It seems that each new day brings a list of new things that we hadn't planned on.  So I have resorted to making a list of things I want to remember and then working on that list as time permits.  The problem is the list keeps growing and time to share keeps decreasing.  I just have to remind myself that a little each day is better than nothing.  

SAD DAY JUST WEEKS INTO OUR MISSION...With all of the incredible things that we are experiencing, and all the wonderful things being here brings, life has a habit of throwing in some unexpected sadness.  Just a few weeks after our arrival, we received news that our beautiful grand-daughter, Ashley Finlinson was in a coma.  We determined that one of us had to return to Utah to be with our son Todd during this crisis.  Dennis stayed to carry on the responsibilities we had here and I flew home for the funeral.  It was wonderful to see our family again, but so sad because of the circumstances that took me home.  I am so thankful for my knowledge of the Plan of Salvation - because I know that I will see Ashley again and that she is happy, and free from the challenges of life that she faced.  Heavenly Father brought peace to our hearts and I felt his love for me and our family.  I was asked to be the speaker at the funeral.  That was a challenge, but it was such an honor to be asked.  

SPENDING ONE ON ONE TIME WITH MOM...While I was there, my Mom came and spent several nights with me.  It was so fun to have her all to myself.  We sat up nights and talked and giggled like two teenage girls.  My sisters were all out of town...  

But while I was there, she ended up on the hospital with a gall bladder attack.  I was so glad I was there and able to be with her in the hospital.  One night there was a knock at the door, and three of our adopted daughters from Samoa (who have since moved to Utah) came to visit.   They brought the most beautiful flowers...

WEDDING OF TWO OF OUR MISSIONARIES...  In April we went to Apia to meet with the other senior missionaries in a conference.  As we were waiting at the airport to go through customs I heard a voice say, "It is them - that is Elder and Sister Jordan..."  I turned around and saw two of our sister missionaries who we served with before.  Sister Satele and Sister Te'o.  Wow, it was so great to see them!  What are the chances that we would run into them...  Anyway, we found out that Sister Wilma Te'o was getting married the next day in the temple to another of our missionaries, Elder Josiah Sianava.  We were able to attend their wedding and the reception and share their special day with them. 

WEATHER IS SO UNPREDICTABLE...  When we first got here, the island had been several weeks without significant rain.  The golf course was brown - not the usual lush green.  Not only were they watering the plants around the government buildings, they even had them covered to protect them from the direct sunlight.  Then it started to rain and it seemed like it would never stop.  Then we got word that Cyclone Amos was headed our way.  We made the required preparations to make sure we had adequate food and water for the missionaries just in case we needed it.  As people prepared, buying food, water, boarding up windows, etc. the same message was shared by everyone.  They all expressed the thought that they were preparing, but that God would protect them and the island.  That is exactly what happened.  It was predicted that the eye of the storm would pass right over us, but winds shifted and we only felt the outer-bands.  We did lose a couple of banana trees and there was a lot of debris strewn around.  Within hours of the storm, the people of this island were out cleaning up and by the next day nearly all the evidence of the storm had been cleared away.  There were a lot of prayers heaven sent - and those prayers were answered.  These people have such great faith - no matter what religion - they truly believe in the love and tender mercies of our Savior.  So we went from DRY conditions to getting over 36" of rain in a month.

LOST GLASSES... One day while delivering supplies to missionaries on the far side of the island, Dennis threw a bag of garbage into a dumpster.  When we got home he realized that his glasses were not on the dashboard of the car.  He said he remembered feeling something brush his leg when he got out of the car to throw away the garbage.  That dumpster was over an hour away, and it was getting dark...  We got back in the car and drove back, with slim hope that we would be able to find his glasses.  We were not even sure which dumpster we had stopped at...  By the time we got back it was dark..  He got out of the car and started looking on the ground.  A man was walking by and asked what we were doing.  Dennis told him he had lost his glasses and thought they may have fallen out of the car by the dumpster.  The man told us to wait while he walked into his house and came back with the glasses - unscratched and in perfect condition.  His son found them and picked them up.  Perfect timing?  WE DON'T THINK SO... What were the chances that the man would be walking past at the same time we stopped at the dumpster?  If we hadn't run into him, we would have just considered the glasses gone.  To walk to a house off the road and ask if anyone had found a pair of glasses just wouldn't have happened.  Prayers were answered that day.  The Lord truly is mindful of each of us.  

Stroll down memory lane....

So may things have happened in the last 7 months that I hardly know where to begin...

BAPTISM... The first week we were here there was a father baptised.  It was really special because the rest of the family had been baptised and had prayed to many years that their dad would accept the Gospel and then they could be sealed together as a family.  The spirit was so strong at the baptism, and the looks on the faces of the family is something I will never forget - PURE JOY...

