be not afraid, only believe

A seven ami Sabbath (le 13 septembre 2010)

2010-12-21T00:59:00.000-08:00

I was looking through my mission letters and realized that I was missing a week in September! After some searching on my mission email account I found it.

Voila:

Oh! Oh! Oh! We had an incredible week, and yesterday was the cherry on the top. We had seven of our investigators at Church yesterday. Seven. I know! Okay, so this would be dismal in Brazil, but for us here: a miracle. And, thankfully, everything went smoothly at Church. Even when you have one ami at church you seem to have this motherly fuss over them, and for seven it would be impossible. But, the members stepped in and took care of each of them. They made me proud. President Ulivaka said once that the missionaries try so hard to bring the investigators through the door only to be met by members that kick them out window. This week missionary and member alike kept them safe inside the fold.

We received some new missionary training from our leaders concerning the doctrine of Christ and how we need to extend the baptismal commitment at each lesson we teach and a date. We have already been doing our best to do this, but at our district meeting we did some effective role playing that helped us experience and see new ways of how we should present and ask the baptismal question. I was surprised at how well the role playing went. Sometimes it can be ridiculous. For example, you can have either bad investigator acting (too mean or too unrealistic) or missionaries (okay, me) who don't take it seriously enough. I remember attempting it a few times with Soeur Seiko in Paita but she would break out laughing and I can never be much of a realistic investigator. Well, this week the role playing was, like I previously stated, effective.

Anyway, all this new training is derived from Preach My Gospel, but it approaches the work in a more inspired, concise way. I can see how the work is going to develop and be enhanced in the process of this new training. My love for Preach My Gospel has grown over my mission and does not decrease; I see how inspired the prophet and his apostles are/were in creating and honing our use of this volume to increase the efficiency of our work.

Since that training my companion and I have been diligent in teaching our lessons in a way that it evolves around the baptismal commitment, because really, shouldn't our investigators know exactly why we're there? And, shouldn't our end goal be commonly shared?

At our second lesson with Victoria and Roger (newer investigators) we were doing a recapitulation of the Restoration. We used Book of Mormon scriptures to describe the ministry of Jesus Christ and how it is necessary for us to follow His example. Roger asked us if we could baptize him right there on the spot because he said he hadn't been baptized. Roger is very zealous. (Funny side note: Roger also told us a few days ago how once Moses came into their garden with a bunch of forest animals to talk with him.) Victoria, who is level-headed and thoughtful, told us that she too wants to be re-baptized because she didn't remember even making the decision to be baptized (she was sprinkled as an infant - "infant baptism is a solemn mockery before God" - Moroni says it all for me). We talked about authority and the necessity to be baptized by someone who holds the Priesthood of God, restored to the Church through the prophet Joseph Smith. We asked them if they would like the be baptized on October 9th by someone who held the Priesthood of God and become members of the Lord's church on earth. They said yes. The Spirit was so strong and tears came to Victoria's eyes. She said that she had had a dream a few weeks ago (fyi: revelatory dreams are not only not uncommon here but also not looked upon as strange) and saw two young women coming towards first Roger and then towards her. She said we were a miracle for her.

There are a lot of odds and ends that need to be tied up and changed before Victoria and Roger can be baptised, but we will teach them what they need to know and pray that they'll have the courage to follow the nicely lighted straight and narrow. That's something I love about the Gospel: God doesn't hide anything from us; all that is necessary to our salvation is illumiated and simple. He shows us the EXACT way we need to go. We just have to search, listen, repent and obey.

Victoria and Roger were two of our seven amis that came to Church on Sunday. For them it was a first. Unfortunately, testimony meeting started with a testimony that was far far far from a testimony; a member got up to the microphone and when he began talking his phone rang. I was surprised ( thinking, "wow, that's conicidental") until he answered the phone and said "Oh, hello Heavenly Father." This is when surprise met shock. He then pretended to have a little conversation with God on the phone while still at the pulpit. I wonder what was going through his mind as he was pre-mediating the execution of this little "testimony." I had to quickly explain to Victoria and Roger, people who haven't gone to church in years and completely NEW to all of this, that that person did not have a special phone in connection to God. It was so uncomfortable for everyone listening, and I was nervous for our amis. However, I think everyone realized what was going on and all the other testimonies that came afterwards were powerful, truth-based and edifying. No more phone calls from "Heavenly Father." Phew.

During our Relief Society lesson we had a great discussion on "The Church of Jesus Christ Today" and the Restoration. It was perfect for Victoria. She drank everything up. She kept commenting to me, "This is true, this is true." She had all her scriptures with her in her backpack and informed me that she had read the entire brochure we had given her and had completed the scripture study found at the end. It was one of the best experiences to be next to her and Roger throughout all the meetings and see the knowledge and light of the Gospel entering into them.

Francois decided this week to "put the Lord to the test" and quit smoking for good. There is a marked difference in his countenance from when we first met with him. Now when we come to pick him up on Sunday morning (with a member) he is in his buttoned white shirt and his tie is around his neck by the time we arrive to church.

Soeur Paepaetaata and I are experiencing a lot of joy. We are seeing miracles in the work we do. We feel the closeness of the Spirit's presence and the love that Heavenly Father has for these good people.

I love you all.

Love,
Soeur Cummins

one month later

2010-11-24T18:29:00.000-08:00

It has been one month since I stepped foot again on arrid American turf. Was my mission a dream? Sometimes it feels that way until I am sent merciful "reminders" such as these this week:

1) I received a lovely watercolored map of New Caledonia in the mail two days ago. When I noticed the OPT logo (which is the French postal service mark) on the large tube-like package my mind first jumped to estasy and then to "wait, who sent me this?" I was touched to receive the package (especially when I revealed its contents). I have been missing la Calédonie particularly these past fews days. I had to go out to the car and shed a few tears; I couldn't well do that in front of the postal lady. She probably already thinks I am beserk for walking into the office decked in my soccer wear, clackety cleats included.

2) I can still speak French. A certain madame from BYU called the other night (same evening that I recieved that cherished tube) to inform me with some important news and I didn't even have to think before responding and conversing freely. It was like riding a bike; a lovely bike that misses being set onto open sidewalk.

3) Frere Kilama made a transpacific telephone call to give me "les nouvelles" from la Calédonie.

amis

2010-10-30T22:35:00.001-07:00

The gift the most dear (11 octobre 2010)

2010-10-29T23:38:00.000-07:00

Hi.
First things first: Happy Birthday Heather Shea!
I am at the beginning of the very end now. It is a sobering thought. Soon I will leave this land, these peoples, and this life that I have grown accustomed to and so fond of and come back to the “other side”. These are the last moments.
We watched conference this past weekend, as the time changes are so different that to watch it when you do would be at three in the morning the day after. Apparently, this is not ideal. The messages were inspired and soul-renewing, different than those given six months ago both in topic and tone. I appreciated the clear focus on decision making and agency. What an incredible capacity and responsibility (which grows as knowledge increases and talents are bestowed) we have to choose.
I had a faith inspiring experience yesterday at conference that I feel prompted to share with you. I could have overlooked its simplicity, but the Lord works in various small, unassuming ways for His children, and I believe that as we become more aware of and thankful for His less evident workings in our lives, He is willing to continue in His outpouring. We have an amie named Fabianne. She wanted to come to conference on Saturday and waited until five in the afternoon for the ride that was supposedly to come pick her and her children up. No one came. We confirmed a ride for her on Sunday, but we noticed after the first session that that neither Fabianne or the member given the task to pick them up were there. At this point we had about twenty minutes until the commencement of the last session, and I was anxious - feeling and, thus, knowing that we had to find some way to get her. I whispered a small prayer of gratitude and help and then went to work trying to find a member willing to go to Ducos. Soeur Fitcher was out chatting with some other soeurs and I asked for her help. She was willing. We, three, drove to Ducos, picked up a very happy Fabianne and family (re-dressed for the third time), and arrived at conference just as President Uchtdorf gave the opening remarks. Later that night we had a soirée familial (FHE) at Fabianne’s and she expressed her gratitude to have been able to go to conference. She said that she felt great peace when she heard President Monson’s final remarks. It was her first time to see and hear the prophet. I appreciate the simple power of prayer and faith and the help that Father puts in our paths – to be able to ask Him for help in any circumstance, big or small, complex or uncomplicated.
This week I had my final district meeting with the other missionaries in my district, since tomorrow is zone conference. I am going to miss our quirky district and the Spirit we feel one and all each Tuesday between the times of 11 and 12:30 as we strive to become a more adequate servant in the Lord’s vineyard. It is a great blessing from the Lord that I have not yet felt the impact of my impending departure – I feel focused and energetic to work and labor to the very end. Oh, Father has blessed me more than I could ever wish to express.
On Wednesday I did a final exchange with Soeur Chugg (or, as I enjoy crooning, “Sista Shoe-guh”) and we visited one of our newer amis. This one lives in a squat down by an out-of-use lepers' colony. It is the most tranquil spot I have been to on the island – the terrain of the colony that is, not the squat. It is located on the ocean front, and we sat and waited for our ami to arrive amongst the intricately branched mango trees. What a perfect place to talk about the Gospel of peace. Plus, if I were a leper… no, I won’t even say that.
We had a wonderful experience with our amie, Annie Wema, this week. She was alone when we stopped by her apartment, and consequently she was able to unload a lot of personal problems and sadness that has been weighing on her mind. We listened with care and were able to respond to her concerns. She told us that she had begun reading the Book of Mormon. She said that as she read she would feel peace and calm, but that as quickly as this feeling would come to her it would leave. She asked if she was too weak to be able to keep it with her. We explained the nature of the Holy Ghost before our baptism and confirmation and its more limited role (limited by our lack of covenant – like someone knocking on our door; all he can do is knock and wait for us to “receive” him in, though he has the capability and potential to roam freely in our house) and how the Spirit, after confirmation, could be a continuous influence in her life. I loved the talk that Elder Bednar gave about the Holy Ghost, His nature and our relationship with him. I do not think that I really understood the whisperings of the Spirit and his nature before I came on my mission. Of course, I did follow those promptings to go on a mission, but I realize that there have been many a time that I felt his holy influence but was not aware that it came from him, and thus was not aware of a response to a question or a guiding light. I am grateful that I have a greater comprehension of and receptivity to his subtle but sure influence.
I have to run now. This is my last P-day, and there is much to do. You should take a glance at my planner for this week – bursting with activity; the best sort of week.
See you on the other side.
Love,
Soeur Cummins

One year six months and counting (4 octobre 2010)

2010-10-29T23:33:00.001-07:00

Dearest Family,
You may be enjoying your sessions of General Conference, but we on the other hand have to wait a week to receive such drippings of heavenly light. I find that after the six month dry spell my spirit is in need of the inspired words of our leaders and the prophet.
This week we had a wonderful district meeting on the importance of using the Book of Mormon in our work and focusing on having our investigator's read it from the beginning and PRAYING to know if it is true. I remember coming into the area of Ducos and realizing that all of the present amis had been given reading assignments from all over in the Book of Mormon but it is difficult to have a relationship with a book if you cannot understand the story as a whole. So, we made a reading chart and started all of our amis at the beginning. It is incredible how the Book of Mormon changes lives - subtly but consistently. François, for example, began reading the Book of Mormon from the beginning and coming consistently to church meetings and his entire demeanor began to change. As he reads he understands the story and relates with the characters. Gilles, another example, is the soon-to-be husband of Fabienne, and he told us that as he reads the Book of Mormon his desire to do good increases. We shared Mosiah 5:2 with him, showing him that is the Spirit working within him as he reads the Book of Mormon, inspiring him to goodness.
We had some great lessons with Victoria this week. I feel as though I was meant to meet and teach her; she is my joy. We went and saw her on Tuesday without any warning and we found her sitting on her bed surrounded by Liahonas, her scriptures and a notebook full of notes. Is she for real?
On Wednesday we had such a good day and FULL day that we didn't even have time to eat lunch. I love days like that. We are teaching many wonderful amis and are finding more through our daily knocking activities. Oh, I would tell you more about all these experiences but I have to go buy souvenirs for all you before our lunch with Frère Kilama. Don't worry, my journal will be an open book for you when I come home.
Love,
Soeur Cummins

lunch!

tindu art contest

« I feel the presence of the Savior. » (27 septembre 2010)

2010-10-29T23:27:00.000-07:00

happy birthday, soeur paepaetaata baptism

Dearest Family,
I am happy to be able to write you once again and do a little "rendre compte" of my week with you. This week the sisters of Paita (Chugg and Hurst) came down and spent the day with us in Ducos. A few weeks ago the missionary leaders received new training that comes directly from the prophet in order to make the work we do more efficient. The sisters came and did exchanges with us in order to teach us the new training and it is INCREDIBLE. There is nothing new, no new Preach My Gospel, but the Brethern were able to pin-point for the missionaries eight foundation principles that, if followed, will make us better missionaries and more effective tools in the Lord's hands. The principles we learned this week with the sisters begin with being clear at the get-go with our investigators why we are there. We also need to ask them why they think we are there so that we can find equal ground right at the beginning and work towards a mutual goal. Our lessons are then more focused on the commitment at the end and not the lesson plan. Because, it is by following commitments that our amis repent and change. So really, our lessons should be focused on the goal, the end-point. We also spoke about the importance of REALLY listening to our amis and asking inspired questions in order to discern needs and follow the Spirit. Sometimes we are so focused on trying to find the inspiration of the Spirit that we stop listening to our investigators, when in fact as we listen closely to our amis and between the lines the Spirit will inspire us.
At our first lesson together with our amie, Ruth, Soeur Hurst and I put into action these simple principles. We had a specific commitment in mind for her (to go to church and to pray morning and night), but as we listened to Ruth and discerned the problems she is facing we discovered that we needed to follow a different approach and teach another principle. As we did this, showing her how she could demonstrate her faith in Heavenly Father, we all felt the Holy Spirit testify. She was inspired. During the closing prayer she asked Heavenly Father to help her with her difficulties and to help her get to Church every Sunday (our first commitment in mind for her). It was a wonderful lesson and different from any other one we had had with her. I see that this new way to approach the work is the will of God. Though I be only a few short weeks away from coming home, I am learning more than ever. It goes to show that even an old dog can learn new tricks.
We had a miracle day on Wednesday. We had a wonderful lesson down in the squats of Numbo with Victoria. We talked about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and she expressed her desire to repent everyday and become like Christ. She showed us this board that she began making where she posted all the notes she takes as she listens to us and as she studies the scriptures. She had been sick for a week with stomach problems and is losing weight because of them (and she is already SO thin), and she said that lately she has been feeling the presence of Satan pulling at her. We called the elders to come and give her a blessing. After the blessing Elder Rock asked her what she felt in her heart. She said, "Je ressens la présence du Sauveur," or "I feel the presence of the Savior." We all did.
I don't have much time left to tell you of all the experiences we have seen this week, but all is well. We are knocking doors and contacting all that we see and are becoming better missionaries. I am a better missionary this week than I was last week, and for me that is an accomplishment.
I love you all and am trying not to think about you too much, knowing that I will be seeing your faces soon. The very thought of that brings joy to my heart, but leaving here will be quite bittersweet.
Happy birthday to Kari tomorrow!
Love,
Soeur Cummins

On vacation (20 septembre 2010)

2010-10-29T23:18:00.000-07:00

dear mamie songDearest Family,
I shouldn’t have counted, but this is the fourth to last email I will send your way as a missionary; soon we will be able to have a conversation without the use of a modem. These are my final four weeks, and I am determined to make them the best. I plan to be exhausted when I arrive home, so have a bed ready. And, perhaps a doctor’s appointment. I am not sure what sort of effects these last eighteen months have tolled on my body, but they might need to be evaluated by a professional.
As for this week: The schools are on vacation (which is a common thing here - I am sure that they have the same amount of days in school as they do on vacation) and the members are free to go along with us. We had 14 member present lessons this week, which is another mission high for me. Cindy Ulivaka (the 18 year old daughter of our branch president) was able to go to work with us. She is a great missionary already and even went door-to-door knocking with us. We taught our ami Yannick who is not having much luck in life lately. He is not very loved at home by his wife and his relationship with his children is strained. He was attacked by a dog last week and his beloved canine was nearly killed in the attack. We attempted to comfort him with scriptures about Christ and His sufferings and how we can rely on Him in all our moments - those both joyous and painful. But, he was not in a state to be comforted.
After teaching with Cindy, we were able to study in Preach My Gospel together. As we talked, Cindy was able to be open with us about some difficulties she has been facing lately. There are not many active young adults in the Church here and she has seen many of her close friends from Church turn to the ways of the world. It's hard to stay strong in a culture that rejects Gospel principles so blatantly. I am glad that we can be Cindy's friends and strengthen her. But, in fact, it is her example that strengthens me.
We had great lessons with Fabienne and Gilles this week. As we taught about baptism Fabienne just squirmed in her seat; she wants to be baptized more than any other person I have ever met. When Gilles said that they would go to the town (la Mairie) hall and figure out when they could get married (you have to reserve a spot at la Mairie) she nearly passed out with joy.
We continue teaching Victoria and Roger. When we went there Monday evening, Victoria told us that she had stayed up until three in the morning reading the "Principles of the Gospel" book and looking up every scripture that it cites. Roger said that he enjoyed the Priesthood meeting with the brethern and then he said that he had the priesthood. We told him that he did not have it - after his baptism he would be able to receive it. Sometimes we have to be a little frank.
On Saturday night we had a FHE at the Ulivaka's with Fabianne and her little boy. Francois also came. It is good to see member integration among our amis.
I am glad to be a missionary.
Love,
Soeur Cummins

fhe at the ulivaka's

a dress shop en ville

One planner left (6 septembre 2010)

2010-10-29T23:11:00.000-07:00

Bonjour tout le monde,
This is French first-words-at-the-pulpit classic. Getting up to the stand during sacrament meeting and not saying "bonjour" to everyone is going to be a difficult habit to break - or a new habit to install?
Well, today is officially the first day of my last planner. For those who are unfamiliar, missionary life is not lived so much hour-to-hour, day-to-day, or even month-to-month. It is a bubble of time divided into six week periods, dotted with weekly preparation days, district meetings, weekly planning sessions, and church meetings. I am in the last of these six week periods, and it is a time of reflection and goal setting. I plan to sprint to the end. This work is too great and too grand to be carried on by walkers. I love a citation by President Monson when he said, "do not pray to have a calling that meets your capacities, pray to be given the capacities that meet your calling." I am surer than ever of the fulfillment of this in my life. I see how Heavenly Father has refined my capacities and enlargened my abilities to meet the demands of my calling, yet I see that I have quite a distance to go. However, the more that I study the Gospel and the life of Christ the more sure I am that Christ's grace "sufficeth" me. What optimism this inspires! Of course, qualifying for His grace requires more than a cheap effort, but I am grateful to make those efforts so that I may one day "be like unto Him."
This week has seen all sorts of adventures. We have been finding new amis left and right. We had a lesson in the squats near Tindu. It was a hiking adventure to get there (and my companion doesn't have fond sentiments for the bush), but the lesson went great. The two people we taught there are Victoria and Roger. They are humble and seeking the truth. We also had a lesson with an amie that was invited to take the lessons by another one of our amis. Investigators finding new investigators. Wow.
I don't have much time left on the computer, but here is a run-down of the week:
· my companion got sick but all is well now (and I was able to use the time she spent sleeping to catch up in my journal)
· car wash with all the missionaries – and I was kissed on the cheeks by a drunk man that came up from behind! Aouh! The count is now at three.
· district conference with all the branches – our branch sang, and we sang well too.
· President Ostler's arrival
· Sisters’ night with all the sister missionaries – spaghetti dinner that involved Soeur Chugg eating butter straight from the butter plate.
I love you all.
Love,
Soeur Cummins

victoria and rogerat district conference with Fabianne and Irenemy companion asked me to iron her hair. this was a first for me. no head injuries ensued.

"Si quelqu'un d'entre vous manque de sagesse…" (30 août 2010)

2010-10-29T23:01:00.000-07:00

Dearests,
The weeks are filing by before my eyes. Next week I begin my final missionary planner, ushering in the final six weeks of my mission in this blessed island land.
This morning Soeur Paepaetaata and I had very interesting personal studies which ended up becoming a confusing companionship study. I studied DandC 77, which gives an explanation of the revelations of John, and Soeur P. studied 2Néphi17, smack dab in the Isaiah chapters. As we attempted to understand the complexties of the signs of the second coming, Judaic history and the perspective of Isaiah in seeing the latter days, Soeur P. reminded us that "if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God...", so we said a prayer. This goes to say that the more that I progress in my study of the Gospel, the more that I see how much God wants to give me the knowledge and understanding of His mysteries. Yet it is essential for me to search them out with His Spirit, for the mysteries of God can only be understood by the spirit of revelation. I am convinced of God's fervent desire to give me understanding.
This past week we had a particular experience that was positive with two newer amis, Prisca and Jacques. We met Prisca during a knocking doors activity (with member Soeur Mana in tow), and we set up a second lesson for this past week. Not only was Prisca ready for our lesson when we came, but her copain Jacques was there and willing to listen as well. The lesson was on the Restoration and they committed to, once they prayed and were certain of the message's truthfulness, to join the Church. There was a warm spirit in their home, and after our lesson they said that they had prepared a meal for us. I am frequently astounded by the kindness of the people here. On Friday night we had a dinner planned with an inactive family, but we weren't able to confirm it with them until the day of. I thought that perhaps they had forgotten, but when we went by in the morning we found the mother preparing the dishes for that evening. During our meal together that night, they told us all about their experiences with the missionaries. After their immaculate dinner they found out that I would soon be finishing my mission and they gave me a present of two traditional dresses. :)
On Thursday we did another sister's exchange and I went up to Paita to work the day with Soeur Chugg. The last exchange that I did in Paita was not the most positive of experiences, but this time was different. Soeur Chugg and I had great morning studies and went out to do some "finding activities" with gusto. We didn't talk to many people, but at the end of the road we met a sweet Futunian woman, Suliata, and taught the Plan of Salvation. There has been a shortage of the Restoration brochures that we give out to people we contact (which is the brochure we give out the most often), so we have been “forced” to us the Plan of Salvation brochure. The past few weeks have convinced me that this is not by accident. The people we met have a desperate need to understand God's plan for them and their family. When we taught Suliata she expressed sorrow at the loss of her parents many years ago and how still missed them. We couldn't stay with her very long (she was the last house we were to knock), but we testified of the love of our Father and His wonderful plan for our lives and for our eternity. Even in this short lesson I felt the Spirit testify to me of how much God loved this woman. I feel so lucky to be, many times, an intermediary between God and these people to testify to them and let them know of God's love for them. We also had a great lesson later that afternoon with a man and his wife (Jess and Nadette) on prayer. I shared the story of the brother of Jared in Ether 2 where it explains how he didn't pray for four years as they dwelled by the seashore and how the Lord visited him and chastised him. Before we I read the Lord's chastizing of the brother of Jared (verse 15) it seemed harsh, but when you read it and realize that it comes from a loving Heavenly Father it takes on new light. It shows how desperately the Lord wants us to be with Him, but we cannot dwell with Him if we do not pray to Him or do the small and simple things.
All in all, my last exchange in Paita was positive, and it was also a VERY good day for my companion, Soeur Paepaetaata in Ducos with Soeur Leavitt. It gave her the opportunity to step up to the plate, show the area to Soeur Leavitt, and take on more responsibility. She gained greater confidence in herself and a desire to be a better missionary. I can see that the effects of that transfer already in her recent work. She is becoming more constant and dedicated, and this pleases me immensely.
So many good experiences this week: our amie Ruth who prayed at church, the Relief Society activity, a nice sunburn (wait, not a good experience), Soeur Seiko's working with us, good knocking activities, François stops smoking, etc...
I love you all. Good luck this week with school and seminary.
Love,
Soeur Cummins

Birthpains (23 août 2010)

2010-10-29T22:52:00.000-07:00

Family,
It's Monday again. Time passes too quickly, but it is not empty. If you knew how much is done in one day in the life of a missionary, you would know that God is a God of miracles. The simple fact that eight hours provides quasi-enough sleep at night is proof of His mercy. It's incredible that eight weeks from today I will be flying to Fiji and then flying home to you all. There is much work to be done though and no time to think about what lies ahead. Though, I am sure to be shell-shocked with all the changes at home. So many babies! I had no idea either that Danielle was expecting!
I was thinking the other day what it would be like to start my mission over again and begin afresh, like Alex, but with all I know now. Alex has no idea what his mission will be to if he allows it to shape him. When I started I had no idea how to be a missionary. I don't think I know a whole lot now, but what I do know is the importance of the Spirit in this work. It is the key. Once you have to Spirit you will know all that you should do.
This week we had many good experiences. We have been working everyday with members and mostly the sisters in the ward. This is not only a benefit for our amis, who feel the strength of a testimony of a "real" person (since we are extra-terrestials or something to them - especially moi), but also for the fortification of our members. Bearing testimony is one of the most conducive ways to invite the Spirit into our lives, and with the Spirit we received added strength to persevere and acquire necessary Christlike virtues. In the teaching situation, all parties (ami, member, and missionary) can be of benefit.
I had many excellent studies this week in the Book of Mormon and the Bible. As I read the Bible, though it may not be in its perfect state, I understand clearly, in the light of the modern gospel, the principles taught. The power of the word of God is incredible. I have also been worried about the progress of my companion - she has been having some difficulties lately, and I was lead to many scriptures this week that were meant for her. I have been praying to be guided as the leader in our companionship, and as time progresses I feel that the Spirit is guiding me to discover what she needs to hear and how to correct her if reproof is necessary. I feel like a mother, and thankfully I have the best parenting guide: the Holy Scriptures.
On Thursday this week we had an interesting afternoon. We were with a member, Soeur Mana, for most of the day and all of our rendez-vous were falling through (which is distressing in general, but even more so when you have a member with you). As we searched for people to try and visit, I remembered a goal we had made in our weekly planning session to go and try to visit some old amis. I had the thought of visiting an ami named Benjamin at an address that I vaguely remember. Nonetheless, we went there and knocked on the doors of the apartment building in order to find him (and contact the people who opened their door: "Yes, we are looking for a Benjamin that lives in this building. Do you know him? He has met with the missionaries, like us, before. Have you ever spoken to the missionaries?" etc.) We ended up knocking on the door of a young mother, and she invited us in. We had a wonderful lesson on the Plan of Salvation with her, and the Spirit was strong. She told us that her father had passed away in May and she teared up. We shared the knowledge and hope we have in eternal families. I am thankful for the Spirit gentle guiding in our lives, especially in missionary work, leading us to those who desire and are searching. I know that Heavenly Father will give unto us the power and the capacities in order to fulfill the divine and great calling to serve His children if we but do all that we can. That scripture in 2 Nephi 25:23 is not just for final judgment or the reception of eternal life, but the grace of Jesus Christ is enough to fill our daily shortcomings if we will but do our very best. The question then is: are we doing our very best?
We had to push Francois' baptism date back to September. He has a desire for baptism though, and I believe Sunday was, the first time in his entire life that he wore a real tie. If this isn't progression then I do not know what is. The brother that came with us to pick him up had to tie it for it and show him how to put it on.
On Saturday night we went to the Seiko's home for a welcome home party for Soeur Seiko, now a returned missionary. She didn't have her badge and she looked melancholy; it was as if someone had stripped her of something dear and precious. The sight of her was foreshadowing for me. But let's not dwell on that. The soirée was great and included a rendition of "Joy to the World" (which is not just a Christmastime hymn) by Soeur Seiko (the mom) and her son Abel.
We have wonderful amis who are progressing, and this area gives me daily joy. Though sometimes I feel much like unto Paul when he describes his missionary work as a birthing process; there is joy, but heavens, there is pain and suffering. But, if we didn't suffer for something, would it really be of great worth to us? Christ suffered the greatest pain in order to give us the greatest blessing: eternal life. The Atonement was no cheap experience, and when we serve our Lord He desires to give us an experience that is of great value. Thus, our mission will be no cheap experience either.
I love you all.
Soeur Cummins

francois

fabianne and children (and cindy ulivaka)

And then there were three (16 août 2010)

2010-10-29T22:43:00.000-07:00

Dear Family,
First of all, I am thrilled for Alex. What an opportunity it is to serve the Lord! Aouh! And, that he gets to speak a language that he has had 19 years to master is an even greater blessing. Once you enter into the Lord's vineyard you realize that no matter where you are called to serve that the work is the same and that the Lord's children, no matter where they are found, are in desperate need of you. Your tools are the same, the Spirit is the same, and the Master you serve is the same. What a blessing it is to serve Him wherever it is that He beckons us.
I am writing this email as the current most senior missionary (according to departure dates) on the island along with Soeur Leavitt and Elder Larkin. This morning Soeur Seiko and Elder Morrill left the island to have final interviews with President and attend the temple. One will fly back home here (Seiko) and one to a land foreign and forgotten. America, that is.
A few nights ago before the 10:30 bedtime call (which is a serene time of the day), I was reading an article about how the Lord expects and desires for miracles to happening among His children far more than what amount of desire we may have for them. Thus, especially as a missionary, we should expect and pray for them. The next day we saw many. We received two contacts from Sophie, an investigator, after we asked her if she knew anyone that would be interested in our message. Asking for referrals is such a simple act, but so many times I am so wrapped up in the lesson or wanting to get out of someone's apartment so they can relish the Spirit that I forget. This time I felt a distinct impression to ask. So we did, and we received. These contacts ended up being two women who are interested in the church and our message. One's name is Kora Waydriwadri (Maré), the other Juanita.
Each day we are trying to do an hour or more or finding activities (such as following-up on contacts and knocking doors), which is adding more amis into our teaching pool and giving us the sure knowledge that the Lord has prepared His children here for this message. The more I study the Gospel and the closer I come unto Christ in both study and application of His word the more optimistic I become about His work. I am sure of His plan and His love for us.
Yesterday I gave a talk in church about the Book of Mormon and how the three-fold declaration made in the sixth paragraph of the introduction is a way for us to strengthen our families.
I'm not sure what it is but I am feeling especially un-verbose today. P-days are not my most prefered day and I just want to get back to work.

