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

Joyeuse Pacques!

Salut et Bonne Fete a Tous!

Well Happy Easter everyone! I don't know about you but my Easter was amazing! I really do love spending holidays out on the mission. I know that might sound crazy but that it always when the most special things happen. So for this Easter things weren't too different. I know in last week's email I said that we weren't doing a musical number...well than I started thinking about what our Easter service was going to be like because we don't have an active branch choir. So when I called up the President of the Branch and he told us there was no special musical number planned, my companion and I volunteered. See, we were hoping and planning for a new family to come this Sunday, and we didn't want their first impression of the church to be that we didn't think Easter was a big deal and didn't do much for it. Maybe a little shallow, but in general we just wanted to make their first time be great and really invite the spirit. What better way than a musical number. Well but then we were in a bit of a crunch because it was Tuesday and we had to prepare something for Sunday. Long story short after reviewing our options, we felt like the prettiest but also most do-able option would be to perform an arrangement that we found leftover in our apartment. (After so many years of being a missionaries apartment there are tons of leftover items from former missionaries) Luckily for us, Sr Gardiner's musical talents do not lie just with violin but she also took piano for like 10 years, so she was able to perform the arrangement with a little bit of practice. It was also a little tricky for me too so we practiced each day throughout the week. In the end it turned out really well. It was this piece called "My Kindness Shall Not Depart From Thee" arranged by Rob Gardner. I DID film it this time (in one of practice sessions) so I'll send it on the USB.

 Also our ami Laureano, CAME TO CHURCH!!! YAY!! We were so happy!! We have been trying to get him to come to church - well for the whole time we've been teaching him but definitely these last 3 months. This week my companion and I did a special fast for him, so that we would be inspired to know what to teach him and what to say during his lesson. Then his lesson went amazing, and all these obstacles that had been in his life sort of disappeared this week. It was pretty much a miracle. And he FINALLY CAME! We didn't have a traditional easter egg hunt, but I hid the scripture eggs and we all sat and read that together after church. I really felt the spirit during church and during the egg activity and am so grateful for the Easter season. The day wasn't completely devoid of chocolate and candy though. I made little Easter bags for each of the girls with a chocolate bunny and some other little things. Then that evening the Madsen couple invited all the missionaries to eat at their house since we hadn't been invited to eat with any of the members! It was SO delicious but also the company was so nice. We watched the Tabernacle Choir perform some of the Messiah and we played games and we got to watch the church Easter video called "Because of Him". It's amazing, if you haven't seen it - go out and watch it NOW! It was so much fun. 

This week went well, we actually had some great lessons and two of them were with new amis who we think have A LOT of potential - so that was great. Plus Easter was amazing. Unfortunately the big news this week is that I'm getting transferred. The call came in last night and we are moving this Wednesday. Which is surprising because we all thought transfers would be coming after this weekend. So now all the plans I had to say goodbye to people this week are moot. Let's just say tears have been shed. I'm going down to St Paul and Sr Gardiner and Sr Isham are staying up here. I've been having a really hard time with the decision because they will both be up here in a different district and in St Denis branch. 

Other than that the week was great. I will be moving on Wednesday so I will have to send you my new address. I love you all and hope that you had an amazing Easter! Remember the MEANING and person behind the holiday!

Shout out to Kiari!!! Because it's her BIRTHDAY on Sunday!!! Happy Happy Birthday!! I can't believe you are already 11!! 

Love,

Sr Stewart

Almost Easter

Hi Y'all,

So this one is going to be a short e-mail, sorry! Luckily, we don't have that many crazy things that happen so it'll be easy to sum up! This week was Sr Isham's bday! I tried to make it special for her and made chocolate chip pancakes and gave a couple of gifts. Then we went out for lunch for a birthday treat and Sr Thomas made a delicious chocolate cake!

