Io ora na, to'u utuafare here! I love you forevah!
Things about my life:
- Before my mission I looked up all the Tahiti pictures on google and stuff and it always looked so tropical and gorgeous and all that. On my mission I've seen some very beautiful places, but I was kinda like.... those google images were kind of a scam... Well, guess what? No they weren't. Moorea looks exactly as picturesque as all those incredible photos you see online. It's real. I have been here a week and I am still in awe. I didn't realize that places this beautiful existed in real life. This morning I was cleaning the bathroom upstairs (I have my own bathroom nowadays- life is so good) and I sat in the windowsill and put my feet on the roof and just sat still and looked at all of it.
- Life here is different from Tahiti, even though we really aren't far away. It's so calm and simple and perfect. It's like a spiritual refuge. Something a little difficult is that they do speak a lot more Tahitian over here. Time for me to tell you guys something- I really don't speak Tahitian very well at all. There are words I use all the time, but my mission has mostly taken place in French-town. So when I got here and everyone was like, "A mea papu roa te reo tahiti ia oe?" I was like... shoot. But I have been amazed at the help Heavenly Father has given me. Here is something I have definitely observed this past week- the Spirit is real, and He really does open our minds. I have seen the gift of tongues, the actual, real-deal gift of tongues, at work this week. Yesterday I went to relief society in Tahitian. They do one class in French and the other in Tahtitian. Our class was held outside, just a few old mamis and us sittin' on some folding chairs. It rained a little bit, but no one even cared. And the wonderful thing- I understood! Certainly not everything, but I followed along, and I have learned firsthand on my mission this truth: When our spirits are well, when we are obedient and grateful, the Spirit really does come. And he really does teach us and help us. That is a fact. I'm not really planning on speaking fluent Tahitian like a pro in the next 5 weeks, but I am grateful I get to practice it more because I really love this language. Its a language that represents the culture and people I love.
- Last night we were eating dinner (chicken cooked in coconut milk with taro) and I look over and see a large crab sitting there eating his dinner, too. There are crabs all over the place here. People's yards are sometimes literally made of sand, so the crabs come and dig holes all over. At night they come out and they scramble around all over the place. Something I didn't realize is that crabs actually feed themselves with their little pincer hands. They just sit upright and bring their hands to their mouths, just like us. I was so charmed by that funny little crab- me and him, just eatin' our dinner together at the same time.
- Those same darling crabs are also smushed all over the street in the form of road-kill. I do love them, but it is also I little bit satisfying to crunch a crab. Two days a week we have a car, and you really can't avoid them. But I figure they were already living in paradise, so their transition to the spirit world is probably a breeze. Sorry, crabbies!
- I straight-up adore my companion! Another soul sister discovered on the mission! Soeur Atamoe Paraurahi lives true to her name and talks a whole lot, and I love it. I look forward to our companionship studies every day because she just cracks me up. She is totally cool about everything, never stressin out, never too worked up, and she is completely obedient and dedicated to the work. Its so fun to work with someone who likes to work. It makes life very pleasant. She is from the island of Raiatea. Something I love about her is that she just lets me be me. And she laughs at hard things or obnoxious things, rather than get cranky or worried. Huge blessing to finish my mission with such a great companion.
- Our bishop is 29 years old. He wears t-shirts and hats turned backward. Cool.
- There are no streetlights on this island. When we ride our bikes home at night, its just a billion bright stars, palm trees, and the ocean waves crashing.
- The sisters in this area rocked it, and basically all their investigators got baptized last month! Amazing! Now we have lots of work to do to find new investigators to teach. I'm at the point in my mission where there is no fear, nothing to lose, faith in this message is sure, so opening my mouth and talking to people is not hard anymore. I know this message is true. I know that living the gospel will bring these people joy. So it's not scary anymore to talk about it.
- I got a card from Trina the other day that sang me a lovely loud song and made my day! Thank you, Trina! She said she likes to hear about the food, so I will tell you a little more about the food. My favorite Tahitian dish? U'ru pua'atoro. English translation: Cooked breadfruit with corned beef. You eat it nice and hot. With your hands. Attached is a picture of a sweetie pie Papi cookin some u'ru (breadfruit) Tahitian style. One thing I never want to eat again for the rest of my life: chow mein. Something odd about Tahiti is that their main food source in the evenings are these little restaurants run out of the back of vans. They all sell the same food: lemon chicken, beef and brocoli, and chow mein. If I ever eat chow mein again....
- Something I learned and believe this week: The bible dictionary entry under "revelation of John"- at the end of the paragraph it says that all the prophets since the beginning of time have prophesied of the final days when Christ would come again. The part that stood out to me: They all taught "that the end would be better (more glorious) than the beginning. The victory would be achieved through Jesus Christ."