BABY BLESSING... One the first Sunday we were in Tutuila we decided to attend sacrament in one of the Makeke Wards. Makeke is a Tongan village and we love visiting there.  A beautiful Samoan baby was blessed during the meeting, and I realised that the mother was one of our former students.  It was so great to meet her husband and share this special day with them.

FOOD TO MANU'A... There are two SMALL islands about 40 miles south-east of Tutuila, and there are now 10 missionaries serving there.  One of our responsibilities is sending them food each month.  There is a small store there, but the inventory is very limited and expensive.   There is a boat that goes to the islands at least once a week, but not too long after we arrived the boat was damaged and the only way food was getting there was by plane, and that is really expensive.  We had no choice but to use the plane - but everyone was trying to get food to their families so the planes filled up fast.  About three weeks into this situation, they stopped sending freight - you had to be a paying passenger in order to take food.  So many were buying round trip tickets - flying over dropping off the food and then coming back on the same plane, that there was no room for extras.  The planes are so small that everything is done by weight.  They weigh you when you get on the plane, and when the weight limit has been reached no one or nothing else goes.  We prayed everyday that somehow we would be able to get them food.  We were sending canned tuna and granola bars in very small quantities in order to meet the weight restrictions.  The missionaries never complained - every time we talked to them they were so happy and up-beat.  However, they must have emailed their parents that they were hungry, because boxes of food started coming in the mail for them.  Our extra bedroom was full of boxes of food - what the mission had bought to send and boxes from parents.  They had money, but there was nothing to buy in the store.  It was a scary time for us.  About 5 weeks with no boat going one of the elders confided that he was hungry.  Dennis asked him what he had for breakfast and he said a banana.  How about lunch - a banana.  And dinner?  Two bananas!  Our hearts literally broke!  In tears we pleaded with the Lord that a way would be found to get them food.   We witnessed a MIRACLE the next day...  We were told the boat wouldn't be ready for a least a couple of weeks, but we got word that it was sea worthy and ready to sail.  We were able to get food and supplies on the boat - even though they said no personal items could be shipped for at least a week.  They were only taking commercial items.  When we saw those boxes on the boat and knew they were on their way we both shed tears of relief and gratitude.

The missionaries said when the boxes arrived, they spread them all out and opened them together...  They said it was just like Christmas.  Tears of happiness and gratitude were shed on both sides.  As an added blessing, there have been several baptisms on these two islands.  The Church has not had a presence there in over 5 years - so when missionaries were put there in December it was like starting all over.  Most of the members that were there had moved to other islands.

MISSIONARIES IN VATIA AND AFONO... The village of Vatia is over the mountain on the other side of the island that is so beautiful.  The ward there is small - but the spirit is incredible.  There has not been a baptism in the ward for several years - but we were able to attend the baptism for a very special young woman.  A few weeks later her children that were old enough were also baptised.  And the end of July missionaries were assigned to the ward and a small branch (Afono).  Until then the zone leaders worked with the two units - it is such a blessing to them to have 'their own' missionaries living and serving their two villages.

FED THE HUNGRY... Many times we have been given food after an activity, and wondered what we were going to do with it.  They are so generous and sometimes we can't eat it all before it spoils.  One night we found ourselves in that situation and were prompted to call a family to see if they could use the food.  The father shared that they were at that moment in the car on the way to the store to see what they could buy with the meager amount of money they had.  They shared with us that they had absolutely no food in their house.  He has just lost his job...  Within 2 minutes they were at our house.  The food we gave them was enough to feed the family for several meals.  They were so appreciative - shedding tears of joy as they loaded it into their car.  Great feeling...

TRIPS TO THE HOSPITAL...  Things haven't changed as far as medical needs since we were here before.  We have had missionaries seen for strep throat, removal of wisdom teeth, sprained ankles, mosquito diseases, ear infections, skin diseases (one elder had infected sores all over his lower legs from shaving)!!!  Seems to be the latest thing for Samoans...  We had to tell the elders - "no shaving your legs..." One elder got a piece of metal in his eye and had to have it surgically removed.  We were just thankful that an eye surgeon is now on island.

ZONE MEETING ON THE LAWN IN FRONT OF PARADISE CHICKEN... One night, after zone meeting the president decided the missionaries had to be fed.  It was late and finding someplace that could serve 30 people that time of night was a challenge.  He ordered chicken and the fixings for everyone, but there was no space in the dining room.  So we all sat on the lawn in front of the store and finished the meeting.  The missionaries shared stories of some of their successes that day and even with cars driving by (can't say whizzing by - because the maximum speed limit is 25 MPH), it was a very spiritual meeting.

