Burnt Cookie and The Last Supper (Week #50)

Date: November 7, 2016

Location: #5 Orléans

Companion: Soeur Robertson

Hello Everyone!!

This is Soeur Trotter speaking from the beautiful city of Orléans. I have to just say, God is really great. It is so true that He blesses us everyday in every way. He is blessing us in every aspect of our lives. He even gave us snow this morning! We were slightly super disappointed that there wasn't enough to make a snowman, but we are trying to be positive. Maybe I will get to have a white Christmas after all! But on top of that, He is helping me to bond with my wonderful companion, helping me get to know the members, and He is making me feel super blessed to be a missionary.

I don't have a ton of time to tell you everything, there is way too much to even try to recount all of the stories that have happened. But there are a few that really stuck out to me.

We met this family this week, Helene and Joseph. And they can be explained in one word. Perfect. Just kidding. No one is perfect. But kind of. Listen to this. We scheduled a rdv with this family, and on our way there, we got lost. Shame. We were so disappointed and so we started knocking on doors, and asking people, "Are you Helene?" I guess that is one way to get it done. But we werent having a ton of success. But it was so cool because we talked to them on the phone and Joseph was all like "Stay right where you are. I am coming to get you. Don't move." So five minutes later, there is this big African man walking down the street. Miracle. Anyways, we teach this family and they just soaked up everything that was being said, and they said they want to be baptized the 17th of December! We are crossing our fingers! We thanked them for inviting us into their home, and Joseph just looked at us and said, "Look at everything that you have brought into our home, to our family. Thank YOU!" They are just incredible and they have such a desire to follow Christ. Joseph had a few fears about being baptized for a second time, and his wife just looks at Him, and is like "No no no. You don't understand. They are saying that if this church is the true church of Christ, do you want to be baptized and become a part of it? And yes. We do." Yeah, Helene. Way to tell Him how it is. :)

Oh! And this less active Marie came to church on Sunday! She was so happy to see us, and we were even happier to see her there. And she kept talking about how it had been forever since she had taken "The Last Supper." Haha I thought it was so funny she referred to the Sacrament as the Last Supper. But the more I thought about it, it helped me remember why church is important and what it actually symbolizes.  So that was a huge miracle and we have high hopes for her. :)

Haha so American cookies are a huge thing here. People love them. And we decided to teach some of our members and less actives how to make them! Bring a little fun into the good ole missionary work. And we went over to this one house, and well, we hope that she likes Burnt cookies. Haha it was a fail. But it ended in us singing some hymns together and Fatima is a good sport so she thought it was funny that we failed. She just kept telling us that we were going to get fat from our insane cookie dough intake- it is a real problem, and about how she wished that we had just made crepes instead. Haha next time.

Something that I have learned this week is just how much Heavenly Father loves us. I found this one scripture that says something that Iove.

"But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." 1 Corinthians 2:9.

I can't explain all the reasons that it touched me, I don't know them all. And if I did, there are too many of them. But I do know that when I read it, I feel something within me pushing me to work a little harder, pray a little more sincere, try a little more to give everything I have to give to the Lord. He has so many blessings prepared for us when we love Him. And I know that when we love Him, we want to show it. My mission has taught me so much, but this week I am really grateful that I have this time to give myself to the Lord, to turn to Him. There is a picture of Christ on my wall at my desk, it is my favorite one. It is one that every one knows. But every time I look at it, there are these feelings inside of me that I know him, that He knows me. I feel so grateful to wear His name and to spend my days in His service, bringing others to Him. Through it I feel like I have another strong connection with my Savior, something linking us together. :)

Don't hesitate to show the Lord that you love Him. He promises us that He will love us forever, and I know that if we keep our end, He always keeps His.

I hope you all know I love you and that I love what I do. I feel so grateful to be a missionary and we have so much fun here. There is always something to smile about. :)

I love you all!

Soeur Trotter

Cathedral Today!

Me and Soeur Robertson!

Burnt Cookies!

With our beautiful Amie Audrey Rose (: We love her!

I have this thing where I have been taking pictures with every lion that I see. Haha you will probably be getting more of these in the future.  But what a cool ride :)

Big Change (Week #49)

Date: October 31, 2016

Location: #5 Orléans

Companion: Soeur Robertson

Hello Everyone!!

We all knew that this was going to be a week of changed. I knew that I was leaving, my baby grew up, and it was time for her to move on to a new companion, and to take over with our amis and the good old city of Nancy. Soeur Petersen really is an incredible missionary. It is funny, because we talked back and forth and back and forth, not knowing which one of us would be leaving. We made guesses nonstop and joked about not being able to wait to be split up. And it turns out that when it came down to it, neither of us were ready to leave each other. After the suitcases were stuffed and shut for the last time, and as we huddled together at the front door on a cold, dark morning to say one last prayer together, we just started to cry. Sometimes I don't realize how much people mean to me until I don't have them anymore to sing to me in bed at night (she has the voice of an angel ;)) haha no but really. She became a best friend, and it made the move about 10 million times harder. But God, as always, promises that sometimes He takes us from something good, to give us something even better. Which, I don't know if it can get better than Nancy with Soeur Petersen. But I really believe, that God knows what I need when I need it. And so here I am in Orléans, trying to figure out what He DOES have prepared for me. And Soeur Petersen is in Nancy, figuring out what He has prepared for HER.

