Week 2: The Belgian Squats

Allo Allo!

This week has been so amazing I had a lot of firsts. The first of which is lovingly called the Belgian Squats. In order to get a Belgian visa they require a blood sample (to check for syphilis) and a stool sample to check for parasites. All the missionaries in my District who are going to Paris along with me got called down to the Health Center to be given the infamous White Paper Bag that contained all the materials necessary to complete said task, the nurse who explained the process to us was hilarious and I would imagine that having to explain how to poo in cup three times a week would do that to you. The Elders in my district of course had a hard time talking about anything else for a couple of days but we got through it. And don't worry everything came out alright.

Every Tuesday all the missionaries gather in the Gym made into a stadium for a Devotional. This week Elder Richard G. Scott was the speaker. He talked about being guided by the spirit, and he made a handout of about 40 different principles that he has learned from a lifetime of learning to follow the direction of the Holy Ghost. I will make a copy and send it to you because there is so much amazing information on it. He also gave us 6 different apostolic blessings 3 of Which were just for the sister missionaries. He blessed us with a Shield of Protection, the Gift of Tongues, confidence, health, and to remember that Joseph Smith is a prophet for all our lives. He also made it a requirement for the Sisters to take care of themselves, he told us to not work as hard as the Elders, that we do not have to put in as many hours as they do, and that we need to get enough rest. He told a story of how his wife had to be sent home from her mission for a couple months because she worked too hard and got sick. So he told us to take care of ourselves. 

This week I also went to the Teaching Resource Center (TRC) for the first time, it is a place where volunteers come to be investigators so we can practice teaching. We contacted 3 people in french. Which is talking to people briefly for the first time and sharing a short message and setting up an appointment to teach them more. We also taught the first lesson for the first time. It was a 30 minute lesson, and I think we did okay, we have a lot of work to do to improve our skills but i think we have a good start. I have been practicing making small talk and getting to know people, because I am not very good at it. My companion Soeur Wiseman is really good at talking so I am learning lots from her.  

I get to fly to San Fransisco next Tuesday to go the French Consulate to finish up visa stuff, I am really excited to get out and see the real world for a little while. Time is the MTC is a rather strange thing, it doesn't work like time outside. It goes so slowly, but there is never enough of it to do what you feel you need to. I am doing well and I am loving it, I learn so much everyday and there is so much spirit here  you can't help but be inspired. Thank you for the mail it is great!

Love always,

Soeur Turney