Hello Everyone!
Of course I have to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, even if I am a day late. I hope that you all had a wonderful time and that you were able to really spend time together and be in this spirit of Christmas. This was a great week and we were able to see some great Christmas miracles in finding some new awesome investigators!
On Monday evening, I must include this because it was pretty awesome, we went to a little hole in the wall Mexican food restaurant where I ate a burrito and, hold your breath, a root beer!!! The Root Beer was 3 euros, ouch, but it was totally worth it, since I hadn't had one in about a year, when I was in Marseille. It was so good and the burrito wasn't quite like Mexican food in Arizona, but it was probably the best to be found here in France!
Tuesday was supposed to start out with a rende-vous but it ended up getting cancelled so we did some contacting and such until the afternoon when we went with the other missionaries and drove to a little village about 40 minutes away where a member from Marseille moved in. That ended up taking a good amount of time and then we went to see Frère Philibeaux and we had a good lesson with him. We then went and did some Street Meeting and then saw Irma and her daughters and had a quick little lesson with them.
Wednesday we had a lesson with Jinane in the morning and tried to help her understand the importance of Christ. We even had a member that was Muslam before but converted. She shared her testimony but the idea of seeing Jesus as the Christ and Redeemer is a huge block for her and she has a very hard time understanding or seeing why his role is important. After we quickly ate lunch, we went and did a "Brochure Flood", in trying to win a competition for the zone. We ended up giving out 75 brochures in one hour and getting several numbers and such. It was really cool and very fun to do, to kind of spice things up a bit. We then hurried to see Becca one last time before she left to go back to the US because she finished her semester here in France. We had a nice message about Noel and then we stayed for English Class. Unfortunately, all of the students have left so no one showed up. We did some contacting and then headed back home.
Thursday was our big Christmas Zone Conference and it was great. We were able to share the Christmas spirit and really enjoy the company of each other and get to be spiritually edified, it was really great. After, we headed to see Eva, a new investigator. We had a great lesson with her. She had so many awesome questions and was really interested by the message. Unfortunately she was leaving the next day for a week and a half on vacation but she has the Book of Mormon to read and she said that she would take the time during vacation to read and pray about it. We then hurried to our meeting with the Ward Mission Leader and then went and saw Irma. We weren't able to share much because there were some members in her apartment from the Ward fixing a broken window. It was great to see the real charity that is in the church.
Friday morning we had a whole bunch of rendez-vous at the institute building so we spent the morning and the beginning of the afternoon there. It started with a lesson with Jinane. She is doing well but seeming to get a little discouraged that she hasn't received any answer yet from God. We tried to explain how that works and that it comes little by little and that he has already shown little things but that maybe she isn't seeing that. We engaged her to read and pray every single day while she is on vacation for the next week and a half so I hope that she will see the impact in her life. Afterwards we had a lesson with a girl named Anna that actually thought we were the Jehovah's Witnesses. We cleared that confusion up and then presented our message. She was very open and willing to do her efforts to find out for herself see everything is true. We then ate a bit, we fixed lunch for the member that helped us with all of these lessons, and then we had a lesson with Wan Qing. It had been awhile since we had been able to see her but we had a good lesson with her about Christmas and the real meaning and importance. We then hurried to make some truffles really fast for the next day before meeting with the other missionary to go to The Kool family's house for dinner and to practice the songs that we were going to sing on Sunday for Sacrament Meeting.
Saturday we did our weekly planning and then passed by Irma to give her some Truffles and then went to meet some other members to sing christmas songs in the center of town. We did that for a few hours and then headed to a lesson that didn't work out but then met the other missionaries to go to the Gerard's house for dinner. We were with a bunch of the young adults that don't have their family here and so it was really nice. The food was delicious and there was SO much. We had snails and foie gras and mussels and lamb and salad and fruit and dessert. It was very much a traditional French meal and it was delicious!
Sunday we woke up and of course opened up our presents. We then went to church and Irma and her daughters were able to come as well. Church was great and the songs that we had to sing ended up turning out well. We then went to the Myulderman's house to eat lunch and afterwards I was stuffed. We then went to the Kool's house to skype our families and then we had dinner after that. Needless to say, I was ridiculously full after all of that!! It was a great day and it was great to be able to talk and "see" some of my family.
I hope that all of you have had a great Christmas and are looking forward 2012 and all the wonderful blessings that that will bring. I love you all and appreciate all of the love and support that I receive from you. Have a great week!
Elder Kirkpatrick
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Monday, December 19, 2011
Hello Everyone,
I hope that you all have had a great week this week and continue to feel the wonderful spirit of Christmas. I love you all and want you to know how much I appreciate all of you, honestly. During this Christmas period, I realize how important and how grateful I am for the friends and family that I have and for the love and the support that I receive from all of you.
It has been another good week here in Aix and wow is the temperature really starting to cool down. Things are going well and the work is moving along little by little.
This week we were invited quite a bit to eat with the members and it started Monday evening. It was good and I ate my very first escargot (snail) since I have been in France! It was actually not that bad at all. Yes, it was quite ugly to look at and kind of gross in that aspect, but the taste was actually not that bad. I would probably eat it again if the opportunity presents itself.
On Tuesday we did lots of contacting and talking to people. We met a lot of really nice people and were able to set up some rendez-vous for later. In the evening we had a quick lesson with Erica and Jennifer, and then hurried to go to the other side of the city to have dinner with a family from the ward. The Dad isn't a member but the rest of the family are members. We had a nice lesson and had a nice evening with them.
