Well well family. Now that you have all stuffed yourself with Turkey and are gearing up for the Christmas season. I will let you sit back and enjoy a wonderful email from the most wonderful sister missionary you know.
Um I am clearly just kidding, but seriously get comfortable, pretend like I am with you just laughing and tell you about my crazy life.
So this past week. It was great. Things were pretty much the same except for that it was thanksgiving.
You must be wondering how did the French members take care of us silly americans on our wonderful holiday. Well, to be honest, they didnt. Us Americans took care of ourselves. I think I had already told you that we would all be together for a Zone Meeting. And oh golly it was a great time. We had our meeting and then had a FEAST. There were about 34 of us, not totally sure, and we had nine chickens, because of two things. Turkeys are really expensive in France. Second thing, french ovens cannot fit an American sized turkey. So we just embraced that. I made green bean casserole and homemade garlic mashed potatoes. Oh boy were they yummy. Someone, I think one of the older couples, made stuffing with baguettes, holy smokes it was so good, i will never make stuffing any other way. And of course the classic sweet potato marshmallow dish was made and that was good too. It was fun. After we ate we went around one by one and said one thing we were grateful for. It was one of the most spiritual things. Very precious time in the mission. Then the missionarys from our zone that will be going home bore their testimonies and that as well was extremely spiritual. This happens every transfer when a missionary leaves. It is called their "dying" testimony, but for some reason this one was more powerful than all the rest I have been in. Elders Sopi, Fitch, Turley, Bennallack and Gubbay all bore their testimonies. They are wonderful missionaries and great examples for all of us. Elder Fitch I have an especially great respect for. His mom passed away not too long ago and the thing he said he was grateful for for thansgiving was the trials that Heavenly Father gives us. He has handled his mom death in a very admirable way and I know that his mom and the rest of his family must be so proud of him. I could never imagine having to go through something like that and I know without a doubt that I would definitely not be as happy and positive as he is. He is one of my heroes.
Anyway it was a good week besides that. Our ami Julien has a baptismal date for January 12th, please pray for him to receive and recognize answers to his prayers. He is progressing very well and being well integrated by members, but he says he has not yet noticed answers to his prayers. This is of course something very new to him because the first time he prayed was after meeting us. Your prayers are very much appreciated!
Other news is that transfers are next week already! We will see what happens with those. Honestly no idea what could happen. Soeur Nish could leave or I could leave we really dont know. I have also decided that I will be staying on my mission till May 21st, and start school about a month later, for summer term. This means that it will be six weeks longer until I will see you all but I know it is what the Lord wants me to do. I fasted and prayed very much about this to know the answer and I feel that this is right. This also means that we will be able to take a great family vacation when I get home and before I go to school. So go ahead, start planning for that :) If you want it to be two weeks instead of one, dont worry I dont mind that at all.
As always loved the videos of Savannah and Addison. Funny story about Michael and the carseat. Funny stories also about the twins at mom and dads. Cant believe how big Addison is in those videos. She really is a kid. Its crazy.
Michael thanks for being my faithful writer. I love you. Happy that we will have a semester together again! Not happy that we will be sharing the car again :)
Going but I love you... Have an awesome week.
Love,
Sister Addis
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Heavenly Father is the NIcest Person I Know, November 19, 2012
Heavenly Father is the nicest person I know
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Oh my gosh family. I am freaking out. Do you realize how nice and loving Heavenly Father is. I know it. I know it because I have witnessed in my own life. I know I already sent you an email about it, but, I GOT ACCEPTED TO THE BUSINESS PROGRAM! I can't tell you how happy I am. I even jumped up and down and made Soeur Nish stand up and hug me even though she had no idea why I was so happy, I explained afterwards. Anyway. Now I have to take a little time to get some things organized but pretty sweet eh? I know it is all, "grâce aux Seigneur."
Anyway. My life is awesome. Love love love love love this work and being a missionary. Every week gets better and I am really scared that something awful is going to happen because everything is so great right now. Sr. Nish and I want to be together for Christmas but this is her fourth transfer here in Grenoble so she will probably be transfered and I will have a horrible Christmas with some weird companion. No. Just Kidding. I dont really know what is going to happen. And I know without a shadow of a doubt that with every single companion I have, it is because the Lord wants me to be with them. To learn and grow from their example. That is the amazing thing about missions. I have learned to have so much confidence in the Lord. I don't want to go on step in my life without Him. He is truly my best friend in the whole entire universe. Sorry Kelsie and Lisa. And everyone else I say in my best friend, I know I say that a lot, I just love people so much, is that such a bad thing!!??
