This week was amazing!! We had zone conference on Tuesday which was incredible. President and Soeur Poznanski are the best. I love zone conferences, they give me the extra boost that I need to keep going strong and I am so grateful for that! They share such wonderful insights there and the spirit with them is just wonderful. It was so fun to be with all the missionaries! For the lunch that we had everyone put on their Santa hats and I felt like I was at Hogwarts haha everyone was wearing hats in the Great Hall just like Harry Potter! It was such a fun experience and so great to see Paris again!!
Tuesday night, on our way back from the train we met a woman and using the new Christmas contacting way we had learned just that day. we asked her if we could share the true spirit of Christmas with her and her family by singing and praying with them and she said yes!!! It was incredible!! Miracles. :) We've met quite a few families that way which is such a blessing!!
On Thursday we went to Saumur to see one of our amies. We took the train, it was about 20 minutes away. When we got there we spent our lunch climbing around the castle. It was so cool!!! Saumur is absolutely beautiful!!! After we were able to have a wonderful discussion with our amie. We invited her to read the Book of Mormon and shared our testimonies. However the next day she texted us and said she didn't want to meet with us anymore. Stab to the heart. Ay. It hurt. But. She has the knowledge now so when she's ready and willing to accept it she'll know where to find it.
Later that night we went to a member's house and I think ate enough for an army. But her food is soo good! Natalie Hamelin was there with us and she teased us about gaining 40 kilos on our missions just like some other sisters she's known. But we kept eating anyway. The food was worth it I'm telling you! I've always heard the French eat smaller portions but I have yet to find that to be true.
Yesterday at our FHE with Lenaig we watched the Bible video of the Savior's birth and the three kings coming to bring Him gifts. I love the Christmas season. Before this year Christmas has been mostly about family traditions, Christmas shopping, all the lights and decorations, the good food and of course the cheesy Christmas movies. It's been a bit difficult being away from home during the season but it has made me reflect upon the true meaning of Christmas. The reason I'm out here in France instead of with my family.
It's because of the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. Because He lived and died for us I know that I can be with my family together forever. Christmas is a wonderful time to reflect on what the Savior did for each us. We can receive forgiveness, we can overcome our weaknesses, we can live again and we can be together with our families after this life. I am so grateful for that truth!
This week we visited a lady who lost her mother at a young age and she told us she'll never see her mom again. My heart broke for her but I was so excited to share with her the truth that because our Savior Jesus Christ died for us she can see her Mom again! They will be together again after this life through the Plan of Salvation that our Heavenly Father so lovingly created for us.
Being out here on my mission has strengthened my testimony so much but more than that it has given me a deeper gratitude for the knowledge I have and for a loving Heavenly Father whose only desire is our happiness. I know He loves us. I know He watches over us and protects us. He loves us and that is why He sent His Son to the earth.
Christmas is for remembering Christ. I am so grateful for Jesus Christ. I know that He is our Savior and our Redeemer and that through Him we can have peace in this life and the next.
Merry Christmas!!
Avec amour,
Soeur Hawkes
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At Anna's house with Natalie and Marie just about to stuff our faces with the best food ever!
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