Damp Laundry. Love, Monika

hey pappa bear,

 

i don't have alot to do right now. checked the email...but no one likes to write to us. so i thought i'd write to you since i'm feelin a leedel lonely. sis mullers doing her laundry and scooped out our stuff from the dryer before it was done. so some things are still damp. i told her it was not dry yet. she says, oh just hang it up. here i'll do it. NO, i can do it myself. okay, okay. so, not much else. during lunch she was telling me how much money gas costs and how tiring it is to drive. so i didn't ask her about this weekend. didn't think it was exactly the right time. well, i guess i'll talk to ya later. love ya. i better go...she's in our room. gotta keep a close eye on her. kisses, mon

To Nathan About Grades. Cheers, Monika

hey nathan, 

i feel your pain...but don't feel bad, a C is GOOD! I would always come out of the testing center with 40's and 50's...about a D. If ever I received a C grade I was jumping for joy! so, no worries, you're actually doing a pretty decent job. the curve should help as well. i hope. thats cool about that girl...yeah right, like she was gonna say no! speaking of girls...the mullers daughter, leslie, is about sam's age. and i kinda heard about her before i came. i guess sam met her when she first got here and she was flirting with him. so, we saw her on sunday and sister muller later said that leslie was a little upset that sam wasn't as friendly and "fun" with her like before. she has a four year old boy and is going through a divorce with her husband...so i can understand how a handsome guy like sam - getting along with her son would be quite attractive to her. she came over for dinner tonight. actually she was supposed to come for lunch but found out that sam wasnt gonna be here for lunch so she cancelled. we were also supposed to go shopping with her after lunch but she said, since she is coming for dinner she had to go get her hair done. hmmm. so she came over with her tight shirt telling sam how sweet he is and that she'll miss him when he is gone..."oh, and you too, of course, monika". um, thanks. i almost feel bad for her. poor girl. i'm not too worried though cuz she looks like a pirate. yeah, she is always wearing a scarf tied around her head. its kinda weird, but she is a nice gal. i'd rather hang out with her than sister muller. thats for sure. i just might strangle that woman before i leave this place. she really is a nazi. she is a very impatient woman. today she asked if i wanted to go to the park with her (i usually try to slip outta the house without her knowing). so being the nice one that i am, i said yes. "okay, vee leaf NOW". "Hurry, Hurry vee are late!" "vee onlee haf twenty minutes!" so i took my time and enjoyed the stroll down the leedel (i really hate that word) village. she kept asking if she could take the stroller, but i said, "no, no, i'm fine". i think that agravated her even more. "indians do not care if zey are late, yes? you and sam, don't hurry ven vee are in a rush".  "yep, thats true. i don't like to be rushed. we're only on time for important things." "yes, yes, but vee are late". "oh, its okay, see, this is why i go to the parks alone, so i don't have to rush." "yes, this is true". she is an interesting lady to say the least. she has no shame. she even called me FAT! can you believe that? oh well. she is kooky. but, i'm rambling now. i hope this saturday goes smoothly. cheers, monika

About the Holidays. Love, Monika

hey mom and dad,

 

as of now, we are planning to go to canada for christmas this year. we were going to have our own christmas this year, and then go to canada next year, but i need my crown for my tooth as soon as possible. i don't want it to get any worse. we also need to pick up our distribution money. so we're thinking of heading up on the 23rd or 24th. that would be the friday or saturday after we get back. so we will have some rest time before we go. i just wanted you guys to know just in case you are planning on wanting to see isaiah (especially since you will not have seen him for four months)...we'll be in town the week we return...so the 19th (monday) through the 23rd (friday). love you guys and hope you get better soon dad. thankfully sam and i are over our colds. we were miserable. and our noses are still chapped. luckily isaiah is healthy. love you bunches, monika

Lunch in Glion with Anne Marie. Love, Monika

Now, i consider myself a patient person...but I don't know whether to strangle the lady or hug and kiss her sometimes. Yesterday was amazing! (i finally found the exclamation point). We woke up around 5:30 am and had to rush to the chapel so we wouldn't get left behind. It was the ward temple trip to the Bern Suisse Temple. And we really wanted to go. Of course, I was dressed down in my jeans and a t-shirt because I was watching the baby...and because I'm the most forgetful person I know. I forgot to bring my temple recommend (No worries...there is another trip in November). So anyway, we were catching a ride there because the Mullers left the day before and staying in a hostile (an inexpensive lodging place for temple-goers). They were really pushing us to go with them on Friday night. I mean, REALLY PUSHY! 

"Ugh, this eez too bad you don't want to go to zee temple..." 

Sister Muller, we ARE going to the temple...

"yes, yes, but you are not going on Friday"

Anyway, it went on, and on...we just wanted to save 40 franks. Its only a two hour drive. So, we left Saturday morning and the temple was beautiful. I stayed outside with the rest of the babysitters. It was actually very nice. And then it began...I saw Sister Muller talking to one of the brothers in our ward. No doubt, she was trying to hunt me down. So I slid behind a tree, watching from a distance until the coast was clear. I "ran into" the brother that she was talking to and he told me that she was looking for me and wanted to meet Sam and I after the session was over. So I asked what session Sam made it to and he said the 10am, so he should be coming out between 12 and 1230. Great. So I took a walk with one of the gals in my ward and made it back at 1215. Sam had just gotten out five minutes ago...but i was in TROUBLE! I saw the mullers car circling and she jumped out...

