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

 

There is Sunshine in My Soul Today

This week was incredible!! It was so much better than the first couple weeks here, as I am starting to get the hang of things and am getting familiar with the area. Soeur Evans and I made an effort to contact or talk to 10 people every single day - whether it's on the metro, bus or in the streets. It has truly been a blessing because we have been able to meet so many amazing people and learn of their hardships and life stories. Their hearts are softened as we teach them with love, through our smiles and testimonies of Jesus Christ. It is so easy to share what I know to be true with people because I have experienced it firsthand, and my faith in the gospel has shaped the young woman I am today.

There are pigeons everywhere!! Haha, they are always by my feet in the streets eating the crumbs on the ground. There are also little dogs in just about everyone's home. None of them are as cute as my pup, Sadie, though. She would show all of them up! Soeur Evans and I tried to bake brownie cupcakes for this family in our ward, but the mix was way too watery and it was an epic FAIL, haha. Maybe I will learn the art of baking some other time.

Last week we visited the Stagno (Stan-yo) family, a less-active/part member family in our ward. They have four children; three girls and one little boy. The girls reminded me of my sisters and we instantly had a connection. We stopped by later in the week to return the umbrella they had let us borrow and they invited us in for a barbeque!! It was awesome, and I was so excited because it was a super sunny day and Brother Stagno was making ribs and chicken! My companion, on the other hand, started to sweat and her eyes widened because she is a vegetarian! It was pretty funny because throughout the meal, Soeur Evans would discretely pass a rib onto my plate, I would eat it, and then I would slip a bare bone back onto her plate to make it look like she was eating the meat the whole time! Brother Stagno asked us to move our coats and purses into the front office room, and while doing so, I accidentally grabbed his wife's purse. I went to hand it to Brother Stagno, and said to him, "Ca c'est le sac de votre mari." He just started busted up laughing and said that I had just said, "Here is your husband's purse." Hahahaha, I was so embarrassed and started dying laughing. He then said in perfect English (since he is Canadian) “I am the husband, and I am married to a woman. You use the word ‘femme’ not ‘mari’”.

We taught a super powerful lesson on the power of The Book of Mormon. We ended up setting baptismal dates for all of the children for the middle of May! My companion was so surprised at their eagerness to be baptized. It's truly a miracle.

I am learning the importance of being bold and loving at the same time. I know who I am; I am a daughter of God who has decided to leave behind my family, friends, and studies to share what I know to be true. I have learned to approach people in the street, metro or bus with confidence and a smile on my face, because I know the Lord is on my side and I know I have a message to share that will change their lives. Our message is one of joy and peace. I am so grateful for the knowledge I have, and for the opportunity I have, to share it with others. I love the work and the Spirit I feel each day! If you are thinking to about serving, DO IT! It will forever bless your life!

Love,

Soeur Madeline Vance

Metro Miracle, "Football", African Night, Meeting My Pen Pal

It’s been another wonderful week in the land of stinky cheese and poodle dogs! Thank you all for your love and support. It's comforting to know that I have a loving family at home who prays for me and my success every single day. This past week was full of miracles, success and fun. Last week in my journal, I wrote the following: "Today it was raining - there have hardly been any days of sunshine! I think that's what I miss the most”.

Nevertheless, today was another day of miracles. We did our studies this morning, prayed to find people and left our apartment to take the metro. We were riding it for a while and I kept making eye contact with a middle-aged woman sitting across from me. The seat opened up next to her and Soeur Evans and I sat next to her. I felt like I needed to share the gospel with her, but I didn't know how. All of a sudden the lights in the metro went dim and the moving metro came to a halting stop. We were in the middle of a dark tunnel and were stopped!! Everyone started looking around unsure of what was going on. I started to freak out and I turned to Soeur Evans for an explanation. She just shrugged her shoulders. I then turned to the woman next to me and asked (in French), "Does this happen often?" She replied, "No, almost never. It's pretty bizarre, isn't it?" Over the loudspeaker we heard "N'inquitez pas (Don't worry)...we should have it working and moving again in 20 minutes or so."

