I know I am a day late. You might think, as mom did, that they celebrate Memorial Day here in Switzerland and France but no. Definitely not that. Its because it was pentecôte. A silly excuse to have a day off and everything be closed. Therefore we changed our p-day to today so we could email and buy groceries and other things.
Today has been a good day. The picture of me eating ice cream at the fountain was taken a couple of hours ago in the center ville. The sun was shining and and heat of summer has arrived. Well maybe not in full blast but it is starting to get hot. The sun is up even before we get up in the morning and goes down when we have our nightly planning so the days are very long. I love it though. Its kind of a tease sometimes because I feel like I am on vacation and then I remember I am here to work :) Its wonderful though. Switzerland in May is amazing, I am sure all of Europe is. Love it. Suggest it to everyone. Maybe one day we can all come and enjoy the Movanpick ice cream looking over the beautiful lake. That is a favorite for Sr. T and I. The ice cream is sooo good. And when the weather is hot like this we cant resist. Plus we only have this week to take it all in because starting saturday evening we will be starting work in Gex, even though for the time being we will still live in Geneve. The office elders are in the process of finding us an apartment. That means saturday we will be getting a car as well. We will see how that goes trying to park in the city at night. Its nearly impossible to find a place.
Seeing as though this is our last week in Geneve, I had my last sunday in the Saleve ward on Sunday. It was sad because this is my first ville and I have been here for five months, but its great. I am ready for change. I will be sad to leave so many people that I love but its part of the life of a missionary. So this week is going to be full of eating with members and saying goodbye so I am sure there will be more photos next week with more members. The photos this week are with Sr. Humez, the sweet sister who doesnt know that I peed in her bidée, and then the Spirigs, Catalina and Olav--side note, she is the one who wants the brown sugar, and other american goodies--. I love that family so much. We were with them last night for FHE and had so much fun eating and playing scrabble, in French, I won!! I guess my french is improving ;) We laughed a lot and really enjoyed our time together. I have already planned to come back and stay with her after my mission, she said my husband is welcome too... haha.
Speaking of my french improving. I am getting more comfortable and am not affraid to speak now. An elder in my district, from Paris, told me a couple weeks ago that my accent is getting pretty good. I was pleased. I know I still have ALOT to learn and to master the grammar, and writing I cant write for beans, but its nice to see the progress.
Before I leave you on a spiritual note I have a couple questions, comments for the family. How is Michaels internship going? He should write me next week because I have some business to write him that I wont have time today. For Allie how is the bun in the oven? Any news if its 100% girl, haha. I want to see videos of all my sweet babies, I am pretty sure I will be able to open them here. How Caroline and Devin enjoyed Seattle. When I was there last year I always wondered why we never went there for family vacation while growing up, thats a trip for the fam when I get back! It sounds like mom has survived her time with the twins and Dad has survived without mom being home ;) Love you mucho famille. I'm tri-lingual.
Okay now my sweet revelation moment. I was studying in Preach My Gospel, the missionary training book, this morning and was studying Chapter 1 My Purpose, as I felt that this was something I wanted to better understand. I read a line that had touched me before but touched me again more deeply this time. It said, "As your understanding of the Atonement of Jesus Christ grows, your desire to share the gospel will increase." This has been so evident in my life. When I was deciding to come on a mission it was my understanding of the Atonement that gave me the desire to serve. I wanted everyone to have the same knowledge that I had about the Savior, Jesus Christ. Then as a missionary I have seen this more and more as I study the Atonement, usually once a week. My desire to share the gospel increases. I have come to love and really cherish my mission. I love having the opportunity everyday to share my testimony with these people and to teach them more about the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that every member can have this experience as well. This quote is not just for missionaries. As you study the Atonement, I mean really study it, your desire to share the gospel with others will increase. I promise you that as you work hard to understand our Savior and his life and suffering that he went through for each one of us, it will not only become a desire to share the gospel but it will become easier and you will find that you have more opportunities to share the gospel. As members of the Church of Jesus Christ, it is our responsibility and a promise that we made to God that we will share the gospel with others and help them to come unto Christ. What can you do to improve in this area?
With that I leave you Mosiah 4:20,"And behold, even at this time, ye have been calling on his name, and begging for a remission of your sins. And has he suffered that ye have begged in vain? Nay; he has poured out his Spirit upon you, and has caused that your hearts should be filled with joy, and has caused that your mouths should be stopped that ye could not find utterance, so exceedingly great was your joy." My scripture of the week.
I love you all very much and hope that you are having a wonderful day and will continue to have a joyful week. Gros Bisous.
Soeur Addis
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