You may laugh at me, but I am so grateful for a tender mercy today. When we walk to the institute it saves us at least 10 minutes to walk through the LDS Primary School instead of on the road. Right up front we asked Principal Qaqa (ngan gah)if it would be alright to walk through. It was not a problem.
Recently the school has had a problem with the general public walking past the institute, through the parking lot we share with the primary school, and through the school to get to the road our house it on. Not safe for the primary students. So about three weeks ago Principle Qaqa locked the gate that separates the institute and the school which means we have to walk two long blocks around the school to the institute. It is so inconvenient.
With that background, today we drove to the institute and while Scott was organizing his lesson, I was doing some minor changes in our office. I had not come prepared; I needed several items from home. I dreaded losing the time it would take to walk the long way home. As I was leaving, I decided to check the gate and it was unlocked. What a blessing. I hurried home, collected the items I needed, and speed walked back to the school, but I was not fast enough. Someone had locked the gate. Rats! Now I had to walk all the way back through the school to the one open gate, and then walk around to the institute. As I was buoying myself up for the walk and the lost time, a grey van pulled into the parking lot, and as it turned to park, Brother Nuatu (New ah two), the school custodian, waved to me to stay where I was until he could come with the gate key. Tender mercy. Heavenly Father is so much more active in our lives that we recognize. The only excuse we have, I guess, is that life is so busy we do not notice His help.
The Eternal Marriage class was so good last night. Note: I did not say I taught well. I had spent so much time on the Doctrine and Covenants lesson I taught on Tuesday that I did not look at last semesters E.M. lesson to see if it would work, need tweaking, or needed to be thrown out until yesterday morning.
When I read over the old lesson, I did not like it much, because I felt the students in this semester's class were beyond the lesson. I spent the entire morning reading lessons I had not taught last semester and rereading the church's outline for the lesson I thought I was teaching today. Nothing seemed right. I then spent hours looking for inspiration. I even printed copies of Pres. Benson's talks to the single women and the single men. By three o'clock I should have been panicked, but strangely was not. I finally stopped sat for a minute and ask out loud, "What do these YSAs need?" The answer came. "Ask them." So I did.
The lesson was supposed to be on preparing to marry in the temple. All but one student in the class are returned missionaries who are endowed and attend the temple regularly and often.
So I asked. "Why does one want to marry in the temple?" or in other wards "What are the advantages of a temple marriage?" I put them in groups of two and told them the group with the most appropriate answers would earn a treat. The winning group had 15 answers--wonderfully insightful answers. I then asked the other groups if they had answers on their lists that were not on the board; I offered them a treat if they had at least one to add to the board list. We ran out of time at 24 answers. I am so sad they got erased before I could copy them down, however one answer really hit my heart. "With a temple marriage I will not be alone for all eternity. I will not be lonely." I had the hardest time not weeping. I was overcome with sorrow for those of my brothers and sisters on this earth that will be in the telestial or terrestrial kingdoms.
I then asked them what keeps Fijian LDS youth from marrying in the temple. Again they discussed this in groups (of four). We had the best discussion although we did not have time to hear all of the reasons that the groups had listed. The reasons we heard were: clubbing, parental/friend objections, cost of receptions (so they live together), men too busy getting an education. We had a great discussion about what happens to men or women that choose not to marry.
The Spirit was so strong. All I did was facilitate the discussion. THEY taught the lesson. They knew this stuff. They just needed a place and time to review and remind themselves.
Oh I am so grateful to have been part of this!!!
Monday, April 29, 2013
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
April 17
Because they are everywhere, we have been trying to get a picture of a mongoose since we arrived in Suva. We have captured many pictures of empty grass and bushes with nothing under them; in other wards, mongooses are really elusive. Yes, I pluralized that word correctly; according to the dictionary the plural of mongoose is mongooses not mongeese or mongoose. Why oh why must English be so contrary?
Last week we were sitting in our van in the parking lot of the University of the South Pacific talking about an institute problem. As we were talking, we realized that there was a mongoose on the lawn in front of the van moving from place to place sticking his nose into the grass. I slowly and quietly got the camera out; do not ask me why as the mongoose was too far away to hear me or notice my movements.
I got the following pictures. Aah success at last.
Last week we were sitting in our van in the parking lot of the University of the South Pacific talking about an institute problem. As we were talking, we realized that there was a mongoose on the lawn in front of the van moving from place to place sticking his nose into the grass. I slowly and quietly got the camera out; do not ask me why as the mongoose was too far away to hear me or notice my movements.
I got the following pictures. Aah success at last.
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| The Elusive Mongoose |
Although in a family of its own, the mongoose reminds me of an otter; having a long face and body with short legs and long tapering tails. They are not native to Fiji, but came here, I am sure, with the Indians brought here to work in the sugar cane fields.
Here he is poking his head into the grass. Right after this picture was taken, the mongoose lifted his head and in his mouth was a live wiggly gecko. The mongoose turned and swiftly ran into what must have been his home in the ground. Lunch is served.