I knew then that it was a sign!! I explained to the woman that we were missionaries from the United States. She was able to speak a little English. She told us her name was Mariette. We discussed religion a bit, and she said she was “believing” but wasn't practicing or affiliating with any specific religion. I then explained how important the gospel is to me in my life and why I am here serving a mission. We ended up teaching her the whole first lesson! I told her about The Book of Mormon and we shared the whole story of Joseph Smith. We ended up giving her a Book of Mormon, which she said she would read, and asked her if she would be interested in learning more. She said, "Pourquoi pas?" (aka … Why not?) What a neat experience and small miracle from Heavenly Father to allow us to get to know sweet Mariette, and teach her the first lesson on a broken down metro!

We had a “mini missionary” come and stay with us for a few days. She was from Belgium and is 19-years old and wanted to experience what missionary life is really like. At first she said she was unsure if she wanted to go, but after the few days and after becoming really close with her, she said she learned so much and can't wait to turn in her mission papers and go!

It's incredible being able to meet so many people from different backgrounds and countries. We did an awesome service project at one of our "amis de l'eglise"'s house. Her name is FiFi and she is from Congo and had tons of her family there. We helped her scrape and rip off the wallpaper from her walls. She was blasting African music and they kept speaking in their native tongue and busting up laughing. It was so much fun!!

On Saturdays we get to participate in sports with members from the church and those who are being taught about the church in this area. I was told they were playing football. I had to clarify and ask … “wait, soccer or football?” The French said, "American football isn't football...we're playing REAL FOOTBALL!" Haha it was funny - and I was ALL IN. Soeur Evans and I showed up and there was about 18 young men there, most of them dressed in soccer attire, cleats and all! Ah, seeing the goals and turf field made my eyes as big as saucers. I wish I brought my cleats! Anyway, long story short, I had an absolute blast playing! A few of the elders from our mission played as well, and they were super impressed when I scored a goal! Sending out props to all those years at Loveland High under the direction of Coach Kelly. Some of the Frenchies were super good! We even played with some Africans who ran up and down the field like cheetahs – just so incredibly fast! A few times I stripped the ball from a few of the guys on the other team, and everyone just started ranting in French about how they just got owned by a girl … and not just ANY girl, but a SISTER MISSIONARY!! It was so much fun, and it felt so good to kick around a bit. Even though I’m not fluent in French yet, I think I gained some of their respect with my FOOT skills, haha.

We also had this HUGE African Night at our church. We had a few of our amis de l'eglise (those being taught about the church) who came. They had African food, music and dancing. It was so much fun and a woman even gave Soeur Evans and I "Bubus" (African dresses) to wear along with a sweet headdress, haha. The food was really good! Everyone starting “breaking it down” African style! It was hilarious; my face literally hurt from smiling and laughing at the end of the night.

We have three people with baptismal dates in the next few weeks! Mehdi, Sophie, and Sofie (I know, 2 Sophies!). It is so exciting and I know they are making a super important step and showing their faith in Christ and His plan for them. Please keep them in your prayers.

Today I had the chance to meet my long, lost pen pal named Camille!!! Soeur Evans and I went out to lunch with her! She is so sweet and it was so funny actually meeting each other. I felt like I already knew her. We hope to stay in contact and visit her and her family soon.

I am really just loving every day here. It has been so special to see families bond and strengthened through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Sometimes I don't understand what people are saying, but when it comes down to it, I know that I am able to express my testimony and love for the gospel, and that's all that matters at this point. My love for the people here grows every single day. I know Jesus Christ lives and that He is helping us in our work. I love the scripture found in D&C 101:36 that says "Wherefore, fear not even unto death; for in this world your joy is not full, but in me your joy is full." I know that we will be the happiest and find that true joy when we center our lives on Christ and His work. I am so grateful for the chance I have to be out here, meeting so many incredible people from countries all over the world, and for the energy and desire the Lord has blessed me with to serve. I pray for you all every day, and hope you have a wonderful week!!

Much love from Villeneuve D'Ascq,

Souer Madeline Vance

Work To Do

Hi everyone! I’m here in Villeneuve d'Ascq (Veal-noov-dask)!  It took me forever to learn how to say that (haha). My address is actually a little different than the one I gave last week.

105 Boulevard Montebello Apt. 404

Lille 59000 – FRANCE

It can take about a month to get letters or packages that are sent to the mission home, so try to send things to me at my local address. You can also email me at madeline.vance@myldsmail.net and feel free to check out our mission Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/France-Paris-Mission-Poznanski/290639561050099.