"why you not here at 12? Now vee are late for lunch."

Nobody told me to be here at 12.

"yes, yes, but vee are supposed to have lunch between 12 and 1230"

But Sam came out only twelve minutes ago, even if I came at 12, we'd still have to wait"

"yes, but vee are late! you are supposed to meet us"

NO ONE TOLD ME TO BE HERE AT NOON!!!

"oh, i didn't know..."

Good grief. So we drove to Glion. It was a BEAUTIFUL drive. We arrived at Brother Muller's sister's house on the top of the hill overlooking the city by the lake. The view was breathtaking and it totally reminded me of the old Disney movie, Heidi. Anne Marie was soooooooooooo nice. We lunched on the hilltop in her garden and then she took us on a tour of her hotel school where some jewish refugees stayed during WW2. WOW! It looked like a castle. We were so high up i felt like i was going to fall off. Oh, there is a funny story about the train...but we'll tell you later. we even got part of it on tape...the lady (sis muller) really is a nut. Oh the stories we have to tell! It was pretty late in the day when we finally made it back home. The mullers really are very nice and generous. They took us to so many places and bought some goodies for us as well...so i really can't stay mad at sis muller. but then again...she can be so frustrating. she is the most feisty, pushy, and craziest person i have EVER met! remind me to tell you about the time she said, "oh, vee thought zat vee ver perfect parents vhen vee ver younger too"

Church was great today. sam and i gave talks on temples and temple work. there is also a philipino baby snatcher in our ward and she's fallen in love with isaiah...and i think isaiah thinks she's just as awesome. she's a cute leedle old philly lady. oh, isaiah got a bit frisky in sacrament today...he crawled up to some woman and started playing with her pantyhose. i had to get him outta there with a quickness! oopsie. the people in our ward are soooo nice and friendly. we really love the ward. we had dinner with two of the families in our ward. its great because so many people have young babies isaiah's age, so he isn't so lonely. well, i better go...this email is already too long. Plus, i need to get rested up for another day with sis muller! 

love you all, 

monika

*************************************

Hello Crowfeet, oxoxox

I have been missing all of you and Darrell so much.  Before I forget, Darrell wants your address, or have you all been in touch? Dad is yelling at the kids because the pinons are missing from his bedside.  I had it.  I'm making him share.  The kids picked their own.  Grandma came up and picked what she wanted.  Lots of people are picking along the roadsides.  Grandma Brown came up with Aunt Vee and brought mutton, squash, and corn for me to make a stew for Dad, so that he could get better.  I guess he needed it, he totally loved it.  Grandma Brown does have a talent for visiting the sick. Aunt Vee is starting to go to church again.  She has a more positive aura about her.

Two weeks ago, Window Rock played against Ganado, they won.  I was in the booster club booth the whole time making fry bread.  I wasn't looking forward to it, but they have put in a cement floor, lights, and roofed, which made it very nice.  We will be doing it all over again this coming weekend, I think, its homecoming.This past weekend, we played Tuba City, and lost, I think it was 54 to 0.  We found out that some of the players weren't getting along.  I forgot how long that drive was.  We didn't get back till 1:00 a.m.  Chris is doing good in school and in football, improving all around.  I guess he needed this extra year to grow up enough to go on to the next level.  I am not so afraid for him anymore.  

Speaking of temple trips, we got our recommends renewed today.  Dad has gone two times now without me since I was working.  Work doesn't seem so important anymore.  I really enjoyed our temple trips together.  Maybe the whole purpose of working was just to help get Auntie Annie, Uncle Frank and Uncle Hank started in Worldstock.  It seems that it wouldn't have worked otherwise.  

I'm still getting rid of stuff, 5 bags to Goodwill in Gallup last week, and 5-6 more this week.  It feels so good.  

I'll probably think of other things I wanted to tell you after I send this email.  Oh well.  I love all of you.  Please give Isaiah hugsss and kissesss for me.  Just maybe, you might have been a bit bored if Sis Muller wasn't around.  Have fun.  Mom  oxoxox   

**************************************

hey mom, 

well, your're probably right...i would be bored if i didn't have sister muller around. BUT get this. she called me fat! well, she didn't exactly say that but she wasn't all that polite about it. "you gained 30 pounds when you were pregnant?! zat is ALOT. no vonder you still have alot of kilos (pounds) on you..." but i'm not about to move from here. there are too many benefits. like her feeding us, and brother muller lets us use his car, and there is a washer and dryer here, and we get to watch t.v. in our own leedle bunker. its not like she's all that thin either. anyway, that just really got me mad today. so, i'm enjoying my time alone downstairs with the door closed. when isaiah wakes up we'll go to the park. well, i'm glad that things are working out...so does that mean you won't be working with worldstock anymore? that must be some kind of relief and less stress working with the crazies there...like yavonne. i better go...i'm gonna try and take a leedle nap before isaiah wakes up. love you so much mom, monika

****************************************

Monika!

