Tontouta 1

Bonjour tout le monde! 

We are sucessfully moved into our new sector! Our sector is HUGE! We actually live in Tamoa and our sector goes all the way up to Boulouparis if you feel like looking at a map haha. We are in a ward now so it is nice to have the members help. Members! Please help your missionaries!! It makes such a difference in the work! It has been especially helpful since we are white washing because they are able to show us around the sector (: So I am super excited... The Elders who were in the sector before us were teaching a lot of kids 9 and 10 years old so we get to pick up where they left of and I am SO excited!! I love kids!! And I feel like it is easier to speak with them... It's a little less intimidating haha. The language is coming along pretty well.. I've stopped telling people I'm a new missionary and just go for it haha. It helps to just be confident and open your mouth. I still have LOTS to learn. It is still hard but as time goes on I can see more and more progress. Speaking of members... The members love to feed us A LOT... We have five weekly appointments to eat with members.. Sometimes more... It is also rude to deny food when they offer you more sooo.... You might not recognize me when I get home... Hahah kidding.. You just have to spread your food out on your plate, eat slow, and talk a lot haha. 

So this week I was studying the story of the Brother of Jared in Ether and there is so much to be learned so I'm just going to share what I noted:

Chapter 2:

2:17 there is a lot of repetition in this verse. Why? To show that Heavenly Father really pays attention to detail. He wanted to make sure the vessel to carry them was safe and secure according to His instruction. The instructions we have are to carry us through this life back to Him safely and He knows all the finer details of our life that maybe we even overlook. 

2:19 The brother of Jared poses three questions in prayer (Light, steering, air)

2:20 But, the Lord only responds to one question

2:21 The Brother of Jared listens to that ONE answer and does as the Lord commands

2:22 He prays again 

2:24-25 The Lord provides us with some things to help us in our journey, but he also expects us to plan and do our part and then turn to Him to fill in the blanks that we cannot do for ourselves having faith that He will help. Takes a little leap of faith and action on our part first, though. 

Chapter 3:

3:1,4 The Brother of Jared prepared a way so that they could have light THEN he went to the Lord to propse his idea with faith that the Lord would fulfil his desires 

3:6 The Lord did as the Brother of Jared asked and took the time to touch each stone one by one - again, showing attention to detail

Chapter 4 

 4:3 light=Christ great waters = life... Christ gives light to our life so we don't have to travel in darkness and confusion

4:4 They were prepared and set forth always trying to do the will of the Lord. Always have a plan and be ready to work and listen to the Lord to do His will.

4:5-8 They were in the middle of a storm, but all the while the Lord was in control and continually guiding them to the Promised Land. With all of our trials, temptation, and weakness... amidst the great storm of life, Christ is always in control and pushing us toward eternal life.. Remeber, it took a storm to get them to the Promised Land. 

4:9-10 They continually praised the Lord no matter how scared they were and with the protection of the Lord, nothing could harm them

4:12 They made it! We can make it to the end of each day, then month, then year, then to eternal life... One step at a time.. One prayer at a time.. One answer at a time.. But it all requires faith and sometimes a storm.. or two.. or three.. to get us there

4:13 They went to work! 

It is not enough to "just make it through". You HAVE to keep going and keep working hard(: "Walk humbly" and always "remember how great things the Lord [does]". 

This is my testimony that I know the church is true and that this is the way for us to be happy in this life and in the life to come. As a person we contacted once said "it doesn't matter how little you have if you have the Lord". He is everything and then some. I know that each one of us has a plan individually tailored to our lives so that we can grow and become like the Father and His Son. Our trials are there to help us to become better. He loves us the way we are but refuses to let us stay that way. We must continue to grow and change and sometimes that requires a trial and a little humbling, but He is ALWAYS there to help us. He lives! And He wants to help us, so let Him. I know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet and I am so grateful for his diligence in restoring the true gospel so that I can live the life I do and have the happiness that I enjoy each day. I say this in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, amen.

Yours truly,

Soeur Stahura