December 29, 2013

pictures! outta time...

Sorry, It's been two weeks since Soeur Tupai and I have written President... So I just used all my time writing him. It was important. But! I'm sending pics super fast.

#1 is Soeur Tupai and I with Mickael, the grandson of Suzanne a converti recent! He's 11, and this was just after his bapteme! I made cheesecake and it was a hit.

2. is Soeur Tupai and I and how we almost went to our Christmas soiree... But then we were too embarressed to match... So yah, Soeur Tupai changed. hah.

And 3 is Soeur Tupai and I with mt drapeau and my Bislama LdM. Ca ke bon.

And that's all for this week. Desolee. It was good to talk to you mom and mel and ange. Dad, sorry I didn't get to talk to you, I was really sad. But I love you. And I wrote you a letter. And pup bien sur. And everyone actually. Vous me manquez! But, I will see you all soon. And You are in my prayers. Thank you for your prayers and your support! I need them! Soeur Tupai and I are working like crazy people cause it helps us not think about the time, so we're working on chapter 8 right now in PMG. How to use your time wisely! And that's going good! I've hit a new level of exhausion, but also happiness! So I'll take it! I love you all!!! Happy New Year!! And Happy Birthday Bels!

L'evangile est VRAIE!!

Love, Soeur Santos

December 15, 2013

happiness is...

watching your converti recent baptize and confirm his 8 year old daughter. That happened this week. QUELLE JOIE!! What Joy!! It was Asin and Tipanier, both of whom, just got baptized, in May and June. And Asin, who just got his pretrise de Melchizedek a couple weeks ago got to baptize and give their daughter, Haurava, the don du saint esprit the gift of the Holy Spirit. And I CAN'T EVEN EXPLAIN. I thought I was happy at both of their baptisms... But man. Being there and seeing that was just incredible. Doing this work brings ETERNAL joy. Not just like, "oh I'm pretty happy right now," But STRAIGHT UP head to toe JOY. I can't put it into words... But hopefully I'm making a little bit of sense. Anyways, it was great. This work is incredible. FAITES-LA, DO IT and you will not regret it. It will change and bless your life forever!

Anyways, this week was great! I cannot believe how fast time is flying. It's like a rolling snowball. But, I'm not thinking about it. At least when I can get away with it and not with the members who are asking when I go home. hah.

I am loving serving with Soeur Tupai and we're having fun and working hard. Something that we worked on this week is just contacting and talking to everyone and their dog. and it actually is going pretty well! J'aime bien I like it. We met some awesome people this week! And we got to do an exchange with 6ieme which was fun. And I got to go to 6ieme and be with Soeur Raney and Soeur Martinez who are both singers, so we basically just sang like crazy people the entire day. That was fun. (See photo 2... Soeur Raney Left and Soeur Martinez Right) 

And the Christmas concert for the pieu stake was last night. Picture three is a picture of me and Soeur Blucker my bff in her AZN dress. Yes, I was totes jel, maus bon. 

And yah, Soeur Tupai and I are still caroling all over the place, hah I'm actually kinda sad for Christmas to be done, cause we'll have to stop singing, but maybs we'll start up easter caroling mid march :] 

Anyways, I love you all! And I hope that you are doing well! You are all in my prayers and I pray that you will have the faith to open your mouths and share this wonderful gospel with those that are around you. I'm now convinced its the only way to have true joy! Also, I'm totes coming back here with my cello to do musical firesides and all that jazz. Stoked. 

Ok. Love you!

L'evangile est vraie!

Love, Soeur Santos

p.s. picture one is Soeur Tupai and my with the famille Ching in front of they're sapin fir tree?! white and pink. chyeah.

December 1, 2013

caroling, caroling!

Ma chere famille,

"Freres, soeurs, amis de l'eglise, bonjour!" "Brothers, sisters, friends of the church, hello!" <--- That's what everyone starts out with at the pulpit ici...here

Anyways, This week was good. A little crazy, but good. I love Dumbea and serving with Soeur Tupai, cause she's the best, But to quote Andrew's wisdom teeth video... "I feel weird..." Probs because the last time I was some place new with all different people was a year ago, when I came to Paita for the first time, cause when I went to Sixieme in March, I was in the same ward that I was during the first month of my mission. So it's been a little crazy. But it's probs good for me. Maybs I was getting a little lax where I was, but if I was, I am definitely on my toes now. And I love these people! And am really trying to jump in with both feet. So I'm excited about it. 

We have some awesome people that we're teaching! One, Mickael, is an 11 year old boy who's grandma is a converti recent, and he is incredible! He understands really well and he is STOKED for his baptism. It's exciting to see! His parents are super supportive, and he is with his grandma every weekend, so he will continue to progress well after his baptism too! 

We did not start exchanges this week, but we'll be starting those up again this week, which I'm actually stoked about. I learn a ton from every soeur and it's great to see how they work and how we can collaborate and be better together! I love it!

And, we and the zone leaders are working on planning for our soiree for Noel. So that's fun. That'll be the Monday before Christmas. And we're gonna go caroling too! Which I'm stoked about. 

Also, Soeur Tupai and I are gonna start caroling to try and find people to teach, which I'm pretty stoked about. She's a singer! The problem is we're both kinda altos, but it's cool, we're gonna switch off singing soprano. 

Other than that, things are good! I'm working on trying to write in my journal every night again, cause it's been awhile since I've really done that. But I know that it's important!

IT's been raining here like a crazy. Like seriously, I've never seen rain like this. And it's kinda fun for awhile, but I'm ready for the hot and humid again. I don't think I like rain anymore... Actually, its the gray sky that I don't like. But it's good, the sun will come back! 

Sister Elise OSORIO!! Happy birthday!! Your cards on the way, it's probs a little late, sorry... But I luh you!

Oops... I' didn;t actually want to send that yet... But yah. I didn't have much more to say. 

I love you all!! And I hope that Thanksgiving was good for all of you!! I'll be there next year... And probs pup too. Odd.

Anyways! Thanks for your love and prayers!! I need them and Know that you are in my prayers also!

L'evangile est vraie!

Love, Soeur Santos

p.s. Soeur Tupai and I made pigs in a blanket this week. Sans fromage... Mais still bon. 

p.s.s. And we run! My goal with all of my comps has been to convert them to running! So far it's worked with almost all :]

November 25, 2013

my least favorite place on earth...

the airport. namely here. In New Cal. J'aime pas. And I was there twice this week. 

Once to say goodbye to Elder Wilson and Elder Thebaud (picture one.) And the second one's for Elder Thebaud... I promised I'd send the duck face pic home. And the group one...

pictures worth a thousand words?

Yah. Cause I probs won't have time to ecrie this week... But I got lots of pics! number one. Soeur Beagles and I eating with Soane, Tomasi, and Dan. 

2. I LOVE THESE WOMEN! Mami Pene, Soeur Toyon, Soeur Likhau, Estelle. LES MEILLEURES!

3. Soeur Beagles and I. 

November 18, 2013

DUUUUMBEA.

The name of my new sector.

I'm sad to be leaving Paita. Cause honestly, it's my heart. And I've been there 10 1/2 months now. But. I'm also STOKED to be going to Dumbea because I getta serve with SOEUR TUPAI! Enfinnnn.  At last!  And yes. Dumbea's the Sister Training Leader Sector. Which means I get to serve with Soeur Tupai, and I'm an STL encore. hah. Pretty funny. I didn't know that that was possible. I was pretty sure that I was moving this one since I've been in Paita for so long. But my one thought was, "Oh, not going to Dumbea, cause I've already been STL." And voila. But It's always like that with transfers, the last thing that I expect to happen, but the thing that needs to happen. Oh. Here's the fun part though. So part of me was kind of hoping that I could just sneak out of getting my permit and just get transfered to an a pied sector, but no such luck. Cause Dumbea's got a voiture cause it's huge like Paita and for driving Soeurs. And here's the fun part. Soeur Tupai doesn't have her permit. Sooo. I will be driving. Which means that before Soeur Lamb and I switch, (oh yah. I forgot to say that too, Soeur Lamb is coming to Paita in my place.) I will need to pass my driving test. So pressure's on. But! I know that if the Lord has called me to this sector and position, He will help me do this. Third time's the charm, right? But please pray for me! I dunno when I'm taking the test yet. I'm hoping for this week, but it may be next week. On verra. We'll see.  Anyways, prayers please! And I may or may not be in Dumbea next week.

