Rainbows

It's my last week being 19! I already got some delicious peanut butter cookies from my dear Grandma … haha, that made my day. It's so funny how time seems to go on a mission. Days feel like weeks and weeks feel like days. How is it almost September?? Anyway, thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers on our behalf, especially those that included our dear amie, Astou!

She ended up being baptized on Saturday! The service was beautiful and she asked Soeur Francis and me to sing. We sang with an elder and came up with a three separate parts to the Primary song "I Like to Look for Rainbows". I truly know that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ and through repentance, we can be forgiven of our sins and change our lives for the better. Her husband is not a member and neither are her children, but they all came to the service and were really touched by the changes they have seen in Astou. She really has come so far. She describes her experience as "coming from the dark and seeing the light" through our Savior Jesus Christ.

Funny story! For one of our appointments, we were going to meet an African lady for the first time; someone that the elder missionaries passed on to us to teach. We walked in the house, and the elders shook the hand of her 14-year-old son in front of us, who opened the door. Soeur Francis was walking in front of me and wasn't thinking, and just went in to give him "bises" or kisses on each cheek!!! Hahahaha, I was behind her and grabbed her laughing saying, "What are you doing?? You just BISED a boy!" She grew all red and could not believe what just happened!! She didn't even realize it in the moment. I just died laughing as I shook this young man's hand and apologized, explaining to him that we are not allowed to give boys or young men kisses on the cheek (only women) as missionaries.

I had the chance to do an exchange and spend the night in Brussels last week with another sister … she is a sister training leader! Her name was Soeur Mataalii and she is from California, but is from Samoan culture. She was so much fun and we ended up contacting and talking to so many people! I had a funny experience getting slammed and trapped between the tram cart/metro doors, and she had to use all her strength to pry it open! Hahahaha, I'm not sure why these things always happen to me. I try not to make a scene but when I am in pain and just laughing my head off, people can't help but look at the blonde American girl with a black nametag and wonder what in the world she is doing. It's moments like those that make a mission fun though. We ended up meeting an incredible young woman from Australia and gave her a Book of Mormon in English and a church tour. We are planning to keep in touch with her and share more about the gospel with her! It's cool being able to talk about the gospel in English sometimes … it's been interesting to see how I stumble and have a hard time because I've gotten so used to French!

Elder Dallin H. Oaks is coming to organize a new stake here in France in a couple weeks. We are having a mission conference and will be able to hear him speak! I have grown to love the words of the prophets and apostles! I know they truly are men of God and that they receive revelation for us in our day.

Sorry this blog is so short … just so busy. I am looking forward to another great week with Soeur Francis! I love you all and hope you find ways to build your faith in Christ this week! Never lose hope - Heavenly Father loves us and answers our prayers. Thank you for your love and support! I LOVE MY MISSION and LOVE YOU!!!

Soeur Madeline Vance

P.S. I love this quote I found. It makes me so excited to be a mother one day and be able to express that same love to my children. I am so grateful for the Christ-like example my mother is to me. "The love of a true mother comes nearer to being like the love of God than any other kind of love." - President Joseph F. Smith

The Lord's Work

I’m at the six month mark! Can you believe it? Time just seems to be flying! It's sad to think that a year from today I will be finished with my mission. I've seen so many incredible things and I have changed for the better. There is still so much work to be done in building the God’s Kingdom here in France.

This past week we had no power in the apartment!!! Luckily, we still had running hot water, so it wasn't that big of a deal. Ha! It reminded me of the power outages that we had all the time in Ohio when there was even the smallest storm!  We all just made the most of it and were so excited when we would have little spurts of power. One morning I was trying to blow-dry my hair, and it would come on every 30 seconds for a spurt of 10 seconds or so. It was so funny and I finally just gave up and decided to accept the fact that I would look like a wet dog that day.

In the stairwell leading to our apartment we also discovered a nest of spiders … they are SO huge!!! The size of MY hand! If you know me at all, you know I am an arachnophobe. Haha! I thought the wolf spiders in our basement from time to time were bad … no way. Granted, I'm not in Africa or the desert with camel spiders or tarantulas ... but STILL. We're always scared they are going to jump on us when we least expect it. So funny!

