Bonjour from France! Don't worry, it's still standing. I had to make the subject of this week's email from Les Mis because that's what France has felt like this week. It's like the 3rd French Revolution round here right now! And when I see people in the streets waving these giant french flags around it literally looks like it's straight out of Les Miserables. Haha So, don't worry everyone, all is well! Yes, there is lots of craziness going on here right now. Yes, sometimes I get a little scared. BUT. Guess who we've got on our side? GOD! And He is the most powerful of all. And I'm really happy to be on His side. And I know that He's going to win in the end. And I know that if I'm obedient, I have nothing to fear! But please keep my dear country in your prayers. They need some extra help right now! Well, as for this past week. It was pretty difficult. The political unrest has made it really difficult to get things done. We can't go out on the streets much, we haven't been able to use the public transportation much to get places, and our amis don't show up to their rdvs because they couldn't get there or they didn't want to go out in all the chaos. So, it's been a bit of a struggle. However, I have still learned so much this week! Mostly that there is something good in every day. Something I do is keep a miracle journal. Every morning I begin my studies by writing a way that I saw God's hand the day before, and how He blessed us with a miracle. Even in the worst of days, there is something to be grateful for. So, I'd love to tell you about some of those! First of all, when all of the political unrest began, we got pretty scared because we are in a high-alert area. So, once we received the news, we knew what we needed to do, and really all we could do. We said silent prayers in our head. I prayed for this country, I prayed for those who are trying to tear it apart, I prayed for the families of those who have been hurt, I prayed for peace, and I prayed for angels to walk with my companion and I so that we would be protected. Well, after I said this prayer, my companion and I were walking on the sidewalk, looking for a member's house. This dad and his little girl were walking in front of us, and the little girl kept turning around and looking at us. She was probably 2 or 3. She kept pointing up to us and saying to her dad, "look!" She was smiling from ear to ear. She couldn't take her eyes off of us and was pointing and shouting look with all her might. We weren't doing anything to provoke this...so I have a feeling that God answered my prayer and my companion and I weren't walking alone. From that point on, I stopped worrying, because I know God is protecting us. So then the other night we go to the McDonalds to grab a snack, and as we're there, we hear people speaking english. Our ears perk up and next thing we know we're over at their table chatting away with them. They were these 4 very kind girls here for vacation. One of them, from England, actually lived with an LDS family last summer and even went to EFY with one of the kids! So, she was so happy to meet more of "those darling Mormon people" that she loved. We got to spend a really great moment with them, and I know that a little seed was being planted! Then a few days ago literally every plan we had made fell through. Even our back-up plans. So, we finally decide to visit one of our members because it was their birthday, and we brought them a treat. We didn't think it was the greatest of things, because there were more effective things that could have been done, but we just felt like we should go. So we did, and when we showed up at her door and sang her happy birthday, her eyes filled with tears. Then we gave her the treat, and she told us this was the first birthday present she had received in a long, long time. And then it occured to me why we felt prompted to go there. Missionary work is spreading the love of God people! She definitely felt more loved after that, so I felt satisfied that even if nothing else had gone right that day, God led us to one of His daughters who was in need of some cheer. Ok, last super cool miracle! So yesterday in the middle of our studies after church, we get a call. It was from this man we met on a bus a couple of weeks ago. We had given him our pass-along card with our number. Ok...secret. Only one other time in my entire mission has someone actually called us back from a pass-along card. Sometimes I think to myself, "why even bother giving these out? no one calls us." But guess what? Someone did! He wanted to meet with us and learn more. So we bring him over to some of our member's house, and they hit it off and we taught him and he loved it! It was so cool. I learned that I can't ever lose faith in the little acts. I've passed out hundreds of pass-along cards on my mission. And God knows that. And even if I have to pass out a thousand more before I see fruits come from that labor I will! Well, I hope you all have a lovely week! Thank you for your support and prayers, this past week especially! Love always, Soeur Shields
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