Ate lunch at the Hogges. I took brownies and ice cream. It is the first time I have baked in my new oven. I think the thermometer is off--too low. I need to get an oven thermometer, so I will know.
We also attended a missionary fireside. Livai had gotten a group together, so the institute did not have to provide the music.
After the fireside we held our first council meeting with the new institute council. Our members come from each building in both stakes; Ulai, Willie, Elesi, Brandon, Maggie. Dan was ill, and Memofa just forgot.
We had a first in Fiji tonight. I made a 9 X 13 pan of brownies. I cut it into six big pieces and covered the brownies with ice cream. It was too much sweet food for these Fijian young adults. Neither of us have ever seen them not be able to finish the food they had been given. A Fiji First.
Nice to know there is a limit.
Sunday, September 29, 2013
September 7
It was a strange night in the institute. YSAs kept coming and then leaving. Full all night, but those here at the end were not here at the beginning. I am guessing between 40 and 45 total, but the institute never felt full.
September 5
Took a meal into the Taufogas tonight. They live is such humble circumstances. Their home is one room and a bathroom. The room has a small bump out that is the kitchen, just enough room for a sink, a two burner hot plate on a table, a very small cupboard which is not much bigger than the hot plate, and a two person (small, small) table with two chairs. Their bed is a double mattress on the floor. Their clothes are hung on two nails on the wall. Mats cover the floor, of course.
Elder and Sister Wells came to our house to eat the same meal we took to the Taufogas and then we watched "Red Tails".
Elder and Sister Wells came to our house to eat the same meal we took to the Taufogas and then we watched "Red Tails".
September 4
Mission Preparation Class went on forever. Scott went over the time period and then he realized that he had three members of the class who are leaving on their missions before our next class.
It is a tradition that the leaving missionaries bear their testimonies before they go. It is a powerful experience! The Spirit is so strong.
It is wonderful to report that Ulai showed up to class today. It was good to see him. Extending love really is a powerful thing.
It is a tradition that the leaving missionaries bear their testimonies before they go. It is a powerful experience! The Spirit is so strong.
It is wonderful to report that Ulai showed up to class today. It was good to see him. Extending love really is a powerful thing.
September 3
Only half the class came back this week. The lesson was perhaps the most important one taught in the Preparing for Eternal Marriage class. I need to be more careful when I stray from the lesson...I get myself into trouble. The class was full, but not with the same students that were in class last week.
September 2
The students in Family History class were to come today with the information they need to register for Family Search. Few were prepared. We had planned on using the PEF computers, but they are lacking an app needed to use Family Search. Class, obviously, did not go as we planned.
Everyone who had their information got logged in except one girl. It never worked for her even with all of her LDS information. We finally sent an email for help from the Family Search office in SLC. She was so discouraged.
Scott is amazing. Tonight we were driving kids home, when someone mentioned Ulai. We have not seen him for weeks. Scott said we should go visit him. I was opposed to it as we had six YSAs in our car, and it was after 9:00 p.m. That did not deter Scott. He drove to the house that the one guy in the car said that was Ulai's home. Wrong. So we started driving on down the street. The further we drove the worse the neighbourhood looked. We finally stopped and asked, indeed we has driven to far. We turned around and drove back. We ended up asking again. Finally we got to where it might be and Dad and Ravu, a future missionary, went in. Right house. Scott just told him he had come to say we missed him. Would he please come to class. Hugging him, they both left.
Everyone who had their information got logged in except one girl. It never worked for her even with all of her LDS information. We finally sent an email for help from the Family Search office in SLC. She was so discouraged.
Scott is amazing. Tonight we were driving kids home, when someone mentioned Ulai. We have not seen him for weeks. Scott said we should go visit him. I was opposed to it as we had six YSAs in our car, and it was after 9:00 p.m. That did not deter Scott. He drove to the house that the one guy in the car said that was Ulai's home. Wrong. So we started driving on down the street. The further we drove the worse the neighbourhood looked. We finally stopped and asked, indeed we has driven to far. We turned around and drove back. We ended up asking again. Finally we got to where it might be and Dad and Ravu, a future missionary, went in. Right house. Scott just told him he had come to say we missed him. Would he please come to class. Hugging him, they both left.
September 1, 2013
We visited the Tamavua wards today. It is always fun to visit these wards as we have so many YSAs in both wards, and even parents of YSAs; it feels like home here.
Here is the update on my doggy bite:
*the collagen sheets (that are not really collagen, but new technology) are doing a miraculous work
*the depth of the wound is up by 1/4 in only 3 days.
*there is one heart shaped piece of the wound that is not responding yet, but the nurse and doctor think that will eventually happen
*the only pain is caused by nerve regeneration--we think--and if it is, I will live with it
*I still have a huge bandage around my calf, but that is mostly for my peace of mind. I feel safer with a big bandage although it does make my calf look like a thigh. SIGH
*there have been lots of little miracles along the way and I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who has provided me with these miracles. One of which was the doctor mentioning as an aside that it was sad that collagen sheets were not available in Fiji. We would never have thought about it had the doctor not mentioned it. Tender mercy.
Why do some people have more faith than others? Why do some people seem to have tons of trials while others have few. I have been thinking about the wonderful Taufoga couple and how well they are living with the loss of their daughter. Sister Taufoga was in church today. I watched as she went around thanking people for their thoughtfulness, car, and love. When I told her that she was one of my heroes, I meant it. I watched her today exemplify the very character of Jesus Christ--looking outward instead of inward. I hope that I will always remember her example.
Ate dinner at the Whiteheads. Sister Whitehead is a wonderful cook.
Here is the update on my doggy bite:
*the collagen sheets (that are not really collagen, but new technology) are doing a miraculous work
*the depth of the wound is up by 1/4 in only 3 days.
*there is one heart shaped piece of the wound that is not responding yet, but the nurse and doctor think that will eventually happen
*the only pain is caused by nerve regeneration--we think--and if it is, I will live with it
*I still have a huge bandage around my calf, but that is mostly for my peace of mind. I feel safer with a big bandage although it does make my calf look like a thigh. SIGH
*there have been lots of little miracles along the way and I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who has provided me with these miracles. One of which was the doctor mentioning as an aside that it was sad that collagen sheets were not available in Fiji. We would never have thought about it had the doctor not mentioned it. Tender mercy.
Why do some people have more faith than others? Why do some people seem to have tons of trials while others have few. I have been thinking about the wonderful Taufoga couple and how well they are living with the loss of their daughter. Sister Taufoga was in church today. I watched as she went around thanking people for their thoughtfulness, car, and love. When I told her that she was one of my heroes, I meant it. I watched her today exemplify the very character of Jesus Christ--looking outward instead of inward. I hope that I will always remember her example.
Ate dinner at the Whiteheads. Sister Whitehead is a wonderful cook.
September 2
Boy has this been a weird day. We were busy all day; not spending even a moment in the institute, but I can not tell you what we did. What I can tell you is that I am tired!
Monday, September 16, 2013
August 31
Rebandaged my leg this morning. Everyone was in awe at how much cell growth there had been in just two days.
Ate with Seniors, went shopping for a stove. I just can not make Betty pay for an electric one($2400 to$3000+), but I think gas($900 for the one I want) is impossible--no place to put the tank. Am not sure how we are going to solve this problem.
Made popcorn. Spent the night in the institute with 35+ young adult. Home by 10 p.m.
Ate with Seniors, went shopping for a stove. I just can not make Betty pay for an electric one($2400 to$3000+), but I think gas($900 for the one I want) is impossible--no place to put the tank. Am not sure how we are going to solve this problem.
Made popcorn. Spent the night in the institute with 35+ young adult. Home by 10 p.m.
August 30
Drove home this morning. On the way we bought our souvenir from a shop close to Signatoka. I refused to shop there before, but Scott talked in into stopping on the way into Nadi. Even Robert liked the wall plaque. We stopped again today to pay, and to have them ship it home.
When we got home, we were both tired; I had done almost all of the driving back as we had Elder/Sister Wells's car. I love driving, and do not mind driving on the left. In fact, I am going to have problems driving on the right when we get home. It has been so long I can't even visualize how driving on the right works.
We were too tired to do anything when we got home, so we watched Thoroughly Modern Millie.
When we got home, we were both tired; I had done almost all of the driving back as we had Elder/Sister Wells's car. I love driving, and do not mind driving on the left. In fact, I am going to have problems driving on the right when we get home. It has been so long I can't even visualize how driving on the right works.
We were too tired to do anything when we got home, so we watched Thoroughly Modern Millie.
August 29
I was so excited for today to come. The stuff we sent for from the U.S. came and we are going to put it on my leg today. Dr. Mitra is interested enough that he wants to do it. We will all go to the hospital; Sister Limburg, Scott, Robert, and me, of course.
The stuff, I really need to know what it is called, is blue and looks like a rubber sheet. Something one would use to wash dishes. It is about 4" X 4" and we are to cut pieces the exact size of the wound. We then put it in the wound and cover it with an opsite bandage. Because it is still tender I am going to make them also wrap it with an ace bandage for protection.
Scott taught mission prep. Just after he got started, someone told us that Sister Taufonga had lost her baby and the funeral started at 10, so I left Scott's class and went to attend the funeral. When I walked in Patriarch Salome was speaking about the resurrection of babies and children. He was, I believe, quoting Joseph Smith when he said that parents would have the opportunity to raise their children who died young until they become adults. That has to be such a comfort.
Sister Tuafonga spoke next. She told of waiting years to have a baby and during those years she felt inspired that while she waited for children she should serve where ever and when ever she could--in every area of her life. As an aside, I had noticed that Evonne was always working/helping. She is a one woman service machine. She felt when she realized she was pregnant that it was a miracle and a direct blessing for the service she and her husband had given. That is why they named their little girl Charity. She expressed gratitude for Charity's birth, for the gospel, for her knowledge of a life after this one. She is a woman of strong faith.
