Tears.
Probably the summary of my week.
I have never cried so much in my life. Who knew I was such a
sentimental person? Turns out I hate change. (Mince. That's basically what
missionary life is.) And then couple that with all the stress of speaking a foreign
language 24/7 (even when I'm panicking and we're about to miss our bus.
"Soeur Lai, c'est pas ça! C'est pas ça! Attendez!") "being the
one who knows the ville" and is in charge and knows the rdvs and the amis
and the members etc. etc. etc... and it manifested itself in a very watery way.
But it was strangely so so good. The Lord is always aware.
I don't think I could do this without my companion. Of all
the native French speakers, I needed her. Soeur Lai is the kindest person in
the world. Our second night together I broke down during our nightly prayer and
just sat on the floor, bawling my eyes out. And she sat next to me and listened
while I franglaised my frustration. Then she said "I don't know if this is
an expression in English, but we are in the same boat. You learn French. I
learn English. We can help each other. I understand you. English is hard."
And I realized...yeah. At least most of my companions will be able to speak my
native language. Soeur Lai may be able to communicate well with the members and
our amis, but how frustrating that the person you are with all day every day
speaks only a little French! I can do this.
Thursday I had been speaking French all day long and was
just tired and didn't feel like I could really express myself. As we walked out
the door I thought "Heavenly Father, please just send me SOMEONE who
speaks English."
We walked to our bus stop and just missed it, so we decided
to walk to the next bus stop and contact while we waited for the next bus. We
saw a family and Soeur Lai began speaking to them. Then the mother looked at us
and hesitated not having the words. I knew instantly she must not speak French
and said "Do you speak English?" And in the most wonderful southern
accent she said "Yes, we do. We're from South Carolina." I probably
frightened them with how quickly I was grinning like the Cheshire cat. Ear to
ear.
Turns out the dad was in France playing basketball and they
are going to live here for a few months. We started talking about families and
there I was, standing on a street corner in Nancy, bawling my eyes out in front
of a 1,000 people, testifying about how the gospel has blessed my family. They
don't have a phone right now, just a house phone. But we gave them our card and
the mother looked like she would like to talk with some people from America. I
hope hope hope she calls us!
Then the next day, we got on the tram to go to Vandoeuvre
and some of our Chinese friends got on too! Zhangshan has two friends who came
to church a few weeks ago, and they are wonderful. Their names are Ice Cream
and Orchid. Orchid doesn't speak any French, so dang it... I just HAD to speak
English. We got their numbers and they want to come to church and F.H.E. again
soon!
Every time I get into little "ME" ruts, talking about
the gospel gets me out. Every time I testify, my mind is set free and I
remember clearly why I am here. I didn't come here just to live in a foreign
country and learn a new language. I came to share with people the God I know. I
came to share myself.
God sent me here knowing perfectly well how hard it was
going to be for me. He sent me here knowing that I am a wordy person and think
far too well of myself and my way with english words. He knew I needed to come
to a place where I really would need to rely on the spirit 100%, because not
only can I not be eloquent, but I can barely get across the point of my
message.
Somebody here needs me. I don't know why. I don't know who.
But somebody needs the scared little American girl in France who can hardly speak
the language, but is trying so so hard.
I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!
Soeur Autumn Bradley
Our last nights together we got ridiculous.
KITTIES!! It's official: My favorite animals are cats.
RUE BLONDLOT.
Last picture in the metro.
Enora Blonde.
A daughter of the most WONDERFUL family in our
ward. First members I ever met here.
No comments:
Post a Comment