Silver Linings

Talofa Family and Friends,
     This virus free greeting is coming to you from the beautiful island of Tutuila. I wish I could say that we have been spending our isolation days at the beach or snorkeling in the crystal clear waters, but unfortunately the ocean remains too rough to safely go in.  The reality is, like most of you, we rarely leave the house.  Technology has been a huge blessing as we can talk to our kids daily on our internet phone, keep in touch with friends and family around the globe on FaceBook, watch movies on Netflix/Amazon Prime, read books on Kindle, get updated information on the internet and podcasts and all in the comfort of an air-conditioned home.
     I really like podcasts!  Here are a few I recommend if you are looking for something to fill your time: 1) BBC Witness (short interviews with people who lived through past events 2) The Moth (People telling stories from their everyday lives) 3) BBC Outlook (in depth human interest news stories).
      Not all the news is bad - as with most things if you look you can find a silver lining in almost anything.  From here it looks like Americans are coming together to defeat this unseen enemy. We have been divided for so long, it is nice to see so many news reports that show people and companies  coming together, everyone doing what they can do to help others.  This is the American I know and love! I am inspired by the medical professionals and scientists who are working to the point of exhaustion for the sake of the rest of us. It's refreshing to have a break from the political chaos.  I love the young missionaries who keep on working with a smile, even though their stay here is uncertain. (Parents - you would be proud of your kids!)  Their call to "Invite others to come unto Christ" is still the focus of their lives.   I love that families are spending more time together, and for most of us the pace of life has slowed down.  I love that a lot of people are pondering on what is really important in life, re-evaluating their priorities, questioning their values based on secular success.   People are reaching out to old friends via technology, taking time to read a good book, (I'm rereading "Samoa - An Historical Novel" and just heard "Boys In The Boat" is a great read), families are playing board games, putting puzzles together, trying new recipes, spending more time praying, cleaning out stuff that clutters, finishing projects..... It seems like it has been a time to get reacquainted with long lost pleasures; a time that has brought out the best in many of us.

Another rare bird sighting :)

      Our prayers were answered this week when a wonderful family here on the island adopted our little dog "Lady."  The original plan was for her to fly home with my friend Heather a month ago.  After complying with every requirement Hawaiian Air gave us, they called the morning of the flight and added an additional list of things that were impossible to meet.  Our daughter's family of 4 little kids was sad when "Lady" was not going to be their dog, but the new pressing problem was what were we going to do with her if we were going to be evacuated.  I posted our dilemma on our ward's FB page and had two offers within a day for a good home.  Wish I had a picture to post, but they picked her up when I wasn't home, and Brent forgot to snap a farewell photo. :(

    Our sweet Institute students came over this week and helped us clean the mission home. I asked them not to post pictures on Social media, and except for these few photos, I hope none appear that makes it look like we were not following isolation rules.  Mata and Jazz cleaned all the parts of the kitchen that were hard for me to reach, and Damonte and Pano cleaned all the ceiling fans.  We are really going to miss these young people!

Mata & Jazz helping clean spots I can't reach

     The question of the week is: Are we coming home?  The Governor of American Samoa has suspended all flights in and out of AS for a minimum of 30 days.  We have been told that the church is working with governments, border closings, and flight restrictions to try and get us home.  We've heard the church is chartering planes, but also recognize there were 65,000 missionaries worldwide.  We know that there are many of you who are praying for us and our young missionaries; your love and prayers are appreciated.  Sister Castroman returned home Thursday on the last plane out of here.  I just called her home in Texas to confirm she was not stranded somewhere, she is home safe.  My sister Shauna, who was serving in Indiana, is continuing her ministering work at my sister Caryn's home in Texas. I was grateful for their safe arrival this week.

Pano and Damonte removing dust bunnies from fans

     Like people all around the world we are fasting today and praying for the medical professionals, scientists and leaders who are trying their best to get us through this crisis.  We will be joining the Patches at the Edwards home at 4:30 pm for a church service and a break-the-fast meal.  We will continue to serve here until arrangements are made for us to return home - be that tomorrow or October.  Our bags are pretty much packed so we can be ready to leave at a moment's notice.  We've asked our young missionaries to start to get ready to leave by cleaning their apartments, defrosting their fridges, and going through their stuff so they can get everything in one 50 lb. suitcase.

We're Leaving on a Jet Plane, boat,
hot air ballon.......

      I'll close this post with a scripture from my reading this week: Omni 1:26 in the Book of Mormon.

 26 And now, my beloved brethren, I would that ye should ^acome unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, and partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption. Yea, come unto him, and ^boffer your whole souls as an ^coffering unto him, and continue in ^dfasting and praying, and endure to the end; and as the Lord liveth ye will be saved. 

Let's all trust in the Lord, knowing he keeps his promises and knows all things.  That's what I'm planning on doing.
Have a blessed and safe week!
Alofa atu, Patty (Nana)   

Locked In

Beautiful Sunrises Every Morning

Talofa Family and Friends,
      My early morning walks are a great time to focus on everything that is right and beautiful with the world.  Every morning this week I was rewarded for early rising by beautiful sunrises. One morning I was treated to a sky that was clear enough to see Jupitar, Mars and Venus  lined up next to the moon. (I Googled to see what they were.)  It was reassuring that the planets are still lined up the way they are supposed to be.   The morning air is relatively cool, it's quiet, I listen to sacred music on my I-Phone and it is like taking vitamins for my soul.  Then I get home and turn on the news......

Elder Wilkie and his sore toes :(

     Elder Wilkie went into the hospital on Tues.

Sisters Bean and Thomson

and  Thursday to have his big toenails removed.  He has been suffering with ingrown toenails ever since he got here.  It's been a pretty painful week for him, but a big plus was he got to spend much of the week on our couch with the air conditioning blowing on him and Elder and Sister Ellsworth taking care of him.   On Thurs. we had two sisters move in with us after there was a brutal murder in the house where they were staying.  They were pretty traumatized when they arrived but seem to be doing better now.  We are looking for a new apartment for them, so hopefully they will be resettled this week.  I've been amazed at these two sisters as they have continued their work, not taking any time off.  They follow the mission rules to a "T" and always have smiles. 

Mata, Jazz, Lu'u- Master Bakers

     A good thing on Thursday was we had some of our Institute students over to bake cookies and watch "The Fighting Preacher" on YouTube. We made a quadruple batch of Sister Edward's delicious chocolate chip cookies (about 14 doz).  While I finished baking them up, Brent and the "Kids" played a hilarious game of 3-Card Uno.  Brent and I have fallen in love with these young adults! We loved spending the day with them!  We were supposed to have a potluck with them this week to celebrate Bob and Lu'u starting their MTC Preparation but now that schools have been closed, starting tomorrow, that might need to be rescheduled.  Bob has been called to serve in San Jose, CA, and Lu'u will serve in Honduras.  Of course everything is up in the air right now.   Many missionaries from here are returning home from missions around the world.

No one ever won - it is to be continued.....

      Thursday night we had a virtual conference with President and Sister Ho Ching and the rest of the Senior missionaries serving in the Apia Samoa Mission.  We were told the church would pay our way home if anyone felt like they needed to leave.  Apparently there were some in Apia who wanted to leave, but that is a moot point for the next 30 days as all flights have been cancelled between Apia and Pago Pago; New Zealand, Fiji and Australia have closed their borders to foreigners so there is no longer an option to transit through there.  There are a couple of young missionaries in Apia who were supposed to be released as their two years is up, but they can't get off the island.
      So far there is no Covid-19 in American Samoa.  They are waiting for test results in Western Samoa on one case. Seven other tests came back negative.  Anyone flying into AS must go into quarantine at a government facility for 14 days and pass a medical exam before being released.  The Governor asked Hawaiian Airlines to cancel flights here until they have more beds for quarantine.  Friday there was a big meeting, and so far all we know for sure is that all schools and colleges are closed starting tomorrow.  That means we will
no longer be teaching Institute, at least for the next 30 days.  As you can see the Government in Samoa has called for a country wide 7-day fast from today until next Sunday.  We have joined this fast and will pray for the medical people and governments around the world who are working on this crisis.
     Life here is similar to what life is like in the States. As  of tomorrow we have been asked to self-quarantine.  All non-essential businesses are suppose to close. Brent and I are no longer suppose to attend baptisms.  All church meetings and activities have been canceled. Today the TSS (Tutuila Super Seniors) met at the Patches.  We sang some hymns, had the sacrament, and discussed the Olive Tree Allegory in Jacob 5-7.  I played a special musical number on my mouth organ, "Where Can I Turn For Peace."  The Patches provided an assortment of olives as a take home treat since we were fasting.   All of us have decided that we are safer here than at home so we'll all be staying, unless something else happens to change.
      So what are we doing to keep busy?  Tomorrow Brent and I are going to go through all of our things and try to downsize, boxing up things we don't need here to mail to the states. That will simplify our lives if we are asked to leave. We'll go to the Post Office and pick up mail and packages for the mission, and repack packages that need to go to Apia.  We are hoping Samoa Air will still carry cargo, even though there are  no passengers.   I've been catching up on my journal, we play games, read, watch The Andy Griffith Show and Mash reruns......
       The ocean has been pretty rough, but if it calms down we'll find a secluded beach and go snorkeling.  Friday we went with the Patches but the currents were so strong and the water so murky it was definitely not a perfect day for this activity.  At one point Brent had to rescue me because even though I was swimming as hard as I could I was getting farther and farther away from the land.  Janine told me today that she read in the paper that there had been strong riptides.  Next time we'll wait for a calm sea!

