Skyped for Mothers Day and lots of pictures

Molly was able to Skype for Mothers Day yesterday (two weeks late) so instead of spending her computer time writing a letter she sent a lot of pictures.

She doesn't have a lot of computer time so if you would like to write her - here is her address - it cost $1.15 or 3 stamps (This address will stay the same her whole mission.)

Soeur Molly Gardiner

Bureau de la Mission

BP 15154 98 804

Noumea Cedex

Nouvelle Caledonie

 Dumbea Sur Mer

 La Famille Putua, a recent convert family that feeds us once a week

  Chez Nouna, our little convenience store where we buy bread and things. Our apartment complex is the building just behind it

Our apartment building

 Dumbea Sur Mer

Sunset from our balcony

An apology and a real update

 Beautiful New Cal. I love the mountains here

  Our district

Us with Vaihau

Hello beautiful family! P Days here are super super stressful and last week was just not a good experience computer wise. I apologize for not being more thorough but writing the president had to take precedence, and there wasn't enough time because the building was closing. Super lame, I am so so sorry. Here is the complete update, and pictures because my bag made it here!

The flight: so we flew on Fiji Airways, which is super super nice. If you ever go to Fiji, make sure that's what you take. The flight from LA to Fiji wasn't too bad and I slept most of the time. The 7 hour wait in the Fiji airport was super hard though.

Vanuatu: I think Vanuatu is my favorite place on the planet. So green and lush, and so friendly!! Everyone just lives in a little squat and is so humble and generous. The first night I stayed with the Sister Training Leaders in Freshwota. I took a shower there and then another sister took a shower after me. When she came out, she said "did you see a snake in the shower?" And I was like "Noooo.." and she just said, "Good. It was just little anyway" Ahhhh! She continued to tell me horror stories about coconut crabs, cockroaches, and centipedes. That made sleeping on their floor a little hard, haha. It was so fun going out with the sisters and trying to pick up as much Bishlama as I could.

We ate dinner with President Brewer that night at a restaurant that looks out over the ocean. The sunset was absolutely beautiful!! I love Vanuatu. I definitely have to go back someday.

New Cal, Dumbea Sur Mer!

I LOVE DUMBEA!! Its such a unique place. Kind of reminds me of a post apocalyptic civilization. Its mostly government housing condos and apartments, but probably also the safest neighborhood in New Cal. We have a cute little beach in our sector. Its a great place!

Soeur Raney is a genius. She graduated from high school when she was 15. Shes from Arizona and goes to school in Arizona. She is GREAT. We get along super super well! I am so grateful to have a trainer who is good at training who can also be my friend at the same time.

Our apartment is sooooo nice, probably the nicest in the entire mission. Its clean, cockroach free, and its got a nice shower! Life is good in Dumbea Sur Mer.

I love love loove our investigators. Vaihau  and Vairii (his 16 year old brother) are doing pretty well and coming to church. I hope they can be baptized soon! None of our other investigators came to church, so that was super super sad. We just need to keep working!

For Skye next Sunday, (Saturday in the states i guess haha) make sure you write down all of the questions you want to ask so that we can use the time effectively. Love you all so much!!!

Soeur Gardiner

French is........ coming. I understand pretty well but speaking is harder for me than it was in the MTC. I am hoping that it'll come soon. Pray for me!

Short update!

Sorry I don't have a ton of time but I'M FINALLY HERE!!! I love it. My trainer is fantastic. So hard working and pushes me. She also feeds me AMAZING food so that is good!!

We are in Dumbea Sur Mer, which is such an interesting place. Its a huge melting pot here so there are tons of different cultures.

Funny though, church is pretty much the exact same on both sides of the world.

AHHH I LOVE IT HERE!!! I AM SO HAPPY!! THERE IS NO WHERE ELSE I WOULD RATHER BE!!!

Have a good week!!

Soeur Gardiner

VANUATU IS NUMBA ONE

 Vanuatu

 On splits in Vanuatu

The view from the backyard of the mission home in Vanuatu

Bonjour!!! Just sending a quick email to let you know that I am alive and well. It has been quite interesting the past couple of days but I have just fallen in love with Vanuatu. I'll send you a longer on Sunday or maybe earlier depending on mother's day calling plans. I won't know what’s going on with that until I get to New Cal tomorrow.

I love Vanuatu so much that I really would rather not leave. :) But New Cal will be good too. Vanuatu really is numba one though... (numba one is how they say GREAT in Bishlama). I already know I will be serving in the Dumbea Sur Mer area, and I will be trained by Sister Alyssa Raney. President Brewer says that she is AMAZING at French and has already trained someone before, so I am so excited!

Dad, President Brewer says that he knew you would grow up to be a great man. He says that it scares him that someone he was over as a principal already has a daughter on a mission, and he knows it's time for him to die. hahaha. :)

So the plane did lose one of my bags on the way here... today I will find out if I get it back or not. Please don't worry too much about it. It has definitely taught me some humility!  Thank you mom for teaching me to back my bags half and half! I could’ve done a better job of matching the outfits I had in each suitcase... but I'm surviving. If I never get it back, it should be fine. I'll let you know if I need anything. :)

Love you all, and I will send a better email soon!!!

Soeur Gardiner