I'll Go Where You Want Me To Go: Letter 10/11/14

Hey Family!

So I'll start with questions this week... First off, no, we didn't get to go to any of the Zone Conferences this week. Our Zone's is actually the 28th, so we have a while to wait. Elder Platt is planning on going to the U when he gets home. He's from South Jordan, so it's pretty close to home for him. It's true, we don't have much time for porting these days. We got hit with some pretty big challenges this transfer as far as the office, and plus Elder Sughroue can't go out proselyting, so we have to just sit around with him.

I got my package that you sent through Soeur Poznanski, so much candy haha! I never got the other one that you sent, probably on Monday or Tuesday. We would love to see Brother Eaton! That would be way fun, and we're in the perfect position to do so. I don't think I necessarily need anything else right now. I just got a new coat, and that's the only thing I needed. I'll let you know if I think of something though! You can tell Brother Eaton that my cell phone number is _____ (Can I tell you how hard it is to have his cell phone number and not pick up the phone and call him!!) . And this time I definitely have the international calling, I have to for my job haha, so we'll be able to keep in touch :)

We were able to watch Sunday's General Conference sessions with the Walls (the senior couple that works in the office). They were so good! They really were the talks and inspiration that we needed. I LOVED President Uchtdorf's talk in Priesthood session! I also really liked Lynn G. Robins' talk. I can't remember which session it was, but he didn't hesitate to get in peoples' faces and step on some toes on that one, it was cool. Honestly, the biggest thing I learned was the importance of loving people you serve. Right now for me, that means other missionaries more than anything else. And so I've been really working on that this week, especially when people call with dumb problems or ridiculous questions :)

So our week...

Monday we took Soeur Poznanski to the airport! It was pretty sad to see her go, but she'll do so great at Temple Square! I loved the picture you sent from when she met grandma and grandpa at the MTC, what are the chances?! Other than that it was just shopping and emails and office work.

Tuesday we had District Meeting, which was pretty fun. Afterwards we had an exchange, so Elder Rigsby came with me back to the office and we started chipping away at my to-do list. The only hard part is that in order to help me I have to teach him how to do it, which takes more time than if I just did it myself. But, I wanted him to feel included on the work, so we made it happen :)

Wednesday we finished our exchange in the morning so we could get ready for our trip! We loaded up the van, changed into our road trip clothes, and headed out for Valenciennes. It's one of the northern-most cities in France, right on the Belgium border. We spent the night there and put together desks, beds, closets, dressers, everything we could that night and early the next morning.

Thursday we finished everything in Valenciennes and had Elder Palfreyman and Elder Buxton walk us around to make copies of their keys for the other companionship that just moved in. After, we got on the road to Caen, on the west coast, pretty close to the Normandy beaches. Unfortunately, we didn't get to go see the beaches, but if we're ever closer to there we'll try to :) In Caen we just had to replace the wooden bedsprings on the beds, they were all broken and sagging in pretty hard. It was a pretty quick stop, then we headed back home :) That evening was pretty laid back, we finished up office work and headed home.

Friday was pretty much a straight office day. We took Elder Sughroue to a physical therapy appointment, then had to go to Carrefour to pick up some supplies for the Sisters in Nogent. After, it was just working on some of the new apartments that we're looking for.

Today we're planning on going out to the Versailles Castle, then we have a talent show at the church. I'll let you know how it goes!

So some sad news... Elder Sughroue found out from the PT the other day that his recovery is supposed to take 4ish months. So, he and Président decided that he needs to go home. We haven't gotten the approval yet from Salt Lake, but he'll probably fly home this next week. Please keep him in your prayers!

Anyways, that's about it for the week! Thanks so much for everything, love you so much!

Love,

Elder Tyler Martin