But overall, Soeur Francis and I had an amazing week! Our amies are making so much progress! AsTou, our African amie who was raised Muslim, is getting BAPTIZED on Saturday!!! It's incredible to see how, in a month and half, the Lord has led and helped us to find, teach, and baptize someone into His church! I am so grateful for the prompting we heeded to talk to her and her little boy, Miguel, that day in the street. We have become such good friends and she really is amazing. We joke about the fact that she will be called to be Relief Society President one day.  She is just so amazing and super prepared! It was so cute because after we had a family home evening with her at a member's home, she was just telling us how excited she was to get baptized. She then turned to us and asked, "After my baptism, is it okay if I change my name from AsTou to one of the names from the Book of Mormon?" We laughed and said that normally we don't do that, but she was welcome to if she really wanted to. We all just giggled about it. It has really been a miracle to see how she is able to say that she KNOWS that Christ is her Savior. She keeps all of her commitments and loves coming to church. She is always talking and mingling with the members and she really was someone that was prepared. The Lord just needed us to find her after He put her in our path. Please keep her in your prayers this week; that everything will go through!! She asked Soeur Francis and I to do a musical number. It's cool being able to sing and help others feel the Spirit with uplifting and beautiful music.

We went to Belgium for legality AGAIN! Not sure why, but our papers didn't go all the way through, so those who entered the mission field at the same time as me had to all go back. It's always fun catching up with my mission friends and eating delicious Belgium gauffres (waffles). Soeur Wade, my MTC companion, and I are close as ever!!!

The elders in our ward passed one of their amies on to us. Her name is Souhila. She is from Algeria and was raised in a very strict and practicing Muslim family. We are now teaching her because the male missionaries are not allowed to teach a single woman alone. She is married, with a two-year-old son. When she was a young girl in Algeria, she secretly went to Christian churches. Her older sister found a Bible and they would read it in secret together. She was forced to go through the traditions of the Muslim faith but never felt right about it. She then went on to tell us how she would have dreams of Jesus Christ beckoning her to follow Him and holding her in His arms. She knew she had to better get to know her Savior, and when she moved to France, become personally converted to Christianity. Since then, she has just been searching for the truth and has been praying to God to know which church was true. Then she met the elders in the street a couple days later … coincidence? No way. Answers to prayers are real!

Anyway, it has just been super cool to get to know her and start teaching her the lessons. We have a great connection and I know that we will be able to start teaching her husband … even if he seemed to be disinterested during the elders' attempts. When I met him, in my head, I just had a flash of seeing him in white. I know one day he will accept the gospel and that his heart will soften to listen to the truthfulness of the gospel. While we were teaching, Souhila invited us to sit down. She asked if we were thirsty, and it was obvious that they didn't have much in their sweet and humble abode. I said I was okay and said “no thank you”. She insisted that we drink something, so I said a glass of water would be fine. She then said, "Oh come on, you can at least have a glass of milk!" Here's the thing about milk in France. Before you use it, it's in a box and is NOT refrigerated. It’s super thin and watery, and really doesn't have an appealing taste. But I agreed and said I would love a glass anyway; but then she started heating up the stove and poured the milk into a pan. Soeur Francis and I looked back and forth at one another wondering what she was doing. A few minutes later, she brought over two mugs, filled with this milk. I was not prepared for what came next … it was WARM milk with scoops of baby formula mixed in!! Hahaha! I was trying not to laugh as I looked over at my poor companion who HATES milk, as she's trying to get it down without gagging. Ahhh, it was hilarious. My suspicion of baby formula was confirmed as I saw her fill her toddler’s  sippy cup with the SAME milk she had just offered us. Ahh, it was CLASSIC. What a sweet lady!

