A Taste of Heaven

Tofa!  We're off to Apia

Dear Family and Friends,
We have had an amazing couple of days this week and a little taste of heaven.  With Institute classes starting tomorrow we decided to take advantage of our last few free days and fly to Apia, Western Samoa.  Getting there and back is quite an adventure on a small prop plane.  It is an act of faith for me to travel on this plane - even though the flight is only about 35 minutes.  When you check in you are weighed and assigned your seat so the plane will be balanced.  You have to duck down to get in through the door, and there is no place inside you can stand up.  We were packed in like sardines in a can both ways.  A little glitch I was not aware of is that if the plane is full of passengers they do not send your luggage with you.  They send the luggage when they have room!  Thus, we have been home for two days and our luggage is still not here.  I'm pretty distressed as I don't have any make-up, a comb or brush, and there were damp clothes in our bag.  Hoping it is not moldy by the time it arrives.

Apia Samoa Temple - (Internet photo)

      We were having so much fun we kept forgetting to
take pictures so excuse the internet photos this week.  The main reason we went over was to attend the temple.  We were able to do 2 sessions.  Both times we went we ran into old friends and even made some new ones.  The Swangers, the Senior Zone Leaders in Apia now, were in the Friday evening session so we went to dinner with them after the session.  Since they have been teaching Institute they had some helpful info for us.  We also enjoyed seeing the Sprouses, Fifes and Sister Bennett.  We love this temple and it felt like we had come home.

Our Dear Friend Afulua (FB PHOTO)

 When we first got to Apia we rented a car and went to the Mission Home.  We were anxious to see our dear friend, Afulua.  I promised her when we left last time that I would wear a flower every day to remember her and I have pretty much kept that promise.  She has worked in the mission home for the past several mission presidents, and I'm pretty sure they couldn't run the place without her.  We asked her if she could arrange to have Friday off so we could go to the beach.  We picked her up Friday morning and drove to the Paradise Lost Resort on the SW side of the island.  For 30 Tala/person you have access to the beach with chairs, changing room, showers, bathroom and 30 Tala worth of food and drink.  Now that's a pretty good deal considering 30 Tala is about $12.00.  Again we were so busy talking and laughing that we forgot to take pictures!  Brent and I were excited to swim in the ocean again.  I think when God made the earth he said, "I love Samoa - I think I will make the beaches and water just perfect for the people!"  We did snorkel and we did see some fish - but it wasn't the best spot we've been in.  Still, it was heavenly to be back in the water. 

      Definitely the best part of the trip was reconnecting with old friends - people we love and miss.  While we were in Apia we taught Primary.  Late Saturday morning we took Owen and Charlotte, a couple of our kids who were available, to OO La La for ice cream. These kids stole our hearts and it was wonderful to see them again.  It was nice that they were excited to see us also.  As a bonus, Lani Smolik, Owen's mom, joined us. Everywhere we went we bumped into old friends and young people who were serving missions while we were there.  I think that's what heaven must be like - seeing and reconnecting with people who we love and have missed.

Miriama, Brent and Patty

     Thursday, after we left the mission home we drove around the west half of the island.  All of the villages still are decorated from the Pacific Games that were a few weeks ago.  The Samoan people gave a royal welcome to all of the other Pacific countries that came to participate, with flags, banners, and trees wrapped in different colors.  The villages are beautiful anyways, but this time they really out did themselves! I tried to upload a video but darn -it's a no go.
      After Ice Cream we met Miriama at the mission home and took her to lunch.  She is the young woman Brent baptized when we were here.  She has since married a very nice return missionary in the temple and is doing great.  She was a golden contact and is still strong in the church despite opposition from some of her family members.  Again, it was so wonderful to see her and find her doing so well.
        Before closing I have to mention our first

One of our cute missionaries - Sister Sauni

experience renting an Airbnb.  I found this one for $29/night in Mo'ootua which I thought sounded pretty dang reasonable since it included air conditioning and breakfast.  It was run by a young hippie couple from Australia.  They lived on the lower floor and the upper, street level floor had 5 rooms that they rented with a large common area in the middle.  It was clean, the bed was comfortable, the air worked really good so I guess we shouldn't complain that there was no shower head, just a pipe that shot out really cold water and the toilet always ran.  I think we might stay there again.                                                                                                                         

Sardines in a can - Samoa Airways

                   
 Miriama and her husband dropped us off at the airport at 2:30 pm for our 3:15 flight back to AS.  Because of thunderstorms they were way behind schedule.  This airport has no air conditioning and only wooden benches with no backs to sit on (if you're lucky enough to get a seat). Three and a half hours later we finally boarded our plane.  I was more than ready to go home when they finally called us to board.  Now if we can just get our luggage!

        I'm using a quote off of Pres. Fife's blog this week:

A grateful heart is a beginning of greatness. It is an expression of humility. It is a foundation for the development of such virtues as prayer, faith, courage, contentment, happiness, love, and well-being.

-James E. Faust

        Several times this week I'v thought of all of my blessings.  My wonderful family and friends, the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, my health....the usual things one thinks of.  However, I've also thought how thankful I am for good journalists who take great risks to report stories that need to be told, the many public servants who serve with integrity (Yes, I believe there are still some around), the scientists and engineers who work hard to help make the world healthier and safer, the wealthy people who give liberally of their money to help those less fortunate, the families of our servicemen and women, who sacrifice at home so their family member can protect us.  Yes, there are many, many things to be grateful for.  This week I am especially grateful for the little taste of heaven we had visiting Samoa.