So basically Orléans, for lack of better words, is a dream ville. The members are incredible, and I feel like I am a part of their family. They care about us, and they do what they can to help us. And they love being missionaries. So that's a bonus :) I remember one of my first days here this week, we took cookies by a member's house, Soeur Javoy, and she pulled us inside, sat us down, gave us a snack, talked to us about missionary work, and prayed. Prayed that we could be refreshed and continue to work hard and bring people to Christ. As we left, she looked at us, and said "If you ever need anything, you know where to find me. If you need a boost, a rest, a little support, come here. We are here for you." Talk about having a mom away from mom :)

So aside from that and from getting lost a few times, we had a couple other super cool miracles. If we flash back a few weeks, I believe I wrote an entire email about my love for Africans. Nothing has changed. I just love them. And we have these amis from Nigeria, Emmanuel and Victoria, and their cute little family. We were able to see them yesterday, and Oh la la quelle miracle. They are incredible.

So basically, we get there, and when they see us, you would have thought that they had won the lottery. They were excited to see us! I'll take it :) They were just so happy and so nice! And as we taught them, they just lit up and they asked questions and they were so involved! And the Spirit was so strong. I love that. I love how the second the Spirit enters the room, you just feel everyon's heart open up and listen. When the Spirit is there, I just never want to leave. I just want to stay and stay and stay in that moment forever. And it is in those moments when I start to see these people with a little glimpse of how Christ sees them. And it reminds me not only of why I decided to come, but also of why I have stayed here.

The best part ever, was when we were able to teach them about eternal families. Victoria, the mom, when we asked her what she thought, just looked at us, and said, "That is beautiful. It is so beautiful." And it is so true. It is so important. I love that. I loved being there in that moment with this family, as they learned that there might never be an end to their family. That there is a plan, and we are a part of it. And I just fell in love with this family. we are excited to see what happens. They are aiming for December 17th as the day to be baptized. What a good Christmas present :)

I hope that you all know that I love what I do. It is hard and it is by far the most rewarding and fulfilling thing that I have ever done. I don't know if there could be a greater joy found than in watching someone come unto Christ and be influenced by Him. He changes us, and each person changed, means everything in His eyes. I feel so blessed.

This week I learned a lot about change. It is hard. I keep expecting it to get easier and easier each time, and it doesn't. It is supposed to be hard. But I never cease to be amazed at how fast God shows us that He knows what He is doing if we just look. He knows what He is doing! I know that it is true. and I miss Nancy, i still miss Rouen, some days I still miss home. But I can honestly say that each day is better than the day before. I love that. That each day, i work harder than the day before, I try to be a little better, a little more charitable, a little more humble. And every day is happier and more fulfilling. Miracles come when we turn to Christ. It is so true. I see it all the time. I love Him :)

I love you all, I am working hard and having lots of fun! We even hiked a river today! :)

Beaucoup d'amour,

Soeur Trotter

Saying bye to my best friends before heading to Orléans! It was so hard!

Hiking a little in Orléans Today! Fun!

It's so pretty here! 

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

With Soeur LaForge and her friend! Member missionaries are the greatest :) 

With Claudine & Maité!

I SWEAR she told me she loved me...

What a great district! I met some of my greatest friends here (: I am supposed to be dressed up as wonderwoman #missionbudgetprobs

The temple in Paris is getting there! So Pretty!

Sylvie over in Rouen!

Turns Out Soeur Trotter Gets Hurt Just About as Much as Alyssa Did! haha yep... Still Me... (Week #47)

Date: October 19, 2016

Location: Nancy

Companion: Soeur Petersen

Hello Everyone!

I am aware that this email is a little untimely (: This week has been insane and stressful and great all at the same time. But that also meant that we haven't had wifi, or pday really, until now. The things that happen on a mission. No, but it has been a good week. I think all of you know, but before her mission, the great invincible Soeur Trotter broke her hip. Haha that was terrible! Haha and it got better! Super huge blessing! And then about 2 1/2 months ago, we decided to go play soccer with the Elder's one morning, and I just have super bad luck, because since then, something hasn't felt quite right. So Monday we were at the hospital all day. NOW, hospital doesn't mean the same thing here so don't get too worried. It mostly consisted of sitting in a waiting room freaking out because it looked like I was in a science lab with how high tech looking everything was. I felt like they were about to experiment on me or clone me or something. But really I just had to get an MRI. (: And let me tell you, if there is something to remind me that I don't actually speak French, it was the doctor giving me the results. I don't know what language he was speaking, but it wasn't the English, or the French that I know. So I probably couldn't tell you super well, what it said. Something about a crack. So it probably wasn't too important. (Just kidding, I know it is important. I double-checked. It is a "petite" one. So that is good!) I am going back for more tests later. So basically, it stressed me out a little and not a ton was discovered. So I will keep you updated (:

