Still No Roses...

Ewww

2011-10-09T15:31:00.001-06:00

Here you go, make me famous:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGGTIh81MOo

What we call "Higgs Particle"

2011-06-15T02:24:00.002-06:00

A few nights ago, I was in a town outside of Houston, TX, chit-chattin' with my sister and her husband. Somehow CERN came up in conversation (yeah, I have no idea why, but I'm certain--heh, CERtaiN-- I brought it up.) I told them about how I visited CERN while on my mission and how I learned lots of things, like how they're looking for that thing... I tried hard to remember and said, "Hubert's Proton". Then my sister called it the "Boss Hogg Principle", and a few moments later her husband chimed in, "They're looking for the Higgs Particle." Oh yeah, that's right. Good one. I'd totally rather call it the Boss Hogg Principle, though.

It's been a long 21 days

2011-05-18T21:55:00.005-06:00

Sup, yo ? Thanks be to my sister for keeping you in the know these past 18 months, postin' my letters home and all. I thought I would let you know what's what since I broke on through to the other side, aka came home from Oy-rupp. Europe.

I got home just in time for my sister's graduation from UVU, as well as my friends' (Zach and Candice) graduation from USU. I loved attending both of those events. To be honest, kinda made me feel like a bum-- I'm not super close to graduating, but I guess I'm closer than ever, right ? Ok, silver lining found. Anyway, it was fun to cheer them on and give them some well-deserved congratulations and felicitations. Wait, is that a word ?

Last week I went to California for a missionary friend's wedding. It was awesome, and I'm so glad I made it down there. Insert picture.

After the wedding we (everyone in the wedding party) went to Dinneyland. Going to Dinneyland is a pretty big deal, I guess. It was my second time as a person with a good memory (we went a few times to Dinneyworld when we lived in Florida, but like I say, I wasn't a person with a good memory at the time) and we had a way fun time. I got to spend the next couple of days in Southern California with some friends, and believe you me, good times were had. One said friend was baptized, and I was sooooo happy for her.

On Sunday I reported on my mission, and that felt all closurey to my chapter of life as a missionary. Stinky. Being home has its perks, though, among its downsides. Temple, music, family and friends. And Tucker. Duh.

Hey, I have a phone now, so send me a message and I'll reply with muh phone numbah; then we can get together, ok ? Because chances are, I wanna see you. I'll give you chocolate...

April 26, 2011

2011-04-26T23:48:00.002-06:00

Turn! Turn! Turn!

I have a fun playlist of songs in my mind right now. Oh yeah, they're totally all hymns. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir has covered a lot of music, let's say. Tuesday's Gone by Lynyrd Skynyrd (which reminded me of Free Bird "If I leave here tomorrow...", so toss that on the list, too.), "In My Life" from The Beatles, and "Gilgarra Mountain" by PP&M for some reason, and The Byrds' rip off of Ecclesiastes 3. There are others, but they've escaped me pour le moment.

It's funny that I'm notorious for having a hard time saying goodbye... to anyone. I guess you know me quoi. So you can only imagine the state I'm in right now, because I'm having to say goodbye with the coolest people this side of the Atlantic AND my mission. Stink a rink. Church was a baby bit difficult, but that was made worse because of being emotional about Easter and how much I love Jesus. Yesterday was Easter Monday, something we don't have in the US, unfortunately. We had a HUGE ward party at a cool park-- the kids had an Easter egg hunt and then we had a BBQ and played games all afternoon. Tons of amis and referrals came, so it was a worthwhile activity for missionaries to attend. Frere Mputu gave me a USB card with all the good pictures he took of the activity. I'll show you. I had no problems saying goodbye to people until little 7-yr old Gabriel wanted to say goodbye to me and had his mom come find me before they left. Oh man, my heart was so filled with love that salty water droplets were squeezed out my eyeballs. His mom hugged me and said, "Oh please come back to visit." YES!!! Of course. Gotta get that piggy bank a-ready, start a-savin'.

The last few days of a mission are physically exhausting. Not because of missionary work, however. We helped the Turners move house on Saturday, and I love moving, so I went nuts and have some bruises. I bruise easily. Pansy blood vessels. And yesterday we had a hommes vs femmes football game, aka soccer game. I hadn't played soccer in yeeeears-- I prefer playing lots of other things to soccer-- and was frustrated with how awful I was at the beginning, but it got better and we had a lot of fun. My awesome companion S Perez scored a goal! Slap her silly and call her Mia Hamm. S Perez, however, kept her shirt on when she made the goal. After playing all day I got a sunburn-- we'll see if it's gone by the time I fly through the air to the blessed United States of America on Thursday. Probably. Anyway, I also got to teach some people how to throw an American football. I remembered Dad asking me a couple years ago-- "Wow, who taught you how to throw a football?" Girls PE, I think. Anyway, I shared some giggles with myself about Europe vs America differences. They're all amazing at soccer, but don't really know how to toss the pigskin. To each his own.

As predicted, reality is in the process of slapping me in the sunburned face, but hey, I'm still looking forward to seeing you. Yeah, I'm totally glad to come home to you-- I'd have a hard time leaving if it weren't to see you.

Coming on a mission has been the best decision of my life. I didn't come for myself, but I have been richly blessed these past 18 months. I am so grateful to have been called to come here, and I am further grateful for the love and support you have given me. I'm the luckiest and happiest sister in the world. I am sure this mission will continue to be a blessing for the rest of my life-- I have gained so much. I didn't wait to come on a mission to gain a testimony, but the testimony I had before has been strengthened and refined incredibly. I testify that God lives and loves us, for I am a witness to countless miracles and blessings and answers to prayers. The Book of Mormon is absolutely true-- it has been my best friend as a missionary and has strengthened my faith in Jesus Christ immeasurably. Thank you for helping me to have a perfect mission. I love you, and I'll see you on Thursday.

April 19, 2011

2011-04-21T03:30:00.001-06:00

Death, be not proud.

Mom, the lady that called you was Sister Child, mother to two boys I went to high school with. In fact, I ate Prom dinner at their house, accompanied by Sean Parker, of course. Anyway, they came to the Spanish ward my last week in Geneva and my eyeballs nearly popped out of my face when I saw people I knew from my life before. Crazy, and a first on my mission, except for Elder Roberts who was in seminary and choir with me. Oh, and when did President Murdock call?

Bay, maybe I'll bring some beautiful weather to Utah next week. It's been waiting for me before it gets really nice, right? Joana told me today that it's supposed to snow there this week. What the what? That's crazy. Hope that makes for fun times for you, driving around the Beehive State. Thanks for the letter you sent; I sure enjoyed all those inside jokes. We're gonna have a good time, you know.

Catherine, thanks for the pictures. Your children are old, and that throws me for a loop. I can't believe I will see them next week! I will see them next week, right?

Christine, glad you got the letter. And Jared's hours do indeed sound pretty rough.

It's cool that Easter is this week. Bishop Marichal asked me to speak 10-15 minutes in church this Sunday about my mission. I'll let you know how that goes. And hey, all I have to do is translate the talk into English, and then I'm good to go for when I speak at home! Which reminds me, May 15 sounds like a good day to speak at PV8. Adam's birthday. Thanks for checking on that, Mom. And thanks for checking on release stuff.

Zone conference was pretty great last week. I love being on a mission. We are having a really good week this week, which will be a nice ending, though it seems like I'm not ever going home. Reality will slap me in the face and wake me up sometime soon, perhaps. Still seems like forever, which is nice. So. A few have asked me what I would miss most about Europe. I really love the church bells I hear all the time, what with their nice rich sound of apostasy (heh heh, jo blague), so to finish I'll quote John Donne again: Send not to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.

April 12, 2011

2011-04-13T19:08:00.002-06:00

Diggin' Dijon in the Spring

Dijon is beautiful. There's a special feeling here, and I've cried not once, but twice since being here. Exchanges are going very well! I'll tell you:

The second time I cried was at Rachael's apartment. She was baptized last Easter, if you remember. We were late and she was a little bovvah'd by that and remained a little distant for a while. Precious is SO CUTE-- I'll show you pictures as soon as I can. After a few minutes I found a picture of Rachael and me on the wall and got up to look at it. Rachael said, "You're not the same person as in that picture." I said, "Yes! That's me and you at your baptism--I'm that person!" She LIT UP and was so happy--she jumped up from her seat and said, "I've missed you! My family asks about you!" We hugged, and I laughed as I marvelled at why in the world she thought I wasn't me. Funny. When we were leaving, she asked if I would come back. It broke my heart to say I wouldn't be back, at least not any time soon. We both cried and hugged. She's amazing, especially after she knew who I was.

We had another rdv with some new investigators here. They are a family of refugees from Yugoslavia... so they've been refugees for a long time. They've bounced around from country to country seeking for asylum. We were there especially to teach the mother of the family; her husband has a baptismal date, but there's a funny disconnect spiritually there. We brought her a Book of Mormon in Croatian, since she can't read the Serbian Book of Mormon her husband has. She went to school for four years in Sweden and learned a little how to read, but prior to that she had been illiterate all her life, so reading is a struggle. We asked her to read Ether 12:6, but she struggled. The Spirit moved me to put my arm around her and help her sound out the letters. Together we read the words in Croatian, and she understood and was moved. She looked at me, astounded, and said, "You speak Croatian?!" "No, did any of that make sense to you?" She said yes, and that she loved the scripture. We also read verse 4. She was happy, the Holy Ghost testified to her. D&C 50:22, baby.

Reading. My eyes would be nearly useless to me if I couldn't read. Reading truly makes you free. I wanted to make a bigger plug than this for literacy, but uh, ironically enough I can't find the words. Heh. We ask people to read the Book of Mormon. The Gospel of Jesus Christ was restored at a time when people would be able to read the proof of it--the Book of Mormon--and be familiar with the Stick of Judah. Maybe in the future I will help with literacy programs, you know, humanitarian-ly. I'll keep my eyeballs peeled.

How was Valarie's birthday yesterday? 13--that's crazy, man. I hope it was nice. Also, happy birthday to Dedra and Maddi on the 14th!

Oh, and May 7th is totally on the calendar for Candice and Zach's graduation. I'm excited.

Last Thursday morning I picked up my watch, bracelet, and nametag to put them on. My watch fell out of my hand and smacked the floor pretty hard. When I picked it up I saw that numbers 2 and 6, the decorative circle in the middle, and the second hand popped out of place and were floating in the watch face like confetti. "What time is it?" "I don't know, but CONGRATULATIONS!" It's party time. Too bad, hein? Still works, kinda. I'll get it fixed when I come home. I can't bring myself to not wear it--Catherine gave it to me and I've worn it every day of my mission. So party time it is, Lil' Watchie.

I'm outta time, but I love you. Duh, right? I'm takin' nice pictures that I'll be excited to show you-- don't get bored when I do, ok? Have a nice week, and writey writey me. Yikes, you only have two more chances to send me emails for Preparation Tuesday. Carpe that diem, will ya?

April 5, 2011

2011-04-06T22:32:00.002-06:00

People seem shorter today

I got a letter in the mail last week from Catherine! And there were a TON of pictures. Awesome. Nice one, Catherine, et al. I loved it. I'm sending home all my mail with the Turners next week. They're going to Utah to check out BYU, and they offered (after I asked...) to take some small things back to Provo for me. They say they'll give it to Michelle Andelin, and so now I have a good reason to see her right away after I get home. Just so you know. The Turners are wonderful. I called home from their house last Mother's Day. They're from Yorkshire, England, and we've talked pas mal about Grandma Mason.

General Conference was a feast, n'est-ce pas? It's the best as a missionary. So far. I wish it were every month. I made a blanket while listening using some old skirt scraps, yarn, and a crochet hook. I'll show you. It's a little bit cool looking. I enjoyed all the talks I heard, and this week's Lord of the Rings moment comes from Elder Quentin L. Cook's talk: Elder Cook quoted "As Sisters in Zion" and pronounced the author of that song's name-- Emily Woodmansee. When he said "Emily", my ears were thrilled and delighted, and I thought, "What a beautiful name!" A moment later I realized, "Emily-- that was my name once" a la Gandalf the White remembering when he was Gandalf the Grey. Geez Pam, who forgets their own name.

Soeur Perez has been crocheting a lot. She has a goal of making something (a scarf or tie) for each member of her family, which equals out to one thing made per transfer she has remaining. She's French, and she gets a little intense while crocheting and has dark, sometimes wild hair. She reminds me of Mme Dufarge from A Tale of Two Cities and I worry about which of my mistakes she's weaving into that yarn. Heads will roll. She didn't get the reference, so I thought I'd tell you. Maybe you'll smile a little, at least on the inside.

Hey, happy birthday to Christine on Sunday. After I sent that letter I felt like a big idiot for not mentioning her birthday. At least I sent a letter, hein? Anyway, I hope it was a great day, malgre her bum knee and kinked ankle. 35 ain't so bad.

The reference family, fyi, was Portuguese-speaking and told us they weren't interested when we stopped by. I can't believe that was only a week ago-- time is still a-crawling. We've given the info to the elders-- one of them speaks Portuguese. Oh yeah, he is Portuguese. So voila quoi. However, this past week is not without miracles. There were some pretty cool ones, but I don't want to write about them just yet. Let's let them flourish a little more before we do that, d'accord?

Next week we'll be in Dijon for exchanges and then Metz for zone conference. It'll be a good time, and it'll be nice to see Dijon again. Hopefully I'll get to see old amis and a member or two.

Happy Birthday to Valarie on the 11th. A teenager, amazing. There are more birthdays next week, but I'll wait for next preparation day before I send wishes, I guess.

Well, three weeks. Unreal. Hope you have a good week, and don't forget your nicey little friend in Luxembourg. I love you!

March 29, 2011

2011-04-02T00:29:00.002-06:00

Smiley on my face

We just got a wicked sweet referral online, and I's pretty excited about it.

I'm wearing a smile from ear to ear. Comme d'habitude au Luxembourg, j'imagine. We've had a nice week-- the weather has been dree-hee-hee-heamy all the while. And today the back of the journal said 21 degrees on Saturday. Oh baby! Let's contact all day out in that good sun stuff. I'm telling you-- this weather is a tender mercy from Heavenly Father to make the last month of my mission picture perfect. Or, it's the result of clouds and ocean stuff and the sun and wind. Take your pick. Which is nicer, hmm?

Here's a funny slash ridiculous story:

Last night we attended FHE with the young single adults. We didn't have an investigator there, but hey, we hadn't taken lunch or dinner that day, either. So voila. A few recently returned missionaries were there. They served their missions in Germany, and one of them, Simon, is actually from Stuttgart. I was sitting there awkwardly not talking to anybody, so I decided I would talk to him. I told him about how ancestors of mine come from Schwartzweld and all that, and then asked him to teach me some German, including how to say "Sorry". He did so and put an end to my joke, "How do you say sorry in German?" "You don't say sorry in German." Maybe it's only funny to me. Wouldn't be the first time with my jokes (Who's there?). Next he told me about umlauts and how they're hard to learn to do correctly. "Give me an example," I said. He sat and thought a moment and wrote down the word "schön". We practiced saying it and he explained stuff about it. That was that. As Soeur Perez and I were leaving, Simon's friend Tomas (a Swede, not a Swiss) asked me if I knew what that word meant. No, I don't speak German. Ich habe keine aunung. "It means beautiful." Oh Simon, of all the words with dots. Smooth. And you'd think he'd be familiar with what my missionary tag means.

We had a rdv in Spanish yesterday. It was alright... except the people were really from Spain. I understood very little and felt pretty badly about myself. Oh well. Spain Spanish. What am I to do. However, they still want to give us two references for some other Spanish, so it worked out alright. Gracias, mis amigos. Or rather, grathiathmithamigoth.

Sunday was my first Sunday back in the Luxembourg Ward, since last week was Stake Conference, you know. Oh boy, it was good to be back. A super nice surprise was that I didn't have to translate-- thanks Lewis Howarth, returned missionary from Germany who is Luxembourgish/English. I just got to play the piano and re-introduce myself. It was a great day. I love these members. I would love to live here and have this be my real ward. I keep thinking that, and then I keep wondering if I'll remember how great it is to live in the US in a few weeks and never want to leave again. On va voir. There's no denying that a huge part of my heart will be left here. You're probably sick of hearing about how great everything here is. Dommage.

We're having a little bit of trouble having big numbers in our key indicators every week. We've been looking a lot of people up and contacting a lot. We have some great things going, but not a million great things going. Also, I had forgotten how much time we spend traveling. We have a pretty large area-- an entire country and then some. Yes yes, the entire country is tiny. Still, big area.

I was excited to get Dave's letter yesterday. We got it the second time we checked the mail. We usually check several times a day, and yesterday that worked out nicely. I didn't know he was transferred back to Taichung for his last transfer, just like how I was transferred back to Luxybaby for my last transfer. Neato. And it was encouraging to hear that his last month was his best month. Crescendo to the end, run for the roses. I love it. Also, the sciencey stuff in the letter was fascinating/interesting to hear about-- sounds like that Moray guy has my cyclevision beat, and I'm a little bitter. He'll rue the day he discovered that cosmic energy, let me tell you what.

Here at the internet place (remember, it's free in Luxembourg! Internet = human right) one of the nice men who runs the place is giving computer lessons to an old lady right next to me. It's really funny, even if they are speaking in Luxembourgish. The man is pretty patient, and the two of them have a cute little bit going on. I like her pink sweater combination.

General Conference is this weekend and I'm stoked, as cooler-than-I American teens say. Get out your bingo cards.

Well, I sure do love you. I love the emails you write, and I love that I will see you so soon. It's gonna suck to finish my mission, but there's no better place to go after that than your place. Write me a stinkin' letter-- the clock is running. Oh, speaking of which, we sprung forward this last Sunday. Mom is totally right-- that's the worst thing that happens every year. Glad it's over. I love you!

March 22, 2011

2011-03-22T22:42:00.001-06:00

Delightful, delicious, delovely, deluxembourg.

I think maybe when people ask me where I served a mission, I will tell them Luxembourg. I LOVE IT HERE!!! Small and obscure, but one of the best places on the planet.

Getting here was a little interesting, however. Who's surprised, I always run into "adventure" when traveling. We had a bit of train trouble on the first leg of our trip, so we hitched a bus from the middle of Swiss nowhere and caught another train out of Basel to Strasbourg. Everything was fine after that, and I even had a couple conversations in German. They were short conversations. The apartment had been closed and empty for 3 months, so it , was mildly interesting to get everything running again. The water was nasty brown for a bit after turning it back on, and the heating took its time to kick back on. Now we're warm, clean, and well-fed. Oh, and happy. Soeur Perez had been a little sick and congested, and as if it were magic, when I opened the drawer next to her bed I found a tub of Vick's VapoRub. Pas mal.

We've been able to see most of the amis we had when I was here last summer. Same things blocking them from progressing as before. Except Rebecca, and she got baptized. But we're in Luxembourg-- the next Latin America. So much potential.

Seeing members has been a hoot as well. These are great members, and I'm overjoyed to be with them again.

We had Stake Conference on Sunday down in Nancy. About half of it was in English-- get a load of that! It was fun to see some missionary friends and members and hear President and Sister Murdock speak. Pretty edifying. We rode down with Antonio and Liz, who are now engaged to each other. Speaking of books on tape, we listened to a talk given by W Cleon Skousen and part of President Eyring's book "Growing Closer to God". I love listening to people talk on tape, whether that be books or talks. Looking forward to more road trips to listen.

I can't tell you how great it is to be back in Luxembourg. I feel at my best here, whereas I felt like I was just waiting to die in Geneva. Don't get me wrong, I love that place and had some wonderful experiences, but there is no better way I could be spending these last 6, no 5 now, weeks.

Time's a-running and the internet guy here is stingy, so I'd better take off. I love you!

Oh, and thanks for the emails and pictures-- I loved them! I'm excited to see youuuuu.

March 15, 2011

2011-03-15T22:05:00.002-06:00

Ciao ciao, Geneva!

Transfer calls this morning were slam bang awesome. We're getting whitewashed out of Geneva -- Soeur Bentley's off to Dijon, and I'm going to re-open Luxembourg with Soeur Perez!!! It's been closed for a couple transfers because we didn't have enough sisters. Oh, President Murdock is good to me. Yes, yes he is. It's gonna be an AWESOME last six weeks. I reckon I'll leave Geneva tomorrow morning, just to come back in a month and a half. I am very excited. Sad to not be with Soeur Bentley anymore, though. She's about as good as they come, and I will really miss her. So President took her away, but he gives me Luxembourg back, and wabam, that's amazing.

Of course it'll stink to say goodbye to Geneva and people here. That is the worst thing about a mission. Absolutely. Even when people reject the gospel, etc, if you're still around you can still see them or keep hopes alive, but when you leave, you may never see them again. So. There won't be anymore Spanish sisters. Soeur Thacker and a trainee are coming to replace Soeur Bentley and me. I'll be able to use my Spanish in Luxembourg, too. And French, and English, and German, and maybe I'll pick up some more Luxembourgois. Oh goodie, I get to say "moien" again. Yeah baby, this is a dream. And then in six weeks I get transferred again... back to the States! I'm going to love seeing you. How come this mission is so perfect?

Chide came to church again. She had another huge miracle in her life again. "So I went to the White House and met the President again." She's cool, and I'm glad to have known her. I'm looking forward to her baptism. Who knows when that'll be, but heck, something to look forward to.

Having a guitar last week was a dream. I practiced a little arrangement of "God Be With You Till We Meet Again" (yes, all proper nouns...). At the end of district meeting Elder Mutamba said the prayer. As he prayed, Soeur Bentley and I snuck out of the room (irreverent, I know) and I ran and strapped on the guitar. You should have heard how surprised they were when the prayer was finished. "Where are they?! They just disappeared!!'' Funny. We hopped back into the room and they were again so surprised, especially to see me with a guitar. Once the cheers of excitement quelled, I began a-strumming and we sang our song for Elder Mason. The other elders in the district joined in on the second and third verses. It was pretty awesome. Elder Mason cried. Well, I definitely saw tears welled in his eyes, and his chin may have wiggled a bit. He's going home on Thursday, and he'll be missed. Elders Porter, Barnett, and Gardner are also going home this week. With others, too, but you wouldn't know them. Oh yeah, you don't know any of them. They're the ones I've known/served with the longest, and it's sad to see them go. Thank heavens for BYU, eh?

Elder Mason brought me a letter from Mom this yesterday. It was a pretty great letter. I love letters. Do a little research to find out what my address was in Luxembourg and bombarde me, hein?

Hey, nice job on the Rex Lee 5k. I liked the pictures, and I like the idea. You all looked nice and healthy-- good going. An American lady in one of the wards here is on what she calls the "drops diet" and told us about how a ton of people back in UT are doing it. Sounds unsafe, and I'm quick to judge and just say get some exercise and eat right instead of injecting yourself with pregnant hormones. Basta.

Also thank you for the info about Japan. Truly terrible. Keep me posted. Also, ads for temple garments? Priestcraft much? Don't you love how many opinions I have? What a joke.

We went on a great run this morning. We stayed at the other sisters' apartment last night so we could go this morning. We ran across a giant bridge and around Bois-des-Freres (woods of the brothers). It was beautiful. Our apartment is great for its' convenient location, but their apartment is way nicer for the washer, view, and proximity to pretty things. Pick your poison, eh? Pick yer choice.

You ought to know by now that I love you. I miss you a LOT and you've made me a bag of mixed emotions about coming home. I don't mind. The mixed emotions, that is. Alright, I love you. Have a good week. Write me a letter or pick a window.

March 8, 2011

2011-03-09T16:14:00.003-07:00

Today I flew

We've had a good week. Five amis at church, including Chide again. I continue to be pretty happy about that. We didn't set those baptismal dates, but we're doing it this Wednesday.

Yesterday we had lunch with Soeur Lehmann. She asked us to go see a less-active that didn't live too far away, so when our real rdv for that afternoon fell through, we stopped by the lady. We had to call her from the interphone on her building and she took a while answering. I said who we were and that we just wanted to see her for a minute to see how she's doing, and she said "Non, je ne veux pas." I said that we hope she is doing well and that she has a nice day and she just kept saying no the whole time I was talking. I furrowed my brow and said, "Bonne journee, alors" and she AGAIN said no. Ha ha, what a lady. So, the nice part of the story is that I was able to hang up on her from the interphone. Mmm boy, it felt good. People are funny.

Today will be a nice day. We're going to be teaching the law of chastity, which is always fun to teach, after we play ping pong and yahtzee with the elders. We got President Murdock's permission to have a big preparation day party with most of the missionaries in the zone, so we're meeting at the church at noon to partay. We also have some investigators coming, so that should be fun. Does it count as proselyting?... just kidding. It counts as playing. Also, we're running to the church after emails, so everyone will find out how red I get in the face. Oh goodie. Oh well. Least of my worries.

Oh. So they say I have a package at the mission home from a certain Madelyn Earl. I asked them last night to bring it to me today, and they had better deliver... It's been there a few days, and my patience is thinning. I'll let you know how things go.

There's a little brawl going on here in the internet cafe. All's I have to say is the rules for how to treat customers in Europe are pretty different from my coin de la terre.

Transfers are next week. This is S. Bentley's fourth transfer in Geneva, which is a long time. It's depressing to think that she'll probably leave next week. If she doesn't, she'd have to stay two more transfers since I go home next transfer, and that really isn't likely. It would probably be best for her to go-- this is her first ville and moving really makes you feel like a true missionary, and it's nice getting new areas. Just stinks to lose such a great companion. Well, she isn't gone yet, and what's to say I won't like the next companion, too? Anyway, I doubt I'll move again. So post those letters! Time is running out to write me-- carpe diem, yo. And thank you, if you already have seized the day.

Sorry I have no pictures today-- my camera is in a bag of clothes we gave to the elders to bring to the church for us today. I don't think they realize the treasure they have with them-- they would love our pictures. Too bad for them, eh? And too bad for you. Ah well, next week.

Also sorry this week's email blows-- all the stories I can think of would be boring or uninteresting to hear (we watched some "I'm a Mormon" videos on Mormon.org with a recent convert-- they're pretty fun. Go watch some.). We'll squeak out some big miracles to share next week. How about that?

Well, I'm happy, I'm healthy, and I love what I'm doing. The Book of Mormon continues to be my best friend. Speaking of which-- I remembered one of my favorite Jack Handey thoughts this past week and wrote it as a joke in my old Book of Mormon by Ether 12:27 : "If you think a weakness can be turned into a strength, I hate to tell ya, but that's another weakness." Not very reverent, I suppose, but I laugh nonetheless.

Ah! Tonight Javier Miranda is bringing me his guitar to borrow for a few days. We're planning on playing a special song for Elder Mason's last district meeting. Oh, that's sad. No guarantees on how nicely I'll play, but E Mason is worth the finger pains. My weak, fleshy finger tips. Quel douleur. Je rigole. Wish us all luck. I love you!

March 1, 2011

2011-03-01T21:59:00.003-07:00

I feel pre-hetty great

Well, as I predicted, last week was amazing. Tons of missionary zeal and conferences, and miracles. Chide came to church after we had a super long discussion about it. The Spirit was there again and again to testify of truth. Learning to recognize the Holy Ghost has been a life-long thing, and I am grateful for the experiences I have while teaching that help me. D&C 50:22, baby.

I woke up Friday morning happy and said a prayer. As I was in the bathroom, I heard Soeur Bentley scurrying around, and when I came out, I saw birthday banners all over the place. Cute. I had received Mom's package the day before-- how perfect is that-- and there was a little birthday presentation on my desk with presents and cards and a 23 written out in cereal. Enough to make the whole day special-- that's what. But there's more. By the way, I love the bracelet, Mom. The little truism written on it is perfect for a mission, and I love it. I wear it everyday, and it looks pretty great on my wrist. Perfect! We went to the chapel for the training meeting and were the first ones there, so we played some piano and had a nice time. Soeur Bentley told everyone it was my birthday, so everyone wished me a happy birthday and they were all so sweet. Plus, the training meeting was awesome. Duh. At lunch time, Elder Mason ran into the kitchen as Soeur Bentley and I were tidying our things, getting ready to go into the other room. E. Mason bounced back into the room where we were and had a giant smile on his face and said, ''Go sit down!'' I suspected something fishy and cute was going on. We took our seats and realized petit a petit that lunch was supposed to be a sack lunch deal-- there wasn't any food provided. Then E. Mason walked in from the kitchen with a big birthday card and chocolates for me. It is among the cutest cards I've ever been given, and it was signed by several elders. Oh they are precious. The elders of our district proceeded to serve Soeur Bentley and I lunch and wait on us the entire time. President Murdock sat nearby and wished me a happy birthday and boasted to the senior couples about being my cousin. Ha. Towards the end of lunch, E Roberts stood and got everyone's attention and announced my birthday and they all sang to me as E. Pittson placed a piece of bread with peanut butter and jam letters that read, "HAPY B-DAY" in front of me. IT WAS CUTE AND SO NICE!!! That moment shot up to near the top of the list of moments when I have felt the most loved. So training continued, and at the end Soeur Murdock showed up with birthday cake for everyone to eat for my birthday. They have never made someone's birthday so special. This was a good one, let me assure you. I love my family, and I love my missionary family. We had a party at night with the other sisters. Hot dogs (we were trying for beano hogedes, but those don't exist here, interesting, eh?), Dijon mustard, chips, wasabi popcorn, candy, American flag napkins, and yahtzee.

On Sunday Elder Harris and Soeur Perez also celebrated their birthdays, so we had a birthday party between church meetings. It was fun and very fattening. I'll attach pictures. Ok, I've attached pictures of E Mason, E Harris, the three of us at our party, E McTernan and me, the birthday table, and S Perez. Oh, and one of S Bentley, me, and E Mutamba with apple slice smiles.

Last Wednesday I was reading in Alma about how great Cap'n Moroni was. S Bentley was drying her hair and also reading her scriptures. Just as I was reading the verse about how if all men had been, and were, and ever would be like unto Moroni... POP POP and S Bentley yells, "Fire!" I turn around just in time to see a tiny fire in Alma 2 of her Book of Mormon-- don't worry it went out right away. The hair dryer burst into flames while she was using it to dry her hair! She set it down on her Book of Mormon so it wouldn't set her on fire and it burned a hole through verse 4. What a thrill. We've had a good time telling people we'd like to share a scripture with them and then turning to burnt pages. We have extra hair dryers, so we're not in dire straits.

Thank you for all your fun birthday messages. I'm spoiled rotten. I love it. Last night at Noche de Hogar they all sang to me in English, French, and Spanish. Hermano Ortiz gave me an air hug. I'll have to take a picture of him right away-- he's hilarious. I love Noche de Hogar. Spanish is fun, tons of nonmembers come, and we often have pizza. Last night we played las sillas musicales, aka musical chairs. I played the piano and got to behold the whole thing. It was fun. The last two were Sergio, the 8yr old son of the DMP, and Carlos, the elders' ami who will be baptized in a couple weeks. Carlos is cool. He plays polo and works for a bank here in Geneva. He's from Chile. I wondered for a bit how I could get him to date and marry Bay, but then I remembered travel challenges and Paula Pena, a woman in the ward from Chile who would be awesome with Carlos. I'll keep you posted.

This week we have plans to set three baptismal dates. Again, I'll keep you posted. But this whole mission thing is a good time, if you hadn't noticed. I am a big bag of mixed feelings-- today I got an email including the details of my travel itinerary (S Bentley's winning word in her county spelling bee in 6th grade). I'm coming home next month, and I'm so excited slash I'm panicking and feel a pretty urgent desire to do the most I can with the time I have left. I know how I want to finish my mission, and I will do my best. How could I not? The Lord's work is awesome. Nothin' better. Family, friends, music, even Tucker can all continue to take a back seat until April 28. Sorry, as Gilly would say. Make sure you're buckled in back there, though, Tucker. Hey, does Bay walk on the 29th still? Lemme know, and have a great week. I love you!

February 22, 2011

2011-02-22T05:35:00.002-07:00

Happy Birthday, George Washington

Or should we say, Frere Washington?

Well, the rain stopped in time for our jog to the mission home last week. Most of the 5k to Chambesy was along the lake shore, and that was very pretty. The rest was along a busy avenue, but the cars passing by provided nice wind, and surprisingly little fumes. No mail at the mission home, but we got to talk to the Murdocks for a bit, and when isn't that nice? President Murdock said he doesn't have a full copy of John Murdock's journal, and he would like one. He said his son drives to Provo every day-- maybe you could hand it off to him? Or mail it to President Murdock in Chambesy? Anyway, they were pretty proud of us for running all the way there. We were a little decu to not have mail, so we jogged up to the train station and took a train back to Geneva. Good use of a preparation day, I say. Today we're going to run along the lake again, but this time in a different direction to a gorgeous park we found last week while looking for an address. We'll carry the frisbee and play a bit. The elders are all playing soccer together today. I'm not crazy about playing soccer, but it would be fun to play sports with them. But we mustn't do that! So we'll go on our run. Heh.

This week is shaping up to be awesome, like every week on a mission, but especially so this week. Yesterday we had interviews, then had lunch with Soeur Lehmann (a German sister in the Saleve ward), went contacting, went to La Noche de Hogar with the Spanish ward. Today is Preparation Day. Tomorrow Elder Hallstrom (from the Presidency of the Seventy) is coming to Geneva and we have a special missionary meeting with him, and then a fireside in the evening for everybody. And we have an investigator who will be attending, so we also get to attend. Thursday is district meeting and pretty regular, but Friday is my birthday! I looked at the back of the newspaper today and it says we should be having some pretty typically perfect birthday weather. Also, there'll be a special training meeting for the zone. Also, our neighbor is leaving town again and asked us to feed his cats again. Not a bad week!

Last week we had some great member visits (the Cornetas!), added some cool new investigators, taught six member present lessons, and had four investigators at church. One was Chide, from Iran, and getting her to church was a major achievement. She stayed for the baptism afterwards and had a good time. The members are so great here. Frere Zacarias and I talked a little bit, and then he motioned towards Chide and asked, "Is she a member?" "No." Then his eyes lit up and he smiled and said, "Ok!" and proceeded to talk and laugh with her for 10 minutes. Perfect! Also, we had taken her to a Relief Society activity about a week and a half ago, and the sisters were all really great with her. On Sunday they were so welcoming and nice to her. Chide seems to lack quite a bit of self-confidence, and for her to be able to feel comfortable at church is no small thing.

Hey, lest I forget (how could I forget?), I thank ye for the birthday messages! I loved the ecard, the touching emails, and the hilarious "forwarded" birthday messages. That was especially perfect. I'm astounded at how clever Mom is. I wondered a bit if Bay collaborated a little bit, like with the Guster stuff, but I think probably Mom just knows me that well and is that funny. I made Soeur Bentley get up a several times and come look at what was sent to me.

Oh, so we sang for the baptism on Sunday. Soeur Bentley, Elders Burke and Mason, and I sang a nice song called "Savior". Soeur Thacker and I sang it for a baptism in Lyon, and maybe I told you that at the end of October. Which, by the way, was a surprisingly long time ago. Anyway, this time I translated it into French and we practiced a lot with the elders for them to learn their parts. Elder Mason has a great tenor voice and shared the harmony part with me, the other two were on the melody. It was a success-- people had tears in their eyes. Yeah baby! We weren't standing very close to the mic, so I'm not even sure if people could hear us. Oh well. I'll share more information I'm not too proud of: the baptism was right after church, and as we waited, we taught Chide a lesson. A three year old sat with us and testified about why Jesus is happy, so that was pretty cute. Anyway, by the time the baptism started, the elders were still elsewhere, and Elder Mason was on the program to say the opening prayer. During the opening song I went looking for them and found Elder Burke, chitchatting with another sister missionary, and Elder Mason nowhere to be found. I asked E Burke and he just shrugged, and that was probably the thing that summoned the anger the most. So the song finished, and people started looking around, so I went and said the prayer. Program announced, talk about baptism given, ordinance of baptism performed, still no elders. Did I mention that this was their baptism?! I don't really know why that bothered me so much, but I was pretty mad. On our way back to the chapel after the baptism (right before when we were supposed to do the musical number), Elder Mason poked his head out of a classroom door and asked if it was time for the musical number. I let him have it more than I've let anyone who isn't family have it and stormed into the chapel. Not good, not good. As we waited for people to file back into the chapel, I saw how sad Elder Mason was, and that's when the guilt and shame came. So as we stood on the stage just before singing, I apologized. I again apologized after everything was finished and he explained a little bit what was going on that kept them from coming to their own baptism (still though, why did Elder Burke just hang out with the sisters the whole time?), and I still think that was lame, but man, I felt terrible. I got him good, and he was destroyed. I learned a lesson about temperance. Oh, how I am not very temperate. Yes, that was the lesson. Things got back to normal right away, he's a forgiving person. ...and he recognized his mistake. So add longsuffering to the list of stuff I want. Maybe I'll get that for my birthday.

