Bon Voyage

Bonjour everyone! Today is my last P-Day here at the MTC!

This Monday, I will be on my flight to begin my adventures in France! I am beyond excited and I'll admit, even a little scared, but the feeling of excitement overrules any other feeling. I check out of the MTC at 11 in the morning and my flight doesn't leave until 5 in the evening. We arrive in France at 11 in the morning on Tuesday. My district likes to joke that once we get off the plane in France the mission president is about to get the most jetlagged group of missionaries ever.

I have enjoyed my time here at the MTC and my French has come a long way in just six weeks. Now, I can understand, reply, say a prayer, and my favorite thing to do is bear my testimony in French! Today my companion and I teach our last lesson together with our investigator. Also, this morning was our last temple trip in Provo. I can't wait to see the Paris temple!

Last Sunday devotional, we all got to hear from Donny Osmond! That night, I learned that he's the voice of Captain Shang from Mulan, so when we got out of the devotional, we could hear multiple groups singing the song "Make a Man Out of You". One of the sisters in my zone was just fangirling over Donny Osmond and she nearly fainted when she shook his hand.

Yesterday was in-field orientation for all the missionaries who are leaving next week. It was a long event and luckily, my companion and I stocked up with snacks in our bags so that we wouldn't get hangry during the day. What was most difficult for me was contacting people. For those who don't know what contacting is, it's basically when missionaries go up to random people, get to know them, introduce themselves as missionaries, and share a quick, brief message with them about the church and invite them to learn more if they want to. My first practice did not go so well, even though the person I was contacting was an elder in my district.

Time flies by super fast here and it's hard to think that I've been gone for only six weeks! I love the service that I will soon be doing next week! To end this email I will bear a quick testimony in French.

Je sais que le Livre de Mormon est vrai et par le pouvoir de Dieu, Joseph Smith a traduit les ecritures. Je sais que Dieu est toujours present et il vous entendre. Je suis reconnaisante pour l'Église et pour l'Évangile de Jésus-Christ. Je sais que Dieu et Jésus-Christ vie. Je dis ces chose au nom de Jésus-Christ amen.

I miss you all and I thank everyone who has supported me on my mission! Next time I send my email, I will be in France! Je vous aime!

-Sœur Hopkinson