Week 33 (9/16/19): Jeanny is coming this is not a drill

Hello everybody !
We had an amazing week this week, I'm so happy to be here in Perpignan !!! I hope president forgets about me and just leaves me here.

1) So we had a couple fun lessons with our ami Bruno, and I keep being amazed with how members are just able to come to our lessons with him, and how each of them has something to add to the conversation that's exactly what he needs. We invited him to be baptized the 5th of October and he said yes ! So we're helping him get ready for that 😁

2) about half way through the week we went contacting. We were walking for like an hour and saw nobody. We finally see someone coming our way and we stop him. He tells us he wants to learn about the word of God. We got his number and later in the week went to his house. He had so many questions we practically ended up teaching a bit of each lesson! Hes gonna take a while to be invited to baptism, but it was just so cool because we contacted for hours and the only person we saw, became an ami!

3) we got a referral from our president. He told us there's a lady in our area who wants the missionaries to come to her house. We ran out there and fixed a rendez-vous with her. Turns out, shes actually baptized in the church, and wants to come back ! We've had 2 lessons with her already and she's had such amazing questions, and she really wants to know more. It's so cool to see her progress already !

4) we went out of our comfort zones. We were at church and a member was telling us how shes been running a lot! We told her we are trying to get into shape too. She told us we could go running with her ! I said "yeah maybe one day haha." She then said, "okay. Tomorrow when I drop my kids of for school, I'll pick you up and we can go running together." So we went on a run with her today at a gorgeous lake! And lo and behold, I enjoyed myself ! Generally I hate running or anything remotely athletic, but my companion has gotten me to work out enough recently that I actually enjoyed myself !

4) One of my favorite miracles this week was actually not a huge miracle, but I'm super grateful for it. We had a lesson this week with a returning member who lives a little further away, so arranging transportation via buses is always exciting. And then the bus didn't come... and it didn't come, and it didn't come. We'd called once to see if they could pick us up, and there was no response. The second time we called, they picked up, and I was in the middle of telling them we couldn't make it, when the bus pulled up ! So we went ! Next challenge- this bus was broken. The bus driver literally had to restart it by jumping out of the bus and pushing a couple buttons under a side panel after each stop. He was such a good sport about it though, what a bro. But anyways, because our original plans were going to get us there 20 minutes early, we were only five minutes late ! Then it turned out that the member was tired that day, so the short and simple lesson we'd felt impressed to make was exactly what she needed. When we left her house, we literally had no idea how we were making it home. Our transport application had stopped working, so we literally had no idea when or if any buses were coming, especially because the bus running was broken, which obviously made it significantly less reliable. But my companion said, "I have faith that one will come within the hour." And I had the thought that we're on God's errand, so He'll line it all up. And a bus came 10 minutes later. Perfect ! And then our connection for the next bus was literally flawless, so we got to do language study at home, instead of out under the sun. It wasn't anything astounding, but sitting there waiting for that first connecting bus- halfway to her house, but unsure if we'd make it- I was feeling really worn down. So I prayed and asked God to help things work out, because I was tired, but I was doing my best. And He made it enough. I know that God can and will do the same thing for all of you, even if His response is just giving you the strength and energy and patience to keep going when the answer is no.

Now we're headed to Toulouse for zone conference and exchanges, so life continues to be crazy, but awesome !
Love y'all !
Soeur Cate

Me on the ground with a baby lizard, because I love those things, and a cool motorcycle 😁

Week 32 (9/9/19): Happy birthday to me!

Salutations everybody !
So best news ever- I'm staying in Perpignan with my companion !!! So we already work and teach together super well, so life is beautiful.

1) We continue to see miracles as we work to meet and teach new people ! We honestly don't understand. It's literally like God is just handing us people and saying "they're ready. Teach them." We just have people wanting to learn more keep popping up. A while ago we got a number from someone in the road, but he wasn't ever available, and it seemed like it wouldn't go anywhere. But yesterday he was actually available, so we set up a meeting. We went and talked and now we have a meeting set up with him every Sunday after church. (The only day he's available.) But it's just so cool that people are so prepared. Another person has come to church four times now, and we just didn't realize that she wasn't a seasonal visiting member !

2) We had district council the 5th of September. You want to know what else was the 5th of September? My birthday ! And I'm so completely oblivious, that Soeur Flora was able to pull off a surprise birthday party for me at the district council lunch with cake and decorations and presents without me ever thinking anything was up. So we had a fun district council and partied it up with this amazing chocolate mousse cake (France has figured out some beautiful things!) and the best French tacos. (Yall need to eat French tacos. They are soooo good.) The senior couple bought me this coloring book with pictures of kittens and quotes about cats in french, which is hilarious, because France has a lot of quotes and sayings about cats. And a few other cute presents too !

3) Also ! Cool little story. We were walking one day to an outer ville. It was an hour walk and we hadn't seen anyone. We were tired and hot and wanted to sleep, when we saw this old lady coming up to us. Usually old French ladies are very set in their way and don't want to talk to us or learn more. But it was the only person we had seen so we decided to contact her anyways. We stopped her and talked for a good while. She ended up telling us her husband died a while ago and she misses him. We gave her a plan of salvation pamphlet and invited her to church. She looked at the pamphlet and with this really cute smile said she promised she would come. It was just the cutest thing ever.

I hope you all have an amazing week, best of luck going for those of you going back to school !

Love y'all,
Soeur Cate

Week 31 (9/2/19): 3 new amis, what is going on???

Hello everybody!!!
This week was one of the most miraculous weeks I've had on my mission, it's been insane ! Lotsa wonderful things happened, God is honestly the coolest.

1) HUGE miracle this week ! We went to go visit a less active. It was a 45 minute walk (contacting along the way), in the heat, and we forgot to fill our water bottles. We got to the house to give her a birthday card, but it looks like she moved, and we have no way to contact her. As we were walking back we saw a group of like 5 people. We were both really tired, and contacting groups is kinda stressful, but we decided we'd just contact them, then take a bus home and eat lunch. We started talking to them, and 3 gave us numbers ! One of them texted us 2 days later, got a chapel tour and a book or mormon, came to a baptism the next day, came to church yesterday, and accepted to be baptized the 28th of September ! It was so fast, but he's been incredibly prepared ! And how we had our first lesson was insane, he texted us 2 days after we had contacted him and he said "can I come see your church soon?" "Sure, when?" "In like, 20 minutes." We jumped up and gave him a chapel tour like, 30 minutes later. It was so cool, he said he felt something pulling him when he saw our church, and when he walked in, he immediately asked what the book of mormon is. Now we're working with him towards baptism ! It was just amazing.

2) About 3 weeks ago we contacted a random guy on the street and invited him to be baptized right then and there. He didn't quite understand, and thought we were inviting him to someone else's baptism, because he'd been invited before, but he said he'd come to church. Well he didn't that week. But we saw him two times after that on the street and talked each time! We got his number this week, give him a book of mormon (and taught him the basics of the restoration), and invited him to a baptism that we had Saturday. He came ! Before he was kinda reluctant to come to church, but the baptism was honestly incredible, with some really powerful testimonies, and it touched him. He asked what time church was the next day, then he actually came ! At the end of church I asked him if he wanted to meet with us during the week, and he said yes, so we're seeing him again ! It's crazy to see how God prepares people.

3) So the baptism I keep referencing happened on Saturday, for two adorable little 8 year olds in our ward this week ! They were so cute ! We had taught one the lessons just so he could better understand the gospel (which I think is actually a really cool idea to help kids take it seriously, his parents are awesome) and the other we were really good friends with and go to her house pretty regularly. So being there for their baptism was kind of the best thing ever. The testimonies at the end were super powerful. Both of the mothers testified of the importance of families, and the blessing they are, and one of the grandfathers shared his conversation story, which was really incredible. We had 4 amis there, and the elders had 2, which made it a super successful day for the missionaries ! Thank goodness for awesome members !

4) Recently my companion and I have been saying "God is cool." A lot. We have so many crazy things happen that we know it's not us anymore ! So I've set a goal to start looking for the little blessings and miracles in my life, and then saying gratitude prayers so that I'm more aware of God's hand. This is where I want to offer a challenge you guys out there. When you see something you are thankful for, or something good happens, say "God is cool," or saying a little prayer to recognize how much God helps you. I know you will see more blessings in your lives because of it!

