Week 15: More of the same

What a hard week this was wow. I went through a few trials and was in my own head a lot. It was just hard lol.

Some fun stuff is we had a ward Christmas party.. I know it's early but it was still fun. I also weighed myself and after 2 MTC months, 1.5 Tahiti months i am... the exact same. It's great. I WILL NOT GET FAT. That's my goal. I also ate so much raw fish at one meal it was incredivle. I don't eat a lot of fish here and haven't seen a beach. We also had someone we are teaching say he loves us and then went on to say how much he hates Jehovah Witness people and Mormons and how we are way better. We couldn't break the news to him. He'll find out after his baptism I guess. We also filmed a Christmas show that is gonna be televised here in Tahiti. I sang in a small choir and gave an inspirational message of Merry Christmas and Happy New Year with a fun cheeky smile at the end.

So this week's theme has really been trusting God. That especially came with transfers where I stayed with the same companion in the same area. I wanted to have something change for it to feel like that first hard part of my mission is over, but now i have 6 more weeks. It was hard to hear I'm staying and I cried quite a bit. But I know by the end of the transfer I'm gonna see why I stayed and am still here. I know God has a plan that I can't see and I'm gonna learn so much here that'll change my life. It's tough to think this is good for me but I know all these hardships are. The regression this week with my adaptation also didn't help but adds to that whlole trusting God aspect. The regression is part of the plan too and has taught me stuff. Every trial teaches me new and different things. More trials, more lessons. I'm learning lots. 

Oh and Quiet Elfie came with me dressed in Tahitian attire.

Have a great week.

Mom note:

When Zach left, I stuck a gift in his suitcase pocket and told him to open it on December 1st. He had no idea that Quiet Elfie was with him the whole time. So fun! He sent us a cute video of his companion trying to find him the first day:) Zach also received his second Christmas package - the smaller one of things I had forgotten to include in his main Christmas package (that has not arrive yet - praying it will!) It was a pair of Christmas socks and a Christmas ornament. He saw the customs forms on the outside so knew what was in it and asked if he could open it while we were on video chat. I got a video of how much he loved the ornament (it's a Tahiti missionary ornament custom made for him). Zach has always loved Christmas, traditions and been a very grateful receiver. 

As he mentioned, he was not happy to not be transferred. But, in speaking with him, he seemed to have come up with some ways he could shift his mindset and focus and make things a bit more appealing. I think there are a lot of expectations missionaries have and it's hard when they aren't met. Lots of growth for this amazing kid though. We are constantly praying and fasting for him. But we are also feeling the blessings of him being on a mission. We are learning, growing, and relying on faith too. I also feel a tremendous amount of gratitude for the Gospel, as well as the kind of person Zach is. He has been so vulnerable and I truly applaud that.

There are a ton of pictures on his google drive - and he went through a bunch of them with us (Josh and I - Rob was away and Sam was only here for part of it)  as he wanted to tell us the back story of a bunch of them.

Here the are:

He took this one for Josh as he said he would love it as it was packed with meat:

This is where he taught a little boy to pray. He also pointed out that is was where someone slept...

Amazing rainbow: 

Wanted me to send this one to his Dad as it's a tie his Dad bought him with Tahiti in mind:

He wanted to protect the tie from the rain, lol:

He said this is yummy coconut bread:

The chapel where his ward meets:

 

His chapel:

Lots of raw fish that he loved:

 

He finally bought himself a few things: a cool Tahitian towel and an advent calendar (and Fruit Loops and sardines which he seems to be loving:)

He was excited to meet "Timi" a man he had skyped with and taught a pretend lesson with while in the MTC:

Little did he know Quiet Elfie was in there:

This is wear he hid him:

 

His nativity that he brought with him. Zach is a true Christmas guy!

His Christmas planner that he decorated:

Amazing views from a hike they went on:

Pictures his companion sent him from a few weeks ago: