Bordeaux, Eysines Week #3

Famille,

Wow. I cannot begin to express to you how much I enjoyed conference. If you didn't get enough member missionary work talks in the Saturday afternoon session, I don't know where else you would! Are you taking Elder Ballard's advice? Do it! :)

So on Monday we were able to meet with M. It was short and we ate lunch too. She asked us about the Word of Wisdom, specifically coffee and tea. She, like many people, struggled with completely giving coffee up. She admitted that she likes her coffee and understands that it can be addictive but she believes it should be okay every once and a while. We testified that you can't know or understand why we have these commandments unless you act and then pray about them. She said she would do that and  also read a couple pages in the Book of Mormon :) she has a lot of potential. M is so logical and willing, but we haven't been able to see her since then, which makes me worried. It is so easy to get lost after the first couple lessons. Satan works hard on the people like M. We'll see.

Tuesday we were able to teach an investigator from like 2 transfers ago, X. He is 37 years old and went into the film/comedy career path when he was in college. He expresses to us how he regrets that. He yearns for a family and for happiness. He has guilt that he want to be gone. he told us how he just wants peace in his life and happiness. Golden. We have all the answers. So we discussed a lot. We told him about the Atonement, and read in Alma 7 and 34. He asked why Christ had to suffer. He seems to understand a lot, but he also seems to lack the desire to really change. He is catholic, had is first communion, everything, but obviously he hasn't been satisfied with that. He wants to be happy, but I fear he doesn't have the motivation to make the necessary changes to get that complete happiness he so earnestly wants. I guess the first lessons he had before he was completely against baptism. Now he is slowly easing into it. He is a  very logical person. he is afraid of "feeling" the spirit because he said that is why he regrets so many of his choices. He is a complicated guy, very intelligent, we just need to help him undertsand  the need for a restoration, the need to be baptized into THIS church. He actually came to General Conference. He talked to us about Dallin H. Oaks talk and wants to rewatch President Monson's talk. X will get there. Slowly, maybe, but he will.

I met an old ami on Monday at English class named L that they dropped just a week before I got here. I asked her if we could see her Wednesday. We met with her on wednesday anyway and I shared with her a spiritual thought on 2 Nephi 25:26. She was touched. L knows the church is true, but she doesn't want to change. She feels comfortable staying catholic because it's like home for her. She is from el salvador so it's pretty foreign here. The catholic church reminds her of home.

We also were able to meet with a recent convert R and I, who are on the edge of  becoming less active. I want to continue working with them and hopefully teach their friends! who knows!

Zone conference was friday and was really great.President Roney talked about having conversations with people. He said just go and talk to them with the mind set that you just want to become their friend, then bring in the gospel. Be personable and loving. The Paris mission tripled their baptisms this past transfer. Why? Are they better than us? No. But they don't let stereotypes of a tough European mission get them down. I feel like that is a big reason why European missions don't baptize as much. Because we assume we won't be able to as much anyway. Open your mouth and have faith. It's like what Elder Dyches said in conference. Faith precedes the miracles. Faith is absolutely neccessary. It was a great conference.

Speaking of conference, general conference was incredible. I had never been so excited for something in my life. To hear the words of a living Prophet. I loved what President Monson said. I loved all the talks. We are so so blessed to have this wonderful opportunity.

I also finished the Book of Mormon like I had wanted. When i read the last words of Moroni and closed the book, i was overwhelmed with the assurance that that book is true; it is the most true book in all the world. I know it is true. Read it. Treasure its words. It is an incredible blessing to have it.

I want you all to know that I know Thomas S. Monson is a prophet. I know that this church is the restored Church of Jesus Christ. It is His church and we teach His principles and doctrines. I love my Savior. Like President Monson said, He is there when we are happy and sad. He is there always, wanting to help us. He loves us. We are so important to him. "Doubt your doubts before you doubt your fears." I love you all so much. the Gospel is true.

Love Soeur Roberts

Bordeaux Week #2

Helllooo!

This week went good :) We actually spent half of it in Grenoble because Sister G needed to do her legality there, so we were out of our sector for three days, which was kinda a big bummer. But I ate a stuffed waffle and a bagel sandwich which was really yummy :) But we had quite a few member moments which was great!

