Soeur Alyssa Trotter: And the Holidays begin :) (Week #53)

Date: November 28, 2016

Location: #5 Orléans

Companion: Soeur Robertson

Hello Everyone!

I apologize for the lack of last weeks email! I was impressed though that that was the FIRST TIME in my mission that I haven't sent a weekly. That is quite a feat. I will send the one I had written for last week after this one and I think you will all understand why it wasn't sent. :) It includes my iPad dying and me destroying the church library :)

As for this week, we were nonstop busy. We even travelled quite a bit :) I still haven't made it out of France yet, but I made it back to Paris! Haha and we also went this smaller city called Montargis, and another city called Blois. It was fun because we had a conference with a bunch of other missionaries and I was able to see a couple really good friends before they go home next week! Crazy! It is already the end of another transfer! I swear that every single transfer goes by faster. Without fail.

As for us in Orléans, Soeur Robertson is getting out of control. I haven't seen anyone so excited about Christmas in a long time. Haha so we are doing our best to decorate the apartment with all of the old stuff left over in our apartment and rocking out to David Archuleta Christmas every night. We even bought a Christmas tree today. I real one. Haha we are getting excited! It is out of control. We even got a star to go on top.

HOWEVER, I must add as well that we didn't forget about thanksgiving. Of course not! In fact, with the young adults here in Orleans, we through a big thanksgiving feast on Wednesday night. Me and Soeur Robertson were in charge of potatoes (Dad, you taught me well ;)) and pumpkin pie. Haha only thing is, is that you can't find pumpkin in France! Or pie crust! Haha but we aren't quitters so we found some sort of squash that resembled a pumpkin and went with it. The Lord was in deed, once again on our side. My mom would be very impressed. It came out perfect first try! Usually our annual pumpkin pie doesn't turn out right until attempt #4 :)

But I think the best part ago thanksgiving night was when we started talking about gratitude. France doesn't have a holiday to give thanks. They should! :) maybe I'll start one. ;) it was so cool to talk about some of the tender mercies we have seen in our lives, the ways the lord has blessed us. I think my favorite part was when Simplice raised his hand. This man, guys, I don't know where he comes from. Like technically I do, that is one of the fundamental questions of the plan of salvation that I teach on a daily haha but really! People at church keep asking if we are positive that Simplice didn't used to be a member. I REPEAT. HE IS NOT A MEMBER. Well, at least not until December 17.

This week we were able to teach Simplice the Plan of Salvation. It was the most incredible thing. We were drawing it out on the whiteboard and he kept jumping up and going to the board and pointing, saying "NO ONE ever told me that I lived with God before I was born! Why did no one teach me about the kingdoms of glory! It is in the bible! Where would I be if I hadn't found this church! Every one needs this! And he would be all excited and then he would sit down and ponder for a few minutes, and say, "This is so important. I know that it is true. I just know it. It isn't what you are saying, it is something inside of me. Where I just know, that it is true. I have finally found the truth." Simplice, has, without fail, given me the ability to see things on a level that I never knew existed. He is such proof that God prepares His children. He doesn't leave us astray. He listens.

At the Thanksgiving party, we were all talking about our blessings, and Simplice raises his hand. And when the floor was his, he bore his testimony that God had answered his prayers by directing his path and leading Him home. That He had found where he needed to be, and that he was eternally grateful.

I hope you all know that I know God directs our paths. We met Simplice on the tram! On the tram! Just in passing, and He felt something and so did we and that is how this all started! If one of us hadnt followed the prompting given to us, we wouldnt have met. None of this would have happened. If you get a good feeling, act on it. Whether it is the Spirit or not. Just do it! Because every time, without fail, that I act, i never regret it. And when I dont, a lot of times i look back and wonder what could have happened. It is true I am a missionary. But We all have the ability to share what we have. And it is too important not to. Because those people I am teaching, have these moments, when it all sinks in. When they look back on their life, and it hits them. That God has been there all along, preparing them. And when the truth hits them. They feel it. The Spirit is a powerful thing my friends. It has changed my life. And watching it changes the lives of others is something I can't explain. But it is real and watching it happen has opened my eyes to what the gospel really is. It allows me to love them and it makes me want to be a missionary forever.

I love you all.

We are working really hard and having fun. Especially with our new ChristmasTree. :)

Until next time-

Soeur Trotter