Santa's Using Zebras

This song made me cry last year- I'm good this year!  Enjoy!

Santa's Using Zebras- Video! Hear the song here!



Santa's using zebras now
to pull his Christmas sleigh
'cause a boy in Africa
wrote to him one day.
"Santa please stop by," he said,
"and bring some toys with you."
Santa's using zebras now
south of Timbuktu.

Donner, Blitzen, all the reindeer
put him on the spot -
they were used to ice and snow
but Africa was hot!
Then some zebras came along
and they pulled Santa through.
Santa's using zebras now
south of Timbuktu.

See the pyramids go by
and there's the Nile below.
Watch out for that tall giraffe;
mustn't fly too low.
Hello hippopotamus
the season's joy to you!
Hello Mr. Crocodile
merry Christmas too!

As they gallop over jungles
lions stop and stare,
wonderin' what those zebras could be
doing way up there.
While the reindeer wait for him
back home in their igloo,
Santa's using zebras now
south of Timbuktu.

Morning rush hour in Cotonou, Benin

Ganvie Fish Market

October 22, 2013- A Day Later!

On Monday, I waited hours to hear from Elder Gundersen. I finally got two brief messages around 8 p.m. his time.  The first was the flight itinerary- I'm glad he has it too, we are all on the same page.  The second message was a quick, "I will write tomorrow I just didn't have time today so we will get on for a while tomorrow afternoon."

Yes! At least I will get some chat time this week.  Tuesday, he was true to his word and sent me a few messages.

He is still alive. The picture from conference, he was not sleeping...he was sick with a stomach ache. He's feeling better now.

Front, left- sick, not asleep!

 

 

"Check my account so I can buy stuff. Elder Odonkor says hi. Tell Wes hi because he is not answering me. Zac's baby looks like a baby. I have to go now so tell everyone hi for me and have a good week."

 

The message to my Mom was a bit more informative...

 

" dont have much time today i just stopped by to tell everyone i am
alive and that the work is doing well. we are getting a couple married
hopefully by the time i leave they will be baptized. they are a
wonderful family and an answer to your prayers in september about
finding a family. we found them on the 4th of that month. i hope you
have a good week and enjoy the flight plans!!"

 

It's good to know that he is still working hard in the mission in spite of being ready to come home.

 

Thanks to everyone for the prayers and support on Elder Gundersen's behalf.  You are loved and appreciated.

October 16, 2013- Travel Papers!

It's official!  Elder Gundersen's flight plans were sent today!  Of course, he made sure that they were sent to WES and not to me.  I had to punch Wes in the arm to make him show me the itinerary.

 

As of October 16, 2013- this is how many days we now have remaining!

 

 

Without making you do the counting yourself, I'll just tell you...

 

DECEMBER 26th! Woo Hoo!  What a fantastic Christmas present! 

October 14, 2013- Really Trunky

This week we are patiently awaiting the travel papers for Elder Gundersen.  The travel request has been submitted by the mission office and it needs to be approved by the church travel office and then they can purchase the tickets and send notification.  Seems like it should be a fairly quick and simple process.  It feels like it is taking forever.  I will be the first to admit that I am probably more trunky than Elder Gundersen.

Anyway, this week in our chat he did a lot of school planning.  Apparently, it would be very bad if I register him for any art or music classes. Let's see...no math, no arts, no music...what is left to take?  We chatted about laptops for school, cell phones, registering his truck, and all the other things that are important to a returning missionary. It's almost as much work getting things ready for them to come home as it is getting them ready to leave. (It's not a complaint, just a fact. I'm MORE than happy to accommodate!)

This week he finally received his last package that we sent.  He got it without having to pay a crazy amount of customs fees for it. He and Elder Lynch have not had the chance to sample all the candy in the package yet. I told him about the video I posted of the rain water running down the road.  He said that it is hard to believe the amount of water that runs in the road.  "It puts water over the hood of the mission trucks". That has got to be an amazing site to behold with your own eyes.

The mission challenge of the week...trying to get your companion to stop unplugging the fridge every time you leave the apartment.  Guess he thinks he's saving electricity???

Bleck sent a few pictures this week and a video too!  It's so cool to hear Elder G's voice.  Listening to him speak French is a bit odd.

On the bus-

President and Sister Weed

 

The back of Elder Gundersen's head and Elder Kunz!

The scenery out the window is very pretty.

 

The video is a bit long and you'll need to turn up the volume on your device.  It's neat to see the apartment and where they meet for church.  I am grateful for technology...pictures are worth 1,000 words, but video and hearing voices is indeed priceless! Enjoy!