Brother Tuafonga spoke after Sister Tuafonga. Robert talked how hard Charity fought after her birth and how surprised the doctors were. Charity was born at just a little over five months after conception. She lived just long enough for them to hold her and then she quietly slipped away. He spoke of going to the morgue (where all hospital deaths go) to dress her today. They got there way too early and so had quite some time before the funeral. They decided to take her for a ride around Suva and then to their home to "spend some family time" and to show her their home.
Pres. Seru spoke about David and his lost child. Elder Wakolo also talked. He reminded us that God calls home those who are too pure, too righteous to live on this earth (Joseph Smith).
After the final song and prayer, Brother Tuafonga picked up this little coffin and along with his wife who had gathered the flowers started down the aisle toward the back of the chapel. I had been so strong until I saw this valiant father with so much love carry his only child inside a tiny coffin.
I am in awe of this faithful, strong, loving couple. They have changed my life forever.
Spent the rest of the day shopping for a neck breaker for Robert to take home, having our final conversations with Robert while driving to Nadi, and getting Robert on the airplane. Home is going to be too quiet.
The stuff, I really need to know what it is called, is blue and looks like a rubber sheet. Something one would use to wash dishes. It is about 4" X 4" and we are to cut pieces the exact size of the wound. We then put it in the wound and cover it with an opsite bandage. Because it is still tender I am going to make them also wrap it with an ace bandage for protection.
Scott taught mission prep. Just after he got started, someone told us that Sister Taufonga had lost her baby and the funeral started at 10, so I left Scott's class and went to attend the funeral. When I walked in Patriarch Salome was speaking about the resurrection of babies and children. He was, I believe, quoting Joseph Smith when he said that parents would have the opportunity to raise their children who died young until they become adults. That has to be such a comfort.
Sister Tuafonga spoke next. She told of waiting years to have a baby and during those years she felt inspired that while she waited for children she should serve where ever and when ever she could--in every area of her life. As an aside, I had noticed that Evonne was always working/helping. She is a one woman service machine. She felt when she realized she was pregnant that it was a miracle and a direct blessing for the service she and her husband had given. That is why they named their little girl Charity. She expressed gratitude for Charity's birth, for the gospel, for her knowledge of a life after this one. She is a woman of strong faith.
Brother Tuafonga spoke after Sister Tuafonga. Robert talked how hard Charity fought after her birth and how surprised the doctors were. Charity was born at just a little over five months after conception. She lived just long enough for them to hold her and then she quietly slipped away. He spoke of going to the morgue (where all hospital deaths go) to dress her today. They got there way too early and so had quite some time before the funeral. They decided to take her for a ride around Suva and then to their home to "spend some family time" and to show her their home.
Pres. Seru spoke about David and his lost child. Elder Wakolo also talked. He reminded us that God calls home those who are too pure, too righteous to live on this earth (Joseph Smith).
After the final song and prayer, Brother Tuafonga picked up this little coffin and along with his wife who had gathered the flowers started down the aisle toward the back of the chapel. I had been so strong until I saw this valiant father with so much love carry his only child inside a tiny coffin.
I am in awe of this faithful, strong, loving couple. They have changed my life forever.
Spent the rest of the day shopping for a neck breaker for Robert to take home, having our final conversations with Robert while driving to Nadi, and getting Robert on the airplane. Home is going to be too quiet.
August 28
The men went white water rafting today while I stayed home to prepare for the first Eternal Marriage class. This is the third time I have taught this series of lessons, so I just figured that I would teach one of the two first lessons I had already written. Nope! I have been praying for the last week that I would teach what these specific YSAs would need to hear, and the result it I am writing the first lesson for the third time. It is interesting that this group of students needs to know how to be good wives/mothers or fathers/husbands. Last semester they needed to know how to date, choose spouses and withstand the spiritually unhealthy customs of Fiji. I image that all the lessons this semester will be different.
We had a great laugh when Scott and Robert reported their white water rafting trip. They were so excited because they wanted an adrenaline experience and because they had gotten a great deal on this adventure--$50 each as apposed to $200 each. They would get such a great price according to the owner if they would allow them to take pictures of Robert and Scott going down the river for the brochures they are planning. This company is wants to add running the upper Navua to its list of adventure and need brochures to place in hotels and resorts all over Fiji.
As always in life one gets what one pays for. It is not the rainy season and when they got going on the river, the water was so low that class 3 rapids were stretching a little class ones. There were many times when they had to get out of their individual kayaks and carry the boats to a deeper section of the river. Hilarious! They did say that the ride to the top of the river was gorgeous. Scott has promised to take me for a ride up there before we go home.
Maybe their experience was in answer to my constant prayers today that they would come home unharmed. I certainly am not telling them this.
The ride to the head waters of the Navua
River from the city of Navua takes 1 1/2 hours. It is a dirt road and very bumpy!
Robert and Scott chose to ride in the orange and yellow rafts
which are one man rafts. Elder and Sister Jackson who also
went chose to ride in a guided boat.
We had a great laugh when Scott and Robert reported their white water rafting trip. They were so excited because they wanted an adrenaline experience and because they had gotten a great deal on this adventure--$50 each as apposed to $200 each. They would get such a great price according to the owner if they would allow them to take pictures of Robert and Scott going down the river for the brochures they are planning. This company is wants to add running the upper Navua to its list of adventure and need brochures to place in hotels and resorts all over Fiji.
As always in life one gets what one pays for. It is not the rainy season and when they got going on the river, the water was so low that class 3 rapids were stretching a little class ones. There were many times when they had to get out of their individual kayaks and carry the boats to a deeper section of the river. Hilarious! They did say that the ride to the top of the river was gorgeous. Scott has promised to take me for a ride up there before we go home.
Maybe their experience was in answer to my constant prayers today that they would come home unharmed. I certainly am not telling them this.
 |
| Scenery on the Way to Rafting |
River from the city of Navua takes 1 1/2 hours. It is a dirt road and very bumpy!
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| Preparing Equipment |
Robert and Scott chose to ride in the orange and yellow rafts
which are one man rafts. Elder and Sister Jackson who also
went chose to ride in a guided boat.
 |
| Robert Getting Settled |
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| Scott Being Shoved Off |
 |
| Robert Taking the "Rapids" |
 |
| More Rapids |
 |
| Calm Before Another Set of Rapids |
 |
| Having Fun! |
 |
| Scott Taking the Next Big Run |
 |
| The Jacksons With Their Boatman |
 |
| Waterfall About Half Way Down the River |
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| At the Base of the Waterfall |
August 27
Scott taught the first Family History class tonight. We had 15 in attendance which was really good for a first night. There was a real energy in the room tonight; excitement to be here and learning about genealogy.
Robert spent the day trying to reregister for classes at UVU. He did not know about a policy change at the university, so his classes were all dropped the day before he left Utah. He quickly got on the waiting list for all the classes, but is trying to get professors to let him in ahead of the first day of class. I feel sorry for him. Here he is one semester and one class from graduating and he can't get the classes he needs. His counselor was no help at all.
August 26
We spent the day helping Chaya, et.al. pack and did the last of the souvenir shopping. We drove straight to Nadi. I had the privilege of sitting in the back of the van with Tori and Ammon. I am definitely prejudice, but they are wonderful kids; easy to be with, fun to talk to, and cuddly. Chaya wanted to get the best, last view of Fiji, so she rode in the front seat between Scott and Rex; it is a tough seat in which to sit. We were going to eat dinner at Bulacinos, but they close at 5:00 p.m. on Mondays. Say what? We decided to check into the hotel, and the airport after which we went to McDonalds for dinner. Ugh!!! I just can not eat there anymore. Sat around the airport waiting for 9:00 p.m. so that the Andersons could go through customs. We found seats in the little cafe not too far from customs. Tori was playing with her gameboy and decided to show a very young Indian boy what she was doing. Instant friends. He just climbed into the overstuffed chair in which Tori was sitting and watched her play. His dad and mom took pictures as did Chaya. Then he decided that he should show Tori how much he liked her, so he started kissing her on the cheek. So cute.
We were sad to see them leave, but I always feel guilty when we have company. I can not keep my mind on the mission. And even though institute was closed this past week, I always feel we should be "doing" something to further the work here.
Am glad Robert is taking a later plane, it will make the let down easier.
We were sad to see them leave, but I always feel guilty when we have company. I can not keep my mind on the mission. And even though institute was closed this past week, I always feel we should be "doing" something to further the work here.
Am glad Robert is taking a later plane, it will make the let down easier.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
August 25
Got up early to make Abby's famous chocolate cake. Had it done, and breakfast on in plenty of time to get to church by 10 o'clock.
Because we had a fireside at 2:00 p.m. we just snacked it for lunch. It was a songfest for the Relief Society sisters. I went because they asked me to judge the groups. It was organized like this. There were five groups of sisters and each group had to sing five numbers: a solo, a duet, a trio, a quartet, and a choir number. In between each group on of the groups bore testimony. After we got started I told Sister Suliana that it did not seem appropriate to judge after testimonies, so I sat through almost two hours of singing alone. No one else wanted to come with me.
When I got home, I mixed up the meatloaf and but it along with the potatoes in the oven and turned it on. About 15 minutes after I had turned it one, the oven exploded and there was fire in the back. I turned off the oven--duh, it had turned itself off--and pulled all the food out. Thankfully we could cook the food in the institute. Scott took everyone except Ammon--who was having a small melt down--to the institute and then for a ride. Ammon and I spent the hour talking and playing games on my I-pad. It was lovely for me to have that time alone with him. He is such a nice boy, and very talkative when he is one on one.
Ate. Did dishes. Watched Chaya and Rex pack. Went to bed.
Because we had a fireside at 2:00 p.m. we just snacked it for lunch. It was a songfest for the Relief Society sisters. I went because they asked me to judge the groups. It was organized like this. There were five groups of sisters and each group had to sing five numbers: a solo, a duet, a trio, a quartet, and a choir number. In between each group on of the groups bore testimony. After we got started I told Sister Suliana that it did not seem appropriate to judge after testimonies, so I sat through almost two hours of singing alone. No one else wanted to come with me.
