Jerry &  Family at his  Baptism - Lotopa Chapel

Giant Clams Beach - One of our favorites!

 Talofa Lava Family and Friends,
     Another busy week with the President off island.  He returned in time to see Elder Madsen and Sister Oteamoa off.  Elder Madsen is another one of the Elders we really got to know well, so he takes a piece of our hearts with him.
     We learned that the couple replacing us will not arrive until after we leave.  This means an incredible amount of additional work for us, as we will need to write out detailed instructions for everything we do.  We were hoping to have a two week training period, but that is not going to happen.  Things have changed so much since we arrived, that Sister Jackson's notes are not going to work.
     This past week, Jerry, one of our Primary kids, got baptized.  Brent gave a talk and since it was also Jerry's birthday, the baptism was followed by a party, Samoan style.  We have learned to love our Primary class and are really going to miss them.
     A remarkable thing happened this week.  The Jordans are serving in American Samoa, and in the course of our work we talk almost every day. This week another senior couple, the Atoas, were in American Samoa, and Elder Atoa recognized Elder Jordan from serving together in the Dakotas in 1966!  I just happened to mention that my Grandfather, Thomas Kendrick, served in the Dakotas about that same time. Sister Jordan then exclaimed that she was the granddaughter of Ralph Kendrick, a brother of my grandfather - that makes us 2nd cousins.  I was so excited, and can hardly wait until she comes to Apia next month and we can catch up on family matters.
      I just looked at the calendar and we only have 11 more weekends before we leave Samoa.  I am having a hard time imagining living in a place where the beautiful, warm ocean is not

Brent and Patty inside the Safaatoa Chapel

minutes away. Yesterday we went to the Giant Clam preserve at Savaia.   The coral there is colorful and varied, as are the fish.  I saw fish I've never seen before that were gorgeous.  The real treat are the giant clams that measure up to 3 ft across, and are speckled with florescent blues, greens, purples, yellows....We will be back here again before we leave!
      We took a mission van on our excursion so we could take 6 tile workers who are here working on the Temple.  Taking the long way home around the west side of the island for sight seeing, we were treated to beautiful vistas, a visit to a tiny chapel tucked way back in the forest, and Nius to quench our thirst.

Safaatoa LDS Church - Open Fale on left is the chapel

     With the rainy season, flowers are busting out everywhere!  I think of Elder Jackson every morning when I pass his "Christmas Tree" which is now starting to sport beautiful red flowers.  By December the tree will be covered.  It rained every day last week, but so far it has been cooler than I remember last year, or maybe I am just used to it.
      Brent is still making ties.  He spent yesterday morning with a carpenter square, calculator and
poster board, engineering the perfect tie pattern.  He found an old sewing machine in a mission closet and had it serviced.  It now sits on our kitchen table, along with yards of different kinds of materials that he is determined to make into ties.  I told him we are going to have to take out a loan to get home, if he doesn't stop buying material.  He wears a new tie almost everyday, which has taken care of his clothing blues.

Roadside Niu stand with two cute servers

       My scripture for the week is from D&C 128:23.  It reflects my feelings and gratitude for the knowledge and testimony I have of our Savior Jesus Christ, and the blessings of his atonement.

23 Let the mountains shout for joy, and all ye valleys cry aloud; and all ye seas and dry lands tell the wonders of your Eternal King! And ye rivers, and brooks, and rills, flow down with gladness. Let the woods and all the trees of the field praise the Lord; and ye solid rocks weep for joy! And let the sun, moon, and the morning stars sing together, and let all the sons of God shout for joy! And let the eternal creations declare his name forever and ever! And again I say, how glorious is the voice we hear from heaven, proclaiming in our ears, glory, and salvation, and honor, and immortality, and eternal life; kingdoms, principalities, and powers!

Hope you all have a blessed week!  Alofa Atu - Patty