Connor's Missionary Post on Facebook (August 5th, 2018)

"Who are you?"

We are missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There are currently over 67,000 LDS missionaries around the World. We are typically 18, 19, 20, and 21 year olds (sometimes older), who leave our lives behind to go serve others and God for 2 years in a place that we don't choose. No pay and new languages to learn, but 1 message that we all love and want to share. It's definitely not easy and comes with many challenges along the way, but it is so worth it and we grow every day. We become the people God needs us to be, by helping His other children to do the same.

"What do you do?" 

Simply put, we are called to love and serve anyone and everyone. As briefly stated above, we are all God's children. We are all brothers and sisters and we need to treat each other as such. We help others find peace and comfort in their lives, by helping them to come closer to Christ. The same gospel that Jesus established while He was on the Earth is here again, and we are here to help others find this incredible truth.

"Why?"

This is the most important question. The answer is different for each individual missionary, but what it essentially all comes down to is our love for others and Christ. Now I'll let the missionaries below speak for themselves. Click on the caption on each image, and you'll be able to read that missionary's testimony, which is their personal "why" for serving a mission. Their testimonies are all in their mission language, so feel free to use that Google Translate to understand why we all love the Gospel enough to do what we are doing.

Hear our message! Find the missionaries where YOU live in YOUR language. Then 'share' this post to help others to do the same. You won't regret it!

www.mormon.org

J'ai un grand témoignage dans L'église de Jesus-Christ des Saints des Derniers Jours. Je sais que le véritable évangile de Jésus-Christ a été rétabli sur la terre pour nous tous aujourd'hui. Grâce à le Prophète, Joseph Smith, nous avons cette connaissance et je suis tellement reconnaissant pour ça. Pourquoi suis-je très reconnaissant pour cette connaissance? Parce que Jésus-Christ et son sacrifice apportent la paix et le confort dans ma vie. Pendant toutes les périodes difficiles de ma vie (et les bons moments aussi), il est toujours là pour moi. Je sais qu'il sait ce que chacun de nous a traversé, traverse actuellement et finira par passer. Pour cette raison, nous avons toujours quelqu'un qui sait ce que nous ressentons et qui veut nous aider. Même quand on se sent complètement seul. Jésus est toujours là pour nous et grâce à son expiation, nous pouvons aussi être avec lui pour toujours. Grâce à lui, nos épreuves sont temporaires et nos vies sont éternelles. La connaissance que je peux vivre avec ma famille pour toujours me donne la force de supporter n'importe quel défi dans ma vie. Et tout cela grâce à Jésus le Christ.

I have a great testimony in the church of Jesus Christ of the saints of the last few days. I know that the true gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored to earth for all of us today. Thanks to the prophet, Joseph Smith, we have this knowledge and I am so grateful for that. Why am I very grateful for this knowledge? Because Jesus Christ and his sacrifice bring peace and comfort in my life. During all the difficult times of my life (and good times too), he's always there for me. I know he knows what every one of us has been through, is going through and ends up. For that reason, we still have someone who knows what we feel and who wants to help us. Even when you feel completely alone. Jesus is always there for us and thanks to his atonement, we can also be with him forever. Thanks to him, our tests are temporary and our lives are eternal. The knowledge I can live with my family forever gives me the strength to bear any challenge in my life. And all that thanks to Jesus Christ.

Tengo un grande testimonio de este Evangelio. Sé que La Iglesia de Jesucristo de Los Santos de los Ultimos Días contiene el verdadero y restaurado Evangelio de Jesucristo para nuestras días. 

Sé que Jesucristo me ama. El me conoce. Es mi hermano y Dios es mi Padre Celestial. Sé que viví con ellos antes de esta vida y que regresaré con ellos a través del arrepentimiento, el bautismo, recibir el don del Espíritu Santo y perseverar hasta el fin.

Sé que las familias pueden estar juntos por siempre, y el Evangelio trae bendiciones para ellos quienes tener la fe. Sé que Dios contesté nuestras oraciones. Él me ha dado fuerza y significado en mi vida.

Sé que Presidente Russel M. Nelson es una profeta de Dios y recibi la inspiración divina de Dios. Sé que el Libro de Mormón es la palabra de Dios y podemos encontrar orientación y consuelo para nuestras vidas al leerlo.

Yo sé con todo mi corazón que Jesucristo vive. Él murió por nosotros para salvarnos, y él vive para nosotros para que podamos vivir de nuevo.

Estoy aquí por Jesucristo, "el autor y perfeccionador de mi fe!"

I have a great testimony to this gospel. I know that the church of Jesus Christ of saints of the last days contains the true and restored gospel of Jesus Christ for our days.

I know Jesus Christ loves me. He knows me. He's my brother and God is my heavenly father. I know that I lived with them before this life and that I will return with them through repentance, baptism, receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and persevere to the end.

I know families can be together forever, and the gospel brings blessings to them who have faith. I know God answered our prayers. He has given me strength and meaning in my life.

I know president russel m. Nelson is a prophet of God and I received God's divine inspiration. I know the book of Mormon is the word of God and we can find guidance and comfort for our lives by reading it.

I know with all my heart that Jesus Christ lives. He died for us to save us, and he lives for us so we can live again.

I am here for Jesus Christ, " the author and perfector of my faith!"

I served a mission because I wanted to share the joy my family had gotten from the gospel with everyone. Nothing has changed my life more than knowing that God is there and he loves each and every one of us personally. I love my Saviour Jesus Christ and I wanted everyone to have the opportunity to hear the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ that was restored through Joseph Smith. I've seen so many people's lives changed already from this message and I know it can change everyone's if they choose to accept it. Its brought me so much peace to know that I can be with the people I love forever and the path Gods provided for us to be able to do that! I can't imagine what my life would be like without this Church and Gospel in it. One of my favorite scriptures says "Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God." EVERY soul, not just a select few but every soul. And I have the opportunity to share that message with every soul I meet here in the Canada Winnipeg Mission! To do my best to bring every soul into God and unto Christ for the next two years, to share the message of eternal families and a heavenly father and saviour who love us. I served a mission because I think that everyone deserves to have the joy I've received from knowing that God knows each and every one of us perfectly and that he loves us! There's no greater truth out there and I wanted to play a role in sharing that!

 

I have come to such a deep understanding that everything God does, is for our benefit. He is all powerful, he is all knowing, & he knows what is best for each of us - what will shape us, & what will allow us to become the person he knows us to be. Nothing about mortality is easy, perfect, nor always comfortable. This life is a time where we are tested. It is a time where we can apply the teachings of Jesus Christ. (IF we so choose) In a world of constant change, I am grateful for my Heavenly Father's simple, unchanging, yet perfect plan. I am grateful for my Savior, who was willing to reach the very bitters of sorrow so that we may know it is never too late to choose Him; He is the way. Serving a mission was never in my personal plans for myself, but it was in God's plan for me. The knowledge I have obtained, the truths I have found, the people that have been touched, the miracles, tender mercies, & blessings I continue to see every day are precious. I have discovered true happiness as I have sacrificed my will for the Lord's will. He knows what is best. The gospel is a gift, & it is something that is essential to have at the very core of our lives. I know that as we strive to follow this plan that was so mercifully laid before us, we will find lasting joy for ourselves & our families. How beautiful it is that we are promised that by giving our all, by trying our very best, we can return to live with God. We can be with our families forever. The path may not be easy to follow, but we walk by faith - by faith all things are fulfilled. God is aware of us, & he loves us. His most greatest desire is that we prevail in this life, & his hope is that we one day choose to return home

I have a testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I know that He loves each of us, and I know that He knows each of us. I know that our Father in Heaven has a infinite amount of love for each of us, and I know this because He allowed His son, Jesus Christ, to come to the earth and teach us His gospel, which can ultimately brings us the greatest amount of peace and happiness in this life, and in the life to come. I have learned these things through reading the Book of Mormon, praying about these topics, and receiving answers through the Holy Spirit of God. I know the the Book of Mormon is God's word, and Joseph Smith truly did restore Jesus Christ's church to the earth. For these reasons I serve a mission. The Messiah's true church has been restored to the earth today, and it is my job as His servant to proclaim his Gospel.

