brussels are better) oh and I love the Belguim chocolate! Soeur Gappmaier and I brought some Speculoos home with us (it looks like peanut butter, but it's actually crushed grahm crackers). Last night I had a patisserie for the first time! You should have seen my face when I took the first bite! I know I shouldn't pay so much attention to the food, don't worry, I'm still focused on the missionary work ;) Anyway, that's that as far as food goes.
I just have to say that this week has been beautiful! It's definitely cold, but the sun has been out every day! It makes a huge difference because the sun puts everyone in a better mood and there are more people outside and it made our day perfect for contacting! On Wednesday we walked on a pathway that goes toward the Chateau de Versailles and everyone we talked to at least stopped and listened even if they weren't interested.
On Tuesday I rode on the TGV; soeur Gappmaier and I went up to Brussels for exchanges. President Staheli has all of the sisters in the mission go on exchanges once a transfer. Brussels was beautiful and Soeur Gappmaier and I stayed with Soeur Jorgensen. Her companion came down here and stayed with Soeur Larsen. This week has been a little slower than last week, a lot of our rendez-vous fell through, but we have hope for this next week and we ran into two old amis, one of whom hasn't met with the missionaries in 5 years, but Soeur Larsen committed her to baptism and she said yes! So she will hopefully be getting baptized on March 19th, Jason who was also supposed to get baptized on that date will probably have to be moved back because he still hasn't come to church. It's so hard when it's a child, because he gets so excited to come to church and then his mom doesn't end up coming. We talked to her about what was holding her back and really the only thing is that she's embarrassed since she hasn't been to church in so long and she doesn't know any of the ward members. I am making an announcement now to anyone who reads this: Do your home and visiting teaching! It makes such a big difference! If everyone did their home and visiting teaching we would not have near as much in-activity as we do now. Last week Elder Haas spoke in the ward and talked to the members about doing the visiting and home teaching, then the Stake President spoke and he spent a lot of time talking to the ward about it. Hopefully it will make a difference.
For the exciting news, Zeinabou was baptized yesterday! It was so great! She is so sweet and she was so happy! Elder Ellis baptized her and then afterward Sister Larsen and I went and helped her in the bathroom, she just smiled at us and said, "Wow." There was something different about her; she's normally a very shy person, but after she was baptized she couldn't stop smiling and she went around talking to people and make sure they got refreshments. Her mom and aunt were there (who are not members) and we are hopefully setting up a rendez-vous with them! They are interested in learning more. One of our other amis, Marguerite, also came and brought her friend, Lucy. I hope that after coming to a baptism Marguerite starts thinking about it more, she's been progressing but very slowly.
We had Zone Conference on Friday and it was great, every time I go to these meetings I feel like it's directed toward me, it's always what I need! I think the important thing is always going with a question in mind and having a prayer in our heart to have it answered, and it always is! Whether it's when we go to church, or read our scriptures, or pray. President Staheli talked a lot about obedience at the begininning which had nothing to do with the lesson, but for some reason he felt like he needed to talk about it. Then Sister Staheli talked about how it's the little things that matter most she shared a story about chocolate chip cookies that I'm going to get a copy of and send to you. It's about people who don't eat chocolate cake, but an evil and cunning man thinks of a way to get them to eat it by starting with chocolate chip cookies, because the people then rationalize and justify it, because the chocolate chip cookies aren't chocolate cake and there's only a little bit of chocolate in them. I think all of us can think of times in our own lives when we rationalize and eat the chocolate chip cookies, but it's so important that we don't! Slowly the adversary tricks us into rationalizing and before we know it we've gone too far. However, thank goodness for the atonement of Jesus Christ. Through him we can all repent and change, that's what repentance is; changing, replacing our old/bad habits with new/good ones. And then we submit our will to the Lord's.
I love you all!
Soeur Valerie Reeves
Sorry that I didn't write home yesterday, we made today our P-day because of the baptism yesterday and some other rendez-vous.
Jen, congratulations! That's so exciting about Conner! No mom, I didn't get any pictures of Clara or Conner, but I would love to see some!
