Preparing for Cyclone season

October 5, 2015

Hola, Bonjour, Ia ora na, Heeeellllllooooo everyone!

This week has also been slow, unfortunately. My companion as been sick this week. We had a huge rain and windstorm most of the week, so a lot of our amis canceled lessons because of it. (we rarely do our lessons inside their homes; they're usually outside). And the nights got unnaturally cold too so I ended up sleeping with 2 blankets, socks, and a sweater some nights. When we did have lessons in an amis home there were times during the week when I could tell the air pressure around us changed because my knee started to hurt hahaha, and then it would stop...weird.

And Soeur Spackman and I found out that through the months of November-April we are going to be in CYCLONE season!! A cyclone is basically a hurricane for the Pacific islands. If you would like to know what that looks like you can watch the storm scene on "Another Side of Heaven." We've been told by the natives to prepare our house and get our 72 hour kits ready. The weather people have been tracking a cyclone that has been building, and they said it could be a pretty big one which will most likely hit the first week of November.....just in time for transfers hahaha. I hope it's not too horrible because that would just really stink for the entire mission....praying hard for that one.

Conference Generale was this past weekend, and can I just say OH. MY. GOODNESS!!!! It was A.M.A.Z.I.N.G! Since we are 4 hours behind from Salt Lake City the sessions started at 6am and 10 am for us, so we got up at 5am both Saturday and Sunday, so we could watch all the sessions live in French and then in English later thos evenings. I loved every single talk, and my journal is flooded with notes and some of my favorite quotes. I especially loved the talks from President Uchtdorf, 2nd counselor in the first presidency, and Deven G. Durrant, 1st counselor in General Sunday School Presidency. I loved how we were encouraged to "protect the SIMPLE gospel" and how we were challenged to "ponderize" and new scripture every week.

It was also history in the making; we received 3 NEW Quorum of the 12 Apostles: Elder Ronald A. Rasband, Elder Gary E. Stevenson, and Elder Dale G. Renlund!

When our prophet President Thomas S. Monson spoke, it gave me chills. He talked with such power and affirmation it motivated me to "be the light who will shine in a seemingly DARK world."

Now my favorite quotes from conference. Prepare yourselves:

"Tell a man there are trillions of stars in space and he'll believe you; tell a man there is wet paint on the wall and he'll touch it just to make sure." - President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"Our goal is EXALTATION and Discipleship is our journey." - President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"Our weaknesses can help us become humble and turn to Christ." - President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"Hold onto the Gospel truths with BOTH HANDS." - Elder M. Russell Ballard

"Don't be stranded in the ship without rudder or ore battling the whirlwinds of the adversary." - Elder M. Russell Ballard

"If we are to find that joy, happiness, and peace our lives must be Christ centered lives." - Elder Richard J. Maynes

"It will all work out." - Sister Neill A. Marriott

"The Holy Ghost gives CUSTOMIZED responses." - Elder Larry R. Lawrence

"Self-control is like a muscle; the more you use it the stronger it gets." -Elder Quentin L. Cook

"Keeping the Sabbath day holy is a refuge from the storms of this life." -Elder Quentin L. Cook

"Knowledge does away with darkness and doubt, and where there is knowledge there is POWER." - Elder Robert D. Hales

"Don't marry perfection...marry POTENTIAL." -Elder Robert D. Hales

"To all of our mothers everywhere, past, present, and future, I say thank you....for your crucial role in fulfilling your rolls in eternity." -Elder Jeffery R. Holland

"There is no darkness too dark that cannot be overcome by light." -Elder Vern P. Stanfill

"We must have faith with works in order to receive answers." -Elder James B. Martino

"Abiding faith becomes the anchor in our lives." - Our Prophet President Thomas S. Monson

"stand tall on the Lord's shoulders and carry on the WORK." -Elder Ronald A. Rasband

"Our anchor is FAITH in Jesus Christ." - Elder Ronald A. Rasband

"Living in these perilous times means we are also living in the fullness of times." - Elder Ronal A. Rasband

"To effectively serve and help others we must look at them through a parent's eyes....Heavenly Father's eyes." -Elder Dale G. Renlund

"We need women who have a bed rock understanding of Christ." -President Russell M. Nelson

"Nothing is more important and essential in your eternal life than your OWN conversion in the church and gospel." -President Russell M. Nelson

"The piano is more than just a mechanical miracle. It's an extension of your own voice and feelings." -Elder Gregory A. Schwitzer

"Only through the Holy Ghost can we see people as the Savior sees them." -President Henry B. Eyring

"Ponderizing is like adding a new timely vitamin to your daily spiritual diet." -Elder Devin G. Durrant

"Barriers create a safe harbor for us that would otherwise drag us down to the depths of despair." -Elder Von G. Keetch

"When you can't do what you used to do...do what you must do." -Elder David A. Bednar

"We need to forgive to be forgiven." -Elder David A. Bednar quoting President James E. Foust

"Come what may and love it." -Elder David A. Bednar quoting Elder Joseph B. Worthlin

This General Conference was so great and I was so blessed to be able to watch it and hear our prophet and his apostles speak to us!

I hope everyone has a safe and fantastic day! Until next week, Go Cougs, Roll Tide, and Carry on!

-Tuahine/Soeur McKenzie Morrill :)