Wednesday night we went to our WML's house. Him and his wife are from Idaho and super nice. It's odd to have a dinner appointment in all English! haha But they are both awesome. Brother T is a little awkward so he makes me laugh... :)

Then Thursday we were able to get back to work! We had zone training and we discussed a lot about goal making and accountability.  We have the youngest missoinary in our district. He turned 18 in June and got his mission call before he graduated! Crazy! He's a nice elder though. So we made goals as a zone. We focused on how many baptisms we want and a lot on getting members involved in our work.

Friday was great because we had exchanges and I love exchanges. I went with Soeur M from Nevada. We worked worked worked which always makes days better, like 100% better. We had a lesson with one of her investigators who wants to get baptized sooo bad. She said I don't want to wait I need salvation now! So cool. She is a very sweet woman but she kinda has some mental disabilities so they have to be careful and make sure she is ready. After that we went and visited a less active. She is very old, like 70's but she literally dresses and wears make up like she is 17 years old. It kinda scared me when I first saw her, but  i love her. She is lonely she said and I guess has had some problems in her life. She loves to sing hymns and so we sang Be Still My Soul with her and then we gave her a lesson on her divine potential and how she is not alone. It really touched her.

On Saturday me and Souer M were on our way to visit another less active in my ward and we were contacting on the way and we had a miracle! We contacted M. A student here in Bordeaux. She is Christian, french canadian and super nice. We asked her what brings her happiness and she said the Sun! And then we got to talking. She told us how she is Christian and we talked about the restored Gospel. She asked about prophets and she said I think it isn't neccessary to have a prophet because we can go directly to God for questions. She asked me how I know, how I came to find out. I told her how I prayed. I told her I read a scripture in 2 Nephi 29:9. God is the same Yesterday today and forever. Just because we have one word doesn't mean we can't have more. Then we gave her the first lesson on a bench, I gave her a Book of Mormon that she promised she would read, and we exchanged numbers. And I called her last night and we are meeting her today for lunch! I am so excited. I hope she is prepared to accept this gospel.

Sunday was good. I am getting more into the ward. I love them. We got to teach YW's. There were only four girls, but it was a great lesson. One girl who is a little on the edge really opened up. It's hard for the kids here. They are surrounded, literally surrounded by atheists, smoking, drinking, immorality. It's tough to be LDS in high school here in France. They are often the only one. So the girls really talked about those struggles and we testified to them that they are never alone, even when they are. It was great.

We also had another young american couple move in. They are on internship here. The wife is terrified but so sweet. She can't speak french but the husband served his mission here so it's good :) Anyway I love Bordeaux so much.

Also I am almost done with the Book of Mormon. I am going to finish by conference and also I CAN'T WAIT FOR CONFERENCE. I cannot wait. I know that we have a living prophet today and that he leads and directs Christ's only true church. I know this gospel is true. I love you all so much :)

Love, Soeur Roberts

Bordeaux Week #1

Hello from Bordeaux!

Bordeaux is beautiful and great! I love it here already. Paris was actually modeled after the city lay out so Bordeaux is called "Little Paris" :) Anyway, the week was good.

We had two lessons and quite a few less active member visits which was nice because I really want to get to know the ward. On Tuesday we had a lesson with a man named O. I guess the sisters before had contacted him last transfer but he was super busy so we finally were able to get to teach him an intro lesson! It went well. He is evangelist and had a lot of questions, and they were good questions. Like about prophets and the Book of Mormon. He told us he would pray and read the Book of Mormon to know it is true so we are excited to see where things go with him :) He was really great. 

The ward is great! It is quite a bit different than Gex just because there are a lot less people, but the Eysines ward is very wonderful.  The bishop is gone a lot with work I guess but the other counselors are great. There aren't very many youth either. About two active Young Woman and four Young men. About 80 people come every Sunday out of 300 or so members. So a lot of work to do with the less actives. Anyway, I'm really excited to get to know them and work with the ward! 

In Gex we had a car so it is different here being all on public transportation. It is scary because I need to remember all the bus/tram lines now! It is okay though :) Anyway, I love you all. I was reading 3 Nephi chapter one and the last verse talks about how the people were losing faith because of the wickedness of the rising generation. Don't get discouraged or lose faith because of the bad things happening around us. I love you all so much! I know this Gospel is true. 

Love, Sister Roberts

New Area! Bordeaux

Okay First, New address:

Les Missionnaires

Soeur Roberts

47 Rue de la Bénauge

33100 Bordeaux

FRANCE

Yes I changed villes! All four sisters in Gex are now replaced by four elders. I am now in the Eysines ward in Bordeaux. It is Beautiful. Probably the most beautiful city I have ever seen! It is big and so pretty! But yeah. My new companion is Soeur G from Texas. This is her last transfer so that's kinda sad, but it'll still be a great transfer! :)

My last week in Gex was great! I had an exchange in Geneva with the English Companionship, Soeur E from Germany. She is soooo sweet. We didn't do a whole bunch but we had a couple lessons in English which was so strange for me! haha but it was fun. Geneva is really a nice city.

