3 juillet

Today at church was hilarious. The bishop was absent because of chicken pox in the family, and the result was 15 minutes of complete chaos. The counselor had to ask people from the stand to stand up and choose/direct the hymns. Then the announcements had to be corrected and repeated multiple times. There were also 20+ nonmembers (I would even say they had never stepped foot into a church) were present for a baby blessing, but the men couldn't decide which way to put their hands, and they went back and forth about 8 times. . .but it all ended with a superb testimony, and I could tell that it was very important to the brother blessing his baby because his family was supporting him in his faith (I would assume from experience that they are against and don't understand his faith).

There are quite a few young adults in the ward, we even have our own sunday school. Most are girls (5 boys with John and I, and maybe 8 girls). We have hung out with a few of them at a time. One girl, Orianne, is quite timid. One night as we were walking we realized that we have a lot in common. While I was explaining a little about myself and why I am the way that I am, she said, "It feels like I am the one talking." Louise will be in Provo starting fall to learn English.

Tonight we were invited to eat crepes with a member family with a few of the girls I just spoke about. Luckily, we were able to bring Magda (our Polish volunteer friend) with us, because it was neat for her to meet more members of the church. Little did we know, however, that we were going to eat in a park that was in the mountains. It looked a little like utah, but the rocks are white and there is green, including olive trees! We ate and played a little, and then had a spiritual thought, which was good for me because I was able to talk to Magda about the church a little more. (I am sure she has been wondering why we three go to the same university, belong to the same church, and all speak French). She asked good questions and I was able to give her hope for her French because she is still learning. John, Nouria, and I are also trying to convince her to stop smoking. Because we were with members, she knew not to smoke (quick learner). She made it 5+ hours without one! Even she couldn't believe it.

Yesterday we picked up our new Spanish partners at the train station. They love speaking Spanish to each other, and because John speaks also. . . maybe I will learn some this summer. I already had Nouria give me some lessons on conjugating verbs. Yo corro, tu corres, etc. They eat lunch at 2 and dinner at 10, and that is when the party starts. Last night they made us take them into downtown at 11 to "faire la fete." I went because I knew that once they saw there was nothing to do in town they would stop asking. In France, they town closes around 8 so no "fete" is going on here at 12. Actually, it stinks because after that hour, we can't do anything except go to the movies and sit around inside. Plus it's dangerous. Tomorrow starts a new week!