TIME "MARCH"ES ON

TIME MARCHES ON

Another month has quickly passed.  Each day brings its share of interruptions and challenges.  The other day we had managed to get a great deal done before 11 a.m.  I said, "Today everything has gone smoothly. We've already gotten so much done!" Things fell apart.  By the end of of the day Elder Glade said, "Don't ever say that again!"  We are always trying to keep the office work done. There are always surprises.  Days end before we get everything done, but time passes and we seem to stay afloat.   

There always seem to be doctor and dentist visits, sprains, eye infections, diarrhea, headaches, rashes and sore throats.  This month brought two minor surgeries: a sister missionary had to change out of her missionary clothes before entering the OR.   I had some skin cancer removed from my cheek because it was getting bigger. The sweet Indonesian woman who assisted the doctor put her hands together and said "Pray Jesus." I don't know if she was telling me to or asking me if I had, but it was kind and comforting.  

The sister's companions kept busy while they waited for her.  They actually had done a good job talking to people in the waiting room, but they still found time to pursue a favorite pass time--taking selfies.  I don't know how they get a hold of Elder Glade's phone so frequently. 
It is always a mystery to him how these photos end up on his phone. 


There are always issues with cars--accidents, check-ups, repairs, tires.  This month the mission got three new trucks for the six elders up north.  Obviously they are excited and hopefully careful.

We had another zone conference.  This time I was in charge of lunch. In the past we have walked to a nearby Vietnamese restaurant.  The weather has been very hot most days, but the day of zone conference was pleasant enough to eat outside, and the ice cream didn't melt faster than the missionaries could eat it.

These 8 missionaries were in the MTC together.  This is the last time they will be together before the 4 sisters head home in the next two transfers.  We are losing more missionaries than are coming to New Caledonia.  Vanuatu is losing more missionaries than we are. Some of the missionaries here are being transferred to Vanuatu.  

This has led to closing two more apartments, a complicated process here and a lot of work. The office elders are helping us sort through the items brought down from the Poro apartment. Thankfully it was furnished and we didn't have to figure out what to do with furniture.

We are grateful when we occasionally have a chance to observe two missionaries have companionship study. It was a blessing to be able to watch these two Tahitian elders share, ask each other questions, and teach each other from the scriptures.  One is a recent convert who has already gained a marvelous knowledge of the gospel.





At each baptism we are reminded it is all worth it.  One young man was baptized the day he turned 18.  His mother, who is Catholic,  wouldn't let him become a member until he was 18 and he was unwilling to wait one day longer.  He had gone with his father, step-mother, older brother, and younger sister (fairly recent converts) to the temple in New Zealand.  He waited outside while they were sealed as a family and his brother was endowed before going on a mission.  Now he is looking forward to being sealed to his family and going on a mission himself.  I have never witnessed a more joyful experience than his baptism as his family and friends rejoiced with him.

Another highlight for us this month was spending time with a wonderful young family that is learning about the church. The family has attended our ward a few times.  We love being able to see the excitement people feel as they begin to learn about the gospel.  

Right now I am hurrying to finish this post while Cyclone Cook rages outside.  Everyone in New Caledonia has to be inside from noon until the cyclone passes. It may be a couple of days. The worst of the storm is still a few hours away.  We and all the missionaries have plenty of water and food and gas in our cars.  I was able to write this because we didn't go to the office today and I'm glad the electricity has stayed on long enough for me to finish.  I am grateful for the peace the gospel brings even when storms surround us.

A UNIQUE AND REMARKABLE YEAR DRAWS TO A CLOSE

WE'VE BEEN MISSIONARIES ALMOST A YEAR!

Our first year serving a full-time mission together is quickly ending.  We've seen some rough waters and still are striving for smoother sailing. Not many days are uneventful.

We are making a list of things we still are hoping to accomplish before we finish our time here  in order to make sure we get them done.  


There were only two minor car accidents last week, a car window that had to be replaced, doctor and dental appointments, missionaries coming to and leaving the island, transfers, funding missionaries, paying bills, closing an apartment, getting another set up. . .

We are now on the third missionary couple who are helping us here.  The first two couples were local, church service missionaries.  The last of the local couples was serving a family history mission when they were asked to spend part of their missionary hours helping us.  I don't know how we would have managed without them, but now we have been blessed with a full-time couple from Tahiti who will be in charge of apartments and cars.  We are hoping to be able to get all of the apartments in even better shape, have regular inspections, and update first aid kits.  Things that have been on our list for a long time.

  

Having our daughter Annaka come visit for a week was a real highlight. She is the third daughter to come.  We have loved being able to share the beauties of the island and the people with them and share a few memorable adventures.

We (mostly Elder Glade because my French is good enough to say very much) are temporary institute teachers.  I am teaching English and temporarily (I think) playing for Sacrament meeting and Relief Society.  I don't know which hymns we'll be singing, ahead of time.  When I turn to the page the title is in French and not a direct translation from the English.  I'm always interested to discover, after I begin, what hymn I am actually playing. Sometimes the page number isn't written anywhere;  a couple of times I heard the number wrong and played the introduction to the wrong hymn. Children often stand around me when I play prelude or postlude music. Some actually play along with me. One very petite little girl, about 4, noticed the fan was blowing my music closed and stood by me patiently holding the book open throughout the entire hymn. One boy (about 10) asked me to play "As Sisters in Zion" for him.  I wish I had time to teach piano lessons.  The new missionary couple want to improve their English, and, as we go about our day, are helping me with my French.  I may improve more with them in the office.



We love associating with the members here and are so inspired by their stories.  It is amazing how quickly and deeply we have come to love the members, the investigators, and 
the other missionaries. 

Most of all we love being able to witness people being baptized as members of the church.
There have been several lately which is unusual for the New Caledonia area of the Vanuatu Mission.

Giselle found the missionaries at a bus stop and got up the courage to tell them she wanted to be baptized.  Through studying the Bible she knew the baptism she received as a child wasn't the same as the Savior's and that she needed to be baptized by immersion as He was.  She had learned that our church baptizes by immersion.  As the missionaries taught her she was convinced she had found the truth she had been searching for.

A nephew was taught and baptized after he saw the changes in and happiness of his uncle who was baptized last fall.  A mother was baptized because of the example of her 11 year-old son.  In the opening prayer at the baptism he thanked Heavenly Father that his mother was joining the church. His father was a member, but he died a year or so ago.  A wife was lovingly baptized by her husband.  Their young son (about 4 yrs old) was surprised when they walked down the stairs into the water.  When his mother came up out of the water the little boy exclaimed, “Mama tu as plongé… Mouille pas moi!”   (Mommy you dove in the water.  Don’t get me wet!)  Another woman was baptized by her father-in-law.  She has been married for 3 years.  She talked about her journey dealing with her own mom’s (a Jehovah’s Witness) opposition and paid such a beautiful tribute to her in-laws.

At one baptismal service the bishop commented with tears in his eyes that 2017 was the year of making eternal families.  “We need to be patient when sharing the gospel.  The door is always open towards God. God knows how to help each of us.” His own wife had patiently waited for him to join the church.  Four spouses of those baptized this year had waited 3-17 years.  The stake Relief Society president's husband was also baptized this year after 17 years. The last baptism was the father of one of our institute students—more than 17 years of waiting for that family, too.  His 6 year old son exclaimed, "I have waited a long time for Papa to get baptized."  The dad is the nephew of the stake patriarch's wife.  She is thrilled to have another member besides herself in her extended family. We are still amazed at how many of the people being baptized in Nouméa have connections to the island of Lifou.

One morning as I was studying I came across this scripture that describes how I feel as we attend church each Sabbath and as we witness these joyful baptisms.

"Nay; he has poured out his Spirit upon you, and has caused that your hearts should be filled with joy, and has caused that your mouths should be stopped that ye could not find utterance, so exceedingly great was your joy."  Mosiah 4:20

Even on gray, rainy days tiny drops of water cling to these needles and sparkle with light.  

JANUARY---2017 BEGINS!

The Perfect Way to End One Year and Begin the Next

Fireworks in Nouméa on New Year's Day night.  Even in summer it is pitch black by eight.  It was so fun to watch these over the bay only steps from our apartment.  We could walk home and not be tangled in all the traffic.

On the last day of 2016 Madeleine was baptized.  She lives in Nouméa but is from Lifou. After attending the LDS church for the first time on December 18th, while visiting relatives in Lifou, she decided she wanted to be baptized.  The Stake Patriarch, who met her at church, called Elder Glade who then called the sisters who live near her.  In the meantime she sought out a relative in Nouméa who is a member.  Madeleine mentioned her desire to be baptized that Monday and her relative called the office elders.  When they came into the office later in the day we asked them how a teaching appointment went that they had told us about before. They said it fell through.  We said we were sorry.  They assured us it was okay because they had been called to come teach a woman that morning and the first thing she said was that she wanted to be baptized.  When their previous appointment fell through they went back and taught her again in the afternoon.  After that the sisters taught her.  She was overjoyed to have found the church and wanted to be baptized immediately. The office elders talked her into waiting until New Year's Eve.  I have never been to a baptism where the spirit was stronger and she hasn't stopped smiling since.  

The new year began with Madeleine's confirmation at sacrament meeting.  She invited family and friends who weren't members to come.   Two short weeks after finding the church she believed to be true, she was a member.

MORE BAPTISMS

A father and son were ready to be baptized on the Loyalty Island of Ouvea.  Two elders were flown there to help with the baptisms.  

EN BROUSSE  (A trip up North)

Last weekend we had a  few errands to do north of Nouméa.  We went to church on Sunday at the branch in Bourail.  It was a good Sunday with a total of 18 members in attendance. This man has recently returned to church and has committed to spend 4 hour a week with the missionaries introducing them to people who have quit coming to church and others who may be interested.  He is a former branch president.  We then drove an hour and forty minutes east to attend the annex in Poro.  It used to have quite a few members attending. Now it is usually a family and one sister.  The family didn't come.  The elders and Elder Glade and I met with Françoise.  She was one of the first members in this area, has been a member a long time, sacrificed to be able to do her temple work in New Zealand.  She has seen the church grow and then almost everyone move or fall away.  She told us over and over again that she was so touched we would all come.  We brought such a powerful spirit. It reminded her that the Lord was mindful of her. She continues to try to help the church grow in the Poro area.

