Week 3

Bonjour!

Holy I can't believe that I only have 3 weeks left in the Mtc! It feels like I got here yesterday! Crazy sauce. But this week has been so so so good!! It defintely had its ups and downs like always, but it was good and I feel like I learn something new every day.

So this week was really busy, but nothing too exciting happened. So last Wednesday Soeur Baggs and I got put into a trio with a girl named Soeur Banks. She is going to the West Indies and is the only sister in her district, so she doesn't have class with us, but she's our companion so she goes to like gym and meals with us. It's been really fun. It reminds me that I know a lot more than I think I know so that's good!

So Pioneer Day at the Mtc is kinda different than the real world, the bookstore is closed, we don't get mail, and we didn't get to watch fireworks so that was kind of a bummer. haha but it was still good. We taught a new investigator named Bridgette (aka Soeur Hoover our teacher) and it was really good! We taught her about how God is her loving Heavenly Father and that the Gospel blesses families. My french is still rocky, but I really felt the spirit during that lesson when we were testifying of the love that God has for her and her family. When all else fails and your French fails, your testimony won't fail you:)

So we had TRC's this week. It's pretty much where you teach members for 20 minutes each. Mostly we taught little old men with really shaky French, but it was so nice to teach someone who knows the Gospel. Because when we teach our pretend investigators it's so hard to remember that they don't know as much as we do. So it was cool to talk to people who knew the Gospel, and who were sharing their mission experiences with us. It was a really good experience. 

This week I had a really cool experience with the Priesthood. So for about the last week I have been having some pretty bad headaches. Not fun. So Soeur Baggs finally made me go to the clinic and see what was up. Turns out it's just some stress induced migraines and the nice doctor gave me some pills. That night I was prompted to ask for a blessing. Elder Thueson one of the elder's in my district gave it to me. It could not have been more perfect. Not only did it bring comfort and address the needs of my health, but it gave me so much guidance and comfort for other things that were weighing on my mind. I am so grateful to be surrounded by worthy young men who hold the Priesthood. It is such a blessing. 

On Sunday Sheri Dew taught Relief Society. It was so cool, she gave an amazing talk about the Priesthood. It was really good. Also on Sunday we participated in choir as usual. Man I love singing so much!! I am so blessed to have so many opportunities to sing here. Soeur Wallace and I are auditioning this week to sing at a devotional. Wish us luck!!! On Sunday night we had the opportunity to watch a devotional that Elder Bednar gave a couple years ago called, "The Character of Christ" It was the best thing I have ever seen. Like ever. It's one of those things you watch and you just want to be an amazing person and baptize the whole entire world. If you have a chance to watch it or read it you really should. I would google it or try Byu speeches. It's amazing. My favorite part was where he was talking about how we are all selfish human beings and that we need to develop the character of Christ. He said "Christ turns out to others, when you and I would turn in." That hit me. As humans we constantly think about ourselves and what we want and what we need and it's all about us. I am definitely at fault. Elder Bednar said, "Get over yourself, it's not about you, it's about Him." Boom. So powerful. It was so bold, but I think it's something everyone needs to here. I definitely need to become more like my Savior I am so glad I got to watch that. I have grown and changed so much these past couple weeks. I am so grateful to be on this journey, even when it's hard.

That's pretty much it for the week!! Lots of funny moments happened I just can't remember all of them right now. I love you all and keep working hard and being awesome!! Also keep the letters and dear elders coming I love hearing from all of you!!!! Love you so much!!

Love,

Soeur Holmes

Week 2

Bonjour family and friends!! How we doing in good old Kaysville?? Goodness I miss it, Provo just isn't the same! This past week has been so good! It's so true when they say that at the mtc days feel like weeks and weeks feel like days. Time just doesn't make sense here. Sorry my emails are usually pretty random and scattered I'll try my best to compose my thoughts.. so here we go!

    The mtc continues to be the best thing, I am so glad I made the decision to serve a mission. I've only been here a couple weeks and I always think to myself, what if I hadn't decided to go? My life would be entirely different. And that would be so sad, because I am learning and growing so much and it's just the absolute best!

    So on Wednesday Soeur Baggs and I had a really good lesson with our investigator Michel (side note, investigators at the mtc are really just your teachers pretending to be investigators, they usually portray an investigator they had on their missions). So we taught Michel about the Livre de Mormon and how powerful it is. In the middle of Soeur Bagg's testimony the spirit was just so strong and we both started to get a little emotional. This Gospel is 100% true, and I feel that every time I teach here. At the end of our lesson, Michel said his faith had increased because of our testimonies. So cool. That night we played an intense game of kickball with our favorite Haitian elders (they aren't actually Haitian they are just speaking Haitian creole and going to Florida) and our district. I am so uncoordinated that I almost broke my wrist. Yikes. haha 

       Oh I'm gonna back it up a little bit, so on Tuesday nights we sing in the choir and have really awesome devotionals. So last week we had a really good devotional about knowing our Savior, it was awesome. The best part about the mtc is that you get to feel the spirit allll the time. I am so lucky. French is still kicking my butt, but I am learning so much and progressing more than I think. So that's really good!! 

     Thursday was a whole lot of ups and downs. On a mission you feel the highest highs and the lowest lows and though at times, it feels like more than you can take, you just have to remind yourself why you're here. You have to remember that this isn't about you, that you're here to help others. The more I forget about myself and lose myself in this amazing message the happier I am. 

      Friday we hit our 'I leave for France in exactly one month mark." SAY WHAT?! I can't believe it, it will be here before I know it. 

