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
Monday, August 29, 2011
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
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