Talofa Lava,

Today marks the 4th anniversary of my dear Mother's death.  I talk to her often on my early morning walks under the stars, and feel her love and support.  She is my guardian angel.  She always wanted to serve a mission, so I tell her that this one is for her.  I was so blessed to have a Mother who taught me by example how to serve.  I miss her everyday!

This past week was transfers, which we barely survived.  There is a lot to be said for making a plan and sticking to it.  Elder Bate, the only AP who has been with us since the beginning went home.  He is such a remarkable young man and I am going to miss him.  You can see that Brent is still smiling.  This picture must have been taken before his new computer had a "Catastrophic Incident".  (That's what the IT man called it.)  He lost a lot of the work he had done on programs since we got here.  He had been assured that there was a back-up server.  Well - Surprise!!!  Brent now has to reconstruct much of what he lost.  However, he did go and buy a back-up gadget so there should not be any more surprises.

 The beginning of the week was so crazy and chaotic that I did not get a picture of the new missionaries from the Provo and New Zealand MTCs.  Added to transfers &  my regular duties I have been taking care of sick missionaries.  Thank goodness our new Dentist, Bob Lorentz, and his wife Janis, arrived this week.  Bob was a medic in the military and is very willing to help out.  Today he lanced a boil, and he comes over everyday to check on the missionaries who are staying at the mission office because they are ill. I just got a number of a local doctor from New Zealand who is supposed to be very good, and tomorrow, first on the list is to take 4 missionaries to see her.  One elder has a strange rash, one is having trouble breathing, and two sisters who are having female problems.  President and Sister Hannemann have been in American Samoa since early Sat. and are not returning until tomorrow evening.

 Yesterday we took a much needed break and went with the seniors on an outing to the Papase'ea Sliding Rocks.  The sign at the top reads "Take a stroll down the stairs".  I ask you, does this look like strolling to you??? Some of the stairs were 6" high, but then there were the ones at the bottom that were 18" high.  Brent can hardly move today and I'm pretty sure I'll be sore tomorrow.  On the way down these stairs, I put my camera in the front of my swim suit so I could hold on with both hands.  Unfortunately, I forgot it was there and jumped into the pool at the bottom.  After swimming for several minutes I realized my mistake.  Luckily the chip was OK so we didn't lose any pictures, but I'm afraid my camera is ruined.  It is sitting here on the desk in a bag of rice.

The water was cool and refreshing, and we enjoyed the morning surrounded by beautiful rain forests and wonderful friends.

For my weekly scripture, I chose another favorite from 2 Nephi 31:20.  "Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, and a love of God and of all men,  Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold,  thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life."
Much of this week could be classified under "enduring".  Our days have stretched out to 12+ hours of work with very few breaks.  I continue to be grateful that we have the strength and health to fulfill our responsibilities.  Even though we are not directly involved in spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we put our all into supporting the young missionaries who are.  Their days are also long and hard.  So, why do we do this?  Because we know the happiness and peace that has come into our lives as a result of  living the gospel. And we know that there are many people out there who want to know who they really are; we are all children of a loving Heavenly Father.  Understanding the atonement of Jesus Christ lifts burdens and brings joy into the lives of people.  I am eternally grateful for the knowledge I have of the Savior's atonement, and for this opportunity to help and share the message with others.

God Bless You and Keep you this week as you fulfill your own responsibilities.

Tofa, Patty