The Joy of Sharing

This last week was 'n'importe quoi' aka RIDICULOUS!

We actually don’t live in our proselyting area so we take the metro to get just about EVERYWHERE. Well, the people decided to go on strike, and shut down all of the buses and metros for a few hours. No big deal, right? WRONG … the strike lasted for an unexpected 3 days … all because they wanted a 2.5% increase and 10 weeks of vacation! Haha, it was so funny trying to come up with creative ways to get from place to place and to get back home each day! We had appointments scheduled with investigators that we had no way of getting to and the traffic jams were out of this world! We made the most of it and did our best to still be effective missionaries, but it was tricky and took some creative thinking on our part. We also dug through the area book, which is a HUGE binder full of all of the information of members of the ward in the area, members who are less-active, the people who have previously met and taken lessons from the missionaries, and just about any person who the missionaries in this area have talked to and received their phone numbers from in the past. To sum it all up, it's like Santa's Christmas list ... just full of records and useful information! We were able to spend many hours flipping through the pages and calling up people who had lost contact with the missionaries from 5-6 years ago! We set up a handful of appointments with them and one of the pages of a woman investigator showed that she had been taught by two sister missionaries a few years ago … Soeur Lund and Soeur Smart (aka Elizabeth Smart)!!! She served in our mission a few years ago, but I had no idea that she had served in my city!

Last week we had the opportunity to take the young women of our ward out with us for an activity to contact people in the streets and show them what missionary work is really like. We went close to a university, and my companion took a few other young women "porting", which is basically tracting from door to door. So I was on my own with those little French young women and I had to try to explain how to go up to someone and talk to them about the gospel in a normal, but bold, way. Haha, it was hard trying to explain it to them, so I just said to myself that I guess I just gotta show ‘em how it's done! It was crazy waltzing up to someone in the street without having my fluent-speaking companion by my side for backup. The first few people were not interested in the very least and were rushed with time, but eventually we were able to find some people who were! The young women had a great time and were able to find confidence in talking to people. At first they were scared to do it, and in my head I'm just thinking ... you KNOW the language! It reminded me of times back home when I was probably too shy to share the gospel ... even with some of my closest friends! Living what you believe and being a good example is super important, but it's not always enough. We can't let opportunities pass in front of us to invite people to get to know Jesus Christ better, just because we are scared to open our mouths and say something.

Sofia, my 15-year old gypsy gal, is getting baptized on Saturday! Aw man, my heart has grown two sizes just from that family alone. I love them so much! We were teaching her about tithing and fast offerings when she said, "I understand the importance of paying my tithing. My dad pays it every month. I am going to pay it so I can help the poor." I can't even describe to you how little this family has, and yet, how much they truly DO have. They love one another, and do everything they possibly can to follow the Savior. They have hearts of gold. They have their minds in the right place and are always looking for ways to help others. Their family alone has changed my life for the better. Sofia tells me that she knows the Book of Mormon is true. She reads it every day and said she has a burning of good feelings in her heart. At church, the 8 gypsy children who I sit with in the pew can be unruly and hard to control (especially when I don't know their Romanian language!) … BUT they come. They come to learn more about Christ. They come to improve their lives and become better people; and that's why we're here. It doesn't matter what you have, it matters who you are with what you have.

We also had a stake primary activity on Saturday with the theme of missionary work! I had a group of about 13 little French kids, ages 3-11. Haha, it was quite the task trying to keep their attention and to control them all in French, but it worked out and they were so sweet! It made me think of my little primary class I taught last summer and reminded me about my desire to one day be an elementary school teacher someday. If we could all learn to become more child-like, with pure intentions and a desire to learn, we would all be so much closer to our Heavenly Father. Our time together at the activity was such a blast! They took lots of pictures and video, and said an article about it might even end up in the Liahona church magazine!

We ate/had a Family Home Evening at the Boutoille family's house. Their dad is a member of the Area Seventy out here (Elder Patrick Boutoille). He's awesome, and actually reminded me a lot of my dad! He came home from work and you could just tell how excited his family was to see him! Super spiritual, but also laid back and wasn't afraid to try and crack some jokes. I love their family.

I had the opportunity to meet Camille's family! We went over to their house after church for her mother's birthday and met both sets of her grandparents! Her grandparents actually reminded me of my Grandpa and Grandma Vance - it was crazy. It was good to feel at home a bit with them and their sweet and funny personalities. We ate together and even stopped by the Agricultural Festival they were having at her high school, which is actually more like a university. It was neat seeing the inside of a French school and seeing tons of animals as well! Her family is so sweet and we were able to talk to them more about our purpose here as missionaries. The conversation just flowed naturally and they were curious to know more about what we believe. That's why we're here … to INVITE people to come unto Christ. It’s not to shove the gospel in people's faces when they aren't interested! So it went really well and they said we are always welcome back. We're thinking of doing a family home evening at their house sometime soon.

Recently, someone asked me about the best part of being on a mission. Besides the French food, (kidding), it honestly comes down to the people. It comes down to charity; that pure love of Christ for another person. There is no way to even START talking about every person I have met out here and how they have changed me as a person for the better. I know people are placed in our paths for a reason. It is our responsibility to share what we know with them, to help them find that true joy in their lives so they don't feel like they have to struggle through life alone. I love being able to look into someone's eyes, a person who is lost and full of fear, and be able to testify to them with all the strength and power and conviction of my heart and soul … and tell them there is HOPE. There is a way to get through this life ... through our Savior Jesus Christ. Seeing people change for the better is, hands down, the greatest miracle I have been blessed to see while here in Villeneuve D'Ascq. The solidified faith of the members is inspiring, and makes me want to work more with the missionaries when I return home.

I know the gospel is true and that the true church of Jesus Christ has been restored! This is the greatest news and gift we could ever share with anyone. Look around you - friends, neighbors, teachers, coaches, and extended family members – those who are searching for the unmatchable amount of joy and blessings that come through the gospel of Jesus Christ. We must live it, we must love it, and we must share it! I love you all and think of you often; and I appreciate the prayers on my behalf. While some of my days here are hard, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else in the world. I have such JOY in my life; the joy that is promised to us through missionary work.

Have a wonderful week and pray for missionary opportunities; and be willing to act on them!

Soeur Madeline Vance

FAMILY

I made it through the first transfer!!! Haha, I am halfway through my twelve week training program. I will be staying here in Villeneuve D'Ascq for at least another six weeks, and then ... who knows?!? I was able to Skype with my family on Mother's Day! My grandparents on my mom's side were in town, so I got to hear from them as well ... BONUS! I spent nearly an hour with the family and then my companion came on (see screenshot below) and I introduced her to everyone. It was so much fun! I love my family so much and am so grateful for the prayers and continual support they give me. My mother is such an incredible example of a woman anchored in her faith in Jesus Christ. I am so grateful for the time she took to teach us as little children the principles of the gospel through Primary songs and church hymns, as well as teaching us the stories in the Bible and Book of Mormon. She helped lay the foundation of my testimony and conversion to Jesus Christ and is so unselfish in everything she does. I love my mom!

Summer is on its way (BUT NOT HERE)! Haha, it's still full of gray skies and winter coats, but hey, I can deal with it. Last week we had a zone conference and President Poznanski and his wife came for interviews! They are so inspired and gave us such wonderful counsel. I know they are called of God and that they receive revelation for our Paris Mission and this part of the Lord's vineyard. We had Samedi Sports again on Saturday and had the chance to play some good ol' futbol! I ended up scoring two goals off of headers! Haha, it was awesome - whenever I make a good pass or play, they all just yell, "Whaaaat?!!?! That American girl can PLAY!! She's dangerous!" It's hilarious.

We had our first baptism!! It was so unbelievable seeing Mehdi, our 12-year-old convert, go through with such a sacred ordinance that is going to bless him and his future family for the rest of his life. His parents were in tears as they hugged us and thanked us for all we have done for their family. I have truly gained a testimony about helping to reactivate part-member families. There is such strength that comes when a family centers their time and life on the gospel of Jesus Christ. In 3 Nephi 18:21, it talks about the importance of praying together in your families. I find that I am truly able to testify about how spending time with your family, praying together, and having family home evening together has impacted my own life. Even though our family always seemed to have the craziest schedules with sports, school, work, travel and other social activities during the week, we always made it a point to set aside time for our family to be together. That has kept us unified and allowed us to help one another to stay on course with our family goal … to one day live in the celestial kingdom of heaven together. I will always be grateful to my parents for showing me by example the importance of Family Home Evening and family prayer. We can live with our families forever, but we must do our part here on earth to strengthen and fortify our families! I hope to be able to emulate their examples and implement these principles in my future family someday.

