May 29, 2017

Fast week!

Hello! This week was good. Lots of walking in the hills of Nancy. Such a beautiful place!

So there is a woman from the Metz ward in the Nancy maternity hospital, we aren't sure what's wrong but she's hoping not to have the baby too early! But her husband and her and 3 yr old are from Albania and have been here for 9 months. The bishop of the Metz ward asked us to go visit her because she's all by herself all day! So we've been able to go over 3 times already and we're going tonight. She doesn't speak much French or English but she is just SO cute! She met the missionaries in Albania and has been a member for 4 years. Though we can't communicate too well, she is so appreciative of our company! We read the book of Mormon together. Yesterday she asked for pineapple so we're bringing her some tonight! She's still going to be here for another few weeks, I'm excited for this opportunity to get to know this family and help in any way we can!

This week I've also learned so much about prayer. I read the conference talk "and this is life eternal" and one paragraph really touched me. It talked about when Elder Maxwell had cancer and he didn't want to pray to be healed because he wanted to just follow the Lord's will. His wife reminded him that when Christ was in the garden of Gethsemane, he asked if there was any other way but said he was willing to suffer for all of us! Even the Savior asked for relief of something that was so hard. Elder Maxwell lived for another 7 years after that experience with his wife. The next day I read in James 5:16-18. It talks about how Elias prayed for it to not rain and it didn't for over 3 years. Then he prayed and it rained again! "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much". It was good confirmation that prayer is real! Heavenly Father is listening and is willing to give us our righteous desires. Though everything may not work out like we want it to, it is always for the best. Pretty much what I got out of it was don't be afraid to ask for things because He is listening. He loves us! Pray about it! :)

Bonne semaine,

Sœur Giles



















We also made a little thing for the ward! In memory of the Temple dedication




Letter to Mom:

Wow your weeks just keep getting busier and busier! Life just throws so much stuff at us huh? But it's all good. :) this was a crazy week because we had almost every single rendezvous fall through. My planner has so many crossed out things in it haha. So we actually got to do all our studies and go finding and some things we don't normally do because usually we are teaching! We did the most walking this week and as a result I got one blister on each of my foot between the big and second toe but on the ball of my foot. So that was fun! But while we were walking on Saturday they both popped and they feel almost all the way better now! :) thank goodness!

Glad the garage is looking better, I wish I could help you! And how's teaching piano going?

Funny story. Yesterday Sœur Warr and I are greeting people as they come into church and literally 2 minutes before church starts a member comes up to me and says that she couldn't find a pianist to play the mothers day song that children are going to sing at the end of sacrament meeting. So I say yes and practice it once then play it in sacrament! My hands were so sweaty haha. It was worth it thought because she told me "vous avez sauvé ma vie". Gained some trust with the members! :) But it made me grateful for the time Sister Foote asked me to play for mothers day at home . It turned out well! If you see her tell her thanks from me!

Hmmm, I went contacting with a member on Thursday! Her name is Sara and absolutely loves sister missionaries. I got to lead quite a few of the conversations so that was cool. Heavenly Father was helping me understand so I could respond!

Mom your journal entries are so cute! I can just picture you with your little hand trying to write all those long words. So cute!! I can't wait for more! Love you so much!
Hannah


Letter to Dad:

We watched the Mormon message about gold mining in California and it reminded me of our answering machine. This is what I remember " howdy blah blah blah we can't answer the phone because we're out searching for gold in the hills of Caaamarillllo. Our cat Maggie will get the message". Ok I don't think I was that close at all hahaha!

This week was really good! A little crazy because we had the Anderson Conference Monday, p day was Tuesday, Wednesday was normal but then Thursday, Friday, and Saturday almost every single one of our plans change. We had to do a lot of finagling and calling and walking. We walking a ton on Thursday and Friday and as a result I got blisters on each foot in between the big and second toe on the ball of the foot. Nancy is pretty hilly so I think it was because of being pressed into my shoe and then back into my shoe. Just a lot of walking! But we made a goal to hand out a book of Mormon every day and it was Friday evening and we hadn't handed one out yet. We were on the tram and my feet were hurting but I had a book of Mormon weighing me down! So instead of getting off the tram at our usual stop we got off one before and walked the rest of the way. While walking we met this girl named Mena who accepted the book and seemed pretty interested! Hopefully that will turn into something!