The musical fireside was FANTASTIC!! And Elder Mackay and Soeur Beagles are already planning the next one for the paroisse ward (congregation) of Tontouta, because me and Elder Hosea are leaving. But yah, it was fantastic! Except we kinda choked on I Stand All Amazed. Mais bon, pas grave.    La prochaine fois. Oh well, not serious (it's okay).  The next time.  And I really like playing violin! It was fun. But I had to pass it off cause there's a Soeur that actually plays that's gonna play for the Christmas concert. So, I guess I'm a cellist sans without an instrument again until I get home. It was awesome though! The members brought their friends and there were lots of members and lots of amis there! It was wonderful! 

This week we had stake conference too. And that was wonderful. It was really interesting. In that everyone that spoke was either a missionary, a pre missionary, like my bff Soeur BLUCKER who's papers are IN, or a recently returned RM. Tallking about missionary work. Except for the Stake Presidency, bien sur. of course.  But it was awesome. That seems to be a theme everywhere lately! And J'aime biennnn.  I love it!

Miracles! miracles this week! But I'm outta time. 

I'm sorry! But I love you all! And I'll read you journal entries when I get home! Now that I'm writing in my journal again and not playing violin like a crazy person. haha.

I love you all! Thank you for your love and prayers and support! You are my inspiration! And I'm so happy to be a missionary. I thank the Lord every day, every prayer, maybs even every second for this opportunity that I have! Oh how I love these people and this work! And the Lord and you!!

Pics! really fast. 1. me playing violin. 2. me, Soeur Beagles, Elder Hosea, and Elder Mackay. Tontouta! 3. And me and Soeur Toyon. My mother here. I LOVE her. she is hilarious. And takes such good care of us! Among many other wonderful members!

Love you!

L'evangile est vraie!

Love, Soeur Santos

November 11, 2013

fat jokes.

So, for all those that have never been to New Caledonia, fat jokes are legit socially acceptable here. And it's hilarious. The members will just walk up to you and be like, "Oh, vous avez pris du poids!" (translation, "wow, so you've put on a little weight, huh?") But! The best one was yesterday. Cause Soeur Beagles and I had just filled up the car at the gas station in Tontouta, and the lady that was at the counter that hadn't seen us for a month, or maybe longer, this is a stranger, by the way, was like, "Wow, vous avez pris du poids! Avant vous etiez mince, mais maintenant... "Wow, you've put on some pounds!  Before you were thin, but now..."  It was super funny. And Soeur Beagles and I did not even know how to react. it was sooo funny. But luckily we bit our tongues and got outta there before we exploded with laughter... Our diet starts tomorrow.

Anyways, as far as the travail ici. work here It's going so great! Qu'est-ce que j'aime cette oeuvre!! How much I love this work!  Time is going waaay too fast. It's crazy. But I love these people and I love seeing how the gospel changes lives!! It's so exciting! And I can't help but think about how this work is ETERNAL every day we are out, teaching, finding, working. It's the best!

This week, we had a few first lessons with new amis and old amis that we got to recontact, and they were awesome! But my fave was probs the one that we had this morning. There is a lady that works in the one grocery store in Paita, and her name is Malia. And these last couple weeks every time we've walked in there she took interest in us, our whiteness, and our plaques. nametags So Soeur Beagles and I talked to her last week and fixed a lesson for this morning. We had a lesson with her and a member came with and she talked about how she is searching the truth, but she hasn't found it yet. We testified that she's SOOO close to finding it and talked a bit about our message and invited her to be baptized! She said that she's ready to change and she wants to know, and she LOVES reading. So we left her with a LivreBook of Mormon and invited her to read and pray! 

