Bonjour!
Well what can I possibly say now? I'm out of words! It was absolutely great to talk to all of you yesterday, you haven't changed a bit, and it's kinda weird... Sorry I'm not able to get you any pictures. I forgot to grab my adapter... Next week!
So if you can pull the "we just talked yesterday so it's a short letter today" card, I can too right? Because I spent a little to much time writing stuff for returning home things and what not, things I don't want to think about yet... anyways its going to be short for me too.
Think week was great, like I said we did a ton of service and are helping Valdir get ready for baptism this Saturday . He's doing well and I am really excited to see him get baptized, they are going to be a great family in the church!
This week Elder Smith and I are really going to be focusing on finding some new people to teach, so I'll tell you how it goes next week.
We get transfer calls this week, I bet Elder Smith is outta here! haha, just kidding I have no idea, but he has been here for forever! So anything could happen. We do have (should have) a lot of new missionaries coming in, because with these next couple transfers we'll be losing quite a few missionaries, around 20 these next three transfers, and that's about half of the missionaries on French side...
Well I am out of time, désolé, not the best email, but it could be worse right?
I love you all so much and I can't wait to see you soon!
avec amour,
Elder Call
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
Monday, May 4, 2015
Zone Leadership Conference in Trinidad
Bonjour!
What a week! Talk about missionary vacation! haha We were gone for way too long this week... We left Monday and got back Friday late afternoon. I am going to speed through this rapidly because, I know you want to hear all about it but I am a little behind with all those pictures I sent, your welcome ;) haha Anyways, we drove all the way over to the border of Suriname and crossed the river again without problem. The boat driver charged us way too much and the river was a little choppy so one of the ladies crossing with us was screaming at every rock and bump, but other than that I didn't have a problem. Sadly I didn't end up getting them to accept the mustachio-ed visa at the consulate, so I had to get a picture that was mustache free, it would have been legendary if it had worked... But now I have a visa that lasts 5 years to Suriname, not sure what I would possibly use that for... In Suriname we stayed with Elders Hood and Helm. They're good guys. We called them the day before and we brought them some Guyane souvenirs and they got us some things from Suriname and we had an exchange, including root beer and Reese's and other American goodies :)
We left pretty early the next morning to get to the airport 2 hours early (which is mission rule for all international flights) The airport didn't even open for another hour... so we all hung out for a good while eating some goods that we picked up with the Euros we brought (We're rich in Suriname)
The first day of the conference we were all DEAD from traveling but we leaned a lot of cool things about the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood and watched a training for the Quorum of the Seventy by the Twelve Apostles that Pres. Mehr got special permission to watch. They talked all about the Sabbath Day, not going to lie, I felt guilty about a couple things . The Sabbath Day is really important and there are many blessings that we could miss out on if we don't use it to its most.
That night however, we stayed in the nicest Bed and Breakfast I had ever seen! When we walked in, we just died at how nice the room was. Man, I slept so good... They even made us breakfast in the morning, pancakes and eggs mmmm...
The next day we focused on branch council and getting them set up and running smoothly in our respective branches . It was really cool hearing all the insights from all the corners of the mission who come from branches with different cultures and different problems and also different solutions. I think Elder Smith and I represented French Guiana really well. I feel like the branch here is a lot farther progressed then some others.
It was also great to see everybody again. Most of them for the last time before we head out. Elder Fraley, Elder Lever, Elder Johnson, Elder Glover, and all my other good buds from the mission. The worst part of all of it was that it felt like a practice for the returning missionary fireside.... (gulp) They had a testimony meeting and everyone was talking about how great the mission was... I had to keep telling myself, "Whoa, whoa! hold up, I'm not done yet whats going on here?! I've still got some time left!" I'm not ready to die yet...
Well the rest of the time was about the same as getting to Trinidad.
At home we taught Valdir. We had fasted for him and we saw an incredible miracle. He had a complete change of heart and is now super excited for his baptism on the 16th. We were even thinking of moving it up a week, but I think we'll just leave it. He is a great guy!
Things are all fine and dandy, I'm happy to hear that I'll be home for the wedding, you had me scared there for a little while. I thought you didn't want to tell me because I wasn't going to be happy with what I heard... haha!