Listening to the spirit: recently as missionaries here we've been trying to involve the ward in the work and help us out but it hasn't really happened. So we've been praying for ways to help the ward and we've been receiving some good inspiration and ideas of what to do! On Saturday we went to the bishops house and heart-attacked their door to tell them that they are awesome . I hadn't been to their house yet and the wife doesn't talk to us, they are busy. But on Sunday they both came up and said how grateful they are so hopefully that opened the door to getting to know them and their family and will provide us with ways to serve them!

On Wednesday I went contacting with a member so I had to lead most of the conversations and I was praying so hard to know what to say. We talked to this one old lady who was pretty cool! She said she was going to die soon and that she wasn't scared at all. She believed that life ended at death so I thought that was interesting. She was very content with her life! It was very neat to talk to her. After I thought of about a million things I could've said to keep the conversation going and bring up our beliefs so I'm prepared for next time! Yay!

Sorry about your flip flop burn, I'm getting a pretty sweet watch tan and it's only been 3 days of solid sun. It'll be interesting to see how bad it gets after all of summer here haha. It might compete with yours!

And that is a really cool aspect of Heavenly Father. He is not stagnant. He works everyday for us! He is creating new worlds. And preparing people for the gospel, and helping people have the opportunity to have what He does. How incredible!
Thanks for the pictures and emails! Love you!


Sœur Giles

May 23rd, 2017

At least the dust of the earth listens

That was the advice I received from a sœur going home this transfer. She just said we have to be so so humble and work how the Lord needs, not how we want to. It is His work and it is marvelous! We are nothing and have nothing without Him.
The event of this week was the temple. It's open!! Saturday night was the spectacle and it was something! The youth were so funny, all dancing and singing. There were some youth there from the ward and we saw them on the screen! Also my teacher from the MTC, Sœur Kitchen, was there. That was super fun!
On Sunday we were able to watch all three of the consecration sessions. What a spirit there was! The people of France are so ready for this gospel to grow and grow. People are ready and prepared, just gotta find them!
On Monday we were in Paris and had a conference with Elder Neil Anderson. He read to us some of the dedicatory prayer, which you can look up and read too, and it blessed so many aspects of missionary work. I am so excited to be apart of this work. The gospel brings so much peace and happiness to the world. What a privilege it is to serve, especially now. Each day gets better and better!
We also went to the aquarium today!
Have a great week!
Sœur Giles



Temple open house - just for the missionaries


Meeting with Elder Neil L. Anderson





our sweet treat of the week was millefeuille! Extremely delicious.

We also went to the aquarium today!

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letter to mom:

Our mail box is big enough to fit larger packages but I still haven't gotten the book. Is there any way to track it? It should have been here by now...thanks for the pictures though!! Love them!

The dedication was so amazing. I loved every minute! Some of the speakers spoke in french and others spoke in English, with a French translator. It was cool being able to hear it all in both languages. I also loved the cornerstone ceremony. President Eyring was so cute with all the little grandkids that came up and helped fill it in. France is definitely blessed even more from that day till forever.

Sounds like life is good but unicornless :( hahah too funny that play. Also I CANNOT WAIT TO HEAR SOME STORIES FROM YOUR CHILDHOOD. seriously one of my favorite things to do. Tell me lots!
So we went to Paris for a conference with elder Anderson and one of the things he said was if you don't know what to say, talk about Christ. Testify of his reality and his power. He lived and he lives now. He loves us and wants us to be happy!

You're awesome mom, seriously every day I realize how blessed I am to have you!
Bisous!!
Hannah
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letter to dad:

This week was a good one of course! There's always so much to do, our days are packed. It's too bad those hills are turning brown, they were a beautiful green for a while. We're starting to have some summer rain storms. It just rains so hard for 20 minutes then stops! It's fun and refreshing. Nancy really is a beautiful city. It is where President Babin was born and grew up. It has a lot of history and character. Thanks for the info! So yes there is a canal near us, that we walked over a few weeks ago, there really aren't any mountains close but Sœur Warr says we are near the Voges Mountains.

