July 25, 2011

Gael's Baptism

Fireworks
The District last transfer

Bonjour à tous,
Gael's baptism was amazing! It was this saturday at noon, and his dad, who just received the priesthood a couple weeks ago, baptized him. It was perfect. The spirit was so strong, except for maybe when I goofed on the piano once during a hymn haha. Oh yeah, I don't know if I've told you, but I've been playing the piano for sacrament meeting and other meetings often since I arrived in France. My hymn skills have improved greatly since I left haha. Better late than never. Anyways, Gael is the funniest little kid. He bore his testimony after at the end of the baptismal service. He started out by saying it's too bad he wasn't able to stay and swim in the nice warm water haha. He said it felt like the weight of sin had been lifted off his shoulders, and that he would never sin again - maybe. Haha. We'll have to talk about that one with him. It was a great experience though. I got to participate in his confirmation as well. Muamba came to the baptism and he loved it, but he told me that he wants to follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized in a river haha. We'll have to talk to the president and the city of Bergerac about that one, but that would be so sweet!
Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you last week that on the 14th of July we got special permission from president Murdock to go watch teh fireworks late at night with the Bouchet family. They were super amazing! They were on the riverside, and they had some fireworks that shot out of the river which I thought was pretty sweet. Happy Bastille day!
This week started out pretty slow, but ended great. We found a new investigator friday who is awesome. And what is her name, you might ask? Madame Victoria TUDOR! Haha. She is from Romania but has been here for many years now. She's very sincere and she came to church and loved it. We talked about all the jokes that people in France make about our name haha. We'll be seeing her again tomorrow. I actually wasn't there for the first lesson because we were on exchange with teh zone leaders, so I'm stoked to get to know her better. We endured well at the beginning of the week and we were blessed at the end of the week for it. Today we found a new investigator who is amazing. Her name is Monique. She's black and is in a wheelchair. She's so humble and so receptive to the message. After hours of searching new investigators, it is so uplifting to find such humble, genuine people, who are willing to make place for the word of God.
As you know, it was transfers last week, but neither Elder Coenen nor I were trasnfered, so nothing too exciting! Elders Carson and Noyce left the district and we got two new missionaries who came over from the old Swiss Mission - Elders Williams (from Las Vegas) and Caldwell (from happy valley). Elder Caldwell told me on the phone I worked with him at coldstone, but I dont remember his name. I guess I'll know when I see him haha.
Things are going well her with me and Elder Coenen. I like having a french speaking companion. With english speaking companions, we try as hard as we can to speak french all the time, but every once in awhile we speak a little english, but with a french speaking comp there's no break haha. My French has worstened a little I think because I can never speak english, so I can't get out the english that's in my head, and I'm starting to really speak Franglais. I can hardly say a few sentences without slipping a word of English in haha. It's pretty funny, espcially because I don't notice it and Elder Coenen has to tell me. I hope that doesn't last too long haha. Well that's about it for this week. I love you all. The church is true. Jesus Christ is truly our savior. The Book of Mormon is the word of God. Joseph Smith was a true prophet, President Monson is the prophet of God today, and all of the saving ordinances along with Priesthood authority are on the earth. And everyone is able to know that it's true if they seek and ask in faith! Have a great week :)
Much love,
Elder Tudor

-I forgot to tell you that Yves was baptized by Elder Garland a couple of weeks ago in Cannes. Woohoo! Apparently it was quite a story too. He just found a job but he had to work Sundays all day. He went into his new boss and told him he was going to make covenants with the Lord and that he would not work Sundays, at first the boss refused, but Yves bore testimony to him about his baptism and the commandments, and in the end his boss said he didn't have to work Sundays. Stud!

