Counting My Blessings

Flame Tree - Brent's Favorite - They are breathtaking!

Talofa Family and Friends,
      How did it get to be Thanksgiving already?  With the days noticeably warmer it takes a little bit of effort to get into the Holiday Spirit.  We have invited the Edwards and Patches over for Thanksgiving Dinner, with everyone bringing something to share.  The Butterball Turkey is in the freezer, now all I have to do is find a pan large enough to cook it in.  I did search the stores for anything that might look like fall or Thanksgiving for table decorations - but came up empty handed.  If I was crafty I could probably come up with something, but that's a big "IF".

      Although Thanksgiving decorations are in short supply, Christmas decorations are popping up everywhere.  Driving to Pago for the last several weeks we have been amused at these strange dead tree branches, spray painted white and planted along the road for a couple of miles.  We've been told that one of the churches decorates them with lights and when they turn them on they look quite festive.

These decorations can only get better!

Otherwise the decorations are the traditional wreaths, bows, bells, Christmas Tree, and lights that are starting to appear on businesses, churches and homes.  We are excited to see some of the villages that apparently go all out with decorations.  It will definitely help to get us into the spirit of the season since there is not a single snowflake in sight. 
     Speaking of decorations - the main road this past week has sprouted flags, banners, ribbons, and signs in the school colors of the Samoana Sharks and the Fagaitua Vikings.  I don't think there was a pole, a tree, a balcony that wasn't covered in blue and white or red and white in anticipation of the playoff high school football game.  It was amazing to see the community support and spirit for these two teams, who I understand are long-time rivals.  These decorations stretched literally for miles!  Some trees had hundreds of ribbons tied in them.  All I could think of was I was glad that I wasn't the one who had to take it all down.  The game was yesterday with the Sharks taking a bite out of the Vikings - 36 to 34!

Fagaitua Viking Fans

Look closely for Samoana Ribbons

   

      I was so nice to see that the one theater in town no longer was playing "Terminator" and had "Frozen 2" playing.  I loved the music from the first Frozen movie so I talked Brent into going.  It was cute, but more and more I find myself bored in movies.  Thank goodness for Olaf the Snowman, who made me smile more than once.  I especially liked his song about he can't wait to grow up, because everything makes sense when you're grown-up. NOT!
     That brings me to my efforts to try and stay at least a little informed with national news.  We watched a little bit of the impeachment hearings and were again dismayed at the bickering and acrimony.  What we saw of the Democratic debate was not much better.  I appreciated the candidates who remained civil as I've had enough of the other.  I read in an editorial recently that the First Amendment for Free Speech is starting to change to: "I might not agree with a word you say - and I will do my best to shut you up!"  Like I said, not everything makes sense when you grow up.

Two Dollar beach which now costs $5 - but it's still a deal

     To move to something much nicer, we have finally taken the plunge in American Samoa.  That would be the plunge into the ocean. How Heavenly!  The water is the perfect temperature and the sea is teeming with tropical fish of every size, color and pattern.  Snorkeling here has turned out to be just as amazing as it was in Samoa.  We were pleasantly surprised to see some beautiful different kinds of corals that we hadn't seen before.  With Institute ending this week for Summer Break - we will definitely be taking advantage of this activity we both love.
     In closing I won't bore you with a complete list of everything I am grateful for - Let's just say that there are countless things I have been blessed with.  Alma 26:37 sums up my feelings, "Now we see that God is ^amindful of every ^bpeople, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever."  It's my testimony that Jesus Christ is indeed the Savior of all people, this knowledge is my greatest blessing followed closely by our remarkable family and friends.  Sending our love for a blessed Thanksgiving.  Please remember the people of Samoa in your prayers, as they struggle with a terrible measle epidemic which has taken the lives of 22 children.  Remember to count your blessings.
Alofa atu,  Patty (Nana)
     

The Inn is Full

Talofa Family and Friends,
     Here it is Monday evening, and I am finally going to get a short note off.  Last Monday was Zone Conference and our big contribution was to get 18 large Pizzas  to the church in time for lunch.  Unfortunately we missed the meeting as we had Institute classes, but it was still fun to see all of our missionaries in the same place at the same time.
     Early last Tuesday Brent took "Lady" (Our adopted friend) to the Vet from Hawaii to get her spayed, de-wormed and all of her shots.  I was pleasantly surprised when the final bill was $40 for every thing!  She was still drowsy when we picked her up later in the day, and the Vet asked us to keep her in the house for the first couple of days.  It's taken several days for her to get back to her frisky self but today she is the same sweet dog - Only problem, she now thinks she is an inside dog which she is NOT.

