Okay, guys, I just can't believe it! I cannot believe the miracle that just happened in my life! Oh my heck, I am so thrilled about this. This has nothing to do with missionary work. But this is amazing- Dad signed his letter this past week "Love, Jelly Man Kelly."
OKAY. This morning, while washing my cereal bowl in the sink, I sang that EXACT song. And I literally thought this exact thing- "I miss Jelly Man Kelly. When I write home, I am going to tell my family that I miss that song and somehow incorporate that in my letter." This is not a joke. And I haven't thought about that song in a year. K, there it is. Revelation is real. Dad, truly that was the coolest father-daughter brain-waves connecting across the ocean moment in the history of our lives. Thank you, you genius.
Now, for the rest of you - Hello! I love you! And I would like to say something:
I. LOVE. MY. MISSION.
I love this. With all my heart I love Tahiti, I love every single person that lives here, I love my companion, and I love that somehow I got lucky enough to have this chance. Sometimes I just think, I can't believe it. I can't believe I get to be a missionary here, that for some reason my life got to include this beautiful experience. I would like to make it known that I am infinitely grateful to Heavenly Father, Mom and Dad, and all the many people who helped me have this chance. Because this mission is actually the best thing that's ever happened to me. It is teaching me and molding me and I have truly felt this transformation happening in my heart. That doesn't mean I've become some saintly perfect person- dont any of you expect me to come home like that. I'm still ol' Micail, still a regular person that will drive you crazy sometimes. I don't know if the differences will be noticeable. But I know that in me, there really has been a change. I know some things like I didn't before. I love God and want to follow Him so much more. And I have found this true joy that I think can only come from doing something really, really hard for other people and relying on the Savior. A mission is certainly not the only way to discover that, but its such a wonderful way. I am truly happy. Thank you, thank you, all of you, for helping me.
I would also like to say that I did not always feel this way about my mission. This week marks the one year mark, my one-year-old missionary birthday! So of course I have been thinking about all the ups and downs and whatnot of the past year. I especially want Millzie and Courtney to know that the beginning was so extremely hard. Millzie, don't worry. It was exactly the same for me. In my head, I was always thinking, "Am I a bad person or something? Why is this so hard? How come I don't just love this? How come I seriously can't talk?" It seemed like everyone was a good missionary except for me, and I will tell you flat out that sometimes I hated it. So if in your head you are thinking, no it's just me who's struggling so bad - wrong-o. It is that hard for everyone. Everybody cries on their mission. Everybody struggles a ton. If other people tell you they didn't, well, at least you can know that I did.
But here is the news- It gets better. It will get so much better, like actually joyfully, wonderfully good. Yes, Millzie, you WILL speak Portuguese. At the beginning, I felt the same way. I would always like hover around any English-speaker missionaries I ever saw at conferences or stuff and just irritate them with these desperate questions like, "Do you actually understand whats going on? Like do you seriously understand when everybody talks?" And I really had this part of me that thought I would never reach it. But guess what? I seriously understand everything that's going on now! It's a miracle! And you will have this miracle. Do what you need to do - study your scriptures every day in Portuguese or Japanese and just keep going. Ask in your prayers every day that you can learn a little more and get a little better.
Mill, do you remember the song "Caves" by Jacks Mannequin that we love? I was thinking about it this week. In the song the guy is really scared and sad because he sees that all around him the walls are caving in. The music is kind of scary or something, and you feel like its a horrible thing that everything seems to be crashing. But the second half of the song, everything changes - the walls start crumbling and he realizes that, wow, there's stuff out there! He changes his tune and starts singing, "The walls are caving in!" with excitement because he realizes that he just got liberated and now he can see so much farther!
That's kind of how a mission is. You get ripped away from everything you know and understand and love, and you feel like its gonna be the end of you. For a while its just plain hard. But soon you will start to see that the difficulty, the very thing that you thought would end you, is exactly what you needed. When I look back at some of my worst moments - crying in the little kitchen of that hot, tiny box of a house in Papenoo, my heart is seriously so full of thanks. I am so glad it was hard. If it hadn't been so hard, it wouldn't be so good now. Just like the famous black pearls here - the little sand thing inside gets stuck and pressured and agitated, but in the end it makes something beautiful.
That was a lot of words to explain a really simple message, but I hope you believe it. I hope every missionary believes it, because it's true. It is going to be okay. Keep working, keep praying, keep trusting in our kind Heavenly Father and our Savior. It's worth it.
I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is truly guided by an inspired prophet, called by God Himself. The Book of Mormon is true - the doctrine and principles inside are true, and they have brought me so much happiness. Reading the Book of Mormon has brought me a solid assurance that Joseph Smith's story is real because I can't deny the Spirit that I feel when I read it. No matter what, it always, always comes back to prayer. God does hear us. I know it. I love Him.
I love you all so very much. Dad said in one of his letters lately that part of being a Christian is being of good cheer. This is true. And you know what? We are so lucky. I know so many people who would love to live in a beautiful, clean home, in a nice neighborhood, eat healthy, delicious food, and go do something even semi-interesting at work today. We are so incredibly lucky, and we have every reason to be happy. So let's all be happy and thankful. Life is beautiful.
All my love,
Soeur Mann
Monday, August 19, 2013
Monday, August 12, 2013
#51 - Moving Day
Hi, guys! Ua here vau ia outo! You can guess what that means.
Guys, I had such a fun day today! It's moving day! Not transfers - I'm still serving in the same area with the same comp, but we moved houses with the other four soeurs to a beautiful, large, spacious home in Tipaerui! It's one of the best houses Iv'e seen in this country so far! It felt so fun to have a moving day. I just wanted all the priesthood holders from the 1st Ward to show up and us all eat donuts, cuz thats what usually happens on moving days. But it was fun anyhoo. I was a little sad to leave my home of 5 and a half months in Pamatai. That place will always be a sacred place to me. That is where my heart changed so much and I learned some wonderful lessons. It is bittersweet, and that is a nice thing. And speaking of bittersweet, I actually tasted the world's best dark chocolate this week. The. Best. And I am buying some later today at the store. The nice grocery stores have enormous chocolate sections, due to the French influence here. They have pear chocolate and flower chocolate and salted caramel chocolate. The latter is the best one in the world.
Wonderful news! We have three baptisms happening this Saturday, two of which were set-up this week, and neither of them are either related to the other! We had two actual miracles happen. Our wonderful Simon and Thyron have decided to be baptised, and hallelujah for them! The one, Simon, is this hilarious, lanky, wise-crackin 15 year old that has been taking lessons for a very long time. He's wanted to be baptized for a very long time, too, but his parents never accept. Well he just got back from a month long vacation in Huahine, and we thought we'd just kinda see where he's at and what he's thinkin', and He says, "I'm ready. Is it possible to get baptized on Saturday?" Definitely.
I decided a good way to describe Tahiti. Think about a deep, pounding, but slow heartbeat. That's what it feels like here. It's so alive. Everything is just... alive. But it doesn't move fast or get excited. Its just a low, constant pounding. I realized that I have never seen a Tahitian get stressed. Not that I can remember. Angry, annoyed, yes. But the concept of "stress" just really doesn't exist here. It's done this heart some good.
I've been working lately on really doing my job. My job is to bring some great news to everybody that the full gospel of Jesus Christ is restored. I'm working on talking about the Restoration every time I teach, and it's doing wonders. Truly, Joseph Smith is a prophet. And we have a prophet on the earth. We truly do! How amazing!
I want to just say that I know the Priesthood is real. The other day I listened to two elders give a blessing to someone who needed it. I was astounded to hear them say things and give much needed comfort, counsel, and blessing that they weren't even aware of. I mean it, these two missionaries received revelation. It was undeniable and beautiful. They knew things and spoke things by the Spirit, and my testimony of the reality of this power was really fortified. Two young guys from Utah can act in the name of Christ. It's real.
Berns, I believe you are starting high school soon- woohooo! You drive that mini van with pride, my boy! Don't you ever be disgraced to drive her! And here is one thing I would like to tell you, my one bit of counsel for high school: Be kind. Just be kind to everyone, no exceptions. That's what matters, and thats' what will make high school fun. I love you, Bernie Mac.
Life is beautiful!
All my love,
Soeur Mann
Guys, I had such a fun day today! It's moving day! Not transfers - I'm still serving in the same area with the same comp, but we moved houses with the other four soeurs to a beautiful, large, spacious home in Tipaerui! It's one of the best houses Iv'e seen in this country so far! It felt so fun to have a moving day. I just wanted all the priesthood holders from the 1st Ward to show up and us all eat donuts, cuz thats what usually happens on moving days. But it was fun anyhoo. I was a little sad to leave my home of 5 and a half months in Pamatai. That place will always be a sacred place to me. That is where my heart changed so much and I learned some wonderful lessons. It is bittersweet, and that is a nice thing. And speaking of bittersweet, I actually tasted the world's best dark chocolate this week. The. Best. And I am buying some later today at the store. The nice grocery stores have enormous chocolate sections, due to the French influence here. They have pear chocolate and flower chocolate and salted caramel chocolate. The latter is the best one in the world.
Wonderful news! We have three baptisms happening this Saturday, two of which were set-up this week, and neither of them are either related to the other! We had two actual miracles happen. Our wonderful Simon and Thyron have decided to be baptised, and hallelujah for them! The one, Simon, is this hilarious, lanky, wise-crackin 15 year old that has been taking lessons for a very long time. He's wanted to be baptized for a very long time, too, but his parents never accept. Well he just got back from a month long vacation in Huahine, and we thought we'd just kinda see where he's at and what he's thinkin', and He says, "I'm ready. Is it possible to get baptized on Saturday?" Definitely.
I decided a good way to describe Tahiti. Think about a deep, pounding, but slow heartbeat. That's what it feels like here. It's so alive. Everything is just... alive. But it doesn't move fast or get excited. Its just a low, constant pounding. I realized that I have never seen a Tahitian get stressed. Not that I can remember. Angry, annoyed, yes. But the concept of "stress" just really doesn't exist here. It's done this heart some good.
I've been working lately on really doing my job. My job is to bring some great news to everybody that the full gospel of Jesus Christ is restored. I'm working on talking about the Restoration every time I teach, and it's doing wonders. Truly, Joseph Smith is a prophet. And we have a prophet on the earth. We truly do! How amazing!
I want to just say that I know the Priesthood is real. The other day I listened to two elders give a blessing to someone who needed it. I was astounded to hear them say things and give much needed comfort, counsel, and blessing that they weren't even aware of. I mean it, these two missionaries received revelation. It was undeniable and beautiful. They knew things and spoke things by the Spirit, and my testimony of the reality of this power was really fortified. Two young guys from Utah can act in the name of Christ. It's real.
Berns, I believe you are starting high school soon- woohooo! You drive that mini van with pride, my boy! Don't you ever be disgraced to drive her! And here is one thing I would like to tell you, my one bit of counsel for high school: Be kind. Just be kind to everyone, no exceptions. That's what matters, and thats' what will make high school fun. I love you, Bernie Mac.
Life is beautiful!
All my love,
Soeur Mann
Monday, August 5, 2013
#50 - Another Week On This Little Island
Hello, everyone! Courtney wrote me something in her last email - she said, "Now I can understand why you always always say how much you love your family in your emails. Its like, go on a mission = YOU LOVE YOUR FAMILY 74,747,474,747 THOUSAND TIMES MORE THAN YOU DID BEFORE!" Ha ha! Yes! That is exactly why I just ramble on forever every single week about love you, love you, love you, stuff. Bingo, Courtles.
Okay, Amelia is going to Brazil. Oh, Nelly. Millzie, that's so amazing! You must feel so weird. If I was there next to you, I would sing you a song in a warbley old hobbit voice that goes like this: "The greeeeatest adventuuuuure is the one that lies ahead..." Mill, you just remember to pray. You are going to experience the most beautiful, toughest, rewarding, draining, important experiences of your life. You're gonna have a little culture shock for awhile, but these people will become your dear friends. Remember that language is just words, but they really are your brothers and sisters. Hurrah! Millzie, I'm SO excited for you! I love you with all my heart, Mill. You can do anything. And you can eat anything. Just chew and swallow. Don't think about it. And if you do a good job, when you get home I will make you one of those chocolate gold medals from the picture book.
Here's a little mission lesson I've learned. I will teach this lesson by sharing a little story that happened this morning. Scene: Soeur Mann sitting on her bed. Soeur Dagnillo sitting on her bed across from Soeur Mann. The room is full of tension so tangible you can almost taste it in the air. The two missionaries have just attempted to "evaluate some areas that need improvement" in their companionship. Neither one of them is feeling very cheery. Plus it's raining outside. Finally Soeur Dagnillo blurts out, "Soeur, I love you so much, but I just don't want to be with you twenty-four-seven!"
Ha ha! It was like a huge rock was lifted off my chest, and I just said, "I know! I don't want to be with you either!" And then we laughed and laughed, and we are still happy companions. Ya know what? We're all just people! And no matter how good of a missionary you are, or how strong your testimony is, or how well you and your companion get along, we are all just people, and we all have moments of weakness. It's okay. It's okay if the people around you aren't perfect. Its often best to laugh it off and move on. And forgiveness is essential. Its the only way any us are ever going to make it to heaven, and it really is the only thing that allows us to progress. I'm learning more and more that there are very few things worth arguing over, but there is always, always reason to forgive. Sometimes people irritate us, let us down, sometimes they straight up do the wrong thing, but we are all just people.
Alright, the FHE we had last week with President Hinckley's daugher was not only lovely, but truly unforgettable. Guess who else came with her? Hilary Weeks and her husband! It was so, so odd. Sometimes life is so bizarre. Like you are just sitting there in a living room listening to Hilary Weeks sing while your Tahitian investigators are sitting next to you... the world is so small. Apparently they were in Australia for a Time Out for Women conference, and they made a pit stop in Tahiti for a week. Hilary sang a song that touched my heart, that I will love for ever and ever. It must be called something like, "He Loves Us Still," and she said it will be on iTunes in September. The message of the song is that Christ loves us still, no matter what we do. My family, I love the Savior. Thank heavens we have a Savior, Someone who is constant. He does love us still, no matter what. I have felt it, and I know we can always approach Him, no matter where we stand. I was also delighted to see how perfectly normal the prophet's daughter is. She's just like her parents-so funny and down to earth. You can just eat some Doritos and banana bread and talk to her about whatever you want. Cuz that's what I did.
Yesterday in Sacrament Meeting, Michel got up and bore his testimony. There's really no way to describe how good it feels to be a missionary and hear a newly converted member get up and share his testimony. It feels like you actually did something, like there is actually a point to you being here. While I was sitting there, I thought, seriously, if he just stays faithful and happy til the end of his life, this will all be worth it. And then I had this horrible thought- what if he didn't? I started thinking about these people that I love, that I really have worked for and sacrificed for and cried over, all so they can just be happy. I realized that if I ever heard that one of these people lost their faith or started being disobedient and fell into old habits that bring them down, I would be heartbroken. It would feel like all this work was for nothing. And that brought me some really insightful thoughts about the Savior. The sacrifices of a missionary are absolutely nothing in comparison to His. But it gives you a tiny taste of what the Atonement means. I thought about how Christ must about us, Him being the One who created this earth and then descended below all things. And He did it because of one reason- He loves us and He wants us to be happy. And I thought how horrible He must feel when He sees someone He loves infinitely, for whom He suffered the worst kind of pain, just stuck, not reaching the joy and peace He wants for them. It must feel like it was for nothing. But then I had an even more important thought- How must He feel when someone repents? It was like a light went on in my spirit. What relief and joy He must feel! Of course he asks us to repent! Of course, of course! That is all He wants. Because repentance is the free, endless, perfect way for everyone to get back on track. He's not standing there angry at us, holding our sins over our heads. He suffered for these sins. He paid for them, and it was terrible, but He did it so we don't have to. So all he really wants is for us to just repent and come back, and of course he's going to accept us and welcome us and let us be happy again. That's the point. That is why He came and did what He did.