We have English class every Wednesday and M comes to that. We were able to talk to her after and she asked me if I was leaving and I told her I didn't know yet. She said Please don't leave! I love you and you're so nice! So at least she thinks I'm nice :) Then she invited us over for dinner on Saturday for an African meal! It was delicious. It was like chicken and sauce with tomatoes and shrimp and onions and curry powder. It was great. We talked about the priesthood and our member explained it very well. She asked about the role of men and women in our church and she really seemed to understand how we are equal, but we have different roles in the church. We were able to share a short message too about enduring to the end which I hope she does! She was quite sad to hear that we were ALL leaving. And she didn't seem too excited about Elders, so I hope she hangs on. I love her and I am going to miss her so much.

Thursday we had a "finding day." We prayed every half hour and contacted! First we actually went to a members house to help her with cleaning her house and then we contacted. The other sisters had the car though so we walked to the nearest bus stop to go to a town where people actually exist. Unfortunately the bus went all the way through Geneva! Which we didn't know until after the fact we had crossed the border. Oops haha but it was okay because T came on to the bus! We hadn't been able to contact him for like a few weeks. I guess he has been working a lot lately. But he is still reading so it was a miracle to run into him. Also, We met a really cool guy T who took a book of Mormon and wants to learn more. And every other person we met was just sooooo nice. It was great. We were able to really contact successfully. Even though it was pouring rain. Contacting in the rain is fun :)

Transfers calls were crazy. We couldn't believe all of us were leaving. And I got sent to the other side of the country! I'm sooooo excited to be here. It was definitely very hard to say goodbye to members though. The Ps who live just above us invited us over for her homemade italian pizza which was heavenly. They're Italian... And then the C's had us over for one last dinner. I was so sad to say goodbye to the P daughters and the C daughters. When we left the C's, i gave their mom a hug who is less active and doesn't speak french. But she started to cry. It was so touching. I know that having the missionaries in their lives was really a blessing. I will miss them, but I left my mark. Now I'm off to a new adventure in Bordeaux!

I love you all. The church is true no matter where you are in the world. No matter what anyone says. I want you all to know that I know the Gospel is true. I love you again!

Love, Soeur Roberts

Gex, Week 11

Family, 

This week was in fact a wonderful week! Tuesday I got to go on another exchange, but with Sister R! Who is in the other companionship in Gex with me. The two senior companions went to Lyon and so we got to go around by ourselves for a day and a half, and boy did I LOVE IT! ha-ha but really. Sister R is just wonderful. So I'll tell you a few cool things that happened, aka miracles. First I had to drive stick shift to Geneva so the other girls could get their train and I was scared. I just learned barely! I was mostly scared because on the way home from Geneva there are a lot of steep hills and I was scared of rolling back and hitting someone or stalling the car. So they get out of the car, we plug in the address to the GPS and off we go. But you know what? The GPS took us a way that was mostly downhill! You can say what you want, but I felt pretty protected and blessed by the Lord. It was small but it was a miracle. Also that night, we realized the sisters left us with no gas! and you have to have a special card to buy gas and they don't have cash like the US. So yikes. We were luckily meeting up with a member that night so we pulled some cash out to give to him so he could use his card, but unfortunately he left it in his other car. Yes. I was like cool. We're dead! But Sister R and I decided to say a prayer. We just barely had enough gas to get to a gas station where there was a car. I got out and asked him if we gave him the right amount, would he let us use his car and he said yes! That was another miracle. The Lord protects His missionaries. So we were safe and sound and all was well. But our exchange went really well.

I was also able to set up a FHE with a family in our ward with M. I found out that Sister A also smoked before her baptism, was divorced, and has a daughter from her first marriage... all like M. She is from Ireland and super cool. M loved her. Absolutely loved her. And She is now coming to church because of Sister A next week. We hadn't been able to get her to come this entire time! She talked to M about her conversion story and how she knew and how she finally quit smoking and talked about getting a priesthood blessing. We are trying to really get M to know the members in our ward because she only knows JC and... yeah. Nuff said. So it was really wonderful. M is still really struggling with smoking, and it may take a while before she is able to really quit but I know that if we just love and encouraging her, she will get there. Maybe not while I'm here, but someday. I know it. 

