Bonjour!!!
I can't believe its fall already and we are mentioning things like 'conferance' and 'cold weather'...I swear like only five minutes ago I was texting mom every night with new updates on my feelings about going on a mission...little did I know that a short year later I would be living in Paris and (attempting to) speak french! Time flies...so I guess I'll be seeing you lin like another five minutes haha...
Speaking of time...Im hitting 7 months this week! How the heck did that happen??? I swear Im still a newbie... haha But then at the same time, I talk to some of the blues and I am starting to feel a little old. They mention movies I've never even heard of, they know songs that I don't, and apparently the outside world kept going when I entered the MTC (Jimmer got drafted?? I can't believe you didn't write me about that one Chris...) This week I've started to notice JUST how wierd I really am...haha and its only the beginning...oh Shannon I'm going to need some serious shock therepy into the real world haha.
But luckily for me, I've decided that mission life is like french cheese. It just keeps getting better and better with time. This week we had a rendez-vous with Eva, who you probably don't remember, but she was my first rendez-vous ever in the mission field...and guess what!? This time I understood what she was saying. I realize I probably sound shocked every week in my email when I understand something in french...but we will just leave it at its been a struggle and its a serious miracle everytime I know what is going on around me. Our walk through her 'lovely' neighborhood seemed a little less smelly when I can understand what everyone is saying...
This week we also had some good experiences with contacting. This week for district contacting we decided to try something new. We literally kidnapped one of those chalkboards on wheels from the church and rolled it across the street into an open area in front of the Georges Pompidou...a big modern art museum. We then wrote on the board 'What is your favorite book?' and invited people walking by to write on the chalkboard their favorite book. Then when they asked why we were doing this...we would then introduce our favorite book... bah we are so sneaky I know! Anyways, it was interesting because the neighborhood around the church is probably not the best for contacting. A. there are lots of tourists B.its really artsy and attracts some intersting characters C. Did I mention that our church is in one of the main gay districts of Paris. Donc, it turned out pretty interesting haha. I definately contacted a couple 'couples' that I didn't realize they were couples until after we started talking...and Im pretty sure we talked to people from every country in europe and then some others. But overall we ended up handing out 10+ of our favorite book (if you haven't figured it out yet that is the Book of Mormon, no I didnt sit on the corner and hand out copies of Lord of the Rings...) Anyways, it was a fun activity...Soeur Williams and I are currently plotting how to get the chalkboard into the metro so we can try it out in a more promising neighborhood lol...
And Soeur Williams and I had another really good contact in the Visitor's Center. A young french man was standing in the tatoo shop across the street from the church, when he saw that our sign said 'Jesus Christ' on it and he came to investigate. It was amazing! I think he is generally intersted...there was no break in eye contact as Soeur Williams told the first vision. He then took a Book of Mormon, and gave of us all of his contact info. He even took a tour of the Young Adult center. We were like giddy by the time he left! Young + french + actually intersted = you struck gold!!! But he doesn't live in our area...so another one of those 'I hope something comes of it stories'...
This week we had Stake Conferance in Versailles. Yup...I feel pretty cool knowing there are a handful of people in the world that can say that. I also am still in love with the fact that our stake president's name is President Gaston. The conferance was held in this beautiful building with really big, soft chairs....best stake conferance ever haha. But really...it was amazing.EVERY single talk was about the temple...which I'm not getting my hopes up...but ok I totally am...Soeur Williams and I are really praying that in a couple weeks we will be hearing a special announcement concerning the temple... that would truly be the best birthday present EVER!!! The spirit was spirit was so strong and I had another one of those 'Im so lucky to get to be a missionary here and now' moments....like I said...its just getting better and better with time.
Honestly...maybe I started off as one of those nice pristine pieces of white (cough american cough) looking pieces of cheese. The mold is the spirit...and slowly slowly is spreading and growing inside of me...until I become a nice stinky blue missionary reeking of the spirit!!! Ok, maybe I took that one a little far...sometimes I can't help myself. Basically it comes down to the fact that I'm loving life, loving Paris, loving Soeur Williams, and missing and loving all of you!!!
Bonne semaine!!
xoxo
Soeur Smith
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
September 12, 2011 "Nous allons a la lune"
Bonjour!!
It sounds like fall and school and everything are getting underway at home! I can definately feel the difference here...Soeur Williams and I went to a museum today and we had it all to ourselves! Me and Soeur Williams + endless, uncrowded buildings of history = glorious!!! We even got to hang out with Napolean himself. Its been a good p-day so far....