 



Rainy Season in Benin- Near Fidjrosse!

 

This made me smile a bit!  Fidjrosse is where Elder Gundersen is currently serving. 

 

Discover Togo!

Just sharing a cool video from YouTube about Togo!  It shows the falls at Kpalime and a few other familiar sites!

October 7, 2013- Early at the Cyber!

It was a great surprise to have Elder Gundersen online early this week.  He is alive! 

He had an okay week. He still likes the area and his companion.  The weather in Benin right now is "hot and miserable". It is nice having the ocean breeze on occasion to keep him a bit cool.  He hasn't really cooked to much this week as it is too hot. 

His package has not made it to him yet. Apparently, there are troubles again in customs and they are trying to tax the candy in the package- which they have opened.  Here is a brief explanation sent to families by the mission office of the package troubles-

    " Today when we went to pick up packages at customs we were greeted with a big shock.  This is not surprising since this is where we are.

     Customs told us that if the contents of the package plus the shipping exceeds $100 U S Dollars we will have to pay custom duties on the the amount over $100.  So if the package costs $77.00 to ship the total value of the candies, socks, etc exceed $23.00 then duties have to be paid.  They decide what the value is. They can decide that the announced amount is false.   We didn't get into this discussion because by bringing it up it may give them another idea.  But, if peanut butter costs $3 in the US; the same jar may cost $8 US here. They also informed us that the duties rate on candy and sweets is 50%. To give you an idea, a package full of about 40$ (US) of candy would be charged an additional 38,000 cfa or $76 US dollars.

     Another lady behind us received goods worth $106 for baby clothes (she looked like she was 7,8, 8 1/2 months pregnant.  They wanted to charge her over $200 for those clothes.  They said if you don't pay everything belongs to the state.  So, apparently they will not return the package to the US.  

    We are not sure if they are doing this because of Christmas or not.

     Last year the President had a visit with customs people to see what they could do for us.  So, we will see if he can intervene on our behalf again. "

 

Pretty crazy stuff!  Well I hope Elder Gundersen gets his package soon and that it's not missing too many treats since this is his final package!  Thanks to Jerine and Kris too for their "package"!

 

He told Grandma that they have several Amis ready for baptism and that it may take place on Saturday.  He never tells me this stuff so I have to get it from other sources!

 

Our wonderful Bleck has blessed us with a few pictures of our Elder this week.  I believe that these were taken in Togo when all the missionaries went on a hike in the jungle to see the waterfall at Kpalime` back in May. Contrary to what he told me, he looks like he was having a good time.

 

On the bus (obviously!) Love the sunglasses...Future highway patrol?

 

Elder G in a real African jungle!

 

Well that was pretty much it for Elder G's update this week- (besides he's ready to come home), here is a cool slide show off of YouTube of the Togo area.  Enjoy! 

 

 

Thanks for all your love and support!

Since I'm updating on Saturday- we have 83 days left!

 

 

September 30, 2013- Doubling Down!

Here we are at another week down!  The best news for the week is that Elder Gundersen found a good cyber.  One with power. That had an available computer. AND he only lost email service once today.  This is great for Africa standards!

The other really great news is that we are now officially to double digits on the countdown to his estimated return date. 

This calls for a celebration for sure! Chocolate cake anyone?

 

President told him to have us get him enrolled in school.

So I expect to have him back by the first week of January 2014.

This number should be really close to the actual date!

 

 

So for the week update- He says he had a really great week.  He is still awaiting the arrival of the last few packages that were sent to him.  Just a reminder- He requested that no more packages be sent from here on.  He may not be there when they arrive if you send something now. 

 

His companion continues to be awesome.  He says that he is cool and that he can trust him with anything.  He's a great missionary too.  Elder Lynch is still in the apartment too and he is doing well.  He says that his favorite candy from Scotland that Elder Lynch shares with him is the chocolate.  He loves chocolate from Scotland!  Elder Gundersen still did not elaborate on the mission work so I have absolutely no idea how many Amis they have, how many baptisms they have had or that they have coming up.  Sorry folks!  You'll just have to come to the homecoming to ask him yourself!

 

As for fun stuff that he did today for PDay- He scrubbed the bathroom!  Sounds like a really fun day!  Bleach eroded hands and all...

 

His big hit for the week was that he made fried potatoes.  He said that everyone in the apartment really loved them and the neighbors came over to eat fried potatoes too.  He is one talented Elder- he can fry potatoes! 

