Natalie January 6, 2014

Well hello everyone!

Thanks so much for all of your emails and news. Can you believe I hit my half way mark this week? Man I can't believe how fast time is flying. I'm loving every second of it! This week was crazy busy and felt like it was a couple of months! We had district meeting, exchanges, new year's parties, lots of lessons, and great miracles! I will tell you about some of them;

So a few weeks ago I told you about finding Vincent and his wife Elizabeth. Well, we had a rendez-vous with them this week. Vincent is very intelligent and knows a lot about religion. He was born Catholic, then became Evangelical slash protestant and a whole other array of different religions. It's kinda weird. He has studied our religion extensively which isn't always the best thing...haha. In our 45 minute long rendez-vous, he brought up every single contraversial topic that is brought up at our church. Every single role play situation I've ever gone through in Mission Prep came true. haha Polygamy, black's and the priesthood, joseph smith's wives, BOM not being consistent, and the list goes on. His critisism started to hurt. I thought of Loge and our mission prep adventures and laughed. At first it was pretty exhausting and frustrating that every single "hard situation" in Mission prep and the MTC was coming true (shout out AF East Stake Mission Prep program), but then I remembered what I've always learned in those situations: OPEN YOUR HEART THEN YOUR MOUTH AND SPEAK. So I did. With a power that wasn't mine. I boldly testified that I was only 21 years old with poor french, and had never studied religion before. But I could stand before God and say that I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the only true Church on this Earth. And that in the coming day, our Savior will come back and reign again, and that's why I'm here. Not to convince people or fight with them, but to testify and help them prepare for when He'll come again. We testifed that he'll have a chance to stand before the Savior one day too. We testified of Joseph Smith, of the Book of Mormon, and living prophets today. I'll never forget the Spirit burning in that room confirming that what we were saying was true. I saw it in his eyes that he felt it too. He got scared and started telling us that as young people in our church we could make a difference and revolt or ask questions against our priests and leaders to question the contraversial points of docterine in our church. haha we kindly told him it wasn't necessary and excused ourselves from his home. I'm not going to lie, he was good. He had hard questions. But not at one moment did I doubt what I believed. The Holy Ghost was with me every single moment giving me comfort and words to say. I will forever be grateful for Him and the friendship we have. Through the strengthening and enabling power of the Atonement, He turned a weak little 21 year old girl into a mouthpiece with power and authority to stand up against a brilliantly educated man. And that, is a miracle of a mission. I know that power and authority is real! Because I felt it, and I used it. I love that feeling, and it has changed my life.

The rest of the week was so much fun and full of great experiences. For New year's day we went to the Duez family. He is our DMP aka ward mission leader and we work closely with him. He is amazing! And reminds me of what dad will be like when he's an old grandpa. His little prances and jokes and such. I love being in their home. We had a real 4 hour french meal with them. It was the best meal I've eaten out here! Escargot, beef, potatoes, cheese! ah all courses were unbelievable; We spent the day with their children and grand kids after. Such a tender mercy. Made me miss all of you guys and think of our family gatherings someday when we all have kids!

We also ate with the Copola family! They are Italian and are so much fun! They have twins who are around 16 years old. We were talking music and they told me they loved Imagine Dragons. I told them some of the band members were members and they FLIPPED. it was so cool. Then I told them that my sister was friends with one of them and they flipped even more. Cool to see the affect that Dan and his band are still  having on the world. They are really big out here in France.

Well it was weird hitting my half way mark. Honestly I am just so grateful to be here as a missionary. I look back at these past 9 months and I am so grateful for the one on one moments I've had with my Savior and all the time He's spent with me. My mission has meant the world to me. In so many ways. The miracles I've seen, the people I've met, the experience I've gained. I wouldn't trade it for the world. Everything--every moment has been a gift from God, and is evidence of His love for me. I'm so grateful that I have 9 more months of this incredible ride and experience to serve others and bring blessings to you. I've loved every single day of my mission and I've been so bleseed. My life will forever be affected by my 18 months in the Paris France Mission! 2nd half...HERE WE COME!!!

 These are my favorite patisseries right now! speculos mervielleux! so so good. Got them to celebrate! 

And this is our porting experience out in the beautiful country! fields and fields of green. AH i love it.
Well i love you all so much. And i can't thank you enough for letting me be here. Thank you for your love and support and all that you do for me. I really felt your prayers this week! Stronger than ever! It was so powerful. I'm so excited for this week to go find teach and baptize some people! Love it.
LOVE YOU ALL
Soeur Cameron
100% No regrets! I've promised to GIVE MORE!!