Meilleurs Vœux et Bonne Santé - 4 janvier 2016

Typical District Transfer Age Photo 

Terrible lighting. Sorry.

Best wishes, good health, and a happy new year to all! 

This week was a week. Not the best one of my life, nor the worst,  it it just didn't have much to it. Holidays are weird as a missionary and there was some confusion on the rules and expectations for New Year's Eve and day on the mission leadership level, so we were expecting one thing and it ended up being different. We went running Wednesday morning for exercises and it was awesome. Until the next day when I could hardly move and my back hurt like never before. I'm slightly falling apart but it's all good.

No it was a good week. There is always good in each day. Tuesday we didn't completely drop a member in a wheelchair down the stairs. Miracle. Wednesday we had an inspired district meeting about divine nature. It felt like young womens. Thursday we ran. And after studies we ventured out to

Soeur Soileau bought me a meringue
 because I won our "Elf on a Shelf" challenge.

 St. Pol sur Ternoise, taught and ate with a member who made us boudin and compote de pome and stuffed us so full. Basically like thanksgiving. We were not invited to anyone's home for New Year's Eve so we worked quand même. Friday we did not get to sleep in like we thought we initially could, but that's ok. We had a New Year's Day lunch with the Riem family, which was lovely. It was a ghost town and the only people out were drunk...so we organized the area book, made calls, came up with some plans, did weekly planning and tried to make ourselves useful and productive.

Saturday. Saturday was deemed Carpe Diem day during our weekly planning last week for this week. It means that we just go crazy and don't let a person pass us without contacting them. Seizing absolutely every situation no matter what to share the gospel. It was hard. But it felt good at the end of the day. That kind of makes it sound like we don't take every opportunity normally, but we do. Sometimes we can't contact everyone or it's not the most efficient thing to do at the time. This day was "gotta catch 'em all" Day.

Seconds after my phone call 

withElder Martin calling 

me to be a trainer! Ah.

It also was Répertoire day. The day we get transfer assignments. Repertoire is sent by email at noon. BUT leadership calls from the Assistants and Président start at 10. So one's phone feels like a time bomb. We were contacting our hearts out and we nearly made it to 11am without a call until 10:54... AP1 calls. I answered and it was Elder Martin, my good friend from my Paris days. He is the U.S. Naval Academy one from Texas, called Mandarin speaking. Anyway. He informed me that I was called to be TRAINING! Again haha This time it will be a fresh bleue from the MTC. I'm gonna be a Mom!

I've trained twice, but the first one, Soeur Dufour, was a visa waiter and I was with Soeur Tane too, so that was a bit different. And I step-mom-ed Soeur Soileau, though I consider myself her real mom. So I have yet to have a bleue that is fresh from the plane and going to stay in this mission. Ah. I'm a bit nervous but mostly excited. I know it is an inspired calling and what the Lord wants for the both of us. Also, a little excited because it's already giving me more energy to finish strong. I was really feeling my steam run out this week, but change is good and new beginnings are good. All good things. All good things.

Also. DREAM COME TRUE. Soeur Rachel Hogan is coming into my district for her last transfer! I couldn't be happier. So many blessings. I am sad though to see Soeur Soileau leave. She is a best friend and a wonderful companion. It has been amazing to see her change and step up to the plate of being a missionary. She is going to be wonderful. She is going to Orléans be companions with my 

Sunday night member visit 

with Soeur Caroline and Elizabeth

mission sister, Soeur Tilby, who Soeur Stevens just finished training before she finished her mission in December. Everything is so connected. Haha I'm excited for her. She'll be great.

With the New Years traditions and being a missionary, goals are basically my life. I prayed and read my patriarchal blessing before making yearly goals to try and get some inspiration on them. I made goals for the rest of my mission and goals for once I get home, which has been not super fun to face. Finding the balance is a bit trickier than I anticipated. But I am excited for whatever the Lord has I store for me this year. 2015 was a year full of just about everything and I am so glad I was blessed with all the experiences I was given. I know that God has a plan for every single one of us. It isn't always, and sometimes hardly ever, is our own plan, but it is always better for us. I am grateful for a loving Father in Heaven who knows me better than I do and who watches out for me.

 I know God and Jesus Christ live. I know they love you. I know that we can start again because of their love and their sacrifice. There is no such thing as the end, for we can always try again. Here's to trying a little harder to be a little better. I know we can do it.

