Be Prepared

Talofa Family and Friends,

     This week we settled back into a regular schedule with no big happenings.  We were looking forward to rain today, and we did get a little, but it has been a while since we've had a good downpour.  With cyclone season starting Nov. 1st, I spent some time this week researching emergency preparedness for American Samoa.  I was in the process of putting a powerpoint together to take to district meetings, when I came across a flyer on our ward FB page about a workshop tomorrow at the college on Disaster planning. I feel like this is a tender mercy, as I have been asking people and calling a few government agencies to get information with no success.  I plan to attend. Brent and I did clean, sanitize and fill ten five gallon water bottles (50 gallons) with filtered water this week, and have it stored for an emergency.  We will rotate it on our water cooler, refilling bottles as used.  This makes me feel a lot better all ready!

     Brent and I have both been enjoying our Institute classes.  I always talk about how much we love the missionaries, but we have also fallen in love with the young adults in our classes.  Several of them are returned missionaries, some are just preparing to go and one sister is a new convert. I'm not sure how much they are learning, but Brent and I are learning a lot through our daily preparation.  With almost every lesson there is a conference talk referenced for further study, so we listen to them at the table while we are eating.  It takes care of the problem of Brent not liking to talk much - and as a bonus it gives us something new to talk about :). 
       Every Monday we pick up packages from the post office.  This last Monday there were a lot to repack and send to Apia.  One of the things on my to-do-list is to compose a letter to parents of missionaries pleading with them not to go overboard at Christmas.  It's hard to believe but Christmas trees have already started to appear in the stores here, and I know there's a nightmare right around the corner when almost 200 parents start sending boxes all at the same time!  The truth is - there is not going to be room on the small plane that carries the cargo from here to Apia. 

Some of our Institute students - We LOVE them!

Passengers have first priority, and then if there is room they take cargo. I have visions of our living room over-run with USPS flat rate boxes.
     The grandkids have asked how life is different here, so I have been trying to think of a few things.  Grandpa likes that we can get fresh tuna on Fridays at the market in Pago, fresh milk from the states is $9.80/gallon, baking supplies (flour, sugars...) are kept in the freezer, everything else is kept in Tupperware, the fastest we ever drive is 25 mph (there are no freeways) and there is not one traffic light on the entire island.   The car of choice is a pick-up truck so people can sit in the back.  Seat belts are optional and I don't think I've ever seen a carseat.  A lot of people don't have cars so they either walk or there are a lot of small buses which do not run on any set schedule -they
 all have pictures painted 

on them so people can tell which one to take.   There are no Wal-Marts or Target stores, shopping is done in small stores, and most look pretty sketchy on the outside but turn out to hold an amazing variety of items inside. School kids wear different uniforms depending on their school, and the little kids in our neighborhood catch the school bus at 6:15 am. There are always smashed toads on the roads (Ugh!).  Car washes are busy, even when it is pouring rain. Refreshments are served at every function many times with "to-go" boxes so you can take extras home.  You always see young people out playing volleyball, rugby or cricket. I'm sure I could

Typical refreshments served for each person!

     think of some more - but that will have to do for now. 
         Spencer Gardiner, our Samoan tutor got a new job so our weekly lessons have come to an end.  It was difficult to keep up with  homework and practice along with everything else, so it is kind of a relief.  We have plenty of study materials and we often practice our vocabulary with flash cards we keep in the car.  A new phrase I learned this week is "Filifili mea le Tonu" - "Choose the Right." 
     Tad Callister is a General Authority of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints.  He is an amazing teacher.  I highly recommend this talk given originally at BYU and now available on Youtube titled "Our Identity and Our Destiny"for my older grandchildren and for anyone who has wondered who you really are and why you are here.     "You are a child of God. He is the father of your spirit. Spiritually you are of noble birth, the offspring of the King of Heaven. Fix that truth in your mind and hold to it. However many generations in your mortal ancestry, no matter what race or people you represent, the pedigree of your spirit can be written on a single line. You are a child of God!2"
     "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

Taken in Maupusaga Fou in front of what remains
of a house demolished in a cyclone

And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ." [Romans 8:16–17)  "  Why is it so critical to have a correct vision of this divine destiny of godliness of which the scriptures and other witnesses so clearly testify? Because with increased vision comes increased motivation. Elder Bruce R. McConkie wrote, “No doctrine is more basic, no doctrine embraces a greater incentive to personal righteousness . . . as does the wondrous concept that man can be as his Maker.”31 And why not possible? Do not all Christian churches advocate Christlike behavior? Is that not what the Sermon on the Mount is all about? If it is blasphemous to think we can become as God, then at what point is it not blasphemous to become like God—90 percent, 50 percent, 1 percent? Is it more Christian to seek partial godhood than total godhood? Are we invited to walk the path of godhood—to “be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect”—with no possibility of ever reaching the destination?"  

           The clock says it's bedtime.  We loved talking to many family members this week and hopefully will connect with the rest this next week.  You are always in our thoughts and prayers.  Nothing is more precious to us than our family!   Love to all - both family and friends! 

Alofa Atu - Patty (Nana) 

Another Check Off My Bucket List

Brent on Aunu'u - the island in the background is Tutuila
Notice the sand on the beach.

Talofa Family and Friends,
     September is Emergency Preparedness Month and late Sunday Night (9:30 pm) through early  Monday morning (2:30 am) we had a wake-up call when the power went out over the entire island.  I was surprised to see how fast our air-conditioned home became unbearably hot and muggy and was even more dismayed when I realized our water didn't work either.  The darkness was like a cave that our eyes could not adjust to; without our cell phones to use for flashlights we would have been up a creek without a paddle.  I was worried about our missionaries who don't have fancy phones and now no fans to help take the edge off the heat.  It was with great relief when the air conditioner hummed back to life.  Monday morning (10 am)  I had just started my Institute class with the powerpoint I had spent a couple of hours preparing, when the power went out again.  Class was cut short and I returned to a house that was already starting to heat up.  This time it was out until 3:30 pm.  We opened the windows in the house but still it was very uncomfortable.  I was worried about all the groceries I had just bought Saturday, especially the ice cream I had bought for the first time.  Elders Ili and Williams were happy when I suggested we eat the ice cream before it melted all over.  Cold root beer floats helped our morale.

     Last night it went out again!!!  Thankfully it was only out for a couple of hours.  However, this morning when we tried to turn on the office computer nothing came up. Even though we have a power surge protector I was afraid it was fried.  I was relieved when Elder Wanamaker worked on it after church and was able to resurrect it.  (He's now my favorite missionary!) 
Brent promptly backed it up on a mini-hard drive.  If we had lost everything on this computer it would have been a nightmare!  This week on our to-do list is to get a case of emergency water and flash lights to all our missionary apartments, and a goal to back up the computer weekly.
     We put Elder Ili on the plane late Monday night and early Wednesday morning Sister Foster arrived from Apia to do auto checks and to have a break from her office.  The Swangers, a CES missionary couple from Apia, also arrived Thursday.  Sister Foster wanted to visit the island of Aunu'u and since that was on my bucket list off we went.  It was a little snug in our little Toyota Rav with five adults, but the chatting and laughter made the hour drive go by quickly.  Aunu'u is the first island church missionaries landed on when they arrived in 1888.  It is also the location of the "Miracle of the Sand."  In 1996 the church planned to build a small chapel on the island.  Many local Priesthood leaders from Tutuila planned to help the members build the small church themselves.  Building materials had been ferried over and carried to the site.  The only thing they lacked was the sand for the cement.  On the ferry side of the island there was ample sand, but on the opposite side of the island there was only rock along the coast. Men started carrying five gallon buckets of sand off the beach to the church site until the Matai (chief) from that side of the island forbid them to take anymore sand from his village.  Without sand the building quickly came to a halt.  The Stake President at the time, called

