Hawaii??!?

Alohaaaaaa,

We started off the week doing one last hike with the district before I left and it had never felt hotter. We did the same hike my first transfer but a few months later they decided to clear most of the land and all the areas that were once nice and shaded were clear and super hot but that didn't phase us and we still continued no matter how sweaty we were getting. 

We had a whole lot of lessons and our schedule was absolutely packed. Normally if you're getting transferred you move on Tuesday but my replacement wasn't coming till Thursday so I got to stay a few extra days which was really nice and allowed me to spend just a bit more time with my Bora Bora Ohana. 

Not gonna lie saying goodbye was really hard and I ended up straight crying at a Mami and Papis house because we had been teaching them for the past four and a half months and I had gotten so close with them and the rest of their family. 

Got to Tahiti, and learned I'm in a car!!! Cheeeeee A/C has never felt so amazing in my life especially since the weather has been crazy hot. The new sector is pretty sick. That first night our dinner appointment was a little higher in the mountains and you could see five or six different spots that allowed everyone to get into the ocean. From bodysurfing, to bodyboarding, to surfing, or swimming Taharaa has a spot for everyone. 

They had this Kanikapila session were all the mamis and papis and others gather around in a circle and just play and jam out. I didn't know any of the songs they were playing but just watched their fingers and followed along and it ended up being so fun. 

We went on a hike for a ward youth activity this past Saturday. The views were insane and like normal pictures just don't do it justice. One of the leaders ended up slipping because it was super muddy and tearing a muscle. Luckily me and my two other companions stayed near the back and were able to help him. A two hour hike quickly turned into a five and a half hour hike but we were able to get everyone back which was a miracle. We ate at a house right on the beach for lunch and the waves breaking were just like Makapuu and the kids were getting straight barrels. 

Went to church on Sunday and ended up seeing a friend from home. Liam ended up being here just for a day as he was passing by on his way to Rangiroa for a WSL competition. The Mamis and Papis actually speak French on Tahiti which was pretty crazy because on Bora pretty much anyone over the age of 60 didn't want to speak French and would only speak to you in Tahitian.

Thought for the week:

God is good, He knows and understands each one of us and places challenges, trials and tribulations no matter the size in our lives because he knows that we have ability to get through them. It's not showing weakness if you ask our Heavenly Father for help in your life rather it is humbling yourself before him and becoming like a child open to help from someone with more experience than you.

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Redemption and everlasting life is through His son, Jesus Christ. Humbling yourself through prayer, and daily repentance is the first steps we can do to relieve everlasting life one day.

"Vents favorables et mer suivante"

"Mata'i haumaru e moana mania"

"Fair winds and following seas"

Standing by in Taharaa, 

Orometua Ellis

Link to my Google Photo's album. Go check um, go check um, go!:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/qErFS2eWV3pJGVEV7