Service and Love (Week #3 Transfer #9)

Hello everyone! How was your week? Summer has tried to hit us here in the south-western corner of France but it hasn't quite succeeded, a few hot days but honestly a lot of just cloud cover without rain and its felt great! Haha I feel lucky.  However next transfer is a year from when I came into France and I remember how hot it was then so... I'll just enjoy the cool weather while it lasts :)

On exchanges in Mont de Marsan centre ville

Besides we had a great week!  I love all the time we can spend with other missionaries, especially all the exchanges.  As District Leader we have an organization of the mission into zones which are split into districts, so our district includes Pau Elders, Bayonne Sisters, Agen Elders (where Elder Robards is now!) and Tarbes Elders. 

The District

All awesome missionaries and I feel really lucky to be able to help them in any little way I can.  I really enjoy just being able to help them - it's cool.  Leadership really is service, I don't do a whole lot of leading haha. Anyway, all exchanges are now in our area except when we do exchanges with Toulouse zone leaders in Toulouse. But we had 3 this week, one with Pau, one with Agen, and one in Toulouse (got to be driven there by them in their car!  Cars are the best..).  It was awesome to work other missionaries and help them out while they helped me out and our area a lot, and to see what I could learn from others.  

Dinner and exchanges with Cadeau family

And Elder Nelson is seriously just killing it, he would just be like alright new comp, lets go contact! And he'd be off already teaching his first solo lesson on the street and taking conversations all by himself.  Man he's learning fast!  So cool. 

Lunch with Elder Nelson

I got to give a district meeting too which was fun, had 12 missionaries there total which was fun and it went well! Also ended it early to give my first baptismal interview, a little new but the spirit really helped us find out where he was ready, and after he had his 2nd interview looks like he's all set for baptism in 2 weeks! So cool, and I think I'll be in Pau to see it, Pierre is a really stand-up guy from what I just learned from him in our short encounter. I notice how my love for people grows as I serve them. And that's my spiritual thought this message, A little scripture on true joy: 

" 12 And now, verily, verily, I say unto thee, put your trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good—yea, to do justly,to walk humbly, to judge righteously; and this is my Spirit. 

13 Verily, verily, I say unto you, I will impart unto you of my Spirit, which shall enlighten your mind, which shall fill your soul with joy;"

I know as we do good, especially as we serve others we start to love others more, and as our love grows we find a true joy, something not fake or temporary, but a real lasting joy and we are happier in our lives as we improve those of others.  I invite you all to serve somebody this week and I know you and they will be both happier :) 

Lots of love,
Elder Laney 

Requisite Pastry shot