Love, 

Sœur Kate Simpson 

The best way to spread Christmas cheer is - 21 décembre 2015

From the platform at Béthune

SINGING LOUD FOR ALL TO HEAR. And that we did. Basically our entire week was running around singing to everyone and giving people cookies. It was delightful. Except we burn cookies like it is an Olympic sport. We burned at least 6 trays of cookies. French ovens. Ugh. Or it was just us and our lack of hearing the tiny little timer. Nevertheless, people got some semi good cookies, some ok singing, except "angels we have heard on high" glorias made us bust up laughing with everyone's inability to hold it out, and beautiful cards we bought from an Abbey/Monastery in St. Pol sur Ternoise.

Macdo with Soeur Rivièrre

Sœur Meurisse drove us around the countryside into little villages to sing to less actives, single members, and brought us to a new ami! We visited 14 people in one day. May not seem like a lot, but considering the distance in between each of the people, it's a lot. The most time we spent in one place was 15 minutes. We were flying. But it was great.

The day ended splendidly. Franck is our new ami. The most solid ami I've had yet in Arras. God has prepared him and he has experienced a lot of difficult things to humble him to receive the gospel. He has had to start over at ground zero. Divorced, lost his job, lost basically everything else, and just had to pull himself up. He came from poverty but fought his way out of the cycle, beating many odds and recognizes the hand of God in his life in saving him until now.

He lives next door to a less active member, but works with another member. He had seen us come over to visit his neighbor a few times and thought we were Jehovah's Witness... Common mistake. Well, he had studied with the JW for a bit, as he has been searching for the truth, being confused with so many churches and so many bibles. He asked who we were to his neighbor and that began a discussion. The member with whom he works then got him a Book of Mormon and invited him to meet with us. And thus we met and had a lovely rendezvous at his house with Soeur Fournelle and Soeur Meurisse.

We taught the entire Restoration and it went so smoothly. No interruptions during the first vision, awesome testimonies from members, and he had some great questions. He said "it's like I've known this without knowing it before." when we shared the first vision. I asked him how he feels, and that is how he replied. We invited him to baptism. He accepted. He truly is such a miracle placed into our hands. I am grateful for valiant members who live the gospel and share it by their actions  and words. Without them, we simply cannot do this work. No matter how many doors we knock, how many people we stop on the street or on transportation, the best way to have solid amis is to have been taught by example of the members and they invite them to learn more. What are you doing to help the work go forth in your ward?

Bonday sticks.

Bonday was splendid as usual. It was nice to serve at their house, as we have not been able to for a few weeks. We cleaned up their garage, sanded a door, painted said door, painted some more picket fences, and climbed on some "sticks". Brother Bond got a little delivery for his wood working. They made us try some mince meat pie, strait up ginger drink stuff, and some chutney. Always an adventure. We practiced God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen for the ward Christmas party. To be quite frank, I was a bit apprehensive. Guitar + amp, tambourine, Shakers, and maracas.... In a church... I felt a little baptist or evangelical. But it turned out fun and everyone loved it. We added the spice to the evening.

Christmas caroling with

some wonderful members.

Saturday we weekly planned in the morning and headed strait for the chapel to be divided to conquer the world with secret Santa stuff and more caroling. We did member splits into 4 groups, so one missionary per group. I went with Bishop and Soeur Leterme, her mom, a young man, and two of the young women, Paola and Noémi. It was pretty fun. We sang, prayed, and delivered baskets of food and treats. Nothing like giving and singing and praying. It's the best. Then finished the night with the ward party. Every auxiliary performed a piece. Soeur Soileau and I were invited to sing with the young women too, so we sang "away in a manger" and then "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" with the rockin Bonds. It was a good night. Franck didn't come, which was a bummer, but a ton of less actives did and everyone seemed to have a great night of love, service, and Christmas spirit.

I am so excited for this week. It should be filled with awesome. Headed to Paris tonight, sleeping over in my old apartment, and going tomorrow to pick up my legality ID card that allows me to live in France for another year! Then district meeting, lesson visits, district activity, Christmas Eve with members, Christmas Day with the Sanchez family, SKYPE MY FAMILY, and find more of my brothers and sisters looking for the truth.

I am grateful for the 40 day fast we have been a part of. It has not been easy, nor how I thought it would be. I had mustered some faith to try and find 40 Amis before Christmas, we tried pretty hard. I don't feel like I did everything I could, which is frustrating, but I suppose it has been a very good lesson in humility and reliance upon the Lord.

Though we may not find 40 by Christmas, we've found 4. And two more children have been brought closer unto Christ: Soeur Soileau and I have both felt a deeper connection to our Savior, Jesus Christ. I suppose the soul that needed to be brought unto Christ was my own. If that is all I did, I think I can feel okay. I know my savior lives. I know He has a plan. I know that prayer is real. I know there is power, literal strength, in reading the Book of Mormon. I know that Christ loves me. He loves you. I have felt His overwhelming love for others. I know His gospel and church have been restored to the earth and I have come to know of their importance and vitality to our salvation. I have shared His message and the story of His birth and in doing so I have discovered why "a savior is born." We need Him. We simply couldn't do it without a savior.

