BONJOUR!!!

First off all, let us all be full of joy for Moussole, our ami in Montpellier who was baptized as a member of L'église de Jésus-Christ des Saints des Derniers Jours this weekend. Beautiful. Wow. I just got the news when I opened my emails, and I could not be more happy for him, for he has made a special promise with God, made possible through the Atoning Sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ, whose resurrection we remembered with an added amount of awe and reverence this weekend. Isn't that great?!

Joyeuses Pâques! Have you had a wonderful Easter? I hope so. Let’s talk about this week.

This week, we had a new focus on goals. As missionaries, we use numbers to represent some of our goals, but these numbers are only there to help us focus on the PEOPLE they represent, each a beloved spirit child of God the Father. As Soeur Paoli and I spent the week focusing more on our indicateur clés (key indicators...from Preach My Gospel) I found that it was so much easier to focus on my amis and their needs, and it felt like we were so much more effective. It was a great! Last Tuesday was a bit of a blustery day, and we found ourselves sitting on a park bench in downtown Renens as the wind blew the flower petals from the trees every which way. It was a magical moment. That is also where we met a new friend named Abdoulie. His economical situation is worse than probably anyone I've ever met, and he told us he'd like to know how to become Christian, because then maybe he could find peace. It was a humbling encounter that we had with him. He could use our prayers. We ate at the Goyez family's home this weekend, seriously, so delicious every time. She made a salad, and then a risotto au crème...so good. We also cleaned the church with her this week! I liked cleaning the church. I am thankful for the faithful tithe payers that help us construct these sacred edifaces. 

We have another new ami named Yvette. I love her! She is from Africa well, and she has a brother in Quebec who is a member of the Church. We found her a few weeks ago on our way to district meeting. We asked her how her faith in Jesus Christ helps her in her life, and she had nice things to say. IT wasn't until we got to her house for the RDV(rendez-vous) this week that she told us that actually, that day, she had lost the faith. That morning, she decided that she was not going to pray anymore because life was too hard. And then, she met us, two young girls who just want to help people come closer to Christ, and then, she started praying again. Isn't that neat? I love the way the Lord orchestrates this work. These things do not happen by chance! She is looking for a job, an apartment, and is in the middle of a divorce. She could use our prayers. We had another rendez-vous with Florica this week, and I just love her! She's having a hard time with the Book of Mormon, and we fervently testified to her how it has changed our lives. I seriously feel so blessed to have met her. Also! Best thing ever...we went to Segundo and Janeth's, and he came in for the RDV! (yes!) The soccer/obedience lesson was perfect, and I know the Lord blessed us for seeking His Spirit in planning the lesson. At the end, Segundo said (without us even asking) 'ok, I will try and follow the rules with my wife.' YES!!! Haha, that was literally my reaction. He's still gota long way to go, but I know they are going to succeed. I know it! I love them! We had several rattez-vous on Saturday...it was pouring rain and we were out contacting. Ha. The best. As is normally the case, when someone rattez's, there is a miracle. This time it was Holly. She is from Utah, and has been living here as a student. She's been inactive ever since she was 18, and basically, she and I just kind of had a heart to heart. I felt blessed that because of the experiences I have had in my life, God used me to bless this young woman in a special way....isn't it amazing how interconnected and beautifully woven our lives are? Isn't it evident that we are truly all brothers and sisters? Isn't it wonderful that God will do everything He can to help His children come back and enjoy the blessings He has for us? Isn't it wonderful He has given us the opportunity to choose that if we want it? 

And isn't it wonderful that all of this is made possible to us thanks to the Atoning Sacrifice of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. Mom, you know the song Savior Redeemer of my Soul that is the play you went to over the weekend? Could you see if the sheet music exists? Also, I really want a copy of the Love of God. Also, any sheet music that I can sing. Perhaps Come Thou Fount. (English is fine, no worries...if you find stuff in French however, tant mieux!) This week, we met a Muslim man from Heritri who is seriously troubled with the question, 'Why did Jesus come to earth?' He wants to know so badly. It's actually quite inspiring. I know that the answers to his questions are found in the words of the Holy Prophets, and that we can gain a testimony of their truthfulness by reading, praying, and seeking a confirmation from the Holy Spirit. And I mean really seeking, not just sitting idly and waiting. I know that 2 Nephi chapter 9 in the Book of Mormon is a great place to start, and we are looking forward to discussing that with him, and learning continually ourselves.

I know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He came to earth in the flesh, and He gave a perfect and infinite Atonement on our behalf. I know that I need His grace every day of my life, and that I have so much more to do to become like Him. I hope that you may all choose to receive His love in your hearts this week. I know that one day we will all be resurrected, that in our bodies we shall see God. The hope of the resurrection is immensely powerful, and I think of this message as I consider our dear friends who are suffering from illness, or the loss of a loved one. Brother Mac, Sister Engstrom, Grandma Judy, and so many others...I am thinking of you. I love you. Mommy, daddy, and Spencer, I love you too. I have a special thought for the four of us that I will either be sending in the mail, or in an email next week. Until then, may the good Lord bless and Keep you. May we be believing. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)

All of my love and appreciation,

Soeur Sarah Waldron