Tutuila Zone Conference - Meet our "Kids"

Friday night our patients are starting to feel better

      It's been several weeks since we've had sick missionaries stay with us, but this week has made up for that.  Wednesday Elder Kendall arrived with a high fever, body aches and fatigue.  We had just got him tucked in when we got a call that Elder Coombs had viral pink eye and needed to be quarantined.  I bought a giant container of Clorox wipes and was vigilant about wiping everything down - including him.  Friday Sister Leiataua joined us with the same complaints as Elder Kendall.  The two that were sick were no problem as they almost slept around the clock, and we enjoyed getting to know Elder Coombs and Sister Leiataua's companion, Sister Hyatt.  The girls went home this morning.  However last night I woke up with ear aches and a sore throat - Have been in bed most of the day.  At noon today the Zone Leaders called and said Sister Leiataua had relapsed and needed to come back.  She got here about the same time Brent got all the bedding and towels washed and put away from the week before.  We have a mission nurse here, Sister Tele Hill, who is so good to check on our missionaries anytime we need her. She is a tender mercy!
     Western Samoa is in the middle of an epidemic measle outbreak, with an entire wing of the hospital dedicated to measle patients.  Two children, an infant and an adult have already died.  There are billboards and radio announcements urging people to get free vaccinations.  People arriving here by ferry or plane are all being checked by the Dept. of Health before they are able to enter the country.
      President and Sister Ho Ching were here this weekend for a leadership conference.  Saturday morning, while President Ho Ching was in meetings, Sister Ho Ching hung out at the house.  It was nice to be able to spend some time with her.  In the afternoon she went with Sister Hyatt to visit a family they're teaching.  Sister Hyatt had an appointment with this family today and the entire family wants to get baptized - Hurrah for Israel!
       Saturday night we were invited to join the East Zone at Vaitia, for a special program three wards had put together.  They had gone to a lot of work to invite non-members and less actives from the surrounding villages.  For part of the program they asked all the missionaries to sing three songs, that we practiced before it started.  I don't think it is ever a good idea to have Palagis  (White people) sing for Samoans as Samoans are amazing singers!  Thankfully, a few Samoan women joined the chorus.  Part of the program involved lighting a large bonfire to represent the "Light of Christ".  When they started pouring a lot of gasoline on the stacked wood all the Senior Missionaries started moving people back - especially the children who were right in front.  The fire started with a BOOM!

Missionary Fireside at Vaitia - with a real fire!

     This past week we remembered the 100th Anniversary of the end of WWI and the 30th Anniversary of the Berlin Wall coming down.  The blood and sacrifice of all our young men and women is a high price to pay for our ideals.  Just a reminder of what those are:

"....We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness..." 

Alofa Atu,                                        

Patty (Nana)

Time is Passing

Talofa Family and Friends,
     The rainy season has arrived!  Hardly a day goes by now without at least one good downpour.  Life goes on here like nothing is happening - people are still out walking, children are playing....  Halloween night came complete with thunder and pouring rain.  However, it was raining so hard that it did limit the number of Trick or Treaters we had.  Several kids  showed up - all looking like drowned rats.  A bowl of soup still sounds good on  rainy afternoons even though it is still hot outside.  A favorite is my White Bean Chicken Chili which has almost become a staple.
      This week we completed flu shots,  missionary apartment inspections and installing new filters for clean water.  Driving around the island to the apartments I tried to snap mental postcards of all the beautiful things we saw. Since the road follows the ocean around the island, there are always great ocean views.  If the sun is out the water can be a brilliant turquoise, and when it is overcast the water takes on a slate gray.  Depending on the tide, the waves can be boisterous, crashing on the reefs and shoreline or barely there - exposing coral and rocks.  It's never the same - I never get tired of of watching this beautiful ocean!