 

Wow, sounds like you had an interesting day.  That's great, though, that you were able to at least go and sit outside the temple on the grounds.  Sometimes, that's all you really need.  That lady, Sister Muller, sounds . . . interesting.  Though I have heard that Europeans do tend to be like that.  I know the South American people are.  It's just in their nature.  But, yeah, it can get annoying sometime.  So, how are you doing?  How's the weather there?  It's the same cycle as it is here, right?  It sounds like you three are having a wonderful time out there.  What an experience.  And the pictures are beautiful.  Makes me want to go there.  I had a professor who is doing a lot of her studies there, but none of the pictures we saw were like the ones you two sent.  My mom wants to know if you have had the opportunity to take the Sound of Music tour.  She has a friend whose husband works for the State Department.  So every four years, they alternate between living in the States and in Asia (he served a Chinese speaking mission, thought I'm not sure which dialect).  But while they were out there at one point, she was able to travel there and take the Sound of Music tour.  Just an interesting little tidbit.  But wow, the things you will learn from this experience.  And your ward sounds like a great ward.  You three are lucky to have ended up where you did.  The Lord is definitely looking out for you three.  Even with Sis. Muller.

 

I'm doing well.  Still working.  My schedule is tight, so I literally have no life.  But that's ok.  I'm working, and volunteering, and taking some courses at the community college and trying to support my leaders for Young Single Adults.  I go to work, then come home, and, depending on the day, go to either FHE for young single adults, my tutoring sessions (I tutor a lady from the Spanish ward to improve her English), my statistics class at the community college, institute, or on Fridays, finally resting.  Then I watch CSI (I'm a huge fan - I love Grissum) or on Tuesdays a new series called Bones( it's about a forensic anthropologists, my hopefully future career).  Other then that, nothing much going on.

 

Last Thursday, my mom and I went to Philadelphia to see Paul McCartney live in concert.  It was a dream come true.  It was awesome.  I was able to remember everything that I loved about the man's music.  And it wasn't anything over the top.  It was a nice enjoyable concert.  My mom was in a daze afterwards.  It's been one of her dreams to see him in concert (he's her favorite Beatle).  So, that was nice.  Also, this Thursday, I'm flying out to Utah for a long conference weekend.  I'm going to visit some people and my brother was able to get some tickets for the Saturday session from our Stake President, so that'll be a great experience.

 

I'm glad to hear that you three are doing well.  What a great opportunity to have in your lives.  It's something that Isaiah will be able to have for the rest of his life.  As well as for you two.  Thanks for the updates and for the pictures.  They're nice surprises to see in my inbox and I enjoy them.  Take care and say hi to your husband and son for me!  

 

Luv ya tons,

 

LeChele

I'm Losing It. Love, Monika

Hey Reba, 

 

now, i don't wanna sound ungrateful or anything because i really am enjoying this country, but i really miss home, and all our get togethers. ugh, and this lady is driving me CRAZY! I pray for patience everyday. she is such a handful. i don't know how her husband survives. at the french market she was pushing everything up in my face... "do you vant to buy zis? eet iz so cheap, buy it, buy it! " And then she wanted to SHOW me some ice cream and the glass wouldn't slide over so she could take it out. so she ran all down the aisles trying to get someone to open the glass. they finally opened it and she showed me, "zis von is zee best ice cream, you should buy it" no thanks. crazy woman. she has no shame. we were on a crowded bus one time and she wanted to sit down so she sat on the floor. she told me to sit down with her. i said i was fine standing...."SIT DOWN, i don't want to sit by myself" alright, alright, already. so i sat on the floor with her. i had no choice..she grabbed my arm and practically pulled me down. i just might have to strangle her before i leave...and then send a thank you present for all the nice things she does. i know, it doesn't make any sense, but alot of things don't here. oh well, i better go. but goodluck on your interview...that sounds awesome about the conversation you were able to have with that guy. we're praying for you!

love ya, monika

The Sniffles. Love, Monika

hey mom and dad, and family,

well, this week has been okay. i think i have the sniffles. so i'm not up to my best. a little tired. but still okay. the ladies in the ward are so nice and have little children isaiah's age. they get together once a week. i think this would be good for isiaiah...and myself.  oh, sister muller is a handful. she's a real cooky lady sometimes. i wonder how she survives in her own country sometimes. i made navajo tacos last night for them and they loved it. so it was good. things have been going well...sam is doing great...not much to do for him at the office as of yet. so thats good cuz he is able to leave early from work sometimes and spend more time with us. yea. everyone LOVES isaiah of course. sister muller is always fussing over him... maybe a little too overbearing sometimes..but i've gotten used to it. it might just be a european thing. european woman are really pushy. so i really have to stand my ground with her sometimes. we'll have some funny stories to tell though. she likes to correct my english and tell me what america is like. when i try to correct anything she says no, no, no...it is THIS way. oh well. she is funny. but i better keep this short. i have laundry to do and i don't want isaiah to get fussy. 

love you all, monika

*****************************************

Hi Sweetie, Sam, and Chei Yazzie:

 

I barely got myself out of bed.  I have been sick in bed all this week.  I saw the doctor on Monday and he indicated that my lungs were infected with some virus (slight pneumonia).  Today is Friday, Bubba is playing in Tuba City and I can't miss it.  He needs to be there to draw strength he says, so I can't let him down.

