Soeur Alyssa Trotter: I am Freezing!! (Week #54)

Date: December 5, 2016

Location: #5 Orléans

Companion: Soeur Robertson

Hello!

This was a good week here in Orléans. I feel like I say that every week, but is it really possible to have a bad day in the service of the Lord? I will say though, the weather isn't exactly on our side. I don't know what God is doing up there or if He thinks it is funny to watch me and Soeur Robertson and all the other missionaries start stuttering when we talk to people, but whatever the case, IT IS FREEZING. Haha the cold here cuts to the bone, and it takes a good hour to numb up. But after that hour, I find that I am as good as new, and the work goes on. Nothing stops us missionaries! And God totally knows what He is doing because the more we are in the cold and willing to work through it, He just showers us with miracles; so overall, I love the cold :) And it made for a good laugh when I ran into the apartment the other night and stuck my feet in the shower. Soeur Robertson and I were seriously concerned, and there was some silence for a good five minutes, because of the discoloring of my foot. We couldn't tell if the blackish color was my foot, or if it was my shoe disintegrating because of how many hours we had been in the rain. :) Don't worry, it was the latter.

But on a more serious note, kind of, Simplice is doing great. He was freaking out for the transfer news because he doesn't want me and Soeur Robertson to leave. It was so cute! So when me and Soeur Robertson found out that we would both be staying, I knew just what I had to do. I had to tell Simplice that we were both leaving. Looking back, that was just mean, but it made it like 100 times better when he found out that I was kidding and that we would be staying! His baptism is coming up at the end of next week so we are super excited for that! He came up to us on Sunday, and he was like, "Hey, you, I am getting concerned. My baptism is coming up very soon and I haven't been taught everything. I need to see you every week this week so that I can be ready." Well, we weren't going to say no to that and Simplice is my favorite person in the world so of course we said yes. :) He is progressing in ways that I didn't know were possible. He is just a strong man, who is doing his best to follow Christ. But as time goes on, every time I see him there is something different. Yes, it is true he is always in a different suit, but it is more than that. The more that we change and decide to go closer to Christ, the more we become like him. Simplice is a crazy example to all of us here in the Orléans ward, and we are sooo excited for Him.

Haha the best part is, is that Simplice is obsessed with being invited to everything. If there is a baptism, he has to know about it. If there is a ward council, a ward picnic, a young adult activity, he has to know about it. And He has not missed a single activity. We are starting to keep count because we are wondering if there is ever going to be something that he cannot come to. So the other night, he found out that there was going to be a young adult activity. And he was so mad he wasn't invited! But this man is 40! Anyways, he came, that is for sure. Everyone loves him so it was fine but it was so funny to see him walk into the church bearing drinks for every one and getting all ready to party it up. Oh la la. Simplice. What a stud.

This week we were also able to see our amies, Line and Sophie. Sophie is a single mom, raising her daughter :) and while they don't believe in God, they are so welcoming and willing to listen and are open to learn new things. It was the hugest miracle to see them this week. It was funny because Line went to school this week and went home early with a broken leg. Her mom was rolling her eyes because she was saying that Line is always breaking something and it is super tiring. Haha reminded me of my family and Braden who is always breaking things :) haha but they were so cute! We talked about how God is our loving Heavenly Father. That is my favorite thing to share I think. It just makes me so happy! Every time I testify of my Father in Heaven, my heart just beats super fast and I get this happy smile on my face and a feeling rush through me that what I am saying is true. I have never been so sure of something in my life, than I am that we have a Father in Heaven who knows our names and our challenges, and who knows how to help us. And every time I tell someone, i know more and more that it is true. I love how that happens when I bear testimony. That in the end, I am benefited by it just as much as they are.

There is this scripture that I love in Doctrine and Covenants 123. It says this:

12 For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, and who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it--

13 Therefore, that we should waste and wear out our lives in bringing to light all the hidden things of darkness, wherein we know them; and they are truly manifest from heaven--

14 These should then be attended to with great earnestness.

15 Let no man count them as small things; for there is much which lieth in futurity, pertaining to the saints, which depends upon these things.

17 Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.

Think about it! It is pretty straight forward! I love that it says that we should waste and wear out our lives in sharing this gospel, based on what we know. That we should do it cheerfully. I decided a long time ago, that no matter how bad a day I am having, no matter how much I miss home or am tired or frustrated, I want every person that I talk to, to see the happiness and cheerfulness on my face of the message I bear. It is too important of a message to share with a frown or with laziness in my tone of voice. It needs to be shared for what it is. And it really is the happiest message in the world.

So smile guys, especially when you bear your testimony. The more I do it, the more happy I am, and I know that God is as well, for His message is one of happiness. :)

I feel so blessed this week. Time is ticking by and it goes faster and faster all the time. I am not ready to leave so it is good that I don't have to, and it is even better that this scripture says that we have to waste and wear out our lives, not just this year and a half. :) So in a way, I don't have to quit! EVER! Haha I love you all a lot, I hope that you have a good week.

I am working hard and having a ton of fun :)

Soeur Trotter