      Lately I've been noticing the variety and beauty of the Roosters that roam around every where.  You'll remember there was a rooster in the Disney film "Moana".  That's because roosters are everywhere!  They are natural pest control.  When a family wants chicken dinner, (which according to the missionaries is EVERY night) they set up a trap with a box, stick and string and just wait for some poor chicken to walk under the box where they put food.  Bam!  Instant Chicken!  Luckily there is available in the stores the variety that comes in plastic bags, cleaned and ready to cook. This morning when I was walking there was a mother hen in the courtyard with a brood of 6 baby chicks.  Something spooked her (probably a rat) because she quickly sheltered all of her chicks under her wings.  (Is there a lesson here???)

     Tomorrow (Monday) is our combined Zone Conference with President and Sister Ho Ching , along with the APs and STLs (Sister Training Leaders.) The  3 STLs are staying with us for a couple of days. When they arrived at the airport the Dept of Health was there passing out pills  for Lymphatic Filariasis. The disease is caused by a worm that is carried by mosquitoes.  They are trying to get 98% of the population to take them to stamp out this horrible disease, also known as "Elephantiasis." The intake nurse weighs you, yells your weight to the other end of the table where another nurse prepares a cup of pills.  The number of pills you have to take is based on your weight.  All three girls were down for the day with headaches and fatigue after taking their pills.  Brent got sick also.  I was told the variety of pills they give you will kill any worm you might have picked up - so count Brent and I worm free.  The day before they arrived here, the Ho Chings, APs and STLs were in Savaii conducting a Zone Conference over there.  I know I could not keep up with their crazy schedule.

     Today (Sunday) was the first TSS (Tutuila Super Seniors) dinner.  The Edwards invited the Patches and us to dinner after church.  We decided we would get together for dinner once a month after Fast Sunday.  We also planned Thanksgiving so that is a relief.
      Last week I dropped some material off at  one of a zillion sewing shops to get a couple of skirts made.  I just take one of my skirts that they use for a pattern and in two days I can pick up my finished skirts.  The family I like to use is from the Philippines.  The shop is right in their home and they have four adorable kids.  The day I was there they were all excited because they had just put up their Christmas tree!  They also enjoyed showing me some of the ties their parents had made for our missionaries.  Elders here can never have too many ties!  Brent has real competition here.

     Tomorrow my lesson is on the Prophet Joseph Smith.  I know there are many people who have trouble believing that Joseph Smith  had visions and visits from angels.   I loved this Conference quote from the lesson by Tad Callister: "To those honest searchers, we lovingly respond: “Were there not angels and visions in Christ’s Church in New Testament times? Did not an angel appear to Mary and to Joseph? Did not angels appear to Peter, James, and John on the Mount of Transfiguration? Did not an angel rescue Peter and John from prison? Did not an angel appear to Cornelius, then to Paul before he was shipwrecked and to John on the Isle of Patmos? Did not Peter have a vision of the gospel going to the Gentiles, Paul a vision of the third heaven, John a vision of the latter days, and Stephen a vision of the Father and Son?”  Then there are the many recorded visits in the Old Testament, from Adam, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah... I believe that Muhammad was visited by the angel Gabriel.  God is the same today as He was then.  He speaks through angels and visions.  I personally know that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God, he was God's chosen instrument to restore the Gospel to earth - the only Gospel which has the power to save.  
      Sending my love and wishes to you for a wonderful week.  In this month of Thanksgiving try to think of one thing each day that you are thankful for.  This morning I thought how thankful I am for digital cameras.  No more film, light bulbs, waiting for pictures to get developed.  What a great blessing!
Alofa Atu - Patty (Nana)
 

Sister Act

Halloween decorations on a Family Grave

Talofa Family and Friends,

      Again the week seemed to evaporate until I think of all the things we did.  Monday we said goodbye to Elder Ioane who is now serving in Ghana West Africa.  We will miss him in Institute but know that he will be a great missionary and bless the lives of the people he serves.  Also on Monday I drove with Sister Patch to the far east end of the island to deliver flu vaccinations.  Tomorrow they will all be completed as we have arranged to visit the rest of the District meetings.

