Yay!! I made it to one year!! And I'm still alive! Lately I have been looking at my clothes and doing an assessment for if it will last another year. The good news is that my shirts are still white and most of them have the appearance of being new. The bad news is that my socks are turning dark blue instead of being black. But considering that it has been one year, I'm not complaining, it could be much worse. For my one year anniversary we didn't really do anything, which was what I expected and it's fine with me. It was a difficult day anyway.
This is where the story about challenges comes in. Last Monday Elder Bagley and I went weight lifting for our morning work out, it became a tradition to go every p-day. We went to a member's house, the family Tufariua, who has a son, named Teihoarii or Teiho for short, who is preparing to serve his mission in Africa. So we did our warm up of 50 kilos on the bench press, then we moved to 60 and I still felt good. And normally 60 is my max, so I was surprised. We jumped to 98, then 100 and I still felt good about about doing more. So we put on 110, or so I thought, and I pushed it off and it fell. Luckily Teiho was spotting me and helped me out. It turns out it was 138 kilos. What!? Then we put the real 110 on and I did it. I pushed over 240 pounds for the first time in my life. That was a testimony of inner strength that we don't know we have until the day it comes out.
Anyway, back to the challenges. Wednesday we started our lessons and we got a call around noon saying that Teiho got in an accident. 30 minutes later we found out he had passed away. So we left all of our lessons and went to the hospital where Teiho was already dead. It was so hard to believe that just like that he was gone. Wednesday night was the viewing and during the viewing they gave me a chance to speak. And I used the lesson I learned at Teiho's house about unknown inner strength and I testified so much about the resurrection. The Spirit was so strong. And I testify to you all that one day we will live again. That one day we will see those we love again. And that we can enjoy life in God's presence.
Things were pretty calm around here after that. Thursday they buried Teiho at Tahaa and things have kept moving with a softer pace. Sunday was French Mother's Day and so we had the primary, young men, and young women do a thing for the mothers. It was really great. And I enjoyed it. I love you Mom and I thank you for everything!
Voila, that's my week. I love you all.
Elder Squires
Monday, May 26, 2014
Baptism, Conference, Raiatea! - May 19, 2014
Hey everyone!
This week was an interesting week. On Thursday we had the opportunity to go to Raiatea, which is an island not too far from Bora, for our zone conference, even if it's not our zone. So, we took the plane early in the morning on Thursday and after 10 or so minutes on the plane we landed and I officially left Bora for the first time in 3 months. This is the longest place I have stayed since I moved out for college. I have been in Bora for over 4 and a half months which beats my old record for living in the same spot for 4 months during fall semester of college. The conference went really well. It was our last zone conference with President Sinjoux. He really stressed reaching our potential and I really enjoyed that message.
Then Saturday we had stake conference with Elder Pearson. It was so powerful. I learned a lot and I feel so blessed to have been here to watch it and feel the Spirit of what he taught.
Then on Saturday after the conference President Sinjoux said goodbye to us here in Bora for the maybe the last time. And then we had a baptism that went pretty well. Good news!! Naomi fixed her baptismal date and she said I will be baptizing her!! Yay!!! What a blessing, relief, good thing. I am so happy.
Family, I love you, friends I love you as well. Keep living life and doing your best. I will do the same.
Love,
Elder Squires
This week was an interesting week. On Thursday we had the opportunity to go to Raiatea, which is an island not too far from Bora, for our zone conference, even if it's not our zone. So, we took the plane early in the morning on Thursday and after 10 or so minutes on the plane we landed and I officially left Bora for the first time in 3 months. This is the longest place I have stayed since I moved out for college. I have been in Bora for over 4 and a half months which beats my old record for living in the same spot for 4 months during fall semester of college. The conference went really well. It was our last zone conference with President Sinjoux. He really stressed reaching our potential and I really enjoyed that message.
Then Saturday we had stake conference with Elder Pearson. It was so powerful. I learned a lot and I feel so blessed to have been here to watch it and feel the Spirit of what he taught.
Then on Saturday after the conference President Sinjoux said goodbye to us here in Bora for the maybe the last time. And then we had a baptism that went pretty well. Good news!! Naomi fixed her baptismal date and she said I will be baptizing her!! Yay!!! What a blessing, relief, good thing. I am so happy.
Family, I love you, friends I love you as well. Keep living life and doing your best. I will do the same.
