Bonjour ma famille,
Comment ça va? Thank you Greg and Brittany for your letter! That was so nice of you and I was excited to receive it!
It was a good week, not a ton of lessons, but we felt like we worked diligently and it went well. We had interviews on Wednesday with President and Soeur Poznanski whom I love! I feel a special conection to them and President Poznanski was so kind in responding to my questions and concerns. Soeur Carter and I have really been trying to work on being worthy of the Spirit and following his promptings and President said that's the most important thing to focus on. If we are worthy of the Holy Ghost that means we are being obedient and we will be guided in all that we do.
On Friday I did worked with the Paris soeurs because Soeur Carter went up to Belguim to get her legality. It was a lot of fun! Soeur Williams and Soeur Smith are both so nice and such good missionaries. We did district contacting that afternoon outside of the George Pompidou center and had big posters up with information about the church. We had lots of copies of the Book of Mormon and we would talk with people about the church and then invite them to come over the Visitor's Center just down the street. Soeur Williams contacted a Portuguese man so we walked to the visitor's center with him to give him a Book of Mormon in Portuguese and while we were there a young French man stopped in front of the door. I said "Bonjour" to him and then told him to come on in. He entered a little hesitantly and told us that he was just walking down the street and stopped when he saw the center. I asked him if he would like to know about our beliefs and if we could take a few minutes to show him around. He said yes! so Soeur Smith and I started with the pictures of Christ and then as we walked around to each picture we pretty much gave him the first lesson. When we got to the picture of Joseph Smith's first vision I recited Joseph Smith's experience in his own words and was just praying that Dan (that's his name) would feel the spirit. He listened really intently. Soeur Smith and I both testified that we know it's true and then I said, "You're probably wondering how we know it's true." We took him to the picture of Christ appearing in the America's and showed him the Book of Mormon. We testified that it is another testament of Jesus Christ and told him that he can know for himself that it is true. We had him read Moroni 10:3-5 and then asked him what he needs to do, he responded "pray." We asked him if he would and he excitedly said, "Yes, yes, I'll read it and pray!" We promised him the he could get an answer and he said, "Yea, okay, okay, I'll read it." It was amazing!!!!!!! He wouldn't give us his number but he asked for ours and said he'd come by another time. I pray that he will. That was definitely one of the highlights for my week!
I know that there are people every where that are ready, but we need to search for them and if we do all that we can we will be lead to them and them to us. I love this work and I'm grateful to be a missionary!
Bisous, Sœur Reeves
Monday, September 26, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
Week 30
Salut!
Happy Birthday Bradley! I can't believe you're 9! Children grow up too quickly. Ryan thanks for your postcard that was very fun to get, ha I don't get letters very often so it's always exciting to receive one. You are an amazing missionary! I love hearing all of your stories, keep up the good work!
We had a great week! Soeur Carter and I ran into Roger again! Last week we challenged a family in our ward to each pray and ask the Lord to give them a missionary opportunity and we promised them that the Lord always gives it to us, but we need to be on the look out and when the opportunity arrives, act. Soeur Carter and I then talked about how we ourselves should be asking the Lord for that; yes, we're missionaries and we have opportunities every day to share the gospel, but sometimes we just go through the same motions and don't ask the Lord specifically what we should do, or to help us recognize those opportunities better. (The key is being specific in our prayers and then following the spirit!) Before we went on that day we prayed and asked the Lord to give us an experience, we then did what we had planned for the day and in the evening decided to try passing by on of the former investigators from our area book. Sadly she wasn't there, but we had decided to do contacting after that and instead of staying in that area we decied to go back to Nogent. We started to walk back toward the gare (train station) and who ran into us?! Roger! He told us he had lost his phone and didn't have our number, so he gave us his new one. He's been reading the Book of Mormon and said he's been anxious to meet with us because he has a lot of questions, he then said that it was by the grace of God that we ran into each other again; which is true! We set up a rendez-vous and we asked him to invite his family as well. He said he'll ask them; I hope they agree. It was set up for today but didn't work out, but hopefully we can fix one for later this week. I'm so grateful we followed the counsel that we gave to our members and I know that the Lord does respond to our prayers.
Today I studied in the scriptures about faith and read Ether 12. I love this chapter! With each of the examples that Moroni gives he points out that there were no miracles or witnesses until after the test of their faith. Then verse 27 talks about our weaknesses can become our strengths if we will humble ourselves before the Lord and have faith in him. I need to do that! There are some areas that I am weak in and I've realized that I need to rely more on the Lord and ask for his help, then I will become strong and see miracles!
I love you all and I know that the Lord responds to our prayers and produces miracles when we have faith and put our trust in him.
Bisous, Soeur Reeves
Happy Birthday Bradley! I can't believe you're 9! Children grow up too quickly. Ryan thanks for your postcard that was very fun to get, ha I don't get letters very often so it's always exciting to receive one. You are an amazing missionary! I love hearing all of your stories, keep up the good work!
We had a great week! Soeur Carter and I ran into Roger again! Last week we challenged a family in our ward to each pray and ask the Lord to give them a missionary opportunity and we promised them that the Lord always gives it to us, but we need to be on the look out and when the opportunity arrives, act. Soeur Carter and I then talked about how we ourselves should be asking the Lord for that; yes, we're missionaries and we have opportunities every day to share the gospel, but sometimes we just go through the same motions and don't ask the Lord specifically what we should do, or to help us recognize those opportunities better. (The key is being specific in our prayers and then following the spirit!) Before we went on that day we prayed and asked the Lord to give us an experience, we then did what we had planned for the day and in the evening decided to try passing by on of the former investigators from our area book. Sadly she wasn't there, but we had decided to do contacting after that and instead of staying in that area we decied to go back to Nogent. We started to walk back toward the gare (train station) and who ran into us?! Roger! He told us he had lost his phone and didn't have our number, so he gave us his new one. He's been reading the Book of Mormon and said he's been anxious to meet with us because he has a lot of questions, he then said that it was by the grace of God that we ran into each other again; which is true! We set up a rendez-vous and we asked him to invite his family as well. He said he'll ask them; I hope they agree. It was set up for today but didn't work out, but hopefully we can fix one for later this week. I'm so grateful we followed the counsel that we gave to our members and I know that the Lord does respond to our prayers.
Today I studied in the scriptures about faith and read Ether 12. I love this chapter! With each of the examples that Moroni gives he points out that there were no miracles or witnesses until after the test of their faith. Then verse 27 talks about our weaknesses can become our strengths if we will humble ourselves before the Lord and have faith in him. I need to do that! There are some areas that I am weak in and I've realized that I need to rely more on the Lord and ask for his help, then I will become strong and see miracles!
I love you all and I know that the Lord responds to our prayers and produces miracles when we have faith and put our trust in him.
Bisous, Soeur Reeves
Monday, September 12, 2011
Week 29 - New Amis
Salut!
Thank you Mom, Dad, Jessica, and Mike for your emails! It's always fun to hear from you! I forgot to mention that two weeks ago we had transfers, and as you can probably guess, since I didn't say anything about moving I am still here in Nogent!
Happy Birthday last week to Madeline! and Kate this week!
Allyson I don't know if I have mentioned but two different African men have come up to me while I was at the visitor's center and they were both confused when the looked at me, apparently they both danced with you while you were here attending institute! Haha! Cola told me to tell you Hi!
We had a good week! A little tough, but we keep going, we got 3 new amis! It's funny we have a bunch of new investigators but most can only meet on the weekends. Last Monday we were here doing our emails and a man was sitting next to me and my companion. His cane fell down so I picked it up for him and then he just stared at me! I wasn't sure why so I turned back to my computer to keep typing. He then tapped my arm and pointed to his computer screen. He had written "Soeur Reeves Neuilly" on Google search (Neuilly is the city we were in). I then said, "Oh, I'm a sister missionary!" and pointed to my tag. I then asked him if he had ever heard of L'Eglise de Jésus-Christ Des Saints Des Derniers Jours. I then realized he couldn't talk. He then started typing on his keyboard to communicate with us. We told him who we were and what we do and he asked if he could come to church. We then got his information and set up a rendez-vous. His name is Steve and Soeur Carter and I taught him twice last week. We didn't realize that he can hear, so we had written out some things to show him and we brought a mini white-board to communicate. He then wrote, "I can hear really well." That made things a lot easier. He still uses the white board though to make comments and ask questions. He's really nice and he's started reading the Book of Mormon. We gave him the soft commitment to baptism, but I can tell that we need to move slowly with him and make sure he understands everything clearly and what kind of commitment baptism really is. I'm excited though to keep teaching him and thankfully he is available all the time.
Our other two new amis are Sophie and Amil. I really like them, but we can tell that they're going to progress at different speeds. Sophie is Catholic and her husband, Amil, is Egyptian Orthodox. They want to come to church and Sophie is really excited to read the Book of Mormon!
Last Sunday we had been a little worried about Claire because we have a member who is a little overbearing and has caused some problems in the past with new converts, so when we went to visit Claire this last week we explained everything to her. Thankfully she told us that she immediately knew that nothing the member was saying was true and that we didn't need to worry. She said, "The gospel is perfect! but the members aren't; people aren't perfect." I was so proud of her! I'm so glad she didn't get offended or judge the church because of it. She told us to not worry about her. Claire, Grace and Darius are all doing so well! There was a different feeling in there home and they're understanding things faster and more clearly; I know it's because they now have the gift of the Holy Ghost.
I'm so grateful for the Holy Ghost and I know that he testifies of the truth of all things. I know that if we remain worthy, he will carry the truth of our words into the hearts of those to whom we testify.
I love you all!!!!
