Blessings - 4/6/15

Hi everyone!

Sorry I haven't written in a while. I promise I planned on writing last week, but we were somewhat deterred as Elder Stanford and I spent about... seven... and half hours waiting in line to do my second year legality. Vivre la France! For real though, It's crazy to think that I'm coming-up on a year in the mission. Haha

So, there's a man that I've yet to mention in my weekly emails. His name is Lony Loungoussi. In the middle of the last transfer, Elder Stanford and I split-up on a bus to do some contacting as we travelled to a lesson. I walked to the back of the bus and noticed a man staring at me and my missionary badge. He looked open enough, and as I approached him, he beat me to the punch and says "Vous êtes Mormon?" Upon positively affirming, he went off on how the church had changed his nephew's life in Lyon, and how he wanted that for himself. He then quickly wrote down his address, phone number, and took a rendez-vous before getting off the bus.

Here we are about a month and a half later, and Lony Loungoussi is one of the most prepared investigators I have ever taught. In the first three weeks of teaching him, he gave-up alcohol, tobacco, tea, and coffee, and managed to utterly change his life around. He's technically Muslim as he married a Muslim woman in the Muslim faith, but his heart rests with Christ. I have been so blessed to watch the faith of this man flourish, and I have been amazed by the efforts that he has taken to come unto Christ.

Yesterday, Frère Loungoussi took the hour and half journey with us to a ward farther south to watch general conference, and he loved every minute of it. He expressed his desires to be with his family forever and to help convert his wife. He has a five year-old daughter too, and he prays that they may all one day be united in the faith. I, myself, was often found thinking about how glorious the message of the Gospel is and how it will impact my future family for the better, and I cannot express the joy that I felt as I realized that this man sitting next to me was experiencing the same thing. His baptismal date is on April 18th, and I cannot wait to see him take this vital step.

Lony Loungoussi has inspired me to be a better person. There are so many things that I've learned from him. To name a few: 1) Imagine what this man could have missed had his nephew skipped the opportunity to testify of the gospel to his family after he was baptized. 2) Imagine what Elder Stanford and I could have missed had we lazily plopped down next to each other and avoided others during the voyage. 3) Witnessing the enthousiasm of Lony helps me to see how much I take for granted. Frère Loungossi works a night shift from 8pm to 8am, and I've been stunned to learn during some of our rendez-vous how he had deprived himself of sleep for church or a lesson.

It has been one of my greatest blessings on my mission to teach Lony Loungossi.

- Check-out this sweet sunset that we witnessed upon walking out of conference in Evry.

- I had the blessing to go on exchanges with my old companion Elder Toscano this week. T'was great.

- Said exchange took place in a small city called Chartres with one of the most beautiful cathedrals that I've ever seen.

- This is a part of Elder Stanford an my's vast collection of photos from our adventure at the L'Hay Les Roses Préfecture (where you go to do legality)!

No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing

Bonjour!

I hope all is going well for everyone. Here in Antony, things couldn't be better! Not only are things warming-up in temperature, but in the work as well! This week we were amazed to see each of our investigators take the next step in their progression!

There's one experience I would like to share in particular. Remember how I wrote about our young friend, Christian a few weeks ago. The sixteen year-old boy who has already been baptized but was grounded from coming to church by his parents immediately after his baptism, preventing him from getting confirmed a member of the church. We saw something incredible happen with him.

A few weeks ago, we went to meet his mother at her Japanese restaurant (I wrote about it in the last email, I think), we got there, ate (and might I say that it was dang good!), and asked the waitress if we could meet with Kimiyo (his mother). She came up looking rather flustered and told us to come back later that night because she was too busy. On our way back later that day, we get a text from Christian saying that his mother would rather us come back Saturday. On our way there on Saturday, Christian texted us again and said that his mother didn't want to meet with us then, or ever.... We were devastated. We wanted so bad to talk to this woman to get permission for her son.

