Hi, guys. I love you.
It was another week on what I sometimes call in my head "The Hawaiian Roller-Coaster Ride." (Even though I'm actually in Tahiti.) Up, down, all around, havin' fun, wanting to vomit, a real experience. We had a wonderful, wonderful moment on Saturday evening- two baptisms that night, and it went very well. One of the girls is 14 years old, named Poeragni. The very first time we taught her, I started to tell her about prayer and my heart felt like it was on fire. She was listening so hard, and I knew she believed it. She was so pretty in white, and we were thrilled to see all the young women in the ward at her sides the whole night, so excited to welcome her and support her. The other lady is named Marilyn, and she is the friend of literally everyone. It's funny because all the missionaries in our zone go to each others' baptisms, just to be there for one another and talk to investigators and stuff, but the night of Marilyn's baptism, you could have said that every single companionship was there for "their" investigator, because every single one of us has taught this lady at some point or another. She's kind of the ultimate ward-hopper, and she's somehow taken lessons with us all. So finally, finally, we all got to see her reach her dream of being baptized. Cute thing- Soeur Green and I gave the talks. Who would have thought that one day we would both be giving the talks at the same baptism? It was such a happy night.
I love the bike ride home at night. It takes about 10-15 minutes to bike into our area from our houses, so every evening we have that little bike ride home, and I enjoy every minute. I like to ride my bike with no hands and try to impress the people we pass. I also like to sing. I like to see how beautiful palm trees are when they are lit up by streetlights. I love that I have a group of friends that says hi to me every night who are actually literal drug dealers, but we can still be friends anyway. I love to finish the day knowing that no matter how I feel or how I did, I tried to do something that mattered. Sometimes the ups and downs come, but one thing is constant, and it's that I honestly know that what I am trying to do and trying to say is good and true. And that is enough to make this work extremely worthwhile.
-Every day I put mango oil in the ends of my hair. I don't know if it actually does anything, but it makes me feel like an island princess.
- Couple missionaries are the most wonderful people alive. We've had a couple times where no one was signed up to provide us with dinner and we didn't really have anything to eat, so I got up the guts to call my wonderful mission mom, Soeur Hemming, and ask if maybe...possibly... she had anything to eat? That's what mission living does to ya. No shame. And of course she came over with a delicious plate of homemade Mexican food. Heaven. My husband better believe that we are going on a mission one day, and I am taking care of all the missionaries, just like they do for me.
- We had this odd little miracle happen the other day. Miracle/joke. Both are great. We were just contacting in this neighborhood and this guy yells over, "Come talk to me! I want to learn, too!" He seemed to be a little under-the-influence, so we said, alright, we'll come by on Friday afternoon. He gave us his name, which is Ardonick Barff. So on Friday we ride over there and we don't know where he actually lives, so we just asked the first person we saw, "Do you know where Ardonick Barff lives?" This old papi with a baseball hat on. And he says, "Yes. That's me." Imagine our confusion. Turns out that he really is the only guy named that in the neighborhood, so whether it be a miracle or a practical joke, we found him. And we are teaching him, and he is a sweetheart! We sang him "Nearer My God To Thee" the other day, and now he wants us to sing every time we see him. Tonight he is coming to FHE- God works in mysterious ways.
Big lesson I learned/am learning this week: Forgive easily and instantly, and don't worry about whose fault stuff is. Fault doesnt matter in the end. Difficult thing to master, but it's the way we're all getting into heaven.
Dad- Happy Birthday, my best friend! You are my hero.
I love you all forever and ever!
All my love,
Soeur Mann
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
#64 - A Year on the Island
Family, every time I read your letters I seriously feel like I have just drink...en? I don't know how to say that. I feel like I just drank a big old glass of agua. It just fills up my soul. Seriously it's like a little piece of my brain lights up that only lights up when the people you love most talk to you. I love you so much. I'm so thankful for you. And I am so, so thankful that Millzy puts socks on her head and does Sméagol impressions in Brazil. What an absolute champion. That's exactly why I like you guys.
The big news from the island this week:
- There are two cats living at our house. They have been living there, without even paying rent, for about two weeks. They are both orange and kind of cute, and they drive me nuts/bring me great joy. They are always, always there. I don't know why they chose us, but they have completely settled in. I talk to them just like I talk to Lizzie, and my companion finds that humorous. Normally I think I would kind of hate that there are two stray cats slinking around, but I actually do love coming home at night and having two buddies just sitting there on the porch waiting for us.
- Thank you for the birthday gifts! Grandma Mann, thank you, thank you, thank you for being so kind. Your package was so nice- I eat those mentos so slowly. I seriously think, "Grandma touched this package of mentos..." and eat one at a time. I know exactly whom I'm going to give the two beautiful handkerchiefs to, too! Two sweet women who worked with me all the time in Oremu. They will cherish them. Thank you so much, Grandma! And to the family- never has cereal, milk, and a funnies section touched someone's heart so deeply. Seriously. It's kind of like when Dad gave me a bag of chocolate chips for Christmas- it doesn't seem like much, but there's so much meaning behind it. I loved it. Thank you!
- My birthday was so lovely. The day was completely normal, and I didn't expect that we would do anything different, but that evening we got to our ward member's house where we were supposed to eat dinner. This lady is named Stella, and she has been like the "missionary mom" for 16 years. She's amazing. We pull up on our bikes and all the lights were out, so I kind of suspected something. Her husband called us in, and when they flipped on the lights, all the elders from our zone and a group of young adults from the ward were waiting to surprise me! We had a great dinner and the girls from the ward did this amazing Tahitian dance. My companion helped arrange the whole thing. Amazing that no matter where we go, there are friends. Also, I am determined to learn to move my hips like a Tahitian. They ALL know how to do it. They assure me that I'll be able to learn. It really was such a fun night, just a pleasant, happy moment.
- This past week also marked my one year anniversary of being on the island. What a crazy thing. I have never, ever lived such a full, rich year of life. I tried to kind of reflect on the past year as a whole, and it made me feel a bit dizzy. I bet every missionary feels like that when they try and look back. Too much to even really try and think about at once, but it's been wonderful. Rich is definitely a good word for it. I think one of the biggest overall things that's been engraven on me over the past year is the fact that doing the right thing is not a question of want or convenience. You must try to do what's right, no matter what. And it isn't always the easiest or the most fun, but that's not part of the question. When we just try to do what's right, we find peace. And peace is worth much more than fun or convenience.
- Last night we were talking to the non-member husband of a lady in our ward. He made us some delicious ginger-spicey vegetable stuff with pork and we ate a good meal and then got talking about the gospel. It was an interesting conversation. He believes in God a little, but He doesn't believe in organized religion because he says we really can't go around predicting things or acting like we know about stuff we've never seen. I asked him what he thought will happen after this life and he replied, "No idea." He doesn't believe in anything, really. He thinks we ought to just live one day at a time, and we'll just see what happens. Frankly, my knowledge on the topic of what happens after this life is only about one degree broader than his. I don't really have a clue what will happen, exactly. But I have a few very simple, basic truths in my heart. I know that I will be with you guys. How, where we will be, what we're gonna wear, if we can eat food... I have no idea. But I know that what we have is real. It's not just going to disappear out of nowhere. It's going to last forever, and so that gives meaning to what we're doing. It means we really do need to be nice to each other, be patient and humble, and be grateful. The love between people is all we have, and everything else, literally everything else, is just extra stuff. I know that families are eternal. You guys are my best friends forever and ever, and therefore my life, and your lives, matter. What we do matters. How we treat each other matters. And that is why we must seek after the gospel and live it.
I love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, and I love all of you. I am thankful, thankful, thankful for life. It is beautiful.
All my love, Soeur Mann
The big news from the island this week:
- There are two cats living at our house. They have been living there, without even paying rent, for about two weeks. They are both orange and kind of cute, and they drive me nuts/bring me great joy. They are always, always there. I don't know why they chose us, but they have completely settled in. I talk to them just like I talk to Lizzie, and my companion finds that humorous. Normally I think I would kind of hate that there are two stray cats slinking around, but I actually do love coming home at night and having two buddies just sitting there on the porch waiting for us.
- Thank you for the birthday gifts! Grandma Mann, thank you, thank you, thank you for being so kind. Your package was so nice- I eat those mentos so slowly. I seriously think, "Grandma touched this package of mentos..." and eat one at a time. I know exactly whom I'm going to give the two beautiful handkerchiefs to, too! Two sweet women who worked with me all the time in Oremu. They will cherish them. Thank you so much, Grandma! And to the family- never has cereal, milk, and a funnies section touched someone's heart so deeply. Seriously. It's kind of like when Dad gave me a bag of chocolate chips for Christmas- it doesn't seem like much, but there's so much meaning behind it. I loved it. Thank you!
- My birthday was so lovely. The day was completely normal, and I didn't expect that we would do anything different, but that evening we got to our ward member's house where we were supposed to eat dinner. This lady is named Stella, and she has been like the "missionary mom" for 16 years. She's amazing. We pull up on our bikes and all the lights were out, so I kind of suspected something. Her husband called us in, and when they flipped on the lights, all the elders from our zone and a group of young adults from the ward were waiting to surprise me! We had a great dinner and the girls from the ward did this amazing Tahitian dance. My companion helped arrange the whole thing. Amazing that no matter where we go, there are friends. Also, I am determined to learn to move my hips like a Tahitian. They ALL know how to do it. They assure me that I'll be able to learn. It really was such a fun night, just a pleasant, happy moment.
- This past week also marked my one year anniversary of being on the island. What a crazy thing. I have never, ever lived such a full, rich year of life. I tried to kind of reflect on the past year as a whole, and it made me feel a bit dizzy. I bet every missionary feels like that when they try and look back. Too much to even really try and think about at once, but it's been wonderful. Rich is definitely a good word for it. I think one of the biggest overall things that's been engraven on me over the past year is the fact that doing the right thing is not a question of want or convenience. You must try to do what's right, no matter what. And it isn't always the easiest or the most fun, but that's not part of the question. When we just try to do what's right, we find peace. And peace is worth much more than fun or convenience.
- Last night we were talking to the non-member husband of a lady in our ward. He made us some delicious ginger-spicey vegetable stuff with pork and we ate a good meal and then got talking about the gospel. It was an interesting conversation. He believes in God a little, but He doesn't believe in organized religion because he says we really can't go around predicting things or acting like we know about stuff we've never seen. I asked him what he thought will happen after this life and he replied, "No idea." He doesn't believe in anything, really. He thinks we ought to just live one day at a time, and we'll just see what happens. Frankly, my knowledge on the topic of what happens after this life is only about one degree broader than his. I don't really have a clue what will happen, exactly. But I have a few very simple, basic truths in my heart. I know that I will be with you guys. How, where we will be, what we're gonna wear, if we can eat food... I have no idea. But I know that what we have is real. It's not just going to disappear out of nowhere. It's going to last forever, and so that gives meaning to what we're doing. It means we really do need to be nice to each other, be patient and humble, and be grateful. The love between people is all we have, and everything else, literally everything else, is just extra stuff. I know that families are eternal. You guys are my best friends forever and ever, and therefore my life, and your lives, matter. What we do matters. How we treat each other matters. And that is why we must seek after the gospel and live it.
I love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, and I love all of you. I am thankful, thankful, thankful for life. It is beautiful.
All my love, Soeur Mann
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
#63 - 23 Full Trips
Hello, to one and all! I would just like to say that my favorite food might be mangos. I am eating a mango right now, and it is so. so. good. It is candy. Let's all take a moment and be glad that this earth naturally produces something as good-tasting as a mango. Brilliant.
I would also like to say that I still love you, I care about you so much, and I can't believe I am the luckiest person in the world. I really am amazed and humbled and not grateful enough for the people in my life. I thought a lot this morning especially about you, Mom and Dad, and all of my grandparents. Last week when I wrote my email I was talking about some struggles I had in the beginning of my mission, but I want you to know that I got through that thanks in large part to you and all that you taught me. I've met so many people that have overcome enormous difficulties and endured very hard childhoods, and I just simply have been so incredibly blessed in my life. I'm so thankful for the happiness I've had, which comes from the good people who loved me and taught me. I was thinking today about specific moments when I remember being taught important truths and hearing the testimonies of each one of you. I love you. Thank you.
Perhaps you will remember an email I wrote a long time ago about an old, skinny papi named Papi Vaea that we taught who didn't really listen to us too much and always seemed a little put-out by our presence, but who also had a little twinkle of "I love you" in his eyes. Well a little while ago I got the phone call from my bishop from my old ward letting me know that Papi had passed away. It's funny how thinking about the Plan of Salvation every day influences your thoughts, because the first thing I thought was just, "Oh, Papi... what is he even doing right this very second?" Funny and wonderful to know that he really is just alive somewhere, still being himself. The very sweet part of this story is this: Right before he passed away, some of Papi Vaea's last words were about two missionaries that came and talked to him about good things. He told his family that the birthday he passed with the missionaries was one of the best birthdays he'd ever had. When I thought back to that birthday, I remembered how Soeur D'agnillo and I were running around, super busy, but we knew that we had a visit with him, a baptismal interview for a baptism that never happened because he never could quit smoking. We pulled over at a little store and grabbed these little hostess cake things on our way up the hill. That night we just ate the little cakes with him, sang happy birthday, and told him we loved him. It was the simplest, most unimpressive birthday celebration. But a few months later, long after I'd forgotten about it, it came back to me, and it turns out that that tiny act turned out to be one of the happiest moments of the end of someone's life.
I thought a lot about him, because he was someone that was kind of frustrating at times. At the end of my time serving in Oremu, we didn't really see him too often because he seemed to make just about zero "progress"- he never came to church, he never really understood our French, and the poor guy, after 30 years or something, just couldn't beat the smoking thing. So we didn't really teach him much because we didn't feel like we were bringing any good changes in his life. But Bishop's call made me re-think about what "progress" is or what it means to be effective when it comes to being a disciple of Christ. Of course, being a full-time missionary, I really am here to help people move forward and change, and I know that's my objective. But in the end, for all of us, we're not really here to judge other people's progress or place a value on their time. What matters is just being nice. That's all. Whether people change or come-around or progress, that's between them and God. But everyone deserves our kindness, no matter what. I'm excited for the next time I get to see Papi, give him a hug, and see what he's become. Be he converted or not, I love him.
As far as the work is going, let me tell ya. Things are going great. I am loving, loving working with my new ward. We have been seeing the missionary spirit and enthusiasm climbing up this past week, and already I can sense that there will be great things happening here very soon. Delegation is key, it turns out. And love, too.
Thanks for the birthday wishes- I'm very pleased to have made almost a full 23 trips around the sun now. 23 trips around the sun, lots more to make, and then living on and on forever- I'm alive! How wonderful! Life is beautiful.
All my love,
Soeur Mann
I would also like to say that I still love you, I care about you so much, and I can't believe I am the luckiest person in the world. I really am amazed and humbled and not grateful enough for the people in my life. I thought a lot this morning especially about you, Mom and Dad, and all of my grandparents. Last week when I wrote my email I was talking about some struggles I had in the beginning of my mission, but I want you to know that I got through that thanks in large part to you and all that you taught me. I've met so many people that have overcome enormous difficulties and endured very hard childhoods, and I just simply have been so incredibly blessed in my life. I'm so thankful for the happiness I've had, which comes from the good people who loved me and taught me. I was thinking today about specific moments when I remember being taught important truths and hearing the testimonies of each one of you. I love you. Thank you.
