The Touch of the Master's Hand

Merry Christmas ONE and ALL! I can’t believe Christmas is just two days away! What an exciting time of year. How lucky I feel being able to spend it here in France! Don’t worry, we have wonderful plans for Christmas Eve, spending it with a family in our ward (the Tancrels), and we will be eating and spending Christmas Day with two other families in our ward. I am so grateful for their willingness to take us in to celebrate the holidays and make us feel a bit closer to home. It is going to be so much fun!

Soeur Biver had a really good week, but as always, we were thrown some curve balls with some big changes! It has been so great living with a native French companion, as I am learning so many new phrases and so much more about the traditions and culture here. It will be great being able to "see" and Skype with my family on Christmas Day!

President called me again … he is in a rough situation and said he needs me to leave Paris in two weeks! It will be in the middle of the transfer, and we need to “whitewash” (two new missionaries) again in an area in northern France called St. Quentin (saan-con-tan). A sister in our mission was suffering from bad migraines, but no one thought it was a big deal. Long story short, she went to the doctor for some medicine, but they did many scans and tests and discovered that she has a huge cyst on her brain! She had to go into immediate and emergency brain surgery at the American hospital here in Paris. Her parents flew out from the United States to be with her. It was so scary! As a mission, we prayed and fasted for Soeur Anderson, hoping for the best. Luckily everything went okay, but she is still recovering and will be going home when she is stable. Another sister and I will be going to their old city and taking their place. I know President Poznanski is inspired and I am grateful that he feels like he can rely on me to go anywhere, whenever changes need to be made. This will be my 4^th area and 7^th companion, all in my 7^th transfer! Whitewashing in Charleroi was definitely something that prepared me to jump into this new situation. It will be difficult closing down our Paris area, but I know I am being sent to where the Lord needs me to be! I am so excited to dive into the work there, as they are currently teaching three families!

We have been continuing with the Christmas contacting and porting. Many of the peoples' hearts are softened here because of the beautiful Christmas season. We stopped by Sophie's home (our amie who lost her baby not too long ago), as we haven’t seen her in a long time. We wrapped the Christmas DVD, "Joy to the World", hoping to give it to her as a gift with a little card attached. When we knocked on her door, her face lit up and she welcomed us in. Soeur Biver and I were able to sing four different hymns for her and her friend who was there. The Spirit was so strong and her eyes filled with tears as she thanked us for bringing the real Christmas spirit into her home through beautiful music.

During personal study the other day, I came across this poem. It is called "The Touch of the Masters Hand", by Myra Brooks Welch. It really touched me and made me realize that, no matter our past, situation or outward appearance, each of us have so much potential as children of God. We truly can be changed for the better when we allow the Savior to be at the center of our lives.

Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer

thought it scarcely worth his while

To waste much time on the old violin,

But held it up with a smile.

"What am I bidden, good folks," he cried,

"Who'll start the bidding for me?

A dollar, a dollar, then, two! Only two?

Two dollars, and who'll make it three?

Three dollars, once; three dollars, twice;

Going for three . . ."

But no,

From the room, far back, a grey-haired man

Came forward and picked up the bow;

Then, wiping the dust from the old violin,

And tightening the loose strings,

He played a melody pure and sweet

As a caroling angel sings.

The music ceased, and the auctioneer,

With a voice that was quiet and low, said:

"What am I bid for the old violin?"

And he held it up with the bow.

"A thousand dollars, and who'll make it two?

"Two thousand! And who'll make it three?

"Three thousand, once; three thousand, twice;

And going and gone."said he.

The people cheered, but some of them cried,

"We do not quite understand, what changed its worth?"

Swift came the reply:

"The Touch Of The Master's Hand."

And many a man with life out of tune,

And battered and scarred with sin,

Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd,

Much like the old violin.

A 'mess of potage,' a glass of wine;

A game - and he travels on.

He is 'going' once, and 'going' twice,

He's 'going' and almost 'gone'.

But the Master comes and the foolish crowd

Never can quite understand

The worth of a soul and the change that's wrought

By the touch of the Master's Hand.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyt3-Uy4gVQ

Please continue to pray for Soeur Anderson and her family, that she may be able to have a speedy recovery and that their hearts will be at rest this Christmas season. Thank you for your love and support. I wish you all a Merry Christmas from the bottom of my heart and hope that you will take the time to remember our Lord Jesus Christ during this special season!