Bisous, Soeur Reeves
Thank you Mom, Dad, Jessica, and Mike for your emails! It's always fun to hear from you! I forgot to mention that two weeks ago we had transfers, and as you can probably guess, since I didn't say anything about moving I am still here in Nogent!
Happy Birthday last week to Madeline! and Kate this week!
Allyson I don't know if I have mentioned but two different African men have come up to me while I was at the visitor's center and they were both confused when the looked at me, apparently they both danced with you while you were here attending institute! Haha! Cola told me to tell you Hi!
We had a good week! A little tough, but we keep going, we got 3 new amis! It's funny we have a bunch of new investigators but most can only meet on the weekends. Last Monday we were here doing our emails and a man was sitting next to me and my companion. His cane fell down so I picked it up for him and then he just stared at me! I wasn't sure why so I turned back to my computer to keep typing. He then tapped my arm and pointed to his computer screen. He had written "Soeur Reeves Neuilly" on Google search (Neuilly is the city we were in). I then said, "Oh, I'm a sister missionary!" and pointed to my tag. I then asked him if he had ever heard of L'Eglise de Jésus-Christ Des Saints Des Derniers Jours. I then realized he couldn't talk. He then started typing on his keyboard to communicate with us. We told him who we were and what we do and he asked if he could come to church. We then got his information and set up a rendez-vous. His name is Steve and Soeur Carter and I taught him twice last week. We didn't realize that he can hear, so we had written out some things to show him and we brought a mini white-board to communicate. He then wrote, "I can hear really well." That made things a lot easier. He still uses the white board though to make comments and ask questions. He's really nice and he's started reading the Book of Mormon. We gave him the soft commitment to baptism, but I can tell that we need to move slowly with him and make sure he understands everything clearly and what kind of commitment baptism really is. I'm excited though to keep teaching him and thankfully he is available all the time.
Our other two new amis are Sophie and Amil. I really like them, but we can tell that they're going to progress at different speeds. Sophie is Catholic and her husband, Amil, is Egyptian Orthodox. They want to come to church and Sophie is really excited to read the Book of Mormon!
Last Sunday we had been a little worried about Claire because we have a member who is a little overbearing and has caused some problems in the past with new converts, so when we went to visit Claire this last week we explained everything to her. Thankfully she told us that she immediately knew that nothing the member was saying was true and that we didn't need to worry. She said, "The gospel is perfect! but the members aren't; people aren't perfect." I was so proud of her! I'm so glad she didn't get offended or judge the church because of it. She told us to not worry about her. Claire, Grace and Darius are all doing so well! There was a different feeling in there home and they're understanding things faster and more clearly; I know it's because they now have the gift of the Holy Ghost.
I'm so grateful for the Holy Ghost and I know that he testifies of the truth of all things. I know that if we remain worthy, he will carry the truth of our words into the hearts of those to whom we testify.
I love you all!!!!
Bisous, Soeur Reeves
Monday, September 5, 2011
Week 28
Salut!
Allyson I can't believe you're in Jerusalem! and Jaclyn too! That's so exciting, you'll have to send me pictures. Mom and Dad that's so exciting that you'll be able to go to Spain with the Taylor's! I can't believe Christian is getting back tomorrow and that all of the other boys from my Sunday school class have gotten home too. You'll have to tell them all hello.
Ryan that's awesome about the Chinese man and his wife and you other investigators! I hope they end up getting baptized. That's been one of the hardest things for me is when you're preparing someone for baptism and then they dissappear, but that doesn't always happen and after it does the Lord blesses you with a miracle, if you have done all that you can.
We had a long week full of contacting, but it was good, and we got 6 new investigators! Three of which are a family. Soeur Carter and I went through our entire area book and made of a list of former investigators to visit and potentials to call and we found Marie-Louise. She has four children and her two oldest daughters are, I believe, 11 and 15. They were all very nice and we weren't sure if they were going to let us in, because the last sisters wrote that two years ago, Marie-Louise wasn't intersted at all. Oh, and miracle too, we didn't know her number, only her address and when we got to her apartment building it's only last names on the sonneries and we didn't know her last name. I thought that we should just turn around, but Soeur Carter said that we should try a few of the names. We said a prayer and then pressed a random button, the woman came out and said that she didn't know Marie-Louise. We then remembered that Marie-Louise is African so we looked at all of the names that looked African, and the first one we pressed was hers! They let us in and we got to no them. She doesn't remember anything that the sisters taught her 3 years ago, so we're going to teach the restoration next time. She asked when our church was, but sadly she works every Sunday, but she said that maybe her husband can bring the children to church. I hope so! On verra. I know it was the Lord that helped us find her apartment, and made sure we came at the time we did, because she had just gotten home from work.