- I believe that phrase with all my heart. The end will always be better than the beginning. Along the way, there are ups and downs and happy and sad, and it's best to just stay where you are and get what you can out of the present moment. No need to rush anything. But people who believe in Christ, that He loves us, that He cares about us, and that life is eternal, know that there is always more good to come.
- Family, I know Christ lives. Life is beautiful!
All my love,
Soeur Mann
The Other Sister Mann's Blog
Monday, January 6, 2014
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
# 71 - Moorea
People, people! I have an announcement to make! I am actually in Paradise at this very moment! I took a boat this morning on the real, live Pacific Ocean, and I arrived on my sweet island home for the next 6 weeks, the beautiful island of Moorea. And I LOVE it. And I love you, too. We won't forget to say that first thing. I am just pretty darn stoked to be here. What a cool blessing to be able to finish my mission in this gorgeous place. It is totally different from Pirae, where I just was, which is in the city. Now I am back to true-blue Tahitian living, totally the "island cool" style of life, and I can't wait to put my heart into this area with all I've got until the end.
The first picture is of where the boat drops you off- on the boat I was excited to be a missionary all by myself, so I tried talking to some people. The first guy rejected me hard-core. Shame, because he was from New Zealand, and I thought it would be cool to talk about the gospel in English. No-go. But the second man was extremely nice and smiley, and randomly lives right in Pirae, my area I just left. I bought myself a quiche and ate it with the ocean wind just whippin through my hair and felt 100% happy.
The second photo is of where I actually am in this exact second, and the girl is my wonderful new companion, Soeur Paraurahi, which means "talks a lot." We get along great so far, and I can see I'm going to love her.
Folks, I would love to write some more things, but I'm a little too excited to be here, and I just want to go explore. Plus my companion's bike tire just blew up, so we gotta figure that out.
Family, I was so happy to see you on Christmas, especially Grandma and the Bradleys- good surprise Christmas present! I love you dearly. Talking to Mill was especially cool- the one single time we'll both see each other as missionaries. Maybe. Im' pretty sure I'll have a badge on again some day. Hopefully a couple more times. Missions are good.
For New Years resolutions, here's my thought- we really can do anything. Millzie played the piano and sang in Portuguese in front of a billion people in Brazil. (Amelia's Blog) Really, we can do big stuff. Set cool resolutions this year- life is beautiful!
All my love,
Soeur Mann
(Editor's Note: You can hear about the third picture on February 23rd at 11:00 AM in the Hyde Park 1st Ward.)
The first picture is of where the boat drops you off- on the boat I was excited to be a missionary all by myself, so I tried talking to some people. The first guy rejected me hard-core. Shame, because he was from New Zealand, and I thought it would be cool to talk about the gospel in English. No-go. But the second man was extremely nice and smiley, and randomly lives right in Pirae, my area I just left. I bought myself a quiche and ate it with the ocean wind just whippin through my hair and felt 100% happy.
The second photo is of where I actually am in this exact second, and the girl is my wonderful new companion, Soeur Paraurahi, which means "talks a lot." We get along great so far, and I can see I'm going to love her.
Folks, I would love to write some more things, but I'm a little too excited to be here, and I just want to go explore. Plus my companion's bike tire just blew up, so we gotta figure that out.
Family, I was so happy to see you on Christmas, especially Grandma and the Bradleys- good surprise Christmas present! I love you dearly. Talking to Mill was especially cool- the one single time we'll both see each other as missionaries. Maybe. Im' pretty sure I'll have a badge on again some day. Hopefully a couple more times. Missions are good.
For New Years resolutions, here's my thought- we really can do anything. Millzie played the piano and sang in Portuguese in front of a billion people in Brazil. (Amelia's Blog) Really, we can do big stuff. Set cool resolutions this year- life is beautiful!
All my love,
Soeur Mann
(Editor's Note: You can hear about the third picture on February 23rd at 11:00 AM in the Hyde Park 1st Ward.)
Thursday, December 26, 2013
#70 - Merry Christmas!
Sorry I didn't write a big letter this week because I'm going to talk to you on Wednesday. I hope you guys have already watched "It’s a Wonderful Life" - if not, drop everything and do that.
Jesus Christ is the reason our family is happy and will be together forever. Our family loves Him so much. I'm so glad I had these two Christmases away from you, because I will celebrate it differently, at least in my heart, forever. Have a wonderful Christmas Eve Eve today and a happy, happy day tomorrow. We have a true reason to celebrate - He lives!
I love you.
Tel
Jesus Christ is the reason our family is happy and will be together forever. Our family loves Him so much. I'm so glad I had these two Christmases away from you, because I will celebrate it differently, at least in my heart, forever. Have a wonderful Christmas Eve Eve today and a happy, happy day tomorrow. We have a true reason to celebrate - He lives!
I love you.
Tel
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
#69 - Peace and Love
Ia ora na, family! For my greeting this week I would like to quote a song I learned on Q92:
"You're the meaning in my life, you're the inspiraaaation... you bring feeling to my life, you're the inspiraaaation!"
Yesterday was a happy, happy, blissful day! In fact, there were many happy moments this week. Yesterday was particularly fanstastic because it was our mission Christmas get-together, and they actually brought in ALL the missionaries, from all the islands, and we got to see every single pal with a badge in French Polynesia. It was truly Christmas. Something swell is that our MTC group has really just gotten more and more unified over time. Even while some of us have been out roughin' it in the middle of the ocean, we still have a tight-knit little group, and eating mashed potatoes and stuffing (thank you, couple missionaries) and laughing about MTC memories was one of the cheeriest moments I've had in a while. It was so good to see each other and see that these missionaries really have become better people over this year. Still the same funny personalities and stuff, still the same people, but definitely a little better. I love, love the missionaries in my mission. Another thought from that- stuff that was not funny in the MTC, like little points of contention and friction, is definitely funny now. Everything's fine after the fact. Hard to remember in the moment, but it's true.
Also, this week we got to go to the Temple. I can say with no hesitation that I know the Temple is the House of The Lord. I felt truly like I was in another spot that isn't here in the middle of the world. It is a sacred place, and the ordinances performed there are real and true. Interesting too that last year I felt like a was going to die a little bit after leaving because I was still so stressed and worried about this whole being-a-missionary thing, and this year I was happy to get back to work. Things get better with time.
Mom and Grandma- I got your Christmas packages, they both arrived safe and sound. Thank you!!
Now I would just like to let you know about Soeur Morgan Taylor, who was in the bike accident last week. I know that there must be lots of people where we live that are aching for her and thinking a lot about her. I don't know enough details about her condition to say anything on that because I don't want to give false information, but I can tell you that this island has been sending up thousands and thousands of prayers for her. Our mission fasted together for her, and yesterday we all said a kneeling prayer together for her. The members here love her so much, and everyone asks about her wherever we go.
I actually had the rare chance to get to visit her in the hospital, which I think was a tender mercy from Heavenly Father so I could let some fellow Cache Valley people know that I have seen her, and that she is being taken care of. Seeing her was actually a very spiritual experience. We saw her Sunday afternoon, and she was in a coma while we talked to her, but it was good to be in the room with her and let her know she is loved. Afterwords Soeur Chytraus and I said a prayer for her, and I felt an enormous peace fill me up. I'm sending all my love and prayers to her family and all the people in Cache Valley who love her. What an incredibly hard thing. I can't imagine how her family must be hurting and worrying. I do know, and I felt so clearly with her, that it will be okay. Heavenly Father is in control, He loves her, and He will take care of her and her loved ones.
I love you all dearly. Thank you for being in my beautiful life.
All my love,
Soeur Mann
"You're the meaning in my life, you're the inspiraaaation... you bring feeling to my life, you're the inspiraaaation!"
Yesterday was a happy, happy, blissful day! In fact, there were many happy moments this week. Yesterday was particularly fanstastic because it was our mission Christmas get-together, and they actually brought in ALL the missionaries, from all the islands, and we got to see every single pal with a badge in French Polynesia. It was truly Christmas. Something swell is that our MTC group has really just gotten more and more unified over time. Even while some of us have been out roughin' it in the middle of the ocean, we still have a tight-knit little group, and eating mashed potatoes and stuffing (thank you, couple missionaries) and laughing about MTC memories was one of the cheeriest moments I've had in a while. It was so good to see each other and see that these missionaries really have become better people over this year. Still the same funny personalities and stuff, still the same people, but definitely a little better. I love, love the missionaries in my mission. Another thought from that- stuff that was not funny in the MTC, like little points of contention and friction, is definitely funny now. Everything's fine after the fact. Hard to remember in the moment, but it's true.
Also, this week we got to go to the Temple. I can say with no hesitation that I know the Temple is the House of The Lord. I felt truly like I was in another spot that isn't here in the middle of the world. It is a sacred place, and the ordinances performed there are real and true. Interesting too that last year I felt like a was going to die a little bit after leaving because I was still so stressed and worried about this whole being-a-missionary thing, and this year I was happy to get back to work. Things get better with time.