Elder Patch with Olives for our lesson
We love these people!

      I know for many of you your lives have been turned upside down.  For me the worst part of this is not knowing when it will end.  Every time I start to feel a little sorry for myself I think of the refugees around the world, the people who are still under attack in Syria, the people who have already lost family members to this scourge, and I recommit to staying strong. Almost daily I recite to myself my favorite scripture found in Isaiah 12 and 2 Nephi 22:

And in that day thou shalt say, O Lord, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me.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.3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.4 And in that day shall ye say, Praise the Lord, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted.5 Sing unto the Lord; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth.6 Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.

  My faith is a great shield and comfort.  I know the sun always comes up. 
Alofa atu, Patty (Nana)

This Too Shall Pass

Myra's Picture of Savaii Sunrise

Talofa Family and Friends,
      I'm pretty sure this week will be one we will all remember.   We are in a relatively safe place.  You can't get more isolated than a small rock in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.  Great effort has been taken by the government here to protect the citizens.  No one travels here unless they have quarantined in Hawaii for 14 days and passed a medical exam.  Unfortunately, that has limited the number of cargo ships that can come in so, like you, our store shelves are pretty bare.  Luckily we bought extra food before the big storm last month that skirted around us, so our cupboards are still pretty well stocked.  (We even managed to find toilet paper.)  The schools are still open, and since we don't have a single case of the virus on the island, it seems obvious they will stay open. Since the college is still in session we will continue teaching Institute classes 4 days a week.  Since all other church meetings and activities have been cancelled around the globe, we had scripture study today for our Sabbath worship with the Edwards here at the mission home.  We had a great discussion on the Come Follow Me scriptures for the last two weeks.
      Last week when we were in town we were

Cargo ship loading containers

 excited to see a cargo ship. However, while I was in the Post Office across the street Brent was in the car observing them loading containers, not unloading them. Where there used to be huge stacks of the shipping containers, there is now empty space. I'm hoping they are taking them somewhere and will return with them packed with food and supplies for the island.
       Brent had a visit from a little cardinal Myzomela. This little bird  (about 5" long) was attacking the mirrors on his car. I still enjoy watching for different birds, but I've never seen one like this little guy.

Myzomela Cardinal

     The news I've heard from home in Las Vegas is quite disturbing.  I talked to my friend Debbie tonight and she told me the Strip Casino properties were shutting down.  My kids have told me about long lines at grocery stores and people fighting over food. School closures around the country solve one problem but have created many more challenges for students, teachers and staff.  My friend Marleen, in New York has had to quarantine herself.  I haven't dared look at our stock account - besides there is nothing I can do about it.  It's hard to wrap my head around everything that is happening. However, I understand this situation is much worse for you who are living in the states than it is for us.
     Brent's grandmother, born in 1901, lived through WWI, the Great Depression, WWII, plus many personal tragedies.  When we were concerned about something happening in the world she would always reassure us with "This too shall pass."  My maternal instincts are screaming for me to hop on the next plane home and gather my family around me, but that is not possible. It is a great blessing that our kids all look out and care for each other.  I, like the rest of you, will have to be patient and trust in the Lord that this will be over sooner than later.  One thing I am sure of is that IT WILL PASS.  Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Alofa atu, Patty (Nana)
   

Old Friends

Talofa Family and Friends,
     What a wonderful week and a half I've had with my dear friend, Heather Wharton, visiting from the states and also seeing dear friends from our first mission in Upolu and Savaii.  Brent offered to stay home and take care of Institute and our missionaries while Heather and I traveled to Western Samoa.
      Sister Foster, a senior missionary over cars, was a generous host, allowing us to stay at her home and also providing us with a brand new Toyota Rav.  We arrived by small plane last Thursday (Friday Upolu time) and were able to go through a temple session and dinner at Scalini's.  Afulua, my very dear friend from the mission office, was able to go with us Friday night and around the island of Upolu on Saturday.  We stopped at Robert Louis Stevenson's home, snorkeled and swam at Matareva Beach, and swam out to see the giant clams (Actually I swam, Heather and Afulua were towed out by a village woman in a Kayak who is probably still recuperating).  Heather forgot

Off on a great adventure

 to put on sunscreen, and with her very fair skin got a pretty serious sunburn, but that did not spoil our great time.
     Sunday we attended the Pesega Lima ward where it was wonderful to see old friends.  I was thrilled to see some of our old Primary kids, Owen, Jerry and Lawrence.  They are all handsome deacons now and will always hold a special place in my heart.  After church we drove out to Saniatu, the location of one of the church schools and also the place where early Saints on the island escaped persecution.  The road was pretty bad, but with slow and careful driving we finally arrived.  David O McKay, as a young Apostle, visited Saniatu riding a horse.
      We arrived back in Apia just in time for the Senior Missionary Break the Fast Potluck.   I not only had the opportunity to meet the other seniors in the mission that I only knew by name, but we had a wonderful meal of too many good things to choose from.  It was strange to be back at the mission home as a guest.