July 18, 2011

Dear extremeties of the earth,
So transfer calls are normally Friday, but they took longer with the joining of the missions, so we were supposed to get them this morning, but it's 4 30 and still no call haha. A good week in Bergerac! A lot of things could have gone better, but we'll take what we can get. We definitely saw the hand of the Lord. Gael will by baptized by his papa this week! Muamba was in Bordeaux all week and he was able to attend a baptism there. He loved it so much and he keeps getting more and more excited for his baptism. We taught him tithing this week just before he left to Bordeaux. Teaching tithing to an investigator committed for baptism can be nerve wracking sometimes because we never know how they'll react. But Elder Lumakaso and I went in with faith (we were on exchange). We said the prayer and introduced the topic. Immediately he stopped us and started talking and talking about how he paid tithing to churches all the time in Africa and he talked about all the blessings he had received from it. Elder Lumakaso, the member, and I just looked at eachother like... Wow, ok! Haha Muamba is a stud. He said one time he had no money to pay tithing with, so he gave all he had really which was a nice watch that he had bought. He said that three days later, someone gave him a watch for free! Then he bore testimony about tithing. All we had to say was how much he had to pay, and he accepted. He even asked if he can pay more haha. I'm so thankful for how much the Lord has prepared him to receive the Gospel!
I had a cool experience this week. Elder Coenen and I were crossing the street and on the sidewalk on the other side there was a big group of people and just to the side was a lady alone who looked like she was about to cross the street but was just standing there like she was waiting for something. I was debating whether to talk to her because I could tell she wanted to cross and if I stopped her I would block the group of people behind her from crossing the street, but I felt like we needed to talk to her. I said bonjour and told her we present a message about Jesus Christ. She looked the other way and said, "sorry, I'm completely atheist!" and was even mad. I wondered why I had been propmted to talk to her because it was pretty rude how she said it. But then I felt like I needed to insist a little bit and I simply asker her "why?" Then she opened up and talked about how she had just lost some family members and how her life is just misery right now. I told her God loved her and I testified that God gives us trials to make us stronger and happier in the longrun, and that he hasn't left us alone to get through it, but He sent His Son Jesus Christ to help us. Next thing I knew she was tearing up, and started saying how much she needed to hear that and that we were the answers to her prayers, her "angels" she said. The Spirit was so strong. Even though we were there with people all around and cars passing by, the Spirit spoke to her heart and she knew that what we were saying was true and that she needed to hear more. We set up an appointment, and we'll be seeing her this week. I learned a lot from that contact. Probably half the people we talk to say they don't believe in God, and sometimes we persist, but often times we just ask them if they know anyone else who would be interested. But that contact reminded me that the worth of EVERY SOUL is great in the sight of God. As missionaries and as members, we need to try our best to bring every soul to Christ, no matter how heard hearted they might be at first, the power of the Spirit will humble them and help them recognize the truth.
Sunday night we had an interesting, random experience. We found an old man in the road who had fallen and had a huge gash in his head and it was bleeding like crazy. Some people had stopped and looked but hadn't really done anything. Elder Coenen and I picked him up and asked him what happened. He told us he was staying at the hospital but had left to get money from an atm. We told him we had to get him back to the Hospital right then, but he wouldn't until he had his money! Stubborn old man haha. So we walked with him because with every step he almost fell over. The atm was a good half mile away too. That was probably quite a scene, two missionaries walking the streets of Bergerac with an old man with a bloody face and hospital clothes on. Finally we got there and he got his money and we walked back and got him fixed up at the hospital. Poor guy, he had a big old gash in his head. I have no idea how he was conscious. Good thing we were there to walk with him, or I think he would have kept falling and eventually hurt himself a lot more seriously. Well I'm out of time. Sorry I don't know about the transfer yet. You'll find out soon enough. Love you! Bonne semaine
Love,
Elder Tudooooor (that's how Muamba says my name)