Elder's Ostler and Nishumura on Aunu'u

for a 24 hour fast for the men who were there.  He asked them to pray for the Lord to provide the needed sand.  The next morning there was a pile of sand on the coast, close to the church building.  It remained there until the building was finished and then disappeared.  It has never returned.  You can see from the picture how rocky this side of the island is today.  I've talked to several men who were there at that time, and they all confirmed that it happened.  This is one of the miracles I documented from our first mission.  It was such a sweet experience to be there and see it with my own eyes.  Today you reach the island by a small pontoon boat.  It's about a fifteen minute ride from the ferry on the island of Tutuila.  The Elders who went with us and also work on this island said they often see dolphin on the trip over and also an occasional whale.   The rock you can

Sisters Swanger and Foster with chapel in background

see is coral that washed up a couple of weeks ago and had covered the road.  They had some huge waves at high tide.  There were still men working to clear the road past where this photo was taken.
     Sister Foster left early Saturday and President and Sister Fe Fai from Savaii arrived on the same plane.  They were here for our Stake Conference. We were their chauffeurs while they were here.  Friday night the Stake had a Fiafia where each ward presented a traditional Samoan dance.  To top off the evening the Stake President's wife, Sister Reid, danced. It was a wonderful evening shared with President and Sister Fife, friends from Apia. 

Sister Reid

 
     Today was Elder Larsen's 19th birthday.  He is an amazing missionary who works so hard and always has a smile.  The best part of our mission is working with these young missionaries! We've fallen in love with every one of them.  Since Elder Larsen lives near to us we see him every day.  On P-Day he is always up for a game of UNO or Sequence. 

Elder Larsen

      Sometimes people ask me what my favorite scripture is. There are many that I love but my go-to scripture is Isaiah 12:2 -

"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation." 

       I was thinking this week how my belief and trust in God has impacted my life.  It is a comfort to know that God is in charge, he is aware of our challenges and life will unfold according to His plan. He is aware of all the injustice, sorrow and pain in the world, and as I am helpless to solve all the world's problems, I trust in a just God who is all powerful and is concerned for each of us.  He is there to help us if we will only ask.  Our part can be summarized by keeping the first two commandments - Love God and Love our neighbors. Just think how many problems could be solved if everyone followed these two commandments.  
   Well, it's been a crazy week with a lot of people coming and going.  While it's wonderful to meet new friends and spend time with old friends here, we think about loved family and friends at home every day.  We miss you and look forward to the time when we can see you again.  God bless each of you!
Alofa atu - Patty (Nana-Grams)
       

"Just sit right back and I'll tell a tale..."

          

Samoan Potpourri

Tutuilla Zone Conference with Elder and Sister Ardern - Pacific Area President

Talofa Lava Family and Friends,
           This week we had a combined Zone Conference with all of the missionaries on island.  The photo was taken before we got to the meeting so we're not in it, however you can see from the photo the young missionaries that we watch over as "Spiritual Parents."  The Arderns and Ho Chings are in the second row and were visiting from New Zealand and Upolu.  Elder Halleck, the previous Area President was recently released as a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy.  He and his wife are in our ward and they were just called to teach Primary.  They are thrilled with their new calling.

Elders Misailelegalu, Masuisui, Rodeback
and Sema after final inspection.

      I was so proud of all our missionaries and the awesome job they did spiffing up their apartments.  Although the President only had time for one inspection, I can rest easy that he would have been happy with any apartment on the island.
     Elder Ili has received a medical release and will be returning home tomorrow night.  It's been a long struggle trying to help him get well, but it's time for him to go back to the States and get the medical help he needs.  He is planning on returning when he has a release from a doctor in the states.
     Driving around the island I kept seeing these large tents in people's yards.  I finally realized that they are the FEMA tents from the 2017 Cyclone.  I guess FEMA does not recycle them, so families use them for guest rooms or just extra rooms.  Too bad we can't ship some of them to the Bahamas!
     I also am amazed at the number of casket shops there are.  They all have large store windows with their caskets beautifully displayed.  Because they are so expensive to buy, people here often will rent a nice casket for the funeral and then return it when they are done.  Loved ones are often buried in the family yard in cement boxes so a casket is an unnecessary luxury.  I think that's a great idea!  My favorite store is one called "Going Home."  Family graves often have flowers on them year round, or large banners with pictures of the deceased.  Less than one hundred feet from our bedroom window is a large family plot.  There have been two burials there since we arrived.  Surprisingly it doesn't bother me.

