Week 28

PATIENCE IN ALL THINGS 

...AND THAN, AN ISLAND TOUR!

We didn't hear from Mickey until nearly 10pm our time. At 9pm, I was starting to get worried, so I emailed the Pr. to see if he had heard from her and to see if she was okay. He promptly emailed me back and said Yes, He had received an email from Sr. Wright that morning. He told me that she was doing well despite being in a difficult sector. In addition, they had seen her and Sr. Colledge at church the day before.  He also went a step further and sent me the email she mailed him. I thought it would be fun to share:

"Bonjour President! We've passed yet another week in Fariipiti without seeing much success. It has been a bit of a struggle for me to put in so much effort and not see many results, but I'm grateful to have a patient Companion who has a lot of love for this sector. Sr. Colledge is an elite daughter of God, and I'm blessed to be with her! I'm doing well! Thank you for all that you do!"

About a half hour after receiving this email, I heard from Mickey! 

Phew!!

She said she: "We did a tour of Tahiti today and I have like no time for mail. It was AWESOME! We've been gone all day and getting back late but I needed to tell you I was alive."

 (haha....she knows me well!)

"We went on the tour with one of the elders in our mission, he's a couple missionary, but his wife is out of town."

She continued:

"Honestly, my week was hard. We have a really hard sector, but I still love the work. We haven't had any new investigators in a long time, but we just keep pushing along."

"Also, President and Sr Fox came to our Ward yesterday and shared their testimonies. Sr. Fox even said that we are really good missionaries and everyone should be grateful."

"Thank you for helping make our apartment feel like Christmas!"

(We gave her a box full of Christmas decor, etc.)

"It's true, Christmas season is hard. 

Luckily, it feels like August still"

After this, she needed to go and ended with:

"Well, hey I love you! 

I miss you guys so much.

Big hugs!!!!"

*Mickey's pics had a hard time loading - she only sent a few so next week, she said there would be many!

...until next week, 

Aunt Jess ♥

Week 27

ALWAYS SERVING OTHERS!

"The happiest people I know are those that 

lose themselves in the service of others."

-Gordon B. Hinckley

Sr. Wright didn't have much time this week as she gave her time up to allow someone else extra time. Sr. Wright is always thinking of others! She has such a beautiful and humble heart.

Mickey saw another change in herself this week, only she didn't have time to share what it was. She said she was going to write me a letter about it. Even though she is just about half way through the mission - Mickey is always looking for ways to be better. I admire that. ...really, isn't that one of the purposes of life? To better ourselves? I'm so proud of her for digging deep and always challenging herself to be better in every aspect of her life. That's the difference between a successful and non successful missionary....or person for that matter!

I hope we all can take her example in our lives to better ourselves. I know I am.  :)

 ^^Awe!  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this photo! It is SO Mickey! ^^

 ^^Mickey's Ward Building^^

^^"Elder Cruz and Elder Rupea on our way to do a service project^^

On our way to do a service project...They are some interesting people, to say the least."

^^Mickey's Ward Building again on the right.^^ 

...until next time!

♥Aunt Jess

Week 26

OBEDIENCE...

IS AN EMBLEM OF OUR FAITH

Mickey didn't write much about her week because

we talked a lot about personal things, but mostly the things talked about below:

Those that have been reading this blog, know that Brad and I have been out of town for the past three weeks. We were blessed to be able to visit New Zealand and then Tahiti. 

Yes! Tahiti.

While in Tahiti, we were able to tour all of the island and see many of the places Mickey has been. We couldn't help but wonder if our feet were walking in the exact spots that Mickey's had. Visiting Tahiti was very special for Brad and I as were were able to relate more to Mickey's past letters and when she writes home in the future we will be able to know much of what she is talking about. We were able to share things that have meant so much to her and now mean so much to us.

I won't go into detail about our trip but I do want to share a story that relates to the most asked question we have received since getting home: 

"Did we get to see Sr. Wright?"

Before going to Tahiti, we asked Pr. Fox if we could take Mickey and her companion to dinner or the temple. His response was "No, but if it were to change, he would let us know." 

(This conversation took place months before we went and happened around a time where Mickey was going through some adversity, so we weren't completely shocked at his answer.) 

That being said, while we were in Tahiti, I prayed that we might be able to run into Sr. Wright if it be okay with the Lord. Of course we didn't actively go looking for Mickey on purpose, but we did keep a good watch out wherever we went. You could say we were on high alert in hopes that we just might happen to be at the same place at the same time. ha.

