Back to Paris - 7/20/15

Hi everyone! 

This past week was stellar. We had a large amount of

investigators come to church and we were blessed to see a number of
those we teach accept dates for baptism. By the end of the week on
Saturday, we were pretty stoked with how the sector was looking for
next transfer... just in time to find out that I'm going back to Paris
on Wednesday! I'm not going to lie, I'm pretty upset. I love Liege,
and I'm very sad to leave it after only three months... But guess
who's replacing me.... Elder Stanford! I know that I'm leaving Liege
in good hands. He's one of the best missionaries I know.

So I'm being transferred to the Paris - meme sector. Dead center of
the city! My sector covers the Eiffel Tower, many other sweet places,
and the Chinese elders are in my district! I'm gonna come back
speaking Mandarin! It's kind of funny because with this sector, I've
served in the north, the south, and the middle of Paris. I know this
place like nothing else!

My new companion is named Elder Ricks who has a reputation of being a
super hard worker. He'll be finishing his mission with me, so I'm
excited to learn a few things from this guy.

Here's my new address:

Les missionnaires
elder Wheatley
1 rue du tage
75103 Paris

But on a more serious note, I want to share with you one of the most
touching moments that has happened to me here in Liege. Forgive me for
being vague with names, as this is very personal. We started teaching
a man who quickly revealed to us one of his biggest struggles --
homosexuality. He told us how he had watched pornography for the
majority of his life until he found himself developing unnatural
affections. This man started our lessons with firm mindset that that
was the way he was, and he couldn't change. Our first lesson with him
became centered on the atonement of Christ.

My brothers and sisters, we can change, and I testify of this with my
heart and soul. The miracle of Christ's sacrifice is that, no matter
what we've done, no matter how we've messed up, we can always come
back. We can always change. The savior was perfect; he was the only
one who didn't need to change, yet he gave his life for us. He gave us
the chance to change. He is the intermediary, and because of Him, we
can change.

We explained this to him with scripture, and it was amazing to watch
the Spirit fill him with hope and peace. At the end of our lesson, he
called the bishop and set an appointment -- he needed to get some
things off his chest. After frequent visits and many lessons, this man
looked us in the eyes and said, "I've decided not to no longer be gay.
I wish to be married and to have a family in the church." Weeks later,
he was reactivated and making leaps and bounds in his spiritual
progression.

You know, it's amazing what things a testimony can solve. Subjects at
the forefront of world debate can be resolved by a simple Bible study.
This man has found so much peace, and has sincerely told us how he
feels better, cleaner, and hopeful. I feel like I've changed a bit
too.

I love you all. Love each other, and go read your scriptures!

Elder Wheatley




Branch president's family