Wednesday, we had another lesson with Jinane and talked about how she could receive an answer for herself that all of these things are true. It was a great lesson. She still has some questions and confusions but she is progressing. After her, in the afternoon, we went and saw Madame Casale because her husband died last week and she has a lot of physical problems as well, she needed some help around her house so we helped do some things and she had quite a list, so it ended up taking a long time. After, we met the other missionaries to go out to another family's house for dinner. We had a nice time with them and it is always great to see the spirit of Christmas amongst families.
In the morning on Thursday, we had a District Meeting and then we all ate together. We headed to see Frère Philibeaux after and had a nice lesson with him. We then did some contacting and such until our meeting with the Ward Mission Leader and then hurried to see Irma and her daughters because Irma got back from Honduras! She had an awesome time and was so excited to show us pictures of her family and all of the things that she did. It was really great.
Friday started out with a lesson with Jinane. She had a lot of questions about pretty much everything and so we focused on what was more important to know. All of the tiny little details or that Joseph Smith was a prophet, that the Book of Mormon is true, and we found out that a big difficulty that she was having was seeing Jesus Christ as Savior and not just as a prophet. So we spent a lot of time talking about that and how she can know for herself. We went home and ate and then went and passed a few people, and passed an old investigator and she happened to be there. We gave her a spiritual thought and she was very nice but had some very interesting ideas.... like her ability to heal people, the fact that she thinks spirits enter into her body and she doesn't know if what she desires is always her spirit that is desiring it or someone else.... anyway, the things a little weird. After her, we went across the city to go to the church building for a meeting with the young adult counsel and then we stayed for the ward activity. They actually had us, the missionaries, participate in playing a little game show type of thing. Everyone seemed to have a really great time.
Saturday, we played Soccer in the morning with members and investigators and then went in to do our studies. We ended up doing a lot of contacting that day. In the evening, we went and saw Irma again and had a nice lesson with her and her daughters.
Sunday, we went to church and all of the lessons were really good. After church, we had a lesson with a new investigator named Nelson that has met the missionaries a few different times in different countries. He is very nice and open and has lot of questions. We talked a lot about the Book of Mormon and of course engaged him to read and pray about it. He said that he would but he is leaving for Paris for two weeks so we won't be able to see him for awhile. After that, we ended up going to the church to make some cookies really fast for some members that we were going to eat with, but it didn't end up working out so we went home and did our weekly planning.
Voilà, that was our week. Things are going well even when it is just the little things. I hope you all have a wonderful week and of course that you have a Merry Christmas. Don't forget the importance of the Savior in each one of your lives, in whichever place he may hold for you, don't forget his importance and let this season be about a lot more than just the presents and the food, but a spirit of love and giving towards all. I love you all and Joyeux Noël!
Elder Ethan Kirkpatrick
I hope that you all have had a great week this week and continue to feel the wonderful spirit of Christmas. I love you all and want you to know how much I appreciate all of you, honestly. During this Christmas period, I realize how important and how grateful I am for the friends and family that I have and for the love and the support that I receive from all of you.
It has been another good week here in Aix and wow is the temperature really starting to cool down. Things are going well and the work is moving along little by little.
This week we were invited quite a bit to eat with the members and it started Monday evening. It was good and I ate my very first escargot (snail) since I have been in France! It was actually not that bad at all. Yes, it was quite ugly to look at and kind of gross in that aspect, but the taste was actually not that bad. I would probably eat it again if the opportunity presents itself.
On Tuesday we did lots of contacting and talking to people. We met a lot of really nice people and were able to set up some rendez-vous for later. In the evening we had a quick lesson with Erica and Jennifer, and then hurried to go to the other side of the city to have dinner with a family from the ward. The Dad isn't a member but the rest of the family are members. We had a nice lesson and had a nice evening with them.
Wednesday, we had another lesson with Jinane and talked about how she could receive an answer for herself that all of these things are true. It was a great lesson. She still has some questions and confusions but she is progressing. After her, in the afternoon, we went and saw Madame Casale because her husband died last week and she has a lot of physical problems as well, she needed some help around her house so we helped do some things and she had quite a list, so it ended up taking a long time. After, we met the other missionaries to go out to another family's house for dinner. We had a nice time with them and it is always great to see the spirit of Christmas amongst families.
In the morning on Thursday, we had a District Meeting and then we all ate together. We headed to see Frère Philibeaux after and had a nice lesson with him. We then did some contacting and such until our meeting with the Ward Mission Leader and then hurried to see Irma and her daughters because Irma got back from Honduras! She had an awesome time and was so excited to show us pictures of her family and all of the things that she did. It was really great.
Friday started out with a lesson with Jinane. She had a lot of questions about pretty much everything and so we focused on what was more important to know. All of the tiny little details or that Joseph Smith was a prophet, that the Book of Mormon is true, and we found out that a big difficulty that she was having was seeing Jesus Christ as Savior and not just as a prophet. So we spent a lot of time talking about that and how she can know for herself. We went home and ate and then went and passed a few people, and passed an old investigator and she happened to be there. We gave her a spiritual thought and she was very nice but had some very interesting ideas.... like her ability to heal people, the fact that she thinks spirits enter into her body and she doesn't know if what she desires is always her spirit that is desiring it or someone else.... anyway, the things a little weird. After her, we went across the city to go to the church building for a meeting with the young adult counsel and then we stayed for the ward activity. They actually had us, the missionaries, participate in playing a little game show type of thing. Everyone seemed to have a really great time.
Saturday, we played Soccer in the morning with members and investigators and then went in to do our studies. We ended up doing a lot of contacting that day. In the evening, we went and saw Irma again and had a nice lesson with her and her daughters.
Sunday, we went to church and all of the lessons were really good. After church, we had a lesson with a new investigator named Nelson that has met the missionaries a few different times in different countries. He is very nice and open and has lot of questions. We talked a lot about the Book of Mormon and of course engaged him to read and pray about it. He said that he would but he is leaving for Paris for two weeks so we won't be able to see him for awhile. After that, we ended up going to the church to make some cookies really fast for some members that we were going to eat with, but it didn't end up working out so we went home and did our weekly planning.
Voilà, that was our week. Things are going well even when it is just the little things. I hope you all have a wonderful week and of course that you have a Merry Christmas. Don't forget the importance of the Savior in each one of your lives, in whichever place he may hold for you, don't forget his importance and let this season be about a lot more than just the presents and the food, but a spirit of love and giving towards all. I love you all and Joyeux Noël!
Elder Ethan Kirkpatrick
Monday, December 12, 2011
Hello Everyone,
Well Christmas is definitely in the air, it is getting chilly, everyone is hurrying up to do their Christmas shopping and to decorate and everything. But it is also a wonderful opportunity that we have to be together as a family and remember the great gift that Christ gave for each and every one of us. We had another pretty good week here in Aix, and I spent a little bit of time in Avignon as well, which was nice too.
Tuesday we did some good contacting in the morning and then in the afternoon went to institute because Jinane was going to be there. It was a good lesson and she seemed to enjoy it. We then went to see Frère Phillibeaux and he told us that just somehow he knew that we would be coming that day. We had a great lesson with him and it is still so amazing to me to see this man who was inactive during thirty years of his life continue to cultivate his testimony and grow stronger and stronger, it is incredible. We then went and taught Kim, a recent convert who is super strong, and then we were supposed to eat with a family but it got cancelled so we did some pass backs for the evening.
Wednesday we had a lesson with Jinane in the morning and it was a little rough. We didn't exactly have the responses that she wanted and it was obvious that it wasn't the best lesson. Afterwards we were invited by a member to eat at Flunch, a restaurant, and it was very good and we had a nice time. Afterwards we did some porting and then we went and saw the Sinquin family for the last time before they move to Nice. We watched the Joseph Smith movie and it was really great. Unfortunately, we had to leave pretty quick because we met the other missionaries to go practice some songs we are singing for Christmas with a family in the ward and then we ate with them afterward. Lots of eating that day...
Thursday, we did some contacting and actually found someone to teach for that afternoon. We ate and then went and taught her and had a pretty good lesson but she was only going to be in Aix for a few more days before returning to Iran. So it couldn't be much more than a first lesson. We then did some contacting, had a rendez-vous fixed but he didn't show up and then we went and saw Jennifer and Erica and had a pretty good lesson with them as well.
Friday we saw Jinane and cleared up some concerns she had and talked about how much perserverance and diligence is necessary in receiving an answer. The lesson went a lot better, thankfully. We then ate lunch and then I headed to Avignon to be with Elder Bonnett. We had to finish his studies, because he has extra, since he is new, and then we just did some door to door in the evening. It was a good thing because we stumbled into a less active member and was able to fix a rendez-vous with her.
Saturday we went and did some Street Meeting and it was freezing! We met some great people though and I had some really good conversations with people. I realized how much I do enjoy talking and conversing with people. We then came back and ate and did some studies and then stopped by to see one of their investigators before heading back to Aix. In the evening we did a little bit of contacting and then saw Erica and Jennifer and had a good lesson with them. It progresses, very slowly but always a bit.
On Sunday, I had the pleasure of going up to Manosque with Elder Smith. The Branch up there was very nice and church was great. We then taught an eternel investigator and then headed back down. We ate and then we went to the church for the Christmas Devotional by the first presidency. It was a really good meeting focused on the birth of our Savior, it was really great. We then headed in to do our weekly planning that we had missed earlier in the week.
Voilà, that was our week this week. It was pretty busy, which was good. I hope that you all of a great week. I love you all and hope you make this time of year particularly special. Have a great week!
Elder Kirkpatrick
Well Christmas is definitely in the air, it is getting chilly, everyone is hurrying up to do their Christmas shopping and to decorate and everything. But it is also a wonderful opportunity that we have to be together as a family and remember the great gift that Christ gave for each and every one of us. We had another pretty good week here in Aix, and I spent a little bit of time in Avignon as well, which was nice too.
Tuesday we did some good contacting in the morning and then in the afternoon went to institute because Jinane was going to be there. It was a good lesson and she seemed to enjoy it. We then went to see Frère Phillibeaux and he told us that just somehow he knew that we would be coming that day. We had a great lesson with him and it is still so amazing to me to see this man who was inactive during thirty years of his life continue to cultivate his testimony and grow stronger and stronger, it is incredible. We then went and taught Kim, a recent convert who is super strong, and then we were supposed to eat with a family but it got cancelled so we did some pass backs for the evening.
Wednesday we had a lesson with Jinane in the morning and it was a little rough. We didn't exactly have the responses that she wanted and it was obvious that it wasn't the best lesson. Afterwards we were invited by a member to eat at Flunch, a restaurant, and it was very good and we had a nice time. Afterwards we did some porting and then we went and saw the Sinquin family for the last time before they move to Nice. We watched the Joseph Smith movie and it was really great. Unfortunately, we had to leave pretty quick because we met the other missionaries to go practice some songs we are singing for Christmas with a family in the ward and then we ate with them afterward. Lots of eating that day...
Thursday, we did some contacting and actually found someone to teach for that afternoon. We ate and then went and taught her and had a pretty good lesson but she was only going to be in Aix for a few more days before returning to Iran. So it couldn't be much more than a first lesson. We then did some contacting, had a rendez-vous fixed but he didn't show up and then we went and saw Jennifer and Erica and had a pretty good lesson with them as well.
Friday we saw Jinane and cleared up some concerns she had and talked about how much perserverance and diligence is necessary in receiving an answer. The lesson went a lot better, thankfully. We then ate lunch and then I headed to Avignon to be with Elder Bonnett. We had to finish his studies, because he has extra, since he is new, and then we just did some door to door in the evening. It was a good thing because we stumbled into a less active member and was able to fix a rendez-vous with her.
Saturday we went and did some Street Meeting and it was freezing! We met some great people though and I had some really good conversations with people. I realized how much I do enjoy talking and conversing with people. We then came back and ate and did some studies and then stopped by to see one of their investigators before heading back to Aix. In the evening we did a little bit of contacting and then saw Erica and Jennifer and had a good lesson with them. It progresses, very slowly but always a bit.
On Sunday, I had the pleasure of going up to Manosque with Elder Smith. The Branch up there was very nice and church was great. We then taught an eternel investigator and then headed back down. We ate and then we went to the church for the Christmas Devotional by the first presidency. It was a really good meeting focused on the birth of our Savior, it was really great. We then headed in to do our weekly planning that we had missed earlier in the week.
Voilà, that was our week this week. It was pretty busy, which was good. I hope that you all of a great week. I love you all and hope you make this time of year particularly special. Have a great week!
Elder Kirkpatrick
Monday, December 5, 2011
Hello!
Well, it has been another wonderful week here in Aix-en-Provence. We have been able to see some good things happen and it is really starting to feel like the Christmas season, which I love! I hope that all of you are doing well and have had a great week as well.
Last Monday, I didn't really include it in the email from last week but we saw Jinane and we taught the plan of salvation and it went really well. She continues to have amazing questions and it really is going well.
Well I am not really sure that I want to talk about every single day because honestly, not too much happened every single day and so I am just going to talk a little bit about the week in general. We are having a hard time getting new investigators. We can meet people and fix rendez-vous but the people don't always show up or this that and the other but we continue to push along and work towards those miracles. One of these miracles, actually, is Jinane. We saw her several times last week and everytime she comes full of questions and ready to learn and understand. She has such a hunger for what we teach, it is incredible. She came to church this Sunday and it was great. At first, she was a bit nervous because she doesn't like a lot of attention and her being an investigator, of course people are going to give her attention. Then in the Gospel Principles class, our ward mission leader would not stop teaching directly towards her and asking her questions and it really bothered her. After she said she just wanted to go home. I encouraged her to stay and that it would be ok during Sacrament Meeting. She stayed and the testimonies were really good and she even cried during one of the testimonies. I know that she could feel the spirit. Afterwards she was able to talk with members, we gave her a tour of the chapel, and then had a little lesson with her. She expressed some concerns of what her Mom would think if she joined the church and asked about opposition.
Well, it has been another wonderful week here in Aix-en-Provence. We have been able to see some good things happen and it is really starting to feel like the Christmas season, which I love! I hope that all of you are doing well and have had a great week as well.
Last Monday, I didn't really include it in the email from last week but we saw Jinane and we taught the plan of salvation and it went really well. She continues to have amazing questions and it really is going well.
Well I am not really sure that I want to talk about every single day because honestly, not too much happened every single day and so I am just going to talk a little bit about the week in general. We are having a hard time getting new investigators. We can meet people and fix rendez-vous but the people don't always show up or this that and the other but we continue to push along and work towards those miracles. One of these miracles, actually, is Jinane. We saw her several times last week and everytime she comes full of questions and ready to learn and understand. She has such a hunger for what we teach, it is incredible. She came to church this Sunday and it was great. At first, she was a bit nervous because she doesn't like a lot of attention and her being an investigator, of course people are going to give her attention. Then in the Gospel Principles class, our ward mission leader would not stop teaching directly towards her and asking her questions and it really bothered her. After she said she just wanted to go home. I encouraged her to stay and that it would be ok during Sacrament Meeting. She stayed and the testimonies were really good and she even cried during one of the testimonies. I know that she could feel the spirit. Afterwards she was able to talk with members, we gave her a tour of the chapel, and then had a little lesson with her. She expressed some concerns of what her Mom would think if she joined the church and asked about opposition.
Kim, a recent convert was with us, and she bore such a strong testimony about that. In the end I asked her how she has felt since we have been seeing her and she said that it all makes her feel really good. Like a new start, like a brand new year is just ahead of her. That really made me grateful to have been able to help her feel like that. The first lesson we had with her she cried in expressing how she had a lot of doubts because she knew a young girl that died from cancer and that caused her to really question everything. She had really come a long way since then. After church, we walked with her to the bus station, because she lives a ways from Aix, she explained that she had dumped her boyfriend because he wasn't ok that she was seeing us and that if he wasn't ok with that then he wasn't who she thought he was. That really surprised me and showed me how important it must be to her to continue to meet with us. We actually had another lesson with her today and she asked for two Book of Mormons to give to her Grandma and her Aunt when she goes back to Liban for Christmas in a couple weeks, and she is going to be coming to institute tomorrow afternoon. It is so incredible. She has truly been prepared by the Lord and I am simply grateful that I have been able to help him accomplish his work.
