How I Learned to Love Letting Go

Dixème semaine (Week Ten)

Great news, toute le monde!!

Remember the amazing Brazilian family I told you about? The ones who can't get married? Well, it just so happens that there is a Brazilian returned missionary in our ward who has become really great friends with Nice and they just talk on Facebook all the time because they stay home while their husbands work and neither of them speak very good French. 

Out of nowhere, we got a phone call from her one evening after a hard day of contacting/getting the finger and she told us how she had just gotten off the phone with Nice. She had told her everything about her marriage situation and why they can't get baptized. Our member friend told her that she has had several friends who were in the military and had the same problem but knew of a way to get married. So, naturally, she passed her a couple of her friends' numbers and the search for a way has begun. THIS IS AFTER WEEKS OF PRAYING. Guys, seriously. The church is so true, it's not even funny.

FACTS I LEARNED: 

• Our freezer puts all our food in a cryogenic sleep. I have probably digested several rocks while living in Carcassonne.

• Our bishop was a hippie who had hair all the way down to his butt and camped at Woodstock back in the 60s.... I love him....

• I have a disease. If I spend to much time in the sun, I get these little brown dots all over my cheeks and I look like a cheetah. I have a fatal case of Caucasianitis and there is no cure to be found in present time. 

• Literally, all of our investigators know about my racism against white people (without me telling them). They were telling me the other day after a lesson that after the mission, I am going to travel the world, marry a Tahitian and do the hauka all day. For all we know, they could be right.

So, humility is a trait that I have been trying to work on lately. Surprisingly, someone as incredibly awesome and spiritual as me is struggling with it. One of the things I've learned that help me align my personality more with Christ's is to just let the bad things thrown at you just roll off your back. It has been incredibly difficult trying to place God's opinion of me higher than everyone else's. 

If I honestly do my best in what I feel I am supposed to do, I believe wholeheartedly that it doesn't matter what the sweaty, angry, sun-burned tourist is yelling at me while I'm walking to the grocery store. Understanding the purpose of this life and having the perspective that our experiences don't end at the grave truly motivates people to put their will into God's hands and try to bring joy into the lives of others. I've seen it in many cultures, and I've seen it in all ages. 

Let God do His thing and trust Him that He's going to catch you before you hit the ground. In shorter terms, humble yourselves. I already know that I'll be working on this for the rest of my life, but I can sincerely promise you that you will see a change in your life and in the lives of those around you, if you start to center your efforts with an eternal perspective and let go of the tedious and worthless opinions that weigh you down.

As always, I love you. I send you much love from the south of France. Que tenga un buen dia!!!

Sœur Green

How I Learned to Love Others' Examples

Neufième semaine (Week Nine)

Un petit message (encore)

So this week was a lot of traveling to conferences... I went "ville-hopping" from Montpellier to Marseilles to Aix en Provence by three long, train-riding days. It was quite the little field trip, however, and I am so grateful I had these opportunities. Somehow I've gotten a whole tour of France in the first three months of my mission. 

The most beautiful place in the world, Montpellier

We didn't get a chance to see a whole lot of our investigators this week, including the Mudarra family, unfortunately. However, they all came to church and want to see us this week. We're chugging along and searching for the miracles. They're always there.
P.S. WE FOUND A WARD PIANIST!! .....................who's going on vacation this week. Looks like there's a few more hours of practice for me in my future.

FACTS I LEARNED:

• We have a beyond ridiculous cockroach infestation in our apartment. Our record for cockroach deaths this week...twelve in one hour. Yeah.

• Hearing a concert of one of your favorite bands in the castle right by your house is amazing, even from my peasant's point of view.

• Borrowing a bright red, waist-high skirt from one of the sisters will manifest twelve "bonjours" and an extremely loud sharing of gratitude to a higher power in less than twenty minutes. I now wear a shirt over it.

Fireworks over the Castle for Bastille Day

Church this week was such a blessing... 

There is a nine year old girl in our ward. She walks to church by herself every Sunday so that she can get there on time. She always has a smile and she loves to give hugs to everyone. She is a perfect example. Several months ago, her father walked out on her unemployed mother with seven kids, five under the age of ten, and they haven't seen him since. I have never seen death walking until I met this family. But for some reason, this little girl who understands what is going on and has every reason to angry, isn't. She is a flower in the middle of a field. She does all she can to keep her family as happy as they used to be. And everyone sees that in her. Every member of the ward loves on her every Sunday. The ward has given her another family to spread joy to. 