Christmas Video: “What Shall We Give?”

http://www.mormonchannel.org/christmas-videos?v=2919740155001&cid=HPFR122013274&im=true

Soeur Madeline Vance

23, rue du Onze Novembre

78110 Le Vesinet - FRANCE

Come Let Us Adore Him

What a wonderful week full of surprises!!! Last week, I informed you all that I would just be staying here in Paris Lilas and that I would be serving with my new companion, Soeur Campbell. Those WERE the plans, until the day right before transfers when we were in the middle of our studies and our phone started ringing. My companion looked at it, started panicking, and said, "Its President, Its President, answer it!" I started laughing as I answered the phone. It’s always so funny, because right after I said “Bonjour” to him, he recognized it was me on the phone out of the six sister missionaries in our apartment. President Poznanski said, "Bonjour, Soeur Vance, how are you doing?" It always surprises us how well he knows his missionaries; we can each individually feel his love. He went on to say that he had received a phone call late the night before, and needed to make some urgent changes. He told me that I would not be with Soeur Campbell, but instead that I would finish training a French sister missionary named Soeur Biver.

Soeur Biver is 24 years old and is from the north of France. It’s funny to think that the missionary who trained me (my "mom") was 24, when I was 19. Now that I am 20, I am finishing the training of a 24-year old French girl! She doesn’t speak much English, but we are able to understand one another. She is waiting for her visa to go to the United States for her mission in Louisiana. She could leave at any time, so she might be here only for a few weeks … President said he will just keep me posted on where he will move me at that time! It was nice knowing that he felt like he could depend on me when he was in a tough and sticky situation. He felt that he could count on me to be okay with the changes, especially with Christmas and New Year’s coming up. He made the joke that after Soeur Biver leaves he will just throw me out in the streets to fend for myself. Haha, I’m sure I'd be okay. Who knows what will happen, but I know that man is inspired and that he is called of God!

We got BUNK BEDS and DRESSERS! Apparently, Soeur Poznanski was so worried about us, when she found out about our shenanigans of sleeping on the floor, that she sent the office elders over and we came home to new furniture! Christmas came early!

Soeur Biver and I are getting along great. I am slowly helping her with her English and I make her correct every slip-up I make in French. We really do learn so much more when we are humble enough to take correction. The work is going well in our area. Our amies are progressing and we have a high number of our lessons with our amies and members! It makes the greatest difference when members of the ward come and teach with us. Their testimonies pierce the hearts of our amies and the Spirit always floods the room. I am so grateful to those that help us out with our work!

We also had our Christmas Zone Conference in Versailles yesterday. President Poznanski and his wife, the assistants, and senior couples did a phenomenal job setting everything up and making it truly feel like Christmas. We started off the Conference with training on how we can take advantage of this Christmas season by inviting others to learn more about Christ! They told us how the French people think Christmas caroling is just the coolest thing, because they see it in American films. They said that families have really been touched when missionaries have offered to sing a few Christmas hymns for their family. Soeur Biver and I turned to one another, and said, "Hey, it DOES work! We've already been doing that!" It was cool knowing we were doing our best to take advantage of this special Christmas season as well. We watched a slideshow with all of the pictures of the baptisms from the past year, set to beautiful music. Each time a convert I knew came up on the screen, tears filled my eyes, as I felt like I was able to contribute, even in small ways, to bringing them closer to Christ. There were 300 convert baptisms from this past year … that's enough to make up about three European wards! President and Soeur Poznanski both spoke with power, sharing personal experiences about the importance of this great work. We then received letters from our families that we didn’t know were coming! I am so grateful for the love and support they have shown me throughout my journey. We finished with a wonderful Christmas dinner and white elephant gifts. I got a crepe recipe book!

This morning I read a talk in the December Ensign (a magazine offered by the church) called "Come Let Us Adore Him" by Elder Bruce D Porter. It talked about the origin of the Christmas season and more details about the birth of Christ. As I read, I truly came to understand that we find the most joy during this season when we turn our thoughts to Christ. I could feel His love for me and I found myself diving into the talk, wanting to learn more and more about He who came to this world as an infant; to live, to work miracles, to show the way and to die for me. My Savior saved me from my sins, walked the path so that we might all be able to trail along behind His footprints … all the way back into the arms of our Father in Heaven who awaits our return. This quote hit me with a force I had never felt before, "The Savior knew life from every side and every angle, both above and below. He who was the greatest who made Himself the least - the Heavenly Shepherd who became the Lamb."

