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