Tutuila Strong!

Talofa Family and Friends,
     I guess if you have to be stuck somewhere, a beautiful island in the South Pacific is not such a bad option.  I'll have to admit that I was a little down yesterday when I saw on FB most of the missionaries in the Apia Samoa Mission leaving Upolu for the states.  However, somehow things always look brighter in the morning and today I'm determined to enjoy one more day here in paradise with our 27 young missionaries.
     Our grandson, Mark (one of 7 of our beautiful adopted grandchildren) sent me the results of his DNA test yesterday. I told him his spiritual DNA is 100% Child of God and Awesomeness!   I had already jotted in my conference notes "DNA" to remind me include in this blog something that has been playing in my mind.  My mom's great-great grandmother, Maria Bowers, came to the states in the 1850's from England.  She traveled with her husband and six of her eleven children.  They had endured much persecution after joining the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and were traveling to join the Saints in Salt Lake. Her husband died in Iowa and Maria continued on with her six children in the first handcart company.  My thoughts have turned to her many times in the last several weeks, when I have been frightened of the unknown.  I'm sure there were times when she felt overwhelmed and questioned if she could do what needed to be done.  But she did it!  If she could endure her trials - I can endure mine! I have the right DNA.

     This last week we stopped at "Lady's" new home just to make sure she was all right.  She was happy to see us and a little confused when we left without her.  She is in a good place and will be well taken care of.  That will be the last time we see her as it was pretty traumatic for both us and her to say good-bye again.
      Today we went to the Post Office to check for packages.  Gratefully there were only about five which we just had them mark "Return to Sender".  Wow!  Why didn't we know about this option before??? Think of all the headaches we could have avoided!  We also did the same with all of the letters.  It's sure a lot easier than loading them up, repackaging, recording everything, standing in line at cargo... Yes!  Another silver lining. :)   This week we did our best to return the packages that had already arrived or in some cases redistribute snacks and treats that parents did not want returned.  So far the Post Office is open, but that could change any day.
      To take a break from being in the house we did go to Two Dollar Beach for one afternoon to snorkel and swim.  It's unbelievable how many beautiful tropical fish there are right off the coast.  I wish we had the money for a saltwater tank after we get home, but I'll probably have to settle for a fish screensaver.  The currents are still pretty strong, so it doesn't take long to tire us out. Since our experience several weeks ago, when we almost got swept to Fiji, we are overly cautious.   It still felt marvelous to get in the water and relax for a few hours.

   This past weekend was General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and also a celebration of the 200th Anniversary of  Joseph Smith's First Vision.  Members have been looking forward to this for a year, and when church meetings were canceled I was concerned about where our missionaries would be able to  watch conference.  Because of Covid-19 the entire conference was only available by internet.  Since we could not fit all 27 missionaries easily into our home I called President Ho Ching and got permission to host them at Senior Missionary homes.  The Edwards and Patches were thrilled to be able help out and to share this experience with some of our young missionaries.  So Starting Saturday morning at 5 am (we are 5 hours behind SLC) to Sunday at 11 am missionaries were fed both spiritually and physically from one of our three homes.  I'm sure it's a conference we will all remember.

Conference with the Ellsworths

Conference with the Edwards

Conference with the Patches

     The new Church symbol unveiled at conference is fitting for the Easter week.  It represents the living Christ emerging from the tomb.  People ask why we don't have crucifixes in our church and the answer is simple - we worship a living Christ.  The real hope for all the tragedies in the last couple of months is that Christ did rise.  We all will rise!  This Easter week might be short on Easter Bunnies and traditional activities but I hope it is bathed in contemplation on the significance of what happened on that first Easter,  a reason for us all to rejoice!

1 ^aIn the end of the ^bsabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for ^athe ^bangel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

3 ^aHis ^bcountenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:

4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

5 ^aAnd the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

6 He is not here: for he is ^arisen, as he said. Come, see the place where the ^bLord lay.

Have a blessed week and stay safe!
Alofa atu,
Patty (Nana)