Going back over the past couple weeks … my whole last week in the MTC was wonderful. It was a bit hectic, getting everything ready to go, but it was truly wonderful, and I will miss it there. A couple days before we left, Soeur Wynn and I wanted to go for a run outside before we left because we knew we'd be sitting on a plane for ten hours. Long story short, it was dark outside, and I tripped on a thick patch of air and “Supermanned” it, skidding on the asphalt on the road behind the MTC. I almost curbed my FACE! I rolled over moaning and just started laughing, not knowing what else to do. I struggled to get up and Soeur Wynn just started DYING laughing. Bahahha, I did too, because it KILLED and I could not believe that I just went down like a ton of bricks!! Not only that, but when I looked up, there was an MTC security camera right above my head. I’m sure one of the guys on the night shift got a good laugh out of that. Haha, it hurt so bad and I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Seriously, I was lucky because I came up with only some road rash down my leg and on my arm. I truly felt like I was protected as the Lord knows the service and work that I have to do.

Our last day there (Easter) at the MTC was incredible … being able to take the sacrament at the same time as 3,000 other missionaries was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! We were also able to hear from Sheri Dew! Wow, what a powerful message … she is like a female Abinadi!

It was a long flight here last week … Soeur Wade (my MTC companion) and I ended up sitting next to a man on the plane. We decided we needed to talk to him, get to know him and share the gospel with him! So it turned out that the first real person we talked to as missionaries was a man named Yagim. He was a Russian, an atheist, and a scientist. Really?  COME ON!! It was kinda funny, and we actually ended up giving him a Book of Mormon and he said he would try and read it. Who knows? Planting some seeds I guess.

The first day in France just seemed unreal. We only spent a day in Paris before we left for our area (I have yet to see the Eiffel Tower - one of these days I will though!). It was crazy and a bit sad to be split up from my MTC district, especially from the soeurs that had become my new best friends. Most of our transportation is by the metro and it was crazy the first couple times. There are people everywhere and the doors DO NOT STOP from closing, no matter what or who might be in the way! I was on the constant lookout for pickpockets and trouble, but luckily none came my way. We walked through Paris - and it was so incredible, I don’t even know how to explain it. We had some time to visit the beautiful Sacre Coeur as a group, and were given some time to pray, ponder and think about what kind of goals we wanted to set for our mission. Then we were split up and sent off with our trainers. My trainer is Soeur Evans. She is 24 years old and is from Salt Lake City. She is an absolute pro at French and has so much energy for the work!

The train station was madness with all 3 of my bags! It was hilarious, Soeur Evans was speed- walking with one of my bags ahead of me, my head was spinning, and I was dragging my other two bags behind me. She walked onto the escalator in front of me, and as I tried to catch up to her with my bags, I got caught on two different steps of the ascending escalator. They were heavy and were now uneven and made me lose my balance. My bag started tipping backward onto the woman behind me, and as I reached for it I began to fall as well - down the escalator!!  Just picture it: a blonde missionary, in a black floor length winter coat with a purse and two huge luggage bags losing her balance and tumbling DOWN an ascending elevator onto the woman behind her!!! Luckily she and her friend grabbed me and my bags and helped me up!! It was freaky but I was laughing so hard!! My companion stood at the top in shock as she watched the whole scene.

We are serving in northern France near the Belgium border in an area just outside of Lille named Villeneuve d'Ascq. Instead of being called "greenies" they call us “bleus”. The new people in the military wear blue here so that's why we are called that. It's absolutely crazy to think I am actually here in France! Everyone seems to be nice and understanding that I am still learning the language. They speak “fast forward” French here!

The other two sisters we live with are super nice and cool. Our ward is great, and the bishop works well with the missionaries and jokes around with us and the elders all the time. I am trying to get used to the Bises (kisses on the cheeks). We only do it with women, and most of the time it’s just the touching of the cheeks, but some of the older grandmas give me a full on kiss on each cheek. Kinda strange, but kinda sweet. We teach and talk to mostly women or families, and we avoid contacting single men as sister missionaries, which makes it safer for us.

