February 24, 2014

And now some Degas for you

This week was full of ups and downs.

Started the week by a beautiful trip to the Museum of Beautiful Arts. Got our bit of culture in, in case walking down the streets of France everyday isn't enough. That was an "up" of the week.

Soeur Fahl, who had health problems before her mission, hasn't been feeling to well since we came. She wasn't feeling good at all on Tuesday, and after we came back from running, she curled up in a ball on the flooor....yeah, okay, that's not okay. So the next two days was spent in and out of the emergency room and the pharmacies, as random doctors perscribed things that didn't work. By Wednesday, President decided to send her home, because her health really can't be improved while on a mission. So that was heart breaking. We packed her bags, and then walked her around Lyon. We took her to see a few cool things, and just ended up wandering, arm in arm. We dropped her off on Thursday, which was sad and hard, but she needs to get better. She was here for a reason, and she was definitely a tender mercy. She came when she did for a reason, and helped make us better. We love you, Soeur Fahl!

We got back into work right away, since after dropping her off, we went back to district meeting. Thursday was just a weird and surreal day, but we got back into pretty fast. We visited members, had language studies, and taught Eude and Kessman and Zamir. All have a great desire to follow Christ, we're just trying to help them overcome their certain problems. 

Emma, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Just so you know, Soeur Francis and I made a birthday video for you. It's awesome, and I probably won't ever be able to figure out how to send it, soooo look forward to that in 7 months. Thanks Mom and the Woolsey's for the packages. The best was watching/videoing Soeur Francis try a Butterfinger for the first time. She loved it.

Yesterday we were busy. We had church, then the Elders had a baptism after, then we taught Soeur Berger-Perrin. She's this awesome less active who can't come to church due to health reasons, but she's got rock solid faith. Then we taught Zamir, sans his sister. He came to church, too. Kind of weird seeing those two seperated. Basically, some guy from Albania came and ruined everything (kidding...kind of), but he doesn't like us missionaries, so Zamira has been hard to reach...pray for her. But it was AWESOME teaching Zamir by himself. I wish I could record his responses, because they are so profound, with his child-like, innocent faith. Like yesterday, he said "Repentance is like my favorite part, because it helps us to be better, and helps us be happy." Yes.....*cue me crying*...yes, it does. We visited the Pascaud's, who introduced us to their neighbor, who is Arthur Weasley, French-version. 

Oh, and so you know, transfer calls are on Friday. NOOOOOOOO! Just kidding, nothing to stress about, Soeur Francis and I are staying and all will be well........ ... ...

We've got the ward praying for us.

My bleue found a cool quote yesterday that I thought I'd share with you:

"The process of being made whole, begins with a broken heart."

A simple, beautiful truth. The Savior can heal us.

Psalms 147:3 "He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds."

Je vous aime.

Soeur Luthi

February 17, 2014

Another start to what I'm sure will be a great week.

This past week has been good, just a bit slow. I only say that because almost all of our amis now are slowing down to that weird, no-longer-really-progressing stage. Wah wah. But that's okay, because that means we are really on the hunt for families. I did an exchange this week with my STL, Soeur Carter (who is my idol), and we talked all about how we need FRENCH amis. You'd be surprised how most of our amis are not actually French, here in France. African, Albanian, etc. The one French ami we have, Lydia, is the one with the most potential. So I've decided that that's who I'm looking for. French families. That's like the hardest group of people to contact, because more often than not, that's the group that quickly says no. But if the Lord told President Roney that we need to find families, and if He called me to France, there WILL be a French family out there whom we can find and usher into the gospel. 

 

So anyway. We had some really great member experiences this week. For example, Soeur theroomy, who is a less active, but only because her children told her they wouldn't speak to her if she kept coming. But she wants to. She promised me by the end of the transfer, she'd come. And by «Promised me », I mean she just randomly looked at me and said « i promise I'll come to church before the next transfer ». Cool. She made us delicious Malaysian food, and Soeur Anderson came with us.

Again, this week we had lots of tombez. There was one day where it seemed literally everything we planned, even with members, wasn't working out. But, at the end of the night, we went to the famille Heras' for a heathly meal, again with the Andersons. (Mom, I hope you liked the pictures.)

