Hey Mom and Dad!
It sounds like Kirtland is going so well. I would LOVE to be able to go with the youth one day. Those youth conferences are alwyas incredible. I'm glad that you got to go drive up with the youth and are now touring like crazy. (Dad, how was the driving? Did you have to do any late night face slapping? ca fait peur!) How come you're not staying in the marriott residence?? haha are you sleeping in bunk beds? It's more fun to be at the dorms with the youth. It's a party! I've forgotten a lot of the history already, I'll have to go back soon. I should have taken notes! I want to go to nauvoo as well. We went before the temple was built so I think its time to go again.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY HADLEY! I hope that it is way too much fun and that you eat lots of ice cream cake! I love you so much and can't believe you are turning 14! You are getting to be so old! Are you as tall as me yet?
Gma wrote me a letter and told me that she and grandpa are coming to paris in the fall? Is that true?
Ok, so i have to share this miracle with you. So we saw N every day this week! He is such an incredible man. He has a lot of trials in his life but he has such an incredible desire to know the truth and to serve. He keeps saying that he wants to find out how he can serve others despite not having anything. So we went to see him on wednesday and he said, 'you know I'm not finding work here. I'm just sitting here not going anywhere. I need to progress! I talked to my brother in Germany and he has a friend in Marseilles who can get me a job. I'm moving to marseilles this weekend.' Well, of course, we were devastated. He is so perfect BUT at the same time we thought this is going to be a good thing for him. He needs to get a job and he needs to keep moving forward so of course this is oging to be good. Well that same day we get all the info for the elders in marseilles and we were told just to call the elders there so we could give them all the infor and explain what weve taught and tout ca. SO we call them that night and we hear the message, 'hi this is the missionaries in marseilles, elder BIRK and elder something?, we cant come to the phone right now but please leave a message and well call you back.' NO WAY! elder birk was my district leader in the MTC. i couldnt believe it! so then we left a message and told them all about N. we had exchanges this week and i was up in villaneuve d'ascq (right next to lille) and it was perfect because we were able to meet nelson at the gare to get him on the train and say goodbye! so THEN that night we got permission to call the elders again to make sure everything worked out ok and elder birk said that they met him, found him a place to stay AND he is going to start work next week! so perfect. apparently he got off the train and said, 'i want to be baptized! i am here to be a member of your churhc!' hahah i love him so much. it all worked out so perfectly. we know that we can trust elder birk to take care of him and we are so excited to get pictures of his baptism. OK so the other increidble part about this whole story is that the only reason we were even in the park to meet N was because we were worried about J(he lives just up the street). We hadn't heard from him and that was really unlike him. he was always on time and always in contact with us. so we went to pass by his house but he wasnt there. anyhow we were really depressed about that but then we went to the park where we were able to find nelson. THEN the day before N leaves we get a text from J telling us that he had a family problem and he had to go to germany very last minute to work things out. not excited that he had a family problem BUT we have been in contact with him and are going to be able to start teaching him again! isnt that incredible! sometimes things dont work out as expected but we know that heavenly father always knows! jacob 4:10. i love it so much. C is also doing really well. we are trying to figure out what is going to help her recognize how much she already knows so we decided to challenge her to read the book of mormon in 59 days! that is how many days it took joseph smith to translate it! unbelievable. we are doing it with her and it is definitely pushing us too. she accepted and is excited about it. she is leaving for a couple of weeks for vacances but i really think she can do it and it is going to make a big difference for her! the exchange was good but it was national greve(strike) day so almost all of the transport was cancelled. we did a lot of finding! i got to work with sr houtz! she is super cool and we were friends inthe mtc. she was really good firends with todd and dustin and danny as well!
hey sarah got home this week! you should give her a call and tell her that i love her. i hope that everything is going ok with her family and that the adjustment is going ok!
today has been incredible(HOT)! we went to the family babin last week for dinner and they asked us what all we have seen here in paris. weve seen all the big things but they wanted to take us to the lesser known spots in versailles. of course we couldnt refuse:) they live right by the vallee de cheuvreuse. its this huge national park that is GORGEOUS. they took us to a chateau and then to a 12th century abbey. it was beautiful and not a place a lot of missionaries get to go because its not accessible by public transport. it was a perfect day. we are so blessed!
