Talofa Lava Family and Friends,

Again we are having internet woes so have come to the office to write this.  I know I sound like a broken record (Grandkids - ask your folks what a broken record is) but life here is just busy with mission work.  Saturday we took a down day, sleeping in, cleaning the house, grocery shopping and then home to nap and read.  That probably sounds boring but it was wonderful!

This weekend is a holiday here in Samoa called "White Sunday," that happens to also stretch into Monday.  It is a day to celebrate children, similar to our Father's and Mother's Day.  Children are given gifts at church, and families prepare the children's favorite foods.  They also get to eat first, which is a treat as usually children are fed after the adults have eaten.

We got some welcome rain this week with some spectacular rainbows.  Unfortunately, it is difficult to capture nature's splendors with a camera from Target. The colors at the end of these rainbows were so vivid, nothing like I have ever seen before.  Many families here depend on rain for food and so prolonged drought  is literally a matter of life and death.

The normal routine for Samoans who live outside of the city is rising early.  Then men and boys go to their "plantations" which may be quite a distance from home.  They work planting, harvesting and clearing land.  It is not uncommon to see several men walking down the road carrying machetes.  The women and girls stay at home.  Girls learn how to weave mats, make clothes, care for young children.  School age kids go to school.  The men come home and often do the cooking in the outdoor kitchens for the large meals. These people are very self-reliant and produce most of what they need.  Usually someone in the extended family works at a regular job for a paycheck so the family can buy items they can't produce.  The day also includes family prayers and Bible reading.  Some villages have rules that govern when families will gather.  Samoan is 99% Christian and every Sunday you see people walking to their different churches, mostly wearing white.  Quite often I see older women wearing hats, it's like being in a time warp back to the 1950's.  One thing I really enjoy is driving through the villages in the late afternoon.  Everyone is out.  Young people are playing rugby or Volleyball, people are strolling down the road, kids are out playing.  Older people gather at the fales and visit.  It's like everyone is on vacation every night.

These young men work at the mission complex keeping up the grounds and cleaning.  Last week they scrubbed the walks around the office on their hands and knees with little scrub brushes for 4 days!  The week before they were up on the roof scrubbing the roof!  When I questioned what I thought was strange, I was told they need to keep busy so they can get the hours they need for pay.  When people have a job here they want to hold on to it. I am just grateful that I have never had to scrub a roof under the very hot Samoan Sun.

I have become quite a rugby fan with the World Cup running this week.  It is a great game to watch, very fast paced and exciting.  I was sad that Samoa lost, but happy that the All Blacks from New Zealand have been winning.  In the morning when I walk the Samoan National Rugby Federation has boys out on the field I walk around running their drills.  That is at 5:45 am in the dark!

I send my love to all of you.  I love looking at FB when I have the chance and the internet is working. It is a great way to keep in touch with friends.  Even though I don't often respond it is nice to see you. Sent with Love, Patty

 

Dear Family and Friends,

Waterfall at Sauniatu

Well, it happened this week...hit kind of unexpectedly,,,and was pretty painful!  I was homesick!  A couple from the states was visiting in church last Sunday, and their baby looked so much like our little Cade.  It was also our 3 month mark this past week, so that might have had something to do with it also.  I have thought about how blessed I am to have a home and people that I love and they love me.  I also have a new appreciation for what it must be like for our military men and women who get sent overseas for long deployments, and our young missionaries who have never been away from home.  I've prayed for people around the world who are being held unjustly  against their will, (Just for the record - I am not being held captive.)  It's true that painful experiences are also learning experiences.   They can help us develop empathy and be better able to support others.  I have a new appreciation for the word sacrifice, and have a little bit better understanding of what it means to give everything to the Lord.  In talking to some friends here I was relieved to find out that these emotions are pretty normal and to expect them to ebb periodically throughout the time we are gone.

Elder Anderson's 3rd pair of shoes since he arrived.  New
are on the way, but stuck in American Samoa.

Elder Wilson harvesting coconuts.

Elder Wilson husking the coconuts in our front yard.

Luckily, we are so busy that I do not have a lot of time to dwell on being sad.  President Hannemann has called 4 new assistants, (2 of them sisters) for a total of 6 Assistants to the President.  He is determined to hasten the work here in Samoa, and as a result more work has appeared at my desk.    Brent is about buried, but at least he doesn't have the time or energy to get homesick.  Besides he regular duties he is working on a solution so we can get cargo over from American Samoa.  We were using Polynesian Air, but they just raised their rates to $50,000 US /yr.  Until we find a solution no packages are getting to Apia.  With the holidays just around the corner this has become a priority.

Right outside our door we have papaya trees and a coconut tree brimming with coconuts.  This week Elder Wilson, a local missionary, shinnied (sp?) up the tree and got them down for us.  Elder Bate, a palagi, was not near as successful but made a valiant effort.  Elder Wilson fetched his machete, and bingo, fresh nius for breakfast.  Cut a hole in the top, stick in a straw and YUM!  

Road leading into Sauniatu (once you get to the church]
property the road improves dramatically)

Yesterday afternoon we drove over to Sauniatu (Prepare to Go Forth),  The church purchased 800 acres in this beautiful valley in 1904 as a gathering place for early members who were being persecuted in their local villages.  Even today there are villages where members of the church are persecuted.  One of the elders serving in the mission is from a village in Savaii where Mormons are not allowed.  If you join the church you lose your home, and are forced to move.  He was taught by the missionaries after he graduated from high school and came to Apia for work.  His family has been forced from their home and had to move to another village at a great financial loss.  They are waiting for his return when they plan to have their return missionary son and brother baptize them.    The stories from here are similar to the sacrifices of the pioneers in the states.  To get to Sauniatu you have to turn off the main road and drive on a pretty rough road for about 20 minutes.  There are no buses, except the school bus, that go up there so we gave two very grateful young men a lift up the steep mountain road. In 1921 David O McKay rode a horse up a dirt trail and visited the village. He blessed the people that they would be able to produce the necessities and comforts of life.  He left a blessing of peace that can still be felt today.  It is beautiful and very prosperous. Today there is a church primary school here that about 150 children attend.  Many years ago students built stairs down to a beautiful swimming hole, complete with a waterfall.  Brent enjoyed a swim, but with my bad knee I did not dare traverse the rocks from the end of the stairs to the pool in my flip flops.  Next time I'll wear tennis shoes.  

This morning I was up at 5 to be at the office at 6 to watch conference.  Tomorrow will be the same.  I love General Conference, and it couldn't have come at a better time as I really needed the boost.  I send my love and prayers to all of you. Each of us have challenges in our lives, things we are struggling with, but I know that the Lord loves us and will not leave us alone if we will just trust Him.   Tofa and Love, Patty

Dear Family and Friends,

Savaii Ferry Arriving

Talofa lava.  This has been a challenging week as we have been in the office by ourselves, with a lot of fires to put out.  A new single couple arrived last week and left last Sunday to go to Savaii where they will be serving.  I was told their house was ready, so that is what I assumed to be true.  What I wasn’t told is that it is the mission’s responsibility to furnish all the household items like dishes, silverware, small appliances, pots, utensils, cleaning supplies…so when they got over there they had nothing.  Usually missions have housing couples, but since they don’t arrive for a few more weeks it fell to Brent and I.  Because there are very few stores in Savaii we ran around Apia trying to find the items they needed (remember – there is nothing here than even faintly resembles stores back home), loaded the mission van and left Friday afternoon on the ferry to Savaii.  It is  only eight miles across but by the time they load all the cars, passengers and cargo and unload on the other side you are looking at at 3 hr. ordeal one way.