April 14
We have spent the last two days watching the taped broadcast of the 183 Annual Conference of the church. It works this way. Morning sessions start at 10:00 a.m. finish at 12:00 and the afternoon sessions starts at 12:30 p.m. Last October the priesthood session was shown after the afternoon session, but this time they had the priesthood session at 12:30 and the Saturday afternoon session was at 3:00p.m.
I say this every six months, but this conference the talks were the very best ever given. Truly!!! I love General Conference Weekend. For weeks I anticipate it which is nice in and of itself, then I sit in spiritual rapture for 8 hours and then when it is over, I wonder how those hours could pass so quickly after which I get to discuss the talks and reread my notes until the Ensign with all the talks in it comes giving me the privilege of reading them for 4 1/2 whole months when the process starts all over again.
Scott and I had invited all the senior missionaries over to our house for dinner? lunch? at 3:00 after the last session on Sunday. I fixed the entree and everyone else brought dessert or salads. We had 16 who came. That is a houseful in our little flat. We had to eat out of our laps, but we are blessed to have 16 plates, enough dinner forks of assorted patterns, and 16 assorted glasses which we count as a blessing.
It was so nice to sit around and eat with no restaurant noise, no agenda, and the option of moving into different groups to talk. Both Scott and I had a marvelous time. The food was good, the conversations were even better, and we were with friends. How blessed we are that not one senior couple is hard to get along with. Each is gracious, kind, and truly friendly. A real blessing!
I say this every six months, but this conference the talks were the very best ever given. Truly!!! I love General Conference Weekend. For weeks I anticipate it which is nice in and of itself, then I sit in spiritual rapture for 8 hours and then when it is over, I wonder how those hours could pass so quickly after which I get to discuss the talks and reread my notes until the Ensign with all the talks in it comes giving me the privilege of reading them for 4 1/2 whole months when the process starts all over again.
Scott and I had invited all the senior missionaries over to our house for dinner? lunch? at 3:00 after the last session on Sunday. I fixed the entree and everyone else brought dessert or salads. We had 16 who came. That is a houseful in our little flat. We had to eat out of our laps, but we are blessed to have 16 plates, enough dinner forks of assorted patterns, and 16 assorted glasses which we count as a blessing.
It was so nice to sit around and eat with no restaurant noise, no agenda, and the option of moving into different groups to talk. Both Scott and I had a marvelous time. The food was good, the conversations were even better, and we were with friends. How blessed we are that not one senior couple is hard to get along with. Each is gracious, kind, and truly friendly. A real blessing!
April 12
On Wednesday night when we arrived at the institute building before class, one of our really active YSAs was sitting on the retaining wall with her sister (comes to some activities) and her male cousin. We stopped to invite them to class, but they could not as the cousin was going to his traditional Fijian engagement party--a male only thing. The short version of this tradition is that the male members (uncles, cousins, etc.) of the groom's family go to the bride's home with a (or several) whale's tooth. The groom offers the whale's tooth to the father of the bride who in turns asks the bride if she is willing to get married. If she says yes the wedding is on and in this case to take place in the temple the following week. If the bride says no, her family keeps the whale's tooth but must buy a replacement to be given to the groom. Kava, the cousin told us, is a big part of the ceremony. We asked if he was going to drink the kava. "Yes." was the immediate reply. We politely asked him why he would drink kava if he was on his way to a temple marriage. He told us that as the youngest person at the ceremony that he must drink or offend/disrespect all the older men there. I then asked if his family were members of the church. "Yes, they are." "Is the bride's family LDS?" I asked. "Yes." "Then," I asked, "Who is bringing the kava, and who expects you to drink it?" The perspective groom indicated that traditions required the kava ceremony and that everyone was expecting him to drink the kava. We left it at that.
I, however, was so saddened by this conversation. Elder Ballard came to Fiji and told the Fijian members that they were breaking the Word of Wisdom if they drank kava. Elder Wakolo, the Area Authority Seventy, reminds the members that kava is not to be consumed often. Where is the disconnect? Two families of LDS members still expect to participate in a kava ceremony and then worthily attend the temple shortly thereafter.
We attended the temple with the young adults last evening, Thursday, and there in the temple sat this same young future groom.
Traditions can certainly be a tool in the hands of the adversary.
I, however, was so saddened by this conversation. Elder Ballard came to Fiji and told the Fijian members that they were breaking the Word of Wisdom if they drank kava. Elder Wakolo, the Area Authority Seventy, reminds the members that kava is not to be consumed often. Where is the disconnect? Two families of LDS members still expect to participate in a kava ceremony and then worthily attend the temple shortly thereafter.
We attended the temple with the young adults last evening, Thursday, and there in the temple sat this same young future groom.
Traditions can certainly be a tool in the hands of the adversary.
