December 06, 2010

Hey Family,

So, the week has been crazy and busy. We had stake conference and it was far away in a conference center... So it was hard to get people to come. The ward did a great job of getting our recent converts there so we were really happy with the turnout. Some members who live by us drove us. That was nice. It saved us money and we got to have a normal Sunday morning, instead of waking up at 5h30 and leaving at 6h30. It was a nice ride and fun to talk to them. They both served missions so they gave me a lot of advice so that I don't go into depression when I get home. 

I just got a RDV with our Internet man. He just walked up and said hi and I told him that I am leaving and he got really sad. I have been secretly teaching him the gospel for the last 9 months... maybe he is ready now. 

Simone.. Have I told you about her? She is this adorable little French woman who is 64. She is so funny. She is CATHOLIC... But hasn't been to mass since her oldest Granddaughter was baptised. But... Simone is praying!!! I don't know if you can even understand why that is a big deal, but just know.... It is. It has been 9 months and to hear her pray and have her tell us she is praying every night. It was a huge miracle. 

We had a lot of RDVs fall through. The snow makes life hard for people. It is hard, but it always happens when the weather gets bad. We just keep going. 

So, the first day that we signed for our new apart we went over and made videos of it and reveled in the goodness of the next place. As we walked out of the apart we saw a little old lady taking out her trash. I asked her if I could help her and she told me straight up NO!.. Well, people have that reaction to us a lot, no biggie. Then a few weeks later, when I saw her again she let me help her. Since that day I felt like we needed to meet her. So... The other day Soeur Woyak wasn't feeling well so I made one of the cookie mixes that mom sent and we took it to her. She is the neatest lady. She was a part of the French Resistance during WWII. She was 15 when she started in it with her Father. She told us stories about what she did to help Jews fudge their papers and how she danced to Jazz music with the American Soldiers the day they came through Paris. Her father had been a soldier and his post was that the Eiffel Tour. Then he went up to the North during the war and he had to escape with the British to England. Her stories were so cool. We told her about what we do and we talked about prayer with her. We told her we would love to help her decorate for Christmas... And she is going to give me a recipe for my favorite French Christmas desert. 

Things are so good. I am so happy and I love it so much. 

1. Do you need us to do anything before you arrive home? Is dad's number still the same.. If I get snowed into Seattle I would like to be able to contact you. I do have Gen's number on her card, in my wallet and I have Thadd's office number on my toothbrush.... But yeah
2. Have you found any new investigators? Yes
3. How's your luggage? Anything that makes it out of Charleroi alive comes out a little damaged and looking a little older... Me, my luggage, my clothing...
4. Anybody that we should let know about your arrival home date? The family... Soeur Hulet... She is still in denial that this is happening...