It's Raining - It's Pouring!

Front yard in Mesepa

Talofa Family and Friends,

Internet photo from Tonga

     Sending love this week from soggy, windy American Samoa.  This past week we have felt the remnants of Cyclone Tino that blasted a few islands of Tonga.  Luckily it skirted around us, and so we've only had pouring rain and high winds.  Banana trees all over the island have toppled as well as a few roofs that I know about, but other than that we were spared the brunt of the storm.  Because the weather has been so terrible, most of the week was spent indoors.  Sister White was with us until Thursday night when she flew out with Sister Patch to return home.  Their plane was delayed several hours due to bad weather, but she finally arrived safely home in New Mexico.

Elders Wilkie and Sema, both with sore toes :( 

    Friday night I suggested we lock the gate early, pop some corn and watch a movie since it was our first night alone in 11 days.  We had decided on a movie and Brent had just made some of his delicious popcorn when the phone rang -   Elder Sema had cut his foot and needed to go to the hospital.  Going to the hospital here is always a several hour proposition of sitting on a hard bench along with throngs of other sick people, waiting to get called back where you sit for several more hours.  Not what I had in mind for our Friday night!  I asked the Zone Leaders to bring him to the mission home and I would look at it.  When they arrived Elder Wilkie also had an ingrown toenail, so I had both Elders soak their foot in Epson salts and we shared our popcorn until Dr. Edwards could get here.  Elder Sema's toe had a bad cut right in the crease where his toe connects to his foot  - impossible to stitch.  Elder Edwards told him to scrub it with anti-bacterial soap four times a day and it would heal itself.  Wow!  That was so much easier than the hospital! Thank you Dr. Edwards!!! 

Brent and his Best Friend "Lady"

     We got some bad news on the continuing saga of "Lady" our coconut mutt.  Brent has fallen in love with this dog and apparently the feeling is mutual because every time Brent leaves Lady whines and puts up a fuss.  I was finally coming around to the idea that we might take her home with us in June, that was until Brent started checking into the cost and hassle of bringing a dog into the states.  The biggest problem was the airlines will not transport animals to Las Vegas between April 14th and Oct. 15th because of heat danger.  If we sent her by herself and had our family pick her up she would have to go as cargo which would cost $500.  When we figured out the total costs for paperwork, crate, Vet and transportation we were at almost $800 - That's not happening!  So now we are praying that whoever serves here next would love a cute dog.
        I took advantage of the rainy weather this week and read the biography of President Russell M. Nelson.  I was so impressed with the experiences and accomplishments of his life, all of which added up to prepare him for the task of
leading the Church today. Professionally he was a world 
renowned heart surgeon who helped to pioneer the first artificial heart.  His example of how he loves and cares for people all over the world reflects the teachings of Jesus Christ, who he represents.  He is 95 years old and is still in good health.  He is a remarkable man and I believe he is a Prophet of God.  I've often said that if people would just look at the caliber of the men and women who lead this church they would have no choice but to investigate. 
       Looking at the calendar our time here is quickly coming to an end.  My good friend Heather Wharton is visiting next month, so that is something to look forward to and then we'll be down to 3 short months until I can hug my kids and grandkids. 
      I know it has been cold in Vegas, and my Sister who is serving a mission in Indiana is enjoying temperatures down in the teens, so we all have our own challenges.  Hope this message finds you all safe and well. 
Alofa atu, Patty (Nana)
     

Happy Birthday!

Brent and his new friend "Bert"

Talofa Family and Friends,
     This week we celebrated Brent's 71st Birthday by having the TSS (Tutuila Super Seniors) plus the Lesas over for an enchilada dinner.  Brent was not expecting gifts but was thrilled with his new friend "Bert" from the Patches, a cortisone shot in his shoulder from the Edwards, and a nice shirt from the Lesas. 
     In June we will be celebrating our 50th year of marriage, so thought I would take some room here and tell you what a great guy I married.  Brent is kind, loving and faithful.  He has been a wonderful husband, father and grandfather.  It would be hard to imagine anyone who loves their family more that Brent. 
     Anyone who knows Brent knows what a hard worker he is.  He has always worked hard to provide for his family and to improve himself.  He loves learning new things, and is talented in so many areas.  He can build almost anything, and fix almost anything.  In our married life I only recall a handful of times we have  called someone for help, usually because we did not want to cancel a warranty.  He has built two houses and a garage, rebuilt and repaired cars, wired and plumbed a couple of houses, poured and finished concrete, reroofed our house, painted, designed and built cabinets, welded, designed our backyard as well as hand cutting for weeks flagstone for the patio and planter.... I'm sure I'm forgetting something.  Besides construction he sews all his own ties and recently took up leather work - making beautiful belts for almost everyone in the family.  That is a hobby he hopes to take up again once we return home.