On the ferry ride over a nice looking gentleman came up and told me he had seen me at the temple.  He told me he was a bishop and was traveling home with his wife and daughter.  His daughter had just returned home from a mission and was ill so they had been at the hospital in Apia and spent all their money on medicine.  They hadn’t even had money for food so they hadn’t eaten all day.  We had brought some apples and snacks which I offered him and he took.  He also wanted $80 tala for the taxi home – I gave him $12 tala to buy water and food and told him I would help him find church members to get him home.  He then disappeared.  When we got to Savaii I told the Matagis.  Elder Matagi told me that he had met a similar gentleman riding the ferry the week before and he had given him $150 tala!  In talking to other senior missionaries we have learned that this is a common scam.  People see our badges and know we are an easy target for a con because they know we believe in helping people.  I was thankful this learning experience was relatively inexpensive.   

We were called as “office missionaries or to be assigned as needed”.  We are starting to realize that the last clause can mean everything from grocery shopping for the mission to fixing broken plumbing, to planning parties, delivering supplies to missionaries, arranging shipping for packages from the states, furnishing houses….whatever comes up.  One thing is for sure – we are NOT bored!  It is wonderful to be serving in whatever way is needed.  There was not a lot of time to take pictures this week, and no trips to the beach to play.  However, Savaii was gorgeous! Driving half way around the island to deliver supplies to the Zone Leaders was a treat, but we were on such a tight schedule to catch the ferry back that I did not think to take many pictures. 

Our blue van packed and ready for our trip to Savaii

My little office friend.  You would
be amazed at how loud he talks!

As senior missionaries we are allowed to watch TV.  However, pretty much all that is on is the worship services of different denominations.  As I have listened to some of these programs I recognize many truths from the gospel of Jesus Christ.  However, they don't have the whole truth.  Joseph Smith did not say that our church was the only true church - God did.  It is hard to argue with that.  I am almost done with the Book of Mormon again.    I have gained many new insights and am increasingly grateful for this scripture as it continually builds my faith that this is God's church and that Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation. There has been some coverage here about the Pope visiting America.  It is a great honor for our country, and I appreciate what a good man Pope Francis is, however I am so thankful that we have a living prophet to lead the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  If you want to hear what a prophet sounds like tune in to the LDS General Conference next weekend. It will be on TV in many places or on the internet.  If you have ever wondered what Mormons believe check this out next Sat. and Sun. You won’t only hear a living prophet but also living apostles.  I am looking forward to conference as it is always a spiritual boost.  I send my love to all of you.  Patty

A Week of Talofas and Tofas (Hellos & Goodbyes)

Brother Avei, Dr Larsen & Afalua making Palasam

Dear Family and Friends,

Talofo to the Hannemanns
& Love and Tofa to the Saunders

This has been a week of Talofas and Tofas (Hellos and Goodbyes).  We said goodbye to President Thomas Saunders and his wife Wendy,from near Calgary, Canada and hello to our new mission president Arthur Hannemann and his wife Peggy from Honolulu, Hawaii.  The Saunders were so awesome and so easy to love and to work with, we were a little apprehensive about who might show up.  However, the Hannemanns are also wonderful people, they have strong testimonies of the gospel and a real zeal for missionary work.  Best of all they own restaurants and love to cook!  Sister Hannemann has already treated us to her famous banana bread.

The day that the Saunders had gone to the airport to pick up the Hannemanns was the same time we got word of the earthquake in Chile and a possible tsunami headed our way.  I was very happy to say goodbye to that threat and am even more determined to help with an emergency action plan.  I have felt prompted several times since we arrived that there needs to be some kind of monthly drill for missionaries, but with the changes taking place in the office it hasn’t been a priority.  It is now a priority on my list.  Most of these kids come from the states and have never experienced a typhoon let alone a tsunami!  Most of them live in small villages with different circumstances, and they get moved around the islands.  One cookie cutter plan, like the one in place right now, is not sufficient. The key is working with the locals, as they know what to do in their particular area.

