Wherein Julia plays Make-Up, Speaks only French, and Goes to Montpeillier!

Companions: Soeur Morrow and Kim (note the mom-made jewelry!)

Whoa !!! Week long English fast ended this morning (They were committed to only speaking French, hence the "English Fast"), so I have been able to express myself, say what I want to say, with the words I know how to use!! Hehe but the fast was wonderful, really enjoyed it, although it was difficult, my French defiantly improved!

So kind of sad news, we had a kind of intense RV with Patrice and Kamelia this week. We were talking about the Plan of Salvation, and at the end of an hour, we hadn’t gotten past Adam and Eve, because Patrice started preaching to us, and when that starts, there is no end. It is quite frustrating, but they don’t understand our purpose as missionaries! We tried to get even a word in and it was impossible. He told us (as he has before…) that God was angry at Adam and Eve for eating the fruit, and that is why they were cast out, and if they hadn’t eaten it, then we would have all lived in a perfect state, so therefore we are all born with Adam’s transgressions on us, and that is why we are baptized when we are babies, because we are born with that sin.

Of course we shared scriptures, but that didn’t change anything, hehe Patrice just said, “Oh I have never heard of that…” and would keep going on…it is quite frustrating, because he just likes to talk. There is no goal in mind, there is no purpose, he just likes to talk. And it normally results to the fact that his family were the first, FIRST (he really emphasizes that!) people in the Ivory Coast to be Catholic, he has royal blood!!! And he is the FIRST person in his family to convert to the Protestant church… every thing he says results back to that! It is hilarious! So, to be honest I had kind of run out of patience …because we weren’t getting anywhere.

Soeur Kim finally told them, “Look, we are missionaries, and we are here to teach, not to argue…”and Patrice gave her a pity talk, “ohhh I know missionary work is difficult, don’t cry..” hehe He really said that. So we tried to drop them because their look on it is just to exchange ideas on the Bible, not gain anything from it, and argue. So we just told them that they didn’t need us…I told Patrice that it is to difficult to come over and not be able to say anything…and Kamelia agreed, she said “Yeah you do talk too much…” hehe so Patrice said that we would be able to talk next time…hehe we aren’t sure where to go with them, they told us they never want to be baptized, they don’t keep any commitments…kind of at a loss…they are so great!

We had a girls day with Melissa and Pascaline! So much fun! I brought my make-up and we all did each others, haha the best was watching Melissa PAINT on Pascaline’s face with eye shadow because it didn’t show up to well on her skin. Hehe Pascaline said “this isn’t African make up? Only African Make up shows up on my face. I am Black!” Thanks Pascaline! I understand you are black, hehe but I am white, therefore I don’t have African make up! Hehe but we had a lot of fun!!

Then we had a photo shoot of Melissa!! She reminds me of Kjarsti sometimes. She was posing, jumping all over the place, in the flowers! And after she was like “Oh I am so beautiful, oh I love my make up like this…” hehe so funny! She came to church for the first time in a month, which was hard for her because Soeur Aagard isn’t there, but she mentioned to me…”I didn’t really want to come today because I was tired, but I came because it has been a while and I knew I needed to..” ahh sooo good! She will be baptized! Just give her some time, can you imagine being 14, and making that decision? I know I probably wouldn’t have!

Uyanga is soo good! This week, don’t know if it was the humility of only speaking French or what, but Soeur Kim and I both felt just really led by the Spirit. We were planning on teaching Uyanga the Plan of Salvation, but she hadn’t read…she asked if we could read together but it is very difficult for her to understand….so we read Moroni 7:16, just as a starter, and it started this entire conversation about God, Jesus, who they are separating, the Light of Christ, all this stuff!! Oh it was sooo good! The Spirit was so strong! And really the first time that Uyanga expressed her feelings and her own sweet testimony! She said she really enjoys going to church!!

The same with Jessica, planned on teaching one thing, and she ended up having a lot of concerns, although it was difficult to figure out her real concern and how to answer it, without her telling us what it was, kind of was a guessing game but the end result was, “Jessica, you aren’t going to receive blessings if you aren’t keeping the commandments or the engagements (commitments) we have asked…” which is to read….It was so cool how the Spirit really bore witness to her that God does answer her questions, and maybe he already has, she just hasn’t paid close enough attention. She said, “You know, every time I open the cupboard The Book of Mormon falls out, and now I realize that it is God telling me to read.” Soo cool! I really learned a lot in that RV, that I need to pay more close attention to the answers God is giving me! So cool!!! The Spirit is an amazing tool!

Janet is doing better, she came to church this week. She kind of has this cycle of when things aren’t going well with her husband she doesn’t do anything … meaning, she doesn’t pray, she doesn’t come to church, she won’t answer anyone’s calls…it is interesting. But this week is an up week, therefore she came to church! We all went to MacDo, (NOT to eat!) hehe but we were talking about our trials we have, and we read a little from “Refined by our trials” SUCH a good talk in the Ensign, and she is soo good! Hehe she kind of gave François an ultimatum, one more beer and she is off to Mexico…well, she is trying to get rid of all of her bad friends too..she is soo good!! As soon as her testimony gets stronger of the small things, man that girl is going to take off!! So excited!

Well, we went to Montpellier for the day because Soeur Clement (Julia’s home town friend) was there…Kind of fun, we surprised her, fun to spend the day with her! She is doing well, coming home soon, and the same as ever!! Hehe but she is doing well!

Julia and Katie

Eating the Yummiest Napoleons!

6 Sisters in Montpellier

We (all 6 Soeurs…) bought skirts, we found this marchée and the guy was selling skirts for 38 euros, but half off…which makes it 19 euros….well we bargained him to 2 for 30 euros!!! Soo good!! So 2 for the price of less than one!!! I am in love with French skirts! If I buy anything, it is French skirts! I love them!

We are really working on finding people, but we are so busy!!! Seriously our entire week is planned by the week before, and there is not a lot of time to go porting or anything like that. I love our amis, but I want to also find OTHER people who are ready!!! Hehe this work is so wonderful! I love it soo much!I love you, I pray for you!!! Sorry not much else to say!!! Growing to love the Book of Mormon more and more every day!!! So amazing!!!

Soeur Johnson, I am on the second transfer with Soeur Kim!! Soo great! Love her so much! I am sooo glad you sang the Soeur Morrow Happy birthday song!! hehe I had a reminiscing moment of the Soeur Johnson days...and no not 2 more transfers, what are you thinking? I have 4 more...October transfer!!! soo great!Soeur Carson, Marie-Jeanne got your package and called us right away to tell us what was in it!! hehe she is doing well, reading like crazy!! She is almost to Mosiah!! and they are looking for another apartment!!

France has the most beautiful sunsets!