Was it the Bus Driver? Or Was it Satan? (Week # 40)

Date: August 29, 2016

Location: Nancy

Companion: Soeur Petersen

Bonjour!

Have you ever asked yourself why the devil hates missionary work? I did this week that is for sure, and I also learned WHY he hates it so much. Haha and I also learned that bus drivers aren't my favorite people in the world, and that the principle that you can break prison walls with the word of God is true. Okay, not EXACTLY prison walls, but it got us out of cops taking us to jail sooo close enough :) 

It all started as we were on our way to pass by an old Amie of some past missionaries. She hadn't been home, and so we decided that we were in a nice neighborhood, and we wanted to knock some doors. And I usually really like the sound of ringing doorbells and fists knocking on doors. Haha but something about cop lights and people yelling at you takes away from it. We were caught, sharing the good news. There could be worse things I suppose. :) Unfortunately for the woman who was about to hear the restored gospel, the cops ordered her to go back inside. I wonder what that poor woman was thinking. Two young women standing at her door surrounded by three cops. It turns out we looked a little suspicious in our skirts and nametags. Well, it turns out that these cops were not very happy. So, they told us that they were going to have to take us to the station, due to our lack of passports. He was impressed with my Californienne ID, everyone is usually, but it wasn't cutting it to prove that I am here legally. And let me tell you, I almost wanted to go with how hot it was outside, but something in my head told me that the idea was better as an idea, and it needed to stay as an idea, and not a course of action. So, with all the gusto I could muster up within myself, I said to this man, "We are here to represent Jesus Christ, and to find the people that He has prepared." It sounded pretty good, but his response was this... "I don't care who you represent! even if it is the Christ or not!" So I told him that I have a VISA, and he could take us back to our apartment instead. But, whether it be that his heart was softened or that he realized he messed with the wrong missionary, or more likely that he realized how innocent we actually are, he agreed to let us go. Close call. The Lord was on our side that day. What an awkard phone call to make to President Babin... 

But the week continued on. and little did I know, as we got on Bus 2, I was about to meet one of my favorite people in the world. Florence. She was just sitting there, with a cute black purse, black outfit, on her way to work. And so I did what I have been trained to do, and I followed what I thought was a prompting, and talked to her. and within minutes, she was talking about her family and her work and her hobbies. and before I could even ask her for her number, she throws her phone at me, saying "I have to have your number." So, I wasnt about to decline. And as we parted ways, I invited her to church. I don't know if I have seen someone this excited about church in a really long time. Even me maybe. But she wanted to come, and she was detirmined to find a way. 

On the other end of things, our other amie, Mireille, wanted to come to chiurch as well. and she has three kids and she was so willing to try and get them all out the door at 8 the next morning, to make it to church :) Her bus stop was a few after ours, so as we got on the bus, we were excited to see if she would be at the stop we were passing by. and SHE WAS! We waved to her, and we were so excited. And before I could even process things, the bus driver just kept driving. he didnt even stop! And he just left our amis behind in the dust. I was so mad. Number one, because she tried so hard to get out the door, and she did, only to miss the bus, and number two because the driver didnt stop! So I ran to the front of the bus, not about to let that one go, and he was so mean! I said, "Hey, they were people back there. Our friends were back there and you didn't even stop." And he looks at me, and says, I didn't see anyone. maybe you should have told your friends to make themselves stand out more. So they MISSED church. Oh la la that took some cooling down. I am so convinced that all these amis we teach as missionaries are going to see opposition in their path, as they try their hardest to come to Christ. But the more I think about it, the more I realize it is never easy, and there are always road blocks. So I hope that they try again next week. Because I know they are ready. And the harder we try, the more God helps us to make it where we need to be.

BUT Florence came to church, and she LOVED it. I am so amazed with this woman and her desire to be better, and her happy personality. The members loved her, and she already has so many friends. She told us that she loves how she already feels like she found another family. and when church ended, all three hours, she looks over to us, and says, "That was it?" Usually getting them to stay for two is a feat. She is incredible, and is such an example to me of someone who is so willing to follow the things that they feel. She wanted to see the baptismal font, she wanted to know if she could come back next week, she wants to start doing her family history. She is a miracle. I am so excited for tomorrow when we teach her again and I am grateful for how easy it is for me to love her. 

I really do love this gospel. so many times I am so frustrated, asking, "Why isn't this easier, God? Why, if these people need to be at church, is it so hard for them to get there? Why are there roadblocks  and missed buses and bumps along the way and why doesn't everyone listen to this gospel message that I know is true. And I know that through these difficultiess, these people are building their faith. God never said that it would be easy, but I think there is a quote somewhere that says that God said that it would be worth it. These people are ready, and so Satan really doesn't want them to progress. But he always loses so I know that they will. He loves me and I feel the love He has for them.

I learned a lot this week- about patience and being bold. And lots more. I love you all so much. I am working hard ad having fun and I know that this mission is going to change everything.

I love you a lot :) 

À la prochaine, 

Soeur Trotter

Taking it back to the Homeland!

Pretty ville! First time I haven't lived by the Seine!

"Could I Carry That for You?" Service Sends the Spirit (Week #39)

Date: August 22, 2016

Location: Nancy

Companion: Soeur Petersen

Hey Everyone!!

This week went by so fast and there were Zone Conferences and Trips to Paris and Trips back from Paris and Miracles! Haha that part of things just never ends. But it went by really fast and my head is spinning trying to think of what to tell you all. But there is one day that sticks out in particular that was just such a reminder that God looks out for me. And that was this Saturday. 

It all started when Soeur Petersen decided to be a beast and contact the first person that she saw outside of our apartment. Édwige is an African from Cote d'Ivoire, who loves God. Of course. They love God and it makes me love them. Not that I don't love French people, but Africans know how to steal my heart. She told us about how she is worried for her marriage because she knows how much God needs to be the center of it and she married an atheist. And how she thinks that God put us in her path because there is no such thing as a coincidence. So just like that, we have a new amie! We are so excited to see what comes from this. She seems really prepared and I am happy to help her find the answers she is looking for, or maybe even the ones she didn't know she was looking for. ;) C'est toujours possible. 

So after that little adventure, we were on our way.. back to the apartment.. because the good trainer that I am forgot my plaque. and my Book of Mormon. We all have our downfalls. Sometimes I just have to forget about the 90% I do wrong and focus on the ten that I do right ;). But we got it, and we hopped on the tram, ready to do some finding. To my right, I saw the cutest African baby in my liife with her two older siblings, and one heck of a frazzled looking mom. I just had to talk to her. And as I did, this praying that i have been trying so hard to do so much of recently paid off, and I loved her. I can honestly say that I loved this woman. So when she told me that she was getting off at the stop "Blandan," you betcha that that was our stop as well. 

This woman, Mireille, was carrying so much stuff too! So as we offered to help her back to her apartment, she said yes without hesitation. The worst part though was getting to the apartment, and that awkward moment when we had no idea what to do... Until we heard the words that every missionary wants to hear, "ENTREZ!" Which speaks for itself I assume. But if not, it means, "come on in!" and in African style, it means we were best friends in seconds.:)  

As we sat down, we were able to share our testimony of the Book of Mormon with this young mom who has so much going on. And it warmed her heart. And we felt the Spirit. I can't explain what I felt, but my words weren't mine, and it wasn't my thought to talk to her or to help her. it was all given me, by the Spirit. and I am super grateful. I always worry about what to say, but the moment I tried to listen and see her through Christ's eyes, it became so much easier. The best part was when we prayed, and she called all of her kids over, and helped them sit still and listen, as we "talked with our Heavenly Father." and I saw the potential for her and these little kids and that family. It is so great, I think sometimes I forget what "eternity" actually means.

Later that night, we were also able to stop by an old amie of the Elders, who slowly dropped off the earth after she had a baby. but we went and she was so excited to see us and said that she knew God had sent us there that day! These people don't believe in coincidences, and I don't either anymore. God totally knows what was gonna happen that day. That sneaky man haha. He has it all thought out and He just needs people who will go where He wants them to. So happy I get to be that person.

So it was an African day. With people who ALL recognized God's hand in leading us there. and who all want to meet us again. People who are so prepared and so ready and so open to giving themselves to the will of God. I think we all need to work on that. so many times it is so hard to do what God wants us to do, because we want to do what we want to do. But I am learning there isn't really any room for growth in that. and this week I am really learning why I am here in Nancy. I love these people. and it is still hard. i still go home tired, and sometimes remembering all that I did wrong. But in the end, I do what I can, and tomorrow I will do even more :) Because each day can be better right?

I am having a lot of fun and even running through parcs sometimes to get to amies houses, and then when I get there, God always lets me know why.

I love you all a ton, and I love this mission. I am having fun and I am working hard. 

Soeur Trotter

Beautiful France #theghetto

Prayers and Picnics!! (Week #38)

Date: August 15, 2016

Location: Nancy

Companion: Soeur Petersen

Hey Everyone!

Sorry for this short email. My entire weekly just got deleted and I already didn't have a lot of time today. We were at a ward picnic getting hosed down by little kids with water guns! Always a good time! They think it is just the best thing in the world to shoot you and roll on the floor laughing because of it. Haha So that leaves everyone laughing and before you know it, there is no time to do anything. But still I great way to spend Pday. :)

Me and Soeur Petersen are finally getting settled into this city that is so new to both of us. It is really fun to be able to meet the members and to love them and get to know them and to help them be involved with missionary work. They aren't the MOST excited to help out, but I blame that one on vacances, when everyone and their dog is out of the country for two months. BUT with the members that are here, they are great, and I am making a new ward family soon enough.

I do want to share one super cool experience that me and Soeur Petersen had this last week. I am trying really really hard to love these people. And it started really rough. I wanted to love them, and I tried to love them, and I did, but collectively we could say. And so me and Soeur Petersen fixed a goal. And we started to pray in front of EVERY DOOR that we knocked on. That is a lot of prayers, and knocking doors is still hard, and there is still a lot of rejection and lots of people who don't listen. But I have noticed something in these last few days that is different. I really do love these people. Every doorstep stood on, we pray. We pray for whoever lives on the other side, the ability to love them, the ability for the Spirit to hit their heart, the ability to know what to say.

And there was this one doorstep, and it was my turn to pray. And I prayed. For the ability to love whoever lived on the other side, the ability for me to listen, and to know what to say. And that is when we met Gilbert. Gilbert lost his wife a few months ago. And he gave us his testimony, that he knew that he would be with her again one day. And then he looked at us, and he said, "I believe that I will see her again one day, but I don't know how. Do you think that you have the answer, and will you share it with me please?" It is safe to say that whatever I was able to say wasn't me. I know that the Spirit touched this old man, and I am so happy for the oppurtunity that we had to testify on that doorstep. I really did have a love for him the moment that he opened the door, and I saw this little old man, willing to listen, and looking for an answer.

And all it took was looking and trying and praying to have this love, that I thought would be so difficult to find! But I am realizing that to find the ability to love, it is really simple. Because this man is a child of God, and I know how much God loves me, and so I know how much He loves him. Gilbert was a miracle, and I am so excited to see what comes from this :)

We are so busy and are working so hard. Time ticks faster and faster every day and in every way. and I am always going to be a missionary, but I will not always have these experiences like I had the other day with Gilbert. God needs missionaries. Who are willing to go out and work hard, pray, and then work some more. And so I want to give Him that with these 9 months that I have left. I want to give Him all that I am, and say, "Take me, Send me, Use me, and I will find those who are prepared." And the only way to do that is to work. They don't always come running to us, but the Spirit is real, and it touches their hearts, and they listen. We have something special.

I love these people, and I am working so hard and having fun :) I love you all.

Soeur Trotter

Famous Park in France

What a good looking pair!

Homesick but Hopeful (Week #37)

Date: August 8, 2016

Location: Nancy

Companion: Soeur Petersen

Hello Everyone!

It is weird to say that I am not in Rouen anymore! I still ask members, "So do you live here in Rouen?" Haha completely forgetting that I am not there anymore and sometimes still wishing that I was. This week was very bittersweet. I had to say bye to a ward that has become my family, a companion that became my best friend, and Sylvie. Soooo it could have been a better start to the week, but c'est la vie, quoi. Life goes on, and I was shipped off to Nancy, the east of France, to open an équipe of Soeurs and to train a new missionary, Soeur Petersen! :) Lots of big changes requiring lots of prayers and lots of work, but it will work out okay!

Things started off pretty interesting when we arrived. The Elders had raided our apartment when there were no Soeur Missionaries, leaving a bunkbed, a shower curtain, and one dishtowel behind. Donc, needless to say it was ready to live in ;) NOT. We are slowly getting back what we need and settling in though haha :)

Opening a new companionship is really hard. And training is hard! It is lots of contacting, knocking doors, and lots of FINDING! Which I love, but it has been hard to stay focused when you have the attention span of a dog. But we try and mix things up and make it fun and we have met so many interesting people. A woman actually contacted us the other day that was with her husband and son, and she is interested in learning more so that was a miracle! We were even about to leave the park we were in because we weren't feeling super inspired, and as we stopped to decide, she came up to us asking us why we wear plaques! :) MIRACLE!

And my favorite miracle is a little gem named Mireille. Mireille was found by the Elder's about a year or so ago and she is a character. And she only has one foot and one arm! She is an older lady that has been smoking her whole life and à cause de ça, she lost full use of an arm and had a foot amputated! But she is still kickin'! And she loves the missionaries. I asked her about the boy missionaries that had found her, and she was all like, "I remember them! There was a really short one and a really tall one! I don't remember both their names, but the short one was named....ummmm... Oh! I remember! It was Elder!" haha I chuckled, and asked, "Was that the other ones name too?" and she was all, "No. I don't remember his name but I am positive it wasn't that." haha Gotta love her.

And she goes on to ask us, which one of us belongs to which Elder. I tried to explain we are all missionaries and we work together, but she just won't accept it, and whenever she brings it up and I explain it she just looks at me with this really creepy face and winks. haha Oh la la I love french people. We will see where this goes :)

BUT I don't take back what I said in February when I visited Nancy and knew that this was a ville with endless potential. But I also can't lie and say that every week in the mission is the best week ever. I am still here and I am still Alyssa and I still get sad and this week I really wanted to go home. Not home to all of you, but home to Rouen. I just wanted to take a little pause, or a big one, and go back and be with those people who became my family. But that is what I want for me. God put me here because right now, He sees something in my future that I don't. and because I know that, I am still working hard, and I know that people need the gospel here just as much as they do in Rouen, and it is my job to bring it to them. Remind me why He trusts me with so much again? I don't always know, but He does :) So I am still happy to be a missionary, even though this week was the hardest day of my mission. Serving people has a way of doing that, getting you to love them.

So I know that probably next week or the week after, I will be adjusted. And all will be well :) I can already see the Spirit working through us and leading us to people who are prepared and who are searching. I mean, they have been finding us, literally :)

I love you all very much :) I am having fun and I am working hard!

Soeur Trotter

My new companion, Soeur Petersen

Last Sunday in Rouen

Soeur Bennet's new companion, My new companion Soeur Petersen (from Idaho), Soeur Bennet, Me and my old companion, Soeur Archbold!

Soeur Kinder and I!

Last Day at Church in Rouen!

Last Day at Church in Rouen!

Last Day at Church in Rouen!

Last Day at Church in Rouen!

Last Day at Church in Rouen!

Pictures from Soeur Petersen's Weekly Email

Pictures from Soeur Petersen's Weekly Email

Pictures from Soeur Petersen's Weekly Email

Pictures from Soeur Petersen's Weekly Email

Me and My Baby are Having Babies! (Week #36)

Date: August 1, 2016

Location: Rouen

Companion: Soeur Bennett

Hello All My Favorite People,

This was one crazy week. Lots of crazy surprises and scares and unexpected phone calls :) To start off, I will explain the title of my email this week :)

As the weeks have gone on, I started to get this feeling that I was supposed to stay in Rouen. But I was having trouble knowing if it was me wanting to stay, or actually the feeling that I needed to stay in Rouen :) So it turns out that it was a good idea to trust my wise and inspired mission president, because as time would tell, it was me wanting to stay in Rouen. The Lord has other plans in store for me. Which, at this moment, is a little hard to accept. But I promised Him that I would go where He called me, and now it is my job to keep my end of the deal :)

That is just part of it. We were on a bus the other day with the Elders, headed to a ward picnic. And it was the morning  of transfer calls. And I just knew that if I was going to leave, Soeur Bennett was going to train. She is a fantastic missionary. What can I say, I taught her everything she knows ;) haha just kidding. But let's just say it wasn't surprising when we got a phone call in the bus, and they wanted to talk to Soeur Bennett. I started laughing! because I knew it! and because I know that we both saw that coming and training a new missionary is actually really scary! Especially when you are still new! :) But Soeur Bennett is so ready for it and that is the luckiest blue I have met in my life. This is the best ville in France :)

So you could imagine my surprise, when the missionary on the other end of the phone, asked to talk to me again. So I took the phone and before he could talk, I said, "That is so exciting that Soeur Bennett is going to train!" and then he said, "and so are you, if you accept!" WHAT?! again? The craziest part is that I am opening a Soeur companionship in Nancy, which is in the east of France, with a new missionary :) But I am excited and I have absolutely no idea what is waiting for me. No food, no amis, no information whatsoever. But it is really cool that I know that I can trust the Lord and that He will lead me to those who are ready, He will help me to work with these members, and at the same time, He will bless me in my efforts to be a good trainer.

As for right now, I am just really sad. I know that I am going where I am supposed to go, and it feels rights. But right now, I am in this awkward in between phase where I am still in the blessed ville of Rouen with a companion that has become one of my closest friends, and I don't know what is ahead of me. So it is a little hard to feel relaxed :)

Speaking of surprises though, I was sitting in church yesterday, doing my thing, getting ready to open my hymn book, when Soeur Bennett leans over and says, "Hey, Soeur, I think that there are some American tourists here, maybe we should translate for them?" So I turn around, and before I can even focus, I hear, "Hey Lys!' And it was the Andersons! Maggie Anderson came to visit me in Rouen during their trip in France! What a fun, crazy, disorienting surprise! For a second there it was weird to have an overlap in home and mission life but it was fun to get to see them :) It was definitely a surprise and just in time seeing as how I am about to leave!

Along with those tender mercies, we had a ward picnic in the forest, and I got to have some time with my favorite members and friends :) They really have become my family. Some wards are great at helping the missionaries, some are really great at fulfilling their callings, but this might be the first ward, so far at least, where I literally feel like they are my family. They make fun of me, laugh at me, with me, and we share some of the most spiritual experiences together that I've had. I think that of all the things I learned in this city, is how to love people. I just love them! I love Sylvie and Frere Bitanga and Frere Bertrand and Soeur Martel, names which probably don't mean a whole lot to you, but those same people are what is making it so hard to leave. And I guess that is what will give me the incentive to come back ;)

I don't know if you remember me saying it, but at the beginning of my mission, I seriously had a hard time loving this country. I just missed my stars and stripes and seriously contemplated whether or not I would not be able to stop thinking about country music and horses and eagles and Uncle Sam. ;) And it is true that I very well may kiss the ground when i come back. BUT nonetheless, I love this country, and especially Normandy. it is a beautiful place with trees and lots of people who have become my family. What incredible relationships and experiences that only a mission could bring.

I am super grateful to be a missionary and to know the Lord trusts me with His children, and that He gives me the responsibility to find those who need Him. Which is everyone ;) Miracles are real, and people do listen. and the more love I have, the more people listen :) Hey! That is totally why Christ was the perfect missionary :)

I love you all a lot, I am having a lot of fun and I am getting ready to head out! And to keep working hard :)

Soeur Trotter

We are having babies on Wednesday! (new missionaries)

Alexandra making fun of me again...and what is soeur bennett doing? I learned to stop asking questions haha

Forest Day!

Sylvie went to church while on vacation and we got this picture (: yay! she lives a ways away but was bound and determined. 

Forest Day!

Me and Little Rose on a walk! (: 

Frere Terraux tried to put this huge thing down the back of my shirt!