Brent's Birthday Dinner - blowing out the candles

      My introduction to his abilities was early in our marriage when I casually mentioned that it would have been better for the back door to be on the back of the house instead of the side. The next thing I know I hear this loud banging - rushed into the kitchen and demanded to know what in the heck he was doing knocking out the wall.  "I thought you said you wanted the door moved,"  he replied.
     Brent loves the Lord.  I can hardly remember a day in 50 years that he hasn't read his scriptures.  He loves being a missionary and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ because he knows how it can bless the lives of others.  On our mission here in Tutuila he has enjoyed teaching Institute and there isn't anything he wouldn't do for our missionaries.  Happy Birthday Honey!  I love you!!!

Transfer Day

   This week has also been a week of hellos and goodbyes.  Elders Andelin and Williams left us and Sister Sauni joined us.  We've also had Sisters Adams and White here from Tutuila for medical tests.  Both Sisters had been complaining of stomach problems.  Sister Adams started feeling better almost immediately so she went back out in the field.  Sister White. on the other hand has been really sick, spending most of the week curled up in a ball on our couch.  She has been cleared to return home for medical treatment, but there are only two flights off island a week so she will have to wait until Thursday.  Sister Patch. a nurse, will be accompanying her home.

Sister White - 

   
     On Prep Day the missionaries have a few hours, after they get their laundry done, and apartments cleaned for free time.  Elders Larsen and Fa'amausili just live a few blocks away so often come to the mission home.  This week we also had Sisters King and Adams.  We had crazy game of "UNO" that went on for almost an hour.  I finally passed my hand to Elder Ellsworth, who eventually won the game. Who knew "UNO" could be so competitive?   It was also Sister Adams birthday this week so her and Sister King enjoyed the opportunity to make a birthday cake.  She was especially excited about learning how to make frosting - she thought it always came in a can - UGH!
     On Friday Brent and I ran into the meteorologist for the island at the fish market.  I asked him about approaching storms and he assured me we would be alright this week but after that they were expecting an increased chance of a cyclone.  We filled up another 30 gallons of emergency water and have been checking missionary apartments for water and emergency food.  Hopefully we are ready if a storm hits!

Sister Adams and King whipping up
a Birthday Cake for Sister Adams

     Well, that's a wrap for this week.  Institute starts again tomorrow and I need to go over my lesson before leaving for Patches for a TSS dinner.  The Weather App is predicting thunderstorms for the entire week which means when it's not raining it is unbearably hot and humid.  Sending some soggy greetings and love - have a wonderful week!
Alofa atu - Patty (Nana)

We are going to miss Sister Leiataua!

Elder Andelin is off to Savaii - Amazing young man!

 

Elder Williams has been an awesome missionary!

Happy New Year - 2020!

Brent and Patty at Palolo Beach on New Year's Eve

Talofa Family and Friends,

     Manuia le tausaga fou! (Blessings for the new year).  New Year's Eve we drove out to the far western part of the island with the Patches to watch the sun set on 2019.  Because the way the International Date line runs, American Samoa is as far West as you can go without jumping to a new day.  So you could say we were the last people on earth to bid farewell to 2019.   Even though it was cloudy it was still a beautiful sunset.  Brent tried to swim but with the tide low the coral was a danger.  I opted to wade on shore and look for shells.  However, every shell I picked up was "occupied" by one critter or another so I finally just started looking for interesting rocks, hoping not to disturb anything that was alive. 

     New Year's Day we went to the "Flower Pot" to try snorkeling with the Patches.  It was high tide but we got caught in a very strong current, I was afraid at one point we might end up in Fiji. All four of us struggled to get back to shore, ending up quite a distance from where we started,  and decided that  we wanted to live more than we wanted to snorkel. 

