Week #1 Transfer #3, Albi France

I've been in Albi for a week already!

River View of Cathedral of St Cecile

I'll begin this week's email with an awesome experience with our investigator who will be called Anastasia for confidentiality reasons :) we met with her earlier this week, I met Anastasia for the first time and we had a good lesson, and the spirit was there.  After I thought about her problem, which is smoking, besides that she's ready to be baptized and wants to.  So Elder Omohundro and Elder Robards and I thought this week of her and came up with some key phrases we wanted to share with her in our next lesson.  These were bold statements and helpful advice, scriptures and other inspired guides.  So we had Amis class on Sunday, and she was our only ami to show up.  We had the class with her and Sister Bernardi, and some other members, and right before Sister Bernardi had us change the lesson to faith in Jesus Christ instead of what we had prepared to share with Anastasia.

Houses along the River Tarn

So we went with it and followed the book to start. As the lesson went on we addressed her problem directly with our inspired thoughts from the previous week which fit perfectly into the lesson.  We expressed how faith in Jesus Christ is all we need, and with this He can help us overcome all things in our path.  The members and especially Sister Bernardi were key and helped relate these to Anastasia, and at one point Elder Omohundro just shared what he had felt during the week, a quote in French "soyez diligent et faites-le" - or:  "be disciplined and do it."  So pretty much to be diligent and do what's right.  Afterwards I had had a prompting throughout the lesson to ask her to give up smoking there with everyone, but had discounted it.  Thinking I decided to follow this, and with that decision acted in faith and so I directed the question of how we can all decide to change, and approach God, and asked them if they would all commit.  I then looked at each person, and Souer Bernardi started with how she could, and then when I got to Anastasia she said in French "well isn't it evident? I need to give up smoking" still hesitant, we all spoke and reinforced her and shared  experiences until, prodded by Soeur Bernardi, she told us: "I decide to give up  smoking". Talking to her after, she had found out that she could do it, it was all in her head, and if she decided to wait she could wait.  She had smoked one less that day than usual and had dropped to 2 less by this way the last week.  She had made progress, and she had now committed to follow Christ through his commandments!  I know the Spirit led us in this lesson, and she was given what she needed as we were bold and loving, and after she was happy and optimistic, not at all offended and happy. And I was so happy and felt so much joy.

Albi Street Cafe

This is what the mission is for!  I realize now that I have to follow the direction and inspiration the Lord gives me, the Holy Ghost directs us and we need to follow, it will only help others, and it will all work out even if it's hard because he knows what we need and what they need and we need to trust the Lord.

Elders Laney, Omohundro and Robards in Albi

Albi is awesome, and my favorite part so far is our Amis and our members here, because I'm here for them and they bring me so much joy.  Albi the most beautiful place I've ever been to, it's an old French town and a fairly good size and we have a ton of fun meeting all the people.  I also get to enjoy the beautiful countryside of France as we drive to visit members who live far away.  I love it here and it's so fun, Elder Omohundro and Elder Robards are super funny and fun, and great missionaries. I learn a lot from them and am so happy to serve with them.  

Elder Laney with Cathedral of St. Cecile in background.  This cathedral has the distinction of being is the largest brick building in the world.

Love you all and have an awesome week, may God bless you, and follow the spirit and you will feel greater joy than you ever have, serving others brings so much happiness.  I know as we are diligent and disciplined and do what's right we find so much joy.  That's what I found when I made that decision to follow the spirit. So decide now, that's what I learned :) and I know I'm happier because of it, and that someone was helped

Que Dieu vous benisse tous, je vous aime.

Sincerement,
Elder Laney

Pink umbrellas line one of the main streets in Albi