March 4, 2013

Another one bites the dust...

Not literally. Don't worry.

But hey friends! How is everyone doing?

Big news this week, though, is that Elder Larsen is going to be on an airplane to the mission home in 48 hours. So that's kind of odd. He's been going through a sort of emotional journey deciding how he feels about it, but he'll be fine when he gets home. In any case, his family came down to get him. Part of his family, being his mom, dad, and little brother. They got in late friday night, and we've gotten to see them for a little bit Saturday and Sunday. It was really funny when they came to church-they came in after everyone else was seated, and the door is at the front of the room. So basically, let's all stare at the white people! Funny thing is that I totally was doing it too, even though I knew who they were. It's just so bizzare, seeing americans at church who aren't missionaries.

One sort of theme for this week though has been the power of the Priesthood. Elder Larsen's little brother wasn't feeling well on Saturday, and so he asked to have a blessing. So Elder Larsen annointed and Papa Larsen sealed. It was a simple, powerful blessing. It was sort of surprising for me to realize that I'm excited to one day have my own family, and to have the chance to use priesthood authority to bless the lives of my own children. But let's not get ahead of ourselves.

Sunday, we were over at a members house, and as we were leaving she mentioned that she wanted a blessing of comfort (she left for France last night, and from what I can tell people here are sort of superstitious about planes. And elevators.), which Elder Larsen gave. Then another sister going with her wanted a blessing too, which Elder Hansen gave. Then, as a surprise, a third sister who is not going anywhere in particular wanted a blessing, and asked me to act as voice. So that was scary. I wasn't exactly sure if I had the vocabulary for it, but I was able to do it, and it was a very cool experience for me. At BYU, I only ever got to give one other blessing, as a home teacher. So for my second blessing, first one in French, as a missionary, it was a very special experience.

Oh, but as far as how life is going to be different after Larsen's departure-for one reason or another, Elder Hansen, who got here the same day as Elder Larsen, is leaving one week after him. So for the week between, I will join their team, and we will be an equipe de trois (team of three, or companionship of three) for the week. The nice part is that I get to be in the car with them! It might be a little awkward trying to cover two areas for the week, but hopefully that will keep us busy, if nothing else. Then, the week after, Elder Hansen leaves, and we willl hopefully have two new missionaries here. I don't know yet if I'm staying in Martinique, but I hope so, because it would be sort of hard to have two missionaries new to the area come in at the same time. I should know about that next friday though, so I'll let you know!

Oh, and I've gotten a couple questions about food here. So far I've talked about Macdo and Juice. But the diet here really isn't too foreign or scary. Basically, it's a lot of rice, and a lot of chicken. We also have lots of bananas here, although most of the banana dishes I've had here are apparently Haitian. There is one member here, an older woman named Yva Jean-de-Dieu, who is every missionary's best friend. In fact, she's the first one that was leaving for France. But every Sunday, she invites the missionaries to come over to her house to have lunch with her. She owns a little hotel, and her and the second sister leaving for france, Westland Olycée, are fantastic cooks. I don't know how many years back this tradition goes, but so far as I can tell it's longer than the living memory of any missionary here. When I eat real dishes from here, it's usually chez Yva. (at Yva's house/home). Like I said, lots of rice and chicken, also lots of pepper, curreys, and fruits and veggies. "Salad" here is a little bit different than at home-rather than being lettuce with other vegetables in it, it's kind of like lots of shredded or chopped vegetables mixed together, one of which may or may not be salad. I've had chopped beets, corn, and shredded carrots, and that was a salad. I didn't think I was a beets fan, but they're really not so bad. Look out though-they stain. Other than that, things here are not too different. When we cook at home, we don't do it as Antillans, we do it as americans. We've done burger and fries, and spaghetti. Stuff like that.

SPIRITUAL THOUGHT: In 3 Nephi 28, we talk a lot about the three Nephites. One of the things that I really like is when Christ says that he is allowing these disciples to have this gift because of what they have desired of Him-to bring souls unto Him. When our purpose is the work and glory of God, what will He not do to help us? And that brings me to my next point...

FOLLOW UP: Well, not technically. But remember, you've only got one week left for my invitation to find a referral for the missionaries? How's that coming? I haven't heard anything about it, which can't be a great sign...but really. It may not be comfortable, but it is the work of salvation. If you inconvenience someone, so what? You are doing the single greatest act of service you possibly could for them! And it doesn't matter if they don't see that yet, because they will eventually, and at that day, you will be more sad to have not spoken than you will be uncomfortable to open your mouth now. Trust in the Lord!

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: "Automatic cars are for cripples and stupid people. I mean, God gave you two arms and to legs; you should make use of all of them when you drive!"-A member from Guadeloupe, visiting for a training conference.

Mail time goes sooo fast.

My thoughts are with you all, and especially for the safety of Nicole and Mason. I love you very much.

-Elder Santos