MEETING OLD FRIENDS...  Even though we have been here several months, we still run into people we met when we were here before that didn't realise we were back.  We are greeted with open arms, hugs and kisses and comments about how great it is that we are back...  Seeing the surprised look on their faces when they recognise us is so much fun...

Original Post that I thought was lost in cyber-space...

Samoa Apia Mission Memories - January 2016

NOTE:  This is my original entry of June 26, 2016 - that I thought I had lost when I went back to add to it...  So some of the information is duplicated...  DUH!!!!!

It is amazing that we have been back in American Samoa serving for almost 6 months.  We can't believe how fast the time seems to be going.  As we look back on events that have transpired since our arrival, we are awed and humbled at how much we have been blessed.
We spent five awesome days in the MTC in Provo, Utah.  The second time there was just as amazing as the first time.  We met many new friends and had some incredible experiences while we were there.   This is a picture of us in the MTC with the missionaries that flew to Samoa the same time as us.
We flew from Salt Lake City to Los Angeles on Monday, January 11 and arrived in Auckland, New Zealand on the 13th early in the morning.  The flight was approximately 13 hours.  Because we crossed the international date line, we didn't have a Tuesday.  We left Auckland and arrived in Apia, Samoa in the early evening.
We met our mission president and his wife, President and Sister Hannemann, as well as several of the other senior couples serving in the mission.  Elder and Sister Ellsworth, the mission office couple, Elder and Sister McBride, in charge of housing, and Elder and Sister Gillette working at the school.  They are all so delightful - more new friends.
When Dennis mentioned that it was my birthday, they said they would have a birthday cake for me at our dinner meeting the next night.  We met with President Hannemann and Sister Hahnemann Thursday morning to get better acquainted, and President Hahnemann, knowing it was our second time here, thought it would be fun to have lunch - with traditional Samoan food in the park.  It tasted so good, but both of us got sick and couldn't attend the welcome dinner planned for us that night - no birthday cake for me...  We went swimming on Friday with some of the other seniors.  It was really great to feel the warm Samoan waters between our toes again.  It was raining, so we didn't do any snorkelling.
We flew to Tutuila, the name of the largest island in American Samoa, on Sunday - after attending church (7:30 block) arriving on Saturday - crossing the international date line again, so we had no Tuesday, two Saturday's and two Sunday's that week. -  The Schaefermeyer's met us at the airport.  They are the couple that were doing missionary support until we arrived.  We bonded right away - more new friends...
We spent several days with them - visiting and meeting the missionaries and learning where they all lived.  Some of the places they lived were the same, but some were new - and since there are no addresses on the island, we had to learn landmarks to know where to find them.

Monday morning we met with Sonny Aiono, Seminary and Institute director for American Samoa.  It was so great to see him again.  He gave us our class schedule for the semester and we prepared to start teaching the next day.
We taught 4 classes - twice a week for each.  Doctrine and Covenants, Part 2, Book of Mormon, Part 2, Jesus Christ and the Everlasting Gospel, and Foundations of the Restoration.
Needless to say, we hit the ground with our feet running!  We took this picture during one of our classes.  We love our students...

Because one third of our mission is over, and this is my first post, there are lots of memories to share.

SAMOA APIA MISSION 2017-2018

SAMOA APIA MISSION 2017-2018
When we returned home from our mission to Samoa in May 2014, we never dreamed that we would have the opportunity to return - especially to serve another mission.  We were saddened to leave many wonderful friends - who had become like family to us.  However, we got an unexpected email from mission president in March 2015 (just 10 months after our return) asking if we would consider returning.  To make a long story short, we were delighted, but hesitant at the same time.  There were several issues that had to be worked out before we could commit, but, while on a pioneer trek at Martin's Cove with our youth, we both received confirmation that returning to serve another mission was the will of our Heavenly Father.  So, we proceeded to fill out mission papers and prepare for our return.  Although it was really hard to leave family again, we knew it was what we had to do.  We entered the MTC in Provo, Utah for a week of training and instruction.

