May 17, 2011 Part 2

Hi Mom!!

 

Here are some of the things we did today for p-day.  We found a zoo, and went to look at the animals there.  It didn't cost anything!! I was surprised.  Ha ha we took pictures next to the statue instead of the real animals XD.  And there were some peackocks wandering around. It made me think of the ones that were there on our paper route.

 

After that, we found a playground, and had some fun there.  I sure had alot of fun!! 

 

Sister Bartlomé

May 17, 2011 Part 1

Hi Mom!

I didn't get a chance to look for an explanation for the chair being there.  If I ever go back, I will look for it :)

Here is a little of the missionary work that is going on here:

We met with Denise, an investigator we have.  Her husband supposedly does not know that we meet with her, so we can only come over when he is not there.  We went over Alma chapter 32, and talked about humility and increasing faith.  We also invited her to go to church, but she didn't come.

We also met with Natacha (a less-active member) and invited her to come back to church.  She said she would come on fast Sunday, so we're looking forward to seeing here there the first Sunday in June :)  And her boyfriend is not a member, so we will see if we can teach him.  Maybe we can get both of them to church!

We have a new amie (that means investigator), Ines, who came to the production The Lion King a couple of weeks ago.  She had read most of the Book of Mormon already, and had alot of questions.  We were like, 'wait, before we start, can we say a prayer??!?'  She understood everything, too!  It was pretty amazing. 

We visited with Claire, one of our amis, again.  We invited her to be baptized, but she said she wouldn't because she was already baptized in another church. Then we invited her to come to church, but she said no, she wasn't interested in changing religions.  But there is another lady, in our ward, actually, who was in the same sort of situation.  So maybe if we could invite her along, that would help Claire out.  Unfortunately, this lady is on vacation for the next... 3 or 4 weeks :(

We were able to go see Hayda, too.  We watched the Restoration film, and invited her to pray about it.  She said she will.  We also invited her to church, and she said next week.  Here's hoping!

As for member effort:  We visited Josie, and taught her the 2nd lesson.  Then, she committed to setting a date to find someone to share the gospel with.  And we also visited with 4 awesome Mongolians!! One of them has already served a mission.  She served in Mongolia.  Then another one is actually preparing to serve a mission.  They are such a good example, so willing to study and do the Lord's will :) 

Also, they are doing something pretty neat here for the month of June.  The Stake is encouraging the members to really try to invite their friends to church (or other people, for that matter). So we'll see how it goes with all the members working on it this upcoming month :)

That is it for now.  Have a good week! Love you lots!!

Sister Bartlomé

May 10, 2011

Mommy!!!

 

Yes you answered the riddle!! I do believe I might've even heard it from you... But oh well.  I asked my companion, and she didn't know.  The one I talked to on the bus, he said he didn't like puzzles.  Well, if he understood what I was trying to say.  I'm not even sure if I said the right word.  I don't like language dictionaries, they don't tell me what people really say sometimes. :P 

 

I attached some pictures.  We went to visit the UN.  It was actually not very interesting, not even for my companion who loves history and that sort of stuff.  But I got some good pictures, anyways.  And there was a cool clock there that showed all of the different time zones.  I need one like that!  Hehe  Also, we found a giant's chair.  I just hope that the owner won't come by looking for it anytime soon...

 

My MTC teacher came here to Suisse!! She is actually engaged to someone here, and the wedding is in July.  She told us that if we want her to come with us to any of our RDVs, all we need to do is ask her and she'd be happy to come.  She was actually a convert to the church herself, so it'd be awesome to have her come with sometime.

 

Yesterday, we had a RDV with a woman named Denise.  Before we headed out, my companion had the impression that she needed to ask Denise if she knew anyone else who would benefit from learning about the restored gospel.  So during the RDV, she asked just that.  And as it turned out, Denise's sister was interested in learning more, and so we will be calling her up and teaching her, too!! I'm so glad that the spirit can direct us what to say and when to say it. 

 

I saw the pictures, of Bonnie and Robert and your puzzle and your skype with Diane and her kids.  Nikki got her hair cut!!! Wow it looks so different!  And how did it sound when she played the flute?  Is she getting better than Cyndi and Bonnie? 

 

That's good that the ward is caring about you while Robert and I are gone.  I am glad that you are not alone.  Of course, you are never alone because you have Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.  But it is always good to have your ward family there, too.  :)

 

Love you, Mom!!  Thank you for everything you do and have done and will do for me! Thank you for your example, and all that you teach me.  Happy mother's day!!  Go eat some chocolate. Ha ha just kidding, I know that it is really tofu that you want ;) I'll write to you next week!

 

Love,

Sister Bartlomé

May 3, 2011

Mommy!!!

 

Yay Mother's Day is coming up!! We haven't yet figured out about when we are going to call and/or skype.  That is what my companion wants to do.  But we need to find a member whose computer we can use, and so far we haven't done much to figure that out.  Do you have an account at skype? Do you have a webcam?  I forget... I know at one point you did, but I don't think you do now.  I think we will be calling closer to the evening though, after 5.  Because church goes from 2-5.  I will email you if I can with more information.  But can you let me know if you can skype?  And if you can, and if you don't have an account, set one up, and then let me know your username.  Or whatever I'm supposed to know to connect with you.  I don't know, I've never used skype.  But let me know by Friday, so that I can try to get back to you and let you know what is going on.