Je suis reconnaissante pour l'évangile de Jésus-Christ et pour l'occasion que j'ai pendant ces 18 mois de le partager avec les gens de France. Grâce à Jésus-Christ on peut avoir le bonheur et la paix dans nos vies. Je sais qu'il est là pour nous. Il a souffert pour nous! Il a tout fait pour nous. Et pour cela, je suis tellement reconnaissante!

 😊

I am grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ and for the occasion I have during these 18 months to share it with the people of France. Thanks to Jesus Christ we can have happiness and peace in our lives. I know he's here for us. He suffered for us! He did everything for us. And for that, I'm so grateful! 

Jeg ved detter kirke er sand. Mormons Bog er Guds ord til os idag. Jeg er her på min mission fordi Gud elsker mig nok til at rette mig og bringe mig tilbage til hans favn. Jeg ved at han kende mig personligt og på grund af det ved jeg at han kender all sine børn og vil gerne hjælpe dem men han har brug for os til at handle som sine hænder. Jeg er her for at dele kraften der findes i Kristi forsoning. gennem den kraft kan vi alle sammen finde store ønskeværdig glæde og fred her i livet. selvom det er svært ved jeg at Gud er parat at udføre mirakler gennem os. Jen kan love jer at hvis i læse Mormons Bog med oprigtig hensigt og afspørge Gud i Kristi navn om det er sand vil gud besvar det or besøge dig med hans hellige ånd. Jeg elsker min frelser Jesus Kristus.

I know the church of this is true. The book of Mormon is God's word to us today. I'm here on my mission because God loves me enough to correct me and bring me back to his arms. I know he knows me personally and because of that I know he knows all his children and wants to help them but he needs us to act like his hands. I'm here to share the power that exists in the reconciliation of Christ. Through that power, we can all find great ønskeværdig joy and peace in life. Although it's hard I know that God is prepared to perform miracles through us. Jen can promise you that if you read Mormon's book with sincere intent and afspørge God in the name of Christ if it is true, God will answer it or visit you with his holy spirit. I love my Savior Jesus Christ.

Je ne peux pas imaginer ma vie sans l’eglise de Jésus-Christ des Saints des Derniers Jours. Toutes les choses qui me donnent de la joie-- la connaissance que les familles peuvent être ensemble à tout jamais, la vérité de l’evangile de Jésus-Christ, la force que les écritures me donnent, mon témoignage des ordonnances sacrées que nous faisons dans les temples-- viennent du rétablissement de la vraie église que le Christ a établi quand il était sur la terre. Cette connaissance me donne beaucoup de lumière, de paix, et de joie dans ma vie, et je veux partager cette lumière avec tout le monde autours de moi. Ma conviction, ma certitude de l’existence du Dieu vivant, de la divinité de son Fils Jésus-Christ, du rétablissement de leur œuvre à notre époque, sont le fondement de ma foi. Je sais que l'église de Jésus-Christ des Saints des Derniers Jours est Son Église. La vision de Christ et Dieu que Joseph Smith a eu dans le Bosquet sacré s’est passée exactement comme Joseph l’a dit. Le Livre de Mormon est vrai. Il témoigne du Seigneur Jésus-Christ. C’est mon témoignage, un témoignage que je vie et que je sais est vrai. Je vous invite à changer vos vies en découvrant ce miracle merveilleux qu’est l’Église de Jésus-Christ des Saints des Derniers Jours.

I can't imagine my life without the church of Jesus Christ of the saints of the last few days. All things that give me joy -- knowledge that families can be together forever, the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the strength that the scriptures give me, my testimony of the sacred orders we do In the temples -- came from the restoration of the real church that Christ established when he was on earth. This knowledge gives me a lot of light, peace, and joy in my life, and I want to share this light with everyone around me. My conviction, my certainty of the existence of the living God, of the divinity of his son Jesus Christ, of the restoration of their work at our time, are the basis of my faith. I know that the church of Jesus Christ of the saints of the last days is his church. The Vision of Christ and God that Joseph Smith had in the sacred grove went exactly as Joseph said. The book of Mormon is true. He testifies to the Lord Jesus Christ. It's my testimony, a testimony I live and I know is true. I invite you to change your lives by discovering this wonderful miracle that is the church of Jesus Christ of the saints of the last days.