So yeah. We also had another first lesson with yet another amie, and basically, God is amazing, and he's MAJORLY blessing Perpignan. I'm so grateful to be here ! Though fair warning, transfers are next week, so if I don't write... well, you'll know why.

Love you guys!
Soeur Cate

I love the tiny lizards that live all over France, this one is about a big around as a pencil.

Week 30 (8/26/19): Cathedrals and friends and miracles

Hello everybody!

I hope y'all are doing fantastic! We had exchanges this week ! The STLs here are so incredible. Soeur Dítětová of them is from the Czech Republic, and Soeur Shoemaker is from California. For the entire first night I watched Soeur Shoemaker and Soeur Flora sparring and teaching each other wrestling holds, which was hilarious! We all laughed so hard. I went on exchange with Soeur Dítětová, and her commitment to the work and desire help and serve others is incredible. It was kind of crazy, I could really see her receiving revelation for me, because if how in the with the spirit she was. God really does inspire the people he calls, and it really blessed me. I'm so grateful for her, even if all we did was contact, because her conviction shows, and people listen to her!

We had a lesson with the guy from the bus this week ! He has tons of questions, and it is so amazing to see his desire to grow and learn. He said he has been searching for answers in a lot of churches, but he hasn't found any answers. His questions mostly resolve around the plan of salvation (where was I before, why am I on earth, and where am I going.) Honestly, it helps me realize how lucky we are to have grown up with that knowledge and direction. But now we're starting to help him, so we'll see where it goes!

We had a lesson with our recent convert karine ! She is doing so well, and we were able to read the scriptures with her and help her grow her testimony of the power of the book of mormon. We read my favorite chapter with her, Moroni 7, and I'm just so grateful for the clarity and simplicity of the things it teaches.

Then we had a really cool miracle! We were in the church getting ready for a meeting. A man showed up, but being sister missionaries, we can't stay alone in the church with him. So we decided to go outside and wait. My companion started heading out to contact, and I was like "we're going contact for 10 minutes ?" I said yep. We walk outside the gate, go to the first person I see sitting at a bus stop, and invite her to church. She said she couldn't come this week, but she's coming next week and she gave us her number and set up a meeting with us for this week ! How amazing it was to see a small miracle when willing to dedicate even 10 extra minutes to the lord.

I hope y'all have a fabulous week, and don't forget to look for God's hand in your lives, even for just the little miracles!

Love you guys!
Soeur Cate

Our district p day at the cathedral in Béziers!

Week 29 (8/19/19): Baptisms and miracles!!!

Hello everybody!
We had so many miracles! This week was just lined up by God and it was amazing!
So, crazy awesome things that happened-
1) we had a baptism!! We had Karine finally get baptized and confirmed this week and it was amazing ! She was so happy and kept saying she felt like a new person and was so happy she had made the covenants with God ! The elder who had found her, came back from his mission and was visiting. He came to perpignan for one day and baptized karine. She was so happy to see him and it was just so cute !

2) We were also out contacting a bunch. We had this crazy experience where we were going home from a member's house. She talked for a long time so we missed our bus by like 5 seconds. The second bus came and my companion helped stall it for someone so they could cross the street and get on. She felt like she should contact him, but it was like, 2 stops, and we were already getting off.  After we got off the bus, this little old lady started talking to her and we talked for like, 5 minutes. She kept turning to leave and then she would talk for another 30 seconds. After she finally left, we turned around, and the guy from the bus was right there! If the lady hadnt had talked to us we would've been inside our house and not had seen him again. But he told us, he had gone to the next stop, got off, came to thank us, and we talked a bit! He asked my companion's name, saw we were missionaries, told us he was believing, we exchanged numbers, and he came to church Sunday!!! He said he had just moved to France he had kind of been asking God what to do, and then he met us and liked our church, so that's a pretty stellar miracle! We're seeing him again tomorrow, we're so excited!!!