Perhaps you will remember an email I wrote a long time ago about an old, skinny papi named Papi Vaea that we taught who didn't really listen to us too much and always seemed a little put-out by our presence, but who also had a little twinkle of "I love you" in his eyes. Well a little while ago I got the phone call from my bishop from my old ward letting me know that Papi had passed away. It's funny how thinking about the Plan of Salvation every day influences your thoughts, because the first thing I thought was just, "Oh, Papi... what is he even doing right this very second?" Funny and wonderful to know that he really is just alive somewhere, still being himself. The very sweet part of this story is this: Right before he passed away, some of Papi Vaea's last words were about two missionaries that came and talked to him about good things. He told his family that the birthday he passed with the missionaries was one of the best birthdays he'd ever had. When I thought back to that birthday, I remembered how Soeur D'agnillo and I were running around, super busy, but we knew that we had a visit with him, a baptismal interview for a baptism that never happened because he never could quit smoking. We pulled over at a little store and grabbed these little hostess cake things on our way up the hill. That night we just ate the little cakes with him, sang happy birthday, and told him we loved him. It was the simplest, most unimpressive birthday celebration. But a few months later, long after I'd forgotten about it, it came back to me, and it turns out that that tiny act turned out to be one of the happiest moments of the end of someone's life.
I thought a lot about him, because he was someone that was kind of frustrating at times. At the end of my time serving in Oremu, we didn't really see him too often because he seemed to make just about zero "progress"- he never came to church, he never really understood our French, and the poor guy, after 30 years or something, just couldn't beat the smoking thing. So we didn't really teach him much because we didn't feel like we were bringing any good changes in his life. But Bishop's call made me re-think about what "progress" is or what it means to be effective when it comes to being a disciple of Christ. Of course, being a full-time missionary, I really am here to help people move forward and change, and I know that's my objective. But in the end, for all of us, we're not really here to judge other people's progress or place a value on their time. What matters is just being nice. That's all. Whether people change or come-around or progress, that's between them and God. But everyone deserves our kindness, no matter what. I'm excited for the next time I get to see Papi, give him a hug, and see what he's become. Be he converted or not, I love him.
As far as the work is going, let me tell ya. Things are going great. I am loving, loving working with my new ward. We have been seeing the missionary spirit and enthusiasm climbing up this past week, and already I can sense that there will be great things happening here very soon. Delegation is key, it turns out. And love, too.
Thanks for the birthday wishes- I'm very pleased to have made almost a full 23 trips around the sun now. 23 trips around the sun, lots more to make, and then living on and on forever- I'm alive! How wonderful! Life is beautiful.
All my love,
Soeur Mann
Monday, October 28, 2013
#62 - Don't Miss The Point
Dear Family,
I don't know how this happened, but apparently my letter did not get sent last week! It was just sitting here in my drafts box- awfully sorry!
Guys! I am having a happy life over here! I love you, times infinity and forever. I love you so much.
Well, as always, we are just being flexible, and things have changed in a major way, just as they seem to every two weeks. Last night we had another little transferoo, and I am no longer with Soeur Ariioehau, but with Soeur Chytraus, who is flat-out fantastic. She is from San Diego/ Orange County, and she is full of great ideas and a huge testimony. I'm still in my new area of Pirae, and I really love it. This area is very different from my other two, and I'm grateful that I have been able to serve in three very distinct, different types of areas. This one has a lot of apartment buildings, which is a whole other ball-game. We also have not very many investigators, so we are just goin' around trying to talk to everyone. It's very adventurous. Yesterday I was kinda like... I have no idea what to do right now. Sunday afternoon, it was drizzling a bit, we have nothing scheduled for the next 4 hours, and not a soul is outside. I prayed that Heavenly Father would please help us find someone to talk to. I look up, and viola, a man from our ward's head pops up from his window at the top of their apartment building. We say hello and stuff and then he asks, "So, are you two coming up, or what?" So we went up and talked to them about how missionary work is going at their house and they are going to talk to three people this week and invite them to take discussions. Lovely. Prayer answered.
I would like to respond to a few emails I received, and I would also like to congratulate you all on sending what I believe was the best batch of emails I ever received on my mission. Seriously this was a great week for the letter department.
1- Dad went to Why Sound. What a cool bishop. Ha ha! Seriously, that cracked me up and did my soul good. I wonder if I'll come home and see Dad in skinny jeans and a flannel shirt when I get back. That would be fun. And I loved the picture of Bill the Buffalo which reminded me of an important lesson you taught me- Buffalo, Bison. Saaaame thing. Doesn't even matter what you call it. That whole idea is very important.
2- Mom, your email was beautiful. Thank you, Mom. That thought you shared from Mark 8 really touched me. Heavenly Father and the Savior just want to help us. Period. Why do we always forget that there are literally People, all-powerful, Who loves us and just want to help us? I don't really know why we forget so often, but I know that the moments we remember and really let that sink into our hearts, are the moments when life feels right. I was thinking yesterday about why the heck Satan is so obsessed with tempting people. Why does he even care? Here is what I think- one of the biggest differences between God and Satan, good and bad, happiness and sadness, is the fact that the One is thinking about others, and the other is thinking about himself. All God wants us to help us. All Satan can think about is proving that he's right, making himself look good, and proving something. God isn't really trying to prove anything. He's just trying to help.
Can somebody look up a program called Teach New York's Brightest? I used to always hear radio ads about it. I think maybe after I graduate I will move to NYC and teach New York's brightest. I don't know, but I loved your after-mission goals list, Dad. Some of mine- learn to play guitar, run a marathon. One of the first ones- hold a baby. Seriously, I hate that we can't hold babies. I dont even care what baby, I just hope that the second I get released, someone hands me one.