 

He also could not end the chat without giving me a bit of harassment for the week.  He made fun of me for planning to run in a team challenge event next year.  I asked if he would like to join me and this is how the conversation went:

 

Me: You can go to the gym with me and run the Go Ruck Challenge with me next fall.

 

Hunter: no

 

Me: Why not? Are you a whimp? It's not a race it's a team challenge. It will be fun. Old ladies do it!

Me: And young people...

 

Hunter: that is not fun at all

 

Me: Afraid that your MOM would out do you? Hahaha! Not!

 

Hunter: no i hate running

 

Me: You don't run too much on this thing. It's team work challenges. Not running. It's on a mountain course in Park City. It's finishing the course together and not leaving anyone behind. 

Hunter: absolutely not... thats not even fun... races have to have a winner and lots of losers

Me: I guess Mindy at work will just have to go with me. We can be losers together! haha!

 

Hunter: losers suck

Me: It's a CHALLENGE..not a race! haha!

You're funny! I guess I'm a loser then cause I remember winning nothing in my life!

Hunter: so is the challenge championships but there is a winner and a loser anyways.

Hunter: you said it not me.

Me: you have a valid point but that was a challenge race!

 

Hunter: same thing.

 

Me: Maybe you'll think I'm cool when Mindy and I finish and get our patches for being awesome

and not quitting.

 

Hunter: everyone gets a trophy in tee ball but not everyone wins. We all know who the losers are.

Me: You are not making this very rewarding for me....
 Hunter: well i have to go now so have a good week and tell grandpa hi for me. I cant believe you are trying to be a loser.
 

Me: Haha! Love you. Hope you have a good week.

 

Hunter: I don't talk to losers.

 

Guess I will have to win the challenge that is not a race so he will talk to me next year!

 

Thanks to all for your continued prayers, love and support in his behalf. Love you all!

 

September 23, 2013- Power Please!

So this week was a bust!  I got just a few emails from Elder Gundersen. Pretty much all I got was "Hi Mom, I'm alive."  "I found a better cyber this week so the emails should be better."

 

Then...BAM! Power outage for nearly two hours! C'ect dommage!

In memory of the event...I post this video...

 

 

This would be some of the reason for the continued power loss. Remember these gems?

 

Cannot imagine why they have ANY power issues at all.

 

The rest of the Mission Experience for the week went well.  I was honored to be able to attend a lunch in Salt Lake with some of the other Moms of the mission. I am truly blessed to know each of these wonderful Sisters.  I cannot thank them enough for their love, support and friendship.  Lunch was at The Blue Lemon.  The food was great but the company was even better!  Thanks to Michelle Layton for being the group photographer / editor and sharing her pictures.

 

I took this one while I was waiting for the group to arrive. 

 It was a beautiful day and I parked down by The Gateway and enjoyed a walk in the sun.

 These are all the awesome Mom's that could attend the lunch.  All the Mission Moms are truly wonderful- some just live too far away to join us.  (LtoR- Moms of Elders- Sagers, Kunz, Hales, Christensen, Gray, Gundersen, Layton, Oliverson, and Hawkins.)

Thanks for the great afternoon ladies! Can't wait to do it again.

September 16, 2013- Visitors!

Hello Everyone! 

Elder Gundersen had a pretty good week. He said good bye to his first companion, Elder Milambo, who went home after completing his mission. Somehow, the kitchen mixing bowls left at the same time. Hmmm...weird!  The Elder who replaced Elder Milambo is from the Ivory Coast. 

The highlight of Elder Gundersen's week was a visit from Mama and Bleck from Togo on P-Day!  So cool that they came to visit him!  Bleck sent some pictures for the blog of the big visit.

Here they are at Elder Gundersen's apartment- Bleck, Mama and Elder Gundersen

Nice courtyard for the visit.

Bleck, Mama, Elder Odonkor, Elder Gundersen

Elder G in his styling shirt!

What's for lunch? Cassava, banana, fish, peppers, onions and tomatoes! Looks pretty good!

Eating it traditional African style- with the hands.

Mama capturing memories!

I have no idea who the young man in the yellow shirt is!

Sweet duds!

I'm liking the plaid shorts with this shirt.

He has such a happy face listening to Mama!

I love Mama's smile in this one.

 

Unfortunately, all visits must come to an end.  Mama and Bleck made it safely back to Togo later that evening.  Elder Gundersen said the visit was wonderful. He says that Mama and Bleck are really nice people and the rest of the family is nice as well. I am truly grateful for this family and for their love and concern for Elder Gundersen...and of course for the pictures that they send!  Such a blessing!