ok something that wasnt so cool about my week...i was messing around with my camera and i managed to delete all my pictures from my last transfer in brussels and since i have been here in paris. it kind of felt like i had died inside BUT as sister gifford reminded me, president hinckley tells us were supposed to come home with 10 things and none of them are pictures:) hahaha its true. im going to try and scrounge sp? from other missionaries but if you could try and make sure and try to keep safe the ones i already sent i would appreciate it! thanks
still havent bought new shoes and luckily it hasnt rained much:) im still on the hunt. as far as bdy presents i think ill just go buy something cool and french? any ideas? maybe some art? jewelry? i dont know? do you all want anything? dad, i picked up lots of brochures at the tourist center today. i want to send them your way. ok time to go i love you tons and am excited for your summer plans. tell everyone in the stake i say hi and am grateful for their love.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Hey family!
Sounds like a crazy fun week for you again. What were the Prices doing in DC? Were they just there for a visit? I can't believe Hadley is going to Oakton! Remember that first week/month/year of your first daughter to go to Oakton? We all know that Hadley's year will be full of joy and no tearing out of bed to get to seminary:) I'm smiling thinking about how awful I was. I'm so sorry!
Weekly miracle! We went over to J's last Sunday but he couldn't make it so we went to a nearby park. We sat down to pray about how we needed to use the time most effectively and we looked up and saw this guy sitting on a bench. I went over and started talking to him. So his name is N and he just moved here from Ghana. He goes, 'I walked past you and saw that you had Jesus Christ on your name tag. I was wondering about that.' Anyhow, we have met with him 3 times this week. He is so incredible. He has been talking about how he wants to go to a church and really FEEL that it is right. He is wonderful and so positive. He has a LOT of trials in his life right now and it is hard to see his situation and be somewhat helpless. He is so positive. It's just like you said mom, sometimes we have to look for the blessings but when it really comes down to it, the fact that we have all our basic needs met is an incredible blessing. On top of that we have the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I've found that a changed perspective allows for increased gratitude. We had zone conference this week and Sister Staheli had us read 'Beware of Pride' by President Benson. It's an incredible talk. I'm sure you have all read it but I think it's worth the reread. Made me realize I have a lot to repent of and a long way to go! There are a lot more faces to pride than just egotism. I'm not suggesting that any of you are proud! The point that I was getting at is that the talk mentions competitiveness as a way we can be proud. The comparison is what makes us want what we don't have or more than the next person.
L and C are both doing well. We had an FHE at the D family home on Monday and they both came! L is Soeur Desirat's friend and they have a daughter C's age. We talked about testimony and it was incredible. Soeur Gifford wrote this hilarious script about the conversion of Alma and the sons of Mosiah. We acted the whole thing out with headdresses and all. It was a lot of fun and so good for both of them to be in a gospel centered home. Mom, Sr Desirat reminds me a lot of you. She dances around in the car just like you and is short and cute:) It felt so good to be with them and have them bear their testimonies.
I still love being a missionary and still love being with Sr Gifford. Have fun in Kirtland and keep reading the scriptures! They keep us steadfast and immovable. I love you!
Soeur powers
Sounds like a crazy fun week for you again. What were the Prices doing in DC? Were they just there for a visit? I can't believe Hadley is going to Oakton! Remember that first week/month/year of your first daughter to go to Oakton? We all know that Hadley's year will be full of joy and no tearing out of bed to get to seminary:) I'm smiling thinking about how awful I was. I'm so sorry!
Weekly miracle! We went over to J's last Sunday but he couldn't make it so we went to a nearby park. We sat down to pray about how we needed to use the time most effectively and we looked up and saw this guy sitting on a bench. I went over and started talking to him. So his name is N and he just moved here from Ghana. He goes, 'I walked past you and saw that you had Jesus Christ on your name tag. I was wondering about that.' Anyhow, we have met with him 3 times this week. He is so incredible. He has been talking about how he wants to go to a church and really FEEL that it is right. He is wonderful and so positive. He has a LOT of trials in his life right now and it is hard to see his situation and be somewhat helpless. He is so positive. It's just like you said mom, sometimes we have to look for the blessings but when it really comes down to it, the fact that we have all our basic needs met is an incredible blessing. On top of that we have the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I've found that a changed perspective allows for increased gratitude. We had zone conference this week and Sister Staheli had us read 'Beware of Pride' by President Benson. It's an incredible talk. I'm sure you have all read it but I think it's worth the reread. Made me realize I have a lot to repent of and a long way to go! There are a lot more faces to pride than just egotism. I'm not suggesting that any of you are proud! The point that I was getting at is that the talk mentions competitiveness as a way we can be proud. The comparison is what makes us want what we don't have or more than the next person.
