August 25, 2013

goin' NORTH!!

Ma chere famille,

This week was soooo good. SO GOOD. I kinda needed to have this week. Cause I've been feeling a little bit blah because of auto ecole and only working part time and such. But!! yah. Great week. I'm so happppyyy!! I wanna be a missionary and stay here foreverrrr!! 

Anyways, Soeur Kailiponi and also Elder Decaires, I hope that you're both reading this... causeeeee....

I'M GOING TO BOURAILLLL!!!

this time it's only for this weekend... Hopefully next time will be the real deal. But I am SOOO STOKED. I can't even explain. It's kinda been my dream for awhile now, and its happening!! But yah, we're gonna drive up there Friday night, stay the night in Bourail and then go to Houailou all day Saturday, cause I guess theres a family in the branch that has lots of amis that they need to be taught. STOKED. And then we're staying the night in Bourail again Saturday night and then going to the branch of Bourail on Sunday. I am SO STOKED. I cannot exacly put into words how excited I am. But it'll be good.

Anyways, that's for next week. And I'll tell you all about it then. This week!

First of all, we had 3 lessons with a member this week!! And I LOVE them. Guys, lessons with a member, as a general rule, ALWAYS go better than lessons without. I am seriously a believer now. J'aime biennn! Literally I like! So go flying football tackle your nearest missionaries and ask when you can go out with them, for lessons or whatever. It's AMAZING. I love working with members.

Also this week, it was Soeur Lamb's birthday. And I did the 12 days of Christmas but with her birthday! So that was fun. haha. I gave her a little something every day of the week and Fridaywas the grand finale! We had pizza for lunch and I bought her 22 petit pots. (there like these little half cup servings of ice cream that she loves.) And I wrote 22 reasons I love her! haha. Soeur Beagles and Soeur Tupai set it up for me at Dumbea when we were driving home from auto ecole.I haven't done something that creative since I asked someone to a high school dance. hah. but it was fun. And she loved it! which was the goal... Cause usually she hates her birthday.

We also got to do some port a port this week, which was actually quite exciting. Cause I haven't done that in quite some time what with auto ecole and such. And I've finally found the secret to finding people like that. You just keep them talking. Because when you approach them, 95% of the time, they're already shaking their head no, but then you just keep them talking! And all the sudden, you have a return appointment. haha. it still doesn't work all the time, but it's nice! I love finding and talking to people!! It's exciting. 

Other than that, I'm doing great! Auto ecole is soooo close to being done, I can taste it!! I'm taking my test next Tuesday. Bah. Pray for me please!!

And happy birthday Maello!! I LOVE YOUUU! Have a good birthday!!

And welcome HOME Elizabeth Tingey!!! I love youuuu!!! I need your address! (if you're reading this.) Know that you are in my prayers!!

I love you family!! Thanks for your love and support! You are the best!! A la prochaine!! Literally "the next!"

L'evangile est vraie!!

Love, Soeur Santos

August 18, 2013

"jolie, ça!" It's Pretty!

Ma chère famille,

Ay Bonjour. Des for not sending any pics this week, I oublied forgot my cord... So yah. La semaine prochaine! Next week! 

Anyways, this week was exciting. Not as exciting as Pups-- I stayed on my little island. But! Soeur Lamb and I only had auto ecole school Wednesday!! And it was THE BEST. I have never been so happy in my life. hah. Mostly just to have the occasion to do mish work again for almost the entire week. It was very exciting! 

But yah, the subject line comes from Thursday, cause there was a sports/temple fundraiser thing for the pieu stake in Magenta, so we spent most of the day in the sun, running around like crazies! I got recruited for a soccer team, with Soeur Lamb, and Soeur Beagles and I created a volleyball team. It was fun! But yah, this is what people say here during sports when you do something good. hah. It was funny. Every time I passed the ball during soccer, "ay jolie ca!" It was funny. But yah, that was fun. I had a goal and an assist during soccer. And a pretty cool block in volleyball! Chyeah. Felt like the glory days, I'm just a lot more outta shape now, hah. 

And! we had lots of good lessons this week. One of the most exciting though was actually with an inactive member. He's been inactive for quite some time. And we've been reteaching him the lessons. So, we got to lesson 4 this week, les commandements, and we know he has a problem with la parole de sagesse the word of wisdom. 

So that's what we decided to start with. It's just the fact that he drinks coffee, every morning. And he's diminued now, but he still drinks it. But we talked about it with him and got to testify that this commandment is important and that God knows better than us, and he said that he's gonna live it again!! He's just gonna finish his boite box and after that, plus de café! This means more coffee but I assume she meant no more coffee. I'm stoked. It's exciting whenever anyone says that they're gonna live the word of wisdom!!

And, Soeur Lamb and I finally got our test date for le code!! It's the 3rd of September. So yah, lots of prayers please. Maybs even some fasting if you feel so inclined. And I'm gonna do the same. I just wanna be done. And be in my sector all the time!! With Soeur Beagles. But! I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, so it's exciting.

Well family, that's about it for this week! I love this work and I am sooo happy to be here, serving these people. I love them so much! And I don't know how to explain it, but this work is real. And it's sooo important. the longer that I'm here, the more I think I realize how real and how important it is. Like when we testify and the Spirit is there to bear witness to our amis, the words we're saying might as well be written in a history book-- cause they're TRUE!! And I will NEVER be able to deny that. I love you family! Read the Book of Mormon every day and you will want to do missionary work, and if you do that, and you will be happy. Happiness that cannot be put into words. I love you! Thanks for your constant letters and prayers and support. Sometimes I wonder how I'm not just unconcious from how tired I am, but then I remember that you all, and every church member and investigator in the world are praying for me, and then it makes sense. Love you!

L'evangile est vraie!!

Love, Soeur Santos

August 11, 2013

the flirt skirt!!

Ma chere famille,

Ay bonjour. The subject line's cause Soeur Kailiponi left me her flirt skirt and I LOVE it. I sadly, do not have a picture of it, maybs next week. But I wore it yesterday to church and I LOVE it.

So, this pic is my fro, it's still happy and a little too healthy, if you were wondering. hah. But it's alive and kicking, in case you were wondering.

This week. it was sad. but good. I cried like a CRAZY person during our little zone meeting cause Soeur Kailiponi got up and bore her goodye testimony. And then I kinda cried on and off from then, all the way home. Poor Soeur Beagles didn't exactly know what to do with me. hah. She didn't know me pre mish.

But yah, this week was good, for drivers ed. Soeur Lamb and I did pretty good Thursday, we only missed 5 out of like 330. And Friday wasn't too bad either. It's cause we decided that we're team testing it until we take the real deal, that way we can discuss and explain stuff to each other, cause there are some things that she gets that I don't get and vise versa. But yah, it was better, the lady liked us this week, so we may get a test date soon. I'm hoping for only 3 more weeks of this madness before I finally getta stay home in Paita and work all day and finish Soeur Beagles training.

This week, we did a little better on lessons, we still only had one with a member, but! We set the goal for 3 this week, so hopefully that'll happen. This work advances so much more when members are involved. I am determined to be a mish for the rest of my life, cause if nothing else, being here has helped me see how important I am as a member in inviting people to come unto Christ!

Also, Soeur Beagles gave her first talk this Sunday in sacrament meeting. And her French is getting sooo good! It's super exciting. As her obnoxious anglophone trainer who only speaks french with her. haha.

But yah, this week, we're gonna work on finding, cause we need more amis! We have a healthy list of converti recents recent converts, and now it's time to find like crazies. I'm excited for it. 

Also, this last week, I went to my first bapteme baptism which was done in a river! Which was super cool. It was exciting. 

Well, for this week, Becs, happy late birthday!! I love you! Ange, Happy Birthday tomorrow! I can't believe you're 14 and can go to stake dances. And Soeur Kailiponi, I love you and miss you!! Hope you're doing well. 

Well family, I gotta go, but thank you for your prayers! I need them! You are in mine as well!! Love you! Bonne semaine!! Good week!!

L'evangile est vraie!!

Love, Soeur Santos

August 5, 2013

"You're speaking in French..."

Ma chere famille,

haha. The subject line is a quote from last night when Soeur Beagles and I were doing le planif hebdo weekly planning. I told her we'd continue to do those in english for a couple more weeks, but the rest of the time, french. I'm a crazy person, I know, but her French has gotten much better in the last week, cause I told her no more english. Anyways, apparently I'm to the point where I'm going in and out of French and not really realizing it, cause I started speaking last night, and I was for a couple mins, and Soeur Beagles said that to me, cause I guess I was speaking french instead of english. hah. Qu'est-ce que j'aime cette langue I love this language!! Its the best.

This week was a little tough. Mostly because Thursday night, I found out that Soeur Kailiponi's going home. I was starting to think that she was gonna make it, but she's pretty sick, so she's going home. Next week. And I'm super sad about it. And I had this weird little pre meltdown Thursday afternoon before I found out, cause I kinda knew it was coming. But yah. She's flying home this weekend, I think. And I'm really sad about it. Cause she's my hero!! And my mom. And She's suuuuch a good missionary. She's touched SO MANY lives in this year that she's been here, And Elle va me manquer. BEAUCOUP And they will miss her. So much. More than I can say. So yah, I felt pretty drained all week. 

And drivers ed is a little hard. So pray for me specifically for that if you can. I'm not worried about once I hit the driving part, but le code is hard. But! I know that its possible with Heavenly Father, so it'll come. 

