Area: St Oeuns 2
Companion: Seour Clements
Bonjour mes amis,
Just as a forward- see if you can feel the stress I feel as I type this! It's been a CRAZY WEEK.
Honestly I'm freaking out because I don't feel qualified at all to do this. Sometimes I don't even feel qualified to be a missionary. And I'm sure Soeur Archbold is freaking out that she has to be a leader and finish training a new missionary. But I have so much confidence that this is happening for a reason. And so much confidence that we can do it. Don't ask me how, because I have no idea. But we can. I'm a serious believer that all missionary work takes is a love for the people. Because when you love the people you want to try and work hard and that is when you sincerely pray and see miracles, Everything comes back to love. And no matter if I am inexperienced or experienced or ready or not, one thing I AM confident in saying is that I love these people.
I'm not really sure how to start this letter. Partly because I'm sad and partly because I'm excited and mostly because I am just super confused. This week started out normal, as most things do in my life, but somehow I always attract the most unusual of situations. Which can be fun, as I'm sure this next experience will be, but they can also be stressful and well, like I said before, confusing.
So that you all know what I am talking about, I will start my story on a lovely Saturday Morning. Just kidding, it was actually raining. BUT Friday, Soeur Clements and I had taught three extremely strange lessons. Three extremely strange lessons that involved a Pasteur, Jacqueline, who we have discovered is a tad bit...NUTS, and an inactive member who only wants us so that we will teach her daughter to sing. And so needless to say, we came home that night, planned for Saturday, and got a much needed night of sleep. Well, Saturday morning came along and we started to study. But those studies were soon interrupted by a phone call. And let me just tell you, you're heart starts beating real fast when you see the name "President" pop up. And if we are being honest, my first thought was, "oh no. Something blew up. Something happened in Paris and we are all gonna die." But after a second we remembered what day it was, and we just looked at each other and said. "Oh no. It's transfer calls today..." We had completely forgot!
And for those of you who don't know what that means, every six weeks is transfers, and you find out if you are staying in your area, or if you are being moved to some other place in this country. And President Babin only calls you if you are being moved to a leadership position! And because I am a blue (a new missionary in training,) I am supposed to be with Soeur Clements (my trainer) for at least two transfers. And my heart just dropped. Because I knew I wouldn't be made an STL (sister training leader) as a blue! Which means she would be booted from St. Ouen, leaving me with a new companion after just one transfer! A new companion and not to mention a whole lot of crazy investigators! And I just said a little prayer that maybe the call was about something else...
And it's kinda funny because I have been telling Soeur Clements all transfer she was made to be an STL. And she doesn't think so! But even with that heartfelt prayer, I had another little correction, of Him telling me that our wills weren't gonna align this time. Sooo Soeur Clements is moving this Wednesday to be a leader up in the North, in Villeneuve d'Ascq! And I am sad, but at the same time, I am so confident in her abilities to be a leader and example for all the other sister missionaries up there. We only got one transfer, but I know we will always be close.
But now that leaves my fate... What was gonna happen to me?! Who would my companion be? And this is where my life, once again turns into a series of unexpected events... As always :)
When they sent out the list of companionships and what not, I could NOT find St. Ouen. It wasn't even on the list. But after lots of searching and searching and starting to freak out, I found my name. And it wasn't in St. Ouen. It was in Paris, with Soeur Archbold, who was actually the MTC companion of Soeur Clements. And she is the STL in Paris. Which means, I am moving to Paris on Wednesday to be a Sister Training Leader... In my second transfer... It's gonna be interesting to see how this one plays out. I was wrong. It apparently is possible after all. Although apparently this is like the first time this has happened... I would truly think president had lost his mind if I didn't have so much faith in him being an inspired man.
BUT with that, they are actually closing St. Ouen to sisters. So we are the last sisters to serve here for a while. We don't know why, President just feels that that would be best. Apparently this whole thing was his idea. But we actually have heard a few people say it is for our security, with everything that went on a few months ago being in our area. But for whatever the reason, it is leading to the elders moving into our apartment. So we have to clean the whole thing out, not to mention Matheo's baptism on Saturday and saying bye to everyone and trying to fix my broken camera and oh my... So little time to do so many things.
All I know is I'm sad because now our Amis don't have people to teach them. And I didn't feel like my work was finished here. I still don't, so we shall see what comes of this. I know that President Babin is called of God to be a mission president here in France though, and I know he is inspired to make the best choices for us. Even if we don't agree with them.
But now I want to finish up with a few happy things. Saturday we also had a cool opportunity with our district to go to Paris, the church is actually right by the Pompidou Museum. And we sang in the rain with our wet hymn books and umbrellas and it brought a spirit to the streets of Paris. And we also sang on metros and in the gare. It was really cool.
And me and Soeur Clements have been saying bye to everyone and we actually had an amazing lesson with our Filipinos last night. It was the first time I cried in a rendezvous and none of them could deny the Spirit was there. I am super excited too because I am only one sector over, so I get to still see them! Yay!
Anyways, I could write more but I don't want to talk your ears off :) it's just been a crazy week in every way, but I get to finish it off by going to little Matheo's baptism. So all is well :) and I'm excited.
I learned this week that sometimes God takes something good away from us to give us something better. I'm not saying that the people in Paris are better, but maybe there is someone there that really needs me :) I know even though me and Soeur Clements are doing things we never would have chosen, it's because the big guy upstairs knows best. I know that that is true. I don't for a second question that President felt this was right, and I'm gonna trust that and go with the flow.
So wish me luck. I already know Soeur Archbold. She's in my district. And she is amazing :)
I hope that all of you are doing well. I think of you often. I can't wait to share some more pictures and moments with you! Keep in touch!
Soeur Trotter
Fun fact: I'm gonna live literally above the catacombs now. That's pretty cool!
Us with our Filipino family! Cathy in the middle and Malou next to me, Agnes on the other end. Saying bye to Soeur Clements was hard for them :(
Super pretty part of St. Ouen as you can see. Just had to get a pic :)
The district! Holding up what transfer we are in! Soeur Archbold is actually the one next to Soeur Clements :) thats my new companion starting Wednesday!
That moment we "killed" Soeur Clawson with a giant Livre de Mormon. She's dying as in going home this week :)
Hangin out in Paris!
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