December 9

After dropping Suzanne off last night at 9:30, Scott and I went back to our hotel room sad that Suzanne was gone but feeling so blessed to have her here.  She is great company.  She never complains and even though she is a picky eater, she ate everything offered to her.  Even at camp when the stew ran into the pineapple, and the curry she did not complain.  She just ate it. We laughed and laughed while she was here which we needed to do.  I worry sometimes that we are so into our callings that we forget to laugh and have fun along the way.  It was so good to have her here.

We were tired from camp, but even more tired when today ended.  We got up early and raced to Lami again to make Sacrament Meeting.  We needed to be back in Suva at 12:45 for an interview with Elder Hamula after which we had just enough time to get to the fireside for the seminary and institute instructors at the Suva Stake Center. Again it was Elder Hamula who spoke. He talked about the new program for teaching that begins in January for the Young Men and Young Women--really for the whole church. He started at 3 o'clock ended at 4:30 and began the fireside for the YSAs at 5 o'clock and spoke for another hour and a half. I do not know how he does it, or perhaps I should say that no one could keep up that pace without the help of a loving Heavenly Father. Both firesides were fabulous. It was a privilege to be in attendance. Both Scott and I fell into bed early tonight.

Our interview with Elder Hamula was interesting. We had been told that the Pacific Area Presidency had requested we be sent to Fiji instead of Vanuatu because they wanted a young adult center here.  Elder H. started our interview by stating that he had no idea we were here. Hmmmmm? He asked us what we were doing in the institute and we handed him our summer schedule. He seemed surprised.  He asked us who gave us the schedule, paused, and then asked if we had made up the schedule. We had. It seems the Area Presidency is wanting to start Young Adult Centers like those in Europe all over the Pacific but with a twist. They want them to be resource centers which would include all that we are doing plus education and employment services.  I would so love to use my counseling skills to help the YSAs with their educational needs. I do not know about all of the Pacific, but I do know that in Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga unemployment is high--very high. High unemployment leads to discouragement and loss of hope. Why would one go to the time and expense of schooling when it does not lead to a job or a way to provide for oneself? Elder Hamula asked us if we would be willing to be a pilot program for a resource center for young adults. Would we???? That would be a big 'YES'.