Of course there were other good things that happened in the week but that was definitely the most impacting. I love you all, sincerely and I am so grateful for each one of you. This is such a wonderful time of year to reach out to others, to express our love, express our gratitude and simply enjoy the company of our family and our friends. I hope you all have a great week and enjoy your week. We can have good weeks, but we don't always enjoy them and I encourage all of you to enjoy your week. No matter how it goes, there is always something to enjoy. Au revoir!
Elder Kirkpatrick
Of course there were other good things that happened in the week but that was definitely the most impacting. I love you all, sincerely and I am so grateful for each one of you. This is such a wonderful time of year to reach out to others, to express our love, express our gratitude and simply enjoy the company of our family and our friends. I hope you all have a great week and enjoy your week. We can have good weeks, but we don't always enjoy them and I encourage all of you to enjoy your week. No matter how it goes, there is always something to enjoy. Au revoir!
Elder Kirkpatrick
Monday, November 28, 2011
Hello Everyone,
I hope that everyone had a great Thanksgiving! I certainly did, I probably ate too much, but it was great, I will give you the details a little bit later in the email. We had a pretty good week and we have an awesome new investigator that is great. It has started to get pretty chilly here as I am sure it is doing a bit everywhere. It is nice but now I am going to have to start wearing my warm jacket and my gloves and scarf and such. I am sure everyone is starting to get into the Christmas season and remember what a wonderful time of year it is to help others in a spirit of giving. I absolutely love this time of year.
This week started out pretty good on Monday because we started teaching a new investigator named Jinane on Monday and she is awesome. We had a great first discussion with her and she is full of questions and she is very open.
Tuesday we did some street meeting in the morning and we met a couple of cool people and then even set up a rendez-vous with someone later in the day. After lunch we did some phone calls trying to get back into contact with people the missionaries have already contacted. Afterwards we headed to meet the guy for our lesson and forgot but he headed to where we were going to meet after I called him. We started to head out to a place where we could talk together and about 2 minutes after we start walking he just starts running in the opposite direction but Elder Coenen kept walking so I was kind of stuck in the middle. I yelled at Elder Coenen and by the time I got his attention, the guy was completely out of sight. I am not entirely sure why he left but he said something about appointment with a doctor. In any case, he is a little crazy and actually lives in the hospital. We then did a bit of contacting until going to see Jennifer and Erica. We wanted to regive them all of the lessons because they kind of had them with their mom but not really so we decided to start over basically. So we started with the restoration but didn’t get too far because they really like to talk. But it was still a good lesson.
I hope that everyone had a great Thanksgiving! I certainly did, I probably ate too much, but it was great, I will give you the details a little bit later in the email. We had a pretty good week and we have an awesome new investigator that is great. It has started to get pretty chilly here as I am sure it is doing a bit everywhere. It is nice but now I am going to have to start wearing my warm jacket and my gloves and scarf and such. I am sure everyone is starting to get into the Christmas season and remember what a wonderful time of year it is to help others in a spirit of giving. I absolutely love this time of year.
This week started out pretty good on Monday because we started teaching a new investigator named Jinane on Monday and she is awesome. We had a great first discussion with her and she is full of questions and she is very open.
Tuesday we did some street meeting in the morning and we met a couple of cool people and then even set up a rendez-vous with someone later in the day. After lunch we did some phone calls trying to get back into contact with people the missionaries have already contacted. Afterwards we headed to meet the guy for our lesson and forgot but he headed to where we were going to meet after I called him. We started to head out to a place where we could talk together and about 2 minutes after we start walking he just starts running in the opposite direction but Elder Coenen kept walking so I was kind of stuck in the middle. I yelled at Elder Coenen and by the time I got his attention, the guy was completely out of sight. I am not entirely sure why he left but he said something about appointment with a doctor. In any case, he is a little crazy and actually lives in the hospital. We then did a bit of contacting until going to see Jennifer and Erica. We wanted to regive them all of the lessons because they kind of had them with their mom but not really so we decided to start over basically. So we started with the restoration but didn’t get too far because they really like to talk. But it was still a good lesson.
Wednesday we were supposed to teach our investigator Mehkat but she ended up being super late and then was able to make it and then we had to go to the institute building anyway to meet Jinane, so it didn’t really work out. We started the lesson with Jinane and she had read all of the introductions all the way to the tenth chapter of 1st Nephi in the Book of Mormon!!! It was so awesome. She had so many questions and so we basically spent the time responding to her questions. It was really awesome. We then ate lunch and did our studies that we missed from the morning and then we went out and did some contacting before seeing the Sinquin Family. We had a good lesson but unfortunately the member who was with us completely took over the lesson. It was so frustrating! We weren’t able to teach what we wanted, but it was ok and the member did bring up some pretty good points. We then, being late, hurried to English class to give a spiritual thought afterwards and then we headed home.
Thursday we did some pass backs in the morning and then ate and saw Frère Phillibeaux. We had a good lesson with him and it is great to see someone even after 30 years of inactivity in the church, because of his work obligations, talk about how he also has a testimony and how much it continues to grow. We then went and did some Street Meeting and then did some phone calls and then went out to see our Ward Mission Leader at his house for our meeting because he was having back problems. We then headed to the eat Thanksgiving at the Gerard’s home. And oh my was it delicious. It was a traditional Thanksgiving: Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, etc. Even down to the pumpkin pie with vanilla ice cream. It was all homemade and so delicious. It was so kind of them to do that. They really put in a lot of work to make some Missionaries feel like they are at home even being far from their family and their country.