The church is beginning to grow in the north and in the Loyalty Islands.  It is such a blessing to us to see missionaries continue to work hard and members remain faithful even when times are discouraging.  It is a greater blessing to see people accept the peace and joy the gospel can bring into their lives and have a desire to share those blessings with others.

We had a long drive home.  We decided to keep going south even though the roads were not as good as going the long way around to the north again.  The whole drive back to the main road was through the mountains in the rain.  The scenery was varied and mostly gorgeous--ocean, green valleys, lush vegetation, rivers, cliffs, waterfalls, bamboo forests.  It was tempting to take lots of photos, but we needed to get back to civilization before dark. We stopped for a couple and took others from the car window.

We drove past vast nickel mines where huge green mountains were slashed with red scars.  Fortunately there is some reforestation going on. We also counted eight burned cars.  Sometimes Kanaks steal and burn cars to protest the French. Sometimes people seem to steal and burn cars just because.  That and graffiti are terrible problems here.


 

THE TRAIN

A mission has sometimes been compared to a train which continues to travel forward.  As it goes some people get off and others get on.  These are the missionaries who left the New Caledonian train in January..

and these four hopped on.  Sad to have missionaries leave, but exciting to have the new ones come.

BLESSINGS

Two more blessings that January brought:  our oldest granddaughter began serving her mission and the three of us have the blessing of serving at the same time,

and the Flamboyant Trees are blooming everywhere in New Caledonia.  Some look like they have been planted and others are blooming all over the hillsides. 

It's hard to believe that January has passed so quickly.  The hottest days of summer are supposedly over.  We are looking forward to a this new year when we can continue enjoying the blessing, for this brief period in our lives, of serving the Lord as full-time missionaries.  

There is still some room  on this blog and I couldn't resist the temptation to post another picture (of the hundreds I've taken) of a New Caledonian sunset.

A MISSIONARY CHRISTMAS--continued

Christmas Day we attended church for an hour between 9 and 10.  I love having Christmas fall on a Sunday.  I love being greeted with wishes for a Merry Christmas.   This year it was "Joyeux Noël."  All the missionaries gathered after lunch.  We began by viewing the First Presidency Christmas Devotional which the missionaries hadn't had a chance to see.  When the missionaries joined in singing "Silent Night"  with the broadcast I thought they sounded like a choir of angels and I loved looking at their sweet, sincere faces.  They want so much to serve the Lord and it was a privilege to be celebrating this Christmas with them.

After the devotional the missionaries had planned a talent show.  Each district performed a number and then whoever wanted to could share a talent.

Some of the districts:







































Some who volunteered:



Some who were volunteered by others:     







The Idahoans and the Canadiens

















Among the highlights were:

Sister Gastaldi singing songs from her native French Guiana in French Creole and


the Tahitians sharing a Tahitian Christmas song with their beautiful harmonies.  

After no more volunteers and no one else could be coerced into performing and the talent show ended we had a picnic outside.




The evening concluded with the missionaries exchanging gifts and a visit from Pere Noël bringing gifts for each missionary by way of Vanuatu.


         Our tallest elder got a princess crown and Elder Ursenbach seems pleased.

The missionaries loved their new shirts, mission video, mission cookbook, and m and m's.

After all the festivities were over Elder Glade and I returned to our apartment to open the gifts we gave to each other.

I'm so grateful to have had the experience of a Christmas as a missionary.  Grateful for the gift of the Savior, his teachings, his example, and his atoning sacrifice.  Grateful to have an opportunity to show Heavenly Father our love and gratitude by serving a full time mission.

Festival of Lights at Place de Cocotiers

A MISSIONARY CHRISTMAS

A MISSIONARY CHRISTMAS

This year our Christmas celebration began with a fireside concert by the youth in our stake. They had been rehearsing for months to prepare and their music was "incroyable."  We have many talented musicians in our stake here and I was impressed that so many youth were willing to sacrifice so much of their time to be able to perform so beautifully.  There were important people from the community who attended as well as members and investigators.

Our ward Christmas party was a celebration with a lively emcee, sweet singing by the primary children, games, music, impromptu performances, a haka, karaoke, dancing, joking, laughing, and, as always, lots of food. The party lasted for hours and everyone seemed to whole-heartedly enjoy every minute of it.

We had the young adults come to our apartment for a Christmas Dinner.  They come for family home evening, but we have never fed them dinner before.  We had chicken fajitas. They loved the crepes (tortillas) and the carrot cake.

Each of the four nights before Christmas we took four different groups of elders and sisters to sing and talk to the people visiting the light festival at the Place de Cocotiers, the center square in Noumea.  Crowds gathered to listen to them and the Mayor of Noumea said she loved having them sing.

We spent several hours Christmas Eve day and Christmas Day with all the missionaries in New Caledonia.  Christmas Eve day there were games and a Hawaiian luau themed dinner.

                       

Continued. . .