I love you all with all my heart,
Soeur Mann
Okay, Amelia is going to Brazil. Oh, Nelly. Millzie, that's so amazing! You must feel so weird. If I was there next to you, I would sing you a song in a warbley old hobbit voice that goes like this: "The greeeeatest adventuuuuure is the one that lies ahead..." Mill, you just remember to pray. You are going to experience the most beautiful, toughest, rewarding, draining, important experiences of your life. You're gonna have a little culture shock for awhile, but these people will become your dear friends. Remember that language is just words, but they really are your brothers and sisters. Hurrah! Millzie, I'm SO excited for you! I love you with all my heart, Mill. You can do anything. And you can eat anything. Just chew and swallow. Don't think about it. And if you do a good job, when you get home I will make you one of those chocolate gold medals from the picture book.
Here's a little mission lesson I've learned. I will teach this lesson by sharing a little story that happened this morning. Scene: Soeur Mann sitting on her bed. Soeur Dagnillo sitting on her bed across from Soeur Mann. The room is full of tension so tangible you can almost taste it in the air. The two missionaries have just attempted to "evaluate some areas that need improvement" in their companionship. Neither one of them is feeling very cheery. Plus it's raining outside. Finally Soeur Dagnillo blurts out, "Soeur, I love you so much, but I just don't want to be with you twenty-four-seven!"
Ha ha! It was like a huge rock was lifted off my chest, and I just said, "I know! I don't want to be with you either!" And then we laughed and laughed, and we are still happy companions. Ya know what? We're all just people! And no matter how good of a missionary you are, or how strong your testimony is, or how well you and your companion get along, we are all just people, and we all have moments of weakness. It's okay. It's okay if the people around you aren't perfect. Its often best to laugh it off and move on. And forgiveness is essential. Its the only way any us are ever going to make it to heaven, and it really is the only thing that allows us to progress. I'm learning more and more that there are very few things worth arguing over, but there is always, always reason to forgive. Sometimes people irritate us, let us down, sometimes they straight up do the wrong thing, but we are all just people.
Alright, the FHE we had last week with President Hinckley's daugher was not only lovely, but truly unforgettable. Guess who else came with her? Hilary Weeks and her husband! It was so, so odd. Sometimes life is so bizarre. Like you are just sitting there in a living room listening to Hilary Weeks sing while your Tahitian investigators are sitting next to you... the world is so small. Apparently they were in Australia for a Time Out for Women conference, and they made a pit stop in Tahiti for a week. Hilary sang a song that touched my heart, that I will love for ever and ever. It must be called something like, "He Loves Us Still," and she said it will be on iTunes in September. The message of the song is that Christ loves us still, no matter what we do. My family, I love the Savior. Thank heavens we have a Savior, Someone who is constant. He does love us still, no matter what. I have felt it, and I know we can always approach Him, no matter where we stand. I was also delighted to see how perfectly normal the prophet's daughter is. She's just like her parents-so funny and down to earth. You can just eat some Doritos and banana bread and talk to her about whatever you want. Cuz that's what I did.
Yesterday in Sacrament Meeting, Michel got up and bore his testimony. There's really no way to describe how good it feels to be a missionary and hear a newly converted member get up and share his testimony. It feels like you actually did something, like there is actually a point to you being here. While I was sitting there, I thought, seriously, if he just stays faithful and happy til the end of his life, this will all be worth it. And then I had this horrible thought- what if he didn't? I started thinking about these people that I love, that I really have worked for and sacrificed for and cried over, all so they can just be happy. I realized that if I ever heard that one of these people lost their faith or started being disobedient and fell into old habits that bring them down, I would be heartbroken. It would feel like all this work was for nothing. And that brought me some really insightful thoughts about the Savior. The sacrifices of a missionary are absolutely nothing in comparison to His. But it gives you a tiny taste of what the Atonement means. I thought about how Christ must about us, Him being the One who created this earth and then descended below all things. And He did it because of one reason- He loves us and He wants us to be happy. And I thought how horrible He must feel when He sees someone He loves infinitely, for whom He suffered the worst kind of pain, just stuck, not reaching the joy and peace He wants for them. It must feel like it was for nothing. But then I had an even more important thought- How must He feel when someone repents? It was like a light went on in my spirit. What relief and joy He must feel! Of course he asks us to repent! Of course, of course! That is all He wants. Because repentance is the free, endless, perfect way for everyone to get back on track. He's not standing there angry at us, holding our sins over our heads. He suffered for these sins. He paid for them, and it was terrible, but He did it so we don't have to. So all he really wants is for us to just repent and come back, and of course he's going to accept us and welcome us and let us be happy again. That's the point. That is why He came and did what He did.