My name is Nicholas Woolley and i know that the church is true. I know god loves me and each of his children. He knows us, he wants the best for us, and he is our father. I know Jesus christ paid for the sins of the world and it is through him that we can have joy. I testify that he lives. T testify of the truth of the bible, and also of the book of mormon, in spreading the doctrine of christ. I testify that there are prophets on the earth today who lead and guide us, and we can recieve personal direction from our father in heaven. He wants to speak to us. And why am i on a mission? To share this message to the world, and bring all of gods children closer to him through following the example of the son of god. And lastly i testify that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is christs church. He is at the head.

Le Seigneur est tout pour moi. Il est mon frère, avocat, confiant et meilleur ami. Il est toujours là pour moi quand j'ai besoin de Lui. Il sera toujours là pour moi quand j'ai besoin de Lui.

J'ai choisi de faire une mission parce que j'adore beaucoup mon Sauveur. Je ferais quoi que ce soit pour Lui. Il a déjà tout fait pour moi. Je sais que c'est par nos actions que nous montrons notre amour, et c'est pour ça que j'ai décidé de servir de tout mon cœur, de tout mon pouvoir, de tout mon esprit et de toute ma force pendant deux ans, pour rembourser un cadeau incomparable. C'est le moins que je puisse faire après tout ce qu'Il a fait pour moi. Avant tout, je suis ici pour aider les autres à se rappeler combien leur Sauveur les aime, et combien ils aiment leur frère déjà !

Elder LaFrance

France, Paris Mission

Currently serving in Vannes, on the West Coast.

The Lord is everything to me. He's my brother, lawyer, confident and best friend. He's always there for me when I need him. He'll always be there for me when I need him.

I chose to do a mission because I love my savior very much. I'd do anything for him. He's done everything for me. I know it's through our actions that we show our love, and that's why I decided to serve all my heart, all my power, all my mind and all my strength for two years, to repay An incomparable gift. It's the least I can do after everything he's done for me. First of all, I'm here to help others remember how much their savior loves them, and how much they love their brother already!

Elder LaFrance

Quiero dar mi testimonio que yo se que Jesucristo vive y que El nos ama. He podido ver su amor en mi vida y en la vida de muchas personas en la misión. Quiero que sepan de que cada uno de ustedes pueden saber estas cosas por si mismo. Porque el nos ama el responderá a sus oraciones. Se que el evangelio de Jesucristo ha sido restaurado aquí en la tierra para que todos de sus hijos tengan estos bendiciones. Les invito a seguir lo que el libro de Santiago nos ha aconsejado y pedir a Dios. Este invitación ha cambiado mi vida, y estoy MUY feliz por estos cambios. Les quiero mucho! Y se que Jesucristo les ama aun mas. Comparto estas cosas en el nombre de Jesucristo, amen.

Elder Anderson Chile Concepción Sur

I want to give my testimony that I know that Jesus Christ lives and that he loves us. I've been able to see your love in my life and in the lives of many people on the mission. I want you to know that each of you can know these things for yourself. Because he loves us he will answer his prayers. I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored here on earth so that all of his children have these blessings. I invite you to follow what the book of Santiago has advised us and ask God. This invitation has changed my life, and I am very happy for these changes. I love them so much! And I know that Jesus Christ loves them even more. I share these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Elder Anderson Chile Concepción sur

