Week 18: Dengue it for real

So I did officially have dengue and this has been the worst week of my life. I was home all day and the days went by super slow. I don't have much to say other than I am really struggling here and the dengue has had an additional emotional impact which has been really hard. I'm trying really hard here. I promise I'm trying. But I'm finding it really hard. I can't write the emails all positive because I have had a really tough week and I have to be honest. Hardest week of my young life. 

I tried contacting and going out to do missionary work and kept having to sit down because I felt so sick. I'd just sit in the road while the others I was with finished talking with people.

On a better note we went carolling a few nights which was good. Felt like Christmas for brief moments. It was really nice. We also had a mission Christmas party which was fine. Merry Christmas everyone! Merry Christmas. 

Elder Fiore

Mom's note:

Here are a few pics he sent. It has truly been a difficult week.

The rash was all over his body, his fever was high and he had headaches, ached and pains everywhere. Not very pleasant. It also brought on some significant anxiety and depression - being so sick, far from home especially around this time of year. He had to spend most of the week trying to recover - which made the days go by so slowly. He did get to the mission Christmas party which was nice fo him to see some MTC friends.

His Christmas package that I sent on Oct 1 still had not arrived the we spoke with him on Pday. I was praying for a miracle and had emailed the mission office. Late on Christmas Eve, they emailed me to say it had arrived and they would try to get it to him. So, on Christmas morning, he received his package. A Christmas miracle! I wish I had put in better things lol - but he said it was the best gifts ever and made his Christmas!

HIs rash:

MTC buddies at the mission Christmas party:

I think this was a zone conference:

Dinner he was served one night: 

Christmas call with his Santa hat that was in his package:

Two pictures that described our prayers this week:

Week 17: Dengue it! Dengue it?

Hello everyone, 

So I think I have the dengue. I had every single symptom except the rash and I just got a rash. I've had a fever for 4 days and feel horrible. Even worse than the sickness I've had to stay home and be alone with my thoughts all day. Its killing me. I'm overthinking everything and am in my own head. I think it's the fever too. I've had weird dreams too. I dreamt I was a sardine and I have genuine memories of being one. I've still been woken up for 5 am sports and was asked to at least come watch so others could go. How selfish of me to want to sleep in to 6 when I have the dengue fever. 

So other than that this week was fine. We had a multi zone conference which was very spiritual and we also went to city hall to learn about cyclone prep. 

My mom also came up with a 12 days of Christmas- 12 gifts Christ gave us- that we are all doing. She had sent a package Oct 1 with a diff 12 days but it never came, so she came up with that. It has been amazing and I'm truly seeing all the different blessings and gifts we have all year round. It may take Christmas for us to see the gifts, but we always have them. Look for what the Saviour gave you. The gifts are all around. The earth, music, light and so on.

Have a great week.

Elder Fiore

Mom Note: Needless to say, our hearts are with Zach as he struggles with a very unpleasant and bad bout of dengue fever - they confirmed it with blood tests the next day..

Here are some pictures that were in his google drive:

Week 16: Companion fell asleep for an hour in a lesson

Hello everyone

This week has been good. We've been a bit busier which is nice. Someone in my apartment is training now so he has a new boy. A fils. His fils is from France and it's nice to finally have someone my age. Before it was a 26 year old, a 24 year old and a 19 year old. It's nice seeing 18 and being in it with him. We also cleaned the apartment and got 100 % on the check. I put photos on the wall too so the apartment is looking nice.

We had a crazy happening this week with setting up lessons. We went to a grocery store parking to call people and literally bumped into three people we were trying to set up lessons with. All in a row too. It was insane. Right at the start of the transfer. I think it was God's way of saying He has my back for these next few weeks. Tender mercy

I broke the shower head so we pretty much shower with a hose now.

We also taught a 14 year old, Christopher who reminds me a lot of my brothers Josh and Sam. He's like a mix. I love him so much. When I teach, he reminds me so much of my family which gets me so motivated. I am so invested in him and want him to learn so much. I see him as my brother. Every lesson with him reminds me why I'm here honestly. As the subject in the email says... My comp fell asleep for the entire lesson, so I taught it all alone. It went super well! I like being in control lol. Christopher noticed though. I love lessons with him so much. All lessons honestly. 

We had the chance to watch the Christmas devotional this week too which was so nice. I'm finding Christmas hard being away from fam and traditions. The devotional really emphasized  having a simplified Christmas and I realized I'm blessed to also be away from all the things I love. I had made it a goal of mine at the begenning of Dec to really focus on Christ and use this as an opp to learn the true true meaning of Christmas. It's hard here but I'm also lucky. I can really focus for once and I'll have that for the rest of my life. The fact that Christmas is about that birth. And that that birth is only special because of His life. Christmas is a time for Christ. I get to truly focus now. There's a blessing in literally everything.

Love you all,

Elder Fiore

Red tuna - - apparently it's more expensive

Tahitian Quiet Elfy - Tahitian Muhu Muhu in Tahitian learning lots:

Rain:

14 year old boy ami

Mom's note:

Well Quiet Elfy - I mean Tahitian Muhu Muhu certainly has been busy. He got in quite a few shots. I'm glad that Zach is having some fun and his comps are playing a long! My main Christmas package hasn't arrived and I am losing hope:( But this little guy is magic:

 

Zach mentioned that Faaa can be a little rough:

They spent some time doing some serious cleaning and rearranging the apartment. Act said they got 100% on their cleaning evaluation nd he created a nice photo wall for himself to feel more homey:

Love how he is capturing so much beauty even if he hasn't seen the beach yet!

Some interesting food:

And some shots I have no clue why he took them but figured I'd include them as he probably knows why he took them!

This one is pretty funny:

A couple more in the rain:

This Tahitian oil he was telling me about (and said he'd bring some home):

A couple more of his ami that he loves so much: