March 16, 2014

The things of which I know.

Ma chere famille,

Well, here it is, the big finale. Which will probably not actually be a big finale, cause all I really want to do this week is rendre mon humble temoignage. bear my humble testimony I think President Hinckley gave a talk at conference that was entitled this. But I would just like to add my testimony to his and the things that he said in his talk. 

Ma chere famille, I love this work, and after 18 months of doing this work, I can truly testify that it is absolutely the work of salvation. The work for OUR salvation as well as our freres and soeurs. Cause wow. Doing this work changes everything. Your heart, your mind, your very insides. And it is incredible. And I will be a missionary for the rest of my life. Because I know that the Lord blesses His missionaries and their families. I know that Heavenly Father lives, and that He loves and knows us, not in a superficial, only knows our name kind of way, but in a very real and incredible way. He knows what's best for us. And He wants what is best for us. We are His children! How wonderful a truth! After being here and serving Him with all my heart, might, mind, and strength during this very short time, I have come to understand more profoundly the importance of this eternal truth. It means that we are eternal and that we have a grand potential. I know that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God, and our Savoir. And, I know that thanks to His Atonement we can really repent and be cleansed and healed spiritually. But, that is not all that the Atonement does for us. We sometimes forget about its enabling power. We can do ALL THINGS with the Lord and His Atonement. I KNOW that this is true. We can love that person that we think is impossible to love, and we can forgive our enemy. Because of the Lord and the power of His infinite Atonement. I love this gospel, which was restored by Joseph Smith the prophet. And I love the Book of Mormon and the Bible, which teach us how to become as the Lord is. I know that as we study them and try to apply and plead with the Lord to help us apply these teachings He will help us. I know that the Lord is and will be at our sides and that He will never leave us. It is us that need to decide to stay at His side and to never leave Him. Oh how I love this work! Oh how I love these people of New Caledonia! My brothers and my sisters. They are precious to me. And I will be eternally grateful for this precious time that the Lord has given me to love and to serve his children and to really forget myself. 

I'm outta time. But! I love you all. And I will probs not email next week, cause we're dropping off Soeur Tupai at the airport. But! I will see you all in a week. I love you!

L'evangile est vraie!!

Love, Soeur Santos

March 9, 2014

at peace.

Ma chere famille!

Combien je vous aime! Ok, so just a warning. I just wrote President during more than 45 mins of internet time... So there's not a lot of time that rests. Luckily! I'm gonna see you all in two weeks, so it's ok if this ones a little on the shorter side. 

Anyways! This week flew by, faster than the last week even. And! President and Soeur Brewer came to eat lunch with Soeur Tupai, Soeur Teahe, Soeur LAmb, and I to say goodbye and we had our parting interviews and blessings. Sooo weird. And sad. I am going to miss President and Soeur Brewer, cause they are THE BEST! I know that President Brewer was called of God to lead and direct this mission. And he may be short in stature, but he is a giant of a spirit. I am privlidged to have worked with him during these last 18 months. 

The interview and blessing that he gave me were my favorite. More detes on that later. Like maybs when I see you all face to face, cause there's no time. But! The big difference between this email and the last one that I am no longer FREAKING OUT to come home. I'm ready. And not in a, I'm peacing out for the rest of the time that I have here, I'm gonna give all that I got to the end! But, I'm ready to come home. And I'm even excited about it. That was the big thing that changed with being with President and hearing his councel and my blessing. I feel at peace. I feel good. I know that my time is almost done and I know that it's good. And I'm happy.

Anyways, I love you all! That's it for this week! Thank you for all your love and support! And I will see you all in a couple weeks!

pics.

the gang!! with President and Soeur Brewer,

me with President and Soeur Brewer.

And we did an exchange with the soeurs of Magenta. (Me and all the Tahitian soeurs in the mission. And I've served with all of them.) DUCK FACE bien sur. 

JE VOUS AIME MA FAMILLE!! A bientot.I LOVE MY FAMILY! A soon.

L'evangile est vraie!

Love, Soeur Santos

March 3, 2014

prie pour Yvonne!!