The day before we were to leave for home, we were able to meet with Pr. and Sr. Fox at their home. We visited for an hour or more and then they took us to a cute little French pastry shop. We stayed there for another hour or more. About a half hour in or more, the Pr. told us to look behind us through the window. There was a church. He then told us that was the church that Mickey attends. You could say my heart jumped out of my chest! He had taken us directly into her area and told us about it! It was a tender mercy and we felt blessed that he was sharing such personal information with us. We finished our pastries and left. As we were leaving the Pr. drove in front of the church so we could see it up close. My heart was overcome with joy. There are 20 chapels on the island of Tahiti and she could have been going to a number of them so to see "the one" was a tender mercy for our hearts. 

After the Pr. dropped us off, of course we went back to the church. We had been taking selfies of ourselves in all the places we knew Mickey had been to so we could share them with her and we wanted one in front of the church as well. 

As we arrived, we went in through the gate and around a corner. We were standing there just admiring the church and all of a sudden we see an elder missionary stand up in thru one of the windows. He was looking at us and then there were two sister missionaries doing the same only one of them was pointing to the left. I thought she was telling us to enter the building from that direction. As soon as we saw this Brad and I immediately wondered if Mickey was in there also. So, I motioned for them to come out to us. They opened the window and exclaimed with smiles on their faces, 

"We know you! We were just looking at your pictures this morning!" 

What?! If they knew us - we needed to know them! 

They then told us that Mickey was in the next room over (that's why they were pointing!) 

WHAAAAT??!!!  She was actually there!

Now, if you think my heart jumped out of my chest at the pastry shop - now, I don't even know where my heart skipped off to at this point! I could have died and gone to Heaven. 

So much happiness filled my soul. 

We went up to the Sisters to find out who they were and it turns out they were Mickey's roommates!!  Ahhh! I gave them tight hugs and we were so happy to have been able to meet them! 

And then, a strange thing happened. 

Upon finding out Mickey was at the church, Brad and I both felt a strong impression that we needed to leave immediately. We both knew that we had been asked not to see Mickey and we wanted to be honest and obedient in that. So, as much as we REALLY wanted to see Mickey, we knew we couldn't. We had both been prompted to quickly leave. So, we hurried to take a selfie with the Sisters, apologized to the elders for interrupting their meeting and then I told them not to tell Mickey that we had been there. I gave the Sisters a tight hug and told them to hug Mickey for me too.

With that, Brad and I did the hardest thing...we turned and walked away.

Tears filled my eyes and I cried on the way out. 

My heart was broken.

We were in the same exact place yet I was unable to see the girl that has become so precious to me. At the same time, I felt complete peace because of the integrity that Brad and I were showing the Lord at that moment. 

"Obedience is an emblem of our faith."

Doing hard things makes us stronger. I know there will be blessings in this. 

Some people will (and have) responded with the statement 

that we should have gone to see Mickey anyway.

For those that are thinking this, the only reply I have is that when one is given a feeling by the Holy Ghost, it is wise to listen. If not, we are being disobedient. I don't know that seeing Mickey would have had any long term problems associated with it - but the mere fact that we chose to be obedient, will afford Mickey and us with uncomprehending blessings. 

We must remember when we are faced with difficult choices that following the feelings of the Holy Ghost keeps us safely on Heavenly Father's path. 
Tests and trials are given to everyone and these challenges allow us and our Heavenly Father to see whether or not we will exercise our agency to follow his son. 
It is the heart of the gospel teachings that we learn to listen to the still small voice 
ALL the time - not just when it's convenient to us.  
"Choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong."
 Being consistent - even when it's not what our mortal selves want is the essence of our conversion.
When we are obedient  -AFTER the trial of our faith - the Lord blesses us.

I know when we finally get to see Mickey, that our reunion will be that much sweeter because of the sacrifices we have each made along the way. 

We were able to walk away not only because of the love we have for the Lord, 

but because of our love for Mickey. 

She is serving the Lord as one of his representatives and she has work to do. 

We loved her enough to do what was best for her. 

Even though my heart and whole being wanted to see and hug her so badly, 

thru tears we walked away. 

It's been said that we love others when we put THEIR welfare before our own. 

Well, we love her a whole heap because we chose the Lord's will over ours.

She now knows we were at the church because one of the Elders snitched on us 

and then the Sisters told her the story. 

She was sad that she wasn't able to see us, but she said we did the right thing.

We are both looking forward to our hug when she returns!

She is almost half way through her mission!!  YAY! 