 

I should feel a lot better tomorrow.  I will continue to rest so I can get well.  I just came into my office to catch up on some important things.  The businesses are both doing well.  The refinancing for Denny's is about to be completed.  That will be a relief for me.  I believe that is causing me all the stresses.

 

I have not heard from Elder Brown this week.  He indicated that he would be leaving sometimes this week or next.  He is anxious to get to Spain so he can go to work.  It sounds like he gets down at times but he keeps going.  Continue to send him some spiritual uplift experiences that you three are having.  Do not tell him that you miss him although you are.  He keeps saying that he misses home at times but we try not to agree with him.  All the kids are keeping the letters going to him.

 

It sounds like Sister Muller is a handful.  From your letters, she reminds me of Old Mother Hubbard.  I am sure they are fine people with good hearts to help out.  Just enjoy it and have fun.  It is only for another three months.  I bet they really enjoyed your Navajo Tacos.  If they have sheep in the area, you might make some mutton stew for them.  I am sure they will enjoy it with the fry bread.

 

Well, my sweats are coming down.  I better go back to bed for now.  We love you three.  Kiss Isaiah for me from "umpa".

 

love dad

*************************************

hey dad, 

i hope you are feeling better. well, i'm sure you got my other email so i'll keep this one short. we're actually just getting over colds ourselves. it hasnt been very fun. it is so hard to find the right kind of medicine, because its all in french. i wish i knew how to speak it. well, i better go, its getting late here. love you lots, monika

****************************************

Hi Sweetie, Sam and Chei Yazzie:

 

I am finally beginning to feel much better.  I wanted to see the doctor again yesterday, but he advised me just to have more rest.  Thus, I have been coming in to my office for about 3 hours and go home.  Hopefully, I will be 100 percent by Friday.  Bubba has his homecoming game against MV.  I am sure that his team will rebound from last week's loss.

 

Elder Brown's teacher from the MTC called us the other day.  He says that Elder Brown is doing well learning the Spanish language.  They still do not know when Elder Brown will be leaving for Spain.  He is anxious but I told him to be patient.  His teacher indicated that they might send him to California to teach Spanish while he is waiting for his visa.  I do not know if he will like that but that is still a mission.  Give him some encouragement.

 

Were you able to send Elder Brown your Switzerland's address?  Also, he wanted some photos of Isaiah.

 

Evreything is fine with us.  No news from here.  I am sure you three are continuing to enjoy your vacation.  Tell Sam to get straight "A's".  Kiss Isaiah for us.

 

By the way, were you and Sam still interested in the Toyota?  It has a balance of about $21,000 or $22,000.  Please let us know so we will know which vehicles we will get rid of.  For sure, we want to sell the Isuzu for now.  That one has about the same balance.

 

Be nice to Sister Muller.  It sounds like she is full of life.  Enjoy while you can.  We missed you all and love you all.

 

love dad

 

A Tad Homesick, Maybe? Love, Monika

hello from switzerland. 

yesterday was my first trip to france...to the LIDL market. pronounced "leedel". but everything is "leedel" here. "don't put too much soap in...only a leedel bit"..."i like a lot of lemon zhiuce, not a leedel." so anyway, the market was cool...nice and quaint. but it seems so unconsumer friendly here. the europeans may be economical...but it is definately easier to get what you want back home. like STAMPS. good grief...maybe its just sis muller and she doesn't know whats going on, but she sure made buying stamps difficult. sam and i went shopping for food the other day...and less than a half pound of hamburger cost 8 franks... and it was so measly. forget that. we miss walmart... i did make navajo tacos for them last night. it was as close as i could get, seeing as there aren't alot of the spices sold here...no salsa? so i improvised and it came out tasting good... a little mideastern tasting. it was still yummy and sam said it made him homesick. oh...a funny "leedel" story. as i've started helping sis muller with dinner... i've noticed she uses any utensil nearby and that usually means whatever is lying in the dirty sink. so sam caught her using a dirty cup or spoon yesterday and he said, "hey we need to be sanitary, use the clean dishes...you'll get me sick" she replied, "ugh, say a good PRAYER" sam and i couldn't help but laugh. okay, well i need to go. isaiah is calling. 

love you all, monika

******************************************

Hey sounds like you all are having a blast...the lady you live with seems entertaining...lol...just a leedel....i had a dream about stamps the other night because of this email...lol...well I am doing fine I like my job....I think it was just taking me time to get used to the idea of working....I had such a long break:) well I went on that date with Monty and let me tell you first off I was turned off.  He didn't look like his pictures at all...not that looks matter  lol...well he kind of started to grow on me but there  is something about the way he holds him self that turns me off...we went to Olive garden, then to the movies and then to my place and he looked at all my mission pictures and then he took me to dinner...sweet huh!... but I am giv'n him a second chance...I do like that he complements me tons...lol...but he called me the next day after our date and wanted to take me out again tomorrow...he travels all the way from Ogden to see me......but I guess we will see how we get along...anyways about that fry bread...did they love the tacos?  are people nicer to you because you are brown? do they believe you are from the states....what type of neighborhood do you all live in? 

