Sunday, March 4, 2012

Elder Fitch: February 27, 2012

SO this was a pretty sweet week! Tuesday we went up to that ski station, Meribell, again to visit that english couple. This time one of their brothers was there so we got to visit with him as well. We had an awesome spiritual lesson, the guy made us a super delish something(he's a professional cook), and they showed us around again (meaning we took the ski lift again). The brother came up with us with his snowboard because he wanted to learn. He had never done it before. So we spent about 20 minutes on the bunny hill. Him going down and falling and us pushing him back up. It was super cool though because I was the only snowboarder there so I was trying to teach him. Unfortunately I couldn't show him, cause that would have been a lot easier. Oh well It was cool to be able to give him some pointers.
The weather has been absolutely beautiful. Still a little chilly, but sunny and nice. I wonder if hannah's new winter blast will make it's way over to me...we will see. For now I am enjoying it.
This week will be super sweet, we have lots of potential progression this week. Im stoked. Our amis Odile will be back in town and I think she will make leaps and bounds now. We have another amis named Catherine that is starting have thing click with her and we should be seeing some more this week as well. We also met a guy contacting in the park that is super cool. He is hungarian italian and is at this moment out of work and has no home. He used to work for some big company in Cananda but lost EVERYTHING, job, wife, house, kids, everything. Super bummer situation. He's been riding his bike around europe looking for work. He so far hasn't had any luck. He's a super cool guy that just want to work. He wont even beg, he prefers to look for a job. Anyway we met him, had a super cool conversation and gave him a hungarian Book of Mormon and invited him to church. He showed up and really liked it. There is a member that is hungarian so they got to talking and I asked around a little bit to see if any members knew of any workiing opportunities. There are a few possiblities so he might end up with something this week. Which is just in time because this week is his last couple days that the soup kitchen thing will give him food for free (10 limit, after it like a euro). So if he doesn't get anything he has to leave. So we'll see.
HEY guess what????? You guys remember the family Slepcik in montauban???? Well I talked to Elder Ormond this week and confirmed it today with our weekly letter from president, but the rest of that family was baptized on saturday!! 4!!! We baptized a FAMILY!! that is what i am talking about, SO cool!! AND I also found out that another amis of ours named Emma that we found while I was there will be baptized on the 10 of March. How cool! Oh Montauban.
Oh ya so I don't know if I told you guys but we missionaries teach english as a second language as a service. It is really hard to get people that actually come and have it actually be worth it. So up until Chambery we have either not done it our done it very unoften. But here the last month thanks to a friend of ours we have about 15 that come everyweek!! it is super cool. These are people that would NEVER stop and talk to us on the road, but here they are in the church. If nothing else they get a better idea of who we are. PLUS we've had several people start asking questions. super cool guys, super cool.
Well I love you all And I pray for you everyday and I hope you have a wonderful week!! LOVE YOU!!
Mark

Sister Fitch: February 27, 2012

oh boy oh boy do I have things to report this week.

E.T. does not only stand for Extra Terrestrial, but also Emergency Transfer...