I got a package from Mom on Saturday! Oh brother, I love bordeaux bars. What lovely creations, Mrs See. Also, you had better believe I enjoyed those coloring pages. Nice one. As usual, my mom is too nice. Thank you!

Well, what else can I tell you. Not a whole lot is popping into my mind, and come to think of it, time's up. So I will tell you I love you, I miss you, and I think you're hilarious. Thanks for being mine, friends and family. Yes, I love you.

February 15, 2011

2011-02-15T23:51:00.001-07:00

Oh-no-ku

I've succeeded for years to dislike Sudoku, but within the past week, I failed. Big time. Every day in the free newspapers there's a free Sudoku. I tear it out of the paper every day and spend my lunch times and after-planning times filling in numbers. Oh brother-- me and my manias.

Last week in Coop City (a giant store) we found Dr Pepper! Mostly people here drink alcoholic stuff, acid water, Orangina/Fanta, and Coke, and I've never seen Dr Pepper in Europe before. You better believe I bought one. Man, that stuff is good. Also, we stole an ''Eternal Marriage'' manual from the Institute after French class last week, and we've been having too much fun reading from it. Dr Pepper and eternal marriage-- not a bad week.

Also, we taught lots of lessons, many with members, even. The weather was warm and pleasant. There's a lot of work. What else is new. Today the weather is NOT warm, rather cold and rainy, which is unfortunate. Last Saturday we went contacting by the lake before having a giant comida with some Spanish amigas. It was a beautiful day (sunny, warm, saw the jet d'eau turn on), and we dreamed of going on a nice, long run on the lake shore to the Mission Home. We were hoping to do that today-- run to the Mission Home and pick up our mail. We'll still probably do it; it isn't raining too much. We'll make sure not to get pneumonia. Plus, to Chambesy and back is only about 5 miles. I'll send pictures next time.

I've been asked by a couple of people recently what things I have learned on my mission. I've thought of some wonderful new knowledge I'll be taking home: moonwalking, all the lyrics to "La Bamba" and "La Cucaracha", how to play Yahtzee (and Rumikub and Bippity Bippity Bop), how to hem skirts with super glue, how to high jump onto the upper bunk of a bunk bed. Probably more stuff. How to say "I have no idea" in German, "Hey, hot stuff" in Chinese, et cetera.

The real lessons of my mission are likely indescribable. I feel changed. Full of love and faith. I have never felt so happy or so optimistic about what lies ahead-- in the day, week, transfer, ou bien dans la vie. I don't feel perfect, rather, I feel like the chemin is loooong, and it isn't easy to keep up the pace and keep pushing. But I know what I need to do-- no mystery there. Work, have faith, pray, study, et cetera et cetera. You know the drill. Primary kids know the drill.

One of our investigators had seen an anti-Mormon video that really troubled her. I was surprised at the lies and misinterpretations people can come up with. We explained as best we could, reminded her of Galatians 5, told her to pray, and lent her an audio copy of Elder Holland's "Safety for the Soul". I really appreciate that she was honest with us about her worries, and that she gave us the chance to respond. A lot of people on the street look at my plaque, say they know who I am, and put their hand in my face or shake their finger at me. If I were a betting woman, I'd bet an awful lot they haven't a clue who I am, or what message of hope, salvation, and eternal life I share, or Whom I am called to represent. So it was refreshing to be able to respond, and that our amie trusted us enough to have an open mind. I think that's a lesson I'm learning-- how to treat people respectfully. And how to quickly forgive. Now, this amie didn't come to church on Sunday, which isn't unusual in these parts, but she has a testimony of Jesus Christ and His church and knows better. So we have some work to do still, of course, and hopefully she'll be sitting next to a member when this dimanche rolls around. A couple bus rides should absolutely not be something that keeps someone out of church, or keeps them from enjoying the blessings that come from keeping God's commandments.

The rain has made my hair look funny. I'm wearing a grandma skirt with light-colored tights that are the teensiest bit pooled around my ankles. Oof, missions are tough. Just kidding. Hope you had a nice Valentine's Day, and I hope you have a super week! Is President's Day coming up? 21st? George W Bush was in Geneva last Saturday. We didn't get a chance to chill, though. Too busy. Sorry to ruin your trip, Dubya. Came all the way to Geneva and didn't even get to see the Sisters. I guess it's pretty rare for an ex-president of the US to leave the country. Just goes to show where our (Soeur Bentley and I) priorities lie. In other news, a David Duchovny look-alike came and stood by us on a tram yesterday. Pas mal. Soeur Bentley wasn't too discrete in getting me to look at and recognize him. Hey David Duchovny, wanna meet with the elders?

Time's up. Thanks for your emails and nice praises. A little misplaced, I must say, but my large head with funny hair appreciates. Gracias, merci, danke, xie xie, obrigada, grazie, tak, kansha shi mashu, I thank thee. Well, I thank ye. I love you, hear from ya soon.

February 8, 2011

2011-02-08T06:57:00.001-07:00

Babies are the BEST

We've had a pleasant week. The weather has warmed up a bit to about 10-12 degrees, and we really appreciate that. Watching the cats was fun last week. I got some good videos of them jumping and playing. We've had more fun Spanish times, and I realize more and more how much I love French. Always relieved to hear and speak it. We've had some good experiences with amis praying for the first time and recognizing the need in their lives to keep commandments like reading the scriptures or coming to church. Also, with the warmer weather, contacting is once again emerging as one of my favorite things to do. SO much better than porting, I believe. Much more effective, in my experience.

I am now the oldest sister missionary in the mission-- that is to say, I have been on a mission the longest. That's a weird idea; I still feel brand new here. Soeur Bentley and I talked way too late last night about how much we love our mission. I regretted that a bit at 6.30 this morning, but hey, it was enjoyable at the time. Talk talk talk.

Speaking of talks, I had to give one in the French ward week before last. They called on Saturday afternoon to ask me to speak. Ha. I assume they had a crisis with another speaker flaking out or something. But it was my first talk since my talk at PV8 before my mission. With Brother Barrett. I've been super lucky on my mission to have dodged the give-a-talk bullet. Two talks in fifteen months ain't bad.

Ah. Last Monday I got a letter in the mail from Candice, which I believe I mentioned last week. Then on Tuesday we went to the mission home and I picked up a letter from a missionary friend in the States. Then on Wednesday I opened the mailbox to find a giant marathon letter from Christine. Genial. All three letters were written on the same day, too. That was cool. I sat on my top bunk and relished in the love and friendship that oozed from the pages. Nice week, baby! Plus, all the missionary work we' been doin' is a great foundation for joy joy joy.

Soeur Bentley had a pretty bad cold last week, so we stayed in for an afternoon and while she napped, I did some detective work on the old member lists. I know the Saleve ward pretty flippin' well now, if I do say so myself. Heh heh-- it's fun to know background and context. Also, I discovered a less-active member who ought to have an unbaptized son around the age of 10 or 11. Hello Elders! I'll let you know if that yields any fruits.

I read Alma 26 again this morning in personal studies. It's a favorite missionary chapter, of course. I love the Book of Mormon. It is absolutely true, and its witness of Jesus Christ is noteworthy. I say "noteworthy" in efforts to sound less preteen testimony-ey. Furthermore, who speaks English these days? Ah, that's right, everyone.

Soeur Bentley and I have made some fun musical numbers on the piano. Four hands, 82 keys, a few choice hymns, and bam, district meetings just shot up in coolness. Maybe we can get some videos taken, or some albums released. I'll keep you posted. It's a good time. Ope, time's up. I love you, and I'm makin' plans to see you! Have a good week. Oh, and I don't need anything for my birthday. 'Sept for letters and pictures, if ya want. I have everything I need. I love you!

February 1, 2011

2011-02-01T05:21:00.002-07:00

It's FINALLY February

I'm sad about Nalah. She was a really, really great dog, and I'll miss her very much. I'm happy, though, that she doesn't have to be sick anymore. Thank you for letting me know about her. Oh I love her. Has there been a better dog? I had hoped I'd get to see her again in April.

Well, if either of us were being transferred, we would have received the call this morning. But the phone stayed silent, so that means we just won another six weeks together! This is terrific news and I am very much looking forward to this next transfer, my 11th. I love Soeur Bentley.

Soeur Bentley got bitten by a dog last week, so she gets to join the club of cool missionaries who have been heavily persecuted as missionaries. In fact, our stories are pretty similar. Both were ugly, ugly dogs with wiry hair tethered to a bike rack outside of a grocery store. Both of us felt pity for the ugly creature and wanted to show it some love and pet it. Both of us got bitten. Though, I was bitten on the leg in Lyon, and she was bitten on her thumb in Geneva. Don't worry, she's healing just fine.

Things with Chide (lady from Iran, and Chide is pronounced ''she-duh'') are going well. We've seen her another couple times and she has a wicked awesome testimony of the Book of Mormon. She didn't come to church on Sunday, which was unfortunate, but she showed up for the baptism in the evening when four brothers entered into the waters of baptism, including Sayeed, who is also from Iran. They hadn't met before the baptism, but they were fast friends and talked a whole lot of Farsi that I absolutely did not understand. She wants to be baptized, but her student visa situation is a bit complicated, and if she gets baptized, then deported to Iran, she'll be heavily persecuted. So, we'll pray for something cool to happen with her visa so she'll be more permanent here. In the meantime, we explained, she has a witness from the Holy Ghost that the Book of Mormon is true, and she must act accordingly. She's gotta read and attend church and keep the commandments as Heavenly Father has asked. She's cool.

Last night we went to La Noche de Hogar (Spanish FHE). While Soeur Bentley went to the bathroom, I hung up my coat and said "Hola" to a man sitting on one of the chairs in the foyer. He struck up a conversation with me and asked all sorts of questions and talked about reading the Bible and Jesus, etc, and I understood him! And I responded appropriately to his questions! In Spanish!!! I was pretty excited about it. I'm so happy I get to serve here. I didn't really get the experience of learning a completely foreign language on my mission, so this is nice. Stressful, but fun. I want to study more of Spanish when I go home and really be able to speak well.

I've attached a picture of our district last transfer. I don't know who will be staying or going from that picture. Probably Elder Mason (yes I've talked to him about possible common ancestors in England) will stay-- he only has this last transfer until he goes home. He's the tallest one on the left of the picture, I think. Then we have Elder Holden, Elder Escalona, and Elder Maldonado. The latter two are in the Spanish ward, the former two are in the French Saleve ward. We go to both. It's a good time.

The neighbor across the parking lot who made the cat wave at us has two cats, as it turns out, and will be out of town in Poland this week. He asked us to feed the cats until Sunday. Ooh boy, I'm excited.

Thank you for your letters and emails-- I got a letter in the mailbox yesterday from Candice. I was SO EXCITED! And I laughed, of course. Then today I got some really good emails. So I thank ye. Later today we're off to the mission home to take the new sister contacting. Hopefully I'll find some of your letters there waiting for me. Heh heh. I love you abundantly. And I'm still on pins and needles about the beebee. Glad he'll be in the lovely month of Febbie with me. As Joseph Smith in Legacy would say, "It's a grand time to be on Earth," Little K-love. Let me know!

January 25, 2011

2011-01-25T18:16:00.002-07:00

I am a SUPERHERO

We visited CERN this morning. That ought to have been enough to blow your mind right there. IT WAS SO COOL. Shannon, a member in the English ward and a graduate student doing research at CERN, showed us around a bit. Nerd heaven. Well, a really specific kind of nerd heaven-- particle stuff. Most of it went way over my head, to say the least. While we were there, I was sucked into the proton accelerator and given super powers. No big deal. I'll be flying home April 28.

Things are looking good to go home then, btw. President Murdock helped me with my ecclesiastical endorsement on Sunday night when we had dinner with him and Soeur Murdock, and I just checked and we're good to go for Fall 2011. I'm wondering about changing majors. Not to physics-- sorry CERN. Anyway, what a bright little future I have, after all. Coming on a mission has done nothing but improve the brightness of that future, but way more importantly, hopefully it has brightened other futures.

We've found some new investigators and started teaching some old ones this past week. Very good experiences, I tell you. I'll let you know how things turn out. A lady from Togo, a lady from Iran, a couple of French ladies. Furthermore, I absolutely LOVE being Soeur Bentley's companion. We're having a lot of fun and getting things done. She cut my hair a couple weeks ago. She did a pretty good job. Though, it would have been a way better haircut if Eric had been reading me a book at the same time. Cutie Eric.

I got a letter from Dave yesterday. I was pretty excited about that, and I have resolved absolutely to build or buy, if at least only for my personal use, a cycle-vision. Or cycle-a-watt, whichever you prefer. I thought about how I want to do that project some day, and then I thought about a lot of other projects I want to do someday. A lot of fun ideas.

So we had dinner with the Murdocks Sunday night. Soeur Metro (Soeur Bentley's trainer) had to come back into Geneva for an appointment with an audiologist or someone to check her ears because there was a small accident on Christmas Eve (she put glow sticks in her ears and Soeur Dix accidentally bumped one in-- Soeur Metro couldn't/can't hear out of that ear !), so the Murdocks invited us to come spend the evening after church with them. It was AWESOME. As President drove us to the train station to pick up Sr Metro, he asked me about my grandmother, Reva. Pronounced it incorrectly, but who cares. He talked about a time when his ward or stake was having an activity where everyone had to take an ancestors name to the temple to do their work. He hired a professional genealogist to research his family lines to find ONE PERSON that hadn't had their work done, but Reva Holt had done it all. Ha. So they found someone in Soeur Murdock's history instead. Nice job, Grandma.

It's been really, really cold again. Eh, too bad. Maybe in a month Spring will be here. We got the new clothing rules for sisters a little bit ago, and I cut and glue-hemmed a couple of my skirts. Not exactly the soundest logic in cold weather like this, but hey, I don't look like a polygamist. I'll take it. New rules, btw, mean skirts can be a titch shorter than before. Have to cover your knees while standing or sitting. So. And before you judge me for using superglue to hem my skirts-- it takes a fraction of the time it would to hem with a needle and thread, and it lasts a looong time. Voila quoi.

Well, I sure am excited still to hear about baby Caleb. Maybe he'll be born in the next week, or maybe he'll join the cool kids and wait till February. Either way, I'll be looking forward extra to next week's emails. Also by then I'll be able to tell you if Soeur Bentley will stay with me another transfer, or if she will move to a new city. Hope she stays.

I love you ! Hear from you soon...

January 18, 2011

2011-01-18T20:27:00.003-07:00

"I work hard! I work 32 hrs/wk! I only have 3 wks of vacation a year!"

We stayed up a bit last night folding flower balloons for the birthday party today. We made the flower balloons out of newspaper and got ink all over our fingers. We wiped it on our faces for funny times. I mean, please excuse my five o'clock shadow. Gotta shave twice a day.

Reading about nesting, literature, and aerobics was fun today. Sounds like you're having nice times. We are also having some pretty nice times. We've made friends with a neighbor across the parking lot. And by "made friends", I mean, occasionally we wave at each other from our respective windows, and sometimes he laughs at silly stuff we do. A highlight: last night he waved happily and then picked up his cat and made his cat wave at us. We didn't know he had a cat!!! Pretty fun.

The work is well here in Geneva. We are doing a LOT of finding, but it's a good time with Soeur Bentley, and we both have the faith that things will start picking up. Yesterday was zone conference. It was more uplifting than usual. We're not the only equipe in the mission that is currently doing mostly finding, and there was a great spirit of unity and faith at the meeting. Also, three departing missionaries bore their testimonies at the end. That's a tradition in the mission, and it has only gotten more and more sad to see missionaries you love so much go home. They go home to good things, of course, but they're always missed. Enough. I sang in a musical number right after lunch-- whose idea was that?!?-- with other sisters and elders. We sang "Bring the world His truth" in French, and to make it less plain, Soeur Bentley and I made up a harmony. It wasn't that great. Received no compliments on that one, but also didn't receive comments like "you looked cute up there!" which are piddly efforts to try not to say, "wow, that was terrible." One of these days we'll have a good musical number. "Not just good, but good."

So we're working hard and having a lot of fun. I do believe those two ought to go together. The weather was GREAT all last week, but this week it is cold again. Oh well. We're doing another "week of consecration" starting tonight in efforts to really get the ball moving.

Spanish is going well. It's pretty fun. I can say very little, but I really like trying. I'm excited to find some great new investigators for both these wards. It'll happen, it'll happen.

This is a lousy, lousy email. Probably close to my worst one. Hey, at least there are silly pictures. Well, hope you have a good wekk, and write me an email. I'm raising an eyebrow at David, who has an important letter to respond to. Maybe he hasn't gotten it yet. Regardless, next Tuesday will be good. Heh heh.

I love you. Good luck surviving January,
Soeur Cutler

January 11, 2011

2011-01-11T20:58:00.002-07:00

Views from Mont Blanc aren't too shabby.

On Sunday I woke up with a pretty big kink in my upper back. I had Soeur Bentley beat me for a bit, but it still was sore, and I had to move pretty stiffly. I reminded myself of Ernest when he dresses up as the old lady with the neck brace. Then, in the Spanish ward, we sang ''Rocha Eterna'', which is the Portuguese version of ''Rock of Ages''. Which, of course, is a song Ernest sings. Pretty funny.

So, I am indeed learning Spanish here in Geneva. I study it for a half hour during language study every day and try my best to remember Ritchie Valens and Jose Feliciano lyrics. El barrio espanol es mucho exhausting, but thanks to French and growing up in Utah, I understand probably half of what they say. We have the French ward in the afternoon, and it is SO NICE after three tough hours of Spanish in the morning. Who knew French would be so comfortable, and that I'd be relieved to hear it? President says he doesn't have very high expectations of me really speaking Spanish, especially because I don't have much time. But because you know me, you know how much I like sticking it to people. So, President, fasten your seatbelt. I will of course welcome any helps you, friendly reader, are willing to offer. Smile.

I hear you've caught the puzzle bug at home. Soeur Bentley and I have caught the crochet bug. As soon as we get home, we do the stuff we have to do as fast as possible, and then we sit on the lower bunk (her bed) Willy Wonka style (think of the older movie, Willy's grandparents) and crochet the hours away. I've made a Bible cover and a glove for Soeur Bentley, and I'm currently trying to figure out how to make a flower for my dumb oatmeal hat. It's fun. I am eighty years old. Soeur Bentley didn't know how to crochet, so I showed her a little bit, and it's been fun to see her figure it out.

We've been doing a lot of finding here in Geneva, and it's been a pretty good time. We're having a real rash of pantsless people opening the door. They've been pretty receptive, though, so that's good... one pantsless lady let us in and put on a robe, thank heavens. She was a little (ok, a lot) crazy and patted Soeur Bentley on the head. Before we left, she gave us some bananas and a couple pears. Way nice. Very sweet. We put them back in her mailbox downstairs. Another pantsless guy talked to us for a little while around the door and accepted a Book of Mormon and a return rdv. We're taking/sending the elders, of course. His doorbell said ''Namaste'' and I wondered if he were Rasta, but his hair had been cut. I had ''RasTrent'' stuck in my head for a little bit thinking about it, and you know how much I love RasTrent.

Saturday was an amazing day-- one worth writing home about, obviously. The weather warmed up to 15.6° C! We went running in the morning (Soeur Bentley has run 3 marathons! She asked if I would ever do one. I've thought about it a bit, but don't really know enough to make a decision. But, Maddi's getting ready for one? ''Huh?'' a la ''Tool Time''. Cool.), so I felt great because of the dolphins (I mean endorphins), and then the weather was like Spring, so we both were elated. Didn't even wear coats. We had a good time porting in the morning, and then had an awesome rdv with a Paraguayan lady named Vivian (Bibian, as she says). We all really felt the Spirit-- it was a special rdv, and I'm excited to see her progress. We also taught French class (I taught about using etre as the auxiliary verb in passe compose with reflexive verbs and certain others, and how to pray in French. It was a good time. But, two of three students that tried an exercise I made up failed miserably, so it seems I didn't teach very well. Oh well, I'm here to teach the gospel. Tant mieux if I'm no French teacher. It was a good time, though, don't get me wrong. Then we ported the big building with the pantsless lady. Very good day. It got colder on Sunday, but more warmish weather is heading our way. Can't say I mind Spring starting in mid-January. Knock on wood. Last winter was brutally cold, so if this one is mild, mmm boy!

I received quite a bit of mail last week and a package with cookies from Aunt Olive. It was so cute! I shared them with the elders at district meeting. So, let me give you the address at my apartment, if you'd like to send me something there. From the look and feel of things, I'll probably stay until the end of April. Then I'll move to Provo, UT. Heh. So.

La Mission Suisse de Geneve
Les Missionnaires
ATTN : Soeur Emily Cutler
17, rue de la Prairie
CH-1202 Geneve
SUISSE/or Switzerland, if you like.

Well, I sure do love you. But what else is new?

Have a good week! I'm praying for you.

the glove Emily made!

January 4, 2011

2011-01-05T18:56:00.002-07:00

You hear a lot of English in Geneva

Well, I loved and hated the pictures today. I'm green with envy over the puzzle pictures. Luckies! On New Year's Eve we had a sleepover with the other set of Geneva sisters-- Soeur Dix et Perez. We tried to do a 1000 piece puzzle that was a really detailed map of Switzerland. Pretty flippin' difficult. I did the border lickety-split, and we figured out the part of the puzzle that is in our mission, but the task was too daunting, and the night too short. So, I am jealous of the cool puzzles you did. Especially The Beatles one. Nice! Keep that one around for four or five months from now, will ya?

I also loved the pictures today. I agree-- Joshie is one handsome kid! Hearthrob. And HAPPY BIRTHDAY to him today. He ought to be eight by now. I have to ask the missionary question-- "As the Lord answers his prayers and he knows this message is true, will he follow the example of Jesus Christ by being baptized?" What a cool boy. Can't wait to see him. Thanks for the lovely pictures. Also, you look great pregnant, Frisbeen.

Hey, good news: Soeur Bentley's awesome! Hilarious as can be, and a hard worker, too. I have really been enjoying Geneva-- there is so much potential! We have already found some cool people to teach. Last night we finished porting the biggest building I've ever ported. 19 stories, 10 apartments per floor. Where am I, Hong Kong? Just kidding-- I saw in a Church magazine a while back a picture of a member lady that lived on the 98th floor of her building. 19 stories is still pansy level, I suppose. We've had plenty of fun times while porting-- an uninterested man gave us some wooden decorative plates of Switzerland-- Soeur Bentley's has a St Bernard on it, and mine has a Swiss chalet. We both love them, and Soeur Bentley said she's going to be buried with hers. She kinda reminds me of Lisa Christensen because she's blonde and smaller than me. And we have a lot of fun. Phewf! It's always a relief to find out you love your new companion. I have never had a bad companion. Lucky me! Anyway, also when we were porting, Soeur Bentley asked a youngish man if he's ever wondered why we are here. He said, "Yes, why are you here?" "Oh, no, why we're all here on Earth..." "No, I haven't wondered that." I did not succeed very well at not laughing at that.

After I sent last week's email and ran out of time, I felt like a huge idiot for not thanking you for the AMAZING CHRISTMAS Soeur Vasileva and I had. I love it all. I wore the purple headband from Catherine and jewelry set from Christine on Christmas (with a great scarf from Mom!). I entertained the crowd on Christmas by telling them about how I'd wear headbands when I was little, and even demonstrated how carefully I'd push it forward, to get a little bit of poof. Few of them got the Fievel reference, which was disappointing. But I have new tights and hat and ear muffs and plenty of chapstick that ought to last me until the end. Of the month. Heh. Who knew I would also like black chapstick, in addition to blue? Soeur Bentley and I have been having fun finishing up the Christmas treats while devouring the Area Book to get it sorted out. Good fun. I know I'm forgetting a lot, but I'm panicking over time, and there's really so much to say thank you for. I love you, plain and simply. The z and y are switched on this keyboard, so I'm having a devil of a time not sazing I love zou. Crayz!

Soeur Bentlez put mz hair in foam curlers last night, so I'm having a bit of a weird hair day today. I looked like Lyle Lovett when she first took them out this morning. Now just a little like a mix between Carrot Top and Shirley Temple. Oh brother. Good times.

Well, we have a train to catch in a few minutes.

Emily with Soeur Bentley

December 28, 2010

2010-12-29T15:04:00.001-07:00

Smoke on the Water

Do you get the song reference? I'm pretty sure it was written about Lake Geneva, which will be real familiar to me pretty soon, because I've been transferred to Geneva! Not only Geneva, but the SPANISH equipe. Equipe = team, but we use the word to mean "companionship." Guess I'm learning Spanish. La suerte de la tonta. I dunno, maybe that's right. All the Spanish I know is from marching band, Conan O'Brien, and The Simpsons. Well, technically we're supposed to do less and less in Spanish and more in more in French, but hey man, I want a third language; and Spanish is lookin' pretty good. Now I need to find a fake mustache to glue to my face and twist with my fingers every time I speak.

Soeur Vasileva is training. Ha! President Murdock loves throwing curve balls. She'll do fine; they'll have a good time. She'll come with me to Geneva tomorrow morning (EARLY, of course. I ain't complainin'.). I'm excited to be in Geneva. I've been hearing the call of Switzerland for about a week now-- beckoning me eastward. "Come," it says, "to the land of promise." It should have been saying "Vente, [to the] tierra de promesa." "Tierra del fuego," says Fletch. When I come home I will learn German. Or when I'm in Squitzerland I will learn German. They speak that there. NBD. I'll be needin' your oracions. Soeur Bentley will be my companion. She's from Orem and doesn't really speak Spanish, either. She's been in Geneva two transfers-- she came at the same time Soeur Vasileva.

Well, we sure had a nice Christmas. Opening presents Christmas morning was a lot of fun, and I made a lot of mental/written-on-my-heart notes for being a good person to deserve all the super nice stuff that happens to me. Talking to Mom was super normal. Nice to know home will still be home, and I won't have trouble adjusting to people like my family. But that's a long time from now. Isn't it.

I have surprisingly little to say. Phewf for you, eh? Well, I'm happy, I'm excited. It'll be sad to leave Grenoble and I'll really miss the members and the cool stuff that has started to happen, but I've had a good run here. It's always fun to try a new flavor. We'll see what adventures await in Genovia. There are many many perks to living near the mission home, and Soeur Dix is still in the other Geneva equipe, so this is gonna be awesome. More of the Murdocks, more missionaries, more languages, more holiness give me.

We had some really cool miracles that I'll have to tell you about when I have more time... they were wicked awesome. Yesterday was a fine last proselyting day in Grenobie.

Well, write me. I'll be able to get your letters all the time from the mission home. Bombard it, eh? I lova you!

December 21, 2010

2010-12-22T04:39:00.002-07:00

Thank you for my Christmas sweater!

Well, I just barely received an email from Bay with pictures of Christmas stuff I love and have been missing something fierce. Ooh, Laurie from "Little Women", "Lost in Paradise", "White Christmas". Smilez-a-plenti. Plus the amazing letters I've received today, I'm smiling like a fool with tears running down my cheeks. Makin' the elders cry, too. Oh, you.

I'm super excited to talk to Mom this week. I'll be calling from the Davis'. The Davis-es are from West Jordan, I think. Did I already tell you about them? Anyway, I'll try to call later rather than sooner for Catherine to be there. The Davis-es (hobbits-es) can accommodate (two c's, two m's?) three at a time, so there shouldn't be problems with calling after we eat, rather than before. Hmm, the more I think about it, the more I'm thinking I'll have to call while it's still morning morning in Utah. I don't wanna wreck Christmas morning for you, though. I'll call as late as I can. But hey, I'll call! Ooh! I'll make a list of stuff to talk about, to make sure there aren't any boring pauses. Ha.

I've gotten some nice mail in the mailbox recently. How lovely. Thank you. Though, I feel bad that you feel so badly about not filling my mailbox all the time. Ha. Guilt trips all around. I appreciate what you do. Voila.

Oh, funny. Sunday night we called Juliet to try to teach her a lesson. She said, "I'm really, really busy. But you can come over." Ha. When we arrived, her friends were there putting braids in Juliet's hair, and they were watching Nigerian stand-up comedy. To please them, I brought Bay's "Christmas on a Mission" cds to listen to, since we can't watch tv and don't speak pigeon English. I decided to play volume 1 because it had Boyz II Men and Whitney Houston on it. We listened to those two, and the ladies were pretty nonchalant. I was discouraged. Next came Josh Groban. They LOVED Josh Groban and sang along and turned it up. I scratched my head in wonder and laughed. Didn't see that one coming. Can you get whiter than Josh Groban? So what, who cares, they loved him.

Well. Transfer news. News is there is no news. Because of "severe storms" in London, the new missionaries have been delayed (missionaries delayed-- que the Home Alone II quotes. "WE DID IT AGAIN!!!" Take a plane to FLA.). Story short: transfers will be next week, not this week.

Think about that for a moment, and then guffaw with me at the power of prayer. It's funny. Many prayed that we wouldn't have to move and be torn away so cruelly (heh heh) at such a tender time just before Christmas. So, prayer answered. Last night as we were leaving the Simoes' house, the boys said they were going to pray that we both could stay. I said, "It's too late, but you can pray if you want to." And all the members that said they'd pray that I'd stay and be able to do whatever, et cetera. Priere = exaucee. I felt bad for a second that this tender mercy comes at the expense of the new missionaries, but hey, they've probably really grown to like their district in the MTC, and now they all get to be together for Christmas, rather than going to a foreign place full of strangers for Christmas. And they'll get to call home from the airport. Win win.

We taught some member-present lessons yesterday. One with Bill and Jackie Pitts. They're from Montana, and their grandsons aren't members. We went to their house for lunch and good times and read some scriptures. We also went to play their guitar and piano. I mean, I went to play the piano and guitar. Tomasso has a Fender Squier, and a cute little amp. I felt as cool as Terry Shoemaker when he busted out the electric guitar during "Jingle Bell Rock" in the third grade. It was a good time, and I'm out of practice.

After the Pitts', we went to the Simoes' with a nonmember family from La Reunion. Yes, plenty of thoughts were directed Maddi's way as I talked with them. They're getting baptized, all of 'em. I found out that Benjamin Simoes takes playing the guitar pretty seriously, so I asked him to bring his guitar down. Turns out the family has GAS (*tip of the proverbial hat to Kelly Thomson, if he still exists* GAS= guitar acquisition syndrome-- they have nine guitars!). He brought down a classical and electric/acoustic guitar. I played the classical one, and it was as if I were back with Lyle. I played and sang "The Army of Helaman" in French. Unfortunately, they recorded me with their camera and threatened, I mean promised, to put it on Facebook. Oh brother. Why do I do these things. The Simoes-es are amazing.

Last week we went to see Guillaume again. He's the one getting his master's degree in philosophy. I've wondered now and then over the course of my mission what it would be like to teach a person like me, or how I could possibly be taught and brought into the gospel. Guillaume is that person. His questions, worries, beliefs are always the same things I've thought about. Always the same approach. It's way cool to teach him. He's the one, can't remember if I talked to you about him before, that refused to pray with us at the beginning. Then he started to pray by himself. Every rdv he's refused to pray aloud for us. But this last time we had an amazing rdv and at the end he chose someone right away to say the prayer. I said, "Hey, you should say the prayer. Come on !" So we all knelt and he prayed. "So. God." he began. Hearing amis pray is the BEST THING IN THE WORLD. He said something like "Thank you for sending me the sisters the very day I was questioning your existence" and asked if the Book of Mormon is the word of God. If only I could type the joy in my heart. He's a slow mover, as I'm sure I would be, and doesn't have a baptismal date. But he's reading sincerely the Book of Mormon, and he's going down the right path. I'm so glad to have been able to help him find that. HE STARTED PRAYING! It's gonna be goooooood to reconnect with him later in life and see how his faith has grown. We've tried passing him to the elders several times, but it just hasn't worked out. It's been a blessing ("I pledge allegiance to the flag..." "The BLESS-ing!") to teach him. He's a favorite from the mission so far.

Well, I'm happy. This Christmas is turning out to be very different from any other, but pretty stinkin' great. Thank you for your letters, pictures, and prayers. I love hearing from you, and Soeur Vasileva loves hearing the stuff I have to share every week. It's a happy time, this. Talk to you in a couple days. See you in four months. Gulp. I love you!

December 14, 2010

2010-12-15T23:54:00.002-07:00

In the lane snow is drifting

Sorry to write a little later than usual; we were in Dijon today for my legality and just got back to jolly old Grenoble. I am happy to say that even without my original birth certificate, I am officially legal in Franceland. I have my original birth certificate, don't you worry. In an envelope in a secret place of which I know the location. Like I say, don't worry. I was worrying, but not anymore. Anyway. It was way cool to go back to Dijon for a few hours. We arrived last night and walked around town with the Dijon elders. Got to see the lights again. Soeur Vasileva loved it. I tell you, if you want to go see a typical French place, go to Dijon. Your fancies will be tickled. This morning we went on a little tour of the town, then stopped by the prefecture to renew my legality. Then we walked around some more, reminiscing and watching out for dog poop. Good times. They've completely changed all the buses, and that's annoying, but the streets are still the same, and I know those. As a special Christmas present to me, it snowed. How pretty. Also, I happened to run into a couple people I used to teach and an inactive member. Dijon = miracles. Luckily, Grenoble also = miracles.

Last Friday we were in Lyon for a training meeting. Man, all I do is go on mini trips, eh? Anyway, we had a nice time with the missionaries and the Murdocks. That night we watched "Mr Krueger's Christmas" at the Lyon Soeurs' apartment. I've been waiting an awful long time to watch that show, and to be honest, I was a little disappointed. Ca va, we watched "Legacy" right afterward and David Walker's charm more than made up for Mr Krueger's hallucinations. I dunno, if I had been in the right mood or decade, mayhaps I would have enjoyed it more. Jimmy Stewart, after all.

Early the next morning we took a train back to Grenoble and stopped by the post office to pick up some packages. (Since I was just talking about Legacy, I'll remember to thank Bay for sending the letter she wrote me in March-- about Legacy! How perfect is that?! I laughed heartily through the tears. I was crying because...) Packages. I gave the post guys the slips of paper that had been left in our mailbox and they disappeared behind their aluminum foil curtain. They came back with a huge package with Soeur Vasileva's name on it. From Mom. Man, neither of us could believe it. They didn't have another package, but said it was definitely at another post office, so there we went. They did indeed have my package, and I tried real hard all the way home to keep the tears from throwing themselves out of my eye-boundaries. I was in no state to talk because I was thinking about what an angel my mother is, and every now and then Soeur Vasileva would have an outburst about how great Mom is, why is she so nice, and how I'm lucky to be able to live with her forever. Yes. We got home and found Christine's package in the mailbox and then went upstairs to cry. We found the stuff in Bulgarian and the presents for Soeur Vasileva and me. I read the letter from Christine and snot literally poured from my nose.

All of this makes me feel very ungrateful and undeserving, and I immediately began plotting ways to thank. But, as that Billy Collins poem reminds us (thanks Cheri!), you can never repay your mother. I owe a lot more people than just my mother, of course, but her example of selflessness and pure love of Christ is the most real and powerful for me. Again with the cheapening by writing in emails. What to do. Suffice it to say, this will be a very memorable Christmas for both Soeur Vasileva and me. (An aside: perhaps it bothers you that I have now twice said "Soeur Vasileva and me", but it's correct. As much as my elementary school teachers don't agree, saying "this will be a very memorable Christmas for I" doesn't make sense. Fin.) So, the major thing to write about this week is that the best people on the planet are in my family, or are my friends. Starting with my mother. If I were the tattooing and motorcycle riding kind, my bicep would read "Mother". Hey, instead, I'm the Mormon kind, and I wear a nametag with "Jesus Christ" on it. That's probably better.