The two speakers that were supposed to give talks in church on Sunday sort of, well, disappeared. So about ten minutes before the start of the meeting, a member of the bishopric came up to me and asked if I would speak and bear my testimony in front of the congregation. I said I would, of course, haha. Gotta love being a missionary! I prayed for help from my Heavenly Father to be able to express the feelings in my heart about what the gospel of Jesus Christ means to me ... in a foreign tongue that I am still learning. As usual, I was blessed with His guidance and able to share what I know to be true as the words just came to me!

The other day on a bus I felt prompted to speak to a young family with a few children. I was in the back of the bus and they were all the way in the front. I didn't really want to make a scene and go all the way up there as the bus was moving, but I felt really strongly that I needed to do so. I got up out of my seat and marched up to the front, feeling slightly off balance as we hit a huge bump and I had to grab one of the nearby poles to regain my balance. I approached the father, who had many piercings and tattoos and did not seem interested in talking to me at all. I introduced myself anyway, and explained that I was here for 18 months of my life to share a message of Jesus Christ and help strengthen families. I wish I could say that this story had a fairytale ending and that the man and his entire family committed to be baptized ... but instead, he shook his head and gave me weird looks. His wife just busted up laughing right in my face, completely making fun of me and who I represent. They mocked and scorned me, and couldn’t have been more impolite or less interested. But my companion and I left them with a "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" brochure and testified to them that we know we can be with our families forever and that they can be strengthened and fortified through Jesus Christ. Normally, I would probably walk away from this situation downtrodden or discouraged, but I decided to turn the other cheek and testify with love and power. I don't know why the Spirit urged me to go to speak to this family that just ended up mocking me and my beliefs ... but I'm glad I did it. We often don’t know the fruits of our labors, and I know at times the Lord tests us to see if we are willing to follow what we are asked to do. Besides, Jesus Christ, the very One we represent, was scorned, mocked, and crucified of men. How are we supposed to better come to know Jesus Christ if we do not, even in small ways, have some of those same experiences ourselves?!

It's crazy to think that I only get to do this for the next 15 months. I’m sure many people think that sounds like forever, but it truly is going by fast! I love being able to represent my Savior each day and have fun in France along the way.J It's hard, and to be honest, I'm pretty exhausted most of the time. But there is absolutely nothing else I wish I could be doing! I love my companion - we work so hard together and are always actively finding those people who are ready to hear our message! Thank you to all of those who have reached out to me and given me kind words of encouragement and support! I feel so blessed to be in this area as I learn to love the people here more and more every day!

Have a wonderful week and find ways to share your faith with those around you!

Soeur Madeline Vance

Belgium and Baptisms

Last Thursday I did an exchange with Soeur Thibault! My companion went to a part of Belgium for the day, and Soeur Thilbaut came to Villeneuve D'Ascq and taught the lessons with me. It was a little overwhelming at first, because she didn't know the lay of the land. So I was the one who had to get us all around the city, on the right metros and buses, and make all the phone calls in French all day! Haha, a bit stressful, but it went super well. She is from Montreal and is a native French speaker! It really helped to speak with her in French all day and get an insight on how she teaches and contacts people in the streets. We hit it off right away and became good friends, all while working super hard to find those ready for the gospel!

Afterwards, we went to Belgium to trade back our companions and while there, I got to try the famous and delicious Belgium waffles!!! There were so many different kinds to choose from, and there were stores selling them all along the streets! I ended up getting one with Australian ice cream which was to DIE for! Haha, we also tried some "frites and kebaps" which is basically super good Belgium fries and meat. It was fun getting out of my area for a bit and experiencing BELGIQUE!