Love you all!
avec amour,
Elder Call
.JPG)
What a week! Talk about missionary vacation! haha We were gone for way too long this week... We left Monday and got back Friday late afternoon. I am going to speed through this rapidly because, I know you want to hear all about it but I am a little behind with all those pictures I sent, your welcome ;) haha Anyways, we drove all the way over to the border of Suriname and crossed the river again without problem. The boat driver charged us way too much and the river was a little choppy so one of the ladies crossing with us was screaming at every rock and bump, but other than that I didn't have a problem. Sadly I didn't end up getting them to accept the mustachio-ed visa at the consulate, so I had to get a picture that was mustache free, it would have been legendary if it had worked... But now I have a visa that lasts 5 years to Suriname, not sure what I would possibly use that for... In Suriname we stayed with Elders Hood and Helm. They're good guys. We called them the day before and we brought them some Guyane souvenirs and they got us some things from Suriname and we had an exchange, including root beer and Reese's and other American goodies :)
We left pretty early the next morning to get to the airport 2 hours early (which is mission rule for all international flights) The airport didn't even open for another hour... so we all hung out for a good while eating some goods that we picked up with the Euros we brought (We're rich in Suriname)
The first day of the conference we were all DEAD from traveling but we leaned a lot of cool things about the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood and watched a training for the Quorum of the Seventy by the Twelve Apostles that Pres. Mehr got special permission to watch. They talked all about the Sabbath Day, not going to lie, I felt guilty about a couple things . The Sabbath Day is really important and there are many blessings that we could miss out on if we don't use it to its most.
That night however, we stayed in the nicest Bed and Breakfast I had ever seen! When we walked in, we just died at how nice the room was. Man, I slept so good... They even made us breakfast in the morning, pancakes and eggs mmmm...
The next day we focused on branch council and getting them set up and running smoothly in our respective branches . It was really cool hearing all the insights from all the corners of the mission who come from branches with different cultures and different problems and also different solutions. I think Elder Smith and I represented French Guiana really well. I feel like the branch here is a lot farther progressed then some others.
It was also great to see everybody again. Most of them for the last time before we head out. Elder Fraley, Elder Lever, Elder Johnson, Elder Glover, and all my other good buds from the mission. The worst part of all of it was that it felt like a practice for the returning missionary fireside.... (gulp) They had a testimony meeting and everyone was talking about how great the mission was... I had to keep telling myself, "Whoa, whoa! hold up, I'm not done yet whats going on here?! I've still got some time left!" I'm not ready to die yet...
Well the rest of the time was about the same as getting to Trinidad.
At home we taught Valdir. We had fasted for him and we saw an incredible miracle. He had a complete change of heart and is now super excited for his baptism on the 16th. We were even thinking of moving it up a week, but I think we'll just leave it. He is a great guy!
Things are all fine and dandy, I'm happy to hear that I'll be home for the wedding, you had me scared there for a little while. I thought you didn't want to tell me because I wasn't going to be happy with what I heard... haha!
Love you all!
avec amour,
Elder Call
Yeah, so I had all of these pictures I use to get visas, and I didn't think I'd need them any more since I'm in my last area, so I had a little fun with them. Well, it turns out I needed to get a visa to pass through Suriname on my way to Trinidad for Zone Leadership Conference. The following picture is the visa application I submitted...
Needless to say, it was rejected. Too bad because I look very French...
And in other breaking news...the tooth finally fell out.
This is something the Brazilians eat, it tastes like de-flavored raspberries.
On our way to the Guyane/Suriname border
The canoes to Suriname
Morning in Suriname
Night in Suriname
The Dutch Elders got us root beer!
Gift exchange with the Dutch Elders
We stayed in the nicest Bed and Breakfast ever!
.JPG)
Trinidad
Zone Leadership Conference April 2015
Port-of Spain, Trinidad
Port-of Spain, Trinidad
We made it back in time for the branch talent show on Friday night. We played the recorder with one of the youth
Saturday, May 2, 2015
Going to Zone Conference
Bonjour Tout le monde!
We had another great week this week. a lot of preparing for the Suriname trip, getting visas and what not hahaha... Everything is good now and as soon as I finish this email I'll be taking the 3 hour drive to St. Laurent for the canoe ride across the river, then the 2 hour taxi ride to Paramaribo. We talked with the dutch zone leaders and it sounds like they set us up an appointement with one of their investigators that speaks French and Creole, so its not like we're abandonning missionary work or anything haha!
I emailed David and Cindy last week and they wrote me back this week! Oh man I was so happy to hear from them again haha! They're awesome... Sounds like Elder S-J is holding up strong without me!
This week we saw some pretty cool miracles. We have been working with Valdir since I had been here, his wife was baptised in March and went to visit Brazil the week before I got here. He speaks mostly Portugese which makes it a little rough to get the message across, but this week he finally accepted a baptismal invitation and a date to work towards. When His wife got home, she flipped! haha! THey both then came to church yesterday!
We found this cool Guy named José Gabriel when I first got here. He is awesome as well and we are pretty sure he's going to be in the Branch Presidency at some time. But he is still working towards baptism and came to church for the first time yesterday as well!
Before I forget the Address is:
Residence Pont Maggi
Bat:E Appt:2
Like I said, same as last time.
And also, whats the date for the marriage? Why has nobody told me yet?
Many prayers and wishes to y'all!
love you bunches,
avec amour,
Elder Call
Monday, April 20, 2015
Happy to be back in Guyane!
Bonjour!
Well well, I imagine your just dying to know how things are going down here! And the answer is: AWESOME! haha I love being back here its so much fun! The first couple days we went around seeing members and I got to catch up with them all! Most of them actually remembered me! Everyone that remembered me said the exact same thing, "Elder Cool!" (because they just can't figure out how to pronounce my name so I had to always introduced myself as that a year and ten months ago) "You're back! and you've lost weight too!" hahahaha! Man its funny, I thought I was gaining weight on the islands, guess not! Sr. D'Abreu took a picture and posted it on Facebook and everyone saw it and it spoiled the surprise for a lot of people, but it was still great seeing everyone! The branch has grown incredibly since I left! There were 27 baptisms since then and a bunch of people that came back.
My new companion is Elder Smith. He's from South Jordan and came out one transfer after me. As Zone Leaders, things are SUPER busy, because we aren't just Zone Leaders but we are also filling the role as the Senior Couple. We are in the middle of switching out the cars, so we've been car shopping and picking people up from the airport and on and on. But its been great, no time to think about how soon I'm going home, couldn't be better! We actually just learned that we are going to have a Leadership Conference in Trinidad next week. Better yet is that we will be going through Suriname! One last canoe ride! We need to get all the visa stuff figured out, which takes time, but its going to be the last time that missionaries EVER make the trip by canoe to Suriname. Since the mission is splitting, Suriname will no longer be a part of our mission, therefore, Elder Smith and I will be the last ones to ride the Maroni River to Suriname, needless to say, I'm pumped...
The work is going great! We're teaching a lot of Brazilians (I need to start learning Portuguese, surprisingly I can understand quite a bit already!) My first day we met a guy who has a HUGE house that invited us in, he is so prepared, he accepted to be baptized the first lesson and has been reading the Book of Mormon almost everyday! We just need to get him to come to church!
Well I have bunch of other things going on, but all in all, I am happy and busy and couldnt be happier!
I love you all bunches!
Have a great week!
avec amour,
Elder Call
.JPG)
Well well, I imagine your just dying to know how things are going down here! And the answer is: AWESOME! haha I love being back here its so much fun! The first couple days we went around seeing members and I got to catch up with them all! Most of them actually remembered me! Everyone that remembered me said the exact same thing, "Elder Cool!" (because they just can't figure out how to pronounce my name so I had to always introduced myself as that a year and ten months ago) "You're back! and you've lost weight too!" hahahaha! Man its funny, I thought I was gaining weight on the islands, guess not! Sr. D'Abreu took a picture and posted it on Facebook and everyone saw it and it spoiled the surprise for a lot of people, but it was still great seeing everyone! The branch has grown incredibly since I left! There were 27 baptisms since then and a bunch of people that came back.
