Hello Everyone,
Wow, what another great week. Especially since it was Stake Conference. How wonderful it was to be able to see people that I haven't seen in over a year! It was like a great family reunion. The work is progressing and Elder Hughes is doing much better. Thank you for your thoughts and your prayers.
Monday evening, after we delivered the Birthday Cheesecake to the member, which she loved so it was a success, we went and taught Erica and Irma and had a nice lesson with them. Things go slowly with Erica but they progress little by little.
Tuesday we did an exchange with the Elders from Avignon. I had a bit of a scare because I thought I lost Elder Adams, a brand new missionary,in the train station in Aix going to pick him up but after a lot of searching I found him thankfully. We started the morning with studies, because he has to do a lot more now with the new program for new missionaries and then we went to institute because Jinane was coming for the lesson. She really enjoyed and then we headed back to eat and then went to see Pilar. Well Pilar was a bit over thirty minutes late but thankfully the member who was helping us was kind and patient. We actually had a really great lesson on the restoration and then after, the member offered Pilar a blessing to help her with all of her struggles and it was truly a beautiful blessing. After that, we then went to a couple lessons that were fixed but the people weren't there so we ended up coming in to finish Elder Adams' studies for the day, it was a pretty good day.
Wednesday was an interesting day. We finished our exchange and then we went to lunch with a member and one of their friends. Then we did some contacting and so forth until English class and then again went to do with a member and one of their friends. The friend isn't a member and has a lot of interests and questions about the church so it was really good, but it was kind of a long day.
Thursday we had our District Meeting in the morning, which went really really well. Afterwards we had several lessons fixed and set up and then they got cancelled at the last minute. So we were stuck with contacting and pass backs, etc. It happened to be the year anniversary mark for Elder Hughes on his mission so we went with the Zone Leaders in the evening to eat at the Mexican Food restaurant. It was not to be able to celebrate a little bit for him.
On Friday we had to go to the hospital for a check up for Elder Hughes, thinking it was the last time but we have to go back again in two weeks just to make sure that it is continuing to progress. We then went and taught Jinane and had a great lesson! It started out that she was supposed to teach us abaout faith but she hit a little road block so we took over after she didn't know what else to say. It was really great and then later she even told me that she really enjoyed it. We then went in and hurried to the church because we had a lesson fixed there but it was kind of sketchy so he didn't show up, thankfully we brought some food to eat lunch and then headed to Insitute to teach Sero. We had a good lesson with him and he is progressing well, it is just a little bit slow because he doesn't have a lot of time for the moment, but he is still doing well. We then went out and did some contacting with Kim, a recent convert who wanted to try it out, and it was really good for us and for her. We then headed back for our young adult institute meeting and then went and taught Erica and Irma and had a good conversation about the Book of Mormon.
Saturday, we were so excited because we had 5 lessons set up and we were going to have 7 new investigators if the lessons worked. By about 12:15; all but two lessons were either cancelled or the person didn't show up... It was a little disappointing. We had another one where he wasn't home but we did some contacting and were able to have a lesson with Pilar and then had a lesson with a new investigator named Antonio, and it was a really good lesson too. We then headed in for the evening.
Sunday was a great day because we got to go to Nice for Stake Conference!! I felt like I knew at least half of everybody who was there and there were tons of people!! The chapel was full and they even had to open up some other rooms to transmit it to. It was great. I saw Jocelyne, who got baptized in Toulon and she is planning on going to the temple in April!! She is so excited and it was wonderful to hear her progress and how she is doing. Of course I was able to talk with tons and tons of other members as well, it was incredible. By the time we got back to Aix it was 6 in the evening and we had weekly planning and I had phone calls to make to the District. So it was quite a good day and a great way to end the week.
It was truly a wonderful week and I hope that all of you have had a great week as well. I love you all very much and pray for you daily. Have a great week! Au revoir!
Elder Kirkpatrick
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Hello Everyone,
What a week. Finally it is starting to warm up, Elder Hughes is healing and can walk now, things really finally starting to pick up. I hope that all of you are doing well also and that you have had a good week, even with the difficulties.
The week started out a bit slow just trying to get back into the swing of things so Tuesday was a bit slow. We did some contacting and did have a lesson with Frère Philibeaux, who is having a lot of struggles for the moment. He is really down and having a tough time. He feels like everything is going poorly for the moment. We tried to encourage him and lift his spirits, he said that he felt a lot better after we had left. The rest of the day, we passed some less actives and did some contacting and so forth.
On Wednesday, we did some contacting in the morning and then did some passbacks in the afternoon until we went and saw Pilar and had a good lesson with her but, of course, it turned towards tithing. At the end she said a prayer asking that she could be less stubborn so that she could follow the gospel better, it was really a sweet prayer. She wants to get baptized but can't at all see how tithing would be possible for her. We then left to go see Adilia, who is a friend of Irma and who wanted to see us to talk and share our beliefs. Once again, friends of members are the best! We had a nice little lesson with her, just very basic. Unfortunately it was late, so we couldn't stay too long but she wants to continue to see us.
Thursday we did some contacting and were supposed to see Jinane but she called us at the last minute saying that she couldn't make it because of a last minute problem that came up. We were a bit disappointed but she said that she would come to church on Sunday and bring a friend, so that made us happy. We then ate and then did some contacting, more less active work and then saw Sero at the institute building. We had a great lesson with him and were able to fix another baptismal date with him. We went to our meeting with the ward mission leader and then stayed after for ward council to talk a bit about the young adults center and the work going on with our young adult investigators.
Friday we did our planning in the morning, ate lunch and then headed out to do some contacting and some pass backs for the afternoon until going to institute to see Wang Qing. It was a very interesting lesson and she has some ideas that are quite interesting. After the lesson, we went to the church because there was a big Valentine's day party and we had some investigators that were going to be there and some members brought friends as well. Obviously we were only there at the beginning, church parties in France last a lot longer and start a lot later than in the US.
Saturday we did some Street Meeting in the morning and were able to meet quite a few people and fix a few rendez-vous for later, it was great. We then went in to eat and then headed to our lesson with Eva. It had been a few weeks since we had seen her but we had a great lesson with her. The member that was with us gave perfect testimonies and I know that Eva felt the spirit. She told us, "I really want to see your church." After the lesson, we did a bit of contacting before going in and eating and then we passed someone we haven't seen for weeks and he was there so we talked a few minutes and fixed another rendez-vous and then we went out to see Irma. We had a good lesson with her but she has been having quite a few problems as well. Someone broke into their apartment and stole a bunch of things. And this is the second time in the last three months. It is really hard on her and her daughters.
Sunday was an incredible day! We met Eva and walked with her to the church and then Jinane and her friend came a bit later. They all really enjoyed it and the members were absolutely incredible, they talked to all of them and were so friendly and shared great experiences with them. A family even invited all three of our investigators and us to eat with them but Jinane and her friend couldn't but Eva said she could. So we went out to their house and had a great meal and the family shared incredible experiences about their own conversions and it was so great, it was exactly what she needed. We then headed back into Aix and then had a rendez-vous that didn't work out and then we went and saw Pilar, because she wasn't doing very well. We had a pretty good lesson but she is having some troubles too. She feels lonely and has a lot of very stressful things going on for her. She really enjoys the visits and the spirit that is there. We then did some door-to-door to finish off the evening and even found someone that we fixed a rendez-vous with for the next week. It was great.
Voilà, that was our week trying to get back into the swing of things. So attached are two photos. Last week I meant to send the one with me in it and not my companion but whoops, so I am sending you the one with me in it and the fountain and then a picture of both of us from today because we made a cheesecake for a member's birthday tonight so we had to take a picture to celebrate! I hope that all of you are doing well. Know that I love you and that I pray for all of you. I am constantly thankful for the love and concern that you have for me even when I am so far away, it means so much to me. Have a great week and continue to surmount every obstacle, even when they seem impossible, I know that they are possible to overcome. I love you all! Au revoir!
