Week #15 AKA Week of Miracles

Dear Family,

This week was incredible. Of course one of the reasons is because all 270+ missionaries in France Lyon got to see Elder Andersen, his wife, Elder Kearon, and his wife speak to us. It was something we had been preparing for spiritually for quite some time and the experience I had is one I will never forget ever.Yes I got to shake his hand :) Elder Andersen is an apostle of the Lord, it is clear. I have a testimony that God still calls men today to guide His children. 

His focus was on Faith and Miracles, which was exactly what I needed to hear, whether I knew it or not. Faith is a decision. France is a unique place to do missionary work. I don't know why, it's just special here. To people who like stereotyping, apparently it's a harder mission, but it's no harder than any other mission. He totally called us to righteousness. It was awesome. Where is your faith? Have faith. It doesn't matter what your circumstances are or who you are, Have faith. God works miracles. I know that. He works miracles everyday. I can't tell you how many people have told me that miracles are in the past. Where is their faith? Ether 12. Mormon 9. Moroni 7. There was a lot more that I learned that I won't be able to tell you, mostly because they were things the spirit taught me. But what an experience. 

That leads me to the greatest miracle of my mission. F :) . Wednesday we get a call from her :) It wasn't that out of the ordinary because she'll do that from time to time.  Remember how I said she wasn't ready to talk about/read the Book of Mormon? We meet with her, she tells us she watched the restoration video, and has the exact same questions as Joseph Smith, then says that weekend she felt a push to read the BOM. She refused and refused until she read a Ensign referencing Alma 32. She couldn't resist. Then she tells us she is doing what Joseph did and learning about all the churches. "I want to know the truth!" she says. So she asks for our testimony on the BOM. Done. Couple hours later, she calls and says she knows it's true. Moving on. Friday we meet up and she has read like a bunch in the BOM. Like a bunch. All of Moroni, & and 2 Nephi some, Jacob, Alma, Mosiah, Ether. She asks us what the conditions are for baptism. We show her the interview questions and smoking comes up. She said "that's fine I stopped yesterday and stopped coffee. And tea is no problem." WHAT? Yeah. We continue to meet up and we discuss Nephi killing Laban, the tree of life, allegory of the Olive tree. We invited her to church, (she's been once before) but she wasn't sure. The one she goes to now she just loves. They sing and praise and she just loves it. Sunday comes and she is at church with her two kids. She loves it. Then a member comes up to us (he has been working with her a bunch too) and says he fixed a date with her for baptism.....!!?? That's what member missionary work is. Best news ever. F is literally a waking miracle. She has done a complete 360 degree turn around since the first day I met her. I love her so much. 

So our week was great. I really have a testimony that God really does have His own timing. People can change no matter what. Miracles happen everyday. I know God is our Father, and Christ is His Son and Savior of the World. And when we let all the worldly things in our life take less precedence than the Gospel, we find true happiness. I testify that is true. With all my heart. I love you all so much. The gospel is true. Happy Birthday Mom and Happy Father's day Dad!

Love, Soeur Roberts