This Friday I am going to a university class to defend what I believe. The professor has invited the missionaries a few times before and usually tries to provoke a debate over "controversial" topics. I'll answer whatever questions he has and remind them all that understanding the Mormons doesn't come from understanding the manifestos. Understanding the Mormons comes from understanding the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the plan of salvation prepared by God, our Heavenly Father. Well, let's toss the Restoration in there too, for good measure. I talked to President Murdock about it a little on Friday and he gave me some tips. Lawyer tips. He was a pretty good lawyer, you know. "Tell them the story," he said, alluding to an earlier story about his lawyer days he's told us at a previous zone conference. I'm no lawyer, and I'm quite sure I'd never want to be one, but I happen to have a testimony. So. That'll have to do.

Eleven missionaries are leaving my mission this week, and I'm gonna miss 'em. Thinking about them reminds me that many of my pre-mission friends are either leaving or home from their missions. Bon voyage, Soeur Earl. Super weird that you're done. Let me know what it's like on the other side.

We'd better take off soon if we're gonna make it home by nine. Rules are rules. Hey, "Where commandments continue after missions, mission rules don't." Heh. Nice little... maxim?

Thanks for telling me about your lives and Christmas weekends. I love hearing about what you do, and I don't get too homesick. I think I remember to make the most of the time I have now, with the confidence that "someday soon we all will be together, if the fates allow." I am pretty sure I quoted that last week, but so what? Who cares? I'm shruggin' my shoulders.

Ah, one last thing. Thanks also be to Bay for the Christmas music. Volume 3 is just as good as it's pre-somethings. Is that Bette Midler's voice I heard? Bing Crosby started singin' another and Soeur Vasileva stopped what she was doing and said, "I like him." Join the club, Sir, join the club.

I love you, even more than I did when I said the same thing last week. If you can believe that!!! Don't worry if you don't hear from me next Tuesday, there's the chance that preparation day could be moved to Christmas Eve like last year. That's just something I made up, but in case I'm right, don't be frettin'.

December 7, 2010

2010-12-07T09:07:00.001-07:00

I've got a candy cane in my pocket

I walked to the internet cafe this morning with accordion music hopping gently into my ears, wearing a baret on my head. Classic French. Well, I wasn't really wearing a baret, but I did finish crocheting a hat last night. I got the crocheting itch and borrowed a needle from a octagenarian member from the branch and went to work. I made the hat a couple of times, didn't like it, frogged it, and started again. I finished last night and like it this time, so I cut the yarn and tied it off. I'm starting another hat, though. You remember how I get into manias. My hobbies come in rashes, and this one's worse than the crochet spell of '06 in Minneapolis. Oh brother. I'll lose interest soon, I'm sure.

We're still enjoying the Christmas stories every night. They make this Christmas time more special, and we look forward to hearing another story. Sometimes I try to get into character as I read them. It doesn't go so well. You'd laugh. I was happy to see that Mom sent "A Brother Like That" already. I'll read that'n eagerly. Can I also request "The Santa In Me"? That's one of my favorites. After all, it involves the Jews, and I love the Jews. I realized the other night that Hanukkah must have already started. I checked my calendar and it had indeed. I thought a bit about how that was too bad, but then I remembered that I wouldn't have done anything about it if I had known anyway, so, that's all. Too bad. Sunday night we were walking home after a record 10 hours of church and a van with a giant menorah blaring "Fiddler on the Roof" type music sped by. Pretty fun. We contact Jews every now and then. They say, "Sorry, I'm not interested, I'm Jewish." Well, Jesus was a Jew, too. I'm extra disappointed when they won't talk to us, because they're always super interesting to talk to, and they usually know the Old Testament pretty well. I recently learned that there are only about 15 million Jewish persons in the world. I can't remember if I already wrote about that, but that surprises me. Almost as many LDS people as Jewish. Surprising, wouldn't you say.

Soeur Vasileva got her first letter of her mission from her mom this morning. That was cool. Her mom says she reads S. Vasileva's letters over and over again. Sweet.

I love the pictures of the Christmas tree, Bay. What a huge tree! It's the best one.

Before I go, I'd just like to remind you that Heavenly Father answers prayers. Oh yes yes yes He does. Pray, be specific, work, expect miracles. President Murdock asked us to work to have a "White Christmas"-- each equipe of missionaries have someone baptized by Christmas. Great goal for us in Grenoble. We've been praying a lot to be able to meet this goal. I may have told you about the ladies who walked right into the church a couple weeks ago. We set a baptismal date with one of them yesterday. Her name is Vivian, and she's really sweet. I'll keep you posted. I'm excited.

Sometimes I feel like I cheapen spiritual experiences by writing about them, but I'm supposed to write home about these times. If only I could write better and communicate how deeply I know these things to be true. Oh that I were an angel. Ha. I just took a train of thought that leads me to this: I've been thinking a lot lately about how individual the Gospel is. There is no crowd, or big pool of people, it is up to each person to decide how they will follow Jesus Christ. So I could write to you about the amazing things I see every day, but man, you gotta see your own amazing things. But, then again, the goal is to tell you about the nice time I'm having in Franceland, isn't it. Well, I'm having a nice time in Franceland. I love the people I meet, and I'm grateful for the prepared individuals Heavenly Father places in our paths. The work is going forth boldly and nobly. And hey, the Book of Mormon. It remains my best friend.

Enough. I'd better get back to that hat. I love you! Until next week.

November 30, 2010

2010-11-30T14:57:00.002-07:00

Thanks for rockin' and boppin' wif us all year 'round.

Christmastime is here again, wouldn't you know it. I'm excited to ask everybody about their Christmas traditions and beliefs about Santa Claus. I can't remember that funny author's name who has that bit about Santa Claus in the Netherlands or something-- if you're bad he'll stuff you in a bag and take you to Spain. His name was David or something. Good luck googling that one. Anyway, last night when we were at the VanVooren's house, I asked them what they think about Santa. Frere VanVooren said that when he was little, someone like Saint Nicolas would come in the beginning of December. As he shook his leather whip at them, he'd ask them if they'd been good and give them a little hit just for fun. He said they would be pretty scared. Whatever gets the kids to behave, I guess... I'll let you know what else I find out. Soeur Vasileva says in Bulgaria there aren't many Christmas traditions, what with those being forbidden by the Commies for so long. So mostly everybody just drinks a lot and eat food. Interesting.

Thanksgiving was pretty good. We invited a ton of people to dinner, and only three came, so that was a big disappointment, to be honest. But it was a good time making food all day. I think I gave you the list of stuff I was to make last Thursday. I figured out how to make an apple pie (sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, applos) and made my first apple pie. It was super easy (I bought the crusts-- come on, missionaries don't have time to bother with making crusts) and pretty flippin' delicious, if I do say so myself. I had forgotten about the pecan pies I've made in years past, so I guess I was a big fat liar when I told people the apple one was my first pie. Oh well. First apple pie, I mean. I took pictures, but they're all creepy because I'm halfway closing my eyes in all of them. Anyway, that was the pie. But the Rautio cake was a way bigger hit than the pie. I'll have to make the Rautio cake for you. Elder Rautio's mom makes this cake, and we got the recipe from Elders Rautio and Barnett last time we were in Lyon. They had to translate it out of Finnish, but that still doesn't explain to me the weird measurements for ingredients. "You'll need 4.75 deciliters of flour, 3 deciliters of sugar," etc. Weird, and fun. Finnish. Oh, and delicious.

Oh, let me get to the good part: the next day was Friday, and Decoration Day Friday at that! We woke up to snow (!!!) and I had a great time during personal studies reading a few verses in 1 Nephi, then gazing out the window at the snow flurries, then reading some more. I had a couple decorations left over from last Christmas in Dijon, and there were quite a few decorations in the storage closet on the balcony, including a 4' tall Christmas tree. It was really fun to decorate. Soeur Vasileva, as I mentioned a little bit above, hasn't had much experience really celebrating Christmas, so she's having a good time. I've been reading her Christmas stories every night at the end of daily planning. We look forward to it every day, and she thinks the world of Mom for sending stories.

Ha, maybe you won't think this is funny. Last Saturday we went porting in the morning, then stopped back at the apartment for some lunch. To top of my lunch, I heated up a slice of pie to eat. I took it to my desk to study some stuff as I ate, and took a bite. The pie was pretty hot, as it turned out, and I did the usual motions for when food is burning your mouth and said, "hot pie, hot pie!" Then I laughed by myself for a long time as I realized I am that Harmon brother from the commercial. Does Harmon's still have hot buys?

Even though it's dipped down to be miserably cold every now and then, I'm glad to be in a place that gets cold and snowy for Christmas. I just wouldn't know what to do with myself if it were warm at Christmastime. Though, probably one of these days if you asked me, I'd say I'd really like to find out what it's like to have a warm winter.

Anyway, it was fun reading about how Sanksgiveen went for you, and the fun stuff you've been up to since. I was happy to hear about Conan being back. I laughed a bit about Bay being sick. I mean, I feel really bad. Hope she gets better soon. If it's anything like what happened three years ago... oh brother, good luck! Eh, you probably feel better by now.

Well, I can't remember other things I wanted to talk about, so I guess that's the end of that. How about some pictures?

November 25, 2010

2010-11-30T14:51:00.002-07:00

Save Me Some Turkey

Happy Thanksgiving! I enjoyed your emails, thank you. We're having preparation day on Thursday this week because it's Thanksgiving, so that's why I didn't write on Tuesday. In case you wondered, or noticed. Heh. Next week it's on Tuesday again, of course. Anyway.

Thanksgiving's been a good time so far. Last night Soeur Vasileva and I peeled a few kilos of potatoes while listening to the Christmas music we still love, and I got out the ingredients for the stuff I wanted to make this morning. As I said my prayer before going to bed, I prayed to be able to have lots of energy to get out of bed and start a-cookin' right away. So then I went to sleep, and I dreamed some things. Dreamt. Dreampt. I had some dreams. I think I was dreaming about religious stuff, which makes sense, because that's what I talk about all day. Suddenly, a still small voice said, "Hey, stop dreaming." "Why? I love dreaming." "Just stop, and listen." So the dream stopped. A second later, "beep beep beep" of the alarm. Cool. Nice one. I said my prayers and put on some socks, zipped up my sweatshirt, and cut up the potatoes and started cookin' 'em. I also made a cake and some pancakes for breakfast. I felt like Mom, cooking things early Thanksgiving morning. At 7:50 I finished the preparations and breakfast and took a lightning fast shower and started studies on time at 8:00. With a towel on my head. Oh well, it's Thanksgiving. After reading the Book of Mormon for a while, I got up to check the potatoes. Perfect. Tasted a pancake. Baking soda. Curiously tasted the cake I just made. Baking soda. What?!? I cursed cooking and stormed out of the kitchen. I was a little upset. I thought about what I could have possibly done wrong this time and reread the recipes and double checked the tools I used to measure. Then I double checked the ingredient I used. The recipes called for baking soda, and I had used the can that had "baking powder" written on it. I looked closely at it this morning and discovered "powder" was barely crossed out, and a tiny "soda" was written above it. FPTT!!! I used baking soda instead of powder. So, long story short, besides making the potatoes, I wasted my morning. Giant waste of time. But a fun waste of time, isn't that right, Aaron Neville? I'll make another cake this afternoon. This time they won't trick me, either. Flippin' baking soda...

Tonight we're also bringing corn and beans, S. Vasileva's greek salad, a chicken noodle salad we made up, drinks (I found cranberry juice and sprite!), a cake (cough cough), and an apple pie, if I can figure that out. I thought about carrot festival/surprise, and then I thought about how I hate carrot festival/surprise, but I'm glad that we have it every year, because it's a nice tradition. The Pitts (from Montana) are bringing a turkey they found (they didn't find the turkey in Montana, silly, but here in France, at the Carrefour). I think she said 12 pounds. So I groaned a little when I read Mom has a 20+lb turkey. Mince alors. Hey, maybe Sister Pitts meant 12 kilos. I'll take that. She's also bringing stuffing, and I think she's cooking the stuffing inside the turkey. I thought about telling her that's a dumb idea, but then I thought again. I don't like stuffing anyway, so who cares if it's poisoned. We'll have pies and potatoes and stuffing and turkey and all the fixins. It might even snow. I think we'll play "the minister's cat" and a fun game with questions. It's at the church, and hopefully lots of people will come.

A week or so ago we were eatin' soup and bread for lunch. I spotted an avocado on the fridge and wanted to eat it, so I got a knife. As I was cutting the avocado, the knife slipped and sliced my finger more than I would have expected. A pretty impressive cut for such a crappy knife, I'd say. Blood started pouring like a fountain, and I ran to the sink. I put a paper towel on my finger and bloodied it, then put another and put extra pressure on it and lifted it above my head. The bleeding stopped right away and within three minutes or so, I was sitting back at the table eatin' my bread and avocado, and my finger was just about as good as new. I laughed and showed S Vasileva where the invisible cut was and said, "A missionary finger." Add that to the huge list of accidents I've been in over the past year that haven't been as bad as they could have been.

Last Thursday Soeur Dix called. She said her dad's diagnosis, and therefore prognosis, changed. She's not really sure exactly, but something with "myeloma", and they say people with this disease usually have about 3-5 more years to live. She was pretty set on going home, but after a talk with her parents and President Murdock and lots of prayers, she has decided to stay. At least for now. So, if you could remember her in your prayers. Very sad. But man, people had better believe her when she tells them about faith. She has the faith and hope that her family will be blessed for the service she's giving, and that the best thing she can do to help/serve her dad is to continue serving a mission.

So it made me wonder--do I have a testimony of that? How has my family been blessed? I recognize "my family" can also mean my future family, but have you seen anything in your lives? I sure hope so; that was among the reasons I decided to go on a mission. I guess Christine's having a baby, Bay graduated from college, Mom's been able to keep her job even though a lot of people were fired. But maybe those things would have happened anyway. I don't know. Build my faith.

I forgot to mention the penguin earrings in a previous email, I think. They're way cute, and thanks for sending them, Mom. I wore them for a silly Christmas picture we took the other night. I'll wear 'em more as Christmas gets closer.

It's cool that the whole zone ate together for Thanksgiving, Dave. Holidays on a mission have proved to be incredible so far. Last Thanksgiving in the MTC, last Christmas in Dijon. As I've been making food the past few days (we had another Thanksgiving party at English class), I've thought a bit about Thanksgiving memories, and also what it will be like to be with my family for Thanksgiving again. Thanksgiving today is pretty great, too. We'll see how the memories go. Oh, and did I read correctly -- you talk to your kids in Mandarin? Not bad. Pas mal.

One of our investigators is Sarah. She's ten, and I feel lame calling her an investigator, because if it were up to her, she'd be baptized years ago. You know, when she was eight. But her dad's muslim and won't allow her to be baptized. Even though he doesn't have custody, French law is clear that she needs his permission for a major life event, like baptism. Strangely though, she wouldn't need his permission to get an abortion. What? Abortion ain't a major life event? Who's makin' these laws up?! Anyway, we see her about once a week to keep her in progress and do service. We teach her English and I've been teaching her piano stuff. She just learned how to play "I am a child of God" (her favorite primary song), and Messad (her aunt who is a member) was so proud of her, she bought a piano. GULP. No pressure, Sarah, but you'd better get pretty stinkin' good at the piano... I'd better figure out something good to teach her. Oh boy. So far I've just been making stuff up about solfege, and I don't really know what that is, except that I thought it would be important for her to know note names, and that's how Maria started teachin' those Von Trapp kids. I dunno!

Well, drink a cup of grog neg for me tomorrow, will ya? And have a happy Thanksgiving. I'm thinking about you, that's for sure. And I'm pretty grateful-- to have clothes, food, place to stay, knowledge of the Gospel, a missionary calling in the Switzerland Geneva mission, and a wicked awesome family and friends. Et cetera, et cetera. I love you.

November 16, 2010

2010-11-18T21:07:00.002-07:00

Happy Krimble

Over the course of my mission, which is just about a year now, I have met a LOT of men who have been interested in the restored gospel who are named Daniel. And I always have to pass them to the elders or drop them for one reason or another. But maybe it would be nice to one day meet/know a Daniel who I could teach and who would accept the gospel. Stay tuned for years in the future, maybe an eight year old named Daniel will get baptized. For the love of Pete, they're all named Daniel! We have a rendez vous with Daniel the Lamanite (from Peru!) to pass him to the elders at 13h. He's a way cool guy, and boy was the Spirit there when I told him about the Book of Mormon. Ooh baby. Get the white jumpsuit ready.

That was a tangent. Soeur Vasileva and I also enjoyed the Halloween pictures. Nice costumes, good times.

Also, about five minutes ago I finished about a three-minute laughing-about-Todd-Eldredge-again session. What wouldn't I give to see him skate again?! Do it, Todd, lace up those skates. Who knows, maybe he'll win the gold. Thanks for reminding me that he exists, Bay. My favorite male ice-skater, after Elvis Stoiko. PS, I'm joking.

I'm glad to hear the Primary program was a success. La primaire de la paroisse did their program on Sunday, too. It was super cute, and I thought about Mom leading another primary thousands of miles away. Very darling kids, also very naughty kids. Delightful. Later, Relief Society was a bit of a disaster (arguments about the gift of the Holy Ghost), and my frown about now having any investigators in Relief Society was turned upside down into a smiley "Thank goodness I don't have to explain THIS one away to someone." Oh brother.

I usually hate the mailbox, but I sure did love it last Saturday when I found a package from Mom inside. I loved the letters (even from Valarie and Alex!), the picture of Salt Lake Valley, the nuclear worms, the sticky notes, and will soon dawn the Christmas earrings. Also, big thanks to Bay for the Christmas cds. The other night Soeur Vasileva and I were walking down the street. It was late-ish, so there weren't people to contact, and now we speak only French outside the apartment and ergo converse a little less than usual. Anyway, she said to me out of the blue with her cute Bulgarian accent that isn't so thick, "You got to tell your sister thank you for that music!" She loves it, and so do I. I confess, I balled like a baby when I heard Judy Garland's voice and the Pas de Deux music from the Nutcracker. I know, weird songs to make me cry, considering the bunch you sent. Those cds are all we've been listening to over the past few days, and it's been amazing. So. Voila quoi. A very happy package indeed.

Which reminds me. Soeur Todd (the lady of the office couple) called and asked Soeur Vasileva which language, French or English, in which to send a letter to her parents, requesting that they send her something for Christmas. She laughed as she got off the phone, saying that she doesn't think that her parents will send her anything at all. They aren't members, and while they are supportive of her, she hasn't received any word from them since she's been gone, which is since July. So. I'm fine. Who cares about my Christmas. Maybe can you send her something? Like, something with her name on it, not something that I choose to give her out of my stuff. She's so great and so humble. She writes to each of her parents every week. She started after we read together last transfer a story President Monson told about a promise he made to a missionary whose family wasn't members. Family wasn't? Oh, it sounds weird because I said "family wasn't members." Hmm. His family wasn't member. Has to be, "his family weren't members." Everybody roll your eyes together. Anyway. Her older brother was baptized just before she left on her mission, did I tell you? She has a great story. I hope you can hear her tell it one day, because I'm not a good story teller. Her address is the same as mine:

La Mission Suisse de Geneve
Les Missionnaires
ATTN: Soeur Emily Cutler [or Soeur Gergana Vasileva]
12, Blvd Marechal FOCH
F-38000 Grenoble
FRANCE

I got two cards in the mail from Dad this week. They were very nice, and I have them sitting on my desk. Thanks, Dad. En plus, yesterday we had interviews with President Murdock. Did I tell you how much I like President Murdock? Oh yes, yes I did. He brought me a letter from Soeur Earl on Reunion Island, loaded with Winnie the Pee, I mean Poo stickers. Cute. Hilarious.

We're making plans for Thanksgiving any day now. We're having a party at English class, but that's Tuesday night. I don't know what we'll do for the real day, but there are six missionaries in Grenoble, and maybe the Lyon sisters will come for exchanges. Also, there are a couple American families here, maybe we'll get invited or make something to invite them. Regardless, this will be a holiday observed, with or without the French public. The next day we will listen to Anne Murray singing "Joy to the World" and Nat King Cole singing "The First Noel", etc. and decorate the apartment before studies, during lunch, dinner, and as we get ready for bed. I'll send pictures. It's gonna be great, and I'm elated to be with Soeur Vasileva, who loves Christmas very, very much and wants to have as much fun as I do. I don't know what will happen next transfer--the way things look we'd move on the 22nd of December. That would be stressful for a lot of reasons, but who knows. There are a lot of missionaries finishing their missions on the 18th of December, and their companions will have to do something for a week until new missionaries come. So I don't know how it'll go down. According to how things have been for me (three transfers in every ville), I could likely be transferred at that time, but we'll see. I'll be here in Grenoble at least until just before Christmas. And everything I told you last week about letters and packages is still true. But, you know, speculation. Whatever happens happens.

So, I'm sure I'm forgetting things, but I love you, and I sure look forward to hearing from you again soon. Have a great week!

November 9, 2010

2010-11-18T21:04:00.002-07:00

"It's coooold out there."

I was trying to quote "Groundhog Day" with the subject line. I can't remember if I got it right, though.

Transfer calls were this morning. Soeur Dix is going to Geneva and I am staying here in Grenoble with Soeur Vasileva. I'm excited and have lots of plans for making the next six weeks spectack-uh-ler. Thanksgiving, decoration day, receiving Mom's package any day now...the list goes on. Oh, also, finding people to be baptized before Christmas. Yes, that's the most important plan, and the best gipt I can think of for Christmas.

Because I'm staying in Grenoble for the next six weeks, you should send any packages you want to send for Christmas to my address here. President Murdock sent a letter saying our packages need to be delivered where we live. If there are packages at the mission home before December 8, he will deliver them to us. If they arrive after that, they won't be delivered until mid-January, he says. So I guess there won't be a big Christmas zone conference like last year. Too bad. But, anyway, my address is a bit particular, and you need to write it just like I am about to write it for you (good job, Christine, for writing it perfectly on that last package. And good job to others, too, because others get it right, too. I just noticed Christine's is all... And anyway, I'm making a big deal out of it because Soeur Dix's mom did not write it correctly, and there was a big hassle. So. Voila quoi.):

La Mission Suisse de Geneve
Les Missionnaires
Attn: Soeur Emily Cutler
12, Blvd Marechal FOCH
F-38000 Grenoble
FRANCE

Well, what else. Happy Birthday to Bobby. And I'm glad to hear and see that Bay's birthday was cool. I was hopin' for that! I also loved the pictures of Halloween and cub scouts. You're getting good at sending pictures! Gracias, malo, wir danken dir.

Despite the subject line, we had some great fall weather towards the end of last week. On Sunday that changed with the wind, cold, and pelting rain, but it was nice for a couple days. I didn't even wear my coat. But today I wore my coat. No big deal.

Hey, yesterday was the first day of my ninth transfer, and next week I hit my 1-year mark. Neat!

Last night we went on splits, which was way easy to do when you are three sister missionaries. Anyway, I went out contacting with Soeur Pichon. She's really great. She was at the temple all week last week, and I told her I was "jealous" and can't wait to go back to the temple. But she reminded me not to be "jealous" because I get to serve the Lord all day every day. Nice one, Soeur Pichon. Yes, a mission is pretty great. We ported a building because she loves porting, and so do I. Number 18 let us in without saying anything, so we entered. We got to the door and the guy asked if it was us who had sonned. I said yes, and said what the missionaries said to Soeur Pichon when they knocked on her door, "We have a message for you from Jesus Christ." He said, "Are you the Latter-day Saints?" "Yes! Do you know us ?" "Enter, enter!" I was pretty excited, until I realized bit by bit that we had accidentally ported into Antoine, the Elders' investigator. Oh well. At least he was excited to see us. We committed him to reading the Book of Mormon and coming to church on Sunday.

We also contacted a young woman who is atheist. She went on and on about how religion is what man has made up to make themselves feel better. Soeur Pichon then piped in with her testimony--she used to be atheist, but she came to know for herself through honest search and prayer that God exists, and that He is our Heavenly Father. I then testified to the girl that God loves her, and that she is a daughter of God. There was a visible change in her countenance, and we got her number. So we'll see. She still didn't seem very interested, but I love it when the Spirit touches someone who isn't used to it.

I had a mental list of stuff I wanted to tell you, including funny things, but of course I can't for the life of me remember. Dommage. La prochain fois, alors. I love you!

November 2, 2010

2010-11-02T11:39:00.001-06:00

"That pigeon looks like he's wearing leg warmers"

I said that yesterday as we ate yucko McDo's on a bus bench in front of the Lyon Part Dieu gare. Elder Barnett said something clever about the pigeon flash dancing, and so I smiled extra big when that Flashdance song started playing in the cafe where we had a rdv this morning.

We were in Lyon for the weekend for three reasons ("I'm mad at you for TWO reasons"): stake conference (too bad not steak conference!), training meeting for our zone, and exchanges with the Lyon sisters. It was a pretty good time. I'll tell you why.

We missionaries were asked to sing a song for the intermediate musical number. I may have mentioned this before. So, that's fine and all, but the only trouble is that we're missionaries who do missionary work all the time and don't have time to rehearse. Afterwards we got compliments like, "You looked really adorable!" Well, screw you fer judgin' me, and maybe you should be glad we sounded awful-- it means we're not practicing singing all the time, but actually working to accomplish our purpose! Ha ha. All in good fun. Glad it's over. So, that flopped.

Saturday we had the training with our zone, and that night the Ecully elders had an "emergency baptism". Elder Barnett and Elder Rautio (serving in Ecully, and the latter from Finland!) asked Sister Thacker (serving in Lyon) and me to put together a little musical number. Oh brother. I seem to get tagged with these tasks more often than I ought to. Anyway, we ended up singing a duet called "Savior". It's really pretty, and Soeur Dix did a great job accompanying us on the piano. Soeur Thacker studied voice performance at BYU and is super musical, and uh, my voice ain't so great. And a vocal duet is definitely the most exposed I've ever been. AND the temperature was HIGH in that little Primary room, packed full of about 40 people, many of whom were good missionary friends I was bashful singing in front of. I was bright red the whole time. Come on, it was hot. Oh, and I was embarrassed. But it wasn't about me, so I just kept looking at Vincent (the guy emergency baptized) and smilin'. Elder Bollero, who was standing outside the room and didn't see how red I was, said we all sounded beautiful from where he stood. Thanks, Elder Bollero. At least you didn't see me. Oh brother. I rue the day that all my family was given good singing voices and I was not. FPTT.

Hey, happy Guy Fawkes day on Friday.

President Murdock drove us to the church for the baptism after training on Saturday. He and Soeur Murdock told us about their grandson who they call "Heed" because of his enormous head. I could hardly believe that President and Sister Murdock had seen (and enjoyed!) "So I married an axe murderer". Soeur Murdock told us their son Johnny watched it with his friends in the back of the car as they drove somewhere on vacation, and President Murdock had to pull off the road several times because he was laughing so hard. She also told us about how her son played the euphonium in high school, and for a duet he and his friend played "If you want my body". I repeat, Soeur Murdock, the sweetest, purest person I've been around lately said the words, "If you want my body." Oh man, we laughed. And I loved them even more, if that was possible. We spent a little bit of the car ride to the chapel quoting that movie. I was in shock. Hilarious shock. My mission president is the coolest. Also, I really missed Christine during that car ride, and I wish I could be as yellow as she is and entertain everyone with my pretty good Scottish accent and tell my mission president and his wife to pick a window. Too bad.

Sunday was Halloween, and the Lyon sisters ran out of rdvs, so we went porting. I repeat (I say that a lot this email-- sorry.), we went door to door on Halloween night. Unreal. I never thought I'd be in that situation. Trick or treating isn't huge in France, and Halloween is not a big deal at all (November 1 is, though; you know, All Saints Day. Everyone had work off and buses were a pain, but hey, that's like every day, because remember, I'm in France.), but there were some little kids wearing monster masks or witch hats, scrounging around for candy or whatever weird treats the Frenchies could find in their apartments. Soeur Thacker and I got to one door and rang the doorbell. An older woman (we're guessing, because we never did see her) came to the door and yelled, "30 people have already knocked on my door tonight and I have NOTHING LEFT TO GIVE YOU!" We both started laughing, and I tried to explain, "We are not here for your candy!" Lots of people thought we were trick or treating. It was raining a lot outside and there weren't many people out on the streets, so contacting would have been way less productive, and we weren't really left with a more productive choice than trick or treating. The other equipe of sisters (Soeurs Rossi, Dix, and Vasileva) have some pretty great stories from their porting experiences on Halloween-- something about porting a building that was on fire, finding bloody napkins on the ground, et cetera. A naked man opened the door for us, but mostly kept himself hidden with the door. So, not terribly exciting. But funny quand meme.

When we walked into the sisters' apartment in Lyon, I pretty immediately saw Elder Barnett's mini guitar sitting on the comfy chair. I found myself sitting in that comfy chair, playing that little guitar most of the time we were at the apartment. Pretty great. Prehetty great. And, uh, of course I only played church songs. Cough.

I got a postcard of the Tetons from Mom on Saturday. I would love to go there when I go back home. She's right-- they look pretty Alpey. I also got a letter from Madelyn, including pictures. Hilarious pictures. And a super nice letter from the other Elder Barnett in the States. As you can tell; a good weekend.

It's hard to believe I've almost been gone an entire year, and I'm very much looking forward to seeing so many people I love and miss again. But now I'll have this whole other set of people to love and miss, and I'm not excited about that. What do you do. Six months is still a long time, so I'll stop talking about it. Time's up, gotta go. I love you, and I miss you. But mostly I love you. Hope to hear from you soon. Thank you for your emails. I read them over and over again, and then I read them again to my companions because I love the letters so much. Thank you! Ciao ciao.

October 26, 2010

2010-10-27T14:37:00.000-06:00

Octobre est presque termine

Bon to the jour, mes chers.

I've had some pretty great experiences this past week. Ok, I'll tell you:

Friday night the branch threw a party for the Pitts (the American couple who moved here a month ago or so). Their less-active atheist daughter and her non-member family came, so you bet we were there to eat raclette with 'em. But, I'll tell you why it is worthy of writing home: Chloe Vanvooren came to seminary (on Friday nights at the chapel) and brought her cello for Elder Bollero to practice (Oh, we missionaries have been asked to perform a musical number at stake conference this Sunday. Somehow, I kinda became in charge. What's the deal?! Anyway, we've at last chosen "Joseph Smith's First Prayer", with Elder Bollero accompanying on the cello, because he's wicked good at the cello.). He asked me to play the piano for him while he played, so we went through the hymn book and children's song book and played songs and he just made up nice arrangements of the songs. It was AMAZING. I love playing music, and with him on the cello it was like being in orchestra or something again. For an hour or so I was back in a musical ensemble, this time performing for the branch. Pretty great. We recorded a song on my camera, so you'll get to hear someday. It was pretty great and kept me on cloud nine for a couple days. Elder Bollero's stinkin' good at the cello. His companion, Elder Gardner, has been on a mission longer than he has been a member of the church. He has his bachelor's degree in music education and comes from Arkansas. He's cool.

Saturday Mr Felappi called. He found our number online, where he did a lot of research on the church and read a lot of the Book of Mormon. We went to his house yesterday to make sure he was the real deal. I guess we'll give him to the elders, but I am grateful to have at least get to know him and teach him a little bit. About half way into the hour that we were sitting at his table, I realized I was talking to the guy they based Mel Gibson's character off of in "Conspiracy Theory" (I only ever saw that on TV, but it was pretty funny.). Well, I should be more realistic. He's not as extreme, but I'd say a little paranoid. Except, as we find out in the end of the movie, Mel Gibson was right. So. The guy seems to genuinely have convictions about God and Jesus Christ and agreed with everything we told him about the first lesson. He said he'll finish the Book of Mormon (we gave him a hard copy) and come to church. He has a 11 year old daughter and an estranged wife. Hmm, the more I talk about it, the more the "give him to the elders" idea sounds like a bright one.

It's been pretty flippin' cold and windy. 8 degrees was the high yesterday. Celcius, that is. And then the wind blows. Oh brother. Cold. I wasn't so very well prepared yesterday, but today I have a lot of layers and a warmer scarf, so I wasn't cold while coming to the internet cafe. I'll be plenty warm for a while, and then the temperatures will plunge even more and there won't be anything anyone can do to keep me warm. But that day is not today. And our apartment has great heaters, lots of blankets, and a portable space heater that keep us all happy.

I got a letter from Melissa Coles (great work friend from Nu Skin) last week. She's so great. You're so great, Melissa, thanks for the letter! I was fun reading what you had to say about the members of the ward and branch here-- they really are amazing! I also love Grenoble, and it would be great to stay for Christmas. Christmas is two days into a new transfer, so we'll see what happens. I loved reading about your experiences here, and way to go with the marathon and half iron man! You go. Vous allez. Quoi? J'espère que tout va bien à Nu Skin; peut-etre vous travaillerez là-bas toujours quand je reviendrai? Bah, je voudrais revenir, alors. Bonne continuation!

Also, today I found big fat envelope in the mailbox from Christine and co! I LOVED IT! I cried. I'll send a real letter with more.

Well, I'm all out of [time]. I'll plan out what I want to say to you for next Tuesday. I love you! Have a happy halloween, and enjoy fall while it lasts. It's a pretty good time.

October 19, 2010

2010-10-20T23:12:00.002-06:00

"It is the 24th of October"

Happy Birthday to Benjamin today! Six years old is pretty cool. Hope he has a great day, and hope y'all have a good time celebratin'. Mom said she sent a present to him. She's pretty cool. Sorry I haven't sent any packages at all to anyone... yikes. Hey, "Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat, maybe Sir Cutler will shape up and throw you a bone," as the song goes.

Yesterday was my 11 month mark. That means I've started my 12th month. Cooley, eh? I'm in my eighth transfer of twelve transfers, which puts me returning home the Thursday after April 25, which is a Monday. That's three weeks before my 18 month mark, but it's when the transfers change. It is possible that I could go thirteen transfers and come home in June and be gone nearly 19 months, but that's not an option until President Murdock offers it to me. But I'm pretty sure he always offers this to sisters, so I've been thinking about it for a long time and praying, et cetera. Right now coming home in April feels right, even though I LOVE being here. We'll see. But that's how it works with missions for sisters. Not exactly 18 months. I'm very grateful I got out of the MTC in 3 weeks and got that first transfer in Dijon. 9 weeks in the MTC would not have been so good for me as a first transfer in Dijon.

Frere Luo gave a talk in Sacrament Meeting last Sunday. He's Chinese and spoke mostly about missionary work in China, what with the recent developments of branches and wards being "regularized" there. Pretty great news. He also spoke of when he was a student in China in the late eighties and was part of the student protests that involved/led up to Tiananmen Square. He says he wasn't a leader, but he was a part. I guess one of the leaders who has been in prison for 11 years just received the Nobel Peace Prize? Sorry if some of those details aren't accurate, the talk was in French, and he's Chinese, and his cute kids were sitting in front of me and I may not have heard correctly. So, it was really interesting to hear what he had to say. Furthermore, we had dinner and FHE at the Vanvooren's (members) house last night and he was talking about the China stuff and said he had heard speculation that all full time missionaries would be sent there, and missionary work elsewhere would rest solely on the shoulders of the members. Kind of like how it's supposed to be and isn't. But, it was an interesting thought. Frere Luo was excited to hear that my brother had served in Taiwan and his wife in Hong Kong. It's gonna be great when that door is finally wide open! Oh. Soeur Dix's brother in law also served in Hong Kong. Probably not at the same time as Dedra, but she says he graduated from high school in '92. So maybe... his name is Mike Johnson. Yeah, pretty common. "Dedra Christensen" isn't so common, though. Well, Christensen is. Eh.

We went on splits on Saturday with young adults and I had a pretty cool experience with the 63rd contact of the day. Of course it was 63. We saw this guy standing under his umbrella writing a text message. I felt like we should talk to him, but we were a little late and had already met our goal of talking to 60 people. We crossed the street, but I still felt like we needed to talk to him, and I didn't want to ignore a spiritual prompting. I asked Eloise if she thought we should talk to him, and she said she'd been wondering if we should, too. So I turned around lickety split and we talked to him. Super interested, accepted Book of Mormon. Wa bam. There you have it.

