Tuesday, December 17, 2013

No English in our villa

Sorry about yesterday everyone, but we had an awesome zone conference. :)
So a little bit about becoming a trainer. For those of you who know my geneology on the mission my grandmother is Tongan, my mother is Somoan, so it was no surprise when the day before getting my blue came that I had a dream that I was going to be with a Polynesian....not the best dream because she was sitting on me...but a dream nontheless.
So training day came, we went to our little formation, and the trainers were on one side, the newbies on the other and they had this nice slideshow. The name of the ville with the trainer, the trainer stands up, president talks about the ville, and then they say the name of the blue. So he did all the girls first, but me. And I was like, oh its just like when I was a blue, he saved me for last, its all good. Then he goes through all the elders, and the screen goes black, and President is like 'okay, we've done everyone now, you can all go sit by your blue'. And I just stand right up and i'm like 'NO YOU DIDN'T PRESIDENT!!' And he was like, 'Oh no, Soeur Jackson' turns and looks at the APs 'ELDER DUSSERE YOU FORGOT SOEUR JACKSON?!' And I drastically turn around (yes drastically), ' SERIOUSLY, seriously Elder Dussere, your the one that called me to train!!!!!'
Anywho, I guess it was funny for the other missionaries, and President has made A LOT of jokes out of it, so that's cool. Anywho, I got my companion, by force.
Her name is Soeur Tehoiri, she is Tahitian. :) Polynesian just runs in the family, i'm the oddly white person. So luckily she speaks French, unluckily, she doesn't speak English. So now for language study each day I teach someone English, its weird.
But she's cool, and luckily not 19. There are of course cultural differences that are so random and you don't realize until you live with someone. But the biggest difference is probably speaking in French ALL THE TIME now, and that I have to wear ear plugs at night because she snores like a hybernating brown bear. The first night figuring that out was so much fun. Anywho, so yes, I am a trainer, its weird, but I mean like, its all in the Lords hands. haha
So that is that is the biggest news I can give this week. I will spend my whold mission life surrounded by Polynesians. :) 
I hope everyone is having fun getting ready for Noël!!!! Love you alll!!!!

Soeur Jackson

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

I think this picture says everything about my week. :) 
Its winter here in France. That means that as missionaries get up to go out you put on your leggings, then your scarfs, next goes hats (yes I had to buy hats, its apparently a rule). Giant coats go on after the hats, and then you put your boots on, but not before you wrap your feet in trash bags so that the water doesn't get through your boots and soak your feet. Then you nicely put on your gloves. After you have all the battle gear you leave your apartement, to do what? BAPTIZE PEOPLE!!!
So like no big deal, but Soeur Obel was baptised!!!!!!!! So so so so awesome! Each companionship in our city had a baptism yesterday. It was so sweet. And totally stressful, and totally awesome.
Soeur Obel has been a long time running to be baptized. It's been a 12 year story, and I don't know why the Lord let me be here for her baptism, because seriously I did nothing, it was all her and the Lord. But it's so awesome. And its so awesome watching someone you love, that you have worked so hard for go under those waters. It was a pretty awesome day.
I just don't have much else to say for the week. I feel like the picture should say everything else to you guys. :) Love you all, keep being awesome.

Sarah.