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...
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.
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!^^
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