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
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| Beautiful France #theghetto |
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