Love and miss ya'll tons!!!

Candi

*********************************************

Thank you for sharing your experiences.  We love getting your letters.  We can enjoy Europe vicariously since I'll probably never get there.  We love the U.S. also.  There is no place on earth quite like it.  Some areas are a bit disheveled right now though.  Maybe you haven't heard that there is another hurricane threatening the south.   Galveston,  Texas is the next area that might be hit

    Monika how I wish you were here and my other girls so that we could all go and spend the day at the most fabulous quilting show here at the convention center.  I am going to go every single day and absorb as much as I possibly can.  The Utah State Quilting Guild is having their annual convention here this year.  Have you ever been to one of their's?  

    Hug and kiss my little Isaiah and stay well.  Those Navajo tacos sound great.  Love you all.  Great Granny Parson 

Grumpy Bear. Love, Monika

hey sweetie,

sorry i was grumpy this morning. sis muller came in shortly after you left and tried to persuade me that going on friday would be better. don't worry...i had a backbone and explained our reasoning. they want to go to three sessions...so now they don't know if they can take us to chillon on saturday because they don't want to come back too late on saturday. so, we'll see what happens. i was also telling her that isaiah had a play date today...but she said, no, no, no, we're going to france now. i left a message for sarah to call asap. i feel like i messed everyones plans up. oh well. i tried calling but you were out of your office. just wanted to do a bit of laughing with you. i better go. 

love you, monika

***************************

hey pappa

we're just getting ready to go to france. it sounds like she wants to buy you some lunch food...or maybe she wants ME to buy it. i don't know. we'll see how it goes. hold on.

First Email to Switzerland. Love, Laura

Hello Sam, Monika & Isaiah,

 

We couldn't get through on brownbunch, so we created this so I could at least get started.  It has been fun reading your emails from there.  I am so glad that you are having a wonderful time.  Thank you so much for the pictures.  I miss all of you and love you all so very much.  Give Isaiah a kiss and hug for me.  What does Sister Muller say about Isaiah?  How is Isaiah around her?  Sam, what is your daily schedule like?  I'm sure you are all glad to back together!  

After you two left, Overstock had the office ribbing cutting and luncheon.  It poured during the lucheon, &most of the people commented that it was a good omen.  That day Dad was conducting at a funeral in Cornfields, he was able to make it back to have lunch since they started late.  This past week I have been going in different times trying to figure out what time I would like to start work.  Although, I don't like to start at 8:00, it seems to work out the best, since I get 1 hour lunch.  Since it isn't all that busy yet, I have been catching up on personal reading, scriptures, reconciling ck books, etc.  Pretty quick, we will probably have to add additional help. There was one day that an order of 300 kachinas were brought in and it took us all afternoon to bubble wrap and box the items. We ended up with 19 boxes just for that completed order, and the vendors were helping us wrap the items.  I wasn't too happy with the contract that she presented, since it was totally different than what she told me in the beginning, so they are drafting another.  If that doesn't go, I will be back working with Dad. I will be happy either way.  ( I kinda miss working just half days, though.)  

Mom,  Auntie, Frank, Hank, Rebecca ( she was hoping to see Isaiah), and Sonya came and stayed with us for the fair.  It was nice.  I think Dad got sick from the dirty fair air.  He really likes to check out the differentevents.  He went and got checked by his doctor and ended up with antibiotics and an inhaler since one of his lungs almost shut down.   Kinda scary.

Tonight was parent teacher conference at the high school.  I filled in for Dad.  Got home quite late and I am the last one to go to bed.  

I have to get up early and take a shipment in, so good night. 

All my love, Mom

 

To Jake for his Game. Love, Sam

Jake,

 

I want you to know that Isaiah, and I are praying for you and cheering for you in next weeks game against W. Michigan, too bad about Toledo, you are playing well though, We can not watch your games so we keep tabs on you through the internet, keep up the good plays and know that you have fans all over the world.

 

Sam and Isaiah.

**************************

Sam

Hey, thanks guys for the prayers, I need it as I am sick as a dog. It is truly no fun. Hey man all those pictures you sent us are so cool. I like how its all country looking and we love the cow picture with Isaiah. I bet it is so cool back there. We enjoyed your description of how the countries looked when you were flying over them, like with all the sheep running around. Football is doing a little better. We only lost by 25 instead of 65 last week. I had a better game. Keep sending us pictures, they are so cool to see. We really want to go there and visit one day. Maybe we could all go visit together one day. Have fun and oh yeah, is the Swiss Cheese really good there. What is your favorite thing to eat there that there really isn't that good of in the U.S. or Canada?