The musical fireside's this FRIDAY!! We're getting pretty stoked about it. We're inviting everyone and their dog and we have repetitions rehearsals tomorrow andThursday night to finalize everything and just to run the program! I'm excited. I love music! And I'm excited to use it bien apres ma mission after my mission also to continue to share the gospel! Pray for us please! And yah, transfers are next week. If I stay for one more transfer I'll have been in Paita for a year! Chyeah. I love this place. 

Other than that, happy birthday Kalei! Hope it's a good one. Sorry, your card's gonna be late, but it's in the mail! And happy one year this Thursday Elder Santos! That's pup's one year and my one year in New Cal. Time flies when you're having fun. But we don't talk about that. Quote from Soeur Beagles this week, "I'm worried about you when you go home..." hahah. Oh no... C'est grave. It's sad.

Anyways! I love you family!! Thank you for your love and support! For Christmas, I think I'm good. I already told dad, but the only thing that's not gonna make it til I get home are my running shoes. Oh, and I need hair bands, the black thick ones. And bronzer! Mais sinon, ceb. But if not, it's ok.  I love you all! Thanks for your love and support! You are in my prayers! I pray for you that you will have the faith and the force to open your mouths and share the gospel with those around you! Because this work is eternal and wonderful!

Love you!

L'evangile est vraie!

Love, Soeur Santos

pics:

1. So Soeur Beagles and I have been hauling this large piano around in the back of our car once a week every week for a month so that we can do repets sur Paita.

2. This one's me being exhausted and looking like a homeless person one night practicing violin cause I need to until Friday. 3 more days!

3. And this ones from a little repet we had just after reunion de district. Supes weird to see me playing that instrument. 

November 4, 2013

guess what I was for Halloween...

(see photo one.)

A VIOLINIST. And actually, I'm still pretending. Until the 15th of November. So prayers please. Also. I would love some helpful hints on how to do vibrato on the violin. Cause I don'ttt think it's the same, malheureusement... unfortunately Mais bon. Oh well.  It's actually going pretty good. Which is a tender mercy I know, cause it's COMPLETELY different. But we'll see. I'm practicing about an hour a day (every night after planning) and sometimes a few minutes in the morning after exercise and before studies. So that's going. I actually like the violin a lot! I mean, I don't plan on switching or anything when I get home, but it's a beautiful instrument, and even more so when someone that knows what they're doing is playing it. Like Sophie. So yah, that was fun. 

So yah, that's been fun. The coin de feu fireside will be Friday the 15th of Novemberand we're pretty excited about it. We would mays (Pono-speak for 'maybe') try and move it back a little bit, but transfers are the week after that, I'm pretty sure that two of the four of us are moving... I'm hoping it's Soeur Beagles. hah. Cause I kinda wanna stay here in Paita til I die. Mais on verra. But we'll see. Ca fait 10 mois It's been 10 months now that I've been here. And I don't wanna leave.

Miracles this week! Yesterday, a man named Robert showed up at church. He's Tahitian and he took the bus early in the morning from Paita all the way to Tontouta. He was living in Tahiti, but he moved here to promener un peu (literally, "walk a little bit, or traipse"...I am guessing from context he was on a trip, and stayed) and then he ended up staying here for work. But he's already had most if not all of the lessons, so we're gonna start teaching him this week, which I'm pretty excited about. 

Also, we were port a porting going door to door this week and we found a few people to teach! A couple of which are amazingly prepared! Dilila (20), and sa mere her mother, Lauria. And Lauria's aunty is a member, so she already knows quite a bit, from discussing with her and the missionaries before. We had our first lesson with them yesterday and it was incredible! And Soeur Beagles invited them to be baptized! It was so great, and we're gonna bring a member with us the next time, cause they want to talk to a converti convert/new member about how they left everything behind to be a member. 

