Week 3: Joyeuse Noel!!! Et Bonne Anee!!!

[Not only was Caytee able to call the family at home, but she managed to spend 30 minutes talking to her sister in Idaho. Pretty much everyone were happy campers this year.

Also she says for everyone else:]

JOYUESE NOEL FROM SOEUR CLAWSON AND I!!

So I'll probably repeat some stuff because my family heard a lot of it all on Skype, but I just want to tell you all that Christmas on the mission has been one of the best days so far. (Also, side note: I've been out two months today!)

Christmas Eve was actually my most favorite, we had planned to do some less-active pass-bys, but when we passed-by, no one was home--this happens tous le temps. We were eating at a member’s house at 6, so we decided to port [tract] their neighborhood for two hours before dinner. It was cold and raining, but we were super excited. We passed by a lady who keeps telling us to come back because she is always busy, and we got the same answer. So, decided to go left from her house and then work our way down the street. We went to a house, and they said they were studying...this also happens a lot. Then, we went to the next house.

It didn't really look like anyone was home, but we decided to ring the bell anyways. A lady answered, and we asked if we can sing a Cantique de Noel for her and her family. She let us in the house because it was cold, and then we sang Silent Night. This is our carol of choice, because the spirit ALWAYS come when we sing it. After we sang, she invited us upstairs for hot chocolate, and then we were talking and eventually we were able to bring up the Restoration. We taught the whole Restoration with them, and the dad was super interested! The sprit was so strong! Unfortunately, the mom was not very interested, and she is the one who walked us out, so we weren't able to get their contact, but we plan on stopping back by.

That night we were able to sing for 5 families, which is really a miracle, because no one lets you sing here. Then, at the member’s house we had cheese raqulette, which is a machine where you melt cheese with vegetables and meat and then you pour it all on bread and enjoy. Holy. Poop. [Can I just repeat that? Holy crow that sounds amazing.] I ate so much! The family shared the Chirstmas story in French and mixed it with the hymns that went along with the story. To end, we all went around and bore our testimonies of who our Savior is for us. The Spirit was amazing!

Then, for Christmas, we went to the Senior couple's house, and I skyped from there and Soeur Clawson talked on the phone. They also fed us chicken noodle soup, which was awesome! Then, we went to Aurica's. She is an eternal ami [I assume investigator], but we are really working hard with her to progress. At her house, we had a strange Romanian dinner. I can't really explain it. It just tasted funny. But you would take a bite, and it wouldn't be too bad, and then you would take a bite, and it would taste terrible. It was really just a never-ending process. Also, at each house we went to over those two days we came home with loads of candy, and my skirts fitting a little tighter. After New Years, we are going on a diet...maybe.

She apologizes for the awkwardness. This is Caytee, Soeur Clawson, and Aurica.

Also, at Aurica's while Soeur Clawson skyped, I was able to talk on the phone with Kylee. YAY!

The 26th was cool, because we set a baptismal date with an ami! She is having a hard time because she is looking for a sign that the church is true. So, we talked a lot about how the spirit works through quiet whispers, and if you listen really hard, you can receive the answer that the Book of Mormon is true. We left her with some scriptures to read and with the engagement to read and pray and listen for the whisperings of the spirit. Now our next task is getting her to church!

On Sunday, one of our less actives came to church! Which is funny because the last time we saw her she talked a lot about how she wasn't ever planning on returning because she is too old. She is 87 years old and has terrible hearing. We were standing outside the chapel, and all of the sudden we see little Marie Servaite come wobbling in! It was so exciting! We went and visited her later that day, aussi. She is lonely, so she loves having people to talk to. She also has a super strong testimony. I love her so much.

We are also working with another less active who is a little more difficult. She has a lot of trials in her life, and we are trying to help her put all her cares and her trust in Heavenly Father.

I can't believe it is already almost 2015! We will be spending New Years Eve at the Redd's again, and then New Years, we only have a lunch at a members house planned. Other than that, Soeur Clawson and I plan on spending the day reading our Scriptures and writing letters.

I love hearing about all the missionary work back home! Seeing the progress each week is so awesome!

I love you all so much!

Also, I'm sending this email from Bruxelles today! Yay for legality.

Random castle they found in Bruxelles.
(Also Soeur Chisholm looking adorable.)

Make some good goals for the New Year, and then act!

[And that’s it for this week. I hope everyone has a productive and goal filled week.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact any of the Chisholms. You can also turn to any Mormon in your area, especially those Mormon missionaries. They’re always willing and happy to help.]