This week has been full of bittersweet moments...and comme d'habitude there were some funny moments. Here are the highlights:
We had to say goodbye to Hana. I won't go into details...but we will just say chocolate was involved in the healing process...and Soeur Williams and I might have had some very serious daydreaming sessions about our trip to Tawain that will happenning one day... our lives have definately felt a little empty this week without our Hana.
BUT, I also get to see Lou Lou again! She is finally back from vacance!!! Again, Ill spare you from the gory details of how excited I was to see that girl; despite her hyper tendacies I really do love her! This week we started her on Personal Progress...we started with one of the goals to pray every morning and every night for three weeks ; you can imagine my excitement when we came three days later and she had been praying all on her own! Little does she know, that means so much more to me than all of the friendship bracelets she has made for me haha....
This week in district meeting, our district leader, Elder Walker drew a moon on a pillowcase. He told us to draw rocketships with the names of our amies on it, and when someone gets baptized we can draw a flag on the moon. The best part was the title of this lovely drawing was 'Nous allons à la lune' (we're going to the moon). Well after he could get over snickering...Elder Rako (he's french) informed us that in french to 'go to the moon' is an expression for getting high. Good. We are starting off the transfer with a goal to get all of our amies high. Gotta love those miscommunications...
Anne Sophie made me realize how fast this transfer is going to go. A couple weeks ago she had promised to make us a cake. I totally forgot about that until we asked her when is the next time we can meet with her. She looked at the calendar and said "Well next week is stake conferance, then the next week is the ward activity, then its general conferance, then its the missionary concert...so in a month and a half...I will bring you a cake!" haha after we reassured her that its fine and we definately don't need a cake...we decided to meet during the week...but internally I was freaking out about how fast this transfer is going by already...*deep breaths* alright...back to bussiness...
So a couple of weeks ago, I had a contact that I was pretty proud of. We were waiting for someone at the visitors center, but it was late and technically the visitors center was closed. But this man wandered in and started to look around...so I went up to him and started talking to him. Usually I'll start talking to someone and after beginning a tour Soeur Williams will come and save me. But this time...Soeur Williams decided to let me fly on my own...and I actually did it! I was pretty much flying on cloud 9 after because not only did he take a Book of Mormon, but when we were done with the tour he asked me if he could meet with us to learn more!!! Cool...I know. So, trying to repay our elders for all the refferals they've been giving us lately I passed his info to the elders so they could call and make an appointment. Well I guess miscommunications happened and they missed the appointment...and he showed up at the visitor's center again and just spoke with the missionaries there. I had only heard the one side of the story from the elders which was that a rendez-vous hadn't worked out. Well, imagine my suprise when after church I was talking to people afterwards and I looked over and there he was sitting in the congregation! I started talking to him and he said, not only that he had decided to come to church on his own, but he is almost done with the Book of Mormon!!!! (and I know he's not lying because he explained to me in great detail about how there are four different Nephis and how Moroni is Mormon's son) I practically dragged an elder over and screamed 'start teaching this man now'!!! (don't worry...thats only what was going on inside...I actually asked very nicely for the elders to come over and meet my 'friend' haha) Anyway, I'm pretty excited, so pray for my new friend Aviles.
And this week I finished the Book of Mormon. When I started reading this time, I had been thinking alot about how we promise everyone that the gospel blesses families. I know this to be true, but was kind of pondering exactly how reading a book about a people's wars and genelogy really helps a family become unified. So this time through, I've been highlighting words and verses that make specific referance to the family. Maybe everyone else is already aware of this, but I was amazed how much I found! The family really is a prominant theme throughout the Book of Mormon. Almost every story deals with familes and how it can bring us happiness when we have a common goal to follow Christ. I know this is old news, but I felt my testimony strengthened and again felt blessed to be part of a family that has this knowledge and is striving towards being together forever. I also felt an increased testimony of how important missionary work really is...I want all families in the world to know the peace and joy that comes from the gospel. And of course, I gained an increased testimony that the Book of Mormon truly is the keystone of our religion and should be the keystone of our families.
Alright, I'm sorry. Lately I feel like I haven't been able to get through a letter without getting extremely cheesy. But the point is that I love you all and miss you tons...and maybe once in awhile I get this slight urge to yell 'the church is true' from the rooftops...but settle for sending you overwhelmingly mushy emails...thanks for bearing with me, its very much appreciate.
xoxo
Soeur Smith
PS. French milestone reached this week: I understood the homeless man on the metro begging for money. I know...be impressed.
It sounds like fall and school and everything are getting underway at home! I can definately feel the difference here...Soeur Williams and I went to a museum today and we had it all to ourselves! Me and Soeur Williams + endless, uncrowded buildings of history = glorious!!! We even got to hang out with Napolean himself. Its been a good p-day so far....