L and C are both doing well. We had an FHE at the D family home on Monday and they both came! L is Soeur Desirat's friend and they have a daughter C's age. We talked about testimony and it was incredible. Soeur Gifford wrote this hilarious script about the conversion of Alma and the sons of Mosiah. We acted the whole thing out with headdresses and all. It was a lot of fun and so good for both of them to be in a gospel centered home. Mom, Sr Desirat reminds me a lot of you. She dances around in the car just like you and is short and cute:) It felt so good to be with them and have them bear their testimonies.
I still love being a missionary and still love being with Sr Gifford. Have fun in Kirtland and keep reading the scriptures! They keep us steadfast and immovable. I love you!
Soeur powers
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Coup de soleil aka punched by the sun:)
That is pretty incredible that Josh has been called as district leader and senior companion! I know the feeling of inadequacy! He will be awesome and help everyone in his district to get fired up about the work. We all know he's qualified and going to do amazingly well.
Things are just chugging right along in Versailles! We met with Jeremy a couple of times this week. He came to the church for a tour and will be there for stake conference tomorrow. He has such incredible faith. He is struggling a bit at the idea of having a living prophet but he is fasting tomorrow for his answer. I'm right on board with Josh about desiring people to be able to receive a testimony for themselves. Thanks for your prayers on his behalf. I hope that Josh's ami was able to feel the spirit and understand for himself.
We had an incredible rdv with C last night. She is still working toward knowing for herself as well. We read Alma 7 with her and asked the questions, why do we need Jesus Christ and what can i do to venez et allez? Her testimony is growing. In the words of Sr Gifford, 'we exhorted her with all the tender feelings of loving missionaries.' I think you're right mom. She may need to take her time and continue to search for herself. She knows that we love her and that is the motive for everything we do. We're going to keep praying and keep meeting with her until she gets there.
We also met with L this week. He is the guy that we met my first night here. We met at the chateau and had a really powerful rdv. I got BURNED thus the coup de soleil:) He had a lot of questions about repentance. He asked about degrees of sin and talked about how there are degrees of forgiveness. We talked about the role of Jesus Christ and how, no matter the sin, we ALL need the Atonement. It can be a small or big but that doesn't change the fact that not a single one of us can be clean without the Atonement, without Jesus Christ. It was cool to see him begin to grasp the idea that he can be forgiven for his past. We read about the anti-Nephi-Lehis and how they went from being the 'most lost of all mankind' to 'they would suffer even unto death rather than commit sin.' repentance is such an incredible blessing. I was reading a talk this morning and Elder Nelson says 'repentance is the lord's regimen for spiritual growth.' We progress when we do all we can and then rely on the savior to change our hearts.
We went to dinner at this member's home this week. She is 63 years and absolutely hilarious. She lived in egypt for 3 years because she wanted to learn Arabic. She told us some unbelievable stories about climbing volcanos and watching them erupt. She goes 'ca fait mal au pied pour duex ans après. mais c'etait bonne!' hahah She told us she wants to try sky diving and learn to fly a plane next. She's my new role model.
Mom-did you get an email from a woman named V? She is a recent convert here and is a quilting FANATIC. She has a long arm in her house! You would absolutely love her. She lived in Naperville for a couple of years and joined a quilting club. Turns out all of the women were Mormon and she started going to church there. She asked for the missionaries when she got back here and got baptized tout suite. I told her about how much you love quilting and she asked for your email address. That was Wednesday so maybe she has already emailed you? Just a heads up! i told her you speak french so she might email you in french. She also speaks English so you can email back in English.
thanks for the addresses!
