well, it's been over three weeks since i've gotten my call, so i guess i should update the blog!
AUCKLAND!
I've been called to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I've been assigned to labor in the Auckland New Zealand Mission, in the Samoan language. I leave September 25, 2013 for the Provo MTC.
Obviously DQ was in order for celebration. :)
Love this girl!
So happy they all could be there! Thanks guys!
THE REAL DEAL.
A HUGE THANK YOU to ALL of the support I had that day I opened my call. I was very overwhelmed, but I also am so thankful for the people who were there! (Provo friends!) and by Skype and by phone! It was great to have you all there one way or another.
My thoughts as I read the call... SWEET, New Zealand!? English, I can do that! ... 3 lines down... SAMOAN, ARE YOU SERIOUS!? SO COOL. I was blown away, and still am when I sit down and really think about it all. I had some problems uploading my video of me opening my call, but I'll keep working on it. (If now, check my FB page!)
AUCKLAND, believe it.
My mission is actually comprised of the TIP of the North Island of New Zealand, and the Cook Islands along with a few other TINY island "near" by. I've been doing research on both NZ and the Samoan language. NZ looks breathtaking, in all pictures, and the climate will be lovely, I think! Still learning, and only absorbing 1/3 of what i read and hear... With the Samoan language, its harder than you think to research or learn...
1. it is NOT a language offered by GOOGLEtranslate (ahem, Google...!) ;)
2. There are only 14 letters in their alphabet, and 5 of them are vowels.
3. Hello = Telofa and Love = Alofa
That's all I've got for now. Hopefully my knowledge grows soon!
OH! Met my first Samoan a few weeks ago too, he is from Samoa serving his mission in CO! Elder T! (I can't even say/spell his name correctly... bad sign, i know haha!) Elder Talataina! Way cool guy, he started rambling off in Samoan at me, and I was lost, but so pumped that I'll be able to speak that language soon!
Side Note: only 73 days til I enter the MTC. =|
I seriously get so overwhelmed when I think of all the things I have to do before I leave! The list perpetually grows! I can't handle it. Ok, obviously I can... but IT IS A LOT OF THINGS TO DO!
Things I can check off the list:
-passport
-rain coat
-some clothes
-map for the house!
...hopefully that grows to be much longer......
Mostly these days... I day dream about NZ, the people, and how I'm going to be as a missionary in situations. I work ALL WEEK, save and spend money, all for the mission. I miss my social life from school every now and then. And then I just get excited for this new part of life.
I am still so humbled by this call, and my heart is warm and happy when i think of the people and what i have the chance to do. Thank you ALL for the support! Hopefully the next update won't be so spread out!!!
Also... made this myself. :)