 

I AM getting better at understanding the language.  Haha sometimes it makes me laugh when I talk to kids, and they know what I'm saying... In my head, little kids understand english, and not other languages.  Of course, I ALSO know that they DON'T know english.  So it's a nice little conflict in my head :D

 

They had a performance of the Lion King here! The youth in the Saleve ward put it together this past Christmas, and they redid it this past week.  It was pretty awesome!  They invited their nonmember friends to come see it, so it was a good opportunity for missionary work.  We got a RDV out of it :)  Maybe 2... I forget. 

 

Ahhh that is so weird to think that Bonnie will have a 1-year-old when I get back home!! And you know what else I thought of, is that Cyndi could also get pregnant and have a baby before I get back.  Not saying she will, I'm just saying it's possible.  Weird.

 

I wish it would snow here.  It's just hot, and gets me sunburned :(  of course, anyone else would say the weather is really nice XD That's me for ya, I like my cold.  But today is a bit colder.  We brought our umbrellas just in case it rains.

 

I made my first phone call the other day!! Well, besides to other missionaries.  There is a member who is learning a little bit of English.  She does not know very much yet, but I have been helping her every time I see her.  So I called her up to see if we could meet with her.  Did I tell you about the member effort we do here?  We have lessons that we give to the members, and help them to build the faith and courage necessary to do missionary work with their friends and acquaintances.  It is always a joy.  The members here always want to share the gospel with others, they just need a little push.

 

I am working on getting the courage to talk to people while I am on the bus.  The problem is, I don't know how to start off the conversation without being EXTREMELY awkward.  But yesterday, I had some success.  I remembered a riddle, and decided that I wanted to share that with someone.  (Just in case you're curious, here's the riddle: A man comes home from work each day to his appartment (In french, you spell 'apartment' with 2 p's).  On the nice, sunny days, he takes the elevator to the 12th floor, and then walks up the stairs to his place on the 15th floor.  When it rains, though, he takes the elevator all the way to the 15th floor, without taking the stairs at all.  Why?) So I started talking to someone.  As it turned out, he was from Spain, and didn't speak much french.  But he spoke enough that we could have a conversation.  He was nice.  Then I talked to someone else when I got on the next train.  Ironically, she didn't speak french, either.  But she did speak english.  Anyways.  I shall continue working on that.  And when I get better, I might even even share the gospel!! XD

 

Bishop Sproul asked me to put in a line or 2 for the ward.  So here goes:

Hello Hunter 17th Ward!  I am doing great here in Switzerland.  When I got here, we started out with close to nothing, because my companion and I were both new to the area.  But the Lord has truly blessed us, and continues to bless us as we strive to do His work and as we follow the counsel of our Mission President.  One thing I have really learned, though, is that missionary work is most effective when the members help.  Because then, the investigators have someone there to answer their questions, to be their friend, to be a support system, and all that good stuff, even when the missionaries aren't around.  I encourage you to share the good news of the gospel with people around you who are in need of the blessings that you enjoy.  If you sincerely try, the Lord with bless you.  The Gospel is true!!  -Sister Bartlome

 

There.  Tell them they got a bargain, cuz that's alot more than 2 lines.  Okay well the time is up.  I will talk to you this weekend!! :D :D :D

 

Love,

Sister Bartlomé

April 26, 2011

Hi Mom!

 

Wow, too many letters to keep track of!!  I figured out about the time thing, though.  Ummm... Well, my companion reminded me.  When it is 10 here, I think it is 10 there, too.  But she reminded me that you were still fast asleep.  Oh well, worth a shot, eh? You stay up pretty late sometimes...

 

It took a long time to get back because the prices were cheaper.  And, since this is the most expensive mission, it is necessary to save money where they can.  Wow, I was about to type in Franglais (French & English)... if I randomly type <il faut>, that means 'it is necessary'.  But on the way back, we were actually in a bus, not on a train.  I wasn't too happy.  I think I might've even died... if I did, I'm resurrected now.

 

The legal stuff was basically a medical examination type a deal.  It went great.  I will soon be legal in both Suisse AND France.  Yay!!  We stayed with the missionaries in Dijon.  One of my companions from the MTC was there!  I was so excited to see her again! 

 

I saw her later in the week too, and all the other missionaries who came with me from the MTC.  Because we had a training.  There are 8 lessons they are integrating into the missionary work, and so we went over the 8 lessons.  Apparently, the missionaries coming from the MTC will all have learned those 8 lessons, as well.  So I'll need to know them inside and out.

 

With all of that stuff going on, we haven't had much time to have very many RDVs (rendezvous).  Remember I mentioned Zayda? She is in France at the moment, for work.  So we are emailing her to keep in contact and check up on commitments and such.  We're hoping she's not too far away, because we might be able to go see her since we have a car.  It'll be alot easier.  Teaching through email is difficult.

 

Transfer calls were this morning.  We were pretty sure that neither me nor my companion would be transfered, and we were right.  But I can't wait to hear who moved where!  And the new missionaries are coming in from the MTC.  My comp and I are going to meet up with them and do some contacting.  My comp told me I had better not get lost!  Hehe we'll see...  I'm more worried about if the Suiss people actually start talking to us, because I won't have my companion with me.  I will have a new missionary with me.  So.  I will pray for the gift of tongues.  And when you get this, you should pray for me too.  Because we are going contacting at 3ish, so you will probably be up.