The other day, Soeur Francis and I decided to start our "Purification". It's an activity or challenge we have been given as missionaries to give up or put off 10 “natural man” things that will allow us to have the companionship of the Holy Ghost with us always. We started with a fast, so that we could decide on what those 10 things would be that would help us be more obedient and receptive to the Spirit. Afterwards, we were to pray and promise our Heavenly Father that we will avoid each of those things for the next 40 days and pray for strength and help to overcome temptation. It will not be easy, but I know that through faith and our efforts, we will see miracles!!!

Our mission leaders have put a huge emphasis on following promptings and contacting all those people that we can … in the streets, metros, buses … everywhere! Sure, there's many excuses as to why we don't approach someone and start talking to them about the church (like we are too tired, busy doing something else, we judge and think they aren't interested, etc.) but it really all comes down to fear. I loved this quote that I found, "He has not learned the first of life who does not every day surmount a fear." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

It's so true!! It takes courage to do hard things ... but if we don't make that effort, we never learn. We never grow. As a missionary, I have seen how stepping up to the plate and attempting to do those hard things makes us grow. We are never alone. All we have to do is ask for that desire and courage to overcome our fear. I've seen it with our amies; sometimes they are scared to say a prayer out loud for the first time at the close of a lesson, but we encourage and assist them along the way. And they GROW! They LEARN! It is the same for us. Sometimes it's scary to accept a new calling, to talk to the bishop and resolve some problems, to send in those mission papers, etc., but the LORD will magnify us! I know it's true, as I have seen it in my own life so many times. I love the scripture, "Doubt Not, Fear Not."

When we go for our morning run and the sun begins to rise, I get an overwhelming feeling that He is watching over me and guiding my life. I am having life-changing experiences every day. I am still me, but I am slowly being molded into the woman the Lord needs me to be. The Lord is with us wherever we go … this is His work. I love this work and I love these people. I am so grateful for my family back home and my French families here. I can't imagine serving anywhere else! The other missionaries here are becoming some of my very best friends … I learn and draw strength from them, as they do from me. Thank you for your love and support. I can't believe I only have a year left! Haha, so much work to do so little time!! Do all you can to have the courage to change ... the courage to build those around you and bring them closer to our Savior Jesus Christ!

HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEK!

Soeur Madeline Vance

p.s. Pray for AsTou this week! I hope all goes well with the bapteme. LOVE YOU! 

CTR

It was so neat to see my brother's homecoming pictures this past weekend!!! I know he served a faithful mission and that the Lord is proud of him and his efforts. We never truly know how far our impact will go and how it can positively change the lives of those around us.

We had dinner at Camille's house and talked about her and her brother's experiences! Her brother, Noe, had a wonderful time and had tons of BYU gear! He stayed in Provo with a Mormon family and did a lot of cool things, including taking a tour of BYU and going to scout camp! He went to church each week with their family and thought it was really great how their family took time to read the scriptures together and spend a lot of time together. Camille felt the same, and just raved about her wonderful time in the USA with my family. I know she felt the Spirit in our home and had a great time at EFY. I invited their whole family to come to church sometime and they said, "pourquoi pas?" or "Sure! Why not?" I know they are going to always remember their experiences with each of those families and the spirit they felt there.

Soeur Francis and I had another incredible week. We started off a new transfer and, while there were many changes throughout the mission, I stayed put in my area with my companion. It's exciting because we LOVE working together, and there is so much to be done here! A new sister moved into our apartment, Soeur Thibault. She is super cute and is from Montreal! Her first language is French and we hit it off super well. We are always laughing together … she is a powerhouse missionary and it's exciting being around her. She is going to help us learn French even FASTER! I would love the chance to serve with her one day!

