Dodged a Bullet!

Talofa Family and Friends,
     Not too much to write about this week as most of the week was spent indoors due to very windy, rainy weather.  President and Sister Ho Ching, along with the APs and STLs were stranded here until Tuesday afternoon when they were finally able to get a flight out when there was a short break in the weather.  Thursday we were hit with a tropical storm with high wind gusts and torrential rains.  Friday the islands received a tropical cyclone watch, which by evening possible winds were being reported at 90 mph.  Plyboard and tin soon covered most homes and businesses, some people even covered their entire house with nylon netting.  My favorite was the construction business that used their Excavator to hold the roof down on their warehouse.  Lines at ACE Hardware store were long, with people purchasing lanterns, matches, tarps, flashlights, nails....well you get the idea, and grocery lines were long with people stocking up.  Stores closed early, giving employees time to get home.   
     It was a huge blessing when Cyclone Wasi

A couple of our banana trees bit the dust

made a sharp turn to the south and missed both American Samoa and Samoa.  The only damage was a lot of downed banana trees, some large trees uprooted, flooding and some roof damage.  We appreciated all of the thoughts and prayers that were sent this way!
     The large cargo ships were able to make it into port before the large storms hit.  I heard they got in on Saturday but were not able to unload until Tuesday because of President's Day.  The Edwards called Wed. night to tell us that TSM Grocery had sour cream, but by the time we got there on Thursday morning they had sold out.  However, we were able to get potatoes, onions and cheese which we have missed for several weeks.  There is still not a lot of great produce available but lucky for us it's avocado season here and the avocados are big, beautiful and delicious!

Samoan Avocados - Yummy

Empty produce bins at the store :(

     The STLs (Sister Teaching Leaders) left with the President on Tuesday and on Thursday we got a call from the Zone Leaders that Sister King had accidentally spilled boiling water on her leg.  When they brought her over I was shocked at the seriousness of the burn.  I put her in the shower and had her gently rinse her leg with cool water for several minutes, gave her Tylenol for pain and called Dr.

Edwards.  Since she is not able to walk very well the girls have been staying at the mission home with us.   Last night Dr. Edwards bandaged it and will come back tonight to rebandange it.  Although it is still very tender, Sister King has been a trooper.

          Today Sister King and Sister Simeona (her companion) went to church with us, and when the speakers did not show up they asked them to speak, along with the Elders assigned to our ward.  All four of these young missionaries gave powerful testimonies of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  I was so impressed and proud of all four of them.  They were confident and gave great talks.  Not bad for girls who have only been on their missions for 3 months!  After Sacrament meeting the girls were asked if they would help in Primary, so even though they were not in their area they were given ample opportunity to serve.
     I have been kind of down on myself the last week, wondering if I was doing enough service.  My sister, Shauna, is serving a mission in Indiana.  She writes of teaching English classes at the library, packing supplies for our soldiers, helping the homeless, visiting the lonely....However, today I had the thought that my service is teaching Institute and taking care of these young missionaries - who for the most part are pretty self reliant - but when there is a problem we're here and glad to help.  That's my offering - I hope it's enough.

Sisters King and Simona

      Tomorrow Heather comes from Nevada.  Brent and I are both excited about her visit.  Plans are made to show her around American Samoa, Upolu and Savaii - now if the weather will only cooperate.
    I'm pretty sure I'm going to have a great week and wish the same for all of you.
Alofa atu - Patty (Nana) 

Excavator holding the roof down :)

Stormy Weather

Talofa Family and Friends,
     At this moment all of our missionaries are sheltered in place until this major storm passes. (4 of them here at the Mission Home). Wind gusts up to 65 mph combined with torrential rains makes this dangerous to be out in.  Several months ago I had a strong impression to buy a case of water for every companionship and instructed each missionary to store at least 3 days worth of food.   We also did a short emergency training at District Meetings.  Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago. Two cargo ships had problems getting to American Samoa. I heard that one of them had broken down somewhere in the Pacific and the other one was not permitted to dock due to the fact they had been in China.  The result is shortages of many things-including not a single case of water on the entire island for sale. I have taken comfort in knowing that I followed that prompting and today in the middle of this storm all of our missionaries have food, water and shelter.

Valentine Cookies

    Zone Conference (An island wide meeting with President and Sister Ho Ching) was Thursday. I was not able to find a heart shaped cookie cutter, so a glass had to do to cut out 100+ sugar cookies.  Mata came and helped me on Tuesday and then I made another batch on Wednesday. Making Valentine cookies has been a tradition at our house for a long time.  I used to make each of our kids a giant heart cookie and then spend the entire day decorating them.  One year, after spending the entire day decorating these cookies, I hid them under my bed so the kids wouldn't see them until Valentines Day.  The next day I was surprised to find all the frosting licked off - our little Dachshund apparently had her Valentine treat early.   The missionaries had to settle for two small round cookies but at least they were frosted and made with the same love.
      During Zone Conferences we often have a houseful of missionaries who travel with the President.  The young Sister Training Leaders stay with us, and the APs (Assistants to the President) also enjoy hanging out here when their work is done. Because of the storm it looks like it will be a longer than usual visit as all flights off the island have been cancelled.  We have had some crazy games of 3-Card UNO.

Sister Hiatt with Lady
(Lady loves the missionaries!!!)

   

Elder Esplin and Sister Reupena

Valentines at Sadie's By The Sea

    For Valentines Brent took me snorkeling.  I was a little nervous since our last adventure almost ended in disaster - but this time it was lovely. We saw several large bright blue starfish, an unbelievable variety of tropical fish and the water was heavenly. Later we enjoyed dinner at a seaside table at a restaurant in Pago Pago.  We were happy the Patches were able to join us.  There happened to be a wedding going on at the same time we were eating, so we also enjoyed the live music.  We were thinking that last year we enjoyed Valentines in Florence, Italy, and the year before we were on a cruise with Chad and Amy's family.  Valentines is starting to be one of my favorite holidays.
      A week from tomorrow my friend Heather arrives for a 10-day visit. We are really excited to be able to share this beautiful country with her.  As an extra tender mercy, we took Lady in for her last Rabies shot on Tuesday and there was a vet there from Utah who happened to be a member of the church.  He was so helpful in offering to help us get the needed paperwork done in time for Lady to return home with Heather.  Brent searched the island for a crate to transport her in- but was unable to find one, so he called our son, Chad, who picked one up and delivered it to Heather to bring with her.  This is feeling more and more like it's meant to be.  It also tells you what kind of friend Heather is to transport a crate both ways for us.  We have 4 little grandkids who are really excited to welcome Lady to her new home.

Chad with Lady's Airline Approved Crate

        This semester we have several new students along with some from last semester.  These young adults always amaze me with their knowledge of the scriptures and their testimonies.   Several of them are preparing to go on a mission. Lu'u leaves for Honduras next month and she is going to be a dynamite missionary.  I tease her that she would be a great talk show host - stay tuned.
      I am grateful the power has stayed on long enough to get this post done, but I'm not going to press my luck.   Sending love from the Island of Tutuila.
Alofa atu, Patty (Nana)

APs Elders Esplin and Tolman sporting their new Samoan Shirts

Hello and Goodbye

These flowers just appeared in our yard :) 

Talofa Family and Friends,
    It's been a week of missionaries being moved around.   Brent had to print off a chart that shows who is where so I would not be totally confused.  We said good-bye to two Elders who we have been close to us since we arrived.  Elder Teisina returned home to Australia after finishing a two year mission.  He was one of the Zone Leaders on the Western part of the island so we saw him at least once a day.  Elder Larsen, from Toole, Utah,  served in Faleniu and lived right up the street from us.  Because the mission home was in his area we saw him everyday. He loved to come over on P-Day and challenge Brent, myself, and other missionaries to a game of 3-Card Uno or Sequence -both of which more often than not he would win. You always knew when he was going to win because he could not control his big silly grin. He knows how to shuffle cards but the Poker face has eluded him.  I got a call at 6:15 while I was walking that he needed his passport and was leaving at 7:40.  I hurried home so I would have a chance to say goodbye.  You can tell by Brent's "Super Man" pants that he jumped out of bed to say good-bye also. Losing both of these Elders the same week has been hard. 

Elder Larsen on his way to Serve in Savaii

Elder Teisina headed home to Sydney Australia

      We didn't have much time to feel bad as we had seven new missionaries to get settled in.  We are expecting a few more this week. Serving with these young missionaries brings us so much joy. It's easy to see the wisdom in sending these young men and women across the globe to declare the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Not only do they have the energy to do the work but they testify of their Savior with power - none of them are here with their own agenda- they just want to humbly share what they know is true. If you want a real treat, invite the missionaries in your area to your home and listen to their message.  They are not equipped to argue doctrine -just to bear the testimony they have gained by hours of prayer, fasting and study.  It's a message you don't want to miss!

Elders Leatherwood and Coombs -The Sunshine Boys

     Yesterday we attended a baptism at Malaeimi.  The older brother of two young girls who were baptized a couple of weeks ago was baptized.  Their Catholic parents were there to support his decision, as they were with the girls.  Their mother told me that the girls had begged to let them be baptized.  The parents have not yet said they want to join their kids but my money is on the missionaries.  Elders Leatherwood and Coombs were at the baptism.  I call them the "Sunshine Boys" because just looking at them makes me happy.  Both of them always have huge smiles to go along with their huge hearts. We found them on a back road offering to help a woman who had lost part of her home to the recent winds.

P-Day at the Mission Home (There are a few not in the picture)

     With all of the transfers we had more missionaries than usual at the house for P-Day.  Every once in a while one of them would start to sing a hymn and the others would join in, acapella, with beautiful harmonies.   I think their music must be one of the sounds of heaven.  The peanut butter cookies I made did not last long-but I feel like it was a more than a fair exchange!
     One of the sweet surprises with transfers was the arrival of Elder Tupuola - the brother of one of our missionaries from our first mission.  He was an AP and worked in the office so we got to know him very well. He's married now and plays football for Weber State.
     Well, the decision has been made - we're bringing Lady home.  We did have some people here who wanted her, and we were all set to leave her- but when it came right down to it - we just couldn't do it. Lady loves kids and Annie and Chad have been wanting a dog for their four kids - so it is the perfect solution. We still have several hoops to jump through before we put her on a plane sometime before April 14th - but tomorrow she goes for her last rabies shot. 
      This week we made it a point to watch the State of the Union.  I thought it was a good speech,

and I even thought I might be able to vote for Trump,  but then the very next day I was dismayed by the President's words and actions.  This week, in 2 Nephi 2, I read again that there must be opposition in all things.  That certainly seems to be the state of things in our country today - a sad commentary for both sides of the aisle.  I vote we disagree with modem of civility - each side respecting the other's right to a difference of opinion.    It's a great concern to me that so many people have made politics    a rationale for hate. It would be good for all of us to remember the First and Second Commandments - Love God and Love your neighbor - even when they don't agree with you - even if they're in a different political party.   I use to always tell my kids that the only person they can control is themselves.  Let's choose to love - not be destroyed by contention.  Well, on that happy note I will say goodnight.  Love and best wishes for a safe, peaceful week.   Alofa atu - Patty (Nana) 

                     


                                                     





               

Down the Rabbit Hole

AS Government Building

Talofa Family and Friends,
     This week was spent trying to decipher the Governor's new "Public Service" announcement regarding the Coronavirus, and how it would affect the travel of our missionaries.  Anyone who does not have a USA or Samoan passport can only enter AS through Hawaii after a14-day stay. Right now we have one missionary from New Zealand and one from Australia.  Previously they had to return every 30 days to Apia, Western Samoa to keep their VISAs.  As of now the government is not issuing any OK passes, which means these kids could only come back by way of a two week trip to Hawaii.  When I visited the Attorney General's office to get clarification, I met with the OK Board Supervisor and an attorney from Immigration. When I suggested a solution to our problem, the attorney replied: "I do not deal in practicality - I'm a lawyer."
     Wednesday (P-Day) I had promised Elder

