Memoirs of the Alumnus... Jessica 'Bird' Endres

The trip overall was way more memorable than I could have ever hoped. As I got to know more of the girls on the team more it was easy to see what a special and fun group of girls the team is. Along the way I made new friendships and had many special experiences. I am so grateful for the host family I had in New Zealand, the Herberts. It felt good to connect with saints half way across the world and feel thier love for us even though we were strangers. It taught me a lot about fellowship and kindness.
Samoa was absolutely incredible for me. I loved being in that culture and feeling the spirit that those people have there. I have so many highlights in Samoa that it is hard to narrow down my favorite moments.
Our visit to the primary school is at the top of my list. I honestly did not want to leave those children. I wanted to stay and spend time with each of them and learn about them. The way that they welcomed us and were so happy to have us there was great. I could have stayed there all day playing with them.
I also really enjoyed the experience at the high school. Once again the people of Samoa had such a spirit about them that was contagious. It was so cool to see the honor that they showed to Sam. I was so happy to be able to be there.
It goes without saying that I loved all of our time at the beach. I truly am genuinely happy when im out in the sunshine and water in one of the most gorgeous beaches in the world.
Kareoke night was so fun and totally unexpected. Thank you to everyone for thier performances!
haha I could go on and on and on about all of the special memories I now have. Bottom line is that it is a trip that I will never forget. I will never forget the way I felt while serving the people of Samoa and the spiritual experiences I had. I am so grateful for the opportunity to go and for the friendships I have now made. Talofa everyone!!!!

-Jess

Thoughts and Highlights from Patti aka Tim Tam!

It all started for me when we were in the airport and I lost the video camera! But know worries we found it! New Zealand was BEAutiful! and even more beautiful than me and Eric missing the ferry. The best part about New Zealand were the people we met and my host mom EMMA!! Love her! It was weird having everyone drive on the left side of the road. The teams we played were such sweet girls. Oh yeah and just to let everyone know i fell in LOVE on the trip. His name is TIM TAM :) .... and yes it is a chocolate cookie and yes it is know my nick name hahah.

Samoa was incredible! The humidity was something I wasn't prepared for but it was a life changing experience that I will never forget! Living with my host family was amazing. I love them so much! The highlights for me were to see the people live and love with all they had! The people were examples to me and being able to serve them was a blessing in my life. The testimony meeting at the end of the trip was unforgettable and brought our team closer. Over all this trip was the best trip EVA!!! and I'm so thankful for the people who made it possible and the people I was able to share it with! :)

Love, Patti

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS...by 'Ilikea Arakaki

I was fortunate enough to be part of the UVU Volleyball team for the past year and lucky to have the opportunity to travel with them to New Zealand and Samoa! Of all places to go on a trip with my work, it had to be two of the coolest places! Now I can proudly say I've been out of the country with people that have become my friends. Thank you so much Coach for giving me this chance to connect with the girls and the staff!