April 11
Spent an hour and a half today speaking with my mother. It is her birthday is the USA--April 10th. Today she is 92 years old.
What a blessing it is to have a mother with whom one wants to talk. It seemed like minutes between the first hello--I sang her happy birthday--to the last good-bye.
Mother is so positive about everything. She was extremely grateful for those of her children, grandchildren, nieces, friends, etc. that had called or come to visit. She never mentioned nor do I think she kept track of those who had not called or visited. Near the end of our conversation, Brother Dale Burgess (and Afton who stayed in the car) came with a Kentucky Fried Chicken dinner for mother. How sweet is that.
She recounted the blessings of the day starting with her time in the temple. When the conversation ended I felt uplifted, and loved.
I have always wanted to be just like her which I find is a difficult task.
Why is it that those who live with many trials seem to be the most grateful and the happiest people?
What a blessing it is to have a mother with whom one wants to talk. It seemed like minutes between the first hello--I sang her happy birthday--to the last good-bye.
Mother is so positive about everything. She was extremely grateful for those of her children, grandchildren, nieces, friends, etc. that had called or come to visit. She never mentioned nor do I think she kept track of those who had not called or visited. Near the end of our conversation, Brother Dale Burgess (and Afton who stayed in the car) came with a Kentucky Fried Chicken dinner for mother. How sweet is that.
She recounted the blessings of the day starting with her time in the temple. When the conversation ended I felt uplifted, and loved.
I have always wanted to be just like her which I find is a difficult task.
Why is it that those who live with many trials seem to be the most grateful and the happiest people?
April 9
I thought I would add some of the great flora found in Fiji. I never get tired of looking out the car window and almost always I notice some flower, bush, or tree that I had not noticed before. I wish I had majored in Botany so I could name all of these. Ah well, looking and appreciating will have to be enough.
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| Believe it or not this is a variegated philodendron plant These leaves are a good 18" long. |
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| The leaves in the picture on the left are a close up of these leaves which are wound around this palm tree. |
When we see
plants that
grow in the
USA here in
Fiji, the plant
is bigger! In fact many of our
perennials flowers are actually bushes here.
 |
| For lack of a better name, this is a fan palm. |
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| Interesting Fijian Flora |
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| The Whole Tree |
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| More of the Tree |
Monday, April 8, 2013
April 3
Had a little trauma yesterday. Okay, a big trauma. When the YSAs come to the institute to play they love the pool table the best, and the ping pong table second. While we were at the Eco Park we got a call from Dan C. asking if the Elders Quorum could borrow our volleyball and net for their Quorum Activity. No problem. Then he asked if they could borrow the ping pong table. As soon as I figured out what he wanted--yes I was eavesdropping--I told Scott to say "No". The table, a wood one, is heavy and old. It is already broken and we can not afford to replace it. Of course, Scott said yes. Why do I even bother?
Well this morning Dan came over to tell us that instead of putting the table legs (the table pieces are too heavy to steal) inside the Institute Building where they got them from, the Elders had just put them behind the table pieces on the front porch and that this morning sometime between 7:30 a.m. when they were seen by Elder Jackson and 10:00 a.m. when Dan got to the institute to put them inside someone had stolen them. No legs. No ping pong. Scott was so distraught. He tried to be nice when Dan came to class this evening, but I could tell he was really upset. He felt awful that he had loaned it out when he really should have said "no." He worried about who should pay for the replacements. He fretted about how long it would take someone to make the replacements. Today was not a good day for Scott.
In the continuing saga of the missing ping pong table legs, Scott decided that Dan/the Elders Quorum should pay for the replacement of the legs. With that in mind, Scott decided this morning to drive around the neighborhood of the institute looking for the legs and if he did not see them, he would go to the Service Center and talk to Lote which is exactly what happened.
When he explained to Lote about the legs, and asked how long it would take to make new ones, Lote called Jese (Chess ay) to ask. In the process of the conversation he told Jese that the legs had been stolen and Jese replied, "How could that be? I am looking at them right now."
It seems that Lote and Jese has talked several weeks ago about replacing the legs as they were not made well. Yesterday morning Jese was at the institute and saw the legs and thought it was a good idea to start making the replacements, so he just took them from the institute. Nice ending. Everyone has had a good laugh about it except Scott. He does not think it is very funny---but he is relieved.
Tonight included an addendum to last Wednesday's post (March 27). As a reminder, I taught a little lesson about honoring parents. Well, not one of the people I felt were meant to hear the lesson were in attendance last week. On Sunday We talked to two people who had missed class and in the conversation Scott told them I had taught a lesson just for them. Both of them asked if I would teach it again. I said that I would do it after class today. Hence the addition to last weeks story.
The two YSAs that I spoke with on Sunday must have called all their friends in the class because I had 10 show up to class tonight that missed last week. After class was over, I just announced that I would be teaching this lesson again and if anyone was interested in hearing it I would do it in our office. All ten came.