More cat-speriences to share. Not a great one, though. We went to Anne Servole's (recent convert) house Sunday night because it was really cold and she was really sick, so hey, good reason to not be out contacting in the bad weather. She has three cats, and their hair is everywhere. Sometimes getting covered with hair is totally worth it, though, if the cat is nice. Like when we were at Soeur Perrot's house to share a missionary message and her sister's cat hopped onto my lap and purred. This was the fattest cat I have ever seen, and also very friendly. Not as great as Tucker, but again, who could be as great as Tucker. Anyway, Anne's cats are lame. Three duds/bratty cats. Covered in cat hair for nothing! What a waste. Anne is not a waste, however, and it was good that we went to see her. She's pretty great. I'll tell you stories about her when I come home, but let me just tell you that she is the person Bette Midler's character in "Hocus Pocus" is modeled after, and she speaks English really well. Though, she says "clothes-es", and it's really cute.

I love you! Yeah, I hope you know that. My emails should be more inspiring and tear-inducing, and I'm sorry that mostly I just send nonsense. But thank you for writing me and thinking of me and being so good to me. I've been blessed very, very much by knowing you, and I love you. Have a good week, nerds!

Oh, one last story about the train strike (there are a lot of strikes going on because of a controversial vote recently about retirement). We went to a nearby, but not too nearby, city to see a member family. We stayed a little too long and had to HOOF IT to the gare to barely catch our train, which was the last train of the night, on time. We hopped on the train and it started moving. But it stopped after about a hundred meters, and a lady came by and told us to get off the train, that there was a problem and it wasn't going back to Grenoble. So we followed her and another dude and waited for the train to back up. We hopped off the train onto the rocks, because it didn't go back to the platform, but to where the trains go to sleep at night, and walked back to the station. We waited there about 20 minutes then a taxi showed up and took us and two other guys back to Grenoble! 75 euro taxi ride-- for free! I talked to one of the guys, he's a train conductor. Cool. Choo choo indeed. Another train adventure to put in your scrap book of email clippings on my mission. Heh. See ya!

October 12, 2010

2010-10-12T13:45:00.003-06:00

You = the best

Ok, I may have already been having a good day, but you just made it AWESOME with your emails and pictures. Oh, how I love you. It's gonna be good to be home. ...Someday. Someday in April. "Someday at Christmas". Oh, that made me sad to think of that song. Not really because I won't be with you, but because I'm not supposed to hear that song. Ha ha. Just kidding, Christmas would be great with you. But it's also rockin' to be in Franceland. You get it.

Some updates:

Soeur Dix's dad has lymphoma. She got the phone call on the train on our way to zone conference. Really sad. But, as I thought about it a while, "cancer" seems to be a big category of unfortunate maladies, some of which aren't that lifethreatening. Her dad's case seems like that to me. I'm a doctor, didn't you know? But, uh, I guess it's confined to his bone marrow, and there's just something weird going on that's making way too much of a certain protein. I dunno, maybe the cancer part of it is that the cells aren't dying like they should, and so more protein is being produced. They said it's completely treatable and he'll be all better in four to six months. The other night her family called after his first chemotherapy treatment. I don't really know what happened, except there was a subterfuge part where they took 3 gallons of this extra protein stuff from his plasma/blood. 3 gallons! Holy camoley! Oh, and don't get me wrong, it's still a big deal, but I'm just saying, at least he doesn't have a tumor or something. Soeur Dix has been doing really well, and we keep a-laughing. Everyone is confident that he will be healed.

Zone Conference was great. Of course. Are you sick of hearing that every other month or so? Well, Elder Weidmann came. He's Swiss German and had a cool accent. President Murdock talked to us a lot about how we can't possibly fail because this is the Lord's work. We are working with Him. He illustrated this by saying that any of us could say ("I say that what you say is what I say") that we failed in our area/purpose/mission (operating with the assumption that we're being obedient and doing our best), but then he asked us, "Now try to say, 'The Lord and I failed in [Grenoble]'." Yeah, no, that doesn't jive. Therefore, don't get discouraged. I had a conversation with Elder Porter the other day and he told me that the thing that helps him and that motivates him every day is that the Lord didn't send him out here to fail. Make every day a success. I love that attitude, and I think I knew I should have an attitude like that going into my mission and for the first few months, but I didn't understand what success meant. I don't regret stuff, but I may have lost that vision a little bit. So it was an apt reminder for me, and I have felt even greater joy in the work since. I reckon it's an attitude that works outside of the mission field, too. That'll be handy in a few months.

The other day as Gervais opened his doors and let us out onto the fifth floor of our building to go home, we were met by a cat sitting on the landing, pleading with us to be friends with her. I couldn't resist, of course, so I petted her. I tossed the keys to Soeur Dix who taught Soeur Vasileva how to open the door (the keys are weird), and as soon as the door was open the cat darted in! It was ironic, because just that morning we had read in the white handbook where it says that we can't keep pets. It was weird having a little cat in the apartment, but pretty cute, too. Soeur Dix said, "Time to go out, Cat, Prophet said." Ha.

Sunday, as I hope you noticed, was 10/10/10. I realized that in the middle of gospel doctrine and was soooo grateful I hadn't missed the whole day. We planned in the beginning of September what we would do for 10/10/10, until we realized September's the 9th month. When we came home that night we baked tiny cookies and ate ten each. I'll attach the pictules. The one of me looking awful and sporting a milk moustache is post-cookies, fyi. But it was neat to be with my 10th companion, Sister Ten, on ten ten ten. Ten.

We've had some good contacting times. Being in a threesome is great for many reasons, and contacting isn't really one of them. You kinda feel like you're ganging up on someone. So what, who cares. People still listen, or, oh yeah, they don't. Anyway, we've had good times. Soeur Vasileva contacted her first person about a week and a half ago. Some guy walked past and she said "Bonjour" and he replied "Bonjour". A couple seconds later, she turned around and shouted, "Ey!!!" and walked back to him and gave him a pass-along card. I had a pretty big smiley on my face.

I really like the pictures from Jackson Hole. Since when is Valarie wearing makeup? Weird. But she looks great! She's beautiful both ways, of course. It looks like you had a great trip. It'd be fun to go back up there some time. I dunno, maybe hang out with Harrison. NBD. The views you sent were very pretty, I'm glad it's not far from where we live!

Ok, I'm outta ideas and time. Sorry if this was a lame email. I feel like it was kind of lame. Oh well. Love you!

Que la force soit avec vous.

Soeur Vasileva

October 5, 2010

2010-10-05T17:29:00.002-06:00

Spoiled

That's what I am. We went on Wednesday to the mission home to pick up my new trainee. We knew from the elders in our district (who just arrived last transfer) there were two sisters, one American and one Bulgarian. We got the Bulgarian! Her name is Soeur Gergana Emiliyanova Vasileva. Last name pronounced VasEEleva. She's helped me a lot with my cryllic alphabet, and oh yeah, I've helped her with her French and missionary work. Being with her and Soeur Dix is great. She's tall-- about 5'11", and she's learning the language really fast. She's 25 and has joined the church about 4 years ago in Germany. So she can also help me with my Deustch. Oh goody-- the two things I really wanted help with.

But the story gets cool. Soeur Dix's best friend was serving her mission in Bulgaria. She became seriously ill a couple months ago and had to go home, but Soeur Vasileva met her while she was in Bulgaria-- Sr Dix's friend served in her branch. Special for Soeur Dix, because it's hard with her friend so sick.

But the story gets cooler. Soeur Vasileva's companion in the MTC was a Soeur Kenny, bound for La Reunion. Last week I got Soeur Earl's email saying she's training Soeur Kenny! Wouldn't you know it?! Crazy. And by crazy, I mean crazy cool.

Speaking of crazy cool, conference was that. We saw only the first, second, and fourth sessions, but it was SO good to hear the prophet and apostles speak and say marvelous truths, rather than rude rejections on the street. Sigh, a breath of fresh air. Refreshing and rejuvenating. We were a little disappointed to find out Elder Bednar spoke in the fifth session, though, and HE SPOKE ABOUT MISSIONARY WORK. Mince alors. Oh well, some day I'll get the Liahona and be able to read the talk. No, I lie, our ward mission leader said he'd try to get the text of the talk in English to us by the end of the week. Nice guy.

Oh, I was grateful for Elder Holland's talk first thing on Saturday. I thought about you the whole time. I can't really find the words to thank you for the sacrifices you've made to help me be here-- not only in Grenoble on a mission, but in raising me and laying a strong and sure foundation, and supporting and loving me, even though I'm a pain and a twerp.

Soeur Vasileva carries a little notebook around and writes down stuff I say often. I can't even believe how cute it is, and how much she is like the greenie elder in "The Best Two Years". I'm shocked at how many cliche mission experiences are real.

Happy birthday this week to Melanie on the 7th. What-- is she gonna be 11? Get out of town. Live it up, hein? Soeur Vasileva looked at my pictures of my family and said Melanie looks a lot like me. Hmm. Maybe a little in that one picture. Also, happy birthday to Cheri on the 11th. Too bad I'm not going to surprise you with another tower of chocolate bar doughnuts, though that was Sister Brereton last year. Soeur Vasileva saw a picture of Cheri and asked if she were my sister. Thought you'd like to know.

I really love President Murdock. Is it coincidence that I decided to come on a mission, and that I was called to the best places in the world, where I already spoke a little the language, and where my mission president was perfect for me, let alone related to me? Last Wednesday as we ate lunch at the mission home, he was talking to some missionaries and knew I could hear him and said, "So, uh, the other day I got an email from my cousin LaRie..." "Oh yeah, President, who's that? That's right, my mother." Then he explained to everyone how we're related and taught us all how to figure out and label correctly our cousins-- for example, we are second cousins, once removed. When I left the MTC I was afraid and alone and stressed out. My goal was getting to my mission president. I knew that if I got to him, everything would be ok. Man, I was right!

We talked to 85 people yesterday. The highlight of the day was when Soeur Dix contacted a transvestite and called him "madame". It's easy to talk to 85 people when they all say they aren't interested. I'd really rather only be able to talk to 10, though, and have 10 new investigators. I think if they really understood why I was here, they'd give me and the Spirit a chance. They assume a lot of things, and I can't wholeheartedly blame them for a handful of the things they assume. But I am here because God is real. He's our Father in Heaven, He wants us back with Him, and He wants us to be like Him. He's given us the tools we need to succeed here. Stuff happens in life, and He's not responsible for it all. Example: not responsible for Soeur Dix's dad being sick. But, she and her family have the tools they need to find happiness in spite of the hard times. Most of all, they have the knowledge of our Savior and Redeemer who atoned for our sins and suffered our pains. He is perfectly able to identify and relate, and He overcame it all. That doesn't get rid of our problems, but I sure do think it helps to know. How you say... faith building.

I love you very, very much. Have a good week, will ya?

September 28, 2010

2010-09-28T18:50:00.006-06:00

Nastural Dijaster

Well, I just read President Murdock's email and found out Rebecca got baptized last weekend! I was able to teach her while I was in Luxembourg, and there were complications with the legality of her marriage, so things were finally settled and she DID get baptized. Awesome. I love her.

Also, President Murdock gave us a telephone call this morning. I was nervous because I really didn't want Soeur Dix to leave. Good news is-- she's NOT! I'm training again, and Soeur Dix gets to stay. So we're off to Geneva tomorrow to pick up the new sister and we'll come right back and get to work. I am so relieved and glad and excited. Also, Grenoble's getting another set of elders, so that ought to be fun.

Well, let me tell you what-- last preparation day was the greatest preparation day on the earth. We went with the Pitts (Sister Pitts no longer reminds me at all of Mom, which is too bad, but she's also nice. So.) and their less-active daughter up into the Chartreuse mountains. We drove a good... 45 minutes and climbed and climbed. It was beautiful, and made me think crazy thoughts about wanting to come back, et cetera. Also reminded me of the Uintas, which was nice, but then I'd remember that I was in the FRENCH ALPS and get an even bigger smiley on my face. We ate a picnic near Charmant Som (google it), and then they let us go off on a hike by ourselves. They wanted to read, and they mostly all have bad knees. So Soeur Dix and I hiked and breathed harder than we have in a super long time (blame it on the thinner air, not on the pastries, eh?). It was gorgeous, let me tell you. I kept thinking the whole time about how much I want to take you there. I got a lot of good pictures, some of which I will of course attach. It was more like a vacation day instead of preparation day, so we were really looking forward to today. We took another way down from the summit, but it was also pretty steep. I was tired of lame walk-down-steep-hill-high-impact-on-knees, so I ran the rest of the way and pretended I was Heidi. Though, those are the Swiss Alps. So what, who cares. We also went to an old fort overlooking Grenoble from high on a mountain top, but it's closed on Tuesdays. That didn't stop us from getting other good pictures, though, like the one of me taking a nice flight over the valley of Grenoble. We were pretty stinkin' high up, and a guy in a glider kept circling just a few yards above our heads. I'd like to try that myself one day. There's just so much stuff I wanna do-- I've gotta hike more and read more and laugh more, et cetera when I go home. And make millions of dollars so I can return and bring y'all with me. Will do.

We've met with a little bit of opposition as far as our investigators are concerned, but no use going on about that. We just keep talking to everybody, and every now and then a person is nice and you can teach them a lesson or something. It's good times, and about to get even better. Can you believe it? Just when you think it can't, it goes and gets a million times better. Plus hard times mixed in-- I'd be lying if I said everything was perfect and easy peasy, but uh, ya gotta deal well with the crappy stuff, I guess. Embroider that onto a pillow for me, will you?

Last week we were walking home from a training meeting for the new young adult and Institute center that's opening here in Grenoble (oh, we're opening a new young adult and Institute center here in Grenoble! Cool, hein?!) and saw some ladies struggling with their little car. Out of gas, I guess. So we help 'em and start pushing. They had the doors wide open, which was a bad idea and I was criticizing that decision for a while, then one of the ladies steered it towards a van, which I also thought was a bad idea. The door was about to smash into the van, which naturally would do a lot of damage, so Soeur Dix hurried to close the door, but she wasn't fast enough and her hand got caught between the door and the van. I was surprised for a second, and then she started saying, "My hand my hand my hand my hand" so my thought process started back up and I grabbed onto the frame of the car by the windshield and pulled the car off of her hand. It was pretty smashed, and had a deepish indent across her palm, like a simean crease. It started swelling and we both cried a little bit. We got home and I put ice in a bag and that helped quite a bit. I also remembered fondly of how Mom uses an ace bandage for lots of injuries, so I dug through the first aid kit and found one. I also found some of those magic "hot hands" things that are awesome for skiing, so I opened that puppy up and we bandaged her hand and put the hot thing in the bandage, mostly as a joke and homage to my mom. But, you see, after a little while the swelling went completely down and her hand felt a ton better. We shook our heads and laughed about how my mom is always right, and those ace bandages are magnificent. So, hats off to you, Mom. A week later the bruise is just about gone, and her hand is fine. Poor Soeur Dix. We had a fun time quoting that part from "Sabrina", though, where David Larraby is drugged up and talks to Sabrina about her hand and picking up her car from the dry cleaners.

Well, I sure do love you, and I'm glad you sent pictures this week. You've been really good about sending pictures lately. Keep it up, yo. And also, I was thinking-- if you show my picture often to the babies, they'll know who I am when I get back and won't be afraid of me when I try to hold and squeeze them. Start training, hein?

Speaking of squeezing, last Friday during weekly planning I set a goal to pet three kitties this week, so that I'd have something great to look forward to and work towards. Yesterday during porting I was able to pet ALL THREE of my goal kitties, and one was particularly great. He's the cemetary cat, and followed us around a bit. Not as great as Tucker, but come on, who is.

Love you!

September 21, 2010

2010-09-21T05:45:00.002-06:00

Grenoble smells like Autumn

I got Bay's letter in the mail yesterday. That was a privilege. A joy. I lubbed it. Thanks, Bay. Soeur Dix really likes your handwriting. Yes, you have perfect handwriting, and mine is awful. Tant mieux. Soeur Dix also knows a lot of stuff from SNL and Flight of the Conchords, so we quote Albi (the racist dragon) and reply to each other like Gilly. "Uh huh." It's pretty great. Transfers are next week, and I'm really crossin' my fingers that she doesn't leave.

But more importantly, happy birthday Catherine! 36, hein? 36 is one of my favorite numbers. If I could, I'd give you an excellent present, like a sandwich toaster. Ha ha. Mom says you're going four-wheeling. That's pretty fun. Hope you live it up. Your whole birthday, that is.

Today we're going hiking in the Alps with the Pitts. No, not Brad Pitt. Bill and Jacki Pitts. She's from Montana and he's from Alberta, and they're living here for a year with their daughter and husband and boys to help them get adjusted to Grenoble. Sister Pitts kinda reminds me of Mom, so I'm excited to spend some time with them. It's amazing how different Americans are from French people. Just sayin'.

Last night I was making my list of stuff I didn't want to forget to tell you in my email and I wrote down, "Almost eaten by dog". Then I sat and pondered a bit, and asked Soeur Dix what I should tell my family about in my email. She said, "I dunno, maybe about how you almost got eaten by a dog today?" Ha. Apparently it was a pretty big deal. I'll set the scene: porting in La Tronche (my favorite place to porte). Open the gate to number 13 on rue du couteau. See a giant shaggy (ugly) dog sleeping on the pathway to the front door. Hesistate because dogs are flippin' annoying, and I don't want to wake him up. But we have to knock on this door, and there's no sonnerie from the gate. Feel a little reassured seeing he's chained to a rope thing. Give Soeur Dix a look like, "This is it". We start tip toeing down the steps to the path, and I make it until I'm right next to the dog, and then he woke up and immediately started barking! Panic! I start bookin' it to get out of his reach, and get to the door just in time for the owner guy to ask "c'est pourquoi? Oh, ca ne nous interesse pas." Soeur Dix said, "You should have seen it from my angle!! As you ran, the dog jumped, and his head was level with yours, and you barely escaped getting chomped in the back of the head." So. I was reminded of that scene in "The Singles Ward" when the main dude is thinking back on his life in the church during his repentance process and remembers being chased by a dog on his mission and laughs through his tears. It's a funny scene, and Bay and I like to make fun of it.

On Friday, the elders' ami Packer got baptized. Packer's real name is Xun Li, and he's a student from China. On Sunday he was given the gift of the Holy Ghost and confirmed a member of the church by Brother Luo-- in Chinese! It was SO COOL. I was thinking it would be cool some time to read scriptures as a family and someone take a turn reading two verses in English, then I'll read a couple in French, and Dave can read a couple in Chinese. We can all follow along in our respective languages. Now Packer's moving to Limoges, but I'm really glad he got baptized. Duh.

Last week a JW wanted to Bible bash with us. Pain in the butt. Soeur Dix got pretty frustrated and said afterwards, "You're limiting God, calling Him by the wrong name, diminishing His Son's work, and making me angry." Yeah, most of all, making us angry. I hope you think that's as funny as I do.

I'm attaching some pictures again. One is me having one leg on purpose, one is of a cute cat in a idyllic garden in La Tronche, one is me with a view of the Alps in the background, and one is from last preparation day in the caves behind the Bastille.

Oh, and thank you Courtney for the great email! I'll write you a letter and mail it ASAP. You're wonderful, and I miss you too.

Gotta hasten. I love you! Smell ya later.

September 14, 2010

2010-09-14T09:20:00.002-06:00

Sweet Guitar Riffs

That's what I'm hearing as I read your emails and look at pictures in Celcius Cafe.

Foyst of all, my address is as follows ("I'm Brian Fellowes"):

La Mission Suisse De Geneve
Les Missionnaires
ATTN: Soeur Emily Anne Cutler
12, Blvd. Marechal Foch
F-38000 GRENOBLE
Franceland

Well, not really Franceland, but maybe they'd get the idea. Anyway, I was talking to a French person the other day, and they said, "It's not that we hate Americans, we hate everybody." I had heard that before, but I thought it was funnier this time. Ah, the French. Love 'em.

"A," the autumn in Grenoble is WINDY, as in, gale force winds. We get a pretty nice breeze blowing through our 5ieme etage apartment and find our things strewn about when we get up in the morning. So autumn is windy and wonderful. "2," I've managed to come up with a good list of stuff I wanted to tell you about, so I'd better type fast. "And D," I put quotes around my modified version of Buzz' famous quote from "Home Alone".

In efforts to reverse the effects of eating bread and chocolate all the time, Soeur Dix and I have been running in the mornings. (Tangent time: the other night we had very few minutes before we were supposed to be in-- or else we turn into pumpkins !-- so we were a-hurrying home. Soeur Dix kind of dangerously crossed the street in front of a car and I exclaimed, "what are you doing?!" and she said, "I just felt like running." Of course I responded, "Ok, Forrest Gump." He makes for a great companion, Forrest. Anyway.) Yesterday morning we went running. I didn't want to, because I never want to when it's six thirty. But we went. I expected the whole time something horrible to happen, like getting a particle stuck in my eye. We made it to the park and ran around a bit, then it was time to go back, so back we went. While crossing a street, I looked at a guy riding a bike, and not at the curb in front of me. My left foot caught the curb, and I fell down lightning fast. Usually falls are slow motion, and you have enough time to say, "No!! What is this happening to me? Must stop it..." in your mind, but not this time. I caught my foot, and next thing I know I'm sprawled across the pavement. I picked myself up, walked a couple paces, then started jogging again. A few meters later Soeur Dix and I laughed pretty hard about what had just happened. But laughing hard and running aren't the best of friends. So, I'll attach some pictures, especially with the hope that Christine will examine them and tell me if they look like anemic bruises. She never did tell me what she thought of that. Ah, what de heck, I'm not anemic. Next.

The Lyon Soeurs are here today and tomorrow for exchanges. Soeur Thacker was just transferred to Lyon from Dijon, and so I've been picking her brain for information on how stuff is. She says that Rachael (who was baptized while I was there) is doing really well. She's a ward missionary and defended the Book of Mormon to a former investigator who has gone pretty anti the church. Awesome. Almost made me cry to hear about how strong of a testimony she has. I gotta write her a letter.

Also, happy birthday to Heather on Wednesday. She sure is a cutie. I'll be thinking of her!

We contacted another Jew who believes in Jesus Christ. I could have hugged him. He kept saying stuff about Jesus and the ten tribes, and we kept saying/nearly shouting WE BELIEVE THAT TOO! He wished us a happy rosh hashannah, so I told him Catherine's middle name is Roshanna. He liked that, and told me it means "head of the year" in Hebrew. Literally, I guess. Nice guy.

Anne Servole is a recent convert here in Grenoble. She's pretty nonconventional, and I love her. She was Catholic before, but hates the Catholic church, and always has. She was really involved with the church when she was younger and would play amazing pranks on the priests and nuns. She told us she would put ink in the holy water, so everyone would have black dots on their forehead, chest, and shoulders; she'd put fish oil and a ton of salt in the wine that the priest drinks; and she'd put something else on the wafers. Awful. But, I must confess, makes me chuckle.

The branch president's wife served as a missionary in Berlin when the wall fell. It was pretty great to hear her tell us how it was to be there, and how it was to see the change that happened. She said people would flock to the missionaries so they could hear more about this Jesus that they knew so little about. A real hunger and thirst for the Word. I got a little cloudy eyed as she told us of her experiences, and I couldn't believe how opportune that was to be in Berlin on November 9, 1989 on a mission. Cool.

We taught for the first time last Wednesday a French couple we found a couple weeks ago and to whom we gave a Book of Mormon. They're simple people, but very sweet. We began with a prayer, then read a 1 Nephi 1 and discussed it. To close, we asked Salvatore (head of the household) to say the prayer. He agreed, and it was beautiful. It was his first time praying, and he had to read the little box in the pamphlet to remember how to do it, but he said, "Heavenly Father, we have just read from the Book of Mormon and are filled with joy, and with faith in Thee. Thank you for the missionaries, and help us to keep seeing them and reading from this book." et cetera. I was smiling like a FOOL the whole time, and there's no denying the Spirit was there. I have a hard time identifying the Spirit, but that crystal clear. Amazing.

I also felt the Spirit as the Comforter as I was kinda down last Saturday. I really missed my family that day especially, and I wished I could have talked to them about the events that took place a year ago. I love Soeur Dix, and we're really close, but it's just not the same, and she couldn't possibly really understand. Instead I wrote in my journal and tried not to get the pages all wet, but I didn't feel alone, and I was happy to know where she is, and that we'll see her again. It's a blessing to have this knowledge.

Thank you for your emails and pictures, I love them all. I hope and pray you are doing well. Smell ya next week!

September 7, 2010

2010-09-07T18:04:00.003-06:00

"Where your cross would paths."

First of all, I have a funny story I've finally decided to relate, after worrying I wouldn't be able to find the words to communicate it well enough. A couple weeks ago we were porting, or as the Americans say, "tracting", in Gieres. Between houses, we spoke with a woman on the street. She was in the middle of responding to our questions, saying pretty much that she wasn't interested, when I hiccupped. Big time. See, we had been laughing, and when I laugh so hard I usually get the hiccups. So the lady looked at me after I hiccupped and I apologized, and then she started moving towards me in slow motion with her hands by her face, as if she were pouncing, and the closer she got to me the wider her eyes became, then suddenly (yet still in slow motion), she lunged towards me. I just stood there looking at her, a little bewildered, and then she went back to her spot and said something about scaring me. It was pretty funny, and the best part is that my hiccups went away. It worked! What a great lady. Who does that?!

On Wednesday I opened the mailbox and found a lovely package from Mom! It was awesome. We love the cd and are still enjoying the M&Ms, believe it or not. I love seeing stuff in the mailbox with my name on it. Pretty great. So thanks for sending it, and especially for including a letter. That was the best part!

The Luxembourg sisters (Soeurs Andelin and Cloward) made a surprise visit to Grenoble last week to do Soeur Andelin's legality, so we went on impromptu exchanges. I really, really like Soeur Andelin. Of course. We wondered again if Mom knows her family, since they live up the street and all. Anyway, it was fun. I'm attaching a couple pictures of playing airplane with Soeur Andelin. There's a pretty good video, too, but I don't have the slightest idea how to send that. But in the second picture you can see a desk, upon which is Mom's Christmas card and an American flag. Ergo and obviously, it is mine. And hey, I ain't cheatin' by puttin' my feet on the desk in the first picture. The video has me doing a true Superman pose with both hands in the air and feet straight out, and if you watch the video slowmotion backwards, it looks pretty hilarious. Eh, I'll show ya later.

It's weird that it's already September. Time's scootin' right on by. My only summer on a mission is just about over, and September's almost October, which is opposite April on my mental months-of-the-year-wheel. So things keep pluggin' along, we keep trying to do better. Interviews are this week, FINALLY. It's gonna be great to see President and Soeur Murdock. I was thinking yesterday about how Dave and Jared have been friends with their mission presidents after their missions, and I hope it'll be the same for me. I stinkin' love President Murdock.

Hey, congratulations Christine! A little boy! Uh-gain. Awesome, though. All your boys are so good-lookin'. But also, Melanie is gorgeous. Win win situation. Thanks for sending the pictures, I loved 'em. He's perfect. Little Lester is perfect. Just don't take the name Hank, I think I might like that name. Henry, you know. Regarding Henry. Also, that kid Christine had a crush on when she was littler. But I like it. Maybe. Mullin' it over.

It's raining today and I'm wearing a sweater vest. A magenta sweater vest. What a nerd. All's I need is some glasses, like in picture #1050243. Have a great week, I'll be thinkin' of you.

Emily and Soeur Andelin (airplane!)

Emily wearing glasses!!

August 31, 2010

2010-09-01T23:23:00.004-06:00

Jolly Old Grenoble

Hot dog, summah in da city is just about over. It's been coooool in the mornings, but we keep the windows open because we like the cold. And then it stays cool outside. Cool enough to wear panty hose! "Candy toes??"

I'm attaching some pictures. One is of a gorgeous house-- one of many many many in Grenoble. Eh, no big deal, that's where I go porting. Just kidding, I stand outside the gate taking pictures through the bars on the fence and press the sonnerie and talk to them through an intercom. Still, though.

Another picture is a road sign. It means "Street of Big Fields of Weed". Of course, some French smart alec wrote "de Weed". But chapeau to lui, that's funny.

What else. Ah. If you look closely at the road signs, the bottom one says "FROMAGE". Ah, the French. There was a cheese festival in a park in Sassenage last Saturday. We took our lunch hour and perused and bought some cheeses. They're amazing, of course. A bleu cheese, a tomme, a something else. They also had a stand for wine, and I wondered how gross wine could make the cheese taste even better. Too bad wine has alcohol in it and is stupid. Oh well.

Another picture is Grenoble from a Flottibulle, taking the easy way back down from La Bastille. It was cool, and not really scary, malgre tout.

The picture with a man in white in the middle is Yves. He got baptized, and he's really cool. From left to right we have Elder Burke, Elder Andersen (the Norwegian!), Yves, moi, and Soeur Dix. Oh, I forgot to mention that Soeur Dix is my tenth companion. Cool, eh? That's counting Soeur Quinn, of course.

Happy Birthday to Alex and Dani on the 3rd. That was a really special time, and already a year ago. I'm sorry to miss so much of Alex' baby times. There's not really anything that can make up for that. Oh, except pictures. Yes, pictures help. Wink wink.

The elevator in our apartment building reminds me an awful lot of that elevator in Thoroughly Modern Millie. You either have to step way up or step way down (oh, by the way, "way" means a few inches. Ha ha. Exaggeration.), and it doesn't hurt to do a little tap dancing. That thing is particular! Good times. Especially because Soeur Dix knows what Thoroughly Modern Millie is. She knows what everything is, so we can have lots of jokes and constant laughing times. And also constant contacting and teaching lesson times. We taught FIVE lessons Sunday night! Five! That makes six for the day! So. That was nice. Which reminds me, Dave is right when he says it's kinda nice because you can see the progress in an area. For example, our numbers from the past couple of weeks (week one in parentheses):

Baptisms and confirmations: (0) 0
Baptismal dates: (0) 0
Amis at Sacrament meeting: (0) 3
Member-present lessons: (1) 5
Other lessons: (3) 11
Progressing amis: (0) 2
Referrals: (1) 3
New Investigators: (1) 4

So, progress. Good week. Didn't quite meet our goals, but a big step forward. Not a Great Leap Forward, though. Yikes, poor China. Anyway, this week will be even better. We had a great day yesterday. Got let in while porting, taught a good first lesson and left a Book of Mormon. It's exciting.

Also yesterday during porting, we saw a name on the sonnerie that said "Antoine GENTIL". We rung his apartment and spoke with some lady who said she wasn't interested. Disappointed, I looked at Soeur Dix and said "Antoine the Gentile will remain remain a Gentile." For now. Hmph. Then Soeur Dix started thinking she was a Jew, so I explained that while she is among the children of Israel, she is not of the house of Judah. That doesn't count as one of our lessons taught, though. Ha ha. Speaking of, our lesson with the real Jew, Mr DYAN went well. He kept coming to the conclusion that our religions are pretty close. Now he's on vacation for a long time. Oh well. He's reading the Book of Mormon and plans on becoming "Mormon" one day. Cool, hein? At the end we said a prayer in French, then he said a prayer in Hebrew. I don't reckon I'll be forgetting that any time soon.

Frere Bertola (pronounced "Bert-la" by Elder Andersen, pronounced by everybody else "Bertola", which makes me think of Dana Carvey's impression of President Bush the First. "It wouldn't be prudent.") was telling me about the mountains here the other day. He's a big time skiier, so I axed him to make a list of the best places. I'll send it along. Also, he's a great resource for finding out the cool kid stuff to do around Grenoble. We're probably going to a castle and museum he told us about today. I'll keep you posted.

Well, we've had some amazing experiences with receiving powerful answers to our prayers. I know our prayers are heard and answered. I know it. President Murdock says missionary work = faith + miracles. I bet it's the same for the rest of life, too. Thank you for your prayers and support; things are going swimmingly, and the work is moving forward. I'm pretty flippin' happy, and I hope you are, too. You sure do deserve to be. Which reminds me. The other day some lady contacted us by asking if the book Soeur Dix was holding was a Bible. No, not a Bible. She told us to beware of books written by men, so I blew her mind by explaining to her what the heck the Bible is and how you can know if something is the Word of God, and how no that scripture in Revelation does NOT mean that. Anyway, she said she's been a Christian for a long time, and she's a really miserable person. It isn't written that God wants us to be happy, so she's miserable in her trials and persecutions for Jesus. Whoa, she missed the point big time. Thank heavens for "Adam fell that men might be, and men are, that they might have joy", and the Gospel which provides true happiness and joy, even in this life. Just by the by, she had also chosen to sacrifice having a family and loved ones so she could give everything to Jesus. She wasn't a nun or anything. Where is it written that you have to do that, lady?! Not here to be happy. Gimme a break!

On that note, have a happy week. Stick it to the ones that just wanna suffer.

just a gorgeous house in Grenoble

"Street of Big Fields"

Grenoble fro a Flottibulle

Elder Burke, Elder Andersen (the Norwegian!), Yves, Emily, and Soeur Dix

August 24, 2010

2010-08-31T00:13:00.002-06:00

Grenoble's Great!

I cried leaving Luxembourg last Wednesday morning. I sure did like that place-- it's one I'd go back to. But I tell you what: Grenoble is amazing. Lousy with beautiful mountains, which is something I've missed. So, great huh? Soeur Dix is a dream come true; I haven't laughed so much for so long since being with Bay. There have been TOO MANY hilarious moments, and I am loving it.

It was kinda a slap in the face when I found out we didn't have any investigators here, and not a whole lot of potential lined up, and what we did have was on vacation. "Mama, what's 'vacation'?" Everybody goes on vacation. Soon it will be September and tout le monde will be back and ready to put on white jumpsuits, if you know what I mean. But, as usual, when we really need help and we really ask Him for it, He gives it. He always has the best ideas and best ways. We've been talking to double the people we're asked to talk to, mostly because all we do all day is go porting and contacting (which is AWESOME). We've added two new investigators in the past few days and have a few strong potentials. Members keep doing their job and finding people for us, too. And today, as we were walking to La Bastille (google it-- it's gorgeous! But make sure you specify it's the one in Grenoble, not in Paris. Duh.), Elder Andersen (oh, by the way, he's from Norway, but is shorter than I am (I know, what kind of a Scandanavian is he? A way nice kind.). He speaks English like an American, he doesn't have an accent at all, it's incredible. And the fact he's from Norway reminds me of David, and that's nice to have around. Elder Andersen is training Elder Burke, from Michigan. Also in our district are the Valence elders; Elders Williams (Payson, UT, going home at the end of this transfer) and Bishop (Wales, but really Bristol, UK. This is also his first transfer, and his French is funny. British accent funny, I mean.) The latter reminds me of the snake in Disney's Robin Hood. He is very funny. Of course he is, he's British. Phew, loooong aside! Anyway, I was saying, Elder Andersen...) got a phone call from some lady he doesn't know who said she wants to join our church. Oh, ok. Well there you go. He set up some rdv's for us and she's coming to church. Easy peasy, Japanesey. Again, I am this close to being stunned at the miracles we're blessed with when we bust our cans trying to do good things.

I have a list of things I've wanted to mention.

-I love Adam's boots in those pictures you sent. He's a cool little cat, that one. Also, I love Alex's face. I'd love to see it some more. So cute!

-It's nice that maybe Joshie has the same problem I do with goodbyes, etc. I hate that, if you remember, and cry easily when leaving places or saying goodbye to people I like. Oh brother. If only we all lived close.

-There's a man in the ward named Frere Martins. He's Portuguese and doesn't really try to not have a Portuguese accent when he speaks French. So he says stuff like "sha pash pah, sha pash pah" (instead of "ça passe pas, ça passe pas") and rolls his r's in rrrrrrendez vous. Trouble is, he looks EXACTLY like Sean Connery. Bald on top, hair on sides, glasses like in Indiana Jones. Older. He bore his testimony last Saturday at the baptism (oh, the Elders had a baptism, and in all there were 10 baptisms LAST WEEKEND in our mission. See? Miracles. Wabam.) and (yes, I'm immature) I had a pretty hard time keeping it together. Little did I know Sean Connery's a member of the church in Grenoble. The things you learn on a mission. I'll send a picture or a video or something to share with you how great it is. Soeur Dix and I have been having a fun time telling little Connery-isms to each other, like, "You'll rue the day you messed with me, Trebek."

-There's another guy in the ward who is surprisingly good at saying super awkward stuff. He's from Belarus and speaks English really well. Apparently before I came, he offered the sisters a ride home in his car, so they explained the rules and said they couldn't, and he said, "I'm not a registered sex offender". Oh, not registered? He repeated it on Sunday when Frere Martins invited us for dinner and we explained again the rules and said we don't do stuff without investigators. "He's not a registered sex offender." Oh man. Maybe I didn't do a good job about telling that story, but I think it's still awkward, so, mission accomplished.