Mom and Grandma- I got your Christmas packages, they both arrived safe and sound. Thank you!!
Now I would just like to let you know about Soeur Morgan Taylor, who was in the bike accident last week. I know that there must be lots of people where we live that are aching for her and thinking a lot about her. I don't know enough details about her condition to say anything on that because I don't want to give false information, but I can tell you that this island has been sending up thousands and thousands of prayers for her. Our mission fasted together for her, and yesterday we all said a kneeling prayer together for her. The members here love her so much, and everyone asks about her wherever we go.
I actually had the rare chance to get to visit her in the hospital, which I think was a tender mercy from Heavenly Father so I could let some fellow Cache Valley people know that I have seen her, and that she is being taken care of. Seeing her was actually a very spiritual experience. We saw her Sunday afternoon, and she was in a coma while we talked to her, but it was good to be in the room with her and let her know she is loved. Afterwords Soeur Chytraus and I said a prayer for her, and I felt an enormous peace fill me up. I'm sending all my love and prayers to her family and all the people in Cache Valley who love her. What an incredibly hard thing. I can't imagine how her family must be hurting and worrying. I do know, and I felt so clearly with her, that it will be okay. Heavenly Father is in control, He loves her, and He will take care of her and her loved ones.
I love you all dearly. Thank you for being in my beautiful life.
All my love,
Soeur Mann
Monday, December 9, 2013
#68 - Salt
Hi, folks! I love you with all my soul.
This morning I finally understood a scripture that I think everyone else has understood this whole time, and maybe it wasn't even a correct interpretation, but it gave me a lot of light, so I think it counts no matter what. I was reading in 3rd Nephi 12:13- "I give unto you to be the salt of the earth; but if the salt shall lose its savor, wherewith shall the earth be salted?" My whole life I have wondered what Christ was talking about there. I finally understood thanks to my lunch yesterday, which was an avocado. Soeur Chytraus kindly shared her avocado with me, and even though it was good plain, it was great with a little salt sprinkled on top. Today as I read that verse I thought about that salt and how it brought out the delicious flavor of the avocado.
Now I'm going to tell you about another experience I had this week and what that has to do with the salt thing. Friday after our district meeting, Soeur Chy and I were leaving the chapel to walk back to our house for lunch. Right as we came out of the chapel gate, I noticed a young girl walking really fast down the sidewalk, and I was so excited to see that it was a cute little girl that I taught in Puurai. I sped over to give her a hug but realized immediately that she was not okay. She was shaking and crying, and obviously very scared. I asked her where she was going and she said she was going to walk home to Puurai from Papeete, which is a far too-long distance to walk for a little girl. I didn't know, but she's been moved to a sort-of foster home now, and that morning a member of her foster family beat her. They thought she'd stolen a cell-phone, and she hadn't. She was too scared to go back to the house. It was a literal miracle that I crossed her path right at the moment she was on the sidewalk. We took her straight in to the chapel, where there is a little self-reliance office and a couple missionary from St. George serving. We sat with her and held her hand, gave her some water and oranges and got her calmed down. Our stake president happened to be there, so he came and made some calls and tried to see what he could do. It was a horrible situation, but I am so thankful that Heavenly Father arranged things so we could take her in. I felt horrible that there was nothing I could really do because of legal issues, but I promised her that even though she might have some very hard things to go through, Heavenly Father would listen to her prayers and help her like He just had. Then we had to leave.
As we walked home, I just could not even take it. I was so burning angry, and so sad. I went upstairs in our apartment and just cried. One of the hardest things about my mission has been seeing people hurt. I hate it. I was really overcome with how plain sad life is sometimes, and for a moment I felt totally helpless. But I decided to say a prayer, and that prayer brought filled me up with peace. I realized that even though the world is a sad place sometimes, the hope of Christ is bigger than that. A very strange feeling- feeling deeply the need for Christ's atonement and then looking down at your badge and remembering that you are one of His missionaries. That's a cool feeling. So we got up and went out and taught one of the best lessons I've ever taught on my mission. I realized that what I am sharing is the one, the literal only thing, that can make things fully and permanently better. That's true. The Savior's Atonement, which completes the beautiful plan of Heavenly Father makes this life make sense. He is what gives us the hope that we have a reason to live, even when things are hard, and that things will always get better. For some, and depending on the period of our lives, His love is what pulls us out of the extreme pain of abuse or neglect, and other times it is what pushes us through a stressful day at work. Either way we need Him.
So I realize a little better what it means when Christ tells us, His believers, that we are the salt of the earth. Many people are just trying to get through this life. It's like a bland avocado- you can do it, you can survive, you can eat and sleep and keep going, because there is no other choice. But when you know the Savior, you know that this life is so much more than that. It is rich and deep, and there is a reason we are here. We are loved. We belong to God's family, and this experience is to make us more like Him.