Noticing this was a lesson in humility. It really isn't that weird to look up to someone a foot shorter than you. I think there is an example from her that a lot of people can learn from, especially me who has been so blessed and still think I have hard days. Keep the knowledge of the Atonement in your mind each time you see suffering. It places everything into the proper perspective. She understands and applies it. My goal this week is to do the same. 

I love you all and constantly thank God for all your support and your letters. You all inspire me to keep moving forward. Out of selfishness, I'm going to have to ask you to keep doing that :)

Gros Bisous! 

Sœur Green

How I Learned to Love the Details

Huitème semaine (Week Eight)

I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO BOMBARDED BY MIRACLES IN MY ENTIRE LIFE. Vraiment. As I mentioned previously, Sœur Fairchild and I had a baptism last week, and of course, it was perfect. Beyond perfect, actually. Isaac was so ready and the testimony he bore afterwards was so sincere. Apparently, according to the ward records, this is the first baptism in a year and a half. The ward was so stoked and were so welcoming to him. 

Isaac

Several miracles took place during the program as well. One of the people we met on the street, this, need I say, extremely attractive Asian psychology professor/accordion player randomly showed up at the church house even though he told us he doesn't believe in God. 

Also, someone had apparently turned off the water in the middle of church, so we had about four feet of water to baptize this 10'9" African man, BUT SOMEHOW, and I'm not sure of the physical dynamics and laws that played into all of this, it went smoothly.  Even the musical number we did went fine after only two days of practice. Our DMP gave me his old guitar to play while I served here and so we sang and played a song for Isaac. I think God allowed my fingers to do bar chords specifically for that time because every time leading up to that was a hot mess. Thankfully, I have only had to play one song in front of the congregation on the piano because, miraculously, random people that play piano visit our ward occasionally and volunteer. Imagine them having to listen to me five times in one day. God loves His children.

The next miracle is the reason I'm convinced why God has placed me in Carcassonne at this time. There is a family here, the Mudarra family, who is completely active and loves the gospel. Except for the grandfather, who has refused to be baptized ever since his family converted decades ago. All of you that know my mother's side of the family would understand why I immediately connected with them. 

The background of this story kind of starts at the train station at Zone Conference a couple weeks ago... I met a missionary named Elder Phelps as we were about to leave for our train. He asked me if I was going to Carcassonne and, obviously I told him yes, so he shook my hand and said, "Take care of my grandparents."  

I didn't know what that meant until my first Sunday here. There was a family visiting, the Phelps family. Sister Phelps (who married an American and speaks English), got up to bear her testimony and stated that she had a son serving in this mission, so, me being the creepy stalker that I am, went up to her afterwards and was like, "I KNOW YOUR SON!!" She was more enthusiastic than I expected her to be. Next to her was her mother, Sœur Mudarra, and she went from looking very sullen to very chipper immediately. She was the lady whose husband I was supposed to teach, according to our records. I told her l couldn't wait to meet Frère Mudarra and she said in the most delightful old-lady voice, "Oh, you will." (In French, obviously). 

Back to the baptism...  Frère Mudarra (Elder Phelps' grandfather) SHOWS up for sacrament meeting, LOVES it, STAYS for the baptism, and COMES up to me and Sœur Fairchild, and tells us we can come by later (even though his wife had already invited us behind his back :) ). We were reflecting later that evening and we truly feel like this family's wait is over. Sorry, cliffhanger. We are seeing them this week!

FACTS I LEARNED:

• The French word for "Horsetrack" is "Hippodrome". You're welcome...

• The Ukulele is a simple instrument. Its chords, however, are not.

• Vietnamese Ward Mission Leaders with the title as one of the best karate instructors in the world will get up immediately after an opening prayer in a missionary coordination meeting and start teaching us how to claw people's faces off. 

• There is a form of deadly martial arts that comes from Brazil called, "Capoiera" and you get a special name if you know it... The Phelipe family finally gave me my Capoiera name this week even though I can't fight worth beans. "ONCINHA", which is Portuguese for "little bear." Be jealous.

