Natalie April 7, 2014

Wow.

That's about all that I can say about this weekend. Can I get an amen for that? I can honestly say that I have never been more moved by a conference than I was from this one! From square one Elder Holland hit a homerun! (like he normally does. Let's all remember the mime that says, "I don't always give the best General Conference talk...oh wait...yes I do" yeah that's about spot on) and I felt literally like he had jumped out of the tv and was talking to me personally.

Like you guys I LOVED Elder Bednar's talk and it was pretty fun. Me and my comp were watching them all leave the conference center and his wife came up to him at the end and give him a little hug telling him he did a good job. We liked that. I would give him a fist bump too. I loved his analogy and everything he had to say. Good man.

I think for me, a common theme that I found was how they were all pumping us up. Especially the youth, to take a stand and be ready to fight for this gospel. Elder Holland's talk hit it right on the nose. Like the sister missionary that he mentioned who got the sandwhich spat on her, I have experienced things similiar, and other situations almost every single day of my mission. Each day I have received persecution for the tag I wear. It was actually kind of funny, because as we were on our way to conference we had some problems, finally got to conference and watched it and felt so FIRED up! When we left, we ran into yet again similiar problems, but I will never ever forget the power and fire that I felt. I knew, that I had the power of God with me, and no one could touch or hurt me. I felt the fire of Elder Holland. On the tram there was a normal little encounter with a man and I could not ignore the power that was shining out. I squared me shoulders, looked the man right square in the eyes, and with a loud voice told him "NO". It was probably the first time he'd ever heard that word. It scared him, and he immediately got off the tram.  We were protected. There is nothing that can stop the work from progessing. There are sure a lot of forces that are trying, but we are so physically and spiritually protected that nothing can get in the way of our testimonies and will to work.

I have been protected every single day of my mission. I have been carried every single day of my mission by the Savior. It amazes me that He does it, because it's not us been persecuted, it's actually Him. It's His name on our hearts, on our tags. And I know it hurts Him. To have His brothers and sisters hurt His representatives--hurt Him. But because of His character, He turns outward to us rather than inward. He carries us and heals us. I have felt literally carried every single day of my mission.

Being here in France, I have come to know just how evil and wicked this world really is. I never understood that before coming here. I had absolutely no idea just how bad it actually has gotten. As I listened to conference, I realized that God is warning us all. The prophets are preparing us! And I am here to testify that things are getting bad; The things I've seen are evidence of that. 

In 2 Timothy 3:1-6 it says.
 1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly awomen laden with sins, led away with divers blusts,
 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

I see pretty much every single one of these every day. And more. It is real! We are in the "latter days" just like Elder Ballard shared. But just as we have so much evil, there is SO much good! We are called to be as far away from the world as we can. and I love that! And we are doing it! I love that! I just feel the unity of us all throughout the world who want to fight! Who want to be set apart from the world!

As we finished watching conference, i wanted more than anything for these people here to watch it. I love them. And it hurts watching them live the way they do. Can you only imagine if everyone in the world would have watched conference and implimented what they learned? Ah. i'm so excited to have the chance to share it with them. That's why we're here. To find people that are ready!

Well I sure do love you, I had a great week this week. We didn't have anything too exciting. Just keepin on keepin it on if you know what i mean. This will most likely be my last week here in Valenciennes and it makes me really sad. It is always so hard to leave. But I love the Lord and am excited for all the calls He gives us. All the places He wants us to be.

Hope you all have a beautiful week.

Love
Soeur Nat
100% No regrets I've promised to give MORE