Doy testimonio que ésta es la iglesia verdadera. Me llamo Elder Nelson, soy de Utah en los Estados Unidos. Yo nací en la iglesia pero he tenido muchas oportunidades para saber por mí mismo que la iglesia y sus enseñanzas son verdaderas. Cuando leí el Libro de Mormón por la primera vez, me arrodillé y hice una oración para preguntar a Dios, como nos prometió el profeta Moroni (Moroni 10:3-5). Yo sentí algo que jamás podré negar. Me llenó un gozo pleno y sentí en mi corazón algo muy fuerte. Mi alma se llenó de felicidad. Es un momento en mi vida especial que nunca podré olvidar. Bueno, por qué soy misionero ahora?? Es porque yo sé que lo que enseñamos y compartimos es verdad. Nos ha bendecido muchas veces en mi vida y en mi familia. Siento muy cerca a Mi Padre Celestial y a Mi Salvador Jesucristo. Tengo un deseo muy grande de compartir esto con los demás, porque sé con todo mi corazón que Jesucristo les ama y quiero que sientan de su gran amor y que vengan a Él, y que cambien por ese mismo amor y conocimiento que me ha cambiado a mí. Él puede hacer milagros en la vida de cada persona, pero nosotros tenemos que hacer nuestra parte. Estoy aquí para ayudar a cada persona a poder aprender y experimentar esto por ellos mismos. Sé que estamos en la verdad. Estoy muy agradecido que tengo esta oportunidad para representar a nuestro Salvador aquí en Bolivia. Comparto estas cosas con mucho amor en el nombre de Jesucristo. Amen.

I testify that this is the true church. My name is elder Nelson, I'm from Utah in the United States. I was born in church but I've had many opportunities to know for myself that the church and its teachings are true. When I read the book of Mormon for the first time, I knelt down and made a prayer to ask God, as the prophet moroni promised us (Moroni 10:3-5). I felt something I can never deny. It filled me with full joy and felt in my heart something very strong. My soul was filled with happiness. It's a moment in my special life that I can never forget. Well, why am I missionary now?? It's because I know what we teach and share is true. He has blessed us many times in my life and in my family. I feel very close to my heavenly father and my Savior Jesus Christ. I have a very great desire to share this with others, because I know with all my heart that Jesus Christ loves them and I want them to feel their great love and come to him, and change for that same love and knowledge that has changed me to Me. He can do miracles in every person's life, but we have to do our part. I'm here to help every person be able to learn and experience this for themselves. I know we're in the truth. I am very grateful that I have this opportunity to represent our Savior here in Bolivia. I share these things with much love in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Why do I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to be true? One of the many reasons is nothing else on this earth could ever make me happier. This world is filled with so much darkness and instant gratification that fades away. Our church has teaching and principles that can lead us everlasting happiness with the people we love in this life and the one to come. Some examples are the atonement, temple work, the 10 commandments, eternal families, and so much more. The happiness in all of these things come from the light of Christ we get in our lives. We get this light by actively applying these teaching in our lives and by knowing what we are doing now will get us closer to our end goal of living with our father in heaven again for all time and eternity. I have seen in my life how I am happiest as I live with the light of Christ. I want to serve a mission so I can share this happiness I have in my life with others. I want everyone to have the true happiness that I have. I know with the light of Christ I will be able to find those who are ready to hear the message I have to bring. This is the true church here on the earth today. I am so grateful for this church and how it has changed my life and I know it can change anyone life. In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

 

Having a testimony of the truthfulness of Christ is one of the many amazing blessings we can obtain in this life. To be able to know that the Savior was beyond perfect, yet he gave his life so that we could all live imperfect lives and be forgiven of our mistakes every single day. 

To know that I am not alone in this life. That I could be going through the weakest moment in my life and the lord will pick me up, and give me the blessing and opportunity to serve or show love to someone in need.

I love the love that this gospel brings into my life, and I try to share that light to those who are in need of it as often as I can.

I love the book of mormon !!! I challenge each of you to ponder and search them often, as they have been given to us at this time for a reason! It is the foundation of my testimony and the reason why I have been truly converted to this gospel.

Since the age of 12 I have had a strong desire to serve a mission, and finally i'm at the age where i'll be able to! I cannot wait to be able to put in my missions papers in the next few months, and be able to serve and share the happiness this gospel brings into my life, into the lives of those I come across in wherever i get called!!

I am grateful for the prophet and his counselors, and the love and guidelines they give to each of us so we can strive to be better everyday.