I love you all with all my heart,
Soeur Mann
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
#49 - Missing You Means I Love You
Hi, guys! I would like to say something. I still miss you guys really bad. I love you a lot. Sometimes I wonder if I'm a freak missionary or something 'cuz I still miss you all really a lot. I don't know. Luckily I do love these people a lot, too, and I love it more and more. 'Cuz otherwise this would not be fun. But I do love it. And I guess it's okay to still miss you, 'cuz it means I still love you.
'Cuz what Im going to go do in an hour? Have family home evening with President Hinckley's daughter! I don't really get it, either! I don't know why it's happening, but it's happening, and we are bringing some of our investigators too. It's at our mission presidents house, and its going to be a lovely event.
Today I was thinking how weird it is that we can swim. We are not even water creatures. Really think how amazing that is that we can stay alive in a bunch of water. And I thought about how life is like swimming. Here we are, stuck in the middle of life. And the trick is to keep moving. You can float for a little while, but if you want to get anywhere, you have to keep moving. Constantly. A mission is the most exhausting experience of my life. Sometimes I just sit there and think..."Oh my goodness. I'm still not gonna rest for another 7 months." But you know, I have learned that I can always keep going. You can always wake up at 6:30 and go running, no matter how tired you are. Before my mission I would have had some sleep in days, but I have never once hit the snooze button. I'm learning that its possible to keep going. But it is absolutely, 100% thanks to the Spirit, thanks to the help of the Savior. If you keep praying, you really can do all things. You just gotta keep movin'.
I hate to ask this, really truly. But my running shoes are dead. Its kind of hurting my knees to run in them. The other day I thought, How could they already be shot? I just barely bought these for my mission! And then I realized that was almost a year ago. Is there anyway you could send me some? If its ridiculously expensive, don't worry. And don't worry about buying any fancy woohoo. I know I'm all picky about shoes, but I'm not while I'm in Tahiti. Size 7. Thank you so, so much.
Also, can you guys write me some handwritten letters? I would like to have your testimonies written down so I can hold them.
I love our Father in Heaven so much. He loves us, no matter what we do.
I truly love you all with all my heart. I thank our Savior for His Atonement, for fulfilling His mission so that we could all live this wonderful plan of happiness. I love Jesus Christ. I'm glad I get to wear His name every day.
All my love,
Soeur Mann
P.S. Today as we were washing the car, there was a leak in the hose. It was spraying me like a sprinkler, and I loved it. It was like Millzie's birthday weekend should be - sprinkler party! Tradition!
'Cuz what Im going to go do in an hour? Have family home evening with President Hinckley's daughter! I don't really get it, either! I don't know why it's happening, but it's happening, and we are bringing some of our investigators too. It's at our mission presidents house, and its going to be a lovely event.
Today I was thinking how weird it is that we can swim. We are not even water creatures. Really think how amazing that is that we can stay alive in a bunch of water. And I thought about how life is like swimming. Here we are, stuck in the middle of life. And the trick is to keep moving. You can float for a little while, but if you want to get anywhere, you have to keep moving. Constantly. A mission is the most exhausting experience of my life. Sometimes I just sit there and think..."Oh my goodness. I'm still not gonna rest for another 7 months." But you know, I have learned that I can always keep going. You can always wake up at 6:30 and go running, no matter how tired you are. Before my mission I would have had some sleep in days, but I have never once hit the snooze button. I'm learning that its possible to keep going. But it is absolutely, 100% thanks to the Spirit, thanks to the help of the Savior. If you keep praying, you really can do all things. You just gotta keep movin'.
I hate to ask this, really truly. But my running shoes are dead. Its kind of hurting my knees to run in them. The other day I thought, How could they already be shot? I just barely bought these for my mission! And then I realized that was almost a year ago. Is there anyway you could send me some? If its ridiculously expensive, don't worry. And don't worry about buying any fancy woohoo. I know I'm all picky about shoes, but I'm not while I'm in Tahiti. Size 7. Thank you so, so much.
Also, can you guys write me some handwritten letters? I would like to have your testimonies written down so I can hold them.
I love our Father in Heaven so much. He loves us, no matter what we do.
I truly love you all with all my heart. I thank our Savior for His Atonement, for fulfilling His mission so that we could all live this wonderful plan of happiness. I love Jesus Christ. I'm glad I get to wear His name every day.
All my love,
Soeur Mann
P.S. Today as we were washing the car, there was a leak in the hose. It was spraying me like a sprinkler, and I loved it. It was like Millzie's birthday weekend should be - sprinkler party! Tradition!
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
#48 - It's What Really Happened
Bonjour, bonjour, my wonderful people!
Oh, Millzie, guess what? I had the best week, too! We both were having the best weeks of our missions at the same time! Oh man, guys, I am so happy these days. I am full of joy, and I know exactly why, and I am sending you all a big hug and a kiss on both cheeks. It has truly been a fantastic seven days!
So here is my stuff from this week:
- Saturday we had a baptism of a man named Harry. His wife, Margaretha, is a member of the church and has been praying and hoping for something like 20 years that her husband would also find faith in Christ and be baptized. And this past Saturday was the day. I gave the talk on the Holy Ghost for the baptismal service, and it was a very sweet experience. But the best moment of the baptism was right before the actual ordinance. Everybody was walking out of the chapel where we did the talks to go to the baptismal font and Margaretha just stayed there. I walked over to her and sat next to her on the pew and put my arm around her, and we both had tears running down our cheeks. We sat for a minute, and then I said, "Vien, Soeur. Vien, voir." "Come, Sister, come see." And we walked together to the font, and I watched her the whole time as she watched her husband be baptized. Her expression was so beautiful.
- Ya know, I think I have grown up a lot on my mission. I really do feel like a grown up these days, and I know that I have progressed a lot. But some things never change. Like my problem of losing things. This weekend it was our phones. Yep, I lost two cell phones. Just like the good old days. I was so worried about it because I know they are so expensive for the mission. We prayed and prayed for this phones. Last night we are walking down this little street and two people we don't even know stop us and say, "Sisters! We found these phones on the ground across the street! Are they yours?" MIRACLE. Okay, the spot where I somehow dropped them was like the worst possible area to drop a phone. Swarming with dogs and tons of teenage kids who like free phones. Plus it's a parking lot. With big huge tires rollin' all around. So, two lessons learned. No, three. 1. Be more careful with the phones. 2. Heavenly Father is truly our kind Father, and he hears all our prayers. 3. I was thinking about this from the phones' perspectives. They could have had it really bad, but everything turned out okay. I think sometimes we are sitting there thinking, "This is the worst! I just got dropped off here, abandoned, nobody is helping me, blah blah..." In reality, God knows exactly what's going on. There are some lessons that need to be learned. And ya know, people could be running over you with their cars, or dogs could be carrying you off in their big slobbery mouths, or teenagers could be coming to steal you, but none of that is happening! Things are in control, and you are being blessed. It's going to be okay in the end. Just hang on and be grateful it's not that bad.
- The other day we were teaching Mira, a twenty-something-year-old mother of one baby girl who lives with her boyfriend. She's really so fascinating because she just loves to have us talk to her, even though she is not really super into the church-y stuff. She calls us her "copines," which is just like regular old girl friends. She listens really well, but I kind of thought she wasn't super into the things we were teaching. We were starting our lesson, just kind of talking about life, and she was talking about how weird it is that there are so many religions and all seem to be pretty true, and I started to share my testimony of Joseph Smith and the restoration. I was so surprised when her eyes started welling with tears. "Mira, why are you crying?" And this bubbly, chatty girl said simply; "I cant find the words. I feel something really strange in my heart." The Spirit was so strong, and we all felt this wonderful feeling of peace and calm. It was a testimony boost to me that the Restoration is true. And people who listen really do recognize the truth of it through the Spirit. I used to be kind of scared to talk about Joseph Smith with people cuz I know it sounds so odd, but my faith has grown so much. He really did see Heavenly Father. It's not weird, its what really happened. And I love the moments when we tell someone that, and they feel the peace and joy of it.
I love these scriptures in the bible:
Ephesians 4- And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
It's true that without a prophet and some clear revelation directly from Heavenly Father, we really can just get tossed around. I mean really, if you just start looking at all the churches and ideas and versions of reality in this world, you really do feel like a child. There's so many different ideas. As I was talking to Mira, she asked, "Can't they all be true?" And I definitely believe that there is a little truth everywhere. We can all learn from each other. But we talked about the fact that in the end, they can't really all be all true. Like everybody has got a different version of life after death, but one day we are going to die and one of these versions is going to be true. Truth exists. It's big and deep and often beyond our understanding, but I believe in it. And the lovely thing is that we have an absolute, perfect way to know truth. Prayer is the way. Something that really strengthens me as a missionary and gives me courage to teach is talking to people about prayer. Cuz when we talk to them about this stuff, and it seems new and maybe a little strange, we always just invite them to think about it and pray about it. And then there is no pressure. If you can just be humble and find some faith and say a prayer, you can always trust Heavenly Father to tell you the truth about things. You can always, always ask Him. And He will never lead us astray.
- Having Soeur Green in our house this week is SO, so-ho-ho great. Oh man, I missed her! She has gotten even better than she was before! It's so funny to look at us now, after 8 months on this island, and see how much we have changed since the MTC days. The other day she poured her bowl of cereal and said, "Oh, Soeurry, it's got tons of ants crawling in it!" And I said, "I know. I just ate it anyway." And she just shrugged and did the same. Ha ha! We have truly become two Tahiti Tuahines, and it's a lovely thing.
This picture is of our faatamaraa, aka dinner appointment. Man, life is good in the islands.
Okay, this next week is the big birthday week of my life! Plus it is my favorite week ever cuz its Pioneer Days! So here is a big Happy Birthday and lots of love to Janny, Jamison, Luke Hollingsworth, and lil Millzie Pillzie! And Happy Pioneer Day to all of us!
I love you all with all my heart! Jesus Christ truly is our Savior, and thanks to Him, life really is beautiful.
All my love,
Soeur Mann
Oh, Millzie, guess what? I had the best week, too! We both were having the best weeks of our missions at the same time! Oh man, guys, I am so happy these days. I am full of joy, and I know exactly why, and I am sending you all a big hug and a kiss on both cheeks. It has truly been a fantastic seven days!
