Jun 16 (7 days ago)

Hola hola! 

I hope all is going well down in Mexico! I can only imagine the amount of Nacho Libre quotes being thrown around. Sometimes before we leave the apartment I say to my companion, "I saw these two bums the other day and I said to myself, 'Lets go teach these guys the gospel.'"

This week was wild! We lost two whole days of working in our area because we went to Versailles for an exchange with the assistants, but we still taught more than our average amount of lessons! It was a huge blessing! One of the reasons we were able to teach so much this week is definitely attributed to the World Cup. Belgian's soccer team actually made it into the top 8 teams in the world! (or so I'm told) and Belge people, like most other Europeans, are super crazy about soccer. So, when you get on the bus, all you have to do it sit down next to someone and say "Hey did you see the match last night?" and voila, your talking! My soccer knowledge has significantly increased, and so has our teaching pool! 

Another super cool thing this week was this guy we met named Guy. He was a referral from our awesome members and we were able to fix a baptismal date with him the first lesson! When we met him he told us that he had seen us several times on the bus and around town and whenever he saw us he felt something and he wanted to talk to us and learn who we were. So when he found out his neighbor was a member he asked if he could learn more, and the member called us right up! During the first lesson, we talked about how families could be sealed forever thanks to the restored gospel. It was really one of the most sweet moments of my mission, the Spirit was really strong and he gladly and quickly accepted the invitation to be baptised. It's so true that people really are prepared to receive this gospel in their lives. And another really cool thing is that these temple blessings will be available for him and his family even sooner than expected, because as of last Friday construction of the Paris, France Temple has finally started!! There won't be anything stopping its progression anymore, and it will be done in 2 or 2 1/2 years! Elder Anderson was just in France when this happened and he told the mission presidents that this is the moment to work, because the Lord is going to prepare this country more than ever to have more people come unto Christ and be able to receive these blessings for themselves. How prophetic, am I right?! In the next few months a lot of things are going to change for the missionary work in France and Belgium, and I'm so grateful that I get to be a part of it! 

Be safe in Mexico! Don't get too sun burned and have tons fun! I love you guys! Adios! 

Elder Wood 

photo 1- the Englishman and I at a cool lookout stop of Liege! 

photo 2- huge flowery staricase leading up to the cool lookout spot

photo 3- voila

bisous!