Elder Ioane on his way to Ghana

    Tuesday I got to spend some time with Sisters Hymas and Davies.  Sister Davies is from Australia, so she must leave AS  every 30 days to keep her VISA current.  After seeing  Sister Davies off at the airport I treated Sister Hymas to breakfast at McDonald's.  I warned her that we needed to destroy the evidence before arriving at the other sisters home, but alas - we were not quick enough.  Sisters Leiatua and Hyatt saw the empty bag in the car and only thought it fair they they should also have McDonald's.   I love spending time with these amazing young women so was glad to give into their request.  Sister Davies informed me on her return that afternoon, that the Ho Chings had treated her to McDonald's in Apia, so everyone was happy. Wednesday was P-Day and again we ran into the Sisters - this time at Carl's Junior - so enjoyed another meal with them.  Believe me, two meals at a fast food restaurant in one week rarely happens.  These young women are 19 years old.  They are living away from home in a foreign land learning a different language, and for  most days, eating different foods, and living in conditions much below what they enjoy at home.  They walk for hours every day in the heat, spend hours studying and serving others, and when you talk to them they are the happiest they have ever been.  None of them want to return home.  You can't help but fall in love with them!  Sisters Rule!!!

Sisters Davies and Hymas

     Thursday Sister Foster arrived for a two day visit from Apia.  She comes to check on the mission vehicles.  It's always nice to have her come as she is great company and very low maintenance.  This week we went to a Samoan movie that went over my head, did a little shopping, played a few games and watched Part 2 of "The Other Side of Heaven" that is now playing on YouTube.  We also went to the Museum of Samoa that only opened 3 weeks ago. They had some beautiful textiles made from tree bark that boggled the mind to think how much skill and patience they took to create. 
       On a sad note, on Friday we learned that one of our zone leaders, Elder Wannamaker

Sisters Leiatua and Hyatt

was being transferred to Apia to become an Assistant to the President (AP).  We have loved serving with him and will miss his dry humor and beating Brent at Sequence on P-Days.  He was supposed to go home Dec. 13th, and for weeks he's been singing "I'll Be Home for Christmas"  but poor guy - the President has asked him to extend his mission to January.
      The holidays are almost here.  I'm sure the stores at home are decked out with Christmas and our Ace Hardware recently sprouted a forest of decorated Christmas trees with all the fixings.  We are planning a trip to Western Samoa Dec 20 - 22nd for a mission reunion with Pres and Sister Hanneman - but that's as far as our holiday plans have got.

Elder Wannamaker - new mission AP

      A tender mercy on our dog dilemma.  I ran into a lady at the Post Office with a little cute dog inside her purse.  I asked her if she knew of any vets and she said one was coming this week from Hawaii and would be here for two weeks.  She is sending me information on how to get an appointment.  Hopefully this means Lady will be spared experimental surgery via Google.
     Yesterday in church one of the speakers quoted: "Salvation is an individual matter - Exaltation is a family matter."  I write this blog mostly for my grandkids - so to my grandkids - I want you to know that I know that The Gospel of Jesus Christ  is the only way for all of us to be together in the next life as a family.   I encourage all of you to study and pray and receive the same confirmation, and then be willing to make covenants with God and keep His commandments.  I love all of you more than you can know, I miss you and I pray for you every day. 
   

Elder Pingree being very brave

Thursday is Halloween.  I've been told to expect lots of kids so have bought enough treats for 80 kids.  After that I guess we'll just have to lock the gate and turn out the lights.  Happy Spooking to all of you :).
Alofa Atu - Patty (Nana)
   
   

Happy Days

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

Last Disaster Training

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

Elder Moeai (Mesquite, NV) braving his flu shot

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

Happy Birthday Elder Edwards

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

Time to service water filters

Lady Getting a much needed bath

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

"F

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

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

Alofa Atu - Patty (Nana)

Institute Students with Brother Ellis visiting from Australia

Happy White Sunday

Talofa Lava Family and Friends,
      This weekend the islands and New Zealand are celebrating "White Sunday" or Children's Day.  Monday is a National Holiday where families meet together.  Since there is a day to honor Mothers and Fathers they have added a day to celebrate childhood and the wonder children bring to our lives.  It is mostly a Protestant holiday where everyone dresses in white, children are fed first at meals (they generally have to wait until the adults are finished and then they get to eat what's left) and often the kids are given a small gift.  Elder Edwards, another senior missionary, left for church early this morning and stopped at a few Protestant churches to snap photos. He was nice enough to share them with me.  Almost all of the kids in our church this morning were dressed in new white clothes.  The Primary presented a beautiful program of short talks and music.  The kids not only sang every song with gusto but also signed the words.  It was a wonderful meeting with such a sweet spirit that it brought tears to my eyes.