3) another time, we decided to head out to a place a little far away from mainland perpignan. We got on a bus and went out to hit some potentials. We went to the points super far away first. We had to walk 40 minutes through vineyards and mountains and windmills. It was gorgeous. But when we finally got there, nothing happened. The guy had moved. We turned on our wifi to tell the elders He had moved and to delete his contact. Right as we turned on wifi, we got a bunch of texts from the elders saying they were hitting other potentials in the same town but more close to perpignan than the ones we hit. We ended up taking the same bus home. The elders were gonna stay out in the city to hit other potentials, but we had gotten all the rest. We took the bus home, and getting off the bus the elders contact this guy. They talk for awhile, got his number, and have a meeting set up for this week. Again Just God lining up all these people who are ready to receive the gospel ! It's just amazing and I and so thankful for God!

4) we had a "family home evening" with some members last Monday night. It was so fun. We talked about captain moroni and asked what people liked in him. They said his courage, preparation, loyalty, faith and more. We then read alma 48:17, "Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men." We then talked about how we can be like him and shake the power of Hell from our lives and our families. It was super good.

So yeah! Life is amazing! I hope y'all are doing well, and don't forget that you can always turn to God for help!

Love ya!
Soeur Cate

Week 28 (8/12/19): Lehi's dream and pizza stands

Hey everybody!
I hope y'all are doing well! We're having a great time here in Perpignan, with our friend Karine's baptism this week. She's changed so much since I met her and I know that her baptism will just help her along with all those changes. We also have another friend that is making really cool progress. She asks such poignant, sincere questions, and she absolutely loved the plan of salvation. She kept saying what a perfect plan it was, and how full of hope, it was such an incredible lesson, the spirit was so strong! And she seemed so grateful to know these truths, and it just reminded me how blessed we are. We also taught the weekly class for amis and recent converts, which was super fun. Soeur Flora drew Lehi's dream on the board, which was so adorable! It was incredible to see them reacting to the scriptures and teaching each other and sharing their insights. Honestly, we're so blessed to have the members and amis we have. And Soeur Flora bore testimony at the end, and I swear she was glowing. What a super power...
In other news, we're trying to focus more on the book of mormon, so we've handed out 3 or 4 since zone conference on Wednesday, where it was a major theme (we had a pizza party with other soeurs the night before, I love piz. I've loved reading it more since our president issued the challenge, I love this book so much, it literally never fails to calm my mind and enlighten my understanding. I've read it many times, but it never gets old. Truly we are blessed to have it!
Love ya!
Soeur Cate

Week 27 (8/5/19): Trials and miracles

Hello everybody!
So it was a really exciting week. My companion and I have had a hard week, but we've also seen a ton of miracles, which is a huge blessing. I'm going to list all the miracles we've had now, so you can enjoy it! I know our trials make us stronger, and we're making it through.
We had a really cool lesson this week, where we were trying to help someone, and then Soeur Flora just said something super complicated and profound in French, which I didn't even know how to say. She doesn't either, and she doesn't know how she said it, but it really touched our friend. The gift of tongues is so real!
Then one of the people we're working with received straight up inspiration during a lesson, and was able to find a way to stop smoking. After forever of trying, she's finally there! We're so excited for her 😊
We also had a less active come to church last week and set up a rendez-vous with us, and then she was actually there and excited to see us for the rendez-vous, and then she bore testimony, and it was awesome!!! What a cool little miracle!
On the way to that less active member's house, there was someone in the road talking to someone in a car. Usually I try not to interrupt conversations, but he saw us and stopped us on the street. Then he asked us if we were missionaries for the church "right there." He was pointing at our church, so that was crazy! Obviously we said yes, so we'll be seeing him later this week!
Then at church yesterday, the child of someone we're teaching was really reluctant to come, but then the other children in the ward were SUPER welcoming, so when I asked them to help him out, they totally took him under their wings. So now he likes church!
Basically, there are so many miracles, and being a missionary is awesome! We're so blessed to be helping God's work along in our little corner of the world, He sure loves Perpignan! And I know He loves all of you too.
Love y'all!
Sœur Cate

Sunflower seeds are so cheap here, because they grow everywhere, so I can buy a bunch!

A pretty road