All is well here and things progress onward in this corner of the vineyard. Thanks for your continued support.
I love you all.
Love,
Soeur Cummins

Finding activities (2 août 2010)

2010-10-29T22:26:00.000-07:00

this is ducos

Dear Family,
We have had a truly incredible week here - our first full week in Ducos.
First of all, Tuesday was Soeur Leavitt's and my final zone conference since the next one will be in November. It was a bit of a surprise because we thought we would have two more, but they changed the missionary system (worldwide) so that zone conferences are now only held every three months. We were asked to do the translation for the conference, and we had such a good time with that. Soeur Leavitt and I translated for Soeur Mautz and Sister Ostler and since they were the only ones listening in English we were really able to have a spice it up, adding in some running commentary, songs, etc. Soeur Leavitt let me do most of the English to French translation, which I enjoyed. I find a lot of joy in doing translation work.
We bore our testimonies at the end of the conference, and it honestly was bizarre since we still have so much time left and so MUCH work to do. All the missionaries put on a little talent show full of skits about "missionary life" later that night It was hilarious. I cannot tell you how much I enjoy being around the other missionaries and sharing such unique and developing experiences together.
On Wednesday we had a great lesson with a progressing amie named Ruth, though Ruth has a bit of a problem with Pierre. Pierre is her boyfriend that lives with her and doesn't want to get married. Ruth told us about all her troubles with Pierre on our first visit. It wouldn't have been very awkward (since people take pleasure in sharing their problems with us) had Pierre not be in the room with us, sitting in silence in the corner.
Many of our amis and members live in a government subsidized housing system (thank you, socialism) called Tindu. I can't even explain how these buildings look or how they are laid out. It looks like a little piece of Holland, stretched-out into 5 floor buildings, lost out to sea. It will become a photographic memory to be shared with you in the near future.
Last week I might have told you how one night we were leaving Tindu (quickly, since it was night) and we saw a woman in the parking lot and talked to her. We found out that she was taking the missionary lessons about 5 years ago and her husband and her were about to get married and be baptized when they became discouraged and stopped. The elders had continued their attempts to contact her, but she wasn't ready. We met her and she set up an appointment with us. We taught them and they both said that they desired baptism. We went there the next night and watched the Restoration video with Sophie (the woman), though Maurice (her "husband") wasn't there. We have another soirée with them tonight. We pray that all will go well with their progression.
We set a date of baptism for François, who currently lives in a squat inside of a kava bar (another colorful living situation). He is attending church regularly and he has begun to read the Book of Mormon, from the beginning. We are now working on a white shirt and tie for him. He has some obstacles, but he is making progression. When we teach him there is more comprehension and clarity in his eyes. Eyes tell a lot.
We see another amie named Niumani a lot. Her only hindrance is her family and Catholicism. I shouldn't say "only," because those two inter-connected "onlys" are very big and very powerful stumbling stones. She tells us though that as she studies and learns with us that she comes to understand who God really is and feels enlightened by what she reads and by our presence. She is progressing consistently and has the desire to make enduring efforts. She says that she wants her life to change and that she simply wants true happiness.
This week, a quick experience, we were doing some "finding activities," namely, knocking doors. It was getting rainy and chilly (yes: it does get cold here, but I still refuse to wear a jacket) and Soeur Paepaetaata seemed a little tired and discouraged, but it was still light and we still had quite a few houses around so we kept going. We called at one door and a woman came out with a sad expression but the moment she saw our plaques her face lit up. She said that she was a member of the church with her recently deceased husband and that it had been years since she went to church (because of growing opposition against their membership from her husband's family). She talked to us for over an hour and at the end she decided that she was coming back to church. Her cousin, Soeur Ulivaka (the wife of the branch president), came with us the next day to give her a Book of Mormon and offered her a ride to church. She came to church and Soeur Ulivaka was at her side the entire time. We are doing an FHE with her family this week, and we are thrilled to be able to see her reactivation in the church. I know, without any doubt, that Heavenly Father led us to her. She said she had been sitting in her living room looking at a picture of her husband thinking about how happy they had been a few years back when they were active in going to Church. A little while later we came calling at her door. I am glad that we kept going, kept knocking. I feel distinctly that Heavenly Father is leading us around this area to the people that need us the most. The concentration of miracles we have seen this week, both large and small, has been greater than any other week I have had here in New Caledonia. I am sure of God's love for these people, and I am overjoyed that He has blessed us, two simple missionaries, the opportunity to be a conduit of His love for them.
Yesterday was fast Sunday and I was able to bear my testimony at the pulpit during Sacrament meeting. It was wonderful. I feel so blessed to be here. President told me, in our interview on Monday, that this last transfer is going to be a great end to a great mission. I know it will be. I feel greater zeal, greater consecration, greater positivity, and added guidance of the Spirit.
I love you all.
Love,
Soeur Cummins

the vagner family

president and his wife

Ducos whitewash and training wheels (28 juillet 2010)

2010-10-29T21:24:00.000-07:00

Dearest Family,
Wow! There are a myriad of events to recount in this email. First of all, the big news from this week was transfers. I was so sure that I would be staying at Rivière Salée and maybe training one of the two new Tahitian sisters who came in on Wednesday. I was so confident, in fact, that I made it a point to reorganize both my desk and the apartment so I was well-situated and prepared. Then, at district meeting the elders said that they had the news of transfers. That is not a word that you can toss around lightly with missionaries: tranfers. It was announced that not only would I be training but that I was going to be in the sector of Ducos, which hasn't had sister missionaries for at least the last fifteen or so years. What an adventure! I was needless to say, slightly overwhelmed at the idea, and the night of the transfer as Soeur Paepaetaata (my new companion whose name I could not say correctly for at least two days - "pay-pay-tah-ah-tah" which means "55 people" in Tahitian) and I situated ourselves in our new apartment I felt a little baffled by President's decision to send me there. The next day (Thursday) however I felt a little better until the elders of Ducos (the previous set of elders who are taking the other half of the sector, since it will now be divided between us) took us around the area and pointed out the homes of all the amis and the members and the inactives and the potential amis and... You can imagine the overload; my hand could not keep up with all the information, but thankfully Heavenly Father has blessed me with a capacity to not only remember streets and maps but enlarged my memory skills. And, I can decipher my own shorthand.
The elders were kind enough to show us around and take us to the homes of memberes to be introduced. We met a shirtless ami named Yannick whose subject of choice, on our very first visit, was the Fall of Adam and Eve and his fervent desire to live in the Garden of Eden.
Another thing that ease the change was that the elders also kept a pretty good Area Book (well, for elders) which contains all the written information concerning the progression of amis, teaching records of old amis, inactive members, members, potential amis met by knocking doors or street contacting, a map, and all sorts of other necessary things that you take for granted until you are tossed into a similar situation, as we have been. I have been pouring myself over that Area Book.
The next few days we were very blessed! We had great lessons with the amis that are already there and we did some finding activities (don't be fooled by the excitement that the word "activity" connotes, finding activities = street contacting and knocking doors, which actually, for me, are exciting activities but might not seem the case to others). In our first nightly planning, Soeur Paepaetaata asked me when we were going to go knock doors. I said, "tomorrow." It is the best when you have a companion who wants to work and wants to go out and find, like you said Dad, those who are "on the Lord's side."
The people we have contacted, talked with and called have so far been extremely accepting of our message! It is incredible how the people are responding to us and what we share. I feel a new zeal and I know that I am going to love this area.
At church on Sunday, though we are in a smaller branch with not as many members, I felt a spirit of unity and compassion among the members. In Relief Society we were presented before all the woman and we bore our testimonies. I hope we will be a blessing to this branch.
Yesterday after church we had a lesson with a newer amie name Niumanie. We taught her about the Book of Mormon, and she said that she was sincerely seeking a change in her life. We explained that if she followed and lived what we taught her concerning the Gospel of Jesus Christ that it would usher in a lasting change in her life and would give her great purpose in her life. We asked, at the end, if she desire to be baptized and she said yes. We plan to see her more frequently during the week and are bringing the branch president's wife (Soeur Ulivaka) with us.
I am so glad that Soeur Paepaetaata gets to start her mission here and see that there are people who want to embrace and live the Gospel. She is already a gifted teacher, and has a easy-going personality which falls well with me. Plus, she is a great cook and as I stress over the Area Book and make a mountain of calls, she makes us food. She speaks Tahitian and is family, so it seems, with almost all of Tahitian descent we have met here and who are members. I feel privileged to teach these people. Of course, I am still quite a bit overwhelmed with all the work that needs to be done, but at least I won't ever be unoccupied.
So much to do and so little time! I love you all very much.
Love,
Soeur Cummins

welcome to Ducos

merci les elders

Marriage, member missionaries and callings (19 juillet 2010)

2010-10-29T21:22:00.000-07:00

Dearest Family,
I am writing this in the afternoon due to interesting activities that occurred this morning, c'est-à-dire, a marriage New Caledonian style (in specific, from the culture of Lifou). Let's just say that it included a lot of colorful dresses, dancing, loads of rice and sugar (given to the couple or the tribe - or both - so they have something to eat for the next millennium), money being stuck into trees and shirts, and a lot of talking (in tongues unknown to these ears). All I know is that all I want for wedding gifts, one day in the far far future, are bags of long-grained rice. :)
Many distances were covered in this past week, both literally and spiritually. The effect of the literal was the umpteenth super-gluing of the soles of these poor Tevas (they will hold out for three more months), and the effect of the spiritually dealt with souls rather than soles: Our amie, Anysse, progresses consistently as she gains a clearer understanding of gospel principles by study and by the Spirit. We watched the movie Legacy with her and Fr. Kilama Thursday night, and they were both just enlightened by the sufferings that the early saints experienced and learned more of Joseph Smith's story. On Saturday as we were walking to an appointment with a less-active member (Anne-Marie) she stepped onto our path with her daughter Ashely as we were walking by. She said she was bored and had wanted to walk around, and she then asked if she could go along with us wherever we were going. At that instant, we remembered that the was a Primary activity taking place at the chapel so we went with her and invited Anne-Marie to go as well. Anne-Marie was sick though and couldn't even met with us, so it worked out well that we came across Anysse. Anyway, at the church, the Primary children from all the branches came together to do a little talent show that ended with a bit of an interesting program by the Magenta branch. Their Primary children did a little Haitian dance, depicting what Haiti was like before the earthquake. Then, all of a sudden, the lights went out and they began showing pictures of the ruins and the pictures of the Haitians putting their lives back together. It culminated with a real show stopper - "We are the World" song sung by all sorts of famous singers and the entire audience was invited to stand up and wave their arms around. I think I decided to sit that one out, but all in all it was a fun little night and Anysse and little Ashely enjoyed it thoroughly (and, that's all that mattered).
Yesterday afternoon we had a great lesson with Michiline Wenisso (the best member missionary) and her non-member brother, Didier. We invited Michiline, after watching the Restoration film together last week, to invite someone she felt would be receptive to watch the movie with us and take the missionary lessons. She asked her brother and, volià, we had a great soirée and he is coming to FHE tonight at the Nauta's (where we go every Monday night).
On that note, can I just tell you how much I love working with members? Despite that love though, it is sometimes difficult to find members that will work with us. It is a lot like finding people who are ready to accept the Gospel. Those that are ready to accept the Gospel and those that Heavenly Father has prepared for such are humble, motivated, and willing to make the efforts (reading, praying, going to church without continual coaxing by the missionaries) because they see that the message is not only important but important to them. Members who work with the missionaries, I have found, are the same; they are humble, motivated and willing to make the effort to work with the missionaries as well as finding people who are ready by their own efforts (without constant missionary cajolings) because they know the message is important in general and important to them. These are the members we are seeking to work with, though we would like to work with every member just like we would like to have every person we meet be baptized and confirmed into the Church.
Wednesday this week was France's Independence day - in New Caledonian terms, this means another day off of work and another day to give one's free agency and liberty over to intoxicating drinks. Well, at least that's how some enjoy spending it. Others, though, do spend it with their families and have barbecues in the good ol' American way (more or less). All the branches had a big sports day in Auteuil and played SOCCER. I played on the elders' team and ended up with a nice patch of skin missing from my knee, but we won and "all's well that ends well."
Before I forget, Fr. Kilama told us a very funny story this week that might put some perspective on what it is like to be a recent convert in the church. So, Pako isn't used to the fact that everyone in the Church gets callings and that after a while people are released from their callings to get a new one or to have someone else take their place. He went to a priesthood fireside on Saturday night and one of his friends, Fr. Turi, was released from his calling during the fireside. However, Fr. Turi wasn't there at the fireside so Pako had the impression that the leaders were taking away Fr. Turi's calling without telling him. Pako was a little upset (and he is sometimes a bit dramatic) - "If they are going to take callings away from my friends, that's it!" Anyway, the next day at church he saw Fr. Turi and asked him if he knew that they had stolen his calling and given it to someone else. He said he was ready to go up to the leaders with him and defend him. Oh là là. Fr. Turi explained the process to him and how people are giving certain callings at certain times and how they are, at one point later, released from them. Anyway, the way he was telling us this story was so funny because, as members of the church, it is just a natural process and something that we don't even think to question.
All is progressing here in New Caledonia. We are getting transfer calls sometime tonight since there are two sisters arriving on Wednesday with President. Since we will have an extra team of sisters they are opening a sector that has never had sisters in it before (well, it’s been a while): Ducos. If you know New Caledonia then you might know why this is an interesting sector to open to soeurs. It has been four months since our tripanionship has been together and we have seen all the colors on the spectrum. I am thankful for the experiences this transfer has given me - troubleshooting and peacemaking skills as well as the capacity to endure and love others more like Christ loves them.
I love you all! Let me know about Alex's call and all the news from home.
Love,
Soeur Cummins

Faith and works (12 juillet 2010)

2010-10-29T20:58:00.000-07:00

Dear Family,
I am feeling good today. This morning we had some interesting companionship studies which varied from the complexities of time and why we have time though God doesn't live within such bounds to the audacity of the men in ages passed who have taken the word of God and skewed it. Thus what a tender mercy it truly is of the Lord to have given us the Book of Mormon. Once any truth is taken from the scriptures (such as that from the Bible - which contained all of the Gospel of Christ in its fullness and plainness before it was debated apart by the creeds of men) indeed it still helps us grow closer to Christ, but there are gaps in which Satan can move in and blind us and cause us to stumble. We also discussed how God allows us to suffer, much of the time, in order to incite us to believe, trust in, and turn to Him. Much of our suffering is self-inflicted, but what mercy Christ has on us when we allow him to pull us out of the pits we have tossed ourselves into. It was a good study this morning. A perk of being in a tripanionship is that our studies are never boring; there is always much to be said and three perspectives shaping our insights. The threesome is to be ending soon though with the arrival of two new sisters from Tahiti, and Soeur Seiko (my beloved companion of past) is ending her mission in the next few weeks. So, it will be au revoir to our incredible companionship studies. Threesomes are very bittersweet experiences - very high highs and very low lows. All I know is that eternal marriage is for two people for a reason.
This week we saw the answer to prayers of missionaries and members alike in the fact that the work is moving forward in a potentially exciting way. We took time this week to see some members that we haven't had much contact with. We talked to them about their conversion stories (since most of them are first generation members of the church) and watched the Restoration film with them or shared a scripture. We then invited to think about how much light and goodness the Gospel has brought into their lives and what they might have been had the missionaries not come by or had their friend not shared the Gospel with them. Then we asked them to think about the people around them right now that are not blessed with this light. Already we have some members thinking about who they can invite. Micheline (who is the best member missionary) asked her brother Didier and he is willing to take the lessons. We talked to Soeur Bull's neighbor and now have a rendez-vous with him, and she is going to come. The Parau's are inviting their granddaughters over next Saturday to watch the film with us. Things are picking up.
We taught Anysse again this week. She just began reading the Book of Mormon from the beginning, and we talked about Nephi and his actions in the first four chapters of the Book of Mormon. It says in the first verse of the first chapter that he had a great knowledge, and we talked about how we gain a spiritual knowledge of something and what our responsibility is once we have that knowledge. It says in chapter 2 that Nephi had a desire to know so he prayed, and because of his faith he was granted the knowledge that if he kept the commandments of God that he would prosper. In chapter 3 it says that Lehi received a commandment for his sons to go back to Jerusalem and get the plates. Nephi had the knowledge that he needed to keep the commandments if he wished to be blessed by the Lord. He even said "I will go and I will do," but even saying that or being desirous to be obedient to our knowledge is not enough. We must act and accomplish the Lord's will - even if it is hard. In chapter four Nephi is constrained by the Spirit to kill Laban and it was something extremely difficult for him (he even said that it would be impossible), but he was obedient and he acquired the plates. This is applicable to us all. We all start with a desire and that leads, by prayer and study, to faith and that leads to knowledge. But, knowledge only serves to our condemnation if we are not obedient to its exigencies, even if we have a desire to be obedient. Faith and works is key, and with the knowledge that faith gives us we have two options: obedience or disobedience. For Anysse we showed her how she was just like Nephi - she had a desire to be taught by the missionaries, she prayed and searched with faith and now knows the Church is true and she has the desire to be baptized (thus putting acts behind her faith) but her desire is not enough. She has to accomplish the will of God and actually BE baptized, even though right now it might seem impossible, but Nephi did it and so can she. I think it gave her perspective on her situation and also she can now see how applicable the scriptures are to her.
We met this girl yesterday at Church (Gabrielle) who was taught in Paris by a recently returned missionary in our branch (Marie Huzu). She came to church since her parents live in Nouméa (but she lives in Paris, and is originally from Los Angeles; she is bilingual) and is staying heer during the summer. She was just baptized last month in France after having investigated the Gospel for a while. She wrote a book on the Fundamentalist LDS church and she wanted to know if the mother church (the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) was really a culte or not, so one Sunday she decided to go and see. She loved it and was convinced by the truth and the Spirit. It's amazing to see that there are people like her, intelligent and curious, who are truly seeking the truth. She is here for two months so she said she would like to go out and work with us. What a blessing!
The only sad point of the week was that one of Pako's dogs, Hoki, was hit by a car and killed the other night. He is very distraught. He has no children that live with him (or that care about him), so much of his overflowing love goes to those dogs. We are going to go see him today and sing some songs with him.
All in all we had a very good week with lots of walking and talking and sharing and finding. I love the Gospel, and I am amazed at all the things that I experience and the privilege it is to teach the people here and to be surrounded by excellent missionaries and members.
Hoping you have a good week!
Love,
Soeur Cummins

Translation: "To whoever stole my plant: Watch out!"

Eggplant, thieves and patience (5 juillet 2010)

2010-10-29T20:53:00.001-07:00

Dearest Family,
First of all, I would like to show you an example of how out in the middle of nowhere we are and how rumors become doctrine. Oh là là. Yesterday we were at lunch at the Fitcher's and Soeur Fitcher announced, in no uncertain terms, that she had heard that the Church headquarters are moving to Rome, Italy. She said that Salt Lake City would be deconstructed and that it is all moving to Rome. Her daughter Nadia began to laugh and we couldn't resist either. The true church of Christ will soon be in cahoots with the great and abominable one. Soeur Fitcher said, "You'll see," and then the conversation moved to her new eggplant recipe she acquired in her recent trip to France.
This week has been crazy! On Monday we were at the beach of Magenta (just across from the chapel) on the sandbar taking pictures when our backpacks, which were left some distance from us were picked up by a “needy” Melanesian man and taken away. The Mautz's daughter (who came out to visit) and I saw the theft, and we booked it after the delinquent. We went all over Magenta trying to find them. Luckily I had been too lazy to carry my sack to the beach and had left it at the church, but three of the sisters' backpacks were taken. After a talk with the police, a trip to the station, dinner with the Mautz's, we arrived home at our apartment around 10pm. It was a crazy day. The next morning however the elders received a call that said that the backpacks had been dropped off at the church building. I think the thieves noticed the scriptures and realized with guilt that they had stolen from a religious organization. Well, that’s my theory. They took only the French money and a cell phone and, strangely, pens and mints. They could have done much more damage (keys to apartments, to the church, credit cards, etc), but Heavenly Father watched over what was necessary and we all learned a good lesson.
On Wednesday we had some good lessons with inactive members in the neighborhood, and the Spirit was there. One of the sisters, who came to Church on Sunday, said through tears that she regretted not coming back sooner.
On Thursday I had an incredible exchange with Soeur Mariterangi, a newer sister from Tahiti. The day started out with great personal and companionship studies, and then we got out onto the streets. We went to a lesson with a less-active woman and contacted a bunch of people on the way. It's an enjoyable adventure talking to people and sharing the message. You never know what is going to come out of their mouths and it keeps us on our toes - it's amazing how the Gospel can be tied to just about anything that anyone says.
We found some potential amis on our way to Soeur Pauline's and had a great lesson with her from Gospel Principles on repentance. Repentance is a true gift. Afterwards we walked around in a search for inactive members in the area and we ended up contacting some teenage girls who were going to go play soccer. We asked if their parents would be interested in the message and they directed us to their house. We talked with their dad, who is currently experiencing familial problems, and shared the first lesson with him. It went well and his interest was visibly peaked. It was a privilege to be with Soeur M.. She is a talented teacher, and she is receptive of the Spirit. We had a quick lunch and then went and taught Isabelle (the recent convert turned less-active), and once again the Spirit was strong throughout the lesson. Then we had another lesson with our amie Anysse. We talked about the importance of the scriptures. She said that she had talked to Milo, her boyfriend, about the law of chastity and he said that it is "not normal" to live that law. We explained that when we do not know God's word and will that we can be blinded by the world and its philosophies (such as the thought that the Law of Chasity "isn't normal"), but that when we read the scriptures it teaches us the difference between error and truth. Our last lesson was on how to follow the prophet with Frère Kilama. That went well. It was an exceptional day, truly. It was a breath of fresh air in comparison to things they way they have been lately. We worked hard and didn't stop or even feign the need to stop. We walked and talked of Christ allowing us to feel the Spirit in our as we went to and from lessons. We were both united in our desire to follow the Spirit and go with his flow – not being too fenced in by our planning and willing to press forward.
The rest of the week was difficult. Soeur Swapp has been experiencing debilitating migraines that keep us in, and Soeur Hurst's neck is killing her. It has been difficult dealing with personal feelings of inefficiency when it comes to such confining situations, but I am learning patience for others and myself.
I have to go! By the way, Happy Fourth of July! I wore the appropriate colors to church yesterday. Too bad that the French and American flag colors are the same.
Love you all.
Love,
Soeur Cummins

“I blessed the rains down in Afr… uh hum, New Caledonia.” (28 juin 2010)

2010-10-29T20:21:00.000-07:00

Dear Family,
Oh, it feels like a one-fingered typing day and I have twenty minutes on the clock, but here's the weekly run-down:
First of all, weather report. I feel like I have been diligent on keeping you all up-to-date on the current climatic situation and I shouldn't stop a tradition - unless it is evil of course. At any rate, it is cold here. I have no thermometer reading to give you, but all I know is that I am cold in the mornings and the wind has been blowing. I am stubborn though and I refuse to wear a sweater. It's a tropical island. Wearing a sweater seems contradictory to me. Though the natives (and my companions) have given into long sleeves, I am holding out. We had a very good week this week.
Don't worry it doesn't end there. We finally saw Brenda this week and she still has baptism aspirations, but it is clear that though she has the desire there will be many steps for her to complete before she arrives at the waters of baptism. This means lots of work for the both of us, but our shoulders are ready to push the wheel and we pray that the Lord will strengthen hers. We have a great member who is always willing to go and work with us during the week. Her name is Micheline, and she has the most incredible testimony. We are blessed to have her willing heart and firm convictions.
We also taught Célina. We watched the Restoration video together, and before our second lesson she watched it a second time. It's difficult to explain the process of Christ's church being established, apostasy's rampant destruction of that Church, and the restoration of it and expect our amis to fully understand it the first time, but the movie puts feelings and images behind the story and, of course, the Spirit quickens the mind of any ami who is willing to simply believe.
We taught Anysse. She told us that her boyfriend decided to move the marriage date to next year because he wants to really prepare financially and buy a house. I suppose those are legitimate reasons to him, but we taught the importance of the family in God's eyes to Anysse. We taught the law of chastity and she declared that she is determined to live it. If that be so (and we do pray for it), we can be sure of a very unhappy boyfriend and a marriage in the near future. Perfect.
We taught Pako KILAMA this week. We are trying to call him Frère Kilama and help others to call him that at church (and not just Pako), but when the president of the branch (President Kauvautupu - now that's a branch president name!) calls him Pako from the pulpit during Sacrament meeting you know it is going to be a hard habit to kill. It’s hard for us. Anyway, we taught Pako, Fr. Kilama!, and got caught in a very random rainstorm at his house. We couldn't leave because we didn’t have any umbrellas, so we stayed and sang Church hymns for a half an hour while the skies raged.
That is your glimpse of the week. Zion has her ups and downs in New Caledonia, but she is progressing ever onward, though some would say at “the pace of an escargot.” Still, onward ever onward.
Keep me updated on Alex's mission process!
Oui: I love you all. Have a good week!
Love,
Soeur Cummins

micheline, the best member missionary!

rainy day

anyesse

celina

The Spirit’s workings (21 juin 2010)

2010-10-29T19:49:00.000-07:00

Dear Family,
This past week, though a bit dreary skyward, has seen great progression in our work in Rivière Salée personally, as our companionship (we are now past our three month mark as a tripanionship - that is accomplishment to celebrate in and of itself), and with our investigators. We have seen a trend as we are searching for new amis and watching the progression of others: we are teaching many young women/mothers and seeing that they are being prepared by Heavenly Father to accept this message. He is preparing His daughters to accept and raise their children within the protecting walls of the restored Gospel.
This week we, as a companionship, focused our studies together on the Spirit and how He works. In doing this we saw a drastic rise in the presence of the Spirit in our lessons. I have come to learn how essential it is to remain simple and use powerful phrases of truth in teaching and thus rely on the Spirit to testify to the heart of the people we teach. One particular lesson was with a young woman named Alice. She was a follow-up that we have had for quite a while, and since we found ourselves in her neighborhood we decided to try and see her again. She immediately invited us in. We taught the first lesson, and though her little boy was being a rascal she was so in tune with what we were saying (though I became distracted when I had to wrangle my poor Bible from the little one's hands - the cover of it is already near the point of complete disintegration, but thankfully the word remains intact - that puts some perspective on that statement of Joseph Smith, "no unhallowed hand can stop this work from progressing") We found out that she is a cousin of Aurélie's (which is really not uncommon since it seems that everyone on this island is related one way or another), so she is going to be invited to come along with us for the next lesson.
We also had a breakthrough lesson with a young mother named Anysse. She has wanted to enter the waters of baptism since she met the missionaries last October, but her martial situation is holding her back; he lives with the father of her daughter and custom has it such that she cannot marry him in his tribe for quite a while. It is much too complicated to explain in an email, however, they can be married at la Marie (the town hall). He just hasn't wanted to take the dive. It has been nearly two months since we have been able to set up an appointment with her, but we finally succeeded. We taught the Plan of Salvation and Anysse was open, curious, and receptive. It became a big discussion, and at the end we told her that if she took a step of faith, prayed, and set a date of baptism with Milo (her boyfriend) that the Lord would make it so that her desires became true. We saw her two days later and she said that she went home and told Milo that he could either married her or take her, her things and her daughter back to her father's house (in another area). Milo conceded. They are going be married by the end of the year and Anysse will be baptized. We were thrilled, to say the least. The Lord wants nothing more than His children's salvation and happiness, but He does work according to our faith and diligence. I know that if our hearts are set on righteous desires and if we persevere in those yearnings that He will, according to his divine timetable, make it such that those desires are realized. I am sure of it.
On Sunday I gave a talk in church on temple work and personal worthiness to enter the temple (Isaiah 2 and Psalms 24), but since I am a missionary I made sure to put a nice missionary spin on it: How important it is for us to do the work for the dead but that we cannot let those whom are living go without knowing the Gospel as well. Why wait until they are on the other side when our probationary period is here and now? This is the time that we have to prepare to meet God and, might I add, help others to prepare to meet Him as well.
We met an old, fragile French man this week (Jacques) who is a bit of an American lover. Surprise of surprises is that this incredibly french French man is a Harley Davidson buff and was tossing around the word "Hog" like it was a part of his own vernacular. He gave us H.D. coins, showed us his impressive thimble set of every state of the union with its appropriate flag (Mom, you would have been awed), gave a cheers to "America and Mormons" when we drank our glasses of water, and then proceeded to tell us that he read the entire Book of Mormon back when he met the missionaries in France back in the 1950's. I will keep you all updated on Jacques' progression as I think he is simply delighted to have us in his home.
Oh, and we had Father's Day lunch at Pako's with a buffet meant for 20 and not 4. But, that's Frère Kilama for you
The Spirit is in this work and His guidance is leading us to those prepared to receive.
How I love ze mission field!
Love you,
Soeur Cummins

Baptisms and Zone Conference (14 juin 2010)

2010-10-29T16:35:00.000-07:00

Dear Family,
What a week! First of all, this morning three missionaries left to go home. They finished their missions. They were all three exceptional elders that I greatly admire. It's funny in this mission because even with one missionary's parting there is a big difference, since we fluctuate in the lower 20’s on the missionary head count. But, life moves on and progression continues onward into eternity. I am thankful for the friends I have made, both missionaries and natives; I feel as though these people have become my dearest friends. They have been a large part of an experience that has crafted much of who I am and who I have become. With each unique experience we have we become bonded to people through the circumstances and by the circumstances themselves.
This week we were able to set a baptism date with that golden amie, Brenda. The 17th of July. She is just so enthusiastic about this decision even though we have only met with her twice. Can you believe that? This just goes to show that there are people who are ready. I have come to see more and more how small a part I play in the conversion process - Heavenly Father is the greatest alchemist, preparing people to accept the Gospel and then leading us to these amis that He has touched with his Midas hand.
Speaking of baptisms, we went to Aurélie's on Saturday at Magenta. It was the sweetest baptismal service I have ever attended. It was tender and pure. I feel honored to have been able to be with Aurélis at the beginning as she learned and accepted so quickly and with full-intent the restored Gospel. I will never forget when she prayed outloud for the first time with us, and how Soeur Chugg and I would float home after our lessons. How blessed Heavenly Father has made me bestowing me with precious, good fruit from His vineyard. Like I told Mom, words are frail substitutes for expressing profound feeling, and I felt Heavenly Father's inexplicable love at her baptism. Aurélie asked me to sing at her service so I did a translation of a Young Women's song that I brought along with me. The talks, one by Soeur Leavitt and another by Elder Manning were simply wonderful. I am so impressed by the teaching capacities that the missionaries here have.
Friday was our zone conference with Président, and there was a very good spirit there that has been lacking at ones in the past. It is so good to be taught and enlightened by our leaders here. We focused on chapter 4 in Preach My Gospel which speaks on how to better recognize and understand the Spirit. I am trying hard to improve my prayers and be more sensitive to the Spirit. I felt His guidance strongly as I study the scriptures. One of the elders made an astute comment about our personal study hour in the morning: Since we do not have a temple nearby that we can attend, our personal study hour is the closest that we get to going to the temple; it is the moment of the day where we can receive from Heavenly Father’s hand profound instruction, increased knowledge, understanding and personal revelation. All as we study the Holy Scriptures. In my President's interview President asked me to make a list of the things I am going to do these final four months to keep moving forward as a missionary, so that my motivation will keep pushing through. One of the things I want to do is come up with a better way of planning and setting goals for both my personal and language studies. I am excited, and already I can see the fruits of my efforts.
I know this work is true. The Gospel has brought me ineffable happiness and I see clearly and more fully the depth of Heavenly Father's love for me and for all His children. Christ suffered so much for each of them. This work is worth it, for Christ is the reason.
I hope you have a wonderful week. Hold to the rod, the very word of God. If you do, you will never perish. What a promise!
Love,
Soeur Cummins

Silver linings (7 juin 2010)

2010-10-29T16:34:00.000-07:00

A tous, salut!
That's how the apostles sent their salutations to the all the branches of the early church: Salut! Which means, "hey" in modern day French and "salvation" biblically. So, salvation/hey to you all! I hope the week was well passed and that the Sabbath day is one of repose and temporal/spiritual relaxation. It says in Genesis that God rested from His labors (in the creation of the Earth) the seventh day, but I really wonder if the God All-Mighty really needed to rest or if perhaps that "rest" was to be an example for us. In any respect, if God rested then we surely need a day of rest as well.
This week has been a challenging one, but it all goes to the bettering of our character and our deepening our experience. I suppose that it is easy to focus on that which is negative and forget all that is good and all that God has blessed us with, and I refuse to follow that well-beaten path, so here are the joyous moments of the week:
We received some instruction from our district mission leader who served in Tahiti on his mission. His wife also served a mission in Tahiti, and they were able to offer us some new ways to teach the first lesson. We tried them out. One idea was, during the first vision, to hum softly Joseph Smith's First Prayer in the background and then to have our ami close their eyes afterwards as we sang the first and last verses of the song. I know it might sound cheesy to some of you, but it works! We taught our amie Célina (who is a super investigator) using that. Soeur Swapp (who is a vocal performance major at the University of Utah) and I hummed as Soeur Hurst told his story and his vision, and then we had Celina close her eyes as we sang if afterwards. The Spirit became so strong and Celina looked at us afterward and said she felt something powerful. We also tried it on Pako and he started to cry. He needs to strengthen his testimony of Joseph Smith, so it was a good experience for him.
On Thursday we were in this one neighborhood called les "Jardins de la Fontaine" and all our rd-v's had fallen through (which happened all too often this week), and our backup plans were falling through as well. I said a prayer that we would be guided because there had to be a reason why they were all falling through. We remembered that there was an old amie that lived right by where we were and off we went. When we knocked a woman came up and told us that the person we were looking for wasn't there. I asked her if she had ever spoken to the missionaries and asked if we could share an important message with her. She accepted immediately. Her name is Brenda and she is 21 years old. She told us that her mother died many years ago, that her father just died in December and that she lives all alone there in the house with her brother and sisters (who are all older) and their significant others. We shared the Plan of Salut (which you all now know means salvation) and as we talked about our life on earth and the importance of following Christ and the points of his Gospel. She asked if we were baptized and she said that she too wanted to be baptized. I told her that that was perfect because we were representatives for Christ's church to help people come unto Him and prepare to be baptized. We said that we taught lessons in order to prepare people to be baptized and she was receptive to us coming and teaching her more. Her humility was astounding and we feel that she might be a golden amie. But, time will tell. Pray for her.
Saturday, in all frankness, was a very rough day. We had prepared so well for the people we planned to see and we had members to go with us but everything fell through. It was rainy and absolutely miserable outside and everyone we contacted was either high, inebriated, or just not interested. We had a few so-so contacts that we are following-up on, but it was a difficult afternoon. There was a lesson with Anne-Marie that went well. She hasn't smoked, read in the Book of Mormon and plans to see President Kauvautupu (the branch president) on Sunday to be able to take the Sacrament again.
On Sunday Célina came to church. The testimonies in Sacrament meeting were, thankfully, mostly focused on Gospel principles, though we really held our breath when Pako went up to bear his testimony for the first time. It was good, and he only swore once. Don't worry he almost never swears - I think he was just nervous. If you knew Frére Pako Kilama you would laugh - there is nobody quite like him in this world.
Célina was very participatory during Gospel Principles class and Relief Society. She was looking up scriptures in both the Bible and the Book of Mormon with seeming facility and she was interested in what was being said. Her church experience was the silver lining on the week.
Oh, and Aurélie's baptism is this weekend and she asked me to sing. I did a quick translation of a song I brought along that we would sing in Young Women's - "His Image in your Countenance." I love doing translation work, but if only Soeur Swapp were singing...
As for the scriptures, I have been reading in Acts. I have read the Gospels many times and I wanted to start the New Testament this time in Acts. It is probably the most inspiring book for missionaries because it is just that: missionary work in action, done by the best of all teachers - the holy apostles. They are teaching me how to hone and better my skills through their experiences. All I know is that Paul gets a picture in my gospel Hall of Fame.
I love you all. I love the mission, even the moments that call on my dexterity to stretch and my humility to deepen.
Bonne semaine à tous!
Love,
Soeur Cummins

The ups, the downs and the all-arounds (31 mai 2010)

2010-10-29T16:22:00.000-07:00

bougna!