 

Have a great week!!  Love you, Mom!!

 

Sister Bartlomé

 

P.S. I put an accent on my last name on my nametag!! Now people can pronounce my name right :D

April 18, 2011

Hi Mommy!!

 

This will be short.  As long as I can make it, though.  I have legality stuff to go to in Dijon, France, and we are leaving at 4:30 this afternoon and won't be back until 5 tomorrow afternoon.  And train ride for 9 ish hours!! 3ish hours one way, 6ish the other way.  Grrrr... :(

 

One thing I have really learned here is not to judge who will be interested in the gospel, and who won't, based on how they are, the things they do, and other things.  We got 2 references from some Elders, and they told us that 1 would most likely be interested, and the other, maybe not.  In reality, it was quite the opposite!  They didn't think Claire would be interested, but she really liked the Plan of Salvation, and she said that she was even going to share it with her prayer group.  That should be interesting.  But we have another rendezvous with her tomorrow evening, and we will be teaching her about the Restoration.  I pray that she will be open to that, too. 

 

I am understanding more and more of the language.  Sometimes if I don't understand a whole bunch, I find myself zoning out and not even trying to pay attention.  Then when I catch myself, it's always hard to get back into the conversation.  It gets frustrating at times.  But I can do it, with the Lord's help.

 

There is a girl here, Zayda.  I think I have mentioned her before.  She speaks spanish and english, and is learning french.  She came to Suisse with a friend, and is trying to make a living here.  Not knowing anything, just coming for the experience.  I decided I want to do that sometime.  Only it wouldn't work in a french environment anymore, because after my mission, I will be able to get by.  So... maybe I will try it in Italy.  That'd be fun :)  Difficult, yes.  But, an experience.

 

Zayda is a good example to me, though.  She is really embracing the gospel and it's teachings.  She already loves people, and she loves helping others, too.  And now when times get difficult for her, she can turn to the Lord. 

 

2 days ago was my one-month mark being in Suisse!! My comp and I celebrated by going out for ice cream.  I have 3 months on my mission in general, and she has 3 months left for her mission.  It's hard to believe that I'll be where she is someday...

 

Well, gotta go.  Love you!!

 

Soeur Bartlomé

 

P.S. Pâcques (Pronounced 'Pack'), or Easter, is on a FRIDAY here.  Weird, huh?

04/12/2011

Mommy!! :)

 

Yes mail in Suisse is alot more reliable than in Mexico.  We get mail 3 times a day Monday through Saturday, and once on Sunday.  They like to be efficient. 

 

I am glad you got to have a good time with Jazmine and going to Chuckecheeses and the rest of the family too.  Did you tell her happy birthday for me??

 

I wish that Mother Nature would forget the month here... :P  I am not a big fan of the heat.  It's actually not too hot, but I like the cold :)  My companion wonders what I will do when summer comes and it gets even hotter.  Meh.  I think I will survive.  If not, expect a funeral announcement within the next couple of months ok? ;)

 

I remember that time at the MTC!!  I remember they told us that if we wanted our parents to see us and be on camera, we couldn't do anything silly when the camera was looking at us.  It was interesting, because the camera guy was walking around during the ... I think it was a fireside... either that or a devotional.  Either way, it was good :)

 

This past week has been pretty interesting.  I have found out since I got here that it is more than a little difficult to talk with Jehovah's Witnesses, because most of the times they just like to argue and debate, but they won't take anything or do anything more to find out the truth.  But we met one this past week and spoke to him.  My companion and I both bore our testimonies to him, and he was touched!  He actually took a passalong card that we gave him.  This was an evening when we had planned on visiting a member, and then going to an investigator's home and teaching a lesson.  The investigator wasn't there, though! But if she had been there, we wouldn't have found that Jehovah's Witness.  I hope that he someday sincerely ponders about the message we shared that day.

 

My companion received her 'dying letter'.  AKA the letter that tells her she is almost finished with her mission and to plan on what she is going to do after!  She has... less than 100 days, I believe.  Yes, I DID figure it out.  Hey, I have to brush up on my math skills or I'll lose them all!

 

I lost my companion the other day!! We were on the tram, and she got off and I didn't.  I was thinking about something and not really paying attention, so I didn't see her get off.  She always makes sure that I see her before she gets off.  Apparently, I was looking but not seeing.  Laugh.  I went 5 or 6 stops before I realized she wasn't there!  Oh yeah, that might sound weird if I don't mention that:  We don't sit next to each other on the trams or buses.  Actually, we split up so we have more opportunity to talk to people.  Which is not always a good thing if I don't know where we're going... haha

 

One thing I really like here is there are people who play music on the trams!  They play a couple of songs, then go around and ask the passengers for money.  They play some good ones sometimes.  The other day, there was a boy (I swear, he was barely a teenager!) who played Rondo Alla Turka (Lemmings ;D ).  He wasn't looking at the keyboard for most of the time!! He was looking around, behind him to see who was outside... like it was nothing to play that song.  It was amazing!

