Natalie August, 18, 2014

Well hello tout le monde!

WHAT  A WEEK. As you know, I just began my very last transfer of my mission today. Can you believe that? 12. 12 Transfers. 6 weeks is all. This week has been absolutely insane. So much happened and so much has changed!  I got the news on Friday that I will be staying and dying in Paris and I will be follow up training a new missionary! WOOT WOOT! my dream! I am SO SESTATIC. And can't wait. Her name is Soeur Waite and she is the cutest. I am PUMPED.

So this week has been the last week of my dear companion's mission. I have the honor of killing the mission legend SOEUR HENSON also known as one of my best friends. You will be seeing a lot of the dearest Hailee Henson for the next eternity. She went out with a bang and gave every little thing she had. We had an incredible last district meeting and all of our cute elders wore black ties in honor of her and her mourning. We had a thanksgiving feast in gratitude of her and a temple citrus cake was even made. Everyone loves Soeur Henson because Soeur Henson loves everyone. She is absolutely unbelievable. And I will miss her so much.

this week we had an incredible rendez-vous with our ami Hawa. These are her adorable twins. We asked her if we could do anything to help her or serve her and she asked us to play with her girls while she made us lunch. OH LAND. Can you say heaven??? It was the funnest 30 minutes of my life. Come on, just look at them! More pictures to come next week...just sayin. May involve my glasses and my plaque.

So this week, the long awaited musical FIRESIDE happened! And oh boy. It could have possibly been the greatest day of my mission. First off, we arrived a little early before the elders...surprise...and the huge gate was locked. So me and Henson start talking and well, turns out I got a dare, and turns out I may have just jumped the 10 foot gate and played some ball on the other side while we waited. Well turns out the members all saw and got the biggest laugh ever. haha because they didn't think I had it in me. Oh man. I learned a great lesson. Sorry for disgracing the family name mom. I did clear it with a big 10 if it makes you feel better--in a dress even. Turns out I may still have some moves in me.

So the elders in the small little branch of Aulnay in Paris contacted us a month ago to see if we'd be interested in helping them. So we agreed and we've been practicing since! It was me and Soeur Henson, our 2 equipes of elders in Torcy with us, and the elders of Aulnay. We had 9 musical numbers. Ranging from hymns, to Savior Redeemer of My Soul, and My Kindness Shall not depart from Thee, to guitar and tahitian uke solos. I got to play the piano for all of them. It was absolutely beautiful. The spirit was so thick. God arranged the music and He led our fingers and voices. It was so special. The branch is tiny and they participated and singing in the choir we had and providing food and everything. They invited their friends and there were lots of nonmembers there! The theme of the fireside was Our Savior's Love. In between each musical number they had speakers assigned. I had a really incredible experience arranging Our Savior's love. They asked me to write a piano solo for the last number. As I practiced in Torcy, the Spirit led every note. And it was an experience that showed me God knows me. Every time I would play it on our grand piano a stream of light would come through the room and literally touch my face. Warming the whole room. It was miraculous. In our fireside the moment I started playing, a pillar of light came in the room and touched my face bringing us all to tears. President Babin came to support us and spoke after I played. The emotion in the room was so thick and he couldn't speak for awhile. I love that man. He means the world to me. That fireside was one of the most special nights of my mission. Afterwards we got to talk with our Babins. They came to show us their love and support. Absolutely incredible. A woman came up to me after to thank me for the music and told me her husband wasn't a member. But that during that piece, his heart was touched and he felt something. He was standing next to her and just smiled and gave me a humble nod. Oh the love I felt for him. And for God. He lives He lives He lives. I love the people of France.

On the RER home, Elder Pauharo from Tahiti pulled out his uke and we had a little jam session for the people. We drove along the Paris skyline with the most beautiful sunset of my mission.  Then with Elder Lam and Elder Coulombe we taught a family from the UK and India. It was incredible. God is so real and I feel His love.

Yesterday the elders had a baptism in Torcy of a woman from China. She is the cutest thing ever and we were able to help out with the program. It is an incredible moment to watch someone you love enter the water. The silence of the feet hitting the steps in the font ring within your heart. I love her. Elder Lam and Coulombe are by far the greatest elders in the mission. It is so refreshing to have perfect unity in a ville. They take such good care of us. Logan is going to die in Elder Coulombe's home ward in his mission.

I love my mission with all of my heart. And I could not be more excited for the next 6 weeks ahead of me. I am so ready to give every ounce of everything I have to continue to be a consecrated missionary. God is showing me who He is everyday and I feel so honored that I get to share that with everyone around me. I love my mission. And I love you. I hope you all have an incredible week! You are all in my prayers.

Love,

Soeur Cameron

100 % No regrets I've promised to give more