So missionary work is in full blast here in Grenoble. I shook hands and smiled all big and cheesy with Elder Andersen almost a week ago. He's pretty much the bomb. But honestly in a respectful way. I KNOW that he is an APOSTLE of the Lord. His apostolic testimony was one of the most powerful things I have ever heard. I think it made it that much more special that it was in an intimate environment. He helped me to realize what ordinary people the apostles and prophets are, however their callings are extraordinary. He talked about his mission forty years ago here in France and how he felt. We all laughed because we have all experienced the same feelings he had. He then was mission president here in Bordeaux twenty years ago, and thats actually why he came. He came to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Bordeaux Stake. Then he decided to be nice and visit with the missionaries and members. So cool. There was a seventy there also. Brother Karens (not really sure how it is spelt), he was stellar too. British guy pretty funny, talked about good stuff. I would have told you more about what they said but I forgot my notes. Tant pis.
To answer moms wonderful questions. I slept on the floor in an apartment along with 17 other sisters. There were 20 of us total. However they had two sets of bunk beds and then two extra mattresses so that was 14 of us actually on the ground. It wasn't so bad. I didnt shower. Not many of us did. There was only one bathroom but no real troubles with that. The first time I went to the bathroom at their apartment wasnt until 5:30 the next morning when I was about to pee my sleeping bag and I had to tip toe around sleeping bags and try not to kill anyone, or myself for that matter. Also Sister Dooley made a funny and said that there were bathrooms near by like at the church and JA (Jeune Adulte, the center for young adults). All in all it was great. Its always great to have zone conference and let alone to be with an apostle, it was sweet.
This week for thanksgiving, we will be having a zone meeting and celebrating ALL together. I am super excited. I didnt realize that Thanksgiving was this week and not next week. Thought it was the last thursday of the month but apparently its the fourth thursday of the month. Have an AWESOME time together. I know Michael is supposed to be going to Allies and Caroline and Devin will be at Mom and Dads. It will be such a wonderful time all together. I am gunna be living it up here in G-town. You dont have to be jealous, just know that I am thinking of you.
THE BEST PART. Missionary work here in Grenoble is on FIRE. We have awesome amis and are doing awesome and everything is just awesome. I am sorry for my lack of vocabulary but I dont know how to speak english very well anymore. Dan, Julien, Vaber, Burim, and Weixi are all really great. We have one ami Nicolae who is romanian and he kind of makes me impatient but I am learning with him. Otherwise stuff is great. I love teaching and helping these people come unto Christ. Missions are the best thing ever.
I learned something from 1 John 1 and 2 this morning. First was that we are all sinners and that if you say you arent a sinner your a liar and your calling Jesus Christ a liar. You will probably go to hell. Second thing is that in order to come to know Jesus Christ we must keep His commandments. When we keep the commandments we should Jesus our love for him. When we keep the commandments we are learning that way in which Christ lives and we are better able to understand who we need to become. I dont know if that made sense. I am kind of on a super high right now of just loving life. I love you all very much and hope you have the best week ever.
Loves,
Soeur Kimberly Addis
P.S. Mom I sent Sr Couillens a letter today, I meant to send it last week but I never got to the post. Crazy that the Marshes and Wasdens are moving. My home ward is changing way to much.
And yes I will be able to get packages at my apartment however I dont know if I will be transfered. Its always possible and transfers are two weeks from today. YES ALREADY!!!!
Anyway. My life is awesome. Love love love love love this work and being a missionary. Every week gets better and I am really scared that something awful is going to happen because everything is so great right now. Sr. Nish and I want to be together for Christmas but this is her fourth transfer here in Grenoble so she will probably be transfered and I will have a horrible Christmas with some weird companion. No. Just Kidding. I dont really know what is going to happen. And I know without a shadow of a doubt that with every single companion I have, it is because the Lord wants me to be with them. To learn and grow from their example. That is the amazing thing about missions. I have learned to have so much confidence in the Lord. I don't want to go on step in my life without Him. He is truly my best friend in the whole entire universe. Sorry Kelsie and Lisa. And everyone else I say in my best friend, I know I say that a lot, I just love people so much, is that such a bad thing!!??