So, here we are a week and a half into the new transfer, and my companion is having a bit of an anxiety attack so she asks President for a blessing, and he comes to our apartment to give her one.  But, before he gives it to her, he says, "I want to talk to you about transfers." I'm thinking, President, they just happened, and won't happen again for 4 more weeks.  Au contraire.  One of the other sisters decided her mission was done, and she left this Saturday.  So, we found out Tuesday we would be transfered, and it all went down Friday night.  Kind of crazy!  So, for the moment there will be no sisters in YSA in Montreal, which is sad, but I don't think it will stay that way for too long.  Sister Limburg is joining a companionship in an English family ward, so she'll be in a trio, and I am now serving in a branch called Hochelaga, replacing the sister that went home.  It's families, and French.  My companion is Soeur Pierache, and she is so great.  She's from France, pretty far north I think.  She is super, and we're getting along really well so far.  So, we had wednesday and thursday pretty much to not only close our area, but close our apartment.  Packing, cleaning, organizing, phone calls, jeepers.  We didn't get to do a lot of teaching, and we only got to visit one member before leaving.  At normal transfers, you have sunday and monday to see people.  Church and FHE.  Not so this time.  At first I was kind of upset because I felt like Sister Limburg and I were just getting into our groove.  I'm sorry, but you've thrown off the missionary's groove.  Friday was crazy.  Winter decided to come back in full force, and it has been snowy and freezing again ever since.  So, winter part II begins, the exact same day I have to start driving in Montreal and figure out these crazy Quebecois rules (or rather lack thereof).  After we dropped the sister who left off at the mission home, we had to go back to my apartment to get my luggage.  When we got there, the kitchen sink was basically exploding.  Water was bubbling up from the drain and was all over the floor and the counters, geyser-style.  The week was so crazy and I've been so uptight lately, that that was just...too much.  I fell on the floor and laughed and laughed and laughed and couldn't do anything about it for several minutes before I pulled myself together.  We found the concierge, he tried plunging it, a pipe broke, and he's going to have to call a plumber.  Good thing we moved out just in time!  Then we had to drag all of my luggage about four blocks to the car, up hill, through the 5 or so inches of new snow.  It took three trips, because we had to take all of our groceries and such too.  Absolutely ridiculous.  It has been lots of laughter since.  Soeur Pierache is really great.  I don't know anything about this area or the people we are teaching or any of the members, or how to get anywhere or anything like that, but I am loving it.  My last two companions were really great, but there was something missing in our relationship, hard to put my finger on exactly what.  Whatever it is, it's not missing here, so I am super grateful for that.  I still haven't unpacked yet, but I'm sure I'll get around to it some time.  We will still be teaching the people I had in YSA, as well as in Hochelaga, but we will only be tracting for Hochelaga.  I love speaking so much French, I love hearing a FRENCH accent from my companion, not yucky Quebecois.  Okay, not yucky but not so nice as French.  Life is super, super crazy but it just feels like a big adventure.  I feel really good in this new area.  It's still in Montreal, maybe 5 or 6 kilometers east of where I was before, but its still pretty different.  Family, French, car.  Anyway, probably one of my more eventful weeks on the mission so far.  I love you all so much, it was fun to laugh with my companion because it reminded me of how much we laugh as a family.  It's good for the soul :) Send warm thoughts my way, please.  I was pretty crushed about this weather, I was so sure I had escaped and spring was on its way!!  Something I learned this week, or maybe just re-learned, is that it really is possible to have fun and be happy even when everything seems to be going wrong.  This week someone reminded me that when God gives us a little shove, we shouldn't take it too hard and get discouraged or depressed.  Use the momentum to drive you to the next level.  Afterall, men ARE that they might have joy.  People are the most important thing, and I get to interact with so many so often and I love it.  I love you all lots and lots and lots.

Elder Fitch: February 20, 2012

Well the beginning of this week was cold, it snowed, and then turned into spring! Most of this week was absolutely beautiful! Still chilly, but nothing like the last couple of weeks. Since Elder Jensen came from serving in Nice my theory is that he brought the sun up with him, cause it has been NICE!! haha get it? He really did come from Nice (said like niece) though.
 
This week was definitely a walking week. We walked everyday, just about all day. We spent alot of time contacting on the road, hunting down addresses, and knocking(or ringing rather) doors. I LOVED it! I felt so good this week! I felt like I got A LOT done and am very satisfied with what we accomplished. YAY!  Despite the lack of RDVs we were able to plan, we ended up planning this whole week out already. At this point everyday is FULL to point we couldn't fix anything else if we wanted. Except for Saturday and Sunday. It is SWEET! that just makes you look forward to the week I tell you what. One cool thing we are doing tommarrow is we were asked to go back up to that ski resort to visit that couple again. Im stoked for that. This week is just going to fly by.
We were able to see Odile agian this week and had an awesome RDV where we were able to speak very openly about what she needs and what she wants to do. I'm super stoked, within the next couple weeks or so I think she is going to make leaps and bounds in her progress. So send your prayers for her. This week she is in Paris so we wont see her till next week.
Our family Cossongo we found were all sick this week and so were unable to see us this week. Plus they haven't been able to get moved down to Chambery yet like they and us had hoped. We might be able to go see them on saturday, so keep them in your prayers as well.
 
