"Live Long and Prosper"

Left over from "Survivor"

 Talofa Lava Family and Friends,
        It was a pretty quiet week with the President and APs off island.  The biggest challenge of the week was trying to get some school classes started for the "House of Hope" for abused and neglected children.  We have been working with them for a couple of months, but they keep changing our hours and what they expect us to do.  In the beginning I was under the impression that we were going in to support the teacher, until I found out  there is NO teacher, and there hasn't been one for the entire school year.  Teaching school with no books, computers, curriculum materials, media equipment.... is definitely a challenge.  Thank goodness for the internet in the office and the school librarian who has been very generous in letting us check out books.  I have been working with the 14-18 yr. old girls.  These girls are beautiful and anxious to learn.  They appreciate anything you can bring to them in way of education.  The young sister missionaries have also been going in and I give them big kudos for doing a great job with so little.

Whittle's Going Away Party with Bruce McCarthy

      On Thursday evening the Seniors met at the Self Reliance center for a good-bye dinner for the Whittles.  They had arranged for Brother McCarthy and some young men to provide entertainment.  After dinner we sat around and sang songs from the 50's and 60's.  There wasn't a song Bruce couldn't play, and we all had a good time singing Frankie Vali, Elvis, Beatles, Jan and Dean....songs. It's hard to believe what is stored in all that grey matter!
       Saturday some of us drove up to Saniatu and enjoyed a refreshing swim at the waterfall.  It was pretty chilly getting in, but once the shock wore off it was a delightful swim.  Brent and Elder McBride had to climb up to the high ledge and jump off.  It's probably good we
have to carry health insurance.
   
        Our time here is quickly coming to an end.  Brent has got it down to the days, and I know I only have to refill my vitamin caddy 8 more times.  However, we still will not be home for the birth of our grand daughter who will be born this next week.  Of all the sacrifices we have made to be here, this one is the hardest.  My only comfort is that I know she has other family and friends who will be there to help her.  Today I had a thought that cheered me up a bit - I still will get to love our Great Grand babies when they come - so this isn't really the last grandchild.

Saniatu Swimming Hole - Nice!

       This week I also fulfilled one of my wifely duties - I went to the Star Trek Movie with Brent. However, I decided that this is the last thriller movie I will ever go to. He is going to have to find someone else to go with him.   I was so excited when the ship crashed (even though it took about 30 min) because I thought that would be the end.  Wrong!  If you are not a Star Trek fan save your money.  To add to my misery the air conditioning was out in the theater, so they brought in a big fan that made so much noise you could hardly hear the one zillion explosions.  To all of you Treky fans - Live long and prosper!
      I finished the Book of Mormon last week and started to Read the Doctrine and Covenants.  We recite Section 4 nearly every day so I have it memorized.  It refers to the missionary work that we are involved in here and around the world.  In the month of July our mission had over 240 baptisms.  It truly is a marvelous work!

 1 Now behold, a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of  men.

 2 Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day.

 3 Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work;

 4 For behold the field is white already to harvest; and lo,he that thrusteth in his   sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but   bringeth salvation to his soul;

 5 And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God,   qualify him for the work.

 6 Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance,patience, brotherly kindness,  godliness, charity, humility,diligence.

 7 Ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Amen.

Have a wonderful week! Oute alofa mo outou uma lava, Patty