The Paeuli Family baptism with Sisters King & Leiataua

     The last couple of weeks we have been to some amazing baptisms.  The entire Paeuli family of eight were baptized, which was pretty exciting.  They are looking forward to going to the temple together next December.  Every Sat. we try to attend as many baptisms as possible.  Although most of them are in Samoan and we understand very little,  there is always a sweet spirit and the members always make us feel welcome.
       This past week we visited several missionary apartments to make repairs, check on emergency supplies  and inspect for cleanliness.  A common problem is door hinges rusting off.  Brent has been replacing them with stainless steel hinges, which would not be hard if the doors were squared.  The elders in Auto were happy to get all their cracks filled with foam and the sisters in Nu'uuli and Tafuna were ecstatic to get new beds and mattresses. (I'm pretty sure the health department would close us down if they saw the old mattresses.)  We will work on upgrading the bedding in the rest of the island.  Brent's fix-it man skills have been put to good use.   

Elders Wray and Tresgaskes helping Brent

      American Samoa dodged a bullet last week when a large storm skirted around us.  We had an incredible amount of rain with strong winds, but count our blessings that it was not worse.  Our ward has been divided into districts based on neighborhoods to help in case of an emergency.  Our district is working together to make sure everyone has a 72 hr kit and emergency supplies.  We are assessing our resources, have made an evacuation plan, and organized teams for house checks.  We have restocked our emergency food and tomorrow will refill all the empty 3 & 5 gallon water bottles.  When the power goes out we have no water - so storing a lot of water is critical!  In the storm that hit in 2017 the power was out for over a week - in some places 3 weeks!  Everything in our house is electric, besides not having water we would not have air conditioning, lights, ability to cook, recharge cell phones (if we still had service) or communicate with the outside world.  The Edwards are planning on staying at the mission home in case of an emergency, so at least we would have excellent medical care.     

Sisters Thomson and Bean putting beds together

      It takes a brave heart to look in the meat section at the grocery store.  These Three Little Pig (heads) have been there for a while, along with the whole pig that went to market.  Apparently there is not a big demand for pig heads.  There is generally a different surprise every week -mostly things I didn't even know were edible.  What is lacking is a good steak at a price we can afford.
      We finally moved Lady's food inside, as it seems the toads here are also fond of dog food.  Update on Lady: She is back to her cute  self.  She is house broken, doesn't bark, has a sweet temperament, loves kids...Anybody want a dog?

"This Little Pig went to Market..."

           It is customary here to remove your shoes before entering a home.  Yesterday, at our Ward District Meeting held a a member's home, we went to leave and discovered their dogs had helped themselves to several shoes. At the mission home it is often an obstacle course to get into the door.  To me it doesn't seem like rocket science to leave your shoes to the side of the door where they do not create a safety hazzard!

       Well, it's time to get ready for church so will wrap

this up.  This year the Church will be studying the Book of Mormon.  Today we reviewed the testimonies of the Three Witnesses and the Eight Witnesses.  There were several people, other than the Prophet Joseph Smith, who saw the plates.  Even though the majority of them later left the church, not one of them ever denied what they had seen, 

even on their death beds.  I will add my witness that the Book of Mormon is from God.  Every time I read it, it is confirmed again to me that it is a true book.  I'll close with part of the statement made and signed by the Three Witnesses that can be found in the front of the Book: 

       .....And we declare with words of soberness, that an angel of God came down from heaven, and he brought and laid before our eyes, that we beheld and saw the plates, and the engravings thereon; and we know that it is by the grace of God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, that we beheld and bear record that these things are true. And it is marvelous in our eyes. Nevertheless, the voice of the Lord commanded us that we should bear record of it; wherefore, to be obedient unto the commandments of God, we bear testimony of these things. And we know that if we are faithful in Christ, we shall rid our garments of the blood of all men, and be found spotless before the judgment-seat of Christ, and shall dwell with him eternally in the heavens. And the honor be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, which is one God. Amen.   

Shoes at the Mission Home

This picture is for Connor and Cade - It is one of the toads we
regularly find in Lady's food - Yuk!