got to go to class,

catch ya later, Jake

The Hills are Alive. Love, Monika

bonjour,

wow...there is no exlamation point on this keyboard, but wow. geneva is absolutely gorgeous and i can't believe we're here. the past week isaiah and i have been recuperating from the trip but that hasn't stopped sister muller from wanting to take us on an outing every single day. the mullers took us to the huge hilltops just north of geneva. the countryside is magnoufic. but i must say, as nice as these people are...they cannot drive. there are no speed limits and it was crazy to say the least. we took some pics of the hillside and some of isaiah and the mountain cows...i now know why they say that the hills are alive with the sound of music...because they are. there are heards of cows grazing along the green mountains and they all wear bells around their necks...so it sounds like one gigantic windchime. it sounds heavenly. i loved it. yesterday sister muller took me to coppet. it is a quaint village, and it has been around for ages...oh, it took my breath away. the town is just on the edge of the lake as well and is very aged. there are stone arches down the alleyways leading to the lake, thick wooden doors with heavy iron knockers, and fashionable boutiques alongside the cobblestone street. i felt like i had gone back in time. it was amazing. there are swans everywhere too. isaiah loves them. today (saturday) sam, isaiah and i took a trip to "old town". it was a windy day but the scenery was still magnificant. the city is so alive with such a wide variety of people. we also went to the market and bought some snacks since sister muller usually cooks for us. speaking of the mullers, sister muller is overwhelming (double exclamation). she is constantly bombarding us with french, german, and suisse german pronunciations. she is a bit cooky but very nice. to be honest, it was nice to go out just the three of us though. sis muller likes to point out EVERYTHING...and she makes sure we see it. "look, there is honda factory, there is hospitel, look, look. did you see? LOOK." good grief. she can be a handful sometimes but she is very entertaining for sam and i. we just have to roll our eyes and laugh. oh, in old town we saw a chocolatiere. ahh. the chocolat. mmwha. delicious. we went to a fancy boutique..but it was well worth the 15 franks in specialty chocolat. i think we may have taken a chocolat liquor by mistake as well. oopsie. but it was all good. the suisse do have the best chocolate. now, i don't know about the cheese.... sam and i have been going buck wild with the cheese and chocolate...but we had some nasty, stinky cheese today. luckily they were only the small sample cheese. ugh. tasting that cheese made us homesick for some good old cheddar. you can't go wrong with cheddar. but overall, the suisse food that sis muller makes us is very good. i'm glad we live with them, otherwise we'd miss out on the whole authentic food experience. of course there are some dishes that i must hold my nose and swallow...like the moldy cheese. well, maybe it isn't moldy, but it sure tastes like it. so, those are our adventures so far. we've met so many nice people and even had a fondue dinner tonight which was very fun. but i must go to bed now. its 1040 here. isaiah is sleeping and sam is mingling with the family upstairs. i think he might feel bad for not spending the WHOLE day with them today...like we have been. sis muller is so excited to have us, she is trying to squeeze geneva down our throats in one week. hope every one is doing fine. we love and miss you all. 

adieu, sam, monika, and isaiah

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hola señor and señorita and le baby,

Sounds great getting the whole sound of music de tour.  As for us we're just dealing with usual family things.  The kids aren't being too obedient and that's giving mom and I a hard time.  Dad is doing his best at work and I'm doing my best at Football. Although I haven't made big improvements I'm not getting worst.  We won against Ganado.  The score was 24-6 and the crowd was big by half time.  I have to get reading and studying for seminary.  Thanks for the info' and we love you guys very much and we miss baby.  I hope I change a lot when you return home.  Physically and spiritually. 

Love you guys,  

Christopher.

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Bonjour!!!

 

Thanks for the updates & pictures. I love the green hills. It looks absolutely gorgeous! Keep taking pictures, I want to experience the whole Gevena area by the time you leave.

 

I've been on vacation for the past week. I'm finally back at work today. I was in PHX for birthday parties & family gatherings. 

 

I'm packing for my next trip in three weeks. Viva Las Vegas, baby! I'm excited. I'm literally trying to drag Pat & Marilee to Vegas with me. Ha....ha.... You have to promise to come join me sometime to one of the tournaments!!

   

Keep in touch, mars :)

Jet Lag. Love, Monika

hey family,

yes we made here safely, although it was very rough going by myself because i only had 15 minutes between each flight. so it was crazy. also, the wheel on the stroller broke off during the first flight so i had to fight with that the rest of the way. but the people around me were very friendly and very helpful. it was the longest flight we've ever been on. by the time it was isaiah's bedtime, it was early morning in london. so we only had a couple hours sleep. that is why i haven't written in a while. isaiah and i have been so tired...catching up on our sleep. but geneva is beautiful. and the mullers are very, very nice. the bedroom that they fixed for us is quite cozy and comfortable. usually only sister muller is here and brother muller goes to work. they are very nice people. she cooks for us all the time and it will only cost us 10 franks a day...which is about 8 dollars a day. which is a very, very good deal. so i think we may stay here. it is easier for us and much cheaper. we also have access to a vehicle here. they let us borrow their car if we ever want to use it, especially if we want to go sightseeing. we also bought bus/train passes. well, i better go. i need to go and get ready for the day. isaiah and i slept in. 

love you all, monika

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Hi Sam, Monika, and Isaiah:

 

We are glad to hear you two made it Switzerland okay.  We were worried that you did not get your license.  Your trip reminded us of one of our trips to Disneyland when mother was pregnant with Bubba.  I was trying to carry Darrell around and you and Aaron were hanging in there with us from train to train carrying Darrell's stroller.  It was horrible riding the train and sleeping in the train back then.  What a memory.

 

Did Isaiah get back on schedule?  How did he react to seeing his father?  Was he excited to see him?  We were just imaging that he jumped off from your arms at the airport and went to his dad.

