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Elder Stanford, Elder Pumford, Elder Lucas, Elder Tibbitts
Soeur Hogan, Soeur Giordano, Soeur Simpson, Soeur Morris
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It was an interesting week. Kind of just bleh. Not typical
nor filled with many exciting things, blessings and little miracles of course, but
a whole lot of planning and organizing that is hard to feel like we did much.
But it will pay off in the future. In our efforts to find His lost sheep, those
who have been found but have strayed, we have be planning some what of an operation
to rescue them. We are trying to join forces of the missionaries + members to
go out and help our brothers and sisters come back. This Saturday we will be
going to the cities of Lens, Bruay La Buissière, and Béthune to find and help
those who were once an active part of our ward. Miracles to come.
So the week was bleh EXCEPT for Sunday.
We experienced an enormous miracle on Sunday. True love. A
dear member in our ward referred us to her friend from work, to whom she had answered
some questions and given a Book of Mormon. We have tried to contact and meet
with Charlotte for weeks, with no avail. But Sunday after church, Soeur V took
us to visit her for the first time. She is golden. I was blown away, as were we
all. Absolutely prepared to receive the gospel. She described how she felt so
lost and so unhappy. She
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| I love this district. God answered a mission dream, to serve with Soeur Hogan, though just in the same district for one transfer, but it happened and it was wonderful. What an incredible servant of the Lord and fantastic friend. She is a blessing. |
was thirsting for inner peace. She wants to believe in
something but she didn't feel good about certain doctrines, beliefs, and practices
of other churches. Charlotte had started reading the Book of Mormon after Soeur
V gave it to her and she is hooked. She said "quand je commence, je
n'arrive pas à m'en sortir. C'est comme je suis dans une boule. Je ne peut pas
l'expliquer. Je me sens bien. C'est tout. Je n'ai pas les mots pour le décrié."
The discussion with Charlotte and Soeur V was powerful and
filled with the Holy Ghost. We talked about prayer, the blessing the gospel is
for families, and the Restoration of the church of Jesus Christ. She simply
glowed as we continued to tell of the restored gospel and the joy that it
brings. It was truly as if a part of her soul was beginning to wake up. She
cried as she tried to explain how she felt after the first vision of Joseph
Smith, only able to get out that she wants to feel like that forever. She
finally feels the peace for which she has been thirsting. She asked if she
could come to church one day..."YES! This Sunday! You are so welcome to
come church!" Near the end of the discussion, we invited her to be
baptized, to which she said she has been wanting to be baptized but by her
choice. She was baptized into the Catholic Church when she was 2 months old,
but doesn't believe in all of their practices and felt like it was unjust that
she was baptized and it wasn't her choice. So many miracles and blessings in
this lesson. I could not help but just feel the love of God for Charlotte. She
has found the path to peace, the waters of life, and we are here to help her
reach them.
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| Auto car to St. Pol sur Ternoise... The trains were cancelled all day to repair the track.... so we took a coach bus for 1hr. 16 min. on winding country roads. We tried to organize our ward list and maps, but got a bit car sick... But we had a nice conversation with a man sitting in front of us. Opportunities everywhere! |
I just cannot express how grateful I am for Soeur V for
opening her mouth when the Lord placed someone in her path who desperately
needs and was thoroughly prepared to receive the gospel. Her courage to live the
gospel and answers with testimony have been an answer to the pleadings of a
lost soul.
This is love. Sharing the love of God with those around us.
It's doesn't have to be a grand spectacle, but simple conversations and quiet
acts of service can be the opportunity and answer to someone's prayer and the
love they are missing.
I love this gospel. I love our Father in Heaven and His son,
Jesus Christ. I love the opportunity They give us to share their love. I cannot
believe I am beginning my last transfer as a full time missionary. I will be
finishing my mission in Arras with my dear Soeur Giordano. I couldn't be more
grateful. I love this work, this people, and this experience.
I love you. I know that God loves you. Don't forget it. Here
we go! Last the best of all the game.
Avec amour, Sœur Kate Simpson
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