Date
March 26, 2017
Area
Antibes
Companion
Elder Blackham
Love Antibes
Can I just say how much I love serving here in Antibes and being in the Cannes Ward? I didn't even know it was possible to have this much love for people! I truly feel like part of a huge family here and we have tons of support in about every way possible. I know transfers are still ways off, but just know that I would really, really, REALLY like to finish my mission here. I know that would mean I would do 6 transfers here, but honestly, I can't think of many things better than that. But whatever happens, I want to do the Lord's will.
So last Monday night we had 7 other elder's in our apartment because we had Zone Conference in Nice on Tuesday. It was one of, if not the most, spiritual zone Conference I have ever been to. As soon as we started singing the opening hymn the spirit was there and stayed there to teach us what we needed to know. It was amazing. No other way to describe if. It will truly be an event I will never forget (with the help of my journal of course).
On Thursday I went to Nice on exchange with Elder Hoopes. We had such a cool lesson! A guy they met on New Year's Eve, lost contact with, then got in contact with again is soooooo prepared for the gospel. We gave him a tour of the chapel then taught him about the restoration. He accepted everything we said and was so happy about it all. He was so happy to know that we have prophets today and that we have even more of the word of God (the Book of Mormon). Towards the end of the lesson the spirit was just screaming at me to invite him to baptism, so I did. Because it's not my secteur and I don't know their planning I didn't invite him to a specific date, but he accepted the soft invite and understood very well the importance of it. These past several transfers I've really been able to feel the spirit placing words into my mouth to say to our amis, members, and strangers on the street and it's just so great. It truly is scriptural proposes being fulfilled. No other way to describe it.
There was also a high school that got shot up here. 9 people were shot (I think) but thankfully nobody was killed. There's a member of the ward here that goes to that school as well. Luckily she was alright.
Also, we're going to give Liliane and Bernard an ultimatum this week and tell them if they don't come to church then we're not seeing them anymore. They just aren't progressing at all. They and one other guy were chain smoking the last time we were there and the member we were with bailed and told us he's done with them. It's not too good with them.
Let me share with y'all an absolute fire talk, "That I Might Draw All Men Unto Me" by Dale G. Renlund.
"Our present circumstances may not change, but through God’s compassion, kindness, and love, we will all receive more than we deserve, more than we can ever earn, and more than we can ever hope for. We are promised that 'God shall wipe away all tears from [our] eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.'"
Sometimes we think God is gonna make everything better by changing things around us, but it usually doesn't work like that. He teaches us how to change ourselves, through Christ's example and atonement, to overcome. This allows us to grow. This growth is priceless.
Elder Tew
image1.JPGZone Conference