 

I am sure that you will all enjoy the short four months together.  September is almost gone, thus there is only October, November, and part of December remaining.  That will be quick.  Take some photos and send them to us via e-mail.

 

Elder Brown is still at the MTC.  He still does not know when he will be going to Spain.  He assured us that he will call us before he leaves.  He is already on his mission for over a month.  We did not hear from him this past week.  I am sure he was busy with his language.

 

Bubba played a good game last night.  His team beat Ganado 24 to 6.  He is getting better and better and gaining more confidence.  They were the underdogs by 24 points.  Navajo Times never liked Window Rock.  Even in baseball, they always criticized Window Rock when Darrell played.  They can eat their heart out.

 

I was in Las Vegas all this week.  I returned from my trip last night.  I barely made it Bubba's game.  I went to the temple there.  It was so beautiful and quite, peaceful and the Spirit was strong of course.  I put your names in the temple so that you may continue to receive your blessings.

 

I caught a cold also from my trip which is miserable.  I am planning to rest today and tomorrow so that I can get back on my feet.  Well, have fun and enjoy your stay at Brother and Sister Mullers.  We love you all.

 

love mom and dad

I Made It, But... Love, Sam

Well, 

 

I made it it was absolutely wonderful, the flight was really not all that bad and the trip went fast, I arrived in Geneva and and the Muller family met me and they picked me up....they are great people. They took me home and fed me lunch and then we went to the Lake ,( if you go on to Google and look at Geneva you will see the huge water fpuntain shooting out of the lake, well I went and stood underneath the thing) Sis. Muller then showed me around a little bit and then I bought a month long bus pass and then we went home. 

 

However...there are for sure some things that need to be sorted out. The place where we are to stay is incredibly small, the bomb shelter is actually quite cozy but it is tiny and they come and go in and out of the basement as they please so I am worried about privacy. There are spider webs all over, the shower is seperate and it is our own, but the toilet is on the main floor and there is no room for Isaiah to crawl around in the house, they have a cute little garden, but it is still going to be difficult for baby in the wintertime. The place smells like moisture and their knick knacks and junk are all over, they only cleared a few shelves and for us to be comfortable especially you at home with the baby will be tough. So as exhausted as I am I will fight jet lag and track down a paper and start looking for places to stay.

 

I have told them that I am still going to try and look for a place to live but they think that I will not be able to find one that is cheap. In fact they insist that I am crazy to think that I can. But I replied that the Lord will make things work out, and they really can,t say much to that....(This keyboard is screwed up only half of the buttons are in the same place as the keyboards back home)

 

They are also kind of in my face a lot and that kinda gets tired fast. But they are doing their best to make sure I am comfortable so i can't fault them for that. Bro. Muller said they all speak english but bro. muller has Parkinsons disease and that makes his speech really slurred and I have to try and focus on every movement his lips make so that Î can understand him, he sounds like that one song by The Roots which has a great beat but the chorus is blurred and impossible to make out except for the words "don`t say nothing"

 

Okay I have pulled out 500 Swiss Francs, from UCCU and that is about 405.00, and I spent 78CHF on a bus pass which is about 63USD, so be sure to put money in UCC from Siksika, and leave the Canadian card with nate. Other than this I have spent no more money.

 

Things I forgot:

= nothing...that I can think of

= I was told that bringing a car seat does not count as luggage so it is okay to bring ours if you want, I will forward you the email that made me think of this

=bring another power bar for our appliances, there is a chance that I fried the one I brought by trying to plug it into the wall...the only reason why is because we might not have the proper adaptor, so bring another powerbar just incase.

= bring clothes that make you look really good, people here dress really trendy and they think they are all that, so show em up like you know how.

 

Damn it I miss you very much, I almost cried a few times en route, you really are my world. Things might be up in the air when you arrive but I will try to make it all better before you get here. I love you more than you will ever know. Kiss my son for me and tell him that his Poppa loves him more than he will ever know. I should go and try and find a place to live for us, I love you my queen.

 

Love,

Your King (Sam aka Poppa)

I Made it to Switzerland. Love, Sam

Well, 

I made it. 

I have to say that travelling and seeing the world is really something. My trip over was actually not really that bad, I left my family early sunday morning and flew to Dallas where I had a three hour layover, and then I bordered the plane to London. The flight took 9 hours and I was fairly comfortable, I sat beside a British couple who obviously loved to drink, and drank almost the entire flight. It was soo bad that I smelled the alcohol on them seeping through their skin as they were sleeping. I have also learned that European folks as a general rule have breath that is rotten....well at least the ones who I have spent any time with conversing with. 

But I have an open mind.  I awoke mid way through the journey over the Atlantic Ocean and was mesmerized by the gravity of the situation I was in, here I am some  chubby guy from an Indian Reservation enroute to work for the United Nations...what was I thinking?!! I become a little intimiadted....anyways. I watched TV and saw the "longest yard" as the inflight movie, and watched "Friends." I slept a bit and then I awoke again to see an Island in the distance, I found out that I was looking at Ireland!!! I was soooo excited, I saw little towns and villages and even sheep running around in herds (it looked like sheep). All my life I have wanted to see Europe and experience other worlds (not other planets, but worlds that are different from my own)and different cultures. After Ireland I saw the english country side and and it was just like in the movies, my mind was filled with images of Sherlock Holmes, Harry Potter, Braveheart and all that junk as we touched down in London. After London I flew over to Genevé and I was picked up by the Muller family. and we drove to their house which is only about 5 minutes from the Airport. The Muller family is very nice but I do´not think I can stay with them long. In Switzerland people drive on the left hand side like in America, so it really is going to be great living here. I am missing my wife and child alot, they will join me on the 12th of Sept.