People need to know that. They need to know that this life is better than they think it is, or at least it's going to get better. They need to taste the joy of the gospel and get the full vision of this little earth experience. And we are the salt. We are there to bring them the message- if we lose our "savor" or our spiritual perspective, we don't serve our purpose.
I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and that He has a perfect love for us. He is there. Let's all go sprinkle salt in the lives of those we love and make their lives a little better.
All my love,
Soeur Mann
This morning I finally understood a scripture that I think everyone else has understood this whole time, and maybe it wasn't even a correct interpretation, but it gave me a lot of light, so I think it counts no matter what. I was reading in 3rd Nephi 12:13- "I give unto you to be the salt of the earth; but if the salt shall lose its savor, wherewith shall the earth be salted?" My whole life I have wondered what Christ was talking about there. I finally understood thanks to my lunch yesterday, which was an avocado. Soeur Chytraus kindly shared her avocado with me, and even though it was good plain, it was great with a little salt sprinkled on top. Today as I read that verse I thought about that salt and how it brought out the delicious flavor of the avocado.
Now I'm going to tell you about another experience I had this week and what that has to do with the salt thing. Friday after our district meeting, Soeur Chy and I were leaving the chapel to walk back to our house for lunch. Right as we came out of the chapel gate, I noticed a young girl walking really fast down the sidewalk, and I was so excited to see that it was a cute little girl that I taught in Puurai. I sped over to give her a hug but realized immediately that she was not okay. She was shaking and crying, and obviously very scared. I asked her where she was going and she said she was going to walk home to Puurai from Papeete, which is a far too-long distance to walk for a little girl. I didn't know, but she's been moved to a sort-of foster home now, and that morning a member of her foster family beat her. They thought she'd stolen a cell-phone, and she hadn't. She was too scared to go back to the house. It was a literal miracle that I crossed her path right at the moment she was on the sidewalk. We took her straight in to the chapel, where there is a little self-reliance office and a couple missionary from St. George serving. We sat with her and held her hand, gave her some water and oranges and got her calmed down. Our stake president happened to be there, so he came and made some calls and tried to see what he could do. It was a horrible situation, but I am so thankful that Heavenly Father arranged things so we could take her in. I felt horrible that there was nothing I could really do because of legal issues, but I promised her that even though she might have some very hard things to go through, Heavenly Father would listen to her prayers and help her like He just had. Then we had to leave.
As we walked home, I just could not even take it. I was so burning angry, and so sad. I went upstairs in our apartment and just cried. One of the hardest things about my mission has been seeing people hurt. I hate it. I was really overcome with how plain sad life is sometimes, and for a moment I felt totally helpless. But I decided to say a prayer, and that prayer brought filled me up with peace. I realized that even though the world is a sad place sometimes, the hope of Christ is bigger than that. A very strange feeling- feeling deeply the need for Christ's atonement and then looking down at your badge and remembering that you are one of His missionaries. That's a cool feeling. So we got up and went out and taught one of the best lessons I've ever taught on my mission. I realized that what I am sharing is the one, the literal only thing, that can make things fully and permanently better. That's true. The Savior's Atonement, which completes the beautiful plan of Heavenly Father makes this life make sense. He is what gives us the hope that we have a reason to live, even when things are hard, and that things will always get better. For some, and depending on the period of our lives, His love is what pulls us out of the extreme pain of abuse or neglect, and other times it is what pushes us through a stressful day at work. Either way we need Him.
So I realize a little better what it means when Christ tells us, His believers, that we are the salt of the earth. Many people are just trying to get through this life. It's like a bland avocado- you can do it, you can survive, you can eat and sleep and keep going, because there is no other choice. But when you know the Savior, you know that this life is so much more than that. It is rich and deep, and there is a reason we are here. We are loved. We belong to God's family, and this experience is to make us more like Him.
People need to know that. They need to know that this life is better than they think it is, or at least it's going to get better. They need to taste the joy of the gospel and get the full vision of this little earth experience. And we are the salt. We are there to bring them the message- if we lose our "savor" or our spiritual perspective, we don't serve our purpose.
I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and that He has a perfect love for us. He is there. Let's all go sprinkle salt in the lives of those we love and make their lives a little better.
All my love,
Soeur Mann
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
#67 - That's The Covenant We Made
I just saw The Coolest Thing.