I have heard the last half of the mission flies by - lets pray it does!

I can't wait to see her!

With that story - I will say her mission President told us Mickey is a good missionary. She is confident and has learned the languages quite well. He is proud of her and loves having her in the mission.

Brad and I have seen so much growth in Mickey over just the last two months. She is striving to do the Lord's will and has found so much success. She is having baptisms and helping to change lives. She is happy and we see the confidence the Pr spoke of.

We are so proud of her!  

Keep her in your prayers!

^^Mickey dropped of a package for us at the Mission Office. ^^ 

She left these shell necklaces for us to wear when leaving the island. 

Tahitians give shell necklaces when people are leaving the island. 

It's not a goodbye - it's a "See you later."  We look forward to seeing Mickey later!

The following are pics Mickey sent this past week:

^^ The joys of being en ville is that we have TONS of places to explore, ^^
even cute little ice cream and smoothie shops!

 

Mickey's new sector has a loading dock

^^ "We had a fete!! ^^
I showed them that I eat whipping cream out of the can and they said that they wanted to see it in action! - Of course I didn't turn that offer down!"

^^ "I made crepes Monday night!! It was a PARTY!! ^^
I love this sector!"

Below are a few pics just for fun.

^^Brad and I at the church Mickey went to in Mahina - her first area.^^

^^Mickey's secret place^^

We found these Elders our first day. They actually called Mickey and handed us the phone so we were able to talk to her for about 10 minutes. We then were able to serve them after!

^^We found the temple!!^^

^^We found more Elders that knew Mickey!^^  

^^At the temple again. We went daily and even did a session in French. ^^

Love to you all,

Jess ♥

Week 25

FARIIPITI LOVE

"Ahhh, Fariipiti! I LOVE IT HERE!

Like I said last week, I am serving in the center on Papeete Tahiti. Which is the biggest city here on Tahiti. Everyone told me before coming here that it's a poor sector, but clearly they've never been to Matavai because this place is high class compared to Matavai. Nearly every home has some sort of vehicle. Nearly everyone has internet and most everyone has a phone...already, it's 10x cleaner than my last sector, but there is 1 down side...we don't have a beach in our sector. It's very much in the city, and we are right next to where all of the imports come in. Actually, the import dock is in our sector. So, we have a lot of boats coming in.

I LOVE my house. Apparently, it's one of the nicest houses for the Mission. It's so white and clean and 

I LOVE IT!

It would be really hard to be ungrateful to live in such an AWESOME house...no joke! I will never complain again about my messy house conditions.  --Apparently it's normal to not have a toilet seat though because one of the bathrooms in this house doesn't have one. Ha. Ha.  It's just become the ordinary.

^^yes, that's mold growing on the carport^^

My companion is very reserved. (Which has been a big change for me) literally everyone I've lived with has been a chatter box, so I spent the first 2 days of our companionship crying and talking to myself. But I'm sure a large part of it was because it was all nee for me, and I needed to adjust still, but now I'm doing a whole lot better and I'm grateful to be here.

I'm extremely grateful for Sr. Colledge! She is one of the most obedient missionaries I've seen, and she's definetly pushing me to be better every day. I look up to her in so many ways, but especially in her Christlike example.

My 2nd day in this sector, we went to a lecon with Tapu (Who the sisters had taught 2 times beforehand) and he fixed his baptism!! YAY!! (: 

For December 16th.

SO EXCITING!!

I also received an sms from Sr. Dumouchel yesterday saying that Patrick and Elene came to church (This is Patrick's 1st time since we started teaching them

4 months ago!) 

TENDER MERCIES!"

Smile - Sr. Wright

Brad and I have really been able to see a large shift in Mickey over the last couple of months. Her confidence shows and she has really given all she can to the Lord. Because of her efforts and faith, the Lord is blessing her and her Ami's. We can see her light shine through her words and of course in her photos. We are so proud of her for working so hard and giving everything to the Lord. 

The gospel is true.

♡ Jess

^^ Mickey's roommate was given a bunch of pearls ^^
and she didn't want them, so Mickey inherited most of them.

^^Pr. and Sr. Fox invited Mickey and Sr. Colledge over to make cookies^^
They also fed them dinner. They had a wonderful time. The Foxes are wonderful people!

There are murals EVERYWHERE in Tahiti! They are so creative!

^^A random pic. To the right is Mickey's ward building. To the left is a yummy pastry shop.^^

Week 24

IAORANA FROM FARIIPITI!!

"I AM TRANSFERRED!! 

