Loving St. Paul

Komé i lé?

I am actually starting to fall in love with St Paul. I never thought anything could replace St Denis - and I'm sure nothing ever will but St Paul sure is carving out it's own special little place. This week was filled with highs and lows. I don't have much time so I'll just talk about some of my favorite moments from this week. The musical number for the baptism went really well - I recruited the help of some of my old companions who came down and played violin and piano - people said they were touched which always makes me feel so happy because that's the point of all the work we put in and practising. One of the families from the branch invited us to eat Sunday lunch at their house and it was simply charming. The family is just so unified and united in love. It's amazing how they radiate the gospel. Being at their house for me is honestly such a treat, it just reminds me of being with my extended family. They are seriously so supportive of the missionaries, and they make us feel that way, special and importnant. It is something, an attitude, - a little rare in the branches here. It's not that people don't like the missionaries, it's just their aren't really families like that who "take care" of the missionaries or have them over often for meals. We played a game with them and all laughed, we talked about movies, they served us food - it honestly made me think of the song "Home can be a Heaven on Earth" That's how I want my future home to be. Last but maybe the most, all during Sacrament meeting on Sunday the little girl who was baptized wanted to sit right next to me. She's always had a strong affinity for the missionaries but during the meeting she wanted to share my chair and wrapped my arms around her. It reminded me of my little sisters and for an hour I got to cuddle and hold that little precious girl close to me. She, lke so many children, just wants to be loved and feel loved, and I tried my best to give her all the love I can and hold her close so she knew that I cared about her. It was a really special moment and touched my heart. For one second I felt like I understood a little bit about the love that Heavenly Father has for his children. Everyone just needs love. Everyone just wants to feel loved. I made a resolve to myself that as a representative of Christ I would strive harder to represent His LOVE for all his children. Just like holding that little girl tight, I want to find a way to express the love that the Lord has for each person I meet and above all the less active members we see and amis we teach.

I don't really have time to write more so I will suffice it with that. The fabric of the gospel is LOVE. I am just realizing that I could study and strive for nothing but that and still not succeed but luckily I have each day to be better and start again. The Lord loves each of us perfectly. And his grace is sufficient for all men. What a comforting knowledge.
Love;
Sr Stewart

Week 2

Koma é lé?

That's creole for "how's it going". And this week I would say "Le la, le la". "It's good, it's good". There are some things I really like about the area and some things that are still tricky. The nicest thing about St Paul is that we have a lot of recent converts and less actives that we are visiting, so we actually spend a good amount of time in lessons. Unfortunately, not tons of amis but it is definitely a nice and welcome change to not be contacting 24/7. 

This was my official "first sunday" in church because last week was general conference, so I introduced myself in church and had the opportunity to go to Relief Society and meet some more of the women. The only way to describe the branch of Le Port is that everyone is a character. 

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So this is a picture of a volcan that we went to see! It's still active!! We had to wake up incredibly early at 3 in the morning to drive for nearly 2 hours to get there before the sun was really high in the sky. 

After 8 months on the island - I finally touched the ocean for the first time!! Photographic proof is down below!

The best thing about the southern part of the island is that it is really really beautiful!

This Thursday was Labor's Day in France, so we had a branch picnique that was super fun. Our really solid ami Marion came and we were fed spicy creole food. All positive things. It made me realize how long it's been since I went picniquing! The weather was actually nice. Still hot but there was a breeze. It was nice to do an activity with the members.

Mi aime a zot!

St. Paul

Bonjour a zot!

So now that phrase is actually a large part of my life - that is creole for "hello everyone" and it is everywhere here! So let's just start out by talking about the transfer since that was pretty much my whole week. Umm new area is good...the real difficult thing is that the people here mostly speak Creole...and only Creole. So it's crazy hard to understand them and it's hard for them to understand me... In lots of ways I feel like I am at the beginning of the mission again with language problems, not knowing the sector and feeling unfamiliar with the ward. Aka ignorant in general. So that's not very fun...BUT guess what? I am keeping a good attitude! Yeah, it's true! It's not my favorite place, I still want to be in my old area with my old companion, BUT I'm going to make the best of it and try hard to learn what I can learn and love the people here. I feel like that is a little revolutionary.

I am out on the west on the island in a town called St Paul and our area really is the country. Now I see why everyone considered St Denis "the big city". Because we live among literal plains and it takes us over 40 minutes to drive from one side of our area to another. Also we live up on a montain. I know I said that last time but last time we lived in the middle of the mountain - now we live on top. Last time there were only about 8 hairpin turns from the bottom, now we have over 30. I counted. And they are hairpin! Google maps it. On that note: unfortunately I do not have my new address :( My companion doesn't know it off the top of her head so I will have to write it down and give it later :( However the package one is still the same!

So the BEAUTIFUL countryside is definitely the best thing about the new area!! It is so gorgeous! I will try to send pictures. The biggest downside however, is the creole. My comprehension has gone from 95% in St Denis with french to about 60% in st paul with creole. Plus the first person I talked to in St Paul asked my companion what language I was speaking. So that's a little disheartening. But I can do it. I might only be here for 3 months. Also a postive thing is that the apartment is much more new! So it is a bit nicer than the other one - but it isn't as fournished so it doesn't feel as homey but I plan on adding a couple of touches and changing that a bit. But it's new! How can I complain as a missionary? I can't. It was a little dirty when I got there. The fridge was especially horrendous. There were things literally rotting in there...so we cleaned it out and now it's beautiful.

So yeah, now I'm with Sr Hurst, who is great but a little timid. She is the leader though for the area because I know nothing so maybe this change will help both of us grow. I definitely must have felt your prayers this week because I have felt extra strength and a mysterious optimism that I hope stays. So THANK YOU! And of course I have been making a lot of conscious efforts - but still, prayer works. Heavenly Father hears us. There were some beautiful conference addresses about that.

Speaking of which... this weekend for us was conference!!!! And it was amazing!! I finally watched conference!!! It was so incredible!! Wow!! It's like I can't believe I've gone so much of my life Without the messages that were shared, because they were just so inspiring and strengthening and enlightening! I feel like I understand the gospel better and I just LOVE living apostles and prophets. Wow, what a blessing. Seriously, can't talk enough about how great it was. I hope all of you heard or have chosen one message to really apply in your life. Let conference and the gospel of Jesus Christ that was preached there change you! And if anyone is hesitant about doing missionary work listen to Elder Ballard's talk again - he is going to follow up on his challenge to the members, so I hope everyone took it personally!

Love you all - I will talk to you soon!! YAAAAAY So excited!

Sr Stewart