Because it is such a sensitive subject here in Fiji, we started with a prayer again. I sat to teach which made it more of a discussion which was good. By the time we were half way into the lesson (5 minutes) one of the YSA men and two women were in tears. By the time I was nearly finished one young man was silently sobbing. When I had finished I asked if there were any questions. There were none. I bore my testimony and asked for a closing prayer. After the prayer no one moved. No one! It was so intense. Finally I got up, got tissues for everyone, and moved to stand by the door waiting to give each of them a hug as they left. Four, the four I felt the lesson was really meant for, never did get up. I then went around the room giving them hugs, and Scott and I left.
I have said it before, but these Fijian young adults are so spiritual. They want to do what is right. They want to do what Heavenly Father wants them to do, but it is not easy with some of the customs here. This was a hard thing for them to hear, because not doing what a parent tells them to do is not acceptable. Parents rule. Children from 2 to 62 obey. That is just the way it is. Bucking this custom is going to be hard for them. It is going to take courage. I know these YSAs can do it. They can change this custom for their children and for their children's children.
Heavenly Father loves these young people. It was so evident tonight. What a privilege to a part.
Well this morning Dan came over to tell us that instead of putting the table legs (the table pieces are too heavy to steal) inside the Institute Building where they got them from, the Elders had just put them behind the table pieces on the front porch and that this morning sometime between 7:30 a.m. when they were seen by Elder Jackson and 10:00 a.m. when Dan got to the institute to put them inside someone had stolen them. No legs. No ping pong. Scott was so distraught. He tried to be nice when Dan came to class this evening, but I could tell he was really upset. He felt awful that he had loaned it out when he really should have said "no." He worried about who should pay for the replacements. He fretted about how long it would take someone to make the replacements. Today was not a good day for Scott.
In the continuing saga of the missing ping pong table legs, Scott decided that Dan/the Elders Quorum should pay for the replacement of the legs. With that in mind, Scott decided this morning to drive around the neighborhood of the institute looking for the legs and if he did not see them, he would go to the Service Center and talk to Lote which is exactly what happened.
When he explained to Lote about the legs, and asked how long it would take to make new ones, Lote called Jese (Chess ay) to ask. In the process of the conversation he told Jese that the legs had been stolen and Jese replied, "How could that be? I am looking at them right now."
It seems that Lote and Jese has talked several weeks ago about replacing the legs as they were not made well. Yesterday morning Jese was at the institute and saw the legs and thought it was a good idea to start making the replacements, so he just took them from the institute. Nice ending. Everyone has had a good laugh about it except Scott. He does not think it is very funny---but he is relieved.
Tonight included an addendum to last Wednesday's post (March 27). As a reminder, I taught a little lesson about honoring parents. Well, not one of the people I felt were meant to hear the lesson were in attendance last week. On Sunday We talked to two people who had missed class and in the conversation Scott told them I had taught a lesson just for them. Both of them asked if I would teach it again. I said that I would do it after class today. Hence the addition to last weeks story.
The two YSAs that I spoke with on Sunday must have called all their friends in the class because I had 10 show up to class tonight that missed last week. After class was over, I just announced that I would be teaching this lesson again and if anyone was interested in hearing it I would do it in our office. All ten came.
Because it is such a sensitive subject here in Fiji, we started with a prayer again. I sat to teach which made it more of a discussion which was good. By the time we were half way into the lesson (5 minutes) one of the YSA men and two women were in tears. By the time I was nearly finished one young man was silently sobbing. When I had finished I asked if there were any questions. There were none. I bore my testimony and asked for a closing prayer. After the prayer no one moved. No one! It was so intense. Finally I got up, got tissues for everyone, and moved to stand by the door waiting to give each of them a hug as they left. Four, the four I felt the lesson was really meant for, never did get up. I then went around the room giving them hugs, and Scott and I left.
I have said it before, but these Fijian young adults are so spiritual. They want to do what is right. They want to do what Heavenly Father wants them to do, but it is not easy with some of the customs here. This was a hard thing for them to hear, because not doing what a parent tells them to do is not acceptable. Parents rule. Children from 2 to 62 obey. That is just the way it is. Bucking this custom is going to be hard for them. It is going to take courage. I know these YSAs can do it. They can change this custom for their children and for their children's children.
Heavenly Father loves these young people. It was so evident tonight. What a privilege to a part.
April 1, 2013
Because Easter is always on a Sunday, today, Monday, is a national holiday in Fiji, . Friday was also a holiday as it was Good Friday. So the Fijians have a four day weekend each Easter.
We did take today off after working very hard on Friday. With Elder and Sister Osbourne we went to the Kula Eco Park that is on the Coral Coast. It is advertised as a bird refuge and the Osbourne's wanted to see it because Fiji has a bird that is found nowhere else in the world. They became interested in it because Sister Osborne loves bird, but more importantly there is one of these birds depicted in a mural in the Samoan Temple. It took us about two hours and $30 FJD to get into the park. The park had only one of these birds.