Patty, Brent with Brother & Sister Mickelson

     Another treat this week was a visit from one of our Apia missionaries, Andrew Mikkelsen.  He was visiting from Southern Oregon with his beautiful wife (Ashlea), sister and brother-in-law(Anna and Michael) and their 12 yr. old son, James.  We loved showing them the island and getting acquainted.  James favorite part was the "Bat Tree".  Elder Mikkelsen was an AP in the office with us for several months.  He was an awesome missionary!  It's wonderful to see our old missionaries again - They all hold a special place in our hearts. After leaving American Samoa they were headed to Upolu, Savaii and then New Zealand.  What a grand adventure!  We were grateful they took the time to spend with us.  Safe travels!
      The day before the Mikkelsen's arrived we got an email from President Ho Ching telling us he would be here the next day.  They came over to interview all the missionaries on the island, including us.  Their visit overlapped a bit with the Mikkelsens  but it wasn't too big of a problem.  We enjoyed visiting with the Ho Chings and the APs that are traveling with them.  Elders Nelson and Tolman are staying with us until they return on Monday. 

Pres & Sister Ho Ching with the Ellsworths

Mission presidents are called for a 3 year period and it is a 24/7 calling.  President and Sister Ho Ching have a great love for the missionaries and missionary work.  The scripture they chose to represent the service of all missionaries here is D&C 12:8,

"And no one can assist in this work except he shall be ^ahumble and full of ^blove, having faith, hope, and charity, being temperate in all things, whatsoever shall be ^centrusted to his care. "

This pretty much sums up what kind of people they are. It is a pleasure to work with them! I was a little concerned when I found out that they were coming because I wasn't sure how they'd feel about our little dog.  I was relieved when Sister Ho Ching loved her.  Having a dog is one thing, but having puppies is something on an entirely new level.  We are trying to find someone who could "Fix" her.  If we get desperate there is always YouTube. (Just Kidding)
   
      Saturday morning we had an Institute In-service meeting with Matthew Ellis, the CES Regional director.  The instruction focused on always centering every lesson we teach on the Savior.  The meeting gave me a lot to think about and I am excited to try some of the things I learned.  Teaching Institute has blessed our lives. We love the students.

Elder and Sister Patch

     One last wonderful thing that happened this week was the arrival of a new senior couple, Greg and Janene Patch from North Salt Lake. He is a radiologist and will be working at the LBJ Hospital.  She is an LPN and is hoping to be able to help at the clinics.  It will be so nice to have another senior couple here.  On our last mission the Senior Missionaries became forever friends, and we have missed those associations here.  Now we have an orthopedic, a radiologist, an LPN and a friend who is a physical therapist.  You'd think between all of them they could figure out how to fix our dog. (With a little help from YouTube). Stay tuned.
     Tomorrow we finish our Emergency Preparedness class with the East Zone. After seeing the destruction from the Typhoon in Japan, I am feeling relieved that we will be prepared if faced with a similar storm here.  We went through a Category 2 Cyclone in Apia and even that was very scary.
     Fall is my favorite time of year.  Even though we are going into summer here in the Southern Hemisphere, I still had to make an apple crisp.  We are expecting the missionaries soon so will go and get it warmed up.  We even splurged and bought vanilla ice cream.  Even though we are having a wonderful time here we still terribly miss our family and friends at home.  It really is true - there's no place like home.  Have a wonderful week and don't forget to count your blessings.
Alofa Atu - Patty (Nana)

White Sunday at Methodist Church

Anna, Michael, James, Andrew and Ashlea

My Heart is Full

Talofa Family and Friends,
     I am happy to report that I survived the Dreaded Jungle Gumboo that pretty much laid me flat in bed for a week.  I'm pretty sure it was the kind of flu people die from as it is as sick as I have ever been.  Slowly I've been regaining my strength and am finally feeling almost back to normal.  Brent was a dear to take care of me.  Thank you for all the kind thoughts and get well wishes!
     This past weekend we have loved every minute of the Church of Jesus Christ General Conference held in SLC.  We were able to get all of the sessions at home over the computer.  Even though the 10 am session started here at 5 am, we were well rewarded for getting up.  It's been two days of spiritual feasting!  How blessed we are to have a living prophet and  such amazing church leaders!  I am so excited that our Sister Missionaries will now get to act as witnesses at the baptisms of the people they've taught. With the new youth program we will all need to step up and help take some of the load off of our bishops who already work so hard.