Friday morning we saw Jinane again and was able to teach the whole restoration lesson and she had some great questions. She is really hungry to know as much as possible. We then did some contacting until going home to eat and do our weekly planning. After planning we went to do some Street Meeting and met a couple of really cool new students that we should be seeing this week. We headed down for a meeting with the young adults but it got cancelled. So we did some contacting up to meet the Myuldermans for a “thanksgiving” at a restaurant. They decided they wanted to take us out to eat so we had a thanksgiving with traditional French Cuisine. Mmm that was good too. I had an entrée of a little salad with two mini éclairs filled with chevre cheese, a type of goat cheese. Then for the main dish I had boar that had been cooked in a sauce of red wine and chocolate for 6 hours and then I had a dessert that was a crispy wafer with three thick layers of three different types of chocolate on a bed of street cream. It was all absolutely delicious!
Saturday was a rather long day and not too much happened honestly until the end when we had a rendez-vous with Jennifer and Erica. Unfortunately we were a little bummed because they weren’t going to be able to come to church.
Sunday my companion and Elder Smith, from the other companionship, went up to Manosque for church and so Elder Baret and I stayed in Aix. Church was good and we were able to teach one of their investigators and a recent convert after church before the other missionaries came back. We then did some contacting and went to share the Joseph Smith movie with Soeur Chipouka and her kids and it was really great. The spirit was really strong in seeing all of the events of the restoration. We then headed back in to finish off a pretty busy week.
I love you all and sincerely hope that you had a great week in remembering all of the blessings that you have during thanksgiving. We all have reason to give thanks. Have a great week and remember to keep the spirit of thanksgiving and Christmas alive during this wonderful time of year!
Elder Kirkpatrick
Monday, November 21, 2011
Hello,
Well, another transfer, or six weeks, has gone by and I am honestly stunned. I cannot believe how quickly these last six weeks have gone. I have no idea where they went! To add to it, Christmas is basically right around the corner, my last Christmas in France, crazy! I am sure this next transfer will fly by. I hope that you are all doing well and have had a great week as well, getting all prepared for Thanksgiving and everything. Good news, we are invited for "thanksgiving" with a family in the ward and then we are also invited for the night after for a second "thanksgiving." The members are very nice and caring towards our American holiday, and probably because they all like to eat too. Ha!
After emails last Monday, we had a good lesson with the Sinquins, we basically answered their questions and their difficulties that they were having with certain things. It was really good and they understood and the spirit was really there. Afterwards, we went and saw Irma to tell her goodbye before she left on Tuesday to go to Honduras for a month to visit her family who is there.
Tuesday was a pretty long day. In the morning we had a lesson but he didn't show up, so we had a little lesson with the member that was going to help us and then we ate and then did some contacting and then passed Frère Casale who was in the hospital still. We then did some pass-backs, door to door, lots of different things to try and find some new investigators.
Wednesday morning, we wanted to do some street meeting and so we went to go to where we do it often and the other missionaries were already there! We went to another spot, but there wasn't much going on, so we moved to another spot and in about 40 minutes we had three lessons fixed for later. It was awesome! We went in for lunch and then went out and did some contacting before seeing Frère Philibeaux, he had an appointment with his doctor so we gave a little lesson and he asked us to come back the next day. After him, we did some contacting and passing people until English class. Normally, we have at least 6 people but no one showed up! Just as we were about to leave 4 people showed up so we ended up having English Class anyway, thankfully.
Thursday we had a district meeting in the morning and then we all ate together and then we did a little bit of contacting before seeing Frère Philibeaux, and we had a good lesson with him. He talked about how much happier he is since he has come back to church and even all the people that he has been able to share the gospel with in the nursing home that he is at, it was pretty cool. We then did some pass backs before going to our meeting with our Ward Mission Leader and then we tried to pass by the daughters of Irma but they weren't there.
Friday in the morning, we met with a new investigator, Mehkat, which we had contacted a few days before. We had a good lesson with her and then we went back to the apartment to do our weekly planning. After lunch, I headed out to do an exchange in Avignon with Elder Bonnett, the "greeny" or in french we actually say that they are blue. They had some lessons fixed that didn't work out so between that and all the studies that the new missionaries do now, they have added an extra hour of studies for all new missionaries everywhere in the world, we did have much time to do other things.
Saturday I was with Elder Bonnett until about 2, when I headed back to Aix. We ended up doing some contacting, passing by a member, and then had a really good lesson with Irma's daughters. They even said that they would come to church the next day, we were really excited about that.
Sunday, in the morning, Erica, one of Irma's daughters sent us a text saying the couldn't come because someone was passing by the house at 11 and they needed to be there to sign some paperwork but they promised they would be there the next Sunday, and then we fixed a rendez-vous for that evening. Church was good but none of our investigators were able to come. After church, we gave a blessing to Frère Casale and then headed back home to eat. We then passed by a member and had a lesson with them before heading over and seeing Erica, Jennifer and also a friend of Irma. We had a nice discussion and then headed home.
Voilà, that was our week. I want you all to know how much I love you and how much I am grateful for you. With Thanksgiving this week, don't forget to think of all the blessings and all the thanks that we need to be giving. We are truly blessed in this life and I hope that you all see it every single day, not just at thanksgiving. Love you! Au revoir!