My new companion is Elder Smith. He's from South Jordan and came out one transfer after me. As Zone Leaders, things are SUPER busy, because we aren't just Zone Leaders but we are also filling the role as the Senior Couple. We are in the middle of switching out the cars, so we've been car shopping and picking people up from the airport and on and on. But its been great, no time to think about how soon I'm going home, couldn't be better! We actually just learned that we are going to have a Leadership Conference in Trinidad next week. Better yet is that we will be going through Suriname! One last canoe ride! We need to get all the visa stuff figured out, which takes time, but its going to be the last time that missionaries EVER make the trip by canoe to Suriname. Since the mission is splitting, Suriname will no longer be a part of our mission, therefore, Elder Smith and I will be the last ones to ride the Maroni River to Suriname, needless to say, I'm pumped...
The work is going great! We're teaching a lot of Brazilians (I need to start learning Portuguese, surprisingly I can understand quite a bit already!) My first day we met a guy who has a HUGE house that invited us in, he is so prepared, he accepted to be baptized the first lesson and has been reading the Book of Mormon almost everyday! We just need to get him to come to church!
Well I have bunch of other things going on, but all in all, I am happy and busy and couldnt be happier!
I love you all bunches!
Have a great week!
avec amour,
Elder Call
Saying goodbye in Guadeloupe
Wise words from Guyane
Crazy fruit grown here called a ronbouton. Its delicious! Its kind of like a grape on the inside
My new apartment
Playing football
Monday, April 13, 2015
You call this a letter?
Hey sorry, you're not going to be happy but I have no time this week!! Power outage and I have to go to a lesson. I'm here and I'm safe and I'm having a blast! I'll talk to you more next week!!
Je vous aime beaucoup!!
avec amour,
Elder Call
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Goodbye Gwada!
Bonjour! ma famille
What a day it has been today! Packing, saying goodbye, learning I'm going to have a SISTER-IN-LAW!!! Oh man! This is awesome congrats you two! Can't wait till I actually get to meet her!
So I imagine you've already heard everything that's going on from other missionaries, crazy isn't it!!? I never would have thought! Everything is going to be so different! We all got our transfer calls on Saturday as we were up at Abimes waiting for conference to start, so everybody was going crazy! I had to say goodbye to everyone, we took pictures I only cried once when I said goodbye to the Duflos. OK and of course when I said goodbye to the Hucs. It was tough... But now I've only got 16 hours until I fly out to go back to the land of my first inheritance, Guyane I'm comin' home! Yep I'm going back down to Guyane Française to be zone leader with Elder Smith. I don't know what to think, its not at all going to be the same! They have had so much success down there I probably won't know half of the members down there!
Conference was great! Did anybody else catch on to the marriage theme? I know Jordan did! WOOT!! haha! Follow the Prophet! Speaking of which, was Thomas S. Monson looking a lot thinner to you? Also, he stepped out early and didn't give his closing address. I hope everything is OK for him and many prayers are going out to him from the Caribbean. I listened to the whole conference in French, realizing that this may be the last time I get the chance or have the desire to do so. Did Joe listen in Spanish? I was so very hoping that Gérald Caussé was going to speak in French, but he did do his own translation. He recorded his voice beforehand and then played it for the translation as he spoke in English which was pretty cool.
I didn't get the chance to say goodbye to the Pommier family.... When I went by they weren't home and they didn't make it all the way up to Abimes.... I'm just going to have Elder Stew-J take them the package. I got the photo for David and Cindy, they loved it and already have it up at their house. We stopped by on Monday for family home evening, we couldn't make it to Pointe de Chateau, but we watched The Testaments and they loved it! It was so sad saying goodbye, especially to Mindiya. They asked for your address to send a thank you package, so that should be coming. I also am sending one, sorry, its mostly filled with letters and old study material that's too heavy to take with me, but there is some stuff I got for you all, so keep your eyes open for those.
Well, time is coming to an end and I feel like I'm flying to my death, I'm going to die in the wilderness... (mission death) I couldn't be happier, nor could I be sadder. I'm not quite sure how I feel right now, but things are good no worries!
I love you all so much! Family and soon-to-be family ;)
avec amour,
Elder Call
What a day it has been today! Packing, saying goodbye, learning I'm going to have a SISTER-IN-LAW!!! Oh man! This is awesome congrats you two! Can't wait till I actually get to meet her!