This email has to be cut short, work is already starting.

FYI: I am working for the World Meteorological Organization in the Strategic Planning office.

Holla at me when you get a chance

Sam

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Hi Sam:

Monika and Isaiah left here on Wednesday.  We already missed baby, of course yourself and Monika.

I hope things are coming together for you out east.  The important thing is that once you get an apartment to live in, that resolves a lot of problem.  The three of you need to grow together without any interference, meaning living without strangers.  I am glad to hear that you did get a place to live for your family.

I am sure that 4 months will zoom by.  The other day I was reading an article from the BYU Humanities, it said something about your internship program, thus I understand a little bit more why you did this.

We wanted to see Monika and Isaiah at the airport on Monday, but we just have to wait until you all come home.  Even Elder Brown, we are not planning to visit him at the airport.  We want him to feel that he already left for his mission.  We do not want to make it difficult for him.  I know he is enjoying his mission already.  He writes every week and I am trying to keep up with him.

Well son, take care and you will reunite with your family on Monday or Tuesday.  For your information, both did not feel happy because they missed you.  I tried to keep baby happy, but I could tell that he missed you.  He kept saying "dadda" and that's how I knew he was missing you.  Even Monika, she got ill and she did not look too happy.  I am glad to see that you all care for each others.  That makes us feel that our daughter and our grandson are in good hands.  Thank you for taking care of them.

Love you, Romero

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So happy that you arrived safely.  You are going to have a WONDERFUL experience.  I envy you.  Now Monika can actually

see the Alps first hand and sing her heart out in the Alps.   

    Enjoy every second while we here at home are wishing we were with you enjoying it all.  Love you.  Grandma Parson 

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Hey Sam that is so freaking cool!   I am so proud of you.  I know that at times it can be very intimidating,  although I have no idea what you are going through.  When I arrived in Cambodia I was overwhelmed but I do not think that the two places are very similar.   Just break things down into small tasks and take it from there.  I know that you will do a great job

Love Nathan

I Think I Found A Place. Love, Sam

I have found a place for 800CHF which is 650USD starting Oct 1st, I am not sure if I can find anything sooner, so we will see, But I think if we stay with the Mullers for September which is 3 weeks for the three of us we will be okay and then spend October, November, and December In our own place I think thigs will work out. I feel better about this than staying with the Mullers for the entire time. I am going to check the place out in the next little bit but I think this is a sweet deal, 

 

This means that our basic costs would be:

 

800 rent

140 buspasses

??? food

 

940 = Total in SwissFrancs, not including food

 

which is $758.00 USD and we have 1100 each month coming from Old Sun this leaves us about 342.00 Left over each month to either save and for miscalaneous things that includes food and other things that I am not forseeing.

 

How does all of this sound to you?

 

Also it is very cheap for me to call you, dirt cheap maybe 6 dollars for a half hour but buy a calling card and give me a shout tonight at 2:30 your time which is 10:30 at night mine. Damn I miss you.

 

Also do bring my American Crew shoulder bag (it is beige), I left it and it would be better for me to have it than the bag that I currently have, I beleive I left it at home IN Utah, also do not forget my belt the black one I left that in AZ

 

Well I love you so much...it is times like these when I realize how much you mean to me and  I find it hard to function without you around...darn near impossible actually

 

Luv, 

Big Pops

 

A Couple More Things. Love, Sam

Well Hot Mamma,

 

Do not bring any more appliances with you, I fried my speakers and the little black lamp I bought trying to hook everything up. Do not bring anything that you are not sure about, ask me first to see if we need it. Space is very limited in the basement, also I was thinking that we have   two choices, either we live with the Mullers in their basement for approximately 450CHF (swiss francs) a month which is about $365.00(USD) and save the rest to travel on the weekends and experience Europe or we could just save the money for later, OR we spend about 900CHF a month (or so) for our own place (which is about $730.00 and will not be too much bigger than the Mullers basement but it will be our own), live thrifty, and travel only when someone can take us places or offer us breaks here and there, and this second option will only work if someone agrees to lease a place for 4 months. Anyways...I was thinking and thought I would fill you in on what was running through my head...we could make it work here in the basement and we could have fun, but it could and would be a lot easier and expensive the other way. Anyways just pray about it and I will to, let me know what you are thinking. 

 

P.S.

I talked to people about France and what it is like to live there, they said that we would have to apply for VISAS and all that crap because it is another country and Swiss is not part of the EU. So that idea is out the window. 

 

Luv,

Big Pops

My job is awesome,

 I work with people from all over and I have already made an impression with some of the Phillipino people here. The office where I work is big tall and beautiful. You will love it.

 

Love

Sam