We Found People! Gasp!

So first ,let me get random things outta the way! I got all the photos you made for me and I got the package grandma sent. I haven't opened it yet though, because I just barely picked it up!  Oh,  to whoever wrote me letters when I was in Le Mans and didn't get a response yet......it's because I am not in Le Mans anymore.  Elder Wood is sending those up to me and I will send y'all something soon..

           ANYWAYS, we have amies again! WOOOOO!!  The first amie is one that me and Elder Dystra found on exchanges.  We were doing pass backs (addresses of ancient amies that were dropped) and we knocked on someones house who hadn't been contacted for years.  Turns out that he didn't live there anymore so we were all like......WELL , we're missionaries and we talk to people about Jesus.  Can we come in and talk?  The man that answered said SURE!  So we taught this young African man a simple lesson on the restoration and gave him a Book of Mormon and wham-o, a new amie! His name is Francise and he has wicked awesome dread locks! He is maybe twenty- two-ish and very open to our message! SO COOL!

            Later that day we had a rendezvous, on the same exchange, with an ancient amie who has participated in a lot of different religions,(except Jehovah's witnesses), she says they are not very nice. But this family was super nice and we shared another brief lesson on the restoration and how and why we need to know if it's true! The mom and dads names are Aimé and Jean and they have 4 kids!

           Then later that week we pounded the pass packs again and now we have a list of about 6-8 solid potential amies, who told us to return at certain times when they were available! YEAH, patience is the key to life I tell ya.  You just never give up and the results will come! They might come slowly, but they come "quand meme!"

            We had an awesome Stake Conference this week and our President and his wife were two of the speakers! They gave really inspiring talks about getting the members involved in missionary work! Later that day we took the sacrament to a super tight old lady with another member! We even sang a cantique (hymn) with her, Je sais qu'il vie mon rédempture ( i know my redeemer lives)  She was so pumped to have us. She gave a prayer at the end and I don't think I have ever heard a more spiritual prayer in my entire life, WOW! She thinks we were blessed for helping her out, but I could literally feel how much God cares for this special daughter of God.....and it is not just a little bit! I learned a lot that day and it reminded me of the good o'l days with Chuck and his sweet wife. BTW how is she! Tell her I love her and that I know Chuck has been watching out for me!

           I was also sad to hear that Sister Peterson passed away! They were always so cool when we came over with the sacrament!

               Well that is Nivelle ,and holy cow I have learned a lot! Every time I think I understand something or feel like I have reached my max, God just stretches and tests me some more. Sometimes I wanna say hey, stop it! or slow down, that kinda hurts....... then it's over and I am like.....OK so I guess that wasn't so bad, and I grew a ton..... thanks.  Then He does it again!

              There is an awesome scripture in .....Romans or maybe Corinthians. I don't remember, but it talks about Chastisement being evidence of Gods love for us. Paul is speaking and he makes a wonderful analogy to our earthly parents and says something like this," when your earthly father chastised you, you reverenced him and loved him. So how much more should you reverence the father of spirits!" Interesting concept, but when life is difficult that is when we should be the most thankful! This is where we grow, this is where we learn, this is where faith blossoms, and quite honestly the whole reason we are here! We came here to learn, and progress so we can enjoy the same blessings our Father has! We learn through experiences,  and yet we complain when we have them? It's like this: I want to be a great runner........but I don't want to experience any pain.....well then I guess you don't really want to be a good runner, because the only way to be great is by building up endurance, stretching and tearing muscles, and burning tons of energy! But look what happens when you faithfully do those things! Stretched and torn muscles get bigger and are strengthened, endurance builds and our body can withstand much more physically demanding tasks! But you have to break your body down to do so! This is all the Lord wants for us! He wants us to become stronger spiritually! So what does he do? He let's us stretch and tear some spiritual muscles and endure painfully long trials, and what happens? WE GROW! and if we grow? WE CAN ACCOMPLISH EVEN BIGGER THINGS! This process continues, and our faith emanates and soon our faith turns into the knowledge that when we see God we will know Him, because we will be like Him!

cest triste. P.S. Chris you will definitely be ready for your mission! Your like 500 steps ahead of me already!

          MEAGAN, AHHHHHHHH there is no one quite like you here...... I miss how spasmodically spontaneous you were .( ho ho  howd ya like them fancy words) 

         Rachel ,how is school goin', hows life and what is going on in your little girly head these days?

            Natters one of these days I'm gonna have to call you by your real name. Soon but hopefully not too soon cause I don't want you growing all up with out me.....and I can't spell natily....

            MOM AND DAD, how do you do it? We are too crazy and somehow you manage to control us .....(somewhat) and get us doing all of what we need to be doing.  That in itself is a miracle! Well I loves all of y'all and I will write y'all soon!

Loves Elder Lyons