We also had an encounter with a large dog this week.  Dogs are a huge problem in some parts of the islands as they are not neutered, and roam around in packs.  Dog bites are a common problem.  We were driving home late one night from the airport (We had just picked up Brother and  Sister  Matagni) when one of these dogs ran right in front of the car.  If we were Samoan we would have just hit it, and kept going, but we’re not.  Brent instinctively slammed on the brakes, but was not able to avoid hitting it.  Unfortunately, the car behind us was following too close and rear-ended our car. So talofa and tofa to the dog and talofa to the repair shop.  I was just grateful no one was hurt, except the dog.

Afalua shredding coconut to make coconut creme - Yum!

Saturday we had a going away party for our two dentists who have been serving here for three months.  They wanted to cook fish for everyone so we never turn down an opportunity for good food.  Brother Avei, a Samoan, also showed us how to make traditional pasami with coconut cream wrapped in taro leaves, then banana leaves and then breadfruit leaves, and then cooked.  It is an acquired taste that I am actually starting to acquire.

Dr. Larsen (Price, Utah) and Dr. Orchard (Bountiful, Utah) are both widowers.  Every morning, starting at about 4:30 am, people start lining up in front of their office.  They have provided a great service to the people here who cannot afford to go to the dentist.  They work miracles with the most basic equipment and not always the supplies they need. (They have been ordered….but this is Samoa!)  Problems that would be referred to oral surgeons in the states, are handled with a prayer, pleading with Heavenly Father to help them pull a decayed tooth buried in the bone.  I never knew being a dentist could be such a spiritual experience.  

White people here are called “Palagies” (pronounced Pa-long-ies),  I think it means that we look like snowflakes.  (Like a Samoan knows what a snowflake looks like!) Anyway, mothers tell their children that if they are not good the Palagies will eat them.  That does not help a bit when a little kid gets a toothache and they go to the dentist , already a scary event, and who walks in but a Palagie!  Both doctors have great stories about how they have to show love to the children before they can work on them.

Feasting - Samoan Style

Dr. Larsen makes saddles as a hobby when he is home.  Several years ago he made one for President George W. Bush and was able to present it to him in the Oval office.  He also took in a Book of Mormon with his testimony written inside the cover, and challenged the President to read it and pray to ask if it was true.  The President obviously has not read the book, but maybe one day he will pick it up.  I've read it many times and testify that it is the word of God. 

Dr. Orchard practiced dentistry in Salt Lake City on the 4^th floor of the Medical Arts Building, the same floor my dad’s office was on for 30 years.  He actually had bought his practice from Dr. LeCavalier, my dentist when I was a kid.  We had a great time talking about the Salt Lake of yesterday.  It is with great admiration and love that we bid these two brothers tofa.

Also a loving tofa to my dear friend Karen LaPratt.  She fought an amazing battle against cancer with such courage and spunk.  The world has lost a truly wonderful lady and heaven was just made a better place.

Tofa and love to you all!  Have a wonderful week – Patty (Sister Ellsworth)

ps: I don't know what's wrong with these pictures!  They refuse to go where I want them.

Tolofa Lava,

Parade of Countries

Opening Ceremonies

Another crazy week in Paradise!  It has been so exciting having the Commonwealth games here in Apia.  We attended the dress rehearsal for the opening ceremonies, and were so impressed that we went back for the real McCoy.  It was as close to an Olympic opening ceremony as we will probably ever get to attend. There were teams here from 63 countries all over the world including India, Pakistan, Ghana, South Africa, England, Canada, Belize, Namibia…..and a few countries or territories that I am embarrassed to admit (as a past World History teacher) that I had never heard of.  Beside the parade of countries there was a choir of hundreds, over a thousand dancers, acrobats, fireworks, and traditional Samoan firedancers.