Elder Kirkpatrick
Well, another transfer, or six weeks, has gone by and I am honestly stunned. I cannot believe how quickly these last six weeks have gone. I have no idea where they went! To add to it, Christmas is basically right around the corner, my last Christmas in France, crazy! I am sure this next transfer will fly by. I hope that you are all doing well and have had a great week as well, getting all prepared for Thanksgiving and everything. Good news, we are invited for "thanksgiving" with a family in the ward and then we are also invited for the night after for a second "thanksgiving." The members are very nice and caring towards our American holiday, and probably because they all like to eat too. Ha!
After emails last Monday, we had a good lesson with the Sinquins, we basically answered their questions and their difficulties that they were having with certain things. It was really good and they understood and the spirit was really there. Afterwards, we went and saw Irma to tell her goodbye before she left on Tuesday to go to Honduras for a month to visit her family who is there.
Tuesday was a pretty long day. In the morning we had a lesson but he didn't show up, so we had a little lesson with the member that was going to help us and then we ate and then did some contacting and then passed Frère Casale who was in the hospital still. We then did some pass-backs, door to door, lots of different things to try and find some new investigators.
Wednesday morning, we wanted to do some street meeting and so we went to go to where we do it often and the other missionaries were already there! We went to another spot, but there wasn't much going on, so we moved to another spot and in about 40 minutes we had three lessons fixed for later. It was awesome! We went in for lunch and then went out and did some contacting before seeing Frère Philibeaux, he had an appointment with his doctor so we gave a little lesson and he asked us to come back the next day. After him, we did some contacting and passing people until English class. Normally, we have at least 6 people but no one showed up! Just as we were about to leave 4 people showed up so we ended up having English Class anyway, thankfully.
Thursday we had a district meeting in the morning and then we all ate together and then we did a little bit of contacting before seeing Frère Philibeaux, and we had a good lesson with him. He talked about how much happier he is since he has come back to church and even all the people that he has been able to share the gospel with in the nursing home that he is at, it was pretty cool. We then did some pass backs before going to our meeting with our Ward Mission Leader and then we tried to pass by the daughters of Irma but they weren't there.
Friday in the morning, we met with a new investigator, Mehkat, which we had contacted a few days before. We had a good lesson with her and then we went back to the apartment to do our weekly planning. After lunch, I headed out to do an exchange in Avignon with Elder Bonnett, the "greeny" or in french we actually say that they are blue. They had some lessons fixed that didn't work out so between that and all the studies that the new missionaries do now, they have added an extra hour of studies for all new missionaries everywhere in the world, we did have much time to do other things.
Saturday I was with Elder Bonnett until about 2, when I headed back to Aix. We ended up doing some contacting, passing by a member, and then had a really good lesson with Irma's daughters. They even said that they would come to church the next day, we were really excited about that.
Sunday, in the morning, Erica, one of Irma's daughters sent us a text saying the couldn't come because someone was passing by the house at 11 and they needed to be there to sign some paperwork but they promised they would be there the next Sunday, and then we fixed a rendez-vous for that evening. Church was good but none of our investigators were able to come. After church, we gave a blessing to Frère Casale and then headed back home to eat. We then passed by a member and had a lesson with them before heading over and seeing Erica, Jennifer and also a friend of Irma. We had a nice discussion and then headed home.
Voilà, that was our week. I want you all to know how much I love you and how much I am grateful for you. With Thanksgiving this week, don't forget to think of all the blessings and all the thanks that we need to be giving. We are truly blessed in this life and I hope that you all see it every single day, not just at thanksgiving. Love you! Au revoir!
Elder Kirkpatrick
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Hello,
Wow, it has really started to cool down! My fingernails were blue this morning! Ha! But at least the sun has been shining, so that has been a very nice change from the week before. We had a fairly busy but good week this last week, and I hope that you all have had a good week as well.
On Tuesday, we started out the day doing some street meeting, which I am actually beginning to like a bit more now. We have been able to meet a lot of really nice and interesting people using the street board. After lunch, we went and did some pass backs until we saw Becca and we had a lesson with her. She shared her experiences of being able to share the gospel with some of her friends since she has been here and she has been able to have some great discussions. Afterwards, we did some contacting until we went and saw Irma and had a great lesson with her and her daughters, especially Ericka, who asks great questions and is really searching to understand.
Wednesday was a day full of eating with members because it was the birthday of Elder Claflin in the other companionship and so for lunch we went with a couple members, two being members I knew from when I was in Marseille, and we went and ate at a restaurant called Flunch. We had a nice time and it was great catching up with them. After lunch, we had a rendez-vous but he didn't show up and so we did some contacting and we did some pass backs and such until about six when the other missionaries picked us up to go to the home of the Kool family to have dinner. It was very nice and we had some great spiritual thoughts, because the husband of one of their daughters is not a member and so the other missionaries have been teaching him so we got to have a cool lesson with them.
Thursday was going to be quite a busy day with a lot of rendez-vous but not long into the day, we had a bunch who cancelled. In the morning, we did some contacting, and then after lunch, we did some more street meeting. We then saw Ma Fang and had a pretty good lesson with her. We then tried to see Gerard but he wasn't available so we fixed a rendez-vous for Saturday and so we did some contacting before we went to the church for interviews with President Murdock. They went well and afterwards, we all had an opportunity to give President a blessing for his health, which was a very neat experience. Definitely something unforgettable.