When I got home, I mixed up the meatloaf and but it along with the potatoes in the oven and turned it on. About 15 minutes after I had turned it one, the oven exploded and there was fire in the back. I turned off the oven--duh, it had turned itself off--and pulled all the food out. Thankfully we could cook the food in the institute. Scott took everyone except Ammon--who was having a small melt down--to the institute and then for a ride. Ammon and I spent the hour talking and playing games on my I-pad. It was lovely for me to have that time alone with him. He is such a nice boy, and very talkative when he is one on one.
Ate. Did dishes. Watched Chaya and Rex pack. Went to bed.
August 24
We ate at Mangos with the Senior couples after which we went to the Hibiscus Parade. It was awfully crowded and hot. We found a nice spot near the end of the parade but after watching for about 30 minutes everyone had had enough.
As we were walking back to the car, we got separated from Sisters Newsome and Limburg. I told everyone to go ahead and I would start back looking for them. In about 5 minutes I found them. The sisters had gotten caught in a human traffic jam and had not been able to break through for quite some time. As we were walking back to the car, Sister Newsome started looking in her purse for something and realized that her wallet was missing. We turned around and began to look for it. When we hit the human traffic jam again, she decided that it had be stollen and we turned around to head back to the van. What a disappointment to have one's wallet stollen.
We attended the baptism of three of the Johnson family that did not get baptized two weeks ago: Lucelle, Valerie, Gabrielle. The YSAs sang the Folo Fola song and there were about 20 of them. After the baptism we all went to the institute for activity night. Few YSAs came even some of those that sang did not come. Everyone went downtown to celebrate the last night of the Hibiscus Festival. We had about 15 in the institute. Chaya, Rex and the kids left early. Robert stayed till we closed at 9:00 p.m.
It was interesting that on the way to the baptism Robert asked if I was fixing a roast for dinner tomorrow. I had not. In fact, I was going to make beef stroganoff. He was so disappointed when I explained that the butcher shop closes at 2 o'clock on Saturdays and so a roast was out. "Could we have meatloaf, then?" he asked. I did have hamburger in the freezer, so we will have meatloaf if I can get potatoes before MH closes. It is nice to be missed even if it is for ones cooking.
As we were walking back to the car, we got separated from Sisters Newsome and Limburg. I told everyone to go ahead and I would start back looking for them. In about 5 minutes I found them. The sisters had gotten caught in a human traffic jam and had not been able to break through for quite some time. As we were walking back to the car, Sister Newsome started looking in her purse for something and realized that her wallet was missing. We turned around and began to look for it. When we hit the human traffic jam again, she decided that it had be stollen and we turned around to head back to the van. What a disappointment to have one's wallet stollen.
We attended the baptism of three of the Johnson family that did not get baptized two weeks ago: Lucelle, Valerie, Gabrielle. The YSAs sang the Folo Fola song and there were about 20 of them. After the baptism we all went to the institute for activity night. Few YSAs came even some of those that sang did not come. Everyone went downtown to celebrate the last night of the Hibiscus Festival. We had about 15 in the institute. Chaya, Rex and the kids left early. Robert stayed till we closed at 9:00 p.m.
It was interesting that on the way to the baptism Robert asked if I was fixing a roast for dinner tomorrow. I had not. In fact, I was going to make beef stroganoff. He was so disappointed when I explained that the butcher shop closes at 2 o'clock on Saturdays and so a roast was out. "Could we have meatloaf, then?" he asked. I did have hamburger in the freezer, so we will have meatloaf if I can get potatoes before MH closes. It is nice to be missed even if it is for ones cooking.
August 23
It was cloudy today, but not rainy. However while everyone else was going up the Navua River, I fretted that they would see rain as it is in the mountains. Everyone loved the river. They loved the village, were excited to take green coconut milk, see how the traditional crafts are made, and then go further up the river to the waterfall. And even though it was a very long day, all were glad to have gone.
We watched Thoroughly Modern Millie after dinner. I think Chaya slept through the whole movie.
We watched Thoroughly Modern Millie after dinner. I think Chaya slept through the whole movie.
August 22
Everyone was tired this morning, so we decided to run errands (pick up souvenirs), go to the hospital for the dressing change (everyone wanted to see the wound). After lunch and a short rest, they all left me again (Drat this leg!!!) to walk out to Mosquito Island.
Mosquito Island is a small island off the Lami Coast that has a park on it with picnic tables and volley ball poles along with the caretakers house. It costs $3 to get a ride out to the island, so most of our YSAs walk out to the island when the tide is low and come back when it is low again. Scott thought it sounded fun to do.
When I asked how the afternoon went, everyone--except Scott--said it was an adventure, but would not say it was fun. It seems when the tide is out, one is walking in thick mud which continues to suck one's shoes off with each step. Getting though the mangroves is also not too fun. No one thought it was a good idea to recommend a walk out to Mosquito Island.
Mosquito Island is a small island off the Lami Coast that has a park on it with picnic tables and volley ball poles along with the caretakers house. It costs $3 to get a ride out to the island, so most of our YSAs walk out to the island when the tide is low and come back when it is low again. Scott thought it sounded fun to do.
When I asked how the afternoon went, everyone--except Scott--said it was an adventure, but would not say it was fun. It seems when the tide is out, one is walking in thick mud which continues to suck one's shoes off with each step. Getting though the mangroves is also not too fun. No one thought it was a good idea to recommend a walk out to Mosquito Island.
August 21
Scott and the crew left this morning to go see the spinning dolphins. It rained here almost all day, but it did not rain until later in the day where they were. A blessing. They loved the dolphins, and were awed by the beauty of the coral reef and the fish they saw as they snorkeled. Takalana the resort out of which they sailed to the dolphin reef, fed them lunch and then they decided to walk into a waterfall near by. They came home really muddy from the walk up and back in the rain. They had a great time while they were gone.
I stayed home because my wound can not get wet, and I am going to the hospital every day to have my bandage changed. Sweet Sister Limburg came and got me and took me to the hospital. She is certainly an asset to the mission. I also used the day to rest. I am still recovering from the surgery and so the rest was a good thing.
It has been such a pleasure to cook dinners for everyone every night. I am not sure why I find it easier to cook for a big group than for just Scott, but I do. Everyone helps clean up after so the work is easy.
All in bed again tonight early--by 8:00 p.m.
I stayed home because my wound can not get wet, and I am going to the hospital every day to have my bandage changed. Sweet Sister Limburg came and got me and took me to the hospital. She is certainly an asset to the mission. I also used the day to rest. I am still recovering from the surgery and so the rest was a good thing.
It has been such a pleasure to cook dinners for everyone every night. I am not sure why I find it easier to cook for a big group than for just Scott, but I do. Everyone helps clean up after so the work is easy.
All in bed again tonight early--by 8:00 p.m.
August 20
It is Tuesday, and I think I need to remind myself that we are in the middle of a semester break. The university students have two weeks as do the LDS Primary students. We planned just a one week break for the institute.
It rained on and off all day, which kept it cool, but made for soggy shopping. We spent the day in downtown Suva. We visited The Market and bought veggies and fruit. We even bought long beans for dinner tonight.
We also went to the Flea Market, the Craft Market and some of the nicer shops in Suva. We ended the morning by going to see the guard at the Presidential Headquarters.
It rained on and off all day, which kept it cool, but made for soggy shopping. We spent the day in downtown Suva. We visited The Market and bought veggies and fruit. We even bought long beans for dinner tonight.
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| Fijian call these pumpkins, but they look like squash to me |
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| THE MARKET |
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| Top is Bele, Pumpkin Bottom is Chinese Cabbage and Cucumbers Although it doesn't look like it the cucumbers are huge. They let them grow way too long. |
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| Eggplant. A Fijian Favorite Behind it going back are Tomatoes (in a heap) Lettuce, and Cabbage |
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| Open Bins of Spices Upstairs in the Market |
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| WITH THE GUARD AT THE PRESIDENT'S HEADQUARTERS This picture was taken by another guard not in dress uniform. I am sure he was there just to take picture. This guard is like the ones in England--He never acknowledged that we were there. |
August 19
We are excited that we have a sunny and clear day in which to be sightseers on the way back to Suva.
The plane came right in right on time. Afterwards we took everyone to the hotel. We have found that it works best to let them sleep for about two hours and then start to play. Tori and Ammon said they did not want to sleep so we left the adults in the hotel and took Tori and Ammon to Lautoka to the video shop. We watched for the cute little sugar train all the way, but did not see one, so I made Scott go to the sugar factory so we could at least see them standing still. We were excited that the video shop had gotten us The Happiest Millionaire, and Thoroughly Modern Millie.
After we woke up the adults, we ate breakfast and started back to Suva. We had to stop at the Hindu Temple before leaving Nadi.
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| All of Us at the Hindu Temple |
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| Tori Being Very Brave |
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| Ammon with the Lizard |
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| Robert with TWO Lizards |
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| The top Lizard is crawling from Rex's arm to his other shoulder. |
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| Is He Going to Kiss her Ear? |
We also stopped at the long pier just before one arrives at the Coral Coast. We ate a snacky type lunch and then walked out onto the pier. It was windy, and a little cold. No schools of fish today nor any small crabs, but the scenery was beautiful.
Everyone but Scott and I were in bed between 7:00 and 8:00 p.m. which is 1:00-2:00 a.m. Utah time.
August 18
Went to Ravu's farewell in the Bau (mbow on a boat). He had asked us to come, and then told Scott that his branch president was expecting us, because he, Ravu, had told him that we would be coming. Cute.
Because we did not know exactly where the church was nor did we know how long it would take, we ended up getting there in the middle of Sunday School. The minute we drove into the yard of the church (there is no parking lot, because no one has cars) Ravu came right out of the building. Obviously he had been watching for us. You would have thought we were General Authorities the way we were treated. After class was over, the Branch President asked Scott if he would say a few words. He said that he would. He did a marvellous job and ended with a strong testimony. He told them what a privilege it was to be in Fiji, how much we had appreciated Ravu, and how much we loved serving the Lord.
