Despite popular belief and the previous polls taken, I have been
transferred to Toulouse, leaving Elder Castillo in Lormont for his 5th transfer!
Very exciting!! I'm currently in Toulouse already with some other elders. I'm
here as a zone leader with Elder Moeller, my good buddy from St. George, UT. He
was my district leader while I was in Perigueux and I really respect him and we
became really tight then and have been good friends since. He's got a big
reputation in the mission for being an incredible worker. There are two wards
here and I will be serving in the Capitole ward. I'm really excited to be
here!!!!
How very sad I was to leave Lormont. It was tough. Recounting the week will
be difficult, it feels so long ago. Here are some highlights:
We spent tuesday with the Darguence family, eating lunch and sharing
spiritual experiences. Fr. Darguence is the member I told you all about when I
first got to Lormont, he was a bounty hunter and body guard for Charles de
Gaulle. He worked for the Paris and Bordeaux police, and has tons of incredibly
crazy stories, spiritual and not. He recently had his second surgery in 3 months
and is now in great condition and he and his wife are preparing to go on a
couples mission. I had cut my hair monday, and so it was rather short and he
asked about it, then decided he liked it and asked me to cut his hair...so I cut
his hair (I have a picture). He was really proud of it and showing it off at
church...haha
Wednesday and Thursday we spent in Bayonne, first I was on exchange with
Elder Grant, then Thursday we attended their district meeting. Elder Grant is a
good missionary, one transfer younger than me in the mission, he and I actually
went on an exchange when I was Nice, so it was fun to work with him again and
find ways we could both improve in our service. He has come a long way from
where he was, but still has plenty of work to do. Bayonne is so pretty, and
although I may never serve there, its probably the prettiest city I've been to
yet and I will definitely want to return to visit.
Saturday, we helped the other elders move apartments- president is trying
to split up all the 4 man apts. We also passed by the Senior Fourtina's and told
them goodbye. It was really sad. I'm not a dramatic person usually and its
rather rare that I show a lot of emotion. Throughout my mission I've mentioned
people that I had felt like I had already been friends with before even coming
here, and Papi Fourtina is one of those people. He is just the man. It was tough
to say goodbye.
And Sunday was crazy as all last days are crazy in any given area. Bishop
Darius called me saturday night and asked me to give a talk in church, which was
a perfect way to express my love and appreciation to the ward. So I gave my talk
on the importance of the Book of Mormon, how vital it is to what we believe and
then after the next speaker had spoken, us 4 Elders and Mam, our Malegesh ward
missionary leader, sang Sweet is the Work as the intermediate hymn. It was sweet
and the Spirit was strong. We then spent the afternoon with Sr. David our sweet
old grandma, and then after we spent the evening with the L'hospitals, one of
our favorite families. I have pictures of all these people. Dont worry. Needless
to say it was fun, and I felt a lot of love. It was hard saying goodbye to the
area and the people.
But now I am very excited at the prospect of serving here in Toulouse. Its
a part of the mission that is unexplored for me. And I think being here will
help me push myself in new ways. Work harder, be more consecrated, and change
more lives. Not that the we should need a change of scenery to change who we
are, but I think being here will catalyze greater change through new
opportunities. Time to really dig in and push myself to new heights.
My testimony of the Atonement has grown drastically on my mission, but
especially after my service in Lormont. I'm beginning to understand what it
means to leave my mistakes, regrets, and weaknesses to the Lord. I'm beginning.
Its something I'll keep exploring. But I know and feel already the peace and
happiness that is brought by trusting the Lord and doing what He asks. That
through Him we are made strong.
I love you all! Have a great week!
Elder Montgomery
Toulouse address:
Les Missionnaires
6, rue de Briançon No. 554
31100 Toulouse, France
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| Cutting Fr. Darguence's hair |
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| The train station in Bayonne |
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| Sr. David |
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| With L'hospitals |
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| Big map of southern france in the Bordeaux train station |