The Open Doors thing went well! Yes I saw Jackson (see her picture on my Facebook, Friend of Calvin's who just happened to be in France!) there who actually was the nurse at the hospital when I got my stitches in my lip. It was soooo fun to see a familiar face and to see someone from BYU. But anyway, at the beginning not many people came. So we decided to take flyers and invite people on the streets. It was fun, but no one really came. But one guy I was like "Hey we're having a BBQ and you can come! It'll be so fun!" I didn't think anything of it, but he came! I was like, "Hey, you came!" And so we gave him a tour and he really liked it. I know where he lives now so I want to go visit him :) It was so cool. Another woman came too, named M and she said she is catholic but ready to change. WOW. I showed her around too and she really liked it. She said she wanted to come to church too the next day and guess what? She did. She really liked it and asked to set up a lesson for Friday. I'm so happy. She was wonderful! We'll see where things go  :) Another girl came with a member and I was able to get her number too and she is coming next week to church. YES. So although there were about seven non members that came the whole day, I was able to have some pretty great experiences. 

We had district meeting too which was good. And we got to teach the lesson in Relief Society on Missionary Work. It was good and the women participated quite a bit. I was nervous because I don't speak French super good. But it went great! :) We have a great missionary game for the ward coming up soon so we are trying to really get the members excited. Really, Members are so important to the work of salvation. You really are! Go to hasteningthework.lds.org and watch those videos. That is your challenge for the week. I'll follow up next Monday :) 

But good week. We met this cool old lady contacting and walked her home. She wants us to come back too. Really the work in France is tough. And there is a lot of disappointment, but it goes. You can't give up or let all the bad things get you down because if you do, your entire mission will be unhappy. I love it here and I have so much I want to accomplish. "Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way." I love this work even through the countless trials. I love you all so much. Our Savior lives and He loves us. Have faith and carry on. Last week of the transfer! Going strong!

Love, Sister Roberts

Gex Week #10

Hello!!! 

This week was fantastic! First I had an exchange in Lyon with the Sister Training leaders. I went with Sister C who has been out two transfers more than me and I can tell you I love her to death. It was an awesome day. We went around Lyon finding investigators and less actives and were able to share little thoughts or hello's with almost all of them. Plus she gave me some really awesome advise about missions and dealing with negativity and lack of motivation from yourself, but also other sisters. It was wonderful. She is 27 and taught at BYU and I love her. We got back Tuesday night and it was pouring! I love the rain. 

Anyway, Wednesday, we went and did yard work for a couple who is renting their house out because they're leaving on their mission soon. I got dirty and pulled weeds and it was actually really fun. It's been too long since I've done yard work. Actually, we have this little plant in our apartment that i water everyday and it's growing beautifully. That's about as close as I get though.  After that we went and visited a kinda less active, but not super. She is the only member and I guess her husband is pretty bad toward the church, which is too bad. I didn't know this, but they don't want missionaries going over. Oops. Her husband was at work so it's fine. But she is really great. She just talked and we listened. I asked her at one point to share her conversion story and it brought back some tender memories for her. She got emotional. I want to go back! I think we are, but we'll see. 

Thursday was fantastic! Zone Conference! Before I forget, there is a mission blog President Roney didn't know about before but he does now, so find it under our mission name :) But it was great. We mostly talked about ways we can use members which we are going to do. Note to members: missionaries NEED your help. We can't do it alone and we need support. I challenge everyone to go on to the new hastening the work of Salvation website and watch those videos. At least a few. You have so much power to change people. Do that and then send those prepared hearts to the missionaries. But yeah. Sister L and I are making a constant effort to just go to member's homes and share a video with them and love them into doing missionary work. Actually, this Saturday we have an open house activity that we and our WML are putting on. We are encouraging our members to bring friends so they can find out who we are. Today, we are making cookies with two young women in our ward who live right above us to go around and invite our neighbors to come. They are so excited! I really hope it is a success. I'll let you know :) OH! Embarrassing. I forgot my tag. I've never done that AND it was Zone Conference. I confessed to President and he just laughed and said "You're funny. Keep being like that." He wasn't mad at me thank goodness! I was mortified though ha ha So yeah. It was a good conference and my interview was good and President Roney and his wife are really incredible people. 

