Soeur Alyssa Trotter: Sylvie Finally Went Swimming :) My Life Was Made in a Single Phone Call! (Week #48)

Date: October 24, 2016

Location: Nancy

Companion: Soeur Petersen

Hello Everyone :)

Today is my final Monday in the blessed ville of Nancy. I am headed off to ville #5, Orléans, with Soeur Robertson. :) I have no idea who she is, or the ville, but I have only heard great things about both of them so I am excited to see what this brings. And the best part is, is that I get to serve with Elder Trotter! We served close together once before, but now we are in the same city! that will be super fun. We are still on the search to find out if a couple of our great great great uncles were related or something but so far, nothin.

But, as far as this week goes, my entire week was made with a phone call. Last week, I was able to get an email from one of the members in Rouen, where I served last, and she was just so happy to tell me that there was going to be a baptism in Rouen. Which, in itself is a huge miracle. But this is where the story gets real exciting, and real quick. I don't know if any of you remember, but there was Sylvie, who I was absolutely obsessed with. The one that just made my whole day every day, and she just could not get over her phobia of water! Well, Françoise emailed me that Sylvie had been praying and praying and that she decided that she was going to try and be baptized with the other people being baptized, and that she needed as many prayers as she could get :) So I was definitely in. After that, I just could not stop thinking about Sylvie.

So, on Friday night, I decided to give Sylvie a little ring. And I was able to talk to her and it was so cute because she was so scared and kept telling me how she was not ready but that she had been praying so much. and she said, "Soeur Trotter, will you please keep praying for me? I really want to be baptized tomorrow so that I can go to the temple." My heart melted. Oh la la. of course I said yes!

The next day came around, and I just felt like I needed to fast. So that is what I did. and I called Sylvie a half hour before, just letting her know that I loved her, and that I knew that she could do it, and that Christ would carry her through it. And that night, I got the best phone call in the world. It was Sylvie! Telling me that she did it, that she finally was a member, and that she could finally start getting ready to go to the temple.

I cannot begin to explain the happiness that came into my heart. I cannot begin to explain the number of times that my heart broke for Sylvie, each time she lost faith in herself and moments when we all wondered if she would get there. I am so grateful for a loving Father in Heaven who never lost faith in Sylvie. Who saw her potential all along and who guided her to be able to overcome her fear.

I felt like all noise was blocked out and I felt like there was nothing that could take the smile off my face. It was the perfect reminder for me of why I came.

There is a scripture in Doctrine and Covenants that came into my head the moment she spoke to me. It says this:

"Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God; And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father! And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!" Doctrine and Covenants 18:10.

My mission isn't over. But the joy that I felt in hearing about Sylvie, made my life. I am so happy, and so is she, and I know that we are going to be friends, literally forever. That is the promise. I am so excited for her and for what is laid out in front of her. :)

This week, we were also able to go to Épinal, another city nearby. And I was able to work with one of the members there, Soeur LaForge, who is incredible! She had a list of all her friends she has prayed about and knew were prepared, and we went by and tried to see some of them. One of them was an adorable Bolivian woman, Zorita, who is so prepared by the Lord. It was such a testimony builder for me as I watched Soeur LaForge bearing testimony to her friend about what has changed her own life so much. And we felt the Spriit. It made my whole day :) The members really are the only way.

As far as the rest of the week, we were able to meet with Maité, and Claudine, two less actives who are just angels. And Maité makes us call her Grandma. She really is like another grandma for me and it is going to be really sad to go. She made me sit next to her in Sacrament and she held my hand the whole time. and i dont know who the heck chose the songs for Sacrament Meeting, but "God Be WIth You Til We Meet Again" wasn't exactly what I would have chosen. it made it like 20 times harder :)

But something I am grateful for is that I have no idea why I am being sent to Orléans. But I know that I will find out so soon and I know that God has a plan. That is the best blessing ever!! He is watching me over here in Nancy, and watching all those people over there in Orléans, and He is counting on me to work hard, to be obedient, to follow His voice, and then He will lead us to each other! MIRACLE!

I love you all- I will have more details next week on everything that happens. It is going to be busy but I say Bring It On! :) I am looking forward to a new adventure. Our amis are in good hands. Soeur Petersen is a stellar missionary and I am so excited to see what happens :) she is worried but I am not!

Soeur Trotter