(Grandpa and Alyssa photo added by Mom)
It's not a coincidence that the Book of Mormon starts with "I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents..." and we've shown that to a few people this week. Our investigator J was amazed by one of our family pictures from almost 20 years ago that I showed him yesterday, because he wanted to know how such a big family could still know each other and love each other so much. He wanted to know how Grandpa and Grandma held our family together.
Yesterday was a special stake conference with a broadcast to all of western Europe. J really only speaks Spanish and we didn't have someone to translate for him so I had to summarize all the talks into one or two sentences with the 5 words of Spanish I've managed to learn. "God is our heavenly father, he is a good father, he helps our families," kind of things. The talk I could help with the most clearly, and the only one I understood completely, was the talk by Sister Joy D. Jones, the Primary president. She talked about the importance of families, and how parents can be strengthened and receive revelation for their families to protect and love them, and know that there is also a Father in Heaven that loves them and wants to help you.
Then the Veillee (fireside thing) at the temple was about roots, family roots and being rooted in the gospel. We talked about why family history is so important, how temples are a blessing because they tie us in with the gospel, anchor us in God's family and also in an eternal family that can love and support us more than we can imagine. A few of our amis and new converts want to do family history now, and a few that can't really for various reasons would love to help other people do baptisms for their ancestors. (Speaking of, if anyone in the family can submit some names for baptism we're getting A to the temple soon and she is SO EXCITED to help with "ancestor missionary work" since "then they'll have the chance to choose to accept it too!" And basically this girl has the concept DOWN.)
So, this is why we need to study the Plan of Salvation. I miss grandpa, a lot. I have letters waiting to be sent that he isn't going to be reading next week. I have little science experiment toys on my desk at home that he gave me, and stories I'm not going to hear for a long time. I'm going to be watching his funeral over streaming (than you again, president!) Instead of in person, and I can't hug my family and talk about him together for another year. But, I know he isn't gone. He's with our Heavenly Father who is taking better care of him than anyone else ever could, and he's always going to be my grandpa. And yes, Gracie does sound like Crazy, though that is an interesting last commentary for a video.
(note from mom, I tried to get him to say hello to Adam and Gracie so he said "hi Adam, low Adam" and then I said, "now Gracie" and he said, "you have to be a little crazy if you're in this family", misunderstanding my words with his hearing almost gone. So, Alyssa's goodbye was basically calling us crazy. Grandpa had a funny thing for messing with names. Just a few days before he passed, he introduced himself to the new CNA as Poo Lederson instead of Lou Petersen. He thought he was hilarious.)
CHALLENGE 1: Talk to a family member about some family history stories, and enter them on Family Tree so everyone can read about it and get to know a little more about where they came from. "Ancestor missionary work" is a great thing for anyone of any age to do.
Challenge 2: Invite a friend or family member who doesn't do family history yet to learn about it with you, or even make a family search account. They're free, and you don't need to be a member to start one! You'd be surprised how many family history centers there are, too!
Challenge 3: Eat chocolate. (Email title of the week.)
Connect. Belong.: https://www.lds.org/media-
Also, at the Veillee we sang the "sisters in Zion/Armies of Helaman" thing in French, just the missionaries. I love the scripture that says "we do not doubt our mothers knew it." (Alma 56:48)
Oh, and Soeur Oulès is being transferred after 6 transfers in Versailles! I'm now the companion of Soeur Sedrick who is also the new Sister Training Leader for the temple Soeurs. Soeur Marteeny is training! We don't know which one of the new Bleus she's going to be training. So, I'm still in Versailles and at the same apartment, which is very good.
(note from mom, she sent an email after this that she found out she's actually moving apartments. Still four Sisters, smaller apartment, but closer to the temple which will be nice)
Love you all! Have fun and be safe and read your scriptures!
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