The elders and sisters in our district were such great examples to us.  At the end of the week, we all parted to different parts of the world, anxious to serve in whatever capacity was needed.  We left Salt Lake on January 11 and arrived in Apia, Samoa 23 hours later.  But because we had crossed the International Date Line, so it was now the 13h - my birthday.  They had a welcome dinner for us the next evening, with a birthday cake to celebrate...  However, we were both sick and couldn't leave the bathroom - so glad there were two in the house we were staying in...  So we missed the celebration...  It was great to spend a couple of day in Apia before flying to Tutuila (American Samoa) to begin our journey.  We arrived on Saturday, and we were to start teaching institute the following Tuesday.  Our class schedule   Meeting the missionaries that were now serving on Tutuila was such  treat.  They welcomed us with open arms and in many ways it felt like we had never left.  It was so fun to watch peoples reaction when they saw us and realized that we had returned.  When we were here before, we saw 26 of our students leave for their missions.  As they each left we thought we would probably never see them again.  Now we had the blessing of seeing them return...  We taught four classes - twice a week (Monday - Thursday).  

We taught two new classes that have just been added - Jesus Christ and the Everlasting Gospel, and Foundations of the Restoration, as well as Book of Mormon- Part 2 and Doctrine and Covenants - Part 2.  The RM's started a new club - Endure to the End, and it is fun to be part of that great group.  

It is now the 2nd of August and we have been so busy that I haven't had a chance to do anything with our blog.  We can't believe that we are 7 months into our mission already.  I started a post several times and when I attempted to post it, the information was lost.  I will end this post and the next one will be a summary of the last 7 months.  It has been quite a ride...  We miss everyone at home so much, but are finding joy in being part of this mission again.

The Last Six Weeks of our Mission

April brought an outbreak of Pink Eye to our island – actually it started in Western Samoa and spread (like wild fire) to Tutuila.  We bought lots of hand sanitizer and eye drops….   Sunglasses were a common sight as well...

This spot on the island is known for the cleanest air on earth

Many of the people here think you can get Pink Eye just from looking at someone who has it, so many of our students would avoid looking at us if they had it, even though we explained it was a virus and could only be spread by touching.   It seemed to take about a week to run its course.   

It got so bad that people who had it were not allowed board the airplanes – which caused a bit of an inconvenience for many.  The schools on all three islands were closed for at least a week, and they even closed the temple for a few days.  Thank goodness that Dennis & I were able to avoid getting it, and only about 1/3 of our 34 missionaries caught it.  We were so grateful for that little blessing.  

We were driving down the road one day and noticed a stalled bus on the road.  NO PROBLEM – all the men on the bus jumped out to push start it!  Then they all jumped back on and they went merrily on their way!  We just had to take a picture of it - it made us laugh...

Everyone push….

We had a wonderful missionary experience one afternoon at Carl’s Jr.  We were having lunch with Lela Elisara, our awesome ‘adopted daughter’- previous student – now a working girl preparing for her mission…  The three of us were sitting at a table and a young man (Palangi) came and sat at the table next to us.  Lela, noticing that he was alone asked if he wanted to eat with us.  He accepted our invitation, and the usual conversation took place – where are you from, how long have you been on the island, what brought you here, where are you living, etc.  He said he

Jump in Guys…  We are on our way again...

was from Pocatello, Idaho and came to American Samoa for work.  In the course of our conversation he asked us what had brought us here and then he stated asking us questions about the Church.   I was a little surprised that growing up in Idaho, he knew so little about the LDS Church.  He was VERY WELL versed in the bible and asked some very intriguing questions.   Anyway, we spend a couple of hours discussing how the Book of Mormon does not replace the bible and how they go hand in hand to testify of the Savior and his teachings.  He quoted some scriptures from the bible and asked for our explanation and understanding.  As the three of us

Institute Farewell Party  - Elder & Sister Krogh on the far left.

attempted to answer his questions you could feel the spirit working – even in the noisy crowded dining room at a fast food establishment.  He kept asking questions and was genuinely interested in what we were sharing.  Several times we attempted to leave, but he kept asking more questions.  Before we left he agreed to attend a missionary fireside with us.  This experience never would have happened if Lela hadn’t followed her impression to ask him to join us.  That is what missionary work is about – receiving and acting upon promptings.

Our institute students had a devotional/farewell party for us where we had

Yum, Yum, Yum

the opportunity to share our testimonies and express our love to each of them.  Of course, there was food – lots of it!  You can’t be in Samoa without food…

We bought a new Ping Pong table for the institute as our parting gift to them.  The one they had was four pieces of plywood that they put on two banquet tables when they want to play.  It is such a small token of our appreciation and love to them for all that they have done for us.  Words can’t begin to express what they have meant to us.  We will forever cherish their friendship, their hugs, their smiles and their laughter (as we attempted to speak their beautiful Samoan language).  They accepted us with unconditional love and taught us so much more than we were able to give them.  These memories will be locked forever in our hearts!!!

