The Beginning of the End. Boom!

Michael i put that boom in there just for you. i hope you like it.

 

So i know everyone is itching to find out where I will be dying! drum roll please....

 

GRENOBLE!!!! with SOEUR GARDNER!

 

aka, nothing has changed. I am okay with it though. I freaking love this place and I am really happy that I didnt have to pack and then repack 6 weeks later... ahhh can you believe it... six weeks!!!!! Its so crazy that I am finally coming to the end. We ate dinner with Melanie and her family last night and we were talking about how when we were together I felt like my mission would NEVER end. And now just like that here it is. Granted I still have a lot of time left and I am still going to work freaking hard to be the best I can be! But still its coming up quick.

 

Caroline said she was excited to hear about my french easter. It was wonderful. I have no idea what happened last year on easter but apparently it wasnt that great because i dont remember it. This year however was very memorable. Soeur Gardner and I went all out and made egg shaped cards for all the members in our ward that said joyeuses paques and then we made the elders make cookies for the members. So we passed them out and the members were very happy that we were showing them so much love and some of them in return gave us easter candy. Holy crap. SO MUCH CHOCOLATE. We felt so very loved. After great church meetings we went home and pretty much had chocolate for lunch... then we had some planning to do and then we were on our way to the Lala's when we contacted this American guy. He is here on business, but originally from Boston. I am pretty sure we made his day. He was upset that he had to be away from his family for easter but had skyped with them and stuff. We had a good conversation with him but he was not interested in learning more. BUT now he will have a good memory of Mormon missionaries and how he met some on easter in france! Then we ate at the Lalas and had duck for dinner. It was really good and I think the first time I ate duck. I dont know if that is traditional for a french easter meal but it was good. And yes they do have the easter bunny here! They even have the day after easter as a holiday. EVERYTHING was closed today, minus museums and stuff like that.

So I dont know if it comes with age in the mission or because my testimony has been strengthened a lot lately but I have gotten really bold in my teaching. I am sick of just dancing around sensitive subjects. I am getting very to the point and really calling people to repentance. I may need to calm down but for the moment its working. Vaber texted us today after our rdv with him this morning saying that the spirit had revealed to him that the book of mormon is true. I then asked him, Okay then... if the book of mormon is true what does that mean to you? He then responded with a smiley face and said. Joseph Smith is a prophet and the Church of Jesus Christ is true.

NAILED IT!!!! Oh man you guys. I cant even express how much joy this brings me finally seeing someone get it. This gospel is so true. It makes so much sense. It has the answers to everything. People that think we are a sect or that think that we are stupid are just so lost in the darkness of the world. WE HAVE THE LIGHT! WE HAVE THE TRUTH! I beg of my family members that have not yet accepted this gospel to accept it. There is nothing more in this life that will you bring you the same happiness.

 

So because this is getting long and I am again being super bold I will leave you with a funny story.

So in church yesterday, this 7 year old american girl, Allie, was looking very beautiful. Her mom had curled her hair and she was wearing a very pretty dress. Rightfully so because it was Easter. Anyway, Jared, the 2 year old that I love, said to his mom, Mommy, that little girl over there is very pretty, kiss? Haha he wanted to kiss her and he walks over to Allie and just stares up at her waiting for a smooch. We told Allie that he wanted a kiss and she got very red and uncomfortable. She decided to settle with a hug. It was so funny because Soeur Gardner and I realized how scary it would be coming from the US to a country where kissing is a much bigger deal, and to have someone ask you to kiss them. But to Jared it was more so normal. And to us as well, it has become very normal. I am probably gunna come home kissing everyone. I actually feel very awkward when i dont kiss people, for example, the Americans here that dont like to bis. Anyway just a cute little story.

I hope you all have a wonderful week and do everything you can to prepare for General Conference!!!!!! So stoked!!!

loves,

Soeur Kimberly Addis

Happy Birthday Michael, March 25, 2013

And Happy Easter...