Dearest Family,
Yesterday was my one-year mark here on the island. That’s hard to fathom. I figure that I have come a long way, but in many ways I look and wonder if I have become all that I could have so far. Good thing I still have a "bon moment" left on this wonderful speck on the map for greater consecration, more improvement, and a deepened understanding of the Gospel. What a perfect environment a mission provides for the servants of the Lord to hone their understanding of His ways, for there never shall be another moment like unto it.
This week saw some new miracles. On Tuesday evening we were at the church and one of our appointments didn't show up so we began doing some follow-ups in the area. We went to the home of someone the sisters before had taught once for the fifth time to try and see if we could see her. She wasn't there once again, but her niece (who is about our age) was there and we began talking to her. She knew, from her youth, one of the members (Aurore Leau, who recently came home from her mission to Canada) and we asked if she would like to know more about the church. We said that we could set it up so that she could come to the church on Thursday and that we would invite Aurore to come too. She said that that was something she really would like and, as we gave her the Restoration brochure, she murmured that this was something that she really needed in her life. On Thursday she and Aurore were at the church at the appointed time. As we began teaching Eva it became evident that she was extremely prepared to hear the message. And, it's so funny because it seems as though the more prepared someone is the more incomptent in French and the Gospel I become. But that was good because Aurore was able to teach and testify to her. Eva said that she was searching and that she just felt lost with all the churches in the world. She prays constantly, read the entire brochure and has been asking God to send her light and lead her to truth. I told her that this message was an answer to her prayers. The Spirit was so strong during the entire lesson, and it was amazing to see how quickly she understood the message and the scriptures we used. Her heart is humble. We engaged her to pray to know if Joseph Smith was a prophet. She said that she felt something wonderful there with us at the Church. We told her that it was the Spirit. Having that single experience, that single hour, changed my hope. Heavenly Father does have those who are ready. He justs expects His servants to be diligent in trying to find them. Please pray for Eva and that she will be strong enough to follow the answer she will receive.
We went to the Huzu family's home on Wednesday night and they prepared a very New Caledonian dish for us: Bougna! It is a mixture of native ingredients (ignames, sweet potatoes, manioc, coconut milk, etc) wrapped up in banana leaves and either put into an oven dug into the ground or a real oven. The lesson that we taught their family was hopefully just as spiritually nourishing.
On Saturday we did a whole lot of walking around our sector doing follow-ups! The sun was hot and nobody wanted to talk to us or they were just too "busy," but when we arrived home for lunch I felt good. I know that the Spirit had been with us even if we weren't able to find anyone. Later that afternoon we came into contact with an amie named Marie-Madeline that we met a few Sundays ago on a shortcut path. We came by and taught the first lesson, and it went well. After that we went to Anne-Marie's (less active) and she told us that she had been able to stop smoking! We had come by two days earlier and we had had a very serious talk with her (since she had once again taken up the foul habit). I felt like we were breaking up with her. We told her that we would not be able to come over anymore if she wasn't keeping her commitments and if she didn't start making real efforts to stop smoking. She kept telling us how much she wanted to quit but we would come over and find in full smoke, and she kept blaming her problems on her poor family life. I think that realizing that we really would not be coming over anymore (at least for a while) really shook her and she went home after the lesson and stopped. We rejoiced with her and encouraged her to continue in her efforts to stay smoke-free. Smoking and drinking here is too normal; everywhere we go the influences of these cursed habits are evident. All I know is that the Word of Wisdom is divine.
Yesterday we had Mother's Day lunch with Pako and Isabelle at Pako's house. We ate lots of Tahitian salad(well, I did anyway). Pako is becoming one of my favorite members ever. We, well, Soeur Swapp was nearly mangled by his newly adopted dog Duke. It was awful, but that's another story. Oh, and another story I will have to recount to you one day was the very French and very sauced-up friend of our renter who wandered into our apartment yesterday afternoon during language study. We had a few laughs over it. He was harmless - I wouldn't tell you or even allude to the scary stories. Those are for after-mission days.
I love you all. I pray for you and the various situations you are each facing. Please, be humble in all things. Please.
I love this mission.
Have a good week.
Love,
Soeur Cummins

Two steps forward and one step back (25 mai 2010)

2010-10-29T16:12:00.001-07:00

Dearest Family,
Sorry that this is coming your way a day after our P-day. Yesterday was Pentecost day, which in the Bible is the day that the apostles received the Holy Ghost and by evil thinkers were thought, because they were speaking in tongues, to be drunk. However, they seem to enjoy this day here in the opposite fashion - getting tipsy and chasing away the Spirit. On such a holiday there is almost nothing open, so we were just thankful to be able to get our groceries done.
This week has been quite eventful and a bit taxing emotionally. I think that our endurance and diligence is being put to the test as we seem to face one push back after another disappointment, but I am happy to continue to be obedient. We had a lesson last night with our recent convert, Isabelle, along with some other inactive members (because Isabelle, is becoming inactive)about obedience and how, as it describes in Abraham 3:25, obedience is the very reason we are sent to earth; we are to show Father that we desire to follow Him by being obedient. If that is our true reason for our existence here on earth, the question is: how are we doing?
Let me began by the event that one day in the future I will be able to look back on and not be too dismayed. We have a little boy who turned eight that we have been teaching for quite a while. His name is Tony. He comes from a very interesting part-member family who is not the most supportive of his Church life. He has a cousin that he attends Church with every week and his baptism was supposed to be this past Saturday. However, after noticing the lack of his Church attendance we decided that we couldn't do his baptism this week and not until he began to have more consistent attendance at Church. We told his grandmother (who is pretty much his guardian, since his mother either is working, at the Kava bar or in front of the television - that might sound uncharitable but those are the only three places I have ever seen her or heard of her goings) that we would have to push the date back because of the lack of family support at the house getting Tony to Church every week. She took great offense to this. She is an inactive member of many years and she wanted this baptism for Tony's birthday, though, we had to explain, that this is much much more than a birthday present. She felt that we were judging her and her family and said she wanted nothing else to do with the Church and the missionaries. It was ridiculous. Then she told us to leave. We left. We were dismayed, but we spoke to her wonderful visiting teacher, Marie-Claude, and she was able to go over there and help her out. She has calmed down, but I think it still might be a while before we can stop by. All in all, everything will be okay, though we are just sorry for little Tony and the situation he is in with his family. What a blessing it is to have parents who care about you. To have parents who take interest in your learning and growth. The mission has helped me see the blessing of having goodly parents.
I went on a split to Paita this week with a Tahitian sister, Soeur Viriamu. It was a strange experience to be in one of my old sectors and to see how much the work there has changed. The work there is still pretty difficult though and it made me thankful for Rivière Salée.
We taught some great lessons with Pako this week. He is turning out to be our favorite member to take to lessons. He is so sincere when he bears his testimony, and he even does follow-ups for us. He went by our ami’s (Jarom) house to see if he was coming to Church and since he couldn't Pako set up another appointment with him for us. Way to go, Pako. He told us that he gave his nice television away to some friends that live in Magenta so he could study the scriptures more. We were blown away. He progresses steadily.
However, our other recent convert, Isabelle, is not doing as well as we would like. We think she has started smoking again, and since she doesn't want to come to Church and says that she feels "blocked" when she tries to read the scriptures we know something is up and keeping the Spirit from being with her. There is work to be done.
A bright spot in our week was finding two new investigators through some of our members - Valerie and Célina. We are just praying and praying to find people who want to hear the message and this was (and will hopefully turn out to be) an answer.
Yesterday we spent our rainy P-day at the Guidi's house in Dumbéa. Frère Guidi served his mission in England, and he and his wife were married in the London temple. Their home and family life remind me so much of home and I felt at home there. We spent the afternoon playing kid's games, cards, and pictionary. It was wonderful.
Anyway, perseverance is the name of the game, and we are doing it. Pray for us and for our success. I just love teaching the Gospel and I desire so much to find people here who want it.
Have a wonderful week! Good luck with that snow...
Love you!
Love,
Soeur Cummins

Boats and the voyage of life (17 mai 2010)

2010-10-29T15:59:00.000-07:00

Dear Family,
I am a dysletic typer today. I apologize.
Oh, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Mommers!
Let's see. We have been working hard this week and seeing small improvements in important areas. We have an ami named Nicaisse who we contacted on the street a few weeks ago. He actually lives two streets away and he knows Pako pretty well, so we invited Pako to come along for our lesson on Tuesday with him. It was probably one of the best member lessons I have ever had, although the lessons with Aurélie and Marie (the member) were truly the "meilleures." Pako started, without being prompted, by sharing his conversion story. He had been driving one day through Vallée des Colons when it began to rain. He noticed two young men in white shirts and pulled over and asked if they needed a ride somewhere. They got in and he drove on. The elders contacted him and invited him to a fireside that night at Rivière Salée. When he dropped off the elders he went to a party he had been invited to but he said that he didn't want to drink and that he was leaving to go to a fireside, where he thought a bunch of people would be gathered around a bon fire singing songs. He said he was disappointed that there was no fire, but he said that from the minute he walked into the chapel he felt peace. He told Nicaisse that from that day forward that he stopped drinking and was taught by the sisters. Really, when Pako shared his conversion story he had this wonderful light and peace about him. We talked about the Book of Mormon with Nicaisse, and at the end of the lesson we asked him, when he read and prayed about the Book of Mormon and received an answer pertaining to its truthfulness, if he would be baptized. He said yes. However, we came by the next time on Thursday around 5 in the afternoon and he had drunk a few glasses of alcohol. Pako was there to help him and talk to him about how he was able to overcome his drinking problem. We have some things to work with and I am just thankful that we know what his main problem is as of current so we can help him overcome that. He has the desire to do what is right, we just need to teach him principles that will help him come closer to the Lord if he chooses to follow them.
We had some little miracles occur on Wednesday went we went around doing follow-ups. We, well I, decided to climb up a hill as a shortcut instead of taking the long road to get to an apartment complex and my companions followed. That ended up being an adventure that lead to us seeing an amie that we haven't been able to make contact with for a long time. We set up an appointment with her for next week. Her name is Anysse and she wants to be baptized. She needs to be married first and there are some difficulties with the customs of her boyfriend's tribe. Don't even get me started on some of the "evil traditions of the fathers" here... On Saturday we had another English class and found ourselves before two ready learners: Pako and another member named Marie Dupery. Pako, after a myriad of failed attempts, finally was able to recite the entire alphabet without a flaw. That was a success for us.
On Sunday there was a special transmitted conference where Spencer Condie, Soeur Wixom of the Primary, Elder Ballard and Elder Eyring spoke to the Pacific island Saints. It was inspired.
I am not much in a recounting mood today. Sorry for the scatterbrained-ness.
Oh, before I forget, I had a wonderful personal study yesterday in Ether 6: 3 - 12. Just look at those verses and think about the voyage of life. How we all start out with a "light" within ourselves (our boats) which is the light of Christ. How even before this life we are prepared for the voyage of this earth life (verse 4, D&C 138:56), and how during this life the Lord is always sending wind our way (trials and difficulties) so that we might progress in our journey. Without the wind our boats cannot advance, so neither can we as humans and children of God advance in life without the winds of adversity and trial. Then, notice that even though the waters many surround us (waters being Satan and his temptaions - see D&C 61) we can still keep our light within burning bright and through prayer we will be brought to the top of the waters and have repose from Satan's destructiveness for a time. Then look at the fact that after having survived the voyage and enduring to the end we arrive at the promise land - what is that promise land? Eternal life. I am doing a horrible job summing up what I took from those verses but I invite you to read them as well and get even more out of it than I did.
I love you.
Love,
Soeur Cummins

Happy Mother’s Day (10 mai 2010)

2010-10-29T15:45:00.000-07:00

Dear Family,
Happy Mother's Day, although for some particular reason (of which has not be indicated to me) they celebrate Mother's Day here the last Sunday of May. Perhaps it has something to do with the hemisphere. No, I have no idea why. But, still on that Mother's Day note, it was wonderful to talk to you all this morning! I hope I was lucid enough for your understanding, it being around 4:45 when you called, but if not, at least it was enjoyable for me to hear once again the dear tones of your voices and know that somewhere, even half a world away, I am loved.
President Ostler flew into town and we had interviews with him and his lovely wife on Tuesday. Friday was our zone conference, and the main theme of the conference was chapter 5 in Preach My Gospel. Does that ring a bell to you? Well, if you are yet to be familiar with PMG, chapter 5 is on the Book of Mormon. We were counseled to use the Book of Mormon much more in our teachings, contacts, and in all aspects of missionary life. It is the book that makes us different from all other Christian religions. It is the very keystone of our religion. How I have come to love the Livre de Mormon. Last night we decided that we need to change how we were teaching Pako in doing our recent convert lessons (which just means that we teach all the lessons, laws, ordinances, and principles again to him) because he hasn't been responding well lately. So, last night we decided to read Moroni 7 out loud together, ask questions and see what he thought throughout. It was wonderful. The Spirit was present and Pako was enlightened. This morning after talking with you he called and asked when he could go, as he said, "preaching" with us (which meant, when could he go teaching our investigators with us). He hasn't been ready or willing to go with us for a while, so he call was a pleasant surprise.
On Wednesday last week we scheduled a dinner appointment at one of the member family's homes here, the Mou-Tham's. We engaged them to participate in a new plan to get more investigators, because we all know (or should) that missionary work is not effective without member help. We invited them to pray and fast for two people they could think of who would be willing to accept the message and then the third week will we come by and have a soirée with them and their friends. They committed so we hope that this will work out. I know it will.
On Saturday we had a free car wash as a service project at the Magenta building. I organized it, and, thankfully, it went off without a hitch. Later that evening we had "sister's night" at the Mautz's with Sister Ostler and Soeur Mautz and all 10 sisters (there was one that left today to go home, leaving us odd-numbered). We ate pizza and played the card game "spoons.”
This week was a bit difficult work wise with our time being spent in other activities (interviews, conference, service, etc), but we had a few great road contacts and some more rendez-vous set up; the work progresses.
I read something helpful for me this morning in the Book of Mormon, and perhaps you as well will find it helpful. It is in Mormon when Mormon is fed up leading the wicked Nephite forces. In chapter 3:16 Mormon throws the towel in and says that he will just be a passive onlooker to their ultimate destruction. Then, in verse 1 of chapter 5 he says that he repents of that attitude he had; he takes his position as captain again because the people believe that he might be able to relieve them of their afflictions, although they had no hope (verse 2). It just goes to show that no matter what the situation or the seemingly fixed direction another person's life is following because of their choices, we are each free to act, and in the end we will be judged by those actions. The situation may be doomed, but we can never give up or give in. We must do our very best, despite the choices of others.
I love you. I am happy. I love la Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Love,
Soeur Cummins

Tents and perseverance (3 mai 2010)

2010-10-29T15:44:00.000-07:00

Dear Family,
I have no idea where to start. There is so much happening and then again, so little is happening; just small progressions and, with some, digressions occurring on a daily basis.
We had another lesson with our friend Fred (in English, mind you) on Saturday evening and finished the Plan of Salvation. The Spirit was very strong during the lesson. It's quite a different thing teaching in English compared to French, but I can't say that either one is better than the other, just different. It's interesting.
We have very few investigators as of current in our sector and much of our work is based on reactivating the returning less-active members. It is a little disappointing however when those less-actives that we are putting our hearts into teaching and encouraging and helping do not come to church and decide that they are too weak to resist temptation's knock at the door. I suppose this is a slight sip of what Heavenly Father takes in all the time with each of his children. I feel like much of my mission thus far has been a test of my perseverance: Will I keep contacting on the road though all our rendez-vous have fallen through? Will I continue to keep all the rules of the mission? The success that I experience everyday is that doing those things and of having worked my hardest. I have come to realize and understand that I cannot based my personal success and my worth as an instrument in God's hands off the numbers of people that are brought into His fold. I see that success comes from diligent perseverance - patient continuance in well-doing and hard work. President Ostler once shared a story where he recounted how when he was a boy he went to a day-camp for one week during the summer. A task that he and his little group of other day-campers were given was to build a tent and keep it for the whole week. On Monday he worked so hard with his team to build a tent only to come back the next day to see that it had been blown over by the wind. They rebuilt it once again, putting every effort into making it the best tent possible. However the same thing had occurred when he arrived back at camp the next day - the tent was blown over. He said that this kept going on all week: rebuilding and rebuilding every day. He said that by Friday he was an absolute basket case. On the last day of camp there was an award ceremony. They announced the camper of the week, and he was named. Because his tent had fallen over every day he had thus assumed that his day-camp experience had been a failure, but the person who awarded him told him that he was named camper of the week because of the efforts that he had put in every day. I hope that we will see more of God's children come into and return and be strengthen in His fold in the areas that I work and will work in because there is no other feeling than knowing that you have been used as a tool in God's hands in the blessing of His children. However, I will build my tent up every day and do my very best even if I cannot see the results of my efforts at present. I know that it is quality that counts in the Kingdom.
We met with a recent convert this week named Edwidge Bailly. She was baptized in October, but due to her busy schedule she has never been available to meet with the missionaries since her conversion. She assists church each week but has to run off after sacrament meeting to go and care for her dying mother. She was explaining to us how when she was a child she would sit in Catholic mass and wonder why things were done in that church the way they were done. She wondered why there were no prophets on the earth. She knew that there would be a day when Christ's true church would be on the earth and unite all of God's children. When she first met the missionaries she was too busy to speak with them and said she wasn't interested, however many years later her friend invited her to take the lessons and three months later she was baptized. It was incredible to listen to her story, to see how very guided and prepared she was by Heavenly Father. It goes to show that Heavenly Father does have people prepared for his restored Gospel. There are people looking for the truth, but as it says in Doctrine and Covenants "they know not where to find it."
On Saturday we were supposed to have our interviews with President Ostler, however he cancelled so we found ourselves with two empty hours. We decided to do some follow-ups and street contacting but there was one point where we couldn't go up one street (because of some drunk men that we didn't particularly want to go by again - it was 2 in the afternoon, by the way), and weren't sure what to do. I said a prayer in my heart and at that moment we show a girl coming up the street and contacted her. She wanted to listen to us so we shared some of the first lesson with her. I explained the story of Joseph Smith to her and told her of his vision. There was such a nice spirit there, even on that street corner in the middle of Rivière Salée, and she said that the story touched her. We have had many street contacts and have shared the story with many people, but that one was special. The Spirit was strong. One sister here said once that the moment we share the Joseph Smith story that the heavens open. I agree.
I am so thankful to be here. Here is to a good week for you all.
Love,
Soeur Cummins

Tripanionship happenings (26 avril 2010)

2010-10-29T12:49:00.000-07:00

Dearest Family,
Everyone loves eating dessert first, so I will give you the dessert moment of my week: We made contact with a woman on the road named Lily. She is from Vanuatu, where they speak a pigeon-English named Bislama, so they understand English better than French. We did a follow up at her home and met her husband Fred (that is where we had the Jehovah's Witness run-in). We went back in the week and gave him a Buk Blong Momon (does that sound familiar?). He said he would read it, and we went back on Saturday and had a lesson with him. He has a very advanced mouth cancer and the one half of his face is inflamed, but he was so happy to talk with us. He grew up going to an English school, so he speaks and understands all English. I cannot tell you how bizarre it was to contact him and then teach him in English, because, well, we don't do much of that...at all. We taught him the Plan of Salvation. The Spirit was so strong during our lesson and it felt incredible, after the initial weirdness, to teach in English. I felt great power and I didn't question the thingsI was saying, because, well, I knew that what I was saying was clear and comprehensible.
We had a lesson last night with the non-member husband of a very active member, Marie-Claude. We taught the Restoration with visuals, and the husband (Kenyan) was very into the lesson and said that he really "felt something" and knew that what we were teaching was true. He does have some problems with his family - they don't like the Church very much, and Kenyan doesn't want to displease them. That is something that will be difficult for him to overcome.
Pako had an experience with prayer this week that helped strengthened his testimony. He has a pair of dogs, and since his children live in France he calls those dogs his children. Last Sunday while he was at church somebody came by his house and took his dogs. When he came home from Church and noticed they were gone he supposed that it had just been his nephew who had taken them for the day, but when he called him later that night his nephew told him that he hadn't taken the dogs. They had, actually, been stolen. On Tuesday Pako looked all around the neighborhood and had gotten some friends to help him look. He saw us on the road and took us to the church for a meeting we had and then he went home. He said he prayed fervently to find his dogs and then, suddenly, one of his friends came by and said that he had seen two dogs with the same description that Pako had given him. Pako went to that address, and lo and behold, his dogs were there chained up in the yard of some Melanesians. He unchained them and took them home. He felt very strongly that Heavenly Father had guided him to find his dogs. This was a good experience for him since lately he feels like he is not being blessed for the sacrifices he has made. We had a very good lesson with him last night about testimony and were able to resolve some of his concerns.
Otherwise, there are many happenings that go on every day. We have inactive members that are coming back to church in full force and those that are struggling with themselves and addictions. We were able to finalize the baptism date of a little boy named Tony who comes from a family full of less-active members. Despite the lack of enthusiasm for the church of the adults in his life, he and his cousin are at church every week and are always excited to be taught by the missionaries. It's funny because his parents and his relatives want him to join the church and they know it is a good thing, but they are not willing in their own lives to live up to that.
Our "tripanionship" (as someone coined it) is going strong. It gets better and better each week and I feel the Spirit working strongly through the two sisters at my sides. I love them and am so grateful for this experience to be with them. It will be very bizarre, at a future time, to be back in a regular companionship. Have you ever noticed that the things that cause the most tears and toil become the things that you cherish the most? They consecrate your work.
President said, of our threesome once, "Sisters, being in a threesome will help prepare you for polygamy." Of course he was kidding, but then he said not to mention that he had made a polygamy joke to Sister Ostler. He said that she didn’t appreciate them.
I love you all. I know that there are things changing in your lives, whether small or drastic. I hope you always hold dear the thought that no matter how much things seem to be in flux that in the end the Gospel will never change. That is why it is called an anchor. Grab onto that anchor with your faith, and the waves will never overwhelm you. Like the King Benjamin said, "Believe in God. Believe that He is."
Have a good week.
Love,
Soeur Cummins

Moving forward (19 avril 2010)

2010-10-29T12:41:00.000-07:00

Family!
I have to admit with the amount of emails and news and announcements that I received today that I am feeling slightly overwhelmed, but I will do my best to dissipate those thoughts and share the golden moments of this week with you.
Lately in Rivière Salée we have been doing quite a bit of inactive work, trying to fortify them and get them to church. I doubt anybody but a missionary understands the joy of seeing a person you have worked so hard with simply walking into church Sunday morning for sacrament meeting. These are the joys that we have as servants of the Lord - seeing how small acts, in the sight of the Lord, are great triumphs.
I have seen quite a difference in my attitude this week and the fire of desire is back in full flame, while two weeks ago I have to admit that it was dwindling. The Lord hasn't taken away any burdens and the circumstances that I find myself in have not changed, but like Alma and his people in Mosiah 23, the Lord has made my shoulders stronger for the burden they carry. How grateful I am to Him. Yesterday before Church I woke up and felt so joyful. It was a mercy. I know the Lord has granted me greater patience and humility and charity in these past few weeks, and I feel blessed to have been accorded a greater portion of these attributes that are helping me become like unto Christ. I listened to a talk the other night that my companion had received and the speaker asked a poignant question to all listeners: Do you really know Christ, or do you just simply know about Him? That hit me. I have been studying the scriptures and all other church material diligently for the past 12+ months, but is that knowledge just filling my mind with facts about Christ? Do I really know Christ? We come to know Him by becoming like Him and by participating in the work of His Father - bringing to past the immortality and eternal life of man. I want to better the work that I do for Him, so I might better know His perfect Son, and thus, Him.
One of the less actives, Anne-Marie, was finally able to quit smoking this week. We gave her grapefruit juice and encouragement like no other, and when we went back on Saturday we said that she had quit completely. She had this incredible light in her eyes in the proceeding lesson that I have never seen in her before. She understood quickly the concepts we were teaching, where beforehand it took a long time for the information to be registered in her mind. Earlier that day we had some great contacts on the road. I have to admit that I enjoy running after people. Wouldn't that be so awkward if you were just randomly walking down the street minding your own business and all of a sudden three missionaries you didn't even know ran up to you to give you a brochure and try to find a time where they could come to you house and teach you more? Well, we try to slow down before reaching the person who has passed uncontacted so we don't come off too bizarre...
Tony Poreau, another less active (whom I mentioned last time), found out this week that he can go to the temple next year with the group that is going. Doké, another less active who is finally coming back to church is also going to the temple. Our work and their work are slowly but surely seeing its fruits. Joy!
As a service project we cleaned Pako's house while he was out playing soccer at the Priesthood activity. That man needs a wife. His house was very dirty, but not something that three sisters couldn't tackle.
Isabelle is a stellar recent convert. She taught a lesson to us, her "investigators", on the Word of Wisdom. She taught us, testified, and committed us at the end to live it. I stopped smoking cold turkey. She taught with such power, and to think that she was baptized just a month ago. I always think of Mom when I see her. She has a joy for the Gospel, even though she is just a young women and totally alone in her family in living it.
Oh, a funny experience happened the other day: we were doing a follow up on a woman from Vanuatu (who speaks a pigeon English and thus understands us better in English than French), and we met her husband. He invited us in and got out his Bible and began preparing to be taught. "Wow!" we thought. Then, a knock at the door and a man enters awkwardly. He then tells us that he is a Jehovah's Witness and that he has an appointment with the man. Oops. Excuse us. It's always interesting running into other religions. What are we supposed to say to them? "Good luck?"
I love you all. Another week full of promise lies ahead of us all. Let's make the most of it and come to know Christ a little better.
Love,
Soeur Cummins

little tony and his friends

isabelle

Great worth in the sight of God (12 avril 2010)

2010-10-29T12:36:00.000-07:00

Dearest Family,
First of all, General Conference was absolutely wonderful, n'est-ce pas? We saw watched the transmission of all four session yesterday and Saturday at the Rivière Salée building, with all the other Caledonian saints. However, there was a room where it was transmitted in English and thus, a select few (well, whoever wanted to listen in English) did hear not only the prophet's words but his voice as well. I loved Elder Christofferson's talk on the scriptures and how we need to fight moral decay and scriptural illiteracy, and of course I appreciated the discourse and diction of Elder Holland (who speaks with the thunder of the heavens). I thought it was interesting that Elder Andersen said that none of the topics had been assigned though the major theme of the conference was the family, interfamilial relationships, and the importance of a personal testimony. Hmm, perhaps Heavenly Father wants us to know something.
As far as the missionary happenings of this week, Tuesday was our zone conference. We had one experience in one of three mini workshops we went to that I appreciated. All the sisters were together and the workshop was on presenting the vision of Joseph Smith. We did a role play and Soeur Seiko recounted the Joseph Smith vision. It was only a role play, but as she told of his experience, "I saw exactly over my head, a pillar of light...", the Spirit in the room became strong. We may be missionaries who are already very convinced of the veracity of this story, but when truth is proclaimed the Spirit cannot be bound.
Lately we have been visiting a lot of inactive members. One in particular, Tony Poreau, has been inactive for 11 years but has begun coming back to church and has experienced a change of heart. However, being a bit of a passionate spirit, he goes up and down on an emotional rollercoaster; some days the Gospel just thrills him and other days he is extremely discouraged. This made me come to realize that it is so necessary for us to pray for the gift of consistency and diligence. When we are constant, we will experience both joy and discouragement but neither will overwhelm and control us. I think that constancy is one of the keys to perseverance.
We had a little fireside on Friday night, where one investigator came. We were a little disappointed at first with the turn-out, however at the end, the leader giving the talk engaged the investigator, Kathy, (who is lives in the Kuotio sector) to be baptized. She said yes. It will be the 14th of May, the day that Grandpa will have his memorial. After the fireside I reflected on the former disappointment I had had that nobody else came and then thought of the scripture that talks of a soul's infinite worth. Even if it was just Kathy at the fireside, it can be considered a monumental success because it will be a factor in bringing her valuable soul into the fold of God.
I can't think of much else to report to you for this week. The work moves onward, day by day, person by person, lesson after lesson, and as Alma said, it is the little things that we do that will bring to pass great and marvelous things. I need to have more faith in that. The little things we do do matter. Like Elder Holland said, "the journey of a thousand miles begins with one small step; watch your step." How essential it is for us to choose the best little things, the most important small things.
I love you all. Que la paix soit avec vous!
Love,
Soeur Cummins

Le Christ est ressucité! (5 avril 2010)

2010-10-29T12:27:00.000-07:00

Dearest Family,
For, you truly are dear to me. First of all, I am sorry to hear about Grandpa's passing. How I love Grandpa and his personality! Thank goodness for the wonderful plan of salvation and knowing that Grandpa has only continued on into his eternal progression. Yesterday was Easter here and we had a fireside. We sang wonderful hymns about the very truth of Christ's life, His death, and His eternal resurrection. Thanks to Christ, death was conquered and man was rendered free. Grandpa is free.
This week marks one year on my mission. With the changes of late and the situation we are in, I have let myself become a little sad and this week was a bit difficult morale wise. Thankfully it is zone conference time and President is in town. I had a very good interview with him and have spent much time praying for the Lord's divine aide. Thursday morning I woke up with great confidence and desire that I have been lacking in the few days before. I know Heavenly Father is watchful even of little old me, and I know there is much for me to learn in these next few weeks and months.
This week highlighted a bit of a historical mark for the church here in New Caledonia. The new chapel in Mont Dore was dedicated this past Saturday and not only was our mission President there, but, thanks to some divine happenstances these past few months, the president of the country was there - President Gomes, along with the mayor of Mont Dore and some high up customs officials for the south and north provinces of Caledonia. For the church here, being as little as we are at present, this was quite an event. President Ostler gave the most beautiful dedicatory prayer that I have ever heard, and it was perhaps the most correct French I have ever heard him use as well. It was lovely.
Since this week has been littered with rehearsals for the Mont Dore fireside and the Easter fireside and the like, we have not be able to do normal missionary work as much as we would have liked to. But, we did see Anastasia, who progresses to baptism. Although, we had a soirée with her the other night that she couldn't stay at due to some familial worries. Her parents are in town, and we are not sure if they are impressed with the idea of her joining another church. Anastasia is in her 40's and has children, but she is a single mother and she is into her culture (she is from the island of Ouvea up north). We pray that she will be able to continue down this path, though it will be lined, as the paths that are most important always are, with difficulty and tests.
We continue to see, almost every day, our recent convert Pako, who is this big, older Wallisian man who laughs at anything and everything. I was a bit sick this past week with a nasty cold and stuffy nose (the weather has been horrifically rainy and dreary - there is sun today though) and I thought that he was literally going to buy the entire Pharmacy until I had to tell him, sternly and after too many bottles of orange juice bought, that that was unnecessary. He lives around the corner, all alone. He has lots of family and friends, but I think that he still finds himself lonely. He will call us about 3 - 5 times a day to see if we need a ride somewhere or want to eat lunch with him. Last night he called at 9 after planning and asked if we wanted some more orange juice. I think lately he has been struggling with his testimony, and he couldn't pass the sacrament this week because he was pressured by his family in a restaurant situation to drink coffee. But, he is snapping out of his sad mood of late and reading his scriptures every day. He bought all the sister missionaries Easter eggs yesterday. Anyway, there is just nobody quite like Pako.
Oh, another highlight of the week: I drank real milk. They had this "milkshake" place outside of Mont Dore (when I say milkshake, I literally mean milk that is flavored and then shaken) where the shakes were made with milk from a real cow. It was incredible. Our boxes of milk say that the liquid within is “made from milk,” but not necessarily all milk...hmmm.
I must run though. Zone conference tomorrow! Time is flying. Wow.
I love you, and, of course, the Gospel remains true.
Love,
Soeur Cummins

"C'est par des choses petites et simples..." (29 mars 2010)

2010-10-29T12:20:00.000-07:00

Dear Family,
This week was filled with many new experiences for me in Rivière Salée. My new companions and I are delightfully enjoying the fact that as a threesome we can go practically everywhere. For example, our new recent convert, Pako Kilama, is this older man that loves serving the sister missionaries and before it was always hard for him to have to drive past the sisters walking because he could not take them in his car with him, but now with three of us he takes and picks us up all the time. Last Sunday he was especially excited to be able to take us to a fireside at Mont Dore.
As for inspirational experiences, we had a lesson with Anastasia Himeur on Friday. She has been investigating the Church for about 3 months and has the baptismal date of 17 Avril. A few months ago her 17 year old son was involved in the very brutal murder of a 14 year old boy here in Rivière Salée, and in the light of that tragedy she had open-heatedly accepted the Gospel and her life has changed. We taught her the law of tithing on Friday, and she found it to be a wonderful thing and desires to pay a full-tithe once she is baptized. She said that she feels her life is being illuminated with truth, and she stayed for all three hours on Sunday and participated in all the classes.
We had a very good lesson with an inactive man, who after 11 years of inactivity is coming back to Church and has experienced that amazing change of heart that Alma alludes to (as well as Ezechiel) in that his "stony heart" is now that of "flesh." He was scared that his heart would become hardened again, so we told him that if he did the daily things necessary to keep his change of heart that he would never have to be frightened of the stoniness' return. At our next lesson he nearly jumped out of his chair when he exclaimed that he thought it was too easy to just read the scriptures and pray and sing a church hymn when he felt temptation near, but he said that he had done those things and that they had worked for him! He was ecstatic to have experienced what his knowledge told him; he knew that he needed to do those small and simple things, but once put them into practice he received that witness and testimony that only living the Gospel will bring. It was thrilling for us to see the joy and the relief that he had in his eyes. He knew that he would be okay and that he would be able to keep the change of his heart.
That experience testified to me the one lesson that my mission has taught me over and over and over again: It is by the small and simple things that we do every day that will help us realize the great things in our lives. We must LIVE the gospel every day, moment to moment, if we wish to realize God's greatest aspiration for us - eternal life. But, I can only tell you that and give you that knowledge. You yourself must live it to know that it is true.
I already told Dad this, but today I read in Alma 56. I love how in these war chapter that the most reoccurring theme is the need for constant preparation. Nearly every chapter after 45 makes reference to this. Thus, preparation is not an end but, perhaps, a state. Faith without works is dead, and the Nephites knew that the Lord was on their side and that their faith was well based. Because of that knowledge they were CONTINUALLY making preparations against the enemy, because they understood the need for works. That is true faith. That is what we must do today - have faith that the Lord is on our side and be continually preparing and fortifying ourselves by daily efforts to stay close to Him. As we do that, we qualify for the Holy Spirit’s strength so we may boldly fight the evil one, who is always there and always attacking us.
Know that I love you and that I pray for you all. Elder Hamula told us at our last Zone Conference that if we were continually praying, reading our scriptures, seeking the Lord's help and working our best that we would be able to discern the Spirit from our own thoughts. How? Because the very thoughts we would have would be those inspired by the Spirit. Do what is right. Like Nephi in Nephi 15: 24-25, I too exhort you to hold to the rod of iron and read your scriptures. Therein is safety for your most beloved soul.