 

In other news, Elder Lynch's Mom has been sending candy from Scotland.  Elder Gundersen and Elder Lynch have put together a list of American candy and treats that they would love me to send for Elder Lynch to try:

 

Slim Jims

Gobstoppers

Nerds

Nerds Rope

Big Hunk

Swedish Fish

Almond, Pretzel and Coconut M&M's

Butterscotch Discs

Symphony Milk Chocolate

Tootsie Rolls

Cream Savers

Chocolate licorice

Reeses Minis

 

I went today and got the treats on the list and packaged it up. Wes is sending it tomorrow.  I had a really hard time finding Cream Savers, but finally found a small bag in a local convenience store.  I hope the package arrives before either of them transfer.  Sugar high for sure!  He is also getting Hershey's Hugs and Kisses, Papa Jays and Pop Tarts in a package.  Maybe it will all last until he comes home.  He is eagerly awaiting the package as it also contains the 2013 Los Alamitos sale catalog!  Reading material for a boy that misses the horses!

 

He mentioned that he thought it may be only a few more weeks until he gets his flight plans.  I am super excited for that! It still seems impossibly far away.  He is growing tired of Africa and wants to come home. "God really did bless America"- He has learned to love his country by living in another. He misses driving his truck to Logan. "It's a nice drive, tell Wes to register my truck so I can drive it when I get home."

 

He says he also misses church at home.  He can't wait to just be able to sit during sacrament meeting and just think about things instead of having to worry about everything.  I guess there was a moment of extremely "loud teaching" that occurred this week at church.  The training of the a few of the leaders and teachers seems to be a never ending challenge for our Elders. I cannot imagine how frustrated they must get sometimes. I know that they are making a difference though. It just takes time.

 

Thanks to all for your love, prayers and support.  A special thanks again to Kris. You're the best!  Have a great week everyone.

September 9, 2013- Thanks For the Surprise!

So, I was seriously sad last week when Elder Gundersen signed off of his chat / email time without remembering to wish me a happy birthday for Saturday.  Now, I'm not really being a whiner about it, it's just that last year he missed my birthday because he was back at the apartment sick with malaria.  Between that and Ty being gone, I was certain that neither of my boys would remember or get a chance to brighten my birthday with well wishes for the day.  Boy was I WRONG!

At exactly midnight on the big day, Wes got a text message.  Wes never gets texts and because of that his volume was up ALL THE WAY! We practically flew out of bed!  Midnight messages always make you panic and think the worst...well not on my phone, I get messages 24/7, but Wes' phone- never happens.  As I was still trying to pry my heart off the ceiling, Wes read the message.  He smiled and said, "It's for you." and handed the phone to me.

"Hi mom! Pres weed told elder odonkor and i that we could wish you a happy birthday. So have a good day and thanks for all you do! Love, Hunter Elder G-Unit & Elder Lord Odega"

Be still my heart...of course I immediately started to cry!  What a great way to start the day and exactly at midnight to be the first to say happy birthday! Awh! I love that kid!  I'm sure he text Wes' phone because he knew it would be too much of a temptation for me not to text him back! It was a tender mercy for sure. As a bonus, I now know that Elder G's companion is Elder Odonkor.

I was also surprised later that morning to get a text and pictures from Bleck and Mama with birthday greetings as well. Mama sent pictures of how to make pineapple juice. Thought I'd share the process. Hope I got the order correct!

Quarter and core pineapples and grate.

and grate...

Squeeze grated pulp through a mesh sieve to remove the juice.

 

Keep squeezing!

Fill prepared bottles with juice.

 

Pretty cool process, don't you think?  I bet it's really sweet juice.  Elder Gundersen says the pineapple there is awesome. Apparently, we only have garbage pineapple here!

 

 

Later that morning as I was on the way to Elder Kunz's sisters services, I got a few messages and pictures from my other boy at Fort Bliss!  So happy! My day was made and the bar was set extremely high! I don't think I could have had a better morning. My heart was singing.  I would share a few Ty pictures, but I'm feeling selfish...they are just for me! 

 

The service for Celeste was beautiful. There was nowhere else I'd of rather been at the time. I felt close to heaven in that chapel.  What beautiful testimonies were shared. It was really cool to have Elder Kunz Skyped in too!

 

Technology is a fantastic thing when properly used...Texts and pictures from Africa, Texas and an Elder attending his beloved sister's funeral halfway around the world. 