FEMA Tent

Casket Shop

        Another thing you don't see in the states are small sewing shops everywhere.  You can buy material in most of the big stores and since the kids wear school uniforms, they all have to be custom made.  The prices are reasonable and the workmanship is good.  The one across from the Community College gives me the creeps with it's mannequins that look like corpses.  It's called the "Beauty Shop" but the Elders agree with me that it is creepy!

The "Beauty Sewing Shop" 

Graves outside our Bedroom window

This week we are looking forward to hosting Sister Foster from Apia and hopefully spending some time with the Swangers, also from Apia.  We will miss Elder Ili, and wish him God's speed in returning to the work he loves. Tomorrow in my Book of Mormon class we will be talking about the law of opposition.  In 2 Nephi 2 we read:

11 For it must needs be, that there is an ^aopposition in all things. If not so, my firstborn in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no life neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility.

12 Wherefore, it must needs have been created for a thing of naught; wherefore there would have been no ^apurpose in the end of its creation. Wherefore, this thing must needs destroy the wisdom of God and his eternal purposes, and also the power, and the mercy, and the ^bjustice of God.

13 And if ye shall say there is ^ano law, ye shall also say there is no sin. If ye shall say there is no sin, ye shall also say there is no righteousness. And if there be no righteousness there be no happiness. And if there be no righteousness nor happiness there be no punishment nor misery. And if these things are not ^bthere is no God. And if there is no God we are not, neither the earth; for there could have been no creation of things, neither to act nor to be acted upon; wherefore, all things must have vanished away.

Just a little something to think about.  Hope you are well.  Brent and I are loving our mission.  It's wonderful to drop into bed exhausted, knowing you have put in a good days work.  We love the Lord and feel like it is a privilege to be here working with these amazing young people.  We love and miss our family and friends, but the time is passing quickly and it won't be long until we return home.  

Alofa Atu - Patty (Nana/Grams)

Elder Ili Week

Talofa Family and Friends,
       We heard last week that Zone Conference is here this Wednesday and Thursday.  President and Sister Ho Ching along with the new Pacific Area President and wife will be here and want to inspect Missionary apartments.  We did apartment checks shortly after we got here, but decided we better check them again.  Besides it was time to replace #1 water filters.  We started out at the East end of the island and found several problems that had to be addressed.  A trip to ACE Hardware store for cleaning supplies, plumbing parts, rat traps and a few bedding items and we were on our way back to the far east end. The drive takes us about an hour, but since it hugs the coastline it's a beautiful drive.  A couple of interesting things we see are the bat tree, which for some reason is always full of resting bats and WWII pill boxes that dot the coastline.  Elder Ili is still fighting his fungal infection that keeps him from walking very far, so he has been living with us this past week.  As we travel around he sits in the backseat and drills us on our Samoan flash cards.  We were so engrossed in our flash cards that we passed the house we were supposed to be visiting and had to backtrack about 10 minutes.

Bat tree

        Since we got here I have baked a cake for each missionary's birthday.  Usually it's not difficult, but this week there are four birthdays and next week  three more.  Add that onto the cookies I make for them on their P-day and I am definitely baking more than I ever have.  I even baked a double batch and took some to the Institute students. Thanks Bayley for the recipes!  I welcome any new good, easy cookie recipes, or recipes for easy dinners.
        I mentioned before that one of my other jobs is making candy leis for Sister Ho Ching to give out.  I put all the missionaries to work this week and we managed to get several done that she can take home with her this week.