 

I continue to be intrigued with the language.  Sometimes I understand what people are saying, and sometimes I don't.  Not quite sure if it varies from person to person, with what we're talking about, with what time of day it is, with what mood I'm in, or a combination of all those. 

The Bishop can speak some English.  And he speaks it with an American accent, too!!  It surprised me, because he is French.  No not Suiss.  French.  But we were in a meeting one time, and he said a few English words, and it threw me off! He said it just makes sense to him.  And he said he learned it from having American companions during his own mission.  Interesting...

 

The town of Yvoire was the Medieval town of sorts that I mentioned.  It was pretty there.  I will bring my camera next time and send pictures.  We looked in all the different stores to see what they had.  And we went with Sister Murdock, the mission president's wife.  She bought us ice cream.  mmmmmmmmmm.....  There was a store there that had cuckoo clocks.  Which reminded me that I was going to buy one.  But for some reason I still have the inclination to ask permission...  So.  Is there any reason I can't use my debit card within the next week or so to buy a cuckoo clock?  I want to get one from Geneva, not France, so I need to buy it before I leave Geneva. 

 

Love you, Mom!! Stay happy!! Keep smiling!!

 

Love, Sister Bartlome

3/29/2011

Mommy!!!

I lost all the letters on the keyboard again :( I have to relearn them everz time...

Hehe nope I am not surprised that Breanna's engaged.  I would've been surprised if she WASN'T engaged when I got back!!  Tell her congrats for me :D

I sent the letter the day I arrived in Suisse, I believe.  Tuesday.  Well, that's when I gave it to President Murdock.  He might've sent it off right away, but I don't know.

Surprisingly, I have not taught a SINGLE LESSON!!  We have been trying to figure things out since neither of us know the area.  We have set up a few rendez-vous, but most of them have fallen through (tombez-vous).  Then the other ones weren't really interested in our message.  It is sad :(  We had a rendezvous the other day that we were SURE was going to happen... and then she didn't show up!!! I wonder what happened :( I'm pretty sure she was interested.  So we'll see what we can do to help her when we find out what went wrong.

So, getting to know the area has involved beaucoup beaucoup de knocking on doors (porting), and beaucoup de contacting, too.  Most of the time, I will start out with what I have planned to say, and can understand and respond a little.  But then my comp takes over, because I don't understand a whole lot yet.  But yesterday, she left me out on a limb!  I started talking to someone, and when she normally would've taken over, she didn't!! When I looked at her, she looked back as if to say, go for it!! So I tried to continue.  The woman we were talking to was nice, and she wasn't a native french speaker so she was very understanding.  So now, I will have to talk more, and strive to understand more. 

I need to take notes throughout the week too, so I know what to say...

This past weekend was daylight-savings-time. And... most of the missionaries were late for church.  No one knew!  The Elders called us up at 9:30 and told us that church had started a half hour ago.  Apparently, they announced it in church the week before... Well, I couldn't understand.  Don't blame me :P Haha it was funny.  At least we got an extra hour of sleep.

Along with going to explore our  quartier (area. pronounced car-tee-a  -a as in cake-), we have also been visiting with members.  Those are normally mangez-vous.  aka we eat dinner with the family while visiting, and then afterward share a thought or a lesson or something.  Ok so I have been to a few of those, so if you want to count those as lessons, go for it. It is a good experience visiting with the members, though, I like it!!  We visited with the bishop and his family, and his daughter is sharing the gospel with one of her friends.  And there's another lady that we visit who was less active, but she has been coming and I am always excited to see her :)  Unfornately, I can't understand what she says.  I've been noticing who I can understand, and who I can't.  Mostly, I can understand french when: It is spoken by an american or otherwise english speaker, or by italians, or by portugese people.  And I think some other language speakers, too.  I have a hard time understanding it when it is spoken by a native, or by a spanish speaker.  I am anxiously awaiting the day when I can magically understand, though.  That's how it happens, right?

Oh yeah.  Computers.  We don't have computers in our apartment, so we use public computers.  I think the cost for using the computers can be reimbursed... maybe. maybe not. Teehee I'll find out and let you know next week ;)

Transfers here... I'm not sure exactly what that means.  But I think it means not only changing locations, but also changing companions.  I don't think that mz companion has been in 10 different places.  But she is pretty close to leaving.  I think she goes home in...July.  Soon, in any case.

Well I think I am about out of things to say.  My mind is blank-ish.  So until next week.  I hope by then I can tell you that I have taught a lesson or two...  I CAN say that we gave away 2 BoMs, however!!! That was exciting :D :D :D First 2 times I've done that.  Anyways.  Love you!!! Have a great fantastic week!!

Love,
Soeur Bartlomé

P.S.  Random question:  where does the word 'ridonculous' come from?

