Tuesday elder Walton and I had the opportunity to teach Constantine again! It was another really good rendezvous and he asked a lot of important questions. He didn't fully understand how a temple sealing works, so we explained that to him and he expressed some desire to have that one day. Then he asked a question that I think was in reference to him. He asked what if a husband believes and is baptized but his wife isn't interested and doesn't want to be sealed? To me, I think he was referring to himself, but I was excited to help him work through that question.
At the end of the lesson I challenged him to ask his wife if she was interested in taking the lessons with him. I bore testimony to him that I knew he could find the peace and joy that he wants, for himself and his family, through the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and the temple ordinances. The spirit is working miracles through Constantine and I'm honored and humbled that I am privileged to see that change of heart in action.
Honestly have no recollection of Wednesday.
Thursday was a day full of rendezvous, we saw Constantine again and talked about temples. (I think I mixed up the lessons I mentioned before with this day. Either way we talked about temples and genealogy.) Then we went to a mangezvous with a member and had beef right off the bone with mushrooms. After we taught our ami, Joel, with a baptismal date and discussed the repentance process and when we would be ready to enter the waters of baptism. Then lastly we went and taught Martihno and his Girlfriend, Precious, about the book of Mormon and I led that discussion.
On Friday Elder Walton, myself, and the sœurs went to Paris so that we could become French Citizens! My good friend, Elder Tropnas, was also there and it was great to see him again (he was in my MTC district). In just six weeks he has become such an exemplary missionary and is a huge example to me. We had a really good discussion while we traveled to the legality building and back. He gave me a lot of great advice on being myself and how to be the best missionary I can be. He told me if I felt the spirit every day, then I was doing something right. It was super good to see and talk with him, he's a great friend. If there could be one thing I'd change about missions, it would be being able to see the other missionaries a little more often; but it's ok, when we see each other after long periods of time it makes the reunion even better. So just imagine when I get to see all of you who are reading after I have finished my service! That's too far away though, so don't think about it.
Saturday was the finding day in Caen! As I was praying the night before I had a really strong urge to fast, so I fasted that I would be directed to find those who were prepared to hear the gospel. Elder Egbert and I started out the day and found two people! We found an African woman named Barbara and then another man, forgot his name, but the way we found him is super cool. Elder Egbert and I were trying to find a store called Monoprix, so that we could buy a dessert for the lunch break, but we were lost and I couldn't remember where the store was.
Honestly have no recollection of Wednesday.
Thursday was a day full of rendezvous, we saw Constantine again and talked about temples. (I think I mixed up the lessons I mentioned before with this day. Either way we talked about temples and genealogy.) Then we went to a mangezvous with a member and had beef right off the bone with mushrooms. After we taught our ami, Joel, with a baptismal date and discussed the repentance process and when we would be ready to enter the waters of baptism. Then lastly we went and taught Martihno and his Girlfriend, Precious, about the book of Mormon and I led that discussion.
I fell asleep twice in lessons this week. I'M NOT TRYING TO! I think I'm cursed, as soon as someone turns a conference talk on I fall asleep without realizing it and as soon as the talk ends I wake up; but I don't realize that I was asleep until someone asks me what I thought of the talk and I have zero recollection of it. I'm never going to fall asleep in a lesson again though...hopefully. It's too embarrassing and disrespectful in my opinion.
On Friday Elder Walton, myself, and the sœurs went to Paris so that we could become French Citizens! My good friend, Elder Tropnas, was also there and it was great to see him again (he was in my MTC district). In just six weeks he has become such an exemplary missionary and is a huge example to me. We had a really good discussion while we traveled to the legality building and back. He gave me a lot of great advice on being myself and how to be the best missionary I can be. He told me if I felt the spirit every day, then I was doing something right. It was super good to see and talk with him, he's a great friend. If there could be one thing I'd change about missions, it would be being able to see the other missionaries a little more often; but it's ok, when we see each other after long periods of time it makes the reunion even better. So just imagine when I get to see all of you who are reading after I have finished my service! That's too far away though, so don't think about it.
Saturday was the finding day in Caen! As I was praying the night before I had a really strong urge to fast, so I fasted that I would be directed to find those who were prepared to hear the gospel. Elder Egbert and I started out the day and found two people! We found an African woman named Barbara and then another man, forgot his name, but the way we found him is super cool. Elder Egbert and I were trying to find a store called Monoprix, so that we could buy a dessert for the lunch break, but we were lost and I couldn't remember where the store was.