I was really happy to hear that you guys took a little drive and went to Aggie Ice Cream and stuff. The beginning of my mission I stressed so much all the time. I made myself crazy running around trying to be diligent and obedient, but it just made me sick. I've read quite a few quotes and talks lately that talk about Christ and how He wasn't running around frantically trying to accomplish the greatest amount of good possible. Every moment He spent with people was special. I started thinking and meditating during one of my studies about the moment I will get to touch the prints in His hands. I really will have that moment. Really. I want to hug Him. I want to stay with Him and talk with Him, cuz He loves me most and I want to BE with Him. I think the brief moment I got to serve with Soeur Ariioehau was done on purpose- she reminded me to enjoy this, to relax, to laugh and talk with people. Love is about enjoying things together, about being present. I'm taking a bit of a different approach these last couple months- always diligent, constantly serving, but as a representative of Christ, I'm going to try and really make people feel special. I'm going to let myself enjoy it all, because that's what this is about. Happy moments together with people we love aren't cliche, and they shouldn't be rare. If we aren't doing that, we're missing the point.
I love life. I love this beautiful thing we're doing! God lives. He is there to help us- let's not forget that.
All my love,
Soeur Mann
I don't know how this happened, but apparently my letter did not get sent last week! It was just sitting here in my drafts box- awfully sorry!
Guys! I am having a happy life over here! I love you, times infinity and forever. I love you so much.
Well, as always, we are just being flexible, and things have changed in a major way, just as they seem to every two weeks. Last night we had another little transferoo, and I am no longer with Soeur Ariioehau, but with Soeur Chytraus, who is flat-out fantastic. She is from San Diego/ Orange County, and she is full of great ideas and a huge testimony. I'm still in my new area of Pirae, and I really love it. This area is very different from my other two, and I'm grateful that I have been able to serve in three very distinct, different types of areas. This one has a lot of apartment buildings, which is a whole other ball-game. We also have not very many investigators, so we are just goin' around trying to talk to everyone. It's very adventurous. Yesterday I was kinda like... I have no idea what to do right now. Sunday afternoon, it was drizzling a bit, we have nothing scheduled for the next 4 hours, and not a soul is outside. I prayed that Heavenly Father would please help us find someone to talk to. I look up, and viola, a man from our ward's head pops up from his window at the top of their apartment building. We say hello and stuff and then he asks, "So, are you two coming up, or what?" So we went up and talked to them about how missionary work is going at their house and they are going to talk to three people this week and invite them to take discussions. Lovely. Prayer answered.
I would like to respond to a few emails I received, and I would also like to congratulate you all on sending what I believe was the best batch of emails I ever received on my mission. Seriously this was a great week for the letter department.
1- Dad went to Why Sound. What a cool bishop. Ha ha! Seriously, that cracked me up and did my soul good. I wonder if I'll come home and see Dad in skinny jeans and a flannel shirt when I get back. That would be fun. And I loved the picture of Bill the Buffalo which reminded me of an important lesson you taught me- Buffalo, Bison. Saaaame thing. Doesn't even matter what you call it. That whole idea is very important.
2- Mom, your email was beautiful. Thank you, Mom. That thought you shared from Mark 8 really touched me. Heavenly Father and the Savior just want to help us. Period. Why do we always forget that there are literally People, all-powerful, Who loves us and just want to help us? I don't really know why we forget so often, but I know that the moments we remember and really let that sink into our hearts, are the moments when life feels right. I was thinking yesterday about why the heck Satan is so obsessed with tempting people. Why does he even care? Here is what I think- one of the biggest differences between God and Satan, good and bad, happiness and sadness, is the fact that the One is thinking about others, and the other is thinking about himself. All God wants us to help us. All Satan can think about is proving that he's right, making himself look good, and proving something. God isn't really trying to prove anything. He's just trying to help.
Can somebody look up a program called Teach New York's Brightest? I used to always hear radio ads about it. I think maybe after I graduate I will move to NYC and teach New York's brightest. I don't know, but I loved your after-mission goals list, Dad. Some of mine- learn to play guitar, run a marathon. One of the first ones- hold a baby. Seriously, I hate that we can't hold babies. I dont even care what baby, I just hope that the second I get released, someone hands me one.
I was really happy to hear that you guys took a little drive and went to Aggie Ice Cream and stuff. The beginning of my mission I stressed so much all the time. I made myself crazy running around trying to be diligent and obedient, but it just made me sick. I've read quite a few quotes and talks lately that talk about Christ and how He wasn't running around frantically trying to accomplish the greatest amount of good possible. Every moment He spent with people was special. I started thinking and meditating during one of my studies about the moment I will get to touch the prints in His hands. I really will have that moment. Really. I want to hug Him. I want to stay with Him and talk with Him, cuz He loves me most and I want to BE with Him. I think the brief moment I got to serve with Soeur Ariioehau was done on purpose- she reminded me to enjoy this, to relax, to laugh and talk with people. Love is about enjoying things together, about being present. I'm taking a bit of a different approach these last couple months- always diligent, constantly serving, but as a representative of Christ, I'm going to try and really make people feel special. I'm going to let myself enjoy it all, because that's what this is about. Happy moments together with people we love aren't cliche, and they shouldn't be rare. If we aren't doing that, we're missing the point.