04/05/2011

Hello again :)

 

Conference was great!! I always kinda wondered when people watched conference when they live halfway across the world.  Well, now I know.  The Sat morning session was broadcast on Saturday at 6pm, and all the other sessions were broadcast on Sunday! The priesthood session at...2, I believe. Jk. That was the Sat afternoon session.  The priesthood session was before that, probably at 10.  Then the Sunday morning at 6pm, and the Sunday afternoon at 10pm.  We didn't watch the last one, it was too late.  But yeah, I did notice there seemed to be a theme among the talks.  Guess the Lord has something to say to His children, huh? :)

Forgot to say last week: I went to FRANCE!! One of the members lives there, ...the Bishop, actually... and several of the other members, too.  But I was excited :D I realized two things:  One, I have now been in 4 different countries.  Two, when I return home, that will be the second time that I have been to the USA (Cuz the first time I stayed there for 21 years ^^)  Along the lines of visiting the members, though, we decided it would be easier if we could use a car... So can you send me one??  Haha jk.  No we asked President Murdock if it would be possible to drive a car when we need to, and he said YES!! So when we need to, we will be able to drive.  And they have all sorts of funny rules in France and Switzerland, like one is that on some streets, you have to park on the side with odd number houses the first half of the month, and the side with even number houses the last half.  It was bizarre.  And they have multilane roundabouts!! I haven't seen one in person, but it makes me a little nervous...

We taught some lessons!! I was so happy ^^  The rendezvous I told you about last time, turns out she lost her phone and I think her wallet too.  And she had to sort things out.  But we met with her yesterday.  She is awesome, and so ready to learn!! She loves people and cares about them so much :)  And we've met with some other people who used to meet with the missionaries, too. 

I decided to send some pictures for your enjoyment.  I included some pictures of our apartment (the kitchen is TINY), a view from the window, the jet d'eau (that is pronounced Jay doe, only the J is pronounced like the second G in garage.  Make sense?) which is the big jet of water, and a road we walked down and... hmmm... yeah.  We had quite the adventure 2 weeks ago :)  You should look up the jet d'eau, it is interesting and really awesome!!  I will send more pictures later, maybe next week. 

I heard from some of the missionaries in my district!! Soeur Echols called last night, and we talked for about a half hour or so.  Unfortunately, all the others are in other missions :(  But she emailed everyone, and some of them answered! It was good to hear from them and to know that they are safe and doing well :)

 

Well gotta go. Today's adventure before getting back to work is to go to a Medieval town of sorts. Yay ^^

Oh yeah about the random question: ridonculous is a word that I have only heard Americans use.  I was just wondering where it started.  It's not French, it is a made-up english word.

 

Wishing you the best!!  Glad you are having a good time with puzzles and such.  Tell Cyndi and Bonnie thank you for the letters they sent!! I would send one back, but I have yet to figure out how and where to buy stamps and send the letters.  I'll send a letter as soon as I can, and as soon as I have time :)  Wish Jazmine happy birthday for me when you see her!  Love you all!!

1st Week in Geneva

Hi Mom!

 

Ha I found the exclamation mark! The keyboard is a little different here.  So if I type a z I might mean y and if i type < that means the letter right after it should be capitalized.  <o and if I type a y it might be a z.  So yeah.  Fun Fun keyboard.  I wont be able to type when i get back home.

 

I didnt get pictures, but I can get pictures when I get back.  Right now, I donàt (the à is where the apostrophe should be!!! :p) know how to print them off or get them developed, and I dont think Im going to, either.  Ill just concentrate on other stuff and get pictures when I get back :)

My companion, Sister Thacker, has already been in this mission for quite a while.  This is her 10th transfer. (I found the apostrophe!! yay :D)  She was serving in Lyon, and Dijon, and I forget where else.  I am the second person she has trained.  She can understand french, and she can also understand the gist of what Spanish and Portuguese people say.  Yeah, we come across all sorts of people here in Switzerland.  It's about all I can do to realize that they are speaking french, let alone understand what they are saying.  But I am definitely understanding more than the first day.  It's interesting, because from what people say (people in general, not just in Suisse), understanding a language comes before speaking it.  But at the present time, I can speak and get someone to understand what I'm saying.  The problem is understanding.  So I am a bit backwards.  That's ok, though :)

 

I think I am finally getting over jetlag.  I might not have had it, I don't know.  What I know is that I've had a headache since I got here.  We have been riding the trams and buses alot, and those give me headaches.  And alot of cigarette smoke around, and that gives me headaches, too.  Then speaking and trying to understand a new language, I'm told that can give headaches, too.  So all of that, plus jetlag...  yeah i was surprised yesterday when I realized I didn't have the headache that has been my constant companion since I've arrived. 

 

You tell that brother of mine that he is crazy for training someone his first (second?) transfer!!  Perfectly insane!  But that is awesome.  Way to go, Robert :)

 

I am serving in Spanish Geneva, which I thought was pretty funny when I first heard it considering I learned a little bit of spanish at the MTC! On Sunday, we went to both the Spanish ward and the French ward.  Spanish first.  They had us missionaries introduce ourselves.  By the way.  We are both new to this area!  So we both had no idea who lived where, where to go, who to talk to, etc.  I still have no idea where to go.  I follow my companion.  She is pretty smart. But yeah.  So Sister Thacker introduced us, and I got up and bore my testimony in Spanish.  It was awesome!  But just the fact that I went to the Spanish ward first, and then the french ward later that afternoon, it showed me how much I really understand in french.  Because in the spanish ward, I understood... not much.  But I got most of the lesson in the french ward.  At least, it sounded like a lesson, complete with a beginning, middle, and end.  Haha yeah it was good.  I'm excited to go back for church next week, and see how much my understand improves in a week. 