BUT, as far as last week, we had a week full of everything. Earlier in the week, we went out to eat with the Elder's, and it was super fun. And then the next day, we got up, and we started to go about our day. We did our studies, talked a little, prepared for an rdv, and I started to notice that I was feeling a little sick, and a little dizzy. But we had an rdv that I didn't want to miss. And when Soeur Trotter doesn't want to miss something, we don't miss it. So we basically stumbled our way to the tram, and got on. And three stops later, I was only sure of one thing. I had to get off that tram. I am not even sure I remembered that we had an rdv at that point. I was losing it. So I got off the tram, and just threw up. I didn't know what was going on until I saw this poor African man across the tram tracks just starting at me with pity in his eyes. Turns out we weren't even going the right direction. yeahhh we didn't make that rdv. And as all of that was happening, we got a call from the Elders. They were super sick. And three hours later, my comp decided to join the club. Haha turns out that kebab that we ate the night before really did a number on us. We have all since recovered. It is sad though because no one wants to go back to the store we got the food at, but we usually go like 3 times a week and we love the man that works there! We are really good friends and he is going to get baptized one day! Me and Soeur Petersen are bound and determined to go back (: But we will give it a little time. I get sick just thinking about it.

Now, onto more spiritually uplifting things. Marie-Claire. Quel Perfection. She is an angel sent from Heaven. Just kidding she is from Africa technically but she is indeed an angel as well. We met her as she sat on a bench in front of her apartment one day, and we just felt prompted to stop and say hi (: And to be honest, she was kind of scared of us. Me and Soeur Petersen are just so big and scary (: haha but she ended up just telling us to stop by one day, and she didn't want to give us her number. So a few weeks ago, we stopped by, knowing that God could work miracles, but I am not sure that either one of us were positive about how receptive she was to listen. She was just so... lets just say she didn't participate much. But as we sat with her that second time, she opened up about her family and her life. And she had 12 kids! oh la la that is insane! And she started to smile more and I just fell in love with Marie-Claire. Oh la la she is 77 and I thought she was 50, and she is beautiful and just so full of love and desire to follow God's plan for her. So we set up another meeting, and that is where we were this last week.

As we stopped by Marie-Claire's, we knew that we were going to be asking her to be baptized, and we could feel that it was what God wanted us to do. And cutest thing ever. She opens the door with her Book of Mormon, with a huge smile on her face. And she lit up when she saw us. And I just couldn't help but be so happy standing there looking at her! and as we sat down and prayed, I knew that it was going to be a good moment. She told us that she had read the book, parts of it, and she knew that it was from God. And she was so grateful that we had met her that one night in front of her apartment. And as I bore my testimony, in support of hers, I knew that it was true. As I heard my own words, they rang with truth in my ears, and I was reminded all over again of what I already knew to be true. That the Book of Mormon is the word of God, and that it testifies of a loving Savior, who died, that we may all live again. I cannot begin to explain what peace fills my heart, when I think of my Redeemer. Think about it! The only perfect person to ever live loves me and He knows me! And in that moment He knew my heart! And He knew the heart of my companion and He knew the heart of Marie-Claire, who is trying her best to know what is true. Our words weren't perfect but the Spirit that was there was, and the three of us were left in tears.

I know that each time I bear my testimony, something goes off on my heart. And I can't explain it, but my heart flutters a couple times, and I have this overwhelming sense that what I am doing is what God would have me do. That I am here to preach and teach and testify. And it is for a reason. A really important one. If this church is true, it means that this is the Church of Jesus Christ. It means that we have a new chance to become better every day, and it means that we can live eternally with our families. If the Church is true, it means Christ is at the head, and nothing else really matters. I know that it is true. I have never been more sure of something in my life. Nothing else, in the grand scheme of things really matters. It is led by Him, and He really is the center of everything.

I hope you know that I love what I do. Everyday, I am blessed to be His representative. To try my best to live as He lived, and to help others to feel what I feel every time that I testify. That feeling that goes off in my heart? Every one can have that confirmation. I have seen it in these people, and we all can. It is a real promise He gives. And if there was ever someone that could keep a promise, it is

God. He is really good at that (:

I love you all- there are many of you, but I love you all individually, and I miss you (:

Soeur Trotter

Our zone activity this week! So fun with all of our friends!

You can't tell but the three of us in this picture were all very sick! We hide it well (: 

The fourth sick missionary wasn't hiding it very well that day!

It's finally that time of year!

Our Amie Florence was obsessed with me zipping up my coat ALL THE WAY haha I felt so claustrophobic!

Hospital Selfies! (: There were so many doors with numbers on them!!!

I have a wonderful companion (: 

Minutes before eating something that would almost kill us! (: We were so happy! 

This is what did it! They are so good!