This clearer picture I got off the internets. The Red-Throated Lorikeet is the national bird of Fiji.
Third hand the story goes something like this. Because there are no Red-Throated Lorikeets in Samoa, the ancient Samoans would come to Fiji just to steal this Lorikeet. It seems their red feathers are highly prized in Samoa. Because the Samoans were so afraid of the fierce, human flesh eating Fijians, the Samoans would come in at night hoping to capture some of these birds and get away safely. At home they would pluck the red feathers and use them in their traditional dressy attire.
Sister Osborne told me the rare bird was the blue crested Lorikeet, however, when I was getting the picture for this blog, it was obvious that the blue crested Lorikeet looks nothing like the one we saw and they have few red feathers. A conundrum! However it was fun seeing this bird knowing that it is the national bird of Fiji.
Today this bird is all but extinct. None were found on Viti Levu or Vanua Levu the two main islands of Fiji in 2002.
We did get to see other birds, and animals of Fiji. Interesting.
I hate to ruin the beauty of this page, but leaving out the fruit bat would be unthinkable. They are everywhere in Fiji. The night air--every night--is filled with their screeches. The bats in these pictures are smallish compared to the ones we see in our backyard and elsewhere in Suva.
Getting food from the tray.
It is really creepy to me the way they use their wing claws
for hands. Fruit Bats are very territorial. The night air is filled with the screeched of these bats as they fight over space and food.
As you can see in this picture they use these claws to
move about. One night as we were eating outside we
noticed what looked like monkeys swinging from branch
to branch in the tree over head---it was bats.
Ate at the Warwick Resort which is also on the Coral Coast--Viti Levu's nicest resort area outside of Denerau Island. Great food. Nice day. Good Company.
We did take today off after working very hard on Friday. With Elder and Sister Osbourne we went to the Kula Eco Park that is on the Coral Coast. It is advertised as a bird refuge and the Osbourne's wanted to see it because Fiji has a bird that is found nowhere else in the world. They became interested in it because Sister Osborne loves bird, but more importantly there is one of these birds depicted in a mural in the Samoan Temple. It took us about two hours and $30 FJD to get into the park. The park had only one of these birds.
 |
| The Red-Throated Lorikeet at the Eco Park The bird is about 18 cm. long. |
Third hand the story goes something like this. Because there are no Red-Throated Lorikeets in Samoa, the ancient Samoans would come to Fiji just to steal this Lorikeet. It seems their red feathers are highly prized in Samoa. Because the Samoans were so afraid of the fierce, human flesh eating Fijians, the Samoans would come in at night hoping to capture some of these birds and get away safely. At home they would pluck the red feathers and use them in their traditional dressy attire.
Sister Osborne told me the rare bird was the blue crested Lorikeet, however, when I was getting the picture for this blog, it was obvious that the blue crested Lorikeet looks nothing like the one we saw and they have few red feathers. A conundrum! However it was fun seeing this bird knowing that it is the national bird of Fiji.
Today this bird is all but extinct. None were found on Viti Levu or Vanua Levu the two main islands of Fiji in 2002.
We did get to see other birds, and animals of Fiji. Interesting.
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| Iguana and Scott |
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| Wow! Scott's shirt is great camouflage for this snake. |
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| Typical Parrot |
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| More Parrots |
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| Ever wondered why peacocks are colored the way they are? Well, now you know. |
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| Can you see the peacock? She is there. |
I hate to ruin the beauty of this page, but leaving out the fruit bat would be unthinkable. They are everywhere in Fiji. The night air--every night--is filled with their screeches. The bats in these pictures are smallish compared to the ones we see in our backyard and elsewhere in Suva.
 |
| Eating lunch upside down. Notice the white hair/fur on the back of this bat's neck. |
Getting food from the tray.
It is really creepy to me the way they use their wing claws
for hands. Fruit Bats are very territorial. The night air is filled with the screeched of these bats as they fight over space and food.
As you can see in this picture they use these claws to
move about. One night as we were eating outside we
noticed what looked like monkeys swinging from branch
to branch in the tree over head---it was bats.
Ate at the Warwick Resort which is also on the Coral Coast--Viti Levu's nicest resort area outside of Denerau Island. Great food. Nice day. Good Company.
Sunday, April 7, 2013
March 30
Not many in the institute tonight (24). Sometimes I take it personally when the young adults do not show up. I have to remind myself that they have so many things on their plates. It is a privilege and a blessing when they chose to come spend their time with us.
Showed Shrek tonight. Fijians love animated movies. When we were previewing this movie we were both amazed that it had language problems. Even more amazing was that it was the donkey that used the bad language. We previewed another movie last week that had bad language in it and this time all the bad language came from the only little boy in the movie. See a trend? Movie makers must think that giving the kid or the innocent donkey the right to use horrid language would make it seem OK. And I am afraid we buy it.
