Iaorana tatou,

We had a great week this week, I hope you all did too!

On Monday night we had a nice family home evening with M- and her children. M- has been an investigator for five years and is more active than most of our members, but hasn't been baptized yet because her boyfriend doesn't want to get married yet. We've been encouraging her for weeks to hold family home evening with her family but she says she always forgets, so since her boyfriend is out of town we invited ourselves over!

On Tuesday WE FOUND Na-! Na- is the ami who read the Book of Mormon and told her member friend that she wants to be baptized. She is of course super awesome. We taught her the first lesson and got to know her better. It's interesting to teach her because she has a testimony of the Book of Mormon, but doesn't know very much about the Church. Her parents aren't very religious, and her dad is supportive but her mom less-so. Anyway, she came to church for the first time yesterday and really liked it. I'm excited to help her with her goal to be baptized!

On Wednesday we also had a great first lesson with El-. She took the lessons about 20 years ago in Rurutu but is now interested again, after meeting us and also attending the baptism of her sister in another ward. Her cousins came for the lesson, one a member of our ward, the other was visiting from Moorea. It was interesting because the second member is the missionary that taught her 20 years ago! She said that El- is more sincere this time. El- also came to church yesterday and came to family home evening at her cousins house, which we were invited to.

On Wednesday I also taught an English class at the town hall. They called us a few weeks ago and asked us to help out. I was really nervous but I think it turned out alright.

Thursday we were on exchanges again and I worked with Soeur R-, one of our roommates. We had an interesting day, including running into the man from the Marquises who talks to birds. Apparently the birds said we weren't welcome.

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday were pretty normal. We had the most investigators at church since I've been in this secteur! #blessed  It's nice to see some fruits of our efforts (and mostly the efforts of members)!

This weekend in my personal study I've arrived at the story of the sons of Mosiah, my favorite story in the Book of Mormon, and not just because I'm a missionary. Every time I read it I learn something new. This time my little epiphany came with the thought "can you imagine what the Nephites must have said when the sons of the king went to preach to the Lamanites?" It's not so different from what we might think about our friends. Well, it's a bit more extreme but there is still a parallel to be made.

"they supposed that great was the work which they had undertaken. And assuredly it was great, for they had undertaken to preach the word of God to a wild and a hardened and a ferocious people; a people who delighted in murdering the Nephites, and robbing and plundering them; and their hearts were set upon riches, or upon gold and silver, and precious stones; yet they sought to obtain these things by murdering and plundering, that they might not labor for them with their own hands. Thus they were a very indolent people, many of whom did worship idols, and the curse of God had fallen upon them because of the traditions of their fathers; notwithstanding the promises of the Lord were extended unto them on the conditions of repentance." (Alma 17:13-15) 

Sometimes we mighty think that our friends are not ready to hear the gospel, perhaps they are too caught up in the things of the world or they have different beliefs or are too hard hearted. But the Lords's promise of eternal life is open to everyone to everyone that repents, even a roughnecked gang of Lamanite bullies. We don't know the heart of others, only God knows who is truly ready. The sons of Mosiah knew that and they were willing to try. "Therefore, this was the cause for which the sons of Mosiah had undertaken the work, that perhaps they might bring them unto repentance; that perhaps they might bring them to know of the plan of redemption." (Alma 17:16) "And thus the work of the Lord did commence among the Lamanites; thus the Lord did begin to pour out his Spirit upon them; and we see that his arm is extended to all people who will repent and believe on his name." (Alma 19:36)

So don't be afraid to try!

Avec amour,
Soeur Ladd