So other than that things are going well! Elder Jensen is pretty awesome, we get along really well. PLUS I am actually taller than him. My last two companions have been giants.
OH and today we got to go snow shoeing again up in the mountains. It was beautiful! with brand new snow everywhere. That did me lots  of good.
I lOVE YOU ALL and MISS YOOU!!!!! Have a good week!
Love Mark
 
Ps this is a photo from snowshoeing LAST time, with Elder Park. I just had to climb this dead tree....and jump off it. I couldn't help it. I landed in snow up to my knees, it was tight.
     The middle one is up at the ski resort last time....yeah Im on a ski lift. 


     snow shoeing agian the first time.  

Sister Fitch: February 20, 2012

This week was one of those weird weeks where I felt busy, but I also felt like we didn't get anything done!  Things kept coming up that kept interrupting the work.  Things like Sister Limburg needing to get some blood work done, which ended up taking most of the day.  Sigh.  But, we did make some good progress with Dalhia, who is really soaking up the gospel.  There's still a ways to go, but she is understanding the importance of prayer, and is USING it, hooray, and is always asking us for things to read in the Book of Mormon.  She really wants help learning how to forgive.  She wants to have a better life, and it is so fun to see her countenance lighten up bit by bit.  She's finding hope, something she said she never really has had before.  Our investigator Karen, who is getting baptized at the beginning of March now, brought her boyfriend to church, which was really cool because she didn't think she'd be able to get him to come.  Hopefully he'll see that there are good people here trying to live good lives, and won't give her a hard time about coming anymore.  We had a movie night this week, for members to bring friends to, and we watched 17 Miracles.  Anyone seen it?  Its about the Willie handcart company.  Intense.  Sad.  Incredible.  It's amazing what trials people will endure and come out with unshaken faith.  Inspiring!  We live so far away from where it is productive for us to knock doors and such that we waste a lot of time travelling.  It makes it hard when we only have an hour or so left in the day, but travel time there and back will take at the very, very least 45 minutes of that hour.  Rrrr.  We're hoping President will move our apartment to somewhere a little closer.  It's hard.  I guess I just need to be more creative and think outside the box during planning and whatnot.  We'll work it out!  Things are going well with Sister Limburg and I; we're still different as ever from each other, but we're coming to a pretty good understanding and we're building a really good relationship.  Life's good :) Today we decided rather that running around trying to meet up with all of the other missionaries, we're going to take it easy today and go home and write some letters, take a nap, reboot a little.  I'm at that point with winter that even though its really not all that cold, its just UGLY.  Montreal is pretty filthy in the winter.  I'm tired of ugly! tired of dirty!  I want to be in the Alps!  :) I'll get over it, though, and spring will come soon.  I saw buds on the trees the other day.  They are tiny, just starting, but they're there!  Saturday was my 9 month mark...bizarre.  9 more to go!  Yikes, time flies.  Love you all lots.  and lots.
 
Han

Sister Fitch: February 13, 2012

wow, I can't believe its a new transfer ALREADY!  That flew by.  I am staying put with Sister Limburg, and am happy for it.  This transfer was kind of tough, lots of physical and emotional strain on both our parts, but we've had some really good breakthroughs lately, so I have high hopes for this next transfer.  We've been teaching some really great people.  Dalhia, the girl who "just had some questions" ended up liking the answers we gave her, and even came to church.  She seemed to really enjoyed it, especially the hymns.  She's doing well, asking LOTS of questions still, which is great.  We're teaching another girl who is the friend of a member, and she came to institute with us. She seems to be liking it all as well.  Our investigator Karen, who is scheduled to be baptised on the 25th (may need to bump it back a week) went to Quebec City with the branch for the winter carnival.  Pauline went too.  So great!  We had zone conference this week, and that was pretty cool.  It was nice to hear from President Cannon, I learned a lot and gained some extra skills for teaching.  It's been pretty warm around here, hovering around 0 degrees or so, but this week it got cold again!  I started thinking Spring was on its way, but...that's still a ways off I think.  We had a pretty good week over all, felt good.  Seems like just as soon as I feel like I've finally got a handle on things, its time for the next round of lessons to learn.  So, feeling kind of overwhelmed, kind of tired, kind of worn out, but ready to learn.  I just have to remember to take it little by little, and not try to tackle everything all at once!  I keep forgetting to bring my flash drive so I can send more pictures...I'll try for next week!  I love you all so, so much.  
Last night I had a crazy dream.  I was in a lot of trouble and needed some help, but the person I was asking for help said she wouldn't because to her I wasn't a person, I didn't even have a real name.  Sister?  What's THAT?  I told her my name was Hannah, but my dad calls me Hannah B, my sisters call me Hanny, my nephews call me Hanala (I don't know if they really do, actually, but that's what I said in the dream) and I have a family that loves me and that I need to be with, so she better help me!  Well, she helped me.  And then I found a puppy...his name was JackJack.  Irrelevant.  My point is, it was amazing to feel how much strength I got just by telling someone about my family and how much I love them and how much they love me.  So, thanks :) It was just a dream, but its spot on in that you are definitely some of my strongest motivation.  You're great!  Lots of cool things are happening here, I'm so glad to stay another transfer here.  I think things will get interesting next transfer, but for now I'm just happy to work this area some more.  I love the people we're teaching.  They're great.  Lots of love,
 