Love,
Elder Squires
How Could I Forget? - May 12, 2014
Ha, how well that subject fits the week that I have had. It all started with last Sunday when I had forgotten that it was Mother's Day yesterday until my French companion reminded me about an American holiday. That was pretty embarrassing. And then all this week I have been really struggling to remember our lessons that we have had. I will try to laugh about it because I know in a few years I will laugh about it.
So what happens is that while we had the assistants with us we didn't do very well to do our daily planning because of everything that was going on. So the consequences of that bad choice are coming to bite me now because we have investigators and I have forgotten exactly what we had taught them and since we didn't do our planning I can't just look back and find what we taught. And then even for the days that we do do planning but we end up not teaching all that we planned that presents more problems. Because I have had so much on my mind lately and the lessons get forgotten and I don't remember until the moment that we get to the lesson and then it all comes back. So we will have planned to teach one thing and then it becomes something else as I remember what it was supposed to be. Yikes. My poor companion. I will do my best not to continue that habit.
And the third thing about how could I forget is to talk about authentic Tahitian food. Yesterday during skype I was asked about what the food is like out here and I didn't really think about things that were too weird. But now I remember and I want to explain authentic Tahitian food.
There is fafaru that I explained last week, there is poisson cru which literally means raw fish. Poissson cru is a mix of cut up fish, with lemon juice (which "cooks" it) and carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes and coconut milk. It is one of my favorites. Then there is heemaa(?) which, if I am not mistaken, is a mix of uru, bread that grows on trees, and coconut milk. And it makes a sort of pasty gloop that tastes really good. There is po'e which my companion and I ate last night. For po'e papaya it takes a lot of papaya and then you mix the insides with corn startch and it makes another pasty gloop and you add coconut milk and you eat. Ha, lot's of gloop. And the best thing about when we eat food like that is that we eat with no forks or anythings. All hands. Ha.
Welcome to a little bit more of my life out here. Things are all right and hopefully they will get better. I love you all family and friends and I know this work is great. It is a miracle and a huge blessing to see what is happening out here. I love this work and I love the Lord who made it possible for us to come on earth and to life again after this life. This is my testimony, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Elder Squires
So what happens is that while we had the assistants with us we didn't do very well to do our daily planning because of everything that was going on. So the consequences of that bad choice are coming to bite me now because we have investigators and I have forgotten exactly what we had taught them and since we didn't do our planning I can't just look back and find what we taught. And then even for the days that we do do planning but we end up not teaching all that we planned that presents more problems. Because I have had so much on my mind lately and the lessons get forgotten and I don't remember until the moment that we get to the lesson and then it all comes back. So we will have planned to teach one thing and then it becomes something else as I remember what it was supposed to be. Yikes. My poor companion. I will do my best not to continue that habit.
And the third thing about how could I forget is to talk about authentic Tahitian food. Yesterday during skype I was asked about what the food is like out here and I didn't really think about things that were too weird. But now I remember and I want to explain authentic Tahitian food.
There is fafaru that I explained last week, there is poisson cru which literally means raw fish. Poissson cru is a mix of cut up fish, with lemon juice (which "cooks" it) and carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes and coconut milk. It is one of my favorites. Then there is heemaa(?) which, if I am not mistaken, is a mix of uru, bread that grows on trees, and coconut milk. And it makes a sort of pasty gloop that tastes really good. There is po'e which my companion and I ate last night. For po'e papaya it takes a lot of papaya and then you mix the insides with corn startch and it makes another pasty gloop and you add coconut milk and you eat. Ha, lot's of gloop. And the best thing about when we eat food like that is that we eat with no forks or anythings. All hands. Ha.
Welcome to a little bit more of my life out here. Things are all right and hopefully they will get better. I love you all family and friends and I know this work is great. It is a miracle and a huge blessing to see what is happening out here. I love this work and I love the Lord who made it possible for us to come on earth and to life again after this life. This is my testimony, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Elder Squires
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Mother's Day, Transfers and Fafaru - May 5, 2014
This week didn't feel too eventful but now that I look back it really was. It started out Monday while I was doing emails and we got the call from the assistants for the transfers. And finding out that my companion would be transferred and that I was getting a new companion was no big surprise because president had already told us that I would stay. So Monday started the goodbyes and passing around journals and getting ready to leave.
Tuesday was a busy day so we didn't have too much time to go see any members for my companion but we still managed to see a few. The lessons went well but it was definitely sad to know that my companion was leaving.