I'm glad that the race went well. Tell Lizbth hi for me! She is such a sweet heart. Had, have fun at yuoth conference and keep a journal!
Dad, who won the men's side? I could probably ask anyone on the street and they would know:) France played Uraguay last night for the world cup and there were horns/fireworks going off into the night. I'm still not sure who won but it seemed like everyone here was having a good time!
i love you
soeur powers
Things are just chugging right along in Versailles! We met with Jeremy a couple of times this week. He came to the church for a tour and will be there for stake conference tomorrow. He has such incredible faith. He is struggling a bit at the idea of having a living prophet but he is fasting tomorrow for his answer. I'm right on board with Josh about desiring people to be able to receive a testimony for themselves. Thanks for your prayers on his behalf. I hope that Josh's ami was able to feel the spirit and understand for himself.
We had an incredible rdv with C last night. She is still working toward knowing for herself as well. We read Alma 7 with her and asked the questions, why do we need Jesus Christ and what can i do to venez et allez? Her testimony is growing. In the words of Sr Gifford, 'we exhorted her with all the tender feelings of loving missionaries.' I think you're right mom. She may need to take her time and continue to search for herself. She knows that we love her and that is the motive for everything we do. We're going to keep praying and keep meeting with her until she gets there.
We also met with L this week. He is the guy that we met my first night here. We met at the chateau and had a really powerful rdv. I got BURNED thus the coup de soleil:) He had a lot of questions about repentance. He asked about degrees of sin and talked about how there are degrees of forgiveness. We talked about the role of Jesus Christ and how, no matter the sin, we ALL need the Atonement. It can be a small or big but that doesn't change the fact that not a single one of us can be clean without the Atonement, without Jesus Christ. It was cool to see him begin to grasp the idea that he can be forgiven for his past. We read about the anti-Nephi-Lehis and how they went from being the 'most lost of all mankind' to 'they would suffer even unto death rather than commit sin.' repentance is such an incredible blessing. I was reading a talk this morning and Elder Nelson says 'repentance is the lord's regimen for spiritual growth.' We progress when we do all we can and then rely on the savior to change our hearts.
We went to dinner at this member's home this week. She is 63 years and absolutely hilarious. She lived in egypt for 3 years because she wanted to learn Arabic. She told us some unbelievable stories about climbing volcanos and watching them erupt. She goes 'ca fait mal au pied pour duex ans après. mais c'etait bonne!' hahah She told us she wants to try sky diving and learn to fly a plane next. She's my new role model.
Mom-did you get an email from a woman named V? She is a recent convert here and is a quilting FANATIC. She has a long arm in her house! You would absolutely love her. She lived in Naperville for a couple of years and joined a quilting club. Turns out all of the women were Mormon and she started going to church there. She asked for the missionaries when she got back here and got baptized tout suite. I told her about how much you love quilting and she asked for your email address. That was Wednesday so maybe she has already emailed you? Just a heads up! i told her you speak french so she might email you in french. She also speaks English so you can email back in English.
thanks for the addresses!
I'm glad that the race went well. Tell Lizbth hi for me! She is such a sweet heart. Had, have fun at yuoth conference and keep a journal!
Dad, who won the men's side? I could probably ask anyone on the street and they would know:) France played Uraguay last night for the world cup and there were horns/fireworks going off into the night. I'm still not sure who won but it seemed like everyone here was having a good time!
i love you
soeur powers
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Ville du roi
How was the race for the cure? Did you win your age group Mom? Did it rain this year?? Remember the last time we did it we were running through rivers? Did gaye run it with you? Does james have a mission call? Barrett? There are actually TWO Donald Stahelis. My mission president is not the lone who was the 70 in philly. President Staheli is amazing nonetheless!
Things are still going really well. We fixed a baptismal date with J! We saw him Monday night and we talked about baptism and how it cleanses us and allows us to start our new lives as disciples of Christ. He said "yea, I would love to get baptized!" The date is set for the 26th of June. He still needs to really gain his testimony but he's going to fast tomorrow. It is ward conference so it should be amazing. When we saw him Thursday night he was at 1 Ne 19 and still going strong. I love it! We also challenged C to fast to know if the 19th of June is the date that she needs to be baptized. We are fasting with/for them both. I don't think I am going to eat for the next 48 hours! Pray that they will be able to understand the answer when it comes!
