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.