Christ lives. I know it. I testify those words to those around me every day. I wear his name over my heart. I declare His gospel because it has changed my life. By living it, it has made me into the young woman I am today. Christ descended below us all. He knows our pains, our suffering and our grief. He is the One who understands us all. He leads the way so we might follow … born a babe in a simple manger, so that we might live again. Let us all remember the true reason we put lights on the tree, give gifts and wait for Santa Claus to come. It is because our King, our Savior and Redeemer, was born and lived and died and rose, so that we might live again! He still lives, and He loves us all.

Soeur Madeline Vance

23 rue du Onze Novembre

78110 Le Vesinet - FRANCE

Putting Prepared People In Our Path

Transfer News! I’m staying in PARIS! I feel so lucky to be in the heart of France for CHRISTMAS! It’s a dream come true! Soeur Hill is going to Cholet in the western part of France and I am going to miss her. It has been such a great transfer serving with Soeur Hill. It was neat being able to be with her and see things from her perspective, as she is hitting the end of her mission. We had so many wonderful times together, too many laugh attacks, and some very spiritual moments together as well. I will miss serving with her, but wish her the best in her new area! My new companion’s name is Soeur Campbell. She started her mission a few months after me, and I am sure we will get along great! I am so excited to serve with her.

I am so thrilled that my sister Lydia received her mission call to BARCELONA, SPAIN!!! She heads to the MTC in Madrid, Spain on May 13^th! I hope she feels as strongly as I do that Spain is where she is supposed to serve. I know she will be an incredible instrument in the Lord’s hands. I also know it is important for missionaries to do all they can to prepare before they serve. Those that prepare themselves spiritually and cut off other distractions hit the ground running when they enter the mission field. It makes all the difference!

Christmas is around the corner! Last Monday (Preparation Day) we went to the Christmas Marchéés (markets) on Champs Elysées, in front of the Arc de Triomphe. There were little booths lining the streets, selling crepes, waffles, and other kinds of foods, as well as little Christmas shops. With lights everywhere and Christmas music playing, I felt like I was walking through a winter wonderland! I was also able to see Le Tour Eiffel all lit up from a distance! What a sight! Why am I so blessed to be serving in the greatest mission in the world?!

Last Wednesday, the Ypersiers (members from the Charleroi ward) were in town from Belgium. They took me and my companion out to eat at an Italian restaurant here in Paris. It was so nice catching up with them. They are such incredible Christ-like examples to me. At the end of the meal, they gave our waitress a church pass-along card and invited her to meet with us and talk more about our gospel message. They are amazing member missionaries! They also gave me a huge Christmas package full of Belgium chocolate and treats! I was so grateful, but I’m going to have to give a bunch of it away to the elders or I’m gonna blow up! Haha.

We have been focusing on inviting our amies, and everyone we meet, to our ward Christmas party on Saturday. Many people will be singing and we will be eating food from countries all over the world. Our ward is full of members from many different countries, including many Africans. It should be fun tasting all the different foods! We have been inviting members and less-active members alike to invite their friends to come to the party as well. An activity like that is a great place for others to feel the Spirit of Christmas.

President Poznanski really emphasized the importance of believing that the Lord will bless us with people to teach if we do all we can to be obedient and follow the Spirit. I found the following statement from Preach My Gospel to be true: "As you do all you can under the guidance of the Holy Ghost to find people to teach, the Lord will place specific people in your path."

One night we decided to get off at a metro stop and do some contacting in the streets before our appointment. We only had 25 minutes to stop and talk with people. We prayed fervently that the Lord would put someone in our path that we could teach. After 10 minutes of talking to people on the streets, no one was interested. We continued down the street and saw an older, African woman lugging her grocery caddy and huge bags up the hill. We walked towards her and started talking with her. She smiled huge at us, and told us she believed in Christ, and said that she couldn’t imagine her life without Christ. Her name was Sophie. We talked with her for 10 minutes about our purpose as missionaries and about our belief in modern-day prophets. She said it made sense that there would be a prophet on the earth today … to lead and guide us. It was so neat being able to testify to her about the restored gospel!

As she went to leave, Soeur Hill offered to take her bags and walk home with her. We took her heavy bags and continued our conversation. She led us to her apartment down a few streets where her HUGE African family was waiting for her return! We met them all and knelt down and prayed with them, leaving a blessing on their home. It was such a miracle! Who knew talking to ONE woman on the street, and offering service, would lead to us finding a NEW FAMILY to teach! I know the Lord is aware of us and truly does place prepared people in our path.

The elders passed a woman to us named Raquel. She is from Puerto Rico and speaks perfect English and French as well. Our lesson with her was so powerful … she has a real desire to know if the Book of Mormon is true! It will be interesting to see where that goes.