This week has been full of bittersweet moments...and comme d'habitude there were some funny moments. Here are the highlights:
We had to say goodbye to Hana. I won't go into details...but we will just say chocolate was involved in the healing process...and Soeur Williams and I might have had some very serious daydreaming sessions about our trip to Tawain that will happenning one day... our lives have definately felt a little empty this week without our Hana.
BUT, I also get to see Lou Lou again! She is finally back from vacance!!! Again, Ill spare you from the gory details of how excited I was to see that girl; despite her hyper tendacies I really do love her! This week we started her on Personal Progress...we started with one of the goals to pray every morning and every night for three weeks ; you can imagine my excitement when we came three days later and she had been praying all on her own! Little does she know, that means so much more to me than all of the friendship bracelets she has made for me haha....
This week in district meeting, our district leader, Elder Walker drew a moon on a pillowcase. He told us to draw rocketships with the names of our amies on it, and when someone gets baptized we can draw a flag on the moon. The best part was the title of this lovely drawing was 'Nous allons à la lune' (we're going to the moon). Well after he could get over snickering...Elder Rako (he's french) informed us that in french to 'go to the moon' is an expression for getting high. Good. We are starting off the transfer with a goal to get all of our amies high. Gotta love those miscommunications...
Anne Sophie made me realize how fast this transfer is going to go. A couple weeks ago she had promised to make us a cake. I totally forgot about that until we asked her when is the next time we can meet with her. She looked at the calendar and said "Well next week is stake conferance, then the next week is the ward activity, then its general conferance, then its the missionary concert...so in a month and a half...I will bring you a cake!" haha after we reassured her that its fine and we definately don't need a cake...we decided to meet during the week...but internally I was freaking out about how fast this transfer is going by already...*deep breaths* alright...back to bussiness...
So a couple of weeks ago, I had a contact that I was pretty proud of. We were waiting for someone at the visitors center, but it was late and technically the visitors center was closed. But this man wandered in and started to look around...so I went up to him and started talking to him. Usually I'll start talking to someone and after beginning a tour Soeur Williams will come and save me. But this time...Soeur Williams decided to let me fly on my own...and I actually did it! I was pretty much flying on cloud 9 after because not only did he take a Book of Mormon, but when we were done with the tour he asked me if he could meet with us to learn more!!! Cool...I know. So, trying to repay our elders for all the refferals they've been giving us lately I passed his info to the elders so they could call and make an appointment. Well I guess miscommunications happened and they missed the appointment...and he showed up at the visitor's center again and just spoke with the missionaries there. I had only heard the one side of the story from the elders which was that a rendez-vous hadn't worked out. Well, imagine my suprise when after church I was talking to people afterwards and I looked over and there he was sitting in the congregation! I started talking to him and he said, not only that he had decided to come to church on his own, but he is almost done with the Book of Mormon!!!! (and I know he's not lying because he explained to me in great detail about how there are four different Nephis and how Moroni is Mormon's son) I practically dragged an elder over and screamed 'start teaching this man now'!!! (don't worry...thats only what was going on inside...I actually asked very nicely for the elders to come over and meet my 'friend' haha) Anyway, I'm pretty excited, so pray for my new friend Aviles.
And this week I finished the Book of Mormon. When I started reading this time, I had been thinking alot about how we promise everyone that the gospel blesses families. I know this to be true, but was kind of pondering exactly how reading a book about a people's wars and genelogy really helps a family become unified. So this time through, I've been highlighting words and verses that make specific referance to the family. Maybe everyone else is already aware of this, but I was amazed how much I found! The family really is a prominant theme throughout the Book of Mormon. Almost every story deals with familes and how it can bring us happiness when we have a common goal to follow Christ. I know this is old news, but I felt my testimony strengthened and again felt blessed to be part of a family that has this knowledge and is striving towards being together forever. I also felt an increased testimony of how important missionary work really is...I want all families in the world to know the peace and joy that comes from the gospel. And of course, I gained an increased testimony that the Book of Mormon truly is the keystone of our religion and should be the keystone of our families.
Alright, I'm sorry. Lately I feel like I haven't been able to get through a letter without getting extremely cheesy. But the point is that I love you all and miss you tons...and maybe once in awhile I get this slight urge to yell 'the church is true' from the rooftops...but settle for sending you overwhelmingly mushy emails...thanks for bearing with me, its very much appreciate.
xoxo
Soeur Smith
PS. French milestone reached this week: I understood the homeless man on the metro begging for money. I know...be impressed.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
September 5, 2011 "Salesmen for our Father"
Ne-how-ma!!!!!