Ma chere famille,

I am sooooo happy to be here in New Cal and to be a missionary for the Lord and His church. Qu'est ce que j'aime cette oeuvre, et mes freres et soeurs ici en Caledonie! Ils vont me manquer plus que je peux dire. Anyways, I'm gonna miss speaking french too, cause, "c'est la langue de mon coeur." Well, that and franglais. Soeur Tupai and I are grave. She speaks english like a champ, so we always swing in and out of french and english. haha. J'aime biennn.

Anyways! Famille, not much to raconte this week, cause Soeur Tupai and I were in the house all day Tuesday-Saturday cause she was malade. But! It was still a good week. We got to talk a lot, I tried to take care of her, and I read lots. It was good. But it's nice to be out and about again! hah. It's funny though. We're a little rusty. We realized it on Sunday when we taught again, after not teaching since Monday night. It's all coming back though, slowly but surely!

And!! One of the best things about this last week was that we had a lesson last night with Yvonne, one of our amis! And I've been teaching her since the beginning, december of 2012, when I got to Paita, cause she lives in Dumbea and Dumbea used to be a secteur for elders, so the Soeurs of Paita taught her until they put soeurs here about 6 months ago. Anyways, she's great. FANTASTIC, actually. And she does everything. She reads her scriptures everyday, prays, goes to church, etc. But she's not baptized yet. It's hard to explain... I've been analyzing for a year plus now, but! last lesson a week ago, we invited her to pray for a date, and she did! And the date is the 19 of mars. And that would be the BEST parting gift EVER. Because she is so ready and wonderful!! And I would love nothing more, because I know that she will be so blessed! Even more blessed than she is right now for all the things that she's doing. So yah. Soeur Tupai and I are STOKED. But we are going to be praying and fasting like crazy people jusqu'a la fin, for her specially. So, please pray for her that all will go well. 

Anyways. Miracles! Miracles are happening. And faith procedes the miracle, ALWAYS! Isn't it incredible that God is a God of miracles! I love it. And I know that it's true!! And I'm so happy!!

Also, mince, shout outs, really fast. I'm sorry everyone. I've given up on letter writing these last 2 transfers... And this one too. But! I just wanted to say thank you to Sister Larsen and J-dawg for the packages!! So kind! And the chocolate was delish, Sister Olson, Angie Cluff, Laura, Mai, Megan, and everyone else that has written letters to me lately. Des. I've been a slacker. But! I'll see you all soon! And thank you for your love and support!!

I LOVE this gospel!! It is the Lords. And I'm so happy and blessed to share it with all around me! I love you all! Open your mouths and they will be filled! 

I love you all!

L'evangile est vraie!

Love, Soeur Santos

February 23, 2014

a rolling snowball.

I've been thinking of an analogy for the mission and what I can compare it with, and I think this is the winner. You know how when you start a snowball rolling at the top of a large hill and it starts out small and it starts rolling slowly, and after a bit of time it gets bigger and starts picking up speed like a crazy? That's it. And that's how it feels. The weeks are going by faster and faster. And they were already flying. But it's good. Kicking it to the end!

Ma chere famille!

I am so happy to be a serviteur et représentant de Jesus-Christ. representative and servant of Jesus Christ I love being a missionary. I love the people of New Caledonia, and I love this country. I was just talking to Soeur Tupai this morning, and it really feels like chez moi home. That'll be so weird to come home again, because this is my pays. And these are my people. And I LOVE THEM SOOO MUCH!!  I have learned so much from loving them and serving them and they will always be in my heart.

This week was incredible! Elder Andersen came to visit us and it was unlike anything I have ever experienced in my life. It was sooo weird. that is the closest that I have ever been to a disciple except when President Uchtdorf came to see us play Ein Heldenleben at BYU, but this was different, because he stayed with us and talked to us for a few hours, just us the mishs! And it was POWER, quoi. Incredible! I took lots of notes. And I'll try to share them with you later, cause well, I have about 5 mins left before we gotta bounce. But! en gros, he talked about miracles! And faith. One of my favorite quotes, "There are miracles where ever there is faith." Chyeah. And he told this incredible story about a miracle that occured when he was mission president in France. And he talked about fixing goals! And now Soeur Tupai and I are on a crazy goal fixing kick, and it's super fun! We're trying to nous depasse as much as possible until the end! And it's fun :]

