To start out, I have set a goal for myself to become The 4th Missionary. It’s not going to be something I say I’ll do and end up not doing it. It’s something I really want to do. So far, I’ve seen such a difference and miracles in my life because of this commitment. The Lord is helping me to achieve it. What is The 4th Missionary? For those who don’t know, let me tell you in a nutshell. Basically it’s
- Sacrificing your will to the Lord and putting your desires on a little pause.
- Becoming consecrated and using your time more wisely.
- Having charity, the pure love of Christ.
- Having faith and serving with all your HEART, MIND, might and strength.
- Measuring your success based on how well you feel you did your best, and not basing it off the success of others.
- Find people even if you don’t want to, work even if you’re too tired, and serve even if it’s too hard because it’s the only intelligent thing to do.
So, this is my plan in a nutshell. To eventually attain these things and really make them a part of my life. A quote I really like from The 4th Missionary says exactly why:
"My question is: why do all that (mission) and not benefit personally from it?" Do you see that I am not talking: about obedience: rather I am talking about intelligence? I am telling you that there is only one intelligent way to serve a mission; the way that will bless you, and benefit, and change, and uplift, and empower, and ennoble you; your life, your spirit, your character, you. That is the way of the Fourth Missionary. It is the only intelligent way to go."
What else do I need to say? The scripture that comes to mind is, Ether 12:27
And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.
It’s so incredibly true!!
OK, moving on. We went and stopped by an ami of ours. It was so enjoyable seeing him. He’s been an ami for a little bit. He was picked back up from past missionaries. His name is Jacque Lebleux. He’s 80 and married. He’s so very awesome and funny. I loved visiting him. We teased each other, and he kept pointing out how adorable I was because I am very young. He loves missionaries and is so welcoming. They gave us hot chocolate which I’m pretty sure they just melted a bar of chocolate, it was so thick and rich. They’re very hard to meet with because they have so many doctors’ appointments. Hopefully we can meet with them again soon! It was such a fun experience.
District Meeting was excellent and different once again. Elder Cheng taught about listening to our amis better. Well, just becoming a better listener in general because if we listen we can understand them much better. If you sit there trying to think of a response while they’re telling you a story on what they’re going through, you won’t be able to help them. I can testify that it’s true. He had us blind fold ourselves with our scarves and then he paired us with someone random. We were supposed to listen to them without seeing and really teach according to their needs. It was hard, but very good. I tried to apply that in my life here in Calais and I’ve seen some really good results.
We had exchanges on Thursday and I loved it. It was fun talking to other missionaries, and yes, in a way, take a break from the same routine and learn new things. Soeur Nielsen is a tender mercy in disguise. She helped me prepare for the future. We were able to make plans and figure out how to apply them, so pretty much helping me build armor for battle! It was an edifying experience and we both learned a lot from each other. She is an amazing example of charity and being a hard worker. she can find people on the street so well. Conversations with her are so fun. She’s really good at engaging people. It helps a lot when you’re happy, then everything is so much better. Not only for you but for others around you as well. We need to be friendly and not robotic missionaries. I learned a lot from her. Best exchange I’ve had so far!
Let me share one of the most amazing experiences I’ve seen and gone through so far on my mission. It is a complete miracle. It started when my comp and Soeur Danes (STL) were on exchanges. They found this woman while porting (door knocking) and when they sonned (rang the intercom) she picked up. When they introduced themselves, she cried right there on the spot from up in her apartment. They were let in and were able to give her a rundown of all the lessons. They got to know each other, and it was an amazing experience. This woman, Sabrina, was looking for something like this. They set a rendezvous for the next day and that’s when I was finally able to meet her. I was so excited because of all the things I had heard. We got to her place and had the chance to teach the whole Restoration. She loved it, understood it and believed it all! The spirit was so strong. Towards the end she was telling her past stories and it was quite sad. She started to cry and looked so sad like she had been suffering for a long time. Since I’m a sympathetic crier, I started to cry too. Basically, she has a husband who doesn’t treat her very well, so she called the cops on him to protect her and her children. Right now, she wants to get a divorce to get away from him. Anyways, she’s never even had the Bible before, so we were able to give her something special. We explained in more detail about the Book of Mormon and she thought the book was so precious. She told us she would read it every day. WOW! I almost fainted. As we were finishing, we asked her if she would give the closing prayer. She was a bit hesitant at first, but she did it. We taught her how to do it and she gave the most perfect prayer. Absolutely perfect. She sounded like a member saying it. Immediately once she started saying it, the spirit hit me so strong that I started crying again. Silently so as not to disturb anything. It was incredible. We finished and realized that we hadn’t asked her to be baptized yet. It was the perfect moment to do it, so we did. I asked her, and she was on board and told us she really wanted that. We were ecstatic! We set March 31, as the day for her baptism. This is my first real baptismal date/invite and a solid one at that! Please pray for Sabrina Fournival because she really needs this. I know this gospel can change her life and it’s something I know can help her. Pray she will continue to have a desire to know of these things and have the spirit with her that and she will endure to the end.
Church was wonderful! We were able to hear from Estelle, a member who has received her mission call. She has been called to serve in the California, Los Angeles Mission!! (I can’t remember if it’s in the temple visitor center or not) Not very many Francophones (native French speakers) get a chance to leave Europe, maybe it’s because they like to use their francophone (French). It was cool hearing where she’ll be serving. She was hoping to go to either Japan or America and so it worked out! I’m excited for her!
Well this was my week! Sorry not sorry that I wrote a novel for my weekly email, it was just too good to leave out the details ;) Love you all and make sure you try to always have a good attitude because it’s just so much easier to live life when you’re happy. I promise! It will not only help you, but also the people around you too! Anyway, thank you for all that you do for me!
Have a great week!
Soeur Hunt
Our new ami Sabrina who is getting baptized!!
(ami means friend, which is what they call investigators)
(ami means friend, which is what they call investigators)
District Meeting
Exhanges with Soeur Nielsen
Catching the train
Trying out the new smartphone
Map of Calais at the Lace Museum
Fashion and Lace Museum, Calais
The International City of Lace and Fashion is arranged in one of the last and largest lace plants dating back to the1870s. To display the modernity of the project, the architects chose to associate a construction that evokes contemporary lace by undulating glass and silk Jacquard boxes representing the “Leavers” trades.
According to Sarah, you can watch the lace being made as you walk through the museum.
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