Sister Beutler and her trainer Sister Varea

Sister Beutler in Pohnpei

Pohnpei

Kaselehlie from Pohnpei,

                To answer Mary’s question, dearelder.com can still be used to send letters but it costs something like $6 a month to use now that I am out in the field. letters sent to the mission home address will get to me eventually. This is a better address to use though and will be the same as long as I am in Pohnpei:

P.O. Box 2203

Kolonia FM 96941

Pohnpei

                My trainer, Sister Varea, has had a cough for a couple months so on Wednesday we finally went to the doctor and she had pneumonia so she was ordered to rest for the week. She stayed in Kolonia with the other Sister Varea and Sister Salaiau and I went back to Sapwalap. Sister Salaiau told me how to ask all the basic questions at the beginning of a lesson like “Which hymn should we sing” and “Who should pray” on the way back to Sapwalap. I wrote it down and from then on I was in charge of getting the lessons started. Needless to say I had a lot of people trying not to laugh at me or finish my sentences. Sister Salaiau keeps telling me that if I work really hard with the language and suffer now, I can rest later. I am starting to figure out what people are talking about  by picking out words i recognize. One of our investigators, Sileen, wants to be baptized but her husband wouldn't let her. She has been praying a lot for his heart to be softened. When we went to visit her on Thursday her husband was there. He listened to our lesson and even agreed to begin taking the discussions. 

Mom and Dad, the living conditions of river people you visited sounded just like all the people in Sapwalap. I thought Yap was the only island with topless women but I’ve definitely seen plenty of that this week.  There are little roadside stores here that have the best rolls I’ve ever tasted (they are sweeter than usual). You can buy a bag of rolls or a bag of doughnuts for just a dollar and they are one of my favorite treats. My first week here they had broken up doughnuts for the sacrament bread.

On Saturday we had a district seminary activity all the missionaries got to go to. They played lots of the pioneer games like stick pull and they had a pie eating contest. None of the students had ever heard of such a thing. All the chosen participants were natives and none of them could finish their pie so they finally just gave a prize to the one who finished the most before they had to go outside and throw up.

That evening there was a branch activity cultural show. I met a lady at the show that knew an Elder Beutler. Did Danny ever serve here? We call here Mama Serina. There were lots of dance numbers for the show, and plenty of food. The food at parties is usually rice, strange noodles, raw fish, taro, bananas, fried cucumbers, and always hotdogs.  One of the members gave us some pineapples from her garden a couple days ago, It is still are still my favorite fruit here. The bananas taste about the same as back home except sweeter, and they are really small. 

                As for myself, I am still in good health. I feel like crying every morning but by afternoon I feel like maybe I’ll be able to make it through the day, and by evening I am happy again. Everything here is so different from home but I know I was sent to this mission for a reason. I already have many people who love me even though we can hardly communicate and the children all run up and hug my legs whenever they see me. They lift my spirits a lot.

Until next week,

Poakepoake Kumwail ( I love you all),

Sister Beutler

P.S. One picture is of my trainer and I and the others are just some pictures of Pohnpei.

Sister Beutler and Sister Beutler

Sister Fatongia and Sister Beutler both headed to the Micronesia, Guam mission.

Kaselehlie Family,

                I had the chance to talk to most of you in the airport. Sorry Eve, I thought I would have time to call you in Honolulu but our flight was late so we had to get right on the next plane I think you were the only one I missed. We made it to Guam by 7:00p.m. on Wednesday. The time change was hard to adjust to especially after our long flights my internal time clock was all messed up.

                The mission president’s home is very nice but deceiving compared to the rest of Guam.  It is kind of a modern run down city. As a whole I didn’t really like Guam all that much.  It reminded me of the ghetto side of Ogden.

                Now for the news you have all been waiting for… On Thursday morning we opened our new “mission calls” I am serving in Pohnpei in the Sapwalap area and am learning Pohnpein. Elders Lyman and Hansen are here also. My trainer is Sister Varea she is from Figi and is very sweet. Her sister is also in Pohnpei and Sister Salaiau (from Popa New Gunea) is her companion. They serve right in town but we will be seeing them once a week. I’m told I am the only white sister in the whole mission.

                The People of Pohnpei are wonderful. They are very patient with me in learning the language and like to help me learn new words. The ones that take care of themselves are attractive people. The children all run up to us and hug our legs. They are good children who work hard and mind their parents. When we first arrived they came and grabbed my suitcases to roll them to our house. They have a hard time saying my name so many just call me Sister Beauty. They all tell me I am very beautiful and comment on my fair skin.