July 11, 2011

Birthday card a member gave me and my birthday kabob

Reporters in our apartment

Beynac


Crazy cat who stares at us everyday

Allo!
It was an interesting week! We started out by being filmed all day long on Monday. They filmed us doing groceries, our emails, shopping, and then when we worked. They filmed us during a lesson with Maurel and Muamba and it was a super spiritual lesson too. Maurel and Muamba are doing well. They weren't baptized this week, unfortunately. They were hesitant and didn't make up their minds. Friday night, Muamba said he wanted to saturday, but it was too late! So we have to delay it. The sad part is that he's going to Bordeaux for three weeks then coming back here, so we set the date for the 6th of August. We're still workign with Maurel. This week we talked a lot about their testimony of the Book of Mormon and they're really gaining their testimonies little by little. Yesterday Maurel said he wants to be baptized, but in the United States haha. I'm not sure what he's talking about. Gael will still be baptized the 23rd, and we just starting teaching his bro Guillame who is super sweet (16 yeard old).
I'm loving the mission every day. Bergerac is tiny, but it's sweet. My district is awesome too. Tomorrow we're having district meeting in Perigeux, then I'm giong on exchange with Elder Lumakosa here in Bergerac, then Wednesday I have to do an exchange in Brive because the rest of Frank's family is getting baptized and need interviews! So I'm stoked. We get transfer calls this Friday, I can't believe it! The mission just keeps flying by faster and faster. It's kind of frightening haha. So at zone council, I guess the president said that he's going to totally mix up the missions next transfer - meaning that he's going to try to put a toulouse missionary with a geneve missionary in each companionship. So chances are I'll have a new comp next week. Especially because Elder Coenen is European and they'll need him in Switzerland since us Yankees aren't allowed. So we'll see! I've always wanted to be a trainer, I hope I'[ll be able to this transfer. If I do, I'll get to take an airplane to Geneva haha. Sweet! Our mission is huge.
This week I learned the power of testimony. A lot of times we teach and explain really well, but forget to testify. Monday, we were with Maurel and Muamba (for the cameras too) and we were talking about how their testimony of the book of mormon would resolve their concerns. We explained over and over how they can gain a testimony from the Holy Ghost and why it is so important. They kept interrupting us and wouldn't let us finish what we were saying. It was like they weren't really listening to us. Then out of nowhere, we all just started testifying about how we received a testimony of the restoration and what that means to us. Elder Coenen bore such a powerful testimony as well. They didn't interrupt while we were testifying, but they just listened. And after we finished, they were quiet, and pondering. The Spirit was so strong, and even the camera lady looked shocked haha. It reminded me of the scripture in Alma 4:19 "And this he did that he ahimself might go forth among his people, or among the people of Nephi, that he might bpreach thecword of God unto them, to dstir them up in eremembrance of their duty, and that he might pull down, by the word of God, all the pride and craftiness and all the contentions which were among his people, seeing no way that he might reclaim them save it were in bearing down in pure ftestimony against them." Alma saw no way to save the people, except to bear pure testimony. Our most powerful tool as missionaries is the Spirit, which manifests itself through our testimonies. After we bore testimony, they accepted to read and pray to know, despite their defiance five minutes before. I've said it before, but we really are nothing without the Spirit. We tried to explain for a half hour how they can get a testimony, but the Spirit told them in an instant what they need to do. I'm humbled by the power of the Lord every day out here. I know it is real. I know that God speaks to His children through his spirit, and anyone that searches diligently will find. Thanks everyone for all your support! It's super weird being 20 and not being home on my bday. The Bouchets took me out to McDonald's for my bday - yes! Haha it was great. Thanks for your letters and emails. I love you all!
Love,
Elder Tu Dors

