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

Training

Hello All,

So I'm just going to come out and say it: this has probably been mentally the hardest week so far of the mission. I'm a trainer! The new girls arrived this wednesday and it has been really really different - and pretty tough. Luckily, they brought back my best friend (Sis Gardiner) to my area and she is also training so we are in it together. Training is hard! My new trainee doesn't speak French and so now I'm carrying the load mostly by myself. I think the hardest thing though is the pressure I put on myself, because I don't want to let her down and I feel a lot of responsibility for making sure that everything goes peaches and cream for her mission. Which I know isn't realistic but doesn't stop me from trying. Mostly I'm taking it one day at a time.

So in coordination with training, our area also got split so now I'm working about half the area...and have half the amis. Like I said it's been a tougher time and period of transition. 

My new trainee is named Soeur Isham and she is American. She studied french a little bit in highschool and then for 6 weeks in the MTC. She is super enthusiastic and positive which is great and she really loves Disney. She is really great - I'm the one struggling with training because I feel so insecure in what I'm doing. Before there were always two other companions to back me up or give ideas or add to lessons - and now it feels like there is just me. And that is hard. 

We have known for quite a while that the HEaps would be leaving. We helped drop them off at the airport. It was a pretty emotional night because the Heaps have essentially been our grandparents out here and saying goodbye was hard. To add on top of that with all the changes we were already feeling unsettled and unsure of ourselves but now to know that we can't turn to the Heaps everyday for advice, was a pretty big blow. A new senior couple is getting here this wednesday and we are excited but know it will be different. Plus it will take them a while to learn the swing of things and most likely WE will be the ones giving THEM tips. 

I did another musical number collaboration with Sr Gardiner and her violin in church yesterday. We sang/played this hymn called "Souviens-toi, mon enfant" which means "Remember my child" and is about living in the premortal existence and accepting God's plan and then sharing the gospel here on the earth with those we knew before. It's really beautiful, and the melody comes from Dvorak's New World Symphony. Unfortunatlely I didn't film this one but I don't think I'd be able to figure out how to send it anyway. Maybe next time.

Love,

Sister Stewart

Where to even begin...

Hello ALL,

Seriously the title says it all. Where to even begin?! I have no idea. So the beginning of this week was the New Year and New Year is big on La Reunion. On the 31st everyone is running around and getting food ready for the big fete (party) during the evening. Then people stay up till way late - like 4 in the morning to party in the New Year. And they shoot off tons of fireworks at midnight. We were invited to eat with some of the families in the ward at one party on the port, which was so nice. It was pretty being right next to the ocean and the company and food was great. 

Then on Thursday...a CYCLONE hit the island! It was pretty crazy! They had warned us that one was coming our way but originally they thought it would miss the island and just send us some rain storms but then a couple of days before they confirmed it would directly hit us. Then as it got closer and closer the storm was getting worse so they warned everyone and told us to go out and make sure that we had food and water. Ultimately the cyclone ended up being a category 3, which means that it had winds up to 150mph. When it first hit in the morning, I was like "this isn't bad, this is just heavy rain why is everyone making a big deal about it?" And then suddenly the wind picked up and it became a real storm out there! We have a huge sliding glass door that looks out over a balcony in our living room so we saw the whole thing (and slightly feared for our lives lest something be thrown by the wind and break our door/window and we be sucked out into the cyclone). You would have thought that someone was dumping bucket from the sky with the heavy rain we had while at the same time these incredibly strong winds that were breaking trees. I always thought a cyclone was like a water tornado. I suppose mainly from the advertising found at waterparks. But I was dissapointed. Just an incredibly heavy storm. We went on red alert at 10am on Thursday so even if we wanted to (which we didn't) no one is allowed to leave their house and be out. It is literally against the law. So we couldn't leave ALL day long. We stayed in our house. And we cleaned. A lot. Which was alright because it had been on our to do list for that week anyway. We also were able to take a nap which was phenomenal. It was nice to have a break. And then our power went out that night so luckily we had 72 hour kits with candles and flashlights. Then when we woke up the next morning the storm was STILL going. It literally rained and stormed all day for over 24 hours. So yeah, we spent nearly 44 hours in our apartment. But then we were able to go out that afternoon. And there wasn't too much damage but tree branches were everywhere and the lights weren't working. It was pretty wild. But luckily, a big cyclone only comes around about once every season. Cyclone season is October to January so we should be in the clear now!