                Our house is very small. It is only one room and we have to lean our mattresses against the wall when we wake up so we have room to walk around. We do, however, have a small bathroom with a flushing toilet and shower and we have an oven, fridge, microwave and air conditioner so I am living in luxury.

                Pohnpei is beautiful.  There are hundreds of different plants everywhere. While we were hiking up the mountain to an investigators house the trail was covered in sensitive plants. My companion is used to them so she thought it was funny when I got excited about them. The region where I am serving is the jungle area so people live in very humble circumstances. They all have a cement or wood pad in their huts.  We sit cross-legged on it to teach lessons. Some people have small trucks and sometimes so many people are riding in the back that they are barely hanging on. It looks like they are spilling over the edges.

                On my first day we taught a 17 year old boy that knows English very well. It was his first discussion and I invited him to be baptized. He said he wanted to. He is very ready to change his life and is willing to do anything.

Last night we were teaching a recent convert and I bore my testimony in Pohnpein it was very simple but at least it’s a start. In this same family Roger (a boy preparing to go on his mission) introduced me to his brother the first day here. He speaks a little English and said his name is Guess.  I thought he was asking me to guess the boy’s name so I said David and they all burst out in laughter. My language is coming along better than I expected. Everyone tells me I am lucky because missionaries learn the language in Sapwalap fast since the people don’t know very much English.  

                We have a branch in Sapwalap and the church house is much nicer than I expected. We live right next to it on the church grounds.  The chapel has benches but we sit on the floor in the classrooms. During relief society we could hear the primary children singing and one of their songs was to the tune of “There’s a Tavern in the Town” J. I didn’t understand much of what was going on in church but Sister Varea did her best to translate for me.

                The food is good. It is mostly rice with some sort of flavored meat (tuna, chicken broth, fish, etc.). There are chickens, pigs, and dogs everywhere. There are a few cats too. I’ve had breadfruit a few times. It tastes almost just like baked potatoes. I’ve eaten a few things that I’m not sure if I should be eating but my companion assures me it is fine. I haven’t tried the raw fish yet.  

                Today we had a zone activity and we played volleyball and football. I made a touchdown! It was good to see Elder Lyman and Hansen again. They make me feel more at ease because they are new at everything too.  The Elders don’t have a water heater so they have to take cold showers.

                I’m sure there is more to tell but we have to pay to use the internet by the hour so I will be done now. I love you all and enjoy reading your letters. Tell the little ones I miss them too.

Love,

Sister Beutler

Dear Family,
    I can't believe how fast I have progressed here, when I don't have all the little things to worry about. I have been able to focus on improving the things I didn't even realize I had a problem with before.
    I got my travel plans this week. We will be leaving Tuesday at 3:00 am. Our flight leaves Salt Lake at 6:00 am. and goes to San Fransisco. From there we will go straight to Guam. After figuring out the time changes we decided our flight is about 20 hours and when we get there we will skip like a whole day. 
    The food is still good and I continue to grow plumper every day.
    I see Elder Stegelmier pretty frequently. He seems pretty happy to be here and is doing well. My companion calls him Elder Stooglemier. I don't think he can say her name correctly either though. Right now I'm washing my clothes and listening to the Elders from Germany & Denmark. Their accents make me happy. They are having a discussion with the Elders in my district about what we call our three middle toes.
    Gym time is still much looked forward to. My favorite is playing basketball with Sister Landry. She is from Mississippi and she's one of my favorites. Another one of my favorites is Sister Gur. She's a big sturdy gal who is very funny & down to earth.
    During the devotionals I enjoy listening to all the funny noises (along with the talks of course). There are the constant sniffs, coughs, and pen clicks; but it is the most exciting when the speaker says something really profound. All the heads go down followed by a chorus of pen clicks. Then the heads pop up one by one and pens click again.
     Elder Gilman was sick yesterday so he went to the doctor and came back with a prescription for a 12-hour nap.
    We usually teach 2 or 3 discussions a day with our progressing investigators. Sister Fatongia and I are learning a lot. We definitely have things to work on but we learn more every day.
    I see Sister Beutler (Wayne's daughter) all the time. We pretty much have the same schedule. It's good to get to know the cousins I knew existed but never really talked to.
   I met Elder Mahu Yesterday. He is in the new district in our zone. He said Nathan is his uncle and he lived in Dayton 'til he was about 4. (I think she meant Mihu)
    I have been trying to drink my cranberry juice every day. Mary, I am feeling very sad for you that the big lawn mower isn't working. Best of luck with that. I'm not all that disappointed about missing the first bean picking but I'm sure you had a blast without me! That is very exciting. I'm glad all the nieces and nephews haven't forgotten about me yet. Could you send me a list of our family with their birthdays? I wouldn't want to forget.
    I nearly forgot. I am allowed to call my family while I am in the airport. I'm not really sure who to call. The only number I have memorized is Mary's, so I will call her and go from there. Probably not until I get to the San Francisco airport though. Which will be around 8:00 am. your time.
    Mom & Dad, it was good to receive your emails. I'm glad the Elders enjoyed reading my letter. I told Elder Creech to try and find you. I didn't think he would actually remember.
    It sounds like you are both getting more comfortable with your mission responsibilities. Thank you for the words of support. I love you both very much as well as the rest of the family. May God Bless You. We are all very blessed.
    With Love,
          Sister Beutler