I am currently serving in Fariipiti, 

which is literally in Papeete. 

I'm en ville! 

My new companion's name is Sr. Colledge! Funny story, we actually went to the same high school, and she remembers me from seminary la ba! C'est TOP! She's a grade younger than I am. OH she was also at the MTC 1 transfer before me, but because we stay for 9 weeks we were together!

There ya have it re mau tuahine et taeae! 

I got what I wanted...I'm en Ville, still a junior companion, and I get to be with a bunch of TOP missionaries! 

I hear it's a great sector, so I'm excited! 

(PS - It's another really poor sector, with a lot of homeless people, but I'm sure it's not as bad as Matavai, donc ca va aller! 

PSS- the computer I'm using has a French keyboard, and I just faahua avec knowing how to use it. 

Know that I love you, 

and only wish I could write more! 

BIG HUGS!! Bisouxxxx"

...Brad and I are in New Zealand and aren't able to post photos this week, but Mickey did send me many!
 I will post them as soon as I am able. 

Week 23

Faith and Truth

This week Mickey was able to remember all the hard moments of her mission and be grateful that she was still there.. she is continually putting her trust in the Lord.

Good news!

"I KNOW THE SCRIPTURES ARE TRUE!!!!!"

Mickey finished reading the Book of Mormon this week.

"Marguerite is getting baptized this coming Saturday the 4th!"

Random thought:

"A cute nickname i want to call my kids or people who are close to me is chouchou ❤ it literally means cabbage cabbage.. but it's a term of indearment in french."

Learning experience:

"oh, I've noticed that I feel the spirit a lot on my mission.. and it has caused the things that normally bring the spirit to be a little less special. I had a mini breakdown about it (again) but an Elder shared with me that we can't always expect to feel the spirit.. and it's become that way for me. I'm used to feeling it stronger at church, but lately it's not as special.. he told reminded me that the spirit has to catch us off guard sometimes to remind us how special he is, and that he really is there. I loved that thought."

"Transfers are monday.

its almost positive I'll have a new sector

and a new companion,

but I'm excited to see my next adventure."

ill be happy wherever the lord sends me.. (:

I'm ready."

Mickey is doing so wonderful and she is as positive as ever. Her growth is skyrocketing every week and I am so happy for her!

Continue to keep her in your prayers! 

Love and hugs! 

♡♡

Tahiti - Week 21 and 22

Emergency Room, Computer Hack,

Cancer and Baptisms!

...quite the combination!

So, last week, Mickey had computer troubles because her email account had been hacked so we didn't receive any pictures from her. Just a fair warning - this post is FULL of pics and stories!

Sr. Dumouchel went to the Emergency room last week and Mickey got to ride in the Ambulance.

They were riding their bikes home one night after it had just poured rain. She slipped while trying to get back up onto the curb and BIFFED it off of her bike.

Mickey started laughing (in true Mickey style!) because a similar thing happened the previous week (Mickey originally freaked out and Sr. Dumouchel was fine).

The blessing was, that Mickey was in front of her this time (she always leads so it was truly a blessing) and when Mickey heard her bike crash she stopped to go help her. Mickey said Sr. Dumouchel seemed fine and there were many people there helping them when all of a sudden Sr. Dumouchel said she needed to sit down. She sat down and then fainted. She has a problem with that anyway, so it's normal, but this time they thought it was because of the bike accident so they called the ambulance.

 Mickey said she hasn't fallen off her bike yet and it was fun to ride in the ambulance.

We are grateful Sr. Dumouchel is fine!! 

...PLEASE be CAREFUL girls!!

Mickey's thought for the week:

"The point of a mission is to question your own beliefs then find the answers."

I asked Mickey how she has seen a change in her faith since she's been in Tahiti. She replied:

"Honestly, I did notice a big change this week. I was looking at my wall (full of pictures) and just admiring it. Many things have changed since I first put pictures up, and after looking at it, I noticed just how much more focused on Christ I am. Most of my photos are of Christ and I have quotes. As before, there were many pictures of just family."

Last week, Mickey's P Day was changed from a Monday to a Wednesday because they had a Multi-Area Zone Conference. Elder Arden and his wife were visiting. 

One phrase stood out to Mickey from his talk: "Love is eternal, but it takes work."

So, THIS past week, Mickey received a letter from her Grandpa announcing he had cancer. She said she cried a little, but she was really glad he told her and that at the moment she was doing okay with the news - as long as he didn't die, she would be okay. 
She also said the fact that she is focused on the mission and not things back at home has helped. 