That's Chinese for hello and how are you?! This week we've had a little chinese influence in our life...and that Chinese influence is named Hana.
Hana is miracle (like all converts). About a month ago she was walking around Paris looking for a place to pray. She heard one of the Missionary Concerts in proccess and came in. She asked if this was a church...and to make a long story short the Chinese elders starting teaching her that night. Here's the twist...she is in Paris on vacation for two months. But in that time, she has given up smoking, decided not to get another tatoo, fallen in love with the Book of Mormon, and gotten baptized!!! Well this week the elders decided that she needed the sisters to teach her; she's had a difficult past and sisters just know how to give that tender love that sometimes people need :)
I think I can speak for the both of us when I say that Soeur Williams and I feel like some of the luckiest missionaries in the world to have been able to get to know Hana. She is honestly one of the most inspirational women I know. And one of the best missionaries I know! Everyday she has reported to us about some new boy that she has dumped by telling them that are literally wasting their time in dating her because now she "marry only mormon guy". She talks about how she has told all of her family and friends back home in Tawain about her new way of life and the love of "our father". She posts scriptures and quotes on Facebook multiple times a day. And how the first place she is going to go when she gets back in Tawain is the temple...then she gets really excited and jumps up and down as she says she can't wait to get "one of those special cards". I am humbled as she talks about how she reads the Book of Mormon for hours on end and how she needs to talk to "our Father" every day and every night. I love her stories about how before she knew "our Father" she would get very angry all of the time and was very cold to people. But now she cries all of the time and feels tender even towards the homeless people. Her english is limited. Kind of like Zdravko...but maybe the Lord puts language barriers there because it makes us sounds more childlike and only allows us to express our most simple of feelings. Hana has been our little ray of sunshine...every day we count the hours till we get to see her... and then I think its safe to say that all three of us walk away from the lessons feeling like we are on cloud 9. Im sorry...I know Im horrible at trying to sum up a person in an email...maybe I'll just quote her so you can get to know her a little better:
-(after teaching her about relief society) "I feel lucky to be Mormon women! Our father make us beautiful and smart. Smarter than men...but they don't know that!"
-"Today I listen to one song over and over again. That song is 'I am a child of God'. Today I go to super market and I singing and smiling, people think I crazy!"
-(after we gave her a card) "you can't buy this kind of love"
-"I think Alma is a lovely guy..." (after we told her in the scriptures you could find the personality of the kinds of guys you should date )
-"My friend wants me to send him painting of Paris.." she looks around the classroom and sees a painting of a scene from the Book of Mormon "maybe I send him picture of Our Father!!! Then he can learn about The Book!"
Dang it, I wish I could fly you all out here (or to Tawain) so you could have the priviledge of getting to know her! Last night we were talking about how we were all probably friends before this life. And we sat up in heaven and "spoke angel talk" and how we have been waiting all these years to see each other again in Paris. In that moment I had one of those wonderful spiritual confirmations that a mission is really where I'm supposed to be. Not that I've ever doubted it...its just nice to get confirmations once in awhile from 'Our Father' that your on the right track.
Since we've been teaching Hana we've been honorary chinese missionaries for the week. Hana helped us make a poster in Chinese for our ward activity we're planning. And we were invited to a chinese fête with all the chinese members in the ward. During the party I loved watching her running around hugging everyone, giving flowers to Ching-Ching (the older kind of Chinese grandmother in the ward), and seeing her force everyone to take seconds and thirds. It was difficult to picture her ever having a cold bone in her body. During our lesson the next night I decided to teach her the term 'social butterfly'...because thats what she is. Thats when she came up with this quote. She said:
"No I'm not! You guys are! You could sell house or car! Your like best sellsmen for Our Father, but instead of selling house or car, you sell God's story...FOR FREE!!!"
In that moment I felt so proud to wearing my missionary nametag. To be a salesman for Our Father. I thought back to a quote by C.S. Lewis....I don't remember it exactly but it is something to the effect that we have never talked to mere mortals. Every day I get to ride the metro, push through busy streets, and breath in the mystry smells of Paris with Our Father's children. I then think back to a training we had with President Staheli when he said that God could do all of the missionary work in France through one person or two. But he has allowed us to be a part of this great work. I know Im getting gushy and sappy...but sometimes I feel guilty for complaining about vacance or our ankle situation...then I have those humbling moments when someone like Hana, whom I love and admire so much, turns around and says thank you for helping her...and you felt like didn't do anything. Then you know its really is a blessing to serve a mission.
Wa-I- Knee (I love you) and hope you all have a good first week of school!