I love my mission. One of my favorite missionaries left to go home to Tahiti this morning, and I reflected on my mission and the fact that in three days I will be at my one year mark. I am doing all that I can to be good and obedient. I am giving it my all because I know that time is of the essence. Life passes all too quickly.
I love you.
Love,
Soeur Cummins

From Magenta to Rivière Salée (22 mars 2010)

2010-10-29T12:02:00.000-07:00

Dearest Family,
The biggest news of this week and the biggest surprise to me was transfers. We had just finished this amazing lesson on Wednesday morning with an amie named Floriette that we had met, by miracle, the night before (that story will be told soon), and we were on the road walking to an less-active woman's house. The elders called and said that they had some big news. Admittedly, I was upset when they told me, because, well, I LOVE Magenta. I have been her for three months and we are beginning to see some real progression and success. There is Aurélie's baptism in May, and Jimy is soon to have a date. There is Celine who told us the other night that she knows the Book of Mormon is true and that the answers to the questions she has had within herself unanswered for years are finally being answered. Three months is not long at all and Soeur Chugg and I thought we were safe with this new sister coming in - we didn't think that our little Magenta monde would be interrupted. And added to that, I would be leaving my favorite district. I just love the missionaries in our district here. We had a lunch together on Friday afternoon, before the Saturday transfers, at the church during our lunch hour and I nearly fell apart. These last two months with Soeur Chugg and this sector and this district and this branch and the members (all combined) have truly been my favorite moments on my mission so far. I have felt the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the work of the Lord changing the hearts of our investigators, and I have never been quite so happy. Geez, if I feel this way just moving to the sector next door, 3 miles away, what will I feel when I come home? That is a thought for another day...
That news was, needless to say, shocking, but the rest of the week went well. Soeur Chugg and I taught many lessons together, and there was one experience that we had that I wanted to share with you. We were walking home, or better said, floating home after a lesson with Aurélie. It was getting dark, but we usually walk home at that hour and there are lights on the roads, so we are relatively safe. Anyway, a member drives by and offers us a ride home. We had to decline because he was all alone and that would have been against the rules to get in his car (and as Soeur Chugg said later, it would have been probably more dangerous to go with him than to walk home), and he was angry that we declined and said that there rules were meant to protect us, etc. We told him firmly that we couldn't go with him, so he drove off. Afterwards, as followed the curving streets leading home we talked about what we could do to serve people more. Suddenly we saw someone stumbling on the road and instantly I thought, “Great, another drunk man,” but then I saw it was a woman crying and in pain. I asked if everything was alright. She said no. We directed her to a nearby bench and spoke with her. She said that her husband was cheating on her (which is, unfortunately, a VERY common thing here), that she couldn't find her children, and that she found out some news earlier about her family that was extremely troubling. She said that she just wanted to die and that it was too much for her to support. We asked if she believed in God, and then asked if she believed in prayer. She said we did, so we offered a prayer for her. Then we got up and started walking her home. We talked to her (name: Floriette) about her children and about her life. She started becoming more optimistic and then she told us that while she was walking she had offered a prayer. She asked Heavenly Father to send her his servants to help her and bear her up in her situation. We told her that we were, indeed, those servants and that Heavenly Father loved her very much. We got her home and left her with some of the food a member had given us earlier that evening and the promise that we would come by in the morning. As we walked home we were silent for a while. It was a holy experience that we had had, and we rejoiced in the fact that God had used us as his instruments in helping one of his struggling daughters. What an indescribable JOY that you feel when you know that you have been obedient and that the Lord has used you as the answer to someone's fervent prayers. If we had taken that ride with that member, what would have happened to Floriette? We saw her the next day and gave her a Book of Mormon. She expressed the fact that she wanted to be a good mother, not like her mother at present. I told her that my mother read the Book of Mormon and that she was a great mother. We told her that if she read the Book of Mormon and applied it to her life that she too would become a great mother.
Time is short, but I am thankful to have been able to share these experiences with you. Life is good, and this transfer is going to work out, as they all do. It just takes time, patience and humility.

I love you all so much. This is a great work.
Love,
Soeur Cummins

Voilà, la semaine (15 mars 2010)

2010-10-29T11:47:00.000-07:00

Family,
This week has seen some adventures in the mission field of New Caledonia. The best news, and the news with the most eternal effects, is that Aurélie told us that she wants to be baptized and set a date: 22 May! We began our lesson with a song and a prayer, like usual and then she said with a very graven face, "Les soeurs, I have been thinking about baptism." Just like that, with a nice pause afterwards, for effect, I am sure. Soeur Chugg and I were thrown by the face she was making, and I was thinking, oh no. Then, "Je veux me faire baptiser. Is May too soon?" Dust of joy got caught in my eyes and made them water as we told her that, no, May was not too soon and that we would get her bien prepared for the day that she chose. She wants to go to Maré personally and invite her parents (who live there) to come out during the vacations at the end of May. The next lesson we taught her (on Friday)was the blessed law of chastity. Her situation is not exactly conducive to the observance of this law, but she told us that she knew she would be blessed in obedience. We read 1 Nephi 3:7, and she said that this scripture is her new motto. She knows that the Lord will help her as she strives to adhere to all these commandments. Soeur Chugg and I marvel at the works that her faith is producing in her life. For example: She is at church every week, even with her rambunctious 3 year old, who, with great thrill on our part, finally went to nursery yesterday. It was a feat deserving of acclaim.
On Thursday evening we had a very good lesson with Marie and Jimy. We taught about our families and the blessings that our parents have brought upon us, their children, with the good decisions they have made - being baptized, going to the temple, teaching us well, etc. At the end of the lesson I felt that there was something missing. There was a moment of silence and I felt directed to say how much I admired Lehi as a father. Then I read out of 1 Nephi 2:2-3 of how Lehi follows the Lord's commandment to leave behind everything, take his family and travel into an unknown desert in order to reach, at that time to him, an unknown destination. I explained that perhaps today Heavenly Father does not ask us to leave our native home and our riches and the things of worldly worth, but He does ask us to leave behind the things that we think are precious (dirty habits, disobedience to commandments, friends that are evil influences, etc) and our corrupted Jerusalems (unholy places). Perhaps we feel as though we are going into an unknown land and into unknown conditions in doing those things, but just like for Lehi, Heavenly Father has a promise land waiting for us at the end of the test of our faith. We must be faithful to Him and we MUST trust in Him. He will never lead us down dark paths, and obedience leads always always always to happiness. Isn't that the message of the Book of Mormon: keep the commandments and you will be blessed.
I think there was a cyclone that missed our island this past week which is, of course, a good thing (though it is my curious desire to experience a cyclone before I depart). But, the leftovers of that cyclone have hit our island with dreariness, cold, rain and cloudiness. I am not doing okay without the sun, and I am pretty sure that my conception of cold is completely de-wired. I guess it can't be too cold since we sleep with our window wide open every night... But, with all this nasty weather Soeur Chugg and I fell victim to a nauseating sickness that rendered us incapable of getting out of bed the other day. We had been invited by an ami, nonetheless, to have lunch with her at the Meridian, so we peeled ourselves from our mattresses and took the bus ride to her apartment. I thought the bus was going to do me in. Once at her apartment we piled in her car and drove to the Meridian where we ate what would have been the most delicious Japanese cuisine (grilled tuna, sushi, California rolls, etc) had we not been for the entire meal on the verge of throwing up. It was wonderful of our amie and awful for us. All is well now, don’t worry.
I love you all. The Gospel is very, very true. I wish there were more words that I could conjure up to tell you what the Gospel means to me, but I suppose that some depths of the soul are not meant to be expressed in written forms. And, well, I am no Talmage.
Bonne semaine à tous!
Love,
Soeur Cummins

As the sun rises (8 mars 2010)

2010-10-29T11:26:00.000-07:00

Chère Famille!
Bonjour to another Monday on the island of New Caledonia. This morning my companion and I woke up early once again and watched the rising of the eastern sun. It is incredible here. I was contemplating over the fact that as the sun was still behind the mountains of Mt. Dore across the bay that the outlines of the mountains and hills could be seen, but that no detail in those slopes could be detected. As the sun's rays grew stronger and shot out of the clouds over the mountain the distant hills lost their shadows and took on detail and the flora and crevasses within them became evident. It wasn't that the foliage and the various aspects of those hills changed or were created by the sun, but that in the light those facets became seen and added beauty to the eye of the beholder. Isn't that how the Gospel acts in our lives? The lives of those who have not the Gospel or light of Christ in them remain as shapes or dark outlines, and it is as that light burst forth into our life that we see who we truly are and the detail and the flora and the crevasses that create our eternal souls. The Gospel light brings us the joy of knowing who were are and what we are made of, and if we wish for that light to never leave and do what it necessary to preserve it, the sun of the everlasting Gospel will never set into the western horizon of our lives but will, as the scripture says, grow brighter and brighter until that perfect day. These are the thoughts I had this morning as I sat on a bench with my companion at Magenta plage. I prayed that I would know what to share with you all today, and I feel that I must testify to you that I know the Gospel is true and that Christ is our eternal Savior and Brother. He is the Son of God and the light of the world. It is by His life and sacrifice that we come to know who we are, where we are going and the ultimate goal of this mortal existence. I am grateful for Him, and I want you to know that I am not ashamed to testify to all, though for most of the time it is in broken French, that I know that His Gospel is on the earth to bring light into the lives of all the children of God –all those who are humble and willing to accept Him.
This week we had two incredible lessons with Aurélie. We taught her how to use the scriptures with the cross references and the scripture guide in the back, and then we gave her the commitment to teach us a principle at our next lesson. Her topic was patience. We arrived at Marie's house on Friday night, and Aurélie came in and we began the lesson. She had a bunch of note cards filled with her lesson, all color-coded and what not. She taught us the most incredible lesson on patience, using scriptures from nearly every book in the canon and explaining their meaning. At the end she talked about how we could apply these scriptures and this principle in our lives, and I think Soeur Chugg and I nearly passed out with joy. I was hurriedly taking notes from her lesson in my planner, and I told her at the end that I was telling the President of the branch to call her to give this talk on Sunday. We laughed. It was amazing. I love being the Lord's instrument. Soeur Chugg and I float home from those lessons in a jolly glaze, telling each other that it isn't us. The Lord has prepared her heart; it is just through our mouths that His truths are being proclaimed. But, oh, what superb joy being that little open mouth brings me! I have never felt this way before. I never want this joy and happiness to end. Forgive me for the gaiety of this entry, but I cannot express to you what feelings fill my being when I think of the miracles that we see on a daily basis. Indeed, there are days (like last Saturday) that make us want to crawl under our beds and never come out, but the moments that the Spirit is present are moments that are like the sunrise this morning, banishing out all shadow and darkness.
I have spent way too much time trying to figure out this new myldsmail and my time is up. All is well. It is cooling down (comparatively) and the time is flying.
I love that the Lord has given me this mission!
Love,
Soeur Cummins

this is aurelie, daughter nolwenn, and ex-boyfriend

breakfast of "spiritual" champions

Maré, Lifou, Ouvéa, oh my! (28 février 2010)

2010-10-29T11:17:00.000-07:00

Ma famille !
What a week! Many good things are happening in this island land, and miracles are a daily occurence! First of all, thanks so much for the pictures of the birthday party chez the Cummins family. That cake looked very island worthy.
Since our mission President has challenged us to ask the baptismal question at every lesson we have really been bold and, because of that, we have been able to see more progression in our amis. The amis that are progressing the most at present are Aurélie, Jimy, and Corinne. We finally did the custom with Aurélie's mother who said that she accepted us to enter into their house but that she was nonetheless displeased that Aurélie wanted to enter in with another religion. She said that Protestantism began in her specific tribe at Maré and then went out into the other tribes and eventually here to la Grande Terre. Thus, as I conclude (and have for a long time standing) that being Protestant for these people is a mere tradition and not necessary a religion that all it members here have true faith in. I wonder why the Book of Mormon always talks about the Lamanites being tied down by the traditions of their fathers? Did Mormon see something similar to that in our day? Hmm.
Jimy Danguiny is the husband of member Marie, who joined the Church about a year and a half ago. She has an incredible testimony that is being strengthened by her missionary service with us. Her husband, Jimy, was not very interested a while ago, but this past week when we came by we saw Marie outside with the children. We asked how Jimy was and she got this funny smile on her face and said that he was inside studying the scriptures and that they were outside so they wouldn't bother him. We came by a day later, randomly, and we caught Jimy outside on the porch reading "Gospel Principle." That brought joy to our hearts. We invited them to pray for a baptism date for him, and we are hoping that they will let us know this week. We made a promise with the Lord this week that if He helped us get a baptism date that we would do all that we could to invite all those that we teach to be baptized. It's thrilling. I feel confident and bold.
Our amie, Corinne, said that she wants to be baptized as well and asked us to come over every day to teach her. Okay! She came to Church yesterday for the first time in a long time.
On Saturday we had a contact that we needed to talk to on the other side of our sector, so we set out to see him. We met this one man on the way who was sitting by the local hospital with his son on his lap. We talked to him and showed him the Restoration brochure with a little picture of the Book of Mormon on the back. He told us that he had that book and read it all the time. He said a friend had given it to him and that it gave her peace whenever he opened it up. We asked him if he believed it was true, and he said yes. We told him that if he believed it was true that it meant that many other things were true and that the missionaries where he lived would be able to share more with him. He is from Maré, but c'est perfect because there is a set of missionaries being sent to Lifou and Maré today. So, we took his information and will shortly be passing that along.
Funny bus experience: The bus is the most interesting place to contact people because every time you get on it has a different vibe. This one time during the week we got on and we started talking to a group of older women from the islands. They were making us laugh so hard with their mannerisms and we were trying to talk to them in Maré (the language from the island bearing that name), and soon the whole bus was laughing at our efforts. It was funny. Oh, and thanks to PMG in Tongan, I taught one of our Futunan amis how to pray the other night. He was a bit confused by the accent and terrible pronunciation, but he still understood.
The work progresses forward. I am glad to be here doing what we do! I love the closeness I feel to Heavenly Father, and I am thankful for the confidence He gives me as His chosen servant.
I love my mission.
Love,
Soeur Cummins

Bigger than Grasshoppers (23 février 2010)

2010-10-29T11:13:00.000-07:00

Dear Family,
I apologize for not sending the head's up that we wouldn't be writing until today. Oops. I loved the "hello, are you there?" email. Sorry about that; I hope I didn't cause any worries. There was a 70 here this last weekend for the New Caledonia district conference, and he spoke at our zone conference yesterday before he left for New Zealand this morning. Wow, what an incredible experience it was once again to be taught at the feet of one of the Lord's anointed servants, Elder Hamula. Actually, last Friday after our weekly planning the AP's called us and asked if we had a rendez-vous planned for that afternoon. We did. The elders then told us that Elder Hamula was with them and that they would all be coming to our lesson. Ah! We ended our weekly planning session and ran to our appointment to notify our amis that a leader from the Church would be coming to our lesson. The father of the family, Apiuté (Api, for short), had told us earlier that week that he would like to meet and talk to a branch president or another “big” leader of the Church, and we told him that his wish was about to be granted. They set out large weaved mats and when the elders and Elder Hamula arrived they all presented themselves and we sat down. Api had a lot of questions and Elder Hamula, through Elder Morrill as translator, bore his testimony to Api and Malia on various topics in the first lesson. He spoke simply of Heavenly Father's love for us and the importance of the family. Souer Chugg and I did not end up teaching anything, but we were in fact very well-taught by Elder Hamula and by the end of the visit the Spirit was extremely strong. Malia has a testimony of the Gospel though Api is a bit of a difficult case, but anything is possible with faith, and Elder Hamula gave us some counsel on how we should go about helping them in the future. Wow. We made a new stat for our weekly statistical report: Lesson in the Presence of a General Authority: 1
Later that night we had another appointment with Aurélie, who is progressing beautifully. Her prayers are sincere and she finds peace in reading the Book of Mormon. During our lesson we asked if she had prayed about the things that we have been teaching and if she had received answers. She said she was being patient, and I felt impressed to tell her how I came to know of the truthfulness of the restored Gospel. I told her that I prayed about it just like she had, but that for me the feelings in my heart told me that I already knew it was true; it was as though Heavenly Father said to me, "You are asking me, but you already know in your heart that this is true." That was my answer. Aurélie then said that she had been waiting to have a dream or some sort of sign like that (like our member Marie had when she gained her testimony, which she had shared with Aurélie), but that the experience I had was exactly how she felt in her heart as well. We explained that the Spirit manifests of truth differently for each individual. We asked if this was the road that she wanted to take and she responded and said "Why are you asking me that? Of course this is what I want. Ever since I have been coming to church I feel so good. I feel stronger and more confident and more capable of controlling my life." However, despite the willingness of her soul, there are a few problems. One of them came out as we left from that lesson. Her mother, visiting from the loyalty island of Maré, saw us walking out the door and said to Aurélie, "Didn't you tell them that we are Protestant here?", and then later on Aurélie told us that her mother was angry because we did not do "customs" with her. What that means is that we did not present her a gift or a gesture of respect (usually in the form of fabric and money) for allowing us into her home. We had no idea that we would need to do that, and I was reminded, as I am every now and again here, that this is not America and there are certain traditions that people follow that are not of my native culture. They are usually okay here on the mainland when it comes to customs, but those from the islands are strictly traditional and, thus, easily offended if such traditions are not followed. The next day we bought a nice loaf of fabric (not a real loaf, but you understand the image), and we tried to go over there later that night after the Saturday night adult district conference (which was AMAZING), but her mother was already sleeping. However, I knew we had to present her the fabric because I had had a dream about it the night before (where I made the gesture to her and excused ourselves) and later Marie told me that she had had a similar dream as well. So, that will need to be done, especially once Aurélie decides to be baptized so that we are on somewhat good ground with her family.
On Friday night another wonderful thing happened; the first time in my mission actually. We arrived home after the Aurélie's mother thing and we received a text message on our cell phone from a Charles that we had contacted earlier that morning. He said he had read the brochure and that he had really enjoyed it. We asked him if he wanted to know more, and he said that he did. We set up an appointment for the next day and we meet him at the church building and talked about what he had read. I was a little too hasty in explaining the entire first lesson to him, when it is clear, though he claims Catholicism, that he doesn't have much religious background. We left him with the engagement to read the intro of the Book of Mormon and to pray. Next time we will go a little slower with him, and I will be more sensitive to his needs. I had a bit of chagrin about it the next morning, and it just showed me how much I need to rely on the Spirit in all things and in all situations.
On Sunday we had district conference and we sang in the district conference choir with the Nouméa II branch. Elder Hamula gave a wonderful talk on the way that we can stay built upon the rock of Christ, especially during these turbulent times. He cited 6 ways: prayer (personal and familial), scripture study (personal and familial), FHE every week, Sabbath day observance, paying a full-tithe, and going to the temple often. He asked "How are you doing with that?" "Are we striving to build ourselves and our families on Christ?"
Yesterday at our zone conference Elder Hamula exhorted us (because it was a true exhortation) to change our vision of the mission here and to have faith in our callings, to have faith that we are TRULY servants to the Most High God, and that with such a calling we have to power to bring many unto Christ. Our mission president gave us the challenge to engage all of the people that we teach a full lesson to to be baptized. I feel that if he received the confirmation of the Spirit to give us that challenge, then it will be necessary for us to do that. I am thrilled by the idea of it and am excited to invite all to truly come unto Christ and follow Him.
Once again, so little time to tell you all the things happening and the swellings of my heart and the knowledge and light that is being distilled upon my soul, but know that I love the Gospel and know without doubt that it is the only way. The kingdom of God is on earth and I, as a missionary, am doing what I prepared myself to do before I ever came to earth. I am fighting in a war, just like the war we all fought in before coming to earth. We won then and we will win now if we have faith in Christ, a testimony, and serve others.
Have a glorious week!
Love,
Soeur Cummins

L'Evangile est vrai! Tous en avant! (15 février 2010)

2010-10-29T10:47:00.000-07:00

Dear Family,
Happy Valentine's Day to you all. Hope you all know how much I LOOOOOOVE you! They don't celebrate such superfluous holidays here quite the way that we do in the States.
Can I just tell you what happened this morning? The soeurs of Paita (Swapp and Ititiaty) stayed with us last night after a missionary fireside we had at the Magenta building (more details soon), so Soeur Chugg slept in our living room/study area/dining room (all-in-one) and I couldn't sleep. I woke up at 2:30 and wrote in my journal for two hours and then went back to sleep for thirty mintues, and then Soeur Chugg woke up. We decided to walk the 150 yards or so to the beach front and watch the sunrise. Wow! What a glorious moment we had. The water was liquid silver and then the sun began to rise over the mountains of Mont Dore across the bay. It was unbelievable, and thankfully I was able to snap a few photos before my camera batteries died. Everyday Soeur Chugg and I walk outside and look at our view and exclaim with joy, "Où sommes-nous?" - "Where are we???" Is this just paradise? Am I really here?
This past week has been a roller coaster. On Tuesday Soeur Chugg and I had to climb up a mountain in order to flee from some teenage boys trying to sling shot us with rocks, and on Saturday we had one of those days that Heavenly Father so wisely allows in order that we more fully appreciate the good days. There was an author once who said that as we are hollowed out by sorrow we are left with more room for joy. Saturday was not only perhaps the hottest day I have ever experienced but all of our appointments fell through, nobody wished to speak with us (that is, the few people we saw because we were, seemingly, the only ones silly enough to be walking on the roads in that heat), and we forgot water bottles. No stores were open and we nearly passed out before arriving at the apartment. Soeur Chugg had to lie down because of a headache so I made phone calls. Later that evening was better when we had a fireside rehearsal with all the missionaries. Sometimes I wonder if I just love being with the other missionaries too much... They brighten any day with their positive attitudes, funny stories, and desire to laugh. I think it is a unique situation we have here in this mission because all the missionaries know each other and we are all good friends.
For the ups of this roller coaster week, we had two more lessons with Aurélie. Marie came with us for each one, and I believe that Marie being our member integrator is helping not only Aurélie but Marie's own activity in the Church. She has been at Church consistently the past few weeks. At the end of our last lesson on the Gospel of Jesus Christ we asked Aurélie to pray out loud for us, and she did. She said it was the first time in her life to pray not only out loud but in front of others. She did wonderfully! I was touched by the things she said and the Spirit’s presence was strong in our lesson. I had prepared a cake (peach cobbler) for a part of the lesson, and I had all the people around the table look at it and smell it. Then I told them that I was keeping it all to myself and that I didn't want to share it. They looked at me confusedly. Then I explained that of course I was going to share the cake with them but that me keeping the cake all to myself is like someone who has the Gospel in their lives who doesn't share it. We have to share it.
I don't have much time but there was another lesson that we had with our amie Céline that was simply wonderful. She is so humble and ready for our teachings. She told us, "Les Soeurs, if you say the Book of Mormon and all these things are true, then I will believe you and do as you say because I can see that you yourselves are testimonies and that you have so much love for me."
There was a fireside last night on the Restoration and I was the music director (thanks to the last minute appointment to this task by Elder Hu'uti). Thankfully, the fireside went well. I prayed so fervently that Heavenly Father would bless all those there to feel the Spirit, and He was there.
There is so much more, but I have no more time! This mission is the best thing to have ever happened to me. I am thankful for every moment, even the ones where I get sunburned. Well, for the latter, in retrospect I am.
I love you. Please read the Book of Mormon, pray and go to the temple. Those are the things that matter most.
Love,
Soeur Cummins, perdue dans l'oeuvre du Seigneur!

our ami corinne and her daughter, emmanuelle.

a member gave us a bag of "missionary clothes," so we tried them on, then put them back into the bag.

Groundhog's day verdict: sun and Gospel miracles (8 février 2010)

2010-10-29T10:09:00.000-07:00

this is my new companion. she is lovely.no. we aren't those kind of sisters.

Dear Family,
Did the Groundhog see his shadow? "Get your booties on, because it is cold out there! It's cold out there every day!" Not so here. The forecast: another 12 months of summer! I thought of you all on Groundhog's day and Bill Murray quotes seasoned the day with laughter. Good thing my companion is also well-versed in Punksatonian. We tried to explain what a groundhog was to our Tahitian elder (and we didn't have a dictionary on hand), so it was described as a rat that pops his head out of the ground and predicts the weather. He laughed and called us crazy Americans. He wasn't too far from the truth.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to dear Keekers!
It has been another wonderful week full of hard work and miracles. We were given the coordonées from the elders of an amie that lives here in Magenta named Aurélie. She is from Maré and has a three year old daughter named Nolwenn. We went by there for the first time last week. She let us in and told us that the elders had given her a Book of Mormon and that she was already up to 2 Nephi 31. She told us that she finds great comfort in reading it and is able to escape her problems in its pages. By the time we came back the next Tuesday she was in Mosiah 10, and I wonder where she is now. One of our recent converts, Marie Danguiny, came to teach Aurélie with us and when we picked her up on our way she was decked out in a skirt and a backpack that looks just like mine. She came all prepared with things to help us teach the first lesson and bore a powerful testimony of how she came to know of the truthfulness of the Restored Gospel. The Spirit was so strong in that lesson, and although I found myself teaching most of it all by myself (since my companion is still only able to say a few things), I felt Heavenly Father's help in being able to clearly express the truths. The Holy Spirit did the rest. I read a wonderful talk this week from an old Liahona that talked about teaching true principles clearly and simply so that the Holy Spirit may be able to bear witness to what you are saying. How grateful I am for His help in this work. He is the key.
Aurélie came to Church with us yesterday, where many members shared true testimonies. We also went to a fireside put on by the Relief Society last night where I did my best to entertain little Nolwenn with my little dry erase board and my lack of drawing skills so her mother could pay attention. We'll see how she liked it tomorrow night at our lesson. Pray that all will go well with her because I have a feeling that she has real potential to progress to baptism.
I was feeling a little down on Tuesday morning at our district meeting because I can see how much work and progression I need to make as a missionary here. I need to strive to have greater faith and work with more efficency. Soeur Spencer once asked me if I ever had that feeling like I didn't really know what I was doing, and I said yes. She then said that that feeling never goes away. However, in adding upon those words, I am thankful that Heavenly Father knows how His work should be done, and I am thankful for my growing capacities to hear, understand and act upon His will. Perhaps I do not understand all the intricacies of missionary work, but I do understand that I must rely on the understanding of the Lord and that, in doing so, His grace will bridge any personal shortcomings.
After district meeting, we had a lesson with a woman named Corinne who has known the Church for about ten years. She invited us over and she told us right off the bat that she wanted to be baptized but she knew that we would need to teach her a few lessons and that she would need to combat and overcome her Word of Wisdom problem. We told her that Sunday was Fast and Testimony Sunday and that we would love to be able to fast with her. However, when we went over there Saturday night she wasn't there and she wasn't at church on Sunday either... We still fasted for heranyway, and hopefully all will work out.
On Thursday we had our weekly English lesson with the Vietmanese children of a local store owner. The sisters before gave her a Book of Mormon and we offered English lessons, and since then, every Thursday is spent teaching them anglais in the cultural hall. Soeur Chugg taught English is Russia for eight months before her mission so she has good ideas on how to better our lessons with them.
After our lesson we had another free car wash at the Magenta church building and all the missionaries came to help. Soeur Chugg and I stood on the main street that passes by the church (right next to the airport runway) and the ocean with a big "Lavage de Voiture, Gratuit". We had such a fun time dancing around and directing people into the church parking lot. Many people passed it up, but many came in and had their cars washed clean. I thought of an analogy of the car wash for us spiritually: We are there inviting people to come to church, believe in Christ, and be washed of their sins (just like a car wash cleans away dirt from cars), but many pass us up either too busy, unknowingly of the what we are really offering, or unsure if it is really true (because the world doesn't believe in free things today). But, those few who have faith and take a risk will see that the blessings are true, are free, and are for all. The Church is true.
Saturday was a bit of a dismal day weather wise (because of the leftovers of a huge cyclone that hit Tahiti that came our way), and one of our amies, Malia, said that it would be impossible for her to be baptized and that she preferred to stay an investigator. She doesn't understand the Gospel and the power in Christ no matter how hard we try. It was disappointing to say the least. However, my low spirits rose that night. We had a film night at the chapel where we invited members and amis to come and watch "The Other Side of Heaven," that one film about that missionary who served in Tonga. I remember watching that film before and thinking it was a bit silly and I really didn't connect with it, but wow, when we watched it Saturday night my perception of it changed completely. I understood the culture represented and I appreciated seeing what that elder did as a missionary. I was deeply touched with the message of the movie and I realized deeply that I love my mission. The Lord has changed my heart in such a drastic way that it surprises me. Things that would have never sparked my interest before capture my attention and have become my desires. I have come to understand and love a people that I never before appreciated. Heavenly Father loves the people of the Pacific Islands, and so do I. Last night at the Rivière Salée building for the RS fireside I was surrounded by people I have come to love, and it just felt like home.
I love you all. And, congratulations, Glen and Kari! Let it be a boy, let it be a boy...
Have a wonderful week, and don't forget to read your scriptures.
Love,
Soeur Cummins

Hot hot hot! (25 janvier 2010)

2010-10-29T09:50:00.000-07:00

view from our apartment's balcony

Dearest Family,
Ahh! It has been SO hot this week! I shouldn't have told you a few weeks ago that it wasn't as bad as I thought it would become, because I must have then forgotten to knock on wood, because voilà it is hotter than dickens especially with the humidity factor. The other day we had to walk across Magenta at three in the afternoon for an appointment, and we arrived at our amie's house and I caught a glance of myself in the window and AHH! I have never been quite so sweaty. Never. But, I did find an SPF 70 sunscreen, so no worries, Mom. Oh, and thanks for the photos from home of the snow up to your hips and the scene by the lake. I just showed all the elders here at the internet place and they sighed. Elder Hu'uti has never seen snow in real life and Elder Morrill proclaimed that Lake Arrowhead must be the celestial kingdom.
This week has seen many changes and interesting situations. My companion, Soeur Swapp, had to go the doctor this week due to a strange rash that has climbed about her body. Lovely, right? She also had an allergic reaction (a mild one that incited her rash to dash in all directions) and had to visit the hospital. Really, the medical scene here is semi-primitive; they don't exactly send the most qualified doctors from France to little forgotten New Caledonia.
In other news, we did manage to have some very good lessons with our amis and some less actives this week.
A bit of a crazy situation occurred on Friday night. We received a telephone call from the APs telling us that the new sister (who arrived about three weeks ago) would be staying with us for the night, and the next day. I received another call, the next day, saying that she would stay and be trained by me in Magenta. It was a bit of an emergency transfer because the new sister (who knows next to no French) arrived three weeks ago and was put with a native speaker (who knows next to no English). They weren't able to communicate and there was a bit of a difficult situation that occurred, so the new sister was transferred to Magenta with me. I feel a little shocked, but at the same time I had the feeling that she would stay and that Soeur Swapp (who speaks pretty good French) would go back to Mont Dore with the native speaker. It's sad because Soeur Swapp and I have really been growing as a companionship lately and found a nice rhythm in unity. I feel bad that it took us a while to find it and now that we have found it that she is being transferred.
With each companion, as those of you who have or who will serve a mission know/ will know, you must be flexible because each has a different way of doing things. It is so important to focus on why Heavenly Father put you in that situation with that person and what you are to learn from one another.. I think you acquire certain Christian virtues with each companion and are refined as you go along. With Soeur Swapp, I have learned to have more charity and humility. I realized, in this past week, that I do have a deep love for her, and I know that this is because I followed the counsel in Moroni 7 and prayed to Heavenly Father that I would have charity for her. With Soeur Seiko I learned greater diligence, patience continuance in well-doing, and obedience, and with Soeur Spencer I believe I learned to develop a greater personal patience.
Every day is a learning experience, and I know that in my new responsibilities I will grow in great ways. I do feel very incapable and weak, but I know that Heavenly Father has blessed me with capacities both in the language and with teaching and that He will lead me along. I doubt it will be easy and there is quite a bit of pressure on me, but one thing that shows me that it is possible is an experience I have had with, of all things, the phone. I remember at the beginning of my stay here in New Caledonia that I honestly believed it impossible for me to have a real conversation or even have real communication with people on the phone in French. I was afraid of that phone and speaking imperfect French, but as I have learned to get over that and pray and make phone goals for myself I have come to a point where I can communicate easily over the telephone. I am amazed at the instrument that God is making out of me. I have faith in Him and His ability to make impossible things possible for me. The phone is just an example, and perhaps it is a bit silly, but it is just one small way that shows me that all is possible if we rely on the Lord and continue on.
Thanks for the support you are to me. I love this mission. This is a blessed time in my life. I love you all.
Love,
Soeur Cummins

Mango trees and lessons taught (18 janvier 2010)

2010-10-29T09:39:00.000-07:00

Bonjour à tous,
Voilà, another week has passed on this blessed and blessedly hot island. It is not as bad, concerning temperatures that is, as I thought it might be, but *knock on wood* because who knows how it will get. I am still constant in my efforts to block all UV rays, both those from the sun and those from Satan. This week we had zone conference on Tuesday and I gave a ten minute lesson (we call them "formations") on the line in Doctrine and Covenants 4: "serve with all your heart, might, mind and strength" ("veillez à le servir de tout votre coeur, de tout votre pouvoir, de tout votre esprit et de toutes vos forces"). It went well. The whole conference was a success, although I always find myself slightly overwhelmed at the end of conferences because I can see how much progress I need to make and all the "améliorations" (betterings? is that a word?) I need to make in myself and the work we do. But, I can only take things one day at a time, so I will focus on being my best and the Lord's best today.
On Tuesday night we had an amazing lesson with a French woman named Natalie (who was at Church with one of the sister's last week) who has been facing many difficulties in life lately that have lead her to believe and rely on Go, helping her to be prepared for the Gospel message, like the poor people in Alma 32 lead to humility. We had two lessons with her last week and each time she was very open and accepting of what we were teaching her. She says that she feels like Joseph Smith did, searching for the truth but unsure of where to find it. She has a good member friend who is helping her along, and every time we have been over to her apartment and given a lesson the Spirit has been extremely strong. Though, the member does like to “prendre la parole” a little too much during our lessons; she ends up teaching more than we do.
On Saturday we had a similar lesson with a woman from Maré (a nearby loyalty island) named Céline who came to one of the free car washes we had at the Magenta chapel two weeks ago. She said that she never drove that way to come home, but that she felt inspired to drive that way that day, saw the sign for the car wash and came in and talked to one of the elders. When we went over to her apartment for a lesson she saw us and was amazed that two young girls from so far away would come to share a message about Christ with the people here. She had read the first two brochures and had marked down on another piece of paper notes and questions for us. We taught the first lesson and the Spirit was strong. As we explained the great apostasy and asked what she thought God would do next she said, "well, He has to restore His church again." We talked about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon, and as we finished she just looked at us and said that she knew that what we were saying was true. She said that she could see the love in our eyes that we had for her and that she believed our message. She said that we, ourselves, were a message of truth to her, and at the end she prayed for us in her native language from Maré. I am one to believe that prayers should be for the edification of all those listening and are also an indication of the how much the ami understood of what we taught, so praying in a native tongue that we don’t understand is a small issue for me. We’ll ask her to do it in French next time – we are just glad that she even desired to pray. That’s a step in the right direction. She asked if she could drive us home after our lesson and we set up another appointment with her. Sometimes I wonder if there really is anyone that wants to listen to us and that cares about the truth we are trying to share with them, and then we met people like Céline and Natalie, whom I believe have been prepared for this message. They have a thirst for the things we are sharing with them, and it makes the days of street contacting and endless porte-à-porting worth it a thousand times over.
In other news, I climbed a mango tree this week. I was jealous watching our Tahitian elder scale the chapel's mango trees with ease and decided I would do the same. It was great fun, and I only have one large scrap on my leg from the adventure. But, mango season is coming to an end, so there are no worries that Soeur Cummins will take on another.
On Sunday evening there was a fireside at the Rivière Salée building where Elder Andersen spoke from BYU, and I became a little nostalgic about attending BYU devotionals. How amazing though that even being half a world away I can still feel like I am back at home, or at least in a very familiar place. That's what the Church provides for all humanity - a very familiar place, a place near to God, the Father of our spirits.
I love this mission. I am quite a parrot each week as I write that, but it is the truest expression of how I feel about this mission of mine and the Lord's. I love the people and the language and the Gospel and the Lord. I am grateful for the opportunity to be alive and my responsibility of being a member of Christ's church.
I have probably forgotten a million of details from the week, but I have shared what I have felt will be the best for you all to hear. We are working hard. The Lord is with us. Pray for us, and know that we are ever praying for you. Combien je vous aime!
Love,
Soeur Cummins

