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
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