And one other story that I wanted to share with you all and all the members that are reading this. So, Soeur Tupai and I were doing porte a porte a few weeks ago, and we talked to an uncle with two kids, named Ashley and Cedric. So, we talked for a bit, but we said that we were going to come back to talk to the parents. Well, it took a while for us to get back there, but we got to talk to the mom of these two kids last week. They are Wallisien, and the dad and the mom both know a member who lives at Koutio. And this lady, named Anna is like HYPER prepared. Like, Soeur Tupai and I were completely stoked to be talking to her, because she is incredible and she wants to learn more about Jesus Christ and His gospel. But, she talked about this member friend of theirs, and she said, "On dirait il voulait pas parler de son eglise quand on a parle avec lui." Translation, "It seemed like he never wanted to talk about his beliefs to us..." Even though she is INCREDIBLY prepared and wants to learn more. This killed me. And J'ai beaucoup reflechi, et je me suis posee la question I pondered a lot and asked myself the question, has anyone of my friends ever thought this of me? That I was ashamed of or that I didn't want to share what I believed? I've thought about what Anna has said this entire week, and I just wanted to invite everyone that is reading this, to OPEN YOUR MOUTH!!! Because this is too important to doubt, to fear. This is salvation on the line. And! We never know what could happen. Maybe that neighbor that you have is suffering and needs the healing power that the gospel and the Atonement of Christ brings. We don't know. So we need to talk. Yes, there will be people that say no. So what? That doesn't change our testimony. We did our job. And they cannot come to us on the other side of the veil and ask why we didn't share this wonderful news with them. So do it! And I will too. Even after I'm releved. 

I love you all soooo much my family and friends who are praying for me! I feel of your support and your love. You are incredible. And you are my heroes. You are in my prayers. And I pray that you will have the faith needed to open your mouths! The joy that comes is UNCOMPARABLE. I'm SOOO HAPPY!!! I love this work. And I love you all!

L'evangile est vraie!

Love, Soeur Santos

pics: 

1. Soeur Seamons and I en echange on exchange.

2. Soeur Tupai and I a la plage encore on the beach again.

3. And our sweet artistic mish pic. La blague, I only spent one transfer of my mission a pied. walking

February 16, 2014

a quatre. four

pics.

1.) Danny et Rosita. They are the best!! And they live at Dumbea s/ mer, so we saw them for the last time this week before our secteur split.

2.) Duck face! And the sunset in the background.

3.) Me, Soeur Frost (nouvelle news), and Soeur Tupai after we picked Soeur Frost up from the airport on Saturday.

Ma chere famille!!

Sooo, I'm assuming that you got the travel plans, cause Soeur Call said that she sent them to my parents and my stake president. So, I'll see you all on March 25th! But, there is still a lot of time left before the end! So that's all that I'm gonna say about that for the moment.

Thank you family for your love and support!! I hope that you are all doing so well! I love you and I pray for you.

This week was good! It was our last half week where we covered both sides of Dumbea, but Soeur Frost got here on Satirday and she and Soeur Raney, her trainer moved in to the apt on Saturday. So we're all together in the apt now until our house on the other side of Dumbea is ready. But it's going pretty well actually. Soeur Tupai and I moved everything into a room, our beds, desks, and we just stay there when we are home, but we're not home a lot, so it works out great!

Soeur Frost, the new soeur is great! She's a converi recent, and she's a music major at a university in Missouri! She plays the violin, so I've been having fun geeking out and asking her what pieces she played last personally and in orchestra and all that. I still have no friends... Mais bon. Oh well

And, Soeur Tupai and I are working on the super pretty pride and prejudice side (that's what it reminds me of) of Dumbea. Which is fun! This week the key word is FINDING. Which we're stoked about because we know that the Lord has prepared people for us to teach! Just like Elder Andersen said in his general conference talk of April. Something like, "As the Lord has called more missionaries to serve His children on the earth, He is also preparing more hearts of His children to hear and accept this wonderful message!" I know this to be true. Which is why Soeur Tupai and I are stoked to find this week. 

Tomorrow Elder Neil L. Andersen is coming, and we are sooo excited! We invited all our amis and all the people that we've talked to, so that will be fantastic! And we are really excited.

