About A Month Ago

Salut! One month down and 17 more to go! I am beyond excited to be leaving for France in just a week and a half! A lot of my missionary friends that I've made here at the MTC have left already and next week, a district in my zone will be going to the mission field leaving my district and another district going to Paris the oldest groups in the zone. Today I should be getting my flight plans in the mailbox so we'll see how early I'll have to get up for my flight and hopefully it'll be a direct flight to France. 

The MTC has been one of the best experiences so far and I have learned a lot in just one month! Four weeks ago, I came here with two years of French in high school and that did not get me far on the first couple of days. Four weeks later I can now understand what's being said and I can bear testimony, say a prayer, give answers, and so much more! The Gift of Tongues is real everyone! 

There has been so much excitement here and just this last Wednesday we gained 504 missionaries! The cafeteria gets so full in 5 minutes and the line goes all the way back to the entrance of the cafeteria!

On Monday, Sœur Schade and I had our first Skype TRC with someone in France. We were both so excited! The French speak crazy fast and there were times when I couldn't understand what was being said so I had to ask our person to repeat their phrase again but we got most of what the person was sharing. Sœur Schade and I each shared our favorite scripture and testified about our love for the scriptures, one of the best lessons we've taught so far. 

Exciting moment of the week: President Uchtdorf came here last Sunday to tour the new buildings! I was in splits with another companion and we were studying in our classroom when we heard some commotion in the hall. That's when we were told about Pres. Uchtdorf and we both rushed to find our companions and try to meet up with him. We were outside but so many missionaries were surrounding him and it was hard to get close but I could definitely see him from where I was standing. He went inside another building and we weren't allowed to follow so my companion and I went to dinner. Apparently, Pres. Uchtdorf was right outside of the cafeteria so we finished eating and yet again there was a crowd of missionaries around him. He stopped and spoke to us for a few minutes and I kid you not, he made eye contact with me and waved! He was so amazing to see in person rather than seeing him on a screen!

I got the letters from the boys and they absolutely made my week! I mailed each of them a letter so they should be getting them sometime soon.  

I've got a couple of pictures from a few weeks ago! I miss you all! Just a week and a half until I can call you guys! Je vous aime!

-Sœur Hopkinson