Help! I'm Melting!

Li Ching Fruit - Very Yummy

Talofa Family and Friends,

Dr. and Sister Spencer (New Dentist - Front)
Linda and Gail Goodman (Old Dentist - Back)

 Samoa is always warm, but the last couple of days have been HORRIBLE!  It is like sitting in a sauna and having a major hot flash all at the same time.  Most of the local people here do not have air conditioning and they have really suffered.  I really have no room to complain, except our car air conditioning went out and when I am driving around I have to make sure to have something to wipe the sweat out of my eyes so I can see where I am going. Tomorrow morning the car goes into the shop.
Another small problem this week was a toothache that started in the middle of one night.  When it went away the next day I was grateful, but it was back the next day, even worse.  When I couldn't stand it any longer I went into the dental clinic.  Bad News!  I needed a root canal.  I was very lucky to have Dr. Goodman here from Mesa, AZ, and his wife Linda.  It wasn't the modern office setting, but I got it done with minimal pain.  The only problem is that there is no lab here, so I have a homemade temporary on that has to last a year.

Linda & Gail Goodman, Wendy Whittle and Cindy Gillette having
a nutrition break at the beach.

This week we welcomed two new senior couples, the Spencers from Calvary, Canada, and the Vellingas from Las Vegas, NV. The Spencers will be in the Dental Clinic for 18 mos. and the Vellingas will be serving in Welfare and Humanitarian for two years.  We wanted to start out their mission on the right foot so a trip to Matareva Beach was planned.  Unfortunately the Vellingas got the Samoan Crud, so were not able to accompany us. You can see from the picture on the left that we are all about nutrition here.  Yes! That is the dentist with a coke and lolly pop!  I can't say anything bad about him though because he did an amazing job on my tooth - so I will owe him and his wife forever!

This is going to be short this week, as we have invited a new couple in the ward for dinner.  They are here teaching math for 4 months at the local university with a volunteer program not associated with the church.  They are living without a car, air conditioning or hot water and have had a pretty rough introduction to life in Samoa.

My Scripture for the Week is from 2 Nephi 5:15 And upon these I write the things of my soul, and many of the scriptures which are engraven upon the plates of brass. For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them, and writeth them for the learningand the profit of my children.

Hope you all have a great week!
I send my love. Patty