I love my savior. I love this gospel. I testify that you can find true happiness and feel so much love by having a desire to learn, grow, and to come unto Christ. amen.

"Being humble means recognizing we are not on earth to see how important we can become, but to see how much difference we can make in the lives of others." -Gordon B. Hinckley

51st P-Day (44th in France)

This week was all over the place, let me tell ya!

On Tuesday we had our apartment checks that I deep cleaned the previous day. Ended up passing the test with 100%, so the Senior Sister missionary gave us some of her homemade poppyseed bread as a reward. #SeniorMissionariesAreABlessing. 

The next day we started exchanges with the District Leader and his companion here in Valenciennes. I was with the DL, Elder Crane. Our first item of business, a rendez-vous with creepy David. I was already hesitant going into this, because David had just blocked me on Facebook and was "mad" at me, so I told Elder Crane to mentally prepare him. The rendez-vous itself was pretty awful. We asked him for an update on the Word of Wisdom, and again he said, "I know when something is bad and when something is good, and coffee is not bad." Some people haha. So I told him that if he wants to get baptized that he needs to stop, because he obviously wasn't getting it. Then we gave him a practice baptismal interview. He had very interesting answers, but when it got to the "homosexual relations" question, he responded by showing Elder Crane some of his private messages. There was one in particular that shocked Elder Crane: A sexting conversation between David and someone (an actor/catfish) that he thought was a real Mormon Elder. After that, we basically invited ourselves to leave. We were shook. We both agreed that we should drop him as an investigator. Then we did lots of finding/picture taking out in Arras. Afterwards we went to a restaurant for dinner (Leon de Bruxelles, very good btw) and tried our best to forget about David's rendez-vous haha. 

Thursday was one of the best days ever! First, Elder Crane and I had our weekly rendez-vous with Chantal. We also got her a Book of Mormon Stories book and a donut and she was so happy! Best rendez-vous with her yet. What an icon! Then we drove to Lille for District Meeting and Zineb's baptism. After the meeting was over, we set up and practiced our musical number "When I am Baptized" in French. It went really well (video is in the album). We ended up getting worried because everyone was late and the baptism was already scheduled to start at 8 PM. For those of you who don't know, our curfew is 9:30 and Lille is about 45 minutes away from Valenciennes. Anywho, we ended up breaking curfew with all the other missionaries, but it was worth it (and we had no other choice)! Everyone was saying how it was the most spiritual baptism that they had ever been to! She was crying lots and so were we! Zineb is amazing! Sylvain and Aline were also coming, but their car broke down literally 1 minute away from the church, so Elder Swensen and Crane went to go help them. They all missed the baptism, but they got Sylvain and Aline there for the after party (it was also Zineb's birthday). It was great to have them meet the ward. A visitor from Paris even commented by saying that our Ward is like a big family, which was definitely a huge compliment. Ever since all of the Ward drama, we've been working hard at trying to get everyone happy again, and I think it's finally worked. We were all joking with each other and spreading love. I love my ward! At the end, people would not leave and we had to lock up! They finally all left by 10:30, causing us to spend the night in Lille with the other missionaries. It was such a great night though! And because Sylvain and Aline's car broke down, Brother Rousseaux in our ward had to give them a 1 1/2 hour drive home with Zineb (whose car broke down also). Perfect scenario. 

The next day was Zone Conference in Lille. All of President Sorensen's family came to it this time and it was really good. I finally had the opportunity to talk with his kids and they are so nice. The food was also catered by my Bishop's restaurant in Lille, Better Primeur, which is delicious, so that was a positive. My district even performed the same song from the baptism for the musical number, which I enjoyed. Definitely one of the best Zone Conferences yet. Elder Crane also told President about David, and he apparently told him that we need to drop him! Blessed! Elder Swensen was definitely not happy about this though!

On Saturday we had a rendez-vous with Sylvain, Aline, Brother Rousseaux, and Zineb, which was really good! We watched The Testaments with them and Aline made us dessert popcorn and gaufres to go with it. They also had a lot of questions at the end, and it was nice seeing Zineb and Brother Rousseaux helping out and answering a lot of things for them. 