We also worked with members by having them help us do language study. Most genius idea. We just chat, and love the members, and they correct us, and we teach them, and after an hour I think « I KNOW FRENCH ! »......and then we go back to speaking English together.... .. …... …

Also, we had Zone Conference this week. Not only that, but interviews. I was looking forward to it all week. Our zone was dead last out of the 11, so I'm sure the Roney's and the A.P.'s, and everyone else involved were beat by the time they rooled into Ecully. But it was still incredible, none the less....is that one word ?

Zone Conference was all about love, and learning to love like the Savior did, in both loving God, and our fellowmen. Some bits that I loved was when President pointed out that if we don't love, the Plan of Salvation doesn't work for us. Think about it.

Also, « Love and faith are the wealth of heaven. » Wise.

I especially loved my interview....even though I pretty luch was the ne asking the questions. I picked his brain for what to study, what he expects from mybleues and from me, how I can be better, etc. Guys, It. Was. Awesome. We talked for like half an hour, and I learned so much, but to sum it up- The Savior and Love. So, those will be my focuses. Also, he gave me an incrdible book to study all about the life of the Savior. It basically puts the Gospels into chronological order, but adds in stuff from the B.O.M d D&C. Usually he gives it out at the end of our missions, but he gave it to me early, and told me to learn all I could about the Savior.

We also had lunch with Ivalani and Nicole, two of my favorite members. We celebrated Nicole's birthday, and I figured out, especially on Sunday, that I CAN'T leave Ecully. In the biggest ward in our mission, I feel like I finally know the members, and tey know and trust me....

Anyway. Yesterday was great, and really full of member love. Except with one minor set back. I woke up befoe the alarm (wah wah), and was lying awke, waiting for it to go off. Then I wondered why there was light in our usually pitch black apartment.....no......NOOOOOO. The alarm didn't go off. It was 8:24...church starts at 9. Cue the most hectic morning ever, which included us leaving 15 minutes later, looking abou as great as you can imagine, and running to church. We got there late and sweaty (gross), but all was well. We taught amis class, Soeur Georges gave us chocolate for Valentine's, and 2 amis who haven't come to church came! One was Lydia, who actually works with Nu Skin, and almost fell over when she met President Roney. #dinnerwithbothfamsnextweek #instantfellowshippers

The famille Couapel, the cutest couple, took us to their house for lunch, and then we saw Soeur Heras again so she could try to help my sick comp, and then went to Soeur Berger-Perrin, a less actve who can't come to church for health reasons. All went well, and we were ediied by all. But by the end of the day, we were kind of gross. Buuuut that's missionary work for you.

Also, had another testimony builder of how fasting works. Zamir and Zamira kind of had a blow in their family this week when Zamira pretty much ran away with some sketch guy from Albania who came 3 weeks ago. All around a bad situation. But we fasted as companionship Saturday-Sunday, and on Sunday evening, we got a text from Zamir "She's back." AHHHHHHH3è"'_éç&è470-èè_"'à~|`\^]]`\]§§§§!!!!! The situation is a lot deeper than that, but prayer works, guys.

I love being here is France.

I love Ecully.

I love training.

I love the Savior.

I love my mission.

And I love you all!

Soeur Luthi

 

PS....sorry, I would add pictures but this sketch internet place won't let me..

February 10, 2014

Some of my favourite people

Reading emails today opened up the emotions all over again. My heart is tender for my dear family. If I said "I love you" a million times, I'm not sure if it would be enough. (Someone hug my mom for me.)

The incredible thing, is the gratitude I feel, despite this loss. I am grateful of the incredible love that I feel. I am grateful for the divine support I know we are all receiving. I am grateful for the support my family has received. I am grateful for Stacey. For her beautiful example of Christlike love. 

She was and is a light. 

She makes heart tender, more receptive, and more loving. She showed us how to be obedient, and how to love the Lord by loving others. 

She makes me want to be better. She makes me want to work harder. She makes me want to smile more, and show people that God is there, and He is real, and that He loves them. Because that is what she showed me. I love her, and I love my family.

This week was good! It was one of those weeks where day-to-day, sometimes it seemed to last forever, with lots of tombez-vous, but by the end of the week, we saw that really we were successful. That was Heavenly Father humbling me.