Elder Williams on WWII Pill Box

             Brent and I have been distressed with the amount of anti-biotics that are prescribed for our missionaries.  When the doctor prescribed Elder Ili a fourth round of an antibiotic we put our foot down and said NO!  I had talked to Elder Edwards when we first started dealing with this infection, and because it was out of his area of expertise he suggested we follow the doctor's orders.  Last week when Sister Ho Ching sent yet another round of antibiotics I called Elder Edwards again and asked him to inquire at the hospital if anyone knew how to treat really bad "Jock Itch."  He did and also offered to look at it. He agreed that the antibiotics were killing the good bacteria Elder Ili needed to fight the infection.  He called President Ho Ching and told him the best medicine was to soak in the ocean twice a day. (Might I mention that that was our idea from the beginning.)  Now, with the President's blessing, Brent takes Elder Ili to the ocean twice a day for a "dip."   His companion, Elder Williams had been on splits with other missionaries, but is now living with us also.  It's getting a little cozy!                                     

Ward Members baked Elder Ili a cake for his BD.  They caught
him just as he returned from his "dip"

              It's hard to believe that it's already the first of the month again.  That means getting the monthly money distributed to the missionaries and making sure the mission bills for this island are paid.  Brent spends a lot of time keeping track of who needs to be paid when.  There are never invoices sent, and the records here in the office have not been kept up, so it's just a matter of a steep learning curve to make sure everyone stays happy.
     Last week in church the Loto's were introduced as a new family from Las Vegas.  Small world - they attended the Tropical Breeze Ward in NLV and they know all my sweet Samoan kids from Chaparral Seminary.

Brother and Sister Loto from Las Vegas

     I Re-read "Stand as Witnesses of God" by Dallin H. Oaks this week.  He is an Apostle of the Lord and also in the past served on the Utah Supreme Court.  It reminded me that "we live in a world where many deny the existence of God or the significance of his commandments."  Part of the reason I write this blog is to stand as a witness of God.  "Some people ridicule the faith of those who believe in what cannot be proven, even as they aggressively deny a godly existence they cannot disprove."  I see the evidence of God every day.  The Book of Mormon is ample evidence of a living God and the Atonement of His son Jesus Christ.  I don't understand why anyone who says they believe in Jesus Christ would not want to read this book - as it stands as a witness of the Lord and the great love He has for each of us.  I see my faith as a great blessing that helps me see  daily tragedies through the lens of an eternal perspective.  I know that I am literally a child of God and I know that how I face challenges in this life will have eternal consequences.  Please listen to the missionaries if they knock on your door or request to talk to them through ComeUntoChrist.org.  They can help you understand who you really are, why you are here, and where you are going.  I promise you it is good news.
Alofa Atu, Patty (aka Nana/Grams) 

A Shift Into High Gear

Talofa Family and Friends,
     Our life shifted into high gear this week with the beginning of Institute and preparing to teach four mornings a week.  It was a slow start with only a few students registered the first day, but each day there were a few more.  We were told that this next week there will be more students.  The thing is, no matter how many students show up, preparation time is the same for one as it is for 30.  I'm teaching Foundations of the Restoration and The Book of Mormon.  I have loved studying and reading the materials to prepare for these classes, and the classes all went very well with a lot of participation from the students who were there.  Some of them are return missionaries and all of them are well versed in the scriptures.  I think I'm really going to enjoy teaching these classes.

Elders Williams and Ili

     A good part of our Monday afternoon was spent at the hospital with Elders Williams and Ili.  Elder Ili has been suffering with a fungal infection for two weeks and could barely walk.  He'd already seen the nurse and gone through the treatment she'd prescribed with no improvement.  While we were waiting in the emergency room - that's where you have to go - Brent talked to the man sitting next to him and picked up a referral for the Elders.  They have an appointment to see him this week.
     While we were waiting I was showing them pictures off of my phone.  One of the pictures was taken in our family room.  Elder Williams exclaimed, "Cool - you have a putting green in your house!" He had never seen green carpet before.

Community College

     I am always amazed at the men who work for hours every week cutting huge lawns with weed cutters, and then raking and disposing of the cuttings. One morning while I was walking at the college I stopped to read a sign I had previously walked by.  It was describing how grass helps slow the water in heavy downpours, helps to filter our pollutants and keeps the soil from washing away.  People on the islands are encouraged to plant lawns.