Other than that, we had a GREAT lesson with a member this Tuesday night!! We were stoked about it, cause we've been trying to really work with them more. Cause they are key. Really, family. Track down your local missionaries and see when they can take you to a lesson with them. And if they don't have lessons fixeed, have a FHE and invite friends over. This work is incredible.

Ok, I gotta bounce, But! I love you all!! I am sooo happy to be a missionary, despite the hard times. Don't worry, I'm picking myself up and dusting myself off. But I love you all. And this work is worth it. Every hard time, every heartache. I love it. I love you!! You are in my prayers!!

L'evangile est vraie!!

Love, Soeur Santos

the first one's at a service proj we had this weekend.

the second's from a couple weeks ago, when Soeur Tere and I went to pick them up from the airport. That's me and my baby!! Soeur Beagles.

The last one's me and my bffs at service. Soeur Lamb and Soeur Kailiponi.

the first one.s us in our Merica outfits at conference de zone. That was fun.

And the second one's Soeur Lamb and I eating mint chocolate chip ice cream at 8 in the morning to celebrate our first day of school!

The last one's ar Tipa's baptism last month. Her, me, and Soeur Tere!!

July 29, 2013

la code.

Ma chère famille,

I have some time to write this week! So here goes.

This week Soeur Lamb and I started french drivers ed or "la code." This consists of sitting in a room and watching a dvd of practice test questions 40 at a time and answering A, B, C, and D, or some combination of the two. The bad news? It's every Wednesday, Thursday. and Friday, from 9-11:30 and then 2:30 to 6. But, the truth still stands, that taking drivers ed with your best friend makes it a thousand times more bearable than having to take it alone. The first time around was with Jdawg and now it's with Soeur Lamb. So it's good. Soeur Lamb and I bring some light into the room :] And! The good news is, I think I only have 3 more weeks. J’espère I hope... I gotta get good fast. But yah. It's going well so far, but pray for me please, and also, our ZL's who are taking the test tomorrow and need to pass so that they can start driving again. 

The fun part about this all is that I'm "training." haha. But really, I'm sharing the baby with Soeur Tupai, which is weird. But, Soeur Tupai is incredible, she's a better missionary than I am, so I have no problem leaving Soeur Beagles with her 3 days a week, because I know that she is learning lots and being obedient and working hard when I am gone. It was a little scary though, I left her in the sector for the first time this last Friday, only a week after she got here! But she found everything alright, so it was all good, I was just stressing a little bit. 

This weekend was fun! We had a mariage this Friday and a baptism on Saturday!! Tauhia! She's from the Marquese Islands. I think that's around Tahiti. And she married Pierre, who is also a converti recent. It was beautiful! And I love seeing the gospel change people's lives. It's incredible. 

We also got to do some port a port this week and we found a Catholic family that we're going to go see tomorrow! I'm stoked. We're trying to work more with the members too, cause they are what makes this work roll forward! 

Oh! And, as a mission we are reading the Book of Mormon in 60 days, which is fun. I started a couple weeks ago and I'm almost to Alma. It's fun, and I just hopped ship. Cause I started it in english, but Soeur Kailiponi and Soeur Lamb are reading it in French, and I decided I wanted to too. But oh man. This book is incredible! Read it everyday and your desire to share this gospel will grow. It's incredible!! 

Other than that, happy one year this week Elise!! It's crazy. Mele just said it in an email, but it was about a year ago when Pup and I went through the temple for the first time and when I had my last recital. Time flies when you're having fun... It's crazy.

Other than that, lifes good. Soeur Beagles french has already gotten lots better, which I attribute to the Spirit and also my obnoxiousness and only speaking french to her. haha. But she knows I love her :]

Anyways! I love you family!! Thanks for your love and support!! You are constantly in my prayers!! Share the gospel with those around you! It really does just become natural after the first couple times! It's the center of our lives! I love you! And I love this work. It brings me JOY!!

L'evangile est vraie!

Love, Soeur Santos

July 21, 2013

my mini me!!

Well, actually, she's kinda a mix of Soeur Lamb and me... But it's fun.

Ma chere famille!!

How are you!! I have about 10 mins. Sorry, I had a long email for President
today, cause I had to give him the last two reports for exchanges and tell
him about how training and stuff.

But! yah. First, My daughter!! Soeur Amanda Beagles!! She is from Pleasant
Grove, UT. She went to UVU and she actually just graduated before her
mission. She is 22. And she plays CELLO. And piano. And! She runs in the
morning, so that's fun. She's a people person like Soeur Lamb, we're
working on the French, she was a rebel in the mtc like Soeur Lamb, and
didn't like PVL ing, and she doesn't understand a ton, but I passed by
there too. So, for right now, I'm speaking as much french as I can to try
and help her. It's fun.

