March 3, 2013

patience is a virtue...

Malheureusement, Je n'ai aucune.Unfortunately, I don't have any. But, I'm working on it. I fasted for it yesterday and It's my Christ-like attribute for the week. So I'll let you know how it goes. Patience with others, but also patience with myself. It's so hard! But, like all things. It is fo sho do-able with the Lord's help. Ça je sais.That I know.

Ma chère famille!!My dear family!

Combien je vous aime!! Je vous remercie pour vos prières constantes! J’espère que vous savez que vous êtes dans les miennes aussi!How much I love you!  Thank you for your constant prayers!  I hope that you know that you are in mine as well!

This last week has been quite incredible. I am humbled and happy to be here in New Caledonia preaching la vérité a tout le monde!the truth to everyone/all the world!  Even though sometimes I wonder why He trusts me, a 21 year old girl that doesn't know a whole lot, to bring the word of God to His children. But then I remember that Heavenly Father works simply. He always has and He always will. When Jesus Christ was born on this earth, He was not born in a castle, but rather, in a stable, in a manger of hay. The King of Kings came to this earth so humblement humbly.. And it was the same with Joseph Smith, the prophet of this last dispensation. He was a mere 14 year old boy when he prayed a simple prayer of faith to know the truth for himself. And there are many other examples in the line of this gospel all the way down to me, Soeur Santos. A simple 21 year old servant of the Lord, who isn't the greatest teacher and who doesn't know much french, but who is here to serve the Lord. And what a wonderful and amazing experience! I am so happy to be here. And heureusement,fortunately this work does not depend on what I can do by myself. It depends on the Spirit. And being humble enough to trust and do what the Lord would have me do. Jacob 5:72. I only have it in french right now, so look it up, but basically, the Lord is working right next to me in this work! And how grateful I am for that fact. Because I know that I could not do it alone. But! I can do it. Because He is here with me. Working right alongside me. 

This week has been great in that we have been inspired to work with the members and we have started, REALLY started to do so. Oh p.s., I'm still in Paita. hah. I was supposed to have my bags in the car and be demenaging aujourd'hui,moving today, but change of plans, again. I'll be here for AT LEAST another week. Next week is transfer week though, so hopefully they'll get it all figured out by then. On verra.We'll see Anyways, we had ZTC this week. Zone training counsel. And it was ep! I loved it. We had two fantastic formations on 1. How we can better find people to teach, and 2. How we can fortify and work with the MEMBERS. Inspiration! I loved it. I took lots of notes and more than that, tried to put into practice the things I took notes on. So this week, we placed Livres. But not only with our amis. We also gave Livres(Livres de Mormon= Books of Mormon) to the members! To give to their amis. Our youth in our ward, who are the FUTURE mishs! And our Converti Recents! Armed and dangerous! It's great. And we're gonna start it in the ward. I think we gave 4 or 5 out to members this week, so we're gonna have them report back and just continue! This work is too big for JUST the mishs. So we're reaching outward! Pulling out the big guns! Ah it's so exciting! I can't explain. But en gros,(used contextually here, "in general") it's great. And I'm happy, and the work is seriously starting to roll forward here in Paita! Le meilleur! The best!

Funny story of the week... We were having a lesson with our ami, Aimée. And she's a bit older, but we were reading 1 Nephi 4, where Nephi is commanded to kill Laban, and we asked her something like, "So why do you think Nephi was commanded to kill Laban?" And she responded, "Cause he was drinking..." Bahah. And she was like dead serious too. I lost it. Someone had to kick me under the table I was laughing super hard. Yahhh, I'm still 5. But I'm working on that too. 

Other than that, there's a cross above Paita and we hiked up to that this week! It was great! You can see all of Paita from the top. There's also a cathedral in Paita that I want to go to, but my collegues (companions/fellow missionaries) think that's weird... So I dunno. We may not go. Also, I got a lei at church yesterday! Cause everyone thinks I'm leaving. hah. Awk. But it's ok. I know I'm supposed to be here til I leave. All in the Lord's timing. 

INVITATION: Ha. I wanted to be like Pup. But for this week! Something that has greatly improved my scripture study for this last week. I know people say this all the time, but had a pen in hand and a journal/paper by your side when you are studying your scriptures. It's amazing what the Spirit will whisper to you when you show Him that you want to learn. I write down questions and the answers will come sometimes before I'm even done with the study. It's INCREDIBLE. So do it! And lemme know how it goes. I am now a believer. Didn't used to be. But it's real! 

Anyways, I love you so much! Thank you for your prayers and penseesthoughts and all that you do for me! Sachez que vous etes dans mes prieres aussi! Je vous aime tellement! Know that you are in my prayers also!  I love you all so much!

L'evangile est vrai!

Love, Soeur Santos