August 16

WAHOO!  We have begun.

I think--I don't read my own blog--that I explained that over the past two weeks we have visited Young Adult Sunday Schools classes drumming up business for the classes we wanted to teach in the institute.  Although we had a goodly number sign up, we figured that not many would come as most are already attending institute classes in their own stakes.  So today was it.  The first classes in the institute for over three years.

At five minutes before the first class was to start there were four of us in the institute; Scott, me, and two students.  I had prayed all day that Heavenly Father would inspire those who had signed up to come.  By the time we started, there were eight YA and by the time we had finished the devotional we had 12 students.  Only three who signed up did not come.  It was a miracle.  Scott taught the lesson and he did a marvelous job.  He is so passionate about missionary work that teaching the Mission Preparation lessons is easy for him, and his passion comes through.   He was so cute with the YSAs.  The custom here is to show respect by speaking softly.  He told them at the first of the lesson that as future missionaries that they needed to proclaim the gospel with conviction which includes a voice loud enough for others to hear.  When the first class member read a scripture softly Scott put his hand to his ear and said, "I can't hear you" in a singsongy voice.   The class laughed and laughed, so then he said, "When we can't hear someone in this class on the count of three we are going to say together, 'We can't hear you.'"  After several practice sessions, the class was ready, however, no one spoke too softly after that.  Fun.

At 5:15 we were again on pins and needles wondering if anyone would show up.  They did. Sixteen of them.  We then proceeded to teach together the Pearl of Great Price.  It was a wonderful experience.

Our dear friend, boss (S&I Fiji coordinator), and stake president came to both lessons and stayed to help us clean up.  He also was surprised at the numbers we had.  We are now praying that they will want to come again next week.  They tell me that in Fiji if you feed them they will come.  I had baked nine dozen oatmeal cookies for after the lessons and none were left, so hopefully they will want to come again.

We are so stoked! And grateful!!!  And excited to do it again next week.