pictures

4. We did a lesson on the armor of God. The game was to find household objects to represent the different pieces of armor. That's Hasina, she is one of the Rakoto kids in the first picture. I don't think I'll dress like this after my mission...
5. Sooooo many spiders. And they are soooo big. "Follow the spiders, why couldn't it be follow the butterflies?!"
6. We have the most beautiful sunsets. Soo beautiful especially with the pier. And we get to see it every day. Very spoiled.
7. I'm in love with the nature of St Paul. It's so beautiful and there is so much green space everywhere. This is me rejoicing in the beauty in a field.

Salut!

Salut!

Whoops! Well you all know I'm awful about birthdays so I'm wishing a great belated one to DAD! Aparently in France it is bad luck to wish someone happy birthday before the actual day. One of our amis told us it was their birthday the next day and of course I responded with an enthusiastic "Happy Birthday" only to be informed that I had now wished bad luck on the person by doing it before the actual day. My Bad. So I wanted to avoid that with you Dad, thus the late wishes. On the other hand Kylee I know yours is coming up really quick and I think you are young enough to escape bad luck so I'm going to say an early HAPPY BIRTHDAY! now so I can't forget :)

Not much happened this week. My best story comes from a lesson with a less active. We see around 10 less actives or new converts a week. It's a pretty big part of our work especially since we have nearly 0 amis. It's always our meeting with the less actives that have the funniest moments. This week we went and saw one of the older members who is in a retirement home named Sr Pastey - she is soo funny! Seriously such a hoot! Because she is always sawing the funniest things in just such a manner-of-fact way, you know the way older people sort of say it like it is. Anyway this week when we were chatting at the beginning of her lesson we asked her about her family and childhood. Then I saw some old pictures on her wall and asked her if that was her. They were these old black and white beauty shots probably taken in the 40s of her looking so young and sort of serious - like a movie star. When she responded that it was her and told us how old she was (only 17) I remarked (sort of jokingly) "Wow Sr Pastey, you looked so mature! I'm already 19 and I don't look that mature yet!" In response she said "Don't despair yet, there is still time and hope for you" Hahaha I laughed so hard to myself after the lesson. I'm glad Sr Pastey still holds out hope for me ;)

The other cool thing that happened this week is that I got to do exchanges with one of my favorite sisters on the island - Sr Gardiner! She recieved a call from President about a week or so ago informing her that our mission is now going to have Sister Training Leaders (aka basically like a District Leader just for sisters) and she was going to be the first! So congrats to her! The best thing about her calling/title is that now I get to see her even more than normal because she does exchanges with all the sisters! So we sort of felt like we were having a little sleepover since she came down to St Paul for the night and slept over and then the next day I went to St Denis for half the day to be with Sr Isham. It was pretty great - although it was a little bittersweet being in St Denis again with my old companion. It brought back a lot of nostalgia because even though I LOVE St Paul and my new area, being back made me miss the way things were still. I still am a struggler with change on the inside of my heart.

Sr Hurst passed her year mark! Which is a huge thing for Sisters because that means she only has 6 months left! In missionary terms it's like you're a sitting duck! Especially for this island that is the time of only 1 more transfer (our transfers normally happen every 3-4 months). In the same line of news... guess which sister is hitting her half way NINE month mark?! Thats right - This Girl! Sister Stewart. I have no idea how I feel about that. It's crazy, but also I feel like I've been here for a year. But then at the same time it feels like only 4 or at most 6 months. It's weird. Missionary time definitely doesn't go the same speed as normal time. Especially since we practically have no seasons here so it's like always summer, always the same season, always the same time - time doesn't move. Luckily I still have 9 full months left (which still feels like a nice good amount of time since I don't even leave this year) I'm sure when I get to a year I'll start freaking out but I'll let you know then.

Other than that not too many big things are happening here, we had a pretty low number week so we are really trying to think of ways to find amis and get people to respond to our phone calls so we can set up and have more lessons! But hey, sometimes the work is slow and it's not our work so we don't really set the tempo, it's the Savior's and when it is time for things to come to pass they will. And we will work everyday to turn and turn and turn at the wheel and keep things going and keep on working - diligence! It's a Christlike attribute that we get a lot of chance to grow :)

! Please remember to always do the little things in our lives to keep us on the path, daily scripture study, daily prayer. Never let the "spiritual" things get pushed to the side in our lives. We have so many things we have to do but those are the things that really matter that really move us along the path toward our Heavenly Father in our lives. 

All my Love,

Sr Stewart

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

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