But, she loves her Grandpa - keep them in your prayers.

Changing subjects, Mickey shared a funny story that I'm  going to pass along!

She has been using an epilator - it's a machine that has a bunch of tiny tweezers that pull out hairs to make them thinner. They are used instead of shaving and in France they are a BIG thing.

Well, Sr. Dumouchel and Mickey did it to their arm pits this past week and about DIED it hurt so bad. It's like waxing but you don't use the wax, and it's easier on your skin. Mickey laughed it off and said, "Funny moment."

Fun story for the week:

"We had dinner with a new couple in our ward. The Hostachy family. She is 32 and he is 80.

NO JOKE. 

They have two daughters 5 and 7. haha

We were there last Tuesday and they told us the GOOD NEWS that they had gone to the temple that day and decided to get sealed Thursday. That just so happened to be our temple day!" (:

^^ On the other side of this window is the Celestial Room ^^

"It was awesome! Sr. Dumouchel and I were able to assist a temple session (which I understood) and then we were able to witness a live sealing session. It was beautiful and it was so special to see the little girls there in their temple dresses. 

It's really something I want in my life, to have an eternal family." 

  

"We were looking in the mirror afterwards and really felt crummy. We're both the same size and we've both gained weight from before the mission.  

Sr. Dumouchel slyly said, "Go big or go home, right? Or, in this case, go home big!"

Haha She's a funny one, and she would not be wrong."

...your big is still tiny! You are both adorable!

"That was my second time to the temple since being here. I don't know how often I get to go. Normally once every 3-4 months or if you go with a recent converti." 

"Sister Dumouchel and I have become the master cookie makers for our ward. We were in Ward Council last week and someone was missing because they were sick and Bishop asked if we could make them cookies...

Word's out!

Sr. D et Sr. W make the world's best cookies! (on Tahiti) 

(never as good as american home made cookies.)" 

^^ "Eating with our Bishop Diego Lee! ^^

He's so fun! I just love his family!"

^^ Eating Rackelle ^^

It's meat with melted cheese.

"We had the baptisms of Stella Leon and Leon this past Saturday!!

The baptisms were AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!

They all happened. All three. 

(:

It was so special to see the family all there in support of them and to see them so happy.

We are working on helping to change peoples lives, little by little."

"This last week the schedule was very full and other missionaries made sly comments about our district not doing any work (in a joking manner, but sly none the less) and then we reminded them that we had 8 people on track for a baptism and we still were able to get a whole lot of our other lessons done. It wasn't 'IN YOUR FACE' but kind of."

^^ Leon was baptized by the Fiance de Eurliette Gobrait. His name is Hiurai. ^^

^^  Petite Leon was baptised by Frere Gobrait as well. ^^

^^ Stella was baptized by Frere Gobrait! ^^

^^ "I love this photo! ^^ 

It is of me giving Leon a 'check' (fist bump) right after I gave him a 

'colie' (shell necklace). He just looks so happy!"

^^ "The family members we taught. ^^
Heimanu is 7 and can't get baptized (YET)!"

 Personally, I love this photo! Look how happy Mickey is!!

^^ "Sr. Dumouchel and I avec our NEW CONVERTIS! YAYAYAYAY" ^^

^^ I can't help but wonder how many 'colies' any given Tahitian owns?! ^^ 

They must have rooms of these...or maybe they just recycle them to someone else??

^^ A family picture, but they are missing one child ^^

"A few months ago, I sent you a photo of a little puppy named Miss

Well, this is her. She's a lot bigger now and she still comes over to play with us."

"Sr. Mareva gave us these couronms but clearly they are so cute we needed to take a picture.

(Don't laugh too hard.)"

^^ "Because she is beautiful and I love her!" ^^

^^ "One of the fancier Tahitian house patios...haha" ^^

^^ Beautiful!! ^^

^^ Elders Door and Vanlidnt and Elders Blater (DL) and Ashworth ^^

^^ Oh my goodness, I miss seeing this face in person! ^^

But, I'm so glad she is happy, safe and well.

^^ Mickey's favorite beach ^^

^^ Visiting the Trois Cascades and the Blow Holes ^^

A bit long - but I'm loving everything Mickey sends! I soak it up every week. 

More than anything, I'm happy to hear Mickey is flourishing and growing each week.

She is so special and I miss her like crazy - but I see so much growth and I am grateful she has chosen to share this amazing life experience with my family and me! 

Our relationship has only strengthened in the last 7 months and I am truly full of gratitude!

I love and miss you, Mickey! 

♥♥