After praying to figure out what to do, we both wrote Kimiyo letters. We poured a ton of time into these letters too. I'm talking first and second drafts and everything! We plopped those little letters in an envelope along with some pictures of us and our family photos (thanks, Riss;) and went back to the restaurant. After eating an excellent meal, we left the letters for Kimiyo along with our compliments to the chef.

Suspense was awful as Christian didn't respond to any of our texts or calls for a few days. We started wondering if we messed everything up. On Suday, we sat in priesthood meeting with one of our newest amis, and we were baffled as the door opened and in walked Christian! I caught a hold of him and asked him how he got there, and he said that the letters worked! That his mother's heart softened and he again received permission to come back to church. Elder Stanford and I couldn't contain our excitement.

We'll return to the restaurant soon to get absolute confirmation from the mother so we don't have this problem again, and then we'll be able to finally confirm this stud a member of the church (unless rebaptism is necessary. President Babin is looking into it right now).

Ya know, I don't think that I've ever met so much opposition in any one thing while on my mission. We had so many factors to get over before we could get to Christian's mother. No joke, the day we went to the restaurant while I was writing my emails, some guy in this internet cafe came up to my companion, slipped him a note saying "don't talk, just read. You are a human bomb. Meet me outside." We were super sketched-out! But, everything worked out, because God provides a way. He always has, and he always will. We felt to just ignore the guy and go, and we did.

I love you all, and seriously, if there's a righteous cause that needs doing, have the courage and the conviction to see it done. With God on our side, what do we have to worry about? In fact, check it:

"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?"        (Romans 8:31)

Coming from the mouth of Paul who experienced first hand just about every opposition and affliction known to man (2 Corinthians 11:24-30), you know it's gotta be true. I second his testimony with my own that God loves us, and as we are anxiously engaged in a good cause, he's got our back better than anyone or anything found on this Earth.

Peace, love, and temple marriage, and can I get a letter? *said like the guy from the Allstate commercials*

Elder Wheatley

Opposition in All Things - 2/16/14

Hi!

So this past week has been the hardest yet the most fulfilling week of my entire mission.

Hard things:

Early in the week, we had not yet placed a picture of Elder Stanford on his Navigo (a card used for public transportation) (my bad... I'm a lazy son of a gun), and we were "controlled" by train staff. The ticket for no picture was 33 euros. We narrowly avoided having the police called on us for not having the funds to pay the fee on us, but that little Zion's Bank card saved us last second!

Two days later, Elder Stanford left his Navigo on the metro and we couldn't retrieve it, so we had to spend a bunch more money to get a weekly pass until we can check the lost and found. The whole process took a long time and was super stressful as we were turned-away by each staff in attempts of renewing the card or at least getting a one-way pass home.

From Monday to Wednesday, we were shot down more than ever before, and people were pretty sassy in their ways of saying no. This gets pretty annoying after the 50th time.

Turning Moment

On Thursday, we had a very well timed zone conference with interviews with the mission president that placed a fire in the both of us. The same day we had a prayer that we would be humble and grateful in our struggles, and that the Lord would guide us in finding new investigators and helping current investigators progress.

Good Things:

In a series of miraculous events, 8 new investigators were found through street contacts, transport contacts, member referrals, and missionary referrals; a family found with Elder Nelson had their first appointment where the Spirit touched each and every heart, ending with them inviting us back; and one of our biggest concerns, a sixteen year-old boy named Christian made an extraordinary step to ask his Japanese parents if we could teach them and request that Christain can join the church of Jesus Christ. We're actually going to the mother's restaurant in fifteen minutes to talk to them.

I know with all my heart that God loves us and wants to bless us, and I know that these blessings come as we are obedient to his commandments. "And when we obtain any blessingfrom God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated." (Doctrine and Covenants 130:21). I know also that Satan throws everything he's got at us in the last minute in an attempt to make us miss out on these blessings, so we have every reason to stay strong.