We had the chance to have a rendez-vous (or appointment) with one of our amies named Olivia. How did we meet Olivia? One day, about a month ago, Soeur Francis and I were on our way to an appointment, waiting for the metro, when we saw this woman struggling to get on the metro with her stroller, two huge suitcases and two little kids. We rushed over there and grabbed her huge bag and helped her as the sound was going off and right before the doors closed. She was so relieved for our help, and we ended up going in the completely opposite direction and helped her with her luggage all the way to the train station and onto the train. She was so nice!!! We learned that this young, single mom was from Madagascar and was on her way to Toulouse (south of France) for vacation. She willingly accepted our brochure, "The Family: A Proclamation to the World". She said she would be gone for a few weeks but that she would love to see us upon her return and talk to us more about our message. This last week she returned and we had an AWESOME lesson about the Book of Mormon and the restoration of the church on the earth. She wanted to start reading the Book of Mormon and said she is going to try and come to church next week! I know that our seemingly small acts of service can really touch the hearts of those around us and help us share the gospel with them.

I can’t tell you how much I love those Srekovic gypsy kids … last week we went and visited them and talked about service and charity … in an effort to reduce the contention among the siblings. They always seem to calm down and the spirit is there when we sing hymns together and primary songs. They are so cute, answering questions about Jesus. I gave each of them "CTR Rings" or rings that stand for "Choose the Right" … they loved them!!! (thanks for sending Mom!)

We were able to see the Stagno family (recently baptized) for a family home evening and dinner before they left this last week on vacation. It was amazing to feel the difference in their home;  the Spirit was there, there was less contention and it really did feel like a place of peace and love. They noticed it too, and the girls said they could feel the presence and power of the Holy Ghost in their lives, leading and guiding them to make righteous choices. Seeing and hearing that warmed my heart!

This week I will be heading back to Brussels in Belgium for my legality papers. It sounds like Gauffres or Waffles to me! They really are SO delicious. It’s not just a reputation ... Eggo’s got NOTHING on Belgium!

We really do get to meet and share our testimonies with people from countries all over the world. My mom encouraged me to keep a list of those I've talked to, taught and shared my testimony with, and the people from the following countries (if not more):

France, Belgium, Germany, China, Congo, Senegal, Indonesia, Cameroon, Togo, Gabon, Mozambique, Rwanda, Romania, Cape Verde, Angola, Guinea, Nigeria, Benin, Russia, England, Italy, Morocco, Guadalupe, Poland, Canada, Les Lentilles, Central Africa, India, Portugal, Madagascar, Thailand, Peru, Burkina-Faso, Ecuador, United States and Algeria. So cool, huh??

We had interviews and a training meeting with President Poznanski and his wife. They truly are an exemplary couple and true disciples of Christ. They are so sweet and fun-loving, and  always find myself wanting to be around them, just talking with them and hang on and apply every bit of counsel and advice they have to offer. My interview with President and his wife was so great. They expressed their love and gratitude for me as a young trainer and told me to continue with the great work I was doing. It reassured me that I really am doing all I can to build the Lord's Kingdom in this area at this time.

This week we are focusing on the Christ-like attribute of Hope. I am learning more than ever after studying the scriptures HOW important it is to look towards the future with HOPE and FAITH. There's no reason to fear! We must place our confidence in Christ and be assured that He will come through for us and give us blessings, even when we don't see them in the midst of difficult times. Having hope is living life with enthusiasm and optimism! Don't waste a day - there is so much good in the world, and so much good that still needs to be done!!  Don't be content and passive about where you're at … reach your full potential as a son or daughter of God!

I love these people here. I know I say it every week, but they truly are like another family to me out here! We are always told that "the souls you save will be among the most precious friendships we will have in this life and throughout eternity." How amazing!!! I know I'm where I need to be and that the Lord is proud of me. I'm doing His work and I can feel His love. I wouldn’t wish to be anywhere else, but here in France as Sister Vance.

Passez une bonne semaine! Love you all!

Soeur Madeline Vance

Plan Now, Live Now!