So I imagine you've already heard everything that's going on from other missionaries, crazy isn't it!!? I never would have thought! Everything is going to be so different! We all got our transfer calls on Saturday as we were up at Abimes waiting for conference to start, so everybody was going crazy! I had to say goodbye to everyone, we took pictures I only cried once when I said goodbye to the Duflos. OK and of course when I said goodbye to the Hucs. It was tough... But now I've only got 16 hours until I fly out to go back to the land of my first inheritance, Guyane I'm comin' home! Yep I'm going back down to Guyane Française to be zone leader with Elder Smith. I don't know what to think, its not at all going to be the same! They have had so much success down there I probably won't know half of the members down there!
Conference was great! Did anybody else catch on to the marriage theme? I know Jordan did! WOOT!! haha! Follow the Prophet! Speaking of which, was Thomas S. Monson looking a lot thinner to you? Also, he stepped out early and didn't give his closing address. I hope everything is OK for him and many prayers are going out to him from the Caribbean. I listened to the whole conference in French, realizing that this may be the last time I get the chance or have the desire to do so. Did Joe listen in Spanish? I was so very hoping that Gérald Caussé was going to speak in French, but he did do his own translation. He recorded his voice beforehand and then played it for the translation as he spoke in English which was pretty cool.
I didn't get the chance to say goodbye to the Pommier family.... When I went by they weren't home and they didn't make it all the way up to Abimes.... I'm just going to have Elder Stew-J take them the package. I got the photo for David and Cindy, they loved it and already have it up at their house. We stopped by on Monday for family home evening, we couldn't make it to Pointe de Chateau, but we watched The Testaments and they loved it! It was so sad saying goodbye, especially to Mindiya. They asked for your address to send a thank you package, so that should be coming. I also am sending one, sorry, its mostly filled with letters and old study material that's too heavy to take with me, but there is some stuff I got for you all, so keep your eyes open for those.
Well, time is coming to an end and I feel like I'm flying to my death, I'm going to die in the wilderness... (mission death) I couldn't be happier, nor could I be sadder. I'm not quite sure how I feel right now, but things are good no worries!
I love you all so much! Family and soon-to-be family ;)
avec amour,
Elder Call
Saying goodbye to the best district in the world!
.JPG)
Goodbye Gwada!
Saturday, April 4, 2015
Favorite Sunday on my mission!
Bonjour!
Well sadly, my email didn't work until I had just about 15 minutes left so I'm going to do my best to get as much of your beloved info in here.
Zone conference was last Sunday and we had our interviews this Tuesday. It was nice, nothing to exciting but I felt good talking to the president, he told me that he's going to move me this transfer which will be next week. He also told me about the deal with getting home. I'll be going home the same day as Elder Fraley. They are cutting my last transfer a week short so that the new presidents don't come in on a weird mid transfer thing. So I'm getting shorted a week...
Yesterday was an awesome Sunday, one of my favorites on the mission. It was a fast and testimony meeting and everybody had a chance to share. The spirit was so strong, especially when David got up and bore a testimony about trials of faith that he had and how he was thankful that they brought him closer to God. Afterwards everybody talked about trials. It was very powerful. Then he helped me teach the gospel principles class and bore an awesome testimony on baptism. It was really cool. I felt very thankful to be a part of this branch, and with general conference next week, it may have been the last Sunday I get to see everybody.
Sr. Duflo got called to be the Sunday School teacher, the Pommiers are going through interviews with the Branch President and should be getting callings soon as well. Its just great. I love these people! We went to the Duflo's house last night and sang some hymns. Sr. Duflo wanted to come with us to help teach some people. Its most definitly one of the places that I want to come back and visit after the mission. Its going ot be very hard to say goodbye. David and Cindy keep asking if I can get permission to spend a whole day with them haha, we are going to try to drive to Pointe de Chateau next P-day (which is actually going to be on Tuesday next week so don't freak out, because of the holiday everything will be closed and we won't be able to email until Tuesday)
I love you all so very much! Tell dad I'm sorry I could shoot him an email today but I'll get back to him, I love reading his emails haha! I love yours too, don't get me wrong, I love all emails!
I love you all!
avec amour,
Elder Call
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