Jesus Christ, our Savior was born and He lives.

Merry Christmas, Sœur Kate Simpson

Après Moi la Déluge - 14 décembre 2015

FHE with the McKenzies

Après Moi la Déluge

Indeed a flood. Not one of rain, though it did rain, but a flood of blessings. The drought of finding has been broken and God has poured the miracles and blessings upon us this past week. To give you an idea, last transfer our total stats for "other lessons taught" was a meager 12, new Amis was 1. The entire 6 weeks. This week alone we taught 5 other lessons, and 3 new amies. The pleas for help and direction were answered and He placed us in the right place and the right time. I wrote about it in my journal and simply couldn't type it all again, thus the photos. I apologize if my handwriting is difficult to read, I know it's a bit tricky.

The journal entry was just of Tuesday and Wednesday, but the miracles continued. Thursday we visited two less active sisters with Soeur Meurisse. It was a pleasure to serve, teach, and share with them. We finished the night at Soeur Bouhktouchen's. We ate Tajine, a Moroccan chicken and vegetable dish. They are Algerian/Moroccan. It was delish. Oh man. Spices of the Middle East and Africa are magical. It was a good lesson; we shared our message of Noël. They come from a Muslim background, so it was cool to learn of their love of Christ and Christmas as they have converted to Christianity.

1st class to Paris

Friday. The blessed day. Paris. ❤️ I went back to Paris. We had our Christmas tri-zone Conference in Versailles. When our TGV was pulling into Gare du Nord, I nearly cried. Also, they messed up the composition of the train, so we got to ride First Class to Paris. It was a beautiful feeling being back in that beautiful city. I lead the group of missionaries gathered to where we needed to go, as i knew it almost like the back of my hand. Oh I can't even explain to you how happy I was to get shoved onto the cram packed RER. It was bliss. We made it to Versailles without a problem and the conference was wonderful. Testimonies of missionaries who finish their mission this transfer, all of whom I know and love, spiritual thoughts, testimonies, songs, musical numbers, a presentation of the temple, 15 minutes "with our family" reading the letters president had from our families, then a fabulous turkey and mashed potato meal. Président said we could sit by whomever we wanted and eat as much as we wanted. It was SO nice. Soeur Soileau doesn't really know anyone yet, so she sat with my missionary friends and I. After all, she is a friend of mine. Haha we talked, laughed, reminisced of old times and updated each other on investigators or converts, etc. it was lovely. They passed out packages from our families too, as if Santa had stopped by. I love President. We took a giant group photo, which took a bit longer that it should have.

Imagine a mass herd of nicely dressed men and women running with boxes in one hand and copies of the Book of Mormon in the other running frantically through 6 levels of a Paris train station. Nearly every single missionary missed their train. Everyone had to wait inline and exchange tickets and wait for the next train. Good times. It took all night to get home, so we ate dinner, planned, and went to bed.

Saturday was contacting, visited Soeur Bond at the marché for a sec to cheer her up and buy some lemon curd from her, then weekly planning, contacting, and spent a family home evening with the McKenzie family. We shared our Christmas message and helped decorate the tree and the apartment. It was lovely.

Sunday was full of some unexpected miracles. Church was good. It's a bit frustrating because everyone talks over each other and has to add their 2 cents, but they are still wonderful and I love them. Just a test of patience at times. The Elder's ami Franck came! The YSA just swooped him up and made him feel at home. We keep praying someone of ours will come. Bientot.

Missionary Mana

we made lunch for the two of us and Mana, who is leaving on her mission at the end of this month. We prayed to know what to do, then off we went to find an old amie. We got to the gated fence and rung the bells. One neighbor answered but told us to go away. Then a super old lady opened her door, told me to kick the gate door to open it and come in. So we did. She just told us to come in and talk to her. She was 90 years old and all alone. She said she hadn't talked to anyone in years. It was so sad. We tried to share a message, but she didn't listen and kept talking over us. She also was a bit deaf. But we prayed with her, wished her a merry Christmas and went next door to the lady we were looking for. She wasn't home. So we wrote a little note to leave behind, and just as we were setting it down, a lady walked up and voila. It was her. She invited us in, and just sitting placed perfectly on a coffee table, was the Book of Mormon. On her buffet cabinet, the restoration and plan of salvation brochures used as pictures. She had been waiting for missionaries for more than a year to pass by. It was incredible. She said she had been praying for a long time to be found.

