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