English class is really taking off! We had 9 nonmembers at the last one! And a whole new family came, complete with mom, dad, and two kids! It was incredible! So far no one has asked for the missionary lessons but it is a really good start because only a month ago we only had 3 members who came. Our companionships efforts to do publicity and pass out flyers have really paid off. Now we just need to plan and organize because we have so many people!

This friday there was an activity put on by the Priesthood to Commemorate the Restoration of the Priesthood. They invited all the ward but said they had planned a special surprise. The whole activity was the Elders of the Priesthood preparing and serving the sisters of the Relief Society. It was the most touching thing I have seen in a while. They decorated the room and set the table all nice, made all the food and then went around and served the sisters. They talked about how truly upholding the priesthood is about using it to bless and serve others. I was just so blown away that the Elders had thought of that. I was so impressed. And the food was so delicious too!

Finally it is starting to cool down in Reunion! Every morning it is a little chilly before we go work out, which is perfect. And in the evenings if you are in an AC room - you can get away with wearing a cardigan. I love it! I have so much excitement for June and July, which are supposed to be the coldest months!

Well that's about it for this week folks. No big news. Transfers are coming up and President just comfirmed that I will be in a new area. Wish me luck!

Love, 
Sr Stewart

Another Week

Salut Zot!

So not too much to mention this week. We didn't really have a lot going on than usual. Lots of contacting. Since there are not very many large public space areas here in our mission (that aren't stores) Sr Isham and I spend a LOT of time in the one "state garden" that they have here. Haha, some of the people must think we sleep there!

We didn't have a lesson with Sylvest because he had to counsel. Maybe this next week. We are really working hard to focus in on this ami named Laureano who I have been working with for nearly 5 months now. He is a young kid, 23, who is just working but has a sincere desire to come closer to God. The only think getting in his way is some of the distractions of being young and going out to parties or hanging out with friends and skipping appointments or not reading the book of Mormon. Please pray for Laureano this week because he really needs it and because I love him SO much!! He says he wants to be baptized but is so hesitant to set a date because he doesn't want the responsibility of having to follow through and hold to his commitments. But he is a real gem, with a heart of gold and real sincere desires to do what is right and please God and make Him a part of his life. He is just getting distracted in the meantime. Pray for him, we are going to keep working with him and hopefully he will start making progress again and keeping his commitments.

My favorite part of the week was easily the Relief Society Activity that we sang at. The song went well but the meeting was so touching to me. It was to commemorate the founding of the society, that was for the entire island and it was so great. It was just SO uplifting! The talks were all about how we are daughters of God and need to remember our Divine Potential. And just being with the sisters was such a nice feeling of consolidarity. Even though we share those messages with people every single day - it still feels nice to hear them about yourself. Everyone can always use a pick me up about themselves and their divine potential and how amazingly special they are as a child of God. And everyone deserves it - which is why we are here, you know? I'm here to testify to people about how important they are and how much God loves them no matter what the circumstance or situation. And even if they accept our message or not, we can testify to them of God's love. Cause everyone needs to hear that.

Other than that...I got to admit, not too much news. The work is going very slowly. This week had some of our worst numbers yet. So if you want to pray that we will be led to prepared people and that their hearts will be open, that would also be great. The mission president is flying in next week I think to have interviews with us, he comes every 6 weeks which is really nice. Between the three islands, I think he is traveling nearly every weekend. Things are going well. I'm doing a lot better than the other last few weeks. My companions have been a really big part in helping me be positive and uplifted. I guess I have some perfectionist tendencies that tend to get a hold of me sometimes. But through everything I am learning how to be more like my Savior Jesus Christ and I am getting a lot of opportunities to improve myself - which is ultimately the point of life!

I Love you all! Don't forget to be member missionaries and pray to the Lord to help you!

Sister Stewart

WebRep

currentVote

noRating

noWeight

What a week...

Salut à zot!

