The Week of Traveling

[For the week of Valentine’s Day…]

So, this week was pretty crazy. We spent all of Tuesday in Bruxelles for the Louise anconda squeeze, and Thursday night and all of Friday we were in Paris for my first year legality. [I would just like to point out that I had no idea what she was talking about here. You can kind of deduce from the rest of her email, so just keep reading.]

So, I will start with Tuesday! We knew that we were going in to Bruxelles for district meeting, and that we were going to be doing some contacting for the Louise district because they have been struggling a little bit. We found out from the ZLs on the way that we were going to be doing exchanges for this contacting. So, it comes time for finding out the people for exchanges, and they call me and Soeur Clements. She hadn't even been in the field a week. BLEU EXCHANGE!! Basically they circled the metro stop and said, “Allez-y! Have fun contacting!” I don't think I have ever been more freaked out and more nervous in my life than I was when I was leading Soeur Clements out of the metro. I have also never prayed so hard. Basically, they sent us to the ghetto, so we had to hunt down some women. It ended up being so awesome! I understood the ladies we talked to and we taught two lessons! I was able to carry full conversations in French and holy cow the miracles.

The day and a half in Paris was super fun. Soeur Clawson and I got to explore the Paris RER system [train] so that was fun. We didn't get lost!! We spent the night in St Ouen with Soeur Higgins and her trainer! And then, I got to see everyone from the MTC on Friday for legality! The APs taught an awesome lesson. They talked a lot about not focusing on your weaknesses. I have been so focused on my biggest weakness these past two weeks, and it has really made working hard! But, this week I'm going to try and find and focus on my strengths! They also talked about the importance of having "20 seconds of insane courage." I've seen that when I just pump myself up and go for it, everything is easier! Whether it be talking to someone on the street or on a bus, or making a comment in a lesson at church (that one is really scary) or ANYTHING. All it takes is twenty seconds of insane courage. It's a principle that I plan on applying for the rest of my mission because talking to people on buses really is hard for me and I know that all it takes is twenty seconds of insane courage. Legality was nothing crazy. I had to do an eye test though... and my eyes have gotten a little worse. I have just started wearing my glasses more. We read a lot of road signs...

Saturday was fun. We baked a bunch of cookies because we were going to see a couple single women that day. Bonne fete de Saint Valentin! We went to one of our amis and we talked about the restoration. I had the pleasure of doing the first vision. It was really cool because at district meeting we talked about the importance of eye contact--a lesson from the MTC I kind of forgot about. When I was getting ready to say it, giving the background and all that jazz, I remembered that I should keep eye contact. I looked her in the eyes, and said the first vision. THE SPIRIT WAS SO STRONG!!! She teared up!!!!! Holy poop, it was awesome!! It was just a really good lesson over all. It was also fun to spend my first Valentine's day in Europe............ hahahaha lots of men bought flowers that day, fun fact.

So basically this week I have had some really great reminders and some really great lessons. From all these experiences, I have been reminded that I am doing the Lord's work, not mine. When I put all my trust in Him, I can do all things. I read a scripture in Doctrine and Convenants this morning that I really love, I'm pretty sure it is in section 6 the last verse, "Look unto me in every thought. Doubt not, fear not." I have always loved that verse, but it really spoke to me this morning. In those moments of doubting my abilities and having so much fear that I don't talk to the person next to me is when I'm letting Satan win. I just need to have those twenty seconds of insane courage and then the spirit will help me with the rest. I've seen the miracles that can come from just opening your mouth. I taught two lessons in the street Saturday as the "senior missionary."

I love you all!! Be safe and have a great week! Je vous aime!!!!

Awkward palm tree with the MTC people