I've Still Got Time!

What can I tell you all about last week? We had interesting appointments that's for sure! ate some yummy meals, met with some amazing people, zone conference happened as well...my last zone conference, and my last interview with Président Sorensen. I've been reflecting over my mission and it awes me to see how that has been my schedule for 17 months of my life. I also keep telling myself that I have a lot of time left on the mission but when I bore my departing testimony in zone conference, all the feelings came flooding in me within seconds. Yes folks, I have to admit it now that I am in denial about  my mission ending soon. I'll save all the sentimental feelings for another email though don't worry guys! I had such a great week so I'll dive right in!

First of all, happy late birthday to my momma who is rocking the young age of...jokes I won't say the age but with the new Dance Dance Revolution in the house she'll be busting some dance moves by the time I get home! Also happy early birthday to my brother Ammon who will be advancing in the pre-teen years to the age of 12! Soon two of my brothers will be passing out the sacrament at the same time! I'm so proud of them!

We went to visit one of our investigators and his wife to see how they were doing and they ended up telling us that they were in a rough situation. As we sat there listening to what had happened to them within the last couple of days my heart just sank. We showed them a comforting talk from general conference and we discussed what they learned from it. I testified to the family that Heavenly Father was aware of their situation and that if they continued in faith, things will work out in the end. That boosted up the happiness level of the dad because he then started to talk to us about how he wanted to be baptized next year. Afterwards, they were both happy at the fact that my comp and I stayed together for one more transfer so they said that before I leave they will invite us over again one last time and make us African food! Such a golden family!

Wonderful news! The little girl we have been teaching since July FINALLY has a baptism date for the 4th of November! (Better knock on some wood now because I probably just jinxed it) We are so excited for this little girl and we basically have everything planned for the baptism! Her mom is getting married the 17th of November so it'll be a special month for this family! Wish me luck too because I got roped into giving a talk for the baptism and I couldn't say no at the start because this girl is too adorable!

Like I said earlier in the email I had my final zone conference as a missionary last week. It was such a good one too! We talked about charity, did some practice teaching, ate lunch, had some workshops to do, and other things as well. I was stressed at the beginning because this was the conference where I had to bear my departing testimony. I know sometimes I exaggerate but this time I really mean it when I say that I almost passed out in my chair before I went up to speak. I was able to calm my beating heart that was flying all over the place and go up to bear a simple testimony. It's amazing what the Spirit can do to calm troubled hearts in times of need! The hymn "Be Still My Soul" helped too as I sang that in my mind while walking up to the podium to speak. After conference, pictures were taken and then we went to go get some ice cream that was life changing! France has good food folks!

I also had my final interview with Président Sorensen last week. This man is very inspirational and it has been a blessing to serve here in France with him as my mission president. Normally with every interview I've had in the past, he would always say what it was I needed to hear right before I brought up the matter with him. In my interview he gave me a challenge to be involved in one baptism a year for the rest of my life. That challenge was a little mind blowing but I know that he wouldn't have asked me to do that for no reason and I accepted it. He also reminded me that I still have 4 weeks left and that's plenty of time to still fulfill my purpose as a full time missionary so that's exactly what I'll do for the time being.

Well I think that's just about it for this weekly! If there's anyone who wants a postcard mailed from France let me know because time is running out! I'd be happy to send one! Have a wonderful week!

Love,

Sœur Hopkinson