-Yesterday we ported a while and talked to some good people. Then we met Mr Dyan. We rang his doorbell, and he came out of his house, crossed the courtyard area, and came and talked to us a while. He had spoken with some elders in 1975 and remembered some things they had told him. He unbuttoned the top button of his shirt (I know, yikes!) and showed us his necklace with a star of David pendant and some Hebrew word and his grandmother's wedding ring. So he's Jewish, I gather. But he believes Jesus is the Son of God and is very interested in talking to us more. We're taking a member with us to go see him Thursday afternoon, and I'm very excited. He took a Book of Mormon and said he would read. See? There have just been too many good things.

Soeur Dix is excellent. I am being spoiled with her as a companion. She keeps me on my toes, and she wants this place to turn around just as much as I or anybody wants this place to turn around. Turn around bright eyes, as they say. Maybe our biggest problem is that we get along too well. Too natural of friends. This is nuts! Fasten your seatbelts, hold on to your butts; this is going to be a good transfer.

Thanks for your emails, and thanks for your prayers. I need both of those things, especially the latter. I'll let you know how stuff goes. Hope you have a great week! Good luck with going back to school, if you do that this week. (I'm looking at you, Valarie! Go get 'em!) Ok, I'd love to hear from you next Tuesday. I'll send some pictures then. See ya!

And more pictures

2010-08-18T01:55:00.003-06:00

Emily and Soeur Cloward

Elder Harris knocking doors in Vianden (a joke)

Emily in forest with Clervaux cathedral in background

Emily on a wall in Gruyere, Switzerland

More pictures

2010-08-17T16:34:00.003-06:00

Emily and Hussler family

Emily in a cute pose

Emily, her companion, and the elders

Emily, Soeur Cloward, and Paco

new missionaries with Emily in the back

August 17, 2010

2010-08-17T16:23:00.003-06:00

A Normal Keyboard!!

Wow, this is special. A qwerty keyboard, all to myself. It feels pretty great--I know where all the buttons are!

Well, first off, we got transfer calls this morning. To keep with the three transfers in a city pattern, I'm leaving luxurious Luxembourg for ...gregarious (?) Grenoble! They've had the Olympics there, you know. Lots of mountains and Muslims. And Mormons. Soeur Dix will be my companion, and boy am I excited. She's very strong, and way nice. It's gonna be great. Though, I am sad to leave Luxembourg and Soeur Cloward. But it's time for her to spread her little wings and dive in a little deeper into missionary responsibility. She'll be getting Soeur Andelin. The lucky, lucky dog. I love Soeur Andelin. They'll have a pretty great time up here. Luxembourg is definitely on my list of places I'd like to visit again before the end. End of my life, that is. So there you go. I have that wiggly guts feeling that comes with any big change. However, though my guts are wiggly, they are excited. Another adventure, another way long train ride. From the tip top of the mission to the very bottom.

Let me tell you about when I went to an extremity of the mission last week. We had a referral from Temple Square and went to deliver a Book of Mormon to a nice couple living in Bastogne, Belgium. Bastogne was already cool in my mind because of WWII stuff, but going there was something else. It took a couple hours, and then we walked and walked like Pioneer children to the referral's house. They weren't home, so we decided to port their neighborhood a little bit. It started raining quite a lot, and we didn't have umbrellas. So what, who cares. No one was interested, but everyone knew the Kairis family. After a bit we went back to their house to knock again. Still not home. So I dried off my hands and wrote a little note and stuck it to the Book and left it on their doorstep. Also, we took some pictures with the door because there wasn't a doorknob and we thought that was pretty funny. "What do you notice about the door in this picture? That's right, it doesn't have a doorknob. They have to open the door, He can only knock." After our pictures we set off back to the city center to catch our dumb bus. As cars passed us on our way, I'd look carefully at the people in them and hope one of them was our referral. One lady looked at me a little peculiarly, but continued on her way. About a minute or two later, someone pulled up on the side of the road next to us, and it was her! She rolled down the window and thanked us for dropping off the bible and invited us back to her house for "a glass". I jumped on that, forgoing the occasion to teach about the Word of Wisdom. Long story short, she and her husband are awesome, and we have two new investigators. They visit the US every two years and LOVE Utah, so hopefully you could meet these people. They're amazing. Soeurs Cloward and Andelin will take good care of them.

It's funny when you leave a ville, people that are important to you pop out of nowhere and happen to run into you, and you get a chance to say goodbye. It's nice to see so many familiar faces and remember all the great times I've had in my short time here. My heart is heavy, but happy heavy.

OH! Guess what?! Jose FINISHED the Book of Mormon and is READING IT AGAIN because he said he missed some things, and wanted to read it again. Get out of town! Ok, I am, but first, let me tell you, he's way cool. Soeur Cloward told him she is from Hawaii and he said jokingly, "so you could be a Jew?" and reminded her of Hagoth. We saw him at the train station and he talked to us a lot about baptism. He's way smart and even normal, so I'm jumping extra for joy.

Also, tomorrow is my nine month mark, and the day after that (Aug 19) is a year after I received my call. My oh my, how things have changed. For the better, I say.

I attached some pictures. Door with no knob, a pizza I made, our district with the Duffort kids (they're thinking of moving to Orem--I really hope so!) (The parents are thinking of moving to Orem with the kids, not the kids thinking of moving away from their parents. That would be cool if they thought of stuff like that as a team, though. A team of kids.), one with Jose and Angela and Soeur Cloward. So, there you go. Enjoy, and have a great week. I'll write again, from GRENOBLE! Cool, eh?

PS I love you, and also, thank you thank you for the pictures you sent. I LOVED them.

August 10, 2010

2010-08-16T01:13:00.001-06:00

Kalabash Cousins

The internet shop from which I am sending this email is called '"CALL HOME". Too bad they didn't think to call it "PHONE HOME" and put ET posters up everywhere.

First of all, happy 5th birthday to Seth on Thursday. That's pretty cool. He looks awesome, as do all the littles and brother and sisters and mom, in the amazing pictures you sent. Thank you for sending them.

Today we went to Belgium for fun. It was fun! I think that is all I have to say about that.

We were in Lyon all last week; it was pretty great. We had some good laughs. For instance, during dinner in the sister apartment I saw a toaster on the counter and remembered that movie. I asked Soeur Cloward, "Have you seen 'The Little Toaster'?" She responded "What little toaster?" I started to chuckle and said, "The brave little toaster." Ha ha. Not even on purpose. Then Sr Cockerham asked if that movie had any kind of storyline, and Sr Dix said "Yeah, it's about this... brave little toaster..." Ha.

We've had some good contacts recently, including committing a guy who has never really believed in God to pray and ask if he has a Heavenly Father who loves him. Everybody involved felt the Spirit, and Jean-Pierre left with a smile on his face. As soon as we rounded the corner I gave Soeur Dix (with whom I was contacting in Lyon) a giant hug. We were pretty happy.

Also on Sunday we had an extra ten minutes before the bus was to come, so we decided to contact instead of sit at the stop. We ended up missing our bus, but it was worth it. As we walked through a throng of people I heard an accent like mine say "Jesus Christ". I searched with my elf eyes until I saw who had read my tag and then asked Buck (his name, apparently) if he knew us. He's from Canada and said the missionaries would knock on his door from time to time when he was a child, and he knew to call us Latter-day Saints. He said he was atheist because he believes in science instead. I rolled my eyes in my mind (hopefully not in real life) and told him we believed in science, too. He asked us questions about what we believed about evolution and the age of the Earth. Sorry if this ruins your life, family, but I think evolution is probably true and believe the Earth is pretty stinkin' old. Anyway, we told him those were our opinions, and he was surprised. Oh goody. Next he asked a question and said, "No one has ever been able to answer this question for me. What happens to the people who lived and died before Jesus? Can they be saved?" Good question, Buck. So we taught the simples of the Plan of Salvation and he seemed to like it. He had to go because his mother didn't want him talking to us (he was older than us, but she was visiting him here in Europe or something), so we gave him a pass-along card and told him to look at the website. His friend Nathan, who didn't seem to be listening and who I thought had laughed at us earlier, asked meekly and mildly, "Can I have one, too?" Oh Nathan, yes you can!!! Oh man. It was cool.

So next week are transfers. I will probably leave Luxembourg, so don't send anything just yet. Oh, and I thought of a perfect thing for my package-- CHAPSTICK. You know, my favorite kind. I love that stuff, and soon I won't have anymore. Unless you send some in a package, Mom. That would be great. Thank you!

Well, thank you for your letters and prayers. I am happy and well-taken care of. I hope you have a great week, and I will think of cooler things to tell you next week. Here's one: Jose and Angela came to church again on Sunday. Jose had read up to Alma 16. Nice! Love you.

August 2, 2010

2010-08-02T23:57:00.002-06:00

Can I please take a train to Clarksville?

It would be fun to go to there.

Well, it has been a week. I don't have a lot to say. A few people came to church on Sunday, and that was pretty cool. A few people including Jose, pronounced zho-seh because he is from Portugal and not Spain. Anyway, I contacted Jose on the street a couple weeks ago and we talked to him for a while. He gave us his number and we told him we'd have the elders get in contact with him. They did, and he has come to church the past two Sundays, and apparently likes it and what he is learning. So, that's cool. I think he's the first person I contacted on my own that has become a progressing investigator. Maybe not. I'll have to give it some more thought, but he's way cool, and it's great to see him at church. He's a funny guy. Last week he came to the RS room to pick up his girlfriend (oh yeah, he brought his girlfriend to church) and we were putting away the chairs. He said (jokingly, of course), ''Oh, is it time for dancing now?'' Ha ha. He's full of clever quips like that.

We're off to Lyon tomorrow until Saturday. Well, I brought my camera AND my cord today, so let's see if I can send you some picatures.

There should be one of me and the Hussler family. They're the Swedes, and they're pretty... sweet. Though, in the picture, it looks like Soeur Hussler has her hand on my leg. That's awkward. It's really my hand. Anyway, all three of the littles are naughty, naughty children. But probably my favorite family in the ward, if we have to choose favorites.

Another picture should be a blurry one (except for where the camera focused on Soeur Cloward's hand and camera) of the three little devils. It was pretty funny--the littlest one, Johannes, got his diaper all wet and took it off and ran around naked, and then he was playing on the porch swing and flying through the air like one of Michelangelo's angels. Ha ha.

The others don't really need explanation, other than one is me in the forest with a cathedral in the background; that's Clervaux. Another is me on a wall, that's in Switzerland, by Gruyère. Another is Elder Harris knocking doors in Vianden (a joke). Good times.

That's pretty funny about Katie calling herself Cake. That should stick. Also, I just barely got an email from Mom about the little reunion you had--sounds super cool. Tough not to be a little bit bummed... but oh well, I'm glad you had a good time. I'm very excited to see you all again, though that is many moons away. I'm very happy to be here, and I don't want to come home a day sooner than I'm supposed to, but I do miss you. So there you go. Can't wait to see the pictures. Maybe I can take a picture of myself in similar lighting and someone with photoshop can put me in the background or something, and we can have a complete family picture. Except that in just a few months, it'll be missing someone again. Oh great. Anyway, thanks for taking the time to tell me about the family stuff going on, Mom.

Oh also, Happy 13th Anniversary to Jared and Christine. Nice going; I like both of you.

And you say you're sending a package... I've been thinking all week about stuff I could possibly need, and I've had a pretty hard time. I really don't need anything, unless you can find those cool new coconut M&Ms. Soeur Cloward got some from her mom, and they were surprisingly good. On the other hand, don't spend a million dollars sending dumb candy, especially when candy's way better over here, anyway. And I don't know when I could get the package if you send it to the mission home, because now we don't have zone conference or interviews every transfer. So maybe it would be best to wait until we know if I'm staying in Lux or not, then send it directly here. I dunno. Other than that, it would always be nice to get pictures and letters. Maybe cute post it notes, for when people stand us up. I can write ''I HOPE YOU FEEL PRETTY BAD'' on pretty stationery. Just kidding, people always have good reasons for standing us up. Don't they?

Hey, this week is my half-way mark. I'll be home in the same amount of time that I've been away. Let's not think about that. Let's go contacting. Come on, Soeur Cloward.

Love you, and can't wait to hear from you! Hope you have a great week.

July 27, 2010

2010-08-02T23:50:00.002-06:00

Seeking Inspiration, Not Perspiration

Well, another week has zipped by. How many weeks has it been? 33? I dunno. Anywho, lots to tell you. But first, happy birthday, Katie! I guess Friday was exactly between preparation days, but it would have been cooler if I had wished a happy birthday last week. Sorry. Hope it was a good one. She sure is cute, if I remember correctly. How's about you jog my memory? I'm allowed to look at pictures, you know. Sorry, I'll send some, too.

We have a new investigator named Sandy. I may have said something about her last week. Sandy Roob. She's Luxembourgish. Every time she calls or we talk about her or I hear her name, I have a terrible urge to sing that song from Grease (did I already say all of this?). Especially last Thursday when I thought she was standing us up. I sit, I wonder whyyyy oh why, you left me, oh Sandy. Why-y-y-y, oh Sandy. And then I miss Bay for how we make fun of the way John Travolta sings that song. I love John Travolta. Sandy didn't stand us up, though. We met her at the gare, and she even had read what we asked her to. Hopefully she comes to FHE tonight.

The weather has been marvy. Rainy, gloomy, and in the low 20's all week. I LOVE Luxembourg. Today we went to Clervaux and hiked around (I poked a hole in my nylons. Mince!), took some pictures. Forgot my camera cable, elsewise I'd send 'em along. Next week. We also stopped by Reuler to look up Evelyne, a reference from the Elders. Yes, using our preparation day to do missionary work. Silly over-achievers. Just blagging, she wasn't there. Instead we talked to a scary lady who didn't really speak French, but knew enough to chastize us for not speaking German or Luxembourgish. She told us to ''partir'' several times, which means ''to leave''. Can't even conjugate a verb. Ahem ahem, partez, and s'il vous plait, I might add. Eh, she was nice enough. She said she'd give our note to Evelyne. The scary lady wasn't Evelyne. We asked.

We didn't go to Dijon last weekend after all. President Murdock's trying to cut down on costs, so we're counting the Lyon trip as exchanges this transfer. Good idea, President. He's a good one. I'm not being sarcastic. Really. But, I can see how I might sound sarcastic right now. I'm not. Stop it.

Soeur Cloward axed me to make a shepherd's pie for her the other day. I made gravy from scratch! She made the potatuhs, they were good. I seemed to remember Mom teaching me how to make gravy from scratch, so I just followed my memory-directions. If not, cool, it's kinda like when Elder Nelson operated on that guy's heart without really knowing what he was doing. Gravy, life-saving heart operations. All in a day's work. It was a good shepherd's pie.

Yesterday was a pretty good day, even if my feet did get soggy and I had raisin toes. In the morning we went contacting to get our 30 people in nice and early. Contact #6 was pretty great. We saw a man pacing back and forth by a bench in the park. One hand in his pocket, and the other was smoking a cigarette. No, really. He looked stressed, and Soeur Cloward challenged us to contact him. Aka, challenged ME to contact him. Then when we got closer, she said, ''Uh oh, he's way cute.'' Of course I don't focus or really care about those things, but I admit it's a squidge harder to contact the good looking ones, and she had raisins, I mean, she was right-- he was a good-looking one. By that time he had sat down back on the bench and was worriedly looking at his papers, and I was nervous about interrupting him, et cetera, no idea what to say to him. So I tried to think of something, then it was time, and like Mike Birbiglia's funny comedy sketch, I thought, ''Batter up!''. I said hello, he said hello. How are you doing? Good, and you. Good. Are ya workin'? Yeah. Do you have a presentation or something today? Yeah, in just a few minutes. Nervous? Yeah. Well, do you ever pray? No, not really. Are you believing? Yeah, but not practicing. Well, prayer really helps us, especially when we are nervous (hey, like right now, I thought to myself). Can we pray with you right now so your presentation will go well? Ok, but I don't have much time. So, I sat myself down next to him on the bench (on a pile of bird poop, little did I know) (little did he know, what a great phrase. I wrote a book on ''little did he know''.) and asked his name twice, because after the first time I forgot. Adrian. So, I quickly told him how prayers go, and he croised his bras (folded his arms) and baissed his tete (bowed his head) and we said a prayer. After, I asked him if he could come to FHE tomorrow night. He said, if this works! Ha ha, funny guy. So, Soeur Cloward and I prayed and hoped a LOT yesterday that his presentation went well, and that we'll see him in just a couple hours. He's a normal person, and that's always exciting. We contacted a few more people then went home to wash the bird poop out of my skirt and eat left over shepherd's pie. We are so weird. Correction: I am so weird. And, I know yo fadduh.

Contact #22 or so wasn't so exciting. Soeur Cloward said hi to some guy as we were headed to meet Idalina to go to a member's house for dinner. He stopped and talked to us for a while. He was Romanian, and so the language was tough. But we soon found discovered/realized that he is one of those beggar guys that passes out papers and then asks for your money. He told us he didn't have a place to sleep or anything, so I said sorry, told him I couldn't give him any money, and gave him the Pringles and Milka we were given by Veronica who is too morning sick to eat anything. Then he asked if I had a boyfriend. No, I'm a missionary. Then he asked if he could have my number, so I gave him a pass-along card and told him that as missionaries, we don't date, and besides, there's someone else. (Not really a lie, there IS someone else, just don't know exactly who right now...) I made it clear that I would NOT date him, that was not an option. Then he said, ''Will you marry me?'' ''No, I will not marry you.'' Then he pointed at Soeur Cloward and asked, ''Elle?'' ''No, she won't marry you, either. Have a nice day.'' Often creepy guys joke about me taking them home to the USA after my mission is over, but this was my first time really being proposed to. Well, I can check that off of my list.

After grocery shopping at Cactus today we checked the mail and saw a fat package half-shoved into our mailbox. For Soeur Cloward. I was almost disappointed, but upon opening the mailbox I discovered a LETTER from Heather! She saved the day, and the letter was perfect. Loved it. Thank you, Heather, what a great friend. Oh, and Mom, I thought of something you could send in a package, but can't remember what it was. Hold off on sending it till I can remember what it was.

Also, a little note-- Bay, are you taking good care of my iPod? This is a very important task, if you want me to like you after my mission. Ha ha, I'll like you. By the by, CONGRATULATIONS on finishing school this week! That's awesome. What an accomplishment. What an accompaniment. What?

So the special training thing in Lyon is next week, and starts on August 4, which means we'll probably take the trains down there on the 3rd, which, if I'm not mistaken, is next preparation day. Ah, I'm not mistaken. Thank you, missionary daily planner. Anyway, write me an email a day earlier, I'll probably check it on Monday. Ooh, all of my family will be in Utah. How exciting. For you. Maybe I can throw together a physical letter today and send it with something for everyone, and the letter can go to the SAME PLACE. I miss you all. It's been 10 years since we've all been together? Again, Grease. Well, have a good time. I love you. Thank you for your emails and letters and prayers.

July 20, 2010

2010-07-21T00:09:00.002-06:00

Another week, another dollar.

Dearly beloved,

Happy Birthday to Jared, before I forget. Congratulations on reaching goals, whatever that means, and also, of course he reached his goals. Doesn´t he always? I´m learning to love goals on this mission thing. Lots and lots of goals.

The other day was the 18th, which was my eight month on a mission mark. Another couple weeks and I´m half way. Speedy Gonzales. It´s been 11 months already since I got my mission call. Is it going fast for you?

I guess the family get together thing is coming up pretty soon. Hopefully you´ll really be able to make it, what with rain, floods, earthquakes, Lyme disease. Et cetera. You´d better have a good party for to celebrate Bay´s colleege graduation. ´´Calvin Cooleedge?!´´ Take a family picture, ok? Duh. Also, big fat congratulations to Bay for soon finishing with college. Free at last, free at last, et cetera. And she´s done so nicely. (Picture me smiling cheesily and clasping my hands.)

I bought a new camera today. It´s pretty great! The batt´ry is charging right now, elsewise I´d be snapping pictures every which way and sending them to you. I´s still sad ´bout the other one, but I needed to solve that situation--it isn´t any good to not take pictures on your mission, or in other times of your life. Hey, embroider that onto a pillow for me, eh?

Sorry Heather really got Lyme disease. I´m glad you caught it soon enough. Pills are tough to swallow, good for you for finding tricks. Tricks for ticks. There are a lot of ticks here, but I hear they´re not very harmful, whatever that means. Hope Heather´s fully restored by now, or soon.

We´ve had some classic (claßic?) missionary experiences lately, especially with porting. One lady told us she wasn´t interested, then a few minutes came down out of her apartment and said very calmly and coldly, ´´Leave now, or I will call the police.´´ We weren´t even talking to her anymore! Ha ha, good times. We´ve found a lot of cool people recently, including a few Luxembourgish people. Who are interested! There aren´t many of them... 500,000 people in the country, 46% immigrants, I think. Sandy, Sandr (heh, this is the first time I´ve noticed the similarity of their names), and Marc. But anyway, that day porting with the mean lady was pretty incredible...we talked to a lot of people that absolutely did not want to talk to us, if you know what I mean. I was tempted to be sad about it, but I didn´t let them get the best of me. Then on Sunday, which was the next day, I think, we were about to go in for the night, but decided we wanted to get a couple more contacts. We spied a lady walking down the street and decided to ´´accost´´ her. Accost is the word you use in French, and isn´t negative like in English. Anyway, we told her who we were and what we were talking to her for, and she said, ´´Ok, tell me about your religion.´´ We began, and then she asked, ´´Is there somewhere we could sit down to talk about this?´´ so we took her to the church, which was super close, and taught her a 1st lesson. She had way good questions and paid attention to what we were saying. We walked towards home with her afterwards and she asked us to tell her more about our religion, so we told her about Priesthood and authority and she gets it. She´s bringing her boyfriend to church on Sunday and wants a Book of Mormon in Romanian (oh yeah, did I tell ya she´s Romanian?) as soon as possible. She´s 22, I think. Way cool. So, we worked our tails off on Saturday (and Sunday, but Saturday was a little brutal), and get a way cool miracle on Sunday. So that was nice. We were able to reach our goals for Sunday. Hey, we did yesterday, too. We will today.

Oh, does Seth have diabetes? Hope not. That flood sounded wild. We gotta get some of that here. Though, that would ruin my shoes.

The youngling is really coming out of the closet, we could say, as a missionary. She´s contacting more and more, and her desire to accomplish our goals and missionary purpose is stronger and stronger. It´s nice. Our investigators are really making progress towards baptism, and if they´re not, we don´t see ´em. We were contacting the other day and ran into Oli, the elders´ 16-yr old Luxembourgish ami. He´s way nice, and way European, so he´s pretty funny to talk to. He told us about how his dad is finally accepting his desire to ´´be Mormon´´, and told us that even his dog is Mormon. ``Yeah, he´s usually really rowdy, but when I pray with him he settles down and is peaceful.´´ Cute, Oli prays with his dog. Oli´s way cool-- he´s stopped drinking, doing drugs, smoking, and doing other things that European youngsters are used to doing. He´s someone I´d like to keep tabs on. Well, they all are.

This Friday and Saturday we´ll be in Dijon for exchanges. I´m pretty excited to go back, even for a few hours. I love that place. Then August 3-7 we´ll be in Lyon for a special missionary training thing. They´re changing the way we do things a little bit, and so we all need to receive some new and obviously extensive training on how to teach more effectively. I´ll take it! Though, it stinks to leave Luxembourg again. I trust it´s worth it.

I´ve had some good experiences recently with praying for specific things. It´s good to pray for the day to go well, but you allow yourself to see many more blessings and miracles if you pray for specific help. Help that you´ll get all the lessons you need that day, that Sandr will show up on time to church, that Rebecca will have read what we left her to read.

There´s a guy here at the internet place who keeps screaming ´´ENOS´´ at the computer. He´s trying to have some sort of conversation, I suppose, but it´s pretty ridiculous. I´m laughing, but, I´m also trying to grow some more patience, if you know what I mean. I think it´s not as funny as that guy that was playing backgammon at the Springville Library. ´´Who do I call???´´ Oh la la la la.

Thanks for your emails, I look forward to ´em. Love you! Have a good week.

July 13, 2010

2010-07-14T15:05:00.001-06:00

Ein bischen deutsch.

Well, I only have about twenty minutes to write today, so I'd better tell ya the good stuff:

Today we took a train to Wasserbillig and walked a kilometer, then crossed a bridge over the ''Sauer'' River and into Germany! It was awesome. We threw away our drink bottles in Germany, and took pictures by the Willkomen sign. I said, ''Allo'' to people and ''danke'' to the old man in the convertible who gave us some old bread to feed the swans and geese. It was traumatizing to feed the birds--I don't like them, and I've been attacked before. They hissed at me. Nasty creatures. A lot of them pooped as they hissed, too. Not cool. Soeur Cloward loves birds. LOVES them. Anyway, today I was in Deutschland. The Fatherland. Land of David Hasselhoff and Peter Schilling. Ich bin Berliner. Where they turn simple phrases into very long words. On the way there I pondered (''Are you pondering what I'm pondering, Pinky?'' ''Yes, Bwain, but if ouah knees bent backwahds how would we ride bicycles?'') about how perhaps I was the first of the family to return to Germany since they left. Of course I have no idea if any of the Holts or Schwartzwelders went back, but it turned our little trip into a nice pilgrimage for me. So I went the rest of the way on my knees. Just kidding, that hurts, and I ain't Muslim. Nor is Germany Mecca. ''Help with your knees.''

Well, I'm extra grateful to not be in Lyon after the past week we've had. The weather has been OUT OF CONTROL hot, and I wouldn't be able to take it if I had to live in it or worse every day. It has been around 40 degrees or more, they say. But I don't believe that, because that'd make it more than 100 degrees in degrees that have any importance or meaning to me. It's bad, but not THAT bad. But I guess it has been pretty bad.

Not today or yesterday, though. I think Elder Harris may have some sort of Nephi (the Nephi right before Jesus) powers, because he cannot stand the heat, like I cannot stand the heat, and has been praying earnestly for cooler weather. So today and yesterday have been about 25-27 degrees, with cloud cover. Lovely. No idea what that is in fahrenheit, but it feels good. I guess I shouldn't joke about ''Nephi powers'', because really he just had his will very closely aligned with, or patterned after, the Lord's. That's cool. I should be so humble.

On the bus ride to the free internet place just moments ago I spied with my little eye an older couple. They sat silently next to each other on the bus, then the old man reached over and twiddled the pendant on the lady's necklace around in his fingers. After a second or two, the lady looked down to see what he was doing, and he gently and teasingly tapped her nose. She laughed and laughed. Cute.

Whoa, I just sent the mouse FLYING when I uncrossed my legs under the desk and got my foot caught in the mouse wire. Thanks to the guy sitting across from me for using his Jedi powers and catching the mouse. What a surprise!

Yesterday was zone conference. It was incredible--even more than usual. I received some very specific instruction on how I can improve and become a better missionary. Preach My Gospel is quite the tool. I love it. Tell your friends.

Last night after we got home from zone conference we only had a couple hours left to proselyte before 9pm, when we'd have to be home. So we decided not to take dinner or anything like that, but get out of the apartment post haste and contact every person we saw. I love contacting. We talked to a ton of people and got a few potential amis. Also, one of my mission dreams was realized--we contacted a practicing Jew! Not Hasidic, but pretty Jewish. Even knows where the synagogue is. Also, he was French. I felt a powerful love for this guy, and a stronger than usual desire to share with him the gospel. I testified to him that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior and Redeemer of the world, the Messiah. He is pretty firm in his faith, but said he may come to family home evening tonight. I wish he would. I haven't met many Jewish people in Europe. In fact, he was the second. Yeah, I wish he would.

Itzel has taught us some Spanish, and I had the happiest epiphany when I realized all on my own that the song is saying, ''to dance La Bamba, you need a little grace.'' Cool. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir should sing that one.

I love you! Hasta luego!

July 6, 2010

2010-07-06T22:59:00.002-06:00

Hot Dog; summer in the city

Well; where to start. Ah, here's a good place: WAHOOOOO! I like to think it's because I'm on a mission that you, Christine, get this awesome blessing of a BABY!!! So cool. I'm a-beaming. And going to be born in February no less. New baby J5. I expect to be kept "au courant", vous savez. "Je ne sais pas, donc je suis." Heh heh. Hey, that's funny, I had a dream about your family last night. Slap me silly and call me Joseph of Egypt. I'll cross my fingers (à la Emma Thompson in Henry V "faaahngehs") for a little Reagan. Or a little... Ronald? Heh heh. "Hi, my name's Ron Sturgeon." I'll need to pray about that one...

Today I thought about Nancy Reagan, for I feared she had passed away. Let me explain. We went to the American Military Cemetary (yeah, way cool--5076 Americans (one of them a woman) buried there) and saw that the flag was at half-mast. I wondered why, so I asked an older American tourist. She said loudly (Americans talk really loudly) that the flag is always like that at cemetaries to be respectful. Pardon my French, M'am, but you are absolutely wrong. I guess none of that was French or swear-wordy. Anyway, I asked a French guy, he said some American was deceased. Thanks, French guy. So I was left to think of who the deceased could be. Nancy? Heaven forbid George HW Bush passed away... then just before we left I asked the information guy (DUH, shoulda axed him first) in the visitor's center and he reminded me that Robert Byrd passed away. Oh yes, that's right. Nancy and George live on. I wanna see George jump out of another plane, or at least throw up on somebody important again.

The Fourth was nice, and I'm glad to hear it was nice where you were, too. Didja read the Declaration of Independence? I wrote my President's letter that night and signed it extra big and wrote, "large enough that [President Murdock] may read it without his spectacles." I felt pretty clever, and smiled to myself a while before folding it up and putting it in an envelope to send to Geneva. Saturday night we had a bbq at the Duffort's. I think I may have mentioned that before. It was cool-- they had a GIANT American flag hanging in front of the garage. The most beautiful thing I've seen in a while. We ate Luxembourgish sausages on French bread with wanna-be potato salad and played America trivia games. Yes, one hundred percent perfect for me. Except I messed up BIG TIME and shouted "Nebraska!!!" as the answer to "which state is called 'The Land of Enchantment'?" Idiot, duh, New Mexico. Nebraska's the land of Lincoln. Doy. Anyway, it was a good time, and I used EVERYTHING America-y that Mom sent me. It was cool. Tunje, from Nigeria, asked me why Independence Day was so important. I wondered for a second how I could best answer that question (words from Bill Pullman's Independence Day speech came to mind--he is my FAVORITE president), and then I... bore my testimony (on peut dire) about how important that day was. Then today in the car on the way to the cemetary, Soeur Cloward asked what was so special about this cemetary, as in, why are we bothering to go there, and I said a little snap-ily and certainly belittlingly, "Well, it's an American Military Cemetary, so thousands of men who fought and died for freedom are buried there." I am too easily impassioned. Bridle your passions, sir. I mean Soeur. Soeur Cloward isn't as patriotic as I am, and I don't think she was thrilled that I belted out (à la Patrick Swayze singing "I'm Henry the Eighth I am" in "Ghost") "Proud to be an American" and "The Preamble" before falling asleep the other night. Hey, she went to the bathroom, so I wasn't keeping her up.

Oh, I forgot to mention that I talked to a guy at the cemetary who was interested to know I am from Provo. "Oh, you went to Timpview? Did you take any music classes, from Dr Fullmer or Mr Allred ?" Soeur Cloward chimed in, "You're talking to an old drum major!" Ha. Yeah, I took classes from those blokes. The guy we talked to knows them, I guess. Cool.

Oh. The weather has been pretty flipping hot recently. I think it was around 37° C, which is around a hunnert fahrenheit, right? It's been a lot cooler today and yesterday, but it's gonna get that hot again this week. Good thing we know where the good gelato is, and good thing I'm not in Lyon. I'll be in Luxembourg at least until August 17--that's sure and certain now. Best place I could be! I really love this area. Yesterday was the first day of my sixth transfer. 6 already, can ya believe it? I've only got twelve transfers in all! Just about halfway through. It'll be nice to be back in my country for the next Independence Day--there's just too much to like about that day. So much fun family stuff, so much having a selective memory about America's heritage...lovely. And what's more--I just happened to be reading in the end of Alma about Cap'n Moroni and the lot on and around the fourth of July. Perfect.

Sorry this whole email has been about the Fourth of July. I missed you that day. I'm not often homesick, and I wasn't full-blown trunky, but maybe close. Let's just say I'm looking forward to next year.

I am also glad to hear about Mom's awesome birthday. I hope you took pictures that you're in the middle of sending to me right now. Eh? I could use some new pictures.

Oh, and my camera's still busted, and fixing it will cost a few hundred euros, which is stupid. Luckily we're in the middle of the big summer sales here, so I can look around for a new, not expensive camera. Or just keep the one I have and use the Force to take pictures. We'll see. Not a big deal, I'm not crying myself to sleep at night over it.

I Love you a LOT! That doesn't seem to sincere, does it? Ah, but it's true. Love from Luxembourg.

June 29, 2010

2010-06-29T16:43:00.001-06:00

It's a small world after all

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM, first of all. I've been thinking of you an awful lot lately, and I wish I could call to wish you a happy day. How 'bout next year?

Back to the subject: That's the song we heard the band playing in Luxembourg centre last night. There's this cute area in the middle of everything with lots of restaurants and chairs and tables and shops and a gazebo. Every night a different band comes and plays. It's cool. Makes me feel like I'm in Europe for the summer. Oh yeah, I am. Heh heh.

But really, it is a small world. Last Thursday morning I was talking to Soeur Andelin, the greatest sister missionary ever, about different things. Something about all the recently ''dead'' sisters who have gotten engaged. ''Soeur Gardner just got engaged, too, to some guy named Nate Christensen.'' I say, ''what?!'' Yes. The same Nate Christensen. Soeur Tori Gardner just got engaged, and so did he, in fact, they are engaged to each other. I met her once at zone conference in Lyon at Christmas, but she was Soeur Sudar's companion for three transfers. Weird, eh? Congratulations. To Jon, too, even if I don't know his fiancée.

Something very sad happened last night--I pulled my camera out of the case to try to look at pictures, but the screen is busted. Pretty busted. I have no idea how it happened, but my heart broke a little bit. I will find someone soon with an eyeglass repair kit to take a better look on the insides, or I'll take it to a shop and have them tell me what is the most matter with it. Then we'll go from there. But it still takes pictures just fine. I can't see what I'm takin' a picture of, so I just have to guess. But that's alright, that makes for funny pictures.

Speaking of pictures, Sunday was Paco's baptism. It was a good time. Several weeks ago we ate dinner with Itzel and company, including Paco. The whole night was in Spanish, so I had a fun time understanding them. And the people that were there reminded me an awful lot of the people in ''A Walk in the Clouds''. Hey, they were even Mexican. Mexican with fancy wine. Paco drank some of the wine, but I didn't want to embarrass him in front of company, and I didn't even know if the elders had taught him that yet, so I didn't say anything to him. But I figured the elders had a right to know, so I told 'em. I guess when they talked to Paco about it he was pretty upset at me, and that made me feel pretty sad. But I was nice to him, and he seems to have gotten over it, especially because at his baptism he asked to have a picture taken with us sisters. Oh how nice. I'm closing my eyes in all of the pictures. I am the same as that guy in ''My name is Earl''. Is that what that show was called? Consider that fence mended. Paco ate a lot of cinnamon on Sunday (the day of his baptism), and he's going strong with the whole quitting smoking thing. Good for him.

Yesterday we were in Mamer, trying to see Serafina. We walked past a field and saw a cat sitting in the middle of the field, looking at something intently. A few minutes later, we were sitting on the fence near Serafina's writing her a note, when this same cat hopped through the bushes next to us. He was surprised to see us there, and when he turned his head to look at us, there was a big, fat mouse in his mouth. The cat acknowledged us and then continued trotting to his condo, where he probably just played with the mouse, then left him on the doorstep for his humans. Just guessing with the last part. It was startling, and funny.

