Allo (Week #5 Transfer #7)

Fun fact, in French one always answers the Phone with "Allo?".  It's funny how much is shared between English and French.  French was actually the national language of England for about 100 years too, that's why two languages with completely different roots have so much in common :) there's a little history anyway!

Le Mont d'Or in spring

This week flew by, we're heading into the last week of the transfer already!  So next week I'll let you all know what happens/will have happened already since transfer day is next Monday :) in any case this week was fun and we got to see all of our Amis except a few but are in contact with them pretty often so it's all going really well!  We've been teaching some new people which is cool. We also found a family porting and even though at the door they weren't that interested, we taught them the restoration and about the Book of Mormon and they thought it was the coolest thing ever and loved it!  So we got to teach them again after helping them with some service, and we'll be teaching their daughter and sons while we pass their number to the elders where the parents live. Such a cool miracle, I'm grateful for a companion who in so cool and ready to follow spiritual promptings on where we need to go! Thanks Elder Strong, you're the best! Anyway, we got to help with 2 moves this week which was fun, more like 3 since we helped with one twice!  We're making friends in this town and it's so fun and cool to say hi to a lot of different people as you go about during the day :)  Patrick couldn't make it to church again but it was cool later since we ran into him and he was so happy to see us since he really did want to go. Today was fun, got to climb Le Mont d'Or again and are getting crepes tonight with a friend in town :)

Olive orchard on Mont d'Or

Something I learned this week:  1st, as Nick said, just relax, No need to stress about things :)  That's something I do too much, and I worry sometimes I don't try hard enough, but if we are giving a full effort and doing good then that's what matters, as we do our "absolute best" as President Hinckley puts it.  2nd, be sincere in all you do!  It's hard in French, but I've noticed how important it is to be us and to be sincere. I realize more and more when we are just us and be us and are completely sincere about it we share what can touch others and help them, so I invite you all to do your best to say things you need to as you really mean it.  As President Brown shared with me one time, a quote from Elder Christofferson, be "natural and relaxed" in your daily life.  This kind of incorporates both of these concepts and I love it. Sincerity is awesome and sharing our kind words in utter sincerity will really help others. Love you all and have a great week!

Love,
Elder Josh Laney