I love you all a ton, and this work is easily the most fulfilling work in the world. Stay strong and do what's right, for God will bless us more than we can imagine.

Elder Wheatley

It's a Small World After All! - 2/9/14

Helllooo everybody!

So, I'm a bit short on time today, but I wanted to leave you with an experience that just blew me away.

So get this, there's a lady from Thailand in our ward who is super awesome. I'd love to give you some first names, but I only know her as Sœur (sister) Ferrazza. Sœur Ferrazza is awesome! She's very active in ward missionary work and invites her friends to meet the missionaries and take their lessons all the time. She is easily one of the most devoted members of the ward and has been a big help in the building of the kingdom in Antony.

A couple weeks ago, while eating dinner with the Ferrazza family, Sœur Ferrazza was surprised at my tolerance and liking of Thai food. I mentioned that I had an uncle that lived in Thailand for a number of years who introduced me to the culture. She asked for his name, and the moment that I said Derek States (that's right, Uncle Derek, I'm calling you out) she exclaimed "Derek?! Derek?! Derek introduced me to the Church!" Upon further conversation, it turns-out that Sœur Ferrazza was indeed brought to the Church by my uncle!

At times in life we all might wonder if we've really done any good in the world. I know that I've gotten down on myself at times because I felt like I've missed so many opportunities to share the "good news". Just remember that there are many unseen influences that comes about from those actions that we do take. I can't read my uncle's mind, but doubt that he was anticipating Sœur Ferrazza helping the missionaries in France, let alone his own nephew. So, let this be a reason to do good. Every action you take makes some sort of impact, so let us choose to act for the Lord.  

And by the way, voici my new companion, Elder Stanford! Isn't he the studliest Canadian Moose-Buck the world's ever known? I'll say!

Love you all! Do good things and think before you act!

Elder Wheatley
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"What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." 2/2/14

Hi everybody!

So this week had a couple beautiful miracles come about:

So, my first day in Antony, Elder Nelson and I visited a small Hispanic family. The parents, Andrea and Alex, are two of the kindest people I've ever met. The missionaries had been visiting this family for over a year, but they couldn't be baptized because Andrea and Alex are not married yet they live together. We asked if they had any intentions of starting their marriage papers, and Andrea told us that she was waiting until Alex proposed officially.

Last Monday, Elder Nelson invited Alex to come play tennis with us so we could get some one-on-one... two-on-one time with him. At the end of our heated match (Elder Nelson rocked us both), we shared with Alex Ephesians 5:22-25 with the intentions of Alex initiating family home evenings:

 "22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;"

We then told Alex that he has a responsability as the patriarch of the family to be the example. We then in engaged him to give the spiritual thought on Wednesday during our family home evening. He agreed.

Apparently that scripture really did something for him, because we show up for FHE, and he invited his mother and brother to come too. During the spiritual thought, he shared Ephesians 5:22-25 again, and another scripture about Adam and Eve, and then turned to Andrea and expressed how he, as the father-figure, needed love his wife as Christ loves the church. He then asked if we could all kneel for a closing prayer. After the prayer, everyone stood except for Alex who, kneeling on one knee took Andrea's hand and asked her to marry him! 

You know, as a missionary, I love to think that I can make plans for our investigators. We had a strong impression to invite Alex to give the spiritual thought, but it never crossed our minds that he would propose! I love my Father in Heaven, and I know that when He prompts us to act, the result will only bring us further happiness. It's just a matter of time before this family joins Christ's fold.

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Love you all!

Elder Wheatley

Bashing? No no no no no no - 1/19/14

Hi everyone,

So, it's been a couple of weeks since my last email, and things have been a bit crazy. For starters, don't worry about the whole "Je Suis Charlie" thing. It has had utterly no impact on France missionaries. Hakuna Matata and God bless America.

Second, I learned a valuable lesson recently:

So get this, a little over a month ago, the sister missionaries in our ward thought it would be a funny idea to go up to an African man publicly calling people to repentance in the middle of Paris and give him our contact information saying "we're interested in what you have to say. This is our number." Surprise! Next thing we know, we have an appointment set with Jean-Marie, the African Evangelist Pastor.

