Salut!

Hey Everyone!  WEll yeah so this was such a great weekend that helped me in more ways than i thought imaginable.  As to insight on why i was having a tough week these past two weeks and all was a lot of complications.  This work is the greatest work one the planet and i wouldn't trade it for anything but at times satan really likes to take a huge bat to the knees of those who are really trying to progress God's work.  He is good at what he does and at times it takes a little time to recover.  Nothing imparticular ever happened it just gets difficult dealing with stress, persecution at times (nothing harmful Mom :) ), living in a completly foreign country and not hearing from those you love on a weekly basis gets heavy at times.  I am finding out that the keys to being a good missionary are being focused on what is most important and compartmentalizing thoughts and feelings.  Mastering these things really brings a much better spirit into the work.  General Conference this weekend was such an amazing medicine.  I needed to hear certain talks and it was such an incredible response to my prayers.  I was extremely touched by the two talks by President Uchtdorf and Elder Bednar's talk.  President Eyring and The Prophet gave special talks also.  I was so touched and it was just what i needed.

So this week was an eventful one.  I got really sick on thursday and also finally got legal in France on Friday.  We had exchanges with our Zone leaders and also we had some really good Rendez-vous with Frederic and another man we met named Najib.  So work down here has been slow but starting to pick up a little by little.  At times i feel like the world is on my shoulders because i have to not only lead the work down here but at the same time i don't know the ville or all of the other people here yet.  The ward is big and even though i have met every one i don't know there names yet.  It is stressful not going to lie.  I never realized the balance i had in my other companionships.  So that lasted up until wednesday when i had an exchange with one of my Zone Leaders Elder Butel who is just phenomenal.  He really let me talk and express how i was feeling and i was able to really relax something i desperately needed.  However i started to feel sick and i was worried i was starting to come down with the flu.  It has gone from hot and dry to cold and wet in just a couple days here and that got to me i think.  So i called Sister Stahelli and she advised me it would be best to stay inside and rest.  So i got some rest but was decomissioned (Ha) for one full day.  The Next day we were suppose to go up to Orleans to do my legality and get my stamp on my passport so i needed to get better to pass my medical visit and to actually be able to do the rendez-vous.  I got a blessing from a member and my companion and the next day i was feeling great and to full strength.  

So we went up to Orleans and there we needed to do like i said my legality.  We met up with Elder Paul and his new Companion who was down from Cherbourg for the same exact thing.  So that was really fun getting to see him again.  We went to our Medical visit and our other appointments for our legality and i passed and now have legality in France.  WOO HOO!!!!  When they took my weight it gave a number i was so happy to see!  198lbs or 90 Kgs!  I was so stoked OH YEAH!!!!!!!  I am finally under 200lbs for the first time since my sophmore year!  How cool!  So yeah  That made my day.  We then headed back to our villes and had a great weekend that was general conference!  Because of the time schedule i couldn't see the sunday afternoon session but all the other sessions, i did see and they were so great!  I was so touched By Elder Bednars talk.  He litterally talked to me personally.  So yeah it was wonderful.

That is about it for this week!  thank you so much for the Package!  I loved it so Much!  i can't stop eating the Smarties and Cheezits!  They remind me so much of home!  Also i am all out of mexican Hot Sauce!  I need more!  I love you all so much!  I hope that my package got to the house.  There are good things inside.  Well i miss you all so much.  i hope that Heavenly Father is blessing you guys back home and know how much i pray for all of you!  I love you!  Ttyl!

Elder Jonathan Hoopes