Just for clarification, we have now learned how to mute our speakers in the institute so no one heard the bad language and in animation it is impossible to read lips. Aaaaahh
Showed Shrek tonight. Fijians love animated movies. When we were previewing this movie we were both amazed that it had language problems. Even more amazing was that it was the donkey that used the bad language. We previewed another movie last week that had bad language in it and this time all the bad language came from the only little boy in the movie. See a trend? Movie makers must think that giving the kid or the innocent donkey the right to use horrid language would make it seem OK. And I am afraid we buy it.
Just for clarification, we have now learned how to mute our speakers in the institute so no one heard the bad language and in animation it is impossible to read lips. Aaaaahh
March 29
Without making too big a deal out of it, I have trouble fasting. I am hypoglycemic so not eating for 24 hours is a real trial for me, but I decided that I needed to fast. I had forgotten how much I love to participate in special fasts. Fast day fasts just do not hold the same meaning for me as special midweek fasts. Today I am grateful for the opportunity I have been given to fast.
March 28
Spent this afternoon cleaning the temple again with the young adults. When our children were young we read a parenting book that stated that people/children talk more freely when they are engaged in an activity. If you want a son to talk, take him fishing, gardening, or golfing. A daughter--cook, sew, or shop. Resistance weakens as one is concentrating on an activity. That is what happened yesterday as we cleaned. I was blessed to work in the baptistry with two wonderful young adult women, and Scott was in an endowment room with several young adult men. Both of us commented on the wonderful conversations we had as we cleaned. Scott was truly inspired when he decided that we would get the young adults to assist in cleaning the temple.
One of our recent converts does not have a recommend yet, so our wonderful temple president, President Davis, found her some brass vase holders that she could polish and one of the other young adult women worked with her in the waiting room.
One of our recent converts does not have a recommend yet, so our wonderful temple president, President Davis, found her some brass vase holders that she could polish and one of the other young adult women worked with her in the waiting room.
March 27
For several weeks I have been thinking about teaching a lesson to the Eternal Marriage class on honoring parents. We have been watching these young couples work through the murky waters of courtship which have been made even darker and more treacherous by the interference of their parents. One young man is really in love. It is so obvious, and yet he is leaving this summer to attend school in another country at the insistence of his father. One young woman's parents are insisting that she finish her education before she even considers marriage. And this is just the short list!
By Monday of this week, I knew I could not put off the lesson any longer. I was so worried about it that after I wrote the outline for the lesson, I went to President Seru and asked him what he thought. After we had discussed what I had planned to say, he said, "Sister Tennis, every young adult in Fiji needs this lesson. You give it. It is right." Even with this endorsement I was worried.
In Fiji parents are absolute rulers. If a parent says it, you obey. If a parent asks, you give it to them. One of the young adult women asked if she could talk to me about a problem she was having. When I asked her what her parents said when she told them how she felt, she had not said anything to them. "In Fiji, you do not talk with your parents. You just listen. They do not care what you think." Those are her exact words. Her parents are members of the church.
So I taught the lesson. We read the 5th commandment. I asked them what "honor" meant. They responded with respect and obey. When we are young honoring does mean obey. So--I asked them when does the "obey" part ended. They just looked at me--one would have thought I was speaking Chinese. So I rephrased it. Put your hands on top of the tables in a fist. If you think that to honor your parents you have to obey them until the day they or you die, put your thumb in the air. 100% of the thumbs went up. I then asked them what they would do if they were married and their parents said that they wanted them (the YSA) and their spouse to move into the parent's home. Everyone agreed that they would just move. "What if your spouse did not want to move?" I asked. The response was that they would talk the spouse into moving.
Thus began the lesson on honoring does not mean obey when one is an adult. We talked about Heavenly Father's plan for them, about listening to their parents with respect and then doing what Heavenly Father directs them to do, about having courage, about blind obedience and why it is wrong, about "cleaving" after marriage, and about blessings from heaven when one does what is right. Seemingly all new information to them.
I am learning to never underestimate Satan. He takes a good thing "honoring ones parents" and twists it just enough to suit his purpose which is the misery of all mankind.
By Monday of this week, I knew I could not put off the lesson any longer. I was so worried about it that after I wrote the outline for the lesson, I went to President Seru and asked him what he thought. After we had discussed what I had planned to say, he said, "Sister Tennis, every young adult in Fiji needs this lesson. You give it. It is right." Even with this endorsement I was worried.
In Fiji parents are absolute rulers. If a parent says it, you obey. If a parent asks, you give it to them. One of the young adult women asked if she could talk to me about a problem she was having. When I asked her what her parents said when she told them how she felt, she had not said anything to them. "In Fiji, you do not talk with your parents. You just listen. They do not care what you think." Those are her exact words. Her parents are members of the church.