Han

Elder Fitch: February 13, 2012

Hey Fam!

So I totally forgot that last week was the last week of the transfer! Well There's been some changes. Elder Park left me, he was transfered. I stayed in Chambery and I have a new companion.....named.......ELder......JENSEN! He is super awesome. He knew Hannah in the MTC. Im looking forward to working with him he seems like a great missionary, AND I am actually taller than him! Thats a first for me. 

So this week was pretty cool....literally....cold even. Yup still cold and it's supposed to snow again this week. But this week was cool other wise too.  With Elder Park being transfered we gave Odile, our amis a few weeks ago that was going to be baptized but then dropped us, a call to tell her and we were able to see her on Saturday because of it. It turned out though that she was going to call us that same day. When she dropped us she kind of hit a rock bottom and had a lot of time to think. I know the spirit was workin with her because she came to the conclusion that she needed to get out of the situation she was in and she knew we could help. We had an awesome Rdv with her on sat that I know was inspired because it was exactly what she wanted to talk about. She talked about WHEN she's baptized, so that is still in her plans. She wants out of the relationship she's in with some guy, so that will be good. We fixed another RDV for this Wednesday and I'm super excited! I think she will make some HUGE progress this transfer, so stay tuned. 
As for that family we found, the family Cossongo. They weren't able to move down to Chambery yet, but we're working on it. 
These next couple transfers we are going to rock Chambery. It will never be the same. The end. 

I love you all!!!!!!!!!!!!! Like a french teenager loves cigarettes! (its kinda like how a fat kid loves cake, but frenchified.) Except I love you EVEN more!....yeah that much. 

Love Mark 

Elder Fitch: February 6, 2012

WINTER!!!!
So when i got here It was a lot colder than Montauban, but still, not TOO bad. Winter finally struck in the great Alpalachians this week. We got a big fatty snow storm and then incredibly cold temperatures ALL the time. It does not warm up. It cold your face freezes and you can't talk normally and everything is dry and cracking. Man I feel bad for anyone serving in places like Canada....haha hannah. Seriously though, Hannah is tough. Go Han. The sun comes out sometimes but it strange to not feel any warmth coming from it. The wind takes it all away. Haha it's great, what an adventure. BUT if I come home with no fingers and toes I hope you'll still love me.
THis week was super great because we found a family! YEah! so two weeks ago when we went up to visit that english couple at the ski resort we were on this train right? and we were sitting across from this guy. After a sec I noticed this guy looking VERY intently and very creepily at my name tag. I knew, or thought I knew, what he was thinking. So I was getting ready for a comment or maybe something to say to him. Then he leans forward kind of slowly and whispers to me.."Can we talk about God?" and I said "what no, go away don't bother me." no Im kidding i said YES, Of Course!  People don't say things like that....ever. I was really suprised. Anyway so we had a great conversation with him until he invited a muslim guy to sit with us and it just turned into a we're all the same theres no specific church of God conversation between them. BUT he did say he wanted us to come to his house and meet his wife and family. COOL. So we went later that week. We couldn't find him. couldn't get a hold of him. Mince. that is a bummer. This week we tryed again and set a RDV with them and we went back out there. Found them. Taught them. and they want to be baptized. The lesson was super awesome and they were really into it. They were super receptive to the spirit it was great! Our only worry was getting them to church....BUT turns out they are moving to Chambery this week, WOW. I am super stoked to keep going with this awesome family, they have 3 kids by the way. Just super great.
Something like that just makes the whole week worth it and a great success. Specially when we walk around for hours with absolutely nothing to show for it. THe Lord is merciful and is always there. This is His work, not ours. Im super stoked to be apart of it.
I loove it! I love all of you and hope you have a wonderful week!
love Mark
 
ps in the photo notice the lovely green scarf that is keeping me from freezing because it is about negative 20 degrees Celsius because it was so well made nice and thick....Thanks Les
    and eating mac and cheese made by me.
    and elder Park contacting Yoda at the bus stop....he is super interested.



