2 Months and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

Bonjour à tous! 

I hope you all are doing amazing! I cannot believe that this week is Christmas! 

So much has happened this week! At the beginning of the week we had exchanges with the STLs (Sister Training Leaders) in St. Brieuc, a cute little beach town just north of Rennes. We spent a day there with the STLs and I learned a lot about the work and different tips and tricks I can apply to my efforts. We took the speed train over there and the French countryside is absolutely stunning! 

The rest of this week was full of lessons, and I even enjoyed my first member meal! We had quiche and it was so good! 😂 We then went to visit a lady in our ward who lives over an hour away, and it's hard for her to get to church. When we got there she was so excited! We could tell that it meant the world to her for us to be there! We sat and talked with her for awhile, and let me tell you, she had the cutest French house! She had some old Christmas music playing on the radio in the background and a fire going in a little brick fireplace. If you know me, you know I LOVE Christmas, so I was so excited to be there! It was so fun to sit and get to know this lady. Even though I couldn't fully understand what she was saying, I just felt so much love for her. 

The next morning she called us to say how grateful she was that we stopped by and because she simply wanted to talk! Definitely a highlight! 

We also have another friend we are teaching who lives in St. Malo, which is about an hour from Rennes. She can't make it to us either, but she has such a strong desire to be baptized and she is absolutely the sweetest! Every other day she sends us messages about how her prayers are going and different things she reads throughout the week. She also called us "mes soeurs" which is just My Sisters! We love her! 

We also had the ward Christmas party this week and it was definitely a party to remember! The talent show went for two hours and the ward even had my companion and, along with the Elders, and a member named, Claude be the first act! We sang Douce Nuit (Silent Night) with the guitar. We where a hit! There was a huge variety of talents ranging from singing, to skits, accordion music, monologues, and even a sing off between oldies and popular music! It was funny to hear American songs translated into French because the direct translations did not match! 😂  "Billy Jean" became Billy Jzon, and "I Love Rock and Roll" became J'aime la pierre et roll, which is the direct translation of the song but doesn't have the same meaning. 😂 We had to leave before the party was over, and the talent show was still going! The Relief Society made the Elders and my equipe (companionship) plates of food before we left, which was nice! 

I have also hit 2 months as a missionary! I know I still have 16 more to go but, I can hardly believe it, time is already flying by!

Sunday was the world cup finals! France against Argentina! My companion and I decided to go street contacting in the town center... and it was crazy! There was a band playing and getting everyone excited, people where walking around with french flags and hats, and all the bars where filled to the brim and overflowing with fans! It reminded me of going to BYU games and watch parties, and how fun those where. Sadly, The Blues (the French) lost. However, we could still hear fireworks going off in the distance! 

And total side note: People here really do say "oh la la" or just "oh la" as more of an "oh my goodness"! 😂

Spiritual Thought: 

This week I have been focusing a lot on prayer. There is a lot of power in prayer! Prayer is a time for us to really connect with our Father in Heaven and tell Him the things of our hearts. When we sincerely kneel before Him in prayer, in humility and meekness, that is when we are most open to Him and the answers and blessings He has for us. The Lord invites us to go to Him in sincere prayer, and we are promised that if we do so, we will receive answers and be blessed. Have faith based prayers! 

"But that ye would humble yourselves before the Lord, and call on His holy name, and watch and pray continually, that ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear, and thus be led by the Holy Spirit, becoming humble, meek, submissive, patient, full of love and all long-suffering." 

(Alma 13:28) 

Remember to pray always! Your prayers don't have to be big or long, just full of faith. I promise you that the more you pray and converse with our Heavenly Father, the more you will see and feel Him in your life. 

I love and miss you all! 

À bientôt! - Soeur Hansen