I'm 6 Months Old! Oh, and Elder Uchtdorf Says Hello!!

Coucou !

As you can probably tell from the title, this was a big week! Plus, I may or may not have either shaken hands with, or bumped knuckles with not one, but two apostles! 

So, who casually crosses paths with the legend himself, Elder Uchtdorf!?  Let Alone in Paris?!    

MISSIONARIES, APPARENTLY! 

We were in Paris for district council and had just finished our meeting and were standing up to go to lunch, when all of a sudden we see a group of men standing outside the family history center. Then, through the window I see Elder Uchtdorf! All I could do was say "it's Elder Uchtdorf!" All of us missionaries didn't know what to do! We didn't know if we could stay in the center or if we had to go! Some Elders started heading for the door when Elder Uchtdorf began to make his way into the room with his wife, the head of the Society for the Northern Europe Missions, and other area leaders. 

He stood at the door with the biggest smile on his face looking at every single one of us - and we all stood there quietly with the biggest smiles on our faces, waiting to see what he would do next. He then went around the small room, full of 8 missionaries, shaking our hands one by one, reading our tags aloud, saying hello to each of us by name, looking us in the eye as he did so, still with a great big smile. Harriett Uchtdorf was close to follow and we were lucky enough to shake her hand as well, following suite with her husband! He then asked us one by one where we were from and how long we had been serving. We had some Elders in the room with us from Switzerland and so we also got to hear Elder Uchtdorf and his wife speak German with them! We then casually made some small talk and then Elder Uchtdorf suggested that we take a picture together! We made our way outside and took a picture, for which I of course offered up my phone! 

After the picture we talked with him some more. He told us to enjoy being in France and to have fun while being missionaries. He thanked us for choosing to serve a mission and shared that what we are doing is so important, and that he, and the other general authorities were proud of us. He also wanted to extend a thank you to all our families back home for all your continual support and love as we are out on our missions. We then talked a little about planes, of course, 😂 and then he gave us some words of wisdom: He said, "Don't be preoccupied with the dark. Be preoccupied with the light." 

And then he expressed how we can be and are the light. He expressed his love for us again and then went one by one shaking all of our hands again with Sister Uchtdorf not far behind him. A black car then pulled up and he hoped right in and drove away - casually! How cool was that! 

I met Dieter F. Uchtdorf as a missionary in Paris! To say the least, I was excited to write in my journal that night! 😄

The excitement isn't over! Saturday we had a Mission Conference with every single missionary serving in the Paris France Mission in the city of Versailles! However, this wasn't like any normal Mission Conference. This one included yet another apostle... Elder Ronald A. Rasband! Two apostles in one week! 

I was actually able to hear Elder Rasband speak twice; once at the Mission Conference, and then at a Stake Conference the next day, both in Versailles! It was so much fun to see all my past companions and friends at the conference and to catch up a bit. 

But most of all, what an experience it was to hear an apostle of the Lord speak directly to us missionaries! The spirit was so strong in every moment of the conferences! The Stake Conference with him was held in a pretty nice convention center - and the chairs where the comfiest chairs I've sat in, in a long time! It was super fun to see members from my old areas too who were in attendance.   

He talked to us about how important the Book of Mormon is and how it truly is the most important gift we can give to someone. 

I am a witness of that statement! 

One way I introduce the Book of Mormon to a lot of people is that it is a book that will change their life. It has changed my life. In more ways than I can explain. 

Elder Rasband testified that the testimony we gain while on a mission will be with us for the rest of our life. I have seen this truth in my own family from my parents, cousins, grand-parents, and even friends who have served missions. Not only will it influence us for the rest of our lives, but our testimony is also one of the most precious things we have in this life. To testify of something I know to be true with my whole heart and to share and enjoy these experiences with others is more special than I could have ever imagined.  And I get to do it for a whole 18 months of my life! 

This week I actually hit 6 months, which means I am a third of the way done! I only have 12 more months to testify of what I know to be true, but I know that I am not limited to the time I have left on my mission, this is just a springboard for a lifetime. 

An Invitation 

If you have not read the Book of Mormon I invite you to begin reading. I know its words to be true, as it is another witness of Jesus Christ. It has truly helped shape me into who I am today, as well as given me guidance, peace, and joy in times of need. If you are currently reading, I encourage you to keep going! I just finished a challenge our Mission President gave us to read it in 100 days! 

I finished it in English, and guess what?! I'm starting again, but this time in French! No matter how many times you have read it, there is always something more to learn. 

As always, if you wish to learn more about The Book of Mormon and why it is so special to me, feel free to reach out! I'd love to talk about it! 😁 

This week truly has been incredible! I am so thankful for the opportunity I had to learn from these apostles. Experiences I will truly treasure! 

I love you all! À bientôt ! - Soeur Hansen