Tahiti - Week 5

HARDSHIPS

"We smile and remember that God is determined 

to make of us more than we thought we could be."

Jeffrey R. Holland

Sœur Wright didn't get a group letter out this week as she was literally sick all week. Last week, most of the sisters in her house had bronchitis. Mickey was doing all she could to not get sick - but she did. She stayed most of the week at home trying to rest up and recover.  The mission President's wife told her it was normal to get sick and it's harder for her body to fight off stuff because all the germs are new to her system. She is starting to feel better though!  

That being said, Sister Wright told me that the best lesson she gave this week 

was a lesson of comfort to another missionary in her home. 

She said, "Sœur Mendenhall doesn't feel like she is a good missionary...which is sad, 

and this week has been really hard on her emotionally, 

so I sat down with her one day and we just talked. 

It was exactly what she needed. 

And me too." 

Sister Wright also taught an English class this week. 

She said it was hilarious and she felt like she could be herself with all the people there. 

"I loved it."

Also, this week, Mickey was sad because her bike gotten taken away. Apparently, it's not in the regulations for a Sister Missionary to have a men's bike. She said, "I was SO SAD when they took it away. I liked that thing, I felt like I was safe (like when you have a reliable vehicle)."   

She will get her new bike in July. 

Mickey also ended up going to the dentist this week. She was a bit nervous about going in a 3rd world country, but then found out the dentist spoke English and actually went to  dentistry school in NY so then she wasn't scared. He fixed one tooth and then she went on her way. The filling was fine. He fixed a different tooth and told her to be extra careful when flossing.  

Hopefully she won't have anymore teeth issues!

Sœur Wright's favorite part of the week was FOOD! 

A sister in her house made Salsa (it wasn't Mexican, but still good). 

She thought it was a tender mercy. ...I can imagine - especially after she said, 

"I had pig intestines for dinner last night...no need to barf, I already did. 

(hahaha just kidding) but it wasn't good."

Luckily, she found Skittles at the store and said,  "You best believe I bought them!" 

Also, Sr. Mendenhall made pumpkin cupcakes with BUTTERCREAM frosting!!! 

Mickey's response, "I was literally in Heaven."

One thing Mickey has learned is to accept compliments.

In Tahiti, it's rude not to.

I personally love the lesson in it. 

She said, "In America, it's like a sign of humility, but everywhere else in the world it is rude not to accept a gift that someone is giving you. They're being sincere."

I LOVE this picture! Don't they all look so cute in their matching Tahitian dresses?!

^^The Sister Missionaries in Mickey's house^^

L to R: Sr Barton, Sr. Wright, Sr Teahu, Sr. Garbutt, Sr. Mendenhall, Sr. Larsen

Captions of the week:

"An Elder was talking about something in Tahiti 

(which refers to most things in Tahiti, and I agree wholeheartedly) 

'It's just so ghetto and random that I can't not like it...'  

hahahahaha I just about died." 

"Another caption is one that I said as we were driving to our mission concert, 

'I love how everyone here either doesn't believe in bras or that's all they're wearing.' "

I'm glad to know that even when Mickey's feeling sick, she still has her sense of humor!

^^The currency used in Tahiti (and all of the French Polynesia) is the French Pacific Franc

or the XPF OE CFP. Bank notes come in denominations of 500, 1000, 5000 and 10,000. Coins come in denominations of 1,2,5,10,20,50 and 100.

Please remember to keep Sister Wright in your prayers so this week will be a great one or her! 

Love to you all, 

Aunt Jess

♥♥

Tahiti - Week 4

Sister Wright didn't write a letter this week, but for documentation and update purposes, I'm sharing what she told me. She did, however send a lot of photos - which are always fun!

*BTW, Sorry this is getting out so late, we were out of town and never by a computer.

Week 4 was a little hard for Sœur Wright as most of the sisters in her house were ill with Bronchitis.  Luckily, Mickey was taking a lot of EmergenC and said, "I don't have a voice today, but I don't feel super sick, so I count that as a blessing. ...a little later, she said, "I am pretty sure it's an ear infection and a really sore throat." She was just trying to stop it before it got worse. She has been learning how to take care of her body on the mission. 

