Joy in Fasting...

Hello hello ! 

This week was another testimony to me of why I am here in France serving the Lord. 

First off, we are focusing the month of September on a France wide Venez et Voyez, basically it's a special reunion of the sacrament on the 23 September, for people that are interested in the church. Or anyone that is just curious for that matter. So, our President has given us the assignment to visit with every member before the 16th of September. As you can imagine, with finding, our amis, and visiting multiple members each day, it is a FULL schedule. It is so worth it, that's for sure. 

We have set a goal as an équipe to have 25 people come to the reunion. SO. that should be fun. 

This week was full of fun. I have really seen the miracles of our efforts. 

I guesI will list off some highlights or miracles of the week, don't have a ton of time, as we are on a train coming home from a chateau

Alors: 

* Tuesday, we went finding and ran into this one lady who though we were the cutest things, unfortunately she wasn't interested, but she gladly took a brochure. Her son walked passed us and wasn't interested either, so off we went to our rendez vous just down the street. 

Well, apparently he said that we were cute Americans, so on our way back, after about 45 minutes, the woman stopped us again and shouted "one inside my boy thinks you're cute !!" And we didn't know what to do but figured we can still testify so off we went. HE WAS SO EMBARRASSED that his mom brought us in lol. She said Daniel they have a message!! So We taught the book of Mormon and as we were talking she filmed us. She kept asking questions over the phone. It was a bit uncomfortable but oh well. Tant mieux. Then we asked him if he was interested in learning more and he wanted the book of Mormon that had our number in it. We pleaded for him to read it lol. So hopefully he does. Anyways she took photos of us and said she will read the Book so everyone pray for her ! 

* well the next day we were in the same area and we saw her again !!! We incited her to venez et Voyez and she said she's taking her whole family !!! So that was a big blessing. 

* we have a new ami, his name is Giovanni, one of the most genuine people I have ever met. He truly wants to know the truth, he's had a very hard life but is obsessed with the book of Mormon, he's studied every religion, but claims the lives de Mormon is really the word if God. Well yes Giovanni me too. Thru our efforts we weren't able to get him to church, but we're still meeting with him so that's good. He just said he was tired. Church is not that early Gio  !!! 

* we were finding in a Ville and got slammed by every single door, on our walk back to our car, I immediately stopped in front of this door number 10. I had a very direct impression to sonner the doorbell !! Well, it was a mother with 5 beautiful children. Raphaelle, basically after talking about the book of Mormon, all of her kids and her wanted one, and they wanted to read it together as a family. I was so touched, she said I looked just like her daughter who has blue eyes and blonde hair too. I pulled out some photos that I carry with me everywhere and I showed them my family, she was so touched and said that it was very courageous what we were doing. I told her very softly Raphaelle it's because it's the truth. 

She was super touched, we are planning on meeting up with them next week. 

* we had a ward BBQ friday and had Marina and Phillip come ! Also our cute little French teacher came, Martine, she told us she wants us to meet her new boyfriend so I'm PUMPED for that. They WILL be baptized one day. 

* Also, this one member gave me a zucchini the size of my head. You guys we literally are so blessed, and also overwhelmed. It's a polarity that's for sure. 

* we have an ami Eric, who is amazing. His wife is baptized and a couple of his children too. Do y'all remember Anaïs? The 17 year old daughter of magali and eric? The one who left and cut my hair ? Okay well we asked her to read Enos a couple weeks back, WELL. She texted us and goes, okay soeurs, last night I woke up from a nightmare and could not go back to sleep. I saw the book of Mormon on the floor and decided to read the chapter. She read the entire chapter and after had the best sleep ever. She was like give me another one I want to sleep that way all the time. We were in tears it was so amazing !!!!! So cool 

* Also my mom met a girl back in new York who is from France, we have been in contact for the past couple of days, she is agreeing to meet with the missionaries who live in her Ville! 

As you can see, we have witnessed so many tender mercies. 

This week I fasted very specifically. I fell upon a scripture in D&C 59:13-15 

It compares fasting to joy. It's so true. These past 3 days, we have worked so hard, and although a lot of things didn't go our way, it was not because our efforts weren't enough. God saw how much we wanted the benefit for our amis and members and he blessed in ways we could not imagine. Because of this fast I have experienced so much joy !!! I am so happy to be here. I am so grateful for the simplicity of the gospel that allows me to have happiness through hard times. 

I encourage you all to fast with a purpose ! Even though it's a month away, focus on what you can do now to prepare. He will bless you for your efforts, and the joy will be reflected that's for sure. 

Heavenly Father loves you.

Love you all so much. 

SD