July 4, 2011

Salut!
Vous allez bien? It was a good week! Kind of crazy, but good haha. On wednesday we went to Bordeaux for a zone conference and we met president Murdock. He's awesome! It was really weird holding zone conference in English though. At one point I had to get up and saw a few words, and all that was coming out was franglais. I tried as hard as I coudl to speak normal english, but every other word was coming out in French! I never knew it could be so hard to speak English haha. Then I went on exchange with my boy Elder Dorton in Brive. It was super fun! It reminded me of when we did exchanges in Nice together. Except now our areas are nothing like Nice haha. Brive's a pretty small place too, but not as small as Bergerac I don't think. Anyways, I did a baptismal interview there and they had a baptism this saturday. It was the daughter of a recent convert. Woohoo! But anyways, back to Bergerac. Maurel and Muamba are doing alright. Maurel said he still needs more time before the baptism. Muamba isn't sure, so if someone is baptized this week, it will be muamba. We hope!
So right now, Elder Coenen and I are being followed by a couple journalists with cameras. It's super weird. Apparently they're making a documentary about the missionaries and eventually it will be on tv in France. When they're finished they'll send me a dvd haha. So yeah, super random! They've followed Elder Coenen off and on during his mission. They were there at the MTC and then when he arrived in Toulouse, but this is the first time really since he's been out in the field. And they'll follow him throughout his whole mission I believe. They called us two weeks ago to ask if they could come today, and we said yeah sure. They said they'd call us back to confirm and tell us when they wuold show up and everything. But they never called us, so last night Elder Coenen and I decided they weren't coming. Then this mornign at 7:30 we got a text from them saying they'll be there at 10:30..... So we scrambled around cleaning up the apartment and everything and re-planning the day haha. It was insanity. But we managed to get everything done. I'll probably give you another update about how the day finished in next week's email.
With the new president we have a half hour less to do our emails, so I won't be able to do as many emails to my friends and stuff. So, whoever wants to write me, they can send me letters! :) This week was kind of like the last. More perseverance! There were a couple of days where nothing was working and no one wanted to talk to us, but we kept going and the week finished great and we had one of the best weeks we've had yet. It seems like at the end of every week I look at our numbers, and I say to myslef, "man, I don't know if we'll be able to repeat that next week." But somehow every week, we keep improving! If we apply our faith, we can do anything. This town is pretty tiring, but we can't let up.
I've been thinking a lot this last week about why I came on a mission, and why I'm doing what I do day in and day out. Of course it's something we're expected to do as young priesthood holders and it's something that will help us the rest of our life, but really the reason why we're all here is the infinite love and atonement of Jesus Christ. I know I'll never be able to fully understand Christ's atoning sacrifice, at least in this life, but I understand it more and more every day that I'm here. I still can't really put it into words, but spiritually I understand it more and more. Christ suffered and died for every single person who lived, lives, and will live. He didn't just suffer for the members of the church, but for EVERY child of God. Think about how many people are members of the church compared to how many people are on the earth or have been on the earth. The only way to apply the atonement is through the fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Are we going to let the most marvelous act that has ever and will ever be accomplished go to waste? Not a chance. Of course peopel have their agency to accept the truth, but the more I understand the atonement, the more I desire teh salvation of every person we meet. As Lehi said, "Wherefore, aredemption cometh in and through the bHoly cMessiah; for he is full of dgrace and truth. Behold, he offereth himself a asacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto bnone else can the cends of the law be answered. Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, asave it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who blayeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the cresurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise." That's why we're here! Let's all apply the atonement in our lives by living the Gospel and accept the gift that Christ offers, and just as importantly, let's make these things known to all those around us, because it is offered equally to them! I know that Christ truly sacrificed himself and that it is only by Him that we can obtain happiness in this life and the eternities. Well, I'm out of time - I love you all and hope you have a great week!
Love,
Elder Bryson Nathanael Tudor