 

It is so interesting being here in a new country!!  There are so many things that are different, besides just what it looks like.  First I noticed was the smell.  Everything smelled different.  The buildings, outside, people, rooms,... it was interesting to make that realization.  Then of course the currency.  Haha I have always had comfort from having a few bucks in my wallet, because then I can use it when I need it.  It doesn't work like that here, though!!  Because they don't use dollars :P But now I have a few francs in my wallet, so it's all better now ^_^  Let's see... Oh yeah!! at church for the spanish ward, I went to Primary.  Oddly enough, they spoke in french.  Those kids know both languages.  I'm jealous.  They called up the kids for birthdays this month.  And my comp's birthday is March 25th, same day as Cyndi's!  By the way:  HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CYNDI!!!!!!!!  But the kids sang happy birthday, and then one of them said "en anglais! en anglais!"  Which means, in english.  AHH!! I was even more jealous.  I wish I had known more languages back in primary :(

 

Another difference is they don't have any public restrooms.  So before I go out for the day, I need to make sure that I go or that I will stop by the institute or the church, because I can't just stop at a gas station anymore!!  It is a new experience.

 

Well I think I am out of things to say at the moment.  I need to make lists of what I want to say during the week so my mind doesn't go blank...  There is a joke I have heard, before I got here: What do you call people who know 3 languages? Trilingual.  What do you call people who know 2 languages? Bilingual.  What do you call people who know 1 language? American.  It's so true!!! Or maybe I am just running into all the people who speak multiple languages.  But as soon as someone figures out that my native language is english, a lot of times they start speaking in english.  It is so awesome, I think :)  I hope that I will soon be able to understand and speak french really well... Patience is a virtue, Tiffany!! 

 

Love you, Mom!!! And everyone else at home in the United States!!  If you're not at home, I don't love you.  Haha jk.  Love you all!!

 

Love,

Sister Bartlome

Arrived in Switzerland! 1st Address

3/15/2011

Dear Parents,

We are happy to let you know your daughter arrived safely in Geneva today.  She was met at the airport by Pres. and Sister Murdock and then had lunch at the Mission Home.  The attachments to this email will show her at the mission with President and Sister Murdock.  After lunch she has had the opportunity to go out and make contact with people on the street.  She will have an individual interview with President Murdock after she returns.  Tonight she will have dinner with Pres. and Sister Murdock and the other missionaries that arrived today.  She will stay at the mission home tonight.  Tomorrow she will have training with Pres. Murdock and the Assistants to the President, then she will meet her new companion who will be her Trainer.  In the afternoon she will leave with her companion to go to her first area.  We will send you her address and companion's name in the next day or two.

Please see today's photo in the attachments.

Thank you for sending us such a fine young woman.

Sister Todd, Mission Secretary

Switzerland Geneva Mission

3/16/2011

 

Dear Sister Bartlome,

Sister Bartlome has been assigned a wonderful trainer/companion Sister Thacker.  They are serving in Geneva, Switzrland.  Their address is:

Les Missionnaires

Sister Bartlome

17, rue de la Prairie

CH-1202 Geneva

Switzerland

Please address letters or packages in this format.

Please see the attachments for a picture of her with her companion.  We are grateful to have your daughter in our mission!

With Warmest Regards,

Sister Todd, Mission Secretary

Switzerland Geneva Mission

Mar 11, 2011

Hi Mom,

 

I'm leaving in less than 3 days!! Wow I'm so excited :D :D :D

 

Last Sunday, Elder Dick (he is from Oxford, England!!) sang in the fireside.  A song called "He Healed Me".  And I accompanied!! It was so nervewracking.  While something is going on (A fireside, a devotional, etc) the media people have a recording of what is happening going on.  Like in General Conference.  The camera will be on the speakers.  When there is a musical number, it will be on the performers.  While I was playing the piano, I could see the screen, and what was going on.  So I was trying to decide which would be more nervewracking:  Being the singer and seeing the whole audience of missionaries, or being the pianist and seeing yourself on camera.  Needless to say, I tried not to watch what was going on, or else I'd get way too distracted.

 

The foreign missionaries had the opportunity today to go to the Salt Lake Temple!  Elder Dick is gone.  He is in Salt Lake right now.  And I think I told you about the Elder from Switzerland, Elder Aubin (Don't think I mentioned his name).  He is there, too.  It is awesome that they give them the opportunity to go there while they are in the country and nearby.

 

My companions and I met a couple of guys from Switzerland yesterday! One of them was taking pictures.  He was working on a project for his diploma.  He and his family were Catholic, but he found the Mormon community interesting.  He noticed that at our church meetings, there were families and kids and babies, which was different from what he was used to.  In Switzerland, Mormons are often viewed as a sect, and kind of weird, because they are always wearing suits and walking around knocking on doors.  He wanted to see how it was when Mormons were a majority.  He said he'd learned a little bit about the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith, and he wasn't interested so much in whether or not it was true.  What he was focusing on was on the Mormon community.  He took a picture of my companions and I, and then some more later (I don't like pictures... :P).  He said maybe he will see us in Switzerland or France. Which would be awesome for his project, having pictures of us here in Provo and then again in Europe.  The most awesome part for me, though, was that he explained most of that in French.  And I understood most of it!! Unless I completely misunderstood, and it was nothing like that... Just kidding XD

 

I bought a cool new watch that has 2 times on it!! So the top one has the time here, and the bottom one has the time in Switzerland.  It'll help a bunch when I'm trying to figure out what time it is there.  Not that I'll have to do that often, but...

