Be Prepared

Talofa Family and Friends,

     This week we settled back into a regular schedule with no big happenings.  We were looking forward to rain today, and we did get a little, but it has been a while since we've had a good downpour.  With cyclone season starting Nov. 1st, I spent some time this week researching emergency preparedness for American Samoa.  I was in the process of putting a powerpoint together to take to district meetings, when I came across a flyer on our ward FB page about a workshop tomorrow at the college on Disaster planning. I feel like this is a tender mercy, as I have been asking people and calling a few government agencies to get information with no success.  I plan to attend. Brent and I did clean, sanitize and fill ten five gallon water bottles (50 gallons) with filtered water this week, and have it stored for an emergency.  We will rotate it on our water cooler, refilling bottles as used.  This makes me feel a lot better all ready!

     Brent and I have both been enjoying our Institute classes.  I always talk about how much we love the missionaries, but we have also fallen in love with the young adults in our classes.  Several of them are returned missionaries, some are just preparing to go and one sister is a new convert. I'm not sure how much they are learning, but Brent and I are learning a lot through our daily preparation.  With almost every lesson there is a conference talk referenced for further study, so we listen to them at the table while we are eating.  It takes care of the problem of Brent not liking to talk much - and as a bonus it gives us something new to talk about :). 
       Every Monday we pick up packages from the post office.  This last Monday there were a lot to repack and send to Apia.  One of the things on my to-do-list is to compose a letter to parents of missionaries pleading with them not to go overboard at Christmas.  It's hard to believe but Christmas trees have already started to appear in the stores here, and I know there's a nightmare right around the corner when almost 200 parents start sending boxes all at the same time!  The truth is - there is not going to be room on the small plane that carries the cargo from here to Apia. 

Some of our Institute students - We LOVE them!

Passengers have first priority, and then if there is room they take cargo. I have visions of our living room over-run with USPS flat rate boxes.
     The grandkids have asked how life is different here, so I have been trying to think of a few things.  Grandpa likes that we can get fresh tuna on Fridays at the market in Pago, fresh milk from the states is $9.80/gallon, baking supplies (flour, sugars...) are kept in the freezer, everything else is kept in Tupperware, the fastest we ever drive is 25 mph (there are no freeways) and there is not one traffic light on the entire island.   The car of choice is a pick-up truck so people can sit in the back.  Seat belts are optional and I don't think I've ever seen a carseat.  A lot of people don't have cars so they either walk or there are a lot of small buses which do not run on any set schedule -they
 all have pictures painted 

on them so people can tell which one to take.   There are no Wal-Marts or Target stores, shopping is done in small stores, and most look pretty sketchy on the outside but turn out to hold an amazing variety of items inside. School kids wear different uniforms depending on their school, and the little kids in our neighborhood catch the school bus at 6:15 am. There are always smashed toads on the roads (Ugh!).  Car washes are busy, even when it is pouring rain. Refreshments are served at every function many times with "to-go" boxes so you can take extras home.  You always see young people out playing volleyball, rugby or cricket. I'm sure I could

Typical refreshments served for each person!

     think of some more - but that will have to do for now. 
         Spencer Gardiner, our Samoan tutor got a new job so our weekly lessons have come to an end.  It was difficult to keep up with  homework and practice along with everything else, so it is kind of a relief.  We have plenty of study materials and we often practice our vocabulary with flash cards we keep in the car.  A new phrase I learned this week is "Filifili mea le Tonu" - "Choose the Right." 
     Tad Callister is a General Authority of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints.  He is an amazing teacher.  I highly recommend this talk given originally at BYU and now available on Youtube titled "Our Identity and Our Destiny"for my older grandchildren and for anyone who has wondered who you really are and why you are here.     "You are a child of God. He is the father of your spirit. Spiritually you are of noble birth, the offspring of the King of Heaven. Fix that truth in your mind and hold to it. However many generations in your mortal ancestry, no matter what race or people you represent, the pedigree of your spirit can be written on a single line. You are a child of God!2"
     "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

Taken in Maupusaga Fou in front of what remains
of a house demolished in a cyclone

And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ." [Romans 8:16–17)  "  Why is it so critical to have a correct vision of this divine destiny of godliness of which the scriptures and other witnesses so clearly testify? Because with increased vision comes increased motivation. Elder Bruce R. McConkie wrote, “No doctrine is more basic, no doctrine embraces a greater incentive to personal righteousness . . . as does the wondrous concept that man can be as his Maker.”31 And why not possible? Do not all Christian churches advocate Christlike behavior? Is that not what the Sermon on the Mount is all about? If it is blasphemous to think we can become as God, then at what point is it not blasphemous to become like God—90 percent, 50 percent, 1 percent? Is it more Christian to seek partial godhood than total godhood? Are we invited to walk the path of godhood—to “be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect”—with no possibility of ever reaching the destination?"  