Enough Lasagna for 8 missionaries

Teisina lasagna for lunch, since this was his last P-day before returning home.  I made a huge pan of lasaga thinking there would be left-overs for us.  Dang!  I forgot to take a picture of the Elders so all I have to remember the day is a picture of the empty pan - licked clean!
     The kettle in the photo reminds me of a funny story.  I asked Elder Wilkie to fill a basin with warm water to soak his foot.  He asked me if he should warm water in the kettle.  Elder Moeai had a cold shower when he was here because, like Elder Wilkie, he didn't realize we have hot running water.  A luxury very few missionaries have.

Member  owned businesses

        Because of the lack of employment opportunities, many church members here have small businesses.  Cheat Day, an ice cream, cookie, Koko Samoan brownie, cake...store is owned and operated by our Stake President's wife. It is a favorite for missionaries because they can get free treats on P-Day.  Milovales next door is also owned by church members. This is a great place to get fish and chips. Next door to Milovales is a large hardware store, one of two on the island owned by church members. Our bishop's family grows and packages lettuce and other greens to sell to local groceries and another family makes and sells gourmet popcorn. I love the entrepreneur spirit!
      Because all dairy items are shipped here from somewhere else, there are often shortages. (It would be nice if someone bought some cows.)  For instance, this week everyone was out of sour cream.  Not a big deal unless you needed it for a recipe.  Brent suggested I just make some with cream - Nope...No cream either.  One time there were no eggs - which is amazing with all the chickens we have running around.   It's not only dairy -it can be anything.  I will never take Smith's Food King for granted again.

Relief Society Airline Themed Party for Taua

    Friday night I enjoyed a potluck  evening with my Relief Society Sisters, while Brent and Elder Edwards went out for Chinese food.  The Party was for Sister Taua Saili who was recently hired by Hawaiian Airlines as a Flight Attendant and so the entire party was themed on airline travel. The food was great, there were some fun games, and I enjoyed the the chance to meet some new sisters.
       Wednesday morning Brent took Lady to the Vet.  She had several benign tumors removed and was checked to make sure everything was taken out that was supposed to be taken out.  Brent has figured out that if he wraps her pills in a slice of American cheese she swallows them right down.  We wanted to make sure that she was healthy before we send her to her new family. That is going to be a very sad day!
     On Fast Sundays the TSS (Tutuila Super Seniors) get together for dinner. This Sunday was hosted by the Edwards who are huge football fans. (Elder Edwards is the son of Lavell Edwards-BYU football coach.)  We were all rooting for Kansas so the game turned out well for us.  A Bonus was that John's personal friend was the coach for KC and he also knew several members of the team so we got additional personal commentary.  If you didn't know, the KC coach is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of LDS.  We were treated to a traditional Super Bowl meal of Edwards family.

Super Bowl Sunday at the Edwards

      This week I saw a Meme on FB that said something to the effect that religion is a matter of relationship not of belonging to a church. That sounds all nice and cozy but it is not very realistic.  Where would we all be without our Judeo-Christian morals?  I'm afraid our country would be something very different.   I was reminded of a talk I read by Jeffery R. Holland, "Religion: Bound by Loving Ties" on the importance of religion. I will close with a quote from that talk.

     "....Yes, in more modern times individuals can certainly be “spiritual” in isolation, but we don’t live in isolation. We live as families, friends, neighbors, and nations. That calls for ties that bind us together and bind us to the good. That is what religion does for our society, leading the way for other respected civic and charitable organizations that do the same...

     There are many colliding social and cultural forces in our day that contribute to an anti-religious condition... this shift away from respect for traditional religious beliefs—and even the right to express those religious beliefs—has come because of a conspicuous shift toward greater and greater pre­occupation with the existential circumstances of this world and less and less concern for—or even belief in—the circumstances, truths, and requirements of the next."  Just something to think about.

        Love and Best Wishes for a wonderful week!

Alofa atu, Patty (Nana)

Brent and Lady