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.

Olive Moimoi and Scott at Apenisa's baptism

Elder Stock, Apenisa, Elder Hawk, Elder Tennis

Back Row:  Vili Milani, Elder Stock, Apenisa, Elder Hawk, Scott
Front Row: Dan Cequadrau (who dressed for the occasion)
and Tevita Cenquadra

Scott, Apenisa, Me

What is amazing about this baptism as well as most of the others is that without the young single adults no one would have attended this baptism except the missionaries, the Bishop,  and the Ward Mission Leader.  Sad.  

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.