Ravu did a great job with his talk also. He was followed by another you young adult who had recently returned from his mission. Rav is to leave on his mission this Thursday.
Bau had a nice relatively new building. It is very small. The chapel was full to overflowing during Sacrament Meeting and there were only 70 of us. There are two doors off the front of the chapel: on one side is the branch president's office and on the other is a small closet. Behind the chapel are two doors which open into two very small classrooms which are used for the primary and the young women. I have no idea what they do with the young men during priesthood. The branch president told us that they really need to add on to the building. Nice to see.
We were to drive to Nadi to pick up Robert, Chaya, Rex, Tori, and Ammon, but we realized that Bau was not that far away from Nausori and the drive would take us six hours instead of the 31/2 hours from Suva. We drove back home, ate lunch, rested and at about 3:30 p.m. left for Nadi.
The plane from Los Angeles comes in at 5:55 a.m.
Because we did not know exactly where the church was nor did we know how long it would take, we ended up getting there in the middle of Sunday School. The minute we drove into the yard of the church (there is no parking lot, because no one has cars) Ravu came right out of the building. Obviously he had been watching for us. You would have thought we were General Authorities the way we were treated. After class was over, the Branch President asked Scott if he would say a few words. He said that he would. He did a marvellous job and ended with a strong testimony. He told them what a privilege it was to be in Fiji, how much we had appreciated Ravu, and how much we loved serving the Lord.
Ravu did a great job with his talk also. He was followed by another you young adult who had recently returned from his mission. Rav is to leave on his mission this Thursday.
Bau had a nice relatively new building. It is very small. The chapel was full to overflowing during Sacrament Meeting and there were only 70 of us. There are two doors off the front of the chapel: on one side is the branch president's office and on the other is a small closet. Behind the chapel are two doors which open into two very small classrooms which are used for the primary and the young women. I have no idea what they do with the young men during priesthood. The branch president told us that they really need to add on to the building. Nice to see.
We were to drive to Nadi to pick up Robert, Chaya, Rex, Tori, and Ammon, but we realized that Bau was not that far away from Nausori and the drive would take us six hours instead of the 31/2 hours from Suva. We drove back home, ate lunch, rested and at about 3:30 p.m. left for Nadi.
The plane from Los Angeles comes in at 5:55 a.m.
Saturday, September 7, 2013
August 16
Have gotten back to almost a normal schedule. It is a little embarrassing because everyone has heard about the bite, the gangrene, and the surgery. I am not limping. They expect me to limp. Nope. I have seen quite a few raised eyebrows among the Fijians. Sigh.
Today was Monica Naimoso and Tevita Ceguadrau's wedding. We were invited to the temple. Such a blessing to have a young LDS couple get married in the temple the first time. Does not happen often enough here. They met in the institute and courted at the temple while she was doing baptisms for the dead.
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| Outside the Temple |
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| Mac Ceguadrau, Manase Kofoa, TC, Monica and two of the bridesmaids |
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| At the Head Table |
In the background of these two pictures is a huge tapa cloth. Notice the details. It is all handmade. Tapa cloth is made from the bark of the mulberry tree. The bark is stripped off the tree and the outer bark is stripped off of the inner bark and discarded. The inner bark is dried in the sun and then soaked. The bark is then beaten to make it thinner and then wider generally about 25 cm wide. When the desired thinness and width is reach, the pounding continues as the woman (always woman) beat two or more sheets of tapa together to make wider sheets. There is a natural glue used sometime when the sheets do not stick together appropriately. It is a long and laborious process. When the desired size is reached the decorating of the tapa cloth is painted on my hand or with a stencil. The tapa cloth covered a large area as you can see below. I can not imagine the hours it took to make.
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| Eating at the Reception |
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| More People Eating Outside the Cultural Hall |
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| I just could not resist! Not James, but close. |
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| These Girls Danced as Part of the Entertainment |
There were several native dances done as part of the entertainment, and then the tables and chairs were removed for dancing. Scott and I left when the dancing started.
Friday, September 6, 2013
August 15
Actually went to the institute to watch Scott teach his Mission Prep class. He has taught three lessons in three days. How does he do it? The lesson today was so good as always. I watch these young Fijians come excited to recite the scriptures they have learned, give discussions to each other, and be grateful to Scott for the opportunity to do it. He teaches them a concept they will be teaching investigators each week and then gives them an opportunity to practice. He walks around listening and giving encouragement and advice. He always ends the class with a segment from The District 2. It is such a spiritual way to end the lesson. The outline he came up with for the Mission Prep class is masterful--really inspired.
By the time he was finished at 11:30, I had had it. I walked home and left him to watch while the class members played. He was exhausted when he got home around 2:00 p.m. Understandable after teaching three lessons.
I am going to the hospital every day to have my bandage changed. I do not want to have problems again and if a medical professional is changing it, they will see sooner if I am in trouble. It takes about an hour to have it done, but we feel it is a small price to pay for the piece of mind.
We went to the 6:00 session tonight at the temple. Everyone was quite appalled that we were there; I should be home resting, but I just needed to go and thank Heavenly Father for all his blessings. What better way to say thank you that by serving in the temple.
We had a very pleasant surprise today. Maria Senikuraciri dropped by the house just before she left for the airport and her mission. We will miss her and her wonderful smile.
Scott could not hug her as she was set apart. Hence the picture on the left.
By the time he was finished at 11:30, I had had it. I walked home and left him to watch while the class members played. He was exhausted when he got home around 2:00 p.m. Understandable after teaching three lessons.
I am going to the hospital every day to have my bandage changed. I do not want to have problems again and if a medical professional is changing it, they will see sooner if I am in trouble. It takes about an hour to have it done, but we feel it is a small price to pay for the piece of mind.
We went to the 6:00 session tonight at the temple. Everyone was quite appalled that we were there; I should be home resting, but I just needed to go and thank Heavenly Father for all his blessings. What better way to say thank you that by serving in the temple.
We had a very pleasant surprise today. Maria Senikuraciri dropped by the house just before she left for the airport and her mission. We will miss her and her wonderful smile.
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| Me and Maria. |
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| Maria and Scott |
Scott could not hug her as she was set apart. Hence the picture on the left.
August 14
Scott taught my Doctrines of the Gospel class tonight. He is such a knight in shining armor. I just could not prepare it while in the hospital, and today I was too tired. Watched the first two hours of Emma.
I want to comment on the hospital here. I was in Suva Private Hospital which is nicer than the public hospital, Colonial Memorial Hospital. CMW is basically a free hospital paid for by the government. It is really necessary because most people here do not have money to pay for medical services and no one here but those employed by the government, or by foreign private companies have insurance.
The hospitals here look and function much like the hospitals in the United States looked and functioned in the 1940s and 1950s. Sister Limburg, the mission nurse, is the one who made the preceding statement. In CMW the wards are just long, long rooms with between 30 and 50 beds on both sides of the rooms. Sometimes there are curtains between the beds and sometimes not. You bring your own clothes to sleep in. Your family brings you food to eat. Both times I was in CMW I did not see one nurse--not one. At CMW you are sent home fast. Jimmy Narayan had major back surgery and was home from the hospital in less than 40 hours.
In Suva Private there are no wards, but most rooms have four beds which are divided by curtains in them. There are nurses everywhere. The specialists that serve at Suva Private also work at CMW. An appointment with one of these specialists means a hospital visit after 5:00 p.m. Stays in Suva Private are longer because most people who use this hospital have insurance. Before they would admit me, the hospital calculated the cost of my stay and Scott had to give them enough money to cover the entire cost. If the costs ran less than expected we would get a refund. Once they had the money, we were admitted. If you have insurance, it is up to you to submit your bill to the insurance company. There is only one room in the entire hospital that has only one bed. I had that room.
We did see a few rooms that had only two beds, and there was a critical care room (two beds) near where our my room was.
I do not think they used ether for my anesthesia, but they did use something that was administer with an mask.
I have never met more compassionate nurses ever. They did everything they could to make my stay a good one. One of them even gave me a foot rub to ease the pain. I did not have to argue with anyone when I refused to take any more pain meds. They just said they would inform the doctor.
I want to comment on the hospital here. I was in Suva Private Hospital which is nicer than the public hospital, Colonial Memorial Hospital. CMW is basically a free hospital paid for by the government. It is really necessary because most people here do not have money to pay for medical services and no one here but those employed by the government, or by foreign private companies have insurance.
The hospitals here look and function much like the hospitals in the United States looked and functioned in the 1940s and 1950s. Sister Limburg, the mission nurse, is the one who made the preceding statement. In CMW the wards are just long, long rooms with between 30 and 50 beds on both sides of the rooms. Sometimes there are curtains between the beds and sometimes not. You bring your own clothes to sleep in. Your family brings you food to eat. Both times I was in CMW I did not see one nurse--not one. At CMW you are sent home fast. Jimmy Narayan had major back surgery and was home from the hospital in less than 40 hours.
In Suva Private there are no wards, but most rooms have four beds which are divided by curtains in them. There are nurses everywhere. The specialists that serve at Suva Private also work at CMW. An appointment with one of these specialists means a hospital visit after 5:00 p.m. Stays in Suva Private are longer because most people who use this hospital have insurance. Before they would admit me, the hospital calculated the cost of my stay and Scott had to give them enough money to cover the entire cost. If the costs ran less than expected we would get a refund. Once they had the money, we were admitted. If you have insurance, it is up to you to submit your bill to the insurance company. There is only one room in the entire hospital that has only one bed. I had that room.
We did see a few rooms that had only two beds, and there was a critical care room (two beds) near where our my room was.
I do not think they used ether for my anesthesia, but they did use something that was administer with an mask.
I have never met more compassionate nurses ever. They did everything they could to make my stay a good one. One of them even gave me a foot rub to ease the pain. I did not have to argue with anyone when I refused to take any more pain meds. They just said they would inform the doctor.
August 13
We can go home today if the skin bridge looks good. I am more than ready to go home.