We also have Aicha, I can't remember if I told you about her. She is the woman I contacted on the street 2 months ago and was really excited to meet with us but went on vacation during that whole time. We met with her now though, and she had a lot of questions because she has been meeting with the Jehovah's Witnesses for the past year, but she hasn't gotten baptized yet because she said she feels like there's something more. She really liked our message and she's very excited to read the Book of Mormon. We gave her the soft committment to baptism and she said, but I don't even know anything, we reminded her that our question was, "When you receive a response that our message is true will you prepare yourself to be baptized?" not "Will you get baptized tomorrow?" She then said, "Of course." I'm so excited to keep teaching her! The only hard thing is that all of our knew amis can either only meet once a week or once every two weeks. We also have Chantal and Rose, they are both so sweet and we gave Chantal the soft committement as well, she was soooo sweet and kind. Rose has gone through a lot of trials, so we talked about the atonement and at the end of our lesson she just started crying. She really wants to read the Book of Mormon because she said she feels like it can give her a lot of support and peace in her life. I'm so grateful for the Lord's help in finding these people and hope that we can keep finding them.
Claire, Grace, and Darius all received the gift of the Holy Ghost yesterday! Claire bore her testimony afterward and told about her whole conversion experience, from her daughter's passing, and becoming Christian to running into missionaries. It was so sweet she told how the Chinese elders had given us her number and that she realized how much we cared about her and sharing our message with her because even when she would use excuses to not meet with us we would call back. I'm grateful that she saw that in us. She touched a lot of members from sharing her testimony. I'm so excited for her and her family; her husband even looked up the address of the church in Lyon so that he can go while he is there! I hope he goes.
Thank you all for your love and support! I love this work and I know it's the Lord's work!
Bisous, Soeur Reeves
Allyson I can't believe you're in Jerusalem! and Jaclyn too! That's so exciting, you'll have to send me pictures. Mom and Dad that's so exciting that you'll be able to go to Spain with the Taylor's! I can't believe Christian is getting back tomorrow and that all of the other boys from my Sunday school class have gotten home too. You'll have to tell them all hello.
Ryan that's awesome about the Chinese man and his wife and you other investigators! I hope they end up getting baptized. That's been one of the hardest things for me is when you're preparing someone for baptism and then they dissappear, but that doesn't always happen and after it does the Lord blesses you with a miracle, if you have done all that you can.
We had a long week full of contacting, but it was good, and we got 6 new investigators! Three of which are a family. Soeur Carter and I went through our entire area book and made of a list of former investigators to visit and potentials to call and we found Marie-Louise. She has four children and her two oldest daughters are, I believe, 11 and 15. They were all very nice and we weren't sure if they were going to let us in, because the last sisters wrote that two years ago, Marie-Louise wasn't intersted at all. Oh, and miracle too, we didn't know her number, only her address and when we got to her apartment building it's only last names on the sonneries and we didn't know her last name. I thought that we should just turn around, but Soeur Carter said that we should try a few of the names. We said a prayer and then pressed a random button, the woman came out and said that she didn't know Marie-Louise. We then remembered that Marie-Louise is African so we looked at all of the names that looked African, and the first one we pressed was hers! They let us in and we got to no them. She doesn't remember anything that the sisters taught her 3 years ago, so we're going to teach the restoration next time. She asked when our church was, but sadly she works every Sunday, but she said that maybe her husband can bring the children to church. I hope so! On verra. I know it was the Lord that helped us find her apartment, and made sure we came at the time we did, because she had just gotten home from work.
We also have Aicha, I can't remember if I told you about her. She is the woman I contacted on the street 2 months ago and was really excited to meet with us but went on vacation during that whole time. We met with her now though, and she had a lot of questions because she has been meeting with the Jehovah's Witnesses for the past year, but she hasn't gotten baptized yet because she said she feels like there's something more. She really liked our message and she's very excited to read the Book of Mormon. We gave her the soft committment to baptism and she said, but I don't even know anything, we reminded her that our question was, "When you receive a response that our message is true will you prepare yourself to be baptized?" not "Will you get baptized tomorrow?" She then said, "Of course." I'm so excited to keep teaching her! The only hard thing is that all of our knew amis can either only meet once a week or once every two weeks. We also have Chantal and Rose, they are both so sweet and we gave Chantal the soft committement as well, she was soooo sweet and kind. Rose has gone through a lot of trials, so we talked about the atonement and at the end of our lesson she just started crying. She really wants to read the Book of Mormon because she said she feels like it can give her a lot of support and peace in her life. I'm so grateful for the Lord's help in finding these people and hope that we can keep finding them.
Claire, Grace, and Darius all received the gift of the Holy Ghost yesterday! Claire bore her testimony afterward and told about her whole conversion experience, from her daughter's passing, and becoming Christian to running into missionaries. It was so sweet she told how the Chinese elders had given us her number and that she realized how much we cared about her and sharing our message with her because even when she would use excuses to not meet with us we would call back. I'm grateful that she saw that in us. She touched a lot of members from sharing her testimony. I'm so excited for her and her family; her husband even looked up the address of the church in Lyon so that he can go while he is there! I hope he goes.
