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