April 18^th was a bittersweet day for us.  We picked up Elder & Sister Krogh, the senior couple who will be replacing us when we go home.  What a delightsome

Pizza, anyone?

couple.  We felt an instant kinship to them.  We had three weeks with them to ‘show them the ropes’ – so to speak, before we handed over the reins to them.  They were called for 6 months and will only be on Tutuila until the Saunders (the couple actually called to replace us) arrive in late June.  Then they will go to Western Samoa for a new assignment.  What an inspiration they are to us...  

WOW – those three weeks went fast…It was a great experience for us to be able to share and review with them the duties they will have as they take care of the needs of the missionaries that we have grown to love so much!  We loved sharing the sights of this beautiful island with them.  As we spent our last Monday and Tuesday delivering mail and water to the missionaries many, many hugs were shared, and lots of tears were shed.  It was so hard to say goodbye.  Because of mission rules they are not allowed to be at the airport to bid us farewell - which was probably easier in the long run.  Seeing each of them at their individual houses made it more personal - one on one..

I think a new Ping Pong table is in order...

 We took the opportunity to visit the island of Aunu’u one last time to say goodbye to the Lotoa family.  We had the opportunity to spend a night on their beautiful

Farewell to Aunu'u

island as guests in their home and were treated like royalty.  We were also in the MTC with one of their daughter’s.  It was so fun to see her come home and share in that experience with the family.

One of the highlights of our mission was our Thursday night PMG class.  It was such a great experience having the students in our home.  We suggested that we hold the class at the church, but the students said they would rather crowd into our house, so that is what we did.  The last night of class Dennis did a quick review of what we had been studying and then asked if there were any questions or concerns.  The young adults started sharing their feelings and testimonies and appreciation to us.  WOW, the Spirit was so strong and we felt so humbled as we listened to them.  We will cherish the memories of that evening forever. 

Thursday night PMG Class at our house...

   

Our last week on the island was incredible and so hard all rolled into one!  We were asked to speak in the MIW (Mesepa International Ward) sacrament meeting a couple of weeks before we left.  Then on our last Sunday, at the end of Sacrament Meeting they asked us to come to the stand and everyone stood and sang, "God Be With You, Til We Meet Again."  Looking into the faces of all the people in the ward we had grown to love is something I can't begin to

Party with our Filipino Family at Pili's

describe.  We were treated to so many farewell parties (Fia Fia's) and were showered with so many gifts.  Their outpouring of love to us was over-wheming…  Our farewell dinner at the Pili's with our Filipino friends was so special.  Being with all of those we had seen accept the Gospel was a big pay day.  Ali, and Sir Phil (the names the Filipinos lovingly have given to the Pili's) have given and done so much to help and fellowship this group of about 20 people.  What a great example they are of our Savior...  

 

Paradise...

We shed so many tears the last couple of weeks that I am sure if they could have been contained there would be enough water to float us all the way home.  To say that we were humbled by it all does not begin to adequately describe our feelings.  
We left Tutuila on Saturday, May 10^th.  Over 50 people showed up to say goodbye.  More tears….  We crossed the International Date Line arriving in Apia (40 miles away) on Mother’s Day, May 11^th.  

What a beautiful way to spend Mother's Day night

We took the opportunity to spend the night at Lupe Sina Treesort, a bed & breakfast built in a Banyon Tree.  It was a great adventure.  Even though we didn’t need the mosquito net, we slept under it, just to say we did.  The mission hosted a farewell party for us - more tears.  We were also able to see several of the young missionaries we had served with on Tutuila, who had since been transferred to Upolu or Savai’i.  We also bid farewell to Sister Tanuvasa, a sister missionary who served her entire mission in our stake in Utah.  We feel so blessed that our lives were able to touch again - this time as we served in her country.  We love her so much – and even though she is no longer serving as a full-time missionary, she is a perfect example of a member missionary.   She gives the missionaries more referrals than anyone on the

Sister Leota with us at the airport...

island.  As we look back on the last 22 months we are so humbled by everything we were able to experience.  There are no words that can begin to express how we feel.  We will cherish those memories forever…  The senior missionaries we served with are such great examples to

us, and we developed a kinship that will last into the eternities!  Saying goodbye to President and Sister Leota was especially difficult.  We have grown to love them so much!  They are truly great disciples of our Savior and such a great example to so many.  As excited, as we were to return home and be reunited with family and friends again, it was very, very hard to say goodbye to our beautiful Samoan friends (no friends is the wrong word - we consider them FAMILY).  We have grown to love each of them so much!  We took thousands of pictures to help us remember the last 22 months, but words and pictures can't begin to describe how we feel...

Into the Welcoming Arms of Family
and Friends...