 

I also have to say that we have an AMAZING Missionary Mom group.  I feel very blessed to be part of such a special group of Sisters. The love and support for one another is second to none.  I am so blessed!

 

 

On to Elder G-Units update...

 

He is alive!  This is Elder Milambo's last week and a half before he heads home.  The weather is getting warmer there.  He ate the rest of the beef he purchased the previous week.  The "beach house" is roughly 150 yards from the ocean and really nice.  The breeze from the ocean is very good! He dries most of his clothes outside.

 

He will find out in about a month when his final release date is!  So exciting!  He's bought a few cool statues and some clothes for souvenirs. He also has a machete!  Just what every Utah farm kid needs...no drum for his brother...he does love me!

 

I almost forgot!  Elder G has been asked to put his mission testimony and a picture in a book for local Elders he went to school with.  Here is what he sent and the picture he selected.

 



 

Until next week, thanks to all for your love, prayers, emails and support! 

September 2, 2013- MTC Flashback!

Hello Everyone!!

Elder Gundersen is alive and well this week.  He is still enjoying his "beach house" that sits about 150 yards from the ocean.  The ocean air isn't quite as nice as that of the beaches in the Caribbean.  He says that it smells just like the rest of Benin.  He said the water to shower is cold.  Every apartment that he has been in has cold water.  Wes asked if anyone has hot water in the mission and Elder Gundersen replied, "yeah, President Weed!"  Haha!  What a kid!  He and his companion are working well together.  Elder Milambo has only a few days left on the mission. That will be a new mile marker...the first companion completing his mission and going home.

Speaking of mile markers, the Sisters that were in the same district as Elder Gundersen in the MTC are home now!  It was a great surprise this week to see that Sister Barbara Fairchild had posted a few pictures of Elder Gundersen and Elder Baird on Facebook.  It was really nice to be able to chat a bit with her on messenger.  She said her mission in France was great.  Attached below are two of the MTC pictures that she posted. Elder Gundersen looks so young...and chubby!  Thanks Barbara for the pictures! 

 



The fun thing that Elder Gundersen did for Pday was buy some beef. He says he bought both beef steak and ground beef.  He "just stuck the steak in a pan and cooked it...then I ate it" and said it was good.  It has been really hot in Benin.  He confirmed that there is an Elder there from Rupert, Idaho.  Elder Kent- He says he's a really nice kid.  Well, odds are that since he's from Rupert, he's a farm kid...how can he not like him?  Elder Kent made it to Africa just a bit after Elder Gundersen did. 

 

 

Not much more was emailed. He misses home, family and friends and is excited to get home and back into school..."no use just sitting around!".

 

Thanks to all for your continued prayers, love and support.  Until next week! Hakuna Matata!

August 26, 2013- SLOOOOOWWWWW Cyber

Hello everyone!  Another week has come and gone.  As of todays post, we have a mere 128 days until the expected release of Elder Gundersen...but who's counting?  The cyber was really slow and Elder Gundersen didn't have too much to say.  I was still getting random emails saying I wasn't paying attention to him at 7 p.m. that night!...Pretty sure he was offline by then!

Elder Gundersen is alive and well this week.  He is enjoying his companion because "he is really cool".  He loves the apartment and he is really happy in this area.  He still doesn't really love the food, he's finally just gotten used to it. He has found a few things that he would like to make for us at home- Looking forward to that!

This week, he drove a moto!  He went really slow because he had a member with him on the back of the moto- Like Moped slow!  He still doesn't think he wants to get a moto when he gets home though.  He says he has other priorities like finding a job and going to school.  At least he has his priorities straight.

We visited about possible future trips to Europe and I mentioned that we needed to go to France and visit Normandy and Elder Lemaire when he gets home.  He told me that Elder Lemaire wants to come visit us in Utah.  How awesome is that?  I can't wait to have the two biggest, most ruthless button pushers under one roof just for my entertainment! 

I told him the fair was pretty boring this year.  He replied that the fair is NEVER boring.  He enjoyed hearing how the kids did with the lambs. We sent him lots of pictures of the fair per his request.  I hope it was fun to see the pictures and that it didn't make him more homesick.  GOOD NEWS...he finally got the last package that Grandma sent.  (Thanks Grandma!)

I am still being blessed with pictures of Elder Gundersen from Bleck.  I love that kid!  I cannot thank him enough for these tender mercies he sends each week. 

Elder Gundersen "fanning the flames of his faith"!

Demonstration on how to properly move the fan by a helpful young lady.  Can you imagine cooking like this all the time?  I am so grateful for my beautiful kitchen and all it's modern amenities!