Elder Kirkpatrick
What a week. Finally it is starting to warm up, Elder Hughes is healing and can walk now, things really finally starting to pick up. I hope that all of you are doing well also and that you have had a good week, even with the difficulties.
The week started out a bit slow just trying to get back into the swing of things so Tuesday was a bit slow. We did some contacting and did have a lesson with Frère Philibeaux, who is having a lot of struggles for the moment. He is really down and having a tough time. He feels like everything is going poorly for the moment. We tried to encourage him and lift his spirits, he said that he felt a lot better after we had left. The rest of the day, we passed some less actives and did some contacting and so forth.
On Wednesday, we did some contacting in the morning and then did some passbacks in the afternoon until we went and saw Pilar and had a good lesson with her but, of course, it turned towards tithing. At the end she said a prayer asking that she could be less stubborn so that she could follow the gospel better, it was really a sweet prayer. She wants to get baptized but can't at all see how tithing would be possible for her. We then left to go see Adilia, who is a friend of Irma and who wanted to see us to talk and share our beliefs. Once again, friends of members are the best! We had a nice little lesson with her, just very basic. Unfortunately it was late, so we couldn't stay too long but she wants to continue to see us.
Thursday we did some contacting and were supposed to see Jinane but she called us at the last minute saying that she couldn't make it because of a last minute problem that came up. We were a bit disappointed but she said that she would come to church on Sunday and bring a friend, so that made us happy. We then ate and then did some contacting, more less active work and then saw Sero at the institute building. We had a great lesson with him and were able to fix another baptismal date with him. We went to our meeting with the ward mission leader and then stayed after for ward council to talk a bit about the young adults center and the work going on with our young adult investigators.
Friday we did our planning in the morning, ate lunch and then headed out to do some contacting and some pass backs for the afternoon until going to institute to see Wang Qing. It was a very interesting lesson and she has some ideas that are quite interesting. After the lesson, we went to the church because there was a big Valentine's day party and we had some investigators that were going to be there and some members brought friends as well. Obviously we were only there at the beginning, church parties in France last a lot longer and start a lot later than in the US.
Saturday we did some Street Meeting in the morning and were able to meet quite a few people and fix a few rendez-vous for later, it was great. We then went in to eat and then headed to our lesson with Eva. It had been a few weeks since we had seen her but we had a great lesson with her. The member that was with us gave perfect testimonies and I know that Eva felt the spirit. She told us, "I really want to see your church." After the lesson, we did a bit of contacting before going in and eating and then we passed someone we haven't seen for weeks and he was there so we talked a few minutes and fixed another rendez-vous and then we went out to see Irma. We had a good lesson with her but she has been having quite a few problems as well. Someone broke into their apartment and stole a bunch of things. And this is the second time in the last three months. It is really hard on her and her daughters.
Sunday was an incredible day! We met Eva and walked with her to the church and then Jinane and her friend came a bit later. They all really enjoyed it and the members were absolutely incredible, they talked to all of them and were so friendly and shared great experiences with them. A family even invited all three of our investigators and us to eat with them but Jinane and her friend couldn't but Eva said she could. So we went out to their house and had a great meal and the family shared incredible experiences about their own conversions and it was so great, it was exactly what she needed. We then headed back into Aix and then had a rendez-vous that didn't work out and then we went and saw Pilar, because she wasn't doing very well. We had a pretty good lesson but she is having some troubles too. She feels lonely and has a lot of very stressful things going on for her. She really enjoys the visits and the spirit that is there. We then did some door-to-door to finish off the evening and even found someone that we fixed a rendez-vous with for the next week. It was great.
Voilà, that was our week trying to get back into the swing of things. So attached are two photos. Last week I meant to send the one with me in it and not my companion but whoops, so I am sending you the one with me in it and the fountain and then a picture of both of us from today because we made a cheesecake for a member's birthday tonight so we had to take a picture to celebrate! I hope that all of you are doing well. Know that I love you and that I pray for all of you. I am constantly thankful for the love and concern that you have for me even when I am so far away, it means so much to me. Have a great week and continue to surmount every obstacle, even when they seem impossible, I know that they are possible to overcome. I love you all! Au revoir!
