March 21 2011

Chére Ma Famille!

I love my new colleage! His name is Elder Bowen and he hails from Draper Utah. I probably already told you but who is counting! ha ha. So I thought I would send you a few pictures and a few small videos. I will be for sure shipping off the memory stick this week ha ha. You will be able to look up all the videos and pictures you want! I will be sure to organize the files so it's easier :) Put them on my portable hardrive too if you will. I would like them there for the future!
Carcassonne is holding up, I haven't torn it apart yet ;) Conchita wasn't baptized, the water was still too cold. We are holding out for this Saturday! It is funny, we are cooking food for her now, and doing grocery shopping. She is just so old and lonely, we feel sympathetic for her. Still can't understand her ha ha, she speaks spanish and French at the same time!

Vanessa is doing great! She already sees the difference in her work! She feels more calm and patient with the children she tends! Benoit needs work, but Vanessa told us he felt something after praying one night! He doesn't recognize completely that is the spirit, but he said that he could see himself being baptized, just not now. We are excited to hear that the Lord is touching his heart! Only time will tell!

Elder Bowen is great! I didn't really know how much I missed speaking english until I had an American colleage again ha ha! We get a long really well, and we laugh a lot. We are going to do some great things here in Brive together!

Saturday was "Super Saturday" for the young men and young women of the Stake. They did a service project for the victims in Japan selling cookies to people on the street; they sold over 1,000 euros! Can you believe that!? Afterwards, they watched the Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration video. You know the film they show at the Joseph Smith memorial building. That is out on video in the states now I believe, you should buy it... and send it to me ha ha, we can watch any church made movie and we have a tv in our apartment:) I absolutley love that film. We watched several times in the MTC and each time touched me in a way I cannot explain. This time I watched it in French, and I felt like it was english. I understood it all, and the story of Joseph Smith always hits me right in the tear maker. I can't believe how much he went through, but I know because he did we have the restored Gospel on the Earth today. I know why I am out here, and it is to carry that message to every one of God's children that will hear it. Joseph Smith gave everything he had, even sealed his work with his blood, shall we not also go forth in so great a cause?- Doctrine and Covenants 128

The work continues here in the South of France, and we are seeing the rate of baptisms growing each week. It is exciting to hear about all the baptisms and statistics each week, the work of the Lord has commenced and no unhallowed hand can stop it!

I wish I could write more, but the time is spent! I found a scripture this week that I really enjoyed and has brought me much joy. It was 2 Nephi 22:2 and I loved the cross reference in Isaiah as well!!! The Lord is my strength!

OH BY THE WAY, I would like it if you could send me some stuff ha ha... 1-a shout pen or something to use on my white shirts for stains.

Also tell Mariah that I am so happy that CAC is doing so well, and I can't wait to hear about how the Relay turnes out! Club of the Year!? That is LEGIT!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so happy that she has continued to build up CAC and make it what it is today!!!! Congratulations Mariah and all of CAC members!

I love you all and can't wait to hear from you!!!