Sister Fitch: February 6, 2012

Hi all, sorry this'll be a quick one.  The week was good, kind of tough!  My companion is lovely, and is dealing with a lot of personal anxiety issues and such, so we've been trying to sort it out this week and it has been t-t-t-tough.  I think we're on the right track, though.  Transfers are coming up, I'm pretty sure we're both staying.  We taught a girl this week who was really great.  She's not religious at all, but wanted to ask us some questions.  At the end of the lesson she said "it's so nice to have answers to my questions" and we're meeting with her again soon to answer more.  She's great.  It's so great to be here, I can't believe how fast this transfer went!  The weather has been ridiculous.  -9 is the worst I've seen it in about two weeks.  Pitiful.  Mark is suffering much more than I right now!  We'll see what the rest of February brings, though!  Sorry I don't have much to report!  Oh, I did an exchange this week with a sister I was with in the mtc.  It was really awesome, very eye-opening to see how the work is in a family ward.  So different from YSA!  ysa is its own beast.  I have to go, there's a line for emails, but I LOVE YOU ALL!!!
 
Much love,
Han

Sister Fitch: January 30, 2012

Love to you all :) 
 
This week went by fast; we had lots of appointments, it was really nice to have a full schedule!  Things of course fell through and moved around, as usual, but it really was a good week.  We had a lot of help from our members, which was also nice.  Usually its a little tough finding people who are available, but we were sure to ask long in advance so it worked out.  We even did some member splits, and I sent my trainee off into the big city alone with a member!  She did great.  We've had several people drop us lately, but just as well, we were about to drop them anyway.  For them, life is comfortable as is, why make changes that will be difficult to do if you can just keep doing what you are doing and be just fine??  I'm learning that it all comes down to the Book of Mormon.  If they don't read the Book of Mormon, they don't understand that it really does contain the fulness of the gospel, and that it really can help them with EVERYTHING they deal with in their lives.  They don't understand how much peace it brings, how much understanding it gives you, how much light it shines on all aspects of our lives.  I had to learn that lesson myself, and now I can't go a day without reading it because I NEED that help evey day.  But, can't really force them to read it, let alone to pray about it.  
Anyway, Raluca is SUPER awesome.  Sister Limburg taught her on our member split, and lets just say it was NO coincidence we knocked on her door.  She's been out of town for the weekend, so we are hoping to see her again soon.  We had a "lesson" with a Jehovah's Witness who is friends with a member of the church (met in a religion chat room...) and who met with us at his request, to get a better idea of who we are.  She is VERY devout in her religion, so it was a little bit of a different flavor than our typical lesson.  It was fine, it just showed me again how important having the FULLNESS of the gospel is--missing pieces lead to confusing and conflicting doctrine.  Anyway, it's very icy here.  Everything is covered in ice.  It rains then freezes, then snows, then rains, then the sun shines and melts the snow which freezes again to ice.  SLICK.  Anyway, life is good, training is HARD but good, I have my voice back so missionary work is a tad bit easier, I'm tired...always....but I am really feelings good.  I love being here.  It's starting to get to the point where I'm not feeling quite so overwhelmed, I'm feeling plenty challenged, but it's really a lot of fun rather than loads of stress.  It's been interesting being around a brand new missionary; she's struggling with similar things I struggled with at the beginning and seeing myself in her, and seeing where I am now has shown me that I really am progressing and learning and growing, and I am grateful for that.  Day by day sometimes our growth is hard to measure.  Well, that's all for now.  I love you all, thank you for all your support, it keeps me going every single day!
 