My companion has got to be sick of me. Every time we leave the apartment and have to walk or take the bus somewhere, my mouth is just spilling out lists of everything I love. France has taught me to pay attention to the details. 

The other day while we were heading to a rendez-vous at a member's house who lives out in isolation and is completely surrounded by the clouds of heaven. I was so close to losing my sanity. My experience can be recapped as follows: "Oh my gosh, that tree. I love that tree. I love those branches. And that stone fence. And that house. And those shutters. And that door knob. And those flower pots. And that shovel. Sœur Fairchild, seriously, look at that shovel. God uses that shovel." 

Before my mission, my appreciation for nature was actually a piece that connected my testimony of God's existence to all other concepts of this gospel. There is nothing that can better erase all my worries and doubts like a train ride through the French countryside. I can't really explain it more clearly. There is is scripture in Alma that states, "All things denote there is a God," and I have taken nature and related it to that. I can't understand how there can be so many people who are surrounded by so much evidence can still spit on the idea of there being a Higher Power. Don't look at the big picture alone. Appreciate the little things. The little things are the pixels that make up the bigger picture. 

I love you all and I thank God for your support every day. Gardez la foi, mes chers amis. Je vous aime.

Sœur Green

How I Learned to Love Change

Marche à L'Aventure:  Nouvelle Mutation dans le septième semaine!!
 A New Transfer in Week Seven

So, um. I'm in Carcassonne now. That one place with a legitimate castle from the 1300s that's 15 minutes walking distance from my house. 

And this week, my new companion, Sœur Fairchild, and I are baptizing a 28 year-old Senegali, Isaac, who plays the African drums in a popular reggae band here.

Beauty, our ward mission leader/birthday boy, and the Dijon dream team

I don't think I can convey just how much I love my new ville and the people I work with. I felt an immediate connection with the area and my new companion within seconds of getting off the train. I think I learned what real faith was in the first week of being here, relative to the faith I thought I had throughout my entire life. I swear, I get within inches of going into Cardiac Arrest every time I walk outside because I'm bombarded with so much beauty and amazing people. 

Cependant, I loved Dijon. I think I'll always feel a tight connection to the people I met there and the actual ville itself. There's something about your first transfer that, even though it was so difficult to adjust and learn everything you possibly could, you are so grateful for every moment you had there. Despite the short amount of time I spent there, it feels like I lived there for years.

Before I had set out on my mission, I had set the goal to learn two languages because I would either be close to Spanish or Italian border. Well, I finally got my wish! Since I am so close to the Spanish border, we run into Spaniards all the time. Because of this, I had to learn how to contact people in Spanish. It's pathetic, but people understand me. I can say about two phrases and then the conversation expires, but they smile and take a pass-along card, so, yeah. Mission accomplished... (?) 

OH, funny story. 
So, I'm the new ward pianist.......... They designated my calling 10 minutes after I got off the train. The ward doesn't have a pianist, so they count on the missionaries to play for them. Do you want to know the last time I touched a piano or attempted to read music? 9 years ago. Now every lunch and dinner break is spent plucking out keys on our ranky-dank apartment keyboard. Who knew I'd be expected to re-live the horrors of my childhood for the sake of French people's entertainment?

FACTS I LEARNED:

• If you give a Soeur Green an apple tart, chances are she'll eat it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

• The farther you get from Mexico, the worse the food renditions get. However, the closer you get to Italy............

• It is illegal to be homeless in France, or at least where I live. The government doesn't want all these tourist that come in to see poverty everywhere they go, so therefore, they made it illegal to be homeless in order to fix the problem. Most homeless people keep a pet with them to make it look like they are just out for a walk or make it so the police would have to go through the trouble of calling animal control too.

• I am extremely protective of my study time. If one were to interrupt my my studies, harm would come upon them.

• There is a sandwich here called "The Americain" that consists of a baguette with chunks of steak and and several handfuls of fries shoved in it. AMERICA!!

• This one is actually serious. Brazilian fathers go by the family last name. Instead of the woman losing her last name, the husband loses his first! (just kidding, she still loses her last name. but pretend for the sake of this blog that she doesn't.)

