Week 71 "Christmas Zone Conference"

🎄I really don’t have words for this week. There were so many miracles and so many really really hard moments.

Last week, we have a RDV with "C" and "L" (the family from Italy). It was with the member in our ward Frère "Volpicelli." We taught about the restoration and watched the movie about Jospeh Smith. It was incredible for me to sit there and hear "C" respond to the spirit. When we asked her how she knew God was there if she can’t even see him. She told us, “because he speaks to me. When I pray, I talk with him. “ It was so simple. But true! She is very in tune with the spirit and I just adore teaching children. We felt very strongly that they were ready to be baptized. We invited them to be baptized Saturday (the 16th) and they said yes. They have such a strong desire to follow Jesus Christ that it just came naturally. We were so excited after the RDV, we cried. I also did the jump splits to celebrate (after they left).

"L" and "C" drew this after we taught them about faith in Jesus Christ and repentance.

Ward Party in Geneva

Singing the Traditional Escalade Song in at the Ward Party (Geneva Switzerland)
(video can be viewed at abbyinlyon.blogspot.com)

Escalade Pot: It's a tradition to smash the pot and I got to do it:)

(see video on blog)

But miracles come with opposition. Soeur Wilson was sick almost all last week and we had to stay in the apartment for four days. It is hard for me to not get outside. But the lord helped me. He sent me angles to help me not go crazy. Then Frère Volpicelli got sick. Then "L" got sick and wasn’t able to come to church Sunday. So we have to push his baptismal date back. Sigh. I know. But I still trust the lord. They will be baptized when the time is right. I am just grateful the lord let me play a small part in this incredible miracle. The biggest miracle for me out of this experience, was watching Frère
Volpicelli share the gospel with his friend. Listening to him testify of his own experiences, and seeing the joy it brought him was a miracle. I love seeing how "L" and "C" have already changed. They understand that Christ loves them and will give them strength. They know that in Christ, there is hope. They are happier. They are closer together. When families TRY to live the gospel, they are blessed.

Tonight we had the craziest miracle. This guy named "N" texted us wanting to see us later today. I though it was "N", the recent convert I know, from Ecully. So we agreed and went to a café to go meet up. But as we were waiting at the café, this man walks up to us and shakes our hand, introducing himself to my companion as "N." My eyes got wide. I was so confused. This wasn’t the recent convert from Ecully. Then I realized that I had contacted this man on the bus on Sunday. He had told me he would text me but then I forgot about it. Turns out his name is "N" too. So we acted natural like we knew all along he was coming. Then we offered to go over to our chapel and give him a tour. We gave him a tour and talked to him for a while. He was so curious to find out about what we believe. He is feeling pretty
lonely here in Geneva because he doesn’t have his family here. He has one son, but he lives in the south of France. So now this man is a new ami we are teaching. It just blows my mind how the Lord uses us as instruments in his hands to do miracles.

We also had Christmas conference yesterday. That was so magical and fun. Soeur Brown organized it so of course it was fun. We listened to Christmas music, ate a lot, received our Christmas packages, and watched CARS 3! Honestly, I almost cried during the movie. Hahaha. As missionaries, we naturally find the spiritual message in every film, music, etc. because that is what we are used to doing. We also did a
fun “light the world” activity.

We passed out little bags of candy with a candle and a light the world card to random people on the streets of Lyon (Ecully). It was pouring rain and we were all just so happy. Running up to random cars and knocking on the window to give them candy. Some people were freaked out and wouldn’t answer. But most people laughed and smiled. It was pretty weird being at the Christmas conference with almost everyone in the mission. I realized it was my last big conference (since the next one is just single zone). I also realized I probably won’t see Soeur Cusick until she goes home in 2 transfers. We cried about that. It is starting to get real. This is my last week in Geneva. Then I find out where I will serve for my last ville! I am grateful I still have time left in the mission. I don’t want this to end yet!

Love, Abby