So elder Egbert went and asked a random man where Monoprix was and the man responded that he didn't quite remember, but his wife would probably know. (Funny side note - the man said his wife's name as Madame so and so, and Egbert thought it was a street name. Guess you can never really know the difference between names and words, or streets in this case.) She was buying vegetables, so he said we could go wait for her. We had said nothing about who we were at this point. He noticed Elder Egbert's name tag and asked if we were evangelists, we said no, and then he said "oh, you're mormons!" Then immediately asked if we had a card for him. We didn't. So he asked for our phone number. Elder Egbert didn't know the Caen number so we just asked for his number instead and he gave it to us! Then he asked if we had anything else, so I pulled out a Book of Mormon and offered it to him. HE TOOK IT! I was so pumped because that was the first book of Mormon that I've handed out the entire mission and it was in such a natural and cool way. Definitely making sure we follow up with him.
I learned two important lessons that day, one that if you fast with real intent, trusting in the lord, then he will work miracles through you. Second if you are willing to open your mouth and talk with others, the lord will provide those who are ready to hear the gospel.
Elder Leavitt and I tried contacting in a cemetery, just got a lot of weird stares, but it was fun regardless. We had a nice chat with one old man who didn't believe in God, but still chatted with us.
On Sunday I had the opportunity to watch all three sessions of the temple dedication. It was a very spiritual experience. The entire temple presidency spoke, area 70 (I think), Elder Anderson and President Eyring. There was a quote that stuck out to me, I didn't get the exact wording but it was something like this, "the gospel of Jesus Christ gives purpose to the living, the temple gives purpose to the dead." Death is not the end, really it is the beginning of a much better life, filled with the joy of being in the presence of our heavenly father and our savior. The covenants we make on the temple are so incredible and I'm glad I get to teach others that they can be with their families forever. President Eyring gave a wonderful talk on eternal marriage. Just being In a temple setting again was so nice. The spirit was so strong and it was so refreshing to be in such a sacred atmosphere again.
The reason I didn't write yesterday was because every missionary in my mission was invited to hear Elder Anderson, of the quorum of the twelve apostles, speak. He only had one meeting while he was in France and this was the meeting. He said some really profound things and I'll share with you the three points he wanted to emphasize.
1. The dedicatory prayer gave France new blessings.
- He blessed the people, the members, and the missionaries. Elder Anderson said it was rather uncommon for missionaries took be blessed in a temple dedication prayer. I thought it was interesting that he said we received blessings that no one else will receive because they were only given to the missionaries at this specific time, in this mission. It makes me wonder why I was privileged enough to be here at this specific point in time.
2. The people are there!
- The people who have been prepared are here in France, we just need to find them. Elder Anderson told us how he knows France is not like Brazil, he doesn't expect us to get hundreds of baptisms a week, but he does know there are people who have been prepared to hear our message and they will listen. "If there are 15, then there are 30." He mentioned baptisms and how we need to view it in a larger scope. Baptism isn't the end, but it's the beginning and it's a part of the entire plan of our father.
3. The temple stands as a beacon to the people of France that the church isn't leaving.
-It took 20 years to make this temple possible and now that it's hear the saints have something to be a little more proud of - to give them a little more confidence. The church is staying until Christ comes again.
My last part I'll mention from elder Anderson was a quote I really liked. "Go home and be the members you are hoping the members here will be." Members in France are much different than they are in America. It's important to remember that you are capable of being that person you have inside your head and can be an effective tool in the Lord's hands. Don't limit yourself to what you are now, life is an eternal progression, so make progress that will benefit you for eternity.
On Sunday I had the opportunity to watch all three sessions of the temple dedication. It was a very spiritual experience. The entire temple presidency spoke, area 70 (I think), Elder Anderson and President Eyring. There was a quote that stuck out to me, I didn't get the exact wording but it was something like this, "the gospel of Jesus Christ gives purpose to the living, the temple gives purpose to the dead." Death is not the end, really it is the beginning of a much better life, filled with the joy of being in the presence of our heavenly father and our savior. The covenants we make on the temple are so incredible and I'm glad I get to teach others that they can be with their families forever. President Eyring gave a wonderful talk on eternal marriage. Just being In a temple setting again was so nice. The spirit was so strong and it was so refreshing to be in such a sacred atmosphere again.
The reason I didn't write yesterday was because every missionary in my mission was invited to hear Elder Anderson, of the quorum of the twelve apostles, speak. He only had one meeting while he was in France and this was the meeting. He said some really profound things and I'll share with you the three points he wanted to emphasize.
1. The dedicatory prayer gave France new blessings.
- He blessed the people, the members, and the missionaries. Elder Anderson said it was rather uncommon for missionaries took be blessed in a temple dedication prayer. I thought it was interesting that he said we received blessings that no one else will receive because they were only given to the missionaries at this specific time, in this mission. It makes me wonder why I was privileged enough to be here at this specific point in time.
2. The people are there!
- The people who have been prepared are here in France, we just need to find them. Elder Anderson told us how he knows France is not like Brazil, he doesn't expect us to get hundreds of baptisms a week, but he does know there are people who have been prepared to hear our message and they will listen. "If there are 15, then there are 30." He mentioned baptisms and how we need to view it in a larger scope. Baptism isn't the end, but it's the beginning and it's a part of the entire plan of our father.