I love life. I love this beautiful thing we're doing! God lives. He is there to help us- let's not forget that.
All my love,
Soeur Mann
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
#61 - Redirect
Sorry, no letter from this Sister Mann. Here are links to the other Sister Mann and our spirit sister, Sister King.
http://sisterameliamann.blogspot.com/
http://sistercourtneyking.blogspot.com/
http://sisterameliamann.blogspot.com/
http://sistercourtneyking.blogspot.com/
Thursday, October 17, 2013
#60 - Didn't Eat One, But I Did See One
Well, hello, everyone. I love you.
This week was one of the strangest and definitely funniest weeks of my mission. So the old companionship of elders that used to be in our area got split-up- one of them went out to the outer islands, and the other, Elder Martinson, stayed here because he is finishing his mission tomorrow, so he just stuck around in our area for the week to show us around. He stuck with an RM in our ward, who recently got back from Australia, and who also happens to be quite possibly the funniest person that lives on this island. So this week we were a foursome- two elders and two sisters! Ha ha! If only you guys could understand what I lived this week...
First of all, remember when I said last week that my area is made entirely of hills. Well that was a lil' understatement. These are mountains, people. Well, no, not by Utah standard. But the point I want to make is that our sector is ridiculous on a bike. And I LOVE it. That's not like a fake, trying-to-be-positive statement. Seriously, my soul is rejoicing. It is so, so good to be on a bike, getting the blood pumping again. I worked out more this week than I have in the past 7 months combined! I got my old tan lines back, and I'm lovin it. And it was all the more fun this week with the combination of the two elders and my companion. I believe I also laughed more this past week than in the last 7 months. We named every single dog we saw. There are a lot of dogs here.
The area is fantastic. I'm guessing I will probably finish here, but you never know. There are not a lot of investigators in progress here, like basically three. We have a big job to do, but it will be great. Working on a bike is a lot different- I forgot how much that changes things. We're going to have to be a little creative in order to find work in the evenings, cuz we can't really just wander around on our bikes once it's dark, but that will work out.
Something that I forgot to tell you a couple weeks ago that is very important is that I saw a whale. Not quite the same level as Court, who actually ate one, but it was seriously amazing! One day I will also tell you about how I touched a whale bone and how whales kind of became the personal theme of my mission, but for now I will just tell you that I stood at the harbor and saw with my very own eyes a real, live whale spout water out of its head in a fountain of glory! It was fantastic!
Do we really realize how fascinating the Book of Mormon is? Ive been trying lately to really just internalize the story of the BOM, truly think about how these people felt and how they looked and spoke and everything, and suddenly this book is just fascinating. Perhaps one of the greatest blessings of my mission is the testimony I've gained of the truth of the Book of Mormon. If you want to know if it's true, you read it, pray and think about it. Sometimes the things of greatest value actually do have a very small cost.
Just a last little detail, a sweet thing that happened this week. Bishop from Oremu called me just to check up and see how all was going. Today when I got on my email he'd forwarded tons of pictures and videos he'd taken while I served there, complete with little commentaries. Leaving the area didn't mean goodbye forever!
Life is beautiful! Father in Heaven loves us. We can always pray to Him.
All my love,
Soeur Mann
This week was one of the strangest and definitely funniest weeks of my mission. So the old companionship of elders that used to be in our area got split-up- one of them went out to the outer islands, and the other, Elder Martinson, stayed here because he is finishing his mission tomorrow, so he just stuck around in our area for the week to show us around. He stuck with an RM in our ward, who recently got back from Australia, and who also happens to be quite possibly the funniest person that lives on this island. So this week we were a foursome- two elders and two sisters! Ha ha! If only you guys could understand what I lived this week...
First of all, remember when I said last week that my area is made entirely of hills. Well that was a lil' understatement. These are mountains, people. Well, no, not by Utah standard. But the point I want to make is that our sector is ridiculous on a bike. And I LOVE it. That's not like a fake, trying-to-be-positive statement. Seriously, my soul is rejoicing. It is so, so good to be on a bike, getting the blood pumping again. I worked out more this week than I have in the past 7 months combined! I got my old tan lines back, and I'm lovin it. And it was all the more fun this week with the combination of the two elders and my companion. I believe I also laughed more this past week than in the last 7 months. We named every single dog we saw. There are a lot of dogs here.
The area is fantastic. I'm guessing I will probably finish here, but you never know. There are not a lot of investigators in progress here, like basically three. We have a big job to do, but it will be great. Working on a bike is a lot different- I forgot how much that changes things. We're going to have to be a little creative in order to find work in the evenings, cuz we can't really just wander around on our bikes once it's dark, but that will work out.
Something that I forgot to tell you a couple weeks ago that is very important is that I saw a whale. Not quite the same level as Court, who actually ate one, but it was seriously amazing! One day I will also tell you about how I touched a whale bone and how whales kind of became the personal theme of my mission, but for now I will just tell you that I stood at the harbor and saw with my very own eyes a real, live whale spout water out of its head in a fountain of glory! It was fantastic!
Do we really realize how fascinating the Book of Mormon is? Ive been trying lately to really just internalize the story of the BOM, truly think about how these people felt and how they looked and spoke and everything, and suddenly this book is just fascinating. Perhaps one of the greatest blessings of my mission is the testimony I've gained of the truth of the Book of Mormon. If you want to know if it's true, you read it, pray and think about it. Sometimes the things of greatest value actually do have a very small cost.
