Last P-Day we met a really cool girl named Hilda. We were running in our church clothes to catch a bus and she and her friend saw us and were so intrigued by that. Later that day, they happened to be on the same bus with us back and decided to sit by us. Both her and her friend are refugees here from the middle east and speak better English than French. Because they heard us speaking English, they decided to strike up a conversation and the rest is history. One of them, 21 year old Hilda, is now a progressing investigator.
The next day we had exchanges in Saint-Brieuc. We started by eating with Monique and then heading off to our various appointments. One of which was with Hilda. Elder Patrick and I gave her a chapel tour and answered her questions. It was a great time! This girl is going places, I'm telling you!
Wednesday was interesting. We finished our exchanges and then quickly went to my dentist appointment that I had talked all about in my last weekly email. Upon arriving, I got really worried. The office was an "in-home" clinic and when we walked in he got mad at us. The dentist had forgotten all about the appointment that I had set up with him and thought that we were the Jehovah's Witnesses walking into his home. Upon further explaining that we were there for an appointment, he had us sit and wait in his waiting room. During this wait time, I decided to get on google maps and read his reviews. The top ones were good, but then they quickly turned negative. One patient even had an experience in which he extracted several teeth from her mouth without asking and some pieces of chipped tooth embedded within her gum. Before continuing with this story, I will note that I took many pics of this experience (the place, the dentist, etc.), all of which are in my album if you'd like some visuals to accompany your read. Anyway, when he was ready for us he led me into his office/operating room. He did a sort of consultation with me, asking for my information, etc., and then had me sit on the operation seat. He had no x-rays and all of his equipment was from before the 1970's. I am 90% sure that I have cavities, because of the tooth pain that I have been experiencing, so I told him that. He said, "we'll see." He then proceeded to do a brief, 20 second examine of my teeth with a small mirror instrument and then said, "no cavities." Like what? How would you even know without an x-ray is beyond me. Anyway, then he made me pay him 50 Euros, but was at least kind enough to write me a prescription for a medicated mouthwash, that would kill mouth bacteria. It was honestly the most pointless visit and waste of time/money, but maybe it was a blessing that he didn't feel like he needed to operate on my teeth... After all, who knows how many teeth he would've extracted?! We finished the day on a good note, however, with a dinner at the chapel with our investigator, Yvan, and a member family. Afterwards we saw Tresor for the last time, as we needed his signature on his baptismal papers and he's moving to Quimper. It's going to be sad to see him go, but it's what he needs.
The next day we went to a city called Lannion. It's beautiful and we have a good amount of members there. While there we found some cool new people and had lunch with the Bousseau family whom I love! They are so awesome and the food was great. Afterwards we got some hot chocolate in a cafe and did some planning. While there, a group of 10+ old French people sat by us for their weekly English-learning club. Great opportunity we thought to share the gospel. So we actually kind of soap boxed it after having a good conversation with them. We knew that we couldn't leave them without offering them a Book of Mormon, so we did so. They did not like this at all and kind of told us to leave, which was really a shame because we had a great conversation with them beforehand. It's also a shame, because we could've helped each of them with their English. It's a lose-lose situation on their end.
On Friday, we had a great lesson with Hilda again, as well as a great in-active visit with Peace. It was simply a good day.
Saturday was interesting. We went to Rennes for a baptismal interview that I was supposed to give, but never ended up happening. While there a woman told us that our badges looked ugly and that she never understood why we had to wear them. Why do I tell you this you ask? Wait until later in the day. There is a connection, I promise. Later that day, we were on our way back from service and a man got mad at me and my companion on the busy bus. He was so triggered by the name of Christ, that he demanded we remove our badges. When my companion said, "no," the guy did not react kindly. We were actually pretty sure that he was going to come up and physically injure us/take the badges. He said that by having the badges we don't equal ourselves with everyone else on the bus and that when in public we shouldn't outwardly show our religious beliefs. He said that he is atheist and when in public he shouldn't have to see any religious things if he doesn't want to. What a joke. Anyway, before anything bad actually happened we were saved by some angel teenage couple. The boyfriend got out of his seat and actually stood in between us and him and told him off. The girlfriend was super nice as well. I wish I got their contact info, as I would like to thank them, but they got off not long after. Definitely blessings in that moment. We finished the day by watching conference with Brother Raveneau at the church. He was so kind and even brought pizzas for after.
Sunday was a great day. We spent the day at the Swedish couple, the Sala's, house. We got there at lunch time and she had prepared a huge feast for us before conference. Then we watched a session with tons of snacks. After that, she fed us dinner, and then we watched another session. It was incredible and really just like home. I love this couple and all that they do for us.
I hope you all got the opportunity to watch General Conference this past weekend. Whether or not you are a member of this church, there are great lessons to be learned for everyone. I especially loved Sister Eubanks' talk about how the Savior is always there for us, we just have to turn the stone into glass to recognize it.
She said, "When tragedies overtake us, when life hurts so much that we can't breathe, when we've taken a beating like the man on the road to Jericho and been left for dead, Jesus comes along and He pours oil into our wounds, He lifts us tenderly up, He takes us to an inn, He looks after us."
I am very grateful for the Savior. He really always is there for us and walks with us through our trials. We are never alone. How comforting is that! With all of the scary/questionable experiences that I had this week, the Savior was always there for me. From the Dentist appointment to the man on the bus. Each situation had a saving grace, and that's all thanks to Jesus Christ. If we put our faith in Him and try to transform our stones into glass, we will be able to see that He has been there all along and will continue to be with us forever.
Thank you all for everything. I love you guys! Have a great week!
Elder Connor Anderson
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