It's time to go. Sorry. I spent too much time looking at travel info... Mais! I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH! And I am so proud to be part of your family! Thank you so much for your love and your support and also for praying for and looking for opportunities to share this gospel with those around you! Because that is how you will find and experience a joy that you have never ever had before! Pup can testify of that for me. I love you family! You are in my prayers!

L'evangile est vraie!!

Love, Soeur Santos

February 10, 2014

davantage!! Furthur/More

Ma chere famille,

The subject line is Soeur Tupai and my theme for this week. That was the question that we posed all week long. Comment est-ce qu'on peut faire DAVANTAGE? How can we do MORE? And we worked all week trying to step it up. That's something that I love about being here! Always striving to improve, to be better. It's the besttt. 

Sooo, Soeur Tupai and I are staying together for our last transfer!! And we're still STLs, the only thing that's changing is that Dumbea is being split. So there will be an equipe of soeurs at Dumbea sur mer, (where we live now,) and we're gonna move back to Dumbea l'autre cote. So that'll be fun. We don'e know exactly when that's gonna be though, so we'll see. We think that we're gonna be living 4 to the apt where we are now for a couple weeks until they find us a house. And we're not exactly the priority either, because sooo many changes are happening it's crazy! They opened Bourail and La Foa, up North, so we have to find houses for them as well. and there are two Elders and one Soeur that will be getting here at the end of this week. They also changed up the districts a little bit, so Soeur Tupai and I will be moving districts. But it's all good. I'm pretty excited about it actually, cause as President says, "the church moves forward on change." 

This week was good. We had lots of good lessons and did lots of finding. And one of the women that we found is named Anna. She lived in France before, but she comes from Camaroon, (is that a country in africa?) And she speaks ENGLISH! That's actually her native tongue, so Soeur Tupai and I taught the lesson in English, which was fun. It actually made me kinda excited because I know that that's the language I'll be sharing the gospel in after the mission. But yah, she is fantastic, and her faith is so big! She has two adorable children, and her husband does not believe, so she prays for him and tries to set the example for him. 

Also, we had pas mal d'ami that came to the chapel this week and that was so great! Nothing makes a missionary more happy than when an ami comes to church. It's the best! And We took a picture with some of them, but it's on Soeur Tupai's camera, so I'll have to get that later. 

Anyways, I'm outta time for this week. It rained buckets this week, I think we're on our fourth depression or something. Dumbea flooded. And we had to push back our exchange. but it's been good! And it hasn't killed our fire.

I LOVE you all sooo much! This work is magnificant. I'm so happy to be a missionary and to serve the Lord with all my heart, might, mind, and soul! I pray for you all! and thanks for your prayers!!

L'evangile est vraie!

Love, Soeur Santos

February 3, 2014

the prophet's call!

Ma chere famille! 

Turns out that Pup and I are on the same transfer schedule. That's weird. So yah. The last missionaries to leave before the four of us at the end of next transfer leave this Sunday for Tahiti. Weirddd. Also, funny story of the week. When I served with Soeur Beagles, I made her three awesome planners. And I always joked with her that I wanted her to make me my last planner in the field. She gave it to me this morning, and it is hilarious. It has her and my face on front, just her on the inside, and a picture of our coin de feu fireside choir on the back. She's a crazy. I'll try and take pictures with it to send next week. 

Anyways! This week was incredible! We did a lot of work with members this week, and that always goes well. We had two soirees with members and our amis this week, and that was sooo good! The first one, we had at a members house and we invited our amis, Danny and Rosita. We left after an hour, but they ended up staying until 11pm. So that went well. Also, the BEST soiree familiale of my mission was this weekend, with the family Li-Khau, a different famille Li-Khau than that of Paita, it's his brother Anyways, He's inactive, and his wife and children are not members yet, but they are incredible. We are hoping to be able to teach them soon. But, they invited us over for a soiree familiale, as well as two families than they are friends with and some of their family that live up north. And it was incredible! We had sooo many referals at the end of the night. And my testimony of the importance of members in this work grew encore. 

