Just a note before reading Bethany’s e-mail: A “transfer” is a 6 -7 week period that a missionary is assigned to an area. Usually a missionary will be in an area for about 2 to 4 transfer periods. At the end of a transfer period, a missionary can stay where they are, be sent (or transferred) to a new area, or assigned a new companion in their current area. 

Also, in a letter we received last week, Bethany gave us news about her mission completion date. She said that because she was able to come out into the Mission field early due to her language skills, she had the option of returning home a little earlier. She has chosen to come home early in time for Christmas 2013. She’ll also be able to start the next semester at BYU on time. It was a nice surprise.

Hello! 

Second transfer already? Whoa! Wednesday starts the next transfer and I'll definitely still be in Torcy because all new missionaries follow a new 12 week training program with our trainers. It means an extra hour of companionship study in the morning, watching and discussing the (Church Training Videos) District 1 and 2. In order to complete the 12 weeks you have to stay in the same area for two transfers.

The Ponzanskis told us about the (Mission) Facebook page. I remember Sister Ponzanski filming us on her I-Phone now that I think about it. The song is the Mission Anthem; we sing it every day right before companionship study until we have it memorized. Afterwards, we only sing it a couple times a week and at large mission meetings. It's a great motivator when you're sad. I'll sing it for you when we Skype at Christmas.

Today was a crazy day! I was indeed able to see the Millers/McCauley's (Friends of ours from our Ward in Huntsville that were visiting in Paris) (I got the package thanks for everything, especially the socks),  but not with my companion. She has been struggling with a toe injury since she started her mission 9 months ago and was only able to get an appointment at the hospital today. So we got permission from the President to go on a temporary exchange with the two sisters in our Apartment. Soeur Dremeaux found out she will have to have another appointment Wednesday and then surgery the following week. Pray for her!

Sister Alley went with me which was good because I think she's been homesick for the U.S. the past few weeks. The Miller/McCauleys were very nice to her and took us out for crepes. We had about an hour to talk and eat before we had to leave. We promised President that we would only be on exchange for 3 hours.

Funny/sad/frustrating experience: on the way back Soeur Alley didn't get through one of the metro gates in time and had to squeeze through. The Metro guards saw her and made her show them her pass so she could prove it wasn’t her fault she didn’t get through. Sure enough her pass was valid, but she hadn't got a picture on it yet so she was fined 30 euros!!! Sooo dumb! Right after having such a good time too.

I found out that tomorrow that I get to greet the incoming missionaries (from the MTC in Provo) and take them contacting in Paris for the first time!!! We call that being their Papa. Your trainer is your Maman.  I hope I can understand what people say to me while I show the “greenies” the ropes (we actually call them "bleus" in France). These are the same sisters who went to San Francisco with me (to get her Visa at the consulate). I'm excited to see them again. President said that by the next transfer we'll have more sister missionaries in this mission then ever before! That also means I'll probably be training by my third transfer. Yikes!

I also found out that I have to start my legality stuff next week. All of us who have been here for a transfer will go to a doctor together. Then in a couple of weeks I have to go to Belgium to do the same thing. The whole legality process takes several months. The day I go next week is the same day as Soeur Dremeaux's surgery so we'll have to go on exchange again.

Mireille's uncle died and she was really stressed this week because her whole family came over to her house, so we weren't able to teach a lesson this week. However, despite traveling quite a ways to the funeral Saturday night she still came to church the next morning and saw Alban get confirmed and receive the Holy Ghost! That made us so happy!!!!!

Soeur Dremeaux and I taught Sunday School on doing Genealogy work. Alban was fascinated the whole time. I got to tell about how Dad's family was sealed and bear my testimony about how families can be together forever. I love how bearing your testimony reaffirms its truthfulness.

Miracles: 103 contacts this week!

We decided to look up some old investigators and found a woman named Sarah who had been wondering how to improve her faith when we came along. She committed to reading the scriptures everyday and praying to have faith that her life could change. However, she didn’t come to church.

Christine, the woman who lost her husband, had earlier told us that while she appreciated our attempts to comfort her she didn’t want another lesson. But Soeur Dremeaux is amazing and kept sending her words of comfort and now Christine says she'll see us again!

While doing the “Montana Way”, (offering to pray with the family and leave a blessing on the household rather than just a lesson, it actually kind of works!) and while doing Port-a-Ports (door to door) we ran into a woman playing with her grandchild outside. When we offered to pray with her, she said she needed our prayers because her husband left her for another woman 4 years ago. She began crying and telling us how she still loved him. We comforted her and talked for 45 minutes. We gave her two pamphlets and left a note of encouragement two days later. She called and said she appreciated it and might come to church next week!

Whew! Long letter! Well, can't wait to hear from you next week!

Sister Paxton

P.S. pictures are 1. Millers/McCauley's and Me. 2. Soeur Alley and Moi. 3. Elder Tahaai's last Sunday 4. An awesome car we saw. 5. The car wash next to the church called l'Elephant Bleu. It peers at us through the window during District Meeting, but is great for giving people directions to the church.6. Beth with a Sister at the MTC