Last exciting news. We got the news of transfers. My two current companions are both leaving me. My trainer, Sr Packer is going down to St Pierre and Sr Hurst is going to St Paul. Meanwhile, Sr Gardiner has come back up to join me but is NOT my companion. Because I am training. AHHHHH! That's so scary! Sr Gardiner is also training and her companion and mine will arrive off the plane straight from the MTC this Wednesday. We are both pretty nervous. I'm fairly stressed because in addition we are all living in the same apartment and sharing a car and splitting the area. Living together will be awesome, sharing the car is going to be pretty tricky and splitting the area has been pretty sad for me. Because it means not only that now half of what I used to know I can no longer port or find people or contact but also any amis that live in the other area are now Sr Gardiner and her companion and I won't teach them. That is rough. But I know they're in good hands. It's just hard to feel like suddenly we have nothing! Our space feels incredibly tiny. I know that this is going to help me grow so much but unfortunately that means it is because it will be tough! And uncomfortable. So pray for me because I will need the strength and the Lord's help. 

This week alone is going to be full of changes and incredibly crazy! But this year is going to be full of adventure and miracles. I'm just waiting for it. So I love you all and thank you for your support! I've survived one cyclone so everything from here should be downhill right?

Love,

Sr Stewart

On The 10th Day of Christmas

Dear Family, Friends, and Collegues (you know which group you fall in)

This week has been fairly uneventful. Lots of Porting. Lots of Porting. And Lots of Porting. However we did get the opportunity to have a couple of wonderful lessons so I can't really complain. 

Speaking of complaining....it is SO HOT HERE!! You think you know heat because you've lived in Arizona, and you think you know heat because you've lived in muggy Virginia but then you combine the two and that is La Reunion. Mom, if Googleweather told you that it is 84 degrees it is straight up lying! We have a thermometer built into our car and we've been getting readings of 32, 34 and even 36 degrees. Which are ALL in the 90s. I'm telling you folks it is HOT. Then whenever people talk about the weather and how it is hot, everyone, everyone tells us "La chaleur, il commence". Which means "The heat, it's starting." Starting?! Whewww, you've got to be kidding me! Although luckily, someone informed me that it doesn't actually get hotter in January, it just gets more humid. Oh good. The rain has held off this week, which is unfortunate since that is the explanation for the extreme heat. At least we don't wear pants or ties I guess. 

We are gearing up for Christmas season here too. My companions and I have found a "12 Days of Christmas" collection of stories and like to read them each night at dinner. It really seems to help bring the spirit of Christmas. We also found decorations in our apartment so actually have a 3 foot high tree with lights and everything! For the most part though it doesn't really feel like the holiday season because life is going on as normal, plus it's ninety degrees outside everyday and we're sweating through our shirts. This Thursday is the Branch Christmas party and it's supposed to be quite the party! We have invited EVERYONE we know, so hopefully that will pan out. I truly believe that if some of these amis could come and feel the spirit that the church and the ward members have to offer, they would have that strong desire to know more and have that spirit in their lives always. It's this Thursday so I'll let you know how it goes. 

Some people here have put up a tree and some lights but not nearly as much as in the US. Mostly everything we do is bigger and over the top (if you can believe that!) so things here in Reunion are a lot more toned down. And the tree is always fake - though I have seen some pine trees growing out here. Interestingly enough, even though some people put fake pine trees in their houses the real Christmas tree in La Reunion is the "Flamboyant" which is this tree with red petals all over it - I'll try and send you a picture. The people here say the color of Christmas is red because of the flamboyant and the letchis.

The work is going sort of slowly since we don't have many amis to see and are porting all the time but that's because you just have to find the right people. Hopefully after this Christmas party we'll see things pick up. My companions and I keep telling ourselves that we are in the "quadrant of miracles" so now it's only a matter of time before we start seeing them.

Soeur Stewart

Christmas!

Dear All,

First, the senior couple here has a blog all about the mission and missionaries. Apparently she puts up pictures of us pretty frequently so if you want to see more than what I send (or don't send) out - check it out! I don't know the address but I have heard a quck google search will make it come up fast.

Second, I have no real exciting news. Everything is still progressing slowly slowly. Three of out amis came to the Christmas party which was great!! And one of them is starting to come to church now! So we are really happy about that. His name is Hughes and he is so great.

Thirdly, the rain I have been waiting for finally came!! And it came practically all in one day! There was one day this week when it just POURED. You would have thought someone was dumping buckets from heaven. Luckily it started up around lunch time so we were inside and then we called our zone leader to ask what we should do since we were just supposed to know on doors that whole day. He said it wasn't very safe to drive and to try and stay in until things lightened up. So that was pretty crazy.

Lastly, we got invited over for Christmas dinner! YEAH! We are so happy because originally we were just going to eat by ourselves at home which would have been fine but it's nice to be around peoople! We have been invited over to a member's house and then I'll be able to skype from there so everything is working out like a dream.