And the rains came tumbling down (11 janvier 2010)

2010-10-29T09:22:00.000-07:00

Chère Famille,
This week was a "doozy" (I should avoid Babylonian references to "Groundhog's Day," but I can't resist); it rained a lot at the end of the week and put a bit of a "damp"er on our work.
On Friday we attempted to leave the apartment after our weekly planning session to walk to the church to see if the little church store was open(they give out old Liahona's - the foreign langugae edition of the Ensign - for free and we wanted to browse the Church video selection). As we walked there it started to downpour and our umbrellas were doing a pathetic job, but we did manage to keep our scriptures safe and dry, which was more important than anything else. At the church building we noticed that the store was closed and our trip was in vain. We expressed to each other that we hoped nobody, especially not the elders, would come by and see how silly we were to try and brave the rains. But, no luck; as we were leaving the parking lot the zone leaders pulled in. They had a good laugh. They had needed something from the office, and they gave us a ride home after. I am sure they thought we were a little nuts.
Despite the rain and the million percent humidity, the work of the Lord moves forward boldly in New Caledonia and specifically in Magenta. We visited an amie named Malia Asensioné Falevale (all of her sisters are named Malia and so the Asensioné is there too specify her in particular - why would you give the same name to 5 girls, even if it did have religious signification?), and Soeur Swapp had been a little depressed concerning her because we hadn't been able to see her for a while and the last time that the souers were over there Malia said that she felt like she was being pushed too much. Well, when we went by Malia told us that she had quit smoking and drinking like she had promised Srs. Carter and Swapp some time ago. We were so excited for her. That is one step closer. The best part is that she noticed the difference that it made in her personal and family life; she could see that she had been blessed.
We also worked with Malia Sio more this week. We made sure to take members with us to visit here so she can have more relationships with the members. The Relief Society president came with us (Soeur Trutrune) and Malia kept referring to her as "la présidente" during the whole rendez-vous and asked her to say the opening and closing prayer. She seemed to take an attachment to her. However, there was a bit of a tense moment as we were teaching the Plan of Salvation (we are taking it principle by principle with her) and Malia told us that she didn't believe there would be a resurrection. We told her that she had to pray sincerely to find out if it was true. We prayed that she would and that she would receive an affirmative answer. We called two days later and ask if she prayed. She said she had and she said that she knew it was true. At church on Sunday she answered a question on faith by saying something about the how there would be a resurrection and a final judgement. Soeur Swapp and I were beaming with joy, even though I doubt it was the pertinent answer that the teacher was searching for. We are so glad that she is slowly but surely grasping and embracing these concepts.
We had a funny experience with Malia Sio at church yesterday actually. We were sitting in the middle of the pews on the right side and there was an older woman in the pew two ahead of us. As the final speaker started his talk (an elder actually) the old woman started to fall asleep, and her head started to do that funny bob that happens when you are falling asleep but when your head has nothing to lean itself against. Malia pointed it out to me and then as the woman's head started to bob again Malia had to throw her hymnbook over her mouth and face to suppress her laughter. Well, then she started to shake with laughter which began to shake the entire pew (Malia is a pretty hefty woman) and then I started to shake with laughter and it was really not very reverent. And, you know that the more you suppress laughter, the funnier the situation seems to become, and there was nothing to be done about it. So, there I was, servant of the Lord with one of our investigator shaking with laughter at the end of sacrament meeting.
After sacrament meeting the elders said, "Sisters, you are going to be teaching the lesson in Gospel Principles.” This was two mintues before Gospel Principles started and no warning beforehand of our lesson giving."And, oh" Elder Hu'uti added, "it will be on Adam and Eve and the Fall as well as the Atonement of Christ." I ended up teaching most of it and it actually ended up being an edifying lesson and the Lord's hand was there helping us to know what we should say and how we should say it. I think of Doctrine and Covenants 11:30 where the Lord says that if you are doing what is right and studying and praying for His help than He will give you the words that you should say at the moment that you should say them.
There was a death last Sunday in our branch and the viewing was on Wednesday night. We went to it and witnessed the cultural differences in how people act when someone here passes away. One thing that I thought was a little interesting (and that we discussed afterwards with the Mautz's) is that everyone who came up to the casket touched the sister’s hands and her face and/or kissed her face, even people who weren't in her immediate family. I thought it was an interesting cultural note. Such situations lend to forming a more culturally educated, holistic me, even though I did not touch her.
On Friday morning I was feeling a little bit down (I think it was the gloomy weather - how I thank my stars that Heavenly Father sent me to a place where there’s sunshine almost every day, and not, well, Russia) and I prayed intently for the strength to keep going that day. Every day is a different story - some days are really good, and some days are just me relying on the Lord's strength.
After our studies we left the apartment to go see a contact that we had received from the elders of Robinson. She wasn't at her apartment building and neither was our another ami that we put as our backup plan. As we decided our next course of action, I remembered that I had written down the name of someone who lived in that area from Soeur Swapp's planner. We decided to give her a try. Her name is Monique, and when we arrived at her apartment she said that she had been praying that "the two sister missionaries she sees walking on the road" would come by again and see her. She was in a difficult situation and she told us that she was in need to talk to someone. We let her talk and we shared a thought and a prayer with her. We are going back this week to do a follow-up, and I was just reflecting on how Heavenly Father is an incredible micro-manager. He knew we needed to see Monique, so He inspired us to put people down in our schedule that wouldn't be there so we could be inspired to go see her. I call it divine. Also, I can see that Satan, knowing the good that we will do, does his very best to discourage us.
I have to run because my hour is up. Every day is full of wonder, experience and adventure here. The Gospel is so true. There is no denying the power that lies in the Spirit of God and in His holy scriptures. How I love the scriptures.
Tomorrow is zone conference!
Oh, and by the way, a landmark thing happened this week: I ordered my first pizza, over the phone, in French! (I know I added too many commas in that sentence, but it was meant for dramtic pause). And when it arrived, it was the same pizza I had ordered. I have no more fear of the phone.
Love you all!
Love,
Soeur Cummins

Meilleurs Voeux pour le Nouvel An! (4 janvier 2010)

2010-10-29T09:10:00.001-07:00

Dear Mom, Dad, and Family,
First of all, Happy New Year! Or, as they say it here: Bonne Année! On New Year’s Eve we went to bed at our usual 10:30, but at midnight we were awakened by the bursts of fireworks coming from all directions. Then there was the music blasting until 4am, and then finally the world went to sleep. We didn't get the best night's rest, but luckily for us, we were not allowed to go working on New Years (I suppose it has something to do with fermented spirits that the majority of people had consumed the night before, and the behaviors they incite), so we were able to take a nap later in the day. Naps are golden here, since an occasion for one is scarce. I was listening to a John Bytheway CD a month or so ago in our car in Paita (John Bytheway is not contraband, I promise) and he was saying something about the destruction that alcoholism causes. He said that we all fought so boldly and with such great force in the premortal life for the precious gift of free agency and even a third of Heavenly Father's children were lost to Lucifer in this fight, and then these people that fought so valiantly for this agency come to earth just to give up that prized gift to a bottle.
The New Year was good. The day before, the 31st, was Soeur Swapp's birthday and I woke up early, made her a cake, decorated the bathroom mirror with some "happy birthday" wishes. That night we went to the chapel for what the elders said was a "rehearsal" of sorts, but I was on the in; they had planned a little celebration for Soeur Swapp because she had made it clear in the last 3 district meetings that her birthday was coming. The Mautz's were there and some of our amis. The elders started singing some Christmas songs and Soeur Swapp seemed confused, and then the elders sang "Joy to the World" but changed the words to: Joy to the world, Soeur Swapp is come... (in French it works better). She laughed and then understood. We ate pizza and cake and had a lovely little party. Now, imagine this: The elders had ordered this one pizza that has crème fraîche instead of pizza sauce and has diced potatoes, bacon and hard-boiled eggs on top. You wouldn't think so, but it was SO good! I will make for you all someday - be ready to open your culinary eyes.
January 1st was not only New Years and Dad's birthday, but it was also my halfway mark. Soeur Swapp told me that she was going to make me a sign saying "Halfway!" or something like that, but the night before I expressed my dismay at being at my halfway mark and she decided that it wouldn't be a good idea. I am a little depressed that I am halfway finished with my mission. I decided, on New Years, to set some good goals for the last 9 months of my mission. Oh, even typing that, "last half of my mission," brings tears to my eyes. I just want to work harder and be better. I have come to love this glorious work more than anything. On New Year’s we weren't able to go out and teach and I felt a little useless, and it is true what they say about working - work, and specifically missionary work, banishes all selfish thoughts and desires and opens your heart to greater views on life. I love getting lost in this holy work - I feel like I find who I truly am in serving others (like Mt. 16:25 says), and I feel Heavenly Father's presence close. I just want to be good and always be obedient.
On Wednesday last week we had a great street contact with this group of girls as we were walking home. One of the girls was a person we contacted last Sunday up by Malia's apartment. Her name is Cassandre, and we were about to take a short cut to go home (since it was getting to be dark) when we saw the group of girls and decided to go talk to them. They were interested in who we were and where we were from (thanks to the accent that will never go away. sigh). They gladly accepted two brochures that talk about the Restoration and the Plan of Salvation, and they were very curious about what we believe in and what we teach. They sat down there on the side of the road to listen to us. Cassandre said that she had read the brochure that we had given to her on Sunday evening but that she had a problem at the end of the brochure because it asked questions and gave references to find the responses in the Bible and the Book of Mormon. She said she couldn't answer all of them because she didn't have "that one book.” We asked if she liked to have a Book of Mormon and she said yes. We explained what the Book of Mormon was and all the girls said that they would like to have a copy (there were 5 girls ages 17 - 22). Cassandre said she was interested to read the book and asked if she could walk back to our apartment to get a copy of one but then she said it was probably getting too late. She asked if we could come by the next day, and so the next day we loaded our backpacks with a few Book of Mormons (a blessed burden indeed) and hiked up to Cassandre's where she was waiting for us. It was just her and she said she would give the others to the other girls. She seemed thrilled to have the book and we can't wait to call her and set up another rendez-vous to see what she read and hopeful explain the story of how we have the Book of Mormon today and the Restoration. Wow, isn't this a glorious work! I am amazed by the experiences we have, even if some days are difficult. In the moment we don't always see the hand of the Lord, but in retrospect it is so clear that He is there leading us along and putting us in people's path. There is no greater joy than to know that you are an instrument in the Lord's hands.
Well, that is all I have time for this week although it seems as though I could write a huge letter for every day that passes here! Know that I love you all. I pray for your continued well-being and excellence. You are inspirations to me in all that you do and strive for. I am blessed to have each one of you in my life. I don't deserve the blessings that I receive everyday, but how thankful I am for them. I will work hard this week. I know you all will too.
Au lundi prochain!
Love,
Soeur Cummins

this is where we run in the mornings.

happy birthday to my companion

the surprise party

Bonne Année! (28 decembre 2009)

2010-10-28T22:14:00.000-07:00

christmas dinner at the mautz's. shhh! don't tell anyone.
Pako's baptism
no. this is not my desk. this is soeur swapp's.

christmas breakfast

Dear Family,
Ah, it was a splendidly warm Christmas here in Caledonia. Talking to you all on the phone was the best present. I woke up an hour before you called so I could get ready to talk to you and at 6am I was walking anxiously about our tiny apartment, waiting impatiently for the moment to hear your voices. Perhaps I should work on the Christian virtue of patience a little more, but with the thought of family calling from across the world, I doubt I will be held terribly accountable for my momentary lack of the beforesaid virtue. After our blessed conversation, I made Christmas breakfast for my companion and I: crepes, nutella (well, I didn’t make the nutella), whipped cream, hot chocolate (despite the thermometer’s high reading - it was for tradition's sake), and scrambled eggs. It was nothing like Dadder's Christmas breakfasts, but it sufficed. For the rest of the day we took a nap (Merry Christmas to me), went to the Magenta chapel and watched "A Muppet's Christmas Carol" which was, surprisingly good (since I had never seen it before, and the idea of the muppets didn't cry cinematic masterpiece to me). I love Dickens, and I enjoyed the message of that story which is ultimately to love and serve others, be joyful, and enjoy life. Later in the day we went to the Rivière Salée chapel for Pako Kilama’s baptism. Soeur Swapp and I sang two duets during the program – Away in a Manager and Joseph Smith’s First Prayer. I love baptisms. The Spirit was so strong. For Christmas dinner, Soeur Swapp, the elders of Faubourg Blanchot (Hu'uti and Morrill) and the elders of Vallée des Colons (Manning and Larkin) all went over to the Mautz's for dinner. We were invited there because we had no other place to go, but I loved our dinner and was glad to spend it with such good friends! We ate lobster, shrimp, potato salad (thanks Sister Mautz), and watermelon. It was the most unique Christmas dinners I have ever eaten, and I doubt I will ever forget it. The Mautz's apartment is in this very tall building and they have the most incredible view of the bay, Baie des Citrons, and we all sat around their table, shared stories, and just laughed and laughed. The elders are hilarious. It was wonderful.
On Saturday we helped a family in our branch move to Paita. It was weird to go back there, but it made me realize that I put in a lot work into that area. Sometimes at the moment it is hard to see if you have made much of a difference or if the little daily things you do really add up into something, but going back made me realize that I had put a lot of hard work into that area. I feel that we left it stronger. Soeur Seiko was able to go back there on Wednesday with Soeur Leavitt to see some of our progressing amis (since Paita is closed until the new sisters arrive from the MTC). She said that one of our amis, Estelle, that we came into contact with through a door-to-door finding activity wants to be baptized.
The sector of Magenta is getting better, though this week was a bit dismal with the amount of lessons we taught. The holidays are never exactly the best time to go and visit people because they are either far too busy to be bothered with or they are out of town (here, they are off to Lifou or another island or their mainland tribe to see their family). However, our one amis, Malia (the same one who called us last week to tell us she didn't want us going over there again), called and apologized profusely. We went over and at the end of our lesson she began her prayer by praying to Heavenly Father and then praying to us, the missionaries, for forgiveness. It was kinda funny but very sweet, though we will not be encouraging her to pray to anyone but God again in the future. On Thursday night we had a Christmas concert at Mont Dore with the missionary and district choir. Malia came and enjoyed it, and at our next lesson with her we had a very interesting experience. We had planned to teach her the first lesson but she was telling us how she has problems with forgiving others so we taught her about repentance and forgiveness. We had a very good lesson with her and the Spirit was strong. Suddenly at the end of our lesson we heard this great commotion next door. There were people in the apartment screaming and crying and things being thrown on the floor, and we were all in a stupor of what we should do. Malia said that she knew that the grandmother of the neighbors was in the hospital and that she was very sick. She assumed that the grandmother had passed away and that the family had just received the news. Soeur Swapp and I felt prompted to go over there and knock on the door and see if we could do anything or call anyone. But, strangely, not matter how hard we knocked, no one would come to the door. So, we asked Malia to come and knock on the door, especially since she was probably a more familiar face to them than we were. Malia was hesitant but then she got up and came over and opened their door and motioned for the mother to come to her. She told Malia that the grandmother had passed away and Malia said some things to her and kissed her cheeks (that's a cultural thing everyone does here in respect for people). Then she went back in and we all went back into Malia's. Malia told us that she hadn't spoken to that neighbor in years because she had always been mean and rude towards Malia. However, Malia said in going over there and helping her in her time of need that she felt forgiveness and love in her heart towards that neighbor. She thanked us for coming over and teaching her that lesson and helping her forgive others. She came to church the next day, and we have high hopes for her, even if her progression will be slow. We are along for the ride.
That's all for now. Continue to pray for me as I figure out this area, get to know the people here, and just basically find my groove with the work here. Transitioning is not always a very easy thing, but I have a good companion and I am willing to work hard.
Love you all so much! Happy New Year, or as they say here, Bonne Année! And, happy birthday to Dadders!
Love,
Soeur Cummins

Joyeux Noël (21 decembre 2009)

2010-10-28T18:00:00.000-07:00

Dearest Family,
Merry Christmas!!! That sounds strange for me to write, because it feels like anything but Christmas here in Caledonia. I count it as a tender mercy because missing home and feeling homesick would be distracting, however I cannot wait to talk to you on Friday morning (Thursday afternoon/morning for you). My companion and I figured it out and if you could call me at 6am in the morning here (which is 11am on Thursday morning for you) that would be perfect! Our phone number is 26-93-08, the country code, I think, is 687, and I think you have to dial 00 for international calls. Thus, what I suspect you will do will be to dial: 00-687-269308. Got that? I would check all of that on Google if I were you, and I am going to check my email again later today so send me a confirmation. I can't wait to hear all your voices - I would like apologize right now for my struggles to express myself in English. Maybe you could open the present I sent you before calling me so we can talk about it. Oh, and Dad, I will sing my mission song to you. The real one.
It feels like it has been forever since I was in Paita, and yet it was only a week ago. Tuesday was our transfer day and I gave Soeur Seiko a nice big hug after our district meeting, and then I went off with Soeur Swapp and Soeur Carter. Later that evening Soeur Carter was taken to the airport and I was left with my new companion. Let me just say that every companion is different, and I had a bit of a difficult time this week adjusting to the new situation. New people, new secteur, new apartment, new companion, new ways of doing things, etc. I suppose this is a test of both my patience and flexibility. I really like Souer Swapp. She is very talkative, personable, and she has an amazing voice. She sings at many of our missionary gatherings and is a good missionary. I feel honored to work with her.
The weather here has actually been nice the past few days (knock on wood!) - not too hot! That makes walking around a little less oppressive. Our sector is huge and we spend a good hour to two hours walking every day. In the mornings we walk out of our apartment and the 200 meters down to Magenta beach to do our exercises. It is gorgeous in the mornings when the sun is rising over the water. How did I become so blessed? Our apartment is perhaps half the size of Paita's and, well, it is in need of a really good scrub down. The dust that accumulates in the city is ridiculous. Everyday there is another layer of filth on our floors, and there are coakroaches, despite our vigilant efforts. Don't worry though; I think it is another tender mercy of the Lord's that I am not afraid of smashing them or getting rid of them immediately. We had a funny experience last night when I brought the mop in from the balcony and a big fat lizard fell on me and then on Soeur Swapp. Screams ensued. We caused a bit of a commotion.
We already have some pretty good amis, though I am a little distressed because one of our amies, Malia, called this morning and said she doesn't want us coming over anymore. She said that we have been mean to her. Drama. Soeur Swapp said that she is a little unbalanced, but I still feel badly over the situation. She came to church with us yesterday and everything seemed to go well, so I am not sure where we erred. We are going to go over and talk to her. She has been an investigator for a while and she has some major problems, physically, mentally, spiritually - pretty much all the "-ally"s. Pray for her and for us, please.
Another amie who has great potential is Isabelle. She came to the ward activity with us on Friday (a big cultural activity where the Pacific island nations were represented in dance and food) and then she came to church on Sunday with us. I love it because the branch building is close to everyone in this sector. It's not like Paita where people have to drive for 30 mintues or more to get to the Tontouta building.
I saw Soeur Seiko on Friday night with Soeur Leavitt, who came to the activity with Pako, an investigator from Rivière Salee who is getting baptized on Christmas. It was comforting to see Soeur Seiko, since it had been an interesting first few days in Magenta and seeing her put me at ease.
The members here are kind to the missionaries, and I feel that the branch of Magenta will be a good place for me. I need to bloom where I am planted.
On Sunday night we went to the family Teuhiva for dinner with the elders of Vallée des Colons and the elders of Fauborg Blanchot, and we were treated so well by them. I haven't laughed quite so hard in quite some time. Brother Teuhiva is so funny and reminds me of Dad.
On Sunday night we watched the transmission of the Christmas massage by the First Presidency. I loved listening to the orchestra and the choir. I loved listening to the hornists, and, once again, I missed my French horn. Music is such an elevating medium! It was a bit of Gilead's balm to my soul.
On day this week we were walking from one end of our sector to another to get to an appointment at the chapel with one of our recent converts, and we decided that we really couldn't talk to anyone on the way because we had to get to the church immediately. So there we are walking/running and we get to this one shortcut behind the Catholic church (called: the Church of Hope …). On the shortcut there was this man just on the side with his daughter in their yard, and we were running by and he called after us. He asked us if we were missionaries and we said yes. He asked if we were missionaries at the Catholic church, and we said no and presented who we were and which church we represented. He said that his little daughter had been talking about Jesus Christ lately and he wanted to know if we taught about Jesus Christ. Soeur Swapp was so excited that she spurted out "of course!" in English and he laughed. Then we showed him our badges and showed him how the name Jesus Christ is the biggest name on there and how He is the center of the church. He asked if we could come over and teach him and his family next week. He asked if we had to go somewhere and we said yes, but that we would be back next week. He then presented his wife to us (who was there in the garden) and told us about himself, and then we had to run. We were a little late for our meeting at the chapel, but I was so glad that we had meet Franc. My question is though, how did he know that the two girls running by were missionaries? I am convinced that it was the Spirit, and I know there are people that the Lord has prepared for us in this sector. I am excited for this meeting we are going to have with him and his family. Please, pray that is will go well for us and for them.
Anyway, I will check my email later to see what you think about the Christmas situation. I hope all is well at home! I love you all so very much and I feel blessed to have the Gospel in my life. The Church is true. Jesus Christ is our Savior, and I am thankful for this season where we pay special attention to Him and his very divine and humble birth. May we try to emulate Him every day!
Love,
Soeur Cummins

From Paita to Magenta (14 decembre 2009)

2010-10-28T17:28:00.000-07:00

adios michel ange

Dearest Family of mine,
Can I tell you what a simply blessed week it has been in Paita! However, we received the transfer call Saturday night, and yes, I will be serving, as of Tuesday, in the sector of Magenta. It is right next to the big city and the apartment is right next to Magenta beach (so beautiful) and near the branch building. It is a pretty big sector, and I am pretty sure that if I am not vigilant about the sunscreen that I am going to put some years on my skin. Hello summer sun! I am to be work companions with Soeur Swapp. I am excited to work with her, even though I feel a little bit of stress with the change and the fact that I will not be with a native speaker. The Lord does love throwing us into uncomfortable, new situations, testing and expanding our capacities. I have just LOVED being with dear Souer Seiko. She is an incredible sister and friend - so diligent, kind and thoughtful. We have gone through some painful times and many joyful times together in Paita with our amis. The Lord has united our companionship.
This week was one of our very best weeks in Paita. We had many lessons with our members, and they are getting a sense for the work we do, and we try hard to make their missionary work experience a spiritual one. We worked with Lindsay Ahuroa all of Saturday and we had a companion study together before we went out. Although we knocked on a lot of doors together and had one or two lessons she said she had a greater appreciation for what we do. We visited Ismaella and she is well. She even made a cross-reference during our lesson on obedience to a scripture she read in 3 Nephi. Souer Li-Khau was there, and the next day she and the RS President went by Ismaella's house to invite her to church and the branch activity on Saturday. We didn't even have to ask them to do that. I was so pleased with them. It just made me so glad to see that our members care about our amis and that they are becoming their friends. That is the key!
On Sunday we were shocked to see Michel at church! Or, better, we were pleasantly surprised at his attendance. I was in the middle of leading the intermediate hymn and there he was in the back. He said he has solved his problems and is ready to come back to church. I feel that baptism is in his near future. In the last six or so months we have planted and seen our amies grow in the Lord's field, and soon there shall be a harvest. Paita is ready for reaping.
After church we took pictures with some of the ward members and then had to run around Paita saying goodbye to some of our amis since our sector will be closed until the new sisters come; two sisters are leaving on Tuesday and it will be two or three weeks until the new ones come. I am a bit unhappy to leave Paita with no missionaries especially when we seeing more success. Soeur Seiko is staying in Rivière Salée with Soeur Leavitt. Our neighboor, Mdm. DeGrelon who is a widow whose family NEVER visits her, started to cry when we said we would be gone for a few weeks. It is dispicable the way her family neglects her. She is alone and miserable. She told us how much she loves us and is grateful for us. I cried when I saw her crying. It was heartbreaking in a way I have never felt before.
On Sunday night we had an AMAZING Christmas fireside put on by the missionaries and the members of the district choir. The sacrament hall was PACKED with investigators that we had all invited as well as members. The fireside included lots of songs, narration and a slideshow following the narration with a lot of images of Christ. We began by singing "Oh Quel Bonheur" (Joy to the World) and, literally, it was the most charging effect when we started. We had NEVER sang that well in any of our rehearsals. There were angels singing with us. The Spirit was incredibly strong during the entire program and there were tears in nearly every eye. I have never quite felt joy similar to that which I felt last night. Two of our investigators came from Paita! They were touched and one of them cried and said that that was exactly what she needed and that she knew she was going to have a good week because of that. Her name is Estelle and her boyfriend is Steve (they live together). Steve is the a pious person; all he wants to do is talk about Christ, and, of course, we are willing. We met them when we were knocking on doors one day.
The work of the Lord goes forth. I have never felt such joy in my entire life. My mission is everything to me. I love these people and I love this land. The scriptures are precious to me. I am giddy with the Gospel and I just can't hide it. I love the Savior and our Heavenly Father. All I want to do, like King Benjamin's people, is be good for always and always be obedient. Christ can change the life of anyone and bring peace to the greatest storms in life. He is the only answer. He is the only way.
I will be talking to you all soon at Christmas. Wish me a good first week in Magenta.
Oh, and the missionary talent show is tonight and we are dancing a Tahitian dance. That should be amusing.
Live the Gospel!
Love,
Soeur Cummins

our last p-day adventure

the latest and most delicious oro flavor

A December summer (7 decembre 2009)

2010-10-28T13:53:00.000-07:00

Dear Family,
Thanks for your patience with my email last week; I know it was a little cut short. First of all, last night Soeur Seiko and I went down to Rivière Salée for one of our final rehearsals for the Christmas fireside next week. Elder Mautz told me to go look by his chair in the Relief Society room (where we practice) and lo and behold there was that lovely package that took nearly and month and half to get to here. Merci beaucoup! I was full of joy opening it last night. Soeur Seiko and I enjoyed all the American candy and plan to share it with our amis. I hope that is okay; I feel the need to share the sweet delights of America with those who are not as blessed.
The highlight of this past week was our zone conference where Elder Callister from the 70 came and spoke to us and taught us. It was the most incredible conference I have yet been to, and the Spirit was strong. Elder Callister started out the conference with this amazing presentation on the apostasty, the evidences that the great apostasy would happen (using the Bible) and the evidences that an apostasy did occur. He spoke about the Apostles and the essentiality of having an organization in the Church of Christ, and how that was eliminated once they were killed off. The apostles had the impossible task of making sure that the doctrine of Christ’s church stayed pure in all the churches in the surrounding continents, and even when the apostles were there that was an overwhelming responsibility. Then, with the loss of the apostles and the persecution of those who professed Christianity? The Church was doomed to apostasy. There were other evidences as well: The fact that the Bible ended – if the Church continued then there would have been a continuing need for the apostles to write letters (aka: epistles) to the different branches to continue to rectify their practice of the doctrine. Another evidence: The fact that history passed through the Dark Ages – if the light of the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ was still on the earth than why was there an age of spiritual darkness and ignorance? There were other facts too – the fact that the priesthood was lost, the simple manner of prayer changed, ordinances that were corrupted and/or lost entirely, etc. Clearly, this is not something that we are going to cram into our investigators’ minds on our first visit because the most convincing proof is the witness of the Holy Spirit, but it amazing to see that the need for a Restoration before Christ’s second coming was overwhelming. Truly, Heavenly Father’s will and ways are perfect and loving. I hope you understand when I say that I love the apostasy. It is the reason that our message is true – that the Church was restored. If it hadn’t been lost in the first place, then why the heck would I be here in New Caledonia? If you are desirous to read a little bit more into this fascinating topic, I would suggest you read one of my favorite portions of Jesus the Christ: chapter 40.
After our conference, Elder Callister had one-on-one interviews with all the missionaries. I was asked to be the translator for the francophone sisters. It was amazing to see how Elder Callister would ask different questions to each sister during their interviews that would help extract a problem or a personal concern. Yes, there is indeed power in the priesthood. After my interview he asked me if I would like a blessing and I said yes. It was a beautiful blessing; it was something I so needed to hear and gave me good counsel. The Gospel is true and God inspires men today. We had someone tell us yesterday (while we were knocking doors) that all the gifts of the Spirit and inspirations of men ended with the apostles of Christ. I couldn’t help but bear my testimony that God doesn’t change and that He inspires men in all ages of time because He loves us and wants us to know He is there.
The rest of the week was a bit of a test of diligence. Soeur Seiko and I chose this Christian virtue together as a companionship to work on, and we prayed for it. It’s funny how the moment you start to pray to have a specific trait that Heavenly Father will place certain obstacles and situations in your way to test your capacities in that area and help you grow. On Saturday and Sunday after church all of our plans and backup plans fell through. None of our amis were at home and none of our follow-ups were at home or wanted to see us (it is SO obvious when people hide from us). We knock doors and drove around looking for people. Thank goodness that we have that little air-conditioned Berlingo car - it was SO hot these past few days. Welcome to summer. Welcome to skin cancer. Speaking of hot weather, the other morning we tried to visit one of our new amies. She was busy so we knocked just above her house and talked to this really kind woman named Gina. We stood outside on her porch talking to her in the sun for a while. She and I were having a good conversation about the importance of family, genealogy and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I noticed that I was the only one doing the talking and next thing I know I look over and Soeur Seiko passes out onto the ground with her backpack on and everything. We panicked for a moment and helped her up and into the woman’s house. She told us that she hadn’t eaten breakfast so the woman gave her a banana and some Tang (yes: Tang). We then walked back to the car and came home. Soeur Seiko rested for about an hour, was feeling better and then we went back out into the warm world. We are going to go back to Gina’s house to thank her. Don’t worry I haven’t passed out quite yet – but it is sure getting warm here and I am 99 percent sure that next week I am going to be transferred to Magenta – a walking sector! That will help with the Paita growth though, so I am glad.
On Saturday night we had a nice Christmas fireside at the branch building that maybe 15 people came to. There weren’t very many of us, but the narration and the music was very inspiring and sweet.
I am so thankful for this mission of mine. I love every day here, even the difficult ones. The joy I feel when I teach and when I am with the members and the kind people is incredible. I am blessed with such a kind family. I love you all greatly and I desire your happiness. I know that happiness is truly found in the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. Every experience I have here testifies to the truthfulness of that. The Book of Mormon truly is the word of God and, like Elder Holland said, provides safety for the soul. We may not understand all the mysteries of God, but we have all the tools to ensure salvation for ourselves and our families at our hands. Heavenly Father just asks that we make efforts everyday – small and simple things truly bring great things to pass.
I love you all.
Love,
Soeur Cummins
P.S. Mom, I had a dream the other night and in my dream I gave Grandma in England’s address to a missionary friend of mine who is serving in the Manchester, England Mission and she then gave it to the missionaries in Grandma’s area. Would you please send me Grandma in England’s home address so I can send it to my friend serving there?
P.S.S. Dad, thanks for the package! I am wearing the watch. I ate the Sour Patch kids. I listen to Handel’s Messiah in the car, and I will soon be properly hair sprayed and deodorized. I cannot tell you how wonderful it was to get that, open it and know that you had lovingly put it together for me. Oh, but next time, Elder Matuz said that you probably shouldn’t put the Caledonia flag on there because that isn’t actually the official flag for the country; it’s the flag that represents rebellion against French government. He just doesn’t want our packages becoming political statements. Kinda ridiculous, I know. Just go for a French flag next time. And, I know you didn’t know (and I never thought of it like that either), and I actually thought you did a very nice job of drawing that Kanaky flag. I thought it was a nice touch. Merci.

it's letchi season. you peel off these hard red skins to find a "fruit most desirable" whose flesh is whiter and purer than any other fruit. hmm, thinking that Lehi might have eaten these.

Zone conference and faux turkey (30 novembre 2009)

2010-10-28T13:37:00.001-07:00

Dearest Family,
It has been another wonderful week on the island land of Calédonie. On Tuesday of this week we had our reunion de district up in Tontouta and the Matuz's gave us a ride up there. They came with a cake for Elder Winget and I since it was both of our birthdays this week. Elder Winget, our district leader, gave a great formation on how to become a Christlike missionary. We aren't supposed to be missionaries that just do missionary things, like talking to people and knocking on doors and sharing the Gospel; we need to be missionaries and people that ARE Christlike. We cannot just strive not only to do Christlike things but be Christlike in our lives. But, I suppose similarly that as we strive to do what is right on the outside that it can change our inside – like smiling, for example. There are days that smiling is no simple task, but the more we smile (the exterior action) the more that it renders positive our attitude (the interior effect). Yes, we must perfect the inner man, but our actions become the means to that perfection of the interior. Right?
On the way home from our meeting the Mautz's played the new Andrea Boccelli Christmas CD. I nearly died with spasms of musical joy. My heart soared with those Christmas tunes. I thought of home and our Christmas tree all lovely and sparkling. I love Christmas.
My birthday was excellent. I woke up early and made a huge omelette for my companion and myself. We had some good lessons that day, and a wacky one with a certain Lorenza who has crazy dreams that she goes into unnecessary detail. She sees the virgin Mary all the time, but she did have an interesting one about progressing from a dimly lighted rim into a room of great light. Kingdoms of glory? Well, I did my best to tie all those dreams back into Gospel principles. She has one more chance, but if she recounts her unceasingly recounts her dreams again next time, ça y est. We ate Magnum bars for lunch (I insisted), and the Teguisiale's made cake. The elders in our district called me and sang as well as the assistants. Soeur Leavitt also called, with a purpose but with the ulterior motive to wish me a happy birthday. It was the most bizarre birthday because it just felt like any other day. For that very reason, I loved it more than any other birthday in years past. The more we focus on ourselves the more disappointed we will be when things do not live up to our astronomical expectations. I had no real expectations and was able to serve others, and it ended being a great day.
Thanksgiving lacked turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, but we did eat Shepard's pie at the Li-Khau's, and we found a new investigator! I gave thanks for that. She is this lovely Tahitian woman who was thrilled about having a Book of Mormon. Speaking of that, we have an investigator who teaches catechism to a bunch of young adults, and we had two lessons with her and gave her a Book of Mormon. We came back a few weeks later, and she told us that she was at page 605 (there are only about 660 pages in the French one). We are excited to meet with her and answer her questions.
Bah, peer pressure - the others are waiting for me. Gotta go. Zone conference tomorrow! It has been 6 weeks already.
I love you all! Have a merry week, and be on the lookout: I sent a package home. It was expensive, and it was the first and hopefully last time I take money out of my personal account. I refuse to spend personal money here when we have enough for everything in the first place. But, bof, it is for Christmas, and you're worth every 7,500 pacific franc of it.
Love,
Soeur Cummins

birthday breakfast

birthday lunch

an extremely talented ami playing yves duteil. i tried hard not to sing along. that failed.