So I taught the lesson. We read the 5th commandment. I asked them what "honor" meant. They responded with respect and obey. When we are young honoring does mean obey. So--I asked them when does the "obey" part ended. They just looked at me--one would have thought I was speaking Chinese. So I rephrased it. Put your hands on top of the tables in a fist. If you think that to honor your parents you have to obey them until the day they or you die, put your thumb in the air. 100% of the thumbs went up. I then asked them what they would do if they were married and their parents said that they wanted them (the YSA) and their spouse to move into the parent's home. Everyone agreed that they would just move. "What if your spouse did not want to move?" I asked. The response was that they would talk the spouse into moving.
Thus began the lesson on honoring does not mean obey when one is an adult. We talked about Heavenly Father's plan for them, about listening to their parents with respect and then doing what Heavenly Father directs them to do, about having courage, about blind obedience and why it is wrong, about "cleaving" after marriage, and about blessings from heaven when one does what is right. Seemingly all new information to them.
I am learning to never underestimate Satan. He takes a good thing "honoring ones parents" and twists it just enough to suit his purpose which is the misery of all mankind.
March 23
His house is right on the beach about three miles down a dirt road off the Queens Highway in Navua. He lives in a paradise; coconut trees, flowers, ocean. When we arrived Sister McGoon had breakfast ready for us. Pancakes which are eaten by hand, pawpaw, breakfast cake (a crust with fruit on top), and lemon leaf tea.
When we finished we went fishing. Following a row boat that two of McGoon's grandsons dragged along, we walked about 1/2 mile out into the ocean. The water never got deeper than just above my waist.
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| Getting the net out to the fishing spot. |
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| Scott on the net. Notice the hat on backward. Principal Tennis would never have allowed it!!!! |
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| Sister McGoon and Elder Jarman Notice Elder Updike in the background. To his left are three other men manning the net. |
The first part of the net was dropped off the boat and we held it in place as the rest of the net was dropped out of the back of the boat in a huge semi circle. When it was all out, we began to pull it in catching any fish unlucky to be in the middle. There were few unlucky fish, but we did pick up two of the cutest little fish.
If you look closely at the pictures above. The one on the left is of the right side of the huge enclosed circle the net made, and the picture on the right is the left side of the net. (Shouldn't the editor of this blog have gotten these pictures on the right side of the page? Do not ask!)
If you look closely at the pictures above. The one on the left is of the right side of the huge enclosed circle the net made, and the picture on the right is the left side of the net. (Shouldn't the editor of this blog have gotten these pictures on the right side of the page? Do not ask!)
THE CATCH
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| This picture is only in because Scott insisted. |
We had so much fun playing with these two little fish. Everyone wanted their picture take with them. Every so often I would remind whoever was holding them to put them in the water so they could breath. The puffer fish just suffered through the ordeal, but the box fish was scrappy.
When he was out of air, he would flap his fins and suck his lips in an out. In fact, I put him next to my cheek when he was doing it and got a real life fish kiss. A Fiji first.
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| A Box Fish and a Puffer Fish |
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| The One and Only Big Fish
After cleaning up the net and putting the puffer fish and the box fish back into the ocean, we began the long trek back to McGoon's beach. We were told that we would follow a river bed and that it would be over our heads, so I climbed into the boat to stay dry. No river.
Ride back included great conversation though so it was worth it.
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| Gathering up the Net. |
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| Sister Osborne, Me, Sister Updike Riding Back to Shore |
On the way back, one of McGoon's granddaughter rode in the boat, just to bail water.
THE MIGHTY FISHERMAN
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| Elder Wells, a McGoon relative, Sister Whiting, Sister Jackson, a McGoon Grandaughter, Elder Jarman, Sister Whiting, Sister Whitehead McGoon relative, Scott, Me, Sister Osborne, Elder Osborne, Sister McGoon, Elder Whiting, Sister Updike, Elder Updike, Sister Hogge. |
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| The Second Catch |
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| Barracuda? It is Iridescent Blue And the Largest Fish we caught. Nummy too. |
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| Largest Fish/Smallest Fish (in the hand on Scott's arm) |
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| Resting After All the Work. |
Our lunch included ika vaka lolo (fish in coconut milk), steamed fish, boiled fish, and fried fish along with several salads, dalo, and a kool-aid type drink. I tasted fish cooked each way and they were all so good. We caught enough to feed the McGoon family their dinner also. What a nice day.
MORE OF OUR DAY AT THE McGOONS
The McGoons home and yard are a kid's paradise as these pictures show. Look carefully at the picture on the right.
Can you see what looks like black poles sticking out of the water behind the rope? They are actually the tops of monuments in the family cemetery which ended up underwater after an earthquake. |
| Standing on a palm tree root. |
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After we finished fishing and before the fish were cleaned and cooked, one grandson was sent up a tree to pick green coconuts. I had a hard time watching. This coconut tree is at least 40 feet high. It was amazing to watch him climb. It took less than two minutes to reach the top. Getting the coconuts loose was a hard job, because they are not ripe. He dropped about five coconuts. Climbed back down and proceeded to cut the husks off another hairy thing to watch. After chopping a hole in the top, he passed the coconuts around for us to get a refreshing drink of the milk which is much better than ripe coconut milk. It is very acidic and is almost like drinking soda.
