Week 29

COMPUTER PROBLEMS

 AND TRANSFERS

So, for those that read these blog posts, you may have noticed there haven't been any for a few weeks. I'm sorry for that. Mickey hasn't said as much because she has had computer issues in Tahiti and I have also had some technical difficulties as well. But, we have managed to stay in contact so that's great! Especially since some missionaries in Tahiti haven't been able to talk to their families for 4 weeks or more. Mickey and I talked about that scenario and agreed that it wouldn't work well for us. 

"I am doing really, really well. It was a good week for me! (: Again."

Transfers happened again and Mickey was able to stay with Sr. Colledge in the heart of Pape'ete!

"YAY!"

"Apparently, President really likes us together. 

I'm grateful because I don't have to deal with another big change." 

Mickey talked about Skype schedules for Christmas!!

"I will get 45 minutes with you guys and 45 minutes with my parents.

I AM SO PUMPED TO SKYPE!!!"

It was so fun just talking about Skype-ing together! I can't believe how fast Mickey's mission has passed by. Time seems to be flying by. I remember saying goodbye and the feelings of Mickey being gone that first month. It seemed to pass SO SLOWLY - and now, here we are talking about Skype because Christmas was around the corner! The Lord has truly blessed us and time has gone on even though she has been gone. Now, here we are, and she is more than half way through her mission. 

She'll be home before we know it. :)

"I went to the dentist this week, and apparently I've had uneven pressure on my tooth and it's caused it to be inflamed, so he shaved it down and it's feeling a lot better."

We talked about the package she received from us. She is so cute. She is always so concerned about the cost and that she can't repay us. Haha. I tell her that's not the point and we would never allow her to repay us anyway. Ha! They bring her joy so that's all I need. 

"I am so happy that you send me things. It's so so so nice. 

I assure you that they do bring a smile to my face." 

"Love you, love you."

"Big hugs!!!!"

^^The Thanksgiving Dinner we sent.^^

Mickey sent a TON of pictures this week since she hadn't for a little while (computer issues.) 

Most of them are from her Island Tour last week. Enjoy!

 ^^Mickey's Ward Building^^

 ^^Mickey made breakfast^^

 ^^Poor Brother Hallewell has been trying to send letters for awhile and they kept getting returned. Finally, they made it!!^^

 ^^The nickname I have from all the missionaries :)^^

 ^^A hike Mickey went on. She said it was HARD!!^^

 ^^Mickey's FAVORITE pineapple juice!^^

 ^^Some ties an elder gave her. He made them.^^

^^A package we gave Mickey^^

 ^^Tahiti doesn't have Chex cereal so we sent her the ingredients to make her favorite treat!^^

 ^^Mickey was walking to the temple and guess he else was there?! 

Euliette Gobrait from her last area!!^^

^^The pastry shop Mickey goes to a lot and the same one the President took Brad and I too.^^

 ^^ A package from the Banks family^^

 ^^The temple with the Christmas Nativity^^

 ^^A dress a member made Mickey - it's HUGE!^^

 ^^The Sisters decided to have a sleepover!^^

 ^^At the top of a waterfall - there's actually two falls at this location.^^

Week 28

PATIENCE IN ALL THINGS 

...AND THAN, AN ISLAND TOUR!

We didn't hear from Mickey until nearly 10pm our time. At 9pm, I was starting to get worried, so I emailed the Pr. to see if he had heard from her and to see if she was okay. He promptly emailed me back and said Yes, He had received an email from Sr. Wright that morning. He told me that she was doing well despite being in a difficult sector. In addition, they had seen her and Sr. Colledge at church the day before.  He also went a step further and sent me the email she mailed him. I thought it would be fun to share:

"Bonjour President! We've passed yet another week in Fariipiti without seeing much success. It has been a bit of a struggle for me to put in so much effort and not see many results, but I'm grateful to have a patient Companion who has a lot of love for this sector. Sr. Colledge is an elite daughter of God, and I'm blessed to be with her! I'm doing well! Thank you for all that you do!"

About a half hour after receiving this email, I heard from Mickey! 

Phew!!

She said she: "We did a tour of Tahiti today and I have like no time for mail. It was AWESOME! We've been gone all day and getting back late but I needed to tell you I was alive."

 (haha....she knows me well!)

"We went on the tour with one of the elders in our mission, he's a couple missionary, but his wife is out of town."

She continued:

"Honestly, my week was hard. We have a really hard sector, but I still love the work. We haven't had any new investigators in a long time, but we just keep pushing along."

"Also, President and Sr Fox came to our Ward yesterday and shared their testimonies. Sr. Fox even said that we are really good missionaries and everyone should be grateful."

"Thank you for helping make our apartment feel like Christmas!"

(We gave her a box full of Christmas decor, etc.)

"It's true, Christmas season is hard. 

Luckily, it feels like August still"

After this, she needed to go and ended with:

"Well, hey I love you! 

I miss you guys so much.

Big hugs!!!!"

*Mickey's pics had a hard time loading - she only sent a few so next week, she said there would be many!

...until next week, 

Aunt Jess ♥

Week 27

ALWAYS SERVING OTHERS!

"The happiest people I know are those that 

lose themselves in the service of others."

-Gordon B. Hinckley

Sr. Wright didn't have much time this week as she gave her time up to allow someone else extra time. Sr. Wright is always thinking of others! She has such a beautiful and humble heart.

Mickey saw another change in herself this week, only she didn't have time to share what it was. She said she was going to write me a letter about it. Even though she is just about half way through the mission - Mickey is always looking for ways to be better. I admire that. ...really, isn't that one of the purposes of life? To better ourselves? I'm so proud of her for digging deep and always challenging herself to be better in every aspect of her life. That's the difference between a successful and non successful missionary....or person for that matter!

I hope we all can take her example in our lives to better ourselves. I know I am.  :)

 ^^Awe!  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this photo! It is SO Mickey! ^^

 ^^Mickey's Ward Building^^

^^"Elder Cruz and Elder Rupea on our way to do a service project^^

On our way to do a service project...They are some interesting people, to say the least."

^^Mickey's Ward Building again on the right.^^ 

...until next time!

♥Aunt Jess