• There is a mental hospital in our ward boundaries......and patients like to come.....and get up on the pulpit.....on fast and testimony meeting.....and share things....while our investigators are there.........................

So much has gone down in the last three weeks, I'll try my best to condense everything. Carcassonne is wonderful and the work is jumping over here. Sœur Fairchild (who, by the way, is a medieval reenactor and former hippie/professional rock climber) and I are teaching EIGHT PEOPLE. That's "Disneyland" for a French missionary.

The Legend of Suisse and Me

Like I said before, we are baptizing one this week named Isaac. He's the typical chill, drum-playing African you'd expect. I LOVE HIM TO DEATH. 

The others that we see the most often are a little Brazilian family, the Phelipes, here for military purposes. They are the most humble, most knowledge-hungry, most GREATEST people I have ever met. They are young. The parents, Andersen/Phelipe and Nice, are about 30, and they have a son that's 9. We have trilingual lessons with them because the wife's French is kind of terrible, but she understands my Spanish/French hybrid explanations. My Portuguese will probably surpass my Spanish because we go over to the house five times a week and they teach us cool words, haha. We have seen so many miracles happen with this family. There is this peace they have in their home and the efforts they make to read the Book of Mormon and pray for answers to their questions is beyond the most inspiring thing I have ever seen. They are perfect.

But, there is a catch to this wonderful story. We had been planning for their baptism (and the father was going to baptize his son after he received the Priesthood) for next week. We were on our second to last lesson with them and then made a really sad discovery. Nice and Andersen aren't married. The French government doesn't allow for soldiers to be married for the first five years of their service because they don't want to support the entire family. They even force some soldiers to get divorced! They told us they wouldn't be allowed to get married for another six months. 

Seriously. I almost cried after that lesson. They were so excited to get baptized. They even had a temple picked out for their sealing! We never thought to ask them if they we legally married, because, well, first of all, that's not exactly a good conversation starter, and two, they also wore their rings. They have been trying to find a way to get married for a long time, but it looks as though neither me nor Sœur Fairchild will get to see this family get baptized (unless I serve in this city for 6 more months, which is not even possible with how many sisters are serving in Lyon). However, they told us that they are going to fly out to America when they go to the temple so that we could be there for their sealing. 

Have I ever mentioned to you guys how amazing God is and His plan for families? Well, I'm going to do that. Now.

Speaking of families, there is this really cool New Zealand-ian family here who honestly makes me want to pick up my life, move to New Zealand, and have like fifty kids. COOLEST. MORMONS. EVER. The husband plays Rugby for the Carcassone team here and so the family will just live and go to school here for a couple years while he works/is busy being awesome. They asked us to teach a lesson to them every week and also help them with their French. I love it. They live out in the countryside by this castle and walking there honestly makes my heart explode. I can't love everything this much at one time. Rugby season starts in October and I'll get to go support the team! 
Seriously, New Zealand. Fifty kids. It's going to happen.

Lausanne Countryside

And now, the sappy part of this entry....
When I received a phone call from the mission president and was told that I would be moving, I didn't believe him. I didn't think I would be able to grow attached to another ward or city like I did with Dijon. But, rules said I had to pack all my things and hop on a train in two days. 

Arriving in Carcassonne brought upon a feeling of fear and peace at the same time. I didn't know the area (or any more French than I knew in Dijon), but for some reason, these past two weeks have held the greatest experiences and life lessons that I couldn't have learned anywhere else. I have been speaking up, I have been having conversations with strangers on the street, I've even freaking taken up learning the piano. 

I can't verbally express how grateful I am for the wonderful life I have been blessed with and they great people that support me back home, the ones that I see and work with now, and the ones that I'm waiting to meet. My favorite scripture that I've kind of made the theme of my mission is in Alma 26:36. It says that, "God is mindful of those who wander in a strange land." I have a strong testimony that God has been behind me every step of my mission that I've had to take. He truly is mindful of His children, especially those wanderers in a strange land. Each experience I have only proves His love for me more and more. 

I hope that each of you remember to look to Him from time to time and realize that you're not alone. Keep your faith, whatever level or philosophical stand point it may be. 

I love you. Gros bisous!

Sœur Green