Some notes about the food here; my goodness it's delicious! I didn't mention last week, but my first Sunday here we ate Raclette at a member's house. It's melted cheese with potatoes, meet and vegetables. I have also had two Crepes, two Baguettes and two Kebabs (the ones in Brussels are better) oh and I love the Belguim chocolate! Soeur Gappmaier and I brought some Speculoos home with us (it looks like peanut butter, but it's actually crushed grahm crackers). Last night I had a patisserie for the first time! You should have seen my face when I took the first bite! I know I shouldn't pay so much attention to the food, don't worry, I'm still focused on the missionary work ;) Anyway, that's that as far as food goes.
I just have to say that this week has been beautiful! It's definitely cold, but the sun has been out every day! It makes a huge difference because the sun puts everyone in a better mood and there are more people outside and it made our day perfect for contacting! On Wednesday we walked on a pathway that goes toward the Chateau de Versailles and everyone we talked to at least stopped and listened even if they weren't interested.
On Tuesday I rode on the TGV; soeur Gappmaier and I went up to Brussels for exchanges. President Staheli has all of the sisters in the mission go on exchanges once a transfer. Brussels was beautiful and Soeur Gappmaier and I stayed with Soeur Jorgensen. Her companion came down here and stayed with Soeur Larsen. This week has been a little slower than last week, a lot of our rendez-vous fell through, but we have hope for this next week and we ran into two old amis, one of whom hasn't met with the missionaries in 5 years, but Soeur Larsen committed her to baptism and she said yes! So she will hopefully be getting baptized on March 19th, Jason who was also supposed to get baptized on that date will probably have to be moved back because he still hasn't come to church. It's so hard when it's a child, because he gets so excited to come to church and then his mom doesn't end up coming. We talked to her about what was holding her back and really the only thing is that she's embarrassed since she hasn't been to church in so long and she doesn't know any of the ward members. I am making an announcement now to anyone who reads this: Do your home and visiting teaching! It makes such a big difference! If everyone did their home and visiting teaching we would not have near as much in-activity as we do now. Last week Elder Haas spoke in the ward and talked to the members about doing the visiting and home teaching, then the Stake President spoke and he spent a lot of time talking to the ward about it. Hopefully it will make a difference.
For the exciting news, Zeinabou was baptized yesterday! It was so great! She is so sweet and she was so happy! Elder Ellis baptized her and then afterward Sister Larsen and I went and helped her in the bathroom, she just smiled at us and said, "Wow." There was something different about her; she's normally a very shy person, but after she was baptized she couldn't stop smiling and she went around talking to people and make sure they got refreshments. Her mom and aunt were there (who are not members) and we are hopefully setting up a rendez-vous with them! They are interested in learning more. One of our other amis, Marguerite, also came and brought her friend, Lucy. I hope that after coming to a baptism Marguerite starts thinking about it more, she's been progressing but very slowly.
We had Zone Conference on Friday and it was great, every time I go to these meetings I feel like it's directed toward me, it's always what I need! I think the important thing is always going with a question in mind and having a prayer in our heart to have it answered, and it always is! Whether it's when we go to church, or read our scriptures, or pray. President Staheli talked a lot about obedience at the begininning which had nothing to do with the lesson, but for some reason he felt like he needed to talk about it. Then Sister Staheli talked about how it's the little things that matter most she shared a story about chocolate chip cookies that I'm going to get a copy of and send to you. It's about people who don't eat chocolate cake, but an evil and cunning man thinks of a way to get them to eat it by starting with chocolate chip cookies, because the people then rationalize and justify it, because the chocolate chip cookies aren't chocolate cake and there's only a little bit of chocolate in them. I think all of us can think of times in our own lives when we rationalize and eat the chocolate chip cookies, but it's so important that we don't! Slowly the adversary tricks us into rationalizing and before we know it we've gone too far. However, thank goodness for the atonement of Jesus Christ. Through him we can all repent and change, that's what repentance is; changing, replacing our old/bad habits with new/good ones. And then we submit our will to the Lord's.
I love you all!
Soeur Valerie Reeves
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