Loves,
Han

Elder Fitch: January 30, 2012

What a week!
So its a good thing that I am serving in Chambéry....I was hardly even in Chambéry this week. I have never traveled so much in one week in my life! IT WAS INSANE! It made time fly though, I feel like I just emailed you guys yesterday.
This week I took 13 trains, 4 of them only lasting about 20 minutes a piece, the others all over an hour. I took 2 long distance bus rides each an hour long. I also spent about 2 and a half hours in a car. I saw a lot of super cool stuff though. tuesday we went and visited an english couple that is working at one of the nicest ski resorts in the Alps. The nicest being only 20 more minutes down the road at Courcheval. They are working there for the season and can't make it down for church on sunday so they asked if we could visit them. It was legit, I was litterally on the ski runs. They took us around a little bit, yes I did get to take a ski lift, and walked down a little cat track to an upper lodge. The snow was absolutley beautiful! and LOTS of it. I got my snow boarding fix so I'm good. Just watching people snowboard was good enough for me for right now. Wednesday we had an exchange and I went up to Annemasse and while I was there we had to go to a city called Gex and to get there we had to go through Geneva. On the way back the elder I was with got himself lost so I got to see a good bit of Geneva which is super cool. That was the first I've left france for almost 11 months. Thursday we had our districk meeting in Anncey and then went to Aix les Bains. Friday we went to Albertville where the 1992 winter olympics were held, cool huh? I had no idea. Unfortunatly the RDV we went there for did not end up working out. Saturday we went to Modane which is over closer to Italy. The family we went to see there is super awesome. The father works for the gendarme which is like the national guard and he id on a ski unit for that. So The week was full of travels. We were not able to have much success with amis, but I think this week will be alot better and we will see a lot more results.
Well That is it for this week. I love you all so much and I wish you a fabulous week!
Love Mark

Sister Fitch: January 23, 2012

 It's been quite sunny here lately, therefore VERY cold!  Today it's not so bad--I think we hit 0!  This week was a little tough because I was feeling under the weather and so had very little energy.  It was good, though.  Last night we still had lots of finding to do, and so we went knocking.  We came out of the metro, and I saw a building down the road a bit and just started towards it.  There were lots of buildings before that one that looked easier to get into, and a little less nice (the hope is therefore full of more humble and open people) but I just felt like that was the one.  It wasn't some overwhelming feeling or anything, it wasn't major revelation or an undeniable pull, I just...knew.  So, we went and proceeded to meet an hour's worth of rejection, door after door after door, some polite, some not so much.  Only a couple doors shut in our faces before we could get a word in.  Then, we met Raluca.  It was hard to put my finger on just what was up with her and why she was listening to us, but then she told us her mother recently passed away.  It was such a joy to tell her about the plan of Salvation, to tell her she would see her mother again.  It was a short lesson, since she didn't have much time, but we're going back tomorrow night.  So, we'll see!  We also had a "Sisters' Conference" this week--basically a slumber party with a slew of trainings the next morning/afternoon.  I realized then that I like sleepovers, but there are certain people I like to have them with...there were 14 sisters there, and it was a bit overwhelming.  I haven't been around that many girls in so so long!  Felt kind of funny.  This week we have several lessons lined up and membres that can come with us, so we're hoping it'll be a good week. 
love you all.  SO MUCH.  You are the gas in my tank!  Be safe, stay warm (send warm vibes if you have any extra!) love you!
 
Hannah

Elder Fitch: January 23, 2012

So This week was pretty good. We had some pretty cool things happen. We met the owner of a grocery store we were in and he started talking to us and asking us some questions about who we were and everything and we were able to talk to him a little bit there. Later that day we went back because we had forgotten something we needed and the same guy came up to us again and said that during his lunch he went and looked us up online to find out more. Usually thats not a great thing because often people just find antimormon  poop stuff that isn't anywhere near the truth. Fortunately he found pretty accurate stuff and was smart enough not to believe everything he finds on weird sites. At this point we were able to have a much more in depth conversation with him and answer a lot more questions he had. It was really cool and he said he would be interested in talking to us the only problem is that he is the owner of this store and so he works alot and plus there right about to do some renovations and the store so he not super available, but he said in about amonth he'll be more open. so we're hoping that goes well and we're going to try to stay in contact with him until then as well.
We also ate dinner with some members last night and one couple that came the wife is a member but the husband isn't. The husband loves the other members and he knows all about the church, the problem is is that he is a sniper in the army and doesn't really feel like he can become too religious. He's a great guy and very nice. What was good though was that we got along really well and fixed a RDV with him after his next trip. I'm looking forward to seeing how that goes!
We have a little bad news, our amis Odile dropped us. She is the one that had a baptisimal date too. She decided she is not really ready to make any changes in her life. Plus the member that was with us pretty much convinced her that she should take a break and not see us for a while. So that is a bummer, she is just too stuck in the traditions she has been living all her life. I'm sure she'll come around, if she continues to read the Book of Mormon like she said she would. The Book of Mormon is everything, the KEY!  Anyway so the other bummer with that is that we now don't have anyone that we are teaching anymore, that just means more time to find!
Hey so today was pretty cool. We had a member take us up into the mountains and we went snow shoeing! it was super awesome! Very beautiful! I loved it.
I love you all and pray for you! Ciao ciao! TTFN
Mark