I am SO grateful to be in this church. I KNOW that this church has been restored by the Lord Jesus Christ, through his intermediary Joseph Smith the prophet in our Latter-days. And I am so grateful to be a part of it and know this truth. I am grateful to know that through the gospel of Jesus Christ it is possible for all of us and ALL men to come unto Christ. To take upon us His load and to come "into His rest". We have been promised a glorious destiny if we can but change our hearts to be more loving and more Christlike and obey our Heavenly Father. I know that this life has a purpose and that we are known and numbered unto the Father. These truths are a REALITY. And so is the eternal happiness that we can have one day. During this season of Christ, seek Him. Come unto Him by being a more devoted and loving disciple. He gave the greatest gift of all - hHis life and His example. Give Him the best gift you can in return. Give Him your Heart. 

I LOVE you all and pray for each one of you!! Have a very Merry Christmas!!

Love,

Soeur Stewart

Zone Conference

Hello All!

So a really exciting week! Elder Renlund and his wife came with President Adams and Sr Adams this Wednesday to talk and teach us at Zone Conference and it was SOOO AMAZING!! Elder and Sister Renlund both taught us full interactive lessons. They were moving around the room and asking us questions and it was so enlightening. I was just so grateful to have the opportunity to learn from a general authority. You can tell they are such diligent servants of the Lord! So that was really great, I took away a lot of things that I've been trying to implement in my missionary life or in my character. 

But the greatest lesson that I got out of it is this: If you imagine a graph where attitude and effort are on the axis there are four different quadrants.

Bad Attitude, Bad Effort

Bad Attitude, Great Effort

Great Attitude, Bad Effort

AND

Great Attitude, Great Effort

He said this last quadrant is called the "quadrant of miracles" And he shared a story about his brother who was a REALLY hard working missionary but was kind of down about his mission because it was in Sweden and no one ever listened or got baptized. He said that in the last three months of his mission he changed his attitude and pushed himself in the quadrant of miracles. Those last three months his companionship had as many baptisms as their whole mission had the year before! He said that we ALL have to work to put ourselves in this quadrant and that many times throughout the day we are in all four! But that as we work to have that hope and optimism that comes from faith in Christ and work hard too, we begin to see miracles. I was so inspired by that and everyday have started praying for help to stay in the "quadrant of miracles". Mostly I need to work on my attitude because it is so easy to trudge through the work and just get things done without staying completely upbeat or optimistic.

There is not too much to write about because we still don't have any solid amis. So we did a LOT of porting this week - almost 16 hours. We are hoping that some of the people we met will prove to be really interested in the gospel and want to hear our message. 

I had a crazy allergy attack this week! One morning I woke up and it was like BAM!! Suddenly my nose was running and also stuffy and my head felt like a million pounds and my throat was starting to hurt. While we were walking around all day I had to carry multiple packets of tissues and I was quickly going through them. It was not fun. It took me pretty much all week long to get back to normal. I don't know what it was that suddenly triggered it because everything has continued as normal here but I was really struggling this week. Mostly I just thought I was going to die because I couldn't ever breathe! Not literally ever, I could breathe through my mouth. However, I have been blessed once again with health so now I'm back to normal again!! Yay! I am incredibly grateful and know that it is a blessing from the Lord.

I have had such an amazing testimony boost about PRAYER! Guys, it is so real and so powerful! I know that Heavenly Father listens to us and is there helping us. I also know that if we ask humbly and in faith for righteous desires he can help us accomplish them. I have been working so hard on taking my weaknesses and worries and opening up and talking talking talking to my Heavenly Father about it. Because if we want to develop a quality or ask for strength in an area of our life, the best place to start is with prayer to our Heavenly Father. He knows us perfectly. And he is just waiting to help us out or give us a blessing but we have to ask in faith first. It's like the scripture in 2 Nephi 32:9. We should pray unto the Father first that HE may consecrate our efforts so it can be for the welfare of our souls. I think that is SO powerful! Also you have to find and read an address by Elder Bednar called "Ask in Faith"! As one of my Christmas gifts, please do this for me! I know that I have a lot of weaknesses and I'm working on them but the best way to work on them is to council with the Father first and then to get up on your feet and put it into practice. Already I have seen this principle played out in my own life. And it can be anything: more courage to share the gospel, a greater sensitivity to others feelings, knowing what to say when you get a missionary opportunity, more patience, the ability to think more positively, or being less critical and having less negative thoughts. The Lord wants to help you develop Christlike talents and attributes and they are a gift from Him. Who better to help you change your character than the one who made you! Anyway, that is my testimony of prayer!! So everyone, make sure you say them every day and make sure you MEAN them!! Be completely honest. Tell him about your biggest worries, your fears, the things that bother you. Talk to Him.

I LOVE you guys!! Hopefully I'll be able to tell you more about the progressing work soon!

Soeur Stewart