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:

Tender Mercy Message #2

We got another email from the same family - they are so kind! 

Hi sister Davidson,

Thank you for your kind email. We are happy that the pictures sent last night brought you joy. Each of our two daugthers served a mission abroad (the eldest in Japan and the second one in France) and we can understand your feelings.

Here are more pictures taken today at church. You can picture Elder Fiore serving the Lord among the members of the Ruatama ward.

Elder Fiore said that he can’t wait talking to you on P-Day tomorrow.

Have a wonderful conversation together and an excellent week.

Warmly,

They included an "legend" as to who is who as well!

Learn about Tahiti Mission

In case you are interested, there is some great info about the Tahiti Mission here. There are links to blogs, photos, videos - and you can get a taste of what life is like for Elder Fiore!

http://lifey.org/tahiti-papeete-mission

Tender Mercy Emails

There is nothing better than opening your email and seeing this: (I'm going to call these "Tender Mercy" emails and messages because as a mom, I feel they are little tender mercies to me:))

Hi sister Davidson,

Elder Fiore and Elder Mantsounga-Kombo serve in our little ward presenting an average attendance of 80 people during sacrement meetings. The Ruatama ward was created 2 years ago.

Elder Fiore and Elder Mantsounga-Kombo came for dinner tonight. We spent a very good time together.

As a new missionary in the mission field, Elder FIORE speaks French very well. He is humble and spiritual.

They are both in good health and fine.

Please find attached to this mail some pictures taken tonight.

Hava a good sabbath.

(They signed their name)

Mailing Address in Tahiti

In case anyone is interested in sending a "real" letter or package to Zach, here is his address:

Elder Zachary Davidson Fiore

L’Eglise de Jesus-Christ des Saints des Derniers Jours

Mission de Tahiti-Papeete

B.P. 93

Papeete 98713

French Polynesia

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....