Hello to all of you, I love you enormously, and The Coolest Thing was a breath-taking hike we just went on to three waterfalls! My entire mission I haven’t been on one hike, and finally I got to go, and let me tell ya, it was stunning. Hiking is good for the soul. In fact, hiking is necessary for my soul, and a hike through the literal jungle of Tahiti just leaves your heart full. This world is beautiful. We were sitting there next to a waterfall and I sat down on a rock and had a few minutes to just think for a couple minutes, and I thought about how I am seriously just a speck. This huge black wall of rock covered in hundreds of thick lush plants and hundreds of gallons of water spilling over it- that's one waterfall out of thousands. And waterfalls are just one type of amazing, beautiful thing in this world. I thought about how all I am is just one little 5'4" of creature- two lungs, one heart, not even a big thing in this gigantic universe. But that didn't make me feel bad. It just made me want to be kind, calm, just keep living and appreciating how marvelous this whole earth is. It was a very nature-lovey moment. And I liked it.
I loved Mill's Thanksgiving story- yahoo for rainy Thanksgivings! I also had a swell day, particularly one moment. We were hiking (okay, I guess that's not true that I don’t hike, seeing's how I hike all over my area everyday) up a big, fat hill to get to our lesson, and I realized that it was about that exact same time you all would be eating pie. Luckily I had the sense to turn around and take a look at the view behind me- the ocean and a huge valley of homes scattering the mountainside. Lovely. It started to rain, and I personally love walking barefoot on wet roads. So I took off my flip-flops. I pushed my bike all the way up that hill barefoot in the rain and sang, "Marshmallow World in the Winter" to myself. And parents, don't worry about the walking barefoot thing. I already know Dad is telling me how dangerous that is. But it's okay, just talk to Grandma Mann about it.
This week I got to go teach two lessons with Soeur Green, that absolute pal. We got to this lesson teaching two little girls that own 11 cats. We started singing our opening hymn and one of the little girls picked up a kitten, held him in the air, and started waving his lil' paws around like he was conducting the song. For some reason, this really, really cracked me up. I don't feel like I actually laugh too much on my mission, like little pleasant chuckles, but never laugh really hard. But I actually had laughing tears in my eyes. I think part of it was just that I was so happy to be with my best friend, and we both just lost control in the song. For those who understand this small reference, think "kitten yoga."
This morning I read an article from last year's December Ensign that talked all about Christ's birth. For some reason it really struck me today, the story of the nativity. Think about Mary actually getting to that inn and realizing that she was going to have to give birth to the Savior in a stable, complete with donkeys and dogs and camels and things. I mean, this really happened. He was born in a stable. One of my favorite names of the Savior is Emmanuel- God with us. He was here with us, and He is still with us. How comforting that is! And what does that mean for us? I think one of the things He taught us is that we need to be with people. We need to literally put ourselves next to them, physically, and move through their trials with them. Earlier this week I was with someone who was feeling very sad about the loss of a loved one she lost years ago. I didn't know what to say. She left for a minute, and I had these words come very clearly into my mind- "Mourn with those that mourn, comfort those that stand in need of comfort." That's the covenant we made. That is truly what The Lord asks us to do, and that is why we love Him so much. He was here with us, in a global sense as a human being on earth, and each of us personally in Gethsemane. Sometimes it’s hard to plop ourselves down in the middle of a problem, and sometimes it feels very easy to just say, "Well, I'd rather not get involved." But sometimes that's what we need to do, because people need people. The Savior, the most glorious person of all, was born in a stable. Here, with us, and He let Himself get involved even if it was a burden. Thank heaven He did.
I have an announcement to make- Mom, I would like you to get out your calendar, flip to February 14th, and write, "Make Valentines' sugar cookies with Cail." Cuz that's exactly what you'll be doing! I learned my return date this week, and I will be flying home February 11th, most likely arriving the 12th. And I feel very, very content. 10 weeks is a perfect amount of time. I have 10 weeks to love my beautiful island and serve with all of my heart right to the end. And then I'm going to come home. And I will be so, so happy to be home, too.
Because I love you. So very much! Even though I'm just a little tiny thing in this universe, just two lungs and one heart, pretty much a speck, I have people I love forever, and that means everything. Life is beautiful!
All my love,
Soeur Mann
Hello to all of you, I love you enormously, and The Coolest Thing was a breath-taking hike we just went on to three waterfalls! My entire mission I haven’t been on one hike, and finally I got to go, and let me tell ya, it was stunning. Hiking is good for the soul. In fact, hiking is necessary for my soul, and a hike through the literal jungle of Tahiti just leaves your heart full. This world is beautiful. We were sitting there next to a waterfall and I sat down on a rock and had a few minutes to just think for a couple minutes, and I thought about how I am seriously just a speck. This huge black wall of rock covered in hundreds of thick lush plants and hundreds of gallons of water spilling over it- that's one waterfall out of thousands. And waterfalls are just one type of amazing, beautiful thing in this world. I thought about how all I am is just one little 5'4" of creature- two lungs, one heart, not even a big thing in this gigantic universe. But that didn't make me feel bad. It just made me want to be kind, calm, just keep living and appreciating how marvelous this whole earth is. It was a very nature-lovey moment. And I liked it.
