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