Thank you all for your love and support! I love this work and I know it's the Lord's work!
Bisous, Soeur Reeves
Monday, August 29, 2011
Week 27
Bonjour ma famille!
Thank you all for your emails it was fun to hear from many of you! Julie and Brett, Andrew is adorable and Lindsey has gotten so big! Allyson I can't believe you're leaving to Jerusalem tomorrow!
Well.........Claire, Grace and Darius were all baptized!!!! It was wonderful, it was right after church so almost the whole ward was there! Claire's husband came and after I said, "Are you next?" He said, "Well, I'm not here all of the time (He works in Lyon for 2 to 4 weeks at a time) but when I'm here I'll come to church. And I still need to learn more." I agreed with him that he needs to gain his own testimony, but hopefully when he comes back from Lyon we can start teaching him. Claire's nephew also came and loved it. He has been there for the past few lessons and told us he wants to get baptized, but he of course needs to talk with his mom (he is only 11, and his mom works on Sundays, but he is able to come with Claire). We shall see what happens. Claire was sooooo happy during and afterward. I asked her how she felt and she said, "Light. It feels like all of this weight has been lifted off of me." I loved seeing all of them dressed in white. Darius was the first to be baptized and it was so cute, because all of the primary children were right up against the glass with their faces smashed against it and after he was baptized all of the little boys asked, "How was it Darius!? Was it good?" or in French, "C'était bien Darius?! C'était bien?!" I asked Grace how she felt and she's still somewhat timid, but she said it was good. Thankfully the other young women have been very welcoming and friendly toward her.
We had training at multi-zone conference this last week which I always love! We are working on accomplishing our mission goals and the assistants talked about praying and asking the Lord to help us see his vision for ourselves. Just like Nephi. After hearing his father recount his dream he believed him but he wanted to see it for himself. He prayed to the Lord and did see it, but he then asked for the interpretation of the dream and saw and learned even more than his father had.
We also finished teaching Claire and her family the ten commandments and we committed them to respect them and of course they all said yes, but then our relief society president (who came to teach with us that day) said something that really hit me. She told them to remember to keep the commandments out of love for the Lord and not because of fear. Yes we are taught to be a God fearing people, but even more than that we are taught to LOVE our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Christ said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." I had never really thought that deeply about it. Truly most of my life I often did what was right because I was afraid of getting in trouble. But now I realize I should do what's right to show God that I love him and I want him to be pleased with me.
I know that when we keep the commandments and do what's right we will be blessed and we are happy! (Mosiah 2:41)
I love you all!
Bisous, Soeur Reeves
Thank you all for your emails it was fun to hear from many of you! Julie and Brett, Andrew is adorable and Lindsey has gotten so big! Allyson I can't believe you're leaving to Jerusalem tomorrow!
Well.........Claire, Grace and Darius were all baptized!!!! It was wonderful, it was right after church so almost the whole ward was there! Claire's husband came and after I said, "Are you next?" He said, "Well, I'm not here all of the time (He works in Lyon for 2 to 4 weeks at a time) but when I'm here I'll come to church. And I still need to learn more." I agreed with him that he needs to gain his own testimony, but hopefully when he comes back from Lyon we can start teaching him. Claire's nephew also came and loved it. He has been there for the past few lessons and told us he wants to get baptized, but he of course needs to talk with his mom (he is only 11, and his mom works on Sundays, but he is able to come with Claire). We shall see what happens. Claire was sooooo happy during and afterward. I asked her how she felt and she said, "Light. It feels like all of this weight has been lifted off of me." I loved seeing all of them dressed in white. Darius was the first to be baptized and it was so cute, because all of the primary children were right up against the glass with their faces smashed against it and after he was baptized all of the little boys asked, "How was it Darius!? Was it good?" or in French, "C'était bien Darius?! C'était bien?!" I asked Grace how she felt and she's still somewhat timid, but she said it was good. Thankfully the other young women have been very welcoming and friendly toward her.
We had training at multi-zone conference this last week which I always love! We are working on accomplishing our mission goals and the assistants talked about praying and asking the Lord to help us see his vision for ourselves. Just like Nephi. After hearing his father recount his dream he believed him but he wanted to see it for himself. He prayed to the Lord and did see it, but he then asked for the interpretation of the dream and saw and learned even more than his father had.
We also finished teaching Claire and her family the ten commandments and we committed them to respect them and of course they all said yes, but then our relief society president (who came to teach with us that day) said something that really hit me. She told them to remember to keep the commandments out of love for the Lord and not because of fear. Yes we are taught to be a God fearing people, but even more than that we are taught to LOVE our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Christ said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." I had never really thought that deeply about it. Truly most of my life I often did what was right because I was afraid of getting in trouble. But now I realize I should do what's right to show God that I love him and I want him to be pleased with me.