Emotions were high as we left Samoa,and peaked again as we landed in Salt Lake into the loving arms of family and friends.  It was so awesome to come down the stairs at the airport and see so many waiting to welcome us home!  WOW - how our grandkids had grown… We were especially surprised and happy to see Elder Lolofie, one of our returned missionaries along with his sister there to greet us.  As we bid farewell to 'our missionaries' as they left their missions, we promised that we would see each other again - and seeing him there waiting to greet us helped us to realize that a new chapter in our life is just beginning…  We hope that we have made a difference in their lives as we had the blessing of serving with each of them. We know they have made a difference in ours!  What great examples they were to us…  We look forward to sharing their lives with them as they marry and have families of their own…  We were blessed to be able to work with 76 wonderful young elders and sisters from all parts of the world.  How awesome is that?  We also saw over 30 of our institute students leave to serve missions.  Getting emails from them is such  treat!

Elder Keith Lolofie - one of our many awesome missionaries

Hello my precious Ashton.  I am your Grandma...

The experience we had, being able to live on a beautiful tropical island paradise,

the friends (now family) we made, the miracles we witnessed, and the opportunities that were ours as we served as part of God’s Army in the Samoa Apia Mission, will be cherished forever.

Farewell Tutuila - You will forever be a part of our lives…
July 9, 2012 - May 14, 2014

March 2014

March 2014

This has been another amazing month for us. 

We have had some great experiences, seen some funny things, and just enjoyed being part of this island.  Dennis celebrated his birthday on the 13th, and he had dozens of birthday wishes via email and Facebook.  It was so fun to hear from so many.  You made his day even more special.  Thanks to everyone for remembering!  We are so blessed to have such wonderful family and friends!  

I got him a Samoan War Club - with the help of our dear friends, the Goodlets.  

Happy Birthday Dennis

He  had no clue he was getting it, and that added to the fun.  It is not often I can pull the wool over his eyes….   

Elder & Sister Layne, the mission dentist and his wife stayed with us for a couple of days.  Their visit gave us a chance  to get to know them better and to share the beauties of this island with them.  We really enjoyed We visited an observatory on the East side of the island.  It is run by NOAA Commissioned Crops and among the things they do is measure air quality and monitor the Ozone.  We learned that the hole in the Ozone is closing – should be closed by 2050.  The air on the top of the mountain where the observatory is located is known as the “cleanest air on earth”.  Needless to say, when we were up there we all took lots of deep breaths – just so we could say we had breathed the cleanest air on earth.  It was really an interesting afternoon.  One of the exciting things was the drive up there…  The road was so steep – in fact one turn was so sharp we were not sure we were going to be able to maneuver it in our van (affectionately named “Tommy

Cleanest Air on Earth….  Breath Deep...

Tank”).  However, Dennis used his driving expertise and we made it.  I don’t think backing-up would have been a very good option….

One morning I woke up and looked out the window to discover one of the bushes in our front yard had blossomed overnight.  I don’t remember seeing these flowers last year.  They are beautiful.  As we look at the pictures of our yard taken when we first arrived, we realize how much everything has grown.  The lemon tree is almost twice the size – and still bearing lemons non-stop.  We are going to miss all those lemons and the fresh squeezed juice, lemon-aid, lemon bars and pie that are the result…

We picked another pineapple from our yard – probably the last one we will have before we go

We have one more bunch of bananas that will be ready to pick in a couple of weeks.  Yummy…  We have eaten so many bananas since we have been here – which is good.  There are several varieties and they prepare them in different ways.  One of our favorites are the small bananas – about 3-4 inches long – and they are so sweet.  They also have large fat ones that they cook and serve plain or covered in coconut cream.  I like them with the cream on top, but

when they are served plain, they taste like cardboard.  The ones that grow in our yard are more like the ones we get at home.  It has been fun to watch them grow – almost overnight – and then enjoy their sweetness.  Our yard has provided us with bananas, pineapple, papaya, and lemons.  It has been so fun harvest things we can’t grow at home.  We also have several mother hens and their babies that frequent our yard daily.  It is fun to see those baby chicks follow their mothers around and watch them grow…  We haven’t seen our ‘attack rooster’ for several weeks.  We gave him that title because if he is anywhere near the lemon tree and we go near it, he ruffles his feathers and squawks at us as if saying, “This is my territory – no trespassing!”  He loves the lemons that have fallen on the ground.  We just give him his space – it is safer that way!

Does anyone have a bar of soap?

We were delivering supplies to missionaries one afternoon and saw something I am sure we will not see at home.  There was a break in a water main.  These men really believe in getting into their work!!!