Sunday was to be the day that Zineb got the Gift of the Holy Ghost, but she apparently got into a serious car crash right after our rendez-vous with Sylvain and Aline. Bad enough, in fact, that she needs an operation! What a terrible thing to happen and terrible timing as well. Anyway, Sylvain and Aline came to church FINALLY. We have been trying to get them to come for months and now they finally did! They loved it too! I also found out that they speak French, English, Spanish, and Italian fluently, when I heard them talking to the ward members in each of their native tongues. So cool! I also found out that they're not married (NO!!!!), so that's fun. Now there's another thing holding them back from baptism than just church attendance. She's also a movie producer and he's an actor and they recently created a TV show pilot that they're trying to find a network to pick up. Cool people that we now need to get married! Please pray for us. David also came, but I was pretty good at avoiding him this week because Sylvain and Aline were there. The trick is to now find a way to tell him that we can't teach him anymore. Any ideas? After church we had a rendez-vous with a cool referral family from 10 years ago! They are awesome! It was a great rendez-vous and we were able to re-teach them the Restoration. Afterwards she made us fried chicken and donut holes. I love this family so much already. Here's hoping that they'll go far! 

Thanks for all of your prayers this week! I love you all! I hope you all have an amazing week! 

Love,

Elder Connor Anderson

Zineb's Baptism

50th P-Day (43rd in France)

Hey, everyone! This week was rather interesting, so get ready!

On Monday night we had a rendez-vous with Sylvain and Aline. It went well, but I think he's definitely more interested in doing yoga and karaoke with us at this point than actually learning. He stops us every 15 minutes for a yoga break and a singing time. It's odd, but he's been doing this for 3 months now, so I'm used to it. Afterwards, we finally found one of our referrals, Ragnarok, after weeks of looking for him. To our surprise, Ragnarok actually wasn't some buff guy, as the name would suggest. Ragnarok is actually a transgender woman. It was a really interesting rendez-vous to say the least haha. Ragnarok's boyfriend was there too and all of their questions were about the LGBTQ+ community and abortion/adoption. I was definitely not expecting to end my P-Day with all these hard questions being thrown at me, but I feel like I handled it well enough. I also didn't know that some people out there are against adoption, but now I do, and all I have to ask is why? It ended on a weird note, with both of them saying that they have the "devil inside of them." I was not mentally prepared for any of this, but we left them happy and they agreed to have us back another time, making them new investigators. I don't know how far they'll go, but here's hoping! 

The next day we had Zayneb's baptismal interview. The District Leader and his companion came in for the event. It was a good time and she PASSED! We were all so happy. Her baptism will be this Thursday, so watch out for my recap on that in my next email. She's excited, as are we. Then Elder Swensen forgot to inform me that he set up a dinner appointment with a couple in the Ward a couple of weeks back, so we didn't go to it. I felt so bad, so I called them and set something up with them for this next week.

Wednesday was busy. We had a rendez-vous with David. Elder Swensen even gave him one of his old suits for free, because he complained to me about how he didn't have one and asked me if he could have my brand new one for free. When I said, "no," he got mad. LOL. Anyway, we gave him Elder Swensen's suit and he responded with, "where are my dress shoes to go with this? Last time I wore a suit with tennis shoes I was called a "clown" Like no thank you or anything. Just ungratefulness. Anyway, we planned to teach him the Word of Wisdom, which we were actually able to accomplish, despite how much he chatters about nonsense. He didn't understand it at all, so at the end, I decided to give him a brief and direct lesson myself. He argued that everything is good in moderation and that alcohol is okay at parties and such. He also refuses to stop coffee, because, (in his words), "I know something is bad when I know it's bad. Coffee isn't bad, no matter what you tell me." Then he wanted to plan his baptism more and set a date. If his crush (AKA my previous companion, Elder Larson) can't do the baptism, he wants me to. Interesting logic, because Elder Swensen (my current companion) is nicer to him and talks to him more, whereas I try to avoid him. Oh well. I can only hope that he improves and becomes less weird with me before then. Afterwards we visited a referral. It was a really nice guy named Jean. He's an Evangelical Christian and a huge family guy. We taught him and his kids the Restoration and they all really enjoyed it. Here's to hoping that we'll go far with them! This rendez-vous was 100x better than the one with David and it made me so happy!  

