Elder Chase Player: Becoming

"Goodbye" Elder Barber
At the Gare

Fanja treating us to Fish and Chips
at Papa Bagel

Bonjour a tous! Today is a nice day with the sun shining, which is a welcome change after several days of rain. This week has been great with lots of changes and some awesome training that we've received. Early in the week Elder Barber was able to say goodbye to some of the members at FHE and we were able to eat with a few members and pass by their houses before we were off for Paris on Wednesday morning. With the suitcases ready Fanja came and picked them up and then we were off to the gare! Jean Francois met us there to say goodbye as well - so nice!

While waiting to pick up my new companion, Elder Beck, I saw Elder Cramer, Elder Eldredge and many of the people who I've become close to! That was great! After lunch at McDonalds we made our way back to catch our train to Amiens and so starts the companionship of Beck and Player.

On Wednesday night we had 3 lessons with Nathan, Souer Bourdet and Tristelle that went great. On Thursday we were able to do some contacting in the ville and Elder Beck was able to see Amiens. We met some cool people and focused on Easter and Genealogy. If you're looking for a way to share the gospel help someone get to know where they are from in this life and you'll see it's a great way to start. One man we contacted, Lobert, started with us talking about genealogy but before we knew it we were talking about the Plan of Salvation and he had a Book of Mormon in his hands and now we have a rendez-vous with him this week. We then went and saw Linda and Elisabeth and it went great!

On Friday we were off to Paris for mission Council. It was a great mission council! President Babin talked about real success and the difference in being a manager and a leader. The main message was about being ourselves. Each one of us was called to this mission for a specific reason and unless we are ourselves we cannot accomplish this. Above all, if we are ourselves we are happier and the rest will follow in terms of success! It was a great day and I was able to see many friends/missionaries, including Elder Velazquez and others from Nancy!

On Saturday we were busy with a meeting with other missionaries from other villes and then we had quite a few rendez-vous. The day ended with Branch Council with the Stake Presidency. We focused on the members doing FHE's with us each week and with us inviting our amis to their houses or the members inviting their friends where we can give a spiritual thought to them. If you know anyone you could do that with I know the missionaries in you area would love to come over and do a spiritual thought. You just have to provide the home and maybe a treat at the end.

On Sunday Nathan and Tristelle came to church. So great! We found out that Nathan is only 17 but a future missionary for sure. Later we had a FHE with Elisabeth, Lucas and Brian. Oh man, I love these people so much. They are moving to Paris but I'm so grateful to have met them.

It's been a great week and I know that each week I'm able to learn and grow in the gospel. What a blessing. We can always improve and grow and one day become as God knows we can be. To end Elder Oaks said, "In contrast to the institutions of the world, which teach us to know something, the gospel of Jesus Christ challenges us to become something."

I hope you have a great week and always remember how much I love you!

Elder Player