It is amazing how the Lord can direct our lives to accomplish his needs.  The other day we were in the process of delivering mail, water and supplies to the missionaries on the West side of the island.  We had planned to stop at the airport after we left the first missionary house to send the boxes of mail to Apia, but when we got to the intersection, Dennis said

Practicing for the Long Boat races to be held on Flag Day (4/18)

he thought he would wait to go to the airport after we had finished our deliveries.  That really made more sense, because sometimes the missionaries here have mail and boxes they want to send to missionaries on the other islands and we could include them in the boxes we had ready to send, but on the other hand, we were close to the airport and it would have saved gas and mileage as well as time to go as we had originally planned.  Long story short…  as the day progressed we had several phone calls that caused us to detour from our scheduled deliveries so by the time we finished making all our visits we

The flowers are so beautiful…  We have many friends
who love to share with us.  

were much later going to the airport than we had planned.  When we drove up and started unloading the boxes a young man came up to help – which is always so appreciated.  Anyway, he said he was flying to Apia and then on to New Zealand to get his visa in preparation for leaving for his mission.  He had never been off the island and so this was really a big adventure for him.  He introduced us to his family and we had a great visit.  The FM (facilities manager) here was also at the airport attempting to get a seat on the same flight.  After visiting for a few minutes, we wished them all good luck and left.  A couple of hours later we got a call from the AP’s who

These little girls know how to beat the
hot sun - or the warm rain...

were to meet the potential missionary and take him to the mission home until his flight to New Zealand left the next day.  They said they couldn’t find him and wondered if we knew how we could get in touch with his family.  They had no idea that we had met this young man at the airport earlier – they were just attempting to find a contact over here that they could call to verify that he had made the flight.  They had been given the wrong tine his flight and so they got there an hour late.  When there was no one waiting for the missionary at the airport he was a little freaked

Elder & Sister Layne
We had a great visit...

out because he didn’t know what to do or who to ask for help (remember this was his first time away from home).  Luckily the FM had been able to get a seat on the flight and he noticed that there was no one there to pick up this young man.  He explained the problem to the person who was there to pick him up, and they decided to take the young man to the missionaries that were serving close to the airport.  They figured the missionaries could call the mission office and arrange to have him picked up.  When the AP’s called us, we were able to contact the family and they told us their son had called to let them know he had arrived safely and that he was with the missionaries.  We were able to call the AP’s back and tell them where to find their lost elder… Had we not changed our plan to go to the airport later, we never would have met that young man or his family.  And,

We never get tired of the Samoan Sky...

when the AP’s called us we wouldn’t have known who to call.  And if we hadn’t run into the FM and introduced him to that young man, and he hadn’t made that flight, he wouldn’t have been at the airport to notice a stranded young man.   It was a testimony to us that the Lord had “directed out path’ that day.  How grateful we were that we followed the promptings of the Spirit.

We thought that after Christmas the volume of mail would decrease – but not so.  We are kept busy picking up and delivering the mail to

our precious missionaries.  We send an average of 200 pounds of letters/packages to mission

headquarters every week.  The number of missionaries has more than doubled since we got here, and so the volume of mail has doubled as well.  We receive great joy in delivering that mail – it is like the lifeblood of the mission – especially since the missionaries here are not able to email.  We get several emails from parents every week, wondering about the welfare of their sons/daughters.  It is another wonderful blessing of this mission – getting to know some of the parents!

Elder Brown and Elder Henrie
We appreciated their help with mission mail to go to Apia

We attended a Primary Testimony Fireside in the Mapusaga 3^rd Ward.  On Sunday the children were challenged to memorize their testimony in a different language and share it with everyone at the fireside on Friday night.  They could choose from 5 languages other than Samoan or English.  Returned missionaries from the ward worked with each group to teach them.  They bore testimony in Spanish, Fijian, Tongan, Tagalog and an African language.  To witness kids between the ages of 5 and 12 bearing their testimonies after only 3 practices was amazing.  Most of them had it memorized.  I can bear my testimony in Samoan, but I have to read it… 

The Spirit was so strong in that room you could almost cut it with a knife…  “From the mouths of babes…..”

We had a wonderful institute party this month.  Our students wanted to share with us the experience of cooking in an Umu – a traditional way of cooking.  We also had grilled chicken, sausage and turkey tail – cooked on a large ourdoor grill - by several of our students.  The night before the party they came to our house and made the marinade for the meat.  They started preparing the Umu early the next morning.  They picked fresh coconut, shredded it used the coconut juice and mixed with Mackrel 

Preparing the Umu

and cooked it in coconut shells in the Umu.  It is SO GOOD…  They also baked bananas, and taro in the Umu.   With what was cooked in the Umu,  the meat cooked on the outdoor grill and the 20 pounds of potato salad, and 4 batches of brownies I made, we had quite a feast.  The party went from early morning until dark – and beyond.  It was quite a day!!!  Lots of music, laugher and just plain fun!  How we love the young single adults on this island!!!  What a blessing to us to be part of their lives…

Chicken being cooked on an outdoor grill - they cooked over 100 lbs.  of chicken...

