Letter from Elder Meyer: Something crazy is about to happen. Billion moos. Coconut trees in Chico.

Hello Everyone.

I bet you are all wondering why the subject line is the way it is. [Subject line read “Something crazy is about to happen.”  Well, it will have to wait tell the end of the letter. I hope you guys can make it. Let’s see… sounds like you guys are all doing pretty well. That is always nice to hear.

Elder Meyer on the edge of a tiny island

Elder Meyer "Finding" or looking for people to teach.

Dad

Sounds like priest vs wild was pretty fun. It doesn't surprise be that you slept with the fire. Ha-ha. I am glad that I wasn't there. I know that I would be freezing. I am trying to get one of the members to catch a giant lizard for me to try. I think it will be pretty good. Oh, you owe me like a billion moos when I get home. Just joking. Elder Hatch said his parents really enjoyed talking to you. You are a wonderful dad. I am so blessed to be your son.

[Note from Dad about the “billion moos”.  When Johnny was little boy, he would only eat rice and watermelon.  I have an awesome cow-moo sound that he loved. So the deal we made was for every new food item he tried, I would “moo” for him.  I did this to help prepare him in-case he served his mission where different foods may be served.”   Who would have guessed?]

Question 1:  In order to ensure you eventually come home from Yap, will I need to plant a field of coconuts, breadfruit, and other island delicacies?

Answer: Absolutely. I am actually trying to figure out a way to send a coconut home so I can plant it. I am not sure how to do so. Would the states allow that? If not, if you could plant some coconut trees that we be fantastic.

On a coconut tree

Question 2: Do you ever use the water filter?

Answer: I have used it a couple of times, when water has been shut off to our house. I will go find a water spout somewhere and get some water and then use the filter. In our apartment there is a filter connected to the sink.

Question 3: Based on one of your last letters, I’m taking some time to really study more about the Atonement… what are the key messages you teach about the Atonement to people you meet?

Answer: Only through Jesus Christ can we return to God. Jesus has been through everything you have and are going through, so he can help you through everything. Christ can help you obey the commandments especially the Word of Wisdom.

Question 4: Were you surprised about conducting Sacrament meeting last week, does that happen a lot?

Answer: A little bit. It doesn’t happen too often. I will normally give a talk or teach a lesson in the Thool branch, but hardly ever will I conduct.

Mom

That is a ridiculous schedule. I bet you are very excited for it to be half over. 4am is really quite early. I bet that is not super enjoyable. I forgot that you were working on that [Masters Degree]. Are you almost done? Are you going to be able to get it in the six months block of time like you wanted? You are the best mom in the whole world. I love you!

Question 5: How many missionaries are on Yap now?

Answer: Currently there are 5 missionaries on Yap. We are expecting a new one sometime in May.

Question 6:  How are the missionaries split up and where are they serving?

Answer: Let’s see. I am with Elder Hatch. We are covering the top half of the island (Thol). Elder Tueller, Elder Ramiterre, and Elder Baliling are covering the bottom half of the island (Colonia).

Map of Yap Island and how the missionaries divide the area

Question 7:  Did you get any packages this week? What was in them?

Answer: Actually no packages. There has been no mail to the island for like 2 weeks. Hopefully there should be some stuff next week.

Question 8: Tell one thing you did this week that was unique.

Answer: Okay lets me think. Oh, I got it, but I can't tell you until the end of the letter. It is the crazy thing that is about to happen.

Question 9: Describe where you are living.

Answer: I am living in the same apartment that I was in when I first got to the island. It is in Tomil if you look on google.

Staheli

Hope all is going pretty well for you. I have got some turtle shell earrings for you. I am not sure how to get them home. You might have to wait for me to actually come home before you get them. I love you so much!! You are a fantastic sister!

Reed

That is really cool about the whole priest vs wild. It sounds like you had fun especially once you went over to dad’s warm fire. ha-ha… Dad said that you are having problems with the concussion again. That is too bad. I am really sorry man. I hope that you feel better soon. Love you bro. You are great.

To Everyone

Alright alright… I can feel your guys excitement and you have not even read what I have typed yet. Okay, here is the crazy unique thing that is happening, and about to happen. Okay… One of the ladies that I was teaching when I was in Colonia (Alv*ra) has a brother that lives in Tomil (my area now). She told us to go see him and talk to him. Well, we went over there and talked to his wife because he wasn't there. She talked to us only in Yapese which was really nice because people love to speak in English to us. We asked if we could come back to teach her and her husband. She said we could come and ask. Well, when we were at S*m and P*te"s house, I was talking to them about it and I told them his name. It is St*ven M*ar, by the way. And they said that he is the chief of all of Tomil. I was like, wow. That is pretty cool. So we went back and talked to him about us teaching him and he said that he has been taught a little bit before, but never could stop chewing (beetle-nut). I told him if he would like to learn more we could teach him and his family. He said yes. So now we are going to be teaching the chief of Tomil. How cool and crazy is that? I am pretty excited.

Let’s see, we are still teaching Chr*s and D*rlene. They are our most promising investigators right now. They still have yet to come to church. So we will see what happens. I am very excited for them and their family. President Mathew helps us teach them, which is really nice. I really enjoy have him there to help. We also went to see a less active guy. His name is S*rphine. Aa we were talking, it became clear that he completely forgot about the whole authority being lost after the apostles and it being restored.

Well, that is about all that is new here. Pres Mecham is coming here next week for Zone conference (missionaries only) and District conference( like Stake Conference) It should be really good. I love you guys so so much. You are the best family in the world.

Love

Elder Meyer

Another Yap Island Man House