Tyler and Cecile's Big Day

Cecile Green and Tyler Ellsworth - Aug 10, 2019

Talofa Family and Friends,
The events of this week were trumped by the marriage of our grandson, Tyler to his beautiful bride, Cecily.  They were married in Lehi, Utah and will be living in McMinnville, Oregon, where they both will be attending school.  Knowing that almost our entire family was at the wedding was hard, but we appreciated the stream of photos and video that was sent to us throughout the day.  It is hard to be away from our family, especially on big days like weddings and baptisms.  There are still a few things we will miss before we return home.

Our Forever Family (Missing Jason, Laura, Elise & Luke)

I think we pretty much have our Monday routine 

Our Tutuila Family

down.  I take outgoing mail and packages to the front desk, and pick up mail in the PO Box.  Brent takes the car around to the back and loads incoming packages.  However, looking at the number of packages that need to be mailed tomorrow I think our great system might need to be tweaked a little.

Wednesday is a work in progress.  It is the young missionaries Prep-day when they can e-mail home.  Because we only have two computers they tend to congregate at our house for long periods of time.  Last Wednesday there was a action filled game of UNO while the boys waited their turn.  I usually put out sandwiches and fruit so they can eat lunch, and I have been making cookies every week for them.  However, they seem to have bottomless stomachs and my food budget can only stretch so far.  Food here is much more expensive than in the states as almost everything has to be shipped in.

We were so excited to learn about a new fresh fish market that just opened in Pago Pago on Friday mornings.  You would think living on an island it would be easy to find fresh fish at a reasonable price, but when we ask people where they get their fish they either tell us they have an uncle or friend that fishes, they buy frozen fish at the store or that they don't like fish!  Not much help for us as we are fresh out of fishing uncles.  We scored with a beautiful piece of fresh tuna that will last us for several meals.  Brent made his favorite Samoan dish - Fai'ai (SP?)  It is fresh tuna baked in coconut milk with onion.  Served with rice it is delicious!

This Saturday we attended three different baptismal services.  I was so glad that we drove over the mountain to Vatia to Roseanna's baptism as we were about the only people there.  Most people on that side of the island and from her village do not have cars and were not able to get to the church, which was quite a distance away.   Roseanna is a beautiful young mother with two small children.  She was married Wednesday and got baptized Saturday.  She was not able to get married previously because her legal records were lost.  Her husband is already a member, and she has been attending church for years, but because she was not legally married she was not able to be baptized.  She is excited about going to the temple as soon as she can.  We also attended a baptism of a mother and daughter in Nu'uuli.  The mother had read the Book of Mormon in two weeks and was making sacrifices to join the church.  The third was an older man from Malaeimi.  Every time I witness a baptism I think of one more person gathered to Israel.

Roseanna's Baptism with Elders Bailey and Smith

Just like the kids at home, the kids here are getting ready to go back to school this week.  I'll miss the kids who come to pick lemons in our yard.  From talking to parents the elementary public schools here do not have the resources for a good education - even basics like paper and pencils.  Poor education is one of the main things that keeps the people here from getting good jobs.

The Church has a great program called Pathways that is available around the globe for adults who want to earn a college degree.  The classes we will be teaching at the Institute are part of this program.  The academic classes are online, and after completing the first year students can take online courses through BYU Idaho and earn degrees in several different disciplines at a much reduced price.  When they graduate they will have a degree from BYU Idaho.  It is a great blessing for people who want to further their education but can't afford to attend a public or private school.

I love that the Church recognizes the importance of education and learning.  In Doctrine and Covenants 130:18-19 it states: 18 Whatever principle of ^aintelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the ^bresurrection.

19 And if a person gains more ^aknowledge and intelligence in this life through his ^bdiligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the ^cadvantage in the world to come.

We are commanded to seek knowledge out of the best books and by study and and by faith.  So, to my grand kids who are at the beginning of a new school year, I hope that you will take your school work seriously, and work hard to learn the things that will benefit you and enable you to help others, not only in this world but in the life to come.  I love and miss you all.  Have a great week. :) 

Alofa atu, Patty (aka Nana, Grams)

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