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