           The clock says it's bedtime.  We loved talking to many family members this week and hopefully will connect with the rest this next week.  You are always in our thoughts and prayers.  Nothing is more precious to us than our family!   Love to all - both family and friends! 

Alofa Atu - Patty (Nana) 

Another Check Off My Bucket List

Brent on Aunu'u - the island in the background is Tutuila
Notice the sand on the beach.

Talofa Family and Friends,
     September is Emergency Preparedness Month and late Sunday Night (9:30 pm) through early  Monday morning (2:30 am) we had a wake-up call when the power went out over the entire island.  I was surprised to see how fast our air-conditioned home became unbearably hot and muggy and was even more dismayed when I realized our water didn't work either.  The darkness was like a cave that our eyes could not adjust to; without our cell phones to use for flashlights we would have been up a creek without a paddle.  I was worried about our missionaries who don't have fancy phones and now no fans to help take the edge off the heat.  It was with great relief when the air conditioner hummed back to life.  Monday morning (10 am)  I had just started my Institute class with the powerpoint I had spent a couple of hours preparing, when the power went out again.  Class was cut short and I returned to a house that was already starting to heat up.  This time it was out until 3:30 pm.  We opened the windows in the house but still it was very uncomfortable.  I was worried about all the groceries I had just bought Saturday, especially the ice cream I had bought for the first time.  Elders Ili and Williams were happy when I suggested we eat the ice cream before it melted all over.  Cold root beer floats helped our morale.

     Last night it went out again!!!  Thankfully it was only out for a couple of hours.  However, this morning when we tried to turn on the office computer nothing came up. Even though we have a power surge protector I was afraid it was fried.  I was relieved when Elder Wanamaker worked on it after church and was able to resurrect it.  (He's now my favorite missionary!) 
Brent promptly backed it up on a mini-hard drive.  If we had lost everything on this computer it would have been a nightmare!  This week on our to-do list is to get a case of emergency water and flash lights to all our missionary apartments, and a goal to back up the computer weekly.
     We put Elder Ili on the plane late Monday night and early Wednesday morning Sister Foster arrived from Apia to do auto checks and to have a break from her office.  The Swangers, a CES missionary couple from Apia, also arrived Thursday.  Sister Foster wanted to visit the island of Aunu'u and since that was on my bucket list off we went.  It was a little snug in our little Toyota Rav with five adults, but the chatting and laughter made the hour drive go by quickly.  Aunu'u is the first island church missionaries landed on when they arrived in 1888.  It is also the location of the "Miracle of the Sand."  In 1996 the church planned to build a small chapel on the island.  Many local Priesthood leaders from Tutuila planned to help the members build the small church themselves.  Building materials had been ferried over and carried to the site.  The only thing they lacked was the sand for the cement.  On the ferry side of the island there was ample sand, but on the opposite side of the island there was only rock along the coast. Men started carrying five gallon buckets of sand off the beach to the church site until the Matai (chief) from that side of the island forbid them to take anymore sand from his village.  Without sand the building quickly came to a halt.  The Stake President at the time, called

Elder's Ostler and Nishumura on Aunu'u

for a 24 hour fast for the men who were there.  He asked them to pray for the Lord to provide the needed sand.  The next morning there was a pile of sand on the coast, close to the church building.  It remained there until the building was finished and then disappeared.  It has never returned.  You can see from the picture how rocky this side of the island is today.  I've talked to several men who were there at that time, and they all confirmed that it happened.  This is one of the miracles I documented from our first mission.  It was such a sweet experience to be there and see it with my own eyes.  Today you reach the island by a small pontoon boat.  It's about a fifteen minute ride from the ferry on the island of Tutuila.  The Elders who went with us and also work on this island said they often see dolphin on the trip over and also an occasional whale.   The rock you can

Sisters Swanger and Foster with chapel in background

see is coral that washed up a couple of weeks ago and had covered the road.  They had some huge waves at high tide.  There were still men working to clear the road past where this photo was taken.
     Sister Foster left early Saturday and President and Sister Fe Fai from Savaii arrived on the same plane.  They were here for our Stake Conference. We were their chauffeurs while they were here.  Friday night the Stake had a Fiafia where each ward presented a traditional Samoan dance.  To top off the evening the Stake President's wife, Sister Reid, danced. It was a wonderful evening shared with President and Sister Fife, friends from Apia. 

Sister Reid

 
     Today was Elder Larsen's 19th birthday.  He is an amazing missionary who works so hard and always has a smile.  The best part of our mission is working with these young missionaries! We've fallen in love with every one of them.  Since Elder Larsen lives near to us we see him every day.  On P-Day he is always up for a game of UNO or Sequence. 

Elder Larsen

      Sometimes people ask me what my favorite scripture is. There are many that I love but my go-to scripture is Isaiah 12:2 -

"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation." 

       I was thinking this week how my belief and trust in God has impacted my life.  It is a comfort to know that God is in charge, he is aware of our challenges and life will unfold according to His plan. He is aware of all the injustice, sorrow and pain in the world, and as I am helpless to solve all the world's problems, I trust in a just God who is all powerful and is concerned for each of us.  He is there to help us if we will only ask.  Our part can be summarized by keeping the first two commandments - Love God and Love our neighbors. Just think how many problems could be solved if everyone followed these two commandments.  
   Well, it's been a crazy week with a lot of people coming and going.  While it's wonderful to meet new friends and spend time with old friends here, we think about loved family and friends at home every day.  We miss you and look forward to the time when we can see you again.  God bless each of you!
Alofa atu - Patty (Nana-Grams)
       

"Just sit right back and I'll tell a tale..."

          

Samoan Potpourri

Tutuilla Zone Conference with Elder and Sister Ardern - Pacific Area President

Talofa Lava Family and Friends,
           This week we had a combined Zone Conference with all of the missionaries on island.  The photo was taken before we got to the meeting so we're not in it, however you can see from the photo the young missionaries that we watch over as "Spiritual Parents."  The Arderns and Ho Chings are in the second row and were visiting from New Zealand and Upolu.  Elder Halleck, the previous Area President was recently released as a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy.  He and his wife are in our ward and they were just called to teach Primary.  They are thrilled with their new calling.

Elders Misailelegalu, Masuisui, Rodeback
and Sema after final inspection.

      I was so proud of all our missionaries and the awesome job they did spiffing up their apartments.  Although the President only had time for one inspection, I can rest easy that he would have been happy with any apartment on the island.
     Elder Ili has received a medical release and will be returning home tomorrow night.  It's been a long struggle trying to help him get well, but it's time for him to go back to the States and get the medical help he needs.  He is planning on returning when he has a release from a doctor in the states.
     Driving around the island I kept seeing these large tents in people's yards.  I finally realized that they are the FEMA tents from the 2017 Cyclone.  I guess FEMA does not recycle them, so families use them for guest rooms or just extra rooms.  Too bad we can't ship some of them to the Bahamas!
     I also am amazed at the number of casket shops there are.  They all have large store windows with their caskets beautifully displayed.  Because they are so expensive to buy, people here often will rent a nice casket for the funeral and then return it when they are done.  Loved ones are often buried in the family yard in cement boxes so a casket is an unnecessary luxury.  I think that's a great idea!  My favorite store is one called "Going Home."  Family graves often have flowers on them year round, or large banners with pictures of the deceased.  Less than one hundred feet from our bedroom window is a large family plot.  There have been two burials there since we arrived.  Surprisingly it doesn't bother me.

FEMA Tent

Casket Shop

        Another thing you don't see in the states are small sewing shops everywhere.  You can buy material in most of the big stores and since the kids wear school uniforms, they all have to be custom made.  The prices are reasonable and the workmanship is good.  The one across from the Community College gives me the creeps with it's mannequins that look like corpses.  It's called the "Beauty Shop" but the Elders agree with me that it is creepy!

The "Beauty Sewing Shop" 

Graves outside our Bedroom window

This week we are looking forward to hosting Sister Foster from Apia and hopefully spending some time with the Swangers, also from Apia.  We will miss Elder Ili, and wish him God's speed in returning to the work he loves. Tomorrow in my Book of Mormon class we will be talking about the law of opposition.  In 2 Nephi 2 we read:

11 For it must needs be, that there is an ^aopposition in all things. If not so, my firstborn in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no life neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility.

12 Wherefore, it must needs have been created for a thing of naught; wherefore there would have been no ^apurpose in the end of its creation. Wherefore, this thing must needs destroy the wisdom of God and his eternal purposes, and also the power, and the mercy, and the ^bjustice of God.

13 And if ye shall say there is ^ano law, ye shall also say there is no sin. If ye shall say there is no sin, ye shall also say there is no righteousness. And if there be no righteousness there be no happiness. And if there be no righteousness nor happiness there be no punishment nor misery. And if these things are not ^bthere is no God. And if there is no God we are not, neither the earth; for there could have been no creation of things, neither to act nor to be acted upon; wherefore, all things must have vanished away.