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| Picking the coconuts |
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| The Coconut Tree |
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| Husking the coconuts |
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| Pausing for pictures coming down. |
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Sister McGoon and me
Sister Updike, Me, Sister Wells
on the front porch
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Sister McGoon is a good housekeeper; the house was spotless.
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| The Kitchen. Yes Sister McGoon cooks over a fire hence the smokey haze. Notice the hanging lantern. No electricity out here. |
us. What a wonderful day. What a wonderful family.
Thursday, April 4, 2013
March 21
Today was a busy, busy day. We arrived at the institute building at 9:30 to find it filled with workmen. Scott taught his Mission Prep Lesson at 10 and while he was teaching I worked the the IT guys to make sure that we had enough broadband (is that what it is called) power to do everything we and the Jacksons needed to do. It was fun. I watched a church video of the LDS.org website while Lote, and Qima watched different videos on their phones. We watched them standing together and in different places in the institute building. Only once did we have a delay in the video stream. Nice.
I also taught one piano lesson which takes me just over a half hour.
After class Scott raced to a little bakery near by and bought mince loafs. It is a a loaf of bread cut horizontally and filled with minced meat (we hope it is hamburger) and cubed potatoes. No mayo, catsup, etc. The loaf is cut into three pieces. We fed the students and then we all walked up to the temple which is closed for cleaning. We spent the next 2 1/2 hours cleaning in the baptistry and the women workers changing rooms. It was so fun.
At 5:00 we had a YSA baptism at the Samabula Chapel. It was so funny. I walked into the courtyard of the church and there stood Apenisa in white pants, shirt and tie. I said to him, "Apenisa are you the man of the hour?" He was.
"Who are you baptizing?" I asked.
"Me" was his reply. I laughed.
"Even I know you can not baptize yourself"
Just then the APs walked around the corner and Elder Hawk was in a white shirt, tie, and sulu. It seems that Apenisa has been investigating the church for about three years. I first noticed him at the Regional YSA Conference in December, because he is such a smooth dancer and has the most gorgeous smile. He has been in the institute on Saturday nights and to every YSA dance we have attended. I just assumed he was a member. Not till tonight!!!!
We had about 20 sing in the choir for the baptism. We sang When I am Baptized. Although the YSAs said they could sing parts, it was not one of our best efforts. In the future we will have to sing it in unison or not at all.
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| Olive Moimoi and Scott at Apenisa's baptism |
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| Elder Stock, Apenisa, Elder Hawk, Elder Tennis |
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| Back Row: Vili Milani, Elder Stock, Apenisa, Elder Hawk, Scott Front Row: Dan Cequadrau (who dressed for the occasion) and Tevita Cenquadra |
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| Scott, Apenisa, Me |
Even though Apenisa is smiling here, he was anxious to get going. He left the picture taking session, ran to the men's room, changed into his rugby practicing clothing and raced off to a practice. Hmmm. Fiji.
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
March 20
After Eternal Marriage class tonight, Olive Moimoi, who also attends the D&C class, came up and asked if we could talk. She told me that my lesson last night had really helped her. It seems she hates her job. As she was saying her prayers last night she remembered that one of the gifts of the Spirit was to enjoy labor. As she prayed she asked Heavenly Father to bless her to enjoy her work. The next morning she woke up happy. It took her a minute to realize that she was excited for the day; she was not dreading going to work. Before she knew it, it was noon and again she realized that she had enjoyed working. She wanted me to know that the lesson had made a difference in her life. I was amazed that sincerely asking for one of the gifts of the spirit really worked for her.
What a blessing for her. What a tender mercy for me to know that the lesson had had a positive influence in someone's life even though I was not satisfied. Once again God has let me know that it is the Spirit that teaches and not me!
In a talk Elder Holland gave to seminary and institute instructors said (this is not a quote) that in teaching so that lives are changed it is more important to live so that the Holy Ghost could be with them than to be a scriptural expert.
March 19
When I teach I am never satisfied with anything less than perfection. When my lessons are not perfect, I fret over it. Yesterday's lesson was one of those times. I had spent two weeks studying the gifts of the Spirit which included reading many talks, studying the scriptures, and commentaries for the scriptures. I have learned so much. It was such a spiritual pleasure doing all this studying and I was excited to teach the Doctrine and Covenants lesson this week. After the lesson all the YSAs went into the lounge to play games and to visit leaving Scott and me alone for a few minutes. I walked to the back of the classroom, dropped into a chair next to Scott and said, "Well that was not a great lesson." He did not say anything which meant that even he knew it was not my finest hour. I felt even worse. So often when I am really excited about a subject it does not turn out to be a great lesson. I wish I knew why.
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