So zone conference was pretty cool. Like I say, Elder Teixeira was there, and he had nothing but golden advice to give us. He gave us specific ideas to help us increase effectiveness. He made it sound so easy and obvious, too. Which, on the most depressed side, makes me feel like an even worse missionary when I am rejected. It's tempting to feel down because I know people who always know exactly what to do and say and they're always the right amount of bold and are way better at following the Spirit than I am and la la la. I feel bad that I am not perfect, because I'd like to be. Instead I feel in the way of the Lord's work because I can't be perfect. But, on the other, happy hand, I know better than to let the rejection get to me. Also, it's easiest to feel bad when I've been the laziest. If you forget yourself and get to work, a super great bonus is that you're not sad all the time. Or at least not thinking about you you you all the time. Not sure I'm making any sense, but that isn't news.

That was a downer paragraph, I realize, so I must clarify and say that we are having a terrific time here in Luxembourg. The weather has been hot the past couple of days, but not murderously hot. Before the baptism on Sunday, Carlos Rodrigues was... complaining about the weather here in Luxembourg, saying that it's only sunny for a few days, then it rains for a week and cools off again. In my mind, I was jumping for joy! On my face I was saying, ''oh yes, that's too bad. No sun.'' But come on, that is IDEAL weather for me. I am SO lucky to be in Luxembourg for the summer. Lyon would be too much.

There was a train strike in Lyon last Thursday, when we were supposed to return to our proselyting areas. There were no trains going from Lyon to the north, only to Paris. So we talked to President Murdock, and he gave his approval-- we (Luxembourg district: us sisters plus Elders Harris and McTernan) went to Paris! Only for an hour, but we had to switch train stations. Somehow I was put in charge of that maneuver...luckily the metro is awesome in Paris, and it was easy peasy to get from the gare de Lyon to gare de l'est. Once we found the station, we proceeded to hoof it around Paris, searching wildly for any view of the Eiffel Tower. I felt super heart-string depressed that we never got a glimpse. But hey, we saw Sacre Coeur on our way out of Paris, and that was way cool for me. We also bought crepes and kebabs, and I had a conversation in French with Parisien cops. How neat. Also, we were stopped in the street by some American Mormons. A special treat, to be sure.

Well, time is going fast this preparation day. Soeur Cloward is a great companion, and we're having fun. She is more and more courageous every day, and that really motivates me. We've been blessed to have lots of investigators and rdvs fall into our hands, and I'm not stressing unhealthily. I am so glad to be here, it is a privilege. The field is white, already to harvest indeed.

I love you! Talk to ya next week.

June 22, 2010

2010-06-22T15:31:00.001-06:00

Now I'm in Lyon

What the what? Zone conference is in Lyon this week, so we came down from Luxembourg this morning and are here until Thursday. That's what.

Oh, that's right, you don't know my new companion-- Soeur Cloward, from Hawaii! She's amazing. And she's finally here from the MTC. It's been a good couple of days with her. I picked her up from the mission home on Thursday and we went back up to Luxembourg. It was nice to be back in Luxembourg-- we have a lot to do up there. We had some cool miracles where we ran into amis we wanted to see and made some pretty good contacts. It's cool to have almost all of the pressure of contacting on my shoulders, since my companion is learning and is pretty shy. I've been pretty tired by 10.30, let's put it that way. Especially tired. But good, satisfying, mm boy tired. And then we left Luxembourg again this morning. But being in Lyon means I get to stay with Soeur Andelin, and she's the best. I looooove her. I was with her and Soeur Barlow my very first transfer in Dijon. Also, Elder Liechty is still serving in Lyon, so I saw him again today. That's always fun. Tomorrow is zone conference and Elder Texeira (a Seventy) is coming. I don't know if that is how you spell his name, but oh well. I'll find out tomorrow, I suppose.

Elder Harris is also training, and his companion is Elder McTernan from Colorado Springs. He's been a member of the church for a little over a year, and he's incredible. Today on the train ride he told us all about gross parasite stories that reminded me a lot of the movie "Alien". Also, he's super good at whistling like a birdie and breathing out visible clouds of CO2. So we are all happy up in Luxembourg.

Well, I'm thinking about what stories to tell you from the past week and I'm only thinking of stories I should probably wait to tell you until after my mission, so you don't get scared for me. Oh. Here's one-- yesterday Portugal beat North Korea 7-0 in the soccer match. There are a LOT of Portuguese people in Luxembourg, and they flooded, flooooooded the streets. Waving flags, honking horns, yelling, blowing trumpetty things; it was this _ close to a riot! The police came when they started climbing telephone poles and bus shelters. Fun times. Absolute mayhem. But fun mayhem.

On the other hand, tomorrow the US plays Algeria. There are a LOT of Algerians in Lyon. A lot in Europe, plain and simple. President Murdock has ordered us to be back at the apartment by 5pm and not leave until Thursday, because it would be too dangerous for an American outside! Here's the super duper bright side: there will be seven of us sisters in the Lyon apartment, all jailed up together. It's gonna be AWESOME. Party time. Not bad, not bad. Good times will be had by all, and maybe we can get a good view of the ruckus from the apartment. No matter who wins, there'll probably be some sort of chaos. It's cool to be in Europe during the world cup. They're obsessed. It'll be cool when they're as excited about the gospel.

It's nice to hear the weather has finally shaped up, it sounds. And that you're participating in all sorts of fun summer activities. It was just starting to warm up again in Luxembourg, and here in Lyon it's perfectly warm. Breezy, too.

Well, what else. Ah ha! After tricking Soeur Cloward with the old "we live in the cave" routine, we checked the mail and found a letter from Heather, David, and a "pick up your dang package" slip from the Luxembourgey post man! Too cool. I loved the letters (Heather's a genius, and that day at Viva Vienna sounded amazing) and the package was perfect. As Mario would say, "Just what I needed!" Thank you so much for sending it, I'm using everything that you sent.

Quite honestly, this past week there have been some moments where I have felt completely incapable and a little despairing, if that's a word. I have been desperate for the Lord's help, because I want Soeur Cloward to have good times up in Luxembourg, and I want her to enjoy her mission and be able to be happy in the Lord's work. It was easy for me to find joy in it, but all of the sudden there is a ton of pressure when you're responsible for showing someone else the ropes. But the nice thing, the best thing, about being desperate for His help is that He gives it. The Lord is in control, as good ole Bishop Rushton would say, and I just have to give him my heart and my will and miracles will happen. I know this is true, because I experience it every day. The variable in this situation is my own diligence, humility, etc., and not His help. I feel like I say things like this often, but this is what I'm learning. Help is always there when you need it, and you always need His help.

I am very happy, don't worry about me. I love you, and I'm happy you're the people I think about when I think of my loved ones.

June 15, 2010

2010-06-15T14:46:00.001-06:00

Alcool?

Well, bon to the jour.

Still in Geneva, but probably going to leave Thursday. Probably. But you know how it goes. I'm trying not to get my hopes up. However, I'm having a great time here in Geneva, and I love Soeurs Quinn and Sudar, so it's a blast, but a bittersweet blast because all the good stuff in Luxembourg is just sitting and rotting. I'll be back up there Friday, avec espoir, and the work will still be plenty. The Lord will provide, that I know for sure.

Teaching the word of wisdom has been super easy lately.

We're allowed to watch movies the church produces, and the soeurs here have a dvd player in the apartment, so last week we watched ''Between Heaven and Earth'' before going to bed at 10.30. It's a documentary about the temple, and was incredibly interesting. Truman and Ann Madsen were interviewed for parts of it, even. Neat. I was impressed very much, and I have a strong desire to get to know the scriptures and history and doctrines and and and as well as they do. I've read the Book of Mormon and prayed to know if it is the word of God, I've pondered the words of modern prophets and prayed to know if they were prophets, and I've received powerful, convincing spiritual witnesses of the truth of these things. Also, I'm a big time nerd, and I love that I can also strengthen that spiritual testimony by seeking to be learned. I'm not good at putting anything into words, that's for sure, but what I mean to say is that the gospel is true. You ought to feel that spiritually first, but it's also true logically and historically and everything. I've taken much too much time explaining that, and now I must hurry to tell you the rest.

Last Saturday (oh man, now a drunk guy is talking to me, eating more time. Oh boy, he's wasted. Thank you, bartender man who is throwing him out.) Susana got baptized. I'll send pictures. She's so cool. After she came up out of the water, she smiled so big and clapped her hands for joy. Then while she was in the bathroom drying off with the other sisters, she threw her hands up in the air and said ''I'm Mormon now!'' Ha ha. I'm so glad I could be here to witness her baptism. Then on Sunday she went into the hospital and had an emergency hysterectomy and oovectomy (is that what they call it when the ovaries are taken, too? If so, high five, Mrs Abbott, you taught us Latin stuff well!). Soon she'll start a round of chemo, and I believe she's also going to have radiation treatments. My goodness. They said the tumors were benign, but maybe something was lost in translation, because I'd say these are pretty drastic measures. Anyway, she really wanted to be baptized before all of this started, and so we got it done.

Soeur Sudar started singing ''Pie Jesu'' this morning, so I sang along with her, and then told her about Charles Sorenson's funeral and cried. I was pretty young at the time, but there was a powerful spirit at his funeral, and I remember it well. And that's such a beautiful song. High five, Andrew.

Oh, I wanted to ask. Is it true that pushups are harder for women than for men? That's all.

So yeah, things are good. I haven't been able to send any written letters because I have no materials here in Geneva, but I'll write some next Tuesday and send them along, assuming I'm back in Luxembourg. Oh how lovely that would be.

Time is about up. I love you, and thank you for the letters I got last week at the mission home. Hopefully it will be easy getting my package when I go back to Lux. I'm sure it will be. I'll write soon. Hope ya had a good flag day!

PS
Saw President Murdock today and he said I am definitely leaving this Thursday. Woo hoo! Also, we went to a little city called Yvoire in France today. It is on the lake and smelled like the lake. I got some cool pictures, and like I say, I will send them once I find my dumb cord. Alright, until Tuesday, in Luxembourg. :)

June 8, 2010

2010-06-08T12:56:00.002-06:00

Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree

That's the song the Primary'll have to sing this Sunday without Soeur Cutler's piano accompaniment, because I am no longer in Luxembourg.

Only for a week or so, until the new missionaries get here. Soeur Arzola is in her area now, and I've joined the sisters in Geneva (Soeur Quinn and Soeur Sudar!) Yesterday I took 8, count 'em, 8 trains to get from Luxembourg to Chambesy (with ALL of Soeur Arzola's stuff for 6 of the trains), then I sat at the mission home a little bit with Soeur Murdock and then they took me to the sisters' apartment and I am in yet another threesome. And it's rockin'! As close to vacation as I'll get on a mission. There'll be a baptism this Sunday and we get to teach a lot, and I'm hoping to contact a lot of new investigators for the missionaries here. That would be a nice gift for them. Then as soon as the new missionaries get here Elder Harris will come down from Lux and we'll take our new missionaries back to Luxembourg and finally be normal. Some day. Some how. We'll find a place for... can't remember the song.

Last Thursday we went to Pizza Hut for lunch with Daniel. It was a dine-in restaurant with a buffet and everything, just like Pizza Hut ought to be. I wanted to joke about ordering ''a squiggly cheese pizza'' in a deep voice, but no one would laugh, so I smiled and missed Bay. It wouldn't be funny if I explained why I think it's funny to the missionaries and Daniel, you know. But isn't it nice to know that Pizza Hut is the same everywhere? Very good pizza. No blond version of Keanu Reeves, though. Anyway, Daniel is still awesome. The elders are having a great time teaching him, and I just hope I'm there to see him get baptized! He's already integrated into the ward and loves what he's been taught so far. What a kid.

There was a fun festival thing in Esch Thursday evening, so we took our dinner hour to look at the stuff. It was really fun-- like the festivals in Utah during the summer. So I don't have to miss out on that this year after all. They call it ''stroossemaart'', which means ''street market''.

We were walking, doing some contacting, and talked with a nice old man. Who fought in WWII and told me about his ordeals with General Patton!!! Get out of Luxembourg!!!! (I did.) I didn't realize or really know that Patton's hq were in Luxembourg for part of the war. We were right next to the building he stayed in. Maybe you could send me more information about what has happened in Luxembourg. I love knowing history stuff.

Friday night we were in Differdange, walking to teach Milene and Carlos. That day the Tour de Luxembourg (bicycle race) ended in Differdange, so we saw some of the end of it and saw a lot of cyclists. I saw a man walking down the street with an enormous American flag, so we talked to him. He's from New York and was way nice. Wants to come to church activities. We took pictures with the flag and my heart swelled three sizes too big and I helped him fold it properly. He was impressed I knew how to fold a flag. Hello, I've read the flag code. And hey, I love the flag. Flag day's next Monday, hope ya celebrate!

And I've been meaning to say for a couple weeks: sorry about U2. When I found out that Bono got hurt and had to have surgery and ergo cancelled the show in Salt Lake, my heart broke for Catherine. Poor, poor bucket list. But hey, they'll come again.

Speaking of Catherine, I'm glad about the blessing! Yes, I would love to see pictures. It must have been so special. Thank you for telling me about it. And I didn't necessarily pray for Bobby to stop chewing, but that's pretty flippin' sweet that he is quittin'. Good for him. He can do it! I could be a zealot and give you this ''astuce''-- every time there's a craving, say a prayer, read the Book of Mormon, and chew some Big Red. Or wash with cinnamon flavored mouth wash. Works for our amis giving up smoking and the like.

So yeah, it stinks to leave Luxembourg to rot for at least a week, but there are things to do here, and if it weren't Luxembourg, it'd be another city in the mission suffering. We can take a turn, I suppose. But mostly it would be nice if the other missionaries could get here so we can do what we're supposed to. If I get any mail this week in Luxembourg, like that package, they'll hold it in the post office long enough for me to go back and pick it up. I forgot yesterday to check if there was anything at the mission home for me, I'm a pretty big dummy. But I'll be there again soon.

Before my mission the idea of only church music for 18 months depressed me, but now I wake up in the morning with hymns and primary songs stuck in my head, and that's all that's in there all day until I fall asleep, singing ''Child's Prayer'' and wondering why ''Elvis has left the building'' is a famous phrase now. Right now in the internet cafe they're listening to an AWESOME radio station, with the Beatles (!!!!!!!!!) and ''Age of Aquarius/Sunshine'' and a ton of other way good oldies. What a tender mercy! I can't help what they're listenin' to... and I'm not really even paying attention, because I'm focused on writing my email home. So, enough with your unspoken/unemailed judgments. :)

Today we're going to Gruyere. It'll probably be pretty cool. I'll take pictures, and if I ever find my USB cord, I'll send some pictures in an email. I love you, and soon it will be Tuesday again and I'll have more nonsense to pass on. Thank you for writing and praying and joking, hearing from you makes everything better.

June 1, 2010

2010-06-01T13:56:00.002-06:00

Happy Memorial Day

Hey, hope you had a good Memorial Day yesterday. Whaddya do? A week ago yesterday (last Monday) was a holiday here, and we took some of our preparation day time to go to a picnic with the young adults in the ward. I can't remember if I told you. It was really great weather and we tossed around a volleyball and I wore pants. Yeah, I'm pretty sure I didn't tell you. Elder Harris accidentally bumped the volleyball right into the side of my face pretty hard, but don't worry, it didn't hurt or bruise. He felt pretty bad and didn't play anymore. Then at the end he came to me to apologize, and right after he finished, BOOM, the volleyball smacked him in the side of the head. Not often do you see karma come full circle so quickly, eh? It was as if the Universe said right along with me, ''apology accepted.'' Po' Elduh Harris. It was a fun picnic.

Friday night we were in Colmar-Berg to see Katia. After our rdv we were waiting for the train at the station and talked to a guy named Mark, from Shanghai. We talked to him a while and invited him to the young adult FHE the next night at the Mputu's in Colmar-Berg. He agreed to come! Saturday he asked for the address and if he could bring someone. Yes. And we'll meet you at the station and go together. He brought his friend, Daniel, and they had a wonderful time. Daniel said it was the highlight of his week and came to church on Sunday, then Institute Sunday night (and participated!), and I think he did stuff with the young adults last night, too. He invited all four of us missionaries to have breakfast with him today, so we took some of our preparation day time and went. He's a way cool guy--a miracle of a guy. We four taught about the Book of Mormon and he told us how much he loved the stuff we taught and how much he loved church, et cetera. Neat! Daniel's from Portugal, and has been here in Luxembourg for about 10 years, I think. Either that or 5 years. He's 21. I'm grateful for the members of the church here who do such a wonderful job of welcoming others and fellowshipping them. It's awesome to have such a strong young adult presence!

Mark is awesome, too. And he studies economics in Germany during the week, so the elders haven't been able to see him since Saturday night. I know there are people in our paths who are prepared. All ya gotta do is talk to 'em! Miraclez a'plenti.

We saw Idalina, who has been on our list of potential investigators for a long time, on Thursday night. She's very spiritual and was open to our message. We gave her a tour of the church and shared the message of the Book of Mormon and the Restoration. Good rdv. She is from Angola and has had a very difficult past, what with the war and communism in Angola, but is now a pretty successful businesswoman here in Luxembourg. Today she called us and told us that she felt the Spirit of God more powerfully than ever after our rdv, and she knew the things we said were true. She said she's been searching for that feeling for a long time, and wants to feel it again. Ha! Can you believe this stuff?! It's awesome! Seriously, can you believe it? I am amazed and overjoyed and grateful to be here. Incredibly grateful to be here. What a gift. I've spoken with a lot of people this past week who tell me I'm crazy for doing what I'm doing, but they do not get it. Italics added for emphasis. Who cares how hard it can be and how much I occasionally want to rip all my hair out and ball my eyes out-- I get to get phone calls like the one today from Idalina. Without a doubt it's worth it. Sharing the gospel, that is.

So last Wednesday we went out to Arlon to see Soeur Gerouville and her two daughters. They're cute girls, and their house is awesome. Part of it used to be a barn, so there's a room with a very high ceiling. They stuck a pulley and a rope in the ceiling and play like Tarzan and Angelina Jolie in Tomb Raider doing tricks on the rope. I wanted to join in, so I climbed the rope a bit. And then I don't remember what happened exactly, but I fell and hit the ground pretty hard. My first thought was, ''Wow, that could have been way worse.'' and I wondered if I had broken my elbow or hip. Also, I was embarrassed, so I started laughing, hoping the others wouldn't know I was in pain. Ha ha ha. I got up, saying, oh, no, no, I'm fine, no big deal, still laughing, even though my vision was fading a little and I felt like I was gonna hurl because of the pain. Ha ha ha. After a minute or so it stopped hurting so much. And I wanted to prove that I was ok and not an old person, so I got back on the dumb rope and swung across the room. Don't worry, I didn't fall again. What an idiot. As we walked home I nearly cried I was so grateful I didn't make myself a quadriplegic, and that night I fell asleep happily wiggling my toes. Phewf! I also realized that I am doing important work, and that if I do get hurt I have to go to a European hospital, and I really don't want to do that, so I should be more careful about choosing which activities to participate in.

Oh. Yes, this will be my first time training. They're not getting here this week, though, but should be here by June 8. So we get to hang out in limbo a little longer. It's not fun in limbo, is it, Catholic babies? Just kidding, they got rid of that. Didn't they? They need to read Moroni 8. It's just a little anguish-y waiting for the new sister. Probably I'll go to Geneva Monday. Maybe Friday. We'll see, obviously.

Also, if you're gonna send a letter every week, it would be better to send it to the Luxembourg address, because I get those immediately. I don't know if there's a problem with the mail here, but I haven't gotten any mail since my first week here, and that was kinda annoying when Soeur Jordan got stuff pretty much every day. Granted, she was finishing her mission so everybody and their dog was sending her a letter, but letters don't do me a whole lot of good if they're sitting at the mission home for a month before I get them. But maybe you've been sending letters and they just don't deliver them. Wouldn't that be a kick? Anyway, I am excited nonetheless to go to the mission home and see if there's anything there, as in letters from friends that rarely write me and don't have my real address in Luxembourg. You can send stuff there, and that's wonderful, I get to develop patience. And patience always comes in handy.

Well, I love you, and I'm very grateful for the support you give me through emails and prayers. Know that I think of you often and pray for you, too. Keeping the commandments brings us blessings and makes us happy--that's why Heavenly Father gave them to us. C'est simple. Until next week, maybe! Who knows.

May 25, 2010

2010-05-25T13:40:00.002-06:00

Tuesday's Gone

That's the song I had reluctantly stuck in my head this morning as we took Soeur Jordan off to the train station to ''kill'' her. You see, there's this whole other world of mission linguo. I was ''born'' in Dijon, my ''mother'' was Soeur Barlow. Soeur Jordan's last ville was Luxembourg, and so she just ''died'' here. It was weird to spend her final mission moments with her, she's about to go to the other side of missionary life. I am not ready for that. Thank heavens I have another year! Maybe I'll be ready then. To pass on through the veil.

So, we got our transfer calls yesterday morning. I've been waiting a while to tell you what is going on. Well. Soeur Arzola's stickin' around Luxey for another week, then she's off to Lausanne, Suisse. I'll go drop her off, and then continue on to Geneva, where I'll pick up a brand new sister. Then we'll hop back up to Luxembourg and I'll train her how to be a missionary. Zut alors! I'm excited. Nervous about how much I don't want to be a bad trainer, but confident that I won't be the one doing all the teaching, and that I will be helped. Soeur Cockerham will also be training in Grenoble. Soeur Cockerham was in the MTC with Maddi Earl. Anyway, so the two new sisters are either going to the very top or the very bottom of the mission.

Elder Harris will also be training here, which means my fellow Timpview friend, Elder Roberts, is leaving for Strasbourg to ''babysit'' Elder Livingston, who will be on his second transfer in the mission. So, the four of us will all go together until we drop Elder Roberts in Strasbourg, then Soeur Arzola in Lausanne. Then Elder Harris and I will go party like [missionary] animals in the mission home with the other trainers and the Murdocks. Woo hoo!

I've been thinking of tricks I can play on the new sister. The Turners (family from Yorkshire) and I will all pretend to drink wine when we go over for dinner. ''Oh, President said it's ok to drink a little since we're in an area that appreciates wine so much.'' And I'm gonna make her think we live in the downstairs closet to our building. The French word is ''cave'', and it's a lot like a cave. I'll put some sheets on the floor and a coat hanger on the wall, and maybe make a sign that says ''Home Sweet Home''. ''Well, this is it. Make yourself at home in that corner, new sister.'' Then I'll have a good laugh and take her up a couple floors to our spacious, naturally-lit apartment. I don't think she will like me very much. But hey, one elder told his greenie that he was a German-speaking elder and made the greenie contact everybody and take/make all the phone calls for a week ! Rude. Well, the greenie is Elder Woodbury, and he has beautiful French, so maybe that was a good idea. Also, I'll make her believe that mail comes every day of the week. That won't be funny until after I'm gone, and she realizes the mail does NOT come on Sundays, and her new companion thinks she's silly. Well, maybe it'll be funny when she's eager to check the mail on the Sabbath. If you have any good ideas, pass 'em on. I have another preparation day before I pick her up, so I'll be able to use your good ideas. I was thinking about having her read the letter of advice from Jared, but that might make her cry or hate me, so I'll hold off on that. We'll see what she's like. What opportunities! But before you go write President Murdock about how he made a terrible decision asking me to train and what a chumpkin I am, know that I'll try to be nice, too. There there.

There are clouds, clouds, of aphids near where we live. There's a canal of water nearby, so that's what I'll blame. I think they're aphids. I remember catching some of them with David when we lived on Arapahoe for his biology class at BYU or something. He involved me at least three times in that class, which was nice. Bean Museum, catchin' aphids, and a nature hike to find and kill butterflies to pin onto styrofoam. Last night I tried to trick some of them into leaving our apartment by turning off the lights and opening the window, thinking they'd be attracted by the lights outside, like the moon. No, they weren't. It's ok, there aren't very many inside. Maybe fifty, and they're little. Itty bitty. Teeney weeney.

There are also lots of wisteria trees here. Very pretty. And lilacs and tulips and daffodils. But the latter two are finished blooming. So are the magnolia trees. But they sure did have pretty blossoms! It had been rainy and cold for a while, and then starting last Friday the weather has warmed right up. Today it was at least 27 degrees celcius, so probably 80 degrees fahrenheit or something. I dunno. Warm. I hear the weather in Utah hasn't been very nice, even with snow. That is insane, but I guess ça arrive. ''It hap-pens.'' It's going to rain tomorrow and the next day and the next day and the next day, so there you go. I saw a tiny lightning bolt on the rain clouds for tomorrow, so I hope that means we'll have thunder and lightning (very very frightening) tomorrow. Oh how I love thunder and lightning.

In translating for church and stuff the past little while, I've thought a few times about how even though we're speakin' different languages, we mostly say the same things. That is, we all have the same ideas behind our words and phrases. And often times the same phrases, just with funny words. So if you can understand their language, it's the same as if it were your language. Wow, it sounds like I am high. But just gimme a second, and think about it. There I am, sitting in a weird chapel, listening to a talk being given by a ward-member in Provo. Then, there I am, in another chapel, listening to another talk by another ward-member in Luxembourg. They say the same stuff, but one is speaking English, and another is speaking French. I guess that's all I have to say about that, except that at the time the thought occured to me, I thought it was a little bit profound... profoundly simple. We mostly all think the same stuff, that's all.

You'll have to attach pictures of Alex on her blessing day for me. Which means you'll have to finally send pictures to me. Heh heh. You'd better! I'm a third through my mission! Oh, which reminds me. I'm excited to go to the mission home next Wednesday and Thursday and see what surprises I have waiting for me in little envelopes from you. It'll be nice to pick up letters and the boxes of materials we've ordered from the mission home. Then we have interviews on June 11, so President Murdock will be able to bring whatever else has arrived at the mission home up to us. But, like I say, I'm gonna be here in Luxembourg at least until July 6, if not until the end of August. So, don't hesitate to send stuff to my address in Luxembourg. There's gotta be something I can put in the mailbox to trick the new sister on the weekends! Again, the Luxembourg address is :

La Mission Suisse de Genève
Les Missionnaires
Attn: Soeur Emily Cutler
35, rue de Bourgogne
L-1272 Luxembourg
Luxembourg

So, there you go. Send on! Ok, I love you, and hope you have a good day and good weather. Hope to hear from you soon!

May 18, 2010

2010-05-20T00:44:00.002-06:00

Winds of Change

Hello, family.

We had a good week. The Dijon soeurs came up for exchanges, which meant I got to see Soeurs Barlow and Thacker again. Soeur Barlow is my trainer, and I really enjoyed serving with her, so it was a good couple of days. She's going home in a week; that is, if the volcano cooperates. We had to rush to the train station to send the Dijon soeurs back to Dijon, and in the hustle and bustle of throwing their stuff back into their suitcase, they ''stole'' Soeur Jordan's French triple combination and Preach My Gospel. Ha ha, that's what she gets for leaving her stuff around. Just kidding, it's a pain in the butt that she lost her important stuff, but she's also going home in a week, so she'll get it all back soon.

Transfers are next week, of course, and we'll find out Tuesday morning where we're going slash who's coming to join me in Luxembourg. I'm pretty excited, but less excited than I was 10 minutes ago when I still thought we were getting transfer calls Monday morning as usual. Oh well, what's another 24 hours? I always like finding out what's happening at transfer time. I'm probably definitely staying in Luxembourg, so if you're planning on sending stuff, send it to the Luxembourg address. I'll be here to get it. I think I'll be here a while, which is good, because I like it here a whole heck of a lot.

Speaking of how much I like this strange place, today we went to Vianden. Go ahead, google it. Yeah, pretty cool, eh? Perhaps the pictures don't do it justice, which makes it ok that I forgot slash lost my USB cord to send pictures. I'll find it. Btw, I keep typing ''slash'' because I can't find the symbol on this retarded keyboard. Anyway, it's probably the most Disney-like castle in Luxo. And Patrick Swayze's been there. Maybe part of that dragon movie he was in was filmed there. Find out and write me a letter, will ya? I got a picture with a picture of him. And John Malkovich. John Malkovich is weird, but I like him. Sometimes. So Vianden was neat. Soeur Jordan's been wanting to go there for a looong time, so it was nice to finally go. I think my favorite part was Elder Harris singing like a monk in the chapel with good acoustics. I got a video, so maybe you'll get to see someday.

We go jogging in the morning for exercise sometimes. One of these times was Saturday morning. There are lots of hills in Luxembourg, and I wanted to know what was at the top of one, so I ran up it. There wasn't much up there, just mud and green plants. So I booked it back down the hill, à la that cool scene in Man from Snowy River and whipped my legs through some stinging nettle. I've never had stinging nettle before. I had some pretty neat welts for a little while, then it just itched and stung. It's still a little itchy. Not too much, though. I don't think wearing tights has helped it. Waa waa, it's not a big deal. But fun!

Hey, happy birthday to Dave on the 21st. (And happy birthday to Adam, too. I wrote that on the envelope I recently sent to Christine's-- didja get it?) David's probably the sibling I talk most about to other people, because I tell people he served a mission in Taiwan to prove to them that we're all over the world, speakin' n'importe language. 37? My lands, how about that? Spring chicken! Have a good one, brother.

Speaking of chicken (my least favorite word in English), last week I had my first real African meal. I ate it with my fingers! The food had tastes that were rather brand new to me, and it was an interesting experience. Especially the meat part of the experience. Beef, gizzard, and intestine. I took a piece of beef and a piece of what I didn't realize was gizzard. The daredevilish part of me thought about taking some of the squishy intestine, but I had enough sense to realize I was already in a bad enough way with the stuff I already had on my plate. I would have really regretted it if I had taken the intestine. I had gizzard stuck between my molars the rest of the day and flossed like crazy that night trying to get it all out. My gums were swollen! What is gizzard? In all, the meal was good. I'm not afraid to eat it again, especially now that I carry dental ribbon around with me. (Already it's come in handy twice! The joys of flossing.)

Oh, also with exchanges came a letter from Soeur Earl on Reunion Island. Boy was it good to get a letter! From her! Zonderful. Uh, I keep drawing a blank on other things I could say, so I guess I'm all out. Hope to hear from you soon! Love you!

May 12, 2010

2010-05-12T12:37:00.002-06:00

Voila les résultats

So, I may have told you that last week was dubbed ''Week of Consecration'' and was a mission-wide crazy time finding effort thing. Well, as a mission, we added 109 new amis! That's an average 3.09 per companionship. When we really get down to business and work like we ought to and have faith as we ought to, miracles happen. I'm reminded of the phrase ''meet the Lord half-way'', and that phrase is tied to a memory of a scene from a tv show from my childhood. I am pretty sure it's from that show ''Christy''. I don't really remember what that show was about, unless Christy was a schoolteacher in the West. Maybe. She reminded me of Bay. But anyway, as my favorite version of Joseph Smith says in the LDS classic ''Legacy'', the only thing keeping us from Zion is our own weakness.'' or something. The Lord is bound when we do what He says, so we should do what He says. Awesome stuff happens when we do. ''Elsewise'' we have no promise. Simple principle.
Last week was not without its' tragedies, though. I left my magic scarf on the bus. What an idiot! It was my favorite, and I got it for a steal at Kohl's! I say it's magic because it's a different color every time you look at it. Sometimes silver grey, sometimes khaki, sometimes pink, and still other times purple. Now it is nothing, and I'm slowly getting over it. I think they have a lost and found for the bus, which might be good news, but how could I describe the scarf to get it back? I just explained to you that I don't really know what it looks like... Alas, I have other scarves, and soon the weather will be warm. Too warm for you, stupid chameleon scarf!
Some observations: Some people who live in Europe are funny, and they do weird stuff to their faces and bodies to be cool. They have strange spikes and piercings and scars and cuts, and I think they're maybe where Joss Whedon got his idea for Reavers. Other people who live in Europe are pretty blue-ish purple in the face because their capillaries are so busted from all their drinking. And then other people who live in Europe dress very professionally and look very sharp.
We take the train often here in Luxembourg and every now and then go into the waiting room to contact people, if we have time. In the waiting room there is a large tv that constantly shows movies of train tracks, with an occasional shot of the train engineer pushing buttons or wiggling levers. It is very difficult for me to not watch these movies. To me they are almost as fascinating as watching anything Rick Steves does.
Man, my emails have to many pop-culture (or nerd-culture) references.
Ok, another observation: Most people I have talked with who are from China are incredibly easy to like. Very friendly, and very interested in carrying on a great conversation. Way polite. We met a guy from China on Sunday. He is a pilot and flies a 777 for the government or something, and was stuck in deLuxe(mbourg) for a few extra days thanks to the volcano. Also, Luxembourgers are very nice people, and are very encouraging.
Last night I dreamed I was in Third Eye Blind and we were performing a concert, but only singing songs written by the Wallflowers. Which is odd, because it's been six months since I've thought of them or their music, and definitely every day I have hymns stuck in my head instead of real songs. But anyway, I was dressed as a nun, and I was pretty embarrassed to be on stage. The nun thing is easy to figure out-- people all the time stare at my name tag and then have an epiphany and exclaim, ''Oh! You're a nun!'' No, no I am not. But I kept singing and dancing with the other guys from Third Eye Blind, and then the audience started kicking soccer balls up onto the stage, and we all thought it was pretty funny.
It was super great to talk to Mom on the phone Sunday. And Bay and Catherine and Valarie and hear Alex in the background. The more I think about it, the happier I am I have the family and friends I do. You're pretty swell! 45 minutes was pretty piddly, but it was a good time, nonetheless.
Soeur Jordan will go home in a couple of weeks. She bought about 150 euros worth of chocolate, I think. We were at Auchan and I was looking at something else when she came waddling out of the chocolate aisle with a stack of chocolate bars in her arms, like Gus Gus with his crumbs in Cinderella, or as the French would say, ''Cendrillon''. I wonder how long that'll last her back in the States.
Oh, which also reminds me, one of our recent converts, Melanie, is a nanny for a half-American family. One of their daughters needs to go to the hospital at Georgetown University in DC, so they're going to live in Reston (I think) for the summer, with Sister Mauer's parents. I really have no idea where Reston is, except that S. Mauer said it is in Fairfax county, so I excitedly told her that my brother lives in Vienna. She asked what his last name was, and I looked at her like she was an idiot and said, ''Cutler''.
Also, we went and saw TJ's wife on Monday. She's really nice, and called me Elder Cutler several times. She knew Elders in England, and didn't know sisters, I guess.
We had a pretty nice rdv with Charly and Fatima's family yesterday. We were finally able to finish the first lesson and introduce to them the Book of Mormon. The lesson went pretty smoothly, and the three of us finally got a pretty good rhythym teaching together, and the Spirit was definitely there. Fatima's daughter, Lidiana, had some very good questions about the Book. They're a great family, and I am excited to see how they progress. I'm glad I get to be here in Luxembourg for a while. It's gorgeous, as I explained last week, and the amis here are wonderful. It's no Dijon, but on the other hand, Dijon's no Luxembourg. I am very glad to be here in this mission.
Did I tell you about Itzel? No, I don't think so. She is a lawyer from Mexico, teaching at the university here. She has had a ton of negative experiences in the past with church members being very unkind to her, but in spite of all that she is avidly, or ardently investigating the church. She loves the lessons we've taught her, she loves coming to church, and she is eager to learn more. I am very impressed by her, and more determined to actually be Christian-- wouldn't it be terrible to drive someone away from the truth because you're a jerk?
Alright, I love you. I'll be back.

PS, this is important: Preparation day will now forever be on Tuesday. More later.

May 5, 2010

2010-05-05T22:38:00.001-06:00

Auchan

First of all, I've gotta pass something on about my address. Apparently due to legal stuff, whenever anything is sent to me it hasta look like this when ya send it to the mission home:

La Mission Suisse de Genève
Les Missionnaires
Attn: Soeur Emily Cutler
8, Chemin William Barbey
1292 Chambesy (GE)
Suisse

Or I guess you could write ''Switzerland'' instead of ''Suisse''. Whatever.

Or when ya send stuff to me in Luxembourg, which would be a good idea, because I think I'll be here at least until July:

La Mission Suisse de Genève
Les Missionnaires
Attn: Soeur Emily Cutler
35, rue de Bourgogne
L-1272 Luxembourg
Luxembourg

So, if you could do that from now on, that would be nice. And also if you could make those changes to my address on my blog or facebook or whatever, that would be nice.

This Sunday we're gonna go to the Turner's house to make phone calls because they have the free international phone call thing. The Turners are the ones from Yorkshire. They're pretty typically British, and I like them a lot. I'll definitely call you before you go to church, but we haven't actually set the appointment up, so I guess you'd just better be ready... sorry. I really don't think I'll call before 8am in Utah (4pm here in Lux). Maybe 10am or so. I don't know about Soeur Jordan's family, though. She goes home in 3 weeks. Soeur Arzola's mom lives in Switzerland, so she shouldn't make much trouble for us. Oh, and President Murdock said we need to limit our phone calls to 45 minutes. Stinky rule, but it'll be a good 45 minutes. 801-473-4603. That had better be right, 'cause I ain't checkin' the emails before then... I have to repeat the number to myself every few weeks or so so I'll remember when it counts, like Mother's Day and Christmas Eve.

It's been a pretty great week, and we've seen more miracles. Our mission as a whole added something like 76 new amis last week. Nice! See, I told you zone conference was good. We're all pretty pumped up, and serving a mission has never been better. We had six of our amis show up to church on Sunday, including Rebecca (who has a baptismal date this month), and we were pretty flippin' happy about that. Other than that we've been contacting at least 30 people a day (does that sound like a lot to you? Because it is kind of a lot, and so it should sound like a lot. That's thirty gospel conversations, and... about 25-28 rejections in 7.5 hours.) (Just kidding, I need to increase my faith. We have about 15-20 new potential amis thanks to our contacting spree.), and it's way fun. I've had some really great conversations with people and have made lots of friends (with people who don't want to see me again. Ha ha, I'm happily and jokey-ly Eeyore-y, I promise.), including a janitor who works at the gare and wants to sortez avec moi. His name is Sofian, and I'm glad I have two companions. He's nice though, not creepy like the others. We've had to go on splits a couple of times because we have so many rdvs, but we also want to avoid splits, especially if they're being used to get away from your companions. The role of peacemaker is a new one for me, wouldn't you say?

Spring in Luxey is nice. It got rainy and cold again, but mostly the weather's been lovely. And you know, once you're out of the city and into the hills and villages, Luxembourg looks an awful lot like Utah in the canyons. Minus the huge mountains, plus a few more trees and trains. So, go on a picnic in the canyon and pretend you're in Luxembourg, then go walk around Midway or Park City and keep pretending you're in Luxembourg. They're pretty similar, and it's a lot cheaper to go to there instead of here.

I don't know if I have any funny stories this week, except that I was recently in a rdv with Lucia, who is a recent convert who looks a lot like Ozzy Osbourne (Osborne?). Soeur Jordan asked her for a referral and said the generic, ''Who do you know who has recently moved or had a baby...'' and I jump in and say, ''or a murder in the family'' You see, I confused the word for ''death'' with ''murder''. I don't think she noticed because she is Brazilian and doesn't speak French too well, but I had a good laugh at myself a few times. I don't know if that is even funny to you. She didn't give us a referral.

I got some sad news this past week. President Murdock said we're not allowed to roll up our sleeves with the warmer weather because it looks super bad, apparently. I LOVE rolling up my sleeves. Oh well. Obedience never hurt so much! Just kidding, maybe it has.

Cool to hear about Alex laughing and sitting. Really wish I could see her. There are some pretty cute kids here, but of course none of them come close to nieces and nephews.

Dream package that I would love to receive before July 4th would ideally include:
-a new French cantiques book (hymn book), because I lost the other one
-''Angel chaps'', maybe
-nylons, always. (that is, anytime you send a package, could you include a pair or two?) nude or sheer black color, maybe knee highs or regular
-MoTab stars and stripes patriotic cd
-tiny military version of Book of Mormon and maybe New Testament
-American flag, maybe
-pictures

And now that I have personal money again I'll send you a package, too. So, I think I'm about out of time, which stinks, but I'll talk to you Sunday. That's pretty cool! I love you.

More pictures

2010-05-05T02:16:00.003-06:00

Emily with Renee, Jean-Louis, and Alexander

Emily in front of Notre Dame (sorry it's sideways)

Emily at a Douglas Boutique

Pictures!

2010-05-05T02:09:00.001-06:00

Emily with Mme Fourier

Emily with Flavit Gaillard

Emily with Cogway and Soeur Andelin

Emily with mission president and his wife

Emily at the mission home

April 28, 2010

2010-05-05T02:05:00.001-06:00

Bureau = Desktop

Moien, family and loved ones.

Yesterday we had a rip-roarin' awesome zone conference. Set some pretty great goals, very motivating time. I am so glad to be a missionary-- I made a pretty good decision coming out here, even if I am missing out on you. That's a pretty big sacrifice for me. Anyway, you know how I'm a sucker for St Crispin's Day speeches and chummy solidarity stuff in tough times, like that ''Oh captain, my captain'' scene in that movie I can't remember the name of because I never think of that stuff anymore. Oh! Dead Poets Society. Occasionally we'll get one of those at zone conference, and they really pump me up. We're going to have a ''week of consecration'' next week and it'll be pretty intense, but we're all in it together, as Ben Lee would say. I'm a pumped up soldier. Heh heh, ''shock trooper''.
Which reminds me-- I got packages this week! On Monday I got Mom's package and letter in the mail and loved them both. They were both perfect. The cartoon editorials, the pink journal (which I love, by the way, and I even like the pink, believe it or not) (believe it or not I'm walking on air / George isn't at home); I was so excited about the Anderson Cooper wrapping paper and newspaper clipping about Aaron Schock. I love both of those people a loooooot. So it was nice to see 'em, and even better to hear from you. I would marry Aaron Schock, that is, if a lot of things were different about him and I actually knew him. So there you go. Oh, and Mom, I'm gonna give each of those Joseph Smith testimonies in French away just for you. Thank you for sending them. Also, President Murdock came and dedicated the Luxembourg apartment and loved the Plan of Salvation book mark. He took it with him to make a photocopy, but don't worry, he gave it back the next day. Nice going. I think everyone in the mission is going to have it.
Later that day we had interviews with President Murdock (yes-- we had interviews AND zone conference in the same week, holy smonks!) and I received a letter from PA and a package from Jeff and Cheri. What treasures. I loved the pictures and promptly put them in my little album to show people, and we all (my companions included) love the cd. We haven't listened to the talks yet, but hey, it's Wednesday.
Interviews were really great. President Murdock said some nice things and promised me I'd be in a regular companionship again one day, so that's good. But he also said, ''I hope you don't mind me using you.'' I didn't come on a mission for myself, so it's ok if I get companions that need to learn lessons in a bat way, but I hope I'm able to help them, and that he isn't misplacing his trust. Just so you know though, I love my companions, and I'm way happy to be serving with them. Things are good here in Luxembourg-o.
Yesterday I sat by and contacted a guy on the train, and you know what he did? He contacted me right back! He was a missionary, of sorts, and asked if I would like gospel teachings. I danced around that best I could by saying we could ''exchange'' and set a RDV where we tell him about our church. He gave me some pamphlets about the Rapture and the mark of the beast. I'm glad our pamphlets, that is, the pamphlets from the true Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day saints aren't hype-ey and don't try to scare you into having faith. That's not how it works. Nah, never turn to Christ because of fear, for He hath not given us a spirit of fear. Anyway, we'll see. Hopefully the guy won't be disappointed in how not sensational and freaky the gospel of Jesus Christ is, but will be glad for the peace and joy it can bring. Fun experience.
Sr Arzola keeps saying funny things. This week she confused raccoons with pumpkins, and then confused pumpkins with chipmunks, to call them ''chumpkins''. Oh, and also, from the very beginning she has called me ''Soeur Cuttle'', and I LOVE IT. I keep praying Sr Jordan won't tell her my name is absolutely not Cuttle, and so far so good.
Last Saturday we went to a birthday party for the church. There were a few amis there, including a Filipino guy named Elvin. He's the Elders' ami. He was way nice. He said he wasn't sure what to bring, but wanted to bring something, so he went out and bought a fine wine and gave it to the Sr Ribeiro (the member at whose house the party was. is that how you say that?). He was pretty ashamed, he said, once the elders explained that we don't drink wine. How adorable. Oh Elvin, it's ok. He came to church the next day and wore a suit and everything!
Last Monday before we checked the mail and went to awesome interviews we were stopped by the police. They asked for our ID. First time that's happened to me, and I didn't think it was a very big deal, and I even talked to one of the guys about the restoration, but both my companions were a little upset. Once the cops figured we weren't Jehovah's Witnesses they were a lot nicer.
Well, that's about it, I think. I hope you have a terrific week. Tell me all about it!

April 21, 2010

2010-05-05T01:58:00.002-06:00

Oh great, another keyboqrd format.

This one's a qwertz, and all the buttons are moved around! This is not good when I have so much to say, and not so much time. My neighbors probably think I am so weird; I look at the screen and laugh uncontrollablz for a while, type something as fast as possible, hit the backspace button a thousand times, and then look franticallz, oops, frantically at the keyboard, searching for the flippin' button.

Ok, well, the medical appointment I had last yeek yas just for to make sure I am healthy, and that France won't mess up big time (I've made a huge mistake, a la Gob) by giving me a long visit visa.

They xrayed me lungs and even let me keep the xray. I'll show you when I get home in a year from, uh, four days from now. So no worries, I'm still healthy like horses are healthy, even though my companions are sick pretty often. Now Soeur Jordan has probably the same weird cough thing that Soeur Sudar had a couple months ago. But I'm healthy and strong. I remember the Priesthood blessing Jeff gave me before I was set apart-- he said I would have good health, or that I wouldn't have any problems or any worries. So, pretty cool. Anyway, now I'm legal to live in France, so I moved to Luxembourg. Good timing, office elders.

Luxembourgish people (that is, people from Luxy, though I'd prefer them to be called Luxemburgers, yum!) speak a ton of languages, and I feel pretty retarded about my stupid two languages. That's nothing! The Luxembourgish language is weird, I guess it's a dialect of German. Instead of saying bonjour to people anymore I say moien, yhich is pronounced moy-en. I can't find the quotes buttons, by the way. Stuff is written in French first, because it's the official language of the country, but there's a ton of stuff in German, like town names. Some are mixed French-German, like Weiler-la-tour. Ha. Anyway, what a strange little country. Very rich, I hear, and it shows. Incredibly clean. It takes about 3.5 hrs to go across the country, they say. They = my companions.

Soeur Arzola is from Chile and doesn't speak a ton of English. She says really cute stuff when she tries, though, like when Soeur Jordan said she liked to live on the edge, Sr Arzola said, ''Don't live there!'' Cute. Soeur Jordan taught her a while back about how we say ''like'', and then Sr Arzola said, ''and then he, like, spake unto me.'' Ha ha, that's how you speak English if you learn from reading the scriptures. I laughed about it for a while, then got a little depressed when I
realized I probably sound like her when I try to speak French. Oh great. So I'm only speakin' French these days, except with amis or members who don't speak French.

The ward here has a ton of people from Cape Verde, so I need to brush up on my Portuguese. And we have some amis who only speak Spanish, so I've gotta brush up on that, too. Ay carumba! (Thanks, Bart.) So, whoop de doo for French. There are also quite a few Americans, and a British family. They're from Yorkshire, so I told them my great grandmother (whom I look like!) is from there. Hull, in fact. At least that's what the genealogy chart says.

Speaking of weird things that happen when you read the scriptures a lot, back in the good old days in Dijon I was riding the bus when some of our Kosovoer friends hopped on. One of them spake unto me (heh heh) to tell me his name and said ''Giovanni''. Then a few seconds later looked me in the eye and said ''Raca.'' I was pretty offended, but then Soeur Sudar told me he was telling me his family name, and not telling me, his [sister] Raca. I guess even if he were I shouldn't have been angry, eh?

Catherine, there's a building we pass here on the way to the apartment from the train station that looks like those fancy lincoln log architect building stuff you had (Ethel gave the set to you when we lived on Arapahoe, then I think I always played with it instead of you creating a civil engineering masterpiece). So anyway, I think of fond memories when we pass that building. Maybe we're living in a weird kind of Ender's Game reality thing, and when I thought I was just fake building a building with your stuff I actually built buildings in Luxembourg? Eh? No, I don't
think so.

We have an ami with a baptismal date. Guess where she's from? Why Nigeria, of course! Her name is Rebecca, and she's pretty cool. May 23rd is her date, I think. How about that?!? Wouldn't you know it.

Funny that you acted out the Radio Flyer joke for me-- I explained it to Soeur Sudar a couple weeks ago. Too bad she's pretty much dead to me and can't laugh about it with me. Didn't Mom tape that movie? Maybe I could watch it when I go home.
Oh! My new address is:

35, rue de Bourgogne
L-1272 Luxembourg
Luxembourg

You'd better start sending me stuff right away! Ha. Naw, don't waste money on stamps, send emails. Or do whatever you want, as long as I hear from you.

Speaking of, Mother's Day is coming right up on May 9th, isn't it? I'll figure out during this next week how I can call and let you know. So, that's that, I guess. Wow, Mother's Day already.

Zone conference and interviews are next Monday and Tuesday, so I'll probably get stuff from you before next Wednesday. I'll let you know how that goes.

Did I already tell you that one of the elders serving here in Lux is Elder Roberts, who was in my seminary class in high school? ''Isn't that special?''

Ok, time's up.

April 13, 2010

2010-04-13T15:44:00.000-06:00

Take me down to paradise city

Well, I got transferred! To... LUXEMBOURG! Whaddya think about that, eh? I have a medical appointment Thursday morning here in Dijon, so I'll be going up to Luxey Thursday apternoon. Oh, and wouldn't you know it, I'm going to be in another threesome up there, with Soeurs Jordan and Arzola. Soeur Jordan will be going home after this transfer, and Soeur Arzola will be leaving Lux, apparently, so President told me to get to know the place pretty well. I am exceeeeeedingly glad to be in the coldest place (climate-ly) for the summer. You know how I'm not fond of hot hot weather, probably especially as a missionary walking around in the heat all day. So there you go. I'll miss Dijon, though, it's an incredible place.
Everything you've heard about French people not being polite or considerate, etc etc, is true. Just so ya know.
Oh. Also, Soeur Sudar's going to Geneva, which means Dijon's getting "whitewashed" for the Soeur équipe-- that is, both of us are leaving, and two other sisters are coming. However, one of the sisters knows Dijon better than anybody probably-- President is sending Soeur Barlow (my old companion and trainer) back for her last transfer with her companion from Lyon. Soeur Barlow will have spent half of her mission in Dijon. But that's a letter for another family.
Speaking of, I was so happy to read your emails today, and to see all those pictures Mom sent. I had forgotten how huge Tucker is. Holy cow! What a special cat. And what a great family. I love you!
Well, most people are on vacation here, so it's kinda been a pain to not have many rdvs. Ca va, no big deal. We did other cool stuff, like contacting, and look-ups. And we had an amazing rdv with a part-member family. They answered questions, volunteered information, participated in the lesson-- it was incredible. I love it when stuff goes according to plan, and in this case, the lesson plan. They even accepted our commitment to have a family home evening and talk about people with whom they could share the gospel. They're golden, and they're gonna see some miracles!
Yesterday we went to the church to do service. I wore pants for the first time (excluding pajamas and long johns under a skirt) in about 5 months, and it was weird. I really like those pants, though. We picked up grass clippings and had a super time. Last night I called Frère Ollivry to thank him for inviting us to do service and he sounded pretty stunned on the phone. I also told him not to hesitate to ask us to do more service in the future. I hope Suh Bahlow likes to work!
The weather back home sounds pretty crazy. We haven't had any more snow, but it has rained a bit. There have been a couple sunny, warm days, but mostly it's either raining and cold, or beautiful and sunny, but also super windy, which keeps it cold. Sorry about all the comma abuse in that last sentence. And for other mistakes I make all the time-- I guess it was pretty arbitrary to choose that last sentence of all the bad ones I write and apologize, eh?
I don't have the address in Luxembourg yet, so you could probably just hold off on sending stuff for a week or so until I give it to you, or if you really wanted to, you could send it to the mission home and I'd get whatever you sent in a few weeks. However you'd like. Either way, I want a ton of mail to make my companions feel bad, ok? Heh heh, naw, I just wanna hear from ya.
Just after sending my last email last week we were on our way to Intermarche to buy groceries. A man came up to us and asked us if we were the missionaries for the Church of Latter-day Saints. Well, yes, we are. He said his name is Eric, and he just recently moved to Dijon from the Netherlands and has been looking for the church here. Pretty neat that we just hopped on his bus. He was baptized a couple of years ago in the Netherlands, but is originally from Nigeria. We have a nice little community of Nigerian members here in the Dijon ward to receive him, so it's pretty cool.
Today we had an hour to wait between companionship study and the internet cafe opening, so we went to the crypt under Saint Bénigne. I was a little disappointed at how small it was until I realized again where the heck I was and what I was looking at. It was awesome! Underneath the cathedral is a crypt that dates back to 1001. Much of it was destroyed in the French Revolution, but hey, what in Utah was destroyed by the French Revolution? Still pretty cool. Saint Bénigne's sarcophagus is still in there, and that dates to 200 AD. Get out of town! Pretty neat. Also, I saw one of the priest-in-training guys from midnight mass on Christmas Eve walking around in normal person clothes. He was friendly enough.
Yeah, I'm sorry to leave Dijon, but glad to go to Luxembourg. I'll tell ya what it's like, ok? Love you!

April 7, 2010

2010-04-13T15:43:00.000-06:00

Brand New Key

Rachael got baptized on Sunday! There was a little bit of drama, of course, there always is, but everything worked out and the ward pulled together very nicely for Rachael. She was so so so happy and kept smiling and rejoicing and saying thank you, which is a lot for someone with her background. The Nigerians I've met here aren't very expressive. At least not to me. But Rachael was excited and beaming on Sunday. It was a great experience. We tried all my first transfer to find her, but never were able to, then I took Soeur Sudar back there on her first day here and Rachael was there. We taught her everything, and now she's baptized. What a blessing to see so much of the process with her. Neato.
The other day we went contacting and were walking down Berbisey. We talked to some guy for a while about how he's atheist and this and that, then parted ways just in time to see another guy across the street staggering and stumbling around. First we wondered if he were handicapped, but then he was stumbling and staggering way too much, so we figured he was drunk. It's usually a waste of time to talk to drunk people because they'll probably be rude, or they'll never remember the commitments you give them, or what the heck that business card is that you gave them. But this guy was pretty slammed, and stumbled into the road right in front of a moving vehicle. He was about to stagger his way to the pearly gates! So we gently shoved him out of the road and walked him home. Luckily he was just a nice, quiet, sleepy drunk guy, so it was a pleasure walking with him. When we got to his place we said g'bye and he seemed pretty sincere when he said thank you. He'd better be grateful; now he can "go home, and rethink [his] life" before meeting Saint Peter. Heh heh.
Speaking of Catholic beliefs, Mme Fourier really doesn't like 'em. She tells us about all the stuff she's mad at the Catholics for doing, and how she hates the Pope for forbidding priests to marry. But then she says she's too old to change and that Jesus never said tea was bad, and that some doctor dude in some book said that drinking tea everyday helps to prevent cancer. Yes, Mme Fourier, you can do a lot of things to prevent cancer. Also, you're probably still going to get cancer (heh heh, if you lived long enough! Isn't that right ?). Whatev'. She still wants to see us, which is nice, because we still want to see her.
General Conference was pretty neat. We saw both the Saturday and Sunday morning sessions real-time at 6pm, and watched the Saturday afternoon session Sunday afternoon at 2pm. Did you know France uses military time? So it's becoming weird to say 6pm, I'm getting used to 18h. Maybe the rest of the world uses military time. Anyway, I really liked Conference. The Primary room was all set up for English speakers, so I didn't have to suffer through French nonsense, or miss out on good old Hollandaise fervor, or Monsonian lilting speech. Hey, I'm good at that. I am looking forward to reading the Conference talks-- I think we'll get those magazines from the mission home in... June. (Hint hint, could you please mail me one as soon as it comes out?) Ha
Today we had a rdv in Marsannay, which is a pretty town just south of Dijon. Lots and lots of vineyards. Rdv with Mme Fofana (banana fofana, fee fi, momana, nana, something like that)

whoops, I accidentally hit send too quickly with a weird combination of keyboard buttons.
Anyway, Mme Fofana tombeed, that is to say, she stood us up, so we walked around town talking to people and met a couple from COLORADO. We tried talkin' to 'em in French, but they just looked at each other and laughed, and then the old man said, "They're Marm'ns."
Crazy.
Oh. This is week 6 of the transfer, so that means next Monday I'll get a call from President Murdock about where I'll be going, if anywhere. Which also means that Tuesday will be preparation day next week. And if I go anywhere, it'll be on Wednesday, a week from today. Usually preparation days are on Wednesday, except on transfer weeks, when they're on Tuesdays. So, write me an email before then.
Thanks to Dad for the Easter card, and to Bay for the letter on dalmation stationary (stationery?) she's had for most of my life. Did you write letters to David on that same paper? And thanks to you for the emails to read today.
Ok, love you.

March 31, 2010

2010-03-31T11:35:00.002-06:00

Only Lightning Strikes All That's Evil

More doppelganger stuff to report: Yesterday we sat by a guy on the bus who looks just like Jordan Johns, except he's black. Named Patrick, plays soccer. Might come to the baptism on Sunday. He's from one of the Congos. Congoes? How congoes it? Heh. Also yesterday I hopped off the bus and a very tall, eccentric man walked up excitedly to me and said rejoicingly, (translated:) "It's been a long time!" and was about to bise me, when I said, (translated:) "Do you know me?..." instead of "do I know you?" His brow furrowed, and he looked a little closer, kinda like how Belle looks at the newly transfigured Beast/Prince, and said "Oh, you could have been twins. I thought you were one of my friends... it's been more than four years since I've seen her." Phewf! Usually I remember the people I contact with my creepy good memory, and I was NOT remembering him. Turns out I had no reason to remember him, except maybe from the premortal existence, but you know, what with the veil and all... then he looked awkwardly at me and said "bonne journée" and kept-a-walkin'. Dijon's for Doppelgangers. Hey, what a great postcard idea. Imagine a whole series of cards-- each one has a different pair of passport-type photos of people who could be mistaken for one another side by side, with my little slogan written out across the bottom. Bet you'd like to see that in your mailbox, eh? Someone get me an agent.
Alright, any substance to report... Rachael, aka "Peace", is gettin' baptized this Sunday between sessions of Conference. (General Conference is a proper noun, thanks for the lesson, Bay.) I feel like this baptismal date is a lot more... sure... to happen. But it's not over until the fat lady sings, right, Will Smith? That's right, Jeff Goldblum. Hey, stop smoking cigars. They're against the Word of Wisdom, or, how I call it these days, La Parole de Sagesse.
Speaking of, we tried to get Mme Fourier to live La Parole de Sagesse this past week. She mostly just laughed at us, because she really loves tea. She said she believes she's going to Heaven, and that Jesus is waiting there for her. And that she'll go there with her tea cup in hand. Probably, I think. Well, I don't know if it's the biggest deal of the century for someone to drink tea, probably we shouldn't get too hung up on that, but the whole not having faith in prophets and modern revelation, and by extention, not having faith that Heavenly Father will bless you if you keep His commandments, no matter what they are, is a bigger deal. I told her that if the Prophet commanded me to do a head stand every day, I'd do it, even if I thought it was weird, and I'd do it because I have faith, and I love Heavenly Father. Little does she know I ALSO LOVE DOING HEAD STANDS!!! Ha ha. I'm so weird. It was just a little example to get her thinking, and to realize the principle, but you know. She called us yesterday to reschedule our next RDV. I don't think she understands cell phones, or that the number she calls is really ours, because whenever she calls or leaves a message she says who she's trying to reach (Les petites soeurs, Soeur Cutler et Soeur Sudar, de L'eglise de Jésus-Christ des saints des derniers jours) and exactly who she is (Madame Raymonde Fourier, phone number, 37 rue Charles Suisse, Dijon), and as many details as she can about the reason why she's calling. I think she thinks our cell phone number is a number for the nun center office, and that we're like nun agents who go around proselyting, and that the office nuns will send us a dispatch. Ha. Though, she knows that we're not Catholic. Ah, Mme Fourier.
Oh. The other day I was standing on the bus and a bunch of little kids hopped on. I listened in on a conversation a couple of little boys were having, and then one pointed at something and said, to my extreme delight, "Popcorn!" You should have seen the smile on my face! I've seen and heard it all now, I'm ready to die. Oh Bay.
Also, I was in the park the other day doing some good ole contacting and saw an older lady wandering around in the trees, hunched over, gathering something into a plastic sac. I wondered, then realized that all those big trees in that park are chestnut trees, like at Capitol Hill, and she was gathering chestnuts! Probably to sell them, right, Mom? Good times in Franceland.
More about park contacting. It was a pretty big drag on Monday. The weather was nice, but nobody, and I repeat, nobody, wanted to talk to us. And we'd go long stretches without seeing any other people. I was worried that we were wasting time, big time, and then Soeur Sudar went up to this guy sitting on a bench and told him who we were and what we do. He was SUPER nice and very receptive, turns out he's going through some big life changes and is asking a lot of questions. I invited him to General Conference and told him to write his questions of life down and bring them, and that they would be answered. Also invited him to the baptism and he asked how we baptized, "Par immersion?" "Oui, exactement comme Jésus-Christ." I was very glad he asked that question. How Wilford Woodruff-ey of him. AND we have prophets and apostles and the Priesthood and and and. So he's gonna come to General Conference. His name is Lionel, and he seems really great. Pray pray pray that he comes, I will. He told us to have a good day, and to go save some souls. He gets it! What a guy. He'll come to Conference, meet the Elders, and they'll get to teach him. That would be nice, because the Elders have been giving us some pretty sweet lady references lately. Nice.
Church was better last week. But the two guys that were the cause of the havoc the week before weren't there... gulp. Just kidding, it was also the day we lept forward, so maybe they just didn't change their clocks.
Ok, love you. Have a nice Easter. Conference will be weird this year! But good weird. Missionary weird.

March 24, 2010

2010-03-25T22:14:00.001-06:00

"I don't like how you say, 'You're French, aren't you?"

Aloooooha, tout le monde!
Ok. Mme Cuisiat (c-u-i-s-i-a-t) decided not to get baptized after she had a scawy dream two nights in a row and cut off all contact with us. I don't really want to talk about it, except that she will get baptized, one day. Flip!
In fact, last week was a little rough. But, no use in getting discouraged. We've also seen miracles. The elders are incredible and keep giving us rock solid references of ladies they porte into or contact on the street. We keep giving them creepy references, because the creepy guys really like talking to us and giving us their addresses and phone numbers. Sigh. I will NOT date you, creepy guy.
Went to Geneva on Monday to complete my Swiss legality. I'm good to go now, but I don't think I will be going for a while-- Swizzy's gonna stop allowing American missionaries into the country, and will stop giving Permit Ls by the end of the year, so President Murdock will probably keep me in France until he has fewer missionaries who can serve in Swizzy. I have a hunch I'll end my mission there. Who knows. It'll be awesome any way, that's sure and certain. We got to stay in the mission home, and eat snacks and ice cream with President and Sister Murdock. It was way fun. I really like them. They might think I'm silly, though, and that makes me feel a little bad, but I guess they're right. It was fun to travel around on trains again. But it's always nice to come home to Dijon. I really love this city, and I don't think many missionaries do. I would love to stay.
Last Sunday all kinds of crazy stuff happened. Frere Bassi yelled at us... a lot, because he screwed up and didn't follow through on picking up our amis and bringing them to church. And then there was nearly physical violence in Priesthood. Good thing Elder Barnett has such a good head on his shoulders, and didn't open a can on Frere Mitic. So, that was pretty terrible, and Soeur Sudar cried the entire three hours of church, but I think that may have been just what the doctor ordered. I think the ward will be a lot more responsive to us, the missionaries, and more willing to do the work. That is, their jobs, which are not the missionaries' jobs, but what the missionaries have had to do because the members won't. You know, finding, fellowshipping. Et cetera. Last night the Bishop called and apologized. I love that guy. And I'm sorry that he has such a hard job. Ah, the French. And Italians. And and and.
The weather has been delightful, delicious, delovely the past week. Springtime! "I love Paris in the springtime," or, "I hate Paris in the springtime," if you're Meg Ryan in "French Kiss". I've remembered that movie a lot while on my mission, and I think I'll enjoy it even more when I go home and wartch it again.
Last Saturday night we were at a less-active's apartment, and she asked us to fix her computer and plug the screen back in. I guess she had really tried to force the plug to go back into the CPU, because the little pokies on the plug were super bent. I sat down with the little guy and straightened all the pokies with a steak knife, then plugged it in. It took a half hour, and was probably the most satisfying thing I did all week. I love little projects, especially when I get to fix stuff. And hey, the little plug doesn't have agency, so it can't decide it doesn't want to see me anymore and never get plugged in. Lovely. No effort wasted.
For you see, that's a frustrating thing about inviting people to come unto Christ. Sometimes they choose not to come, and no matter what you do, you can't change their mind. I can testify and hope and even prove by Bible bashing (not that I would!!!), but the only thing that'll make the difference is them taking their own steps. So, I'm sure the opposite, when they DO take their own steps and accept your invitation, is exceedingly rewarding. Ah, agency. It's quite the thing.
So, General Conference is coming up. I'm pretty excited, and I think it'll be even cooler than usual, now that I'm a missionary, and all I do 24/7 is talk about and rejoice in the gospel.
I've been having a super time studying the scriptures in my personal study time each morning. I've been asking some fun questions, and finding awesome answers in the scriptures. Also, Elder Barnett has a cool Joseph Smith-y kind of background (no vision, but did a lot of searching before becoming active in the church), and knows his Bible really well. It's fun to talk about goppel-y stuff because he uses the scriptures, whereas, other times when I have gospel conversations with other missionaries/members they rely on weird stuff they think they heard from someone else, and it mostly sounds like it was pulled out of... the blue. Anyway, consequently (is that a word?), my understanding of basics feels more personal, and more profound to me.
Today we're going to go to a park. It's a pretty park, and they have giant chickens. Giant, French chickens.
Well, what else. Jean-Luc (the internet guy) is talking to us again right now about coming to English class. He'd better come... Sometimes I think it's weird that I can read words and hear people talking and understand, and then remember that it's a different language. I'm glad I get this chance to learn French; hopefully I'll improve a lot in my ability to communicate and trick people into thinking I'm one of them before the end.
Sorry this is a lame email this week. I've said a whole lot of nothing. Comme d'habitude. Heh.
Tell me about how school is, what with the semester already winding down and all; and how work is. Sorry about your assistant, Mom. That's the pits!
Oh, and I got a wonderful letter from Bay last week. Nice and long, chock full of chuckles. It was the perfect letter from Bay. And so many pictures of my family!!! Here's the consensus, since I had the entire district examine the pictures, because I was so glad to get them : Bay and Catherine look alike, and I look like Christine. Not a lot, but a little. And a little like Dave, too. And more like Mom than my sisters. And I think the picture I sent you last week was the only one where I looked pretty terrible--my eyes were closed and I'm kind of wincing. The others were all good, and I go and choose the lame one. Sorry. But thanks for the letters, they keep me bouncing.
Time's up.
Love you!

March 17, 2010

2010-03-17T14:00:00.002-06:00

The Republic Strikes Back

There was a bus strike last Thursday and Friday, with a little left over on Saturday. It was a pain in the butt, and I walked many many kilometers. It was very difficult not to think politically about how stupid strikes are. I could complain and complain about it, but that'll do for now. But that's what the email subject refers to this week-- The French Republic, instead of the Empire. So... there.
Happy St Patty's Day to ya!! I'm wearing the hair tie Mom sent, and Soeur Sudar is wearing the other because she LOVES St Patrick's Day. She can dance Irishly, so the card from Mom was pretty perfect. I got that, by the way. Obviously. I'm also wearing an orange shirt and Elder Barnett's grandpa's tie. It's green, with a super quilty squishy texture. Only today.
It's funny that Dave wrote about BAE changing names and the Monty Burns boss. My district laughs at me for doing the Monty Burns finger-drumming thing. They also laugh at me because I say "Mom" weird-ly. Like "Maam".
Oh, I've been meaning to tell you for a long time-- we have a few friends and members who live by the bus stop called "Pommard". On our way to see these people, we walk past a home with a pretty big yard (for France) and a golden retriever. Every time he sees us he runs full speed to the fence and squishes himself up against it and makes us pet him. He looooves us, and probably most people. We named him Dug, because he's exactly like Dug in "Up".
Hey, Blonde Mom, are ya gonna send me a picture or what??? Email it, yo! There's a camera ATTACHED to the computer. C'est facile comme ça.
I love the family picture David sent. You are beautiful!! Everyone here thinks your kids are the cutest and that I look "a little..." like David.
We're teaching a woman named Ida, and she has a copain. A copain is a boyfriend. He's pretty nice, and looks a lot a lot like Kareem Abdul-Jabar. He's tall, too. Has no idea who Kareem Abdul-Jabar is, though.
Well, I have some... news. Remember how Mme Cuisiat's husband was completely fine with her being baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? Well, he's not at all fine with her being baptized into the Mormon church, and the other day one of their neighbors told him the two are the same thing. So we went to our RDV yesterday and Mme Cuisiat opened the door sobbing. She told us what her husband said, that she is forbidden to be baptized because the Mormons are a cult and are going to steal all their money. I asked to talk to him and he came and sat down with us and pretty much yelled at us for a while about how he has 50 more years of experience and knows that the Mormons are for sure a cult and steal people's money. I pointed out that in order to make an educated decision or opinion about anything, you have to know both sides of an issue, and asked if we could give him a presentation about the financial system of the Church, tithing, and how tithing is used. He said no, because we'd just tell him what we wanted to. I don't really see how that's any different from what anyone ever tells you, though... so that didn't make any sense. He also said he was persuaded and his mind wouldn't change,"pour le moment," or "for now". So, he already knows he's wrong, and will stop being an ignorant... person someday. Then he kicked us out of the house and said we could never come back. Mme Cuisiat's allowed to come to church, and even allowed to meet with us, just not at his place. Soeur Sudar and I left their home and walked a little ways, then both sat down and cried for a while. But we both feel that Mme Cuisiat will still be baptized. Of course she will. Maybe not this Saturday, but she will. It just breaks my heart-- she's studied all her life, and studied intensively with the missionaries for more than a year now, and has finally arrived at having a testimony and the courage to be baptized. She was so looking forward to receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, but yesterday said between sobs "Now I'll never have the Spirit with me." My heart is broken, and it's difficult to feel charitably toward her husband. But today we are going to fast for her, and fast for his heart to be softened. I'm not inviting you to fast with me, of course, just letting you know. I have faith that the situation is in the Lord's hands, and that He is infinitely more powerful than whatever lies Satan can put into the hearts of men. A lot of people in the ward are going to fast with us, and the ward mission leader is going to show Mr Cuisiat a paper from the French government which describes tithing and says that we aren't a cult. No matter what, we're having an event at the chapel this Saturday. The font will be full and ready. Maybe she'll be able to be baptized, maybe she won't. But I'm going to hope and pray for a miracle. I know there can be miracles, I have seen so many of them.
Oh, I also have other news, and I can't believe I just had to stop and drum my fingers for a while to think of other stuff to tell you. I went to Paris on Monday!! For Swiss legality. I'm not sure if I'm supposed to tell you that, but oops, I just did. President Murdock sent me and Soeur Smith (two of the youngest missionaries in the mission) to Paris all alone, and it was a blast! We almost gave a Book of Mormon away to this American dude who works at CERN. We had a couple hours, so we walked around: Champs Elysees, L'arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, Palais des Invalides, Grand et Petit Palais, Opera house, Notre Dame, Pont Neuf, and more. A LOT of walking, but it was really cool. I pretty badly burned the roof of my mouth while eating a weird Parisien hot dog covered in emmental cheese. It was delicious, though. Let me tell you, though, you can pretty much have the same experience at the Paris casino in Las Vegas. Many, if not most of the people I passed on the street were Americans. And it's dirty and smokey and alcohol-ey, like Vegas. So save your dollars, and don't get DVT on the airplane ride to France. Dijon is way more French than Paris. I'll send you a post card from Dijon. However, it was a little (ok, a lot) neat to be bookin' it down the street and turn my head one way and see BAM, the Eiffel Tower, and another way and BAM, Notre Dame, etc, etc. World famous land marks. The first places to be destroyed if asteroids hit Earth. Isn't that right, Hollywood?
Now that that trip has taken place, I am eligible to be transferred to Switzy. Lausanne or Geneva. Or hey, Luxembourg. I would be sad to leave Dijon, though. Sigh. But the next transfer isn't until April 12, and we're supposed to have Rachael's baptism on April 3rd between conference sessions and her confirmation in Sacrament meeting on April 11. Cool that all these baptismal dates happen on family members birthdays. And Mme Cuisiat's supposed to get baptized on March 20, which is Steven Barnett the First's birthday, I'm pretty sure. Is May 23rd a Saturday? May 21? June 29? We'll see.
Thanks for all the emails this week, they were a wee bit o' sunshine on me day of preparation. We're going to have some good ole fashioned St Patty's Day fun. Oh, and to those of you who wished me a top of the morning, "and the rest of the day to ye."
Alright, I love you. Hope I get your letter in my mailbox today! Oh, and we have interviews on Friday, and so I'll be able to get mail that went to the mission home after zone conference. Like Bay's fat letter, hopefully. And your fat letter, too. Love you!