Just a little something to think about.  Hope you are well.  Brent and I are loving our mission.  It's wonderful to drop into bed exhausted, knowing you have put in a good days work.  We love the Lord and feel like it is a privilege to be here working with these amazing young people.  We love and miss our family and friends, but the time is passing quickly and it won't be long until we return home.  

Alofa Atu - Patty (Nana/Grams)

Elder Ili Week

Talofa Family and Friends,
       We heard last week that Zone Conference is here this Wednesday and Thursday.  President and Sister Ho Ching along with the new Pacific Area President and wife will be here and want to inspect Missionary apartments.  We did apartment checks shortly after we got here, but decided we better check them again.  Besides it was time to replace #1 water filters.  We started out at the East end of the island and found several problems that had to be addressed.  A trip to ACE Hardware store for cleaning supplies, plumbing parts, rat traps and a few bedding items and we were on our way back to the far east end. The drive takes us about an hour, but since it hugs the coastline it's a beautiful drive.  A couple of interesting things we see are the bat tree, which for some reason is always full of resting bats and WWII pill boxes that dot the coastline.  Elder Ili is still fighting his fungal infection that keeps him from walking very far, so he has been living with us this past week.  As we travel around he sits in the backseat and drills us on our Samoan flash cards.  We were so engrossed in our flash cards that we passed the house we were supposed to be visiting and had to backtrack about 10 minutes.

Bat tree

        Since we got here I have baked a cake for each missionary's birthday.  Usually it's not difficult, but this week there are four birthdays and next week  three more.  Add that onto the cookies I make for them on their P-day and I am definitely baking more than I ever have.  I even baked a double batch and took some to the Institute students. Thanks Bayley for the recipes!  I welcome any new good, easy cookie recipes, or recipes for easy dinners.
        I mentioned before that one of my other jobs is making candy leis for Sister Ho Ching to give out.  I put all the missionaries to work this week and we managed to get several done that she can take home with her this week.

Elder Williams on WWII Pill Box

             Brent and I have been distressed with the amount of anti-biotics that are prescribed for our missionaries.  When the doctor prescribed Elder Ili a fourth round of an antibiotic we put our foot down and said NO!  I had talked to Elder Edwards when we first started dealing with this infection, and because it was out of his area of expertise he suggested we follow the doctor's orders.  Last week when Sister Ho Ching sent yet another round of antibiotics I called Elder Edwards again and asked him to inquire at the hospital if anyone knew how to treat really bad "Jock Itch."  He did and also offered to look at it. He agreed that the antibiotics were killing the good bacteria Elder Ili needed to fight the infection.  He called President Ho Ching and told him the best medicine was to soak in the ocean twice a day. (Might I mention that that was our idea from the beginning.)  Now, with the President's blessing, Brent takes Elder Ili to the ocean twice a day for a "dip."   His companion, Elder Williams had been on splits with other missionaries, but is now living with us also.  It's getting a little cozy!                                     

Ward Members baked Elder Ili a cake for his BD.  They caught
him just as he returned from his "dip"

              It's hard to believe that it's already the first of the month again.  That means getting the monthly money distributed to the missionaries and making sure the mission bills for this island are paid.  Brent spends a lot of time keeping track of who needs to be paid when.  There are never invoices sent, and the records here in the office have not been kept up, so it's just a matter of a steep learning curve to make sure everyone stays happy.
     Last week in church the Loto's were introduced as a new family from Las Vegas.  Small world - they attended the Tropical Breeze Ward in NLV and they know all my sweet Samoan kids from Chaparral Seminary.

Brother and Sister Loto from Las Vegas

     I Re-read "Stand as Witnesses of God" by Dallin H. Oaks this week.  He is an Apostle of the Lord and also in the past served on the Utah Supreme Court.  It reminded me that "we live in a world where many deny the existence of God or the significance of his commandments."  Part of the reason I write this blog is to stand as a witness of God.  "Some people ridicule the faith of those who believe in what cannot be proven, even as they aggressively deny a godly existence they cannot disprove."  I see the evidence of God every day.  The Book of Mormon is ample evidence of a living God and the Atonement of His son Jesus Christ.  I don't understand why anyone who says they believe in Jesus Christ would not want to read this book - as it stands as a witness of the Lord and the great love He has for each of us.  I see my faith as a great blessing that helps me see  daily tragedies through the lens of an eternal perspective.  I know that I am literally a child of God and I know that how I face challenges in this life will have eternal consequences.  Please listen to the missionaries if they knock on your door or request to talk to them through ComeUntoChrist.org.  They can help you understand who you really are, why you are here, and where you are going.  I promise you it is good news.
Alofa Atu, Patty (aka Nana/Grams)