Monday, July 9, 2012

July 6

This morning early Elder Wakolo came into our offices and introduced himself.  Immediately the atmosphere in our office changed.  He is tall and very stately, but the spirit that came with him was one of great humility.  We talked of the institute lounge which is what the Fijians call it.  He told us it would be better to called it a youth center or something like that.  Both Scott and I felt so privileged to speak with him, and for him to take time out of his busy schedule (he had just gotten back from somewhere and will be leaving again next Monday or Tuesday) to be with us was astounding.  When we realized in Auckland what our calling was, and the problems inherent in it, we decided that if we ever had the chance we would ask Elder Wakolo to give us each a blessing.  We asked; he agreed.  Tears flowed.  I feel so much better about what we are doing.  I have some personal qualities I need to be working on so that I can do what Heavenly Father wants me to do.

Spent the day running from the institute building to the Service Center and back again, working on this blog (Will I ever get caught up?), and updating our timeline for the Young Adult Center which is what we have been calling it.

Hired a cleaning lady, Sister Dakunimata.  She cleans for several of the senior couples.  She came at noon today.  We ate lunch together, and then she started.  When I went back after 4 to pay her.  She sat down in one chair and said, "This house is filthy! (showing me the bottoms of her feet which were black) I will have to come back all day Tuesday to finish."  It is filthy.  The landlady had the living room and I think the hall repainted, but did no other cleaning.  Sister Dakunimata cleans because she has a son in the mission field and needs to support him.  She charges me $20F for four hours of work.
However, she stayed until 4:30 so I owed her $25.  It works this way, I think.  If she works four hours she charges $20, but anything over four is $25 whether that is 15 minutes, or two hours.  I am sure the logic of that is totally Fijian.

Went for supplies that Sister Dakunimata must have to clean the flat.  I am not sure what I am going to do to come up with rags for cleaning.  I don't have any rags!  It take living to create rags.  Good towels are expensive here and hard to find.  We need good hand towels for the bathrooms.  I have been picky about the colors wanting them to match the bathrooms of course.  However, I have learned.  If it is a good, fluffy, towel any color is wonderful.

Went to bed exhausted.

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