Heather at Saniatu

    Early Monday morning we left Apia to catch the 8:00 am ferry to Savaii. It was a beautiful morning with sunshine, which I was extremely thankful for considering the weather from the previous week. In fact, we were blessed with perfect weather for the entire trip, with only a little rain.  Our friends, Galu and Rita Matagi, met us at the wharf in Savaii and treated us to a wonderful chauffeured tour around the entire island. Some of the highlights were the black sand beach, the blow holes, the canopy walk (Last time in my life I'll be trying anything like that!), feeding the turtles, and the best part, running into some of our missionaries who recently were transferred to Savaii.  The canopy walk entailed climbing stairs (more like ladders) to the top of these huge Banyan Trees, where we had a spectacular view of the forest canopy.  The swinging bridge and stairs, plus the heat and humidity were quite challenging but I did make it to the top and down again without the aid of a helicopter,  crane or medical personnel.

I am too old for this rickety bridge!
Sister Matagi, Heather and Patty

A few steps at the canopy walk

We stopped for fish and chips at a local restaurant on the far side of the island where we enjoyed an ocean view and breeze.

Late afternoon the Matagis dropped us off at the Amoa Resort where we spent the night.  For $40 we had a beautiful air-conditioned room and a very good breakfast.   Even though we had not brought our swimming suits I could not resist the beautiful pool and  jumped in with my clothes. This was not a problem as we were the only people at the resort due to the Coronavirus and off season.  Heather and her friend Myra who was traveling with us, enjoyed a long shower in outdoor garden shower.  That night we walked across the street to a pier with tables and chairs and watched the sun go down.  I don't think life gets any better.

The Amoa Resort

         The next morning at 10 am the Matagis were back to pick us up to continue our adventure.  We drove up to the church school at Vaiola where our dear friends, the Callahans used to stay.  It seemed sad to be there without them.  We then continued to Matagis home and plantation where they have put in an incredible amount of work to clear their land, build their home and create a Garden of Eden.  It seemed like the perfect place to retire.  After a stop for a lemonade the Matagis dropped us off at the ferry.  Sister Semu was a welcome sight as we unloaded at Upolu - we were almost out of money and were worried if we had enough for a taxi.  Wednesday morning we caught the plane back to American Samoa.  This little plane carries 7 passengers and a pilot and the flight lasts about 20 minutes.

Heather, Matagis, Patty, Myra and some
 of my favorite missionaries

       As soon as we landed, my phone started dinging, indicating text messages.  Sister King had stayed at a sister missionary's apartment with three other young missionaries.  She was fine but wanted to know if I could pick her up "Now"!  We were happy to welcome her and Sister Simeona back.  Sister King's leg has healed nicely and she was released by the doctor to go to her own home on Friday.
      It was so wonderful to have Heather here and also to have the chance to reconnect with Afulua, the Matagis and Sister Foster. I also enjoyed getting to know Sister Bennett, Heather's friend from Wyoming who is serving in the temple, and the other senior missionaries.  Really, the best part of serving a mission is the forever friends you make.  Tonight we had the Patches and Edwards over for dinner.  They have become like our family on the island.  I also think of dear friends at home, not ever forgotten. 

       This Coronavirus craziness is also here. The store shelves are emptying and there is almost no fresh produce.  It is questionable they will let the boat dock that is supposed to arrive March 18th.  We were met at the airport with people in Hazmat gear, who took our temperature before we were allowed to leave the airport.  I heard tonight that Hawaiian Air will soon not be flying here at all because of the required quarantine.  That is the only airline that flies in and out of here.  We have tickets home on Hawaiian Air on June 11th so hope this passes soon. 
       Hope this note finds all of you stocked up with essentials and prepared for a few more weeks of craziness. I'm going to learn how to cook taro and dress out a chicken. (They are all over the place.)
We've got a good stock of tuna, PB and J, crackers in the cupboard and Papaya growing in the backyard.  Sounds like another adventure!
Alofa atu, Patty (Nana)

Afulua - my forever friend!

 

Heather - another forever friend!