A daily thanksgiving in New Caledonia (23 novembre 2009)

2010-10-28T13:14:00.001-07:00

Dear Familyyyyyy,
What a week here in New Caledonia ! Sorry I am writing this a little later in the day than usual. Soeur Seiko and I had some lessons planned for this morning; we worked this morning and do the rest of the necessary P-day things later in the evening. We were supposed to meet with a Fijian woman who is a less-active (I have been here nearly six months and I have never met her) this morning and it was well, when we called to see if we could visit with her because she spoke to me in English. English is foreign. I had a hard time speaking with her on the phone, but it was nice to be able to understand everything she said to me instead of just laughing because I didn’t understand (which was a frequent occurrence for me at the beginning – I would laugh or just hand Soeur Spencer the phone; many fervent prayers have been offered before doing the phone calls for the day). We couldn’t find her house off some backroad in the tropical forest she led us to believe she lived on. Next time. Afterwards we had the most amazing lesson with Ismaella. Alicia came with us and we taught the next principle in the Gospel of Jesus Christ after repentance which is, baptism! She read Mosiah 18 this last week, and she told us that every time we give her something to read that it ends up answering one of the questions she or that her husband has (that we haven’t been able to teach yet – though she teaches him everything we teach her). She has an firm testimony of the Book of Mormon, and although there were some Jehovah’s Witnesses that came by during the week to try to convince her otherwise, she explained to them that “too late” she already knew it was true. There is opposition in all things, but that is why Heavenly Father has given us the gift of the Holy Ghost - that we might receive a testimony of truth, which is much more powerful than anything Satan can throw our way. It is for us to rely on that testimony and put our confidence in Heavenly Father.
At the end of our lesson I desired to ask her if she would be baptized, but I felt hesitant and gave her, instead, the chapter in 3 Nephi that we wanted her to read about Christ’s visit to ancient America. Then I felt that push again. True to the nudging of the Spirit, I asked her if she wanted to be baptized. She said yes. She had been thinking about that for a while. It is something she wants to be prepared for because she understands that it is a sacred covenant, binding and eternal, that she will make with God; not something to take lightly. We explained our excitement for her, God’s content for her decision and that we were glad that she understood its importance. We told her that we are going to be with her all along the way to help and teach her more. Is this not the joy that Alma the younger spoke of in Alma 26? Missions are indeed a bit of a rough time, but how marvelous and satisfying they are. They stretch the soul to new heights and to greater joys and expand the heart to contain more love than ever before. I understand a little more every day the love that God and Christ have for us. Each and every person is a gem, precious beyond all worth.
I can’t believe that it is nearly December. How strange. I was writing in my journal last night and thinking about how time on a mission passes by as though we were in some sort of space continuum. It is day to day work, measured by our weekly planning and then by our every six week zone conference. We have zone conference next week! Time is flying, and I am loving every moment – only wishing I could catch it in a bottle for memory’s sake.
I can’t write much more but one good experience (of many) that I had this week: I spent Wednesday on a split with Soeur Richards in Rivere Salee (a walking sector) and Soeur Leavitt came up here to Paita. It was GREAT to walk around all day although I became sweaty and got a little sunburnt. We had some wonderful lessons and contacts. The children here are amusing in how they, once they know we speak English, will start yelling random phrases like “I love you” and “hullo” and “ow air you” at us. We laugh good-heartedly.
Well, I have to run. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is true. The Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion. I am thankful for the testimony that I have gained of this marvelous book, which is truly the word of God. We are working hard here in Paita. Every day we contact all sorts of people and have all sorts of experiences.
I love you all! Happy Thanksgiving! I will be at the Li-Khau’s house Thursday night and we eat as though it is Thanksgiving every week, so I won’t be too miserable – although I miss turkey and cranberry sauce. The benefits of a mission though are greater than those of turkey and cranberry sauce.
I love my mission. I love you.
Love,
Soeur Cummins
P.S. A Christmas package is soon on its way to the US of A.

i have a lovely companion.

our district

Week 1765346.86 in Nouvelle-Calédonie, or something like that (16 novembre 2009)

2010-10-27T21:54:00.000-07:00

Dear Family,
This week has been interesting. I think I always start my emails off like that, with a “this week has been interesting.” The truth is that the weeks here really are always interesting, and each day is filled with experiences that are joyful, painful, surprising, inspiring, disappointing – the whole spectrum of emotion. Perhaps I should look around in the thesaurus for a better word, but for now I think the word “interesting” does a decent job of summarizing the moments that fill 7 days here in the mission field.
Before I tell you what events have taken place each day this week, I am going to spoil you with the dessert of my week - the best moment of this week: On Saturday morning Soeur Seiko and I were having our companionship study when the assistants came by our apartment on the way to the airport to pick up a new elder coming in from Tahiti. They gave us a bunch of letters that we had received, and I wanted to share one letter in particular that I received from a lady in North Carolina named Helen Duncan. At the MTC they have a place called the Call Center where missionaries call people who have placed online requests for free Book of Mormons or other free items that the Church offers (DVDs and other media). The missionaries call them to see if they have received the item they requested and it is also an opportunity to share the message of the restored Gospel. One missionary, before she left to go to Switzerland gave me the number of a lady she had been talking to at the Call Center and wanted me to continue contact with her. Her name is Helen and she was the sweetest lady, but she was in a bit of a difficult situation financially and health-wise. We talked a number of times about the Gospel and her life and before I left the MTC I made sure to give her the number of the leadership in the wards in her area (because she needed some major help) and sent her contact information to the missionaries there as well, but after I left I never knew how she was. Well, I received a letter from her the other day saying that she was able to get help from the local branch president and that the missionaries came over, taught her and that on June 27th of this year she was baptized into the Church! I felt such profound JOY when I read that, and to know that I was a small part in her conversion made me understand more fully the significance behind Doctrine and Covenants 18. It made me think of some things that were promised to me in my patriarchal blessing, and I am just even more (if that is possible) thankful for the message of the restored Gospel. Oh, how God loves His children.
We had another good lesson with Estelle and Steve this week, and I enjoy teaching them. They definitely keep us on our toes with their questions. I enjoy teaching people that are interested in our message and ask questions and have a healthy curiosity when it comes to the things of eternity. Sometimes we don’t have all the answers (or all the words, for me, to give a concise answer), but that is why we have our personal study time. There are some people that zone out during our lessons and I just want to start dancing in front of them (to get their attention) and ask if they understand truly how important our message is. I will probably do that the next time.
On Saturday we had to have the worst kind of meetings with one of our amis, Michel Ciani: We had to tell him that we had to let him go for awhile. He isn’t progressing. He doesn’t read, he doesn’t pray, and, though at the beginning he showed great interest in the church and was near baptism, he has let his problems strangle the testimony. I studied the parable of the sower last night (Matthieu 13) and saw its direct application to this situation. We were very disappointed to let him go, but the Lord is working His ways and for the moment Michel just isn’t ready. It is for the best, and things will work out the way they are supposed to.
On Sunday our branch had its Primary Program during Sacrament meeting. I was so touched with the innocence of the children and the songs they sang. The Gospel is true at all ages and in all tongues and at all levels of understanding. The Spirit was so strong, and I just loved being taught by the Primary children, who are still perfect in Christ.
I don’t have time to write down everything, but I am still keeping a good journal (more or less – sometimes I just fall into bed after planning in my skirt without a thought for scribing the tales of the day). I think of you often and I cannot wait until Christmas when we can chat on the phone. I am not sure the schematics of that situation quite yet, but I will let you know who will be calling who and when and where by the time Noël rolls around.
The Gospel is still true.
Love,
Soeur Cummins
P.S. There are some cyclones forecasted for New Caledonia in the coming months, so today we are going to buy some food storage and then take a hike in the nearby hills where we hear there are some hieroglyphs.

The good and the interesting (9 novembre 2009)

2010-10-27T21:48:00.000-07:00

Dearest Family and those who dare read these emails,
What a week! It has sure been packed with memories for future reflection – good and, well, some interesting ones.
On Tuesday we had our district meeting and afterwards we all drove up to an area in the Tontouta sector named Tomo. We helped an older woman named Germaine clean up her garden. She had ALL sorts of plants: manioc, taro, coconut trees, letchi trees, wild strawberries, wild tomatoes (so good, by the way – don’t worry, we told her afterwards that we had eaten a few ), and all sorts of flowers. Dad, you would have loved walking around her grounds. Afterwards we had two really good lessons with one of the members, Alicia Toyon. We taught Ismaella, who is just a superb investigator. She tells us how much she loves reading the Book of Mormon, and she already knows how to recognize the Spirit. She told us at the end of our lesson on the Gospel of Jesus Christ that she felt the Spirit so strongly and that she had faith and wanted to know how to repent. Our next lesson was with a couple who are living together and the monsieur had a question about the resurrection. He talks to the Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Seventh Day Adventist that come by and he said he was confused by the different descriptions and ideas of what they believe the resurrection will be. We pulled out the Book of Mormon and went to Alma 40 and read from there. Then we bore our testimonies of the Book of Mormon and described the history of it. He said he felt something different about our presence in his home than he did when the others came over. We invited them to begin reading the Book of Mormon. It was powerful.
On Wednesday we went and visited our older investigator Aimee, and during our opening prayer her 40 or something year old son came in and started talking to her and then went to a back room. All this during our prayer. Afterwards we started our lesson and he came out and I asked how he was and if he worked in Paita. Just a nice question, right? Well, I had the surprise of my life when he started yelling at us to keep to ourselves and not talk to him. Then he sat there in a sulk. Aimee told us that he didn’t like us coming over, and Soeur Seiko said we would come back another day and we left. That was the first time I have ever been treated like that – but it wasn’t the last time during the week. We were doing a follow-up on a man we had met on our P-day. His wife came out, we asked to see him and she said that she would find him. Soon enough he came out and we said hello. Then all of a sudden his wife came out with a broom and yelled at us to leave. I thought she was going to hit us with the broom. She started yelling in extremely rapid French that I didn’t understand (not only because it was rapid but also because it was full of words that I am not familiar with as a missionary). We left quickly, and Soeur Seiko said it was good that I didn’t understand. I don’t think that man told his wife that he had met two young sister missionaries. Hmmmm, oops.
We slept outside on our lawn next to our house the other night. The moon was so full and lovely, so we laid out a big mat and slept under the stars.
Our investigator Georgette gave us some shell fossils and a huge squash the other day after our lesson. A bit random, but our life is full of random occurrences. I love the contact that we make with people. Everyday we meet all these people with these interesting life stories and crazy personalities and characteristics (sometimes characteristics induced by the influences of various illicit substances). I think our lives become more interesting and faceted the more we become interested and acquainted with others.
Last night we had a choir practice at Rivière Salée with the members and the other missionaries. I love singing with the other members and seeing the other missionaries. Christmas is going to be strange here – the weather being hot and humid, but I am sure that for someone from here that a Christmas with snow and chilly weather would be bizarre.
Today we are going on a hike with the other missionaries. I promise not to get lost like the two missionaries did last time.
I love you all! Have a wonderful week and keep living the Gospel and bettering yourselves.
Love,
Soeur Cummins

so, we didn't end up taking that hike. but, we still had fun.

November beginnings (2 novembre 2009)

2010-10-27T21:44:00.001-07:00

Dearest Family,
This week was an interesting one in Paita. First of all, the Mautz’s wanted the family members of missionaries to know that they were asked by our mission President to change their blog to invite only, so I am sorry that you will all be cut off from that little window into New Caledonian mission life. I know my view is limited to first-person, but I hope that will be sufficient. I am feeling the pressure.
Anyway, for a cultural note, I am sad to announce (much to my chagrin) that they do not have a widespread celebration of Halloween here. There are pockets of people here and there who dress up and give out candy, but in our little town of Paita there were only a lot of people at the cemetery cleaning up familial graves for the day after Halloween, All Saints Day, or “Tous Saints.” I shared a mini-sized Heath bar and a Take 5 with my companion that our district leader gave us on Tuesday, and I put some sad-looking jack-o-lanterns on orange post-its on the fridge. It was my measly effort to give reverence to a day of joy, candy, things-that-go-bump-in-the-night, candy, costumes, candy, tricks, and yes, candy. There was a lack of all of the above, except joy; we always have joy – that’s not just a once-a-year thing. However, I must admit that I missed the candy part – you know, running around in the neighborhood with all the children with pillow case in hand, demanding chocolate. I doubt I will ever be too old for that, even if everyone else thinks I am. Just wait, next year I am taking all the kiddies in the family around trick-or-treating in the neighborhood.
This week was a pretty good one (though lacking, on Saturday, in American spirit – haha, spirit, get it?). The weather has been strange here though. It feels like fall. Some days are raining and chilly, and some days are terribly warm. I don’t know what to think or whether to put on sunblock. Don’t worry, I do anyways, despite the day’s prognosis. We had some very good lessons this week with our progressing investigators, especially our friend Michel Tuigana. He is a very large Futunian man who, when we first met him, seemed to lack comprehension, but now whenever we see him it is as though he has a new light in him. He reads the verses that we give him, and sometimes he even memorizes them! That makes our day. We move slowly with him, but he says that he wants to be baptized and that he knows that the Book of Mormon is true. I am not sure he quite understands, at this point, the ramifications of all of that, but in time we will help him understand with the help of the Spirit and our members. We have been doing a lot of work with the members here in Paita. Our biggest help is Alicia Toyon. She is preparing to serve a mission, and we eat at her family’s house every Friday night. Frere Toyon and Dad would get along great since he is an avid reader and has intelligent insight about Gospel principles. I love listening to him. He and his wife have been members for about 12 years, but his knowledge of the Gospel and its breadth is incredible. He always says one phrase when we come over to their house for dinner (because somehow the conversation always leads to food, eating and weight gain), “Casse pas le tete, casse le croute.” Translated it means, “Don’t worry, just eat!”
On Tuesday we did some door to door contacting and got chastised by a wizened Melanesian woman, but the next house we knocked there was this lovely Tahitian woman who we found out knew many of the branch members here and had a lot of family in the church in Tahiti. Later that day we also met a man who was very willing to listen to us and later, his girlfriend came home and she told us that her mother was a member but had died a year ago. His name is Steve and her’s, Estelle. She said she had prayed about the Book of Mormon and the Church when her mother was baptized, but that she had never received an answer. We talked about the principle of prayer and how Heavenly Father answers in His own timetable and when we are ready to accept His will. We are excited to visit them again soon – there is hope! There is always hope.
On Thursday we worked a little with our one American-loving member, Soeur Pene. She is a little nutty, and when we took her home she went skipping along down the path to her house. She is about 70 years old, but with a spry spirit like hers you would think she was still 12.
On Thursday night I became pretty sick. I am okay now, but I think I ate something Thursday that did not settle well and I was up all night in the bathroom. On Friday I was too weak and dizzy to go out so I slept until 12, and then we tried to do weekly planning but I only lasted about 2 hours before I had to go lay down again. I don’t think it was food poisoning, but it was something. Two brothers in the branch came over to give me a blessing in the afternoon. Frère Ahuroa said that sometimes missionaries fake being sick because the work is too hard for them. He also said that he would bring over some of his wife’s Tahitian salad, convinced that it would cure me of whatever I had. He saved himself with that Tahitian salad promise because I was not faking the illness. The next morning I felt good as new and was hungry. Thank goodness we had that Tahitian salad in the fridge.
There is much to do today and so little time. I can’t believe that it is already November. I am two months from being halfway through my mission. That is bizarre.
Thanks for all your love and support. I am glad that all is well on the homefront (knock on wood!), and that you are enjoying the cooler weather. I hope you all had a happy Halloween. I hope you enjoy eating stew from a pumpkin, Mom, Dad, and family. I hope next year you will make me stew in a pumpkin when I come home. That is all I ask for.
Have a lovely week. Share the Gospel with someone! Treat the missionaries nicely and encourage them! Ask them who they are teaching! Read the Book of Mormon! Say your prayers! Live the Gospel.
Love,
Soeur Cummins
P.S. Mom, one lady we teach told us about this birthing process where they birth their children in the river, completely in the water. Have you ever heard of that?
P.S.S. A small request: one of our members asked if I could ask someone from home to send a Deseret Book magazine that has a selection of CTR rings. She wants to purchase a CTR ring and doesn’t know any other way to do so but through the magazine.

Le travail continue! (26 octobre 2009)

2010-10-27T21:38:00.000-07:00

Dear Family,
Thanks so much for your support and letters! It has been such a great week here in Paita and in the mission in general. We had our zone conference on Tuesday with all the other missionaries, and the talks that our leaders gave were inspiring and lead by the Spirit. Our zone leaders gave an amazing interpretation of the parable of the Good Samaritan and how it relates to missionary work and the Plan of Salvation. I am constantly impressed by the spirit, knowledge, and capabilities of the other missionaries and of our President. At the end of our conference two of the elders who are leaving soon to go back home to Tahiti bore their testimonies and our entire assembly was in tears.
On Wednesday we had a wonderful lesson with our progressing investigator Ismaella. She loves reading the Book of Mormon, and she is trying to be a good example to her husband. She asked about a girl who had come to our lesson before and we told her that it was Alicia, who was a member. She then asked “How can I become a member of your church?” I nearly burst out of my chair with joy this question. I contained myself and we explained baptism. We are excited about our upcoming lessons with her.
Later that night we had an English lesson with Messina and Sephora – Sephora is going to write Heather a letter with the English she is learning. That will be sent in a few weeks. Later that night once we arrived home, I fell asleep in my outfit for the day after our nightly planning. I was just a little bit tired. I woke up the next morning a bit confused as to my attire: “Why am I still in my skirt?”
On Thursday we did some service at our friend, Josephine’s house. We are de-weeding her yard – which is quite a task since the weeds are not exactly the type that we find in California. But it was good work, and she fed us rice and soup afterwards.
On Saturday there was a ward activity at the branch building – well, I guess you would call it a branch activity – and there was a LOT of food, but I wasn’t feeling too well so I just ate some po’e. That is a must. Even if I was on my deathbed I know I would still force myself to eat lovely, delicious po’e. We had a lesson with Michel Ciani later on that day and I became inwardly frustrated with him. It is distressing to see your investigator who knows the truth, who is saying all the right things, to not act upon that knowledge, and to not have any desire to read the Book of Mormon or do, well, anything. Thank goodness that our Heavenly Father has infinite patience because sometimes I am in need of so much more. On Sunday we had branch conference and the formations (the talks) that were given were good. I didn’t get as much from them as I would have liked because I was doing the translation for Sister Mautz, but that’s always a fun challenge for me. Soeur Seiko and I taught in Gospel Principles about the responsibilities of the family, and after church Sour Pene came with us to one of our lessons. Soeur Pene is the member in our ward who loves bursting out in English song to the American missionaries. She is helpful and enjoys giving us early morning telephone calls. She has this big American flag sticker on her church bag and she tells me that she may be Tahitian but she knows that in her heart that she is an American. Then she rattles off the flag salute and “God Bless America” in her falsetto voice.
! I am so thankful to be here, and I hope that I can continue to work hard and serve Heavenly Father well. He has done everything for me, and He asks me to do so little for Him.
I love you all so much. That is great that Kristina was accepted into her desired program of study, Way to go Alex and his awesome school accomplishments. I hope everyone had good birthdays, and I am glad that my package arrived home safely.
Love,
Soeur Cummins
P.S. It is getting hot here – but the one consolation is that the mango trees are teeming; soon it will be a mango feast.

the biggest marmite of rice i have ever seen.

service at in josephine's jungle

Still in Paita (19 octobre 2009)

2010-10-27T21:22:00.000-07:00

Chère Famille,
Je me trouve toujours à Paita! I am still in Paita - no transfers; you can stop holding your breath. No, for some reason missionaries get excited about transfers and who's going where and what companionships will be. In fact, we play the "transfer game" - each person deciding who they think will go where. I don’t like playing it when the sisters get moved around; it’s only fun to do it for the elders. We are a funny brand, we missionaries. I thought, for example that I was going to go to Magenta (a walking sector) where I would hopefully walk off all this extra baggage. The gossipy elders (who are worse than girls, I tell you - haha, that's was in Ann Dibb's talk:"I tell you") made me think that I would be transferred, but alas, President has seen it fit to keep me in Paita for a time. I am glad. We have gained the confidence of the members and are working more and more with them - which, if you didn't know, is très important to the work. I would like to invite you (because good missionaries always give commitments and "invite" others to do things) to go work with the missionaries. Do you do that? Have you asked the elders if you could help them?
On Monday of last week, Soeur Seiko and I went to do our shopping in Tontouta and on the way home we took a shortcut. We came over this one hill and BAM, there was the most gorgeous Pacific island ocean view anyone could ask for. On top of that, we found a man with a beachfront location and he said we could take his road down to the ocean front. He then came down and talked to us. We found out that he lives in Paita and that he is family with some of our amis. We gave his a brochure.
On Tuesday at our district meeting we heard the testimony of a Tahitian elder, Elder Aiho, who is going home this Wednesday. He is a great missionary.
On Wednesday we went to an amie’s house, and she had left us a note outside on her porch that said she didn't want to meet with us anymore. We wondered what we had done and felt pretty depressed. However, I know that it was her decision and we left her a note of encouragement and told her that we were always there if she wanted to talk. There are the highest of highs and the lowest of lows on the mission. That was a low.
On Saturday we had a good English lesson with our friend Janne. It wasn't even really an English lesson. We didn't have any books in English besides the Gospel library so we gave her a copy of Our Search for Happiness and kept one for us to follow along with. She read one of the pages for this week where E. Ballard talks about his convictions for Jesus Christ, and she said she was touched by that and she had a bizarre, but wonderful feeling come over her. We talked about Christ for a while and other Gospel topics. We then went into our English conversation topic for the week: Our favorite book. I began and I pulled out a copy of, what else but my favorite book, the Book of Mormon. I bore my testimony in English (the first time on my mission) and Soeur Seiko bore hers testimony too. Then we gave her the book and expressed our hopes that it would become her favorite book. The Spirit was SO strong in our lesson. She is a humble, sweet person and I am excited to do a follow-up on her reading at our next "English" lesson.
Anyway, the rest of Saturday was spent trying to visit Michel, who was apparently having some major problems with his renters and had to call the police. The renters haven't paid for over six months and he had to kick them out, and there was a bit of a commotion (that is a euphemism for the situation, by the way) and we had to leave. We went and visited our amie Aimée who was celebrating her 75th birthday! When we found that out we ran to the patisserie and bought these heavenly French cake things with fruit on top and brought Soeur Toyon to teach with us. It was a happy afternoon.
On Sunday we had district conference with all the branches, and later that night we had a missionary fireside on the Restoration. It was the usual - singing, visuals, and a narration. The narrator had the most amazing French accent ever - I fell in love. With his accent, of course. Not Frère Leau himself. We had invited Mikaele and Helene and their girls and they came. Imagine that.
Today we are having a FHE with President Ostler and tomorrow is Zone Conference. I had a good interview with President today and played volleyball with the elders. The mission is the best place on earth. I appreciate every minute, even the hard ones.
Let me not forget a HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Alex and Glen. I love you both!
Love,
Soeur Cummins

la famille teugaisiale

Glorious general conference and other island happenings (12 octobre 2009)

2010-10-27T20:06:00.000-07:00

Dear Family,
First of all, HAPPY BIRTHDAY HEATHY SHEA! I love you, petite soeur. 13 years old. I showed your picture to my companion and she said she thought you were 15 or 16. I felt better saying, now, that you’re 13 and not 12.
There just isn’t enough time in my short hour of Internet usage to explain to you how much I love this mission of mine and how much I love the Gospel and how I wish only to live and breathe the Gospel all the days of my life here on earth. I, like Paul, am not ashamed of this glorious work.
General Conference was good. So good, so good! We watched it this past weekend at the Rivière Salée building, and thankfully they had a room set up for the missionaries to watch it in English. I am not sure I would have gotten as much out of it had I seen it in French as I did in English. I was just blown away by the inspiration that went into every talk given, and the Spirit was so strong throughout the four sessions. I loved Elder Scott’s talk on the Spirit, the talk on why we are given burden’s to bear, and Elder Holland’s talk was a powerhouse of Book of Mormon goodness! The Spirit was SO strong, and I felt even a little irreverent saying amen at the end because I didn’t want the feeling to end and the silence to break. How could anyone deny the testimony that he gave of the divinity of the Book of Mormon? I never saw it in that perspective before, and he was full of the Spirit of prophesy when he testified! One of the Rivière Salée sisters’ investigators said that he wanted to be baptized after watching the conferences (I was there with Sister Leavitt when he said that he wanted to be baptized), and I wished so much that our investigators would have and could have come and seen that. I only wished that Elder Holland could be another one of our companions and bear that testimony to all of our amis. Then there was President Monson’s touching talk about service and “warm fuzzies”. He remains so spry and humorous in his age. His talk reminded me of this one lady, Madame DeGrellon, who lives just two houses above us. She lives all alone and is lonely, and we are able to go by once a week and visit. We called her on Friday and asked if we could eat lunch with her. We prepared a salad and went over and she had made us soup, pasta and crepes! She seemed very happy to have the company even if all she could talk about was her sadness. I hope we were able to brighten her day a little, and I am thankful that Heavenly Father led us to her even if she wants nothing to do with religion. But we know, at least, that pure religion is taking care of her (James 1:27).
I also loved the songs. Oh, the chorale prayers that the Tabernacle offered! The veil becomes thin when the air is full of such praising chorus. I feel that I was truly sanctified by the Spirit in listening to conference, and like the people of King Benjamin after his address, I have no desire to do evil but good continually.
I hope you all enjoyed conference as well. If someone could send me an Ensign with the conference addresses in English next month that would be superb! We get the Liahona in the addresses in French, but I would like an English copy as well. Merci!
So, just a little recap on the week: On Thursday there was a tsunami warning due to some earthquakes in the Vanuatu islands. The weather was very foreshadowing that morning and had a weird charge to it – then we heard about the warning. We kept teaching though and later when we came home at lunch our district leader called and told us to stay in. Then 10 minutes later the warning was lifted and we were back on missionary schedule. These natural disasters have been prophesized already; we live in the last days.
I can’t write much more because I have been gabbing to you all about General Conference, but I want you all to know that I love you. I hope that doesn’t come as a surprise to you (like it did to that one family Elder Bednar talked about – oops! I would have hated to have been that Dad), and I hope I can show my love for you in the work I do here. I love the Lord. I am so grateful to be serving Him as I serve his children here. I think I am going to be transferred from this sector next week. I will tell you next week if my suspicions are fulfilled. I have loved serving in Paita. When I think of leaving Soeur Seiko I want to cry – she has been an amazing support and quiet, firm example to me. I love her so much. But, I am glad to serve where I am called, and change means progression and how I so desire to progress and become better. Thanks to Christ, I know that is possible for me.
I hope you all know that I have a testimony of the Gospel and of our Savior Jesus Christ. I want you to know that I love God, and I am trying to be obedient in all the things He has commanded of me. I hope you are striving to love Him as well through your obedience.
Be wise and have a good week.
Love you all,
Soeur Cummins
P.S. We are going fishing today for my first time– Soeur Seiko is teaching me.

Miles to go (5 octobre 2009)

2010-10-27T20:03:00.000-07:00

Dearest Family,
I can just imagine Dad cooking General Conference breakfast for you all (yum! where am I?), and you have no idea how jealous I am that you all got to watch conference this past weekend. We are to see the transmission of it next weekend all together down at the Rivière Salée building, and it will be translated into French (well, clearly). I have never been quite as thrilled at the idea of General Conference as I find that I am now at this moment in my life. How VERY blessed we are to know that there is a prophet who leads us, loves us and has been chosen by the very God of all mankind. I am also glad to hear that the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sang my favorite song (yes, that one is my favorite song, Mommers). I am sure that my Monday email will be bursting with expression of Gospel joy. I do not feel like I can even contain or express all the love and joy that fills my spirit when it comes to the Gospel. I just want to dance and smile and never let the feeling go – imagine what joy will be like in the celestial realms, when even here on earth we have times of joy beyond our capacity to comprehend. I feel like it is at those moments that the veil becomes thin and our spirits anticipate that which awaits us in the life to come.
This week on Tuesday we had a big zone conference for the north zone up at the Tontouta branch building. My companion and I gave a formation (a talk) on how to maintain the fruits of our labors, or better said, how to help our investigators who are progressing to continue progressing. It went well and the whole day was enlightening. I adore this work we do. I am so content in reading and studying the scriptures, and every month when we receive the Liahona (the translated version of the Ensign, New Era and the Friend combined) it is like Christmas. I think I would love to work for the Church magazines someday. That would be a dream.
Soeur Carter, a sister who I actually knew before the mission when she and I were in the CS Lewis Society together (imagine that!), did a split with me here in Paita on Wednesday. We had a very good time together. She is a humble, unassuming sister who does thorough work and has a heart full of pure diligence and love for Christ.
Thursday was my 6 month mark on the mission. I only have a year left. I ask myself, “what have I done so far?” Have I done any good in the world? Am I any different? Where have I progressed? Who have I helped? I hope that these last 6 months have seen a markable change in me. I feel as though my very heart has changed and that my desires as a missionary and in life have become purer and clearer. How wonderfully the Gospel can illuminate our life. I still have a lifetime of work in self-purification, but I feel that I am progressing, which is the very purpose of our lives and, in fact, of eternity.
Yesterday one of our amis, Petelo, came to church with his cousin. We had a lesson with him later that afternoon and he told us that he was a disappointed with the meetings. Sacrament was not as reverent as it should have been, and many testimonies were not of true testimony quality. One of the members chastised the congregation, in fact. Gotta love the Tontouta branch. We explained to Petelo that perhaps there were members that just didn’t fully understand the true importance of that meeting, but that we were glad that he understood and were thankful for his example of reverence. I am not sure, but I think it should maybe be the members that set the example for outsiders???? Maybe that’s just me. But, with all sarcasm aside, Petelo did say that he wanted to bear his testimony and that he would come back so he could do so. That was good. He is progressing. I just wish and pray that our branch will as well – people get too comfortable with the fact that they have the Gospel and that they don’t need to do anything. They have the knowledge, but they simply forget or don’t care to act on it.
Yesterday we also met with another amie, Malia Feleu (who if you remember me talking about her, did not actually move but will after Christmas), who exclaimed that she LOVES Joseph Smith and his story.
For the most part, it has been another good week. There are always some pitfalls – like Michel who just doesn’t progress despite his testimony of the truth, or the Wallisians who still persist in talking about the details of the death of Michael Jackson with us. But, pray and fast are good remedies for such. I am trying to improve my prayers, and I seek for more ways to be obedient – like, following the speed limit with exactness. You have no idea how hard it is to resist accelerating when you are going 20 mph and you have a queue of 7 cars behind you. I now avoid looking in the rearview mirror when such occurrences happen. Just face the tree of life and don’t look around at the people in the large and spacious building – or the large and spacious Peugeot behind you. That’s a good scripture application.
Speaking of running, I must go! My hour is nearly up and “I have promises to keep and miles to go before I sleep. And miles to go before I sleep.” Thank you, Robert Frost.
Love,
Soeur Cummins

Why, hello! (28 septembre 2009)