Soeur Evans and I go running each morning. It’s still really cold here and I always ask where the sun is, haha. The other day we went running past this park with a human-sized hamster wheel! I climbed inside and almost lost control - it was hilarious! Through the streets it's actually pretty dirty – there’s trash and kaka (or dog poop) everywhere in the streets, graffiti, and cats everywhere!! Yet I know that this little rundown town is a special place and there are people here we are supposed to find! I love Villeneuve d'Ascq. During one of my studies of the scriptures, I remembered my French pen pal from my senior year of high school and how my French class with Madame Hudson did pen pal letters/emails with a younger French class here in northern France. I printed out and kept my emails with my pen pal and brought them with me here. I looked up her city, Attiches, and realized it was in my ward/area boundaries out here! Come on; what are the chances?! It’s not a coincidence; there's a reason why I'm here and that this is my first area. Soeur Evans and I are determined to find Camille and her family! I can't wait to meet her and hopefully share my testimony of the gospel with her.

It's just the beginning of my mission - but I am already seeing small miracles every day. We are taught that miracles are predicated on our faith. That's one of the greatest things I learned while in the MTC from Frere Nelson. He really taught me the importance of BELIEVING we would be able to find people. I know I shouldn’t even leave my apartment in the morning if I don't TRULY believe that we will find someone to teach that day. It has made all the difference and has opened my eyes to having the faith that anything is possible with God on our side. We should expect miracles in our lives if we are worthy to receive them. "God will never send a prepared investigator to an unprepared missionary."

The other day we stepped off the metro on our way to an appointment when this teenage girl approached us. She asked who we were and shared her interested in coming to know Christ. She just came out of the blue!!! As we talked with her we learned that her name was Melanie and she was 17 years old from African origin. Soeur Evans and I were just in shock as we knew we were in the right place at the right time and were able to share our knowledge and testimonies of the gospel with her. We are teaching so many people right now and have 8-10 progressing investigators (amis de l'eglises). It is absolutely incredible! We are determined to work really hard and are shooting for ten baptisms by the end of this transfer (May 12^th). Soeur Evans said they have NEVER had so many investigators in this area before. Most of the women we are teaching are either from Congo, Senegal, Mozambique or China. We have one French woman right now too! Who knew I'd be sharing my testimony with so many people with so many ethnic backgrounds! I have gained an instant love for all of these people. It doesn't matter if they have no knowledge of God, or what their life circumstances are … God has blessed me with charity and I want to do all I can to help them find happiness in their lives! They roar with laughter when I mess up in French, but are sweeter than anyone I have ever met. I cannot even express what it has felt like to share the story of Joseph Smith with these women, especially a young woman from Senegal named Binta. She has been searching all of her life for the truth but hasn’t been able to find it. We shared how young Joseph Smith was struggling to find the truth in his day as well during a time of great religious excitement. We testified and shared his account of the First Vision when he saw God and Jesus Christ. The Spirit immediately swept into her deep dark eyes as they filled with tears. I testified that I knew I was called HERE by a prophet to share this incredible message, with not only the people of France, but with HER. She then leaned forward, and said, "Thank you. There's a reason you're at my house tonight - You've truly been sent by God."

In Alma 26:16 of The Book of Mormon, it says, “Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel.” Even more than my lack of time to share all of my experiences so far ... there is not a way to fully describe the feelings I have about the things I've learned or the love I have for the people I've met. I am so lucky to be serving here at this time. Sure, I've already had some hard times, but I know the small miracles and blessings outweigh any pain or difficulty. I want to be the Lord’s instrument to help change other people’s lives. I would not be out here serving for a year and a half of my life if I didn't know that the special message I am sharing is true. I am so grateful for this gospel and for the incredible changes I have already seen in the people we have been teaching. There is no place I would rather be. I am out here serving because I have a brother who died for me … my Savior Jesus Christ. He gave His life so I could have mine. France is amazing, and while I know many say missionary work here is impossible and there are many who are not interested in the message we have to share, I KNOW God is preparing people here to receive His message. I have seen it, and I know I will continue to see people accept the gospel if I truly believe and have faith they are out there EVERY SINGLE DAY, in EVERY AREA I serve. Thank you all for your letters and emails. I love you all!! I love hearing the comforting and encouraging and inspiring words of my parents and family and friends.

Write or email me!

Much love!

Soeur Madeline Vance

p.s. The last session of General Conference was incredible and really helped. You should all watch General Conference on www.lds.org! It was soo good and I know you can find answers to your personal questions by watching it - I receive answers to mine EVERY TIME!