Sœur Anna the Amazing

Sister Anna K. is the newest member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. She was baptized by David Babin on Saturday, 26 September 2015 in Paris, France. Best. Day. Ever.
This week has been great. A bit stressful, but there have been so many blessings and help from on High that have made everything work out.  We have been a 6 man this week and an 8 man apartment for two of the nights. Lots of Sœurs. Haha but lots of fun. Sœur Bond is on her way home, as in Mulhouse, France, and on the road to recovery. She is doing very well. It's been a blast to have her and Sœur North with us. We've gone on splits to try and rotate Sœur North out of the apartment and we've been so blessed with the time we have had outside.

I felt like there was a mountain of things to do this week, and I feel like I typically handle things pretty well. I love lists and such and don't feel overwhelmed. Well, a week without weekly planning due to hospitals trips and trios and exchanges was a bit stressful plus two different exchanges, coordinating the other companionship and preparing for Anna's baptism just about did me in. It brought me to my knees, which is exactly where I needed to be. I just wanted to collapse and sleep and do absolutely nothing. But I couldn't. There were people depending on me and above all, the Lord was depending on me. I prayed with all the energy I had left, and the Lord provided and helped me. It was amazing.

After a few more miracles, Anna was baptized. David was able to make it there after graduate law school and her mom made it too. Such blessings. Prayer works. She was beautiful, all dressed in white, beaming with brightness. It was a short, sweet, spirit-filled service. I was/am so happy.

Anna the Amazing's journey is just in the commencement, and oh how far she has already come. She asked if you celebrate your baptism every year like a birthday. It made me think a bit, and of course it's like a birthday! It is the day of our spiritual rebirth. It was a special day and one I will never forget. It was a beautiful sight to see her immersed in the waters of baptism, twice actually, and create her first covenant with her Father in heaven. That is true joy.

Avec amour,
Sœur Kate Simpson

Hillary at Le Parc Montsouris

She showed up at church last week. Super cute girl from Cali. Her family is from the Philippines. She met with some missionaries in San Diego, but is studying abroad in Paris for a semester! We met with her while I was on exchanges with Sœur Morris, who is serving in Caen, and talked about the Book of Mormon. She has already started studying it and has been taught a lot about the gospel already. She is so prepared. We set a baptismal date for November 8!

SŒUR KING CAME TO PARIS

It was awesome. I love that Sœur. This week, October 1, marks one year from when we met, became companions and began this awesome adventure of a mission. She is currently in her second transfer training a cute bleue from Washington up in St. Quentin. They came down for our 2nd year Legalité. A fun little adventure to the Sous-Préfecture (like a DMV + immigration place) of St. Germain-en-Laye to renew our visas to stay legal in France!