The language is definitely coming. I am able to comfortably go up to members and have a basic conversation by myself. I'm continuing to add more and more into lessons.! The gift of tongues is basically all the time because I usually don't know exactly what's going on but I get the gist but sentences come to mind to say! They seem to fit into the lesson most of the time haha!

Yesterday we had a conference with elder Anderson and we talked a lot about the dedicatory prayer. One thing that was said was that the power of Satan is lessened with every temple. Now in France there is a temple and miracles are going to happen!! The Spirit has never been stronger here. It reminded me of when you said after the Denver temple dedication, your mission hit their baptism goal every month. In our mission we are going to work on increasing little by little, we have about 15 a month now. More people are being prepared, we just gotta find them!

Thanks for all your support and emails!
Love, Hannah

Also we ate cantaloupe with vanilla ice cream in the center, SO GOOD.
Also our sweet treat of the week was millefeuille! Extremely delicious.

May 15th, 2017

It feels like winter jumped to summer. Where's spring?

What a week this one has been! It started off with exchanges on Tuesday. I lead the lesson for Iman, it was on keeping the Sabbath day holy. We helped her make a list of things she could do to make Sunday more special and more focused on God. She's doing so great!

Wednesday was zone conference here in Nancy. It was fun to meet so many more missionaries and hear from President and Sœur Babin. They talked about how important it is for a missionary to be consecrated and really focused on the goal of why we are here. To help others be happy for eternity!

Thursday we went to Paris and did some legality stuff. It was mostly just so fun to see my district from the MTC and hear how they are doing! Had some great time catching up with Sœur Daines, miss her for sure!!

One of the best times of the week was the train ride home. We were in a car with a bunch of high schoolers on a field trip so the teachers asked if we wanted to switch into another car. So we did and we ended up sitting across from the coolest couple in the world!! He was born on France and is an engineer, he helps to design and build bridges all over France. She is from South Africa and has been in France for about 4 years. They met last summer when she was living in a tent on the border of Germany and France and while he was staying for work. I think he has a motor home or something. Well they met but he doesn't speak English and she speaks a little French but he wouldn't let her just stay on the side of the road! So they've been traveling together ever since and are now engaged! They're both around 45 or so. She is Buddhist and was willing to just talk and talk. She has a great perspective on life and on that we all need to help each other. She also believes that anything life gives us will make us stronger. When she found out that we were Mormon she said that she has a cousin in New York who is too and that we have very beautiful beliefs. So basically when she gets the chance she's going to accept the gospel. She's so close to being prepared!

On Saturday we were also asked to help out with a primary activity for mothers day so we took a picture with some cute girls in the ward!

Also the past few days have been SO warm!!

This week I loved a line in 1 Corinthians 14:26 "Let all things be done unto edifying". A good reminder that what we do matters! Go help someone out today!

Sœur Giles




Nancy Zone Conference - May 2017

We were able to have a video call with Soeur Giles on Mother's day. She is so happy and loves serving. She has a wonderful companion and they are working hard every day!

May 8th, 2017

Miracles are everywhere!

1. We watched 17 miracles with recent convert Iman and she loved it!!
2. Had Domino's pizza at district meeting
3. Met with a less active who has such a strong testimony but has a hard time coming to church. She also has the cutest daughter ever!
4. Met with our ami Giselle and she said she was open to coming to church next week
5. Met with a less active Clara, who recently changed around her life to be focused entirely on Christ and sharing his love. We can't wait to see her again!!
6. Our mami ami made us African beignets, so delicious!
7. We didn't get lost going to that same members house for dinner on Thursday
8. She made us crab and garlic stuffed chicken with curry, one of the best meals I've had
9. We went running one morning through Place Stanislaus and saw some beautiful trees
10. Met with our ami Elizabeth who said she would read the book of Mormon. We read the conference talk by Elder Costa to the amis of the church and she really loved it. We are bringing it to her in Portuguese this week so she can understand it even better, that's her first language
11. Met with a less active who has a handicapped son and can't come to church. We shared conference talk perfect love casteth out fear. We think it really helped her feel calm!
12. A less active's 10 yr old grandson is really interested in the plan of salvation. He believes God is our heavenly father!
13. Did some area book work and found an old ami Queen. We had a rendezvous on Saturday, she said they would come to church. She was very accepting to the restoration
14. Sacrament meeting ended and they hadn't showed up... thought they weren't going to show but then walked out into the foyer and there they were!! Queen, her husband, her daughter, and her brother!! They are from Nigerian and don't speak a lot of french so we had to translate Sunday school and relief society but she said they'd come back.
15. Had a wonderful salad for dinner on Sunday
16. Each day Sœur Warr is so motivated and helps me so much to be brave and talk!
17. Two potentials that we haven't talked to in a while CALLED us to meet, hopefully that goes well!
To finish off a week full of awesome experiences, we went bowling.
I know that the gospel has the best message of eternity. It is a message of joy and hope. Through Christ we can overcome all!
If you have time watch the Mormon message "A Shower of Heavenly Blessings".
Keep looking up!
Sœur Giles