Qu'est-ce que j'aime cette oeuvre! I love this work so much!  It is unlike anything else that I have ever done in my life. It is more rewarding than finishing a ridiculously hard concerto. It makes me more happy than playing cello or singing music. I LOVE IT SO MUCH and I am going to be a missionary for the rest of my life. Because I want to continue to have this eternal joy! 

Family! Be missionaries! It will change your lives for the better! Invite friends over for a family home evening, ask the missionaries for brochures so that you can respond when your friends ask you why you are different. Be an example and open your mouth. Be not ashamed! Because this is eternal life on the line! It's soooo important. And as soon as you start, you will not want to stop.

I love you all! It was so good to see you in your cute halloween costumes!! I think Bels was my fave. I hope that you are all doing well! I finished the Book of Mormon again this week. I love that book! Moroni 10 is like the end of a symphony for me. It's so exciting and it makes me want to practice all the things I just read! Family. Know that I love you! I am so happy and I talk about you often actually with my amis, with the members. You are the reason I am here! And I thank you for your prayers and thoughts and support! I need them and I feel them. 

The last of the pics. 2 is me and Soeur Beagles with the apples and carmel that I made! for halloween this week. and 3 is me with Nathanael, our 11 year old ami. He's crazy, but great! 

I love you all! Until next week!

L'evangile est vraie!!

Love, Soeur Santos

October 28, 2013

autumn-ish.

Ma chere famille,

Bonjour tout le monde! Hello everyone!  And happy halloween! 

So, before I forget, the pics. Number one's me after we had eaten chez un membre with a member, and yes that shirt is stained now... Some things never change :]

Number two is Soeur Beagles, Elder Thebaud, Elder Wilson, and I after zone conference this week. The two in the middle are leaving in three weeks. Weird. 

Number three is autumn! Here. Well, as autumn as it gets. Mais j'm b1. But loving it?

Those are the photos for this week, I'll try and get more out next week. 

This week was zone conference for me as well. My second to last. Mais on ne parle pas de ça But we do not talk about it. It was fun though! I introduced my fille girl and then she bore her testimony, but that was it for this one, which was nice. 

And the most incredible part of this week was my interview with President. It was incredible. Maybe even the best that I've had. I really wish I could take a voice recorder in with me for every interview, but basically what I do is go into the interview, try to absorb as much as I can, and then get out and take notes before I go home and write about it in my journal at night. Because there is so much that he says that is so important. And I love it. 

Zone Conference was on the Book of Mormon, which I will have finished for the second time in 120 days this week. Qu'est-ce que j'aime ce livre. How I love this book. Guys. Read this book EVERYDAY. It's incredible and oh so important. And your desire to live the gospel, to share the gospel, the joy in your life, everything that is good will increase. I know because I've seen it. And I love it!

Still no cello, and sadly I didn't take his number, so I may have to just learn the violin vite fait quickly. Which I will hopefully get this week. the Soeurs of Dumbea are working on it, cause that's where the instrument is. So yah. But The plans for the fireside are going well! We may not do the theatre scenes, which me and Elder Mackay are kinda bummed about, but it'll still be good. And it's gonna be the 15 novembre, we poussed it, cause we need one more week. It's gonna be great though! 

I love being a missionary! And I love inviting people to come unto Christ and seeing the joy that they find in their lives when they do. I used to think that missionary work was only about baptizing. And that is a very important part. But! There is so much more. Its not only that. My goal is to leave Paita with all the members wanting to share this gospel with their friends and family! 

I love you all! I am so grateful for your love and support, because there are hard times when I need them, but really, looking back, I don't remember any of them. The joy outweighs everything else 100000000000000 to 1. Maybe more. I love you! Know that you are in my prayers as well. I pray for your safety and health and also that you will have the courage and faith to live this gospel and to open your mouths and share it with those around you! I know it's hard, but if you do it, you will be blessed! Thanks for your news and wonderful examples for me!! 