Being a trainer is exhausting though. It probs didn't help that we had two
exchanges this week... haha. But yah, I have never been more tired in my
life. It's good though. I'm so happy! Lots of responsibility, but lots of
fun. It's kinda nice to go back to the basics and everything. And in the
end, I know that I will probs learn more from her than she will from me.
But! My goal is to make her a better missionary than I am. Just like my
real kids in the future. I want them to be better than me!! So yah, we're
working hard and it's going great. We're gonna try to work more with the
members this week, cause we kinda slacked last week on that, so someone
check back with me on that.

Also, we had two exchanges this week. One with Soeur Tupai, (new STL) in
PK7, and one with Soeur Kailiponi in Paita. And, all that I have time to
say about that is that the Lord knows what he's doing!!

I'm starting drivers ed in french this week, so pray for me please! Oh!!
And I'm sooo happy for pup! I know that he will do great things!! You are
all in my prayers!! I love you!

L'evangile est vraie!!

Love, Soeur Santos

July 14, 2013

It's a girl!!

I've been waiting to use this subject line for awhile now... But I didn't think it was gonna be sooo soon after I got the STL calling. But!! I guess Soeur Tere and I did a good job with zone conference, cause we both got released. And he asked both of us to TRAIN the two new soeurs that are getting here Fridayy!! What is happening?! We found out Friday during planning. Which kinda derailed the second half of our weekly planning. hah. Mais bon. it's good

Ma chere famille!!

I am sooo happy to be a missionary. It's the first thing I say thank you for in every prayer I say. Outloud and in my head. It's just the best. I have seriously never ever been happier. Which is crazy. Cause I've been pretty happy in my life. hah. Funny story about that vite fait. quickly Went to go take a few passport photos today for drivers ed today. And the guy had to take the photo like 10 times. Sans blague no kidding, cause he was like, "il faut pas sourire." We need to smile hah. Quel echec What failure. He probs thought I was a kray kray. Mais bon. 

Anyways, with that said! This week is Soeur Tere and my last week as dirigeants formatrices formative leaders! And we're going out with a bang. We have two exchanges fixed for this week, transfers friday--and we're gonna do a formation there, and we getta go cherche our filles pick up our girls at the airport!! It'll be fun. And crazy. comme d'hab, quoi as usual. But!! The best part of this all, is that Soeur LAMB is taking my place as one of the new STLs. And I'm STOKED for her. She will do great things. Also, they are moving the dirigeants leaders to Dumbea, just next door to Paita. So yah. We will be in the same district now, which I'm stoked about. It'll be fun. Also, Soeur Tupai will be the other new leader. She's great! She speaks english like a champ. And I love both of them.

As far as my future baby. I'm stoked. In a "mince, I can't even keep a goldfish" kind of way... But! with the Lord, all things are possible! That much I know. And so, I can do it with His help. Her name is Soeur Beagles, and all I know about her is that she's a certified nurse. So, she's a smart little cookie. I'm excited to meet her though!! I made her planner this morning and we're gonna go home and do some house warming cleaning and rearranging fung shway. (I just spelt that houw that sounds...)

But. The funniest part about this week is that I sang a solo. hahahh. I don't remember the last time that happened. Soeur Raney called me this week, she's the pianist, and asked if I could sing for their musical fireside, Cause apparently she and Soeur Lamb have been searching high and low for a cello for me for awhile now, with no luck... They wanted me to play. So yah, I thought that she was gonna sing with me, but we got to the repet Wednesday night and she gave me the music for a solo, "Shepard of My Soul." Sally Deford. So, we played and sang it through a couple times and the performance was Saturday night. And it actually went pretty well! Soeur Tere played Mom and Mele for the night and cried when I sang and everything. haha LOVE you two.  And! A family that came to the musical fireside. The husband's name is Penicio, and I don't know the wife's name, but they are Wallisien and Catholic. They came to this fireside, where I sang and it was really good! They were touched by the music that was performed. And also, we had a lesson with Penicio earlier that day, and he said that when we started coming over to visit and teach him, he wasn't interested- he let us in because he is a hospitable person. But! Since we have come and started to teach him the gospel, he says that he has changed. And we can see that. But he basically bore his testimony and said how since we've started coming over he's started saying his little prayers again and his faith has grown. This gospel CHANGES people. It's incredible. And it's true. I see it every day. And it's incredible.

Oh how I love this work. This gospel. These people. I am so happy!! Oh. Also, Soeur Lamb may be planning a trip to Tahiti for both of us and maybs Soeur Kailiponi for next July... haha. We're talking about it. Anyways! I love you!! And happy birthday to Grandpa and Pup my BFF!!! I love you both! And I loved the miracle week that you had pup!! Thanks for your example!! Share the gospel guys! It's AMAZING. And I can promise you that you will NEVER be happier than when you do this work. 

I LOVE YOU ALL!!

L'evangile est vraie!!

Love, Soeur Santos