To finish off a week full of awesome experiences, we went bowling.




We got caught in a rainstorm one day!








Had a wonderful salad for dinner on Sunday





















Letter to Mom:
Literally everyone we talk to is talking about the election, everyone was so scared and so many hate the woman that ran. But she didn't win so that's good! Macron won, I think he's pretty middle.
The language is definitely coming, slowly but I can understand mostly. On Sunday we had an English ami come so I had to translate the gospel principle lesson from French to English for him, I did okay I think! He was also reading the English book on my tablet.
We teach a good amount of lessons, since they don't count that as a stat anymore I have no idea how many we teach but they've been pretty good! I've been adding to more of the lessons we go teach. I love the people!!
Sounds like the parties were fun, tell everyone you meet that I say hi and that I'm doing well. AH I miss our stake. I'm excited for the spectacle on the 20th (Paris Temple), to see so many members! We are also going to all three sessions of the consecration, woo!
And those verses are so true. In the end we will be judged on who we have become not what we have done. We have to become like Christ and be so humble to do that. It's awesome to read the scriptures and pick those things out that directly apply to us and help us. Thanks for helping me!
Hmm what else...i don't know it was just a great week! As always! :)
Hope you get my card, love you!!
Hannah
Also what's grandma' s address? I found a cute card to send to her too!




Letter to Dad:
I knew missions went by fast but it's going by too fast!! There's never enough time to get everything done. My French is definitely coming. This past week I held a few conversations but it's still hard to understand people. It's definitely gotten so much better though.
Right now we actually have more investigators than Sœur Warr has ever had in her mission! Pretty cool! We're booked this week so we won't see very many members.
We have exchanges on Tuesday, zone conference on Wednesday, and we're going Paris on Thursday for legality. It'll be busy!
We usually only have one big meal a day, sandwiches for lunch and then a member for dinner or chicken and rice. We had a great salad last night :D also the patisserie for the week was a Paris Brest, filled with lots of good cream!!
Hmmm- favorite family...probably the Couteriers! They have 3 boys, 16, 13, and 7. Enzo, Louis, and Yan. They are half Italian and half French. So awesome!!
Looked like some good bike rides!! The weather has been the same here. Just so misty and foggy and cold. Come summer please!!
Elder Christofferson sounds awesome!! Cassidy is for sure blessed.
This week was normal, rendezvous and studying and finding, it's going well!
Thanks for all the pictures, I love them!
Love, Hannah

May 1st, 2017

There are at least four Émile Gallé streets

There were a few good/crazy things that happened this week! On tuesday we met with a lady in our ward, sœur N'goyanadji from central Africa. We shared a thought about Joseph Smith and personal revelation with her. We asked her how she had seen God answer her prayers. She told us of a few experiences she has had. When she was a little girl in Africa, there was a huge storm in her village and her family was praying super hard because their house was not very strong and they did not have enough money to build another one. She remembers praying all together and pleading for safety. When the storm passed, most of the houses around were destroyed, but their little house was protected! Also about a year ago she was wondering why she wasn't doing anything in the church, she didn't have a calling. She prayed to God to know why she wasn't helping in His church. That very day she received a calling as a primary teacher! She is amazing!

The next day we had a mangezvous with Maité, ami Mami Irène, and recent convert Iman. We had a great time laughing and talking about Utah, Maité's dog zuzu, and grandchildren. We then shared the video, Because of Him and talked about the gospel of Jesus Christ. Through Jesus Christ, each of us personally can feel loved, feel hope, and be given strength. He is the greatest gift!