So missionary work is in full blast here in Grenoble. I shook hands and smiled all big and cheesy with Elder Andersen almost a week ago. He's pretty much the bomb. But honestly in a respectful way. I KNOW that he is an APOSTLE of the Lord. His apostolic testimony was one of the most powerful things I have ever heard. I think it made it that much more special that it was in an intimate environment. He helped me to realize what ordinary people the apostles and prophets are, however their callings are extraordinary. He talked about his mission forty years ago here in France and how he felt. We all laughed because we have all experienced the same feelings he had. He then was mission president here in Bordeaux twenty years ago, and thats actually why he came. He came to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Bordeaux Stake. Then he decided to be nice and visit with the missionaries and members. So cool. There was a seventy there also. Brother Karens (not really sure how it is spelt), he was stellar too. British guy pretty funny, talked about good stuff. I would have told you more about what they said but I forgot my notes. Tant pis.
To answer moms wonderful questions. I slept on the floor in an apartment along with 17 other sisters. There were 20 of us total. However they had two sets of bunk beds and then two extra mattresses so that was 14 of us actually on the ground. It wasn't so bad. I didnt shower. Not many of us did. There was only one bathroom but no real troubles with that. The first time I went to the bathroom at their apartment wasnt until 5:30 the next morning when I was about to pee my sleeping bag and I had to tip toe around sleeping bags and try not to kill anyone, or myself for that matter. Also Sister Dooley made a funny and said that there were bathrooms near by like at the church and JA (Jeune Adulte, the center for young adults). All in all it was great. Its always great to have zone conference and let alone to be with an apostle, it was sweet.
This week for thanksgiving, we will be having a zone meeting and celebrating ALL together. I am super excited. I didnt realize that Thanksgiving was this week and not next week. Thought it was the last thursday of the month but apparently its the fourth thursday of the month. Have an AWESOME time together. I know Michael is supposed to be going to Allies and Caroline and Devin will be at Mom and Dads. It will be such a wonderful time all together. I am gunna be living it up here in G-town. You dont have to be jealous, just know that I am thinking of you.
THE BEST PART. Missionary work here in Grenoble is on FIRE. We have awesome amis and are doing awesome and everything is just awesome. I am sorry for my lack of vocabulary but I dont know how to speak english very well anymore. Dan, Julien, Vaber, Burim, and Weixi are all really great. We have one ami Nicolae who is romanian and he kind of makes me impatient but I am learning with him. Otherwise stuff is great. I love teaching and helping these people come unto Christ. Missions are the best thing ever.
I learned something from 1 John 1 and 2 this morning. First was that we are all sinners and that if you say you arent a sinner your a liar and your calling Jesus Christ a liar. You will probably go to hell. Second thing is that in order to come to know Jesus Christ we must keep His commandments. When we keep the commandments we should Jesus our love for him. When we keep the commandments we are learning that way in which Christ lives and we are better able to understand who we need to become. I dont know if that made sense. I am kind of on a super high right now of just loving life. I love you all very much and hope you have the best week ever.
Loves,
Soeur Kimberly Addis
P.S. Mom I sent Sr Couillens a letter today, I meant to send it last week but I never got to the post. Crazy that the Marshes and Wasdens are moving. My home ward is changing way to much.
And yes I will be able to get packages at my apartment however I dont know if I will be transfered. Its always possible and transfers are two weeks from today. YES ALREADY!!!!
Monday, November 12, 2012
Happy is the New Chic, November 12, 2012
Hello Everyone!!!
So much great things to tell you and so little time. First of all, have you heard?! I am going to be meeting an apostle of the Lord tomorrow! Elder Andersen is finally here in our mission. Yesterday he did a stake conference in Bordeaux and then had a Zone Conference with the Bordeaux, Toulouse and Montpellier zones and tomorrow we will have Zone Conference with him in Lyon,along with Aix-en-Provence, Genève and Lausanne Zones. After our zone conference with him we will then attend a fireside he is doing for the members. We are STOKED. Its going to be crazy to see TONS of missionaries, some of which I have not seen since the MTC, Soeur Kohler. Then ALL the missionaries will sleep over night in Lyon. And then we will leave the next morning. Ah its going to be so cool. Anyway I am sure I will have wonderful things to report next week. I am trying to remain super humble or humble myself even more so I will be ready to hear the words of an apostle and of the Lord, that are specifically for me and my life.