We were able to participate in the Malaeimi Stake Conference.  The visiting authority was Elder

Tukuafu, an area seventy from Tonga.  We were invited to eat with him and the stake presidency,

bishops and their wives.  It is a blessing to hear the messages and testimonies of the brethren, but being able to be with them on a more personal basis is something I will never forget.  He expressed

his sincere thanks for us for our service – which was so humbling to us - because we are receiving so much more than we are able to give.  We truly feel the love of our Savior everyday in so many ways…

We were able to witness another baptism in the ocean.  Baptisms are amazing, but seeing it happen In the ocean is special…  

One of the stakes had their Girls Camp this month.  We took the opportunity to visit, and it was so great!  I have to admit that I was in “7^th Heaven”.  It was so great to feel of their spirit and see how many of the things they were doing are the same as what we do.  I even ordered a camp shirt!  So if you count our brief visit to Girls Camp last year on the island of Upolu and our short stay at camp this year I can say that I have attended Girls Camp 33 times!  It is in my blood…..

Beautiful Young Women at Camp...

Family Tid-Bits…. Stephen, Melissa and their boys, Alec and Sean were able to take a trip to California this month.  They sent pictures and it looked like they were really enjoying themselves.

Melissa with her two awesome sons...

Last month our Jacob lost his first tooth, and this month Lexie lost two of hers.  She says, “It is hard to say Rhythm, and pronounce words correctly in speech class.”

Smile Lexie...

Devin wrote that he asked Rhythm how he slept.  His answer – “With my eyes closed!” 

Todd sent an awesome picture of Josh. He is certainly not a little boy any more.

We were able to talk to Michael and his family the other night.  They are busy as ever – and soccer is right at the top of the list.  Tyler did hit his head on the chandelier requiring 5 staples.  But his smile is still captivating…  Jeff’s family is busy as ever and doing great.  We are so excited when our family shares with us…

Does this look familiar Girls?

2nd Ward Campsite

The ever faithful priesthood at their campsite...

It seems that not a day goes by that we don’t witness little miracles.  Some are so subtle that they are hardly noticed, while others are so powerful that it almost takes your breath away.  That is one of the blessings of serving a mission – being in an environment that makes it easier to realize how much we are all blessed in so many ways!

Several months ago we met someone from the Area FM office and she suggested that because of my background as an FM we should consider visiting the FM offices in Fiji and Tonga and attend the temples in each country.  We thought that would be a great opportunity and started making plans to do

Showers at camp...

that on the way home.  We met with a travel agent to figure out the itinerary and costs.  It was all so exciting to think about.  We figured that as long as we were this close it would be silly to not take the opportunity.  However as time went by we both felt uneasy about making the trip.  We couldn’t put or finger on it, and neither of us expressed to each other how we were feeling.  Finally I told Dennis that for some reason I felt we should just got straight home.  When I finally expressed my feelings verbally, it felt like a huge weight had been lifted from by chest.  Dennis said he had felt the same way, but knew how much we both wanted to go and didn’t want to

Primary Children at a missionary welcome home party…
They love playing games on Dennis' IPad...

disappoint me.  Wow – we are not ashamed to admit that we both were more than a little humble when we finally expressed our feelings to each other.  He asked me if I felt there was a need to get home sooner than we planned, and I said it wasn’t that. I just felt we shouldn’t go to Tonga and Fiji.  Later that day we were in a meeting with some of the missionaries and President and Sister Leota.  He mentioned several times that ‘if we would just extend our mission again’ this or that would happen.  Everyone in the room laughed each time he said it, and we all joked about it.  After the meeting, President Leota asked if we could take them to the airport to catch their flight back to Apia and on the way Dennis asked him

Pago Harbor at Dusk...

if he was serious about our extending.  He got really quiet and emotional and then asked us if we would consider staying just two more weeks to allow more time to train the couple that would be taking our place.  Then it became very clear to us why we had both had the feelings we did about making the trip to Fiji/Tonga.   Sometimes we don’t understand the ‘why’, and as disappointed as we are that we will not see that part of the world we feel peace.  Who knows, maybe our next mission will be in that part of the world.  We will just put our trust in the Lord….

Our mission is fast drawing to a close and leaving is going to be BITTERSWEET.  We are anxious to see our family and friends, but we have made so many awesome friends here and it is going to be SO, SO hard to say goodbye….