So here is my stuff from this week:
- Saturday we had a baptism of a man named Harry. His wife, Margaretha, is a member of the church and has been praying and hoping for something like 20 years that her husband would also find faith in Christ and be baptized. And this past Saturday was the day. I gave the talk on the Holy Ghost for the baptismal service, and it was a very sweet experience. But the best moment of the baptism was right before the actual ordinance. Everybody was walking out of the chapel where we did the talks to go to the baptismal font and Margaretha just stayed there. I walked over to her and sat next to her on the pew and put my arm around her, and we both had tears running down our cheeks. We sat for a minute, and then I said, "Vien, Soeur. Vien, voir." "Come, Sister, come see." And we walked together to the font, and I watched her the whole time as she watched her husband be baptized. Her expression was so beautiful.
- Ya know, I think I have grown up a lot on my mission. I really do feel like a grown up these days, and I know that I have progressed a lot. But some things never change. Like my problem of losing things. This weekend it was our phones. Yep, I lost two cell phones. Just like the good old days. I was so worried about it because I know they are so expensive for the mission. We prayed and prayed for this phones. Last night we are walking down this little street and two people we don't even know stop us and say, "Sisters! We found these phones on the ground across the street! Are they yours?" MIRACLE. Okay, the spot where I somehow dropped them was like the worst possible area to drop a phone. Swarming with dogs and tons of teenage kids who like free phones. Plus it's a parking lot. With big huge tires rollin' all around. So, two lessons learned. No, three. 1. Be more careful with the phones. 2. Heavenly Father is truly our kind Father, and he hears all our prayers. 3. I was thinking about this from the phones' perspectives. They could have had it really bad, but everything turned out okay. I think sometimes we are sitting there thinking, "This is the worst! I just got dropped off here, abandoned, nobody is helping me, blah blah..." In reality, God knows exactly what's going on. There are some lessons that need to be learned. And ya know, people could be running over you with their cars, or dogs could be carrying you off in their big slobbery mouths, or teenagers could be coming to steal you, but none of that is happening! Things are in control, and you are being blessed. It's going to be okay in the end. Just hang on and be grateful it's not that bad.
- The other day we were teaching Mira, a twenty-something-year-old mother of one baby girl who lives with her boyfriend. She's really so fascinating because she just loves to have us talk to her, even though she is not really super into the church-y stuff. She calls us her "copines," which is just like regular old girl friends. She listens really well, but I kind of thought she wasn't super into the things we were teaching. We were starting our lesson, just kind of talking about life, and she was talking about how weird it is that there are so many religions and all seem to be pretty true, and I started to share my testimony of Joseph Smith and the restoration. I was so surprised when her eyes started welling with tears. "Mira, why are you crying?" And this bubbly, chatty girl said simply; "I cant find the words. I feel something really strange in my heart." The Spirit was so strong, and we all felt this wonderful feeling of peace and calm. It was a testimony boost to me that the Restoration is true. And people who listen really do recognize the truth of it through the Spirit. I used to be kind of scared to talk about Joseph Smith with people cuz I know it sounds so odd, but my faith has grown so much. He really did see Heavenly Father. It's not weird, its what really happened. And I love the moments when we tell someone that, and they feel the peace and joy of it.
I love these scriptures in the bible:
Ephesians 4- And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
It's true that without a prophet and some clear revelation directly from Heavenly Father, we really can just get tossed around. I mean really, if you just start looking at all the churches and ideas and versions of reality in this world, you really do feel like a child. There's so many different ideas. As I was talking to Mira, she asked, "Can't they all be true?" And I definitely believe that there is a little truth everywhere. We can all learn from each other. But we talked about the fact that in the end, they can't really all be all true. Like everybody has got a different version of life after death, but one day we are going to die and one of these versions is going to be true. Truth exists. It's big and deep and often beyond our understanding, but I believe in it. And the lovely thing is that we have an absolute, perfect way to know truth. Prayer is the way. Something that really strengthens me as a missionary and gives me courage to teach is talking to people about prayer. Cuz when we talk to them about this stuff, and it seems new and maybe a little strange, we always just invite them to think about it and pray about it. And then there is no pressure. If you can just be humble and find some faith and say a prayer, you can always trust Heavenly Father to tell you the truth about things. You can always, always ask Him. And He will never lead us astray.
- Having Soeur Green in our house this week is SO, so-ho-ho great. Oh man, I missed her! She has gotten even better than she was before! It's so funny to look at us now, after 8 months on this island, and see how much we have changed since the MTC days. The other day she poured her bowl of cereal and said, "Oh, Soeurry, it's got tons of ants crawling in it!" And I said, "I know. I just ate it anyway." And she just shrugged and did the same. Ha ha! We have truly become two Tahiti Tuahines, and it's a lovely thing.
This picture is of our faatamaraa, aka dinner appointment. Man, life is good in the islands.
Okay, this next week is the big birthday week of my life! Plus it is my favorite week ever cuz its Pioneer Days! So here is a big Happy Birthday and lots of love to Janny, Jamison, Luke Hollingsworth, and lil Millzie Pillzie! And Happy Pioneer Day to all of us!
