Happy Days

Talofa Family and Friends,
     Today is October 20th - the date of the 2019 Palolo harvest here in the Pacific.  It occurs pretty much on schedule - seven days after the October full moon.  Palolo is a wormlike substance that is released into the ocean during mating by the coral. Tonight, while we are sleeping (between 1 and 3 am), many Samoan families will wade into the ocean with fine nets and flashlights to capture this delicacy that is supposed to be similar to caviar in taste.  Just another thing in nature that is amazing and reminds me how much wonder there is in the world.  If you are interested there are photos online. 

Last Disaster Training

     We had a pretty busy week.  I completed the
Disaster Training for Cyclones and Tsunamis, with the young missionaries on Monday.  Sister Ho Ching is going to start to make it a part of the training for all new missionaries on all of the islands, with reviews throughout the year.  I've had several of the missionaries thank me and tell me that they had no idea what to do before the training.
     Wednesday Elder and Sister Patch (LPN) came over to the house to give the Australian flu shots to the missionaries who spend P-Day at our house.  Tomorrow Sister Patch and I plan to leave early and get to as many District meetings as we can around the island.  She has appointments at the hospital so what we don't finish tomorrow we'll work on during the week.

Elder Moeai (Mesquite, NV) braving his flu shot

     Wednesday was also Elder Edwards birthday.  We celebrated with the Edwards and Patches by going for "Mexican Food" at a restaurant in Pago.  It was probably the worst Mexican food I've ever had, but the company was great and we all had a great time.  We even got into a little group Karaoke at the end - which was fun since I think we were the only people in the restaurant.   Last night we had another enjoyable evening together when Brother and Sister Halleck invited us all to their beautiful home for dinner.  It was definitely the best food we've had on the island, and again the great company made for a delightful evening.

Happy Birthday Elder Edwards

      Our little adventure with "Lady" is getting to be quite pricey.  I had no idea how much dog food cost - but after spending $33 I was relieved that she ate it.  We also bought shampoo ($6)  and a flea collar ($15) which lasted about 3 hours.  Don't ask me what happened to it - but it's gone!  On our P-Day Brent climbed into the shower with her and gave her a good shampoo.  She smells so much better. 
     Brent has been busy this week working on a standardized rental agreement for all of the places we rent for missionaries.  There was no real organization when we got here that made sense to us.  Often Brent would never get a an invoice so he was not able to make payment.  Hopefully starting November 1st everyone will get paid in a timely manner.  Everyone has agreed to get us the invoice 5 days before the end of the month along with the electrical and water bills we have to pay.  It's hard to pay bills when you don't get the bill!

Time to service water filters

Lady Getting a much needed bath

     It's that time again to service the water filters.  Brent put one in last week, we have another one this week and then it will be time to revisit all of the apartments to make sure the missionaries have clean, safe water.  We'll do inspections at the same time to kill two birds with one stone.
Tomorrow one of our Institute students leaves on his mission to Ghana, West Africa.  I have so much admiration for these young people who put their lives on hold and put their trust in the Lord.  This week I've been thinking that I don't think I've ever been happier.  We are busy but not too busy, work with wonderful students and missionaries, and get to live in this beautiful paradise.  I need to remember to appreciate every day. 
      This week we read Philippians and Colossians in the New Testament.  Paul reminds us to spend our time seeking after good things.  Philippians 4: 8 reads -  

"F

inally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

So many good things in life!  Good advice for a happy life.  God bless you and keep you as you go about your lives this week.

Alofa Atu - Patty (Nana)

Institute Students with Brother Ellis visiting from Australia