There were a few days this past week that were absolutely draining ... but in a good way! At the end of each day, I felt great because I worked hard. I am trying to speak in French 24/7, even with my companion during the day, to do MY part in learning the language. When we put our heart into the work and do all we can to help those we meet and teach with their problems or needs, we are mentally, physically and spiritually exhausted! Even so, I definitely feel that I am blessed with extra strength and energy throughout the day.

On Saturday, we attended Aymar's baptism … wow, it was incredible. I felt the Spirit so strong and felt overwhelmed with joy as he rose up out of the water, knowing he was completely clean, with that huge Congo smile on his face. He is so fun to be around and brightens everyone’s day. Even though he wasn't our "ami", or one of the people WE taught, we all played a part in teaching him and preparing him for baptism. During the baptism, we were waiting for his best friend to arrive, and there was a lull. We wanted to keep the Spirit there and wanted everyone to stay reverent, so we decided to sing hymns. Out of everyone there, no one seemed to know how to lead the music and we didn’t have a piano. I ended up leading the music and felt the joy that came as we sang the words to the song, "I know that My Redeemer Lives." It's one of my favorites. I can't wait for this next Sunday when our ami, Mehdi, will be baptized. It will be incredible to see the fruits of our efforts, as well as to witness this great first step he has decided to take on his way to being more fully converted to Christ.

My pen pal, Camille, ended up coming to church! She had a wonderful experience and really enjoyed Young Women’s. I know there is a real strength that comes from actively participating in the Youth Programs, especially during our teenage years. It was always hard being mixed in with kids at school who didn’t have my same standards and were making poor decisions. I know that the standards in the For Strength of Youth are inspired and will keep youth anchored when they are surrounded by the storms of temptation and adversity from their peers.

I am so grateful to have this calling to stand as a witness of Jesus Christ and serve in His name. We had the opportunity to stop and help with service projects and talk to those standing in need of comfort. Each day I try to pray for the companionship of the Holy Ghost to protect me and to guide me. I also pray that I will be able to recognize those that are prepared to hear the gospel. I know without the Holy Ghost and the authority of my calling it would be absolutely IMPOSSIBLE to do what we do as missionaries; to LITERALLY be able to recognize and pick certain people out of a crowd and KNOW they are the ones ready to hear our message. It would not be possible without our faith, and reliance upon the Holy Ghost. This is the Lord's work, and I am blessed every day for it. I came out here thinking I would be able to give back to the Lord by serving Him, but am realizing more and more that I am only receiving more and more blessings for serving.

I know Christ lives. I love being a missionary … it has been the greatest blessing my life so far. Thank you for your emails, letters, prayers and support. It will be fun Skyping with my family on Mother’s Day! I wish you all a wonderful week!!!

Love,

Soeur Madeline Vance

The Lord Is With Us

Time really is starting to fly here! I must say that the first couple weeks seemed to move in slow motion at times, but I'm starting to get into the swing of things, and I know every single person in my town! Just kidding, I haven't gotten to that point yet, but I'm sure it won’t be too long before I do!

The work and life here in Villeneuve D'Ascq is great, as always. I may or may not have slightly split/chipped a part of my front tooth on a rock-hard baguette, but have no fear … nothing stops the work! Haha, really, it's hardly noticeable and I am going into the dentist soon to make sure everything's fine. As long as it doesn't rot or fall out, making me be a “toothless Joe” for the rest of my life, I should be fine, haha!

This past week was a little crazy and definitely had its ups and downs, but even during this crazy roller coaster I seem to be on, I always try to look up and remember why I'm out here. Whenever I think something's hard, or I'm too tired, I remind myself that I'm not out here in the middle of Europe to relax, eat some French cheese and lay out in the sun. I'm here to WORK! I'm here to serve others and help them find happiness in their lives. Just the same though, I must say, I have already had some of the best experiences of my life out here!