 

 

so so so. today is monday week 6. you know what that means. friday is transfer calls and next monday is transfers! I have NO IDEA what will happen to me. I have been here in Grenoble forever but then again I only have one transfer left so I could stay. Only time will tell :) Im really anxious to find out where I will be "dying".

mom: I have seen the mormon message of Aina before, Reine is her real name but she goes by Aina. I actually watched it in the MTC and then it was funny to then become companions with her sister. I totally forgot that there was the video of them and that to missionaries they are famous and then an elder was here a couple weeks ago to do dans baptismal interview and Aina, Loic and Jared were at the church for something and he was freaking out being like OMG thats the couple that has a mormon message, then he got a picture with them haha. So pathetic. And yes mom French is a beautiful language. It isnt as pretty now that I am practically french... but I do love the LaLa girls accents.

 

So i have a list of things to tell you. I was prepared this week.

 

I will start from last week. Last wednesday we met Vabers WIFE. You know the one that is against the church. It was awesome. She was actually really nice to us and we were of course very nice to her. She didnt join us for the lesson but were taking baby steps here.

Friday at lunch time we ate with Soeur Planeta. Yes my sweet little mamie. She is 90 and she cooked for us! I am pretty sure she hasnt cooked for missionaries in years but she loves Soeur Gardner and I a lot! Ew, you know how I dont really like eggs. Well I ate a fried egg, i think thats what it was, the one that still has a liquid yoke, oooo I wanted to gag but I ate it because I LOVE THAT WOMAN! So then friday night we taught an atheist. It was the first time I actually taught someone that was atheist. It is really hard because there is no base whatsoever but she is very open and likes learning about other religions. We'll see how it goes.

So then the best day of the week, Sunday. Since we are in france there is always something that is somewhat mind blowing that happens at church. A family that just had a baby on monday, yes a week ago, brought their baby to church yesterday. CRAZY I know. I was shocked and had to share that with you. Then last night. We were eating a special chinese, real chinese, meal with dan, some of his friends, and our dmp and his family, the Bartas. Well it was all going great. Dan and his friends were preparing the meal and told us that we could not help so Soeur Gardner and I decided to play with the two oldest boys, ages 6 and 4.5, the two younger boys were taking a nap. We first basket ball. I was the hoop and they used a little foam ball. Standing up it made a good height for a hoop. Anyway our DMP and Soeur Gardner thought I was stupid to let them do this but I enjoyed it. Its been so long I have played with little kids that I dont really mind. Then the best part. We played hide and go seek, or cache cache. It was so fun. The youngest, Adam loved being the finder and he was so funny when he found us. I know the fact that I had so much fun is kind of pathetic but at least that means my nieces and nephews will love me when I get home. Okay so then the dinner was ready. And guess what I freaking ate. Goat and Pig Foot. So gross. Chinese people loving eating animal fat. I had half a plate left of stuff because I wouldnt eat the fat. I am so glad I did not get called to a country where they eat things that would make me vomit. You will be surprised to see what kinds of food I like now... I have become more open however not that open.

 

Anyway that was pretty much our week. Its sad to think that this could be my last week in Grenoble. I have really loved this city. I dont know what will happen but as I told Soeur Gardner that whatever happens I am going to be happy because I know it is where the Lord wants me, with whoever he wants me to be with and at the right time. Missions are the greatest.

I hope you always remember how much I love you and that I think about you everyday multiple times a day... not too much that it becomes distracting.

have a wonderful easter sunday and study each day the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Use a study journal. It makes reading the scriptures that much more interesting, and then next week I will tell you my favorite quote about that.

love you.

Soeur Addis

Photos February and March 2013

DAN WAS BAPTIZED!!! March 18, 2013

Hi to all of my loving family.

So I dont have tooo much time to write. But this week was great because, DAN WAS BAPTIZED!!! It was so great and he is so great and Soeur Gardner is so great. Everything is good. Thank you all for your prayers for him. I am sure they helped him to have a wonderful week and to be fully prepared for his special day.

 

Soeur Gardner and I both spoke and Soeur Gardner also sang. We actually spoke in english and then had members translate since we speak with Dan in english. It was cool but at the same time I felt like I didnt really say all I wanted because I had to stop between my sentences and have someone translate. But whatever. The spirit was there!

When I asked Dan how he felt he said, "I have never felt better" There were a good amount of members there and there was tons of food. Lots of Dans chinese friends were there so that was super cool and then we had another one of our amis there, Sylvie, she is a new ami from this past week. Hopefully things will continue to progress with her as well.