Dad with the Grand kids - 2007 

     I also started to notice while walking that many of the trees have signs next to them identifying what they are.  I have memorized all of the ones I have seen thus far, and am wishing that all the plants were labeled.

     I was blessed with a father who not only loved kids but also the creations of the earth.  One of his favorite stories was about the Lupine, a plant in the pea family that contains nitrogen-fixing bacteria that is good for the soil. He would always tell us to be like the Lupine, to leave what ever place we were better than we found it.  I credit my dad for my love of nature and my extreme distress when I see people litter or pollute the world.  When we arrived here there were packs of bottled water stacked in the kitchen. The missionaries would help themselves to a plastic water bottle, drink it and put it in the trash.  That came to a quick end when I informed them there would be no more water bottles, but they were welcome to get a glass out of the cupboard and fill it with filtered water at the sink.  I also encouraged them to think about where all the trash goes when we live on a small island.  I was glad to see last week that Western Samoa had gotten rid of plastic grocery bags.  I understand that the government here is working on banning all Styrofoam which would be a huge adjustment as Samoans love to take home food in Styrofoam containers from every social gathering.

Junk Corner of our property

      Every week a huge pile of garbage collects on the corner of our property.  Apparently it is the neighborhood drop off for large items like broken appliances, old tires, car parts, roofing material....  This week there is a single water ski in the pile.  No one water skis around here!  Luckily there is a large truck that picks it up weekly, but within hours a new pile is formed.
     I talked to my friend Marleen this week in New York.  She said I needed to let people know that we were safe.  I guess my first blog gave the impression that living here was dangerous.  Today is our 2 month mark - and I can say that life in American Samoa is very safe.

White Collared Kingfisher in our backyard

     Going along with my rant on pollution  Moroni 8:31 comes to mind: 

Yea, it shall come in a day when there shall be great ^apollutions upon the face of the earth; there shall be ^bmurders, and robbing, and lying, and deceivings, and whoredoms, and all manner of abominations; when there shall be many who will say, Do this, or do that, and it ^cmattereth not, for the Lord will ^duphold such at the last day. But wo unto such, for they are in the ^egall of bitterness and in the ^fbonds of iniquity.

One of the great blessings of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ is we have a living prophet to follow who helps give direction through these difficult times.  We are counseled that God wants us to be joyful, to love our families and serve others.  Let's all take the lesson from the Lupine and leave wherever we are a little better because we were there.  Have a great week!

Alofa atu - Patty (aka Nana, Grams)

A Taste of Heaven

Tofa!  We're off to Apia

Dear Family and Friends,
We have had an amazing couple of days this week and a little taste of heaven.  With Institute classes starting tomorrow we decided to take advantage of our last few free days and fly to Apia, Western Samoa.  Getting there and back is quite an adventure on a small prop plane.  It is an act of faith for me to travel on this plane - even though the flight is only about 35 minutes.  When you check in you are weighed and assigned your seat so the plane will be balanced.  You have to duck down to get in through the door, and there is no place inside you can stand up.  We were packed in like sardines in a can both ways.  A little glitch I was not aware of is that if the plane is full of passengers they do not send your luggage with you.  They send the luggage when they have room!  Thus, we have been home for two days and our luggage is still not here.  I'm pretty distressed as I don't have any make-up, a comb or brush, and there were damp clothes in our bag.  Hoping it is not moldy by the time it arrives.

Apia Samoa Temple - (Internet photo)

      We were having so much fun we kept forgetting to
take pictures so excuse the internet photos this week.  The main reason we went over was to attend the temple.  We were able to do 2 sessions.  Both times we went we ran into old friends and even made some new ones.  The Swangers, the Senior Zone Leaders in Apia now, were in the Friday evening session so we went to dinner with them after the session.  Since they have been teaching Institute they had some helpful info for us.  We also enjoyed seeing the Sprouses, Fifes and Sister Bennett.  We love this temple and it felt like we had come home.