Soeur Tupai and I were AMAZED. We were discussing afterwards, and these were our thoughts. The people that live here know the members already. They know and love and trust them. And the atmosphere of being in their home with us is the perfect atmosphere for the Spirit to come and testify that the gospel is true. When we go door to door, it's just not as good of an opportunity. They don't know us and usually they don't want to have the time to talk, even if we smile a lot. But it's just infinitely better if there are members to help them along, to testify and to answer questions. It was INCREDIBLE. I love this work! And as much as I'd love to be a missionary for the rest of my life, I'm not as sad thinking about the end anymore, because I realize that it's not the end. 

Also, where I'm serving right now, Dumbea, is sooo beautiful. I can't get over it. We've been having depressions here, (I think that's a cyclone term...) But basically that just means it rains a lot. And it's so green here and it makes me think of home. You might be able to see a little bit in the pictures that I sent, but it's so green! I love it. See pics. This was our adventure of the week. Mt. Koghi.

I AM SOOO HAPPY TO BE A MISSIONARY. Soeur Tupai and I are working so hard and it's so much fun. I love these people. They are incredible. And I can't wait to tell you more about them. And this work of course, what JOY! I have never been happier. I know I smiled a lot before, mais franchement, rien a voir but frankly, nothing compared  with now. 

I love you family! Read the prophet's words at the beginning of this last conference, and get inspired. Also, Alma 19 and 20 in the LdM. Member missionary work. And the success that they had! It's incredible. I know that that kind of success exists, but only when we work together. 

Know that you are in my prayers! And that I pray for you to have occasions to share this wonderful message! I LOVE YOU ALL!! Thank you for your prayers for me!

L'evangile est vraie!

Love, Soeur Santos

That's Dumbea behind us!! also, I'm super blanche... And also, the third picture was a failed attempt at a timer jumping picture... But I like it. ha.

January 26, 2014

guess who's coming to New Cal?!

Ma chere famille,

This week was another good week full of miracles. I really gotta work on the journal writing... There's so little time, but it's super important. So I'm gonna try and get caught up on that today.

Anyways, President Guidi announced it to the public hier, so I'm allowed to say that Elder Neil A. Andersen is coming to NEW CAL February the 18th!! And I'm STOKED. He's gonna talk to us the missionaries in the morning, and then he's gonna give a fireside at night for all the people of New Caledonia!! So that'll be our job, to invite everyone and their dog to come. I'm sooo excited! And the best part is that he's gonna speak in French! Which is super exciting. I'm reading every Elder Andersen talk that I can get my hands on in preparation. But if you want a super fantastic discours to read, October General Conference, his second discours that he gave as a 12. It's about Repentance, and it's incredible!

This week, the miracle that I wanted to share happened this Tuesday. It was a lesson that we had with a woman named Patricia. We actaully heard about her from one of the amis of another secteur. So that was awesome. Anyways, it was a testimony of what Elder Andersen said in the general conference of April 2013 (I've found someone to replace Dale Clevenger... you should see my desk. All the ensigns and liahona's are opened to the page with his discours stacked on my desk. Yikes.) As the Lord as called several more missionaries in the world to do this work, He has also prepared the hearts of many more people to recieve this grand message! And It's true! Anyways, we had our first lesson with her, and she said the prayer at the end. She was talking about how she wanted peace in her life during the lesson. And we got to testify that this gospel is the way to find this peace that she is looking for. And after she said the closing prayer, she cried and cried. It was incredible! The spirit melted her heart, and I felt so happy and blessed to be there and to know that the Lord used Soeur Tupai and I as instruments in His hands to help the spirit talk to Patricia, spirit to spirit.

I'm out of time. But I testify of the joy and the peace that doing this work brings! Badge or no badge, we are all missionaries, and we can all receive the blessings of doing this work of salvation! I love this work. I am so happy! And I LOVE being a missionary, a servant and a representative of the Lord. Keep opening your mouths, and keep praying to have these occasions! They will come! I promise.

I love you all! You are in my prayers, always, and thank you for your love and support!

L'evangile est vraie!

Love, Soeur Santos

January 12, 2014

a district 2 miracle!

Ma chere famille! I love you and I love this work! And I love waking up and putting on my plaque and helping people come unto Christ! It's the best!