2010-10-27T17:00:00.000-07:00

Dearest Family,
Yes, it has been another week in this ever growing warmer paradise. I drink water, and sunscreen is a daily skin ritual. No worries. My tan lines grow ever clearer against the white skin that is perpetually protected.
So, you are all doing well? I hope so. Oh, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Kari dearest – it is her birthday here today, but I hope the day today for her tomorrow (if that makes an ounce of sense) is glorious. I am posting a small package home today filled with some birthday cards, the camera card and some pictures. You should get it sometime in the next two to three weeks, although one of the elders told me that his mom just received a letter that he sent to her in April. I hope my package doesn’t experience the same voyage time.
This week was great! I just love this mission – so much! It has been 6 months in three days! Wow. Last night we were down at the Rivière Salée building practicing some songs with the district for a Christmas concert. Afterwards Soeur Seiko saw her older sister (Soeur Seiko sees her family a lot of the time here, since they’re on the same island). Her sister served in Fiji and one of her old companions, Sister Crow, from Canada came to visit her. Soeur Leavitt and I talked to her for a while since she didn’t speak much French. I asked if she knew an Elder Shaw from her mission in Fiji (it was 4 years ago for her) and she said yes. Once again, what a small, Mormon world. She commenced in telling us how she still thought of her mission and missed it every day. She said that for two years after coming home that she would just burst into tears weekly because she missed it so much. Foreshadowing? I hope not.
This week many experiences were, well, experienced. On Tuesday I had to teach a lesson at our district meeting – I am such a fan at applying the scripture stories to life right now. There are so many things we can learn through the Book of Mormon and I try to ask myself every time I read a chapter, “why was this included?” “Why is this story here and what do I need to understand from it?” I hope you do the same.
On Tuesday afternoon we had a lesson with our progressing investigator Lorenza. We watched the Restoration DVD and though she was distracted by her baby at the beginning she was into the second half. It was an enriching experience. I cannot stymie the tears that come to my eyes when I watched that DVD and think of the humble boy Joseph, called to be the prophet of the restoration of the eternal Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is so clear and true to me.
We ate at the famille Ahuroa's that night. Soeur Ahuroa has the strongest character of anyone I have ever met. I cannot explain her justly in the written word, but I assure you that I will have many a story to recount featuring the one and only Soeur Mohia Ahuroa when I come home.
On Thursday we taught a Madame Sejo with a member and we watched the Restoration DVD again. It didn’t have quite the same effect as it did the time with Lorenza. Madame Sejo is very Protestant, and afterward she told us that the Jehovah’s Witnesses have the same film and asked which church it really belonged to. Then she talked to us about false prophets and asked us to go home and reflect about what she was telling us. Soeur Seiko and I bore our testimonies of the reality of Joseph Smith as a prophet called by God and of Jesus Christ as our Savior. I knew she was trying to rattle us and shake our faith and beliefs, but does she really think that someone who has travelled across the world to spend 24/7 doing this work is weak in faith and testimony? Not in this case. It made me think of Jacob and Sherem - how Jacob’s faith could not be shaken despite the cunning and clever words of Sherem; how he bore powerful testimony of Jesus Christ and let that be his final stance.
On Thursday we cleaned the home of a neighbor of ours (Mamie DeGrellon) who is very old and very, very alone. Her’s is a sad story, but I don’t have time to tell it at present. She is entirely uninterested with our Gospel message, but she is sick and alone and in need of some smiling faces and listening ears. We were able, at one visit, to find out the birth and death dates of her husband, her birthdate, and their marriage date. This will be put to good use at a future time. Anyway, just know that when we started cleaning her house that we were nearly attacked by all the cockroaches and insects that emerged from the nooks and crannies. It wasn’t pleasant. Something must truly be dirty if you have to clean fungus off a bar of soap.
The rest of the week was filled with other events: It rained on Friday which cleared away a bit of the heat, there was a baptism and a fireside at our branch building on Saturday (with refreshments, of course), and Sunday was a calm Sabbath.
I love you all very much! Have a good week and don’t forget to put prayer and scripture study first in your lives. Just follow the counsel of Jacob: “O be wise, what more can I say.”
Love,
Soeur Cummins
P.S. General Conference is soon! Oui!

happy birthday, soeur Ahuroa

Me revoici - another week in Calédonie! (21 septembre 2009)

2010-10-27T16:50:00.000-07:00

Dearest Familia – oh, that’s Spanish not French…
I have had an amazing week and the missionary work here is progressing well, especially thanks to the help of the members and their presence at our lessons. They give provide a lot of necessary validity to the truths we are sharing, and they give such needed common ground to our investigators. I feel like an average human being, but to our investigators, missionaries are like extraordinary humans (or just extraterrestrial) and the members we bring are people that they, on the more part, have more trust and confidence in.
On Tuesday this week we had a super lesson (I have been saying super a lot lately because it translates well, but I think I need to find a more refined word…) with Lorenza and we brought Alicia Toyon along with us. We taught the Plan of Salvation and it just went super! There’s that word again. Anyway, it’s amazing the joy that an investigator who actually KEEPS their commitments (reading the brochures/ Livre de Mormon, praying, studying certain topics) can bring to the missionaries that teach them. There are few things that compare to the simple joy that comes when an investigator says the three simple words, “Oui, j’ai lu” or “Yes, I read.” Later that evening we also taught another investigator, Michel Tuigana, a lesson on the same topic. He was responsive and attentive. He is usually slow at understanding the things we teach and his progression is slow, but that night it was like he was quickened, like the scriptures say, by the Spirit. He understood the plan of Heavenly Father.
On Wednesday we did a bit of “pàp” (porte-à-porte / door-to-door) in the lotissement of Gadji where our investigator Yori and his dad live. We met a Melanesian woman with the most fantastic purple red fro hair named Georgette. We had a lesson next door with her Wallisian neighbor, Malia Hélèna. Wallisians are an interesting contradiction; they are open, warm people and will invite you in, discuss readily any Gospel subject. Yet, at the same time, they are very closed minded. They are Catholic. They will stay Catholic. They will not budge. I can’t criticize them too much, because they are the most giving people I have ever met (and I am no judge). You walk up their driveway without any notice and they drop everything, offer you something to drink, something to eat, and then they will talk with you for the next hour or so. I can’t say that that would happen all too often in America, but when I return home I hope to stay true to the sweet way I have been treated, doing the same for others.
That night we ate at Mikael and Hélène’s, like we do every week. I walked around their garden with their daughters and taught them English nature vocabulary before dinner. Mikael came home with McDonalds for us.
Summer is going to be a haven here in regards to fruit. All the trees are flowering – you would simply be amazed by all the mango, papaya, and lechi trees here. I doubt I will even need to spend money on food during the summer with all the abundance that the earth is going to spill into our pantry.
Thursday we painted a house of an investigator of the elders up in Tontouta, next to the branch building. The wife chose a nice key lime green for the exterior paint. How lovely, eh? Not my first choice of exterior paint colors, but, to each their own, right? At one of our afternoon lesson, Soeur Pene came to teach with us and she showed us an article that was from an American newspaper. She said that her uncle’s son was in the article and it was saying how he had received his mission call to Tahiti. I looked at the article and the boy is from Hesperia. Small world.
On Sunday there was a sweet spirit in our sacrament meeting and a calming reverence. I hope it continues to be like that. Soeur Seiko spoke in that meeting. She was incredible. I admire her so much.
La fin. Love you.
Love,
Soeur Cummins
P.S. I wrote this to Mom, but I want to write this to all: please please please find the recent CES Fireside talk by Elder Bednar from May 2009! It's on lds.org - just put "Things as They Really Are" into the search box. I just read it and I thought of the family and my dear friends. It talks about how we abuse our physical bodies by spending too much time doing virtual things - it was interesting and made me reflect on how I want to manage my time on the Internet when I get back from my mission. It would be edifying for you to read it. Okay, that’s all for now from this little sliver of French paradise!

soeur seiko and I

soeur seiko et yori

Le 14 septembre (14 septembre 2009)

2010-10-27T16:47:00.000-07:00

Bonjour... en fait, bonsoir chère famille,
Vous allez bien? I am writing a little later in the day today because the Internet place in Paita was closed and we had to come down to Nouméa for a dance practice (explanation later) at the Magenta building, and well, voilà, we finished a few mintues ago. We were practicing a Tahitian dance that the sisters will be doing for our Christmas missionary talent night. We will definitely be filming the dance so you can see how terribly these poor hips of mine bounce around.
I hope you are well! I heard that there are some major fires going on in California, and I fear that you won't tell me if you all have been evacuated or not. I hope they aren't affecting us, but knowing Southern California I can't be too sure.
It was a wonderful week here in the field. We had our zone conference on Tuesday where we were edified by the talks that our leaders gave. Mostly just on avoiding pride, being bolder in talking to people, and counsel on how to be better missionaries. I am seeing more and more how much we need to lean on the Lord in this work, how important it is to be clean on the inner vessel and the strength that comes from being fully consecrated. Zone conference is always fortifying; surrounded by a bunch of missionaries who are striving to be their best selves. I am always a little overwhelmed after zone conference though because I see all the things that I need to work on and better in my missionary life. I am trying to take everything day by day though; trying to be the best I can be, the best that the Lord can make me.
On Wednesday we had an appointment with our new investigator Santony, a 19 year young man. He is interested in our message because, although he is Catholique, he doesn't have a very good scriptural base and we perceive that he has the desire to know more and develop his spiritual side. He asked what the 10 commandments were and when we opened to Exodus he asked, "The 10 commandments are in the Bible?" We taught him the message of the Restoration, which I just love sharing. He was very accepting of what we shared with him and he kept asking questions. At the end we found out that his father passed away three years ago and so next time we are going to teach the Plan of Salvation. I know it sounds awful, but when I find out that our investigators have lost a love one I get so excited because then we get to teach them the Plan and give them the hope that they will see their loved ones again and live with them, in joy, for all eternity. That is, of course, if we accomplish the “after all we can do” part.
On Thursday we had to take the Berlingo down to Nouméa to get some repairs, and Elder Mautz and the elders of Kuotio drove us back to our sector. It was pouring rain when they dropped us off at our appointment, and since our car was down in the city all day we were going to be on foot. But, providentially, after our lesson with Madame Baille the rain stopped but the clouds stayed - thus it was just a mild, cloudy day. No sunburn! We walked for about an hour to get to our next appointment, only to find out that she wasn't there. We did some knocking in the area and then ate lunch. There were some workers sitting in the same area as us in the town square when we ate lunch, and they beckoned us over. What a surprise it must have been when we came over and shared the message of the Restoration with them. One of the men actually seemed interested after we talked. We’ll see how that pans out.
On Friday we had our grande planification for next week and ate at the Toyon's for dinner. Their oldest daughter Alicia came back from her studies in France to prepare for her mission - she is awaiting her call. We are excited to have her work with us in Paita while she is home.
On Saturday we had another meeting with Lorenza, who had read her chapter in the Book of Mormon. We taught about the Holy Spirit and how He works and what His function in the Godhead is. She prayed for us at the end. It was heartfelt and since.
On Sunday we had church. Yeah, we thought we’d do something a little different and go to church. J Sacrament meeting was good and it was quieter than usual - a good thing considering our rambunctious branch. Soeur Seiko and I taught about missionary work in gospel principles class, and I shared the story of how Mom was taught by the missionaries at age 17 in England. How very thankful I am for missionary work for that very reason. There was a nice spirit in our class since many of the people in there were found and were taught by missionaries. It is important for each one of us to be missionaries in every way we can.
Just a side note: Mom, thanks for accepting the Gospel and following the Spirit’s promptings. Look where it has brought your family.
After church we taught a lesson, ate, and had a song practice at the Rivière Salée building for our Christmas fireside. I know, it's only September. Then we came home and studied for the night. I was feeling a discourgaed last night - one of the first times since being out here. I am not sure why I was feeling like that. I suppose I see that I need to be more fully consecrated to the work and more single-minded on the glory of God. I know I can be doing more and doing better. I’ll set some goals to help me attain a higher level of dedication.
Before I go, can I just describe a moment I had today? We drove down to the Magenta building, which is right by Magenta plage (the beach). We walked to a store, bought some sandwiches for lunch and walked over and sat under some palm trees/oak trees in the grass on the outskirts of the sand. We sat there in the shade facing the ocean grandness and the wind was blowing gracefully - just enough to push all your hair back. We sat there for a good while, enjoying the ocean scene. I am going to miss this place immensely when the time comes to leave. I still have a year and a little bit left though, so no need to get too sentimental.
I love it here so much. I am eternally grateful for this experience.
I love you all dearly, dearly, dearly. I hope you have a good week, et jusqu'au lundi prochain je vous laisse
Avec tout mon amour,
Soeur Cummins
P.S. Maybe some more exciting stories in the week to come - but maybe it's better if avoid the things that create exciting stories. Hmm...

So little time, so much to tell (7 septembre 2009)

2010-10-27T16:42:00.000-07:00

Dearest Famille,
I am glad to hear that the school year has started off with a bang. There is such opportunity and potential at the beginning of a school year.
I am glad everyone is doing well in school (and seminary). One of the sisters here, Soeur Li-Khau teaches early morning as well and she wanted to tell you, Mom, that she empathizes. I always enjoyed seminary, though the 5:30 hour was not ideal. I am glad you are back at the church with seminary. You sound really happy for the fact that you get to hang things up and leave them there.
Alex would like Mr. Arner - I am sure they get along well, knowing their personalities. I just hope Alex has more success in that class than I did; that dreadful B! And, I am glad Keeks and Heather are finding joy in their friends and in the things they are doing at school. I always liked being busy with clubs, groups band, etc. I have to admit that I miss playing my French horn, locked so forlornly away in that closet at home. And, actually having time to play the piano? Soeur Seiko and I imagined what it would be like if we had a piano in our apartment, and we decided that we would probably play the piano and sing all day, and no missionary work would be accomplished whatsoever.
This week: It is slowly but surely getting hot here, and it’s only September.
We had a lesson with our amie, Lorenza, who is progressing so well! Soeur Li-Khau came to our lesson and Lorenza surprised us by saying that she had found the Book of Mormon (that we actually gave to her father) and started reading it. She understands the story well already and continues to read. Later that day (Tuesday), we were walking along the side of a road to go visit a less-active and we ran into a Vanuatu girl walking home from school. Soeur Seiko stopped her and we talked a little about the church and who we were. We asked if we could teach her a little about the message we had. We crossed the street to an open field in front of an abandoned house and sat down in the grass and had the first lesson with her. Her name is Christine and she is studying at the high school (lycée) here, but she is from Vanuatu and her family still lives there. She was nice – we’ll see what happens next.
On Tuesday night we ate at the Ahuroa’s house, and of course, Soeur Ahuroa served us way too much and, of course, we had to eat it all. Sometimes I wonder if my stomach is going to just give up. After dinner we went next door where another member, Valerie, lives. Valerie was practicing a Tahitian dance for a wedding reception and she taught us a little bit of the dance. Soeur Ahuroa thought that my dancing and hip shaking was funny and keep laughing and laughing and laughing. It was that bad.
On Wednesday we taught Yori and he had two of his soccer friends there with him. We kicked the ball around at first and played a little get to know you game called “oui, non” (where you try to get someone to say “yes” or “no”), and then we had a lesson from the Book of Mormon children’s reader on Enos and prayer. We also taught a little bit about Joseph Smith and his prayer and the effects of that simple prayer. I love teaching kids. I feel like I am more at ease with them. Sometimes talking to adults is difficult, especially when you are a foreigner. I dislike being different, but not only do I look different, but I have an accent which I am working on ridding myself of. On a few rare occasions, I have had people ask if I am from France and they immediately become my best friends. Most of the time though I get funny looks for the way I say things. It is a daily change – some days I can speak, and others I do not succeed. It just goes to show how dependant I am on the Lord for help.
On Thursday, Soeur Seiko and I de-weeded the backyard of a friend named Josephine. She is old. Shecan’t really do much weeding herself. She gave us machetes, a rake and we were off. I love weeding with the machete. Hiyah! Soeur Seiko discovered a huge millipede and called me over to kill it. I screamed and then hiyah, hiyah! Au revoir millepatte! Then Soeur Seiko looked down at my feet and gasped and I screamed because I thought it was another millepatte. Then Soeur Seiko laughed because she wanted to spook me. Not funny.
On Friday Soeur Seiko and I went down into the big city for our Sister’s night that we have each time President and his wife come to the island for our zone conferences. We picked up the soeurs of Rivière Salée and went to McDonalds for dinner – which is ALWAYS packed. They have some interesting items at McDo’s specifique to French tastes – like the McCroque.
At our “soiree des soeurs” we ate brownies, talked and the President’s wife talked to us about different principles to work on and think about for the next few weeks. It was a nice time to be with all the sisters. There are not many missionaries on the islands so we are all close with one another. I just love my mission – have I expressed that thought recently?
On Friday we had our interviews with President, which went well and we went to the tiny, tiny church distribution center next to the chapel in Magenta and bought Jesus the Christ in French. I came to the sixth word in the preface and had to pull out the dictionary.
On Saturday night there was another fireside at our branch building (we had so many activities planned for the next two months – I think we are going to get burned out soon) where all the ex-missionary members bore their testimony and shared some stories from their missions. Afterwards we had dinner – lots of good Tahitians salads, rice and Po’e! President Li-Khau prepared a Tahitian specialty called fafarou that not many people can stomach. It is raw fish that has been cooked in putrid seawater – the smell of it is liquid sewer that is putrid beyond all putridity. I was offered a piece and ate it just so I could say that I did. Elder Aiho (a Tahitian elder) took a picture of me eating another piece and Elder Wilcox tried a piece as well. Soeur Seiko did not eat any. She nearly threw up. Elder Aiho (who will finish his mission in a month) said that we were the only two Americans he knew on his mission that had eaten it. I felt queasy afterwards, but all is well. For now.
Anyway, church went well yesterday. After church we had a few musical practices. I am directing the Young Woman in a few songs they will be singing in two Sundays, and we also sang (Soeur Seiko toujours at the piano) the Army of Helaman/Sisters in Zion melody with a bunch of members who are singing next week. :) We meet a young man last night here in the village named Miguel, whom we have talked to a little before and who is very poor and begs for money on the side of the stores. We spoke to him about God and His love for each of us. I could just see and feel that this was truly a beloved son of God and I could see something change about him as we spoke to him of truth and of the light that Christ brings to our lives. We gave him a Book of Mormon and I just felt the Spirit so strongly.
Life is so wonderful. It is hard here at time, but the difficulty only lines the joy and blessed days that we spend here. It seems that at the times of greatest difficulty and sadness that we can experience the greatest joy and see great blessings. I wonder how such opposites can fill the same moments of time, but I do not doubt that it is truly Heavenly Father’s loving hand.
I wish you all a lovely Labor day where you will actually rest from your labors. I love you all so much, and pray continually for your well-being in all aspects of life. I cherish you all immensely.
Love,
Soeur Cummins

September starts his engines (31 août 2009)

2010-10-26T17:56:00.000-07:00

Dearest Family,
What a glorious week it has been here in New Caledonia, and do note that it is New Caledonia and not Fiji here. I think many people are still under the impression due to the deceptive name of the mission here that I am serving in Fiji, but lo and behold, that is not the case; just some clarification.
This week Soeur Seiko and I had some good and bad experiences in our area. We had this investigator named Malia Feleu, whom I might have mentioned previously, who was progressing so well! We gave her a Book of Mormon and she showed the picture of Joseph Smith, in the front of the book, to her family and told them that he was a prophet of God. She told us that she feels so good when we come by, and we have really become close to her thanks to the spirit that abides during our lessons. Then, this week she told us that her husband’s work is changing and that had to move that weekend up to Koné, which is way north where the church is inexistent (there were missionaries there before but it was unproductive). We were very sad! She said they would be moving back possibly in two years, and I nearly cried. We wrote on her progression sheet later that the missionaries in the area should try to contact her again in 2011. Totally depressing. Before she left though, we loaded her down with Liahona’s (the church’s magazine outside of the USA) and brochures and Church literature. Sad, but there is definite hope for the future.
We had another lesson with Ismaella this week who just absorbs all we teach her. She said that she feels the same way as Joseph Smith did about James 1:5 (that it touched him profoundly – beyond anything he had read before) about the Book of Mormon. We taught her husband this week and he was a bit skeptical (naturally) and asked a lot of questions. We hope that he continues to meet with us and follow the example of his humble, faithful wife.
Yes, the French is coming along nicely, although there are still many moments where I need the help of Larousse. Oh, Larousse is a dear friend of mine now – coaxing me, like a gentle mother, to “use my words”. The other day I decided to say a prayer outloud in English after a companionship study (requested by my companion), and it was bizarre and will not be habitual. It was the first time in five months that I prayed in English. I felt like I was translating from French to English and I didn’t feel close to the Spirit. Interesting how that has changed. I feel like my greatest spiritual moments in my life so far have been in French, on my mission.
Have I told you what my favorite word in the French language at this point is? Quincaillerie – it means hardware store. I sing it out whenever we passed the local quincaillerie. Soeur Seiko knows I am a bordering on nuts so she laughs kindly at such outbursts. You know, I am thankful for my companion. We have the most edifying studies together, and she is so patient, loving and constant. She keeps going, and she keeps me going.
On Saturday we had a big service day down in Nouméa with the entire district (all the members on the island). We went to Mont Dore and did some major litter picking-up in the community. Soeur Seiko and I labored in the hot sun for nearly 3 hours picking up an absurd number of beer cans on the side of the road. There is a major Word of Wisdom problem here as we realized more fully Saturday bending over for each can of yuck. We were nearly attacked during our service 3 times by the dogs that people leave unchained. Oh, unchained dogs – they must not sell chains here. I had my bag of beer cans ready to whip at them had they taken a bite. At least the cans were good for something, right?
It is getting sweltering here. I am imagining the months ahead and the constant state of sweat and itchy legs (from the mosquito bites) I will be in.
Saturday night there was a fireside at our branch building, and afterwards there was a barbeque. They sure know how to cook and eat here. My favorite dessert item is Tahitian po’e, pumpkin flavored.
There was a Bislama choir at the fireside as well. Since many of the in-actives in our branch are Vanuatuans, they were invited to be a part of the program.
On Sunday the Mautz’s came to our church meetings and Soeur Seiko and I taught about Honesty in Gospel Principles. Elder Mautz’s gave me a kind compliment about my progression as a missionary after church. We are very thankful and lucky to have this couple on the island with us.
Yesterday afternoon Soeur Seiko and I went on splits with some of the sisters in our branch who wanted to teach the less active sisters in our area. I went with Soeur Li-Khau (who is the most amazing mother in Zion – I am impressed by her faith and desire to serve) and Soeur Aru. I thought I was just going along to meet some of the in-actives with them and add my testimony, but during our first lesson Soeur Aru declared, “And now Soeur Cummins will be giving our lesson!” Merci. I was able to quickly choose a subject, faith, and began talking about it I had no idea that I would be the lesson-giver, but I learned my lesson and had something prepared in my mind for the next sister we met with.
I will make an end. Good luck with school and work and all of that daily goodness. Keep having family home evening and praying together each night. Oh, one of the little boys that we taught how to pray last week with his mom is really excited to meet with us tonight and show us how he prays. What simple joys the Gospel emanates.
Love,
Soeur Cummins

creature feature (24 août 2009)

2010-10-26T16:48:00.000-07:00

Dearest Family of Mine,
Oh, it is so nice to hear from you and to know about the comings and goings and growings of the Cummins family. I cannot believe that the summer is passed and that school is starting once again. I wish you all the best first day and week of school, and soon, seminary! Oh, there is a very special feeling that comes every fall semester for me – lots of opportunity and hope for success and new adventures! Good luck with work and school and church and all that you do – but also, the missionary in me must say, make sure that you keep doing the simple yet ESSENTIAL daily things: reading your scriptures, saying your prayers, and praying as a family. If only we would do those things every day, how happy we would be and how much easier it would be to face life’s challenges. Our one investigator here, Vincent, was explaining to us how important the family really is and how we should be grateful for righteous parents who lead and guide us. It is true. I feel daily how blessed I was/am to have you, Mom and Dad, as my parents. I can see the eternal impression that you have marked upon my life and the life of my posterity and the lives of all your children and their posterity. What joy you will know after this life for what you have and continue to do. Merci infiniement!
I can also see the difference here when there have been unrighteous, neglectful parents – it is mars entire lives. There are children in middle school who we see smoking and passed out on the side of the roads from their drinking binges. If only they had been taught and principled as children perhaps such would not be their present state. It all goes back to the parents. I am learning, even as a missionary, what kind of parent I hope to be and what kind I never want to be. There is an epidemic in the world of maltreated and spiritually unnourished children, who become adults and parents themselves who passed along evil traditions. Oh, I could go on…
On the brighter side, it has been a tremendous week. Spirits are high and faces still smile. We had many good lessons and adventures along with the inevitable funny experiences. The other day we were looking for a certain man named Luciano Muliloto, and when we thought we found him I asked if he was Muliloto, but I pronounced his last name wrong (I didn’t know how to pronounce it).He gave me a droll look. Later he told me that the way I had pronounced his name was a “gros mot” or a bad word in Wallisian. Oops. That’s a good way to begin a conversation with a stranger…
On Saturday we decided to walk over to a inactive woman’s house for a lesson since it was only a kilometer or so from our house. About halfway there, after walking a little on the main highway, where quite a few peopled passed by in their cars, I noticed that my skirt was funny in the back and then I realized that a good half of my skirt was tucked into the top of my bottoms, exposing a considerate length of my leg in the back for all to see. Hmmm. Soeur Seiko and I had a good laugh over that, and I felt silly wondering how many people had passed and seen. Not exactly the message we are trying to share with the world.
Yesterday, another funny experience (before I move on to the more important experiences): Sr. Seiko was fasting and we went to one of our investigator’s home (Petelo Savena). During our lesson he went inside to get some Oro juice and poured us both a nice big glass. I could tell that Soeur Seiko didn’t want to be impolite but I knew she didn’t want to drink her juice so she set it down next to her and continued talking. Then I had a brilliant idea. I took her glass when I thought Petelo wasn’t looking and I drank her juice quickly, then caasually took mine and started sipping as though I hadn’t just downed the other glass. When I looked up, Petelo gave me a funny look and Sr. Seiko looked over, understood what I had done and why and nearly lost it. We finished our lesson without anything being said about the juice, but afterwards Petelo insisted that we take the bottle of Oro juice with us. I think he thought I was thirsty. Soeur Seiko did not stop laughing in the car for quite a while afterwards. You make sacrifices for your companion, right?
This week we met with Valerie and her husband James. We had the first lesson with Valerie a week ago, and when we arrived for another lesson she said she was really sick and couldn’t let us in. I asked if we could just leave her with a prayer so she invited us in. We ended spending the next hour or so there talking; her husband had a lot of questions for us and we gave them a Book of Mormon, which they seemed eager enough to begin.
We also had a very good lesson with Malia Feleu as well as with Ismaella. Ismaella had the table (set with her Book of Mormon and the brochure we had given her) all ready when we had arrived. We taught her the Plan de Salvation and she really responded well to what was taught and summarized it at the end. She wants us to come back next week and teach her husband the same lesson again. She said that she feels like this is the right path.
We have had other good lessons this week, but with some of our visits the people talk and talk and TALK without much being taught. Then we end up being late to our next appointment, and I usually have a French headache because of how fast and how much they are telling us. With all that is said, we seem to know more about our amis than their immediate family do.
On Saturday night our amie Manu invited us to go the Catholic mass here in town and hear her play the guitar. The Mass was very interesting. You can see how at the core there are some solid, good truths, but that a whole lot of superfluous ceremony and embellishments and corruption and change have been slathered on the truth. It’s like the Princess and the Pea, the being the truth that has just been overwhelmed by the mountain of besmirched mattresses. The thing I liked though is the reverence that was maintained in the hall. Not even the babies made noise, and you could see how sincere and good-intentioned the priests and the people were. The priest shook our hands afterwards and asked who we were. When they found out we were LDS they were cordial and asked how we had liked the Mass, if we had been touched by the message, etc. I felt, when I shook the priests’ hands, that they were beloved sons of God – maybe batting unknowingly for the wrong team, but still loved and cherished.
On Saturday there was another branch activity – a sports day at the branch building and we spent our lunch hour there playing and eating. Tahitians know how to make good food.
As for the creatures of the island, I encountered the biggest spider I have ever seen in my life while I was brushing my teeth the other night. Soeur Seiko killed it. Another reason I love her.
It has been cold here recently – the nights and the mornings are CHILLY. I even got out my socks.
I am well. I love studying the scriptures every day, and I find myself daily wondering what gospel treat I will extract from my studies. The Church is TRUE!
I love you all!
Love,
Soeur Cummins

The days are getting warmer (17 août 2009)

2010-10-26T16:19:00.000-07:00

Family, family, family !
How are you ? What wonderful lives you are leading. Thanks for writing me, keeping me updated on all the news and gossip and the like. It probably isn’t very missionary-like to enjoy the gossip bit, but keep sending it and I’ll just have to try and not like it.
I can’t believe that everyone is going back to school! Has summer really passed that quickly? Keeks will be continuing the BYU path and Alex will be a senior. That is strange to me. I know it’ll be a great year for him. Sounds like Keeks is doing well; The FLSR and BYUSA and all her enthusiasm - I love it. Send Heathy Shea my love.
This week was splendid. On Tuesday Soeur Seiko and I decided to leave the car (our little Berlingo – a real sloppy piece of French automotive) at home and walk around our sector, the roundabouts of our house. We ended up findng (or better yet, being led to) two new investigators who have real potential - Manu and Valerie. Manu is a Futunian women (who I honestly thought was a man for a few days after until Soeur Seiko read what I wrote on Manu’s progression sheet and told me that she wasn’t an “il” but an “elle” – oops!) who has never really questioned her religion before. When we asked her if she had ever prayed to know whether the Catholic church was true she said she had never even thought about it, and then we explained the Joseph Smith story. At the end of our second lesson with her we gave her a Book of Mormon and she said that she desired to know its truthfulness, that she wanted to have effective prayers and gain greater faith. I hope for the best with her progression, and I hope she doesn’t end up like the one person in the parable of the sower who accepts the word/truth with joy and then when the going gets tough gives up on it. We’ll pray, and we’ll see.
We found two other new investigators this week when we did the same thing; when we parked the car and walked around. Doing this allows us greater contact with people and more opportunities to knock on doors.
I care for the people here and their culture. There are some exceptions of how we are received, but when it comes to the Wallisian people here, oh my, they are so nice. They are open to discussion and invite us in to drink a Milo (it’s a kind of watered-down, more savory than sweet hot chocolate). They LOVE to talk and talk and talk, and we find ourselves just getting out of their door to run to our next appointment. Though, thanks to “the traditions of their fathers,” if you will, they proclaim Catholicism (though it seems to be more a statement of nationality than of conviction) and they have never known anything else. They happen to all have the same name: Malia, Soané, or Petelo. This makes our planning session confusing: “We have a lesson with Malia tomorrow. Malia? Which Malia? You know, the Wallisian one who lives over in Bernard. Which one? Ummmm…”
The days are just zooming by. I can’t believe that the month of August is halfway over! We are starting to exercise every morning with one of our investigators, Katalina. She has some health problems due to a long-term smoking and coffee habit. That’s the story with everyone here. If the French government really wanted to do some damage they would stop importing cigarettes, coffee and alcohol – the three staples of life for the vast majority. Anyway, Katalina was told that she needed to start walking in the mornings. She didn’t want to do it alone so we told her that we have time in the morning for our exercises and that we could come over every (except the Sabbath) and walk with her. We can teach her some new gospel principle every morning!
Yesterday, Sunday, I gave my second talk in Sacrament meeting. It was our “objectif de missionnaire” – missionary purpose. It went well. I used Elder Perry’s conference talk and the hymn “Dear to the Heart of the Shepard” – a hymn that I think you should look up sometime and read.
Today we are having a north zone activity here in our sector at the Baie de Toros, which is an inlet on the ocean front. It’s beautiful there. I will take pictures and send them home. I am excited to see the other missionaries. I love being around them and laughing with them all. I just love this mission! I am surrounded by motivated people who are wonderful examples to me.
I hope that the missionaries in our ward are doing well, and I hope that our family can be a good support to them. The Li-Khau family here, especially Soeur Li-Khau, is such a support and strength to us missionaries. Every Thursday we have dinner at their house and you know that they care about who we are and what we are doing.
I am doing well. It is getter warmer and I hear that summer here is unbearable. Great. I am getting a nice tan on my feet from my sandals. The elders are having transfers this week so a lot of people are moving around and getting new companions. I am staying in Paita, which I am glad for. We are working hard. Thanks so much for your support.
I hope all continues in paths of joy at home, although the fact that all those plums we scavenged by a certain company of workers is obnoxious.
Happy Birthday to little Riley! 1 year old! Please take a picture of the cake you make, Mom, and send it my way.
Sorry if this letter was a big jumble of news. We all know that my brain works in a ricocheting fashion - bouncing from one thought to the next.
Love,
Soeur Cummins

two by two (10 août 2009)

2010-10-26T13:27:00.000-07:00

Dear Mom and Dad,
That was funny that we were online at the same time last week. That’s a nice coincidence. So, Grandpa isn’t doing well? I will definitely keep him in my prayers. I know that everything will work out the way it is supposed to – I grow more and more thankful for the Plan of Salvation every day, and that our lives here are but only a tiny moment in eternity. Every day truly is a gift though, and we should live each to the best that we can.
I received your package this week, Dadders. Thanks for the memory card, although I have found that with the larger memory cards that, many times, I lose pictures. I wonder though if it is the card or the camera. It’s only happened twice that I lost a few photos I had taken, but it was still annoying. I hope it won’t happen with this new one. Oh, and thanks SO much for the pictures of the family! Heather is just beautiful and when I opened my letter (at the mission office in Nouméa on Thursday), some of the elders the pictures of the family they asked if she was 15 or 16, and I had to tell them that she was only 12. And, one of the elders saw that picture of you and Mom in Utah near some pioneer statues and he said that he could just tell that you were Californian because you looked nice and healthy. And, I love that one of Grandpa looking at that picture of our family at my MTC farewell. Very tender - I got two pictures in one. Thanks for that.
Where to start with this past week! First of all, I love my new companion Soeur Seiko. She is so sweet and funny, and although she has a quiet nature she is such a support to me, and she makes me want to be a more consecrated, more diligent, more bold. I was telling her this at our companionship inventory on Friday after our grande planification for the week and she said that she felt the same about me. I think it is a great thing when we want to be better because of the example someone sets only to find out that they feel the same about your example; it’s a continual upwards progression.
On Tuesday and Wednesday we did a LOT of contacting in the lotissements of Julisa, Bernard, and our own of Ondémia. We had a few lessons and found a new investigator, Michael Tuigana. We also talked with this one woman from Vanautu who could barely understand our French or our limited Bislama. She spoke jibberish back to us. We tried to read the Book of Mormon in Bislama (Buk Blong Mormon) the next time we visited and teach her a little but the understanding on both sides was VERY limited and I was having some trouble because her house did not smell pleasant. Oh, the odors I have smelled here are another tale in and of itself… On Wednesday night we ate at Michael and Helene’s (the same family that took us to Nouméa a few weeks ago) and taught English lessons to their two sweet daughters. I told Michael how you might come to pick me up after my mission and he insisted that they give you the grand tour of Nouméa if you do decide to come. They treat us so well, Mom and Dad. You have no idea. I am floored by the generosity of the people here and how kind they are to us. Clearly there are people who are not so kind and who perhaps are angry at us for simply knocking on their door, but the former are experiences that overshadow any meanness.
On Thursday we had our car wash, since the first Thursday of every month is our combined service activity. It was fun seeing the other missionaries and cleaning cars. I laugh way too much when I am with Soeur Leavitt and the other elders and sisters. I love the comradery between the missionaries.
Soeur Seiko became ill with the flu (la grippe!) on Thursday evening; I think the rainy, cold weather on Thursday at the car wash did a number on her immune system, and we stayed inside Friday morning so she could rest. On Saturday we had a few lessons before lunchtime and we attended a Catholic mass here in Paita village since one of our friends that we teach English to invited us to come and hear her sing during the mass. We made sure it was okay with our zone leaders, and then we went. It was some in French and mostly in Wallsian, so as you can suspect, I am not sure how much I got out of the spoken word. The music was old mixed with new: ancient latin text put to acoustic guitar. And the stained glass windows were something to amuse my eyes. It was the first time I had been to a mass. Later that afternoon, after a lesson, Soeur Seiko and I were walking back the car when suddenly Soeur Seiko said she wasn’t feeling well and nearly passed out. She was sicker than she had let on, so I drove us immediately back to the apartment, cancelled our lessons for the afternoon and called our zone leaders. The elders came by a little later and gave her a blessing and gave me a blessing as well. I was comforted by the blessing. I am very thankful for the Priesthood. Soeur Seiko slept from 4 that afternoon until the next morning before church! It was so good for her, although Saturday was a little lonely in our apartment as I did planning and study by myself. It is an inspired thing that we do missionary work two by two because it wouldn’t be very effective any other way.
One more experience from the week: We went to our investigator house, Katalina, for a lesson and she wasn’t there, but as we were walking back to the car this woman who is working for the census here in Caledonia came up to us and asked who we were. When we told her that we were LDS missionaries she immediately asked us to come to her house and talk with her and her husband. She then proceeded to give us all her contact information. We went to her house last night to teach her and her husband. The husband was skeptical and kept asking us questions to trap us and continued to insist how it was really a shame that we didn’t pray to Mary. Really, I wonder that some Catholics love Mary more than God, the Father. We weren’t able to teach much of a formal lesson with them, but the wife, Christine, walked us to our car afterwards and said that she felt something good about us. She wants to continue to meet with us and learn. She is a kind, humble woman and perhaps if we teach her she will be able to teach and help her husband.
I have to run, but know that I love you and think of you often. Not too often though – just at kneeling moments. When I see your faces in the pictures you send me I forget for a moment where I am and I feel that I am with you. Know that I am well, happy and that I continue to smile. The work here in Calédonie moves onward ever onward. Can you believe I am out here?
Love,
Soeur Cummins