The other day we were teaching one of our "ami's", Mehdi, (he is 12 with a baptismal date on May 12^th) a lesson on the law of tithing, The commandment to tithe has biblical roots … God has commanded that, as our lives are blessed by Him, that members of our church pay back 10% of our income/increase – to help build His kingdom here on Earth. As my companion was explaining why we pay our tithing, I looked down at the carpet and saw their family's orange striped cat crawling onto Soeur Evan's open purse. All of a sudden, I see its back arch and it started "meowing". It just lurked around and stopped to randomly hover over this bag. I started staring at it, trying to figure out what it was doing, when it just scurried off, leaving a wet trail. That dang feline had just PEED in my companion’s purse!!! Bahaha!! I didn't want to disrupt the lesson, so I did my best to control my laughter, but then Mehdi noticed what had happened and pointed it out to my companion. She was shocked and completely grossed out as she peered into her purse that was now soiled with cat urine. His parents came into the room and were so embarrassed and tried to clean it up and it just reeked! I was DYINGGGGGG ... it has to be the funniest thing I have ever seen. I had to keep telling her that this was a CLASSIC mission story, and that she should just laugh about it. It was so funny; I wish I could tell that story happening to me! Nope, I take that back.

In personal study the other day, I was reading in The Bible and came across the verse in Luke 4:18 that says, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken hearted; to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of the sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised."

It made me think of the many people I have met here in Villeneuve D'Ascq and the trials they have had to pass through or are currently struggling with. It made me think of the sweet Streikovich family and their desire to follow Christ. The father currently doesn't have a job - but he has faith like Job from the Bible! He told us that one night he was sick and he stayed up all night praying. They are so poor - they are a gypsy family from Romania and live in a shack, covered with drapes like a circus tent amongst other trailers. The seven children in their family are always covered in dirt, with dark hair and dark eyes … but their smiles shine brighter than the sun. Sofia is 15 and I invited her to be baptized last week! She has a date set for May 25^th and she also told us that she wants to serve a mission like us one day. I almost cried tears of joy when I heard that! All of the little girls think I have "princess" hair, haha, probably because its long and blonde, and very different than theirs. Sofia's story reminds me of a talk from the General Young Women’s broadcast, "When You Save a Girl, You Save a Generation”, because it’s so true! When we teach a lesson, children from all over the gypsy run over in their bare feet to hear us teach of Christ. They sit at our feet and listen intently as we teach them how they are children of God and that our Heavenly Father knows each one of them by name. My eyes well up with tears as they tell me they know what we are saying is true, and that they will read their scriptures that night. After a good lesson, we usually go out in front of their home and kick the muddy, deflated soccer ball around, playing “monkey in the middle”. The young boys are so quick and have impeccable foot skills! Playing soccer with a bunch of barefoot gypsy children and laughing/loving every second of it … nothing could bring me more joy. Those are the moments I will never forget.

The other night my pen pal, Camille, came with us to a Family Home Evening at the Stake President’s house! In the LDS church, Family Home Evening is a night each week that members of the church set aside to spend quality time together. The time with Camille went SO well and we just talked about the importance of families and how we need to center our lives on Christ. She even said she would try and come to church on Sunday! I love Camille – it’s so unreal that (a.) I was able to find her and (b.) that I have such an incredible opportunity to share my beliefs and the gospel with her! She's like another sister to me.

Yesterday, we had training and did some legal paperwork in Paris. I got to see all of my mission buddies and friends from my district in the MTC. It was such an epic reunion and it was so neat to share stories and experiences with one another since we have been separated in different cities all over France and Belgium the past four weeks!

I love this work. I know sometimes we have hard things that come our way, but if we put our faith in Christ, we will not and cannot fall (see Helaman 5:12). My younger sister, Emily, has been in my thoughts and prayers this week as she recently received news of re-tearing the ACL in the same knee she had torn only a year earlier. She had just gotten back into the swing of playing competitive soccer. I was heartbroken at the news, because I know from personal experience how hard it is. I know that she is strong and that our elder brother, Jesus Christ, will be with her every step of the way. He is the only one who truly understands exactly how we feel during every difficult thing we go through. I love being able to share this truth, as well as the peace and joy I find through my knowledge of the gospel. There are so many out here who don't know about Christ or who are so unhappy in their lives … they are just lost and hopeless. I know we can all find hope and strength through centering our lives on Christ and turning to Him, and calling on Him when we need Him most through prayer.

I love being a missionary and representative of Christ. I am young, and do not have all the answers, but I know why I am here and I love it.

Have a wonderful week - you are all in my prayers and I love hearing from you!

Soeur Madeline Vance