Monday, June 16, 2014

Natalie June 16, 2014

Hey fam fam!
This week was great. Crazy! but great. We had 3 exchanges and lots and lots of time spent on trains. haha I think we spent over 10 hours on trains or something like that? We had so much fun with the Tours soeurs, going to Arras, and then ending in Valenciennes! I got to back to my ville. It was so much fun. But so exhausting. After our last train coming into paris, we took the RER to Torcy for our DMP meeting and made it towards the end of it. The elders all looked at us and had these scared looks on their faces. haha we looked like we didn't ride the train, we got hit by it! We felt like that too. But all is well and we're having a blast being busy.
I had a fun surprise on exchanges in Arras with Soeur liabeuf! She is a bleu and just got here. She is from the South of France and has been in the church for 3 years. She asked me where I was from and she told me American Fork. She was excited and told me that she stayed there for a couple of days last summer! I was shocked and asked who she stayed with. And she told me the Elder who baptized her. I asked his name and she told me the name of none other than DAVID SMITH. Small world right? I told her that I grew up with him and his family lived right down the street. She was so surprised and we had a fun time talking about her time with the Smith family. She adores them, as she should, and was so touched by their kindness. Sounds just like them right? She told me her conversion story and the huge impact that David made on her decision to join the church. Pretty incredible. I thought it was so neat. As missionaries sometimes we never know the impact we'll have. Thanks to the missionaires that found and taught her, she is now serving a mission changing countless lives here in France. Her story is incredible. I was really moved by her faith and courage and commitment to God. Way to go David Smith!
We also went to Valenciennes the next day and I was able to go with Soeur Williams! It was so much fun and we were able to pass by people that we had found together. We stopped by Patricia and she told us about the day I found her clear back in January. It was so cool and such a fun Rendez-vous. She is now progressiong. I love that. It was fun being back there.
I also have some HUGE NEWS. Get ready for this. After years and years of obstacles and problems the PARIS FRANCE TEMPLE just got cleared on Friday to FINALLY MOVE FORWARD. AHHHHHHHHHHHHH MIRACLE. Elder Anderson came here on Friday and announced it and we are dying. It means the world and the members here are so happy. We have focused all of our work now on the temple and preparing these people to go. in 2 and a half years, it will be done. My dream is to come back. Mabye that can be our trip? hint hint?
This week is the Poznanski's last week. Wow. I can't believe it. Friday, we are having our last zone conference with them. Soeur Linton and I were asked to give a training after the AP's and before the Poznanski's for their last zone conference. pressure. yikes. haha could use some prayers! we are going to talk about the atonement and missionary work.
this is the video I watched in my very first zone conference that changed my whole mission and set the tone for everything I have done. http://youtu.be/I6FKiNVbw3Y we decided to show it and focus on the Savior. We also arranged the last musical number. Soeur poz loves music so we decided to arrange God be with you till we meet again with our mission song. we added in all the languages spoken in our mission, and i'm really excited to see how it turns out. It was an incredible experience writing it and feeling the spirit write it. I will try to film it.
This week I have really enjoyed all the beautiful things we have around us. I found the most incredible talk talking about how refined our Heavenly Parents are.
"The nearer we get to God, the more easily our spirits are touched by refined and beautiful things." Elder Callister
I know this is true, and I know that God wants us to enjoy life and the beautiful things too. I have felt Him so much here! Not because it's Paris France, but because I know He's my Father. And He's with me wherever I go.
I love you all and am praying for you. i hope you have a beautiful week!
Love,
Soeur Cam
100% no regrets I've promised to give more!!
Me and Soeur Liabeuf on our exchange, patricia, the gals in valenciennes


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