Elder Payne - Home!

Elder Payne arrived home at 11:10pm March 28, 2019.

Thanks everyone for your support and prayers!

Final Letter from the France Paris Mission

Bonjour à tous,

Well I did it, 2 years of titling all my weekly emails the same way. What an achievement! Oh and of course, this will be my last weekly that I do! I finish my mission on Thursday! It's an odd feeling really, it's really like you have 2 families, but to be with one you have to leave the other. I think I'm ready though! I've learned on my mission how to adapt to situations, so we'll see how this goes.

The mission has been the span of time in my life so far where I have learned and matured the most. I have learned what many of my strengths and weaknesses are, and the time I have spent here I don't think I could've spent anywhere else.

All pleasantries aside, it's been hard. Heavenly Father tests us to our limits, and that's how we grow. I have experienced that and will continue to experience it. But as well, I have found a kind of unending joy in helping others. In trying to help them feel the joy and contentment that I feel. In reality, on a level that applies to all of you, I learned profoundly about 2 commandments. Prayer and Scripture Study. We are asked to do so many thing in the church, but how do we do those things without "shrinking" before the task or cracking under the pressure? It is by the Prayer of Faith and diligent scripture study that we can do all of these things. I have a strong testimony of that because I have seen the pattern countless times. I leave with you all that simple testimony.

I will see you all in a few days! I love you guys and thanks for all the support you have shown me! 

Sincerely,
Elder Jay Payne 
France, Paris Mission

Helping Others Remember Spiritual Feelings

Bonjour à tous,

I have been starting my weekly email the same way for almost 2 years now! That's gotta be some sort of record right?

This past week was pretty normal. We have been working a lot with the people who haven't come to church in a while. And that's been really cool to watch! Usually they've stopped coming to church not because they've turned away, but because they've simply forgotten over time what they used to feel. And usually all it takes to help them back is a loving reminder. 

Today I went and got some shoes for 25 bucks, which was cool. We also bought a 5 kg bag of rice. 

Last week we had district P-Day and got to hang out with the others missionaries. We stayed at the church and just played games for most of the day, I definitely needed that! Something calm but tons of fun was just what the doctor ordered!

Anyway, have a good week everyone! I love you guys and I will see you soon!(kind of)

Sincerely,
Elder Jay Payne 
France Paris Mission