Then Wednesday the Tahitian elder from the other ward took his plane and was transfered and the companion arrived. The new one is an American named Elder Peterson who was trained by my papa, Elder Tau. So, I now live with my brother. We had his last lessons with Naomi and the other investigators. And the one with Naomi was really a great lesson. Because she thanked him so much and the whole family was so grateful for the work we had done with them. My companion and I finished off our last day together with planning and writing in each other's journals.
Thursday morning at 5:30 I was late and he was already ready. I got up quick and got ready, we headed out at 6 to go to the dock to wait for the boat to the airport. We took some last pictures with some members and loaded up on the boat. We arrived at the airport and took some last photos and hung around waiting for my new companion to come and for his plane to go. My new companion, Elder Joly arrived and we said goodbye to Elder Poheroa. And we headed for the boat, we almost got to the boat when Elder Poheroa came back to tell his that it was the wrong flight. What!? But it turns out his flight was in 20 minutes. Ha. Then Elder Joly and I started off and headed to the house. He got the tour of the elder on his first day and we had our first lessons together.
So far, he is a good singer, his home is not too far from Paris, he has been out for 20 months and yeah, it's great to be with him.
Friday and Saturday and Sunday we worked pretty hard. But the weather here has been cloudy and almost sad which puts a damper on how we feel but it should clear up soon.
I had totally forgot about Mother's Day until last night when my French companion reminded about an American holiday. Yikes. And for the fafaru, that is an authentic Tahitian dish where you eat raw fish that has been soaking in a fermented mix of ocean water and fish guts (from what I hear). The longer the marinade has been fermented the stronger the stench and the worse it tastes. I don't know why Tahitians like it so much. It's hard to eat but I ate it for the fourth time on my mission yesterday. I'll be excited to not eat it any more when I get home, I know it's authentic, and I'll enjoy while I can. But when I'm home I doubt I will crave that again.
Well everyone, it's that time again where I finish. I love you all. Thank you so much for even reading my emails. It's good to know that people out there listen to me even if I am thousands of miles away. I hope you all have a great week.
Know that I know this Church is true. I know that Christ lives and loves us. This is my testimony in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Tuesday was a busy day so we didn't have too much time to go see any members for my companion but we still managed to see a few. The lessons went well but it was definitely sad to know that my companion was leaving.
Then Wednesday the Tahitian elder from the other ward took his plane and was transfered and the companion arrived. The new one is an American named Elder Peterson who was trained by my papa, Elder Tau. So, I now live with my brother. We had his last lessons with Naomi and the other investigators. And the one with Naomi was really a great lesson. Because she thanked him so much and the whole family was so grateful for the work we had done with them. My companion and I finished off our last day together with planning and writing in each other's journals.
Thursday morning at 5:30 I was late and he was already ready. I got up quick and got ready, we headed out at 6 to go to the dock to wait for the boat to the airport. We took some last pictures with some members and loaded up on the boat. We arrived at the airport and took some last photos and hung around waiting for my new companion to come and for his plane to go. My new companion, Elder Joly arrived and we said goodbye to Elder Poheroa. And we headed for the boat, we almost got to the boat when Elder Poheroa came back to tell his that it was the wrong flight. What!? But it turns out his flight was in 20 minutes. Ha. Then Elder Joly and I started off and headed to the house. He got the tour of the elder on his first day and we had our first lessons together.
So far, he is a good singer, his home is not too far from Paris, he has been out for 20 months and yeah, it's great to be with him.
Friday and Saturday and Sunday we worked pretty hard. But the weather here has been cloudy and almost sad which puts a damper on how we feel but it should clear up soon.
I had totally forgot about Mother's Day until last night when my French companion reminded about an American holiday. Yikes. And for the fafaru, that is an authentic Tahitian dish where you eat raw fish that has been soaking in a fermented mix of ocean water and fish guts (from what I hear). The longer the marinade has been fermented the stronger the stench and the worse it tastes. I don't know why Tahitians like it so much. It's hard to eat but I ate it for the fourth time on my mission yesterday. I'll be excited to not eat it any more when I get home, I know it's authentic, and I'll enjoy while I can. But when I'm home I doubt I will crave that again.
Well everyone, it's that time again where I finish. I love you all. Thank you so much for even reading my emails. It's good to know that people out there listen to me even if I am thousands of miles away. I hope you all have a great week.
Know that I know this Church is true. I know that Christ lives and loves us. This is my testimony in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Thursday, May 1, 2014
Transfers, Almost One Year, and Bora! - April 28, 2014
Hello everyone!
This has been another eventful week here in Bora. However this week was not nearly as eventful as last week.
This week we still had the assistants with us. Tuesday we had our lessons that went well except that I was so tired. We were all pretty exhausted after Monday. Also, I started to feel that my lip was feeling numb, along with a sore throat and sneezes.
Wednesday we did a split while my companion went with a brother in our ward named Ueava and I went with Elder Tau and the ward missionary. We worked hard. We had our lessons that went pretty well. Some were canceled but that's okay.
Thursday is when things starting getting more crazy. I still coudn't feel my lip very well so I called the mission nurse who told me to go to the doctor. I went with Ueava and they told me it could be an infection. So he gave me my presciptions and Ueava and I did the last few lessons of the day.
Friday was the last day with the assistants. It was sad but that's okay. I did the lesson for our district meeting and I talked about studies and teaching. How we need to study with a real desire so that we can teach the gospel from the depths of our hearts. It was fun to teach and the Spirit was strong. There was a quote that I found in Preach My Gospel that talks about studying with the Spirit will give us the answers to our problems. I know that is true. The Spirit is such a big gift. Then we had our lessons with Rosine's family. And Mahealani said that she wants to be baptized and she will give us her date. Her mom already gave us the date but Mahealani isn't okay with it. And the same day her little sister will be baptized. Also Marco accepted to be married!!! They will get married in July. Then Naomi and her kids can finally be baptized!! That was such a great day.
Saturday I was way too sick and we came home and I slept for five hours. It's really too bad when that happens.
Sunday we had a new member of the 2nd quorum of the 70 come and speak and give a fireside. He served here and gave his talk in Tahitian. Which is a lot better than I can do. I also got to translate for his business collègues who came with him. Translating from French to English is good, but Tahitian to English is a bigger challenge but I feel like I did pretty good anyway.
Today we found out that my companion will be transferred to Tavararo. Ha. The irony. I will serve with a French named Elder Joly. And this week will mark the one year from when I should have started. That's just a funny memory.
Well family and friends, I love you all. I am glad to be out here serving the Lord. I hope you are all doing what is right and I will do my best to do the same. Keep on going on,
Love,
Elder Squires
This has been another eventful week here in Bora. However this week was not nearly as eventful as last week.
This week we still had the assistants with us. Tuesday we had our lessons that went well except that I was so tired. We were all pretty exhausted after Monday. Also, I started to feel that my lip was feeling numb, along with a sore throat and sneezes.
Thursday is when things starting getting more crazy. I still coudn't feel my lip very well so I called the mission nurse who told me to go to the doctor. I went with Ueava and they told me it could be an infection. So he gave me my presciptions and Ueava and I did the last few lessons of the day.
Friday was the last day with the assistants. It was sad but that's okay. I did the lesson for our district meeting and I talked about studies and teaching. How we need to study with a real desire so that we can teach the gospel from the depths of our hearts. It was fun to teach and the Spirit was strong. There was a quote that I found in Preach My Gospel that talks about studying with the Spirit will give us the answers to our problems. I know that is true. The Spirit is such a big gift. Then we had our lessons with Rosine's family. And Mahealani said that she wants to be baptized and she will give us her date. Her mom already gave us the date but Mahealani isn't okay with it. And the same day her little sister will be baptized. Also Marco accepted to be married!!! They will get married in July. Then Naomi and her kids can finally be baptized!! That was such a great day.
Saturday I was way too sick and we came home and I slept for five hours. It's really too bad when that happens.
Sunday we had a new member of the 2nd quorum of the 70 come and speak and give a fireside. He served here and gave his talk in Tahitian. Which is a lot better than I can do. I also got to translate for his business collègues who came with him. Translating from French to English is good, but Tahitian to English is a bigger challenge but I feel like I did pretty good anyway.
Today we found out that my companion will be transferred to Tavararo. Ha. The irony. I will serve with a French named Elder Joly. And this week will mark the one year from when I should have started. That's just a funny memory.
Well family and friends, I love you all. I am glad to be out here serving the Lord. I hope you are all doing what is right and I will do my best to do the same. Keep on going on,
Love,
Elder Squires
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