We, in turn, passed Halimata (our African Muslim amie) to the soeurs in Antony. They will be teaching her now … she is so “golden” and ready for baptism! They are planning to set a date with her at the end of the month!

Let the light and Spirit of Christmas fill your souls and push you to reach out to someone this season. Share with them your knowledge of our Savior Jesus Christ and what He has done for you. Christ is my elder brother, my Redeemer and my best friend. By learning more of Him, I learn more of myself. Let the joy of His gospel fill your life with health and happiness this Christmas season! Go Christmas Caroling! I'll be doing it here in Paris … you can knock on a few doors with a plate of brownies. Come on, you’re not THAT busy! Have a great week!

Soeur Madeline Vance

23 rue du Onze Novembre

78110 Le Vesinet - FRANCE

Turkey Day and Failed Potatoes

It’s December, the month of Christmas!!! It is such an incredible time of the year. It’s fun being able to learn the many different Christmas hymns and songs here in France. We are having a Christmas party in a few weeks and we have been asked to sing "We Three Kings" for everyone. It’s such a perfect time for the members to invite their non-member friends to this activity, where they can see the church building and get a feel for the members there. I need to do a better job of that when I get home as well … invite your friends to church activities! Our ward has also made plans to go out in groups to do some caroling … singing Christmas hymns in different parts of Paris. I am really excited and I know that music can touch the hearts of people in ways that words cannot.

I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving! We got together and celebrated with our entire zone of missionaries. I was quite impressed by the turkey the elders ended up cooking … it was delicious! Soeur Hill and I, on the other hand, were asked to make funeral potatoes. Lemme tell ya’, those things coulda sent someone to their own funeral! Haha, they turned out so bad because we weren’t able to find half of the ingredients here in France that were needed in the recipe Soeur Hill got from her mom back home. We took a while to make them and were just laughing the whole time because they turned out to be a complete fail!

We had the afternoon to spend together and played a lot of fun games, including different card games, a group animal noise game, and a “werewolf” game. Our district leader shared a spiritual thought on the importance of gratitude and we went around in a circle several times, listing off the many things we were grateful for in our lives. As I reflected and gathered together my thoughts, I realized how many things I really do have in my life. I grew really emotional, as I am so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ, my sweet family and friends, and for the opportunity I have to serve as a full-time servant of the Lord.

Exciting news! My friend Soeur Wynn, who is serving in Villeneuve D'Ascq, told me that one of my old amies, Catherine, got baptized this past weekend! It was such a great feeling knowing I had the chance to teach her for a while when I was there and help participate in her journey of accepting the gospel of Jesus Christ in her life.

We had the chance to have a family home evening with two less-active families in our ward this week. One of them included a family where the wife, Janoy, is a member and her husband is not. She is from Portugal and he is from Angola. He was really touched by the Spirit he felt, and asked us to come back to do several more family home evenings! It was cool to see his change of heart, as this was someone who was very much against the church and the missionaries in the past. The gospel of Jesus Christ is for everyone!

This week, during personal study, I was studying the talk from the last General Conference called, "Hastening the Lord’s Game Plan". During the talk, Elder Nielsen talks about the importance of members and missionaries working together. I invite each of you to figure out what your personal game plan will be and apply each of these three principles into your life, so that you might bring someone closer to Christ this Christmas season.

First, specifically pray to bring someone closer to the Savior and His gospel every day. You could do this by seeing all people as sons and daughters of God, helping each other on their journey home. Think of the new friends you would make!

Second, pray for the missionaries serving in your area and their investigators by name every day. The only way to do this is to greet them, look at their badge, call them by name, and ask them who they are teaching.

Third, invite a friend to an activity in or out of your home. Wherever you go or whatever you do, ponder who would enjoy the occasion and then listen to the Spirit as He directs you.

Right now we are staying in a temporary apartment with four other sister missionaries until we get a new one. It is close quarters, and we sleep on mattresses on the floor, but we try to find fun and joy in all we do. We really have adopted an attitude of gratitude, so thankful for the blessings of the gospel and the sisterhood we share. I know that as we all share the things closest to our hearts with those around us this Christmas season, we will find the most joy of all. The work is going great here! We find out next week about transfers. My fingers are crossed that I will be staying here in Paris Lilas. We are seeing so many miracles and our amies are progressing. Please continue to pray for our amies and for the missionaries in your area!

My heart goes out to all of you. Take care and thank you for all that you do!

Soeur Madeline Vance