Something interesting I noticed during this email session. I have really seen my change of heart lately. I AM a missionary. I used to cry about the fact that my family was together or about how much i missed my family but this time I started crying about the fact that soon, in several months, I will no longer be a missionary. I seriously love my mission so much. I dont want to leave and I dont want to think about leaving. It made me sick to my stomach when I received an email from a companion of mine asking if I wanted to live with her in Provo in a few short months...
Moving on to greater things. My subject line. Haha. But seriously, dont you just love that? There is a picture included of one of the three posters here in Grenoble for a clothing company that says, Happy is the New Chic. Oh my word. I love it. Had to share that with you. I have taken pictures of each poster and printed out a picture for my desk so I can always remember to be happy every single day. I love being happy. I know that is how God wants us to be and he is willing to provide happiness if we are willing to keep the commandments. Sure there are hard times in our lives but if we have an eternal perspective we can understand greater how to be happy in times of despair.
This email is going to be really all over the place because I am going through a list of things I wanted to tell you. Dan, our awesome ami, is progressing very well. He still says awesome things. After we talked about the commandments I asked him, "Dan, Why do you think the commandments of God are important?" He then said, "If everyone were to keep the commandments the world would be a better place. Everyone would be happy!" Don't you just love that. Such simple truth but really have you ever thought of that. If everyone followed the commandments, what would that bring the world? Then after our rdv with him we were walking to the tram together and we were talking. Sr Standford (we were on exchanges) was saying the few words or phrases she knows in chinese. Dan then told us that the phrase they learned to say in school was, " I love the communist party" Haha so funny but so sad. Those poor people, so brainwashed.
Little reminder before I share what I learned this week, Christmas is 6 weeks from tomorrow. HELLO SKYPE SESSION!
Okay now that I got you all excited, I am going to share something spiritual. I learned something really cool from a conversation with Soeur Nish, who I love by the way. She reminds me a lot of Kelsie. Ah I miss her. Anyway, we were talking about missions and how they are hard but they are so rewarding and just that kind of talk. Then she said something that really touched me. She said how she had made several silly mistakes in life and that this is the last thing she could do to repay Heavenly Father for forgiving her. I then realized how much more I love my mission. I too am here because I have made several stupid mistakes in my life. My mission is part of my repentance process. I am being purified and edified every day, becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ. I am here serving a mission because the Lord has been patient with me and has been so willing to forgive me that I am taking 18 months to try and pay him back through my full time service. I know that I will always be indebted to the Lord because I can never fully repay him, but I can try to do my best to show my love for Him. How do you show your love for the Lord?
Have a super duper week,
Love.
Soeur Addis
Monday, November 5, 2012
Take A Chance, November 5, 2012
SO glad to hear that everyone is doing okay. All these frenchies had me a little bit worried about my family and friends on the east coast because they were all like. OH wow your from NJ, how is your family after the storm? And of course I had no idea until today. Sounds like Mom and Dad had their work cut out for them to chop up trees and stuff. Hope things are a lot better now. Let me know if there is anyone that I can be praying for.
Okay first to answer moms questions. Food is not as expensive here as in Switzerland. For an example. Pain aux chocolat in Swiss Francs is 2.50 ish...in France 0.90 euros. Granted Francs and Euros are not the same but it just gives you a little idea, pretty much everything is less expensive in France. Switzerland is a very expensive place. Our apartment building has I think eight floors, not really sure. We are on the fifth floor. At night time looking at the street from our balcony kind of reminds me of L.A. And Yes I did get the envelope with the voting stuff and ensign. I already sent in my vote last week. Hope everything goes well tomorrow. Like Soeur Lala, the mother, said yesterday, even if Romney doesnt win the church has had some pretty good publicity, and we all know that what the Lord wants to happen, will happen.
