Saluuuut!
I can't believe it's P-day again! The weeks are seriously flying by! I hope you all are doing so well! This week was a great week! It was my first full week in my new secteur, and honestly, I am loving Toul more and more every day! In my last update I said Toul kind of reminds me of a mountain town... well this week cemented that feeling! As I mentioned, I am driving in this area - we are still alive, with everything in one piece - so don't you worry! We used the car almost every day this past week to get to our rendez-vous, and WOW! The landscape was incredible! It really did feel like I was driving in my beloved mountains! It is seriously so pretty here! It's definitely very very different when compared to the Paris city life, as Toul is a very tiny town, but I am loving it! The people here are so kind too - when we say Bonjour on the street, they actually say it back! Win! 🤣
Remember Ulrich Hoffmann from last week? (He knew my dad when he served here.) We had dinner with him and his family on Tuesday and it was so fun! His wife's mother was also there, who is a Babooshka from Ukraine, and she is the sweetest! After dinner we all played some games together and had such a good time!We had some amazing lessons this week on the Book of Mormon and blessings that really just left me feeling on top of the world! Don't you just love that feeling when the Spirit is so strong you feel as though you could fly?!
This week we taught 24 lessons, which means we get to go out to dinner with President Claus and his wife! We don't know when yet, but yay! 😂 Sunday we actually went to their house for lunch after church, and oh my goodness, their house is so so cute! It seriously reminds me of à house from a period drama They said that it was built before the French Revolution, and it's pretty much the same as it was back then! Of course they've made some renovations to the house since, but it was seriously one of the coolest houses I've been in since being here! 
What I Love About the People Of France:
- I know there is a stereotype about French people, but the people of France are seriously so cool! Once they open up to you, they are so kind and generous, and just really fun to be around. They treat you as if you've known each other all your lives and it's seriously incredible.
- Another thing I love about the people in France is that they are very much rooted in their culture and history (hence the french revolution house) They love their history, all of it: general history, regional history, family history - they love allowing history influence their daily life and culture. The French culture is so rooted and historically rich, and it is extraordinary to be a part of it - even in such a small way and for such a short time. I love France and I love my mission for bringing me to these people! 🥰
- I also love that France is a bit of a melting pot of a bunch of cultures! I've had the opportunity meet à lot of Africans, Ukranians, and Tahitians! Toul is home to the 516 Regiment of the French military. A lot of Tahitians are actually part of the French military and I get to hang out with a lot of them - let me tell you, they are some of my favorite people!
Tahitians actually make up most of my branch! On Thursday we went over to the house of the second counselor in the branch presidency, Frère Tehahe! There we enjoyed a Tahitian BBQ, and la vache it was so good! We also held a family home evening lesson with his family, and his two sons were just the cutest. His wife's parents are staying with them right now too because they just had a baby. It seriously took me back to family home evening lessons when I was growing up, where all us kids were super restless and excited for the game or activity and we didn't listen very well. 😂 Despite the chaos of Frère and Sœur Tehahe trying to quiet their sons down, the room was constantly full of laughter and I don't think I ever stopped smiling! The gospel really brings so much joy, no matter the activity and in all aspects of our lives! 
Saturday Soeur Chapman and I were invited by one of the amis we are currently teaching to the 516 regiment porte ouverte ! We were able to go on the base and watch a demonstration of different military vehicles. It was super cool, but the coolest part was probably when they performed some Tahitian dances - including the Haka ! The wives of all the soldiers came out and did some traditional dances as well. Once they finished dancing, we heard singing coming from behind us. We turned around to find all the soldiers in lines, singing à native chant, dressed in traditional clothing with face paint, walking towards the presentation area. They all marched in singing and then began to do the Haka! The whole presentation was incredible to watch! Our ami who invited us was so excited to see us there along with other members of our branch! It was so so fun! 
Even though we couldn't proselyte on the base, the simple fact that we were there to support them meant a lot to both our amis and the members of our branch who serve in the French military. Until now, I never realized how much the simple act of just being present for someone truly meant. As a little girl, I remember how excited I would get when my friends and family came to my different performances or competitions, but I never truly acknowledged or understood how much that meant until I was the one showing up for others. A lot of members and amis express how much it means to them when we come to an activity, or when we help out or become involved in something when they didn't expect that we would.
For example, our ami, Chatarina, who invited us to the military démonstration, joins us for a rendez-vous each week. We are starting at the Restoration of the Church and working through each lesson, really taking our time in helping her understand each principle, especially those taught in the Book of Mormon. This past lesson we with her, we had planned to talk about the Plan of Salvation, but instead we decided to read through the introduction of the Book of Mormon to help her better understand what it is and answer some of her questions. She hadn't really began reading it until we took the time to do that with her. She said she would rather read the Book of Mormon together with us because:
One, if she has a question she can ask us right there, and two, she said that she just enjoys the feeling she gets when we are around. A lot of people tell us this. That incredible feeling is the Spirit! Each and every one of us can have that incredible feeling of the spirit with us if we allow Him into our hearts!
As some of you know, the new edition of the "Preach My Gospel" manual came out recently. Let me tell you, it is incredible! It is exactly what missionary work needs! "Preach My Gospel" is a resource that missionaries use to help us prepare to teach lessons and is a guide to missionary work. However, it's not only for missionaries. Anyone can read and study it, and I hope you all do! It's very different from the original version, as the principles of the gospel are explained in new ways, and some things have either been added or taken out, but it is very much what the work needs today. I have already learned so much and have felt much of its teachings resonate with me as I study it. We had our first call this week with our new mission President and his wife as well, President and Soeur Munns, and they are incredible! They already expressed how much they love us and I already love them! Ever since I heard we were getting a new mission President, I have been so incredibly sad and worried about loving my new President as much as I have loved the Hansens. While I'm extremely sad to have had to say goodbye to the Hansens, this week my worries have been put to rest and I have been blessed with the confirmation that this is what was suppose to happen, and I am loving every moment of all the changes taking place, including those in my area. The Munns even talked a lot about the new "Preach My Gospel" and I got even more excited about it! Seriously, I invite you all to read it!
Spiritual Thought:
Okay time for a quick spiritual thought! I know this was kind of a long update, but I just had so much to tell you! In the spirit of talking a lot about how being present for others is so important, the presence we should all want and yearn for in our lives is the presence of our Savior. He is there, if we will only let Him in.
He is there! I have felt Him. I have come to know and feel my Savior more than ever before because of my mission, and I am so thankful for it. Strive to feel His presence this week.
I love you all so much! Have an amazing week! 🥰🥰
À bientôt ! - Soeur Hansen
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