Elder Nelson and I went into this appointment with the intention of sharing the message of the restoration, but it ultimately just turned into the strongest bible bash that I've ever had. I'm not gonna lie, we had him on the ropes, because his beliefs were riddled with flaws, holes, and contradictions (there's no original church, church is in the heart, etc...), and I felt pretty cool as my mind began to slip back into the art of rhetorical device and sophistry. However, by the end of this appointment we met a bitter defeat. Yes, in a sense of debate, we had won and conveyed our message, but nobody left that rendezvous edified by the Spirit. I had regrets and learned from my mistakes.

Now, two weeks ago we had the fortune to stumble across a 15-year instructor of the Bible for the Jehovah's Witnesses. Elder Nelson and I were determined not to repeat our mistakes. We went into our appointments, and Maxime, the JW, was begging to bash. Every opportunity he got, he would whip out his Bible and throw down arguments to counter the pettiest things. However, I'm very pleased to say that we always left feeling rather victorious. Yes, we let many of his arguments go unanswered and his interjections uncountered, but we were able to testify and teach, always leaving with a beautiful spirit in the midst.

Elder Bednar taught in the MTC that investigators remember what was felt, not what was said. I testify to this, and I further testify that it is this Spirit felt by the investigators that compels them to change their life. I know this Gospel is true, and I challenge each of you this week to say something that invites the Spirit into your conversations with others.

Love you all!

Photos:

- Upon leaving a rendezvous, I turned around and realized where we just had it. Sometimes you just need to stop and look at the little things.

- Obeeezy made a billboard!

- We just got Saturday Sport up and going in our ward. It's great!

Éveil de Noël avec les Vieux - 12/29/14

Okay, so we had one of the coolest Christmas stories ever this year:

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So get this, about four weeks ago, Elder Nelson and I went contacting in an area called L'Hays les Roses. While there, these two men pass us on the road, one of them being this super old dude in a wheelchair, and Elder Nelson calls out "Can we help you?" The man pushing the older fellow around looks at us and goes "Yeah! I don't know who this old guy is. I found him in the street." He gave us the handles and peaced-out. Elder Nelson and I looked at each other not really knowing what to do.

We pushed this incredibly old man in whatever direction he pointed his finger (he wouldn't talk to us), and he eventually led us to an old folks home. As we entered, we informed the staff that we found this guy in the street, and a lady goes "He escaped again?!" They quickly rolled him off to some room, and Elder Nelson and I saw a golden opportunity. While there, we spoke with the activity director and started the works on a "Christmas in da Crib" musical fireside!

On the 24th at 3PM, ten missionaries got together to present an hour long Cristmas program to many many ancient men and women, their families, and the staff of this building. This gave a great opportunity to sing, pray, read scriptures, and bare testimony to those that would hear. The spirit was so strong and beautiful during this event.

It just so happened the directress of many retirement homes was present, and she came up to us after and thanked us repeatedly. She then asked us if we would be willing to do the same performance multiple times at her other homes! We said that we'd talk to our mission president and get back to her.

The Lord can be really funny sometimes. Who would have thought that the simple words "can I help you" could lead to such an adventure. I was so blessed to see the smiling faces of many aged men and women who sang with us, prayed with us, and let-out an occassional "Amen!" during our between-song spiritual thoughts. I know that the God places people in our paths for a reason, and it is our responsability to leave them better than we found them.

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We, the four elders in my apartment, then went to eat at a members home for Christmas, and at the end, the family goes "alright! Off to the eiffel tower!" We then piled into the car to go and climb to the very top of the eiffel tower on Christmas Eve.

Love you all so much!

Elder Wheatley

Other photos:

- Sights from the Eiffel tower.

- Who knew that they have ice skating on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower on Christmas Eve? 

- More of Christmas in da Crib!