Tough Week!

That really bites that the athletic board is STILL a joke! It seems like the Highland Cross Country team never gets a break, just one kick in the butt after the other. I can only imagine how tough that would be to work your tail off all year, and actually make it, and then because of some administrative garbage you get cut from any chance.

    Well, it turns out things didn't go too great here in France as well.  Even with all of the unfairness of life, and amidst all of the difficulties and trials that we may face, there is someone always there with open arms to pick us up. His is a gentle call, and it does not scream for our attention. His yoke is easy, and His burden is light, and He will always give us rest when it is needed. I definitely became closer to my Eldest Brother this week as me and Elder Horton struggled to the bitter end to find new people to teach.  We had found a lot of new people the week before and fixed rendezvous for this week, but whatever seed was planted in their hearts was quickly scorched by the hot sun. We also just had a ton of things fall through or get cancelled and then ,just to put salt in the wound, my body just flat out gave up last Saturday because I have had  another random episode of insomnia for the past 2 weeks.  Whatever sleep I was getting wasn't enough to function on, because I was fighting to put phrases together in French which has not been a problem for a long time. However, we did find small moments of success amidst our struggles and I managed to recover to a normal sleeping routine after the weekend.

    One night we were visiting a list of old amies and we were having a real hard time finding an address. It was really dark and we were out in the middle of nowhere and  we were pretty much lost. Despite the desire to just give up and find our way home we tried one last time and we ended up knocking on the door we wanted. This lady, named Mary Geane, has lived through more trials than most of us and at first she was a little angry that we had showed up.  She tried to argue with us. She said that because her mom had died ,and her sister and her son, and her other son, and because she was now suffering her own physical infirmities, God didn't exist. What do you say to someone like this? I had a terrible migraine and had just been complaining about my slight suffering and just got slapped in the face with an overwhelming compassion for this poor lady. I boldly testified of the atonement of Jesus Christ and how he has already walked through our steps, however thorny and painful they may have been, and that through Him we might be comforted and receive strength to overcome whatever weaknesses we have, physical, mental, emotional and of course the spiritual pain of sin. My wonderful companion taught how our perspective becomes different in knowing the plan our Heavenly Father has for us.  Even though he is only in his third transfer he perfectly expressed and testified of the plan of salvation. We then related how Christ is the center of this plan and makes it all possible for us to return with our families and our Father after this life. What started as a slightly hostile environment had melted into hope and a powerful love that came from the spirit. All of us were edified. I am so grateful for our Savior and the love He has for all of us. This work is not ours, but His, and we are but His humble servants. I have only felt that love I felt for Mary Geane that night as strongly as I did on a few other occasions, and it is incredible! It is God's love! She unfortunately has to go to the hospital this week but we are keeping contact with her and are doing our best to encourage her and help her to re-strengthen her faith in Christ. 

 That was pretty much our only rendezvous this week but it made up for the rest of the week.

    Well my companion is awesome and is pretty much my favorite if I can pick one. He is way to much like me, that sometimes it creeps me out, but it makes life fun. I hope all is well back in the promised land and I send my love!!!!!!!!!!!!

Elder Lyons