MAY 7, 2018

WEEK 49
Smiles, Sunburns and Exhaustion

"This has been an amazing week! I feel like Sr Cordon and I have been productive in using our time and planning more specifically for our days. This week, I will be honest- I'm EXHAUSTED! 

I've never been this tired in my life. 
Which I know is a good thing! 
I have tried my hardest to be an example for Sr Cordon and to help her learn all that I can about missionary work. I do feel as though I may have fallen short this week (I tend to over-think things). I know I am doing my best to be the best missionary I can be, but I still have my faults and every night I find myself apologizing to her and God for it. 
Sr Cordon really is a wonderful missonary who has a desire to be here! As you know, she's hard on herself and this last week has really put a damper on her self-esteem, but I can testify that she is improving." 

"I SAW SR TEAHU at Carrefour! (She's my trainer!)

-Tender mercy! 
My companion, Sr Cordon, doesn't believe that I struggled at the beginning of my mission. She thinks I'm far in advance and that she'll never be able to be at my level in the language. 
But today she got to meet MY traniner. 
She testified that I cried every day, and I didn't understand a thing. I've made a lot of progress since that time." 

"D&C 10:4 has become my new theme!! I am going until the end, but I can't run faster than I have strength!"

"--I definitely got home and fell asleep instantly. I woke up to an alarm I had set for 30 minutes later and said "Yeah right" and went back to bed. Another hour later I woke up and felt SO guilty that I had napped so long that I tried walking around the house! I went upstairs and like plopped onto the floor and fell asleep for another hour. 
-Heat exhaustion?! -MAYBE! 
But the fast was worth it! (Just maybe not the sunburn..)"

"A new bishopric was called this week, and we no longer have a DMP. We we assured one would be called shortly. I think it will be good to have a fresh start for Manotahi. Politics seemed to be the main focus for our ward leaders for the last several weeks. 
Now that that is over, and with a new Bishop in charge, 
I feel a lot of success coming to this sector! 
We saw a change of heart in 3 of our amis this week! It was a miracle! For our fast, Sr Cordon and I asked to see the fruits of our labors and I can testify that we already are. I KNOW we are trying and giving our all! We are here! Ready, and willing! God is blessing us, even if it is simply by giving us the energy needed for the day and something to smile about!"

 "Célina! She's just a super cute member we saw a lot this week, so I thought: Why not take a picture?!"

"Welp, I still don't love coconut.. But I DO live in Tahiti and people still give them to me!"

Mickey summed up her mission with the following statement:

"I have had MANY experiences on my mission! I think the greatest one is knowing that I've grown. I am training for the second time, a brand new missionary who doesn't speak French yet. She reminds me a little bit of me when I started my mission (except I was worse.. by far). I can see the difference between the two of us now, and clearly see that I have come so far! However, I know that there is still so much to learn and I am excited to see what more God has instore for me! This has been HARD! Missions tend to be that way, but it's also been far more rewarding. I wouldn't trade it for the world."

"Sr O'Hara.. BOY Do I LOVE that girl?!! Did I ever mention that she's "pretty dope?!" (; Also, I think she's kind of funny, so I'll keep her around."

 "We used Public transportation to go en ville today! 

I thought it was a riot!"

"Au Marché aujourd'hui! I mean, Tahiti is pretty legit."

APRIL 30, 2018

WEEK 48
JOY IN THE WORK!

"I LOVE my new companion!! 
It wasnt the easiest transition for Sr. Cordon coming to Tahiti, it's hard for everyone. I honestly think she is going to be a wonderful missionary. She has a love for her Saviour, her scriptures, the people. She's so sweet and excited to work! (: She's so willing to do what we plan for the day, and she goes about it with the most positive outlook."

 "I am learning just how good of a leader I CAN be, if I do it with confidence... (not to be bratty). 
--I am always just scared of the way people will respond when I ask them to do things and they don't want to. But with Sr Cordon, she has that desire to be obedient and to do it with a good attitude. (: 
I asked her to find one miracle every day while I am with her, and I hope she continues to do that the rest of her mission!
- The miracle of my week:
that I remembered the simplicity of being a missionary! 
Simple, yet powerful! Sometimes I overcomplicate things and stress more than I should, but this week I did my best not to."