Elder Kirkpatrick
Monday, February 13, 2012
Hey,
I hope that you are doing well. It has been another rather chilly week here in Aix! It was pretty busy and the week went by quite quickly. It was the last week of the transfer but I have good news, I get another six weeks in Aix. I am quite happy! That means that at the end of this transfer, I will have spent six months here. It is definitely a good city to be in for six months. For quite a bit of time this week, I wasn't even in Aix, it has been pretty crazy.
On Tuesday I went out to Avignon in the morning to work with Elder Bonnet. The wind and the cold was horrible! It was so windy, I honestly thought I was going to get pushed over a couple times, it was so bad. We actually were able to go out to Orange, a city a bit a ways to work for a little while in the afternoon before going to visit a family that lives there. Orange is little but it is pretty, with a giant roman amphitheater in it. The Dad from the family came and picked us up, thank goodness for the heated car, because they actually live in a little town outside of Orange. It was one of the most interesting eating experiences with members I have ever had because both the mother and the father are deaf and the daughters translate for them. We were able to share a great message with them and have a nice meal together. I wasn't always sure who to communicate with, so I mainly talked to the daughters and let them translate.
Wednesday was another interesting day. In the morning we left for the train station so that we could finish the exchange. There were problems with the trains so my train ended up being an hour and a half late. I got into Aix and met Elder Hughes and Elder L'Homel and Elder Smedley so that we could, all four of us, go to Vitrolles. I had to do an exchange with Elder Smedley but he can't drive but we needed to be in Vitrolles for a baptismal interview, so all four of us needed to be there. We had a good day. We did some contacting in the only real place to do that in their sector and then we had a lesson, each companionship, which went pretty well, and then we headed to the church for the interview. The girl wasn't quite ready yet, she wants to take some more time before being baptized but she knows that it is true. We then did English class and then all four of us ate at a member's house. It was a really good day.
Thursday, we had our last district meeting for the transfer and it went pretty well, even if I didn't have a ton of time to plan it in advance. We then went to the hospital so that Elder Hughes could have the operation on his toes. The operation lasted about an hour and a half and then we had a member, very graciously, drive us home. We then relaxed in the apartment because he was in quite a bit of pain.
Friday we stayed in the apartment, and did not much. We finished the 1000 piece puzzle, yeah! Ha
Saturday we stayed in for quite awhile until the nurse came to change his bandages and then we went out and saw Pilar. We found out, well Elder Hughes did when I was in Avignon, that Pilar is having a hard time accepting tithing. So we talked a bit about that and told her to talk to the Bishop the next day at church about. We had a good lesson about having a living prophet on the earth and she just thought that was marvelous to have a living prophet.
Sunday we went to church and we had Pilar there and our other investigator Sero there as well. It was great because it was the first time he came. Afterwards, we had a ward meal together because it was Ward Conference. We then headed back home and stayed in for a bit because Elder Hughes was quite tired from walking on his crutches. We stayed in for a bit until the other missionaries came to pick us up to go eat at the Kool's house for dinner. We had a nice time, it is always good to pass some time with the members.
So that was our week. There wasn't anything extremely exciting but I know that Elder Hughes is happy because he is on his way to recovery, which is always a great thing. I hope that you have all had a great week. This week has definitely been a week of a lot of patience and so I hope that all of us can continue to increase our patience for others and for ourselves as well. I love you all and am so greatful for you. Enjoy this photo that I have attached showing how cold it has been here. The giant fountain in the middle of town was all frozen and is actually still frozen! I hope it warms up soon.... ha Have a great week!
Elder Kirkpatrick
I hope that you are doing well. It has been another rather chilly week here in Aix! It was pretty busy and the week went by quite quickly. It was the last week of the transfer but I have good news, I get another six weeks in Aix. I am quite happy! That means that at the end of this transfer, I will have spent six months here. It is definitely a good city to be in for six months. For quite a bit of time this week, I wasn't even in Aix, it has been pretty crazy.
