January 19

Scott went to the Service Center's family day that ended our "Melting Away the Grams" campaign. At 8 a.m. they had zumba and activities to keep everyone moving.  He was to be home by 10, but he had so much fun that he did not show up until 11:30 and then he only came home to change and see if I wanted to eat lunch.  It is important to keep be part of the Service Center, so I showered and went up to LDS College with him.

I spent the morning preparing the D & C lesson after reading all week. I appreciated the quiet, the peace, and the ability to put something on paper, however, I am not satisfied with the final product. I will read more on Sunday. There are websites that have gospel doctrine lessons links that I will check out. Sometimes I get ideas for direction, expanded information and/or fun activities there. Hopefully they will help me get this lesson where it needs to be. It needs to be done Sunday so I can get to the Eternal Marriage lesson. The lessons for the eternal marriage class should be easier to prepare as I am using the lessons I taught last July as a springboard for the lessons I am teaching now. I am hoping that I just have to tweak it to fit the needs of these new students.

Tonight was Mereani's baptism. I wish I could remember these wonderful young adult's last names. I have enough trouble remembering first names as they are so different.  My other excuse is that last names here are as long as Hawaiian names and just a unpronounceable even though one can say all the sound.

The baptism at 5:00 for Mereani was held at the Samabula Chapel. We sang Folofola Mai'a Sisu which translated means "Oh Love that Glorifies the Son." Had 31 singing which included YSAs who practiced, YSAs who have never practiced, the two sister missionaries, the two APs, two Tongans in Suva to get USA visas, and one Tahitian here for the same reason. A motley crew, but the song sounded wonderful. Our young adult woman leader took charge and did a wonderful job. After we were asked to sing at a baptism next week. Ohmmmmmmm. That is me practicing my calming skills. I keep telling myself that the most important thing is not performing perfectly, but the spiritual opportunity for the YSAs, the opportunity to be together, supporting each other, and most importantly bringing the Spirit to whatever meeting in which we perform.  We were also asked by Bishop Sautu of that ward to sing a special number for his ward conference.  In a week?  No word is going to fix this stress.

Had an interesting experience tonight. Was in the institute kitchen making popcorn. Several YSAs came in to see if I needed help. I turned them all down until Monika (mo neek uh) came in. She did not ask, and I did not shoo her out. After a while I asked her how her love life was. Tears came into her eyes and she said that she had come for advice. We shut the door and she told me that her father was against her getting married until she had finished her education. She wanted to know what she should do?

Are you in love?  "Yes, I think so."
What does Heavenly Father say about this?  "It's right."
How old are you?  "Almost 21."

My advice was to do what Heavenly Father tells her to do. She was great with that except she wondered what she should say to her father who wants a temple marriage for her, but only after she finishes university. It seems when she told her father that the temple was more important than an education and that she would get her education after she was married, he got up and left the room. She cried when she told me this. I could tell that she loves her father and wants him to be good with what she is doing.

I just reminded her that marriage to a righteous priesthood holder in the temple is a decision between her and her Heavenly Father. In reality her father had nothing to do with her decision. Gulp! She is sure that her dad will not give her permission. I asked if the boyfriend was intending to speak with her dad and she said that he was. I then suggested that instead of asking for permission that her future fiancé ask for the dad's blessing instead of permission.

I hope that is what Heavenly Father wanted me to say. I felt good about it until late tonight after having had time to think of all the stuff I could have said or perhaps should have not said. Is this how Satan works on people who have seen miracles, had dreams, or visions?  It is real and good until they think too much and listen to the whisperings of the adversary. I am praying that I said what Heavenly Father wanted me to say.