Dear Family,

        The MTC is great! I don’t think I would’ve said that a couple days ago but I’m getting used to everything and don’t feel so much out of my comfort zone anymore.

        Sister Fatongia and I are still getting along well and she even runs with me. I am also becoming good friends with the other two sisters in my district. Our whole district is wonderful and we are just like a family now after only a week. We all strive to be obedient with exactness and there are no complainers.

        The cafeteria is a magical place! There are always at least 4 main dishes to choose from, several different desserts, all the fruit you can eat, and any drink you could ever want including juices, milk, & chocolate milk. So far I have gained 3 pounds.   I am, however, still under 135, so it’s O.K.

        During gym time we can go to the field, the gym, or the fitness center and they have all the equipment you could ever need for working-out and other games.  I even found 3 other Sisters that like basketball so we’ve played 2 on 2.

        We are supposed to all prepare a talk on the topic chosen for the week and be prepared to speak for sacrament meeting.  They always choose one Sister and one Elder to speak once we get into the meeting.  I got to be the lucky Sister chosen so I gave my talk on faith.  I was nervous to talk in front of all the missionaries in my zone but it went just fine.

                I met another sister Beutler.  She lives just a few doors down from me.  She is Uncle Mark’s & Aunt Joyce’s granddaughter.  The boy that plays the 14-year-old Joseph Smith in the Joseph Smith Movie came on the same day as me too!  He actually has dark red hair.  He calls my companion Sister Samari because she always wears a bun on top of her head.

        You can send me free letters through Dear Elder.com while I am in the MTC .  I only have 30 min. to be on the internet so there isn’t much time for me to read and send emails.  My email here is (amy.beutler@myldsmail.net). 

        We have 4 different people we are teaching some of the people are our teachers role playing a convert they know, and others are actors at the TRC who are either actually investigators or  they are converts who are acting as themselves before they were converted.  Sister Fatongia and I are getting more and more comfortable with teaching.

        I was in the MTC choir for the devotional on Tuesday.  It was so exciting to be in a choir where the men out-number the women.

        I am learning so much here.  At the Tuesday devotional my favorite quote was:  “If you have a problem; Solve It.  If you want results; Do the Work!”  Besides all my mission goals, I have made two personal goals for myself while I am out here:  I will never say unkind things about others, and I will not complain about the rules.  I’ve had to catch myself a few times, but it is so much easier to improve yourself when the spirit is with you always and you are surrounded by so many other people who are trying to improve themselves.

        I got sick the third day out.  I had a sore throat, was freezing all day, and felt shaky.  I was a naughty girl though and went to class and all my scheduled events anyway.  I don’t think my body was used to eating so much sugar, so I laid-off the desserts for a while and got feeling better quickly.

        Sundays are the best.  This is my first P-day and it’s pretty good too.  Some days for zone teaching, the Sisters are paired up with Elders.  That’s always an interesting experience.  Teaching with an Elder is much different than with a Sister, especially when I don’t know him.

P.S.          I haven’t seen Elder Stegelmier yet but I am keeping my eyes open for him.  I think that is everything.  May God bless you all.  I love you guys and hope to hear back from you soon.

                                        Love/Sister Beutler

P.S.S-My estimated departure date is August 14