On Tuesday I went out to Avignon in the morning to work with Elder Bonnet. The wind and the cold was horrible! It was so windy, I honestly thought I was going to get pushed over a couple times, it was so bad. We actually were able to go out to Orange, a city a bit a ways to work for a little while in the afternoon before going to visit a family that lives there. Orange is little but it is pretty, with a giant roman amphitheater in it. The Dad from the family came and picked us up, thank goodness for the heated car, because they actually live in a little town outside of Orange. It was one of the most interesting eating experiences with members I have ever had because both the mother and the father are deaf and the daughters translate for them. We were able to share a great message with them and have a nice meal together. I wasn't always sure who to communicate with, so I mainly talked to the daughters and let them translate.
Wednesday was another interesting day. In the morning we left for the train station so that we could finish the exchange. There were problems with the trains so my train ended up being an hour and a half late. I got into Aix and met Elder Hughes and Elder L'Homel and Elder Smedley so that we could, all four of us, go to Vitrolles. I had to do an exchange with Elder Smedley but he can't drive but we needed to be in Vitrolles for a baptismal interview, so all four of us needed to be there. We had a good day. We did some contacting in the only real place to do that in their sector and then we had a lesson, each companionship, which went pretty well, and then we headed to the church for the interview. The girl wasn't quite ready yet, she wants to take some more time before being baptized but she knows that it is true. We then did English class and then all four of us ate at a member's house. It was a really good day.
Thursday, we had our last district meeting for the transfer and it went pretty well, even if I didn't have a ton of time to plan it in advance. We then went to the hospital so that Elder Hughes could have the operation on his toes. The operation lasted about an hour and a half and then we had a member, very graciously, drive us home. We then relaxed in the apartment because he was in quite a bit of pain.
Friday we stayed in the apartment, and did not much. We finished the 1000 piece puzzle, yeah! Ha
Saturday we stayed in for quite awhile until the nurse came to change his bandages and then we went out and saw Pilar. We found out, well Elder Hughes did when I was in Avignon, that Pilar is having a hard time accepting tithing. So we talked a bit about that and told her to talk to the Bishop the next day at church about. We had a good lesson about having a living prophet on the earth and she just thought that was marvelous to have a living prophet.
Sunday we went to church and we had Pilar there and our other investigator Sero there as well. It was great because it was the first time he came. Afterwards, we had a ward meal together because it was Ward Conference. We then headed back home and stayed in for a bit because Elder Hughes was quite tired from walking on his crutches. We stayed in for a bit until the other missionaries came to pick us up to go eat at the Kool's house for dinner. We had a nice time, it is always good to pass some time with the members.
So that was our week. There wasn't anything extremely exciting but I know that Elder Hughes is happy because he is on his way to recovery, which is always a great thing. I hope that you have all had a great week. This week has definitely been a week of a lot of patience and so I hope that all of us can continue to increase our patience for others and for ourselves as well. I love you all and am so greatful for you. Enjoy this photo that I have attached showing how cold it has been here. The giant fountain in the middle of town was all frozen and is actually still frozen! I hope it warms up soon.... ha Have a great week!
Elder Kirkpatrick
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Wow, this has been a FREEZING week. We had two days where we woke up to a "winter wonderland."We keep saying to ourselves, I thought I was in SOUTHERN France! The beach, the sun, the warm weather... well not this week. Of course, that has made things a little difficult with my companion's toes but we are trying to push along as much as possible.
On Tuesday, we woke up, opened the blinds and all I saw was white.... either I really screamed or I just screamed in my head, I am not sure.... All day long it was raining/snowing all day long. Seeing as my companion can't put on a shoe, we stayed in the apartment quite a bit. We had to leave once and he put a plastic sack over his foot and then his flip flop to keep it dry.
Wednesday it was cold, but no snow. We went to the hospital in the morning and Elder Hughes was hoping they were just going to cut off the nails but they were too swollen so after they, painfully, undid the bandages, and then painfully, put them back on, we got another appointment for the next week for a surgery to take the nails off. We headed back and then had lunch at a restaurant with a member, and then headed out to see Jinane. She is doing well but had lots of old testament questions. We answered as best as possible and then we left to go see Pilar. We talked about the Word of Wisdom with her and the only problem she has is with the coffee but she is willing to put her faith in to be able to stop, I know that she can do it. We then headed back for a rendez-vous right next to our apartment but he wasn't there, so we headed in to eat and let Elder Hughes rest his foot.