In response to your question about the gardens, we did go to teach someone a lesson there and then he boffed it. So I did get to see a little bit of them but it was a waste of time. We'll have to go next pday. We went to the Louvre last week and the Orsay today and I think I'm wearing Sr Gifford out:) I think she would appreciate it if we stayed closer to home next week. She really is so much fun. she makes the work easy because it's fun. Heavenly Father has really blessed me.
Miracle of the week! We met this cool guy from M the first day that we were together. There was a greve so the train wasn't coming for about another 40 mins. We taught him all about the Book of Mormon and then the story of Joseph Smith. We set up a rdv with him but he didn't have a phone number so we couldn't call to confirm. So we went Monday night but he wasn't there. We met his brother-in-law and asked him if he was interested. We gave him a Book of Mormon and he said he and his wife would love to come to the next rdv. So we went back and taught them on Thursday and they loved it. They have an awesome family and were excited for us to keep teaching them. The first guy is coming to church tomorrow and told us he would get baptized when he knows it's true. I love missionary work!
We had interviews this week and the zone leaders used a clip from the President Hinckley movie as part of the training. at the end of the clip there was a quote from Goethe, "whatever you can do, or dream you can do...begin it. Boldness has genius, POWER (that's us) and magic in it." Heavenly Father WANTS us to achieve. He wants us to dream and then accomplish those dreams. When our desires are righteous we can see them unfold before us. I know that He loves us. I know everything He has done and everything He continues to do is for us. That love is so real and so evident in our everyday lives. 'God wants to make us men and women of purpose and power. We must yield ourselves to the powers of the Spirit.' When we work with the spirit, we are able to realize all the blessings in store.
i love you all and God loves you more!
Bizou Bizou Sr Powers
Things are still going really well. We fixed a baptismal date with J! We saw him Monday night and we talked about baptism and how it cleanses us and allows us to start our new lives as disciples of Christ. He said "yea, I would love to get baptized!" The date is set for the 26th of June. He still needs to really gain his testimony but he's going to fast tomorrow. It is ward conference so it should be amazing. When we saw him Thursday night he was at 1 Ne 19 and still going strong. I love it! We also challenged C to fast to know if the 19th of June is the date that she needs to be baptized. We are fasting with/for them both. I don't think I am going to eat for the next 48 hours! Pray that they will be able to understand the answer when it comes!
In response to your question about the gardens, we did go to teach someone a lesson there and then he boffed it. So I did get to see a little bit of them but it was a waste of time. We'll have to go next pday. We went to the Louvre last week and the Orsay today and I think I'm wearing Sr Gifford out:) I think she would appreciate it if we stayed closer to home next week. She really is so much fun. she makes the work easy because it's fun. Heavenly Father has really blessed me.
Miracle of the week! We met this cool guy from M the first day that we were together. There was a greve so the train wasn't coming for about another 40 mins. We taught him all about the Book of Mormon and then the story of Joseph Smith. We set up a rdv with him but he didn't have a phone number so we couldn't call to confirm. So we went Monday night but he wasn't there. We met his brother-in-law and asked him if he was interested. We gave him a Book of Mormon and he said he and his wife would love to come to the next rdv. So we went back and taught them on Thursday and they loved it. They have an awesome family and were excited for us to keep teaching them. The first guy is coming to church tomorrow and told us he would get baptized when he knows it's true. I love missionary work!
We had interviews this week and the zone leaders used a clip from the President Hinckley movie as part of the training. at the end of the clip there was a quote from Goethe, "whatever you can do, or dream you can do...begin it. Boldness has genius, POWER (that's us) and magic in it." Heavenly Father WANTS us to achieve. He wants us to dream and then accomplish those dreams. When our desires are righteous we can see them unfold before us. I know that He loves us. I know everything He has done and everything He continues to do is for us. That love is so real and so evident in our everyday lives. 'God wants to make us men and women of purpose and power. We must yield ourselves to the powers of the Spirit.' When we work with the spirit, we are able to realize all the blessings in store.
i love you all and God loves you more!
Bizou Bizou Sr Powers
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