Soooooo, how are you my sweets. Ah I love my family so much. You're the best. I am still loving life. Its not as easy as it could be but life is good. The snow is gone. its not as cold and well now we are prepared for a really cold winter. Can you believe it is already November 5th. Christmas is next month. I get to see your faces next month!! I am so excited for christmas. It will be amazing, i know it. I am really excited to see the difference of Christmas in the MTC and Christmas in the field. What a wonderful gift I get to give to everyone, the teachings of Jesus Christ. So cool.
Anyway. This week. It was great. Sister Nish is fantastic and we get along great. We balance each other out very well and we have a good amount in common but at the same time are very different. Want to know something sweet. I gave her a haircut today. It was just a trim but it looks good. I am pretty proud of myself. Just wish i could cut my own hair. I love that its long, it has just been over a YEAR since it has been cut. Maybe here in Grenoble I will ask Melanie who I can trust to cut my hair.
Enough of worldly things. On to the spiritual things. You guys I cant even tell you how much I love my Heavenly Father. I learn so much about Him everyday and this transfer we have been asked to study the Atonement every single personal study. It is so great. I continue to learn deeper and deeper and my testimony just gets stronger and stronger. I want to share my love for this gospel with all my family and friends. If they can just understand one bit of the joy the fulness of the gospel has brought me in my life they would want to learn more and have it in their life too. Please, find this desire to share the gospel. It seriously brings so much happiness.After you have found this desire, go and do.
For my loving family members and friends that are not members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, just take a chance and meet with the local missionaries once maybe twice maybe three times. They will not force you to do anything, it is always your choice, it is simply that we as missionaries, are representatives of Jesus Christ. "We talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ," We are disciples of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. We have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life. We are here to help you understand the things that your loving Heavenly Father wants you to know. Please, if this touches your heart at all, please find the missionaries. If you dont know where to find them, call my mom and she will find them for you. (sorry mom big task). I promise you nothing more than happiness from meeting with the missionaries. What would it hurt?
Now that I have talked your ears off I would like to just leave you with a spiritual thought.
I read a story today in a book by Elder M Russell Ballard, Our Search for Happiness. He talked about a heroic firefighter that saved five children. As his co workers were trying to control the fire he went five different times to bring out a child every time. As he went back in the sixth time the neighbors yelled that there were only five children, all of them were out. He shouted back that he saw a baby in a crib, he had to go back and rescue this last child. A few moments after he entered back into the flames, an explosion occured, which caused the home to collapse and as a result took the firefighters life. Hours later when the firefighters were digging through the rubble, they found his body covering the crib protecting an unscratched, life sized baby doll. He then compared this hero to the greatest hero of all. Our Savior, Jesus Christ. He suffered for each one of us. He did not want to leave one behind. He is all powerful, he could have found another way to help us all to return to live with our Father in Heaven but instead he submitted to the will of the Lord and died for us. The good news that we bring to the world is that Jesus Christ was resurrected. Because he was resurrected and lives today, we too will live again after this life. We have the chance to live with our Heavenly Father, brother and Savior Jesus Christ and our families, for time and all eternity. It simple depends on us. Jesus Christ has done his part. What will you do to make sure that you do your part to return to live with your Heavenly Father, Redeemer, and family again some day?
I love you all and hope you have the most fantastic week,
Soeur Kimberly Addis
Okay first to answer moms questions. Food is not as expensive here as in Switzerland. For an example. Pain aux chocolat in Swiss Francs is 2.50 ish...in France 0.90 euros. Granted Francs and Euros are not the same but it just gives you a little idea, pretty much everything is less expensive in France. Switzerland is a very expensive place. Our apartment building has I think eight floors, not really sure. We are on the fifth floor. At night time looking at the street from our balcony kind of reminds me of L.A. And Yes I did get the envelope with the voting stuff and ensign. I already sent in my vote last week. Hope everything goes well tomorrow. Like Soeur Lala, the mother, said yesterday, even if Romney doesnt win the church has had some pretty good publicity, and we all know that what the Lord wants to happen, will happen.
