Paris France Mission

Paris France Mission

Monday, January 11, 2016

And So it Begins... (Week #7) and Finally in Paris

Date: January 11, 2016
Area: St Oeuns 2 
Companion: Seour Clements


Bonjour Tout Le Monde,

It's just a grand day as every other day in the mission field. Especially in Framce We are always so busy! I did not know it was going to be like this! I knew I would always be busy, but we have so many lessons, we hardly have any time to proselyte.

I am in St. Ouen, which has had a rumor of being a super sketchy place. So when I got called there, I told myself everyone was wrong. And when I arrived, I realized they were all telling the truth, and nothing but the truth. In fact, it was worse than they said. St. Ouen is right outside of Paris, in fact part of our Area is in Paris. But it is old

and poor, and just lots of scary people. It makes it harder for me to have a desire to approach people. But that is good. I need to get better at not being so nervous.

Everyone asks me what is different here from America. And lots of things are, but I was surprised at how much is the same. People drive cars, live in apartments, take the bus, drink Starbucks. It's just the little things that are different. Like how the light switch is on the outside of the bathroom and they use chairs instead of church pews in the chapel.

The first day I arrived, I did not understand a word. Well. Maybe a word. I got "Bonjour!" And that's about it. But I received the greatest blessing. I didn't know I was gonna be so lucky. But my companion has been teaching an American named Jacqueline, who doesn't know French but who lives here, sooo English it was. And I got to teach, it was a good way to ease my way into the French culture, haha.

We teach a lot of kids too. There are 10 kids that we teach in three different families, and they are my favorite. They fight over who gets to sit by the sister missionaries and they think we are the greatest thing to walk the planet. We get to teach them because some of them are 9 and so it is the missionary's job. I was hoping that I would just get to stay quiet because I have such a hard time with the language, but every time without fail, one of them will say "why don't you ever talk? I want you to teach!" So I have to! And they are usually understanding. But my friend Matheo, who is 9 said to me a couple days ago. "You talk now! Soeur Clements always does!" So I did, and then he interrupted about 30 seconds later and turned to Soeur Clements, and said "when are you gonna talk again so I can profit from your voice?" Haha he thinks I'm bad at it. I love how honest little kids are.


Everyday gets better though, my companion helps me a lot and she is so understanding and helpful. I don't think that my companion will be the problem this transfer. We have other problems.

To name a few, people fall asleep, for real fall asleep in our lessons. Or they will invite us over and then bash Joseph Smith, who I know is a prophet. Or they will not be home at the appointment time, or not keep commitments. But I know that if they are prepared, they will come to realize what this gospel is. I know that it is true. I know that my French suffers. A lot. And that I don't always say the right thing and that not everyone will listen to me. And I live in a scary city with lots of scary people.

But it's okay because I couldn't be happier than I am right now. I am Sharing with these people what I have felt in my heart and know to be true. I am teaching them about how families are together for eternity and about how we can be healed through Christ's Atonement. There is no greater message.

I know that for a little, I questioned if this mission was really what I wanted for me. But I'm learning more and more through the little corrections that God gives me, that it doesn't even matter if it is what I want for me, because it's what He has had planned for me since the beginning. And because of that, I don't care that I don't speak French well and that people are rejecting me. There are people prepared who will listen.

Being a missionary is the greatest work, I am so blessed everyday by little miracles that I see. I wish I could write them all. We always seem to find people when we don't expect to. And none of them have been big moments so far, some don't really seem like Miracles in the moment. But when people keep a commitment that they said they would, or when a little boy who insulted your speaking tells you he loves you when you are feeling a little bit down, they sure seem like miracles.

Here's to another work filled week in the mission field! We don't get a break and I love it. I love you all, keep In touch, :)

Soeur Alyssa Trotter



 Consecration Hill


  Getting a new companion (Seour Clements)


Seour Clements and I



 The new missionary arrival at the airport




 All of the new missionaries



 Working Hard



 Breakfast for the 8 new sisters at the mission home on the first wednesday morning!



In a meeting!

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