Whitney Laulu on splits with missionaries

          Even though Samoans are spread all over the world, somehow they all know each other.  A couple of weeks ago Whitney Laulu was on splits with a couple of our missionaries.  He is from Las Vegas, went to Liberty HS and attended the Tropical Breeze Ward.  He knows all of my old seminary students.  He sends his love to his old ward.  His family moved here last year to take care of a grandparent and right now he is preparing to go on a mission.
        Well, my workshop for disasters turned out to be more for small businesses and dealt mostly with insurance issues, but this past week Brent and I met with a man from the community outreach of Homeland Security.  He was very informative, gave us pamphlets to pass out, and tomorrow we visit the West Zone district meetings to start our emergency preparedness training.  I've put together a powerpoint on cyclones, earthquakes and tsunamis that I hope will get the message out in a short period of time.  If nothing else they will enjoy the brownies I made for them.  Just from my informal survey of missionaries it was obvious this was needed as when asked they did not know what a cyclone or tsunami was.  Yesterday we purchased a case of water for each companionship in the West Zone which by now has been delivered to each apartment.  Next week we'll complete the East Zone.  It's a start.

Pacific Golden Plover

     This week I was excited to see my first Golden Plover.  This is the little bird that flies non-stop over 1,500 miles from the islands to Alaska to breed in the summer, and then flies back to the exact location in the islands to winter.  Some even go as far as New Zealand!  We are just starting our "Summer" here so will expect to see more.
     Much to Brent's dismay we have a little black dog that seems to have adopted us.  She is always on our back porch, and even when we put her out of the gate at night, in the morning she's back on the porch.  Our friends who lived here had the same dilemma that did not have a happy ending, so I am not going to start buying dog food.  She is still going to have to fend for herself but I'm not so hard-hearted that I don't give her a little something here and there.  The elders named her "Jude" so they can call "Hey- Jude" but I just call her Little Lady.

"Little Lady"

     It was a pleasure this week to have Sister Hiatt from Mesa, AZ stay with us after she sprained her ankle.  Her cute companion, Sister Leiatua, joined another set of sisters for the day.  Elder Leiatua, a brother, served in Apia during our first mission.  Love them both!  Here in Samoa the people often use "Fofo" or healing through deep muscle massage.  After Sister Hiatt told me about her experience with fofo I think I'll pass.  She said the lady started by stamping on her hurt foot, and then had other women hold her down while she "Massaged the bad blood out."  Sister Hiatt said it was excruciating!  I'm glad she survived!

Sisters Leiataua and Hiatt

     Last week in preparing one of my Institute lessons I came across a 2008 General Conference talk by Elder Jeffrey Holland, "My Words...Never Cease."  It addresses one of the reasons some people refuse to accept that we are Christian - our assertion that God continues to speak to us today.  The fact is that there were Christians long before the New Testament was compiled, so having the Bible does not make one a Christian.  "One Protestant scholar wrote, '...If the Spirit inspired only the written documents of the first century, does that mean that the same Spirit does not speak today in the church about matters that are of significant concern?" Ralph Waldo Emerson, addressing the Harvard Divinity School, pled that they teach "that God is, not was; that He speaketh, not spake."  We love the Bible! It is the first book in our Canon of Scripture.  Brent and I are in the process of studying the New Testament right now, along with the rest of the Church.  The Book of Mormon only exists to be another witness of the truth.  It's hard for me to understand why people would be upset that there is additional evidence of the Savior.  For the past two days I've listened to a prophet of God, some of His Apostles, and other leaders give counsel, encouragement and most importantly testify of the Divinity of Our Savior Jesus Christ - I consider their words inspired scripture.  In no way does that demean the Bible.  What a great blessing it is to know that the heavens are opened, and God is still giving us the words we need to hear today.  My heart is full!

Love and Best Wishes for a wonderful week!
Alofa atu - Patty