March 10, 2010

2010-03-10T13:22:00.002-07:00

Everyone knows it's windy

Holy windy times, Batman!! Btw, Elder Barnett made me a planner cover that has Batman on it. It's pretty cool. I'll show you...in a pretty long time. End of April 2011 long time. "Oh long johnson. Why I eyes ya; all the live long day?" Anyway, it has been very, very windy here. And windier still in Lausanne, what with those alps and all, as je viens de find out Monday night and Tuesday, at Zone Conference. I felt like I was in one of those, how you say, hurricanes. Leaning into the wind, suitcase rolling away with the wind. I even put my scarf around my hair, like Grace Kelly. Or Collette? Yikes! And all during the conference we could hear the wind howling and tearing above the roof of the chapel. Very, very strong winds. Uh, what else. Elder Barnett said President Murdock said someone said (heh heh) something like 70 people died in France because of the wind. Is this true? 70 is a lot, but I guess it has been pretty windy. And to think I left my kite at home.
So, we arrived in Lausanne Monday night. We hadn't communicated with the sisters in Lausanne what time we would arrive at their apartment, or really that we were coming for sure, so we waited in the wind for a little bit, until someone let us into the building. Then we waited and waited a while, and decided to leave them a note and brave the cold and wind to find something to eat. We wandered a bit and found this little [clean] hole in the wall kebab shop. We went in and began to look at the menu, then realized we didn't have any CHF (Swiss francs; the Swiss are cool and don't use the euro). We asked the nice man if he took cards, and he didn't. But then he said, "But order what you want, it's on me this time. It's too windy and cold for you to go look for someplace else at this time of night." (That is not at all verbatim what he said.) !!! We tried to refuse, but he insisted. He made us the most DELICIOUS kebabs that were a foot long and quite girth-ey. And he gave us some turkish sprite, too, which is really delicio, too. That guy is an angel, and we're going to send him a thank you note today. He kept saying, "It's normal, it's normal. C'est tranquille avec les filles, ça va. Mangez!" and "Next time you pay. This time you eat." Stuff like that. Also, we told the Lausanne missionaries to eat at his place, and every time I am in Lausanne for the rest of ever, I'm going to go to his place. Good kebabs. That was a night I will not quickly forget.
Zone conference was really cool. Elder Behunin went home last transfer, so I had to/got to play the piano. I "get to" play the piano every week in RS and Sacrament meeting, too. Oh goody! Oh well. We learned a lot about repentance, which is nice, because that's what we're sent here to do. Sent as missionaries to invite others to repent and come unto Christ, sent as humans to gain a body and experience. We gain experience through sin. We sin because there are laws. God gave us laws. Sin is inevitable. God also gave us His gospel and His Son so that we may repent and overcome. And become like Him. It's the only way. This all sounds rambly, but I've really enjoyed thinking about it, and talking with my companion about it.
Also, President Murdock talked to us about The Chronic-what-cles of Narnia. So much for the missionary library... anyway, he asked who of us had read those books, and I raised my hand, but then wondered if I really have, because I was in 3rd grade, I think, when Catherine read them to me, and I can't really remember the plot, except that there's something about a tunnel and mermaids and a boat and a closet... I also remember that it was a very good time with Catherine. Anyway, then I tuned back in and recommenced listening to President Murdock. He told us about Prince Caspian and the war. The Narnians believed in their God that they knew, Aslan. And they fought against the other ones who believed in that god they had pictures of and talked about and stuff. Then something about a house on a hill, and Prince Caspian and the Narnians were in the wood, about to go to the house, and there was a big stink, and this terrible evil god that the others worshipped went by and up into the house. So Prince Caspian drew his sword and said something like, "Let us go up to the house and see what adventure Aslan has for us." Man, Brother Lewis truly has a way of telling awesome stories that make you feel the Spirit. As the Lord told Cain, sin lieth at the door. Satan would have us, and he is in the house-- I am a missionary; YOU are a missionary, we are warriors. Let us draw our swords and go up to the house and see what adventure Christ has for us. I love this mission. I love the gospel. I love what I am doing. And I'd better reread The Chronic-what-cles of Narnia, just as soon as I get home.
As missionaries, we have what are called "Babylon Lists". They're made up of recommendations from other missionaries of stuff to read, listen to, watch, etc. I have mostly books on my Babylon list. Great, more reading! Missionaries come up with weird stuff, and weird names for things. Like "Babylon List".
Did I tell you Mme Cuisiat told us she's ready to be baptized whenever?! She said she thought about her baptism some more, and realized she had only chosen Easter because of the strong Catholic connotation that day has for her, but is now ready to break totally away from Catholic-dom (ah, "Catholicism") and be baptized into Christ's church by someone with authority. So the new date is March 20, 2010. It's all planned out now, and I am very excited. We'll hold off on reminding her that Easter is Christ's birthday, and the day that He broke the bands of death... A neat day to be baptized, but I also think it will be incredible for her to have the gift of the Holy Ghost with her.
Bishop Nizet has been particularly friendly and helpful lately. He's so cool. Elder Porter accidentally called him "Frère Nizel" a couple times on the phone, so I called him Frère Nizel on Sunday. He wasn't very happy... until I made it clear that I was making fun of Elder Porter. Then he called me Soeur Cutlay and laughed like a French person.
Have I told you that people have a super hard time with my last name? They stare and squint at my name tag and I say over and over "coot-ler" for them to easily pronounce, and they look at me all epiphany-like and say, "Ah, Soeur Culter." No. Say Cootler if you have to, but not Culter. Come on! (Gob)
I got a cool letter from Mom with newspaper clippings. I'm still glad for you that you could see Keith Lockhart from row 4, and that you had a lovely weekend. The groundhog picture is funny, and I like those lefties. Keanu Reeves is Canadian, plays hockey, and is left-handed. No wonder. Totally righteous!
I also got a St Patty's day card from Bay. I was a little sad there wasn't a big fat letter, but I was glad to know she still knows what I would think is funny. So at least I laughed a lot. I had never thought of "Michael O'Leavitt!!" What is he up to now? Out of a job since Obama? Who isn't? Ha ha, I rescind that last one, I know nothing anymore about those things. Well, not enough things to say anythings.
Anyway. I also got a letter from Brother Perkins (a newsletter from PV8th ward) and a birthday card from Sister Strong. It was so nice! I love those people in that ward. So very much.
Also, I got a card from Dad. It was very nice to have something with my name on it in the mail box, and it was nice to get something from him.
Sorry I sent the pictures in a weird way. I'm in France, what can I say? I don't know how their weird computers work. And it's kind of a pain in the butt to send pictures. But I'll keep sending them! In the way that you can't see them! Not today, though. Sorry.
Send me letters, emails. I can receive them from anyone, you know. Both emails and letters, that is.
I love you I love you I love you! Pampers.

March 2, 2010

2010-03-02T16:10:00.000-07:00

"And if it so be that ye should labor..."

DAH!!! I have that Janice Kapp Perry song stuck in my head. It's not so great to have stuck in your head. Not so great at all.
Thank you for all your emails and letters and encouragement and love and and and. You're ze best.
Well, my birthday went well. I got the birthday package from Christine. And a few texts from ward members wishing me a joyeux anniversaire. So nice! We went up to Is-Sur-Tille (do you google the places I tell you we see? Because they're amawing.) and had lunch with Soeur Guerin and "resurrected" some old amis. That is to say, un-dropped them. One of them played the accordion for us and sang. It was incredibly windy and rainy most of the day-- except the morning was 1st grade birthday-ey. We saw Mme Cuisiat in the morning and had a great, short lesson. It's hard to have short lessons with her because she likes to talk, but we told her we couldn't stay, so we didn't! Miracle! Ha. Now, what else. We took a train to Is/Tille and had a marvy time-- I love train rides. We made it back just in time for English Class. Elder Ellis made me really good brownies and Elder Barnett gave me a coloring book. How come he knew to give me a present I would like so much? Neat! Jean-Louis, Renee, and Alexander came to class that night, and we had a really fun time. Jean-Louis said "Your hairs is like Carla Bruni." He's adorable.
Oh, by the way, I get to stay in Dijon for a third transfer!! Woo hoo! That means I get to see some of my amis get baptized. And continue the work that I've gotten to know here. Things are running smoothly here, like a well-oiled machine. At the end of every transfer we do something silly called "Transfer Prophecies", and ya flip open the scriptures and as randomly as possible choose a scripture and then interpret (English me wants to say "extrapolate") what that scripture says about where you're going next transfer. Mine was Alma 32:43, I believe, and I took it to mean I was staying in Dijon. Heh heh. Silly. Soeur Sudar is staying, too, which is pretty wicked awesome. So, send me stuff to the Dijon address, at least for the next few weeks. I'll be here at least until mid-April. Then I'll probably leave. But letters and packages right now, send 'em to Dijon.
36, rue de Tivoli
21000 Dijon
Francey Pantsey
Mme Cuisiat finally told her husband she has decided to get baptized. This is zonderful. He said he's ok with it, too, and will even come to the baptism if she wants him to. Then, she drove herself to church on Sunday and told us that she is ready to be baptized whenever-- sooner than Easter! So we looked at schedules realistically and chose March 20, 2010. She's going to invite all her friends and family, and it will be an amazing event.
What else. How are my taxes coming? How is the new debit card coming along? Eh?
Oh Dave! We teach a lady, Mme Fourier. She said she used to ski a lot, so I axed her about Chamonix. She said there are better places to ski. But then she busted out a bunch of pictures of the mountain excursions she's been on at and around Chamonix. Mount Blanc, other Alps, amazing. She's nearly 88 now, but was quite the climber in her day. She showed us her crampons and ice pick. Incredible! You should have seen the pictures.
Frenchies talk to us a lot about the Olympics, and how the US kicked everyone's pants. Or everyone in the pants. So it's nice to be an American.
I've attached some pictures. One is with my English class. Renee, Jean-Louis, me, and Alexander. One is me at the chouette-- the famous owl carved into the stone at the cathedral Notre Dame. The last is with Mme Fourier. Wish I could send more, but I'm all outta time! Love you, write me.

February 24, 2010

2010-02-24T11:44:00.002-07:00

"Ce n'est pas drole de veillir"

Soeur Mansart says that all the time. Well, whenever she's not telling us about the two Americans who wanted to marry her in '40.
Thanks for all the emails!! I loooove them. And will print them and reread them a million times. I do every week.
Now, I've made some lists of things to tell you. Like this:
A couple weeks ago we were on the bus to go see Mme Cuisiat. Our bus driver stopped the bus in the middle of the road and ran off of the bus, like the devil was chasin' him. I watched him dart into the pastry shop juste à côté and buy a pastry, then run back to the bus and start again down the route. Ah, the French. Gotta get their pastries.
Wanna hear some miracles? Last Friday was chock full of them. Alright. We had weekly planning Friday morning and prayed we'd be able to fix some appointments with the amis we never see, like Axelle or Nora or Natasha. We also thought about which ward members we could take to our appointments in the coming week. We talked about how perfect Ama would be to take around, she's a recent convert, full of life, and speaks English and French very well. But, we didn't have her phone number (because the bishop won't give us a ward list, but that's another issue). So that was the end of that, we'd have to wait to see her or her husband Sunday. Later that day, we were on the bus. Nora got on the bus. I sat by her and talked about her work. Then I asked for a rendez-vous, and we set one up. Lickety split. Nice! Then we were at the train station looking up train times to Is-Sur-Tille. I heard a dootely do on the phone and saw that we had received a texto (French for "text message"). Anonymous number, but it said something like, "God bless you sisters, hope everything is well. Love, Ama." Get out of town!!! We called the number right away to let her know she followed a prompting of the Spirit to send us her number by sending us a text. Incredible. Then we were walking down the street and Soeur Sudar was talking to me. But I saw a guy walking down the street and I knew I must talk to him. I was nervous to stop him (I'm always nervous to contact, but it's a blast!) and didn't want to offend Soeur Sudar by interrupting her talking, but I knew I had to talk to him. So I stopped him and interrupted her, and let me tell you what. He's from Colombia, has met with the missionaries, been to church, has family in the church (including a daughter in Paris), and invited us over for a RDV (rendez-vous). Nice. Gave us his name (Enrique Torres), number, and address, see ya Tuesday. Contacts don't always go so well, so score already. Then as we continued on our way, I wondered, "I wonder if he is related to Erica Torres', the girl the bishop wanted us to find, but whose address and phone number are no longer good." Yes, as it turns out, yes he is related. He is her father. You can't tell me that was coincidence. 500 thousand people in a not super-concentrated city, and I set up a RDV with her father.
Friday was off the hook with miracles. We also saw our Kosovoan friends, and met some new ones. Nazim is probably definitely coming to English class tomorrow, which is cool, because he speaks English pretty well already, so I think having practice will really help him. We've run into him on the street a couple times since then and he's been really, really nice. He's Muslim and says he's not interested in learning about religion, but I say, not yet he's not interested.
We saw Edgar, too. He's in Alma and asked that we bring a movie about Jesus Christ for him to watch. That guy is golden, and he's doing it all himself. We have a RDV on Saturday in Centre Ville, and we've gotta get Xavier to come. He served his mission in Russia, and will probably love to have a chance to be a missionary again. My Russian just can't cut it, obviously.
Oh, I also wanted to tell you that a pretty high number of French people wear fanny packs and take themselves seriously. Frere Baldi is one of them, and his fanny pack is leather. He's really funny. When I'm home, remind me to act like him around you. But what are they all carrying in their fanny packs?! I guess maybe they are pretty practical. I'm gonna ask Presient Murdock if I can get a fanny pack instead of a shoulder bag.
I have a question for you, and I thought of it as I was on the bus. When did Native Americans become US Citizens? If you could answer that, that would be great.
Also, a couple Sundays ago Frere Guerin asked in Gospel Principles, "Who was Ghandi?" I really really really wanted to say, "A super-calloused, fragile mystic hexed by halitosis," but I guess that just wouldn't be funny in French, now would it? Too bad. I guess it's really not very funny in English, either.
We keep having 1st grade birthday weather here, and it's been super great. I say 1st grade birthday weather because for my birthday in first grade Mom and Dad came to my class and talked about me a lot, and I think they also talked a lot about David and his mission in Taiwan, and they also brought jelly-filled donuts and we had a special recess for my birthday, and the weather was perfect. Beginnings of Spring. Warm, but not very, and sun-shiney. Go to the park weather. Having a birthday at the end of February is awesome.
Oh, next week we have transfers, so preparation day will be Tuesday, March 2. I really hope I get to stay in Dijon for a third, and it would be great to stay with Soeur Sudar. Her cough is better, by the way. Dr Dye from Germany gave her a prescription for weird Europe drugs and she's feeling better. Still the occasional cough, but much better. Also, cool name, Dr Dye. Has he met Dr Vennum, the anesthesiologist? So I don't know for sure where I'll be, so if you send stuff right now, just send it to the mission home. Thanks!
There's an Irish girl in the internet cafe right now who has a TERRIBLE French accent, and she doesn't speak very much French, either. Pretty funny. I should talk to her and help translate for her... "That's how you print, and would you like a Book of Mormon?" Easy answer, I say.
We didn't see Satan's door last week. We don't think it exists. So, sorry 'bout that.
Sounds like you're all having good times though, Bill Cosby, Elder Oaks, Keith Lockhart, Cadillac (that's really nice, by the way, way to make me cry at the internet shop), jumperoos, 7 weeks until baby, ice melt panty hose, nit-combs and junky bosses, saying bye bye to ole Ulysses. Tell me more!
Alright, gotta print and read carefully your emails now. Sauve qui peut! I love you!

February 17, 2010

2010-02-17T19:05:00.002-07:00

Awesome New Email!!!

Alright. The Church (which is true) struck a deal with Google to get all the missionaries gmail accounts!!! So I'm using gmail right now, and my email address is different now. So, somehow the domain didn't change, though. I don't know about it, but it's cool. No more crappy myldsmail server. Hallelujah!
Anyway, thank you, Cheri, for writing me this week. You were the only person to write me an email. I guess you're all gearing up to bombard me with wonderful emails a day before my birthday next week, eh?
Though, I did get a snail mail letter from Mom this past week, and it was great! I love that cat, Oscar. What a gift he has. I also love that cat, Tucker. Thanks aussi for the Valentines. They were really cute!
Yesterday we had interviewz with our mission president and he brought us the letters and materials we needed that weren't at Zone Conference, and I got letters from Hermana Emily Gillespie and Elder Steven Barnett (uh, the real one from Provo, not the Elder Steven Barnett I'm sitting right next to at the internet cafe...), and BOTH sent pictures. What amazing friends they are. It was awesome to hear from them, and it's awesome to hear from you.
So, Soeur Sudar occasionally asks me if I know any good jokes, and I really don't. I got desperate, though, and told her about my classic knock knock joke where the punch line is a different Michael (mostly Jackson or Jordan). So I told her about that. And then she was telling me about how much she likes Irish step dance and I said, "Knock knock" "who's there?" "Michael." "Michael who?" "Michael Flatley." Ha ha ha. What if he were really at your door?! I'll tell you this much-- he wouldn't be wearing a shirt, but he would be wearing a black band around his head, and he wouldn't move his arms.
Also, we've had some incredible finding opportunities this past week. There were never such devoted sisters in finding. Ha ha, no, there probably were, but that hasn't stopped us from (caring, sharing every little thing that we are wearing) talking to lots of people and having some great conversations. It's really fun to find peoples' doppelgangers here in France, and last Sunday night after an appointment fell through and we went contacting in Centre Ville, we found Sam Earl's doppelganger. Except he's shorter. We gave him a Plan de Salut pamphlet and then a Le Livre de Mormon, and he's going to call us because he said he really enjoyed talking to us. His name is Côme Thibaut, and we talked to him in the freezing cold for 50 minutes, and none of us cared how cold it was, because talking about what we were talking about was much more important than fingers or toes. Ha. Also, he wished us a "Holly Valentine's Day". This symbol: ^ means the vowel used to be followed by an "s" in old French. So, really his name is Cosme, and that's pretty close to Cosmo. Kramer's gonna get baptized!
Also, we ran into Edgar on the bus the other night, after not seeing him for a month. He asked us to come to his room after our appointment with Peace, because he wanted to talk about the Book of Mormon. Neat! We went, and he had three other friends over, and we talked to all of them, and they all want Book of Mormons. David, Luka, and Valeti. They're Orthodox, they say, and they're from Georgia and speak Russian, so I'm guessing they mean Russian Orthodox. But they want to read the Book of Mormon! We went to David's apartment yesterday to deliver his copy, but he wasn't there. Instead, his wife was, and she will read the book! And they have a little boy and a little girl!! We finally found a family!!! We get to see them Friday night, and we're hoping we can take a member of the ward with us. His name is also David, and he's French, but served his mission in Russia. The Georgian David and his wife (Luba-- it's prettier written in cryllic) both speak French pretty well, but it may be nice to have a Russian speaker there. A real one, not like how I try to speak Russian by saying "dah, doma, CECTPA, and brat." Shtoe? I don't know how that's supposed to be written, but it means "what ?" So, that's fun. Dog spit on ya.
Then we went to find Luka in Longvic. Nobody was at home at his apartment, but I felt like we should try some of the other doors in the building. We knocked on one downstairs and found a couple of Muslim brothers. They talked to us for about an hour and accepted an offer for us to send the elders to teach them. They're super interested. It's amazing!
So, we have a couple French amis, but most of them aren't French French. Refugees from Nigeria, Russia, Georgia. Immigrants from Guiyane, Portugal. Maybe I should write them all down and make a little bar graph. I am writing down all the countries from which the people I teach come. That sure was a convoluted sentence. It's a long list, though.
I think we might try to go with the elders to see Satan's door today. It's supposed to be in Plombieres. I'll take pictures. Yesterday in my interview we talked about how sin lieth at the door, but Christ is protecting us. It's true, you know, He is our protection.
Also, Soeur Sudar and I waited at the foyer for a few minutes for an ami to show up. She didn't, but we met some kitties. Two little boys came hopping out of the foyer and we asked them about the cats, and they said one was named Kitchee, but the other didn't have a name because he was still "sauvage". I guess savage is how they describe feral cats. But, Soeur Sudar and I decided to write children's books called "Kitchee and The Savage". I'll take pictures.
I am kind of surprised I didn't get any family conversation emails, though. It's ok, I'm not going to go cry myself to sleep (on me 'uge pillah), but I wonder. A little bit. I hope you're alright. Maybe you're all watching the Olympics. I was sorry to hear about the Georgian that died. What a tragedy. So many sad things happen. But so many good things happen.
I'm really happy to be here. There's so much work to be done in Dijon, I hope I can stay another transfer. Transfers are in two weeks from today. We'll see!
Alright, well, I love you. Sorry I only ever talk about myself, and very little about you. How's school? How's work? How are the kids? How are your parents?
Today it's rainy, so I get to use my umbrella. Thanks, Mom. It's the best umbrella!
How'd your talk in church go, Christine?
Oh, I didn't do a very good job thanking people last week. But thank you so much for sending the packages that I received at Zone Conference. Is zone conference something that needs to be capitalized? Proper noun? I can't wait to open the rest of the package Mom sent, and I reread the hearts you sent every night. Also every night we listen to a General Conference talk before going to bed. Man, Elder Holland's talk is amazing. Something like, "No one can leave this church without crawling [ooh, I like that, crawling] over, or under, or around The Book of Mormon." The Book truly defends itself. And to the Giles for the candy and notepad for writing letters. Really, all together, it was everything I needed. Thank you, thank you!
Ok, time's up. I love you, I really do! Ah man, that sounds insincere. Still true, though.

February 10, 2010

2010-02-10T19:25:00.001-07:00

Yverdon's Perty

Well, zone conference was wonderful. Except we thought it was in Yverdon, not Lausanne, so we took a train to Yverdon and waited outside the chapel for a while, let in some maintenance guys, and wondered where the elders were. So we called them and they said... zone conference is in Lausanne this time. We felt like such big idiots! We power-walked back to the train station and hopped a train back to Lausanne. It was a pretty ride.
Oh my goodness, before I continue, I have to tell you, mostly Bay, that the guy sitting next to me in the internet cafe right now is playing backgammon. If he starts saying, "Qui dois-j'appeller?", I'm gonna lose it.
So zone conference. President Murdock said something that had honestly NEVER occured to me. I love having brand new thoughts in my head. This is it, and you've probably thought of this already: the Great Apostasy is still happening. The Restoration is still happening. It's not something Joseph Smith did and finished-- every time you or I share the gospel with someone who didn't have it we just ended the apostasy for them and furthered the work of the Restoration. A novel idea for me, and it puts a cool focus on the work to do here. Nice one, President. I really like him. He noticed Soeur Sudar coughing during the conference and told her to talk to Soeur Murdock about medications she could take, but we didn't have time, and she didn't talk to her. The next day we got a message on the phone from S. Murdock telling us the name of a medicine that should help, which means she and President talked specifically about Soeur Sudar. They are so thoughtful, and such good fake parents here in the mission. She's kept contact with us to keep checking on Soeur Sudar. Speaking of S Sudar, her cough has just gotten worse. It stopped being productive and now she feels like she did when she broke a rib. No sore throat or other symptoms, just a really, really sore rib cage because she coughs so violently. I found some cough medicine that has codeine in it (my favorite drug of yester year!!!) and remembered that it's a pain medication, so I made her take some (not four tbsp...) and sleep all day yesterday and half of Monday. I was sooooo lonely. I did area book work and read Jesus The Christ, but I was dying cooped up all by myself in the apartment while my companion slept. I can't nap anymore, in spite of the long missionary hours. Weird. Hopefully she feels better soon so we can get back to work-- I can't stand this staying in business. Ha ha. Poor Soeur Sudar. She got a blessing from the elders on Sunday. They don't know how to anoint or start blessings in English. But they gave a very nice blessing, and I hope she will be all healed soon. I haven't gotten what she has, and I feel bad that I feel so great and she's crouched down on the ground in terrible pain...
Oh Mom, guess what?!? Joan Baez is coming to Besancon!! That's about a twenty minute train ride from Dijon. If only I could take a preparation day there... ha ha. I tip my French beret to you.
Oh. I have a miracle to share. The other day I stepped up into the tub and WHOOP! slipped. Tore the shower curtain rod out of the wall and landed hard on the lip of the tub on my side/back. I laid there stunned and annoyed for a little while, thinking that I'll probably die by falling in the shower, then got up and proceeded with my regular routine. I was grateful I could get up. Ha ha. The worst part is that there hasn't been a bruise at all. It's been tender and sore, but not bruised. Lame. Then yesterday Mme Blondeau was telling us about her friend who is donating a kidney and I realized I smashed my kidney when I fell. But don't worry, I'm on a mission and extra-protected. There haven't been any weird pains or anything-- I'm just fine. We laughed a long time about it, too. Win win.
Last week I got a wonderful compliment from a sister missionary in Lausanne. We were eating dinner and I kept saying "Mmm, mmm!" (i.e. "Fay, this is delicious !"). Soeur Cockerham said, "You seem like the kind of person who would like that movie." She also said she didn't like that movie at all... but at least she knows I have a way better sense of humor than she does. Ha ha. "Could you please get that tomato offa there?"
Well, we have some good baptisms planned, and we're finding more people to teach, and the people we're teaching are progressing, so things are very good. I love it here.
I'm sorry about all the drama back home. I hope things will settle down some and that there won't be so much crisis and chaos for Mom. I pray for you every day and love you so much.
Which reminds me.
Zone conference meant I got a BUNCH of packages and letters. Thank you to Mom, Jeff and Cheri, Jeremy and Michelle Giles, Candice, and Jordan for the things you sent. I can't tell you how perfect it was to receive your packages and letters. I loved it! And I was so glad I got Mom's birthday package-- we were nervous it wouldn't make it in time. But it's here, and I opened it, but didn't open the wrapped presents. I have the hearts on the wall next to my bed and just discovered yesterday the "easter egg" secret pictures. Nice drawings, Bay. And holy smogs, Catherine, that's a cute baby. Sorry I almost blew it last week by telling about your new car... you'll have to edit that, too. Man, I'm high maintenance!
As Edgar would say, "I love you I love you I love you, pampers." Hey, write me a letter, would ya?

February 3, 2010

2010-02-03T12:20:00.002-07:00

Avez-vous un lisseur?

Well, what a week. Learned how to write stuff in Russian in French last Thursday at English class. What the what? But hey, now I can write names in Russian and read Russian, except I don't know what the words mean. Neat, still.
Did I tell you that French people spit everywhere? I think I did. And they do. And so does my companion now that her cough has turned productive. Ha ha, poor companion.
Yesterday we were at the Foyer Blanqui again seeing some amis. We were a few minutes early to see Loveth, so we sat by her door and went over our plans for the next few days. A young man-refugee from Sudan came and talked to us. He invited us into his apartment, but we explained the rules and politely declined; so we just talked. Then another guy, Abisalom, came home. Abisalom is an alcoholic that the Elders sometimes teach. He wants to be baptized, but he doesn't really want to quit drinking. He asks "What can I do to come closer to God? I pay Him a lot of money already" and I say, "Stop drinking" flat out, like that, but he won't do it. He's from Kenya, and the reason I'm telling you that about him is so that you will laugh when you know his nickname with everyone who knows him is "Obama". Ha ha. Get it? Because they're both from Kenya?? I chortled to myself when the Sudan guy called him Obama, and felt a pang of missing current events.
But earlier that day we asked Peace if she would be baptized, and she said, "Yes, can I come to church this Sunday?" Yes, yes you can. (As Obama would say. Also, I haven't been asked nearly as much as I thought I would about American politics. In fact, it's happened maybe two times. The other day we showed Mme Cuisiat pictures of the Quorum of the Soixante-Dix and she thought one of them looked like (except the French say "have the same head as") George Bush. I guess she doesn't really know what George Bush looks like...)) Anyway, Peace is amazing. Both the concept and the person.
This Saturday Mme Cuisiat will have a big party with her friends to celebrate her retirement from SNCF, a transportation company here in France. To do some service, we helped her and her daughter Sandrine (who the sisters have taught in the past) make decorations. Folding and cutting all those papers has put me in a totally crafty mood, and so I keep looking for things to boondoggle or color or origami-ize. It won't last much longer, though, I reckon.
I got a lot of snail mail this week, and that was awesome. Thanks for the letters, Mom. Which reminds me-- Conan's quitting?!? I guess I was the only person who watched. Conan ruined Johnny Carson's show? So sad. Or, whatever.
Christine, good luck with your talk this Sunday. And send me a copy, eh? And give the kids high fives for me.
Thanks for the card, Dad. That was super nice. Good job doing your home teaching.
Bay, I can't believe all that money was stolen from you. That's kinda devastating... who goes through other people's backpacks and steals stuff??? I don't think that weiner dog story evens out the badness of the thievery, so hey, something super good will happen soon. Neat! Remember Jack Handey's story about how everything evens out? Also, (I may have already shared this) a few weeks ago we saw Edgar and we were all walking out of the building together. He had his hands full of Gagulia's stuff to take to Metz. He didn't open the door for us and shrugged at us as if to say, "Sorry, got these sacks." I laughed to myself.
Oh!!! I have felt like a giant jerk for the past couple weeks-- Happy birthday to Eric! Good thing he only turned one and it doesn't make a hill of beans of difference to him that I didn't write him a birthday message. Also, happy birthday to Grandma Cutler.
I think a lot of birthdays are around now, or are quickly coming up. So, happy birthday to you.
An upbeat, techno version of "Sometimes I feel like a motherless child" is playing right now in the internet cafe. Cybercafe, that is. French people are so weird with their music. And our music. There's almost always a Michael Jackson song playing at the Marche Plus. Soeur Mansart (who has lost her mind, and she'll be the first to tell you) calls them the "Bet-lay" instead of "The Beatles", and I keep forgetting to ask a normal French person how they pronounce "beatles". And there's a cafe we walk past pretty often called "Kashmir" and think of that Led Zeppelin song. Which is terrible, of course. Ooh, now the song playing here is "Bloody Sunday" (speaking of George W...). See, it's tough for me when they play music I like to listen to. Doesn't necessarily invite the Spirit, you know?
Well, tomorrow is Zone Conference. Today we take a train to Lausanne. Did I tell you before that Lausanne is the headquarters of the IOC? Anyway, I am as excited as can be to go to Zone Conference and see President and other missionaries and travel and get mail. Can't wait! I'll let you know how it goes. I love you all so much-- sorry if I didn't respond to something you asked, I'll try to remember to answer in the real letter I write you.

January 27, 2010

2010-01-27T16:09:00.001-07:00

(no subject)

That is what Mme Fourier said to us yesterday. She's not so happy with God because of all the sad things that happen in the world, but "Jesus est mon copain" (Jesus is my boyfriend), and she prays every day. Well, that's good. And hey, guess what? Heavenly Father gave us agency and lets us use it, even when we choose badly. Don't worry about it, lady, it'll be ok. S. Sudar said a cool quote that I may have heard before, but I can't remember for sure: Everything's alright in the end, and if things aren't alright, it isn't the end. Neat! Now translate that into French.
Cool RDV (rendez vous) with the Bishop last night. We went and saw Loveth, a recent convert and Nigerian refugee. The Spirit was there very strongly. Turns out she's in big legal trouble as far as her refugee status is concerned, and it's kind of making me rethink the law school thing. I'd still be useless as a lawyer in France, but it's something to think about. Eh, still not very seriously, though. Ugh, lawyers. But it would be cool to be able to help situations like these.
Oh. Soeur Sudar's zonderful. I will learn a lot from her. Did I tell you her first name is Emily, too? Whose isn't, I guess. She's short and funny and speaks French really well. Very tidy, too.
Yes, I heard about the tall buildings, Dave, and you might be surprised how many French people talk about it. They're all disgusted, of course, and say these tall towers remind them of the Tower of Babel. Interesting that they remember stuff about the Bible, but are never interested in talking about it with me. "Yeah, I have a cool story that starts at the tower of Babel, wanna get baptized?"
It's been different being chef-de-ville. I'm the one responsible for knowing how to get places and who to see and who to call, et cetera, et cetera. But it's been a good experience. I think you can choose to let a situation take over you and make you completely stressed out and frazzled, or you can let the Spirit be in control, be still, and do what you know. Soeur Barlow was a good trainer; she taught me very well by example. I love Dijon, I'm so glad I got to stay at least another transfer. The next transfer is March 1, mark your calendars. It would be neat to stay so I could see Mmes Cuisiat and Blondeau get baptized. Nathalie, too. Maybe Mme Fourier, too. We just taught her a first lesson, but she accepted everything. "Yeah, that's true." What ? No one says that. No one, that is, who isn't ready. But you see, the field is white and ready to harvest. And it's a great time to thrust in one's sickle, as the verse continues.
Oh, so I show my companions all the pictures I have, which now includes the pictures Christine sent me. I like to play tricks on them, though, and not tell them who they're from. They always think they're from my brother, because I look so much more like Jared than I do Christine. Ha! Joke's on them, they're from my sister.
And speaking of Mme Fourier and my real brother-- for 25 years she would stay the whole season and ski at Chamonix. Now she has a super bad back. But I remembered about how you want to ski there, Dave. I'll ask for tips.
No, it isn't easy being bold, Christine. But Heavenly Father puts people who are prepared in our paths. I'm also learning how to be bold, yet tactful, and not incredibly weird, or missionary robot-ey.
Zone Conference is next Thursday. It will be so fun to go to Switzerland again. There I'll be able to get any mail and packages that have been sent to me. I think the only other time I could get things that have been sent to the mission home during a transfer is at interviews, and those will be mid February. Feb 15, I believe. Maybe 16. But thank you for thinking of my birthday. It would be nice to get a package any time from you, Mom, so don't worry about it if the package doesn't get here on time for the 25th. I'll be in Dijon until March 1, but I'm pretty wary about receiving packages here. I guess it was fine for Christmas. But I'm also fine with waiting for zone conferences or interviews to get stuff.
I'm excited for you to go see Bill Cosby in February, Mom and Bay, and for the rest of the day I will contact people like Bill Cosby. Too bad my impression of him is impossible to type. But I'm laughing. On the inside. Oh well, I'll try anyway: "I was hoping... that you... would come to church this Sunday" with lots of vocal inflections. Hey, that's pretty close to my Christopher Walken impression, too. Except I would pause at weirder places. "...that you... would come... to church this... Sunday."
Ooh, let's see if I can attach some pictures, for you see, I brought my USB cord today. Wow, what a pain that was. Oh well. I attached three pictures-- one is of me and Flavit Gaillard. I asked to take a picture with her because she reminds me a lot of Melanie. Another picture is me in front of a Douglas boutique. I think we have a similar picture of Dad standing in front of one in Austria, and that's neat, because he's named Douglas. Well, Douglass. That one's for him. And the third... what was the third?!? Oh, Soeur Andelin, our guardian angel Cogway, and me. He is a nice guy, and we seem to see him all over the place. It was great to see him one night in Chenove-- he waited with us at the bus stop and got on the bus with us, and that was really nice, because there had been a group of young Muslim boys who had kind of been bothering us, and when they followed us, Cogway was with us and they didn't bother us. Neat! But don't worry, it's plenty safe here. And besides, I know Spock-like pressure point fighting, remember?
Guess what Elder Barnett's first name is? Steven. Weird.
So... hope you're well. I'm always so glad to see that you wrote. Preparation Days, aka Wednesdays, are so zonderful, almost entirely because I get to read an email from you. So write on, ye loved ones chez moi! Write on!
I love you.