 

 

EBA (Cassava Porridge)

 

2 TB Red Palm Oil

3 C Water (can substitute 1 C chicken stock for 1 C water)

1 1/2 C gari or cassava meal

 

Place oil and water in a heavy saucepan and bring to a boil.  Slowly drizzle the gari into the boiling water stirring constantly.  Continue to cook for 3-4 minutes or until the eba has a firm consistency.  Serve hot with soups or stews- to be eaten with the fingers.

 

OKRA SAUCE

1 lb fresh okra

2 medium tomatoes- peeled, seeded and coarsely chopped

1 habanero pepper- poked with a fork

1 C water

salt and pepper to taste

 

Wash and top okra, discard any blemished or hard pods.  Place okra, tomatoes, pepper and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil.  Lower the heat to medium and simmer, covered for about 10 minutes or until the okra is fork tender.  Remove the pepper when the heat level in the dish is to your liking.  Season with salt and pepper and serve over eba, pate, or fufu. 

 

 

Thanks to all for your love, prayers and support!

August 19, 2013- Helping Hands!

Hello Everyone!

Sorry about the late post- Elder Gundersen had a slow connection at the cyber yesterday and I was still getting email from him after 7:00 p.m. last night. This is Africa!

Bleck sent me a few pictures this week of Elder Gundersen's last few days in Togo.  Elder Gundersen told me to enjoy all the pictures that I had received thus far because he didn't plan on sending me any more anytime soon.  Such a button pusher!

Posing for pictures the final days in Togo.

A friendly card game.

I hope his hair grows back when we get him home and eating lots of protein!

Wonder what he's doing playing with matches?

Also pictured- Elder Lemaire and Karen, Bleck's sister.

I lovingly stole this picture from Michelle Layton- it's from zone conference a few weeks ago.

 

 

Elder Gundersen made it safely to Benin on Wednesday and is in Fidjrosse.  Bleck said it was a difficult goodbye.  He now has a companion from Ghana and says he's a great guy.  In typical Hunter style, I have no idea what his companion's name is!  Elder Milambo is also in the apartment- he will be leaving the mission on September 12th.  Elder Milambo's companion is Elder Lynch from Scotland.  Elder Lynch is the one who took Elder Gundersen's boots to him when he went to the mission.  Elder Gundersen says he likes Elder Lynch a lot. 

This last Saturday, the mission participated in a Mormon Helping Hands service project.  I was lucky enough to get a few pictures of the event from a member in Benin. Elder Gundersen is the one wearing the plaid shirt.  He says that they worked to clear a field.  I asked what they were clearing the field for, for a new building?, a park?  Elder Gundersen said that they cleared the field to let it grow back so that they could clear it again next year!  He's such a card.  He said that they all worked really hard to clear the field and that there was media coverage as well.  How cool is that?

Sometimes I feel like these pictures are a bit like "Where's Waldo?"

"Where's Hunter?"!

Elder Gundersen just standing around! Haha!

Elder Baird is to his right.

 

In other news this week, he went into a store and actually found real ham!  He didn't purchase any though because it was $36.00 a kilo! Holy Guacamole!  That must be some really good ham!  He said that so far he has not found any really good places to eat (like Akif's) in the new area.  He does like his apartment though- he says that it is really a nice little apartment and that it is very near the ocean.  He misses home quite a bit this week.  It's the week of the Box Elder County fair and rodeo and Elder Gundersen has always loved the fair.  He should feel right at home in Africa though- the following is a quote from Elder Bailey Shaffer's blog from July 2011-

 

"This week was Pres. Weed's first trip to Togo...and he drove.  That doesn't sound like much, cause it's just a 3 hour drive.  You need to remember that the traffic here is nuts.  It's like trying to get out of the parking lot at the BE County Fair Grounds after the rodeo...all of the time!  It keeps you on your toes.  We saw a couple semis that had been over turned and a few moto crashes, but nothing out the of usual."

 

He expressed concern that so many things will have changed when he gets home.  I assured him that the changes that he would find were good ones.  I told him he now has a queen sized bed to enjoy when he gets home.  He laughed when I told him it had my old black lacquer and high gloss veneer headboard on it.  He asked if he could have light sabers mounted above it and Star Wars sheets just like Howard Walowitz and Sheldon Cooper!  Can you see it now? Only Hunter!

 

 

 

Thanks to all for your continued love and support!  Elder Gundersen will be home before we know it!

 

137 and counting!