Friday morning we had a Zone Meeting and everybody else had their interviews with President. Afterwards, we went and taught Wan Qing and had an interesting lesson with her. She isn't really too open to her own efforts to know if the Book of Mormon is true and she kind of puts up a wall when we talk about that. We will see how it goes but it wasn't the best lesson. We then went out and did some street meeting again and again met some really great people. Afterwards, we saw Irma and finished talking about the Gospel of Jesus Christ with her and her daughter, it was really a great lesson.
Saturday, there was a baptism for an investigator of the other companionship and so we went, we were supposed to have possibly three investigators there, one was for sure. Unfortunately, none showed up. We then headed home, ate lunch and went to see Franck. Franck had completely forgotten about the lesson and was not home. We went back, doing some contacting and then did some more street meeting, once again being able to talk to some really great people. Hopefully with all of this, we will be able to get some new investigators this next week! We then went and saw Gerard and had a nice goodbye visit, since he is going back to Madagascar until March tomorrow. We again encouraged him to testify to his wife about why he wants to join the church and he agreed. We will see how it goes. We then went out and passed a couple people and did some contacting.
Sunday, we went to church, which was the Primary Program, so it was of course, enjoyable. We then headed in to eat and then went to a rendez-vous with a new investigator named Rodrigo. He is from Mexico and is here for his studies. We had a pretty good lesson with him and he had a ton of questions. Afterwards, we did our weekly planning and then had to go run an errand to the institute building before heading back to finish our planning.
Voilà, that was our week. It was pretty good. This next week we are really trying to focus on finding new people to teach and getting new investigators. We already have some lined up so it should be pretty good. I am looking forward to it. I hope that you are all doing well and know that I love you and am grateful for your support and prayers. Remember always to stay positive even when everything seems to be falling to pieces. Heavenly Father is always there for you and cares for you. I love you all, have a great week!
Elder Kirkpatrick
Wow, it has really started to cool down! My fingernails were blue this morning! Ha! But at least the sun has been shining, so that has been a very nice change from the week before. We had a fairly busy but good week this last week, and I hope that you all have had a good week as well.
On Tuesday, we started out the day doing some street meeting, which I am actually beginning to like a bit more now. We have been able to meet a lot of really nice and interesting people using the street board. After lunch, we went and did some pass backs until we saw Becca and we had a lesson with her. She shared her experiences of being able to share the gospel with some of her friends since she has been here and she has been able to have some great discussions. Afterwards, we did some contacting until we went and saw Irma and had a great lesson with her and her daughters, especially Ericka, who asks great questions and is really searching to understand.
Wednesday was a day full of eating with members because it was the birthday of Elder Claflin in the other companionship and so for lunch we went with a couple members, two being members I knew from when I was in Marseille, and we went and ate at a restaurant called Flunch. We had a nice time and it was great catching up with them. After lunch, we had a rendez-vous but he didn't show up and so we did some contacting and we did some pass backs and such until about six when the other missionaries picked us up to go to the home of the Kool family to have dinner. It was very nice and we had some great spiritual thoughts, because the husband of one of their daughters is not a member and so the other missionaries have been teaching him so we got to have a cool lesson with them.
Thursday was going to be quite a busy day with a lot of rendez-vous but not long into the day, we had a bunch who cancelled. In the morning, we did some contacting, and then after lunch, we did some more street meeting. We then saw Ma Fang and had a pretty good lesson with her. We then tried to see Gerard but he wasn't available so we fixed a rendez-vous for Saturday and so we did some contacting before we went to the church for interviews with President Murdock. They went well and afterwards, we all had an opportunity to give President a blessing for his health, which was a very neat experience. Definitely something unforgettable.
Friday morning we had a Zone Meeting and everybody else had their interviews with President. Afterwards, we went and taught Wan Qing and had an interesting lesson with her. She isn't really too open to her own efforts to know if the Book of Mormon is true and she kind of puts up a wall when we talk about that. We will see how it goes but it wasn't the best lesson. We then went out and did some street meeting again and again met some really great people. Afterwards, we saw Irma and finished talking about the Gospel of Jesus Christ with her and her daughter, it was really a great lesson.
Saturday, there was a baptism for an investigator of the other companionship and so we went, we were supposed to have possibly three investigators there, one was for sure. Unfortunately, none showed up. We then headed home, ate lunch and went to see Franck. Franck had completely forgotten about the lesson and was not home. We went back, doing some contacting and then did some more street meeting, once again being able to talk to some really great people. Hopefully with all of this, we will be able to get some new investigators this next week! We then went and saw Gerard and had a nice goodbye visit, since he is going back to Madagascar until March tomorrow. We again encouraged him to testify to his wife about why he wants to join the church and he agreed. We will see how it goes. We then went out and passed a couple people and did some contacting.
Sunday, we went to church, which was the Primary Program, so it was of course, enjoyable. We then headed in to eat and then went to a rendez-vous with a new investigator named Rodrigo. He is from Mexico and is here for his studies. We had a pretty good lesson with him and he had a ton of questions. Afterwards, we did our weekly planning and then had to go run an errand to the institute building before heading back to finish our planning.
Voilà, that was our week. It was pretty good. This next week we are really trying to focus on finding new people to teach and getting new investigators. We already have some lined up so it should be pretty good. I am looking forward to it. I hope that you are all doing well and know that I love you and am grateful for your support and prayers. Remember always to stay positive even when everything seems to be falling to pieces. Heavenly Father is always there for you and cares for you. I love you all, have a great week!
Elder Kirkpatrick
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