Our Dear Friend Afulua (FB PHOTO)

 When we first got to Apia we rented a car and went to the Mission Home.  We were anxious to see our dear friend, Afulua.  I promised her when we left last time that I would wear a flower every day to remember her and I have pretty much kept that promise.  She has worked in the mission home for the past several mission presidents, and I'm pretty sure they couldn't run the place without her.  We asked her if she could arrange to have Friday off so we could go to the beach.  We picked her up Friday morning and drove to the Paradise Lost Resort on the SW side of the island.  For 30 Tala/person you have access to the beach with chairs, changing room, showers, bathroom and 30 Tala worth of food and drink.  Now that's a pretty good deal considering 30 Tala is about $12.00.  Again we were so busy talking and laughing that we forgot to take pictures!  Brent and I were excited to swim in the ocean again.  I think when God made the earth he said, "I love Samoa - I think I will make the beaches and water just perfect for the people!"  We did snorkel and we did see some fish - but it wasn't the best spot we've been in.  Still, it was heavenly to be back in the water. 

      Definitely the best part of the trip was reconnecting with old friends - people we love and miss.  While we were in Apia we taught Primary.  Late Saturday morning we took Owen and Charlotte, a couple of our kids who were available, to OO La La for ice cream. These kids stole our hearts and it was wonderful to see them again.  It was nice that they were excited to see us also.  As a bonus, Lani Smolik, Owen's mom, joined us. Everywhere we went we bumped into old friends and young people who were serving missions while we were there.  I think that's what heaven must be like - seeing and reconnecting with people who we love and have missed.

Miriama, Brent and Patty

     Thursday, after we left the mission home we drove around the west half of the island.  All of the villages still are decorated from the Pacific Games that were a few weeks ago.  The Samoan people gave a royal welcome to all of the other Pacific countries that came to participate, with flags, banners, and trees wrapped in different colors.  The villages are beautiful anyways, but this time they really out did themselves! I tried to upload a video but darn -it's a no go.
      After Ice Cream we met Miriama at the mission home and took her to lunch.  She is the young woman Brent baptized when we were here.  She has since married a very nice return missionary in the temple and is doing great.  She was a golden contact and is still strong in the church despite opposition from some of her family members.  Again, it was so wonderful to see her and find her doing so well.
        Before closing I have to mention our first

One of our cute missionaries - Sister Sauni

experience renting an Airbnb.  I found this one for $29/night in Mo'ootua which I thought sounded pretty dang reasonable since it included air conditioning and breakfast.  It was run by a young hippie couple from Australia.  They lived on the lower floor and the upper, street level floor had 5 rooms that they rented with a large common area in the middle.  It was clean, the bed was comfortable, the air worked really good so I guess we shouldn't complain that there was no shower head, just a pipe that shot out really cold water and the toilet always ran.  I think we might stay there again.                                                                                                                         

Sardines in a can - Samoa Airways

                   
 Miriama and her husband dropped us off at the airport at 2:30 pm for our 3:15 flight back to AS.  Because of thunderstorms they were way behind schedule.  This airport has no air conditioning and only wooden benches with no backs to sit on (if you're lucky enough to get a seat). Three and a half hours later we finally boarded our plane.  I was more than ready to go home when they finally called us to board.  Now if we can just get our luggage!

        I'm using a quote off of Pres. Fife's blog this week:

A grateful heart is a beginning of greatness. It is an expression of humility. It is a foundation for the development of such virtues as prayer, faith, courage, contentment, happiness, love, and well-being.

-James E. Faust

        Several times this week I'v thought of all of my blessings.  My wonderful family and friends, the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, my health....the usual things one thinks of.  However, I've also thought how thankful I am for good journalists who take great risks to report stories that need to be told, the many public servants who serve with integrity (Yes, I believe there are still some around), the scientists and engineers who work hard to help make the world healthier and safer, the wealthy people who give liberally of their money to help those less fortunate, the families of our servicemen and women, who sacrifice at home so their family member can protect us.  Yes, there are many, many things to be grateful for.  This week I am especially grateful for the little taste of heaven we had visiting Samoa.

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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