La Bonne Nouvelle

All I can say about this week is that truth accompanied by food and the spirit changes hearts! Yes that was cheesy and yes it was vague but heck! En vérité, en vérité! Anyways, now that we have the dreaded first line over with (phew), I can actually start writing haha. Basically, this week was the beginning of a new year, it's the beginning of a new transfer (am I going, am I staying? The suspense is killing you!) and it's been one of the coolest miracle weeks of my mission! Let's start off with New Year's Eve.

a beautiful pool we found while porting

Basically, for missionaries New Year's Eve is nothing haha. Although we were awake at midnight because there are no restrictions on fireworks here and it sounded like World War 3 had started. There was no sleeping while bombs were exploding all around us! Haha We actually went on a blitz with the other three elders on Corsica and they came down and we split up. While the other group took care of branch stuff, me and Elder Hansen (one of my favorite missionaries ever) and Elder Szuch decided to go porting. We have been eyeing an apartment building pretty close to chez nous for a while, so we decided to go there. The first door we knocked on, a huge (really big) Buddhist guy answered, shirtless, and told us he was busy but there were 4 Asian girls in there so we were okay with leaving haha. But as we kept going, this building was full of awesome people! We couldn't finish the whole building that day, but my comps and k went back filed with faith and what happened was incredible! We were let in to a couple apartments, we taugh some lessons, fixed return rendez-vous and made some new friends! One of the people we passed by with some cookies was a family, a polish family. They let us in, but the parents don't speak French, so we talked to their three boys, Jacob (14), Capser (11) and Nicoli (7). We taught them the restoration, the Book of Mormon, and had Jacob read Joseph Smiths first vision. He is the exact same age, so it was powerful. When we asked if they wanted to get baptized they said yes! They said they wanted to know which church is true! That's HUGE because if they get baptized, that means that our group will have a young men's for the first time ever! Aaronic priesthood holders! We are going back and they will translate for their parents. It was one of the most spiritual experiences I've had so far!

Remember Micca? The dead pig guy? Well, we had him and his family over for a BBQ all American style hamburger dinner and it was great! We got to meet his wife Emmanuel, and his little boy Samuel, and play some Uno, then we retaught them the restoration. The spirit was strong as they said that they need to go to the temple, basically testifying of it after we'd explained the blessings that it brings to families. They committed to baptism for January 23! They aren't married yet, so that'll be something we need to do before the baptism (we'll have to change the date) but they are so amazing as well! They are so humble and willing to follow Christ. If only everyone was like that! I'm looking forward to working with them more.

at the beach 

We did a lot of porting this week, but we also had an amazing district meeting about following the spirit, but also about being consecrated enough to have the spirit with you always. As a companionship we decided we could do better, so we set some goals, individually and together, and as we have been more obedient, more in tune with the spirit, and more Christlike, we've seen so many miracles. And it's a good thing that we did that because we got transfer calls and... Drum roll... We are all 3 staying here in Ajaccio for another 6 weeks! I was so happy! The field here is white and ready to harvest, and it's humbling that Heavenly Father is letting us start the harvest. We have already decided that this next transfer will be the most amazing one yet. I can't wait to see the blessings that come to the people that God has prepared for the gospel!

the names we found with Marie Rose for the temple! 6!

Also something cool, is that we've been doing a lot of family history work with one of our recent
converts so she can get names to take to the temple. At home, I was a youth family history consultant so I'm pretty good at that stuff. I help her do most of it, but I have such a strong testimony of family history work! Reading some of the stories that people have added of my ancestors is so cool! They were real people too, and we are where we are because of them! The spirit of Elijah is so real, and comes to those who first have to turn their hearts to the fathers. Thanks for everything you all do! I love you a lot! I can't wait to give this year to my Lord and Savior, and gather in His sheep!

Avec amour,

Elder Hall