Just a last little detail, a sweet thing that happened this week. Bishop from Oremu called me just to check up and see how all was going. Today when I got on my email he'd forwarded tons of pictures and videos he'd taken while I served there, complete with little commentaries. Leaving the area didn't mean goodbye forever!
Life is beautiful! Father in Heaven loves us. We can always pray to Him.
All my love,
Soeur Mann
Monday, October 7, 2013
#59 - Broken Yet Full
Dear Good People of My Life,
Here is something I learned last night- your heart can be totally broken and perfectly full at the same time. You know when something happens to you, and you just want so badly for everyone you love to understand how you felt because you want to share it, but you know that there's no way you'll ever be able to explain it well enough? That's how last night was.
It was my last night in Oremu, and we had a little last visit with a couple of the people I love most in this world. It was exactly where I wanted to spend my last moments in the sector- outside around the table in Mami Naomi's garage thing. I took a moment to just share my testimony and then everyone else shared their testimony, too. Michel and Moana were there, and one of my best friends here, Thyronn, the one I sent a picture of the other week. I just can't explain what it meant to me to hear everyone's testimony. It meant the world. It was simply soul-filling. Bishop, who will forever be one of the heroes of my life, gave me some wonderful life counsel. Two words etched on my heart- "Tapea paari"- fight to the end.
When we were driving back home I just cried and cried, and I had kind of that same feeling you always get when there's some big life change, like graduating from high school or breaking up with somebody. I seriously felt like my heart was breaking. But I felt that sweet feeling that comes in those moments- the absolute assurance that no matter what, no matter what changes or happens in my life, I will always have my Heavenly Father with me. Always, always, He will be with me, He will understand me, and He will take care of me. I felt deeply in my heart the love of a Father, and I needed it so much. And then I had the thought come to me that a couple people in Oremu, Tahiti, now have that same thing. No matter where they go or what happens in their lives, now they know that Heavenly Father and the Savior are there. That means everything.The chance to come here and share that knowledge with people is the best thing that has ever happened to me. That's the epitome of satisfaction- to know that your efforts gave someone eternal good.
I've been so anxious about leaving the area, so worried about whether I had done enough, and whether I was happy with myself, I've seriously been so worried about it. I know that I have made lots of mistakes just like every missionary. I don't really know what to think about that stuff, I'm just glad I believe in the kindness and perfect mercy of Christ to make up for our short-comings. And wonderfully, and thanks entirely to my testimony of those things, I can happily say that I feel perfect peace. I have left my heart in Oremu. I love them. Forever and ever, they are now I part of my life, and I care about them. What an amazing thing to be a missionary. It's different from any other thing. It's not like other friends you make 'uz you hang out with them and eat pizza. Its true, real, love and concern for these peoples' well-being. It is beautiful, and all the scriptures about the joy of this work are true.
I want everyone to know that I love the Lord. God is good. He has brought me here, sustained me, and given me more happiness than I ever thought possible. I love Him! I love Him, and I thank Him.
And I love that I still have at least four months to be a missionary! I want to give my whole heart to it all the way to the end. My new area is called Pirae, which is just next-door to Papeete. I'm with Sœur Ariioehau, who is, as Mom would say, "a serious character," and just a crack-up. We're going to have so much fun. And I'm back in the saddle again! As in, I've returned to my trusty ol' green bike after 7 months in a car. And my area is made entirely of hills. Wahoo! That'll do me good.
You know what the biggest message I got from conference was? Just do it. It's interesting how everyone gets a different message out of conference depending on what they need or are looking for. But the feeling I got from the prophets was one of just be brave and do what's right. Its a principle I've been thinking about a lot because I'm currently reading in Alma about the 2000 stripling warriors. I have been really struck by this story lately, specifically one episode in chapter 56- Helaman and all the young warriors have been trying to just get away from the Lamanite armies, trying to lead them away by running and running, constantly just trying to get away. Eventually Helaman realizes something- They cant keep running. They have to fight. I tried to really imagine this as it really happened- I thought a lot about how Helaman feels about this group of young men. He seriously loves them. As you read in the chapter, he calls them his little sons multiple times. What did he seriously feel when he knew that he had to take them into battle, fearing that these innocent young men might all be killed? He must have spent a moment alone in prayer, and he must have cried. And then, feeling the worst he has probably ever felt, he goes out to his group of soldiers and asks:
"Therefore what say ye, my sons, will ye go against them to battle?
45 And now I say unto you, my beloved brother Moroni, that never had I seen aso great bcourage, nay, not amongst all the Nephites.
46 For as I had ever called them my sons (for they were all of them very young) even so they said unto me: Father, behold our God is with us, and he will not suffer that we should fall; then let us go forth; we would not slay our brethren if they would let us alone; therefore let us go, lest they should overpower the army of Antipus.
47 Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.
48 And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it.
49 And it came to pass that I did return with my two thousand against these Lamanites who had pursued us."
Sometimes we have to stop running and just turn around and fight. But here is the best part!
"55 And now it came to pass that when they had surrendered themselves up unto us, behold, I numbered those young men who had fought with me, fearing lest there were many of them slain.