I know that when we keep the commandments and do what's right we will be blessed and we are happy! (Mosiah 2:41)
I love you all!
Bisous, Soeur Reeves
Monday, August 22, 2011
Week 26
Bonjour ma chère famille!
It's crazy, I take back what I said to Ryan about it being cold and wet here, well maybe it was for the first half of the transfer, but now it's burning hot and I don't think I've sweated so not much like a pig in all my life. I am more a fan of heat than cold, but it's tiring as a missionary. However, we still had a good week. Tuesday we taught Claire, Grace and Darius about the covenant they will make at baptism and that they will become members of Christ's church. We then taught them about following the prophet and Claire got really excited, which we were happy about, since at first she didn't really accept Joseph Smith. We asked each of them to pray about Joseph Smith and Thomas S. Monson and ask the Lord if they are truly prophets. Claire then asked if President Monson ever travels or if he just stays in the U.S. We told her of course he travels and she asked if he will ever come here and we said for sure when there is a temple. She then got very excited asking when there will be a temple and we said that we hope soon, but we don't find out until General Conference and then of course we had to explain what General Conference is. Claire was just so happy and excited! She told her children that they all need to pray that there will be a temple soon here in France and she is anxious for General Conference.
Friday we taught them about tithing and fast offerings and they had no problem in accepting it. Claire wanted to make sure she understands exactly how to pay tithing so that she can pay it as soon as she's baptized. She is so dedicated to the Lord and has so much faith.
We had exchanges this last week. Soeur Carter went to Valenciennes and Soeur Creagar came to Nogent with me. She is from Morgan, Utah and is 5' 10" and is one of the happiest and nicest people I have ever met. I love doing exchanges and getting to know other sisters in the mission and learn from them so that we can help one another in the work. She was Soeur Carter's companion in the MTC and looks up to Soeur Carter so much, she told me that Soeur Carter helped her a lot when they were there together.
On Saturday Soeur Carter and I did a church tour with a man named Roger and our ward mission leader and his wife. It was awesome! We me Roger two weeks ago. I remember sitting at the gare and then I thought I need to pay attention to the people around me and see who I can talk to. We got on the train which was packed so I didn't talk to anyone, but when we got off I saw a man dressed in a suit, carrying his bible (it was Sunday by the way); he was walking fast so I tried to keep up with him and I pointed him out to Soeur Carter, so we walked faster. When we got out of the gare (train station) we walked up next to him and said, "Bonjour." He looked at us and saw our tags. He was happy to talk to us and asked what church we were from (he was just returning from his Sunday worship service). He then asked if we were Mormon and said he had seen some missionaries before, but I don't think he really talked to them. He asked what time our worship service was and said he would like to join us and see what it was like, because he church is later in the day. We gave him our card and took his number. We called him the next week asking if he wanted to take a tour of the church before coming on Sunday, he said yes, but then our rendez-vous fell through. He came this Saturday though! We briefly taught him the first as we walked from the gare to the church and introduced the Book of Mormon to him. As we took Roger around the church we showed him the baptismal font and explained priesthood authority; he had a lot of good questions and it was great to have Frère and Soeur Mathias there to help us out. We then talked about what our Sunday services are like and showed him a classroom and then the chapel. There was a great spirit and he loved hearing about the sacrament and we read some scriptures from the Book of Mormon as we went along. We then committed him to read the Book of Mormon and pray about it and also pray to know if Joseph Smith restored the church of Jesus Christ. He then told us that he had nothing against reading it if it testifies of Christ and he can't say that Joseph Smith wasn't a prophet so he said he would pray to know the truth; he has a strong testimony of the Holy Ghost revealing all truths to us. Roger then said the prayer at the end and it was so sincere. He asked Heavenly Father to help him read the Book of Mormon and to help him know the truth. As we walked back to the gare with him he asked some more questions about the church. He asked about our leaders and we talked about how all of them are volunteers and are not payed, he thought that was great and then asked how we get the money to construct the buildings and we told him that all of the members pay tithing, he loved that too! Then he asked how he can become a member of the church! We told him to continue the lessons with us and then he can be baptized. When we left the church he said, "I think it's by the grace of God that I'm here today." It was wonderful and he wanted to come to church, but didn't answer his phone, so I hope nothing happened like with Jeanne who was just like Roger and wanted to get baptized and then ended up in the hospital (we're still trying to make contact with her). It seems like sometimes those who are most ready suddenly face a bunch of opposition, but I know that they are strong and have a lot of faith and that they will have the opportunity to accept the gospel and come unto Christ. We're praying that we can get ahold of Roger.
I know that there are lots of people like Jeanne, Roger, and Claire here in France and we just need to keep finding them.
Love you all! And happy birthday to Clara, McKenna and of course James!