 

Some people here know Elder Matt Smith!! Elder Howden is a missionary here at the referral center, and he knew Matt.  Also, Elder Fitch in my district is from Kaysville, and he knows Matt, too!!

 

Ok I will write again after I get to Switzerland!  Look forward to calling!! Bye

 

Sister Bartlome

Mar 3, 2011-Almost gone!

Dear Mommy,

 

I got my travel plans!!! Oh I am so excited!! And everyone else is, too :) :)  It just makes it so much more real to know what time we will be leaving, and that we will be leaving in a week and 3 days!! gaah! I'm so excited!! :) yay

 

That woman I mentioned, from Italy, she said she was converted to the gospel about 40ish years ago in Italy.  So I mentioned your name and asked if she knew of you, but she didn't :( But it is still cool, cuz that was about the time you were there :)

Tell Deane thanks for the suggestion!! One of the problems I always have is how to get a conversation started, and that seems like a really good way to do that! I will definitely use it :)

 

I have been getting everything I need.  I am going to put a bunch of the stuff I don't need into one of my suitcases, and send it home.  Then they will give me a bigger suitcase to... use or to have, I'm not sure which.  And then I think they are also going to send some stuff via mail, so I don't have to pack it all.  So.  Be expecting a package from me sometime.

 

Speaking of travel plans.  I will be able to call you while I'm traveling between the MTC and France.  So that's the 14th and ... maybe the 15th.  I don't know the time difference, but I know that when I arrive, it'll be Tuesday.  But yeah.  Give me some times I can call you, and make some time.  Yay I excited ^.^  I'll keep my watch at Utah time until after I call, so that I can keep track of what time it is for you without doing math.  I know I like math, but it's not quite as fun when I have to know time differences, too. And I don't have a calculator.  So :P

 

You know, I am getting more confidence in being able to follow promptings of the spirit.  In a few of the lessons we have been teaching in the past week, I have found myself having really good ideas that I normally wouldn't think of; when I follow them, they have a good effect on whoever I am teaching.  It is really exciting :)

 

Anyways.  Gotta go.  Love you!  Save that voice so I can hear you when I call!  Here, how about you do this: just don't talk for the next week and 3 days.  That's not too hard ;) ok.  Bye!

 

Soeur Bartlome

Feb 24, 2011--2 more weeks!

Hi Mom!!

 

Yes we got the pie :D  My comps and I enjoyed it.  Unfortunately, I am too much like you and we left it sitting there and it got moldy :(  But what I did eat was delicious!! Thank you! I also got the fruit from Tammy.  It was good, and I sent a thank you letter to her.  ummm... tried to.  Not sure if I got the address right...

 

I have seen a few sisters going to Italy, and seen that their tags say "Sorella".  I also met someone (she was older, a worker here, not a missionary) who was from Italy.  She helped us out with purchasing some clothes, so when we were finished, I said to her "Grazie" or however you spell that.  She looked delighted, and said "Prego"! Lol it makes me laugh.  Made me happy too

 

The accompanying on the piano went really well, I have really got a hang of playing that song!  With the Lord's help, of course... I really can't take much credit for it.  But I am glad I get to help the Elder in my district.

 

They are really cracking down on the dress code for sisters! And things are changing a bit.  Like they are allowing more colors and variety, and the length of the skirt can't be too short OR too long.  It needs to be between just below the knee and mid-calf.  And they are helping me out so that I have all the stuff I need, and won't be in want when I get to Switzerland.  You know, all that stuff that we didn't buy ;)  And by "they" I mean the wives of the zone leaders.

 

I'm so excited!! Just two weeks from Monday, and then I'm gone!! Can't wait can't wait... Unfortunately I shall have to wait.

 

So they did this really awesome song at one of the firesides!  It was the speaker who is really musically inclined, and she said she was going to make us into a 2000 (more or less) voice choir.  She accompanied us on the piano.  It was "Called to Serve".  She started out playing a note repeatedly, like a steady drum beat.  Then she played some fanfares.  That was when we (The choir) came in, singing the first verse very quietly, imagining that we were a huge army (like the stripling warriors) just over the hill in the distance.  She did more fanfares between the chorus and the second verse, and changed keys and got a bit louder. We sang louder.  The chorus was loud this time, and at "King" we all stood up and repeated the chorus at full voice. At the end of that, we repeated this, slowing down a bit: "God our strength will be, press forward ever called - to - serve - our - King ---------------------!

 

I hope you can imagine that a bit, it was so amazingly fantastic!!  We sang it twice, once on Sunday, and again on Tuesday.  Laugh my district wanted to show our teachers, so we did a mini version for each of them.  Not quite the same, but still awesome!

 

We got snow this morning!! I love it!! Wish I could shovel... After gym this morning, Soeur Echols and I went up to a tree, and she kicked the trunk hard. Snow fell on us! A lot!  We went to another tree, and she did the same thing.  I love the snow!!  It makes me happy.

