[Week 14] The Work of God Continues

Well howwwwwdy to everyone back home. It was great getting everybodys emails. Its always so exciting to hear how everyone is. I made it through transfer 1 haha, bring on round 2. This week as been hot as can be. Its been up around 40 c which equates somewhere around 100 f Im pretty sure. But with the thick as malasses humidity it feels much worst. Haha Im glad you guys had a nice little French meal. Just remember to avoid the Wine! Speaking of which we're in the heart of wine country. The only thing between us and Bordeaux is vineyards. Theyre pretty awesome looking though.

 So it sounds like there are a bunch of awesome Elders headed out into the MTC here pretty soon! I wish my best to Elder Stohel, Attkinson, and Debenham. Im excited for the latter two to join the work of the Lord out here in Europe!

Well there is big news this week so Ill start out with that. Jean Charles accepted baptism! The baptismal service will be this saturday in Périgeaux. He has changed so much along the way its crazy. The first thing he ever said to us was "youre not going to be able to convert me". Haha he was right, but the spirit got him! He is such a happier person these days now with the gospel in his life. Its kind of hectic setting up the baptism. Especially when the only baptismal font is almost 2 hours away. We have to figure out the whole program then call all the people that Jean wants participating and giving them their assignments, and also making sure as many members of the branch as possible show up! We're trying really hard to integrate Jean into the branch. He's a timid guy so he's a little reserved but we gotta make sure he makes lots of friends. Everyone in the branch is excited though, he's a great addition. E. Wilcox and I see him being a future leader here in Bergerac. We're going over to his house tonight to get started on all that jazz.

That was definitely the highlight of the week. The day leading up to it was pretty tough. Its crazy how the adversary throws out all he has right before a major event happens. (Like Joseph Smith in the Sacred Grove, the Red Sox in the alds, etc) Ive pretty much decided its an eternal principle.. so anytime we're going through really hard times that probably means something epic is on the verge of happening.

We did exchanges this week. I was supposed to work with our District leader but at the last minute apparently they switched it. So I ended up working with E. Bonnett again ha... classic. Its pretty cool what the Lord will do for you. E. Bonnett and I definitely arent fluent in the language, but every time we work together the Lord puts some people in our paths that are a lot more receptive to listening to use in the rue.

With the great news of Jean-Charles baptism comes the bitter realization that we dont have any other amis..  which means we dont have any rendez-vous planned for this week yet. Looks like at least 8 hours of contacting a day this week. Our only other potential is basically moving to Bordeaux. But we still might get to see him and teach him. The story with his is actually pretty epic but Ill write about him later if we start teaching him more.

Everyone pray that all goes well with Jean Charles! Im super excited to have my first baptism. Definitely will be a legendary day. We're already seeing miracles out here in the Lyon mission though. The entire mission averaged about 1 maybe 2 baptisms a week. This week 17 saints were baptized! The Work of the Lord cannot be stopped! Our mission isnt the battles front... yet. We're deeeeeeep behind ennemi lines trying to save this people from evil. Baptisms are beginning to rise already and soon the field will be white already to harvest.

Forever Love,

Elder Gruber