September 25, 2012

Bonjour Ma Famille!

Week 2 at the MTC izzle. I'm working on pics, but this computer's not working, so maybs I'll hop on another one, or one more week. Sorry!

So first of all, the subject line. One of my comps writes facts in her journal, like list style instead of writing in paragraphs. So, this week, one of her facts was something to the effect of, "Soeur Santos gets so excited about the gospel that it sends her into fits of nasal hysteria." Or something like that... Now, for those of you that know me well, which is all of the fam, you know what she's talking about. My little scrunchy voice that occurs every time I get overly excited, ok fine, even mildly excited about something. And now my whole district knows about it. hah. And the Elders think it's hilarious so they make fun of me like no other. But it's fine. I live to bring joy to people's lives... hah.

This week has included, workout classes in the morning at 6am with Soeur Lamb, my first day of no letters in the MTC (last Thursday), teaching at least twice a day, my first TRC (teaching with a member), seeing Sister Wilson and Hermana Duchene ALL THE TIME, (Both of them are leaving. I know Hermana Duchene from Women's Chorus, and Sophie's off to Missouri TOMORROW!), playing sand volleyball with the Portuguese Elders (and getting my comps into it,) and a couple tragedies... Like my camera is currently on the blink, and I spilled bleach on two of my skirts. (You'd think after being at college for 3 years I'd be able to do laundry, but apparently not.) Sorry mom. Like I said in the letter I sent though, the nude one's fine, there's just a lighter spot on front, the brown one's pretty bad though. 

Other highlights from the week. Elder Grigsby and I (who were having a bit of a rough patch last week) are now bffs! So I'm now best friends with everyone in my district. And the Portuguese Elders, and the french building. Which is super fun! I got a new teacher for French this week too! He's teaching with Frere Blosil. His name is Frere Sybrowsky, and HE'S IN MEN'S CHORUS! He told us the first day he taught that he had a concert at BYU that night, so I inquired as to which one and he said Choral Showcase. Weirdddd not being there for that, but it's fine. There's nowhere else I'd rather be! Also, I got to go to the Brigham City Temple Dedication on Sunday! That was cool with a large room full of mishs! And, on Sunday, I got a hug from Sister Wilson and she said it was from Sister OSORIO cause she got to see her on Saturday for the visiting center training field trip to Temple Square. I am sooooo jel. 

Teaching moments of the week. I taught my first TRC with Soeur Kailiponi on Thursday, which was great! TRC's are where you talk to members. So we talked to a rm that went to Tahiti. His name was Brandon, and we talked to him slash discussed prayer with him for 40 mins! It was great! I was in heaven! A room with two basically fluent french speakers, and I was just trying to keep up, but it was great! I also continued teaching Katherine with Soeur K and we also taught Manuel. I was feeling a little frustrated while teaching with Soeur K this week, cause I wanted to talk more during lessons, but I could never think of what to say, so she ended up talking for most of it. But, we had a pretty cool conversation after one of the lessons we taught, I was expressing my frustration with my teaching and french, and she gave me this advice, which really hit home. She challenged me to open my mouth or "ouvre la bouche" during the lesson, and she said that as long as I plan and study faithfully before, I will be given utterance. And as she was saying that to me, I just knew that that was true! The Lord will help us, and will even give us utterance if we are prepared and if we have faith in Him. So that is what I've been working on for the latter half of this week. And since then, we've had the most balanced and great lesson together! Monday morning, teaching my district's new "ami de l'eglise" or investigator. Also, Friday night, the best lesson to date in the MTC occured. And this one was actually with Soeur Lamb and Soeur Cuthbert. We were teaching Sister Scott, a MTC teacher, and we were trying to practice committing her to baptism in the first lesson, cause that's been a goal of this week. But as we were teaching her and testifying to her that this was the only true church on the earth, that other churches and organizations had truth, but that the fullness of the truth was found in this gospel and the Book of Mormon, we bore testimony in our broken french, me first, and then Soeur Lamb, and the Spirit just TIDAL WAVED over the room. It was incredible. It strengthened my testimony that this work is not about perfect language skills, or perfect lesson plans. This work is the Lord's. And that fact greatly comforts me, because I am not perfect. Not even close. But I KNOW that if I am obedient and if I plan and prepare and do all I can, the Spirit can and will testify of the truthfulness of the words I say. 

I am so grateful for this calling and mantle. I am so happy and joyful to be here! I played cello this morning and it was wonderful, but there is NOTHING better in this world than sharing the good news of the gospel with others! Than inviting and helping those around us come unto Christ. I am so grateful for this opportunity that I have to share the gospel with everyone around me. Pray for the people of New Caledonia pleaseee! I love them so much and I can't wait to get there. But until then, I will do everything in my power to prepare and to try and prepare and be obedient, so that the people can hear and recognize how familiar the gospel is.

I love you so much! Thanks for all your love and prayers! Family, I want to hear from you! (Dad, Mele, Kalei!) And Travis and Ben and Laura. I want to hear about your lives!

Love you all! 
L'evangile est vrai!

Love, Soeur Santos