Zach Fiore Tahiti Mission: Week 19: New area, companion and house! for 24 hours :(

Hello everyone. Hope all had a Merry Christmas. I'm glad it's over to be honest. Very glad. But it was good. We made food and handed it out to families in need and I also talked to my family which was great. No one in my ward invited us for dinner on Christmas eve nor Christmas so we called a member my comp knows and asked if we could eat with them. They live in the city over in Punaauia. He had us both nights and we had an insane Christmas buffet, with homemade sushi, sashimi, lobster, lamb, beef, noodles and much more. I was stuffed and pleased. I also got my package my mom sent October 1 on Christmas day! It arrived just in time. What a miracle. I tucked away the decorations she had sent but loved the package and the other contents! So Christmas was very tough but also fine. It's over, I did it and I'm hyped for next year with all my decorations and being better adapted.

An amazing part of the week was a split I did Friday. A split is when you switch with another missionary for 24 hours. I went with a new, american companion, a new sector, no car and a hype house. We worked hard and it was such a good day. Maybe my favourite of the mission. Really gave me hope things can get better with a transfer and change. We didn't even have a lesson and it was still good. I was super sad when the split ended though and super sad to go back to my house and people.

I also got 5 free ties this week which was incredible. Three tahitian made, two american. I was over the moon. I LOVE ties. I've acquired 8 here on top of the 4 from the MTC. Best part of the mission no one talks about.

So having the Dengue I didn't study at all as I felt sick when I did due to reading and being dizzy. I kind of lost motivation to study even after while recovering. Lost full motivation. I've started reading the Book of Mormon and studying diligently again and I see the difference in my life and days. I truly see the difference the scriptures have in my life, and I really saw that from the brief absence. I was still kind of reading, but I see the difference from really getting into them. I really love the Book of Mormon now and have gained that love while on my mission these pasts months. There is so much to learn in there.

This week was long and not easy but I kinda got hope from that split and getting through the dengue and christmas. Slowly, ungracefully and with difficulty I am doing it one day at a time!

Email you guys next year!!! haha. Get it? That reference of get it was for you person who probably gets it.

Happy New Year and don't go too crazy people. Word of Wisdom still exists. Look it up if you don't know it... and live by it! I'm just kidding, unless you want to.

Elder Fiore

1. Tahiti

2. Quiet Elfy in the handbook

3. District reunion

Mom's Note: It was so nice to be able to talk to Zach more frequently and longer. We were able to talk with him on New Years too and that was pretty special. I think it really helped him too. He is recovering nicely for being sick, but still struggling with some challenges in the house and trying to feel stronger emotionally. I think a transfer and a fresh start are needed.

Here are some of the photos. I found in his drive including some from Christmas! So glad that his package arrived in time. They picked it up at the post office on Christmas Eve and then he got it Christmas morning. He didn't bother setting up the tree I sent him - he'll keep it for next year - but he got his gifts. He also got the 12 days of Christmas gifts and I understand that the actual 12 days start on Christmas Day and go until Jan 6th (Three Kings day) so it really was perfect!

Here are the pictures of them making the food to give out on Christmas Eve day: