Nov 14th 2010 Excerpts

Ma Famille,

Your emails are wonderful, and I love to feel the love in your words. I can't wait for Mondays to roll around ha ha :) In a good way - don't worry! The work is difficult, very difficult. All our appointments fell through, and it rained every day. We walked in the rain a lot this week. Both mine, and Elder Boehme's faith was tested. I feel we could have fared better, but it is all good experience for the future. I have started to see a correlation of faith + works as the weeks have come and passed. Only with both can you have success. I read this interesting little thought from a book of inspirational quotes Elder Boehme let me borrow. On a page on Faith, it talked about a man who entered a boat with a young boy. The man noticed that one oar in the boat had Faith written on it , and the other had works written on it. The man thought this was strange and asked the young boy why. The young boy replied with something like this: You need both oars to row a boat; If you just row with faith, you will going in circles to your left. If you row only with works, then you will go in circles to your right.

When you use faith and works, only then can you row straight ahead."

James 2: 20, 26

20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

• • •

26 For as the body without the spirit is

dead, so faith without works is dead also.

What a divine principle! There are times we worked hard, then there have been times when I feel like we rowed in circles ha.

We did have a lot of trial this week, and opposition, but the tender mercies of the Lord are ever evident! One day, we worked all day in the rain and had little success. But at the end of the day, we met a young girl going to school in Brive who was very interested in our message! She was English, and spoke english ha ha, good break for me ;) We have many tender mercies like this. Maybe only one person a day, but what blessings can come from only one soul!

I haven't been too discouraged about the Language. At times I am frustrated, but I know its normal. What frustrates me, is that I feel like none of our investigators are feeling the spirit when we teach. That is why I have thoughts of doubt and inadequecy. I ask myself if I really teach with the spirit, and if I don't, then why not? I am very happy however, I love it here, and I love the work. Even in the life of a missionary, I don't feel like I have all the time I need for studying ha ha, but I have learned how to effectivley study too. All our studies are for our investigators too, I learn a lot of things from basic doctrine. It all stems from questions too!

That is how my week has been! I have a few pics for you! Some are just fun and silly ha ha!

This is what you call a kabab. It was amazing!!!!!!!! One minute it is there, the next gone ha ha!

This is the Chateau Turrene. We" had an investigator out this way! super cool! The country side is so beautiful, we did have one good sunny day saturday! It is weird not to have mountains, but rolling hills I dig

There are little figurines inside this cake around the Holdiay Season. If you find it, then you are King for the day! It is a tradition in France! I have won twice now and one was Homer Simpson and the one in the picture is Mr. Burns ha ha

Thank you so much for sending those packages! I'm sorry if they were expensive! I will be anticipating them with excitement!

I'm so happy all is going we'll for you and Mom! I'm so excited and happy for you! I can't believe how strong she is, she is a warrior angel ! You keep hangin in there too, you are my hero! I love when you tell me little things like you dug up some plants, continue that. It warms my heart and I feel like it is a telephone call, and you are just telling me about your day! I am sad about the flag pole, but I am happy you remembered me.... and the Christmas lights!!! My soul is filled with joy! Send me pics when it is lit! The tree too!!! I did get your pictures by the way, I just didn't have time to reply!!!

I got grandmas letter too, she is too sweet!! I loved it!!! I love you both so so much!!!!!!!!!!!

I love you, you are always in my prayers!!!