L'evangile est vraie!

Love, Soeur Santos

October 20, 2013

"il fait chaud." It's hot

Ma chere famille,

It's starting to get hot again down here, but I am LOVING it. After the cold winter, (well, cold for me...) I whine no more. hah. But Soeur Beagles is worst than pup. The words that leave her mouth the most often are, "il fait chaud..." It's hot But I'm sure that that was me too, so maybe she'll appreciate it in a year. 

This week was fantastic! I love these people, and I love being a missionary and inviting people to come unto Christ. Something that it talks a lot about in the Book of Mormon with all the missionaries is BOLDNESS. And that is something that is funnn. J'aime bien. I like it I'm learning to be bold, and when the Spirit inspires to talk, to invite, to chasten (always with love.) But it's the best! Bien sur Of course, I need to be better and have more faith and invite more, but it's just so exciting to be doing this work and helping my brothers and sisters to come unto Christ. 

This week we worked lots with the members again, which I love, and we had lots of lessons with one of our amis, Nathanael. He is 11, and we want to teach his mother too, but she is always working. So right now we are teaching just him. And I have never met anyone with more energy and who couldn't sit still for 5 mins at a time. It was hard at first, a definite test of patience, but we had a few miracles with him this week. First off, he sat like a statue pendant 20 minutes watching "the restoration." I was shocked. And he's been better in general this week. It's incredible. Studying the gospel changes behavior faster than studying behavior changes behavior. (see PMG page 19, je pense I think.)

We recontacted an ancien ami this week too. Her name is Therese, and she is incredible! She has so much faith! She is Wallisien and Catholic and we had a fantastic first lesson with her! We invited her to be baptised and she said yes. The problem is going to be finding a way to gete her to church, because she has a mari husband and 6 enfants children. And no car. And all the members are full up. But I know that we'll find a way!

And we've been working on the musical fireside as always, which has been fun. I didn't think that :"This is the Christ" was gonna be possible at first, but now it's looking better. And the cello guy hasn't called me, so I'm hoping to at least touch a violin this week, cause I gotta start learning that if it's gonna be on violin. I'm really excited for this. It's a little stressful, but I'm praying and we're working hard so that everything will hopefully come together. There's not much time left. 

I love you family! Thank you for your love and prayers and support! I need addresses for Laura Bizull Gladson and Kalei if I could get those for next week. Love you! This work is the work of salvation! So do it! It will be the best blessing that you have in your lives. I promise!

L'evangile est vraie!

Love, Soeur Santos

October 13, 2013

guess what I saw this week...

A REAL LIFE CELLO. But, I didn't touch it. But I was 2 feet away from one. And I was wayyyy too excited. I was completely derailed. I think Heavenly Father knew that I needed to go somewhere thousands of miles away from cellos so that I didn't get distracted... Anyways, here's the story, vite fait Quickly. So, Soeur Beagles and I walked into the conservatory last Monday afternoon and the person at the front desk asked what we were doing there. I explained that I wanted to see if I could somehow get my hands on a cello. She said she didn't know, but she would take me to the cello professor to see if he could help me. (This was all happening in French by the way, which somehow made it all that more hilarious. I'm a crazy person...) So, she takes me to the professor, who by the way, is the professor for cello, bass, and french horn. haha. sans blague no kidding. I bet he's heard of Dale Clevenger. So, I asked him the same question, if I could rent a cello, or just have one for a couple days, and he said that there are no rentals, but that sometimes, the students take off of France to faire leurs etudes do their studies. so, he said, "Je ne promets rien I can not promise anything." But he's gonna see what he can do and then call me back. Oh, but. When we were having this conversation, a student came in, probs early teens, and starts UNPACKING. And that's when I started staring and drooling. awkward, I know. But I couldn't help it. I was finishing my conversation with the professor as the kid was unpacking, and I was trying to figure out whether to flying football tackle the kid or not, but then I thought about the cello... So I decided against it and peacefully left the room with Soeur Beagles, and then started hyperventilating when we got outside. Like I said, Heavenly Father knows best. Ca c'est clair It is clear. So yah, we'll see what happens... Hopefully he calls. 