Mickey LOVES her toilet seat!

She like her bike! A lot...and so does everyone else in Tahiti. People stare at it and compliment on it every chance they get. 

^^Stingrays^^

Mickey broke another filling in her tooth while flossing and she heard it pop and felt a lot pressure. It hurt pretty bad so she was hopefully going to go to the dentist this past week. She was a little nervous because she doesn't like the dentist anyway...and now to go in a 3rd world country, she wasn't quite sure how she felt about that. 

Mickey's biggest blessing:

"I had my best day on the mission this week. Not because anything special happened, but because it was a REAL day. I am serving real people, with real problems and real feelings. I love that I am here to share the love of Christ with them, to show them that there is hope."

^^Laina went back to Marques where she lives. Mickey was sad, because she really looked forward to being with her. "That is the day I learned the importance of embracing the moments you do have."

Most challenging thing of the week:

"I really missed home this week. :( I love it here, and I wouldn't trade what I am learning, but I do miss family. I cried more this week than last."

"Oh, I fell off my bike..I tipped over. ...first time for everything. I only hope that is as bad as it gets."

Funniest thing:

"Well, here in Tahiti, we have enough chickens, dogs, children and bugs to fill all of America, and they're always in the road. One particular morning, I went running with a few sisters in my house and a chicken was hit by a car that wasn't even going very fast. It made a really loud thump and feathers flew everywhere. We all shrieked, and when the car passed, we saw a man standing on the other side of the road laughing at us! I am pretty sure we made his week."

"Sr. Teahu is a funny lady, let me tell ya. She has enough sass to last a life time. I just love walking on the streets with her and talking about life, (that is where I practice the most French)."

"I saw SO many beautiful things this week! I found out we have a beach literally 2 minutes away (walking) and I run to a different beach in the mornings. So its awesome that I can see the sunrise and the sunset all in the same day, no more than 10 minutes away from me." 

Moment I felt the Spirit most:

"I was in a lesson with our recent converts, and I could tell they weren't getting along. The Spirit just told me to ask them what they loved about each other, and it was honestly the strongest I have felt the Spirit in a while. -Isn't that the reason doe all of this? -LOVE?  It had nothing to do with the lesson, but it lead to a great discussion that needed to happen."

"I learned that I am a busy bee. (I knew that before) but I really hate it when we aren't super busy especially because that is how I think missionaries should be, but Tahitians are much slower paced."

"I eat so many different kinds of fish...and in random ways. - No worries, I still don't like fish."

"I learn something new every day, but my biggest lesson this week was just to love the moment."

"You gave me a letter at the airport that I decided to read on one of my hardest days (Thursday) and you said something about not dwelling on my trials. I really leaned on that." 

"I have gained a solid 15 pounds. All the biking and the carbs are what's getting me. I had 3 lunches on Saturday. THREE!"

"On the hard days, I just tell myself, 'How bad can it be, I'm in Tahiti.' "

"...also, I didn't know how good the cakes are in our family until I got here and the people said their's are the best.....WRONG. You make some GOOD cake."

"Big hugs and kisses for everyone"

"Be safe this week."

Je vous aime. ♥

Tahiti - Week 3

"I AM SO GOOD.

I LOVE THIS WEEK.

I LOVE IT HERE"

-Sœur Wright

^^^ Does anyone else just love this picture?!!  

Sister Wright had a great week! YAY! She is getting more accustomed to her new life in Tahiti. She loves the people, their simplicity and love for others. 

When I asked Mickey what her favorite part of the week was, she answered, 

"I laughed this week for the first time in awhile." 

She is starting to understand Tahitian humor. She said she's missed having sore abs from laughing so hard and this week she had them. That made my heart both happy and sad. If you truly know Mickey, you know she loves to laugh, so to hear that she hasn't laughed in awhile made my heart break. I was so sad for her. It's been an adjustment for me to picture our rather happy Mickey unhappy. But she is doing better and I can physically see that she is finally adjusting and life will just get better from here on out. :)

The most challenging part of Mickey's week that she feels she still doesn't speak French.  Now, obviously, that's from her perspective. I hear that she is doing well! ...besides that, she was blessed with the gift of tongues and it's real.  It will take time for her to be fluent, but I can promise, I know she will be able to say exactly what she needs to say in the moment she needs to say it. I personally, can testify of the power in that and since Sœur Wright is on the Lord's errand, she has that power.

Sister Wright mentioned how different the food tastes. Specifically meat, kit kats and ice cream. The meat there is "interesting", the ice cream "isn't creamy" like ours and "all chocolate is pretty expensive" but she buys it anyway. 

I asked how she was getting along with her companion, Sœur Teahu and she replied that she is so sweet and they get along, but the language barrier is a problem for them. That being said, she is grateful Sœur Teahu doesn't speak English much because it has really forced her to study French. 

 ♥ I love how inspiring Sœur Wright is! ♥

I wanted to know what Mickey appreciated most about Tahiti. Her answer isn't at all surprising: She said, "That it is warm! I couldn't imagine doing this in the cold." She also likes "that the members are so accepting and helpful, and that it's so beautiful in Tahiti."  

Below is a picture of one of Mickey's investigators. Her name is Laina. Sœur Wright loves her. She carved the wood in the picture and carves things all the time. 

Mickey has talked to me a lot about this sister. She is extremely talented. 

Below is the house Mickey lives in.

I'm so grateful that Mickey continues to do better each week! 

A special thanks to everyone who continues to pray on Sœur Wright's behalf!

...

Read on for Mickey's letter:

Iaorana tout le monde!
I hope all is well back home! Vous me manquez! Je pense à vous tout le temps! ️
I got my bike this week! Its a mountain monster.-to say the least. Its the biggest bike 

any of the other missionaries have seen, and it just looks like its "built Ford tough!" 

So we call it a truck.. 4x4 (quatre quatre) 

-on the bright side, I'll literally be mountain biking with the Flying Monkeys this season 

(just on a different kind of mountain,in the middle of the ocean).

On my morning runs with Sr. Mendenhall this week, I saw some of the coolest things! 

Sunrises in Tahiti, Tropical rainstorms, and STINGRAYS! 

(I didn't take my camera any of the days but I will from now on) -I'm sorry for the disappointment!
My companion, Sr Teahu and I had a few interesting encounters with OLB this week! 

-OLB stands for "ouvrir la bouche" (open the mouth). 

Its like going door to door, but instead we stand in front of yards and call for people to come 

talk with us. We do this because EVERYONE has a guard chien (dog), or 6... 

Okay, OLB - we ran into a few protestants who calm and collectively yelled at us in Tahitian, 

which I don't understand yet, then thanked us for our devotion and love in French, which I did understand. 

Later, Sr. Teahu explained that they were calling us liars and saying mean things about us, 

until they found out that I was American. All in all, Protestants don't like Mormons.
Its not safe to OLB on weekends or holidays because a lot of people drink, or in the dark because of all the dogs.

TRANSFERS - every transfer we have a multi-zone conference with the Mission president for a few trainings. 

I was able to sing a solo of "I'm trying to be like Jesus." -I'm using some of the gifts God gave me! 

(also, braiding comes in handy! Everyone asks me to braid their hair) 

Anyway, I am staying in the same sector with ma maman (my trainer)! 

Also, Sr. Mendenhall and Sr. Garbutt are staying too (my favorite people) so I couldn't be more excited! I love my sector, and I LOVE the people here. ♥♥

I got a smootie from Macdo this week! and I learned not to ask for any more than 1 bowl of ice cream. These Tahitian's know how to eat... NEVER ask what you're eating until after you eat it!! I had heart kabobs this week.

We got a toilet seat!!! :D

I have successfully made it 3 weeks in Tahiti without getting a
sunburn! (Hold your applause)

Je vous aime! ♥♥

♥ HAPPY FATHER'S DAY THIS WEEK!! ♥
Especially to my dad! I love and miss you! Big hugs! ♥

Keep smiling!
♥/Tuahine Wright

...