       Wishing all of you a wonderful week.
Alofa Atu, Patty (Nana)

Keep Christmas in Your Heart

Sweet Christmas Eve Celebration -
One I will always remember with fondness

Talofa Family and Friends,
     Manuia le Kirisimasi!  I hope all of your Christmases were as joyful as ours was.  Through the miracle of the internet we were able to visit with all of our kids and share in a little bit of their Christmas.  Christmas Eve we shared a little Christmas with two of our Institute students, as well as Mata's younger siblings and the Edwards.  Sister Patch got stuck at the hospital delivering babies (a total of 7) so they didn't make it.    Having kids here made the night perfect.  After a yummy lasagna dinner we enjoyed singing carols, reading Luke 2 and playing Charades.  There were a few surprises under the tree for everyone.  My favorite moment was seeing nine year old Spencer open a basketball.  His face was priceless - I'm not sure who was happier, Spencer or me.   The night was topped off with apple crisp and Ice Cream.
     We loved participating in the  "Light the World" Campaign throughout December.  Brent and I had to talk in Church today, and part of my talk was about how to keep Christmas. Here is a short excerpt: If Christmas is not in your heart it will never be found under a tree.  It has been wonderful participating in the "Light the World" and to think of all the kindness and good deeds being done around the world.  It's too bad that we can't keep those good feelings associated with Christmas going all year long.     Charles Dickens, in "A Christmas Carol" wrote "I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year."   What a grand idea!  Let's try not to pack up the Spirit of Christmas with the ornaments this year.  Let's make 2020 the year we keep Christmas.

Christmas Morning Pancake Breakfast for West Zone

Just imagine the joy we could bring to others and ourselves if we just tried to be a little kinder, a little more generous, and a little more willing to go out of our way to help our neighbor, a little more like our Savior Jesus Christ.
     Christmas morning was so much fun.  Missionaries from the West Zone started arriving at 7:30 am and by 8:30 all sixteen had arrived.  The Patches and Edwards had volunteered to take care of the East Zone at Aua.  We had made a large breakfast casserole and Brent made his famous pancakes.  Somehow we managed to fill up all those bottomless pits.  After breakfast we played our "Ricky Ticky Bear" Game and then for the rest of the day several of them used our Ipads and computers to make video calls home.  By 4:30 pm I was ready for a break! 
     Christmas evening the Edwards had us and the Patches over to their place for a delicious turkey dinner.  Having these two other couples on island with us has been such a blessing!  One tender mercy was that Dr. Edwards offered to give me cortisone shots in my knees as needed.  A couple of weeks ago I finally gave in and got the shots.  My knees feel almost like new!  When I left the states I knew my knees would eventually start hurting, but I had decided I would just bite the bullet.  Having the shots available and someone I trust to give them is truly a blessing!

Christmas Dinner at the Edwards

     We did have a bit of a scare this week with our little dog.  We're not sure if she got hit by a car or someone threw a rock at her, but for days she did not eat, drink or hardly move.   Everytime we would try and pick her up she would whine loudly.  I was pretty sure she was going to die.  There is a Vet Tech on island that we took her to.  We got an antibiotic and pain medication for her.  Today is the first day that it looks like she's going to be OK.   
       Most of my talk today was from the Book of Revelation, and was about being strong in a world of decaying morals.  I'll close with this quote from Richard G. Scott regarding how we can stay safe during these last days. He describes how a strong testimony of the Savior will shield us from the adversary. "A strong testimony gives peace, comfort, and assurance.  It generates the conviction that as the teachings of the Savior are consistently obeyed, life will be beautiful, the future secure, and there will be capacity to overcome the challenges that cross our path.  A testimony grows from understanding truth, distilled from prayer and the pondering of scriptural doctrine.  It is nurtured by living those truths in faith and the secure confidence that the promised results will be obtained.  Your personal security and happiness depend upon the strength of your testimony, for it will guide your actions in times of trial and uncertainty." 

The Three Partners in Crime
(Yes - Brent went on another tie making binge)

     The beginning of a new year is always a good time to make a personal assessment and see where we can improve.  It's also a good time to reflect on all of our blessings.  Our wonderful family and many good friends have blessed our lives over the years.  We love looking at FB and seeing how and what you all are doing.  It's fun to see our old missionaries getting married and starting families, connecting with old friends and seeing how your families are growing.  The greatest blessing I have is my strong testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and His Gospel.  Even though we live in a trying time we also live in an amazing time.  I can hardly wait to see what 2020 will bring. (I'm hoping for an amazing diet pill that works!)  Brent and I send our love to all of you and best wishes for a peaceful and prosperous New Year.
Alofa atu, Patty (Nana)

