Waiting for Hurricane SANDY!

Dear Family and Friends,

We got this notice this morning...I'm sure they have been inundated with calls. 

We don't know if we will get an email from Mike today...time will tell! 

We know he will be safe.  Thanks for following our missionaries!  Mike will love this 

new adventure...starting out with a hurricane! 

We loved talking to Mike very early on Tuesday morning as he waited for his flight. 

He sounded fabulous and sooo excited to get there and get on with it.  He told us he

knew it was time to go because he felt comfortable with the language...he knows that 

will change as soon as he arrives. He had an interesting flight on his way to PA.  His 

MTC companion, Elder Fausett from Hurricane, Utah, got sick on the descent into 

Altanta...very sick, and didn't make the bag...at all, covered...you get the picture? 

With less than an hour to make their connection in that huge Atlanta airport, they 

attempted to "clean" him up in the rest-room with paper towel...not good...so...

Elder Fausett met his mission president, yep,that's right...in a t-shirt and jeans 

purchased in the Atlanta airport!

Another tender mercy...his companion is Elder Brady Wright...his father Bryan Wright 

was Troy's stake high council rep for his singles ward until just recently.  We are 

thrilled that his companion is such a great young man and missionary!  He comes from an 

outstanding family!  The blessings continue to flow!

Having missionaries is the BEST! 

Love,

Troy and Cindy 

Dear Parent(s) of a missionary serving in the Pennsylvania Philadelphia Mission,
 
I am sending you this email based on the email address we were given when your 

missionary filled out his missionary application.  Zone leaders who have reported to me 

that all missionaries are accounted for and safe.
 
I am sure you are a little worried if you have been watching the news concerning

Hurricane Sandy. According to the storm track, it will make a direct hit on our mission 

sometime Monday evening. Winds and rain are supposed to begin in Eastern portions of the 

mission this evening and continue for the next 36 hours. Sustained winds that will 

certainly knock limbs off of tress and uproot some will result in widespread power 

outages. There will be flooding in low lying areas.
 
I have moved the missionaries serving in the coastal areas inland. I have instructed 

all missionaries to stay in their apartments, go to the church building or stay with 

members if their apartment is not safe. They have been instructed to have three days of 

water and food. If they have any concerns they are to contact the local bishop or 

branch president.
 
Last year we survived Hurricane Irene with no serious problems. In fact, many 

missionaries were a little disappointed that it wasn't worse. Those from the West 

wanted to be able to say they had been through a real hurricane. It was bad enough. 

I'm praying for many disappointed missionaries this time too. The thing that is 

concerning about "Sandy" is the length of time the winds will be blowing and the 

amount of rain (up to 6") that is possible.
 
Priesthood leaders in this mission are well acquainted with eastern storms and look 

after the missionaries. We love your son/daughter and have done everything we know how 

to assure they are safe. There is no need to call Salt Lake or the mission office. 

After the storm is over and communications are restored I will send you another email 

when I can account for the safety of all missionaries. That may not be until Wednesday

based on how long this storm takes to move out of the area according to the reports 

from the weather channel.
 
If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at rcoachman@gmail.com. Of 

course continue to pray for your missionary.
 
Sincerely,
 
President Schaefermeyer