Glorious!

The one word that can describe last week: GLORIOUS. I chose that word because last week, I celebrated my birthday and received the most loving birthday wishes. I ALMOST won at Clue

( I lost because I chose the wrong weapon), went to Paris for a special zone conference and got to hang out with other missionaries, and to top it off, our special guest at this zone conference was...DAVID ARCHULETA (and yes he ended up singing the song Glorious in that conference, so shout out to David for my email subject)!

I'm telling ya, it was a glorious week hahaha!

Well where do I begin with last week? I guess I can start with my birthday. New Years Eve night, not gonna lie, I went to bed early because I was so darn tired but don't worry I managed to wake up and enjoy a peaceful night, counting down to the New Year...kidding, it wasn't peaceful at all! When it hit the midnight hour it seemed as if all of France was driving through the streets of Rouen, honking their horns for a long period of time, and people running around on the streets yelling "Bonne Année!". It was quite a sight to see from our apartment especially since we live on the 14th floor. So I stood at the window for about 5 minutes watching the rampage on the streets then climbed back up onto my bunk bed to sleep only to wake up again to a huge BOOM and a bright flash right outside our window.

The French really know how to celebrate the holidays! All the commotion lasted for about 2 hours! I managed to get some sleep though donc vous inquiétez pas. During the actual day on the 1st, it was as if the party didn't happen last night. Streets were empty, everything closed, and quietness all around. It was a very peaceful and very relaxing day so I took advantage of that. I got calls from fellow missionaries, church members, the mission president and his wife called, and my family sent a cute video all singing happy birthday! Thank you to those who sent emails as well, it all made my day!

I've kinda gotten obsessed with taking pictures from our window because the view is so magnificent! It may be gray and cloudy almost everyday here in the Normandy region but there are a few days where I'm lucky to get pretty pictures of a sunrise or sunset. One day the sun was actually out and the sunset was super pretty! The sky had pink streaks and I honestly could stare at it for the longest time, but since I was out walking it was better for me to pay attention to my surroundings so that I wouldn't end up getting hit by a car as we crossed the street or walk into a pole. I took a picture of the sky to share with you all but the camera quality doesn't show the pink color too well, dang it. Enjoy another lovely picture from my apartment window though!

All right, I'll go on and talk about David Archuleta and his wonderful appearance here in the France Paris Mission! We had a tri-zone conference that lasted nearly all day long so I was happy to be in Paris catching with other missionaries, hearing the words of our mission leaders, and words from David Archuleta himself! When we arrived at the St. Merri chapel I was thinking that Archuleta would already be there sitting up at the front with the mission president and his wife but we had to wait for about 25-30 until he arrived. In the meantime, we all got to hear from missionaries who were going home at the end of this transfer (or in mission terms, they're dying). It always amazes me to listen to how the dying missionaries talk about how much their mission means to them. They love the work, they love the people, and all of that has helped them learn more about themselves. Sometimes I panic a little bit because whenever a dying missionary goes up to speak I flash forward into the future and see myself going up there giving my dying testimony, but I can't think about that now because I've still got time left on the mission!

Archuleta finally arrives to the chapel and when I saw him, normally the first thing that would come into my mind is "He's so handsome in person!" but nope it wasn't that. The first thing that came into my mind was "This guy is so short in person!". I kid you not, David Archuleta is a shorty! Ok well he's taller than me that's for sure but it was surprising to see his height! We all got a chance to shake his hand and then he went on to speak with us about his mission experiences. He told us about how the mission has changed him, a difficult companion he had, and even sang a couple of songs for us! This guys voice is really amazing! He doesn't need auto tune or anything like that! It's so natural, nice, and smooth! It was really inspirational to hear from him. It was such a fun day to hear from all those who spake and to see other missionaries and catch up with them! Special thanks to my parents for sending in some baby pictures of me to show to 3 zones of missionaries too haha!

For my spiritual thought to you all, I felt that it would be fitting to share my testimony on our beloved prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, who passed away last week. We were at zone conference when the announcement was given to all of the missionaries present at the chapel. It was heartbreaking at first to hear about his passing, but then I thought about how he would be reunited with his wife and happy he is. As a little kid I remember how hard it was for me to sit still during general conference and pay attention to what was being said. I always managed to learn something from each session though. When President Gordon B. Hinckley passed away (I was about 10 years old) I remember feeling really sad because I wasn't sure if I really paid attention to his teachings during his administration. Lucky enough, I have the opportunity to go and read his talks in gospel library and apply them to my life today, but I wish I could've done that all those years ago. I remember making a goal to always take in to account what the next prophet would teach us. President Monson has really changed my life. He taught me how to have Christlike love for others, to lose myself in service, and to also have a sure, strong testimony about the Book of Mormon. I've made it a goal to finish the Book of Mormon before the end of my mission and as I read through each page I take notes on what stands out to me and I use the Book of Mormon student manual to help me go a little deeper with each chapter.

My life really changed, one year in particular, when President Monson made an astounding announcement that I will always remember, it was a game changer for me. In October 2012 (I was 14 at the time), I was sitting on the couch going over my notes on general conference until I see the prophet stand up and go to the pulpit. He goes on to talk about missionary work and then all of a sudden he begins to explain that worthy young men had the option of serving a mission at the age of 18. I thought it was done there but then he still goes on saying that worthy young women now had the option to choose to serve a mission starting at the age of 19. I sat there stunned and excited. I knew from a young age that I wanted to serve a mission and now I only had to wait for just 5 years to go and serve others! Fast forward 5 years later and here I am now serving the people in France, sharing the gospel with others, wearing the name of Christ next to my heart each day. President Monson was truly an amazing man and he will be missed so much. I'm thankful that we have prophets here on the Earth to guide us in these latter days.

When people say that time flies by fast, they aren't kidding at all. I'm nearly about to reach 8 months on the mission and I still feel like I just started last week! There have been ups and downs on my mission but I've come to learn that each up and down is something that will help me become a better person. It's been a blessing to be here in France, to share the gospel with others, and see the change it can bring into their lives.

I love and miss you all! Have a GLORIOUS week and a good start to this new year!

Love,

Sœur Hopkinson

samantha.hopkinson@myldsmail.net