So this week was somewhat crazy. FIRST, my email was hacked :( so if anyone got crazy/mean/explicit messages from me, that is why. Other than that all my messages were deleted :( That was a pretty sad discovery, and it also came right after we had some car troubles so that day basically was way tough. But then wouldn't you know, the Elders gave me my package that night!! It was so happy because I really really needed a pick me up, and not only did it remind me that my family loved me but that the Lord did too. Because normally we get our packages on Monday but because of timing, I got it on my awful terrible Tuesday! And that was directly a tender mercy of the Lord! I am so grateful He is aware of each one of us and works every day to let us know it. So yes, I got the package! And I LOVED it! And I just hugged it for the first 5 minutes because it was everything I needed at the end of that day. And I haven't taken my Red shirt off yet! Hahah just kidding, I can't wear it to proselytize... but I do wear it to bed each night! And luckily I get new messages every week so I still have ones for this week. :)

In the same vein about tought days, I just want to share that I am growing and improving so much - and it's just amazing when I think about how all these challenges are making me so much a better person. During zone meeting with President this week he passed out a missionary training booklet that has been added that is all about stress and dealing with it - basically the book was made for me, especially after the real tough time I just had a couple of weeks ago. And even though it will still be helpful to me now, Sr Gardiner turned to look at me when I said "I needed this my whole mission!" and said "Yeah, but think how much stronger you are now since you did everything without it" And she's right. The challenges I'm going through are definitely making me a stronger, more faithful, better person. And for that I am grateful.

We were able to have a lesson with Sylveste! After really focusing in on the Book of Mormon for our lesson, he said he believes it is the word of God, Joseph was a prophet and the Church is the restored church. YAYAY! The only thing is that he still needs time to think over changing religions because it is such a strong tradition in his family for everyone to be Catholic. So hopefully, he will feel the need and desire to make that change. It's also hard because the family is going through a hard financial time so that is really weighing on him (I'm sure you saw that all the time). He didn't come to church :( because now he is working extra to earn enough money for his wife to ask for a visa. Real tough stuff. But we testified about how church and the Book of Mormon will help him - even with financial problems. I know that he has been specifically prepared  by the Lord, but I think he just needs some time.

So the car troubles...I took my companion driving to try and get her comfortable with a stick shift, and we practiced in a parking lot for an hour. She has the basics down, so in the idea of being a good teacher I told her to continue and drive us down our little mountian hill and to our close destination. She navigated downhill really well and at the bottom we stopped at a stoplight. That's where the difficulty began. She couldn't get the car to go without stalling and for two lights we only inched forward until we were in the middle of the intersection. At this moment there were a whole line of cars behind us and even some who wanted to turn that we were blocking. I decided to switch out with her, only to discover that someone she had killed the car completely! It wouldn't re-start...and we were stuck in the middle of an intersection! "Luckily" (and by that I mean, tender mercy from the Lord) one of our amis happened to be driving by and hopped out of his car to help us push it to the side of the road - otherwise poor Sr Isham would have had to try and push all by herself! After we moved it to the side, the ami got in and by magic the car started up again! So not too long of a breakdown but for a second there I was real worried because it seemed like we were totally stuck!

I love you all LOTS and pray about you EVERY night!!

Love,

Sr Stewart

WebRep

currentVote

noRating

noWeight

5 Course Meals

Hi Y'all or as they say in Creole

Bonjour a Zot!

Where to start about this week...not too many grand things. First an update on Sylvest before the funny stories. He came to church this past week!! Whoo Hoo! And our lesson this week went amazing! We taught L3 and really tried to emphasize how important it is that baptism has the right authority. I think they understand a bit better now. And he continues to read every night and he says that he thinks the BoM is true! So we talked about what is the significance if the book is true. Because I think he recognizes that the Book of Mormon is scripture and that church is good, but he just hasn't put together the final piece that IF those things are true - The Church of Jesus-Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true church on the earth with the Lord's authority. And I said that, but I think they just need more time to feel a witness of that too from the Holy Ghost - it's only been two weeks after all. Unfortunately, his daughters weren't there...they were at catechism because Sylvie (the fourteen year old) still "needs" to do her first communion... It's just such a strong tradition that even when Sylveste recognizes that this church is good and the one he wants to go to instead of Catholic church, it still is like a "traditional rite of passage" for Sylvie to do communion. I really hope that we can know how to teach him in the way that will be most clear and touching to him this week, perhaps it is a matter of time too but I want to make sure I'm trying to be the best teacher so they can understand and feel the truthfulness.