I loved Mill's Thanksgiving story- yahoo for rainy Thanksgivings! I also had a swell day, particularly one moment. We were hiking (okay, I guess that's not true that I don’t hike, seeing's how I hike all over my area everyday) up a big, fat hill to get to our lesson, and I realized that it was about that exact same time you all would be eating pie. Luckily I had the sense to turn around and take a look at the view behind me- the ocean and a huge valley of homes scattering the mountainside. Lovely. It started to rain, and I personally love walking barefoot on wet roads. So I took off my flip-flops. I pushed my bike all the way up that hill barefoot in the rain and sang, "Marshmallow World in the Winter" to myself. And parents, don't worry about the walking barefoot thing. I already know Dad is telling me how dangerous that is. But it's okay, just talk to Grandma Mann about it.
This week I got to go teach two lessons with Soeur Green, that absolute pal. We got to this lesson teaching two little girls that own 11 cats. We started singing our opening hymn and one of the little girls picked up a kitten, held him in the air, and started waving his lil' paws around like he was conducting the song. For some reason, this really, really cracked me up. I don't feel like I actually laugh too much on my mission, like little pleasant chuckles, but never laugh really hard. But I actually had laughing tears in my eyes. I think part of it was just that I was so happy to be with my best friend, and we both just lost control in the song. For those who understand this small reference, think "kitten yoga."
This morning I read an article from last year's December Ensign that talked all about Christ's birth. For some reason it really struck me today, the story of the nativity. Think about Mary actually getting to that inn and realizing that she was going to have to give birth to the Savior in a stable, complete with donkeys and dogs and camels and things. I mean, this really happened. He was born in a stable. One of my favorite names of the Savior is Emmanuel- God with us. He was here with us, and He is still with us. How comforting that is! And what does that mean for us? I think one of the things He taught us is that we need to be with people. We need to literally put ourselves next to them, physically, and move through their trials with them. Earlier this week I was with someone who was feeling very sad about the loss of a loved one she lost years ago. I didn't know what to say. She left for a minute, and I had these words come very clearly into my mind- "Mourn with those that mourn, comfort those that stand in need of comfort." That's the covenant we made. That is truly what The Lord asks us to do, and that is why we love Him so much. He was here with us, in a global sense as a human being on earth, and each of us personally in Gethsemane. Sometimes it’s hard to plop ourselves down in the middle of a problem, and sometimes it feels very easy to just say, "Well, I'd rather not get involved." But sometimes that's what we need to do, because people need people. The Savior, the most glorious person of all, was born in a stable. Here, with us, and He let Himself get involved even if it was a burden. Thank heaven He did.
I have an announcement to make- Mom, I would like you to get out your calendar, flip to February 14th, and write, "Make Valentines' sugar cookies with Cail." Cuz that's exactly what you'll be doing! I learned my return date this week, and I will be flying home February 11th, most likely arriving the 12th. And I feel very, very content. 10 weeks is a perfect amount of time. I have 10 weeks to love my beautiful island and serve with all of my heart right to the end. And then I'm going to come home. And I will be so, so happy to be home, too.
Because I love you. So very much! Even though I'm just a little tiny thing in this universe, just two lungs and one heart, pretty much a speck, I have people I love forever, and that means everything. Life is beautiful!
All my love,
Soeur Mann
Monday, November 25, 2013
#66 - Legit
Hello, Dearest Familia! How's everybody doing this balmy, sunny Thanksgiving week? Oh, wait. That's just me. Sorry! I love you guys more than all the water in the whole ocean X 100. I love you.
What a week I just lived. Right now I am very healthy and happy and living well. And I'm grateful for that, because the start of this week was a little rough. I can tell you that because it's over, and now everything's great. This week I caught the dreaded "Zika" virus. That's right! I came down with a mosquito-borne epidemic virus on my mission! I'm a legit missionary! Apparently this sickness is sweeping the South Pacific, and it's just this weird new little thing. What it does is give you a fever and a sick all-over-body rash and achey joints and stuff. But then you get better after four days! Soeur Chytraus and I both got it, so that made for a very non-productive week of missionary work.
I know this sounds cliche, but it really did make me grateful for my health. I think sometimes you need a good swoop of sickness to remind you how marvelous it is to have a body that can hop on a bike and ride up a hill anytime you want.