Bisous, Soeur Reeves
It's crazy, I take back what I said to Ryan about it being cold and wet here, well maybe it was for the first half of the transfer, but now it's burning hot and I don't think I've sweated so not much like a pig in all my life. I am more a fan of heat than cold, but it's tiring as a missionary. However, we still had a good week. Tuesday we taught Claire, Grace and Darius about the covenant they will make at baptism and that they will become members of Christ's church. We then taught them about following the prophet and Claire got really excited, which we were happy about, since at first she didn't really accept Joseph Smith. We asked each of them to pray about Joseph Smith and Thomas S. Monson and ask the Lord if they are truly prophets. Claire then asked if President Monson ever travels or if he just stays in the U.S. We told her of course he travels and she asked if he will ever come here and we said for sure when there is a temple. She then got very excited asking when there will be a temple and we said that we hope soon, but we don't find out until General Conference and then of course we had to explain what General Conference is. Claire was just so happy and excited! She told her children that they all need to pray that there will be a temple soon here in France and she is anxious for General Conference.
Friday we taught them about tithing and fast offerings and they had no problem in accepting it. Claire wanted to make sure she understands exactly how to pay tithing so that she can pay it as soon as she's baptized. She is so dedicated to the Lord and has so much faith.
We had exchanges this last week. Soeur Carter went to Valenciennes and Soeur Creagar came to Nogent with me. She is from Morgan, Utah and is 5' 10" and is one of the happiest and nicest people I have ever met. I love doing exchanges and getting to know other sisters in the mission and learn from them so that we can help one another in the work. She was Soeur Carter's companion in the MTC and looks up to Soeur Carter so much, she told me that Soeur Carter helped her a lot when they were there together.
On Saturday Soeur Carter and I did a church tour with a man named Roger and our ward mission leader and his wife. It was awesome! We me Roger two weeks ago. I remember sitting at the gare and then I thought I need to pay attention to the people around me and see who I can talk to. We got on the train which was packed so I didn't talk to anyone, but when we got off I saw a man dressed in a suit, carrying his bible (it was Sunday by the way); he was walking fast so I tried to keep up with him and I pointed him out to Soeur Carter, so we walked faster. When we got out of the gare (train station) we walked up next to him and said, "Bonjour." He looked at us and saw our tags. He was happy to talk to us and asked what church we were from (he was just returning from his Sunday worship service). He then asked if we were Mormon and said he had seen some missionaries before, but I don't think he really talked to them. He asked what time our worship service was and said he would like to join us and see what it was like, because he church is later in the day. We gave him our card and took his number. We called him the next week asking if he wanted to take a tour of the church before coming on Sunday, he said yes, but then our rendez-vous fell through. He came this Saturday though! We briefly taught him the first as we walked from the gare to the church and introduced the Book of Mormon to him. As we took Roger around the church we showed him the baptismal font and explained priesthood authority; he had a lot of good questions and it was great to have Frère and Soeur Mathias there to help us out. We then talked about what our Sunday services are like and showed him a classroom and then the chapel. There was a great spirit and he loved hearing about the sacrament and we read some scriptures from the Book of Mormon as we went along. We then committed him to read the Book of Mormon and pray about it and also pray to know if Joseph Smith restored the church of Jesus Christ. He then told us that he had nothing against reading it if it testifies of Christ and he can't say that Joseph Smith wasn't a prophet so he said he would pray to know the truth; he has a strong testimony of the Holy Ghost revealing all truths to us. Roger then said the prayer at the end and it was so sincere. He asked Heavenly Father to help him read the Book of Mormon and to help him know the truth. As we walked back to the gare with him he asked some more questions about the church. He asked about our leaders and we talked about how all of them are volunteers and are not payed, he thought that was great and then asked how we get the money to construct the buildings and we told him that all of the members pay tithing, he loved that too! Then he asked how he can become a member of the church! We told him to continue the lessons with us and then he can be baptized. When we left the church he said, "I think it's by the grace of God that I'm here today." It was wonderful and he wanted to come to church, but didn't answer his phone, so I hope nothing happened like with Jeanne who was just like Roger and wanted to get baptized and then ended up in the hospital (we're still trying to make contact with her). It seems like sometimes those who are most ready suddenly face a bunch of opposition, but I know that they are strong and have a lot of faith and that they will have the opportunity to accept the gospel and come unto Christ. We're praying that we can get ahold of Roger.
I know that there are lots of people like Jeanne, Roger, and Claire here in France and we just need to keep finding them.
Love you all! And happy birthday to Clara, McKenna and of course James!
Bisous, Soeur Reeves
Monday, August 15, 2011
Week 25
Bonjour à tous!
First things first, Happy Birthday mom!!!! I'm glad you got your book and that you and dad really liked it, it was fun as everyone emailed back and forth to share memories, there were definitely some where I couldn't help but laugh. That's fun that Jen and Nyall are living with you. How fun that so many missionaries will be coming to your home coming, I'm sure they're all so excited to see you.
