Week 10: Showers: double the water, half the fun

Mom note:

I was on a video chat with Zach when he sent this email out to everyone.  He has limited time to do emails and we were having connectivity problems (sound issues in particular) so we just hung out on the video chat as he typed his email and we tried to figure out what was wrong. We were able to finally get some sound and he was able to share with me some of his stresses and feelings. And boy was it hard not to crawl through the computer to reach out and hug him and reassure him that the homesickness will pass. I knew his email was a difficult one for many to read , based on all the text messages I was getting while I was still on the call with him (I so appreciate the love and support from everyone for him and me!). And it was a hard email for me to read after. And for his siblings to read. 

But I also know this boy is resilient and strong and feels so deeply. The sadness and loneliness he feels now will turn to strength and joy and love for the people he is with. I know that these kind of feelings will help him develop great empathy and compassion for others down the road, and as much as I hate him having to go through things like this, I am (trying to be:)) grateful for the opportunity he has to grow. Missions are tough and there are lows for everyone. I love that he quoted his favourite scripture: Alma 26:27 , "Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: "Go... and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success".

I also loved his story about my dad - which I do believe was his Grandpa reaching through the veil to let him know that he is loved and not alone. My dad loved his time in Tahiti, but often shared how at times it was also a lonely time for him, so I have no doubt that he is with Zach, especially as he adjusts to this new life, culture and language. 

I shared on our family blog some the quotes and messages that Zach said are helping him get through this time. He also knows "this too shall pass", but finds comfort in the words here. 

I've also added a bunch more pictures (we are sharing his google drive so I can deal with his photos). Love that he is taking photos of little things and seeing the beauty all around him.

Hello

Not a lot of time sorry.

It all started in Provo. I said bye, left in the morning with a small goodbye snow fall. Next step... Tahiti!

My first area is Fa'aa. Its on the main island and is a pretty big city. My comp is Elder Mantounga-Kombo from france. He doesn't really speak any English and is 26. Language has been hard andi dont understand kids or old people cause they mumble. 

Tahiti has been super super tough. Work wise its been hard work but super good. I've enjoyed it a lot but am exhausted and the end of days, falling asleep at 9. I was prepared for that hardness, the work ethic. I was not prepared for the emotional difficulty and homesickness. Rachael gave me a tip in the MTC that i have now used a lot. Jeez sis clement still getting shout outs and I'm out of the MTC. Lucky you. Well anyway, her tip was to cry in the shower, which I've done 4 days in a row. Its been super hard and a huge culture shock I think. Days are great but mornings when I'm not distracted are hard. Hardest of my life for sure. 

I've studied patience a lot and it has helped. I need to be patient, hopeful, and have faith and I know things will get better. Alma 26'27 is now my fav scripture. Look it up it's great.

We've taught some crazy people too. Not too many lessons more just finding people. One guy reads so many articles conspiracy stuff and believes them all. Apparently satan's minions caused evolution. 

We wake up a 445 for exercise too which is rough rough. 

Sorry for the negativity a bit. It's just been super hard. Some good things are that I got a free tie, food here is incredible and I had a miracle happen.

I had been praying to feel Heavenly Father's love and my grandpa's love (who served in Tahiti too and has since passed away). I have felt lonely and scared and overwhelmed, so I had been praying for that a lot. We went to a baptism and all the missionaries had to sing a song. We were singing all in French but they wanted to do one in all Tahitian. The song they chose was How Great Thou Art, his favourite song which he only liked in Tahitian and which was sung at his funeral. The song for me reminds me of him. To me that song, especially that is him. I felt his love so strongly. It was truly an answer to my prayer. I know I have Heavenly Father's support, my grandpa's support and everyone's support. I live off little blessings and tender mercies daily. We have those little blessings daily, we just have to look. 

Things are getting better already, and I love the work a lot. I've learned to appreciate home and my family a lot a lot a lot too, and I miss everyone a lot.

I had no time to respond to emails this week sorry. 

Life's good but hard

love elder fiore

1. home sick but mom was prepared ( Mom note:I had sent an envelope filled with cards/notes for him to read when he was having a bad day - he joked that I had included so many of them and expected him to have a lot of bad days - two years on a mission in a foreign country is a long time...)

4. can wear tevas jeez

others are easy

Here are some other pictures! The journey over from Utah to Tahiti:

I'm guessing that these were from the first days: - getting his bike and staying in the residences near the temple:

Random pictures  - likely around his area of Faa'a, photos of his apartment, driving around, interesting food...and lots of ocean views:

Are those noodles in his sandwich?!??!

I'm guessing this is his apartment - where he lives with 3 other guys (two from France and one from the US I think ):

They ordered pizza: 

I love that he will take pictures of beautiful flowers ^^^ and then always the moon and the night sky. I'm sure he misses his good camera:

His free tie:

Our call: