Fall leaves, ocean Views

I have been wanting to take Eric to see the Fall leaves, for years now.  The last time I went was with a good friend many years ago and I just loved the trip.  Eric is not a cold weather kind of guy, so this was really not on his bucket list for trips.  However, he had a great time and could not believe the beauty surrounding us as we drove through Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine. Now I think we will be making this trip every year.... there was so much to see and not enough time to do it all.

Williams Port Light House

Beautiful homes on the beach I want to play with Recker here

Loved all the Lighthouses

Lobster Rolls--Famous

It's hard to find this kind of beauty in AZ

Loved wearing my boots and beanie--winter clothes

Loved all the covered bridges too

He looks warm enough !!

My Favorite part of the trip...seeing our sweet Chelsea Cloward

Just how I love it--no one on the beach but me and Eric The Hampton's

Fenway Park, original seats

Fenway Park, original home plates

Eric taking in the moment

Huahine Island French Polynesia

Thursday Day 8
Today we woke up in Huahine.  Eric was like a child waiting to open Christmas Presents, he woke up early--I was way to sleepy so he went for a walk and breakfast--however, breakfast was not quite ready, for Heavens Sake it was 5 in the morning.  I don't think the sun was even up yet.  Oh, I forgot to mention we are now on a cruise for the remaining Islands we wanted to visit.  I finally opened up my sleepy eyes prayed, got ready, ate breakfast and make the 2nd tender to the Island.  We decided to find our own tour guide instead of using the ships tours, they are twice or even three times more than what we could ask local people to do for us. We took a free shuttle into town and rented a car, not from a car company, Eric just went around asking locals if he could rent their car, the woman we found let us use her car and have it back by 3.  We rented it for about $40 and she was so happy, the ship wanted $140 for the day. We went to a local store picked up some baguettes and juice, and we were off to drive the entire Island.  We saw blue eyed eels, Tahitian ruins we stopped along the way to take pictures of this beautiful place,  On our journey we saw two senior missionaries sitting on the side of the road looking out into the ocean, we pulled over and Eric spoke to them in French, they have been on this Island for 14 months, and they are the only missionaries on the Island.   On this Island there is only 400 members of the church, and 2 buildings, they invited us to Church on Sunday but we told them we would be on a different Island, then sadly, they told us the church on that Island starts at 8 am and we  will not be arriving to the Island until noon. They kissed us on each cheek and said goodbye.
At dinner tonight on the ship, we made a reservation to eat at the French restaurant.  I was not too impressed with the menu, Eric was extremely happy, he loved everything on the menu.  We were laughing at the man next to our table who had ordered tartar and for those who do not know what that is---its raw hamburger meat with seasonings--sounds like a night hovering the toilet to me--we started to laugh because Eric said he knew the guy had no idea what he was about to eat, and the 1st bite he made a face we will never forget, and rudely we laughed until we cried, the waiter came and asked him if he like it, (remember he ate the entire plate out of respect) but had no problem saying when asked if he like it "No, not really"  We had a great time today, but I miss my kids.

One of the locals

the baguettes--cant get enough

Senior Missionaries

LDS Church Building

one of the homes in the lagoon

Puerto Plata

Leaving La Vega was difficult, I kinda thought Puerto Plata would be a little less dangerous--NOT. There were times we were smooshed into vans like sardines--in a 12 passenger van we had 26 people at one time.  The sliding door remained open for fast and easy access on and off, and also for the fact that there was no a/c.   There were people sitting on other people's laps, people they didn't even know--for 50 Dominican Pesos (approx $1.25) to travel  20-25 miles, with stinky sweaty people, this is their life, while I found it amusing and interesting they all loaded and unloaded each time starting conversations with the people they sat next to.  I love that !!  American's could use some training in that area--how many times have you gotten on an elevator and no one talks to each-other?  Try it next time, you may be missing out on opportunities to help someone in need, or at least cheer someone up including yourself.

On this particular bus the driver was quite professional and efficient at his job, a woman got on with her grocery bag (very small grocery bag) he took it from her threw it in his small trunk and off we went.  When she arrived at her destination, he jumped out grabbed her groceries and left them lying there on the ground before she could even get out of the van. The passengers also know exactly what to do GET OUT OF HIS WAY ASAP.  Blake said "mom imagine doing these rides for 3 or 5 hours with no a/c and in a white shirt and tie, transfers were just like that"  Right before Blake got home I sent him a new white shirt and was surprised when he wore his dirty, perspired shirt home--the neck was filthy--now I know why--he wore it home because he is a Dominican now, and he did not want others to think he thought he was better than them.  I hope he kept that shirt, it means more to me now.

The Bus To Haiti

Beautiful View in Puerto Plata

Missionaries are not allowed to swim

I carved WEEYUM in the rock--he left his mark in the D. R.

Dominican Republic Flag

The Villages and places he served were worse than I ever imagined them to be, he never told us in emails, all we ever heard from him was that he was doing great and working hard.  None of the homes have air conditioning, something we in Arizona would not live without.  Their homes were the size of my bedroom, the floors were dirt, no yards, the homes are built on top of each other with very small walk ways between homes.  There is no  privacy.

Rice Truck

Local Views

Local View

One night Eric, Blake and Chloe went to visit a family Blake knew who had invited us over for rice pudding.  I was not feeling well and decided to stay at the hotel.  Chloe and Blake got on a motorcycle, and Eric on another.  Blake and Chloe were ahead of Eric.  Eric, is a funny man, he wants to know spanish so badly and he does his best to communicate, but dang it he really does not know what he is saying ( I call his language FrenchSpanlish) the driver of Blake and Chloe's motorcycle took off, far ahead of Eric.  The motorcycle driver for Eric said he needed gas as he turned down a very dark road, Eric jumped off and started running down the street towards where he thought Blake and Chloe would be--he said it was really dark and he ran for 10-15 minutes.  Probably a good thing I was not there, I would of freaked out and had an anxiety attack for sure.  Blake and Chloe were in the middle of the road waiting for him.  Chloe told me later that she and Blake were really afraid for Eric.  Luckily the Lord was watching over Eric and all was well as they arrived at the members home.

Homemade Rice Pudding

Blake & Chloe with one of his favorite members

The Pure Love of Christ Shines Through Weeyum

chicken foot

Blake loves to eat the whole thing

yes, it is disgusting

I cleaned my plate--

I love the Diaz Family above us are pictures of Blake
on their walls.

A smile is Universal, it can brighten a day no matter what nationality you are.  Waiting at the bus stop I smiled at a Haitian woman, she made eye contact with me smiled back as if she knew who I was, then she was off on her way.  I've noticed so many people here have lost so much, some of them carry everything they own (which is not much)  with them.

Santo Domingo Temple

As much as my heart aches for the circumstances in which my son physically lived in for 2 years, my heart also leaps for joy knowing the unconditional love he was blessed with while serving here.  Knowing who he was before his mission, the demons he had to struggle with confirms my testimony of HOPE & FAITH in the Lord, the Atonement of Jesus Christ is real, I've seen it work in my own life as well as people I respect and love dearly. The Lord truly blessed Blake with a unwavering  testimony of the gospel, and HE blessed our family with strength while Blake served.

Hermano Diaz and his children--so cute

When we arrived at Hermana and President Diaz's home they had pictures of Blake on their walls, oh they were over joyed to see him. "Weeyum, Weeyum" with tears in their eyes.  These humble, sweet people live in La Vega, this is a part of the DR that is very scary  not a place to be after dark, I have traveled many countries but never felt fear like I did in La Vega after dark.  This is very interesting to me because this area was Elder Weeyum favorite place to serve, he would email me and say the more poor the area the more humble the people.  On Monday night we had dinner with the Nunez family, then finished the night learning how to make Weeyum favorite smoothies at the Diaz's home.  President Diaz is a very animated man when he speaks, so Weeyum translated--they speak so fast, at one point Weeyum had to ask us to slow down.  We were asking questions, and Pres Diaz was answering and asking questions--it was really funny to watch, but I just wanted to know everything I could about the mission, the people, and their family.  I have never in my life laughed as hard as I did with Pres Diaz, he, knowing it would be dangerous to walk from the Nunez home to his home (which is only a couple streets over) came to pick us up on his motorcycle, Chloe and I got on with him and he laughed the entire way, then we started laughing, he has a contagious laugh we still are not sure what we were laughing about, but it was sure fun, my cheeks hurt. While he went back to get Eric and Blake Hermana Diaz shared some stories with me of Weeyum while he served.

Sister Diaz told me story after story of Elder Weeyum love for the people, she said she saw him many, many times give his plate of food to someone else, so they would not go hungry.  When she asked him once why he did that, because she knew he was mucho hungry he told her "they need it more than I do, and the Lord will bless me with strength to find food tomorrow"  Without hesitation he opened doors for everyone,  he never judged anyone, even those who killed people for a living, he taught them about the love of Christ, he had a couple really lazy companions and she said he worked through it,  she told me he gave his whole heart and soul to the mission.  I was so overwhelmed I cried and explained how happy it made me to hear these things from her, because we have tried to ask Blake about these types of experiences and he will never talk about it, she said "because he is a humble servant of the Lord"  oh dear, that made me cry even more.  The Diaz family will continue to be in my prayers for life.  When we left I gave them hugs and they said in their broken English "Monya, mama I love You"  I bore testimony to them of my love of the savior  and thanked them for taking good care of my son, and sharing their love with him.  I now understand why some missionaries go through a mourning  when they are released or transferred to another area.  When Weeyum came home, I noticed he was a little depressed and sad when I asked him why he said "I miss the people in the DR, mom they are family to me"  Now I understand why, the pure Love of Christ has no boundaries.  We knelt and had family prayer with them, President Diaz asked Eric to offer the prayer in English.

