A Change of Assignment or Better Known as a "Transfer"

We have been asked to go to American Samoa to help with the tsunami relief effort. There are about 40 families there who have lost their homes and are awaiting funds from FEMA to rebuild. Elder Hamula (of the Area Presidency) has asked that we go and help with the process so that these families are helped in a timely manner. We are leaving on Tuesday and will return when our task is accomplished. We are overwhelmed at what lies ahead knowing it will be frustrating, sad and hopefully triumphant. President Ostler in his last email to us said "I keep having these feelings that your mission is not going to be what you expected." Once again he is right. And yet, I keep asking myself "Didn't I just unpack on Friday?"

Before we go I wanted to post some pictures of our last few days.

The views as we step out of our home--how can you ask for anything more beautiful?

The front our our home--we live in No. 13

Our bathroom. I had to stand in the hall to take the picture because it is so small.

Our living room.


Our kitchen.


Our backyard. Some creative exercise.

Institute graduation. Notice the decorations--especially the balloons.

Lucia, the secretary. She lost both of her parents and her niece and nephew in the tsunami. Her sister-in-law and brother survived. Her sister-in-law has a badly damaged foot and is still recovering.

The front of the Institute Building.

We went to the fish market on Saturday morning and bought a nice Albacore tuna steak for about $6 US. You see Dad doing his thing--they thought he was the boy wonder because of his Samoan skills.

We found the Samoan Dizzy! He was at the market rocking out to the band that was playing.

Picture Us . . .

• crying (Mom, not me) as Mom said goodbye to her car
• carefully weighing our luggage (they were all between 49 and the limit of 50 lbs) at the MTC and dragging 200 total lbs to the SLC Airport only to find that Air New Zealand has a 7 kilo limit and our carry-on luggage weighed 8 kilos
• walking off a de-humidified airplane at 5:30 am into 98% humidity after 10 and a half hours in coach seats happily embarking upon an 18 months adventure
• arriving at our new home in Pesega and finding out it has air conditioning (yea!) but being told it can cost up to $600/month to turn the AC on (boo!)
• removing a very large cockroach from the shower
• scrambing to catch a gecko that ran down the wall and into the medicine chest as Mom was brushing her teeth (I would love to see and hear that happening to Katie)
• going on a drive through the jungle with some new friends and stopping to see a filthy Samoan man with about 20% of his teeth and a bush (literally) of 2 inch hair growing out of his ears who, with his son (who was covered with fresh scratches), had just chased down, caught and killed a wild boar
• visiting the Magiagi Institute (our new day-time home) and learning that at the beginning of the semester the institute director controlled his perceived over-crowding by posting a sign that said "no new non-members allowed"
• finally deciding to turn on the AC despite the cost because it is so blasted hot in our house only to have the electricity go off
• being awakened on our first morning at 3:30 am by a cacophony (pun intended) of cock-a-doodle-dos--we literally are surrounded by about 100 roosters who seriously don't know when the sun comes up
• thinking after our first day that 18 months seems like a very long time
• gradually adjusting as we exercised faith and slowly moved in and made our house seem like a home (a little)
• meeting about 15 of the nicest, most helpful people imaginable as we struggled to get settled and navigate our new surroundings
• getting in a very minor, although still distressful, car accident in Apia after just four days in the country
• sitting at our little table eating and loving boiled bananas, breadfruit, palusami and coco Samoa
• amazed at the devastation of the tsunami as we toured the affected areas
• overwhelmed by a meeting with the Pres. Haleck and Elder Hamula of the Area Presidency during which we are told (now that we are feeling settled) that we will be moving soon to American Samoa and spearheading the effort to build new homes for 40 LDS families rendered homeless by the tsunami
• happy to be serving the Lord in this small and wonderful part of His vinyard, but desperately missing the best kids and grandkids in the world back home.

And We're Off . . .

We have finally arrived at our final day at the MTC. I can't say that I am sorry to see it end. While it has been wonderful in many ways we are both ready to get going and working. We are ready for a new diet--hopefully Samoan food will agree with us. I am counting on Papa to work his magic in the kitchen.

As we have visited with other couples here I have realized how fortunate we are to being going to Samoa. We have talked with people who are going to Bulgaria, Mongolia, Cambodia, just to name a few. Being familiar with Samoa and knowing that it is a slice of paradise has made all of this infinitely easier.

We leave the MTC tomorrow at 1:30 pm. Our flight leaves SLC at 4:51 and arrives in LA about two hours later. Our flight for Samoa does not leave until 11:15. We will have an opportunity to spend the evening with Chuck and Dori. We are really looking forward to time with them. The flight to Samoa is about 10.5 hours. We're planning on some good sleep--thanks to Dr. Burell!

News from Samoa soon to follow!

The Boys

Elders Morgan, Uluave, Austin, Fuchs, and Hatch

These are the Elders who are here studying Samoan and will be joining us in the mission field in November. It has been fun getting to know them. They are very jealous that we are leaving next week. I don't think they really understand what is probably in store for them when they get to Samoa. Living in a village without a bed and hot shower could be a rude awakening. (I'm sure glad that's not what is in store for me--one more benefit of being a 'senior' missionary!)

