JUNE 25, 2018

BAPTISMS AND MIRACLES!!

​Heimanu was baptized by his dad, Leon! (I taught their family last year with Sr Dumouchel!) Heimanu finally turned 8, and after waiting for his dad to have the courage to perform his FIRST baptism it was finally accomplished this Saturday! I couldn't have been more proud of this family for all the changes they've made in their lives. 

Mickey was also able to see her first companion and one of her favorite ward members from Mahina while at the baptism. 

I had a interview with President Fox this week! I wasn't planning to cry, but I did. I expressed to him that I'm feeling a bit burnt out from training. It's not that I don't like it, there just aren't any fingers to be pointed when we do something wrong or when there are things that don't get done. It's all on my shoulders all the time. -I've learned the importance of "being the blame." ha President laughed and said he could see it. Fortunately for me, my companion really stepped out of her shell after her interview and helped a whole lot more in the work without me asking her to. (: I've really seen her grow a lot and I look forward to seeing her progress even more on her mission. 

Tender mercy! -- We were fasting for the Fiumarella family this week. I know they will get baptized one day! We met them about 3 weeks ago and have really seen a lot of progress, but there is a lot to be done before a baptism can happen. We got to Church yesterday and guess who came?!?! The Fiumarella sisters!! I was SO happy! We also saw 3 of the inactives that I invited to Church!!  THREE! -Miracles, people. Miracles!!

I GOT THE PACKAGE, JESS! Thank you! It was the highlight to a rough morning! -I keep getting stomach aches. It was a bit of a rough week in that department. But the tootsie rolls helped! (;

I made a skirt this week with an inactive member! (: It was a good experience of ministering. Now, was she ministering to us, or were we ministering to her by our visit? -I dunno

In honor of July.. and Christmas right around the corner, I felt it necessary to sing American Pride Hymns and every Christmas one, too. 

I've memorized who all of the drug dealers are in our area. Funny thing about it is that I know where they all live! (; HA On the bright side, they know where we live too.

They all sell their weed in front of our street and I know they keep us protected. Every time we tell members where we live they worry for us and tell us to be careful, but I know we're protected. 

As far as the work in our secteur, I KNOW it is progressing and I saw many miracles this week, but it seems as though there will be a bit of a hold as ALL of our progressing investigators are going to the islands for the vacance! But I'm confident that things will get going again and see more people take upon them the name of Christ. 

JUNE 18, 2018

BANANA SPLITS?

 Na....although, Mickey was given a bunch of fruit this week that included a sack full of bananas and she went on several splits this week, including one with her Bishop and one with a past companion, Sr. Colledge. 

They also landed TWO Faatamaaraa's that day! (dinner appointments)

....sounds like a good reason to have banana splits to me! ;)

I'm doing well!! (: 

I love it here, but I think now I'm a little more excited to go home! hah, no worries though. 

I'm going to finish strong! 

I never claimed to be perfect, but I am doing my best with what I've got! 

Some days are rough, but it's the rough days that help us to fully enjoy the good ones! (: 

I am doing just dandy. (: 

I love being a missionary! (: 

I know more and more that the church is true!

Our amis are doing well! we made them cookies this week and invited them to the fathers day activites. 

Not many of them were at church, which was a bit of a bummer, but I'm glad they're doing well! 

--It really helps that our bishop is a recent convert of 3 years. 

He knows how to work with amis, and how to give them their space, but also how to be there to guide them. There's a reason he was called as bishop! I love that guy! 

Him and his wife are wonderful!

"I got a whole lot of fruit this week! --This is from 2 hours of contacting!"

        ​"I went on a split with my sister friend Sr Colledge! 

(I love that girl. I don't think I could ever say it enough)"

"I saw a member from my first ward! 

He saw me walking on the street and did a u-turn, then stopped right in front of us! 

I was a bit nervous at first then told myself "WOW! This guy REALLY wants to talk to the Mormons!" 

But then he took off his helmet and I recognized him right away! (Fr Liu)"

TAHITI

 "This is a protestant Church. I just think it looks cool!"

"I still love dogs."

"The sisters that I currently live with!" 

Sr. Cordon and Sr. Wright.

"a CRAZY car ride!"

"​3 of my companions all in the same spot!"

JUNE 11, 2018

HIKING AND HAPPINESS

Mickey didn't have much time to devote to emailing today, but she is doing well...in fact, today, she was EXTRA happy! So much so, that while emailing, she stopped and ended up running to the opposite end of the church where her companion was just to share her joy! Gotta love this girl! :)

We hiked Viatavere ENCORE this week!! (This morning, actually..) 

It was just Sr Cordon and I with the Elders. 

(As usual) I never hesitate to get out of the house. (: 

---Even if this hike KILLS me and every single time I've done it, I've told myself "NEVER AGAIN."

 Except this time I'm not dying. I think my daily sport is finally paying off. (: 

I'm pretty determined to be in shape when I get home! haha

 We have matching shirts. Also, we went running, so it called for a picture. 

We hiked Viatavere

...but then hitched a ride in a sketchy van on the way down. I can't complain.. (:

JUNE 4, 2018

TRANSFERS

I'm STAYING in Manotahi with Sr Cordon! 
President (and God) think we're great together and I'm really grateful! 
I love my companion and our secteur is wonderful!! 
I am finally starting to see the fruits of our labors here and I'd be very sad to go! 
In fact, I only have one more transfer after this and I hope to finish here! (:

We went to the temple this week

I DROVE. YEP. You read that right. I DROVE for the first time in Tahiti!

Elder Pyper made me a planner. 
Can't help but laugh.. She looks like me, AND is overwhelmed. (; 
(Elder Pyper is from my MTC district. I love that kid.) 
There are only 5 of us left from our District. 
We said goodbye to another sister this week.

 Ethel-- The Ami that gave us Pearl and shell neckaces (That we're wearing). We've been teaching her for a few weeks and she knows the church is true. She'll be out of town for the next month or so, but when she comes back we will continue teaching her and will look forward to a baptism in the future.

This is a cinnamon apple? 
I thought it looked funny and reminded me of Adam and Eve. 
HA. Ahhh, the Isles of the Sea.

 ​This is another mamie, Marie-Rose. She just fed us SO much food. 
She's sweet, and just enjoys the company.​

​Another walk

 -walk to the ocean.(:​ 

We did a Service project this last p-day! We had a shortened p-day because we went to the temple and we didn't plan anything because we are normally free on Monday's so we all picked up trash on the side of the road and on the beach! It was super touching to see people come in from on the side of the road and help us! They were grateful for our help and said it shouldn't be our job to make Tahiti beautiful and clean.  

I ended up cutting my leg with a broken glass bottle. It's okay.  

​

 A few laughs came out of it, hence the reason the photo was taken. 

​I ended up wiping off the blood with a leaf from the tree right next to me. 

It wouldn't be a meeting if we we're messing around and sneaking photos. -Sundays are too long.