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.