The Halls Are Decked

Merry Christmas from Tutuila

Merry Christmas to our Family and Friends,
      The island of Tutuila is decked out like I've never seen anywhere else for Christmas. I do believe that we have more snowmen and reindeer than Utah!.. Several villages have gone all out with spectacular decorations on every house and lights on the streets. Our little string of lights across the front of the mission home looks pretty lame next to the light display across the street.
     This past week we really swung into Christmas, with two days having people over for making cookies, our missionary party and a nice dinner with the Senior Missionaries and the Ho Chings.  The Senior missionaries put our heads and talents together and came up with a puppet show and a few songs as our contribution to the program.  The Patches brought some puppets from home, and then fashioned amazing Elder and Sister Claus costumes for them out of a large Christmas stocking.  I wrote the script and Brent had more fun than a barrel of monkeys playing Elder Claus. For those of you who don't have anything to do this week I've posted the video on FB.  Elder Patch wrote new words for a couple of Christmas songs that we had a lot of fun with.   My favorite was "I'm Not Home For Christmas."  We also sang "There are Fleas on My Dog" to the tune of Felix Navidad and "The Ho Chings are Coming to Town."  The Seniors also put together gift bags for each missionary on the island. 

Mata - Christmas Elf Extraordinaire!

Day 2 of Cookie Making with Spencer and Jr.

     Mata, one of our Institute students, was a great help in making a zillion batches of cookies.  Remember, even though you might be freezing, we are at the hottest time of the year.  Turning on the oven only adds to our misery.  The first batch was consumed almost instantly by missionaries, so Mata brought her little brother over, and we recruited Jr. to help us with round two.  These cookies are safely stored for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  We are looking forward to a wonderful Christmas.  The Senior couples, Mata's family and Jr. will be joining us for a lasagna supper on Christmas Eve and then we are feeding the missionaries a pancake breakfast on Christmas morning.  Hopefully we can get some snorkeling in before we go to the Edwards  for a turkey dinner on Christmas night and then I think I'll collapse into bed.  

     Our Grandson, Jacob, called yesterday to tell me he was missing the things we usually do together as a family.  He was especially not happy about not getting new pajamas to open on Christmas Eve, and going to Grandma's to make cookies.  His call was the highlight of the week and reminded me of where my heart really is this time of year - with our beautiful family.  Next year Jacob - I promise!  

  

     "I'm Not Home For Christmas"  

I'm dreaming tonight of a place I love

Even more than I usually do.

And although I know it's a long road back

I promise you...

If I'm not home for this Christmas

You Know where I'll be.

I'm here in Samoa

As a missionary. 

(Chorus)

Please save all my presents

For when I return

Costs too much to mail them

And the Ellsworths get heartburn.

Christmas Eve will find me

Lighting up this place.

I'm not home for Christmas

But we'll meet in cyberspace.

Patches, Ellsworths, Ho Chings and Edwards at the Senior Christmas Party - Tradewinds Hotel

      One of my favorite Christmas activities as a child (also an adult), is listening to my sister read "This Way to Christmas."  It's a book of stories from around the world, tied together by a little boy trying to find Christmas after his world has pretty much fallen apart. (It's also available for $1.99 on Amazon Kindle.) The Locked Out Fairy gives him some very good advice: "  Put out of your mind for all time these notions that ye are bound to find Christmas hanging with the tinsel balls to the Christmas tree or tied to the end of a stocking.  Ye must make up your mind to find it with your heart and not with your fingers and your eyes."

     Sending my love and wishes that each of you can capture at some time this week the Spirit of Christmas through the example of our Savior Jesus Christ.

Alofa Atu - Patty (Nana)      

Pray for Samoa

NOT my photo - taken off of FB

Talofa Family and Friends,
     As many of you have heard, Western Samoa is fighting a deadly measles epidemic.  In 2013 the immunization rate was over 80% but then two children died in Savaii of a contaminated immunization and parents stopped immunizing their children.  The result - over 4,000 cases of measles in the country with over 60 deaths, mostly of children under the age of 4.  It is almost certain that the death toll will rise before this is all over.  To put this into perspective - if my math is right - that would be comparable to 100,000 children in the USA dying in a matter of a couple of months.  (USA Pop - 329,000,000 vs. Samoan Pop - 197,000 - 60 deaths).  Two days last week the entire country was shut down.  No one was allowed on the roads except medical and emergency personnel.  All businesses, schools, and government offices were closed. All Christmas parties - or large gatherings of any kind are cancelled.  Immunizations are now mandatory.  If your household is not vaccinated you have to stay home and fly a red flag outside so medical personnel can bring the vaccine to your house.  The real tragedy is that this was 100% preventable.
      So here in American Samoa, extreme measures have been taken to try and keep the disease off our island.  Sadly, this week there were 9 confirmed cases here.  As a result all Christmas celebrations have been called off, schools are closed, church services are very limited and efforts to make sure everyone is vaccinated continue.  It is doubtful that we will see the same devastation as Western Samoa, as the vaccination rate here is over 80% and malnutrition is not as prevalent.  However, one child would be too many.  The lesson here - VACCINATE your kids!

