Well Hello.
This was another pretty good week in France! :)
Tuesday We had a RDV with Shi Lin and taught him the rest of the 5th Lesson. We will start reteaching the first 4 lessons here soon. im excited to see what he has retained through our first RDVs, between the language problems and time, and all of the information being completely new to him. We also did lots of contacting. it started hailing on us a little before we went in, too! it was amazing.
Wed, Parkers Birthday :), we had interviews with President and AP training in Caen. Things went good there- he told me I will be staying in Rouen one more transfer, officially gave me permission to use hotmail for pictures and a backup to this, and gave me some tips to not be so tired all the time, amoung other things. :) I was also really impressed at Sister Staheli. She talks to all 150 missionaries for 15-20 mins every 6 weeks and thats it. You would not expect her to remember a thing we talked about (especially since last interviews were 10 weeks ago...) but we picked right up where we left off, and she was asking specific questions about things we talked about before. I was so impressed and touched by that. Wed night we taught english class, and started an exchange with the Le Havre Elders.
Thursday I went to the Prefacture- the legality dept- to continue the process of being legal here. that took a little time, but my Visa expires next week, so im now good past that. :) Since we were on exchanges, we had two companionships contacting in Rouen, and between us all, we got alot done! 3 phone numbers in one day plus a few other good lessons taught! it was a good missionary work day.
Friday was also very good. we had three lessons. the first was with a less active who hasnt been to church in 30 years. We left him with a book of Mormon and i think he was really touched by it. it was from Elder Bartons Primary, and then Bro. Fernandes asked us to put our testimonies in it as well. after that, we taught and investigator lesson 3. we want to work with her daughter, because her kids seem to be the biggest challenge in getting her to church. the daughter wasnt there, but hopefully in the future. Later we taught another less active family, also. it went ok. I think that all three of these families would benefit the church so much, and benefit from the church even more than that!
Saturday was spent in the apt most of the day so Elder Barton could start packing. he goes home this thursday! crazy! But we had a meeting with our DMB and dinner with some members and left them with a message about the prophet. I also found out who my next Companion will be!
His name is ELder Poussard and He comes from Bordeaux France. So he is a native French speaker! I am so excited for this opportunity that ill have to work even more on my language! im so stoked! Hes a fun guy, too. Ive met him once or twice, as he was the trainer for one of my best buds in the MTC. i was so happy when i saw his name. itll be a great transfer!
Yest We had Church in the Morning. Elder Bartons last Sunday in France. So he said goodbye to most of the members, which was... i cant think of a good word. fill in the blank. haha We spent the afternoon making sure records were up to date and stuff so things would continue to run smoothly when Elder Barton left. Last night we went to a members house to say bye to them. Actually, the family who we ate with on Christmas. They are way neat and we had a good time there. We also had a Branch fast yest for missionary work here in Rouen (you cant skip out on that one when ur the full time missionary here! :p).
And that pretty much sums up the week.
I was impressed with Myrls missionnary work! and also jealous that i wasnt able to be at ur couples reunion! haha. Mom commented how we might not know how much of a scriptorian Merrill is, but I do. :) he was my number one participant when i taught priesthood in the singles ward last summer. it was a devistating week when Merrill and Bishop Gray werent there! 85 percent of the participation was gone!! haha
Congrats To Brad on being a Cougar! Thats exciting to hear! oh- i also got a letter from him and nathan both today... Ill write back soon. :)
The mission joke is that the first phrases a new missionary learns from hearing others speak are: "i dont have the time", "Im not interested", "you're a cult", "Im in a hurry" while pointing at their watch, and "oh, the jehovahs witnesses..." so to answer your question, no, we usually dont get much in before they tell us one of these things. Which is too bad, because this is the true church and we have a message that will change their lives. i know its true and why i am here!
til next week! Elder Jergensen- formerly known as Mitch