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