She spoke a lot, super fast, and a regional dialect of French with an accent we don't know. It was so nice to have Mana with us. She basically taught everything, because even I was struggling to follow everything Madame Petit said. She expressed her reliance and love for the Lord, Jesus Christ. She talked of the terrible things of the world but that it doesn't mean there isn't a God, but that men are the corrupt and bad ones who have deformed the world. A very sweet lady with a desire to do good. Absolutely a miracle.

It's been a good week. A bit odd at times, but with so many blessings. The Jandas brought us food for Christmas, I got my boots which were completely worn out and the heel is gone from walking in them for more than a year are getting fixed at the cobblers, my train pass was renewed, we got to decorate our apartment, so many little things worked out. I know that God answers prayers. Often times, we have to persevere and keep going, pushing further and harder and better, but he always answers. His plan is always better than ours.

I wish you a fabulous week. Be good Do more Look outward

Love,

Sœur Kate Simpson

Get Out of the River - 7 décembre 2015

Many blessings to be counted indeed. Still no new amis, and barely any lessons. We stopped quite a bit of dear children of God, but no one was ready to listen. It is a little frustrating when it is the time of Christmas and everyone should be happy and feeling the Christmas spirit, the love of Christ, but not quite yet, or at least we aren't looking in the right places.

Prayer has been our source of endurance. We have continued as diligently as possible to pray every hour on the hour. I suppose I needed/need to better rely on Him to do His work. We have been blessed to talk with a few kind people, even if they weren't interested in continuing. I'm happy to be sharing a Christmas message now, which I believe will soon soften the hearts of my dear Arrageios.

I had a lovely exchange in Villeneuve d'Ascq/Lille with Sœur Rasband. Yes her somehow-related uncle is the Apostle Elder Rasband. It was wonderful. I love Arras and life, but it is also nice to take a little break and have a new backdrop for the wonderful work of the Lord. I feel so blessed to have been able to serve with her. She was Sœur Tippett's companion right before I was, and they too were together for 3 transfers. She is wonderful. We went to Mouscron, Belgium for a rdv, which is a part of their secteur, so that was cool. Left France for a bit. We visited a recent convert of 4 months, who has lived in Belgium for 4 weeks, moving from Brazil. Absolutely solid member. They hardly have anything, but give all they have to come to church. They can't afford train tickets, so they walk more than an hour with their 6 year old twins, and 8 month old baby on chilly Sunday mornings across the French border to get to the Lille metro to get to church. That is conversion. We talked with the sweet sister and she ended up changing our lesson to Joseph Smith and the truth and happiness of the gospel. She just kept saying "I'm just so happy, I'm am just so happy." Here was a lady, struggling with languages, hardly any material means, struggling with her little family in a foreign country and a new church, but she was grasping on for dear life to the restored gospel and chose to be happy. She is a great example to me. We came away so edified. What would I give to go to church? What would you?

Wednesday was a bit rough. We had no appointments, rather they all fell through, and so we headed out into the world to find some lost souls. We searched for hours on end. It was windy, cold, gray, and absolutely no one was listening. Soeur Soileau asked if we could stop at a bench near a river so she could pray. Can't say no to that, so we sat and prayed silently. Just a few meters away in the river, an older teenaged boy was attempting to knee kayak. All suited up in his wetsuit, he slowly pushed off from the doc and wobbled, trying to keep his balance with his oar. He splashed and wiggled and tried with all his might to not fall in, though his hair was wet giving us hints he may have already fallen into the cold December water. We kept praying and thinking and talking, trying not to watch him and make him feel weird. He ventured out quite a bit. Just as we closed our eyes to pray together, we headed a big splash. He had lost balance, tipped over, and fallen in. We tried our hardest not to giggle in our prayer, and succeeded in finishing a reverent plead for help and direction. After we opened our eyes, he was back in the kayak and trying again.

I suppose it's a stretch of sorts, but it's kind of how we were feeling. We were trying and have been trying to succeed. I feel like I should be equipped with balance and experience, but the kayak of finding is wobbling and we aren't quite there yet. I am grateful for the young mans endurance and will power to get up and try again, even in the cold, gray, windy days. I know there will be a day when our practice and pleading for help will come to our aid. One day we will be blessed to balance and ride on the river smoothly, helping others as well.

I know endurance is hard. But it is necessary. I suppose the best thing to do is to find the beauty along the way and enjoy the journey of falling in the river, because one may as well make the best of it.

Make it a wonderful week this week and remember how much you are loved.

Love, Sœur Kate Simpson