We have had a very eventful month since I last blogged.  Savaii has been a big part of our life and Roy has about 3 more weeks of training there and then we will be back on this island (Upolu).   He has been getting a report ready that may be used to shape a little bit of missionary work here.  The training he does with the clerks and bishops is just a drop in the bucket of what is needed.  They really should have a missionary in each stake, working with all the units but to be realistic, maybe one on Savaii and one here doing the same thing that Roy does.  We have 6 months left, which will mean 2 more stakes will benefit from the training. While he is training, I have been keeping busy with indexing names on Family Search and tracking records to find any recorded deaths to try and diminish the unknown file a bit.

This is at Siufaga in Savaii - a reflection in the pool there

Our reading program continues to go well.  The part I like the most is when people come to our home to choose books to take home for a week or so.  We also do reading at our ward and it was a pleasure to have our friends Jerry & Lynne Perkins from Orem Utah here and join us.  The more parents or volunteers we have the better the session goes as we can divide into smaller groups.  I began last week to read to some of the older girls a chapter book that we will continue with each week. 

fale in Savaii by the side of the road

We took Jerry & Lynne with us to Savaii the day after they arrived here and I was able to show them around a little while Roy did his teaching sessions.  The last day we were able to all drive together right around the island and get back in time for the ferry.  Since we have been back on Upolu we have had some great laughs, some spiritual moments and some more bonding to this friendship that began in Samoa about 34 years ago.

Jerry & Lynne at Taga Blowholes

We treated ourselves (well, a treat for me) by attending the English speaking ward the second week the Perkins were here.  We both attended that ward years ago and we attended in 2007 as well.  For me, to be able to hear everything and understand everything was wonderful.  In the evening we attended a fireside that Dr. Preece gave on the heart (a cardiologist here for a short time) and again, what a pleasure.

The next night, Jerry presented our Senior Family Home Evening – a presentation about the Prophet Joseph Smith.  It was by far the best FHE we have had for a long time.  Being a Professor of Religion at BYU Provo has given him the opportunity to come to know and feel the Prophet Joseph’s life.  Jerry was also privileged to play the role of Joseph in the Hill Cumorah Pageant twice and we all shared the spirit of that.

Elder Watson of the area Presidency was here for a week and had a special meal with the Senior Missionaries and they also attended the mission conference one day.  Unfortunately, we were not able to attend due to Roy’s work in Savaii but we were able to be the luncheon deliverers for the conference over there (burgers from Uncle Bill’s) and were able to sit in for about ½ hour of President Leota’s talk.  We certainly are blessed to have such a wonderful man at the head of this mission.  One of the points he made was from N. Elden  Tanner and that is

“It is better to be trusted than to be loved”.  As far as missionary work is concerned that is so true.  As seniors or junior missionaries, we need to be so careful with what we say and do and to be trusted for knowing answers to gospel questions, treating people with love and dignity, etc.

painting the tapa at the end of the demonstration

This weekend is the celebration of 50 years of Independence here in Samoa and there are many activities and displays downtown.  We chose to not go down to the parade as it was really not settled by anyone as to exactly where and when it would take place (6:00 in the morning isn’t our idea of a good parade time! And besides, I go swimming at that time).  We did attend the fireworks that were launched from a barge in the harbor – awesome.  They must have been donated by the Chinese, I am guessing. 

While Perkins were here, we had some interesting times and funny times.  We tried to go over to the Aleipata region last week but there was such a torrential downpour when we got over close, we chose not to ford through the stream that was coming across the road and making a waterfall just to the left of where we would have to drive.  A missionary was lost a few years ago when that happened.  We did go back a few days later and the evidence of the water was still all around with weeks hanging from fences, logs swept up to the road, etc.  We came back on fumes in the tank as there was no place to fill up where we went and it was an answer to prayer to make it home ok. 

logs on the road down at Aleipata

The next evening we invited the Roth’s and Partridges to come with us to Coconuts for dinner and the fiafia (dance entertainment with the firedancing, etc.)  It was raining so hard that I know at least Sister Partridge was wondering why on earth we didn’t just go to a restaurant right close.  Well, she was very satisfied after the evening unfolded and it was such a pleasant night.  The rain stopped and the show continued on as usual.

President Leota met with us this week and asked if I could accept a calling to be on an Open House Committee, these to be presented in conjunction with stake conferences throughout the year.  Sister Leota, Sister Johnson and I would work with Elder Erekson (public relations) before he leaves in June to figure out what we want and use the film that he assisted in making about the coming about of the church here in Samoa.  It could be quite exciting and as our mission has unfolded and I have worked in many different areas, I see the wisdom in Sister Zwick’s words when she was here – “Don’t limit yourself by your own capacity.  Allow the Lord to stretch you”.  So, I am being stretched!

fisherman at Taga

There was a fireside Sunday night (last night) with President Hamula and President Pearson of the 70 speaking.  Their parts were in English and President Fitisimanu and President Schwenke gave theirs in Samoan.  The reason for the fireside is to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the first Stake in Samoa (again, as it was done in March too).  It was broadcast through all the stake centers on the 3 main Samoan islands but we attended in the Pesega Gym where it was actually happening.  Their message was clear – we are blessed to know the past and we need to build on it and pass of what we know to the upcoming generations.  Take your children in your arms and bear testimony to them.  Teach them. 

 

One of the blessings of the evening was visiting with old friends.  Lori and Delsa and Sam Atoa were there as was young Sam who just went home in December from his mission.  Helen was  there also but we had spoken with her at the airport when Jerry & Lynne were leaving and we have seen her a couple of other times since.   Roy also met with an old mission companion and his wife, who he knew in Hawaii. 

Here is a picture of Helen Atoa with us.