Measles, Coronavirus....What's Next?

Talofa Family and Friends,
     This week I went to the Leone Health Clinic to get my MMR Vaccination so I can travel to Apia next month.  After getting my shot I had to go to the Tafuna Health Clinic to get my gold card stamped and signed by a doctor.   The Health Dept. also advised us last week that no one will be allowed to travel from now on to Apia without a doctor's clearance for the Coronavirus, and that must be obtained no more than three days prior to travel. It sounds like a knee jerk reaction from Western Samoa, still reeling from the devastation of the measles outbreak.  Not to be out done,  American Samoa now requires us to jump though hoops to get clearance for our missionaries traveling between Apia and Tutuila. (Something that is done often.) Not only do we need a copy of the Gold MMR card and a Coronavirus clearance, we now have to take a copy of the itinerary, passport, and regular immunization record to Pago Pago to the Attorney General's Office, where they will give us a stamped paper that has to be taken to the Health Dept by the LBJ Hosp, where they keep it to "process" for 24 hours, after which we pick it up and take everything back to the Attorney General's office where they clear the missionary (Or anyone else)  for travel.  I love bureaucracy!

A few of our MIW Youth

     Last night our youth put on a program for our Ward (Mesepa International Ward) to introduce us to the church's new Youth program, "Strive To Be".  It really is an amazing program based on the young people 8 - 18 setting and completing goals of their own choosing in the areas of Intellectual, Social, Physical, and Spiritual .   When we asked our nine year old granddaughter, Chloe, what her goals were she told us she wanted to learn how to pick locks for her intellectual goal.  I'm pretty sure that is not exactly what her parents had in mind, but Grandpa promised her when we return he will cut some old locks open and help her learn how they work.
     The Church also has a new program based on members ministering to other members.  Jim and Nancy Gibson have been asked to minister to Brent and I, and we both agree they are doing an amazing job!  They regularly send email with news from home, pictures of friends, and little surprises in the mail.  Last week we received decorations for Valentines and St. Patrick's Day.  I printed each of our missionaries' names on a heart and hung them up.  Each missionary that comes to the house checks for their name.  Thank You Nancy and Jim!!!

Wall of Love

      Well, here is an update on "Lady."  We were touched last week when some of you offered to start a "Bring Lady Home" fund.  The Fox Family suggested that if we were not able to bring her then we should probably just stay here.  (I hope they were kidding!)  The good news is that in the last week we have had 3 local families offer to take her and give her a good home. That would be the best solution for her.  The bad news is that she has started getting hard bumps on her belly.  Another trip to the vet and Brent came home and announced that she has "enlarged mammograms." (I think he meant "Mammary Glands.)  The vet wants to open her up again this Wednesday to make sure when she was spayed it was done correctly.  This vet is from Boston, MA so we are judging her judgement. 
    Brent just came in and asked me what was for dinner. We had planned on making enough Fajitas yesterday with the idea we could have them yesterday and today. Just as we finished  eating yesterday, Elders Fa'amausuli and Larsen arrived at our door.  "Boy!  Is that fajitas we smell?  We love fajitas!" Sorry honey, you're own your own tonight.

Elders Christensen, Brown, Pauga and Tulaga

     We love these missionaries!  Last week Elders Pauga and Tulaga, companions, had birthdays just a couple of days apart.  Wednesday was another really rainy day (Actually that's an understatement -there was flash flooding across the island and we actually saw kids swimming in parking lots) so I picked these Elders up from the church and gave them a dry ride home to Leone.  These four Elders cover a huge part of the Western part of the island.  If you could see how far they walk or bike everyday, rain or blazing sun,  I'm pretty sure you would be amazed - I am!
    Elders Teisina and Moeai have been staying with us for a couple of nights.  I think tonight will be their last.  Elder Moeai broke out in a serious rash that was aggravated by the hot, muggy weather.  Doctor Edwards to the rescue again.   He researched how to treat this malady, called in a prescription and hopefully Elder Moeai will be feeling much better soon. 
    Well, we've bought our return home tickets for June 11th arriving in Las Vegas June 12th.  The time is going by so quickly and there is still so much we want to do.

 We are studying the Book of Mormon this year. In the Book of 1 Nephi there is a story of a tree with fruit that will bring you great happiness.  This week I came across a Primary song on FB by Shawna Edwards titled,  "Tree of Life."  It is on you.tube and if I knew how to copy and paste it then I would insert it here. If you haven't seen it check it out.  The fruit is the Gospel of Jesus Christ which I can testify is sweet.  The iron rod, that leads to the tree,  is the word of God or the scriptures.  The Book of Mormon is another witness of Jesus Christ.  As a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints I invite you to listen to the missionaries and come partake of this fruit. You have nothing to lose and eternal life to gain.
Alofa atu, Patty (Nana)

Come to the tree of life

Partake of the fruit

I feel the love of God

And you'll feel it too, when you

Come to the tree of life

There's joy here and peace

The greatest place in all the world to be

Is at the tree!

The prophet, Lehi, had a vision of the tree of life

He saw it shining in the distance

So beautiful and bright

The sweetest fruit he'd ever tasted

And white as white could be

It filled his soul with joy and gladness

He beckoned to his family:

Come to the tree of life

Partake of the fruit

I feel the love of God

And you'll feel it too, when you

Come to the tree of life

There's joy here and peace

The greatest place in all the world to be

Is at the tree!

The tree of life is just a symbol

Of the love of God

The pathway there is straight and narrow

So hold on to the rod

His word will guide us through the darkness

And past the mists of gray

The enemies of God may mock us

But we will boldly stand and say:

 Come to the tree of life

Partake of the fruit

I feel the love of God

And you'll feel it too, when you

Come to the tree of life

There's joy here and peace

The greatest place in all the world to be

Is at the tree!