I have be praying constantly that this wound will heal, but this morning as I was reading the Book of Mormon I came to the realization that whatever happens to me or my leg is the Lord's will and I am at His disposal. I was reading Helaman 5 and when I came to verse 12 it hit me; whatever happens to me does not matter because my foundation is the Savior, Jesus the Christ. Whatever storms, whirlwinds, or trials I experience they matter not as long as I am build on the rock of Jesus Christ. I know that the Lord has walked these past days with me. Strength through the atonement has been with me. Visitors were inspired to come just when I needed the diversion. Scott bringing the hymns was simply listening to the promptings of the Holy Ghost. Periods of absolutely no pain were blessing sent from Heaven. This whirlwind sent by Satan will not get me, because I know on whose foundation I am placed. When I read this scripture and shared my thoughts with Scott, he cried. We are so grateful. It seems lately that when I am reading, I am always at a place so relevant to my needs. Each day since I have been in the hospital I have started at the beginning of Helaman 5 but not been able to continue to read UNTIL today when I was ready to hear it. Another blessing from heaven.
Another tender mercy came when I read the rest of the chapter. I came to the story of Lehi and Nephi in prison when the cloud of darkness came over the people. I wondered why we do not use this story as a repentance story. We all have our cloud of darkness because we all sin. We just have to cry unto the Lord which will lead to repentance. I have decided this is my new best story in the Book of Mormon.
My eyes are better this morning. My guess is that one or two of the antibiotics I am no longer taking--I am down to just four--was causing the problem. It is sooooo nice to be able to read.
The wound looked good, so we were released. We were home by 1:30p.m. Sister D. was here cleaning. We were just in time to pay her. I took a nap which was the best rest I have had for over a week. Scott went alone to Institute to teach Doctrine and Covenants. It was well after 8:00 p.m. before he got home.
I have learned from Sister Davis that call every day to ask how things are going is a good thing. She has talked to Scott everyday, and to me today. She told me that she wanted to do something meaningful and ended the conversation with "If you ever think, "I wish....." or "I would like....." please call me and I will fulfil that wish. Just as we were ending the conversation I asked if she would loan me here Emma DVDs. She brought them right down along with North and South another English BBC set of movies.
I have be praying constantly that this wound will heal, but this morning as I was reading the Book of Mormon I came to the realization that whatever happens to me or my leg is the Lord's will and I am at His disposal. I was reading Helaman 5 and when I came to verse 12 it hit me; whatever happens to me does not matter because my foundation is the Savior, Jesus the Christ. Whatever storms, whirlwinds, or trials I experience they matter not as long as I am build on the rock of Jesus Christ. I know that the Lord has walked these past days with me. Strength through the atonement has been with me. Visitors were inspired to come just when I needed the diversion. Scott bringing the hymns was simply listening to the promptings of the Holy Ghost. Periods of absolutely no pain were blessing sent from Heaven. This whirlwind sent by Satan will not get me, because I know on whose foundation I am placed. When I read this scripture and shared my thoughts with Scott, he cried. We are so grateful. It seems lately that when I am reading, I am always at a place so relevant to my needs. Each day since I have been in the hospital I have started at the beginning of Helaman 5 but not been able to continue to read UNTIL today when I was ready to hear it. Another blessing from heaven.
Another tender mercy came when I read the rest of the chapter. I came to the story of Lehi and Nephi in prison when the cloud of darkness came over the people. I wondered why we do not use this story as a repentance story. We all have our cloud of darkness because we all sin. We just have to cry unto the Lord which will lead to repentance. I have decided this is my new best story in the Book of Mormon.
My eyes are better this morning. My guess is that one or two of the antibiotics I am no longer taking--I am down to just four--was causing the problem. It is sooooo nice to be able to read.
The wound looked good, so we were released. We were home by 1:30p.m. Sister D. was here cleaning. We were just in time to pay her. I took a nap which was the best rest I have had for over a week. Scott went alone to Institute to teach Doctrine and Covenants. It was well after 8:00 p.m. before he got home.
I have learned from Sister Davis that call every day to ask how things are going is a good thing. She has talked to Scott everyday, and to me today. She told me that she wanted to do something meaningful and ended the conversation with "If you ever think, "I wish....." or "I would like....." please call me and I will fulfil that wish. Just as we were ending the conversation I asked if she would loan me here Emma DVDs. She brought them right down along with North and South another English BBC set of movies.
August 12
After checking the wound today, Dr. Mitra says I have to go back into surgery. The tooth mark left in the skin bridge doesn't look so good. I thought I would go crazy while he made me lie on my stomach--the position I have to take whenever the wound is looked at--for this mornings redressing and check. I am disappointed, but worse, I am like a caged animal. Something they are giving me is making me really anxious. I can not go into that surgery room again in this state. I have asked for something to soothe my nerves. Weak me! It ended up Xanax.
We laughed with the nurses all the way to surgery. Scott came with me to the surgery. I thought he was really funny, but he said I was the funny one. He asked me on the way if we were going to get a baby out of this trip to the surgery. I replied that there had been only one immaculate conception. The nurses laughed and laughed at that. I am funny, but only when I am really nervous.
Getting and settling on the operating table--which is a misnomer because even a little table is wider that this operating table--was a joke. As they tried to decide which way to have me lie, I was just sure I would fall off the table.
Why do doctors tell you that anesthesia strong enough for surgery is going so sting "just a little." Liars. When he gave me the first shot of anesthesia it really hurt. I said, "Whoa!" Everyone stopped working and just looked at me. I am not sure what they expected; swearing, crying, screaming. Not whoa obviously. Dr. Mitra started to work, but not very gently. He is not a gentle doctor. He worked for a while and then decided to snip away some skin which was not past feeling. Again I said, "Whoa" louder than before. One of the nurses laughed. I was laughing with that nurse on the way back to my room when she told me that I did well. My reply was, "Yes I only said 'whoa' three times. She laughed so hard she ran my bed into the wall. I am pretty sure they do not use the word 'whoa' here, so I am not sure why she thought it was so funny. Ah well, it is always good to laugh.
I am grateful for the Xanax. It got me through the surgery and calmed my nervous. I have refused to take any painkillers after this little surgery. We are praying the skin bridge holds. Dr. Mitra tried to save it while he got rid of what did not look good.
My eyes are still suffering. One of the nurses thinks it is caused by the strength of the antibiotics. She says I am on huge doses of heavy antibiotics.
Broke out of jail for an hour. Scott checked me out on a one hour pass; what hospital in Utah would allow that? We drove around, stopped at McDonalds;I haven't been eating much which is good for Scott who is eating the majority of the meals the hospital provides. We ate at the sea wall and watched a cruise ship leave Suva Harbour. In just exactly an hour we were back at the hospital.
Scott has been so good. He sleeps every night on this really uncomfortable looking couch. He takes care of my every little need. He has brought chick flicks-Enchanted, Pride and Prejudice, Ever After and Herbie the Love Bug--from home for me to watch. My eyes seem to handle that OK, just not little print. So far we have just watched the first two, but they have given me a mental respite.
We laughed with the nurses all the way to surgery. Scott came with me to the surgery. I thought he was really funny, but he said I was the funny one. He asked me on the way if we were going to get a baby out of this trip to the surgery. I replied that there had been only one immaculate conception. The nurses laughed and laughed at that. I am funny, but only when I am really nervous.
Getting and settling on the operating table--which is a misnomer because even a little table is wider that this operating table--was a joke. As they tried to decide which way to have me lie, I was just sure I would fall off the table.
Why do doctors tell you that anesthesia strong enough for surgery is going so sting "just a little." Liars. When he gave me the first shot of anesthesia it really hurt. I said, "Whoa!" Everyone stopped working and just looked at me. I am not sure what they expected; swearing, crying, screaming. Not whoa obviously. Dr. Mitra started to work, but not very gently. He is not a gentle doctor. He worked for a while and then decided to snip away some skin which was not past feeling. Again I said, "Whoa" louder than before. One of the nurses laughed. I was laughing with that nurse on the way back to my room when she told me that I did well. My reply was, "Yes I only said 'whoa' three times. She laughed so hard she ran my bed into the wall. I am pretty sure they do not use the word 'whoa' here, so I am not sure why she thought it was so funny. Ah well, it is always good to laugh.
I am grateful for the Xanax. It got me through the surgery and calmed my nervous. I have refused to take any painkillers after this little surgery. We are praying the skin bridge holds. Dr. Mitra tried to save it while he got rid of what did not look good.
My eyes are still suffering. One of the nurses thinks it is caused by the strength of the antibiotics. She says I am on huge doses of heavy antibiotics.
Broke out of jail for an hour. Scott checked me out on a one hour pass; what hospital in Utah would allow that? We drove around, stopped at McDonalds;I haven't been eating much which is good for Scott who is eating the majority of the meals the hospital provides. We ate at the sea wall and watched a cruise ship leave Suva Harbour. In just exactly an hour we were back at the hospital.
Scott has been so good. He sleeps every night on this really uncomfortable looking couch. He takes care of my every little need. He has brought chick flicks-Enchanted, Pride and Prejudice, Ever After and Herbie the Love Bug--from home for me to watch. My eyes seem to handle that OK, just not little print. So far we have just watched the first two, but they have given me a mental respite.
August 11
Dr. Mitra came in this morning to look at the wound. Getting the bandage off just about did me in. Then he pulled up the skin at the edge of the wound (the surgeon left a sort of skin flap around the edges by undercutting the good skin) and began to rub some kind of antiseptic around on the raw wound. WHOA! I did not scream, but I did moan. I am glad it is done, but not looking forward to tomorrow's repeat performance. The Doc says it looks good, but Scott says it look horrible, still blue skin which the doc says is just dead skin. He is worried, however, about the skin bridge that goes from one side of the wound to the other that the surgeon left hoping that it would prevent the need for grafting. He will check on me again tomorrow.
