Holy I love it so so much here I am never coming back to America. Before I came, I thought I would just want to stay in Paris, but even the surrounding areas that we're proselyting in are incredible...Boulangeries on every corner and the houses in Chesnay look like castles. And of course I work at the prettiest place in Chesnay- the Paris Temple. The Paris Temple is so beautiful that random strangers on the street see it and just want to go inside. But they can't...so they talk to us! Which is awesome because that's how we find new amis (friends/investigators) to teach! And we have a lot of amis, most of them are from Africa. A lot of them say "hallelujah" and "amen" while we're teaching HA which is great because we don't have to guess whether they're feeling the Spirit or not.
YESTERDAY okay this is my favorite thing ever okay listen. Two awesome things about the temple: 1. We see the Elders and other Sisters all the time so I've already gotten to meet so many missionaries serving in France in the space of two weeks. Which is super cool because I feel so unified in the work when I know all the missionaries I'm working with. And 2. So because everybody knows the sisters in the Visitor's Center we throw these massive parties every two weeks with a bunch of members, missionaries, and their amis. It's called a "véillee" and converts share their testimonies and there's music and afterwards everybody eats food and it's so hype. A VC (Visitor's Center) sister (Sister Marteeny) asked me to play a song from Lamb of God for it- which was pretty much straight fire. Not because of me, but this sister is an opera major and the whole Visitor's Center was in tears (also strongly recommend listening to Lamb of God, Rob Gardner is a legend). Anyway, but the best thing about the Véille is it just feels like one giant family. Everybody comes in and we all bise (the french thing where you kiss cheeks) and literally all of Africa is there and everybody is so warm and happy and THE AMIS they get to meet other amis and missionaries and members and I don't know how to even do it justice. The people are so genuine I just felt like I was home.
I also got to play the piano for a baptism yesterday! One of our amis Maurice got baptized and I don't know him too well yet, but it was super powerful to see one of his best friends speak about how baptism blessed his life. And that baptism wouldn't have happened if that member hadn't reached out to the missionaries. Before my mission, I wish I would've realized how important member missionary work really is. We can teach and some people are totally ready to receive the gospel...but the greatest tool we have is the members! When I am in a lesson with members and the members testify to our ami, it's a super powerful experience. And they automatically have somebody to go to church with, and feel more at home. I'm grateful we have so many members in our ward that our willing to reach out and spread the gospel. You don't have to be a missionary to talk about Jesus! So I invite you all to reach out to your friends and share your testimony with them. You never know who needs your message right now.
The stained glass picture of Jesus in the Visitor's Center. People that come in always love this. I love it as well, because it shows people that don't know much about the church that we believe in Christ. Also when I first got here, the elders told me there was a hidden fly so I stood there for like 15 minutes trying to find the stupid fly. There is, in fact, not a fly HA.
My trainor! She's half-french so she's the reason I know anything right-now. She's super cute and I love her.
French pastries. This is called a Tartlette Framboise and I feel like I don't even need to talk about this. Like, just look at it. French pastries are l'amour de ma vie.
I've also eaten about 13 baguettes this week because, no matter where you buy them, they're bomb. The French have tons of different type of meat and cheese so we just randomly pick stuff from the store and try it with bread. It's an adventure.
Hope everybody had a good week! Bonne semaine!
Soeur McOmber
Ha! Next try a Clafoutis Framboise from a little place next to Hotel De Ville in Paris. It's called Le Gay Choc. BEST patisserie EVER.
ReplyDeleteIt is so exciting to hear about the missionary work that has been enriched by the Temple. When we were last in Paris at a Regional Conference at the Palais de Congres, it felt as though the Gospel was on the brink of a magnificent explosion!
ReplyDeleteI am totally with you on the pastries Sœur McOmber! I could eat my way across France going from patisserie to patisserie. My hands-down favorite is the raspberry tart. What is amazing is that each region seems to have their own little twist on that particular delicacy. As you travel further south toward the Mediterranean, they put this creamy-smooth custard in the bottom. The raspberries nest in it, blending the tartness of the berries with the slightly sweet, creamy smoothness of the custard. Oh, so delicious!
Thank you so much for the inspiring letters home. Love you bunches, ma petite grande nièce.
I just read your MTC Jan 15(?) post. Souviens-toi is one of the most beautiful hymns I've ever sung. Shellie and Nate performed it in their Ward a couple years ago with Becca playing oboe. When they came here to visit a few months later, I asked them to sing it with me. I wanted Becca to play, too, but she was afraid her oboe wouldn't do well on the trip (drastic humidity changes on those fragile reeds) so we did a trio with only the piano accompaniment. Such a tender hymn. Shellie translated it to English to be proper according to the "direction" from the Brethren, and the translation was printed in the Ward programs both times. Funny how precious music is to all of us with its ability to reach places in Father's children untouched by words alone. I love the power of the Spirit.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Tante Colleen