January 31, 2012

Salut,

What a week! I don't know where to start, but I guess I'll talk straightaway about R's baptism. So, before he left to China, he said he wanted to be baptized in the ocean, and we were like, "sure, I don't see why you couldn't!" Then the Sunday before his baptism we told the Bishop and he wasn't really for it. So we explained that to R and he said he needed some time to think. So we were stressing about it all week because we didn't want the Bishop to be mad but we didn't want R to be disappointed. R didn't make a decision til Friday afternoon after his baptismal interview, and it was... The Ocean! We prayed all week so that the Bishop's heart would be softened and it worked because when we called he said it was great that he decided to do it there. So, Saturday morning we played basketball with our investigators and the other missionaries as usual (including R, who put up 10 blocks on the day, like always). Then we ran to the Wilkey's, got dressed, bought a kebab, and hopped on the train to Arcachon. It was us, R, the sisters, and a couple members. Luckily, one of the members grew up in Arcachon and he took us to a good beach and we had to take this tiny little eletric bus that we didn't think would make it with all of us inside it. We ended up at this beautiful beach, and down the coast we could see the giant sand dune that arcachon is famous for. Elder Buss and R found a little nook to change in, then we started with a hymn, a prayer, and a few of us shared our testimonies. Then R was baptized. He looked so cold when he came out haha. ELder Buss said that the font in the church was colder though. I gave R a big hug when he came out, even though he was soaked in salt water. The wind was blowing super hard and it was pretty cold. The poor guys had to be freezing! It was such a beautiful baptism though and I felt so blessed to see a baptism like that. R has such great faith. He bore testimony in our investigator sunday school class about how much he wants to be a part of the church and continue til the very end. I confirmed him in sacrament meeting (in English, since his french is a little shaky). It was my first time confirming someone. It was a really spiritual experience.

In other news, Sunday right after church we took the train to Lyon and got to the apartment there around 1030. Monday morning we had zone council and we took the train afterwards and got to Bordeaux super late. So that's why I'm writing you today. We learned a lot in zone council, espeically about working with members. We have interviews coming up this week and Elder Buss and I are preparing a zone training about contacting with the book of Mormon. Today we called all the missionaries in our zone and challenged them to read the entire book of Mormon during the month of February. We both felt impressed to do it and we're excited to see the increased power that book of Mormon will bring into the zone if we read it together in such a short time. I've never read it even close to that fast. I'm really stoked! We've also written a zone song that we're going to present and our zone meeting haha. It's pretty sweet. More on the Book of Mormon, we have an awesome chinese investigator named H. Lately though, she has been saying that she can't be like us and we only believe because we were born in it etc. And every time we tell her to read the BoM and pray she just complains because the book of Mormon says "and it came to pass" too many times. But we decided to sit down and read a chapter with her to teach her how to study the BoM; We even got her some colored pencils to highlight with. We were at the institute building because we had a meeting to go to right after. So we read Mosiah 3 with her and then told her to read Mosiah 4 while we were at the meeting. When we came back after the meeting she was in the bathroom, but I took a look at her BoM, and she had highlighted a bunch. I looked at the verses, and she had highlighted all the key doctrines. When she came back, she showed us all the scriptures she liked and why. Then we read part of Mosiah 5 with her, and when it talked about the change of heart that the people had, she said that she wished the whole world would have that. We talked about the baptismal covenant with her and testified. It was one of the most spiritual lessons I've ever had. The Book of Mormon completely changed her heart. Afterwards, we were talking abotu R getting baptized in the ocean, and she said, "I want to do that!" So we asked her when, and she said she's not sure yet, but she wants to be baptized. She said she needs to take it slow. But wow, last week she was so hard hearted, and just one study session of the Book of Mormon opened her heart. Everything she was saying was under the influence of the Spirit and she was a totally different person. I couldn't believe it. Well, I could, because the Book of Mormon and the Spirit combined are our most powerful tool for conversion. I love it here in Bordeaux. Elder Buss and I want to stay a third transfer together. We bribed president, telling him we'd write a song for the mission if he left us together haha. He said that it was a good promise. We'll see! P and L are doing awesome. L should be getting baptized soon! Lots more happened this week, but I never have time. The church is true. I know it. Have a great week! love you!

Love,

Elder Tudor