The Tribe has Spoken...

July 13th Intake of new missionaries - What a great looking
group of missionaries!

 Talofa Lava Family and Friends,
Today is July 17th, and if my mother was still alive she would be 88.  I still talk to her on my morning walks, and believe that she is my guardian angel.  I miss you Mom!
   This week went relatively smooth.  We welcomed 10 new sisters and 6 new elders to the mission, and got them all sent off in different directions to 3 different islands.  We also said goodbye to three elders who have completed their two years.  Elder Mikkelsen served in the office with us several months ago, so we got to know him better than the missionaries who only come into the office once in a while.  He suffered through more boils than Job, and never complained.  If he is able to play on the BYU football team this next season, we will definitely have to make the effort to go see one of his games.  We also had a visit this week from Elder Anderson, another AP, who returned to tour Samoa with his family.  We have a date with him next March to attend his wedding in St. George - all he has to do is find the right girl.

Apparently the seat belt law doesn't always apply

Elder Mikkelsen packing for home

Some of the things I want to remember about Samoa:  It is so strange that the police pull you over if you are not wearing your seat belt, and right next to you is a truck crammed with people, often standing up.  Also, in Samoa if you feel like something is crawling on you, something IS crawling on you - you just have to look very carefully to see these itty bitty bugs. I also have this little ants that live in my Ipad.  They crawl across the screen regularly. Driving down the road it is not unusual to slow for pigs crossing the road, or to see a brood of baby chicks.  On Saturday nights the roads have more people walking than cars driving, and there is either a volleyball or rugby game being played by the youth in every village.  Naked little children play in their yards, often under the supervision of older siblings, and women sit in groups and visit while they work. There is a sense of community that is missing in the states.  The people take great pride in their villages, working together to beautify their villages, adding extra touches that say they are proud of their homes.                                                                                      

Shanna with Survivor Torch

For the last couple of months the Australian version of "Survivor" has been filming in Samoa. Several times we have planned to go to a beach, and found it closed due to the filming of this tv show.  Yesterday the Schaefermeyers were walking along the Coastal Walk, one of the places they had been filming, and discovered one of the contestant's torches.  They are trying to get it returned to its rightful owner, but it was still fun to see.
     Yesterday no one wanted to go to the beach so we went by ourselves.  After a leisurely drive to the south side of Upolu, through picture postcard scenery, we arrived at our favorite "Mermaid Cove" where we snorkeled, seeing an amazing variety of fish.  This was also one of the locations for  the Survivor show.  We then set up our chairs and spent the rest of the afternoon reading, and enjoying this beautiful location all to ourselves.  We didn't think it could get any better until Schafermeyers showed up later with their Survivor torch and Theron's new birthday gift, a JC Phantom Drone, which he was more than willing to demonstrate.  What is that saying, little boys never grow up, their toys just get more expensive.

Up, Up and Away!  

It is starting to sink in that we are on the downside of this adventure, and will be returning home soon.  However, this beautiful country will always have a place in my heart, and be a part of who I am.

     My scripture for the week comes from the 13 Articles of Faith, #10: " 10 We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory."  This past week as I have input baptisms into the computer it hit me that in a small way I am participating in this literal gathering of people who accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the Latter Days.  It is exciting to see the evidence of this prophesy being fulfilled around the world. We are blessed to live in a time when we have a living prophet and twelve apostles directing this gathering of Israel, and preparing the earth for the return of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  If you would like to know more go to mormon.org.  
 God Bless all of you as you go through out your week.  I send all my love.
Alofa atu, Patty