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

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

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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

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