Anyways, it was a good week. I refocused again, luckily, before we started teaching lessons again that night, so I was just distracted during p-day. haha. GENERAL CONFERENCE!! It was incredible. We watched it this weekend and it was everything I needed and I got all the responses and how I can do better and be better, right here and after the mission. So it was a miracle, comme d'hab as usual. If you wanna send an English Ensign again just in the next box or big envelope that gets sent, that would be amazing! Merci!! I had a couple faves, but I always REALLY like the talks that the Sunday School Presidency give. I dunno if it's because they're about teaching, or what, but I think that's where the most inspiration came, which was cool.

Something that I'm trying to learn to like being here in the field is agency. I know. It's bad, cause that's Satan's plan, but sometimes, I just wish that people would do what they say they're going to do and come to church! We went and tried to stop by a few houses Sunday morning to get our amis to come, but no one was there and no one was answering their phones. It was annoying. And I got frustrated. And the agency of comps is hard to deal with too at times, but I've been thinking about it for a while now, and it really is something that is soooo important. Something that a war was fought over before we even got here, and I need to learn to love it and be grateful for it. 

Also, Soeur Lamb and I did an exchange this week. I love her! And MACDO (after looking at the pictures apparently this in Pono-speak for Mcdonald's) in Paita opened. hence the pics. We went after general conference Saturday night. Also, I straightened my hair this week for the first and last time here... Someone called it fluffy.

Other than that! I LOVE these people and this work!! I'm sooo happy to be here and to be a missionary when the focus of the entire church is MISSIONARY WORK! It's incredible!! Also, We invited all the members we eat with this week to pray about and invite a family or a friend over in the next month, so I'm hoping that with that and the general conference messages, they'll be inspired! Oh. Also, there was no Soeurs for 2 years announcement this conference... So I guess I'll see you all in March.

Well, I LOVE YOU ALL!!! Be missionaries! Do what the prophet has called us to do!! It's amazing! And you will have more joy than ever before in assisting in this work! That, I can promise, heart and soul! Thank you for the prayers! You are in mine as well!!

L'evangile est vraie!!

Love, Soeur Santos

October 6, 2013

taped.

So I've got this joke with the zone leaders that I'm staying in Paita foreverrrr cause in the mission office in Magenta I'm taped to the white board under Paita. Everyone else has a magnet. hah. And!! I've got one more transfer in this place!! Or maybe more if Heavenly Father wants :] But I might move after this one, cause that'll make 10 1/2 months that I'm here :] J'aime biennnn!! I like!

Ma chere famille,

So someone tell me... I heard a lot about missionary work and general conference, but no one made the soeurs can stay for two years announcement this one?! (Oh. And funny story about this... I didn't say anything about this to President, but last week in reply to my email said, "I wish sisters could serve for two years, but the Lord knows best." me too President, me too...) That was my last chance... mince. Mais bon. Pas grave. Thin. But good. Not serious (I know that doesn't make sense but I'm just google translating...). We're watching conference this next weekend and I'm STOKED. 

This week was good!! Still working lots with members and the work is rolling forth, and I'm excited for the members here to watch conference and get all fired up about this amazing work!! It's incredible!! This week, Soeur Beagles and I found a man named Nathan, apparently his wife talked to the elders a while back and they've been to a few activites at the chapel, so that's why he let us in. But we had a good first lesson and he's curious, so I'm excited! Cause you know what they say about curiosity.

Other than that, we're really starting to work with the members for the musical and theatrical fireside that we're doing, which is fun. I some how ended up being choir director, which is mildy terrifying. It's making me wish that I took choral conducting from Sister Hall before my mission. But hopefully it'll be ok. We're starting sectionals this Thursday, cause one of the pieces we're doing, "This is the Christ" is a little complicated. But hopefully it'll come together. I love music! And missionary work! I've decided that I wanna come back here with my cello in the future and do missionary concerts all over the place. But I have to save up for that...