The next day I decided that we needed to give Chantal (the old lady we visit each week) a gift and a note, because she was recently admitted into the hospital. I bought her a patisserie and wrote her a "get well soon" note and we then took it to her. She was very grateful and made her day! I love Chantal! What a woman! Then we went finding and I decided to do apartment knocking. We got into one apartment and found a few cool potentials, but then someone called the concierge and he escorted us out, saying that it was illegal and "private property". He said, "you must've had really good French if you got me to let you into this building," but in reality I got in because he was sleeping on the clock. There was also no sign stating that it was private property or that door-to-door was not allowed, but I just let the man take out his anger on us rather than arguing back, because there was no point in doing so. This hadn't happened since I was in Epinal, so it was such a thrill! Definitely makes missionary work more exciting! We also had a dinner appointment with the Kabongos that night which is always so fun. They went to Beyonce and Jay Z's concert in Paris the same day that France won the World Cup and they said that it was insane. Apparently their ticket included watching the World Cup in the stadium with Jay Z and Beyonce before their concert. They then got back up to Belgium (where they live) at 4AM and had to go to work that morning. I love this family haha.

Friday we had district meeting in the morning in Lille. On our way home we got stuck in terrible traffic (because the maximum amount of road lanes in most places in France is 2, and there was both an accident and road construction), causing us to miss our weekly skype conference with Salt Lake and almost our Ward Council as well. 

On Saturday we headed off to Roubaix for the birthday party of our investigator, Ledi's, son.  When we got there, no one was there. Not even Ledi. Then, luckily, people from the ward started showing up, but there was still no sign of Ledi. We bought a birthday gift and everything, so we were determined to stay until she came. She finally came 2 hours later with a bunch of her Cameroonese friends/families and we helped them set up. It was in a Catholic church and they were literally playing trap music right in front of statues of Jesus, Mary, and the apostles. None of us from the ward felt comfortable with this, but it's what they wanted. This party was literally an hour and a half away too, so we had to cancel a rendez-vous with Hourya to stay and wait for Ledi. We then gave her the gift and she was really grateful. Then we left and headed back for a dinner appointment with our investigators Teodora and Joel. They made us BBQ food and we ate in their backyard. Then we helped Teodora sort all of her publicity that she distributes each week which took forever. It was a long, interesting day, but good at the same time. 

Sunday was odd. David was one of the only two investigators that showed up to church, and no, he wasn't wearing the suit we gave him. He showed up late again, because he doesn't have a car and no train will get him there early enough. Our closest members also live 30 mins away from him. When we tried suggesting going to other wards that he could make it to sacrament on time to, he got mad. He said, "no. I like these missionaries too much. I'm not leaving them." So there's that. The lesson on the Word of Wisdom went as I was expecting and David wasn't going to go down without a fight, but luckily I wasn't giving the lesson so I could just sit back and listen. Afterwards, however, I think he finally understood it, so I was grateful that the ward was able to teach it to him. After church, he sought me out again and followed me around. He literally missed his train and waited just to talk to me about Elder Larson and his crush on him, as well as his September 21st baptism which he announced to the whole ward today and how he wants to marry Elder Larson in the temple afterwards. I told him that I'm not here to talk about Elder Larson with him, and he got mad and left.  I'm literally afraid of David right now, so wish me luck guys! I'm going to need all the prayers I can get with our rendez-vous with him this wednesday. He's getting even crazier and I don't know how much more of it I can take. 

Tonight we are meeting with Sylvain and Aline, so that should be a good way to end the day! 

I know that the gospel is true. That's why I'm here and that's why I'm willing to put myself in these (potentially dangerous) situations.  Obviously, there are people to take with caution, but everyone needs our message and everyone can benefit from it. I know that God is here for us and loves us all. I encourage you to spread the gospel this week to someone new. You never know the impact that it can have in their life!

Thanks to everyone for your love and support as always! Have a great week!

Elder Connor Anderson