Thursday was just crazy. We tried to visit a member family who lives on the edge of Nancy but we were lost for 2 hours. We had their address but walked to that address in the village next to them. Well Gill, the man, had to walk and come find us. It was an adventure! But we did miss our rendezvous that was supposed to be after them..

Saturday we had a mini finding day in Épinal! There is a team of elders there in our district. So we went porting and talked to some nice people. We also found them a new family to teach! They accepted a book of Mormon and were open to meet again. The picture of the river is in Épinal!

The gospel is true and changes people's lives. It is the way to happiness and joy. Look for the ways Heavenly Father has blessed you, I promise He has!

Sœur Giles

another birthday party with Maité!

It was the birthday of an elder in our district so we made a banner!

Classic missionary railroad picture.

The picture of the river is in Épinal!

Letter to Mom:


Good morning!! Busy weeks makes time go by fast. I felt like it was just p day! This definitely was a crazy week. Lots of plans changed and things like that. We are doing very well! It really feels normal to be here. Whenever we travel outside of Nancy, coming back into the Nancy gare feels like driving down the grade. Almost home!
You can do everything you need to do, sorry you don't have a little fairy helping you with everything but ask the missionaries if you do need some help, seriously any little thing is good. As a missionary, I AM SO HAPPY when members ask us to do things. Yesterday our ami Mami Irène (mami means grandma :) left her bag at the church so Maité, a member called us because we have the keys. So they picked us up and we went back to the church to get. Mami Irène was so worried so when we found it, she gave us huge bisous! It was so cute :)
Sad about your tooth! I'll pray for you. Doctors will take good care of you!
Go Clay!! Is he playing well? Is he enjoying it? Did he get my letter? How's school going?
I have received those letters, I love it!! Thank you so much!! Also I love those pictures, so cute!! I love the tandem, can't wait for when it's my turn! :)
But the mission is so awesome. My favorite thing to do is hear the members talk about their experiences and their conversions. It is so powerful. Also I played the piano in sacrament meeting yesterday! Thank goodness I wrote down some easy ones to play because I haven't been able to practice at all.
So only sœurs who are leaving after this transfer are helping at the open house. We just got to go one time, but we are going to watch all 3 dedication ceremonies and watch the spectacle. Woohoo!
Love you!!


Letter to Dad:


These past few days have been SO nice. The weather feels like Camarillo., except today is raining. But it's been wonderful. I've heard it gets really hot here in the summer and I'll probably be here another 5 months so I'll really get to experience it! Paris was so awesome, so many people. I got to see a few people from my group in the mtc, which the mtc feels like years ago. I told mom too, but coming back into the Nancy gare in a train feels like coming down the grade into Camarillo, almost home! The eclairs here are so good. We also ate macaroons this week. I had raspberry and sœur Warr had chocolate. They were so soft and delicious! Also we ate a croissant with an almond frosting and almond slivers. Super good!! And for dinner last night we had nutella crêpes. This week we will eat more healthy but I have try everything first! You'd love it here hahaha. This week I did try cheese with real mold in it. The kind that is furry. I haven't died yet so it's probably fine!
Nancy is definitely a beautiful place, lots of crazies, lots of cats and dogs, lots of busy people.
My comp thought it was so nice that you waved to her house! Glad the car worked well. There are a good amount of Audi's here. Seeing them reminds me of the two times I got to drive yours :D
Woohoo mission prep!! Such a great thing. That's actually one thing I really love about the book of Mormon. There are so many regular people who are awesome tools for the Lord to use because of their dedication. My mission president sent me this quote in his email to me. Elder Neal A Maxwell said "God does not begin by asking our ability only for our availability and if we prove our dependability he will increase our capability" .It's so cool how the more we act on promptings and when we become more reliable , we become such a better tool for the Lord. The sons of Mosiah continued to be strong in the Lord and helped so many people. I will study that chain of Ammon this week.
I can't wait to hear the Joseph Smith experience! These past few weeks when we visit members, we talk about him and how we can also receive personal answers. I had a cool experience last week. I as reading in John when Christ appeared to Mary at the tomb when he was resurrected, and I had the thought to just ask if it was real. So I did and I felt such a strong confirmation of the Spirit that it is. Christ lives and he loves us! Have a great week!
Love, Hannah

April 24th, 2017

Baguette vending machine

So the vending machine actually makes the baguettes during the day all by itself, what a genius invention, I might need one in my house!