I love you all with all my heart! Jesus Christ truly is our Savior, and thanks to Him, life really is beautiful.
All my love,
Soeur Mann
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
#47 - The Beast
Oh, life is good!
Hi, guys! I love you, I love you, I love you!!
I am so happy. Life is beautiful.
Luke, I was SO SO SO glad to get your email today! I was going to write you and beg you to please write me cuz I miss ya, and that was so wonderful to hear your funny voice via email. I love you so much.
Sorry about no letter last week, I had time to read but not write.
Speaking of that, I would like to say thank you to anyone who writes me. Grandma Mann, your handwritten letters have pushed me through this mission. I can't tell you how happy I am every time I get a letter from you, every single Friday when they bring the mail I hope another Grandma letter will come. Thank you so much for writing me.
Okay, first of all, look at my photo! Look at the size of that thing! (Steve Erwin (Crocodile Hunter) voice) That is the only real beast of Tahiti. Luckily this little fella is dead. We found him on the road and took lots of good pictures. P.S. Goal after mission: Hold a snake. Hold it for real. I'm not scared of anything anymore. For real!
Okay, next on the list: Amazing, Wonderful, FABULOUS news! Dreams really do come true! Guess who is not getting transfered from her area or her companion for another six weeks? You guessed 'er, Lester. Me. I am so happy to still be with my wonderful Oremu/Puurai family. And the cherry on top? Guess who is living in our house for a little while? Soeur Green! My soul sister! I am so, so excited!
Courtney King. This week you are going to be a missionary. I love you so much, Court. At first when I learned you were going on a mission, I was a teeny bit sad because we aren't going to see each other for a long time. But you know what I think now? Heck. Yes. GO FOR IT. Yes, Court! Too legit too quit! Pipper and Pibbles!
I love the gospel because it is true and I love true things. I have been thinking a lot about truth this week and how good it feels. I love when you hear a true thing and it just lands nicely in your ears and fills you up with clarity and calm. The gospel is true and you can tell if you listen to it with your heart. God is our Father, and He loves us so much.
I love you all so much, forever and ever. Live well this week!
Avec amour,
Soeur Mann
Hi, guys! I love you, I love you, I love you!!
I am so happy. Life is beautiful.
Luke, I was SO SO SO glad to get your email today! I was going to write you and beg you to please write me cuz I miss ya, and that was so wonderful to hear your funny voice via email. I love you so much.
Sorry about no letter last week, I had time to read but not write.
Speaking of that, I would like to say thank you to anyone who writes me. Grandma Mann, your handwritten letters have pushed me through this mission. I can't tell you how happy I am every time I get a letter from you, every single Friday when they bring the mail I hope another Grandma letter will come. Thank you so much for writing me.
Okay, first of all, look at my photo! Look at the size of that thing! (Steve Erwin (Crocodile Hunter) voice) That is the only real beast of Tahiti. Luckily this little fella is dead. We found him on the road and took lots of good pictures. P.S. Goal after mission: Hold a snake. Hold it for real. I'm not scared of anything anymore. For real!
Okay, next on the list: Amazing, Wonderful, FABULOUS news! Dreams really do come true! Guess who is not getting transfered from her area or her companion for another six weeks? You guessed 'er, Lester. Me. I am so happy to still be with my wonderful Oremu/Puurai family. And the cherry on top? Guess who is living in our house for a little while? Soeur Green! My soul sister! I am so, so excited!
Courtney King. This week you are going to be a missionary. I love you so much, Court. At first when I learned you were going on a mission, I was a teeny bit sad because we aren't going to see each other for a long time. But you know what I think now? Heck. Yes. GO FOR IT. Yes, Court! Too legit too quit! Pipper and Pibbles!
I love the gospel because it is true and I love true things. I have been thinking a lot about truth this week and how good it feels. I love when you hear a true thing and it just lands nicely in your ears and fills you up with clarity and calm. The gospel is true and you can tell if you listen to it with your heart. God is our Father, and He loves us so much.
I love you all so much, forever and ever. Live well this week!
Avec amour,
Soeur Mann
Thursday, July 4, 2013
#46 - All At A Barbeque
Hello, loved ones!
I just have to say something:
So here is the biggest thing I learned this week, and it is something I particularly wanted to tell Mill and Court-
I know we all hear this over and over, but love really is the key to missionary work. Flat out. If you seriously love the people you are talking to, everything will work out. You can't ever say anything wrong or offensive if you're sincere. I've realized that the more I relax and just care about people, the better life goes. Even if you don't speak the language. Just look at that person in the eyes and listen to them. One technique I have- I pretend we are all at a barbeque. If I pretend we are at a barbeque, it seems easier to talk to them.
Soeur Dagnillo and I are obsessed with this song lately, I don't even know what its called, but the lyrics talk about struggling to get to the top of a mountain. She talks about how all the sweat and struggle and tears are the "price I paid to see this view." It's true that in order to get to good places, you have to work. If you want the view, you will have to sweat.
I love being a missionary. I want to be a missionary forever. I'm going to be a missionary forever.
I love you all so much. Goodness is real. Life is beautiful!
Oh yes, and Happy Fourth of July!
All my love,
Soeur Mann
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