How I Learned to Love God's Intricate Network of Events...

Besides the fact that I'm gradually slipping into a vegetative state due to sleep deprivation and traveling, I'm incredibly happy. So, first off: I got transferred to the MIDDLE of France to a place called Clermont-Ferrand. It's a giant, old city surrounded by dormant volcanoes. That is not a joke. And the best part: I'm training a girl from Finland. That is also not a joke. It's kind of funny how I used to complain that my mission wasn't hard enough for me and that I wanted more responsibility. Hilarious, actually.

My companion, Soeur Hiltunen, is so lovely. She is culturing me in the many wonders that make up the mysterious country of Finland. It's a party 24/7. Our ville is so freaking HUGE. I stared at our map on the wall for thirty minutes the other day. Do I know where I'm going? Ha..........

FACTS I LEARNED:

• Scandinavian people are obsessed with licorice. Black, salty licorice. Tried three different kinds. Meh.

• My new favorite phrase: "Mita Kuutti?" Translation: "What's up, seal-pup?" 

• Training in a ville you don't know............lizjelijdflkhjq dlfkhjlqdfkhjqldkfhj!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So I have good news and bad. Maria, four days after her baptism, was taken by the police at the elementary school where she was picking up her grandkids. It turns out her legal papers are going to expire and she has thirty days to leave France. 

When we went to our lesson at her house, her daughter was the only one there and said that Maria is leaving very soon. My heart broke. There was nothing I could do. We got one of the members on the phone and he said that there is a program that may allow Maria to only live in Romania for a couple months and then come back, but we aren't positive. So many prayers are going out to her and her family. It's amazing how God allows these things to happen and they seem like a horrific problem at first. But after praying so, so hard and looking for every possible solution, I feel at peace for her and her family. I know that they are going to see this through. I know that Maria is going back to Romania to be a light to those over there. She is incredible. She was meant to receive the gospel at the time that she did. THIS EXPERIENCE PROVES GOD LOVES HIS CHILDREN. He loves Maria so much that he put us in her path at this exact moment when she needed to be prepared for these new hardships. She needs this gospel, and God made that happen for her. 

There are never coincidences. The light at the end of the tunnel is small, sometimes invisible. But it's still there, regardless of how well we can see it.

I love you. Thank you again for your support and your prayers. Vous êtes des anges.

Sœur Green

This is the last time I saw Maria

This is my favorite Italian woman in the world. Saying good-bye to her was so hard.

Romanian babies :)