Shake, Shimmy and Roll

Shake, Shimmy and Roll - Senior Style

FHE Pinewood Derby 

Elder Pati Returned Home to get broken foot fixed.
Boy, I am really going to miss him!!!

Fia Fia at Traditions - The brother on the far right is in a
bishopric, far left a temple worker, and the one next to me is
taking the missionary lessons.  

Talofa Lava Family and Friends,
This week I was reminded again of how many ways we are all connected, and really how small the world is.  It has been amazing to see how people from all over the world have sent help to our neighbors in Fiji, as they work to put their country back together after Cyclone Winston.  Ships from many different countries have arrived in Fiji ports with emergency supplies and materials for rebuilding.  Because they were trying to accommodate these ships, the ship that brings gas to Samoa was delayed, leading to gas rationing here.  This was just a minor inconvenience when compared to the lives lost and the tragedy of 62,000 people left homeless in Fiji.
For Senior Family Home Evenings we generally have a lesson or guest speaker.  However, last Monday the Goodmans and Barretts planned games for us that included a pine-wood derby, stomp the balloon, shake the ping pong balls out of a box, and whistle after eating crackers. It was like taking a time machine back 50 years. We all had a lot of laughs and a great time.

This past week we have had two strong earth tremors.  They have definitely become more frequent in the last month.  I hope this doesn't mean we are in for a big one!

 This has been a week of goodbyes.  I took the Barretts to the airport Friday night, as they are returning to Idaho Falls.  They were not missionaries, but came as volunteers to help wherever needed.  Sister Barrett is 75 and Brother Barrett is 80.  They are still a dynamic duo, walking everywhere in the heat or rain, helping at the dental clinic, the school and the office.  We have fallen in love with them and they will be truly missed! The Aveis also left Friday on an emergency medical release.  This was their second mission to Samoa as Auditors for the church.  We love them and will always remember Elder Avei's wacky sense of humor and Sister Avei's no nonsense dedication.

We also said goodbye this week to two wonderful missionaries sent home on medical releases.  Elder Pati's foot was run over in a work related accident right before he left.  The doctor in American Samoa took an x-ray and said he was fine.  When he got here he could hardly walk, so he has been in the office helping me and Elder Frazer, the AP. He might be going to Las Vegas for surgery, so keep your eye out for him.  Elder Erickson left last night to return home.  His feet have have been infected for months, and nothing we have tried has worked.  He is a hard working faithful missionary who will also be missed.  We love both these young men and wish them the very best!

The Whittles work in Self-reliance, and invited the Seniors to a Fia-Fia last Thursday at the Traditions Resort where a few of their students were performing.  These young people have amazing strength combined with graceful movements.  Add beautiful singing, elaborate costumes and instrumental music and that equals great entertainment.  The bonus was a traditional buffet and the company of friends.

Friday Morning I attended a meeting at the Pesega Middle School gym.  I had asked the Schaefermeyer's to put together a presentation on "Preparation is the Key to Missionary Work" for this program.  They knocked it out of the park with a multi-media presentation that held the attention of over 400 Middle Schoolers.  I never cease to be amazed at the talents and the willingness to serve from our Senior Missionaries.

We have had almost steady rain for the last three days.  It goes from sprinkling to incredible downpours.  There has been some flooding and landslides, but also some beautiful rainbows.  Brent and I have both had a touch of the flu for the last 24 hrs, with body aches and stomach aches.  I am starting to feel better.   We pretty much slept the entire day (Sunday).  Maybe we were just exhausted and needed the sleep.

There are so many scriptures from my study this week in 2 Nephi 31-33, it was hard to choose just one.  May I suggest that you read these entire chapters, as the prophet Nephi pleads with his people at the end of his life to follow Christ.

2 Nephi 31: Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall follow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism—yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel.

Again, I testify of the truthfulness that is written in plain language, in the Book of Mormon.  There is a promise that if you read this book with a desire to know if it is true, and with  real intent in seeking truth, you will have your own answer from God.  It, along with the Bible, testify of the divinity of Jesus Christ and show us all the way to find happiness in this life and in the life to come.

So ends another week in the beautiful island nation of Samoa.  Love, Patty