Salut Family!
Last week I was signing in the metro when I noticed a young man who just couldn't seem to stop staring. So, naturally, I called him out on it ;). After asking him if he had ever seen people do sign language, he responded by saying, "Actually, I was more impressed with the fact that you were signing while switching between perfect French and English every other sentence" ... I had no idea I was doing that, and it definitely wasn't perfect French haha, but I thought it was pretty funny :) I wanted to talk to him a little more but, of course, the next stop was his... I quickly pulled out a card with our number on it and threw it to him as he was getting off--without explaining ANYTHING hahaha. He texted us later that night and I think it's safe to say he wasn't texting us with intentions of fixing a rendezvous to talk about Jesus, haha. Don't worry, I told him that we were missionaries before Inviting him to come to dinner with a family in our ward the next day ;). After doing a little (a lot) of investigating, he came to the conclusion that we weren't organ traffickers and that we weren't just leading him into a trap; he agreed to come. Yes, he really thought that. Oh boy hahaha. When we first got to the rendezvous it was a disaster. They had forgotten we were coming and so the husband wasn't home yet. There were kids screaming and running everywhere. Then, we we thought it couldn't get any worse, the wife lifts her shirt up (without blanket or warning) and just starts breastfeeding right in front of our brand new ami!! Soeur Clements and I wanted to die. Then she asks, " So what made you interested in taking the missionary lessons?" (At this point he literally had no idea he was about to get a missionary lesson...we didn't get that far in the metro...) of course he was confused and says... "Huh? What do you mean?" (Face palm). We managed to play it pretty cool but we were both definitely panicking on the inside hahaha. Luckily, somehow, the rendezvous made a dramatic turn and ended really well. Emanuel had so many golden questions and the spirit was very strong. Though I probably wouldn't suggest inviting people to soirée familiale without actually telling them why you are there haha... It's kind of awkward. ;) But, lucky for us... Miracles happen... Even in France ;)! Aside from that exciting rendezvous, this week consisted of lots of exchanges, being sick, a Muslim holiday, and an ENORMOUS gay pride festival. Starting with exchanges, Soeur Romney and I spent about 4 hours knocking on every door in an entire neighborhood without a single response. Then, as we were leaving, we got swarmed by Muslims who where all on their way home from the Mosque. Turns out we chose to proselyte in the most Muslim populated neighborhood in the North, and we chose to do it on Ramadan hahaha. Sunday I was sick again. The entire sacrament meeting I had a bad migraine. My face got so pale and sweaty that eventually I went outside to try to get some air so I wouldn't throw up. The elders followed me out to see if I was alright and one of the elders looked at me and said, "Man... You have been through so much this week...is there anything we can do to help?" Just then... A soccer ball flys out of nowhere and nails me in the head hahaha. Just my luck. Thankfully I made it to the bathroom before throwing up. Elder Congerton called while I was sleeping and asked if he and elder Conley could come give me a priesthood blessing. When my companion asked me I said no because I am stubborn, and I have always been hesitant to let anyone other than my dad give me blessings. But, knowing how stubborn I am...They came over anyways haha. I learned a very beautiful and humbling lesson that day as Elder Congerton gave me one of the sweetest blessings I've ever heard. After the blessing he looked and me and expressed how much the Lord loved me. It was such a humbling experience when I realized, no matter which priesthood holder the blessing comes from, it's all the same power. To add to the sweet blessing, Elder Congerton made us a yummy, dairy free, fruit cake :). I'm a lot better today so whether it was the blessing or the cake, I'm grateful that miracles happen--in France! ;) Other things that happen in France...Gay Pride in France...I have never seen anything like it. The entire city was rainbows, loud music, screaming, and parade floats filled with cross dressers. It was impossible to talk to anyone. No one wanted to listen to the missionaries talk about happiness when there was an enormous party raging all around them. As we were being run over by enormous crowds of people trying to chase after and jump on the floats, I really felt like I was living Lehi's dream. That night I came across a beautiful conference talk by President Boyd K. Packer, which you may remember as “a cookie and a kiss." He testified that “the commandment to multiply and replenish the earth … is essential … and is the source of human happiness. Through the righteous exercise of this [creative] power, we may come close to our Father in Heaven and experience a fullness of joy, even godhood. The power of procreation is not an incidental part of the plan; it is the plan.” I was hesitant to share this in my group email, knowing it is a very sensitive subject for many. But as I looked out at all these confused people, my heart just ached for them. In a world of confusion, so many of the answers and assurances that we are searching for can come through daily searching and studying the scriptures and with sincere and pleading prayer, but there are no such promises on the Internet, magazines, festivals, or other forms of worldly excitement. "Sisters [and Brothers], I do not know why we have the many trials that we have, but it is my personal feeling that the reward is so great, so eternal and everlasting, so joyful and beyond our understanding that in that day of reward, we may feel to say to our merciful, loving Father, “Was that all that was required?” I believe that if we could daily remember and recognize the depth of that love our Heavenly Father and our Savior have for us, we would be willing to do anything to be back in Their presence again, surrounded by Their love eternally. What will it matter, dear sisters, what we suffered here if, in the end, those trials are the very things which qualify us for eternal life and exaltation in the kingdom of God with our Father and Savior?"- Linda S. Reeves I would just like to add my testimony to that of Sister Reeves, that our bodies truly are sacred gifts from our Heavenly Father. I know that as we keep our lives pure and clean, always relying on the atoning sacrifice of our Savior. We will be able to overcome our weaknesses, find true happiness, and as our Father has promised us, one day receive “all that [our] Father hath.” With an enormous amount of love, Sœur Wyson Ps- Happy late birthday Jar!!! Not sure how old you are because I can't even seem to keep track of my own age. But you look great ! ;)
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Subscribe:
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
|