During the illness, I had a very, very odd experience. So, Thursday night I was laying on my bed being miserable. I could not sleep because I was so achey, and I was just sitting there in the dark kicking my legs and not sleeping. Things were particularly bad because for some reason I thought that removing my mattress would help my back, so I was basically laying on a hard board, loosing my mind. Out of nowhere, my companion started to laugh very hard. I hope this doesn't embarrass her, but she was sleep-laughing. That was already kind of startling and upsetting. But to make things even freaky-er, in that exact moment something caught my eye. I look to my left and our stinking cat is sprinting up my mattress, which is leaned against the wall. Hard board. Companion laughing. Wild cat in my room. None of these events were actually related, but at 3:00 AM it seemed like they were. I wasn't happy about it.
But that moment passed, and it made for a very funny conversation the next morning. But the cat's cuteness-level took a real hit. I don't care who you are, if you are a feline, you can't come in my house. I have been having hard feelings towards her for a couple days. Imagine my delight two nights ago when we came home and found what curled up behind our garbage can? Two tiny newborn kittens.
Anyhoo, it's good to have little adventures. Its makes for some good stories, and it adds a little spice to life. I was thinking today about how infinitely interesting life is when you pay attention to the small things, like kittens and non-achey knees. Life is good.
It is Thanksgiving week, and I am a little sad that I wont be there to hold up my three corn kernels at Grandma's and eat the marshmallows off all the yams. But I am just fine. Because this is where I'm at, and I am blessed. And the fact that you are all there, still you, still my family, means that no matter where I am, I have every reason to be perfectly grateful.
And most of all, I want to say that I am grateful for our Savior. I am so thankful that Someone loves me enough to forgive me every single time I ask, and that He understands me. I am thankful for His perfect example and His perfect love in guiding me there, even when I fall very short. He loves us still, fully and truly. That alone is enough. Life is beautiful.
I love you!
Soeur Mann
What a week I just lived. Right now I am very healthy and happy and living well. And I'm grateful for that, because the start of this week was a little rough. I can tell you that because it's over, and now everything's great. This week I caught the dreaded "Zika" virus. That's right! I came down with a mosquito-borne epidemic virus on my mission! I'm a legit missionary! Apparently this sickness is sweeping the South Pacific, and it's just this weird new little thing. What it does is give you a fever and a sick all-over-body rash and achey joints and stuff. But then you get better after four days! Soeur Chytraus and I both got it, so that made for a very non-productive week of missionary work.
I know this sounds cliche, but it really did make me grateful for my health. I think sometimes you need a good swoop of sickness to remind you how marvelous it is to have a body that can hop on a bike and ride up a hill anytime you want.
During the illness, I had a very, very odd experience. So, Thursday night I was laying on my bed being miserable. I could not sleep because I was so achey, and I was just sitting there in the dark kicking my legs and not sleeping. Things were particularly bad because for some reason I thought that removing my mattress would help my back, so I was basically laying on a hard board, loosing my mind. Out of nowhere, my companion started to laugh very hard. I hope this doesn't embarrass her, but she was sleep-laughing. That was already kind of startling and upsetting. But to make things even freaky-er, in that exact moment something caught my eye. I look to my left and our stinking cat is sprinting up my mattress, which is leaned against the wall. Hard board. Companion laughing. Wild cat in my room. None of these events were actually related, but at 3:00 AM it seemed like they were. I wasn't happy about it.
But that moment passed, and it made for a very funny conversation the next morning. But the cat's cuteness-level took a real hit. I don't care who you are, if you are a feline, you can't come in my house. I have been having hard feelings towards her for a couple days. Imagine my delight two nights ago when we came home and found what curled up behind our garbage can? Two tiny newborn kittens.
Anyhoo, it's good to have little adventures. Its makes for some good stories, and it adds a little spice to life. I was thinking today about how infinitely interesting life is when you pay attention to the small things, like kittens and non-achey knees. Life is good.
It is Thanksgiving week, and I am a little sad that I wont be there to hold up my three corn kernels at Grandma's and eat the marshmallows off all the yams. But I am just fine. Because this is where I'm at, and I am blessed. And the fact that you are all there, still you, still my family, means that no matter where I am, I have every reason to be perfectly grateful.
And most of all, I want to say that I am grateful for our Savior. I am so thankful that Someone loves me enough to forgive me every single time I ask, and that He understands me. I am thankful for His perfect example and His perfect love in guiding me there, even when I fall very short. He loves us still, fully and truly. That alone is enough. Life is beautiful.
I love you!
Soeur Mann
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