Scott left me with Sister Limburg--he had asked her to babysit me--long enough to teach Elder Well's Temple Prep class in Sunday school. Sister Limburg is a talker which really helped my spirits today. I enjoyed having her around, however, she was grateful to see Scott and get back to her own meetings.
Today was a day of mental and spiritual strife. Why does Satan do this? I was not tired any longer and so I could not sleep. My eyes were still wiggling and intolerant to light, so I could not read. Every time the nurse changed the IV, I asked to be disconnected and made Scott go for a walk with me. Sometimes I even paced the room. The only thing that seemed to help are the CDs of the hymns that Scott brought from home. It is absolutely amazing how calming the hymns were to my soul. I think we played them almost the entire day.
About an hour after Scott got back to the hospital, Manase Kafoa and Wame came with the sacrament. Oh how I thrilled to see it. I needed its healing power today. Scott said the opening prayer, Manase blessed, Wame (really Nawame) passed. I gave a short testimony and Wame said the closing prayer. Afterwards I felt the most comfort I have felt since the surgery. I hope I can maintain it. I am so grateful for righteous priesthood holders.
After they left I thought about Dad's last days. The ones where he was too sick to attend church. He would wait anxiously every Sunday for the High Priests to bring the sacrament. I am grateful to have had such a faithful father, one who was such an example of a disciple of Christ. It has been 38 years since he passed away and yet I am still feeling his influence in my life.
Sister Suliana came again today and brought one of her counsellors. I am sorry I don't remember her name. As they were leaving, she asked if she could pray; it was the most fervent prayer. I wish I could remember the words. These Fijians are so devout, so spiritual, so close to God.
Shortly after Betty, our landlord and her niece came bringing dinner. In the public hospital here in Suva--Colonial War Memorial Hospital--family has to bring food for those staying in the hospital.
Speaking of talking directly with Heavenly Father. Bishop Farpa'pau came to visit late this afternoon. He sat and chatted for a while and then just before he left he asked if he could pray with/for me. We want all the heavenly help we can get, so we readily agreed. He then pushed his chair back, and knelt down on the hard, not so clean hospital floor. When Scott followed suite, Bishop told Scott he did not need to kneel, but Scott did anyway. When the Bishop prayed, the Holy Spirit entered the room. His prayer was so humble. He was talking directly to God. He told Him what had happened to me and exactly what the Bishop wanted Him to do for me nonetheless 'thy will be done.' I cried. What is it that makes these Fijians such wonderful prayers? Humble prayers? Faith filled prayers? In his prayer Bishop said, "Heavenly Father we know that with you nothing is impossible. Please heal Sister Tennis. Intervene in her and Elder Tennis behalf so they can finish their mission. Bless her to walk and run and not be weary." There was more, but this is what I remember. No wonder I cried.
We were grateful that the Bishop, after much prodding, agreed to take the two dinners Betty brought home. It would have been awful to waste all that good food and I am sure that by the time the Bishop left us there was no long a warm meal ready for him at home.
Scott left me with Sister Limburg--he had asked her to babysit me--long enough to teach Elder Well's Temple Prep class in Sunday school. Sister Limburg is a talker which really helped my spirits today. I enjoyed having her around, however, she was grateful to see Scott and get back to her own meetings.
Today was a day of mental and spiritual strife. Why does Satan do this? I was not tired any longer and so I could not sleep. My eyes were still wiggling and intolerant to light, so I could not read. Every time the nurse changed the IV, I asked to be disconnected and made Scott go for a walk with me. Sometimes I even paced the room. The only thing that seemed to help are the CDs of the hymns that Scott brought from home. It is absolutely amazing how calming the hymns were to my soul. I think we played them almost the entire day.
About an hour after Scott got back to the hospital, Manase Kafoa and Wame came with the sacrament. Oh how I thrilled to see it. I needed its healing power today. Scott said the opening prayer, Manase blessed, Wame (really Nawame) passed. I gave a short testimony and Wame said the closing prayer. Afterwards I felt the most comfort I have felt since the surgery. I hope I can maintain it. I am so grateful for righteous priesthood holders.
After they left I thought about Dad's last days. The ones where he was too sick to attend church. He would wait anxiously every Sunday for the High Priests to bring the sacrament. I am grateful to have had such a faithful father, one who was such an example of a disciple of Christ. It has been 38 years since he passed away and yet I am still feeling his influence in my life.
Sister Suliana came again today and brought one of her counsellors. I am sorry I don't remember her name. As they were leaving, she asked if she could pray; it was the most fervent prayer. I wish I could remember the words. These Fijians are so devout, so spiritual, so close to God.
Shortly after Betty, our landlord and her niece came bringing dinner. In the public hospital here in Suva--Colonial War Memorial Hospital--family has to bring food for those staying in the hospital.
Speaking of talking directly with Heavenly Father. Bishop Farpa'pau came to visit late this afternoon. He sat and chatted for a while and then just before he left he asked if he could pray with/for me. We want all the heavenly help we can get, so we readily agreed. He then pushed his chair back, and knelt down on the hard, not so clean hospital floor. When Scott followed suite, Bishop told Scott he did not need to kneel, but Scott did anyway. When the Bishop prayed, the Holy Spirit entered the room. His prayer was so humble. He was talking directly to God. He told Him what had happened to me and exactly what the Bishop wanted Him to do for me nonetheless 'thy will be done.' I cried. What is it that makes these Fijians such wonderful prayers? Humble prayers? Faith filled prayers? In his prayer Bishop said, "Heavenly Father we know that with you nothing is impossible. Please heal Sister Tennis. Intervene in her and Elder Tennis behalf so they can finish their mission. Bless her to walk and run and not be weary." There was more, but this is what I remember. No wonder I cried.
We were grateful that the Bishop, after much prodding, agreed to take the two dinners Betty brought home. It would have been awful to waste all that good food and I am sure that by the time the Bishop left us there was no long a warm meal ready for him at home.
Thursday, September 5, 2013
August 10
Woke up still nauseated. Dr. Hong is no longer my doctor. It seems he left this morning for an extended stay in China. My new doctor is Dr. Mitra who is Indian. I ask him to discontinue the intravenous pain meds he is giving me. He thinks I am nauseated because of the pain. I say bah humbug. He is going to give me a nausea med, and change my pain medication to pills. I hope that will take care of the problem.
Scott has been taking pictures of the wound each day and so he saw the surgery wound today. He says it is huge! It is funny, but I do not care as long as the gangrene is gone and I do not have to go home. I will probably care later, but not today.
I am taking between 8 and 10 different antibiotics. It is difficult to tell as they do some from a drip and some they just use a syringe to deliver into the catheter in my hand. Those always burn. By noon I needed a new catheter. The GP they called in to do it said that the antibiotics were so strong that they messed up the rubber part of the catheter. Is that what they call the thing they put in your hand or arm so the fluids get into your blood stream?
This is going to sound like I am complaining, but really I am not. I am grateful for the quality of care here in Fiji. I absolutely do not want to go home. OK so here it is. Something they are giving me makes my eyes wiggle. I can not read. What is one supposed to do in a hospital if one can not read and there is no television?
The nausea continued into the afternoon, so this afternoon I told the nurse I refused to have any more pain medication. Interestingly enough by the time I was ready to sleep the tight band feeling around my head was gone as was the nausea. My eyes are still wiggling, however.
Visitors today included Sister Suliana, the R.S. president. She came in this morning. Tonight Olive, Louisa, and Ron came with fruit. These three always make me laugh. Kami, Sosi and Anirudh also visited. Kami, Sosi and Anirudh asked me specifically where the dog lived and what kind of a dog it was. My guess is they are going to get rid of the dog since they are sure the police will not.
Scott has been taking pictures of the wound each day and so he saw the surgery wound today. He says it is huge! It is funny, but I do not care as long as the gangrene is gone and I do not have to go home. I will probably care later, but not today.
I am taking between 8 and 10 different antibiotics. It is difficult to tell as they do some from a drip and some they just use a syringe to deliver into the catheter in my hand. Those always burn. By noon I needed a new catheter. The GP they called in to do it said that the antibiotics were so strong that they messed up the rubber part of the catheter. Is that what they call the thing they put in your hand or arm so the fluids get into your blood stream?
This is going to sound like I am complaining, but really I am not. I am grateful for the quality of care here in Fiji. I absolutely do not want to go home. OK so here it is. Something they are giving me makes my eyes wiggle. I can not read. What is one supposed to do in a hospital if one can not read and there is no television?
The nausea continued into the afternoon, so this afternoon I told the nurse I refused to have any more pain medication. Interestingly enough by the time I was ready to sleep the tight band feeling around my head was gone as was the nausea. My eyes are still wiggling, however.
Visitors today included Sister Suliana, the R.S. president. She came in this morning. Tonight Olive, Louisa, and Ron came with fruit. These three always make me laugh. Kami, Sosi and Anirudh also visited. Kami, Sosi and Anirudh asked me specifically where the dog lived and what kind of a dog it was. My guess is they are going to get rid of the dog since they are sure the police will not.
August 9
When I told Sister Limburg that the bite still hurt (I am limping), she sent me to the hospital. When I finally got in to see the doctor and she took the bandage off, everyone had a heart attack over the smell. It seems I have gangrene. She immediately called in a surgeon, who came and agreed with the diagnosis and told me that I would have to be admitted to the hospital for surgery.
Scott asked for the best room they had. It is called the VIP room and is large--not particularly nice. It has a couch which was why Scott wanted it. He will sleep in the hospital with me every night until I go home. We have learned over the years that one gets better care when one has an advocate in the hospital at all times.
Scott got me admitted and then went home to get supplies.
The surgery was at 5:00 p.m. Dr. Hong, who is Chinese, did the surgery. Dr. Virniki, who is Fijian but had an Aussie accent, did the anesthesia. I really like Dr. Virniki.
According to the doctor I got infected because the dog got me with his canines which went very deep. Those deep bite marks after being cleaned out closed near the skin level and the bottom part of the wound festered and there was no place for the festering to seep out. Basically Dr. Hong cut a huge piece of my calf out just past the bite marks.