June 27, 2011

Hey there!
Today it was a 100 degrees and tomorrow it will be 104. And right now in this internet cafe it's at least 90. Gah! Mais ça va. Il fait beaucoup plus chaud à l'amerique de sud. Except it's winter there... hmm, I dunno! This week was good! I did an exchange with Elder Carson in Perigeux, and that was fun. Then we went to Bordeaux friday to say bye to President and Sister Carter. They both gave beautiful talks/presentations. I love them! I really appreciated a story that President Carter shared about a missionary who had his last interview with the president before going home and said he felt likle he had wasted his time because the only person he baptized was one 12 year old boy. This mission president kept track of this 12 year old boy his whole life. He served a mission, had a family, etc. In the end, more than 1,100 people came into the church because of that one boy. Sure, we're not baptizing people every week here in France, but we are still doing the lord's work with all our heart. It's impossible to tell what will become because of our work, only God knows. Today, I had one of those moments where I realized my work had paid off. In Nice, Elder Graham and I found a Russian man who understood almost nothing in French. He was hardly progressing, but he did read the Book of Mormon often, so we kept teachign. It seemed like he was getting nothing out of it though. And then I went to Cannes. Today I found out he was baptized last saturday. What a sweet surprise! The work doesn't always go exactly how we want it at the moment, but "the works, and the designs, and the purposes of God cannot be frustrated, neither can they come to naught... Remember, remember, that it is not the work of God that is frustrated, but the work of men." Sometimes we need to remind ourselves that this isn't our work, but it is His, and all will be done according to His will.
President Carter also talked a lot about marriage, which was funny haha. He gave us the eleventh commandment: KTWH - Keep Thy Wife Happy. Of course, any time that anyone talks about marriage around a group of missionaries, the discussion goes crazy haha. He talked a lot about the family though. I was really touched to hear his story about how he and Soeur Carter came into the Gospel. At the time he had a big beard, mullet, and played bass in a rock band (which could be my future as well, but on lead guitar ;) ). Because of the Gospel, they got married ( the same day as their baptism), they had kids who went on mission, and when they get back they're going to bless a grand daughter, baptize a grand daughter, and marry one of their sons in the temple all within three weeks. Wow. The Gospel is pretty amazing, isn't it? Simply put, that and the family is the most important thing in the world. I'm so lucky to have the opportunity play a part in this work of salvation here in France.
Something funny - we all stood in line to say bye to president and sister carter. The sister missionaries went first, and they all hugged president carter (usually its not allowed - just a handshake), then when it got to the Elders, the first Elder didnt know whether to hug Sister Carter or not, but he went for it haha. She hugged him and have him the bises (the little kisses on the cheek) and she did the same for all of us. Haha it was such a funny awkward moment. And the president didn't mind, donc ça va haha.
Gael, Maurel, and Muamba are doing great! Fr Bouchet will receive the Aaronic priesthood this sunday so he will baptize his son Gael. That's seriously one of the most beautiful things to witness - a family accepting and living the Gospel together. I can't think of any experiences in particular that I had this week. It was a crazy week haha. But I do remember one thing - perseverance. That's basically the theme of Bergerac! And one of the main principles of the gospel. There are days here when I feel like no one will listen, but we keep talking to everyone anyways, and it's always when we feel the most discouraged and the most like giving up on the day that we receive the blessings. I've found that a good 80 percent of phone numbers we take come in the last half hour or so before we come home, or while we're on our pday and we take a couple seconds to contact someone that we feel is ready for the Gospel. The Lord always pushes us. Why? Because he loves us! Unfortunately, there are few in the world who understand this and lose their faith. But it's ONLY AFTER the trial that we receive a witness that it was all worth it. I ask myself almost every day why he has to push us so much, and every day I learn why if I hold out faithful. That's where we show our faith. We couldn't show faith in God if all was going good. Heavenly Father sent us here to walk by faith, and it is by faith that we follow principles of the Gospel that will allow us eventually to gain salvation. I'm so thankful for a God who allows us to suffer so we become stronger, and more like him. He's given us all we need to combat oppisition in life, we just need to trust him, have faith in him, and apply it! I know the Gospel is true. I know that it is a living Gospel and that we are led by God himself through personal inspiration and our inspired leaders. I love you all and hope you have a great week! And oh yeah, I got to see Elder Park in Bordeaux on Friday! I missed my boy! He's doing great in Tarbes and it was sweet to catch up. Anyways, bonne semaine, ciao!
Love,
Elder Tudor