Soooooo, how are you my sweets. Ah I love my family so much. You're the best. I am still loving life. Its not as easy as it could be but life is good. The snow is gone. its not as cold and well now we are prepared for a really cold winter. Can you believe it is already November 5th. Christmas is next month. I get to see your faces next month!! I am so excited for christmas. It will be amazing, i know it. I am really excited to see the difference of Christmas in the MTC and Christmas in the field. What a wonderful gift I get to give to everyone, the teachings of Jesus Christ. So cool.
Anyway. This week. It was great. Sister Nish is fantastic and we get along great. We balance each other out very well and we have a good amount in common but at the same time are very different. Want to know something sweet. I gave her a haircut today. It was just a trim but it looks good. I am pretty proud of myself. Just wish i could cut my own hair. I love that its long, it has just been over a YEAR since it has been cut. Maybe here in Grenoble I will ask Melanie who I can trust to cut my hair.
Enough of worldly things. On to the spiritual things. You guys I cant even tell you how much I love my Heavenly Father. I learn so much about Him everyday and this transfer we have been asked to study the Atonement every single personal study. It is so great. I continue to learn deeper and deeper and my testimony just gets stronger and stronger. I want to share my love for this gospel with all my family and friends. If they can just understand one bit of the joy the fulness of the gospel has brought me in my life they would want to learn more and have it in their life too. Please, find this desire to share the gospel. It seriously brings so much happiness.After you have found this desire, go and do.
For my loving family members and friends that are not members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, just take a chance and meet with the local missionaries once maybe twice maybe three times. They will not force you to do anything, it is always your choice, it is simply that we as missionaries, are representatives of Jesus Christ. "We talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ," We are disciples of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. We have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life. We are here to help you understand the things that your loving Heavenly Father wants you to know. Please, if this touches your heart at all, please find the missionaries. If you dont know where to find them, call my mom and she will find them for you. (sorry mom big task). I promise you nothing more than happiness from meeting with the missionaries. What would it hurt?
Now that I have talked your ears off I would like to just leave you with a spiritual thought.
I read a story today in a book by Elder M Russell Ballard, Our Search for Happiness. He talked about a heroic firefighter that saved five children. As his co workers were trying to control the fire he went five different times to bring out a child every time. As he went back in the sixth time the neighbors yelled that there were only five children, all of them were out. He shouted back that he saw a baby in a crib, he had to go back and rescue this last child. A few moments after he entered back into the flames, an explosion occured, which caused the home to collapse and as a result took the firefighters life. Hours later when the firefighters were digging through the rubble, they found his body covering the crib protecting an unscratched, life sized baby doll. He then compared this hero to the greatest hero of all. Our Savior, Jesus Christ. He suffered for each one of us. He did not want to leave one behind. He is all powerful, he could have found another way to help us all to return to live with our Father in Heaven but instead he submitted to the will of the Lord and died for us. The good news that we bring to the world is that Jesus Christ was resurrected. Because he was resurrected and lives today, we too will live again after this life. We have the chance to live with our Heavenly Father, brother and Savior Jesus Christ and our families, for time and all eternity. It simple depends on us. Jesus Christ has done his part. What will you do to make sure that you do your part to return to live with your Heavenly Father, Redeemer, and family again some day?
I love you all and hope you have the most fantastic week,
Soeur Kimberly Addis
It's Like Sunshine Melting Ice, October 29, 2012
Oh my gosh my family. I am not going to ask how you are because you all wrote me... minus dad, tom and devin, but im used to that. I love you so much. I am so happy and I can't contain it. I love my mission so much. There were so many great things that happened this past week and I cannot get over it. I dont even know where to being oh my word.
Okay I guess the most exciting news is that on Saturday, Paddy and Michael in Renens were baptized. If you remember, I was teaching them. Holy Cow I am so happy. I was praying for them all week and especially on Saturday knowing that it was their baptismal date and apparently all went well and prayers were answered because they were baptized! So stinking cool. I love this work so much. You have no idea. It brings the most happiness to my life than I have ever had. (sigh)
Second great thing. I love GRENOBLE. It may not be the most beautiful city that I have ever served in but I just cant get enough. We have wonderful amis and I just love contacting people here and helping them come unto Christ. I have started realizing how fast the mission is going and how little I have left and I just feel this strong motivation to share the gospel with every person I come in contact with. Ugh. It is so cool. You dont even understand!!!
Before I talk about our amis I just want to tell you the quick list of differeneces that I have found between France and Swiss.