Anyways this week was super good. First district meeting was on Tuesday, and I learned a lot! It was about being a more consecrated missionary. As a zone, this transfer we are really focusing on working hard but also working well. It should be an awesome transfer.

 
Thursday we went to the open house of the Paris temple!! It was absolutely beautiful. It is truly the house of God! It was a lot of traveling but very worth it. We also went to Chipotle, a good taste of regular food!

After that we went to the Couturier's home for dinner. We had a barbecue! We then ate an awesome cake, it was chocolate but also had olives on it so strange combination but good, with the coolest candle ever!!! I know its a bad picture, from a video...

We taught a lesson on the Fall and Adam and Eve to a recent convert, Iman. We were able to teach about the importance of choosing between good and evil. It's the greatest gift. Iman really understood and appreciated Adam and Eve. Because of them, we have the chance to have everlasting joy.

Other than that the week just flew. I am so happy to be a missionary and I love that Heavenly Father is always finding ways to bless his children. He loves you!

Sœur Giles

Paris Temple

The Avenue des Champs-Élysées 

Couturier's home - really cool candle!

Letter to Mom,


Ah mom that's so awesome. Glad you're doing well :) honestly doesn't feel weird to be 20, it's just weird to talk about it haha. So cool that Elder Christofferson is coming, he will for sure enjoy the choir. Also Cassidy is singing in the choir?? Cool cool. She sent me a picture of her dress, so pretty. Also tell me about the dress you wore to the wedding!!
I love that analogy with the salt. I really in Ether 6 this week. Read it and apply it to life. Why doesn't the Lord just push the jaridites with a nice breeze? Think of the boat as the Holy ghost and the stones as Christ.
Glad Clay is enjoying baseball and that his team did well. Is anyone playing catch with him? :) tell him I would if I could!! Also I had the thought yesterday for him to start reading the tennis shoes among the Nephites books! I remember reading them in middle school and really being interested in the book of Mormon after that. It made the characters come to life. Also I remember reading one of them in the bathroom late at night, yes I did that a lot haha, and being so touched by the spirit when Christ came to the Nephites after he was resurrected. Anyways just a thought for him!
I loved walking through the temple and remembering the covenants that we make. Honestly God is giving us so so much. We are promised so many awesome blessings when we obey.
Keep it up mom, I love you so much!!
Hannah


Letter to Dad,




Ah Dad I know im so sorry for not emailing you back last week!! I really appreciate hearing about your week! I wrote a draft for last weeks as well. Here it is.
Thanks so much, especially for the birthday cake emoji, just delicious!! It's been pretty cold this past week but I think it's supposed to warm up this week and start spring. It's only rained one time. So my comp had a baptism the Saturday before I got here so we have been reteaching the lessons to her. Right now we have lots of potentials but only one progressing ami. We are working hard for more!
Sounds like work is getting pretty busy! Has the USC deal been finalized or is that more of a continual process? #3 exec though!! Go dad!! I'm sure he enjoyed your new car.
I'm glad all the reception turned out well. Have you used the new smoker yet??
I haven't had snails yet! Closest thing was snail butter but not too many weird foods yet. Something different here is that they eat vegetables by themselves, not in a salad. Almost everyone for dinner has a bowl of cucumbers covered in sour cream, another bowl of tomatoes with olive oil and spices, and another bowl of shredded carrots. It's interesting!


The temple tour was amazing. There was some cool sun, moon, star Stain glass window pieces. Also the chairs are very comfortable. So the Chipotle we went to after the temple was on the Champs...we were there just a few hours before the terrorist attack. Heavenly Father takes care of his missionaries, we were long gone on a train by then. We were supposed to have exchanges in Paris this week but that got changed, they will be here in Nancy the next week I think. We have quite a few meetings with new amis this week, I'm excited to start teaching.
Here they only bisou 2 times, the left then to the right. It's just pretty normal now. Unfortunately the Harry Potter store isn't open on Mondays and we don't really have time during the week so we just look in the window sometimes!
Have another great week! Love , Hannah