This week I spent a surprising amount of time in the hospital/doctor's office for not being sick. The first reason was to teach someone, and the second was for my companion to do visa work. One of the Sisters in a nearby town has a father who is dying and in the hospital in our town. He has never accepted or joined the Church but now he said he would listen to the missionaries. Since the hospital is in our area we accompanied the Sr to go teach him. The lesson was...interesting. He didn't really seem there for much of it and he is so Creole that we can't understand what he is saying. However, it did make me appreciate the Plan of Salvation so much because even though right now it's sort of a sad situation I know that soon he will have the chance to accept the gospel without having the physical restrains he has now. And his daughter, who worries so much about him, will know what happens when he passes on and will now that she will be able to see him again. It also made me realize that hospitals very strongly remind me of dad and all these memories came rushing back of us buying hospital food (specifically the delicious sandwhiches from Kettering and the green twizzlers that are my favorite) and waiting for him to finish with a patient and him taking me in after I broke my collarbone. So know you were well thought of this week :) Then we went so Sr Isham could have an apt and be cleared to get her long term visa. And I just wanted to tell you that the Doctor was wearing vanns, crumpled slacks, had a four day beard, and a button-up shirt with a pattern that showed chest hair. No white coat in sight. It wasn't reassuring. Luckily, we weren't sick.

So this week we actually were invited to eat at a member's house - which is crazy! So just like most missions, when members feed us they always tend to overfeed us. I think you might remember my story from one of my first weeks where the family kept telling us "Serve yourselves! Serve yourselves! Please, sisters take more!" and we stuffed our selves. Well this story now takes the cake (pun intended). We show us to this sister's house (it's just her and her son) and we chat for a little, then we give a 30 minute message. After that we had been at her house already for an hour so we were like "ok, we'll need to leave in an hour' since we hadn't even started eating yet. So she says "ok, we better start with dessert then". So we have some ice cream and little cookies. Then she brings out dinner afterward - I had assumed it was finishing cooking while we had eaten dessert. She had baked a casserole with tuna and noodles and white sauce. Yum. We eat up. It's fairly small for Reunion standards but it feeds all of us comfortably. I am thinking "For the first time I won't have to stuff myself!" So I take seconds to show her how much we appreciate it. Then when it is finished she goes in the kitchen...and brings out a pizza! A whole pizza! That she had made by hand. Whew...ok, so then we eat pizza. I'm thinking "Wow, had to stuff myself again - no wonder I'm gaining weight". Then she goes into the kitchen and asks "Do you have more room? I made more!" And this time she brings out a big bowl of quinoa and oven-cooked chicken in sauce! WHAT?!? So then I had to shove down a chicken breast on a bed of quinoa. And boy was I feeling a little green at that point. She had made THREE separate meals!! Like literally each meal could have fed us. Luckily she didn't take offense when we said we were full and instead sent us home with all the leftovers. I mean it was all good, but three meals!? Too much!

Love,

Sr Stewart

Greve

Hiya out there in the States...