Friday, We really wanted to see M, so I called and she said she couldn't on the weekend, etc so I kept asking and said tonight? and she could! We went and she wasn't home, but we left a note and then we were able to go back later that night. This lesson we really just wanted to focus on her and make a plan to somehow stop smoking. She wants to quit so bad. She has gotten anxiety because of it and can't work or drive. But we made a plan and just testified to her that she can do this and if she prays and trust in Heavenly Father, she can stop. At the end, I was like, " En fete, let's throw away all your cigarettes you have right now." At first she was hesitant, but then she jumped up, ran upstairs to get them, came and threw them in the trash while saying, "No more smoking!" We all kinda cheered after, but she was so happy. her smile was huge. We are going to continue to pray for her. Saturday we left hearts on her door that had scriptures and just showed our love and confidence in her ability to quit. I know she can do it. We are continuing to work with her. I love Melissa so much.

One thing I have been really studying this week is the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I want you all to know that I know that He is my Savior. He atoned for my sins. He atoned for all of us. The sorrows, the pains, the burdens, everything. I read a talk by James E. Faust and he said, "I often wonder how many of those drops of blood I caused the Savior to shed?" I wonder the same thing. I am encompassed with gratitude and love for Him. He is my rock and my Salvation. My Lord and my Redeemer. I love Him so much and have such a testimony of His infinite sacrifice. Through Him, everything bad is made good again. I know that is true down to the most bottom part of my heart. 

I love this Gospel so much. i am so grateful to be serving the people of France. They are stubborn and I love them so much. They are God's children. I love you all so much and I hope you all have a wonderful week starting school!

Love, Sister Roberts

P.S. Happy Labor Day! :)

Gex Week #9

Hello Family!

First, if you're reading this, Thank you Aunt Patty for the pillowcase! I have already slept on it like 12 nights. :)

Anyway, good week. Full of a lot of weird things but great! Monday after Pday our car broke down. That night I threw up but quickly recovered the next morning so our work wasn't hindered. We also got almost all the lice out of the other sister's hair. Yay for that. Sister L then got sick on Thursday after district meeting so unfortunately we had to stay in so she could sleep.Then she was better.

We are working on members more. Sometimes they are a bit tough to encourage. They have fears just like I did before my mission. We had 22 member experiences! Really, I just want them to trust me and to be able to talk to me and ask me anything. I'm trying to build those relationships, but sometimes it is challenging in another language.

We planned a lesson with M on Tuesday, but as we were walking in, she was walking out so we had to reschedule. BUT we were stranded in Thoiry with nothing to do. Then I remembered this family in our ward that lived not too far from M. I was like let's go see if they are home and she was home! with her little baby boy. We were able to talk to her for a little bit just about a lot of things. Then she told us about her dad and his car accident and how she wants to share the gospel with him but she is scared. She asked us to pray for him so of course we are! But it was just really nice. I think she was lonely home alone because she just loved talking to us. Sadly, they are moving soon, but I was really grateful for the opportunity just to talk to her.

T has been found! He was on vacation in Spain but now he is back. I'm so happy! On Friday we had planned a lesson with him, but we couldn't find ANY members to teach with, which is frustrating because we have so many. But then we asked our WML if he could and he said "a lot of the ward is going to play ultimate Frisbee. I could pick T up and he can come and we'll give him a little lesson too." We were so happy! ward fellowshiping. T agreed and was pretty excited. So that night we couldn't get a hold of him. We went to his apartment and waited for like 15 minutes outside because we heard something inside but it was his roommate who knows absolutely nothing... and we still couldn't get ahold of him. So we got into the elevator and I was like kinda mad at T but i was like can we please say a prayer? so we did. and then we walked outside, and called again and he answered! long story short, he was finally able to get to ultimate Frisbee and he had a lot of fun and he is on page 43 in the book Of Mormon and it was great! He missed his bus on Sunday, but next week he is coming to church! :)

M is doing okay except she does not want to come to church. She said it is her only day to sleep so our next lesson after the Word of Wisdom is going to be the Sabbath Day. We really want to help her understand why it is so important to come to church.

Anyway, that's about it for now. I am still reading in the Book of Mormon and I cannot tell you all how much I love it. the Book of Mormon is incredible. Read it as much as you can. I have such a testimony of it's truth. I know it is true. I know this Gospel is true. It is so true and it will bring us so much joy. I love it so much. Sometimes when I think about it I just want to cry because it makes me so happy. Read Alma 26. It's an incredible chapter. I love you all so much.

Love, Sister Roberts