Week 31 "Happy in Montpellier"

I actually don't really remember what happened this week. All I know is I am pretty content with life. I know I always talk about being present in every letter (maybe that is the only lesson I will take from my mission). But I read a quote from a conference talk "today- a day of eternity" that I liked. It says "Today is as much a part of eternity as any day a thousand years ago or as will be any day a thousand years hence. This is it, whether we are thrilled or disappointed, busy or bored! This is life, and it is passing.” Today is another day in eternity. Let's make the most of it. 

Soeur Annie Carrado (who Uncle Dave Hughes knows from his mission. side note: Dave started in Nice and went to Montpellier...I have met many people he knows from his mission)

I also had a hard moment this week. (It wouldn't be a good week without a hard moment, right??) At the beginning of the mission, I feel like certain things stressed me out (knowing if I was working hard enough, talking to random people and French, the mission rules). Since we got to Montpellier, I haven't been TOO stressed. But at district meeting this week, something was said in the meeting that just STRESSED me out. I felt so anxious and stressed. I think it is when I compare myself to how other missionaries do missionary work that I feel stressed. But I know those feelings come from Satan, not from Heavenly Father. 

Arc de triomphe-de Montpellier

I am grateful for prayer and for companions that gave me some comfort when I had my little moment. I am also grateful for tender mercies. Right after I had this little moment, the zone leaders gave us letters from the mission office. Soeur (cutest ever) Goold sent me a Swiss chocolate bar and a letter. And Daniel sent me a letter too. These came at the perfect moment. I think Heavenly Father knows how much words of encouragement help me so he saves really good letters and emails for times when I am really need them. I think I am a person who really needs words of affirmation. The mission- and having companions- has taught me that. Also Soeur Bonnamy is so cute. She could tell that I was stressing out during district meeting, so she sent me a note on airdrop that said, "TOI needs to laugh et eat chocolat." She was so right, I just needed to eat chocolate and laugh a little bit. 

A Birthday Card we made for a member, Soeur Lasson. Thought Eliza & Madeline would be proud of my drawing!!

Soeur Bonnamy really makes me laugh. The other day before district meeting she was rolling on the ground around doing summersaults.

Soeur Bonnamy jumping off the chair before going into a somersault. 

Soirée Familiale (FHE) was a great turn out this Friday. We invited "P" (the ami we share with the elders) and "L" is the girl we met on the bus. We told "P" we would pick him up at 5:45 at the bus stop. We ended up being late, so I was worried "P" wouldn't be there or something. I prayed and prayed that he and "L" would come. We pulled up to the bus stop, and sure enough, "P" was sitting on the bench just looking around. My heart melted. "P" is so humble and sincere. When he saw us get off the bus, he smiled so big!

 Soirée Familiale (Family Home Evening)

 "L" wasn't there, so I was a little disappointed. But I was so determined to have her come. It took a long phone call and some perseverance, but I was able to direct her over the phone how to get to the chapel. And she came! Prayer is real. Faith is real. It is how God works. It is how he has ALWAYS worked. President Uchtorf says, “Faith cannot … force our will upon God. We cannot force God to comply with our desires--no matter how right we think we are or how sincerely we pray. … No, the purpose of faith is not to change God’s will but to empower us to act on God’s will. Faith is trust--trust that God sees what we cannot and that He knows what we do not.” 

One day of the week, we had a great day planned (aka, lots of RDV's planned). And then, right before we were about to leave for the RDV's, everyone cancelled! Wohoo! If anyone's every been a missionary, you know how poopy that is to have all your plans tombez-vous. But oh well. Missionaries are pretty used to re-adjusting plans. We also spent 5 hours in a little town called Lunel this week to pass by 4 less actives. None of them answered/ or lived there anymore. And then we found out that Lunel is a very big RED zone that we are not supposed to go because it is dangerous. Uhh woops. 

So random side note. What is up with everyone hatin' on Utah?! Hahaha. Literally, missionaries and members are always like "Ohhhhhh you're from UTAHHH, wow so special." Elder Kelsey and I are the only ones from Utah in our district. So whenever people hate on Utah we start singing "Utahhhh, people working together. Utah, what a great place to beee." (The Utah theme song or something). I am writing this because the missionaries just started hating on Utah and I am literally singing the Utah theme song as I type this. I am proud to be from Utah!!! Yeee hawww. 

Today for pday we are playing games at the chapel. I love playing games! 

Love, Abby 


Eating n'importe quoi from the chapel fridge. Just some old random food we found because we were hungry. Ha the life of a missionary!

Some cute trinkets I bought today