Week 9.5: TAHITI

On Friday we had our last video chat with Zach as he prepared to leave the MTC. He had to hand in his phone on Sunday, but sent a simple "I"m handing in my phone - I love you!!!" message.

Monday he was set to leave the MTC at 6:15 am and make his way to the SLC airport where all 17 missionaries heading to Tahiti would catch a flight to LA, and have a layover for a couple of hours before flying to Papeete, Tahiti. All the missionary moms were hoping for a picture from the airport - but none of them had phones so we knew they would have to rely on the kindness of strangers to send one (and would have to ask a stranger to send one and I get the feeling that they were more set on finding some good fast food at the airport!)

But, I checked my phone a million times that day... and tracked flights:

Then we watched the flight take off from LA... and tracked it all night:)

And before you start thinking how obsessive I was at tracking - these were screen shots that other people sent me too - as they were also tracking it. This kid is loved and had so many people tracking that flight. 

Finally, on the Facebook page run by the Mission President and his wife (Pres & Sis Fox), they posted the best picture ever:

with the caption: "They've arrived! Photos and more to come tomorrow."

I spotted Elder Fiore - and his luggage right away!

The next day we got the following email from Elder Fiore:

HELLO!!!!

We are allowed to email to say that we got here safely and stuff. We got here safely! Tahiti is super humid so far, my skin is super sticky lol. We flew in and drove in at night so I haven't seen much. We saw the temple though and stayed right next to it which was cool. I literally haven't seen anything of the country, other than some trees outside our room. Looks nice though! I also spoke to some members and they speak super mumbled, french tahitian mix... so that'll be fun. 

We get assigned our comps and area soon and the president and wife seem awesome!!

Love you guys!!!

Loved getting that email! Sister Fox then posted a bunch of new pictures of them during their first day getting trained and meeting their companion/trainers. Can't wait to hear about the area he is in and all about his companion!

At the airport:

I like this one below because of his little cheeky smile in the corner, lol:

And now the real adventure begins....