Thursday, it was again snowing, so once again we spent some time in the apartment until we headed to institute in the afternoon for a lesson. Our investigator didn't show up so we headed back up to the chapel for a meeting with the ward mission leader. We then headed back and again tried to see the guy that lives by us... we think he is avoiding us.
Friday morning we went to the church to make some phone calls and then headed back in for lunch. We then went to institute to watch The Testaments with Jinane. She seemed to enjoy it but still has some difficulties with accepting things. We then went and saw Frère Philibeaux. He has had some problems with his kids and other pressures so he was a little bit down but we tried to help boost him up. He was doing better by the end. We then went in and ate and then headed out to see Erica and Irma and Erica wasn't there so we shared a message with Irma and then headed back home.
Saturday we did weekly planning in the morning and we got an interesting call from President Murdock. He told me that I was going up to Manosque with Elder Baret on Sunday and that a film crew would be there filming a family and that we needed to be "briefed" to know what to say to the media. Is that not intimidating or what?? Later that afternoon, we went and saw Pilar and had a good lesson with her, trying to help her prepare more and more for her baptism. Then we went and saw Anna, who had a date for baptism but then we had lost contact with her because she lives partially here and in Avignon, which makes it hard. She wanted to see us to give us back the Book of Mormon and to say that she didn't have time. Of course, we didn't really take that as a solid reason, so we taught and then reengaged her to continue to study and to see us when it was possible she accepted and better understood why it was so important to know this message. We then headed home to eat and let Elder Hughes put his foot up.
Of course on Sunday, I had to "put on my best" and get ready just in case I was going to be on tv. On the way to church Elder Baret told me that normally we weren't being interviewed but just in case, some certain things to know depending on what they asked. That information was thanks to the couple who is called to handle all public relations for the church in France. It was very weird to be in church and have a camera crew wandering around filming everything. We didn't get interviewed but we will definitely be in some of the footage, on the sides and then in the background. It was definitely a new experience. After church, we stayed and ate with the family that was being filmed and then headed back down to Aix to rejoin our companions. Elder Hughes and I then went and saw Erica and Irma and shared the restoration video and ate with them. It was really a great evening and we got a lot of really good questions from Erica. It moves slow with her, but it will be worth it in the end.
It was quite a good week, evening with the weather, and the little challenges. How often can one say, "I will pass on French Television"....? Ha! I hope that you are all doing well and that you have had a great week. Know that I love you all and am grateful for each one of you. Have a wonderful week and "let your light so shine that you may be a banner unto the nations." Whether it is on TV or not. :p
Elder Kirkpatrick
On Tuesday, we woke up, opened the blinds and all I saw was white.... either I really screamed or I just screamed in my head, I am not sure.... All day long it was raining/snowing all day long. Seeing as my companion can't put on a shoe, we stayed in the apartment quite a bit. We had to leave once and he put a plastic sack over his foot and then his flip flop to keep it dry.
Wednesday it was cold, but no snow. We went to the hospital in the morning and Elder Hughes was hoping they were just going to cut off the nails but they were too swollen so after they, painfully, undid the bandages, and then painfully, put them back on, we got another appointment for the next week for a surgery to take the nails off. We headed back and then had lunch at a restaurant with a member, and then headed out to see Jinane. She is doing well but had lots of old testament questions. We answered as best as possible and then we left to go see Pilar. We talked about the Word of Wisdom with her and the only problem she has is with the coffee but she is willing to put her faith in to be able to stop, I know that she can do it. We then headed back for a rendez-vous right next to our apartment but he wasn't there, so we headed in to eat and let Elder Hughes rest his foot.
Thursday, it was again snowing, so once again we spent some time in the apartment until we headed to institute in the afternoon for a lesson. Our investigator didn't show up so we headed back up to the chapel for a meeting with the ward mission leader. We then headed back and again tried to see the guy that lives by us... we think he is avoiding us.