Arrival of Samoa's Head of State - "His Highmess"

Arriving Missionaries from the States
(Samoan, New Zealand & Australia had not yet arrived)

 Unfortunately, because it was also transfer week we did not have time to attend any of the competitions.  We welcomed 19 new missionaries to the field on Monday, put them through some basic training, set them up with their new companions on Wed. and shipped them out to their assignments.  I am amazed at their courage to be willing to testify of Jesus Christ in a language they barely speak.  To trade in their comfortable living conditions in the states for what pretty much amounts to a two year scout outing.  We had five young sisters on this intake.  I thought about the Young Women’s camps and how they are great training for a mission.  One of the new elders called the office to tell us their hot water was not working.  Duh!  There is NO hot water!

On Thursday and Friday we said goodbye to 18 amazing missionaries.  We had the privilege of attending their last testimony meeting in the mission field.  The trials and challenges these young missionaries face and overcome in the field, change them from kids to mature young men and women who have incredible testimonies of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Every one of them bore strong testimonies of the Book of Mormon and of the life changing experience their mission had been.  Every one of them left the island totally fluent in the Samoan language!  It is a great blessing to have an association with them.  They are going to be missed!

Survivor Samoa Island

Saturday the Jacobs called and wanted to know if we were up to visiting “Survivor Beach.”  This is a private beach, owned by some church members, where the TV show “Survivor Samoa” was filmed.  They got permission to go from the owners, so how could we turn down that adventure?  After an hours drive through villages, palm plantations and spectacular scenery,  we arrived at the gate.  We drove on through on a very rough road through the jungle for about 15 minutes, parked the cars at the end of the road and hiked through the jungle for another 15 minutes to the beach.  Besides a wild boar and mosquitoes  we didn’t see another living creature (except birds).  The beach was beautiful with sand the color and texture of baby powder and coconut palm trees 100+ feet tall.    It rained off and on, and the surf was choppy but we stilled enjoyed a swim in the beautiful aqua marine water. However, after being there for a few hours, I was glad I didn’t have to stay and survive off the land for 30 days.  I was happy to hike back to the car and drive home to a nice hot shower (Senior missionaries get hot water J) and a nice, clean, comfy bed.

This next week our new mission president, Arthur Hannemann and his wife, arrive from Honolulu, Hawaii.  I am sure they will be wonderful to work with but we are sure going to miss President and Sister Saunders.  It would be hard to find two nicer people on the whole planet.  We have been out two months and this will be our 3^rd Mission President.  I think that might be a record! 

 Our love and thoughts have been especially with the LaPratt family this week, but we send our love to all of you!   Tofa - Sister Ellsworth (AKA Mom, Grams, Patty)

Talofa Lava,

Patty and Brent in front of RLS Home
(Before we got our leis)

If you are bored with your life I strongly recommend a mission to cure the doldrums.  I love being busy as the weeks just fly by.  Every day there is something new to learn.  Yesterday I made a cake for some elders.  The recipe called for brown sugar.  I now know that there is a difference between brown sugar and sugar that is brown – that is raw cane sugar.  Oh well, it still tasted great, even if the texture was a little off, and the elders did not seem to mind.

Food Tents with Las Vegas style Buffet

The highlight of our week was a “Garden Party” at the Robert Louis Stevenson home.  Rex Maughan, Jim Winegar and Brother Goodrich, all return missionaries from Samoa, and now philanthropists, hosted the elegant affair.  Invited guests included government dignitaries, ambassadors,  business leaders, prominent citizens, and senior missionaries.  All the guests received a warm welcome with a fresh flower lei, and were treated to wonderful evening of entertainment including a small orchestra, singing, traditional Samoan music and dancing, and a feast fit for royalty, including traditional Samoan dishes, lobster tail, salads, chicken, fish, beef.....A dance floor was set up for after dinner dancing, which I even talked Brent into.  The cool night made the memorable night just perfect!  Tomorrow the senior missionaries have been invited back for a private tour of the home and grounds so will post more pictures next week.