I am not sure what time it was when I woke up, but I remember seeing President and Sister Klingler sitting in our room talking to Scott. I surely hope I did not say anything stupid.
I was nauseated all night. I am not sure whether it was the anesthesia, pain killer they give you before you wake up, or from the pain killers they are giving me now.
Scott asked for the best room they had. It is called the VIP room and is large--not particularly nice. It has a couch which was why Scott wanted it. He will sleep in the hospital with me every night until I go home. We have learned over the years that one gets better care when one has an advocate in the hospital at all times.
Scott got me admitted and then went home to get supplies.
The surgery was at 5:00 p.m. Dr. Hong, who is Chinese, did the surgery. Dr. Virniki, who is Fijian but had an Aussie accent, did the anesthesia. I really like Dr. Virniki.
According to the doctor I got infected because the dog got me with his canines which went very deep. Those deep bite marks after being cleaned out closed near the skin level and the bottom part of the wound festered and there was no place for the festering to seep out. Basically Dr. Hong cut a huge piece of my calf out just past the bite marks.
I am not sure what time it was when I woke up, but I remember seeing President and Sister Klingler sitting in our room talking to Scott. I surely hope I did not say anything stupid.
I was nauseated all night. I am not sure whether it was the anesthesia, pain killer they give you before you wake up, or from the pain killers they are giving me now.
August 8
Scott changed my bandage yesterday for me, and Sister Limburg changed it today. She said it sort of smelled which is not good, but felt we probably were O.K. It still hurts!
August 6
Up at 6:30 a.m. because I could not sleep. We went to the police department to fill out the last of the police report. Nice young police woman. There are no real dog laws in Fiji. If the police can find the dog and it belongs to someone they must pay a fine and my medical costs. If the dog is a stray the SPCA will take the dog. I have been told that the SPCS will let the dog go to a family after a short period of time, or just let him loose.
The police woman who took my statement kept saying, "What do you want to happen, Mrs. Tennis What is it that you want, Mrs. Tennis" I could not figure out why. (See note below) I told her that I wanted the dog to be put in a place where he could never hurt anyone every again.
Sister Limburg changed the dressing and said it looks good.
To add to the problems of this week. I am having light flashes in my left eye. Sister Limburg is going to get me an appointment with an eye specialist. It is probably the beginnings of a torn retina. Had it before, but did not know what it was. Last time I got no medical help and it just went away.
Spent the day at a training with the Service Center employees at the Holiday Inn here. We were told to read Elder Bednar's book Act in Doctrine. It was the basis of the training today.
We also got information on when our replacement is coming. They will miss the YSA conference in December. Too bad for them and good for us. I would love to go again especially as we get to sleep at home.
Since I am writing this entry way after the fact, I have learned some interesting stuff. First, there are no stray Dobermans in Fiji. They are a highly coveted dog, so if the man who owned this dog really did go to Australia, he would have sold the dog to someone else (like the neighbor). Secondly, there is a law in Fiji that states the victim of harm by a dog has the absolute right to dictate what happens to the dog. Funny the police woman did not tell me that!
The police woman who took my statement kept saying, "What do you want to happen, Mrs. Tennis What is it that you want, Mrs. Tennis" I could not figure out why. (See note below) I told her that I wanted the dog to be put in a place where he could never hurt anyone every again.
Sister Limburg changed the dressing and said it looks good.
To add to the problems of this week. I am having light flashes in my left eye. Sister Limburg is going to get me an appointment with an eye specialist. It is probably the beginnings of a torn retina. Had it before, but did not know what it was. Last time I got no medical help and it just went away.
Spent the day at a training with the Service Center employees at the Holiday Inn here. We were told to read Elder Bednar's book Act in Doctrine. It was the basis of the training today.
We also got information on when our replacement is coming. They will miss the YSA conference in December. Too bad for them and good for us. I would love to go again especially as we get to sleep at home.
Since I am writing this entry way after the fact, I have learned some interesting stuff. First, there are no stray Dobermans in Fiji. They are a highly coveted dog, so if the man who owned this dog really did go to Australia, he would have sold the dog to someone else (like the neighbor). Secondly, there is a law in Fiji that states the victim of harm by a dog has the absolute right to dictate what happens to the dog. Funny the police woman did not tell me that!
August 5
Left home at sometime after 6:45 a.m. to do my thrice weekly walk up Princess Road towards LDS College. I stopped for a short time to talk to Sister and Elder Wells and Sister Updike. I really did not want to be walking, but after I turned the corner by the temple to go up the hill, I found myself getting into the groove. I was really hauling--for an out-of-shape 66 year old woman. I passed the grocery story, MH, in about 15 minutes. I had just decided to go all the way to the LDS College when I noticed two dogs just sitting in the driveway of a home. They were just there watching the road. I did not pay too much attention to them. I walked about ten feet beyond the driveway when I felt real sharp pain in my calf. It took me a moment to realize that one of the dogs had bitten me. I jerked my leg away, and, I hate to admit it, screamed. I turned just in time to see a black Doberman let go, thankfully, and head back up the driveway.
I looked down and my leg was a mass of blood. It was running into my shoe. A sweet Fijian man who was waiting for a bus came to help me. When I started looking for something to stop the bleeding, he stopped me and started to take of his shirts--shirt s. He had on three probably to keep warm. He gave me the middle shirt to use to stop the blood flow. I wiped my leg and saw three puncture wounds and one long tear which probably happened when I jerked my leg. The man told me the dog lived at the driveway house. I was going to limp home, but decided to take a cab when I got to the taxi stand. The driver helped me into the car, and while driving me home told me the Doberman lived at the house with the driveway next to the taxi stand.
I got home just as Scott was pulling up from his swim, and we went into the house and cleaned me up, washed my shoe and then Scott insisted that we report it to the police. They wanted us to drive them to the house where it happened. When we got to the house, the lady was outside and preceded to tell us that the dog was a stray. She vehemently denied owning the dog. We took the police back to their station, Scott filled out the preliminary form and we went to the mission home to have Sister Limburg, the new mission nurse, look at the wound. She said we absolutely had to go to the hospital which we did. There we checked in, waited, had my vital signs taken (why?), waited, saw the Doc who gave us a prescription for an antibiotic and at Scott's insistence an antibiotic cream, waited, and then a nurse cleaned up the wound and dressed it. That was so painful. She stuck a syringe (no needle) into each wound and irrigated it with iodine. GULP! We were told to come back in the morning to redress it. I will have it done by Sister Limburg who wants to watch it anyway and there is no charge and no waiting.
I am in considerable pain.
We spent part of the day helping Edwards shop for ties. I rested. Had Dinner at the Wellses. It was nice to be busy so that I would think about something besides my leg.
I could not sleep as my leg hurt so much. Turned out the lights at 12:30 p.m., but did not fall asleep until after 2:00 a.m.
I looked down and my leg was a mass of blood. It was running into my shoe. A sweet Fijian man who was waiting for a bus came to help me. When I started looking for something to stop the bleeding, he stopped me and started to take of his shirts--shirt s. He had on three probably to keep warm. He gave me the middle shirt to use to stop the blood flow. I wiped my leg and saw three puncture wounds and one long tear which probably happened when I jerked my leg. The man told me the dog lived at the driveway house. I was going to limp home, but decided to take a cab when I got to the taxi stand. The driver helped me into the car, and while driving me home told me the Doberman lived at the house with the driveway next to the taxi stand.
I got home just as Scott was pulling up from his swim, and we went into the house and cleaned me up, washed my shoe and then Scott insisted that we report it to the police. They wanted us to drive them to the house where it happened. When we got to the house, the lady was outside and preceded to tell us that the dog was a stray. She vehemently denied owning the dog. We took the police back to their station, Scott filled out the preliminary form and we went to the mission home to have Sister Limburg, the new mission nurse, look at the wound. She said we absolutely had to go to the hospital which we did. There we checked in, waited, had my vital signs taken (why?), waited, saw the Doc who gave us a prescription for an antibiotic and at Scott's insistence an antibiotic cream, waited, and then a nurse cleaned up the wound and dressed it. That was so painful. She stuck a syringe (no needle) into each wound and irrigated it with iodine. GULP! We were told to come back in the morning to redress it. I will have it done by Sister Limburg who wants to watch it anyway and there is no charge and no waiting.
I am in considerable pain.
We spent part of the day helping Edwards shop for ties. I rested. Had Dinner at the Wellses. It was nice to be busy so that I would think about something besides my leg.
I could not sleep as my leg hurt so much. Turned out the lights at 12:30 p.m., but did not fall asleep until after 2:00 a.m.
 |
| The Dog Bite |
August 4
Wame (wah may), who is male, was confirmed in church today. Bishop Farpa'pau did the confirmation. Bishop is such a spiritual man. The blessing he gave was amazing.
It was Fast Day today. I love Fast meetings in our Samabula Ward. There are never any silent times and the testimonies are just that--testimonies. No travel logs. No thank-a-monies. Just pure testimony. Today, however there were many--but not long--quiet times in the meeting. I kept track today of the topics of the testimonies: this is the true church; charity never faileth, as a daughter of God, my life has a plan, a purpose, and a destiny; faith is found in the lion's den, in the fiery furnace, and in the eye of the storm; I would not change my trials for anyone else's, because I know my trials will make me stronger and better; always serve God; if we pray with sincerity Heavenly Father will always answer us and he will answer what is best for us.
Sister Farpa'pau told about an experience that Bishop had this week in one of his university classes. The professor asked each person to stand and answer the question "Who are you?" When it was Bishop's turn he stood and said, " I am a son of God." Before he could say anymore the professor said, "Bah" along with a wide swipe of his hand. He did not want to hear it. I am proud of the Bishop. We should always be proud to stand firm for the truths of God.
