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)