 

Anyways.  I had better get going.  Love you lots!!

 

Soeur Bartlome

 

P.S.  6 sisters going to France or Switzerland arrived this week!  Yay more sisters :D One of them is Marissa Worshim.  I say the name for those of you who will know her.  She recognized me, though.  Said she played the cello with me in Granite Youth Symphony!  Wish I could recognize people better... As it is, I randomly say hi to people and talk to them ONCE, then they remember me every time they see me after that!! And I don't remember them... Makes me feel bad :( Wish I could remember people better.  Ok I'm finished :)

Letter 2/18/2011

Yay!!

 

I changed my mind.  I decided that from you, I like to get an email each week.  Dearelder if you want, but I do want that weekly email.  I missed it last week :(

 

Sister in French is spelled "Soeur"  and pronounced almost like "Sir" in English.  The other day we were talking about it, and saying why couldn't it have been a loftier title, such as "Lord" or something?  Laugh it was funny.

 

I probably won't use the blog until I get to Switzerland.  and only if I have time.  It's really busy!!

 

So I am accompanying an Elder in my District!  He is singing the song "He Healed Me".  I have practiced it, and it is surprising how little I have practiced but can still play it.  I keep on praying for more help, and I have been receiving that help.  Because it was much harder when I was learning that other song last semester, and I was freaking out.  But now, I'm not.  It's exciting!

 

Another thing:  I get to be an investigator! Two Elders in my district are teaching me.  Everyone in my district gets to be an investigator.  They choose someone, such as a close nonmember friend, or an Uncle, Grandma, etc.  and they try to get into character and feel what it's like to be new to the church.  It is a good experience :)

 

I met an Elder from France the other day!  I heard that he was from France, so I went over and tried to talk to him.  He talked way fast, though, and it was hard to understand!  It's hard to believe that I will soon understand and be able to speak it.

 

There is also an Elder from Switzerland, french speaking.  I see him around every once in a while.  I want to talk to him more, to practice talking. But I always get nervous and feel self conscious.  Did you know that French french is faster than Swiss French? So it may be a little easier to understand those in Switzerland, at least at first.  Of course, there IS still the accent...

 

I gave a talk in church last Sunday! In french! They give us a topic to prepare for each week, and then on Sunday they choose 2 or 3 of us to give our talks.  When we first got here, they always chose people from the more advanced districts.  But they have all left the MTC by now.  So I knew that my turn was soon.  I was so nervous!  But it worked :)  Now I think they might not choose me anymore, because I've already given a talk!  But I should probably still prepare each week, because maybe they'll choose me twice O.o

 

anyways.  I've gott go.  Love you!!

 

Soeur Bartlome

Sisters Madsen, Bartlome, Echols

MTC District-Turley, Fitch, Whitney, Bise, Johnson, Dick,Madsen, Bartlome, Echols

Ralf and Sister Schmidt

Week 5-Feb 11, 2011

Bonjour ma mere!!

Guess what? I've been here for 4 weeks this past Wednesday!!  Now it is week 5, we are halfway through.  Then I am headed for Switzerland.  YES!!!!

I am learning how to get more organized in preparing to teach.  My way to prepare talks, as you probably know, was to just sorta wing it, with a little bit of preparation the night before.  Or the morning of.  Well, that doesn't work so well with giving lessons, especially in French.  I have to actually plan out what to say, and what I want to say, and practice it, or I end up just reading it from Preach My Gospel or the scriptures or another source.  Also, we are learning the value of asking investigators questions.  Not just any questions, but effective questions.  Yesterday, we practiced contacting.  Brother Howden was our contact.  So we knocked on the door, and when he answered, we gave him an overview of the first lesson, explaining that God loves his children, He sends us with families, He calls prophets even in Bible times, He sent His son to the Earth, then there was an apostasy, and finally the Restoration, the Book of Mormon, and Prayer.  That was when Brother Howden, as an investigator, told us that he was atheist, so the message didn't mean anything to him, and he closed the door.  Then he reopened it, and told us that we should probably ask questions before we just dive into giving a shpiel of something.  Yep. Good advice.  It is a good idea to listen. 

I am seeing so many people here from home and college and school and everywhere!  Do you know Jacob Jensen and his younger brother, Jason?  Their family is in the 35th ward, I believe.  They are here, they arrived this past Wednesday.  And also, remember I told you about Squirrel from college?  Well he is here, too!  And it sure takes alot of self control, when I see him, to not yell out, "Squirrel!!!"  Laugh.  The first time I saw him, it took self control to not run over and give him a hug!! He is known for his hugs, and picking you up and spinning you around.  It is fun. 

The French language is coming along, slowly but surely.  I am good at most reading, writing, and listening.  I am also good at speaking, just slow at it.  But I will practice beaucoup. Beaucoup beaucoup.  I am also learning a few phrases in Spanish, haha.  Not in class, but when I am in gym or at night, when I am around other sisters who speak Spanish.  I know how to say that I am a missionary, and ask where are you from and where are you going, and how to say what's up.  It sometimes surprises me when people respond.  That may sound weird, but it is because when I was learning, I'd say a question and they'd say, "Very Good!!" Not answer the question.  So.  Anyways.

Love you!! The church is true!! God loves you!!

Love sister Bartlome