It has been such a spiritual and powerful week. I still cannot believe that my brother's mission has come to an end. What an amazing opportunity it will be for my parents to tour his mission and meet all of the great people he has met, taught and grown to love. I must admit, it is hard at times knowing I won't be there with the rest of my family to see my exemplary brother return home from his mission in California after two years. I truly have felt his strength, even miles away, knowing he wakes up every morning just like me and sticks on that black name-tag as a representative of Jesus Christ. It has been a wonderful opportunity for me to spend the last six months knowing that my brother and I were serving the Lord in different countries across the world at the same time. Even though I’m a bit bummed that I can't be there for his homecoming, the tender mercies of the Lord and powerful miracles I witness remind me that I'm right where I need to be at this time. I can't imagine a life where I wouldn’t have the chance to meet these people out here … they have positively changed my life forever. I know that I need to do all I can in this short amount of time to bring others unto Christ and to show them that they can find joy in their lives TODAY; despite the trials and tears, there really is a better way … through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Way to finish strong, Spence! I want to finish my mission as faithfully as you served your two years. The work is never finished and I'm so grateful for the man you have become and the way you inspire me to be better. I'm proud of you and I LOVE YOU!!!

Camille is back in France! After looking at the many photos and hearing news from my parents, it sounds like she had a wonderful experience. I would like to personally thank all of you who took the time to reach out to her, create friendships with her, and make her feel welcome. It’s so neat to know that my loved ones at home have played a special role in my missionary work out here in France! We will be visiting their family tonight for dinner and will take some time took look at pictures, and discuss her and her brother's experiences while in the United States living with families who are members of the church. I know there is a special spirit of peace and happiness that can be felt in the homes of those who center their lives on Christ. I know she felt that in the home of my family, and she will forever be grateful for her memories there.

Soeur Francis and I finished our last week of the transfer together. Six weeks down of the training program, and six weeks to go. It's crazy to see how fast time is flying! We are doing all we can to be diligent, obedient and faithful in order to find those who are ready to hear the gospel. I cannot express to you how much my faith has grown these past six weeks ... it's amazing to me how many little miracles happen every day that I overlooked before my mission. I have seen more miracles and tender mercies from the Lord the last six weeks than ever before, and my conviction of the reality of the Savior's love for me has grown immensely.

My aunts and uncles talked to me a lot about their missions before I headed here to France. They talked a lot about the importance of working with the members in your area and ward  and I am realizing more than ever how true that is! Our bishop is awesome. Bishop Duez - he has the cutest little family of five young kids, and does all he can to help us with this work. He is fun-loving and truly is a disciple of Christ, laying his own cares aside to seek after “the one”.

Remember about a month and a half ago when I was heartbroken after our amie, Sandrell, who was progressing towards baptism and then suddenly dropped us out of the blue? One night this week, as I was saying my prayers, she came to my mind. While I have been continuing to include her in my prayers, I couldn't shake the thought that I needed to see her. It had been about a month and a half since she told us she no longer wanted to see us, and to be honest, I was hesitant to act or reach out to her, scared that I would be hurt again. When you truly grow to love someone and yearn for their happiness and salvation, it is just SO hard to see them reject the gospel. The feelings kept pressing, and the Spirit told me I needed to make an effort to see her. As I went to sleep, Sandrell was in my dream. I can no longer recount exactly what happened in the dream, but I felt super impressed that I needed to stop by.

The next morning, I hadn't really expressed these pressing feelings to Soeur Francis. She wasn’t here when we were teaching Sandrell, and I wasn't sure what she would think. We went out to an area and had plans of contacting people in the streets, and it just didn't feel right. The Spirit told me to act, and to see Sandrell immediately. I suggested that we take the metro to her stop and got out there. I led the way down the same cobblestone streets I had walked only months earlier to the apartment of our sweet Sandrell. Memories rushed back, and deep inside my heart pounded. I had no idea what I was going to say. What if she yelled at me for showing up? What if I blanked and had no real reason for being there? All I knew was that I needed to go.