L-R Drs. Larsen and Orchard, Sister & Elder Jacobs,
Elder & Sister Whittle

President and Sister Saunders found out Friday that they were going to Australia today (Sunday) for a week of training.  That leaves Brent and I in the office alone.  Luckily we have some amazing APs, Elder Bate and Elder Tupula so I am not too worried.  We also serve with other amazing seniors who are not in the office but available if we need help.    The Jacobs and Aveis work as auditors, the Gillettes work at the school in the vocational dept., the Whittles work in Self-Reliance, Drs. Larsen and Orchard are the Dentists and Sister Cassita is the nurse.  The Schafermeyers left this week to fill in for the Saunders in American Samoa, and they work with setting up internets in the chapels and teaching members how to use technology.  There are so many ways seniors can be used throughout the world, and what is amazing is that each one of us feel like our assignment is where we are the best suited.

Starting Sept. 5th Samoa is hosting the Pacific Commonwealth Games (a mini-Olympics for youth ages 14-18)  Our campus will be housing hundreds of students.  School is out for the next 3 weeks and classrooms have been turned into dorms with wood partitions and bunk beds.  Everything is getting a new coat of paint, landscape is pruned, people will decorate their houses. it is a BIG deal here.  It is something to look forward to.  

The Lord has blessed us in so many ways. We love serving in the mission field and see the Lord's hand daily in His work. We send our love to all of you - have a good week.  Sister Ellsworth 

So many beaches - so few weekends...

Talofa! Every Friday night, 6 pm, Brent and I have a date at the Samoan Temple.  I have been attending the temple for 45+ years and have always enjoyed it, but now I finally feel like I am figuring it out.  It is a pleasure to escape from the world for just a few hours and focus on the things the things of eternity.  The temple has truly been a blessing in our lives and the lives of our family. We had a FHE lesson by one of the temple missionaries a couple of weeks ago on symbols in the temple.  She referred to an article “Why This Symbol Appears10,000 Times in the San Diego Temple” that is available on Google. (What did we do before Google???)  I thought it was really interesting and recommend it. 

LDS Samoan Temple

President & Sister Tolman's Farewell Dinner
(Tolmans are 3rd & 4th from Left - front row)
(President and Sister Saunders 2nd row 1st & 2nd from Left)

Last Sunday night we learned that President and Sister Tolman were being released for medical reasons.  We did not realize that President Tolman had been ill for 9 months.  I knew he didn’t feel good but I did not realize how serious it was.  We had a farewell potluck dinner Thursday night with lots of yummy Samoan dishes prepared especially for the Tolmans.  Elder Avei brought his Ukulele and closed the evening with the traditional Samoan farewell song.  Tuesday Tom and Wendy Saunders, a couple serving in American Samoa, arrived and will be serving as interim Mission President.  They are such wonderful people I would be happy if they served until we finished our mission. 

Yesterday (Sat) Brent and I had decided that we should stay home and get some things caught up here.  That was until Sister Jacobs put out an invite to the Black Sands Beach.  Dang it!  So many beaches and so few weekends…The temptation was too great!  We packed a lunch and met the Jacobs, Schafermeyers, Gillettes, Drs. Larsen and Orchard, and Sister Fahrmer and we were off on another great adventure.  Never did I imagine that a mission could be so much fun!  We had this exquisite beach to ourselves.  We snorkeled (Yes, I even snorkeled!) swam, visited, ate, swam some more – it was a most delightful day!  All I can say is that I must have been pretty good in the pre-existence to land here J  To top off a perfect day we all met at my favorite restaurant and had a farewell dinner for the Stonehockers who will be leaving this next week.

Black Sands  Beach

Today (Sunday) we attended our Samoan ward’s sacrament meeting.  I love to go just to hear their singing!  They definitely know how to praise the Lord through song. I then went to primary and played the piano – the kids are amazing singers too.  I love to hear the 10 year old boys sing – they are the best singers of all!  We then attended the English Ward’s sacrament meeting where the singing is not nearly as good.  We can all learn a lesson from praising the Lord from our Samoan brothers and sisters.