Friday morning we went to the church to make some phone calls and then headed back in for lunch. We then went to institute to watch The Testaments with Jinane. She seemed to enjoy it but still has some difficulties with accepting things. We then went and saw Frère Philibeaux. He has had some problems with his kids and other pressures so he was a little bit down but we tried to help boost him up. He was doing better by the end. We then went in and ate and then headed out to see Erica and Irma and Erica wasn't there so we shared a message with Irma and then headed back home.
Saturday we did weekly planning in the morning and we got an interesting call from President Murdock. He told me that I was going up to Manosque with Elder Baret on Sunday and that a film crew would be there filming a family and that we needed to be "briefed" to know what to say to the media. Is that not intimidating or what?? Later that afternoon, we went and saw Pilar and had a good lesson with her, trying to help her prepare more and more for her baptism. Then we went and saw Anna, who had a date for baptism but then we had lost contact with her because she lives partially here and in Avignon, which makes it hard. She wanted to see us to give us back the Book of Mormon and to say that she didn't have time. Of course, we didn't really take that as a solid reason, so we taught and then reengaged her to continue to study and to see us when it was possible she accepted and better understood why it was so important to know this message. We then headed home to eat and let Elder Hughes put his foot up.
Of course on Sunday, I had to "put on my best" and get ready just in case I was going to be on tv. On the way to church Elder Baret told me that normally we weren't being interviewed but just in case, some certain things to know depending on what they asked. That information was thanks to the couple who is called to handle all public relations for the church in France. It was very weird to be in church and have a camera crew wandering around filming everything. We didn't get interviewed but we will definitely be in some of the footage, on the sides and then in the background. It was definitely a new experience. After church, we stayed and ate with the family that was being filmed and then headed back down to Aix to rejoin our companions. Elder Hughes and I then went and saw Erica and Irma and shared the restoration video and ate with them. It was really a great evening and we got a lot of really good questions from Erica. It moves slow with her, but it will be worth it in the end.
It was quite a good week, evening with the weather, and the little challenges. How often can one say, "I will pass on French Television"....? Ha! I hope that you are all doing well and that you have had a great week. Know that I love you all and am grateful for each one of you. Have a wonderful week and "let your light so shine that you may be a banner unto the nations." Whether it is on TV or not. :p
Elder Kirkpatrick
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Hello Everyone,
I hope that everyone is well and that everything is going well. This has definitely been a peculiar week this week. It all started out with last Monday in finding out that my companion had some serious problems with his toes. He has had ingrown toenails that were taken out but then they became infected and he didn't think it was too big of a deal, well after going to the hospital, by the advice of a member that is a doctor, we found out that it was, indeed, quite serious. So we had to pass by the pharmacy and get a bunch of medication and he was told to do as little walking as possible. So, it was quite an interesting week.
Tuesday we stayed in the apartment until a lesson that we had with Jinane at institute. We had a pretty good lesson with her, reading in the Book of Mormon, and then we stayed for institute because we were supposed to have another lesson later, but he didn't show up. So we then headed home and made calls in the apartment and all of that.
Wednesday, I had to do an exchange with Vitrolles, so we went and met them half way, because they have a car, and then exchanged. I went with Elder L'Homel to Vitrolles. It was quite a busy day. We ate with a family, had a lesson, had to throw some stuff away from their old apartment, because they just moved, and then we did English class. I realized how nice that would be to be in a car all the time. Ha! In Aix, they were actually able to have three lessons, so it was a pretty good day!
Thursday, we finished the exchange and then had District Meeting. We then went to the hospital for an appointment for Elder Hughes but it didn't end up working out, so we got an appointment for next week, and then headed back to the apartment. In the evening, we had a meeting with our Ward Mission Leader and then went and saw Irma.
Friday we had our weekly planning and then we headed out to do an exchange with Avignon. So I went out to Avignon with Elder Wolfart. It was a good exchange, we did quite a bit of contacting and door to door but we did have a good lesson with a less active member as well.
Saturday morning we did some contacting in Avignon and then I headed back to Aix to rejoin my companion. Saturday we were in the apartment until the evening and we wanted to see if we could see Erika but she wasn't there because her boyfriend is actually in the hospital, so she has been spending a lot of time there with him. So we had another little lesson with Irma.
Sunday was a good day, Pilar was able to come to church again and now she has a baptismal date for two weeks, we are really excited for that! We had a little surprise at church as well, President Carter happened to be there! That was quite a shock. He came to visit with another member from Canada, it was really great to be able to see him again. After church, we went back to the apartment and did some studies and such until the evening when we were supposed to be able to see Erika, but we ended up having a little miscommunication so she was at the hospital. We shared a little thought with Irma and then actually on the way home, we ran into Erika and had a nice little chat with her.
Voilà, that was our week. We had a lot of down time but we were actually still fairly busy, especially with all of the exchanges. So it was, all in all, still quite a good week. I love you all and am grateful for your love and concern and your prayers, they truly mean a lot. This last week, I passed my six month mark and cannot believe it. These next six months will fly by! It definitely gave me a lot of things to ponder and contemplate about for the next upcoming six months. Have a great week and enjoy every single minute of it!
Elder Kirkpatrick
I hope that everyone is well and that everything is going well. This has definitely been a peculiar week this week. It all started out with last Monday in finding out that my companion had some serious problems with his toes. He has had ingrown toenails that were taken out but then they became infected and he didn't think it was too big of a deal, well after going to the hospital, by the advice of a member that is a doctor, we found out that it was, indeed, quite serious. So we had to pass by the pharmacy and get a bunch of medication and he was told to do as little walking as possible. So, it was quite an interesting week.
Tuesday we stayed in the apartment until a lesson that we had with Jinane at institute. We had a pretty good lesson with her, reading in the Book of Mormon, and then we stayed for institute because we were supposed to have another lesson later, but he didn't show up. So we then headed home and made calls in the apartment and all of that.
Wednesday, I had to do an exchange with Vitrolles, so we went and met them half way, because they have a car, and then exchanged. I went with Elder L'Homel to Vitrolles. It was quite a busy day. We ate with a family, had a lesson, had to throw some stuff away from their old apartment, because they just moved, and then we did English class. I realized how nice that would be to be in a car all the time. Ha! In Aix, they were actually able to have three lessons, so it was a pretty good day!
Thursday, we finished the exchange and then had District Meeting. We then went to the hospital for an appointment for Elder Hughes but it didn't end up working out, so we got an appointment for next week, and then headed back to the apartment. In the evening, we had a meeting with our Ward Mission Leader and then went and saw Irma.
Friday we had our weekly planning and then we headed out to do an exchange with Avignon. So I went out to Avignon with Elder Wolfart. It was a good exchange, we did quite a bit of contacting and door to door but we did have a good lesson with a less active member as well.
Saturday morning we did some contacting in Avignon and then I headed back to Aix to rejoin my companion. Saturday we were in the apartment until the evening and we wanted to see if we could see Erika but she wasn't there because her boyfriend is actually in the hospital, so she has been spending a lot of time there with him. So we had another little lesson with Irma.
Sunday was a good day, Pilar was able to come to church again and now she has a baptismal date for two weeks, we are really excited for that! We had a little surprise at church as well, President Carter happened to be there! That was quite a shock. He came to visit with another member from Canada, it was really great to be able to see him again. After church, we went back to the apartment and did some studies and such until the evening when we were supposed to be able to see Erika, but we ended up having a little miscommunication so she was at the hospital. We shared a little thought with Irma and then actually on the way home, we ran into Erika and had a nice little chat with her.
Voilà, that was our week. We had a lot of down time but we were actually still fairly busy, especially with all of the exchanges. So it was, all in all, still quite a good week. I love you all and am grateful for your love and concern and your prayers, they truly mean a lot. This last week, I passed my six month mark and cannot believe it. These next six months will fly by! It definitely gave me a lot of things to ponder and contemplate about for the next upcoming six months. Have a great week and enjoy every single minute of it!
Elder Kirkpatrick
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