We went on exchanges this week with the sisters who are in Dijon, and I did it with Soeur Vidal, who used to be my STL. A bit weird, since I'm used to her leading the day. But she is an incredible missionary, and an incredible example. That day, we decided to do a language study at a members. I was worried the members would be bugged that we were calling so last minute, but the sweet famille Bize LOVED it. We went over and Soeur Vidal and I ate crêpés while Soeur Fahl taught them the Retab and was corrected on her French. By the end, there were 8 people crammed in the small kitchen, laughing, and eating crepes. So love-filled. So French. Soeur Bize told us the missionaries hadn't visited them in forever, and Frere Bize showed us a picture of his entire extended family, all active members, all married in the temple, and cried as he explained the effect the missionaries who met his parents had. By the end we were crying and then sprinting to catch our bus. It was an incredible night. And we saw the blessings of letting the members serve us.

Lots of amis ended up coming to church again yesterday, and one ami showed up right at the end, wanting to be taught. So we did, and during the lesson, he asked how he could be baptized. Alrighty, then.

Zamir and Zamira are still doing well..well, by that, I mean we see them at church. They are really busy right now with their legal stuff to try to stay in France, and a new boyfriend who came from Albania. I think their priorities have changed a bit, plus their parents don't think they have time to meet with us. The good thing is that I know that we taught them all they need to know, and now they have to choice, plan and simple in front of them.

OH! And the greatest part of the week, was on Saturday when the Manzonies came up to Lyon, and we got permission to go out to lunch with them! They took us to the Halles of Lyon, whoch is a really cool indoor market kind of thing, and we ate yummy food, but had even better company.

This week is Zone Conference, so I am currently finishing Preach My Gospel during my studies. Today the thing that really stuck out to me was service. I think that's what I want to get out of this life. Is serving others. Lifting up arms that hang down. Showing people that there are things to be happy about. So I then read 3 Nephi 17, which is one of my favorite chapters. The love that the Savior exemplifies is hard to describe. Read it. 

President Monson said:
“My brothers and sisters, we are surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness—be they family members, friends, acquaintances, or strangers. We are the Lord’s hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children. He is dependent upon each of us. …
“That service to which all of us have been called is the service of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Service, what the Savior taught, and what Stacey does.

I love you all,

Soeur Luthi

February 3, 2014

Tender feelings today.

Got a couple calls this week, one which brought good news, and the other I didn't want.

Firstly, this was a pretty good week. With obvious bumps, but a definite high was getting a new companion! I got a call from President on Thursday, telling me that I would be getting another baby...whaaaat? #doubletraining So Saturday night, we got picked up by Pres, and he took us to his house to pick up our new companion. Her name is Soeur Fahl (pronounced fall), she is German but sounds American, is a convert, goes to BYU-I and reminds me of Chan. Guys, she is the epitome of a tender mercy. After we took her out to dinner and got home, I got the call from Mom and Dad. Cue the most surreal experience of my life. But that's why I am so grateful for Heavenly Father's timing. And also, to be on a mission. It's the best way to distract myself, I just turn to this little baby bleue who is about to fall over due to jet lag. She is great though, and so willing and happy to be a missionary. Also, she was in the MTC for only 9 days. Basically long enough to get used to the time change, only to fly back, and get all messed up again. 

Something that I thought a lot about over the past 2 days is our reactions to things like this. I feel an incredible amount of peace. I realized that in heart breaking moments like this, we are shaken, but then we can be strengthened. I can feel divine support that is difficult to explain. But now I know. If I had a testimony before of Heavenly Father's plan, now I have a knowledge that God created a perfect plan, so we can be with our families forever. 

I love this opportunity to be here as a missionary. This is why we need missionaries! Because I never want to think how dealing with these trials would be without the truths that I know. This is why we need to find families, to show them that they can be for forever. And even with trials, and struggles, and pain, I know that we are receiving divine support. Thoughts that have been rolling through my head over and over are "Trials are either stumbling blocks or stepping stones." or "All that is unfair about life can be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ."

Jacob 3:1-2

Look unto God with firmness of mind, and pray unto him with exceeding faith, and he will console you in your afflictions, and he will plead your cause, and send down justice upon those [trials] who seek your destruction.
O all ye that are pure in heart, lift up your heads and receive the pleasing word of God, and feast upon his love; for ye may, if your minds are firm, forever.

D&C 101: 14,16

And all they who have mourned shall be comforted.
Therefore, let your hearts be comforted concerning Zion; for all flesh is in mine ahands; be still and know that I am God.

For my family, you have my prayers. I miss you all, but I am so grateful for your faith. Let this build you up, not tear you down. I LOVE YOU.

Love,

Soeur Luthi