Week 20 - Officially Tahitian-ified

Whew! Busy this week!

We had zone conference, and the news is that there is a new rule for missionaries in Tahiti. We officially cannot touch the water. Needless to say, it's going to be difficult, but that's how it is, I guess. We're all working on loving God's commandments out here, because putting our feet in the water saved a lot of us from the heat, but that's alright.

(Back when we could touch the water.)

During our planning at the beginning of this week, we wrote in an amie's name for a morning that we thought might work. We hadn't been able to catch her for two weeks, and were really missing her. We stopped in every day this week to try and see her, but it wasn't until the time we had planned that we actually saw her! We had an amazing lesson with her, and the Spirit was so strong! Her name is Helene, and she's truly such an amazing person. I have a picture of her somewhere, but it's not with me... So, soon.

We also have an amie who has been so amazingly prepared for the gospel. He took the lessons about six months ago, and has had a really hard time getting to church - I think it made him nervous. But this week, we really challenged him to come, because he has a huge desire to be baptized. We shared about the truth of the gospel, and that church is where he can learn about all of that. And, he came to church on Sunday! He loved it! He was so happy to be there. Two miracles of this week :)

 

We did what we call "an english fast" this week, where we spoke only french for an entire day. It went so great! I really feel a lot more comfortable with the language, and I don't think it's because I couldn't speak english for a day - I think it's because I brought all my efforts of four and a half months to God. I shared with him my desire to be comfortable speaking with the people, and he strengthened me! I'm so grateful for the knowledge that I can just ask, and if I have the faith (and the work ethic), I will receive. It's guaranteed.

The reason my email is titled the way it is is because I finally went to a Tahitian party! We had a ward activity for the anniversary of the Relief Society, and there was a lot of dancing, a lot of singing, a lot of ukuleles! It was so wonderful. I love Tahitian music, and their culture is so powerful and full of love! It's amazing to me.

  

(The dresses, the flowers, the plants, the ukuleles, the music! I love it all. It's so amazing!)

(They also had a cake the size of our seminary tables. If you don't know how long or big that is, it's basically the length of my entire wingspan, if I had my arms spread out straight. It was HUGE.)

The last update is just that it's been raining all week. We're always on bike, and sometimes, it just starts pouring as we're riding. Twice this week, we've been soaked all the way through our outfits. Twice! 

(Us after flying through the rain to the shelter of the church building, trying to capture how soaking wet we were. We didn't quite capture it, but my hair didn't dry for the rest of the day, if that helps. And I was wearing a helmet.)

I hope your weeks are wonderful! I promise I don't wear the same shirt everyday, but all of our pictures are taken when I'm wearing it! Love,

Soeur Sperry