I called each of their mothers to give them an update. I know how much that meant to me when the boys were gone.

An interesting story--after Elder Uluave received his mission call to Samoa his grandparents also received a call to Samoa. They are working in the office. When I talked to Elder Uluave about it he said that one of the biggest things he was going to miss while serving was his grandma's deserts. His mom told me that grandma shipped several boxes of ingredients to Samoa before she left so he is thrilled that he won't have to go without. If we're lucky maybe we can cash in on some of those treats!

Where in the world ARE we going?

Is it Texas or Brazil?

No, it is actually somewhere that barely made the map!

The day we arrived the woman who oriented us "admonished" us to take a picture in front of the map. Thinking it was just too corny for words, we decided to honor the boys. Thank you Ryan and Brett for your service. You have been my inspiration for surviving the MTC. I have come to understand in the most real way that what you did here and accomplished here is quite remarkable. Don't get me wrong, there are many wonderful things about this experience but they come with many challenges. Thank you for your dedication and your examples.

Last night we attended the weekly fireside and listened to Elder Evans (from the Seventy) and his wife speak. Sister Evans addressed the "seniors" for a moment. (I still think of "them" as seniors--I haven't figured out what I am although we have certainly acted like them--among other things we locked ourselves out of our room twice) She said, "Get ready for the incredible blessings that will be poured out upon your family." I remember the blessings that came so freely when the boys were serving. I am counting on what I know from experience and her promise. I am anxious to see the blessings that will come to you. I pray every day that you will see them and they will be a reality in your lives. I will work tirelessly to ensure that those blessings are yours--I came to serve the Lord because I love Him and you. I am grateful to know that He can and will take better care of you than Dad and I can. It is truly that knowledge that will allow me to board a plane next week for a place that barely made the map. Mom

Yes, it's me. You probably were wondering if Reedo would ever post anything; and yes (although you probably weren't wondering about this) Mom helped me. I know I mentioned this to some of you, but one of the best moments of our mission so far occurred when we were set apart. There is something very special about being a missionary that is spiritually palpable. You boys know what that feels like; it's an amazing thing. When Mom was being set apart, I was overwhelmed by the sweet feeling that she was now a missionary and could experience the strength and comfort that comes with the mantle of a missionary. I have loved most of the MTC (the breakfast food is disgusting and the redundancy of the teaching is driving me a little nuts; "I get it" keeps going through my brain) and have been amazed once again at the power of the spirit in this place. The Lord has a very short time to change and prepare hearts; He does it in a variety of ways through the comfort, power, strength, wisdom and sweetness of the Holy Ghost. It truly is an experience everyone should have at least once. That is why I hope you all look forward to serving a Senior Mission some day. I love you all. Dad

One Day Down . . .

Well, we made it through the first day at the MTC. We spent the day in orientation and meeting the other missionaries. As a group, we will be going all over the world doing a variety of things. It is interesting being a "senior" missionary. We learned that the MTC will provide feet lifters for sitting if your feet swell and you need your legs up. They will also provide cushions if it is too difficult to sit on the chairs for long periods of time. A break is built into our study sessions every hour. Seniors can also "cut" to the front of the line in the cafeteria. So, I guess there are some benefits to being old although I didn't really see them that way--it just made me feel old! I did realize the sacrifices that some have to make to serve--I'm just so grateful that we are still healthy.

We begin our training today. Lots of study from Preach My Gospel and role playing--you know how good I'll be at that! We also have the great opportunity tonight to hear from one of the Brethren.

The food is as I expected and there is no scheduled time for seniors to exercise so we have decided that we will have a protein drink and fruit for dinner and use the rest of the time to exercise.

This is a humbling time for me--I think that is by design. I miss you all, but am grateful for the experience. Be well and happy. I love you. Mom

To Our Children

As I prepare for church today, the blessing of Claire and speaking my heart is very tender. You all know that I am not one for public displays, so rather than embarrass myself by crying publicly and embarrass you by speaking about you publicly I will include my thoughts here.

As Dad and I leave it brings me great comfort to know of the goodness of each of your lives. I am fully aware of the sacrifices and efforts you make to live as you know the Savior desires. I see you raising children with faith and efforts to bring them understanding of Him and His mission. Leaving is only made possible by the knowledge that you will continue to live in the safety of His guidance.

Each of you has individual strengths that help and bless the lives of so many. My prayer is that you will use those strengths to bless one another, that you will be willing to ask one another for help, and that when help is needed not one of you will hesitate to offer what you can. It's not that I think Dad and I are the rescuers of all that is wrong, it's just that being so far away will be so difficult for me when something is wrong. (Hopefully, nothing will go wrong!--we can only hope.)

What I know for sure is that the Savior will carry all of our burdens; He understands because He knows darkness, hardship, loneliness and sorrow. He will magnify our every effort. You all know from experience of having Ryan and Brett on missions of the bounteous blessings that come as a result from having a missionary in the field. I am counting on the Lord to pour out those blessings on you, to answer every prayer and to fill your hearts with a very clear understanding of His love for you and our love for you.

Thank you for the incredible blessing you each are to me.
I love you, always and forever. MOM