 

Vaber, the poor thing is going through a really hard time. His wife is really against the mormons. Please pray that her heart will be softened. We will hopefully be seeing him this week in his home. He was the one that invited us and said that he wants his wife to at least meet us and hear what we teach, even if she is sitting in the other room. I really pray that she has a change of heart because Vaber has changed so much and he really needs the gospel.

This past week we also had conference. It was great we got more goals and inspiration and a new goal is to contact 50 people a day. Doable but still a challenge. It was great to feel so uplifted and to get more steam in me since I am coming down to the end.

 

Anyway. Everyone seems pretty stoked about SC. Its not too far away I know and I really am excited too but trying not to get too excited. Soeur Gardner and I decided that we should probably start running every morning for morning exercises. It is starting to get warm, even though it may or may not have snowed this morning.

Not much else to report. Sorry my emails suck nowadays. I dont know what to tell you about.

love you all

Sister Kimberly Addis

springtime is a comin' March 11, 2013

So fam bam. Yesterday was probably one of the best days of my mission. It pretty much brought my whole mission together in 24hours. I am going to tell you about it because I loved it so much.

Well like every sunday it was the sabbath day. Woke up at 6:30 and said my morning prayers. I prayed that Heavenly Father would show us a miracle that day and very specifically that someone would come to church today that was not a member but wanted to learn more. While getting ready for church we got a text from a YSA, Alexandra. She told us that she would be coming to church with her aunt and little cousin,from Paris, who were not members of the church and who were interested in learning more. I had not even stepped a foot inside of the church building and my prayer was already answered. At 8:10 we ran out the door in order to catch the tram and bus to church. Well it was a beautiful sunday morning and we decided that we did not need to wear our winter coats. We get out to the tram and I realize that I had forgotten my transportation pass in the pocket of my coat, I thought it was no problem and that I would just buy a ticket from the machine...well I had NO CHANGE, so my companion searched for change in her bag, no luck either. So we decided to walk to church. Not the longest walk, just a little bothersome. But it was a beautiful day. So we went back to the apartment grabbed my card, so we would have it later, and started our walk to church. After arriving to church we were only a couple minutes early and so we stood to welcome the rest of the members in. Well this one lady comes in says hi and walks straight passed us and up the stairs. None of us recognized her so I asked a member who she was and he said he wasnt sure either. I thought it was really interesting because she looked like a gypsy and I didnt know any gypsy looking members. In relief Society she was sitting next to a member and talking to her like they were long time friends so i figured maybe she was from a different ward or something. After a great lesson I over hear a counselor talking to this member and then the mysterious woman. She was in fact a gypsy and apparently she wanted to talk to the "pastor" so she could ask him for money. They directed her towards the bishop and although he told her that he couldnt just give her money they invited her to stay at church and eat with us afterwards because we were having a linger longer.

 

So anyway. Good meetings and all that but best of all was during sacrament meeting. There was a huge Italian family visiting, majority of which are not members. The Grandpa however is a member and so they were all there. Well the Bishop was speaking during sacrament and pretty much was just teaching them. He told them all about the Book of Mormon and where it comes from, why we have it, and then he was teaching them about the Plan of Salvation and telling them how they can be with their loved ones for time and all eternity. Then my favorite part. Bishop Simoes asked the missionaries to stand. So of course we did, Soeur Gardner and I next to each other and then the Elders just a couple of rows behind us. And he said to this family, who we are and the fact that we are called of a God to be here serving for 18 mos to 2 years and the fact that we are young but qualified and that if they had any questions they should come to us. Well while he was saying all this I was just so overcome by the spirit. I had never been so proud to stand as a representative for Jesus Christ and then it hit me that I would not be able to do that for much longer. That my time is short. I teared up but was still smiling knowing that I have been so blessed by my Heavenly Father to be HIS missionary here in Grenoble. What a wonderful privilege I have.

So then later that day we had our linger longer and there are three American families in our ward, two of which have moved in since I have been here so we were sitting with them and Soeur Gardner and I were just going crazy to be with Americans that werent missionaries and to laugh and have a good time with them. Okay I was the one going crazy but it really did feel so weird. Its gunna be strange to be home.

 

After church and the linger longer we went to visit our little Soeur Planeta. She is a 90 year old less active that I have adopted as my own grandmother. She is a fireball and has forgotten a lot of the teachings of the gospel and so when we teach her it is as if we are teaching an ami. She was very hard in the beginning but we have softened her up and although we have to be firm with her and may not tell her the things she wants to hear she still loves us and we love her very much. And then we came home and did our weekly planning session. Anyway it was a good day and one that complied so many missionary things all in one. I loved it. I am sorry this was more of a journal entry. I plan on printing this out and posting it into my journal, haha.

Awkward...

yes, that did happen this week. yes i was shocked, and no my companion did not understand what she said when she told her she had peed herself. hahaha one of the funniest moments of my mission. We were with a less active that we were both meeting for the first time. Soeur G, she is your typical old lady, missing several teeth, wears color tinted glasses and has a hard time hearing/understanding when we speak to her. Anyway so we arrived and she was not very happy to have us there. She was tired and in pain and didnt really want us there but she let us stay anyway. Anway so we had a good little time talking to her and getting to know her story. Then when we were getting up to leave I went and looked and the pictures of her children and grandchildren and trying to make her feel good. After she told me who everyone was I turned to get on my coat. Soeur Gardner then went to bis her and said something to her. As I was getting my coat on I hear her say, I just peed hehe. I looked at the floor and yup, sure as heck she was standing in a puddle of pee. Soeur Gardner didnt say anything and I had no idea what to do. I didnt know if she wanted help or if she wanted us to leave or what so i just kind of kissed her goodbye and left. Then as Soeur Gardner and I were getting in the elevator I asked her if she realized what she said. She hadnt so I just started laughing and told her that she peed and that she was standing in a puddle of her own pee. AWKWARD. I realized afterwards I probably should have been nicer about it and cleaned it up and asked her if she needed anything. Next time that happens to me, I will know what to do.

So i dont really have time for a real email today. Our district is here and we are supposed to go to the Bastille, an old military fort in the mountain side. En plus, the computer hasnt been working well, so I havent been able to really write that much.

Just know that things are going well. Dan and Vaber are still a go for their baptisms in the next couple of weeks. No new amis. Cold is now gone, after several long long days at home.

Freaking about the mission coming to an end. Really would rather not think about it.

Sorry I havent written anything spiritual. I promise I study and feel the spirit everyday I just am having a block right now.

Anyway, have a good week.

Love
Soeur Addis

 

welcome to the family, Elliot Michael Farmer!! February 25, 2013

He's handsome. I love him already. Cant wait to get home and snuggle these two little bundles of joy. Being an aunt is such a blessing especially when you want to have your own family but are not quite there. So thanks sisters, for bringing into the world little creatures that I can love and enjoy! Also I really like the name. I am somewhat jealous because I as well wanted to use the name Michael... i guess we have someone in the family with that name or something... and Eli. Its something I discovered I loved while reading in the Bible Dictionary. Anyway. Good solid pick from the Farmers.

Thanks for all the emails full of love and support this week too. As I am nearing the finish I need to remember why I am here and that I dont have much time left to give it my all. I want to return home with no regrets. Knowing that I have left it all on the field, as Michael said. So thank you for reminding me of this in an inspiring way. Not a way that makes me want to get on a plane tomorrow.

So we had a good week here in Grenoble. Soeur Gardner and I both have some killer colds but we are working hard to keep healthy and at the same time work hard. Things are still going great with Dan. His baptismal date has moved to March 16th because it is a significant day for him but hes great. I love seeing someone become truly converted to the gospel. Vaber is also progressing toward his date of March 30th. He has to quit smoking first and his wifes heart should be somewhat softened before he enters the waters but I know the Lord is all powerful and that he can do whatever is necessary to help someone come into his fold.

Besides these dates things are kind of the same. The two families we were supposed to go see turned out to not be so great. The one lady was totally against us coming when I called to confirm and the african lady seemed kind of skeptical. She said they were going on vacation which could very well be true because it is a school vacation right now, but we'll see.

Anyway. I better get going. I love you all and hope you have an awesome week.

love
Sister Addis

P.S. Give Elliot kisses for me :)