   
This week Sister Leiataua and her companion Sister King spent most of the week with us, as she had to have three wisdom teeth pulled - one side on Tuesday and the other side on Friday.  I have to say that she was a trooper.
Sister King, not accustomed
to air conditioning, spent the week cocooned in a blanket. We love these sisters, but hopefully we will have a break for a bit from house guests.

Elders Larsen and Fa'amasuli were welcome help this week as we made our weekly run to the Post Office.  I'm really not sure what we would have done without their help.  We sent 18 large boxes to Apia, with many still more distributed to our missionaries in American Samoa.  We're grateful President Ho Ching has given us permission to use these Elders through the end of the Christmas season as neither Brent nor I can crawl into the back of the truck to stack boxes.  What you can't see is the sweat literally pouring off of poor Elder Larsen.

Brent, Jr., Patty, Sky, Mata 

     Thursday night we had invited our institute students for dinner and games to celebrate the end of the semester.  I had no idea how many people to expect, and actually had nightmares of being over run with YSAs (Young Single Adults).  However, from the photo you can see that my fears were ungrounded.  Even though we were few in number we had a great time.  After dinner we played the "Ricky Ticky Bear" game (which was a hit) and then watched a movie.  We love these young adults!
     One of our Elders, Elder Pingree, took a leave of absence from the Air Force Academy to serve a mission.  In order to be readmitted he had to talk to his Minnesota Congressman and two other high officials.  Getting this phone call set up was a big deal, Saturday morning we were on edge while we waited for the call and prayed Elder Pingree would make it from the other side of the island in time.  The phone rang - I answered - Elder Pingree arrived!  Whew!!!  His goal is to be a fighter pilot and I think he's on his way.  If all the young people in the academy are the same caliber as this young man,

Elders Pingree and Raybon

our country is in good hands!  Best of luck Elder!
     Friday night was the Christmas Party for the PBO.  This was the first day the Government had announced the presence of measles, and so the police arrived and told us everyone had to be out of the restaurant by 8:30 pm.  That cut the party a little short, but we still had a good time.  That will be the end of our partying for this year, as all future events have been cancelled.
     Sometime this week I was listening to a program and  heard something I'd heard before, but this time it stuck in my head.  "We are not Human Beings having a spiritual experience, we are Spiritual Beings having a human experience." As a consequence of our mortal existence we are subject to disease, heartbreak and trials.  That is why having a strong faith in God and an understanding of who we truly are, literal children of our Heavenly Father, is so important.  That faith is our ark in the storm.
    Trying to tie this all together, to try and make sense of a world that sometimes does not make sense, I came across this quote from an LDS talk by L. Whitney Clayton: "The sweetest gift given at Christmas will always be the one our Savior Himself gave us: his perfect peace. He said: 'Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid' (John 14:27). Even in a world where peace seems far off, the Savior’s gift of peace can live in our hearts regardless of our circumstances. If we accept the Savior’s invitation to follow him, lasting fear is forever banished. Our future has been secured. These are the 'good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.' 'Fear thou not,' the prophet Isaiah reminded us, 'for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness' (Isaiah 41:10)."  
Alofa atu, Patty (Nana)

Week of Giving Thanks

Talofa Family and Friends,
     This was a week of friends and service.  Monday President and Sister Ho Ching went with us to the Post Office in their bright red sleigh (aka Toyota Truck with shell) to help us with the expected load of packages.  With Christmas almost here we were expecting more than usual.  It was good that we took the truck, because they would not have all fit in our car. The back of the truck was packed to capacity and we had several in the cab with us.   Many packages for our missionaries were marked "Do Not Open Until Christmas" so I guess the season is here.  True to form, the Post Office decided to dig up the road where you pick up cargo, so we had to hand carry all the packages out to the parking lot.  Why they would dig up access to the pick-up area right at the beginning of their very busiest time of year is a mystery to me.  As of Saturday it was still dug up, so I'm afraid this week will be the same.  The mission president gave us permission to use two Elders to help us through this busy season.  After we get home they have to be unloaded, weighed, recorded and either sorted for the missionaries living here or repacked into cargo boxes to send to Apia.  Then these big boxes (16 this week) are loaded back into the car, taken to the airport, and using a hand truck delivered to cargo.  It is quite an ordeal!

The "Elfsworths" helping Santa

Coral Nativity

     Tuesday I decided it was time to get the house decorated for the Holidays.  We found a large plastic bin full of decorations and lights, along with a Christmas tree in the spare bedroom closet.  Elders Larsen and Fa'amausili helped put the tree together and string some greenery.  Several times this week I missed my daughter-in-law, Channa, who is a talented decorator.  I did the best I could with strings of colored tinsel, a few angels, ornaments, greenery and Christmas bulbs.  Much to my dismay there was not a nativity or ornaments of the Savior.  I looked up all the names of Christ in the scriptures and made paper ornaments with those names.  I like the way it turned out.  Today the Patches brought me a nativity they made with a coconut shell and coral they picked up off the shore.  It's beginning to look alot like Christmas!

Mona Leta and Levi

     Wednesday a couple of our Institute students asked if they could come over and fix lunch for the missionaries as a service project.  They made delicious BLT sandwiches for six missionaries and Brent and I.  Three lbs of bacon later I think they were the best BLT's I've ever had!  We appreciated their desire to serve.  The best part was the left my kitchen sparking clean.
     Early Thursday morning (Thanksgiving) I was reading the paper online, having a relaxing morning, when the phone rang.  It was a man who said he was here to clean our roof and he needed us to open the gate.  Sure enough, a whole crew of workers were here with ladders, sponges, scrub brushes, spray bottles and a lot of elbow grease.  Not only did they clean the roof, they washed the entire outside of the house!  While I was cooking Thanksgiving dinner it sounded like we had an entire herd of reindeer on the roof.  I didn't realize how dirty the outside of the

house was but it definitely looks better.  Unfortunately, they didn't do windows but they did string the Christmas lights on the front of the house.
         We invited the Patches and Edwards for Thanksgiving dinner.  The Patches brought several desserts, heavenly rolls, and exotic fruits for a tasting adventure. The Edwards brought their family's traditional stuffing and a sweet potato casserole that was delicious!  We cooked a turkey and provided the mash potatoes, gravy, cranberries, corn  and a jello salad.  We had so much food that we had enough to feed everybody again today after church along with the Ho Chings.  There are still "Must Goes" in the fridge which we will enjoy this week.
      I appreciated the company on a day that can bring bubbling to the surface many memories of past Thanksgivings and the people who are no longer here.  Grandma Kendrick always wanted to chew the neck, Mom always made the best gravy, Dad always carved the Turkey and Aunt Florence always insisted that she loved to peel potatoes.  All people I love and dearly miss!

     After dinner we played our traditional "Ricky Ticky" game.  It's a dumb game that never fails to bring hilarity to the table.  Patches had us play "Vroom - ERRRR" that they play at their house.  The Edwards had run off several hymns for Christmas and Thanksgiving so we all enjoyed a sing-along.  It was a wonderful day with good food and good friends!

Edwards, Patches, Ellsworths and Lady

     Today Sister Edwards shared a poem by Robert Louis Stevenson.  RLS made Samoa his home for many years so that made it even more perfect.  I'll close with his words and wish all of you a week full of Christmas magic as we all look for ways we can serve one another.

“Lord, behold our family here assembled. We thank You for this place in which we dwell, for the love accorded us this day, for the hope with which we expect the morrow; for the health, the work, the food and the bright skies that make our lives delightful; for our friends in all parts of the earth. Give us courage and gaiety and the quiet mind. Spare us to our friends, soften us to our enemies. Bless us, if it may be, in all our innocent endeavors; if it may not, give us strength to endure that which is to come that we may be brave in peril, constant in tribulation, temperate in wrath and in all changes of fortune and down to the gates of death, loyal and loving to one another. We beseech of you this help and mercy for Christ's sake.”  RLS

Alofa atu, Patty (Nana)