Soeur Alyssa Trotter: Trajet Tragedy (Week #8-Clearly Alyssa hasn't learned not to use the word "tragedy" in email titles to family yet (:

Date: January 18, 2016
Area: St Oeuns 2
Companion: Seour Clements

Bonjour Mes Amis,

Slowly, very slowly, but surely, I am adjusting to this new country. The more I'm here though the more I realize I'm an American at heart. I miss my wide open spaces. There aren't many of those in San Clemente anyways. But France is becoming my home more and more each week. Although let me tell you, there is nothing that makes you look more like a tourist than "trajet tragedies." Haha. The other night we were told by one of our amis, that a man died on the metro (trajet) in Paris, by getting his coat stuck in the metro doors. And once those doors shut, they really don't open. ONE DAY LATER, I am walking with my companion, and we really don't want to miss our metro. Because it would have just been so terrible if we had to wait five minutes for the next to come. Haha but anyways, she gets on, and I hear the signal that the doors are about to close. But I really wanted to make it on.

And we keep our purses pretty attached to us on our arms so no one steals them. And as I get on the metro, the doors close on my purse! And I swear my life flashed before my eyes. Haha and using all my force, I pull that thing out and just eat it. Causing about five Parisians to come to my rescue. And my companion rode off Into the distance on that metro. It was terrifying. And now that the moment has come and gone, it is just one make thing to add to my long list of embarrassing moments. It's always me!

French is getting better. I understand more and more everyday, and I try so hard to speak better, but it is still a struggle. So many people have so man have accents and most of my time here I forget I am in France and not Africa. Everyone is from there!

Yesterday though, we had an amazing experience. We decided to set out contacting. Sunday is a great day for that. Families are together, and no one is at work. And we went somewhere we had never been before. So we picked a road, and started walking. And it was so cold! But we kept walking, taking turns talking to people. And I get so scared. But I did it. And I introduced myself to this young woman, and she right away asked us if we could come to her place to testify to her family and to her of what we have to share. And just like that, we have new Amis. They were the nicest people I have met in France, living in the most humble of circumstances. And they listened and had questions, and it was amazing. I felt the Spirit working through us and testifying.

I really needed that. Yesterday was a hard day for me, struggling with feeling of inadequacy and just missing home. And they were a great reminder to me of why I must talk to everybody. I don't know who the Lord is preparing, and in what ways. And if I had not spoken up, we would not have met, me and Soeur Clements would not have born testimony, and people who were prepared might not have had that experience. I am grateful that everyday I can improve. I look at these people and I see them with a weird sort of love I've never felt for anyone. And more and more everyday I am seeing through Christ's eyes. They all need this message, to know he loves them individually.

I hope you all know I am doing good. I have such hard days sometimes, but mostly it is just all in my head. I know if I focus on others and not me, I will be okay. And that's been such a comfort. I love these people.

I hope you know I love you all very much. I am excited to see you again soon. But for now I'm busy being a missionary :)

Much love,

Soeur Trotter