NEW ZEALAND:
-Devonport: Beautiful city with the cutest houses!
-The ferry ride...and E and Tim Tam missing it. :)
-Going to the Children's hospital and being entertained by the clown and fairy...oh and Coach being sprinkled with "fairy dust".
-A cop looking at us weird after we parked on the grass.
-Taking pictures with the cool cop.
-Seeing the cars race at the museum.
-Exploring the museum and learning the rich history of the Maori people.
-Patti asking, "Is this a crater or a volcano?"
-Allyce always seems to grab a boob when taking a picture.
-Finally going to a beach, Piha! Taking tons of pics, playing with the kelp.
-Fish and Chips for the first time!
-Going to the rugby game...our team losing. But still super fun!
-Doing temple work and singing for a little bit at the baptism font...it was lovely!
-Lanni talking in her NZ accent.
-The cute elderly people, and the little old woman who couldn't figure out Meagan's camera.
-Smelly Rotorua. P.U.
-Playing endless games driving all around NZ and singing Disney songs.
-When Creeper looked at us playing and we all freaked out cuz we thought he was driving...haha.
-Luge! Kudos to Jessica getting slammed by all the carts and living to tell the tale.
-Daniel winning all of the races...boo.
-Coach being the chief. Whoot Whoot!
-The bus ride back and our tour guide going around a round-a-bout...like 20 times.
-Singing on the bus as loud as we could.
-Singing Edelweiss :)
-With Erica, Dani, Rachel and Meagan taking cool jumping pics at the pier.
-The sad goodbye song that our families sang to us after the game, and the spirit of love we felt.
　
SAMOA:
-Coach seeing his son as a missionary.
-Going to the beach more than we expected. Yay!
-When we first got to Coach's house where he grew up. Pretty amazing.
-Tricc saying, "So this is where Sam first Whammed." :)
-Delivering stuff at Ah Mu and the Elderly home.
-Dropping stuff off at the Pediatric Ward, seeing the parents and children's faces when they recieved an animal and hygiene kits was just so joyful.
-CFA playing with the two adorable kids running around the hospital.
-Doing an assembly at Pesega Church College...the kids going wild when a boy kissed CFA and another kissed Patti on the cheek.
-Taking pictures with those kids...wow. They attacked you!
-Erica saying, "I have sweat on my body that is NOT mine."
-Lanni and Rachel's gecko video. Hahaha!
-Sarah singing Phantom of the Opera in the van, and everyone belting out Sound of Music melodies.
-The girls giving stuff to the players, and just seeing the happiness on their faces was priceless.
-Daniel ripping open a coconut.
-Delivering supplies to the small hospital near the south side of the island where the tsunami hit.
-Visiting Coach's dad's grave. There was an incredible spirit there.
-Daniel falling on the road...Haha.
-Coach singing "Fantasy", Andrew singing "Sweet Caroline", Daniel sang "Everything She Does Is Magic", and Allyce belting out "I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing"...I miss you Pepe!
-The fish swimming so close and eating food out of your hands!
-Sunday being the hottest ever, never again will I take AC for granted!
-Lindsay singing with her flawless voice.
-All the little mishaps that happened during the fireside... :)
-Sarah saying that she prefers being called "Tricc" in her talk.
-Jaicee and CFA singing "Love at Home" in Samoan. So beautiful.
-Patti being hit on by the local Samoan boy after the fireside.
-Our devotional afterwards...no words can be enough to describe that night.
-While on our way to Piula, the fresh water cave, we threw t-shirts to people on the road. Their faces were so full of joy! Playing Santa Claus was the best!
-Singing Pirates of the Caribbean in the creepy fresh water cave...
-Snorkeling with Scotty, Jessica and Andrew...seeing all the tiny fish colonies.
-Watching Glee on the way home...Whoot!

Chief Sam Attempting the Haka...

Trip Reflections from the resident Kiwi

It all started 4 years ago when Sam, Andrew, Lacee & Jess brought the original UVSC team 'down under'. I skipped work for a week and followed them round, being drawn to the light that they glowed in. To have the opportunity to share in that a second time round, when I have come so far personally, was the sweetest, most loving experience I could have dreamt of.

Of course we had fun. How could we not!? Lugeing, eating, driving, sleeping, some more eating and taking in all the culture of my homeland is always such a special experience, and to share it with a group of such wonderful people only adds to the experience. This team, this program has changed my life, so to be able to return to NZ and share them with MY people was so special.

Adding to that was my first experience of Temple session, such a blessing to do that in my homeland.

Moving onto Samoa. WOW. It was such a privilege to share in that experience. From the out and out joy of the fun of the beaches, to the heart warming service we were able to do for the people of Samoa. What seemingly was so little for us (t-shirts and stationary) you could see
changed their lives.

To see Sam honoured and respected as he is in his homeland was so humbling, and only amplified my personal love and respect for the man that is 'THE WHAM'.

Thank you UVU for sharing this experience with me, thank you Sam for making this happen, thank you Lacee & Scott for being amazing, inspiring people and coaches and supporting the Wham so well, thank you girls for being amazing, fun, hilarious, energetic and enthusiastic!

Thanks for changing my life, I am truly eternally grateful.

Daniel