The work continues in Paita (3 août 2009)

2010-10-26T13:07:00.000-07:00

Dearest Mom and Dad,
Wow ! It has been 4 months ! Time is flying, and yet it seems to go by at sloth’s pace! I am grateful for each day that I have here, and it still amazes to think of where I am and what I am doing!
This morning my trainer, ma formatice, left this island and left me in the lone and dreary world. We had transfers on Friday so I have been without her for a few days. I am not sure how much I like being “weaned” but it shows me that I have made progression as a missionary. My new companion is Soeur Seiko. She comes from the loyalty island of Lifou, although she grew up in Ducos, which is in Noumea. Yes, my life is now immersed in French, so let me apologize right now for my lack of English from here on out. Everytime I lose a word in English, I gain one in French. This is my comfort. Soeur Seiko says that my French is pretty good, but I am pretty sure she is just being nice. She is much quieter than Soeur Spencer and I think that will be good for me to learn how to listen better and also be able to teach more effectively. We have already had some success together. On Saturday we were doing follow-ups in the house lot (lotissement) of Julisa, and we went to this one house where we thought a Matthieu lived. We couldn’t find him but we ran into some Jehovah’s Witnesses there and spoke with them for a minute – once again, another awkward “good luck” was shared with them at parting. Then went to find another person named Katalina. As we walked up the driveway where we thought she might live, this woman came out (it was Katalina, as we found out later) and had this look on her face like she already knew who we were. She invited us to sit down and she said that she had spoken to the soeurs who had been there a few months before and she had thought of us that morning. She had prayed that we would come by and see her. Isn’t that great! When we just do the things that we are supposed to we can be lead to people who are ready to accept the message.
Another good experience: One of our investigators, Ismaella, began reading the Book of Mormon with her husband and holding family prayer. Her husband suddenly lowered his daily cigarette count and her daughter started receiving better grades in school. It’s just like what King Benjamin said, when we keep the commandments and are obedient, we are immediately blessed. I love the Gospel and how it can change our lives for the better, giving us true and lasting happiness.
On Tuesday we had zone conference. I love zone conferences and being around the other missionaries and being edified together. It is fortifying and buoys our spirit. President Ostler’s wife talked to us about patience and used Elder Maxwell’s amazing talk from 1986, and our zone leaders, Elder Hu’uti and Livingston, gave an incredible formation on how to recognize the Spirit and on the parable of the Good Shepard found in John 10:1-14. You should read that parable as a family and study it. I am glad that you looked at the Mautz’s blog and liked the songs that we sang. Thanks for noticing that I stole that pink and orange shirt from you, Mom. After conference we took a lot of pictures since it was Soeur Spencer’s final zone conference. I love this mission and the missionaries here; I feel so blessed to be here.
The rest of the week has been good. Soeur Spencer packed up all her things on Thursday, and we had our transfers on Friday. I know that I am going to learn a lot with Soeur Seiko as my companion. Although, I was feeling a little stressed yesterday at church since I couldn’t just lean over and asked what was going on like I usually did with Soeur Spencer. I think this transfer is going to make me quieter since I will have a bit of a block on complete expression. Better to be thoughtful with words though than to toss them about in native vernacular carelessness.
I am glad to hear that you received a “With Distinction” on your paper Mom! I can only imagine how snooty, scholarly and English a “With Distinction” must be. It sounds like life is busy for you, Mom, studying this and that, writing papers on antenal this and that. Wow! I am glad that Alex and Heathy Shea are doing well as well as Keeks and Glen and Kari and the kiddies. I hope you are all having a great summer. Don’t forget sunscreen in all you hubbub.
By the way, letters from America starting coming in again. Hopefully you are all receiving my letters.
I love you all.
Malo ti ma’oli!
Love you,
Soeur Cummins

Malo e lelei (27 juillet 2009)

2010-10-26T10:32:00.000-07:00

Dear Mom and Dad,
I am sending these emails to myself now (my gmail account) so I can delete them from this account, save room here, and set aside these emails. Just so you know. I am sorry that I only have about 40 minutes to type this before I am kicked off; I was attempting to do a little maintenance on my account. Anyway, I guess there is some sort of hold up on American mail as of the last two weeks because none of the American missionaries have received mail, so I hope your package gets here in a decent amount of time? And, Dad, yes I have put most of my pictures on that 8GB external hard drive, and I will put all of them on there before I send it home.
I am sorry to hear that it is so hot there! It is really pretty mild here and the mornings are a tad chilly, but I hear the summers here are just dreadfully warm so I hope you'll think of me in the middle of February when it is snowing there and I am melting here. Oh, and I hope things are going well with all your household projects - I expect the house to be in tip-top form once I return. No, it sounds like you are doing great things and working hard. Mom, be careful about not working too hard. Once again, I can see how very much like you I am. This week in fact I had a little bout with myself. I am far too impatient with myself and my growing capabilities, and it's hard not to see the other successes of the other missionaries and wonder what I personally am not doing to see such success. I had a difficult morning on Friday but I have a nice companion, and I spent a good personal study deciding how to be better in some aspects of my life. It's hard for me to see if I have made progression, and when I cannot see any progression it is frustrating. As a remedy, I am going to hold personal evaluations with myself at the end of every week and marked the things that I have progressed and done well in, and then mark the things I can work on during the following week. That way I will be able to see how I have become better and how I can become even better. Life is simply about progression and choices, and I desire to have mine be such that I move upwards and forward.
The work was slow this week, and we were occupied with some events happening in our district so that we couldn't spend every day working - this to my dismay. Thursday was spent down in Nouméa practicing for the fireside we gave last night. Friday is our grand planning day, and on Saturday we were given permission to go down into Nouméa with a Wallisian couple, the Teugaisiale family. We teach English to their two girls and they wanted to treat us to a day in ville (we switched our P-day with permission), especially since it is the end for Sr. Spencer. They have done it with other missionaries before, and the funny thing is that they are not even really investigators, although a member we saw at an outdoor market on Saturday greeted the wife, Helene, and asked if she was a member and she responded "not yet". Anyway, the couple (Mikael and Helene) are INCREDIBLY kind and gracious! They took us down into town to all the tourist sites - an American monument and canons in honor of the presence of America here in WWII, an amazing museum that had displays and artifacts from Melanesian and other island cultures. It was an remarkable place full of the tikis, fléches faitières, cases (the big huts the indigenous peoples lived in), etc. It was great to learn more in depth about the cultures of the peoples here. Greater knowledge and awareness = greater appreciation. Before my mission I didn't even have an INKLING of a desire to study or know about Pacific island culture . Now, I am blown away by the richness of it all and how their lives are family based and embedded with unique customs. Really, I can't describe the way it made me feel to finally understand.
After the museum we went to the aquarium (so cool!), then to the zoo where there were lots of birds, then to this cultural center called "Centre Tjiboau." It was neat there; art galleries full of island art, wooden structures and cases and people wearing authentic outfits from their native islands. I am excited because I think I am going to start teaching myself Wallisian soon - once I get better at French. The only problem is that there is little to no resources to learn the language. I could read the Book of Mormon in Tongan since that language is similar, but I can't even think of where I could find a Wallisian dictionary - if one even exists. Could someone look around for me? Or maybe a Tongan Book of Mormon?? Yes, yes, stopped rubbing your eyes out of unbelief for what you are reading - I really did just requested a Tongan Book of Mormon. Pigs are flying.
Sunday was a fine day. We had the missionary fireside last night where we sang songs about the Restoration, read a narration and there was a slide show of pictures and movie clips from the Joseph Smith story up going the entire time. It was a well-done production and the Spirit was strong. Sr. Spencer and I are staying down here in Nouméa until Tuesday evening because we have Zone Conference tomorrow and interviews with President Ostler today. We are staying with the PK7 (that's the sector) sisters - Sister Carter and Sister Leavitt. It's a sleepover, missioanry style. Or, as E. Johnston put it: “Pajama party.”
Other news from the week is that we teach English to this lovely Wallisienne woman who works for the airline here, AirCalin (you'll fly with them when /if you come out here in a year). We continue to teach Yori and Michael, although they weren't at church yesterday…
Tell Heather that I am thrilled that she is going t Girls Camp. I remember packing for girls camp a week before I even went every year - even when I was a YCL. I know she'll have a great time! And, wow, Alex. Way to go and rock those ACTs. But, still, go outside and enjoy summer. Television is a idol that gives nothing in return for your worship of it.
I have to run! I wish I could tell you everything that happened this week in DETAIL but I will just make sure to keep a decent journal and then I can tell you everything in 14 months.
Love you all.
Love,
Soeur Cummins

Rain, singing, branch troubles, oh my! (20 juillet 2009)

2010-10-25T01:07:00.000-07:00

I am glad that my package arrived home safely (and quickly!), and I hope you enjoyed all the trinkets and bon-bons included in there. Mom, I am SO glad to hear that you were accepted into that Master’s program! That is wonderful, and it is clear that they would not be able to resist having someone like you in their program – you are going to do great! I am glad to hear that you are preparing for the storm that is to come in the fall though with seminary and work and family and your studies. You will have to be tip-top on your game to balance all of that! And, Dad, congrats on the new calling. You always do so well with the youth and I know that all those “Jeune Gens” (that’s “Young Men” in French) will love having you with them! I am jealous that they get to be taught by you each week – we could use more great teachers like you out here in Calédonie.
Also glad to hear that Keeks continues to be a superstar and that Alex and Heath are enjoying the summer months. Isn’t it weird to think that the summer break here is from December to February?? That’s smack in the middle of our winter. Tell everyone that I love them and think about them often. Mom, I will ask some of the members that we have dinner with each week about their experiences with the Livre de Mormon and then I will write you a letter – I have always wondered about Hagoth as well and thought that islanders were descendants of the Nephites. I feel more and more that that is true. Someday we will know all the mysteries of God and then we can be sure.
So, this week: I told you that our P-day was changed to Tuesday, and on Tuesday we actually did another exchange with the sisters of Riviere Salée. Soeur Seiko came up to Paita with me and we spent the whole of Wednesday together. I was feeling a little stressed because we had a few lessons to teach and she is a native from one of the loyalty islands near here, Lifou, so I knew that it would be all day en français. It was a very good experience though. I think that I rely a lot on my trainer and it was good for me to be with another sister who is pretty new as well. Heavenly Father blessed me so that I was able to teach effectively and well in the language – soon my training wheels will be taken completely off since Soeur Spencer leaves in two weeks! Ah! I gave her the home phone number because she wants to call you all when she gets home and talk with you – so get all your questions and the like ready because she will answer them for you. She has been a great companion, and I am going to be slightly shell-shocked the day that she actually leaves.
On Thursday, Sr. Spencer and I went down into Nouméa to practice with all of the missionaries for the missionary fireside (coin de feu) that we are holding next Sunday at the Rivere Salée branch building. We are singing a variety of songs about the Restoration, and there is a little narration that goes on. I am doing the part of Emma Smith; it’s only a few lines and I am going to memorize them during my language study this week. The songs for the fireside are cheesy (they were written by the Janice Knapp Perry family – I guess that is a hint to what they sound like), but one of the elders (E. Johnston from Tahiti) bore his testimony about the Restoration and told us that if we sang with our hearts and with the Spirit that the coin de feu would touch the hearts of those who come. I suppose you had to be there, but it was a really nice testimony and helped me get over the initial gag of the songs. After the practice, Sr. Spencer and I went with the zone leaders and the Mautzs to McDonalds (again) for lunch, and then they all came up to Paita to do an apartment check.
It was such a dreary day on Thursday and Friday! It rained bears and oxen all day long both days, and we didn’t leave the house unless we had a set appointment because of the torrents of rain coming down. And, we have been having a mouse problem lately but that ended this morning. I tried at first to make a trap with a Pringles can and string, but it didn’t work. Surprise, surprise. Elder Manning gave us a mousetrap on Thursday and so we set it up, but two nights in a row that little mouse evaded our efforts! He kept eating the peanut butter off the trigger, and he got away without setting off the trap! Finally, yesterday I TIED the bait to the trap and the trap snapped on me in my efforts and now I have a pretty little bruise underneath my thumbnail, but this morning as I was doing my exercises I looked over where I had set the trap. SUCCESS! It was gross getting rid of little Carl (we named him), but I felt triumphant in my victory over the 2 ounce rodent.
In other news, we have a CRAZY branch. Our white handbook says I am not supposed to write home negative things about our branches/wards/stakes/whatever but, the branch’s “specialness” calls for commentary. At present, there is an overall dislike for the elders in this branch. The sisters are in the clear though and we are, for the most part, respected. The elders have a differing story to tell. They have had a series of mess-around elders in this branch in the past, and so the members have been tainted and have lost confidence in the work they do. I am glad that Sr. Spencer and I are apparently well-liked, and I hope it continues to be such (they better like me, since I DO play the piano every week for them). I have found out that it is vitally important that we watch everything we do or say because if you step on one pair of toes here, you step on them all! It’s like an instant grapevine. Yesterday was an especially interesting Sunday. One of the elders attempted to correct the President of the branch in a matter concerning an upcoming baptism and he was pulled into the President’s office without his companion (an absolute no-no) and was yelled at. I know there are two sides of the situation here and I know that there was pride involved, but that was not a good situation at all and now the whole branch is aware of what happened. Thank goodness our mission president is coming next weekend for our zone conference – I think he will be attending sacrament at our branch and will hopefully be able to mend things. All in all, the branch lacks in unity and love. If we had that then we could move forward, but at the present time it is not the most well-functioning branch. Bon, but what do I know – this is only my short-minded perspective. We are doing our best, and Sr. Spencer and I continue to work hard in our sector and with the kind member families that are here. Only time will tell.
Anyway, that is the news from the week. Our lessons with our investigators continue to go well and we are waiting on two baptisms that should occur in the near future. We have a great recent convert, Soane (which means John in Wallisian), who is so solid and constant. It’s as if he has always been a member. He eats with us at the Toyon’s and the Li-Khau’s every week and goes to some of our lessons. The other night at the Toyon’s, Soeur Toyon asked me to come over to look at the thing she just took out the oven – a fully roasted pig’s head! They all laughed at my reaction, and I took a picture of it while Soane held it up. I had a taste of it. I am glad that I can eat anything – that has been a really helpful quality to have here. Thanks for helping me build up my culinary immunities, Dad, with all those questionable goulashes you’ve concocted and made us eat over the years.
Anyway, I love you all. Good luck with the heat of the summer. It is pretty chilly here in the mornings, and I usually do my studies with my comforters wrapped around me. That is, both the Spirit and a blanket.
I hope you all have a lovely week and that you are blessed with all the things you stand in need of.
And, I make an end.
Love,
Soeur Cummins

P.S. I will send pictures home when someone sends me back that other memory card. And, can someone send me a recent picture of the family? Maybe one from my farewell at the MTC? I lack family photos and I miss your faces.
P.S. Are my emails being forwarded to the family and to my friends? I hope so - thanks for doing that Mom.

soane and our friend, cochon

Another week in French paradise (13 juillet 2009)

2010-10-24T23:20:00.001-07:00

I am glad to hear the good news from home! It makes me happy to know that you are all prospering and doing well. Continue doing the good things you are, and yes, continue to have family home evening, prayer and all that good Gospel stuff because it truly is through our daily efforts that we are strengthened. I have come to see that personally and in the lives of others. If you ever need ideas for Family Home Evening, may I suggest looking at the first lesson in Chp. 3 of Preach My Gospel and teaching each section together as a family? You could each take one heading and go in around and share the first lesson with each other. The first lesson has strengthen my testimony of the Restoration of the Gospel.
Sorry about not writing yesterday; our P-day was changed to Tuesday because today is Bastille Day (France’s independence day – independence from what though, I ask? Themselves and their own revolution?? Oh, the mystery of the French mindset) and there is a big activity for the entire district of New Caledonia (all the branches on the island) that all the missionaries are going to.
Oh, funny story: so last week I told you how we were going to hike a mountain (Mt. Koghi) with our zone for a P-day activity. Well, it was a beautiful hike and I have never seen such exquisite foliage and flora in all my life. There were all sorts of trees that have their roots growing all over the ground, and there is moss covering everything! We all hiked to a big waterfall which took about an hour, and then we hiked back. When everyone arrived back at the cars we noticed that two elders hadn’t arrived yet so we thought; hmm, they are probably taking pictures, right? More time passed and we soon realized that those two elders were lost. The zone leaders went to go see if they could find them and nothing… The senior couple, the Mautz’s were with us and they were not pleased. But, after about three hours some of us went to the bottom on the road we had travelled up to see if the elders had somehow wandered down there, and we saw them hop out of a man’s truck. They were all scratched up and wet. They said that they lost the trail (which was not marked very well in the first place) and so they just continued to hike down (not a good idea - these are eagle scouts, by the way) and they finally, after sometwists and turns and cliffs and rivers, found someone’s house and a ride down to the bottom. We were all tired, slightly annoyed, ready to go home at that point, VERY glad that we didn’t have to call the gendarmes (the police) and thankful that the elders were okay.
In other news, my companion got food poisoning this week from our district meeting barbeque where we ate hamburgers that perhaps (at least for her) had not be cooked completely. We spent some time that afternoon inside while she was sick. I was able to read quite a bit of “Jesus the Christ” that afternoon.
On Saturday a little boy named Terri Aru was baptized, and I gave a talk on baptism. He had a very sweet look on his face when he entered into the font; it was a tender moment to see this little boy making sacred covenants with his loving Heavenly Father.
We continue to work with Yori and his father Michael. They are more consistent in keeping their engagements and they should soon be baptized as well. Yori has a little friend that comes to each of our appointments with him, named Roldoph, and we all enjoy reading through the Book of Mormon Stories book with all those illustrations and simplified accounts. I love that book, and I remember when Mom used to read the Doctrine and Covenants one to us when we were little.
Oh, I found a really good quote that you might like Mom that I read after receiving your email last week. It’s from the last General Conference in a talk given to the young men in priesthood session by Pres. Packard: “do not run with friends that worry your parents.” You may use that as you like.
As for the work, we came in contact with a Wallisienne woman whom we received the cordonnées (I am not sure how to translate that one – it means her information on where she lives, who she is, etc) of from two different sets of missionaries that she came in contact with last week. When we arrived at her house she immediately came out and was pleased to see us and talk with us and start having the lessons given to her again (she had studied with the missionaries two years ago). She is on a search for the truth and has come to us. We had a really wonderful lesson with her yesterday. She is excited to read the Book of Mormon, and she felt the Spirit at our meeting. At the end of our lesson she gave us a beautiful necklace that her grandmother had made and this wooden mask. I was touched by her quick generosity toward us. Soeur Spencer kept the necklace and I the very cool mask. We may not have very many people here who are progressing, but the ones that do and who want what we have to give bring us SO much joy.
It must be nice to have the house all to yourself, Momma, but I am jealous of the huge family gathering occurring in San Simeon! I hope they have a wonderful time together and I do hope that Grandma is doing well. She is always sending me sweet, little letters and I do appreciate her words of wisdom. Will you make sure to send her the emails I send home so she knows what I am up to? I can’t always write her, but I want her to know that I am okay and that I think about her and love her and Grandpa a LOT.
Tonight we have another exchange with another group of sisters and I will be with Soeur Seiko for the day tomorrow – that means that it will be all French for 24 hours. Wooh! I am still having trouble with the language and struggling to see if I have really made any progress. My trainer goes home in three weeks and I am not excited about that at all. It will be up to me to keep this sector going afterwards, and I hope the Lord will qualify me for what’s up ahead.
I am eating well and life is good. We had this really good chocolate mousse at the family Toyon’s house the other night! And, the other night at Mikael and Helene’s (they are not members, but we teach their two girls English every Wednesday) Helene told us all about her food adventures in France since she just went there to visit some family. Oh, I simply must go to France after my mission. Who wants to come with me?
Anyway, life is good and this week looks like it should be another good one. I am growing more accustomed to mission life, and I am getting into a nice rhythm here in Paita.
I love you all and I hope you are passing the summer days nicely. Mom, for some reason I just thought of that one time that you and I bought Ben and Jerry’s ice cream and sandwiches and came home and watched a movie together – I think everyone else went camping and it was just the two of us at the house. That’s a nice memory. :)
I love and miss you all! I send massive amounts of love waves each of your ways!
Love,
Soeur Cummins
P.S. I received Dadder’s package on Sunday when the Mautz’s came up to visit our branch! Dad, thank you so much for sending that to me! I love the little dictionary and it is in my backpack where it will stay and be very used for the rest of my days here! I love even more that you still go to the thrift shop and that you saw that book, thought of me, and spent the time to send it to me. I love that part the best – I was very touched. I love you, Dadders.
P.S.S. Mom, good luck with your interview! I will pray, pray, pray for you! I am so glad to have an ambitious mother who strives for great things! You are an inspiration to me. Oh, and I keep a journal, don’t worry –and I think you are I are very alike – I am hard on myself too sometimes… I need to have more patience with myself. We’ll work on that together.
P.S.S.S. I am getting much better at this French keyboard given that this is a long letter!
JE VOUS AIME!!!

Ça va où quoi? (5 juillet 2009)

2010-10-24T23:07:00.000-07:00

I love receiving your letters each week – thanks for always writing and keeping me updated. I am so glad that you had a wonderful time in Utah, and you evidently were able to hit all the bases: shopping, temple, and eating. I am jealous of all the glorious eateries you visited – thanks for making my mouth water, Dadders. I am also glad that you had another fabulous 4th of July in Lake Arrowhead. The 4th of July’s there are the stuff dreams are made of. I was thinking about those fireworks and the barbeque we have and the company and the memories of 4th of July past all that day – needless to say, I missed you all. My companion and I had as good of a Fouth as you can expect when you are 8000 miles away from the country actually celebrating its independence. I wore a blue skirt, a red shirt and a white shirt over the red one in honor of America. The French flag has the same colors, so in a way I was able to appeal to both nations’ pride in my garment choices for the day. We tried to have an American dinner and we ate French fries, chicken nuggets with our barbeque sauce find, corn (not on the cob, but from the can…), pink lemonade (thanks to the worldwide influence of the Kool-Aid man), and for dessert we made s’mores over our burner. They have something sensational here that I think they need to adopt in America; there are these cookies called “petit écoliers” which are graham cracker like cookies with an open face of chocolate on one side – the chocolate is already attached to the cookie and melts easily. They made the best s’mores I have ever had. Who would have thought that, eh? The French can’t be all that bad when they improve upon an American classic. We took pictures and you will see them sometime in the future…
Tell Heather how excited I am not only that she had another wonderful year at Arrowbear, but that she won’t have to worry about paying for it next year (well, you won’t have to, Mom and Dad) and that she gets to stay there for a long time too! Tell her that I love her so much, and I still think about the great times that we had before my mission. I am thankful to be that little miss’s sister.
So, this week was one of ups and downs. On Monday after writing to you, my companion and I had an interesting P-day. We had gone down into ville with the elders from our district, Elder Flanagan and Elder Wilcox. They are new companions because there was a transfer and they wanted to get bikes from Nouméa for their sector. So, we spent almost our entire P-day down there while they looked for bikes, ate at McDonalds for lunch (it was exciting) and did our shopping down there. Elder Wilcox was the driver that day and I don’t think I have felt like I was going to die as much as I did in that little French car with E. Wilcox at the wheel attempting to put the stick shift into 5th on the autoroute but, without fail, pushing it back into 3rd , jolting us all. My companion and I held hands in fright in the backseat and decided that if we died at least we would die as missionaries and that must give us some sort of direct ticket to the Celestial kingdom. But, we are alive and the next time we go anywhere with the elders I will be the designated driver.
Wednesday was a tough day in our sector. We had two pretty great lessons in the mid-morning, but the afternoon was full of follow-ups on people that either weren’t home, hid from us (it’s amazing how many people do that AND how obvious it is when they do it) or just weren’t home from work. I was feeling extra tired that day as well and I was glad when it was over. The Zone Leaders came over that night (E. Hu’uti and E. Livingston) to get our kilometer sheet for our car and we talked for a few minutes. It is amazing at how a little thing like seeing another companionship of missionaries can brighten your day. Speaking of a day brightener, we have a sister in our ward who LOVES America, perhaps more than most Americans, and she loves singing American songs to our faces at church and on the Fourth we tried to call her and sing the national anthem to her, but she wasn’t there, but this morning she called and stated the Flag Salute to us in perfectly pronounced English and told us that we need to make a list of anything we need and give it to her because she wants to “live the Gospel” and help the missionaries. Needless to say, we are very fond of dear Soeur Pene.
On Thursday, all the missionaries in New Caledonia had a big car wash down in Nouméa. The car wash was at the church building in Magenta and it was for free. There were missionaries waving signs on the street and flagging down cars and when the people would come there would be some missionaries who would wash cars and others would talk to the people whose cars we were washing. Yes, there were ulterior motives to giving free service, but I can’t think of any better ulterior motives than those of preaching and teaching the Gospel. We got quite a few contacts from that project and it was fun.
Our investigators, Michael and Yori finally came to church yesterday! We are teaching more lessons, and we have had really good lessons with some of the less-actives in the area. We are hoping to get a few new investigators this week.
Sister Li-Khau made a very kind comment to me the other night at our weekly dinner at their house. She said that she had read the Friend for this last month and that there was a story on how we each have a talent that God has given us, a gift, if you will. It talked about a girl who was handicapped and couldn’t talk or speak, and one little girl wondered what that girl’s talent was. Her mother told her that the other little girl could smile and bring joy to others with her smile and that that was what her talent was. Soeur Li-Khau said that she thought of me when she read that story and said that the first few weeks here that although I couldn’t talk very much, that I would always smile and laugh. She said that that was one of my talents. I thought that was a very nice comment of hers toward me, and I had been feeling very badly earlier that day about my lack of communication skills in the language. It goes to show that you don’t always need perfection in language to communicate who you are, athough I AM still striving for perfect French. Speaking of that, I haven't yet received your package, Dad. I think it takes about a month for transit. I'll let you know! :)
Anyway, today all the missionaries in the north zone are going to hike Mt. Kogi. You should go look it up on GoogleEarth and you can experience it with me! Things are progressing here, though the work is hard. Missionary work is difficult not always so much physically (although fatigue is just becoming something of a norm), but emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. The people here have good intentions but there is a need for more unity in our branch and as an island.
I love you all so much! I am sorry to hear that America is still suffering economically and I hope it gets better in the future. I can’t do much here to stimulate the economy (although I would give anything to buy a real American dishwasher), but I will keep that in my prayers.
How thankful I am for you all, especially you Mom and Dad. I am so glad to be here and I am so glad to have the truth. I think of Jacob 4 when Jacob talks about how the sins of children who have had wicked parents will be placed upon the parents heads, and I just think oppositely of how many blessings that righteous parents will receive through the righteousness of the children they raised. Thank you for being my righteous parents – I know you are blessed for your efforts and will continue to be so. I love you all. Have a good week!
Love,
Soeur Cummins

happy fourth

Your petite, not staying so petite, soeur (29 juin 2009)

2010-10-24T22:33:00.000-07:00

Well, it has been another wonderful, teaching, learning, experiencing week here in the little Pacific sliver of Nouvelle-Calédonie! It's funny because I feel like I am learning far more here about myself, about life, about others, and about the Gospel than I think I am teaching. Missions are amazing in the fact that they not only bring others unto Christ but they can also bring the missionaries more unto Christ and to a greater understanding of who He was and a greater taste perhaps of what He experienced.
Before I devle into telling you about my week, I wanted to say how happy I am that you are all doing so well and prospering in that glorious land of America. Being here in a French country has only heightened my appreciation for America and the values that we are built on. Perhaps those values are crumbling a bit, but the USA is doing much better than many others places in this world. Always be thankful for America.
Mom and Dad, I am glad that you are in your favorite place in the whole world and that the shopping there and the food there (dairy keen eh? sounds so good! I miss real milkshakes! The other day we were invited by our Ward Mission leader to go get "milkshakes" and my companion explained to me that here for milkshakes they take milk, add flavoring, and shake it. That's it. No ice cream or anything; See! So triste! See my above thought on America's gloriousness. Mom, I am glad that Liz and Ann were cordial to you once again, and I laughed out loud when you said you wanted to go down the Provo river with Kristina! Be carerful of the creepy men there, like last time! I can't believe that Dad doesn't want to go though. C'mon Dadders! And, please eat a nice, fried scone for me at Chuck-a-Rama because I know you are going there again at the end of your trip. Speaking of gluttony, America has NOTHING on Pacific Islanders. I am not kidding! I am amazed that the US has such a bad rap in comparison to the people here - well, not the real French people here, but the islanders. The other night, Friday night, we had a dinner appointment with the family Toyon (like we always do) and we ate fresh fish cakes (like crab cakes, but with just caught fish), salad, and then we had spaghetti and a meat sauce with lots of cheese, and bread (of course), and then dessert, and Soeur Toyon is constantly saying "mangez mes soeurs, MANGEZ!” So we eat more and we usually go home a little sick. It is the goal of that family to get me "grosse." I hope I am transferred to a walking sector in the near future...
As for the week, it was bien passée! The weather has been a bit dreary here with a whole lot of rain. You want to know why it is so lush and green on islands? Tons of rain. On Sunday we woke up to the torrential rain banging on our roof. As we drove to church we would literally see walls of rain ahead of us and then hit them - the windshield wipers were flinging wildly back and forth and it reminded me of that time we were in Palmdale, Mom, minus all the lightening. Speaking of lightening, I electrocuted myself yesterday. It was cool (after the fact). I had taken something out of the socket but my adapter piece was still in the socket with a metal part sticking out and, clearly, not thinking I pulled at that piece and felt a weird sensation and then I was thought, hmm, I think I am being electrocuted. Donc, I let go and yelled. My companion thinks I am a little crazy.
On Thursday this week the sisters had a little one day exchange and Soeur Manoi, a Tahitian sister who scares me, came and stayed with me in Paita in order to show me around a little. She was in the area before and she had put a lot of names in our Area Book with vague addresses (such as: “Soane – near the end of such-and-such street – il est gentil”), so she came up and we spent the day driving around finding all of the people they had contacted so that we can do follow-ups in the coming week. Soeur Manoi doesn't speak really any English so it was a full day in French, and it was an educational thing for me - slightly stressful especially since I was trying to figure out and memorize where all these people, these children of God who need to Gospel, live and what kind of contact they have had with the other missionaries so I could forward that to my companion so that we can be effective in teaching in upcoming weeks. We also painted a sister's house that day who lives in an area called Mt. Mou.
The other days in this week have consisted of my companion and I doing follow-ups in the area, visiting our investigators and mostly just teaching whenever and whoever we can. The work in Paita has been getting consistently better and better each week and as the time passes we are teaching more lessons. My teaching skills are progressing, although I have still have trouble in all aspects. The language is coming on slowly and I understand almost everything that people say, but I am slow when I respond and still a bit hesitant - but I am getting better and I have a very patient, kind companion who is a support to me and talented in her teaching and language skills. This mission is teaching me patience not only with others, but very much so with myself. I think I expect myself to just get things right away and be capable of dealing with all sorts of situations, but I can see that many of those capabilities I thought I had have been taken away; New Caledonia is laying a humbling hand upon my head, but I am finding that I can truly rely on the Lord and that it is His will that I lean on Him so heavily. He is very patient with me. It is not easy to be a missionary - people laugh at you and lie to you and are not always so pleasant - but it is the hard things that we do in life that add to strength of character and depth of experience. I am grateful to be here, and I can't help but be joyful every day (even when I am exhausted) to be here and to be a small hand in this great work!
So, Fourth of July is soon! The other day my comp and I found BBQ sauce at the little store in town. Sr. Spencer said it was the first time she has seen BBQ sauce here, and she is going home in a month so it was quite a discovery! We are planning to buy that, chicken, watermelon, corn, and ice cream for our Fourth of July celebration at lunch on Saturday. There won't be any fireworks and I will sorely miss the beautiful firework show over the lake! Oh, what a agreeable image and memory that thought brings.
I am sending a package home soon so keep on the lookout! I still haven't received the package from you Dadders, but I hope and wait anxiously. Oh, and tell Heather how glad I am she is at Arrowbear! I can't imagine the tears she will shed when she has to come home. Get the floodgates fortified and ready. I love that little girl, and I hope she has a good time.
Hoping you all have a fantastic week and that you have a very patriotic 4th of July. Can you believe that I am three months in?
I love you all so much!
Love,
Soeur Cummins