8/22/2016 0 Comments "Man, I love the Gospel!"Hey hey hey!
Our ward mission leader got off of his mission less than a month ago and is preparing to go on his first date in over two years. So of course he comes to my companion and I for dating advice. Hahahaha. I couldn't stop laughing. A return missionary asking two missionaries for dating advice... What's wrong with this picture? Well, we did what any missionary would do... Took down his number and passed the referral to someone a little more qualified hahaha. This week we taught the Restoration to a guy in a clown suit, that was one of the strangest things I have ever done hahaha. We were just minding our own business and snapping a few pictures during our lunch break when suddenly a clown man pops up out of nowhere and starts dancing with me (don't worry, we got it on camera). We were a little freaked out but it was pretty funny. Before leaving, he held out his hand for money and so we gave him a pass along card. He was very confused, he probably stared at us for about 45 seconds before we realized he was actually interested haha! So yeah, we have a new ami, and he is a clown. Lately I have really been looking for ways to work my brain. So, I made a goal these past couple weeks to do everything I normally do with my right hand, with my left! Including writing, makeup, brushing my teeth, etc. it's been so cool! It really tests your concentration haha. Not to mention your patience! While on Exchanges, Sœur Jackson and I decided to step off the the side of the road and say a quick prayer to help us know where to start finding. After all 5 of our rendezvous being canceled, we were looking at a looonnng day of nothing but street contacting haha. Immediately after the prayer we both looked up at each other, puzzled at the answer we had both received--The visitors center. We actually never go to the visit center because it is currently run by the Elders for security reasons. Without delay, we headed over to the Visitors center to check things out. When we got there, the Elders, as usual, were taking their shift running the center. They also happened to be in the middle of the lesson so we didn't hang around. Before leaving, we decided to stop inside the church really quickly and check our referrals. Realizing the door to the church was locked, we turned back to the visitors center to grab the key. The Elders were still occupied with their lesson when we turned the corner and noticed a stranger standing in the visitor center, reading the church Proclamation to the Family. Seeing as the Elders were in the middle of a lesson, they had not yet had the opportunity to greet this man. Of course Sœur Jackson and I had no problem taking over ;). Henry is a young married Protestant French man who noticed some missionaries on the metro no earlier than that same morning. Curious, as he was getting off the metro, he asked if they had a card to give him. Pleasantly surprised, the elders began digging through their bags for a pass along card which they quickly placed in his hand as the metro doors closed. I imagine that as those doors closed, those elders probably did what any of us missionaries would do. Pray! Pray that he would be the diamond in the rough that actually calls the number on the card. During Henry's voyage home, he stared at the information on the card. Then, spontaneously turns around and gets back on the metro that leads directly to the church visitor center. We were able to teach Henry the entire Restoration that day as well as give him a Book of Mormon. His eyes lit up as we read together and testified of the things we knew to be true. By the end of the lesson, I felt the spirit so profoundly that I could hardly remain standing hahaha. I just wanted to lay down on the floor and say... "Man, I love the Gospel!" Well, I actually did do that. But I waited until the visitor center was empty ;) Hahaha. Man, I love the Gospel!!! To add to the awesomeness of that miracle...the moment we walked outside of the visitors center, we found ANOTHER new ami!! What!? Two in one! I love finding new friends :) After closing our 24 hour exchange with Luxembourg, we had 30 minutes give or take to get ourselves pumped for our next 24 hour exchange with Nancy. This week we had to give our formation in Zone Conference along with THREE back to back 24 hour exchanges. It was insane! Exchanges take a lot out of you but they sure bring in lots of miracles as well! One of my favorite exchange miracles this week was when we got free drinks and fancy discount meals just for looking cute ;). I was out with Sœur Jackson and we were getting ready to head home for lunch when a little old French man yells out from his restaurant to us and says, "WOW!!! Beautiful Girls!!! You know what, free drinks, on me for the beautiful girls!" We laughed and politely thanked him for the kind offer, but told him we actually don't drink. Then he turns around and yells at his employee and says, "Two free orange juices for the lovely ladies!" Hahaha. Okay, we're convinced. He ended up giving us a super awesome deal and we got the entire meal-- drinks, entree, main dish, and dessert-- all for 15 euros! They weren't cheap dishes either! So we celebrated Sœur Jacksons 6 month mark by enjoying my sister Natali's very favorite French dish, "Confit de Canard" along with a nice fruit salad and some French onion soup. Sadly, not all French people are as nice as that old man. Sunday we arrived at church to find graffiti across the outside wall telling us to "go back to [our] country" and some other mean stuff. It's interesting the ways in which Satan is using his followers to attack the church, as the scriptures said he would. What he doesn't realize is that his attacks are nothing but testimony builders :) As we realize the purpose behind them, we understand that Satan wants nothing but for all of us to live like him--in misery. His efforts cannot and will not shake us if we recognize his plan of attack and rely on the Lord to protect us. For this reason, I love the story of Alma. For those of you who aren't familiar with this story. It is one from the Book of Mormon about a young man, who is the son of the prophet, Alma, after whom he was named. Though Alma did not always follow the righteous steps of his father. In fact, he even went out with his friends seeking to destroy the church! It is a sad beginning to the story as we read about his actions "giving a chance for the enemy of God to exercise his power over them" (Mosiah 27:9). But there is much we can take away from this scripture. I imagine that Alma must have had moments of guilt. It's something that comes naturally with sin. When we make mistakes, we feel guilt, which can push us to repent, if we let it. Or, we can try to hide our guilt, by continuing in iniquity. Sadly, if we do not choose to turn to The Lord, we are, as alma did, "giving a chance for the enemy of God to exercise his power over [us]." His efforts cannot and will not shake us if we do not give him the chance. As we follow the teachings of the prophets and put our trust in the Lord, he will protect us. And we will not be blind to Satan's plan of attack. "And because they cried mightily unto him he did deliver them...and thus doth The Lord work with his power in all cases among the children of men, extending the arm of mercy towards them that put their trust in him (Mosiah 29:20)." Man, I love the Gospel!! I feel honored to be here sharing it with everyone. I miss you all and I'm praying for you every single day. Keep searching for miracles, because miracles happen... Even in France!! ;) BISOUS BISOUS Xoxo- Sœur Wyson
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Tracie WysonI feel very honored to have had the opportunity to serve as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the France, Paris Mission. Archives
April 2017
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