1. They speak French and only french. In Switzerland every other person we contacted said they didnt speak french, but they spoke spanish, portugesse, albanian or english. I have only had one person say to me, sorry I speak english, and sadly for her, I do too.
2. The sirens sound different, yes on police cars and ambulances, I no longer think of Jason Borne.
3. The people here talk way faster than in Switzerland. Sometimes I have a hard time understanding everything because they speak so fast.
4. Way more Muslims
Okay so that is it for now. Not huge things but enough to say, Toto I dont think were in Kansas anymore.
Okay now on to our amis. We are teaching a guy and his wife who are Romanian, but speak french. Well I guess she doesnt and that contradicts what I just said but who cares. They are great. Really searching for the truth. Know a lot about the Bible. Were Orthodox, whatever that means. Havent come to church yet but hopefully next week. Names: Nicola and Maria.
Second ami. He is pretty sweet. Julien, french student. Now on vacation for the week back in his tiny village a couple hours away. Melanie actually contacted him when she was out with the Sisters "street boarding" at the University. He came to FHE last week and then we taught him on Wed and he came to institute on thursday, so he is really searching. The YSAs here are great. Julien is a scientist so he was atheist but then after reasoning her realized that there has to be something more because it is not atoms that make up our spirits/consciences. Anyway super cool. Pray for her that he will continue his search when he gets back from vacation.
Third ami. The best for the last. Dan. Chinese PhD student. Speaks english better than french, therefore we teach him in english. Oh my gosh family. He is so golden and great and wonderful. We taught him on Saturday morning with Melanie and our DMP Frère Barta. Dan is SUPER busy with school and his research that we dont get to see him that often but ugh he is great. The subject line is a quote from him. The lesson that we had on saturday was super spiritual. Ah it may have been one of the greatest lessons that I have been in, because the spirit was the one teaching the whole thing. I was fervently praying during the lesson that I would be able to say what the Lord wanted me to say or ask. We were talking about baptism and confirmation and I felt prompted to ask Dan if he believed that God was his loving Heavenly Father. He then said yes. I then asked if He believed that Jesus Christ was his Savior and redeemer and he said yes. AH it was so cool. This is someone that grew up in a communist country and had no idea who or what God was when the sisters first met him. Now he has a testimony that God is there. There is so much more that we talked about and so much more that went into the spirit being there. Oh to explain the subject line we asked him if he had ever felt the spirit. Then we asked him how the spirit felt. and that was his response. "It feels like sunshine melting ice" Ah it was so great. I love this work so much and I love sharing the gospel with people who have been prepared by the Lord. Anyway to make a long story short, Dan said that he wants to get baptized but he just needs more time to understand.
So pretty much my week was amazing. Up until Sunday. WE HAD A BLIZZARD!!!! So much snow, very unexpected. The public transportation was not working in the morning so we had to walk to church. Its not too far away but Sr. Nish has a foot problem and should not be walking very much if at all and I realized that my boots had been polished which then removed any sort of waterproofing so my feet were SOAKED. Dont worry mom I bought waterproofing spray today, and my feet were just frost nipped, not bitten. Not but seriously this storm was crazy and caused some unecessary drama. We just found out that the Elders who are here in Grenoble too are sick because they stupidly decided to go porting last night in the freezing cold. We on the other hand were smarter than that. We found ways to be inside, or teaching lessons.
I hope you all loved this email. I need to get going. Didnt have a lot of time to write today because I had so many emails to read and pictures to admire but I love you all VERY MUCH and I pray for you all the time. Keep doing what your doing and have confidence in the Lord. He loves you. Let Him show you His love. Pray. Read the scriptures. Go to church. Keep the commandments. You WILL be blessed.
loves,
Soeur Addis
P.S. a cause de cette storm, i bought a winter coat, a hat, and warm tights.
Okay I guess the most exciting news is that on Saturday, Paddy and Michael in Renens were baptized. If you remember, I was teaching them. Holy Cow I am so happy. I was praying for them all week and especially on Saturday knowing that it was their baptismal date and apparently all went well and prayers were answered because they were baptized! So stinking cool. I love this work so much. You have no idea. It brings the most happiness to my life than I have ever had. (sigh)
Second great thing. I love GRENOBLE. It may not be the most beautiful city that I have ever served in but I just cant get enough. We have wonderful amis and I just love contacting people here and helping them come unto Christ. I have started realizing how fast the mission is going and how little I have left and I just feel this strong motivation to share the gospel with every person I come in contact with. Ugh. It is so cool. You dont even understand!!!
