Chère famille,
Geez what a week its been. As predicted we had
quite a busy week and Elder Castillo and I were struggling to keep our heads
straight. But all was done in wisdom and order...haha Needless to say we are
relieved and happy to be back in Bordeaux. However our adventures this past week
were far and wide.
Tuesday we helped frere Charles build a wall in
his back yard. Moving bricks and cement and such. He is really funny, a guy that
I'll keep contact with long after the mission. He received his PHD in political
science having to do with the United States something or other. Long story short
he speaks perfect english and has been to the states several times and has
interviewed several political characters and knows the political situation of
the US better than we do and probably better than he knows that of France. It
was fun to get to spend some time with him and his wife and their family of
three children.
Wednesday we left for for Lyon, were on trains all
day and after a stop in Montpellier, got to Lyon at 9.
Thursday was
Leadership Council. It went well. It was good to hear from President and sister
Roney and the assistants. No big changes, we're shooting for more stability in
the mission, which is nice. By stability I mean no new methods or techniques
were released that they wanted us to implement. I wish we had more time to
really council together and talk about problems we were facing in our zones. We
did so for about 30 minutes but I wouldve loved to talk it through
more.
Our train didnt leave until Friday morning, so we helped out
the office elders for the evening. I spent my night with Elder Erickson. We
taught an african man living in Ukraine over skype! haha It was so cool! The
elders there were there the whole time but don't speak any french. He seemed
totally ready and willing to be baptized. Fun little miracle to see.
Friday we had an incredibly long train ride back, and got back
just in time to spend the evening with mami and papi Fourtina as well fr
fourtina who is their son and the second counselor in the stake presidency. It
was wonderful little evening with family. They told us all about the plane crash
over ukraine. As well as the fact that Elder Ballard who is coming to our
mission on September 7th is coming as well to speak to all the bishop and Stake
presidencies. That will be cool...interesting to see what he'l have to
say.
Saturday morning and afternoon was spent giving zone training.
Elder Castillo and I probably gave our best presentation yet. We were both very
pleased with it and felt really relieved. Then Saturday evening we had a ward
activity, where we had about 20 members come and present something about their
home culture or region. Us Elders brought apple pie and cookies (Thank you Elder
McBeth) and then sang the national anthem with the crowd which was
fun.
Sunday after church we left for Pau. Got there late. Spent the
night with 12 Elders in the apartment. And yesterday we had zone conference and
interviews with President. It was all rather stressful, especially as our train
home got cancelled and we had to ride a bus all the way back to Bordeaux. But
zone conference and my interview were very spiritual. Remarkably so in fact. It
was oddly powerful and I felt really renewed afterwards. I've been noticing the
influence and power of the Holy Ghost in much greater abundance in my life
recently. Its been a really wonderful testimony to me. It has become real. And
He has become my constant companion, my comforter, my purifier. Its just
wonderful. And its all because of the Savior. It always points back to His
gospel, are we being obedient enough to deserve the Holy Ghost? Are we seeking
it diligently? Do we really want to feel the Savior's love?
Because His
hand is always outstretched to us. All the day long. Geez He loves so much! It
is really.
I love you all so very much!!
Elder
Montgomery
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| All the elders that I came in with at mission leadership council. |
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| Elder Taylor and I- Elder Uluave's sons and both in Bordeaux |
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| The post zone training lunch scene |