Sister Fitch: January 16, 2012

Hello all!
 
Well, this week was a little tough!  It was really cold.  I think the lowest I saw was -28 celcius.  COLD!  And it was windy, too!  That was pretty brutal.  Fortunately we are inside usually, its just the ten or fifteen walks in between being inside that are tough.  This week a lot of things fell through, and we didn't find anyone new to teach, and some of the people we had the highest hopes for fell off the map.  But!  We did get to work with several new people who are awesome.  Herman, the man from Benin, is so great.  He came to church on Sunday (it was a miracle--his boss called him into work, then last minute let him go early) and loved it, the members were really good to him.  We met a guy named Ray who is pretty chill, really open, who was really struck by the story of the restoration.  Couldn't really speak for a few minutes after.  He's been really cool, very friendly and genuine.  And our investigator Karen now has a baptismal date for February.  She has a long way to go still, and (like Pauline) has lots of family opposition, but she said she really wants to do this, so we are praying for softened hearts on the part of her family.  We met lots of interesting characters on the metro, and more knocking.  Lots of rejection, but lots of fun, nonetheless.  Thanks for all of your support, I love reading what you are up to.  I'm doing well here--haven't had much of a voice the last couple weeks, thanks I'm sure to the temperature drop, but its all good.  We're still trying to get used to each other as a companionship.  We're pretty different in most ways, but we get along really well.  I have high hopes for the rest of the transfer!  This week was a little off, but looking back, it really wasn't so bad.  Ray, Herman, Karen, Pauline (who went to the temple for baptisms for her first time, and loved it!) and lots of other people warm everything up, no matter the actual temperature outside!  Yeesh!  Well, I love you all mucho mucho.  I'm happy to be here, and am trying to enjoy winter because its my FIRST and possibly ONLY Canadian winter, so I want it to be a good one.  I told Sister Limburg I could use another four feet of snow on the ground.  I'd love for it to be over my head.  She didn't appreciate the wish much, as she'll be here for two winters!  Stay warm.  I love you!
 
Hannah

Elder Fitch: January 16, 2012

Well....I'm over the hill.....it blows my mind. The last year went by so fast! From what I've heard too is that the first year is the slow year. So I might just be waking up in my own bed one of these days. My Year mark was pretty uneventful. We didn't really do anything. We did go to Anncey for a meeting, that was cool. Other than that it was just a normal day!
This week was just fast. We went down to Valence on tuesday and then the rest of the way down to Marseille on Wednesday morning. That was pretty cool. Marseille feels a lot like San Fran. It was a beautiful day and we got to walk down to the old port where theres lots of boats. At the moment they were having a fish market and let me tell you it was the craziest one I'd ever seen. EVERYTHING was still alive! I'm going to include a picture of one of the tables and it is all alive. eels, octopus, all kinds of wierd fish, you name it. It was cool though. That was good to get my passport stuff taken care of.
It's been sunny, but super super freezing! BEAUTIFUL though! We did a few service activities, one where my chainsaw skills came in handy again, the other was digging holes and planting fruit trees on the side of the mountain which was sick! I loved it.
We don't have many people we are teaching right now, but we do have one that is engaged for baptism named Odile. She is awesome and loves everything about the church and the gospel, she just has commitment issues.
OH I totally forgot to tell you guys that I ate frog legs! There was a member that prepared frog legs for us and I ate them, it was actually really good I recomend it.
I love it here, it is just super great! I love being a missionary!
Well I Love you all and I hope you have a wonderful week!




Mark