This week was kinda a roller coaster. But I just wanted to share a miracle that happened with one of our amies. Her name is Rosita and she is incredible! Anyways, we were over at her house, she's married to a membre inactif, Danny. But we were over at their house teaching a lesson on faith, and she broke out a story and racconted that her one of her big problems has always been the Word of Wisdom. But, ever since we've come and she's started to read her scriptures again, every time that she smokes, she can't even finish the cigarette! She gets sick halfway through and has to go brush her teeth. It's like the miracle with Ming in the district 2! hah. Every missionary will know what I'm talking about. But it's incredible! The Lord works miracles selon notre foi! And I know that this is true! And I feel so blessed to be able to play even this small part in helping my brothers and sisters come unto Him!

Anyways, I don't have a lot of time, but this week was another week of miracles! Soeur Tupai and I are starting to teach FAMILIES! Which is sooo exciting! Because this gospel is for the family. hah. And actually, one of the families that we're teaching is the son and daughter in law of one of the people that I taught when I was in Paita. It was funny, cause Soeur Tupai and I were doing porte a porte, and the daughter in law of Marie came to the door, but I didn't actually really recognize her until she said, "David, c'est les missionnaires qui va chez ta mere it is the missionaries who goes to your mother!!" hah. It was awesome! And we had a really good lesson with both of them this week and we're going back tomorrow!

Other than that, we're in full swing for zone conference! That's this week this Thursday. My last! Soeur Tupai and I are diriging and we also getta rendre our temoignages bear our testimonies since it's the last. So that'll be fun. And we getta give a formation from la bible blanche. So that'll be fun. I'm excited.

Anyways, I gotta bounce, but I hope that you are all doing good! Pray to have opporunities to open your mouths! Cause they're all over the place! I love you all! And you are all in my prayers!

L'evangile est vraie!

Love, Soeur Santos

January 5, 2014

2014!

WHAT IS HAPPENING?

Ma chere famille, My dear family

Combien je vous aime How I love you!! I am so grateful for your love and support! Thank you for your emails and letters! They are wonderful and I love hearing from you and seeing how you are doing!

Bonne Année et Meilleurs Vœux tout le monde Happy New Year and Best Wishes everyone! That's what everyone says here for New Years. It's fun. Soeur Tupai and I kicked the year off by working harder than ever before. haha We're finishing together at the end of mars, and we may just run each other into the ground. We are working super hard and having a blast. I LOVE IT. I've never been happier. Or more productive, and it's fantastic!

Right now, we're working on planning for zone conference which is the week after this one. The last zone conference of them all, where we getta eat with President and bear our testimonies and the perk is that Soeur Tupai and I are organizing it and directing. So that'll be fun. I'm pretty stoked about it. 

I was thinking about what I wanted to share about this week, and actually, this week is about the members. Cause in New Cal right now there are not very many members. We combined actually the two wards at the chapel of Riviere Salee, Riv Sal and Ducos because everyone tal toul-ed to the temple!! 

I'll explain. There is not a temple in New Cal yet, and because it's an island, it's not like you can just drive to the nearest one like you could chez nous at home. So, every year, the members save up year round to go to the temple in New Zealand or Tahiti. It's every January. It happened last year too, and that was the one time I did not eat well in Paita because no one was there. Anyways, this year is the record breaker. More than 300 members are in New Zealand right now going to the temple sun up jusqu'a sun down. Every day for the month that they are there. That is the definition of sacrifice to respect our covenants with the Lord. Oh how I LOVE these people! My heart is here because they have changed my life. They are my examples of faith and sacrifice and love for the Lord and they are incredible. And I will forever remember them when I get home. Especially as I go to the temple regularly. And I will go regularly. Because how blessed are we to have a temple 5 mins to less than half an hour away from our house? It's incredible. I love the temple! And I can't wait to go again. And often.

I love my mission. I love these people. I love this work. I love the Lord. I love His gospel. And I love becoming better. I have never been happier. I don't even know what to say! LOVE LOVE LOVE! I just want to work all the time and talk to everyone and use every precious second that rests. 

And I love you all too.. And Happy New Year to you all. May we fix goals and resolutions that will help us grow closer to him and that will help us put off the natural man! This gospel is true. It is the complete truth! And for that I am grateful. I feel pure joy in sharing it everyday. And I just love it! Well, I hope that you have a good week! You are in my prayers! Be missionaries! And read the LdM every day! That will help you open your mouths!

L'evangile est vraie!

Love, Soeur Santos

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.