*If you are at all wondering how Sœur Wright got a toilet seat this week, I will expand on the story:

She was at the store with her District Leader and Mickey mentioned that they didn't have a toilet seat. (Which I can TOTALLY picture!) He said, "Oh...well, you should." Which, I'm sure Mickey had a response to! ...so he called the mission headquarters and was approved to buy a toilet seat...AND a shower head, because apparently they didn't have one of those either! I can't tell you how happy I am for her! I can't imagine her having to squat every time she had to use the toilet! I'm sure the new shower head will feel like a rejuvenating massage too! 

YAY for Sœur Wright! :)

...well, until next week!

Love,
Aunt Jess ♥

Tahiti - Week 2

  GRATITUDE!

   That's how we feel. 

Sœur Wright is doing better this week! Nothing calms my heart like knowing everything is better. Thank goodness for prayers, the Holy Ghost and the technology to confirm that all is well! 

Today, Mickey told me she was able to receive a blessing this week. (Which was also her favorite thing of the week.) It was given in French, but it was "legit". She was blessed to understand the whole thing. This was another testament that the Lord finds a way for us to understand the things he wants us to know. She was blessed. ♥

When I asked what Sœur Wright's most challenging thing of the week was she said, "I'm still adapting. So this week was pretty challenging. I didn't cry as much though. It's amazing what one week of perseverance can do! ...I just like making it to Sunday."

I asked who her favorite person in Tahiti was at this point and the answer seemed easy, Sœur Mendenhall (they live together) is her favorite person in Tahiti right now. "She's been my biggest comforter through all of this. I love her, probably more than she knows." There are very few people in Mickey's life that she doesn't enjoy - but I am grateful to know that she has someone close she can turn to for comfort and guidance. You'll see in her letter that there is one other that she turns to for help. One who has always been by her side. I am grateful she has so many that love her. She received a lot of emails this week, so thank you for showing up for her  - especially in her hard times. She told me, "I have really felt the love from home this week...it's so weird I can feel that. I never thought I'd be able to feel that, but I have."

...and really, isn't that what it's ALL about?   

♥  LOVE. ♥

We support her because WE LOVE HER.
♥

"Not every memory of a disciple is a fond one." 
-the quote that got Mickey through this week.

Sometimes, life is dark - much like the clouds in the picture below. Fortunately for us, we have the gospel that allows us to shine brighter than any dark day we will ever encounter. 
No matter how dark and heavy the clouds seem to be, when we turn to Christ, he always allows the opportunity for the sun in the background to shine through.  
When we take Him up on His offer to shine, we are more able to do his work 
and shine even brighter for all the world to see. 
We are so blessed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
So blessed.
#gratitude 

This week was pretty neat for our family. We continually pray for Mickey - daily. 
Actually, multiple times daily. 
This week we prayed for her to have a better week - that she may feel better in her surroundings and new life. That she would feel comforted through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, that she may always feel the love we have for her and that she will know we miss her. We pray for her safety and the ability to do the Lord's work and that she may continually be blessed with the gift of tongues and the Holy Ghost to help guide her steps. 

This week, as my heart was thinking of Mickey, I received another tender mercy. A random message that I would usually never open because I didn't know the sender, but I had the feeling to proceed and open the message so I did. Boy, was I glad I listened to the prompting because it was a letter from a girl in Tahiti. She is a member in Mickey's area.  The message contained several pictures of her, Mickey, and Sœur Teahu.  
(I added three of those below for you to enjoy.)

 Oh my goodness, can I tell you how sweet this was for my heart?!
♥  
I immediately thanked the Lord 
for this sweet sister who had been the source of a tender mercy from my Heavenly Father - who knew of the prayers and concern I had for Sister Wright. Not only was it wonderful to hear from this sweet girl, I knew that because of the look on Mickey's face she was doing well. She was having a better week. 

Of course, I wrote this sister back and we have continued to write back and forth. I love her already. She has sent me numerous pictures and "secret" pictures and videos (meaning Mickey didn't know she was being filmed) of Mickey doing her mission work.
Check out this secret picture - it's totally Mickey! 

