10/7

hey everyone.. sorryy this is soooooo late but the reason that it is late is at least a good reason... We had to take time out of our pday to go to some RDVs. One of the guys we are teaching is super difficult. He really wants to get baptized. The missionary that was here before me set a baptismal date with him and then the ami like dropped off the face of the earth. Then on the date that they fixed he showed up, wanting to get baptized... it doesnt work like that! but he is too tired to come to church and by too tired I mean like really really tired. He works nights in downtown Paris unloading trucks. So on Sundays he just sleeps. Its kinda hard to explain that joining our church means coming to our church. I know that if he makes a sacrifice he will get the blessings but he just wont do it, but his faith IS growing at least.

but so yeah that is why this email is so late. but at least this week started off good. Last week was great because of Zone conference and General Conference, but hard because of the same reasons as the week before- buses that dont show up, people that dont show up, etc. but zone conference was really cool! President announced a new mission goal that every equipe brings a family to Christ for Christmas. Last year around the same time it was a goal too, but I feel like this year we have better tools, and we, as a mission, are more committed. President did a really good job of giving us ways to acheive this goal. I really think it is possible if we are diligent enough. The zone conference was a 4 zone conference so there were TONS of missionaries. And Elder Smith was there. I'm really glad to see he's doing well without me! just kidding. But really it was good seeing him. I really like him.

So for General Conference they show some live, but some are recordings. On Saturday night we watched the Saturday morning session live at our church on the computer (in English) and then we spent pretty much all day Sunday at Versailles watching it (in english) and it was a really good conference! I totally agree with what President Monson said about how inspiring it was. I feel like the theme of conference was: 1. the atonement and 2. charity, patience, and acceptance and 3. missionary work. The Lord is really hastening his work and ESPECIALLY is France. It really is a great time to be a missionary. I love conference soooo much. I think my favorite talk was by Elder Dube.  I also liked Elder Caussé's talk. He's French!

 

But I think the best part about conference wasnt seeing the General Authorities, but it was seeing one of the converts that I found, taught, and helped to be baptized! She is still active and I could feel her testimony just by looking at her. I really wanted to break the rules and give her a big bear hug! Do you remember when I was in Cergy and a girl tried to kiss me and I ducked out of the way and then we went porting and 3 houses in a row were opened to us?   P________ was the first door that we knocked on and her and her daughter were baptized. Blessings of obediance! but it was so great to see her and talk to her!!!! I got to see some of the fruits of my labor during the mission and that was such a blessing.

 

I kinda want to buy some new white shirts and socks. My shoes are still holding up, but I'm pretty sure they are going to need to get bronzed after the mission, but I can get shirts and socks pretty easily.. should I just buy them?  I feel bad using personal money.

 

Yeah you should ask someone to make the owl tie!! but I dont think ill need it on the mission. Its not very professional, but I have been thinking a lot and I think I want to be like dad and only wear ties with animals on them when I get home.

 

You can/should totally send me updates, but like if a whole letter is "pavs to boyle to vlasic to patty ROOFER!!!!" then like that isnt very good, but  I want to know about what's going on! And that's crazy about Shaq! Do you think he'll go to the games?  I want to meet him!

 

Well, I really miss you guys, but I'm not homesick. I wish we would have been the type of family that says "I love you" and hugged. but really, you guys are like the best family ever. Everyone used to say "your dad is sooo cool!" and I was like "not even a little." but really I dont think that any of the times that dad and I got in a fight I was ever right. I really am blessed to be a Guymon =)

 

What did you put in the crêpes?