Hello Lovelies.
This week has been wonderful but bumpy.
Sister Moore is the designated driver, not sure if I mentioned that but I am and it's been a learning experience. That being said, I got a speeding ticket (of course. Don't worry Mum, New Zealand tickets don't count in America!), backed into a fence (even though I had my companion standing there guiding me out...she said she lost her words and forgot to say stop until after I hit it...gahh), and had a fleet of birds poop attacked our car. You know they say that when it rains, it pours. I was a bit flustered with all this car non-sense and we were on our way to go to Sis Hona (Relief Society President) and I was hoping she would just give me a cuddle (hug) and say everything was going to be okay... but that's not the way Maori women do things. She said, "Don't worry about it, move on." All I know is when an old person tells you to do something here, you do, and so that's exactly what I did. I moved on. If only all problems were that simple...
We put together a musical fireside (performance) in our brand new and tiny chapel. Johanna (our recent convert) is a lot like me and gets her words wrong and went around telling people about the musical wildfire this Sunday...lol. The purpose was to help non-members and recent converts come together and hear testimonies through song and conversion stories by recent converts. We actually had a lot of people turn up whom we had hoped would, and even some who we didn't expect to come at all but actually came! We had so much help with the program and it was so exciting to see people step up and take part in this event. The missionaries all sang a song together (we had 5 companionships come down to help us). We were so bad they had us sing before the opening prayer, as to set us apart from the actual "program"... then me and my companion sang a song ("I Heard Him Come") with 3 other women. We had been practicing all week and everyone was really nervous but it actually turned out way good. I was so happy. It hurts to be so happy. You know that scripture: The windows of heaven will be poured out and there will not be room enough to receive it.... I felt like I was going to explode with joy. I really couldn't smile any bigger and my nervous excited sweat glands were having a field day. I just love those moments when you just love people so much for no apparent reason. If only those moments were more frequent and longer lasting than just moments. Actually, they can be. We read of prophets praying for love for their people all the time. And the only way they are able to gain that love is when they "pray with all energy of heart".
So, we met this pregnant Indian lady and her sweet family the other day and she was interested in coming to our English class. Turns out she miscarried and lost her baby (stillborn). We found out through some neighbors and we were able to go over and check in on her. I guess I never really thought about how people handle things after a miscarriage (stillbirth) but of course she gave birth to the baby and wrapped it up in a sweet little blanket and then took pictures of it. The hospital had made them a photo album and they wanted to show us the pictures. Dead things scare me and pictures of dead things scare me even more, but I looked. The baby was about 35 weeks along and had a large patch of red, undeveloped skin on his face. There were many, many pictures. The more I looked and understood what I was looking at, the more uncomfortable and sad I became. A little boy was showing me the pictures (about 5 yrs/o). Our spirits must have been communicating because there was one point when I could not turn the pages any more and he looked at me as if to say "It's ok". I cried a little bit and then my nervous laughter came out, which is never good, especially in this kind of setting. But we ended up having a good visit. Even though they don't understand much English, this is one of those times that I am grateful to have dramatic facial expressions, in which I can communicate without words. And, luckily, love is a universal language that is felt rather than said.
One of the biggest things I have learned, am learning and will continue to learn, is how important it is to do ALL things with Love. Never pressure anyone to do something. People want to do things out of love, not out of fear or obligation. We want to help people learn and understand who their Heavenly Father is so that they can know of His love for them and discover their love for Him in return.
Hey, I'm awkward and I don't really care. Old people drive their lil' service mobility scooters around and you can run up and talk to them. They hardly ever stop. The other day this lady decided to do one of those stop go - stop go movements. When she went, I ran, and when she stopped, I stopped. It's really funny because most of the time people will pretend that they can't see you by turning their head as they wheel past you. I swear, there are a lot of people who have child-like mentalities and tendencies just in adult bodies. This mean old man told us that he had met sister missionaries before and they were attractive, not like us. I thanked him just the same. Some people can be so mean. He must be unhappy.
Facts, facts, facts. I need someone to send me some interesting and random facts. I created a great conversation starter the other day. The key is to start with something random and interesting and then sneakily relate it to the gospel.... watch this: "Hey did you know that a flamingo is actually white? They only turn pink when they eat shrimp (True fact!). Have you ever thought about how the foods you put inside you change you?" BOOM Word of wisdom introduction....
Sis. Hona told us that she loves the scriptures. They tell of romance, war, history, etc. and her FAVORITE story is the one about David and Bathsheba, "It's just so exciting!" ...exciting? romance? women.
Remember how a few weeks ago I said I was going to learn the language?! I GIVE UP! I have been practicing my Tongan with my favorite Tongan family as well as a few Maori terms I've picked up. Apparently every word that came out of my mouth was wrong. Even people's names that I've been saying for months..... The children make fun of me and mimic my pronunciation and sometimes ask their parents why I say things weird..."It's her English accent" they always say. On Sunday, I learned how to say cold in Tongan which I thought was "moamoka" (sp) so I told all the Tongans, "It's so moamoka today." The dad laughed and laughed "It's mokomoko", then he walked around telling everyone "Hello. Moamoka! Moamoka!" Luckily, I'm use to being wrong and I thought it was all funny. But really I can't even pretend like I know what I'm talking about! To learn more, or no?.... That is the question.
Ryan---whats that candy you said Elana loves? Cridders something? I want to find them and eat them.
Mum- I tried the filled "kitkat-like" bars.... They're loaded lumps of joy filled surprises. It's like a kitkat filled with cookie dough, crunch, and gooey chocolate. I felt my arteries clogging slowly as I ate it, but I still ate it all! :)
We are excited for women's conference this Saturday. Our Branch President said, "it will be the largest women's gathering on earth." The rest of yous Americans got to see it a week early. Luckies! No spoilers pleaz.
Sis Moore
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