July 15, 2013

Bonjour à tous

How is summer treating you? It has been super hot here. I don't think i've ever sweat so much in my life. We sleep out on the balcony at night so we dont die in the hot appartment. This past week we did alot of work out in the smaller villes outside of toulouse. Last saturday we were up in this little ville visiting some less actives and contacting. While we were walking down the street this car going the opposite direction flips a u turn and nearly runs us over as it stops in front of us to cut us off. Expecting to be yelled at by some crazy person as us missionaries have become accustomed to, we looked up and this guy asks us  "Hey are you the missisonaries?" We found out that apparantly he had seen the missionaries once in the past and we asked him if he was interested in seeing us again. He said yes but that he didn't have time at the moment but asked for our number. It's always cool when people find us instead of the otherway around.

This past week we also did alot of finding. We had to pass our ami Kanel to the sisters because the zone leaders thought that it would be good for her to be taught by sisters. We were kinda bummed about that but she still has her baptisimal date set up and should be getting baptised soon so thats good. Any way we talked to alot of cool people this week. I like being able to have conversations with all sorts of different people and finding out about them as well as sharing our message. Even if we they aren't interested in our message or we cant set anything up with them we can always just be kind and show intrest in their lives. I always want to leave them feeling better then they did when we started talking and try to leave them a good impression of the church so that the next time they see the missionaries or have some sort of contact with the church they will be more receptive.

As members of this church and representitves of Christ we should always strive to do our best so that we set good examples for others. I remember hearing this peom before my mission that goes some thing along the lines of,

Others are watching and this is a fact.

Someone will notice the way that I act.

So make this your motto and put it to use,

Be someones example, not their excuse.

We always need to do our best and strive to be more and more like our Savior each day. We all know that actions speak louder than words and sometimes the best way that we can help others have the desire to learn more about the church is through our actions. I challenge you all to reflect on who you are and pick an area in your life where you can improve. As we develop Christlike attributes we grow happier. That is what the gospel does for us and that is the purpose of life, to improve ourselves and to find happiness. I love you all,

Elder Swenson