3. The temple stands as a beacon to the people of France that the church isn't leaving.
-It took 20 years to make this temple possible and now that it's hear the saints have something to be a little more proud of - to give them a little more confidence. The church is staying until Christ comes again.
My last part I'll mention from elder Anderson was a quote I really liked. "Go home and be the members you are hoping the members here will be." Members in France are much different than they are in America. It's important to remember that you are capable of being that person you have inside your head and can be an effective tool in the Lord's hands. Don't limit yourself to what you are now, life is an eternal progression, so make progress that will benefit you for eternity.
This email is already long, but I wanted to add an entry I made in my journal. To preface this, I have been doing a lot of thinking and self reflection this week. I have been reconsecrating myself to the Lord and to this work and made some important realizations this week. This is one such realization.
From Friday May 19th,
"I've been thinking a lot lately. A lot about the past. The weather in Caen has made me nostalgic for my past. The days where Kristoffer and I would play games together, I would enjoy the warmth of the outdoors, and get to wake up early to go to school and see all of my friends. It's not to say that I'm homesick, but I feel that I am, in a sense, longing for the past and wishing to return there because there was comfort, freedom, security, and lack of responsibility. In my opinion, one feels this way because of the realization of responsibility. They know their life is changing, that the past, although great as it was, is not a reality for them anymore.
I suppose I'm writing counsel for myself. I think in times like these we glorify the past and belittle our futures. In this situation it is important to look forward with hope and with faith. I do not think we all lived great childhoods to have an adult life of disappointment, sorrow, and uncertainty; but rather, we lived a great childhood to have a great future. Optimism is key in this pursuit. Not only is optimism key, but the gospel of Jesus Christ is central to having an excellent future. The gospel gives direction to our lives, it gives us answers to our questions, it gives us hope in hard times, and most of all, it brings an eternal happiness into our homes that can only be known as you live it and carry the light of Christ in you.
I like to write as if to an audience, but sometimes that audience is yourself. To understand, personally, that everything is possible through Jesus Christ; It is one of the most important truths we can learn. He is always there at the door, all we have to do is open it. We are children of our Heavenly Father! We have a divine birthright and through his son, Jesus Christ, we can live lives filled with joy and know that our futures are bright and filled with light because we are being guided by him, our savior.
Jesus Christ is the way, he Is the truth, he Is the light. If we come unto him and remember him in every thought, then our futures will shine as brightly as him. We need not dwell on the past, only look ahead with a perfect hope of "[good] things to come.""
Through Jesus Christ we can become perfect. The atonement of Jesus Christ can help each of us and can allow us to become filled with joy, even an eternal and everlasting joy. He is the light in a world of darkness and it is his gospel which brings that light and wonderful blessings. This is my testimony, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
I'll see you all next week,
From Friday May 19th,
"I've been thinking a lot lately. A lot about the past. The weather in Caen has made me nostalgic for my past. The days where Kristoffer and I would play games together, I would enjoy the warmth of the outdoors, and get to wake up early to go to school and see all of my friends. It's not to say that I'm homesick, but I feel that I am, in a sense, longing for the past and wishing to return there because there was comfort, freedom, security, and lack of responsibility. In my opinion, one feels this way because of the realization of responsibility. They know their life is changing, that the past, although great as it was, is not a reality for them anymore.
I suppose I'm writing counsel for myself. I think in times like these we glorify the past and belittle our futures. In this situation it is important to look forward with hope and with faith. I do not think we all lived great childhoods to have an adult life of disappointment, sorrow, and uncertainty; but rather, we lived a great childhood to have a great future. Optimism is key in this pursuit. Not only is optimism key, but the gospel of Jesus Christ is central to having an excellent future. The gospel gives direction to our lives, it gives us answers to our questions, it gives us hope in hard times, and most of all, it brings an eternal happiness into our homes that can only be known as you live it and carry the light of Christ in you.
I like to write as if to an audience, but sometimes that audience is yourself. To understand, personally, that everything is possible through Jesus Christ; It is one of the most important truths we can learn. He is always there at the door, all we have to do is open it. We are children of our Heavenly Father! We have a divine birthright and through his son, Jesus Christ, we can live lives filled with joy and know that our futures are bright and filled with light because we are being guided by him, our savior.
Jesus Christ is the way, he Is the truth, he Is the light. If we come unto him and remember him in every thought, then our futures will shine as brightly as him. We need not dwell on the past, only look ahead with a perfect hope of "[good] things to come.""
Through Jesus Christ we can become perfect. The atonement of Jesus Christ can help each of us and can allow us to become filled with joy, even an eternal and everlasting joy. He is the light in a world of darkness and it is his gospel which brings that light and wonderful blessings. This is my testimony, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
I'll see you all next week,
Elder Molinari
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| Paris |
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| Tower in Paris that looks like Sarumon's Tower from Lord of the Rings |
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