56 But behold, to my great joy, there had not one soul of them fallen to the earth; yea, and they had fought as if with the strength of God; yea, never were men known to have fought with such miraculous strength"
We can win our battles! When you read later in the story you realize that every single one of these soldiers was injured. Doing the right thing doesnt mean it wont be hard or painful. But we can overcome anything. We just have turn around and face them with faith.
Thank you for being the good people of my life.
All my love,
Sœur Mann
Here is something I learned last night- your heart can be totally broken and perfectly full at the same time. You know when something happens to you, and you just want so badly for everyone you love to understand how you felt because you want to share it, but you know that there's no way you'll ever be able to explain it well enough? That's how last night was.
It was my last night in Oremu, and we had a little last visit with a couple of the people I love most in this world. It was exactly where I wanted to spend my last moments in the sector- outside around the table in Mami Naomi's garage thing. I took a moment to just share my testimony and then everyone else shared their testimony, too. Michel and Moana were there, and one of my best friends here, Thyronn, the one I sent a picture of the other week. I just can't explain what it meant to me to hear everyone's testimony. It meant the world. It was simply soul-filling. Bishop, who will forever be one of the heroes of my life, gave me some wonderful life counsel. Two words etched on my heart- "Tapea paari"- fight to the end.
When we were driving back home I just cried and cried, and I had kind of that same feeling you always get when there's some big life change, like graduating from high school or breaking up with somebody. I seriously felt like my heart was breaking. But I felt that sweet feeling that comes in those moments- the absolute assurance that no matter what, no matter what changes or happens in my life, I will always have my Heavenly Father with me. Always, always, He will be with me, He will understand me, and He will take care of me. I felt deeply in my heart the love of a Father, and I needed it so much. And then I had the thought come to me that a couple people in Oremu, Tahiti, now have that same thing. No matter where they go or what happens in their lives, now they know that Heavenly Father and the Savior are there. That means everything.The chance to come here and share that knowledge with people is the best thing that has ever happened to me. That's the epitome of satisfaction- to know that your efforts gave someone eternal good.
I've been so anxious about leaving the area, so worried about whether I had done enough, and whether I was happy with myself, I've seriously been so worried about it. I know that I have made lots of mistakes just like every missionary. I don't really know what to think about that stuff, I'm just glad I believe in the kindness and perfect mercy of Christ to make up for our short-comings. And wonderfully, and thanks entirely to my testimony of those things, I can happily say that I feel perfect peace. I have left my heart in Oremu. I love them. Forever and ever, they are now I part of my life, and I care about them. What an amazing thing to be a missionary. It's different from any other thing. It's not like other friends you make 'uz you hang out with them and eat pizza. Its true, real, love and concern for these peoples' well-being. It is beautiful, and all the scriptures about the joy of this work are true.
I want everyone to know that I love the Lord. God is good. He has brought me here, sustained me, and given me more happiness than I ever thought possible. I love Him! I love Him, and I thank Him.
And I love that I still have at least four months to be a missionary! I want to give my whole heart to it all the way to the end. My new area is called Pirae, which is just next-door to Papeete. I'm with Sœur Ariioehau, who is, as Mom would say, "a serious character," and just a crack-up. We're going to have so much fun. And I'm back in the saddle again! As in, I've returned to my trusty ol' green bike after 7 months in a car. And my area is made entirely of hills. Wahoo! That'll do me good.
You know what the biggest message I got from conference was? Just do it. It's interesting how everyone gets a different message out of conference depending on what they need or are looking for. But the feeling I got from the prophets was one of just be brave and do what's right. Its a principle I've been thinking about a lot because I'm currently reading in Alma about the 2000 stripling warriors. I have been really struck by this story lately, specifically one episode in chapter 56- Helaman and all the young warriors have been trying to just get away from the Lamanite armies, trying to lead them away by running and running, constantly just trying to get away. Eventually Helaman realizes something- They cant keep running. They have to fight. I tried to really imagine this as it really happened- I thought a lot about how Helaman feels about this group of young men. He seriously loves them. As you read in the chapter, he calls them his little sons multiple times. What did he seriously feel when he knew that he had to take them into battle, fearing that these innocent young men might all be killed? He must have spent a moment alone in prayer, and he must have cried. And then, feeling the worst he has probably ever felt, he goes out to his group of soldiers and asks:
"Therefore what say ye, my sons, will ye go against them to battle?
45 And now I say unto you, my beloved brother Moroni, that never had I seen aso great bcourage, nay, not amongst all the Nephites.
46 For as I had ever called them my sons (for they were all of them very young) even so they said unto me: Father, behold our God is with us, and he will not suffer that we should fall; then let us go forth; we would not slay our brethren if they would let us alone; therefore let us go, lest they should overpower the army of Antipus.
47 Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.
48 And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it.
49 And it came to pass that I did return with my two thousand against these Lamanites who had pursued us."
Sometimes we have to stop running and just turn around and fight. But here is the best part!
"55 And now it came to pass that when they had surrendered themselves up unto us, behold, I numbered those young men who had fought with me, fearing lest there were many of them slain.
56 But behold, to my great joy, there had not one soul of them fallen to the earth; yea, and they had fought as if with the strength of God; yea, never were men known to have fought with such miraculous strength"
We can win our battles! When you read later in the story you realize that every single one of these soldiers was injured. Doing the right thing doesnt mean it wont be hard or painful. But we can overcome anything. We just have turn around and face them with faith.
Thank you for being the good people of my life.
All my love,
Sœur Mann
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