Anyways! I'm outta time, but! I love you all! Thanks for your wonderful examples for me! You are the best! Have a good week! You are in my prayers! 

L'evangile est vraie!

Love, Soeur Santos

September 29, 2013

désolée... sorry

Ay bonjour!! Ça fait longtemps. Désolée.Hello! Long time. Sorry We actually ran outta time last p-day cause we had a lesson and had to cut it an hour short. And we were driving the Elders of Tontouta around and we were in ville in the morning, but than we came back to chez nous home to do email in Dumbea, but it was closed... And we still had the elders to take chez eux home, so we didn't have time to redescend into ville.return to town So yah. Sorry. Hopefully that won't happen again. And luckily Soeur Beagles was chill about it too. But we were both thinking about our mothers. hah. Cause we were discussing, and we were just talking about how we hoped our mothers would be ok for the week. But! I'm back!

So, family. Basically, I know that I should want Heavenly Father's will to be done. but I need one more transfer in Paita. Just one more. Things are starting to ROLL here and I feel like I'm starting to really figure it out, and I LOVE these people. I mean, I know that I love the people everywhere, but the missionary work with the missionaries and the members and everything is going and it is SOOO EXCITING to see. I cannot even explain it. I'm sooo happy!! This is the last week in the transfer though, and I'm scared since I've been here for 9 months... Mais on verra. But we'll see

Also, GUESS WHAT. There ARE cellos on this island. Cause there is a music conservatory en ville in town and I was talking to Soeur Guidi and she was talking about how there are cellists here that go there. So, Soeur Beagles and I went to go try and talk to someone today and see if we could track one down, a cellist or a cello, but there was no one there, cause it's only open in the afternoon on Mondays, so we might try and go again next week. But yah. I'm still trying to figure out what to ask, cause it's kinda weird to just walk in there and ask for a cello... Mais bon. but good...I think it's supposed to be the French equivalent of oh well We'll see what happens. I mostly want it cause we're planning a super cool musical fireside to invite everyone and their dog to in about a month, and it's gonna be sweet. I'm stoked. Oh. Also, Pup and Elise, I totes thought of you. We were planning for it this week, with the Elders of Tontouta, and one of them, the district leader, Elder Mackay, (who Pup was in the MTC with) is a theatre major. haha. So, he had the bright idea of doing Bible scenes with Jesus in between some of the musical numbers. I thought of both of you immediately. But yah. IT's gonna be sweet. Which is another reason that I hope I have 6 more weeks here. 

As far as the work, we are working with some awesome people. One of them is actually an 11 year old boy, who is superrr smart, but cannot sit still to save his life. hah. So that makes lessons interesting. And short. Which is good. But! Him and his mom want to get baptized. The mom is super occupied though right now, cause she works everyday, so we are just working with him right now. He's great though. 

Soeur Beagles and I set the goal to teach all of our lessons with members this week. This may not happen if we have some port a port time where they want us to teach them right there, but we're gonna try our hardest. CAuse the members are getting stoked about it, the chapel of Tontouta is exploding, and I love itttttt!

Other than that, pics!

1.) So remember how I used to love sofeging the hymns? the new love of my life, conjugating french verbs. (Bonus points for whoever can name the tense.)

2.) Tartes aux fraises. TROP BON.Strawberry pies. TOO GOOD!

3.) We had a porte ouverte open door at the chapel of Magenta the week before last. The Soeurs of Dumbea, Paita, and Mont Dore.

Anyways, this work is incredible! Mosiah 28:3. And its nessicary for all of us!! It is a work of Salvation and we are all apart of it!! Work with the missionaries! Open your mouths! Have the faith to do that much and the Lord will give you the words. I love you all!!

L'evangile est vraie!!

Love, Soeur Santos