Weeyum talking with the Nunez family

Chloe's  ready for dinner

As we traveled from one mission area to the next we made sure our mode of transportation was as if we were missionaries.  Weeyum knows this country inside and out, every little street, where to go and not go.  Eric was trying a couple of times to spend a little more money and take taxis or buses that were less crowded or air conditioned, but we are so glad we did it Weeyum way, I was able to experience it and see it through Weeyum eyes.  Every Dominican or Haitian we met who knew Weeyum in the field would say "Oh Weeyum, we love you" when I asked how his spanish was everyone of them said "perfecto" Of course Weeyum being the humble sweet man that he is would give all the credit to the Lord and the people for helping him.

Leaving La Vega was really sad for me, I could see the hurt in Blake's heart too.  Good thing we have Face Book to keep in touch, and I fly with USAirways--hopefully Presudebt Diaz will be able to visit us in November.  ♥♥♥ this man

Nunez and Diaz Familia

Starting out on this journey to the Dominican Republic I was not quite sure what to expect, I just knew I wanted to experience and see everything I could. I wanted to  stand where my son stood, see the places he lived, and  meet the people he loved.

So far I have not been disappointed, in fact just the opposite.  My heart is full as I have experienced the bus rides, taxi drivers, and motorcycle rides. However,  if am completely honest I would say there have been times I have been really afraid, this is not a safe place.  La Vega is THE SCARIEST little town I have ever been in, yet when we visited the homes of the President Diaz and Nunez the spirit surrounded us.  President Nunez said to Eric and I as we finished dinner "I am sorry our home is so small"  we both looked at each other with tears in our eyes and at the same time said "NO, the size of your home does not matter, it's what is in your heart and we thank you for teaching this principle to our son"

♥♥♥ the Diaz Famiy

Off to the next transfer

Nunez Family♥

I have never laughed so hard, these are wonderful
people with a great love for the Lord

Elder Wee-yum In the DR

Every person who knew Blake in the mission refers to him as Wee yum, if I had a dime for every time I heard Wee yum today I could make  a lot of meals for these people.  Wee Yum was comfortable and loved in his mission.

It's difficult to put into words how I am feeling.  Since making a bucket list, one of the things on it, in fact at the top of the list was to visit the places where Blake served as a missionary for the church.  Walking the streets, seeing the homes he taught in, visiting with the members who literally fed him and provided a listening ear when he was struggling to not only be an effective missionary and  serve the Lord but to also deal with the fact that his mother was countries away dealing with cancer.  My heart has been touched and my eyes full of tears as these sweet wonderful people have invited us into their humble homes and shared stories of Blakes love for the Dominican People.  Yesterday we were able to attend church with him in Santiago, before we were even able to enter the doors people were surrounding him, hugging him and expressing their love for him to us. "ahh Wee yum" is all we heard.

Caroline--so nice to meet her she emailed me
often and reads my blog

"Wheel yum -was my son in the mission
your son in your home"

We were invited by several families to please come to their home for dinner, however, Blake had already arranged with his favorite family in Santiago for us to have Sunday dinner with them.  As you can see, we did not starve, Eric went with this sweet sister and Blake Saturday night and purchased all she would need to feed our family and a few others.  While I visited with her she told me that Blake ate at her home just about every night while he was serving in her area.  As a mother I am overwhelmed with emotion, Blake had such a difficult time dealing with my cancer while he was gone.  Before one of the surgeries I had Blake went to her home and she talked to him, as he cried and told her how worried he was about me, she told him exactly what I would of told him--"continue to serve with all your heart and the Lord will take care of your mama"   I had some concern while he was gone that he would worry so much about what was happening with me that he would forget to enjoy his mission, hearing this sister tell me these stories made my eyes well up and tears to run down my cheeks.  The Lord truly blessed him with strong members of the church to watch over him, feed him and give him good advice.

Biggest pot of rice I have ever seen, and so good

Chicken, plantains, rice, avocado (the best I'v ever eaten)
potatoes with cream sauce, salad with salsa dressing

The Family

This Sabbath Day was one I will not soon forget.  With a thankful heart I rest tonight.