JULY 23, 2018

I'M STILL DREAMING!

I'm literally Dreaming. In case you were wondering. 

You may not know but ever since my first transfer in Tahiti with my Tahitian companion I've wanted a French companion that doesnt speak English so that I can be completely immerged in the language, 

my Sweeeeet Sweeet companion Sr Sanderre et MOI!

ALSO -- the ward truly tries to work with us and our amis! This secteur is a dream  (not only in the sense of being at Moorea) but my companion has that desire to work hard and be efficient. She is a great teacher and I feel like I'm learning from her every day! We get along just wonderfully and every day we find ourselves lauging and being happy. 

Even 2 flat tires and rainded out lessons can't get us down! 

Honestly, the last week before transfers, I really took to heart our missionary theme: 

"Dans notre mission, nous aidons les enfants de Dieu a trouver de la JOIE en allant au Christ," 

(In our mission, we help the children of God find JOY by coming unto Christ.)

because I didn't feel like I had much more joy left for the work. I know that Christ makes me happy, and He gives  me that joy, but it seemed to be a little lost. 

With this last week in PaoPao, I feel like with this new start: 

   -it's the first ward I've been in where the leaders truly work with us 

   -I have a WONDERFULY sweet companion who is full of life!

   -I feel like we're an equipe (team). -It's the first time in a while. We're pushing eachother to do better.

   -I can share that joy with others because I feel it in myself.

We have lots of work to be done here in the secteur of PaoPao! When I got here and saw that nearly all of our amis are in concubinage, I didn't hesitate to call President Nauta! He will be coming to Moorea on Tuesday (tomorrow) to visit our amis with us! I pray this will help them in their couples. 

Don't worry too much -- I've got plenty of a desire to go out with a BANG! I am still tired as ever, but now loving it more than ever. (: 

As you know, I am currently driving a manuel and this week I killed it so many times. --Granted, it's been a while since I've driven anyway, plus, I've never really had a manuel car for myslef. We were going up a very steep hill in the mountains, on a rocky trail in our little toyota avenza. I was in second gear when all of a sudden my companion tells me that I need to put it into first. I started panicking. I tried changing gears but was afraid of rolling down the hill. It grinded the gears and I ended up stopping, but when I put it into first we just started rolling down the hill backwards. Ahhhhh, and quickly. Luckily, my eyes watered, but I didn't even cry. --I'm far too happy to cry. hahah but hey, at least I have a story to tell. 

We share a car with the elders, but when it's me driving we put little Dresses on the Legos to show that we're sisters. (:

On another note, I got TWO flat tires this week. One last Sunday, and one yesterday. We were in the mountain (on bike) and going down road very rapidly. We were pretending to race, and having the time of our lives when all of us sudden it became really really hard to pedal. I stopped for a moment to see that I had a flat tire and it ended up taking an hour to get home when normally it's a 30 minute bike ride. haha (: ahhhh, But hey, I LOVE it here!

Our house (There are 2 of us, with 3 bedrooms, I even have my own bathroom..)

Here's a picture of our chapel! 

A bit of a personal study on the Beach?!? Why not!?

Last few days in Tahiti.

My Sweeeet sweet family! -- The Teuru's. I've told you about them before and how I've felt so much love for them. They have definitely helped form my mission. 

July 16, 2018

FINAL TRANSFER!

Mickey was transferred!....OFF ISLAND TO MOOREA!! 

COUCOU!!! I just wanted to let y'all know that I've been transfered to the secteur of PaoPao in MOOREA!! You know, that one Island I've been taking pictures of all the other transfers of my mission!! (: 

My new companion is from Toulon, France! Sœur Sanderre! I'm finishing in PARADISE!! ♥

She told me: 

Jess, this is literally all I've wanted my whole mission!! 

The computer I'm using is interesting. haha and the photos upload very very slowly, so I'm not sure I will be able to get any to you, however, I am doing a whole lot better than las week. I'm already in PaoPao and It's beautiful here. I'm excited to be in a good secteur with a full French speaking companion. we will have the car 2 times a week and we have plenty of amis! I hear the members are great and give anything to work with us. I'm excited for this opportunity! 

-- on another note, I'll be taking pictures of the sunset with the horizon now I think that'll change things up a bit. 

Sr. Sanderre and Sr. Wright
Aren't they just so cute?! Mickey looks SO happy! 

It's not Lagoon, but look what Mickey got to experience her last week of being on Tahiti...

JULY 9, 2018

Tahitian Bonfires and Pearls

Transfers are this week and it'll be my LAST one!! WHATTTTT? I have mixed feelings. 

Despite the fact that Mickey has worked SO hard the last several months and the Lord has answered her prayers in seeing the fruits of her labors, she is ready for transfers and is hoping to get a companion whom she can have a lot of fun with. :)

Honestly, it's getting more and more real that I'll be leaving, but I am also getting more and more excited. Today we went out with a sister from our ward and her friends who are non members. It felt like I was out with friends running about Tahiti. (: But it made me nervous to know that here shortly I won't have any "Restrictions.."

I burned a SKIRT this week! I didn't do it at my 1 year mark (traditional), but this week I had a skirt with a HUGE hole in it, so I said "Why not?!" haha (: 

​This is the gate we go through to get to our "private beach.." haha (: How much can a beach really be "Private!?"

We barbecued for the 4th of July!! -Hamburgers! We also tried making Peach cobbler, and S'mores.. 

A tahitian Baptismal.. (: ha

the Ocean. 

                                                Just a picture of me. 

         Elder Koyle got a package this week!! So he made us some Tacos! 
                                          WITH Taco bell sauce!! (:

JULY 2, 2018

BEST  WEEK OF THE MISSION!

My week went SUPER! 

It was an AWESOME semaine in the secteur of Manotahi! I'd say it was one of the best weeks of my mission! Nothing special happened as most of our amis are gone or doing other things, but I was genuinly happy in the work. (:  I think the reason it was so great was the fact that despite all of the obstacles we (my companion and I) chose to be happy! 

I know for weeks I've been praying to see the "fruits of my labors" and this week I feel like I truly did, but not in the way I was expecting. When Sr Cordon got here, I made a goal to do everything in my efforts to help her find "Joy in the work!" I truly felt it this week, and it is evident that she does love being a missionary! 

On that note, we did our best to go on splits this week and are doing the best we can with the amis that are here and keeping in contact with them. I love being Sr Cordon's companion and I love this secteur!

We watched a Tahitian mamie make a shell necklace. She got about 1/4 of the way done when I told her we were going to go and she started going off on me in Tahitian. --WHAT?!? I got really nervous and she finally told me in her best, broken French that the necklaces were for us and we weren't allowed to leave yet. --Crazy lady. I love her! She's super sweet. (: 

Sr Cordon and I have become the "World's best Gateau Banane" makers! (: YES, It's SO GOOD! One of the elders was sick, and when we asked what we could do, they said they wanted banana cake. (: --OKAY! We got right on it. 

Don't even try telling me that I can't put this out fit combination together. haha (: I really wanted to wear this shirt that day, but didn't want to wear any of the skirts that match it, so I just grabbed the one that's the most comfortable. No one here knows the difference. But, I know I'll be home soon and it's clear that I'm going to need some help in the fashion department. 

Ever since coming to Tahiti, I've wanted to pick up the little Chicks and just hold them, however every time I've tried the mom chicken chases after me and I get too scared to do it. So with a little bit of help, I was abl to make this dream a reality! (: It was worth it. 

The Elders have turned into a bunch of "Cat ladies." -Every time they eat, they have more than 20 cats that come hunting them down for food!

A pirogue! This is "The Sport" here in Tahiti!

Try and guess which corner of this bathroom counter is mine. --I will hint and say, "YES, each sister only has 1 corner." 

 

 I will try my best again this week, and every week. It's scary to think I don't have many more left as a missionary, but I'm going to take this commitment with me even after the mission! Have a great week!