Love,
jay-may (sister) smith
That's Chinese for hello and how are you?! This week we've had a little chinese influence in our life...and that Chinese influence is named Hana.
Hana is miracle (like all converts). About a month ago she was walking around Paris looking for a place to pray. She heard one of the Missionary Concerts in proccess and came in. She asked if this was a church...and to make a long story short the Chinese elders starting teaching her that night. Here's the twist...she is in Paris on vacation for two months. But in that time, she has given up smoking, decided not to get another tatoo, fallen in love with the Book of Mormon, and gotten baptized!!! Well this week the elders decided that she needed the sisters to teach her; she's had a difficult past and sisters just know how to give that tender love that sometimes people need :)
I think I can speak for the both of us when I say that Soeur Williams and I feel like some of the luckiest missionaries in the world to have been able to get to know Hana. She is honestly one of the most inspirational women I know. And one of the best missionaries I know! Everyday she has reported to us about some new boy that she has dumped by telling them that are literally wasting their time in dating her because now she "marry only mormon guy". She talks about how she has told all of her family and friends back home in Tawain about her new way of life and the love of "our father". She posts scriptures and quotes on Facebook multiple times a day. And how the first place she is going to go when she gets back in Tawain is the temple...then she gets really excited and jumps up and down as she says she can't wait to get "one of those special cards". I am humbled as she talks about how she reads the Book of Mormon for hours on end and how she needs to talk to "our Father" every day and every night. I love her stories about how before she knew "our Father" she would get very angry all of the time and was very cold to people. But now she cries all of the time and feels tender even towards the homeless people. Her english is limited. Kind of like Zdravko...but maybe the Lord puts language barriers there because it makes us sounds more childlike and only allows us to express our most simple of feelings. Hana has been our little ray of sunshine...every day we count the hours till we get to see her... and then I think its safe to say that all three of us walk away from the lessons feeling like we are on cloud 9. Im sorry...I know Im horrible at trying to sum up a person in an email...maybe I'll just quote her so you can get to know her a little better:
-(after teaching her about relief society) "I feel lucky to be Mormon women! Our father make us beautiful and smart. Smarter than men...but they don't know that!"
-"Today I listen to one song over and over again. That song is 'I am a child of God'. Today I go to super market and I singing and smiling, people think I crazy!"
-(after we gave her a card) "you can't buy this kind of love"
-"I think Alma is a lovely guy..." (after we told her in the scriptures you could find the personality of the kinds of guys you should date )
-"My friend wants me to send him painting of Paris.." she looks around the classroom and sees a painting of a scene from the Book of Mormon "maybe I send him picture of Our Father!!! Then he can learn about The Book!"
Dang it, I wish I could fly you all out here (or to Tawain) so you could have the priviledge of getting to know her! Last night we were talking about how we were all probably friends before this life. And we sat up in heaven and "spoke angel talk" and how we have been waiting all these years to see each other again in Paris. In that moment I had one of those wonderful spiritual confirmations that a mission is really where I'm supposed to be. Not that I've ever doubted it...its just nice to get confirmations once in awhile from 'Our Father' that your on the right track.
Since we've been teaching Hana we've been honorary chinese missionaries for the week. Hana helped us make a poster in Chinese for our ward activity we're planning. And we were invited to a chinese fête with all the chinese members in the ward. During the party I loved watching her running around hugging everyone, giving flowers to Ching-Ching (the older kind of Chinese grandmother in the ward), and seeing her force everyone to take seconds and thirds. It was difficult to picture her ever having a cold bone in her body. During our lesson the next night I decided to teach her the term 'social butterfly'...because thats what she is. Thats when she came up with this quote. She said:
"No I'm not! You guys are! You could sell house or car! Your like best sellsmen for Our Father, but instead of selling house or car, you sell God's story...FOR FREE!!!"
In that moment I felt so proud to wearing my missionary nametag. To be a salesman for Our Father. I thought back to a quote by C.S. Lewis....I don't remember it exactly but it is something to the effect that we have never talked to mere mortals. Every day I get to ride the metro, push through busy streets, and breath in the mystry smells of Paris with Our Father's children. I then think back to a training we had with President Staheli when he said that God could do all of the missionary work in France through one person or two. But he has allowed us to be a part of this great work. I know Im getting gushy and sappy...but sometimes I feel guilty for complaining about vacance or our ankle situation...then I have those humbling moments when someone like Hana, whom I love and admire so much, turns around and says thank you for helping her...and you felt like didn't do anything. Then you know its really is a blessing to serve a mission.
Wa-I- Knee (I love you) and hope you all have a good first week of school!
Love,
jay-may (sister) smith
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