What a blessing this sweet sister was to me this week. Not only did I pray for great blessings to be upon this beautiful sister and her family, but I thanked him for a new friend.  It's enjoyable for me to get to know some of the people Mickey knows in a land that is so far from me. Not only does it help make the process a little easier on my heart, I feel a bit closer to Mickey while she's away.  "Together, we can do hard things."  The funny thing is: I felt like I knew this dear sister as soon as I saw her picture. She looks like a "Tahitian" version of a childhood friend of mine (hmmm.) and every time I see her picture, I feel I know her. 
...and I do. 
After all, aren't we ALL family? 
It's another testament to me of the importance of missionary work.  We are to love and bring souls unto Christ so that we can all live with our Heavenly Father again - together. 
He wants us ALL back in his presence. 

Our family is SO proud of Mickey and for her example in being strong and doing hard things. I love her courage and love for others. It is contagious isn't it? 

Read on for Mickey's letter...

Iaorana Fam! Ça va? Its been a pretty eventful adventure to serve in Tahiti! I don't get much time to write home, and I apologize for the short responses to your emails. Know that I am grateful for all the support I have received! For the immeasurable amount of love I have felt, and for all your words of encouragement! I can honestly say that coming on a mission has been the hardest thing I have ever done, however, I have grown a great appreciation for the people in my life who have done so much for me, especially my Savior, who gave his life for me. Because of that, I surely can give a few months! On that note, I'm sure you heard that I don't have a toilet seat, and I'll just tell ya, it breaks my heart every time I sit on it.. (I'm not sure that's something I'll get used to) FUNNY STORY- I've been really sick the last two weeks, causing me to be up most nights, and one night in particular, I went to the bathroom with my eyes half closed, and heard something by my foot.  I looked down to see a HUGE cockroach, and obviously I lifted my feet in response. OH! And I may have forgotten that there's no toilet seat. 

We had 3 baptisms this week! John, Rose and Monïhere!

John & Rose were married right before their baptism (same day). It's fairly common to do that here.

Unfortunately, now we only have 2 investigators who actually live on The Marques, so we won't be teaching them for much longer. I'm currently serving in a poorer area, which is good for missionary work (apparently the rich people don't want Religion), but right now, we're really struggling. 

I LOVE how kind and loving the members are here! The language has been a little bit of a struggle for me, but everyone is great at comforting me and reminding me to take it petit à petit! We get fed every day, and pretty much everyone loves the missionaries! -They also love that I am Popa'a (white). I have never been stared at more in my whole life. I know I've always been pretty white, but here I'm like extra white. Because of that, I'm considered "exotic." Its normal for the popa'a sisters to be cat-called, whistled at, and stared at. 

A few Randoms:

-For my p-days so far, I've been able to go to the beach to play beach soccer! (I'm feeling blessed!) I didn't know I liked soccer so much! Also, Tahiti is JOLIE! Très très jolie!

-I've always wondered how Jesus Christ was and is considered perfect.  Like who decided that? Obviously God decides that, because he's the greatest judge, and he decides what "perfect" is. In 1Nephi 12:11 it tells you! WHAT? The scriptures had the answer this whole time?! Where have I been? To be perfect is to have perfect Faith! 

-I fasted for the gift of tongues yesterday, and all day I had people randomly testify to me that learning a language takes time (obviously not the response I wanted).

-Missions are hard but "you don't fail until you quit trying." -Gordon B. Hinckley 

-I take a cold shower every morning.

-I'm almost positive that I am building the BEST immune system right now.  No one here believes in soap.

^^even the mosquitos love Sœur Wright!^^

-Elder Davis is in my District (an Elder from my Promotion in the MTC)! Seeing him is always a relief simply because I know he's going through the same adjustments as me. We're in this together!

-I made fried potatoes! (Thank you grandma, for teaching me!)

-The secret to riding a bike in a skirt is SHORTS!!!!

J'aime etre une missionnaire! 

Je vous aime!

Keep smiling!

-Sœur Wright 

^^She got popcorn!! - It's her favorite!^^