We said a prayer before we mounted the steps up to her apartment on the top floor. Out of breath and nervous to death, I said a silent prayer, pleading to my Father in Heaven that she would be home, and that I would know exactly what I needed to say. I took a deep breath and knocked on the door. Seconds felt like hours as I waited to hear footsteps or voices. All of a sudden, the door swung open ... little LeAnn, her five-year-old daughter stood in front of me with her cute little smile. She was so excited to see me! I heard Sandrell's voice from another room as she yelled, "C'est Qui??" or "Who is it?!?" LeAnn then yelled, "It's Vance!" My heart pounded ... I prayed silently harder than I ever had before. Sandrell then said, "Come on in!" I couldn't believe what I was hearing! We entered, and greeted Sandrell. I wasn't sure how to act, so I just acted like nothing happened! Haha! I made small talk and we joked back and forth and we caught up with one another; it was incredible to see the Spirit flowing through me guiding the conversation. She was happy to see us and seemed to have no recollection of the fact that she told us she never wanted to see us again. She didn't have a lot of time, and was getting ready to leave, but I told her how wonderful it was to see her. She said, "It was my pleasure to see you again as well."

It was incredible! It was as if nothing had changed! As we were leaving, I asked her if there was another time we could pass by. At first she hesitated … my heart picked up its pace as I waited for the response. She said, "Sure! You can pass by Saturday if you would like."

What a miracle. I have been praying for Sandrell for so long, and I finally had the chance to see her again. I don't know what will happen, but I know that her heart has been softened and that we will be able to see her again. Thank you for your prayers on her behalf! I know she needs the gospel to find that true happiness in this life.

The Stagno kids were baptized yesterday. Ever since I got here I felt a special connection with them and their teenage unbaptized girls and sweet 8-year-old boy. In April, their entire family wasn’t coming to church and their father, Dino, was pretty distanced from the church. Shortly after I arrived, I received such a strong spiritual impression that I need to do EVERYTHING in my power to baptize these children and reactivate this family. With the help of the Lord, that's exactly what happened.

I was so emotional yesterday - after so many months of praying on my knees with tears streaming down my face for this family, it happened. Not only that, but Dino ended up making the necessary changes in his life and was worthy to perform the priesthood ordinances in baptizing and confirming his children. The girls are like sisters to me, and asked me to give a talk and testimony on the gift of the Holy Ghost. I felt the Spirit so strong within me as I testified to this family that this is the best decision they have ever made. All of the hard work has paid off … this entire family has been reactivated and is dedicated to doing all they can to reach the Celestial Kingdom together.

As I watched Dino (the father) enter the water in the baptismal font and watched him as he baptized his four children, it was as if I was watching the living proof of the Atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ right before my eyes. He has completely changed. I know it is so important that we don't give up on less-active and part member families. It is never too late to change!

I felt so incredibly blessed that the Lord allowed me to see this day. I know I will be close with the family for the rest of my life and throughout eternity. I am emotional even writing about this and I do not even have the adequate words to describe how truly marvelous the gospel is in their lives. We prayed and fasted for this family all week, that Dino's heart would be softened and that this baptism would go through. Not only did it go through, but HE was able to perform the baptism.

To those preparing to serve, I invite you to read the talk, "The Miracle of a Mission", by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland (MTC talk in Brazil January 2001). It is incredible! I love the quote in it that says, "Plan right now! Plan right now for the stories you will tell your children about your mission. Live right now in every way to look them in the eye and put them on your knee and rock them on your lap and tell them as I am telling you, that you loved every day of your mission. That you worked your head off! That you've never worked so hard in your life. That you were tired and sweaty and dirty and hungry and you knew how Paul felt and you knew how Peter felt and you knew how Mormon felt and you know how Moroni felt. And I promise you that your children will remember and never forget it, and they will cherish it and hold it dear for their mission, and so the generations go. So life is lived and this dispensation is pursued, and the Kingdom comes and Christ does arrive, whenever that is. Live now for those generations."

I love this work. I want to be able to tell that to my children … that despite the hard days and trials, that I LOVED my mission. I am growing so much. I am falling in love with the French culture and people here. My heart just seems to expand every single day. The Lord is blessing me so much! As much as I wish I could be there with you all, I really do know that I HAVE to be here. There are so many people being touched by the simple efforts I put forth as an instrument in the Lords hands.

I love you all and I wish you a wonderful week!!!

Soeur Madeline Vance

PS. My birthday is coming up September 1^st ... I'll be 20! You should probably send me something, so I can find out who my true friends are! Haha!