Qui Allo!

This week we did some good porting and set up several appointments...for the Elders. As usual, they were all men, but we don't mind. We taught the mother of a young lady that got baptized a few years ago named Shioban (pronounced Shivon, it's actually a Welsh name she gave herself because she really likes England). We found her mother as a former amie in the area book, but we didn't tell Shioban because, while she's still very active, we don't know her because she's in Nice for school. While we were on our way, she texted us because she was so excited that we were going to teach her mother.

She will be transferring this week. We will send her new address along as soon as we receive it.

We got a second email from Bethany not long after receiving the one below:

 

I'm going to be serving in north Paris in a ville called St. Ouen. Sacré Coeur is in my area!!! My companion is Sr. Callister, who was Sr. Covington's MTC companion. The fun thing is that we'll be in a trio with a bleu. Sr. Callister will be training!

 

 

Oui Allo?

That's how people answer the phone here; they don't say "Bonjour" as you would think. Just a little tidbit about French culture.

Genial! I'm totally psyched that KC got his mission call. I'm actually almost about to cry. Trying to keep it in though. I haven't cried in 11 months and I'm not going to start now. KC I'm soooo happy for you!

Yes, Aunt Mickey emailed me recently and told me about the Borders. (Recently called as a Mission President in Russia) From what I've heard about them over the past few years it sounds like their ready for the job. Haha! I love that they told everyone they were going to Germany! But Russia, here they come! That story about that mission getting i-Pads is interesting considering what they just announced yesterday during the Broadcast! (It was announced that all missionaries currently serving will receive tablet devices to help with their missionary work.) We weren't able to watch it, but we got an email today talking about the new devices missionaries will be able to use. However, from the looks of it, by the time they implement that stuff in the mission I'll be home. Laura will have to tell me how that is all working when she goes out.

Hey Dad, that trip to (Glacier Park) Montana sounds amazing! And the fact that you and Mom are getting into geo-caching is fun! Who are you people and what did you do with my parents?! Haha! We attempted to do geo-caching my freshman year of college, but failed miserably.

Mom, I definitely know what you're talking about when investigators talk and talk and talk. It's so frustrating and as missionaries you also feel bad for whatever member is going with you. Glad you got to talk about the Restoration though. And I'm also glad to know that even if the mother wasn't interested that at least her daughter committed to read and pray about the Book of Mormon! It's always nice when a surprise like that happens.

Go, go, go Mom with the Primary! Your organization skills are coming in handy. I know people in the Stake are being blessed through your efforts.

Before I forget. Dad! I found this war cemetery for British soldier, with a few American and Canadian ones, and I looked up all of the people named Paxton in the registry, about 6 of them. I took a picture of it that might help with genealogy. Maybe not, but you never know. Sorry I didn't get their ages!

Ahh, the Byrd Spring Ward Lunch Bunch. Comment ça me manque! I wish I could be there chatting away, but you know, chatting about the Lord is the only thing that beats that! And I get to do it everyday!!! This morning during companionship study I explained to Sr. Covington that before my mission my favorite scripture was Alma 29:1&2:

1 O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the ^atrump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people!

2 Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and ^acome unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth.

As a missionary I have been able to come as close to being an announcing angel as I possible can. I do it everyday, all day, even on P-day! I get to testify of what I know to be true as my job! I just don't get paid for it. Although I plan on being a “member missionary” the rest of my life, there are only a few years that I'll be able to be this dedicated to the work. And what a glorious work it is. It is the hardest, best thing I've ever done. I thank Heavenly Father everyday for this opportunity.

Her mother, Annie, was very nice and attentive, but we got the feeling that she was really only listening out of respect for the church that totally changed the life of her daughter for the better. She an interesting woman though, who sells organic stuff on Saturdays. We stopped by for a bit the next day to say hello and for support.

On Sunday a young lady in the ward about to go on a mission brought 4 friends to church and one of them was a young woman. She was the most atheist of them all, but at the same time she commented the most and had good questions. I gave her our number and so we'll see what happens.

 

Bethany

 

Pictures are: 1. The cemetery 2. The Paxtons! 3. A ward member 4. Our last district meeting, the numbers are how many transfers we've done. Sisters do 11 or 12, Elders do 15 or 16. We are no longer allowed to extend our missions.