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! 

♥♥

Tahiti - Week 20

8 DATES AND BURNT EGGS

^^ BEAUTIFUL LADIES!!  ^^

"We have 8 people with a baptismal date!!

Stella and her husband and their son are getting baptized the 21st.

Patrick Elene and their son are getting baptized the 1st of December (and they're getting married).

Marguerites baptism the is on the 28th.

...and Mata is planned for the 15th of December. (: 

We have the dream sector right now."

^^  "So, funny story...

I may or may not have burnt 10 hard boiled eggs.

I put them in the water to cook and forgot about them. A solid 45 minutes later another

Soeur told me to go check my eggs and when I got there all the water was GONE!

And they all had holes in them because the pot burnt them.

Proud moment."

^^ Remember this face?? ^^

^^ An Ami - Lucy. ^^

Mickey didn't say much this week, but I know it was a great week with all the baptism commitments.

Continue to keep her in your prayer and send emails!

Love you all for your support!

♥

Tahiti - Week 19

CONFERENCE!!

"I LOVED it!!"

"I couldn't pass up a conference weekend without sharing my thoughts
just briefly! I loved the messages that were shared and the council
that was given! For those of you who are wondering, I DID get to watch
conference in English. (Blessing!)
I was reminded of why I am here at Tahiti. Really, the whole idea of
serving others is what I thrive off of.. Of course at times I become
discouraged with whatever trials are placed in my life, but if I
remember back to why I offered my life for a mission, it is all worth
is.
--SERVICE!--

After Saturday's conference we went to have a lesson avec Elene and
Patrick. They are a couple in our area that live in concubinage, but
they have been together for over 28 years and have 5 children. We've
been teaching them for months, and just waiting on a date for the
marriage so that they can get baptized. Elene has taken the lessons
before (for the last 4 years) but this is Patrick's first time. So
we've pretty much been waiting on him. -- Anyways, we were in the
lesson with Patrick and Elene when Sr. Dumouchel and I had a strong
impression to invite them to pick a date for the baptism. They looked
at us, knowing that there's still a lot that needs to be done before
that date, and then Sr Dumouchel said "December 1st" and we all looked
at her like she was crazy. BUT they agreed. And that is the day for
their marriage and baptism. (: YAY.

On a side note, Mickey told me that it was so special to tell them her desire to go to the temple and to have an eternal family. She can tell that Elen and Patrick want that. It's such a blessing!

After conference we had a bird in our house (it's pretty normal. All
of our doors are open all the time) but Sr Dumouchel took Sr Bingham
seriously and tried to help the bird out of the house with a broom
thingy.

I made dinner for Sr Dumouchel and myself.. It' wasn't super great,
but I DID make it before I was hungry, which means I'm practically a
mom."

^^ Mickey's homemade dinner ^^

^^ Pomme etoile (Apple Star) ^^

^^ "The Elder's decorated our car at 5 AM this morning." ^^

BIG HUGS!

je vous aime

♥

Tahiti - Week 18

MICKEY'S FIRST BAPTISM!!

"EDWIN WAS BAPTIZED!!

YAY

 MY FIRST BAPTISM!!

WAHHHOOOO

It was so awesome, my very first one!"

MICKEY'S FIRST BAPTISM!!

"EDWIN WAS BAPTIZED!!
YAY

 MY FIRST BAPTISM!!
WAHHHOOOO
It was so awesome, my very first one!
It was so special to see him take that big step, to be a good example for his family. 
He has a whole lot of laughs and love to share!"

Mickey said she didn't teach a lot this week, unfortunately, 
but this week they've already witnessed miracles.

"...at Edwin's baptism, we noticed a family that neither of us had seen before and they just cried the whole baptism. They ended up coming to every single church activity all weekend long and LOVED IT! So, hopefully we'll start teaching them tonight and watch this families' faith grow and maybe even help them to get baptized."

"Teiki (the wood carving guy) came to church yesterday!
...AND...
We had 16 ami's at church yesterday! The most I've ever seen is 10 and even 10 is a lot."

Mickey gave her first talk in French this weekend!
"It was on the Saint esprit. It went really well, I think. Everyone commented on it.
Edwin told me that if I could give a talk, he would share his testimony. - He knew how hard it would be for me to share a talk."
...how could Mickey say no to a request like that?!
Mickey is supposed to send me a copy of her talk. When she does, I'll add it.

Transfers happened this week. We were in the car when the Elders called. 
I am still in Matavai in Mahina!
Our AP told us that Sr. Dumouchel was being transferred and then he said, 
'TOOOO MATAVAI!'
and we were both so happy. 
YAY!
I definitely screamed on the phone!
It's not normal to stay in the same sector for more than 3 transfers
...so we were all surprised that I am still here. 
I am now the oldest one in this zone."

When I asked if she was able to watch the General Women's Conference in English or French, she replied that she was able to watch them in English.
"I loved Joy D. Jones talk. I was all over the place that day. I watched it at a member's house. I just remember that the women's conference felt so different this year. Maybe it's because I am a missionary... I think that I just have the spirit with me ALL the time...so it didn't feel as special as it normally used to. I hope that Conference isn't like that too. Ya know how Conference just makes you feel so spiritually fed? I feel that way every day."

We talked about looking at Conference as a way to find answers and when we are listening to what the Lord wants us to know, seeking answers or his knowledge for us, it will feel just as special as it always has. We also talked about not having the distractions of the world and why it's important to have love for daily scripture reading.
"I didn't realize how cool the scriptures and gospel really are until I came here. 
They have ALL the answers."

^^ "How on EARTH did I get the world's BEST companion
to stay with me for ANOTHER transfer?! ^^

 ^^ "Hey! Little Secret! - Sometimes when Sr. Dumouchel and I are Fiu with the day, we look at our knee fat and scrunch it together and pretend that our knees are the sorting hat from Harry Potter...
HAH! We actually found this little sorting hat in the Elder's car and about DIED!! I guess it's safe to say that Harry Potter is well missed in Matavai.

^^Zone Conference^^

^^ The cinnamon rolls that we made this week!  ^^
(I told Mickey that Grandma would be SO proud!!)

^^ Just for fun! ^^
"I did a split with Sr. Dampt this week! She commented on my French and gave me the sweetest compliment EVER! 'You're a hard worker. And you want to do things well!' "
(Sr. Dampt reminds me of cousin Steph!)

Well, that's all for week 18! ...can you believe it's been almost 6 months already?! 
Mickey is doing wonderful!
♥