      Saturday was good! Soeur Baggs and I had companionship inventory, it's pretty much just where we talk about what's bugging us and how we can help each other. We aren't bugged with each other yet so that's good, but it was good to just talk about how we feel our lessons are going and how we can help each other learn and grow. Also at the Mtc all the Elders think it's hilarious to spread rumors since no one knows what is actually going on. So Elder Lindsay walks in one day and was like guys I got a dear elder from my sister saying that Zac Efron came out of the closet. I think every single girl almost died. So sad. We later found out it was just a rumor. Not funny. There is also one going around that Lady Gaga died... we haven't really confirmed that one yet... so we aren't entirely sure if that's true or false. haha We also played kickball again on Saturday cause we're practically pro and we're taking a sick team picture next week. Stay tuned. 

        Sunday's here are the actual best thing ever. We get to have Sacrament in French, choir, and a really awesome devotional. They are just always really relaxing days, but I still learn so much. I never stop learning, it's pretty much awesome. We also take temple walks every Sunday and we take lots of pictures and it's really fun. I'd share those pictures with you but I accidentally deleted all the pictures off my camera. I'm so sad. But I will try and get them from Soeur Baggs and send some next week. 

        Monday was great cause it was a Dr. Pepper miracle. This girl walks up to me with two Dr. P's and was like "hey do you like Dr. Pepper?" I was like um yes and she was like here have them I don't drink soda anymore. It was a miracle made my day. We also had a really good lesson with Michel yesterday on the atonement. My French is getting so much better, by like miles. I felt like I could really understand what was going on. The spirit was so strong. Also Michel who is really our teacher named Frere Pherson is from good old Kaysville Utah and went to Davis high. haha what a small world.

         That about wraps up the week, sorry this is so long and disorganized. I am going to try and send pictures in a separate email from Soeur Baggs card so stay tuned.... I love you all to pieces and you are in my thoughts and prayers constantly. I know if we are living by the spirit and striving each day to become like our Heavenly Father, we can accomplish any task or trial he puts in front of us. It's all about having faith and trusting that he knows best. I love you all. Thank you all for the letters and packages you send I really appreciate it. Keep the letters coming I love to hear from you! Until next week!

Love,

Soeur Holmes

Funny stories below:

-I accidentally hit my teacher in the face with a Swedish fish.. I was trying to get it in Elder Duncan's mouth and I missed by a lot... I don't think he though it was too funny...

week 1

Bonjour family and friends!! Holy cow like honestly I have so much to say but I don't know if I have the time to type all of it!! So I'll just start from the beginning, the first day was straight up hard, being a missionary is honestly the hardest thing I have ever done in my whole life! But guess what? It's worth it. You feel the spirit so strong every single day, and I'm changing and learning so much!!

So I have a way awesome companion! Her name is Soeur Baggs and she is also an Aggie which makes her way cool! We couldn't be more opposite haha but it's good. I'm super care free and chill and she's kinda uptight but we balance each other out and believe it are not it we make a great team!! 

So the Mtc is nothing like I thought it would be. I kinda thought like you would never smile or have fun or laugh. Boy was I so wrong!! We laugh all the time, you'll go crazy if you don't!! The first hour I was in the mtc I already had an awkward experience... so I was sitting in our class and Soeur Hoover our teacher is spitting out French like it's English (It's not) and I'm trying to adjust my name tag cause it was bugging. Well I accidentally let go of the back of the magnet and it fell down my dress!! haha Soeur Baggs and I just started busting up laughing. It was too good. I have had many more awkward experiences that I can't even count. 

French is HARD. So hard!!! But I have already seen myself improve so much from Wednesday to know. The gift of tongues is real. I've felt it, I know it works! We have been teaching our investigator Michel this week and things are going along well, I smile and nod a lot but it's not too bad. I can understand him pretty well, it's just that I have a really hard time responding to him cause I don't speak french well. haha 

So in the mtc they say "just make it to Sunday" Well by the time Sunday came around I was thinking Sunday better be pretty awesome if everyone is making a big deal out of it. Well it was!! It was awesome! Church is kinda weird cause there is like 30 of us and we are in a classroom and it's all in French, but the Spirit is so strong and I love it! But we also have choir and a devotional on Sunday and that is bomb. Choir is way fun and the devotional is always really good!!

My District is great! There is me and my comp and another companionship of sisters and then three sets of elders! I actually know one of the elders cause he is from Kaysville! But they are all straight up hilarious and we get a lot done and we have so much fun! The Elders all love to tease me of course because who doesn't? haha The first day I got 4 packages and I never heard the end of it from them! (Thank you all for your packages and letters!!) We also have 3 elders in our zone who are speaking haitian creole and going to Florida; their district consists of 3 of them so we adopted them into ours, they are way fun too. Everyone here is so nice and willing to help you! I'll be honest I didn't super love it here the first few days, but now I'm so happy I am here! I couldn't think of anything better to be doing with my time. The gospel is 100% true, how lucky we are to know that! 

OH!! I have seen so many people I know! Like literally Davis High goes to the mtc. I have seen a ton of my friends! It's kinda weird that you can't hug guys but handshakes are nice haha I saw Hermana Frodsham the second day and we just hugged while I cried like a baby. It's so nice to see people who really know me! Sorry that this email is super scattered and random, I am sure I'll get better at it. Thank you so much for all your love and support. Thank you to those of you who have sent packages and letters. It means the absolute world to me! I know this church is true, I know the Livre de Mormon is the word of God, Joseph Smith restored the gospel to the earth. And our Heavenly Father loves us. I love you all so much!! Until next week!

Love,

Soeur Holmes

This Beautiful Young Lady is on her way!

This beautiful young lady is on her way! SO proud of Kira and her willingness and desire to serve the next 18 months in France.  She is going to have an amazing experience and change the lives of so many!