Yaaaaaaaaassss (Hiace)

12/10/2018

Dearest Family!

Don't tell me you've forgotten all about me already! Haha! Wow this week has been crazy, I think I say that every week but I guess life here just has a habit of being a bit crazy.

This week we had mission tour, which was really cool, we got to hear from Elder and Sister Sabin who were both so amazing and bright. And it's always so fun to be around so many other missionaries, you get so close when you're all stranded on a tiny island together, lol. We also had stake conference this weekend and because the beautiful and talented Sister Ashby is my companion we had to travel to play in every session on the island. So with that and Mission tour this past week, we've had more than our fair share of hiace rides. (hiaces are like a small crowded short bus that are used kinda like public transport but you like squish in them with a billion other people and then they blast creole music the whole time... it's actually pretty great though).

Sister Ashby also played the piano for the choir and so we've been practicing with them and I've been helping them learn the parts and whatnot. Choirs here are very different than in America, a lot more... spirited. Anyways, at the last second before conference the choir director decided he wanted me to sing with the choir as a means of helping the alto's hear their part. Which was like all chill and fun, only problem was I had not received the dress code, soooo they were all wearing black on bottom and white on top and I was wearing this bright green floral dress and he had me sit in the very middle of the choir. Normally being white helps me stand out on it's own but this really took it a step further, haha.

Stake Conference was so good though. I don't always know what they're saying, especially in creole, and after all the traveling and sessions I was a little fried. But it just reminded me how I love these people so much! The mood is always light here and everyone is always so genuine. They do have a couple of weird cultural habits that I've already begun picking up on and are definitely going to make me soooo awkward in America, but I can't help but love how real and straight forward everything is. In a way everybody here just acts like family and sometimes that has its drawbacks, but it's so cool to be surrounded by people who are so honest and loving and funny. People in some of the most humble circumstances are also some of the most giving and charitable. I'm so grateful for the opportunity I have to be here and serve these people. Honestly some days I feel like they're doing greater service to me. I've learned so much from them and everyday I learn more! It's so beautiful and Christlike and I'm out of time but I could go on forever about them!

Anyways, love you and I'll see you next week!

-Sister Bradley