Before I talk about our amis I just want to tell you the quick list of differeneces that I have found between France and Swiss.
1. They speak French and only french. In Switzerland every other person we contacted said they didnt speak french, but they spoke spanish, portugesse, albanian or english. I have only had one person say to me, sorry I speak english, and sadly for her, I do too.
2. The sirens sound different, yes on police cars and ambulances, I no longer think of Jason Borne.
3. The people here talk way faster than in Switzerland. Sometimes I have a hard time understanding everything because they speak so fast.
4. Way more Muslims
Okay so that is it for now. Not huge things but enough to say, Toto I dont think were in Kansas anymore.
Okay now on to our amis. We are teaching a guy and his wife who are Romanian, but speak french. Well I guess she doesnt and that contradicts what I just said but who cares. They are great. Really searching for the truth. Know a lot about the Bible. Were Orthodox, whatever that means. Havent come to church yet but hopefully next week. Names: Nicola and Maria.
Second ami. He is pretty sweet. Julien, french student. Now on vacation for the week back in his tiny village a couple hours away. Melanie actually contacted him when she was out with the Sisters "street boarding" at the University. He came to FHE last week and then we taught him on Wed and he came to institute on thursday, so he is really searching. The YSAs here are great. Julien is a scientist so he was atheist but then after reasoning her realized that there has to be something more because it is not atoms that make up our spirits/consciences. Anyway super cool. Pray for her that he will continue his search when he gets back from vacation.
Third ami. The best for the last. Dan. Chinese PhD student. Speaks english better than french, therefore we teach him in english. Oh my gosh family. He is so golden and great and wonderful. We taught him on Saturday morning with Melanie and our DMP Frère Barta. Dan is SUPER busy with school and his research that we dont get to see him that often but ugh he is great. The subject line is a quote from him. The lesson that we had on saturday was super spiritual. Ah it may have been one of the greatest lessons that I have been in, because the spirit was the one teaching the whole thing. I was fervently praying during the lesson that I would be able to say what the Lord wanted me to say or ask. We were talking about baptism and confirmation and I felt prompted to ask Dan if he believed that God was his loving Heavenly Father. He then said yes. I then asked if He believed that Jesus Christ was his Savior and redeemer and he said yes. AH it was so cool. This is someone that grew up in a communist country and had no idea who or what God was when the sisters first met him. Now he has a testimony that God is there. There is so much more that we talked about and so much more that went into the spirit being there. Oh to explain the subject line we asked him if he had ever felt the spirit. Then we asked him how the spirit felt. and that was his response. "It feels like sunshine melting ice" Ah it was so great. I love this work so much and I love sharing the gospel with people who have been prepared by the Lord. Anyway to make a long story short, Dan said that he wants to get baptized but he just needs more time to understand.
So pretty much my week was amazing. Up until Sunday. WE HAD A BLIZZARD!!!! So much snow, very unexpected. The public transportation was not working in the morning so we had to walk to church. Its not too far away but Sr. Nish has a foot problem and should not be walking very much if at all and I realized that my boots had been polished which then removed any sort of waterproofing so my feet were SOAKED. Dont worry mom I bought waterproofing spray today, and my feet were just frost nipped, not bitten. Not but seriously this storm was crazy and caused some unecessary drama. We just found out that the Elders who are here in Grenoble too are sick because they stupidly decided to go porting last night in the freezing cold. We on the other hand were smarter than that. We found ways to be inside, or teaching lessons.
I hope you all loved this email. I need to get going. Didnt have a lot of time to write today because I had so many emails to read and pictures to admire but I love you all VERY MUCH and I pray for you all the time. Keep doing what your doing and have confidence in the Lord. He loves you. Let Him show you His love. Pray. Read the scriptures. Go to church. Keep the commandments. You WILL be blessed.
loves,
Soeur Addis
P.S. a cause de cette storm, i bought a winter coat, a hat, and warm tights.
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