It was Fast Day today. I love Fast meetings in our Samabula Ward. There are never any silent times and the testimonies are just that--testimonies. No travel logs. No thank-a-monies. Just pure testimony. Today, however there were many--but not long--quiet times in the meeting. I kept track today of the topics of the testimonies: this is the true church; charity never faileth, as a daughter of God, my life has a plan, a purpose, and a destiny; faith is found in the lion's den, in the fiery furnace, and in the eye of the storm; I would not change my trials for anyone else's, because I know my trials will make me stronger and better; always serve God; if we pray with sincerity Heavenly Father will always answer us and he will answer what is best for us.
Sister Farpa'pau told about an experience that Bishop had this week in one of his university classes. The professor asked each person to stand and answer the question "Who are you?" When it was Bishop's turn he stood and said, " I am a son of God." Before he could say anymore the professor said, "Bah" along with a wide swipe of his hand. He did not want to hear it. I am proud of the Bishop. We should always be proud to stand firm for the truths of God.
August 3
We were invited to and attended Mereani Delaitubuna's 21st birthday. Twenty-first birthdays are a big deal here in Fiji. Even poor families find a way to do a big celebration. Mereani's was held in a restaurant downtown. She had invited her entire family. There were between 35-50 people in attendance.
There is always what mother calls a program with Fijian occasions. There was an opening song, and prayer. Her brother-in-law was the emcee; a relative from her mother's side and one from her father's spoke, a member of the bishopbric spoke, Scott was asked to speak for the institute, her mother talked, and then Mereani spoke. All of the talks were in Fijian except Scott's talk and part of Mereani's.
It is interesting that Mereani's mother gave her a big wooden key. When I asked why, Mereani explained that it is a symbol that she is grown and can now go out and do whatever she choses to do. Interesting.
After the program Scott gave the prayer on the food, we ate and I really loved the miji (me chi). The cake was in the form of an open book with a scripture from Jeremiah on it. We left as we had a baptism we needed to attend. Everyone else stayed to talk, or to dance.
I am sure that Mereani's mother had saved all year to afford this celebration.
Wame was baptised today. He is the grand nephew of President Mica Seru. The YSAs sang.
There is always what mother calls a program with Fijian occasions. There was an opening song, and prayer. Her brother-in-law was the emcee; a relative from her mother's side and one from her father's spoke, a member of the bishopbric spoke, Scott was asked to speak for the institute, her mother talked, and then Mereani spoke. All of the talks were in Fijian except Scott's talk and part of Mereani's.
It is interesting that Mereani's mother gave her a big wooden key. When I asked why, Mereani explained that it is a symbol that she is grown and can now go out and do whatever she choses to do. Interesting.
After the program Scott gave the prayer on the food, we ate and I really loved the miji (me chi). The cake was in the form of an open book with a scripture from Jeremiah on it. We left as we had a baptism we needed to attend. Everyone else stayed to talk, or to dance.
I am sure that Mereani's mother had saved all year to afford this celebration.
Wame was baptised today. He is the grand nephew of President Mica Seru. The YSAs sang.
August 1, 2013
Today Sangrita showed up for baptisms. She is not a YSA, but a single mom who is trying to get ready to go to the temple. She is in the Samabula Temple Preparation class that we taught this past Sunday for Elder Wells. We invited her to come with the YSAs today, so that she could feel how wonderful being in the temple is. Scott and I were late getting to the temple. Because I knew that she had planned to come, I checked the baptistry; no Sangrita. I was sure she would be there, so I checked the dressing room once more and found her just standing in the middle of the room. She was so excited to see me, because she was nervous to be alone in the temple. I just gave her a hug, got her to the door of the baptistry, told her that the temple ladies would take good care of her, and went into the endowment session.
She had a great time, and we believe that being in the temple today had strengthened her resolve to become worthy for the rest of the blessings the temple has in store for her.
She had a great time, and we believe that being in the temple today had strengthened her resolve to become worthy for the rest of the blessings the temple has in store for her.
July30
Taught the Tuesday Doctrine and Covenants class today. I had planned the lesson around lots of self study and discussion, however, when the class started it was made up of: a convert of one week, an investigator, a new member of two months, one member who is just becoming active again, a member of just less than a year. I knew my planned lesson was not going to work. What should have been a discussion ended up scripture reading followed by an instructor (me) explanation of the reading. The discussion after the explanation was really a painful experience even after more students who knew the gospel showed up for class.
After an experience like this, one can only pray that the students felt the Spirit and, perhaps, learned one new thing that would increase their faith.
After an experience like this, one can only pray that the students felt the Spirit and, perhaps, learned one new thing that would increase their faith.
July 29
Mission Finances
This is the unspiritual part of the mission. I thought it would interesting to know how much our mission is costing us a month. All these amounts are in US Dollars. So here goes:
$150 Van Rental
$180 Gas and Car Washes
$36 Mobile Phone
$700 Rent and Utilities
$396 Church Health Insurance 2x$198
$1,600 Food, Clothes, and Misc. Living Expenses
So for about $2,000 U.S. a month we can pay for our mission. Our food costs are high because we eat out a lot. Often after our classes or at lunch we will go to McDonalds if we are in a hurry, or it we are not in a hurry we go to a sit down restaurant. We could definitely cut our food expense if we needed to. We also go to a store called "Cost U Less" about once a month. Every time we go it costs me more. They have American and New Zealand products. Stuff we recognize and think we need it when we see it. We go in for a small $30 (Fijian) item and come out spending $300 Fijian on lots of stuff. How does that happen?
We have a very easy way to get cash. All our money is automatically deposited into our bank account at home. I then use a debit card at the ATM when I need cash. I can withdraw $800 Fijian at a whack. This costs me an $8.00 service fee a withdrawal. We operate totally on cash and it works beautifully. The conversion rate from Fijian $ to US $ is take half the Fijian amount and add back 10% of the Fijian amount. That gives us the cost in U.S. dollars. So $20 Fijian is about $12 US.
On this budget we suffer for nothing. I did not mention fixed expenses at home we still pay like property taxes, electricity, heat, telephone, truck insurance, taxes etc.
Has the cost of the mission been worth it? Absolutely, undeniably yes! yes! yes!
This is the unspiritual part of the mission. I thought it would interesting to know how much our mission is costing us a month. All these amounts are in US Dollars. So here goes:
$150 Van Rental
$180 Gas and Car Washes
$36 Mobile Phone
$700 Rent and Utilities
$396 Church Health Insurance 2x$198
$1,600 Food, Clothes, and Misc. Living Expenses
So for about $2,000 U.S. a month we can pay for our mission. Our food costs are high because we eat out a lot. Often after our classes or at lunch we will go to McDonalds if we are in a hurry, or it we are not in a hurry we go to a sit down restaurant. We could definitely cut our food expense if we needed to. We also go to a store called "Cost U Less" about once a month. Every time we go it costs me more. They have American and New Zealand products. Stuff we recognize and think we need it when we see it. We go in for a small $30 (Fijian) item and come out spending $300 Fijian on lots of stuff. How does that happen?
We have a very easy way to get cash. All our money is automatically deposited into our bank account at home. I then use a debit card at the ATM when I need cash. I can withdraw $800 Fijian at a whack. This costs me an $8.00 service fee a withdrawal. We operate totally on cash and it works beautifully. The conversion rate from Fijian $ to US $ is take half the Fijian amount and add back 10% of the Fijian amount. That gives us the cost in U.S. dollars. So $20 Fijian is about $12 US.
On this budget we suffer for nothing. I did not mention fixed expenses at home we still pay like property taxes, electricity, heat, telephone, truck insurance, taxes etc.
Has the cost of the mission been worth it? Absolutely, undeniably yes! yes! yes!
July 27
Scott's Exercise In Fiji
It now is the middle of July which is the middle of the winter. The pool is not very crowded because it is so cold that the recreational swimmers do not come during the cold months. The temperature gets down to a freezing 70 degrees in the early morning. The early 5 a.m. morning pool staff are always cold and come to work wearing hoody sweat shirts, scarfs, beanies, and long warm pants. They think I am very brave to swim in such cold weather.
My routine is to get up when I wake up between 4:30 a.m. and 5:00 a.m., read my scriptures, say my prayers, change into my swimsuit, go to the pool, and swim 1,600 meters which is about a mile. After the swim I use the metal bars, shown above, to do 50 pull ups and 50 lat pulls. The swim and workout takes about 45 to 50 minutes. Needless to say I am slowest in the pool. I then shower there and go home. From our house it takes me about 8 minutes in the van to get there and up to 20 minutes to get home if I am too late and hit Suva rush hour traffic.
On the off days, I do yoga to a video tape. This takes about 30 minutes and really helps my back and bulged disc and my arthritic hip. When I first got here I ran in the morning, but found that it hurt my back and hip so I went to a workout that had less impact, swim 3 days and yoga 3 days each week.
This is another picture of the big pool. The year pass cost me $150 Fiji dollars. This is about $90 US. The pass allows me to swim every day if I want for the entire year. What a deal!
Each morning when I go to the pool and start swimming in the dark, there is one bank, or set, of lights on for about half my swim. Then as it gets light the pool lights are switched off and I get to watch the sunrise behind the palm trees for the last half of my swim. It is stunningly beautiful when it is not raining as the sun rises reflecting golden and orange colors across the whole sky. I feel such gratitude for the privilege for serving a mission in such a beautiful land with such fabulous people.
This is Sharon Pickering Smith a swim coach. She starts the kids swimming at 5 a.m. I got talking to her about her competitive experience and swim background. I found out that she was a two-time Olympian and a Fiji swim record holder for a number of years. This week she is taking three Fiji swimmers to Barcelona to compete. I was awed at her experience.
In the morning when I come to the pool I always talk to the two ladies, Sako and Teather. Teather gets up at 3:00 a.m. Fixes her kids lunches for school and then walks to work at 4:00 a.m. to make it there by 5 a.m. Sako is a single lady who is about 40 years old and one of the few Fijian woman who is thin. She is the long jump record holder for Fiji and still competes in net ball and occasionally track meets. I gave both these woman Books of Mormon and Joseph Smith pamphlets. I have to laugh because when I visit with them they call me pastor.
The missionary APS wanted to go golfing; so we went.
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