March 21, 2012

Last week was a flurry of activity in the evenings for the 50^th Celebration of the organization of the Apia Stake.  We were treated Royally, with front row seats and beautiful flower leis on the two evenings we went.  They had a kind of service with singing and talks, followed by dancing and singing performances.  Thursday  we were at the temple for our shift and Friday was  a dance.  They are  very noisy and we were happy to stay home and watch a movie. Sunday evening was a fireside with Elder Watson, area Presidency, but I was sick and hadn't even gone to church and Roy was out doing some visits.

dancing at the celcbration

Pres. & Sister Fitisimanu, temple President

We had a 6:00 am session for the temple for our RS birthday celebration on Saturday am– what a nice way to start.  After, I went over to the English ward’s zumba class and healthy lunch.  It was a great way to celebrate the RS birthday.  Our ward's was going to be at 10:00 with lunch following but the other ward had booked for the same time. So, we were postponed until 6:00 pm and that left me free to go to the english speaking ward's party.  In the evening,  I had Roy drop me off.  We found out it was for the men as well so he changed and came back (how were we to know??).  The skits were great - about visiting teaching - telestial, terrestrial, & celestial.  Even with the language barrier I got most of the message and they were so funny.  The meal was typical samoan and not memorable. 

Vaitoloa 1st Ward RS Presideny

The Saturday temple session was was lovely except for the spider that was crawling on Sis. Mauigoa sitting next to me!  Creeped me out!  It was huge and creepy and must have come in with her clothes or something. 

Zumba class is going to be on Tuesday evenings at the Pesega Gym – great for me.  We had it last night and it was great.  Sister Gertsch came too and Beth Hunt and Sisters Craig & Heem were there too.  Angie Palepoi came - bless her heart.  She is in her upper 30's and had an accident when she was young and her large motor skills are hampered.  She did a great job.  We tone some of the movements down to accommodate old knees and backs but it is still great exercise.

Tuesday, March 20, we had a defensive driving course for the seniors and the service center employees.  It was interesting to hear a few of the differences and go for a  brief driving test. 

Janet Scanlan came to sit with me during the program - little sweetheart

Roy & Newman

My mornings have begun with a swim session up at the Craig estate with Sisters Leota, Hanson, Mariner and Tuivaiti – it is so pleasant. We exercise from 6:00 am until 7:00.  What a blessing Sister Craig is – I really need this diversion and exercise program.

Roy is really having some heavy days lately.  He has to work when the clerks are available so that means Sundays and evenings for some.  What he is doing is very necessary but is a drop in the bucket of what is needed.  It would be ideal to have a couple called to a Stake and work with that stake for their entire mission.  As Hatu Tiakia (service center manager) says, if he has 5% success in his calling, he will be doing well.

As Zone Leaders, we have had a busy time lately - couples leaving and coming.  The best part is going to the airport to greet or say good bye, when we can.  The Merrell's left almost 2 weeks ago and the Bonilla's left that night for health reasons.  The Osborne's and the Preece's came and then the Weber's left this past Monday. Whew - the new Dentist comes in about a week.  

The Merrells with us, the APs & Afalua

The Webers, us, APs & Pres & Sis Leota (Pearl was taking the picture - (Pres. daughter)

Well, talk about the tender mercies of the Lord.  My glasses broke and needed to be sent back to Canada - hmmm, how to get it there fastest.  The Weber's could have taken them and mailed from the US after they finish with their trip to New Zealand.  So, I was in the temple on Thursday night (the glasses had broken the day before) and Pualele Craig came up and said "I am going home tomorrow - do you want to send anything?"  Wow - she was going to Lethbridge!  I sent my glasses with her and she mailed them to Brooke, who will mail them back in time for her to bring them back in two weeks! Little things often happen that we feel we are taken care of.

Hooray - today 5 boxes of used children's books arrived (four more to come).  Our RS at home has been collecting them and sent them only a week ago!  (They go across the border to Cutbank and mail them to the mission's Pago Pago address).  I am going to be doing a mini library story time for our ward, with help from the Bishop's wife and the young women (their president has ok'd it). We will have story time with the young women reading books to small groups of children and I will be reading as well.   I will also try lending out a few and if they are returned, then they can take out another one.  I still have to determine the exact time we will be doing this.  When we are done our mission, if someone wants to keep going, they can be in charge of the books, otherwise I will donate them to individual families so they can start their own home libraries.   I will also use some of these books for Lance's reading times on Monday.  

"The Last Supper" before the Webers left

Speaking of mailing packages, my good friend Lynne sent some things we needed and part of the pkg. was weatherstripping for the doors.  I have noticed a decrease in gecko's already and hope the ones in here just die off.  We have aided in the death of a couple but I am not sure they are all gone yet.  

On of my favorite fales - the tree is growing right through the middle of the fale

We have 3 days left in our Book of Mormon reading and it has been wonderful.  We have purposely not read ahead so we can be right on schedule with the program.  

Well, I should finish this up and head to bed  - morning swim comes early.  Thanks all for reading -