Coucou mes amis!
So many things going well at the MTC: classes are fun, Christmas lights are being put up, I sang with the choir at a devotional, our teacher is getting married on Saturday, and I had the most amazing chocolate milk. But seriously, I’m obsessed with the chocolate milk. Even just smelling the BYU creamery’s new Mint Brownie Chocolate Milk makes me happy.
In classes this week, I found that I was a more effective teacher and friend when I listened to understand instead of to respond. Sœur Moody and I taught our first practice lesson in French this week, and it was going pretty poorly in the beginning. He was speaking pretty quickly, so Sœur Moody was having trouble understanding what was going on. As for me, I could understand him, but I would get so nervous about what I was going to say next that I wouldn’t really be listening to him.
I then remembered a Jeffery R. Holland quote from Preach my Gospel: “If we listen with love, we won’t need to wonder what to say. It will be given to us—by the Spirit and by our friends.” When I finally tried to just listen to what he was saying, really seeking to understand his questions and worries, I found the moment he stopped talking, the spirit inspired me with the perfect response.
And that’s just one example of things going well! I’m really looking forward to the rest of today and next week. We’re throwing a party for Elder Bennion’s birthday (shhhh!), our teacher’s wedding is tomorrow (we aren’t actually going, we’re just pretending we are,) and Thanksgiving festivities are coming up (which means we can finally listen to Christmas music!)
I’ve been loving getting all of your emails! I’m not always able to respond (and I’m only allowed to do it on Friday,) but I read and get strength from all of them. Please let me know what you’re thankful for. What’s been good in your life lately and what are you looking forward to?
À bientôt !
Sœur Peterson
