Baptism and a Flooded Font in Tours

Bonjour à tous!

Well this past week was a blast I'm gonna summarize it for you.

First we had zone conference and missed our train heading back because of some guy who wanted to argue with us about our religion

We stayed the night with the #ParisLilas Elders (not the first time).

We had a baptism on Wednesday in Tours to go to because the sisters there couldn't find enough priesthood holders to do it. So we were witnesses. So we took a train straight fro  Paris to tours.  We got there early to help set up the font. And we started the water and started filling it up, then we decided that it should take a while so we went upstairs and just left it running. Well, about 40 minutes later, we hear the door open downstairs (it's a 2 story building) and then we heard someone yelling. We went to check it out, and it was a member and the branch president who had shown up. But the entire area with the font was flooded! The font had flooded and now there was about 2 inches of water on the floor. I didn't know it could do that! Most fonts have some drains to help that not happen! Well this one wasn't like that. So we grabbed dustpans, buckets and literally anything that could pick up water and got to work. We ended up getting it to the point where it just looked like we had mopped recently in about 50 minutes. Everything went well and the girl getting baptised was definitely strengthened by the whole experience. She was so happy!!

Then we had an apartment inspection (that we rocked) on Friday.

We went to exchanges that night in Le Mans. (Sorry dad, I didn't get to go to the race track). Had a crazy awesome time there.

Then it was Sunday, we ate a five course meal at a members house and now here we are on Monday. For P-day my companion and I found a cave with a bunch of homeless people in it, after visiting with them spent the rest of the P-day playing basketball, frisbee, and ping pong (I've gotten pretty good at ping pong).

Well that's it, I've gotta play more ping pong.

Here are some pictures from last P-day and a helpless flightless bird I found in the street. (It was alive, but unable to walk or fly. I did what I could transferring it under a bush where it would be safe. Never did find out what happened to it.)

Sincerely
Elder Payne 

New Missionary Companion in Blois

Bonjour à tous,

Well, I have been getting kinda nonchalant about writing these weeklies. Sorry bout dat.

Anyway, my new companion is awesome! We have a great time together. We have bonded over Fhineas and Ferb! He is a big fan of the show just as much as I am! So we quote it pretty often. I am going to be fast here, because we want to play some ping pong. 

Our most promising ami is still doing great! We had a really good rendez-vous with him and a member this past week and we intend to have another one this week.

Tomorrow we go to Paris very early in the morning to eat breakfast as a zone and have zone conference. 

Friday we have an apartment inspection to make sure that everything is functioning properly. 

Today me and Elder Nilsson went on a walk in a big park nearby. It was beautiful and I really needed a good fulfilling p day. We had some ice cream and filmed a nature video of "The Wild Elder Payne" I will see what I can do about sending it. I discovered the French equivalent to poison ivy (that wasn't fun). We found a bird on the way home that was injured on the sidewalk. It wasn't dead, but it couldn't fly or walk. We don't know why, I suspect it was hit by a car. I moved it to a better spot. And because I'm a missionary, I can't keep pets. I would've loved to help it more. But I think I did what I could.

Well I don't have any more time. Talk to ya next week! 

Sincerely
Elder Payne 
France, Paris Mission

New Companion and Potential Baptism

Bonjour à tous,

Well this week was interesting for me. Elder Sebryk is now home. He was a sad to leave France but excited to see his family. My new companion is Elder Nilsson. He is a really good missionary and speaks French very well. 

Anyway, good news! I am getting the hang of this District Leader thing! It is a time consuming assignment. But, at long as I take the time the assignment needs, I'll be alright. I was supposed to make a video of a district meeting for the rest of the zone to share in their district meetings. It turned out awful. It looks like someone from the 80's took the video. Haha. I could make a new one but it took so much work and time that I'm just not willing to spend that kind of time. 

Also, our ami has accepted a date to be Baptised!!!!!!!! I'm so excited for him. He has been doing so good. I asked him why he comes to church all the time and he said it's because he feels very calm at church and that his worries seem to go away when he comes to church. He has the faith and now we just need to make sure that we provide all the support he needs. His baptismal date is set for late July. 

That's it for this week!  Anyway, talk to ya next week!

Sincerely
Elder Payne 
France, Paris Mission

Staying in Blois and getting a new companion

Bonjour à tous,

I am staying in Blois. But, just like every other transfer, I'm rather anxious about this next one. I am getting a new companion named Elder Nilsson. I am also excited because I was called to be a District Leader! I can't wait for the new experiences that comes from being district leader. I am a very adaptable person and I can't wait to start serving my fellow missionaries! It's going to be an adventure!  

So we get to go to Paris on Wednesday to make the change! I think that Elder Sebryk is sad that he is leaving France but at the same time, he is way excited to see his family. 

On Saturday, we got his parting meal, which was some kebabs, but these were special kebabs. I will explain it later.

We got some good rain here last night. I've come to love the rain, it's so refreshing. 

Well, today is a really busy day, I better finish all these emails. I love you!

Sincerely
Elder Payne 
France, Paris Mission