"Sr. Cordon and I have also read one chapter a day in the 
Simplified Livre de Mormon and I have her translate it. 
Already, the 2nd day, I found myself in tears because the amount of progress she'd already made! She's growing like a weed! Literally, I could not be more proud of her or more excited for what is to come!"

"I want to teach her 1 thing! JOY in the WORK! ♥
She has such a great desire to be here, and I know she will do whatever it takes to stick it out. No matter how hard it gets.
 --HEY she's already doing a whole lot better than I was at the beginning of my mission. (: It's been cool that she's made so much progress! (: 
It's a little different training someone who doesn't speak the language already. I didn't realize just how much of an obstacle it is.. I also feel really bad for my trainer! haha I had it even worse than Sr. Cordon does.
At least I speak English. (:
My goal is to keep her here until the end of the transfer. (:
I think God and I will succeed in that goal." (: 

"anywho.. I love her. I love training. I love being a missionary."

"Our sector is short on Ami's. We have plans this week to visit inactives and to ask for more references from people. We're at about 12 ami's that we try to see every week, if not more. Sr. Cordon and I hope to improve that in the days and weeks to come. I have also made personal goals along with our companionship goals to help improve the sector.
I DO NOT want to leave this place feeling like I could have done more! These people mean more to me than that."

Elder T (I can't pronounce OR spell his name properly..) Always fixes our (I mean MY) bikes! (: hahah he's a great guy! *ElderTetuaearo*

"​Because why not?"

​"Sr Wright, Sr Hoparau, Sr Cordon, et Sr Siri! ♥
(These are the sisters that I live with!)"

"Who would have thought that mudding would be a thing,
even in Tahiti?!?!" 

"​My sweet new companion! Sr Savanna Cordon from North Carolina!​"

"Also, Shrimp look a whole lot more alive here in Tahiti.. (:
HA! But I LOVE those things!! (:"

APRIL 23, 2018

Week 47

A Trainer!

HEY!! ANNOUNCEMENT!

​I guess I must have done something ​[W]RIGHT
because I'm TRAINING.. again!! 

Nana Sr O'Hara!
*FUN FACT*
She's going to my Tahitian home in MATAVAI! ♥♥♥

Jess, Didn't you hear?! -President thinks I'm patient.

.... Obviously I've learned something on my mission. 

President wanted to tell me that he felt very inspired putting us [Mickey and Sr. Cordon] together. He is impressed with the amount of patience I've had the last transfer and he said he knows I will be a great formatrice.

But really, yesterday, when I talked to President, he mentioned that it's been good for me to be with Sr O'hara, I was really happy.. I also knew that she's helped me to acquire patience.. maybe just the amount of patience I'll need to have this companion that is coming. Who knows.

I look forward to learning and progressing this transfer as well as finding the little miracles that I KNOW God gives me daily!

Becoming a trainer has been the "confidence booster" I've needed! I know I am giving my all to this work, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to help another sweet sister realize that she can do the same!

I honestly feel [this last transfer] was one of the hardest transfers of my mission. I don't feel like I accomplished all that I could have this last six weeks, but I really learned patience! I did try my hardest to keep going, to have a positive attitude, and to accept the Lord's will while I was with Sr. O'Hara. Luckily, I LOVE her, and I'd consider her to be one of my closest friends. We get along so well as friends, which seems to be what I needed. I know without a doubt that we were meant to be companions at this exact time and she was the perfect person to help me with the passing of my Grandfather. She's so stress free! I know I needed her calm, supportive love and comfort. 

The best part of my week:​ Was probably visiting an inactive family with Sr O'Hara. She wanted to pass by and tell them she was being transferd. I didn't really know them. We passed by one other time for like 5 minutes, but other than that, nothing. They're super cute, young family with 5 kids and the mom is pregnant. The father asked me to say the opening prayer and when I started I burst out crying. my heart was so FULL of love! I couldn't believe just how much I knew about them (even though we know it wasn't me, it was the spirit) but in the prayer, it felt SO personalized and had so much passion. I finished and saw the mom and dad both crying. ♥ it really touched my heart to know that this calling as a Missionary really is POWER! WOW! It was also another testimony to me that God knows his children and he cares for their needs. ♥

OH!! I hit 13 months yesterday... WEIRD!

 One thing I love about Tahitians: They LOVE to feed me.. 
And I won't argue it. 

 ​Sr Du​mouchel Finishes TODAY! 
Luckily I got to see the pretty lady last week for breakfast. (:

 I saw ma fillllllle. ♥

 Sr Battezzato, Sr Siri et Sr O'Hara! ♥

 It's probably one of my favorite things that kids always call us twins.. Pretty much, we're companionship goals. 

♡♡

APRIL 16, 2018

Week 46

Tough news and Tender mercies

"In God's Eternal plan, salvation is an individual matter; but Exaltation is a family matter."

Those who read last weeks post, know Mickey's Grandpa was given months to live and we had to break that news to her. 

This week, the situation became more serious. Two days after the news, all of his children felt prompted to make their way to his bedside and it was time to give the President another update that Grandpa didn't have months, but only days to live. We would stay in very close contact and continue to send updates.

Mickey and I requested a final phone call with her Grandpa and the President agreed. On Thursday, with most all of Grandpa's children and a few Grandchildren by his side, I was able to call Mickey and she was able to speak with her Grandpa one final time. It was a very sweet and tender moment for her and for our family. 

Afterwards, Mickey and I were able to talk a bit longer and she was able to share an experience with me where the Lord confirmed to her His will for Grandpa. It was emotional and my heart went out to her.  I was grateful she felt the Lord's mindfulness in this scenario we were experiencing.

That same evening, Grandpa was given a Priesthood blessing by his eldest son, Kevin.  In it, Grandpa was told that his mission in this life was complete and he had done everything he was sent to do and now, he was needed on the other side to continue his work.

Grandpa passed the following afternoon.

Again, another update was made to the President. ...only this time, Mickey was actually on her way to the President's house to make cookies that had been pre-scheduled. (Tender mercy in and of itself!) The President would be able to break the news in person and comfort her in a unique way. Obviously, this was an emotional experience and Mickey has had moments of ups and downs just as the rest of our family has, but she remained strong and the Lord is watching out for her.

Below, is a portion of what Mickey wrote in her email to me:

"Thank you for your sweet email today. I hope you know that I am grateful for all of your efforts to keep me informed and up to date. I am grateful to be blessed enough to have you in my life." 

"I have struggled [and because of that] I don't feel like a good missionary. I don't know why. I really am trying my hardest to accomplish all that I can. And now, I'm worried about home. But I'll be fine. I'm just going to keep trying." 

"It was a good week in all aspects. I felt the comfort of my grandfather after his passing, which gave me the force I needed to accomplish all that I did this week. I am really trying to work hard and give my all to this work, even though this week was tough on me." 

"--A tender moment for me was Friday Afternoon actually. The whole morning I had been singing "I feel My Savior's Love" without knowing why. When I arrived to President's house and he had shared the news with me, my heart almost jumped in joy for grandpa. It was strange, I was actually happy. (: Of course I shed a few tears, but they weren't sad. We were able to make cookies with them and later I was able to play piano in their house. Normally, I don't ask. you know I don't like playing piano for or in front of people so it was a shock that I even asked. I went in, sat down and while playing I had never felt more comfort at the piano. --I ALWAYS feel comforted at the piano because of my love for music, but this time was even more special. I felt grandpa smiling and dancing sweetly to the music I played. ♥ it touched my heart more than ever to know that I will always be connected to grandpa by something that I love and cherish so dearly already. He's a special man, and I know that he's happy."

"I know his funeral will be beautiful, and I know Grandpa will love every single musical number that is shared. ♥ - I also must say that one of the most tender moments for me on the phone call with grandpa was when Brae said "Mickey, I played the Violin for grandpa yesterday." I think my heart skipped a beat. We all know how happy music makes him. ♥"

"I loved getting to talk with all of you. I miss you all dearly. Just know that I haven't looked forward to seeing someone(s) more in my life. ♥" 

"I've found myself at the piano every day this week, trying to comfort myself with grandpa's love. It's been my piece of courage for the week, especially when I needed it most." 

"A random pic from my companions camera."

"The sweet sisters I live with."
AKA: The Comforters!

"My Favorite Flower"

"We got a new bunk bed this week!! Luckily our elders are the BEST and came over to put it together."

​"Tender mercy -- I had a REALLY good tomato this week."

"We had matching dresses with an entire family this week! I also sang a Solo in Sacrament meeting."

"This morning on the way to Church (for our emails)"

"​Fancy foods in Tahiti."

♥♥