Week 38: Today just isn't the same without explosions

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!!!!! 

FHE last week was a bit crazy. There were thirteen people there for the lesson and the game and just as we were sitting down for the meal two girls came that Soeur Cope and I had contacted at last week at the bus stop. They are some kind of Evangelist I think, in the contact we talked about Joseph Smith but didn't get to the part about the Book of Mormon. So, we started talking about it, and they were not at all okay with having something besides the bible. There was a lot of talking over each other and about five people speaking all at once. We ended up giving each of them a Book of Mormon and telling them that it is either true or it is not and the only way to know it to read it and pray about it, because discussing and auguring will never convince anyone. Only God can give you the answer. The spirit wasn't there, and we haven't been able to see them since, so I am  sad that we couldn't talk in a more calm setting. 

The senior Missionary couple, the Skousens, will be finishing their mission in two and a half weeks, so the young single adults threw them a surprise farewell party. They planned it under the context of the young adult council meeting. It was a lot of fun, I love secrets so it made my week. The Skousens ended up being late because of a traffic jam but they got there eventually. 

We had a really good rendez-vous with Jean Baptiste about baptism and about revelation. We talked about the requirements for baptism and he said that he felt ready for baptism and he that he is praying for it every day, we set a date for the 16th of July and asked him to pray to know if it was the right date. We told him that I would probably be leaving on the 20th and he was very sad. He said the closing prayer and thanked Heavenly Father for sending me and that I always have the answer to his questions. So, even if I am Moses with the stick I answer his questions. 

Saturday we helped a family in the other branch move, the Relief Society president asked us and we couldn't pass up an excuse to wear pants so we said yes. We went to the new house and cleaned the kitchen and unpacked boxes as they arrived. I hope that they are able to find things, there were lots of gadgets that I had never seen before and had no idea what they would be used for. But we did our best. Then we had a lunch break and went over to the other house with the Skousens and cleaned the kitchen there. It was tiring but really good. I love service projects, there is something wonderful about making someone else's life just a little easier. 


Sunday was really good as well, the lessons were just what Jean-Baptiste needed. In our rendez-vous after he talked about how he feels his life changing and how he realises that he has a long road ahead of him and that he is waiting for his baptism. Our lesson was about Prophets and Jean Baptiste, I think, has a testimony of President Monson just as strong if not stronger than mine, and he knows so much about Joseph Smith and he understands so well why we need prophets today. It was incredible, and it made me so happy. 

After church we had a mangez-vous at Fifi's house. It was the first time I have ever had real African food, it was slightly terrifying. But it tasted good and I didn't get sick so it was worth it. There were 2 kinds of fish and some chicken, Fufu, which is a thick potato substance that has the consistency of dry  rubber cement. There was a mayonnaise salad and plantains. Beignets and a green mush that I think was a plant at one point. Elder Smith and Elder Pouli were there too and it was Elder Smith's first experience too, he kept making horrified faces at me across the table. It was a good meal, very greasy but good. We did the dishes afterwards and I think Fifi was grateful. 

Today to celebrate the fourth of July we made hamburgers and listened to the the Mormon tabernacle choir rendition of "God Bless America" very loudly. 

Much love and i hope that there are lots of lovely fireworks for the watching,

Soeur Gaelin Turney

Christiane and Soeur Turney

Rita and Gaelin