The Wonderful Ward of Rouen
One of our goals as missionaries is to establish a good relationship with the members. I've come to realize how important it is to have the help of the members when it comes to lessons, teaching, passbys, and sometimes even mangezvous (when people invite you over to come and eat). The ward members in Rouen really care about missionary work. It's like having a second family full of different families if that makes sense haha!
Each week, we have a goal to have a mangezvous with at least one family or ward member. It's difficult sometime to choose because a lot of the members live a little far out and we would have to take buses that go to the countryside. It helped me understand the importance of members. Now that I'm a missionary, I understand how much it means to the missionaries back at home to have families from our ward invite them over to feed them and listen to their message. It really means a lot to them!
Last week, we were able to go over to two member's houses and we had a pretty fun time too! The relief society president invited us over for dinner, so we took an hour long bus ride through the countryside with a pretty sunset as well! Her house was beautiful! It was like a cottage on the countryside! She was also watching a few of the bishop's kids because they don't live too far from them and they made us these cute little origami paper animals! French kids are so adorable! We spent time getting to know each other and then we had a very yummy French dinner! I can't remember the name of the meal but it had potatoes mixed with heavy whipped cream, cheese, bacon bits, and onions.
I adore this family! The wife is a convert of a year and a half along with her 3 kids, 2 sons (1 adopted), and her youngest daughter. The husband isn't a member but he was very kind to us. The RS president hopes that one day he'll accept the gospel and be baptized so that their family can be sealed in the temple forever. After dinner, we shared a spiritual thought about how Christ is the Good Shepherd and we are His sheep. Time was running out and we had to go home pretty soon. The daughter was sad to see us leave but we assured her that she would see us the upcoming Sunday.
One of the members in the ward helps us with our language study, so once a week, we go over to her apartment and she will help us, give us tips, and coach us on the French language. It had snowed the day before we went over to her apartment so Sœur Erichsen and I had to dress up very warmly. The day after the snow came it was sunny and already the snow was melting away. Since I come from Arizona I may or may not have decided to go out with just a dress, a big jacket, no tights or leggings, and simple flats...ok I know I decided to let my Arizona pride get the best of me because I don't mind the cold at all. It actually wasn't that bad either! There were some parts that were slippery but it was fun getting to our member's house! When we got there, she had this nice jug of warm herbal tea waiting for us and it tasted so delicious! It was called Christmas Tea and when I drank it, it really tasted like the Christmas season! I learned some good tips about French and I'm enjoying learning and speaking the French language every day!
I can honestly talk about the ward for a long time but unfortunately I don't have much time left so I can do a quick overview about P-Day today. We did a lot of shopping and browsing here in the good city of Rouen because last week we went to the city of Le Harve to hang out with the soeurs there. For lunch, we went to a sushi track and it was pretty decent. I put my chopstick skills to the test and I was pretty content that I didn't drop a single sushi while holding it between the chopsticks. I also conquered my fear of eating raw fish (that's right mom, I didn't eat just California rolls!), but in the end let's just say that the raw fish wasn't swimming in my stomach in a happy way.
We also went up near the college campus because they actually have a cool overview of the city! It was a pretty fun and relaxing P-Day if I can say so myself!
I wanted to give a special shoutout to my family and some family members. First of all, I just love my family. My parents have helped me become the person I am today and they've always taught me what they know to be true. My brothers are my best pals. There is never a dull moment with them and they always find ways to make me laugh. I'm also blessed to be serving here in France with my cousin Sœur Nielsen. What an amazing missionary she is! I love having her here with me in France and I hope that maybe one day we will be serving together!
Today, I'm proud of my brother Spencer, who reports to the MTC to begin his missionary training for the people of the Brazil Santa Maria mission. I know that he is a diligent worker and that he will bring the happiness of the gospel into that part of Brazil. My parents are troopers, being able to have two kids out on a mission! I'm excited that as Sœur Nielsen and I invite the people of France to come unto Christ, my brother, Elder Hopkinson, will be doing the same thing in Brazil. I know that this church is true. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. I'm thankful for this gospel and for the happiness it brings into not only my life, but into the lives of others as well.
Have an incredible week everybody! I love and miss you all!
Love,
Sœur Hopkinson
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