Wow, what a week!

 

    First of all, Dad you are my hero.  I was thinking about you a lot during conference and in priesthood session as well.  I realized that you would be alone for the first time in a long time. I am so grateful for the wonderful lessons you have taught me all my life. I greatly cherish the times I spent with you and Chris, ESPECIALLY at priesthood session! Don't ever say that we somehow turned out to be great people despite your failings, because you have never failed me or our family!! You have always been a powerful example of charity, obedience, hard work and patience and many of the Christ like virtues I hope to have one day!!! I was the one that was somewhat apprehensive about going to help people move, or clean the church, or do service when I was little, but you taught me how vitally important it was. I couldn't be lazy at our house because I would have shrunk up in the bitterness of my guilt by your strong example!!  You loved me enough to correct me and chasten me when I needed it, and taught me some of the most valuable lessons I will never forget. I have been greatly blessed because of you on my mission, because of your example. Many people that I have helped as they have tried to understand the gospel or how to incorporate their principles have been made possible because YOU taught me how to keep them ALWAYS with NO EXCEPTIONS!!! I love you dad and I apologize for being so emotional but I feel so strongly this love for you and our family that if I didn't write something I think my heart would explode!  Not to mention that your email touched me greatly ....which is kinda embarrassing because I am in a public computer place and people are probably wondering why I am freaking out! hehehe

    Again you are my hero, both you and mom, and Chris, and Meagan, and Rachel, and Natalie and all of my family!!!

 

    OK whew! That was hard! So this week was full of SUPER UPS and SUPER DOWNS. I don't think I can handle this emotional ride for too much longer, because it is killing me. (he he).

     First, the bad news....We got ANOTHER letter form Francoise this week that basically said she wants us to stay away from her. Our heart was TORN! We spent some time writing her a letter and gave her one last chance to hear our testimony of God, His Son Jesus Christ, and HIS gospel....it was a very painful letter. I hope she will feel our love for her and open her heart to its message. Other bad news was that a lot of our new amies went on short vacations but should be getting back soon ...not to big of a deal.

    NOW the good news!!!! Sandrine and Coralie are SUPER excited about the baptism and have invited all of their less active part member family members to come!! I wouldn't be surprised if similar things happen to this family that happened to the Joumoutt family we baptised last month. All of their family started to come back to church afterwards!!! We have already visited some of their family and they were deeply touched by our testimonies. I am SO excited for this baptism and what it will do for this family that I wanna explode!!  However it is very unlikely that I'll stay here after having spent 3 transfers here already. Plus there are all the changes that are going into the mission soon.  I hope I stay, but we shall see.

 

    Well conference was awesome and I loved all of President Monson's little jokes, slash, just being a spaz! I certainly was edified and greatly appreciated the emphasis on the book of Mormon.     Well I have to bust but I have finished a letter to be sent to Lili, Chris, and Grandma.....I just kept forgetting to send it....sorry, and I will send one to home as well and explain more!!!

 

Love all of you

 

Elder Lyons