The Great Handshake Ban of 2018

(Art by Soeur Amott)

PME study this week has been focused on baptism, prayer, and reading the Book of Mormon with prayer for a stronger testimony of everything we teach. It's been more specific than the last few weeks, and, it's been great. We had a lesson last night that was focused on asking a question and praying and searching the scriptures for an answer. 

(Art by Soeur Amott)

Putting my spiritual experience here instead of at the end since it's connected to that. I thought I'd received an answer to my question, and felt calm and quiet when we returned to class, then during the class discussion I got a different answer to a question I'd thought I wasn't asking. The same scripture I'd been reading took on a new meaning. 

Handbook study this week had our physical health and safety. That seemed even more appropriate when the notice about flu season and no handshakes came out. 

Scripture study highlight this week was John 13:34-35, the Love one another scripture. The devotional about 3.3.3. drove that in, too. We also need to allow others to love us. "

Explanation of the title: Due to an aggressive flu outbreak mowing down the MTC forces, we're under a total contact ban. No handshakes, fistbumps, elbow bumps, hugs, bisous, or cooperative interpretive dance allowed until we're told otherwise. Sister Todd is pretty thrilled, as our "investigators" can't give the bisous (French cheek kisses) anymore, and I don't have to try not to laugh at her speedwalking down the hall away from said invasion of American personal space. (Love ya, sister Todd!) 

I'm switching to visitors center training on Wednesday! Wish me luck! The motto of the schedule they tentatively handed me seems to be "personal study? What's that?" So, we'll see what happens. I'm excited, though. 

Hey, they're taking us on a field trip to SLC temple square! So... we'll see how that goes. As far as I know I'm the only one who lives within half an hour of it who is going... I'll count the number of missionaries who recognize me.

(Origami by Soeur Amott)

Oh, the room next to us has bedbugs so they heated it a ton to try and kill them, and made all of us unpack our bags so they could treat our bags, beds, and rooms. I got to repack the suitcase I gutted. 

Dad and Nana, thank you for the letters! And Sister McKee!! 

We just got our travel plans! Leaving morning of the 29th for Paris, layover in Atlanta, and... guess who the travel leader is? It's gonna be a good time. All 8 of us are going to the same mission so we should hopefully survive, 4 elders and 4 sisters total. 

We're doing an English Fast tomorrow! Pas de anglais! Exclusivement français pour 24h. Bon courage, tout le monde. 

I love you all, be safe, and reminder that I can read emails any day here even if I can't respond so don't feel bad about sending me a scripture or Bucky picture or a missionary meme. Really. I won't be shaken up about it at all. Dear Elder is also great, as long as it doesn't get long and reformat weirdly. 

Love you all! Be safe! Say your prayers!