J'ai des nouvelles..............Claire, Grace et Darius ont tous accepté de se faire baptiser le 28 aout!!!!!!!!
I know that's in French, but I'm sure you can guess what it means, yes, a family is getting baptized! They weren't at all hesitant when we extended the commitment, right away Claire said, "Yes we want to be baptized!" I was a little confused by Grace's response since she had told me at church that she wants to be baptized, because she then said, "But I have already been baptized." Claire than told her that it wasn't done with priesthood authority. She's understanding everything so well! When we went to see them on Saturday we walked into their home and Claire and Grace were reading from the Gospel Principles book and then looking up the scriptures as they read! She said it has helped her understand better. Claire's husband also came to church again! He has never been there for our lessons, but we're going to ask Claire if he is at all interested in taking the lessons. Yesterday in Sacrament meeting all of the talks were about the temple, and in Relief Society the lesson was on eternal families, I know that Claire really liked it. Grace asked me what we do at the temple and then Claire told her she can go and be baptized for her sister; she thought it was neat too that everyone dresses in white when they're in the temple.
I forgot to mention that we have a new ward mission leader and he has done an awesome job at getting the ward involved! He sends out emails to all of the ward members letting them know when we have lessons and then members call him to let him know if they're available. So many people replied, it was great! He also sends out emails with names of amis and less-actives that the members can pray for. I think we will really start to see a difference with members getting involved, and I'm very excited.
We also went to a funeral a week and a half ago for a recent convert who passed away. I actually never got to meet him, but the sisters baptized him about a year ago. His daughter had our number and called us to invite us to the funeral. When we went she asked if we were the people who teach the missionary lessons and told us that her dad had two copies of the Book of Mormon. Thankfully we had brought one for her along with a DVD and a Plan of Salvation brochure. She was very excited and said she will call us, she hasn't yet, so we are going to try and get ahold of her this week, but she obviously saw a difference in her dad's life and it has made her interested.
Sorry I don't have anymore time, but I love you all! I'm so excited for you Ryan and I'm glad you have such a great companion. You're lucky to have hot and humid weather. Here in Paris it's been pretty wet and cold, I think autumn is coming a little early.
Thank you all for your love and support, I'm grateful I have this time to devote all of my life to the Lord.
Bisous, Soeur Reeves
First things first, Happy Birthday mom!!!! I'm glad you got your book and that you and dad really liked it, it was fun as everyone emailed back and forth to share memories, there were definitely some where I couldn't help but laugh. That's fun that Jen and Nyall are living with you. How fun that so many missionaries will be coming to your home coming, I'm sure they're all so excited to see you.
J'ai des nouvelles..............Claire, Grace et Darius ont tous accepté de se faire baptiser le 28 aout!!!!!!!!
I know that's in French, but I'm sure you can guess what it means, yes, a family is getting baptized! They weren't at all hesitant when we extended the commitment, right away Claire said, "Yes we want to be baptized!" I was a little confused by Grace's response since she had told me at church that she wants to be baptized, because she then said, "But I have already been baptized." Claire than told her that it wasn't done with priesthood authority. She's understanding everything so well! When we went to see them on Saturday we walked into their home and Claire and Grace were reading from the Gospel Principles book and then looking up the scriptures as they read! She said it has helped her understand better. Claire's husband also came to church again! He has never been there for our lessons, but we're going to ask Claire if he is at all interested in taking the lessons. Yesterday in Sacrament meeting all of the talks were about the temple, and in Relief Society the lesson was on eternal families, I know that Claire really liked it. Grace asked me what we do at the temple and then Claire told her she can go and be baptized for her sister; she thought it was neat too that everyone dresses in white when they're in the temple.
I forgot to mention that we have a new ward mission leader and he has done an awesome job at getting the ward involved! He sends out emails to all of the ward members letting them know when we have lessons and then members call him to let him know if they're available. So many people replied, it was great! He also sends out emails with names of amis and less-actives that the members can pray for. I think we will really start to see a difference with members getting involved, and I'm very excited.
We also went to a funeral a week and a half ago for a recent convert who passed away. I actually never got to meet him, but the sisters baptized him about a year ago. His daughter had our number and called us to invite us to the funeral. When we went she asked if we were the people who teach the missionary lessons and told us that her dad had two copies of the Book of Mormon. Thankfully we had brought one for her along with a DVD and a Plan of Salvation brochure. She was very excited and said she will call us, she hasn't yet, so we are going to try and get ahold of her this week, but she obviously saw a difference in her dad's life and it has made her interested.
Sorry I don't have anymore time, but I love you all! I'm so excited for you Ryan and I'm glad you have such a great companion. You're lucky to have hot and humid weather. Here in Paris it's been pretty wet and cold, I think autumn is coming a little early.
Thank you all for your love and support, I'm grateful I have this time to devote all of my life to the Lord.
Bisous, Soeur Reeves
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