So the biggest news this week is la greve! Greve means strike! And like any french citizen strikes are a part of this island's past time! So this week there was this huge gas strike, which means since thursday, no one could get gas! Why were they striking? I really don't know - something to do with prices. Who was striking? Employees or Producers? ONce again, no idea. But every gas station closed and you couldn't get gas anywhere. What does that mean for the island, what did people do? Either you conserve your gas or break down and start riding the bus everywhere. Literally, those are the solutions. Also this strike was "unlimited" so they were going to strike until their demands were met so it could be weeks and weeks. Which would mean that the food trucks would stop taking food to the stores. And planes would stop flying food to the island because they wouldn't be able to fill up with gas again to leave. Which would mean none of the stores would have food....DUN DUN DUN! Luckily the good people of Reunion stopped striking this morning so hopefully the economy/society here won't descend into ruins and chaos. But that is a scary thing about being on an island! Everything is emported! A couple of the missionaries ran out of gas for their cars so they started walking, hahah Luckily we had enough to last us till today - you could call us the wise virgins ;)

Other than that...pas grandes choses "no big things" to report for this week. Things are still going good. "Doucement, doucement."  My favorite part of the week....1) teaching Sylveste's family. (Sylveste is the name of the father who has two little girls who came to church last week - our first FAMILY!!) LOVE them. Their also like the first real family I've practically ever met on my mission - as far as amis go. 2) We got a new Ward Mission Leader and we went over to his house and he is amazing!!! He is just on fire and so enthusiastic and he was like "Ok tell me when your lessons are and I'll come to them, I want to meet that ami and that ami and that ami - actually all of your amis" This is a big change from our last DMB who was NOT very follow through or hands on. So it was amazing to see someone in the ward on fire and ready to help us with our missionary work - I know that members are one of the keys so know we have another key to help progress the work. I just know that he is going to help motivate our branch and help bring about miracles!! Plus after that his wife fed us DELICIOUS food. So it was litterally the best night we have had in ages! 

Sylveste's family didn't come to church because his little girl didn't feel well, but he DID read the first four chapters in the BOM, which is HUGE!!!! I have litterally met with our longest ami over 3 months and he has come to church at least 4 times and NEVER has he read the BOM. That's how hard it is to get people to read. I LOVE this family so much!! Not just because of the reading (although that is a welcome change) But because his two daughters are so nice and sincere, and even the little 6 year old is so well behaved. His 14 year old daughter says she wants to start reading for herself and she has such a pure spirit. And Sylveste is someone who is genuinely searching and genuinely loves God. Not just someone who says he does. And I feel the spirit so strong in their lessons. Teaching them is definitely the HIghlight of my week. And they have basically convinced me of how much I want to go over to Mada for part of my mission! But I won't tell President that, because if it's meant to happen - if the Lord thinks it's right, then it will and if not then I love the people of Reunion too :)

 Dearly Beloved,

So this week...was another bit of a rough one. We only had 2 scheduled lessons that didn't cancel. BUT I guess it was all worth it because we had a family of investigators come to church!! The other sisters met this man on the street named Sylveste but since he was in our area my companion and I set up an apt with him and taught him. He has two younger girls ages 14 and 6 and at the end of the lesson we committed him and his 14 year old daughter to read the Book of Mormon and pray about it. Then we invited him and his family to church. Unfortunately, like many of the people on Reunion they have no transportation and just take the bus. But there are only about 4 buses on Sunday that come around so it's really hard to catch the bus to church unless you live near the right stop...which they did not. So we invited them but said we understood if they couldn't make it. But guess who made it! Sylvest and his whole family! They seemed to really enjoy church and now we have another apt with them this week. I am praying so hard that it all works out because I feel like they are really ready and open and faithful to recieve the gospel. 

Other than that...there is not a lot to report from the Reunion island. Things are definitely slow right now. Sharing the car has been a little tricky because ALL of our potential investigators are single men, which means we need to bring a sister with us and to do that we need the car. So we can't ever schedule apt at the same time. So we are getting really good at planning now.

We went on a hike this morning. It was right near the ocean and super super beautiful. Unfortunately I wanted to go closer and was walking on some slippery rocks...and slipped and fell. Ouch! Nothing broken though - only some scraped skin

LOVE YOU, Remember to say your prayers and read your scriptures!

Soeur Stewart