It is Wednesday and I am starting to panic. Even though the blog is caught up, there is still so much to do in the institute before we go. We spent the entire day doing all sorts of little things that take time and are necessary, but that do not seem to amount to anything.
Jackson's took us out to lunch today as a farewell gesture. We are going to miss them. They are so delightful, and are so kind. We are very glad that they live relatively close to us in Utah.
Spent the evening doing family sealings in the temple. Scott is glad to have them completed. We were in the sealing room with only four men and about 12 women. Strange.
We went home afterwards and just relaxed.
Thursday, December 5, 2013
December 3
Went to the devotional at the Service Center this morning. It was interesting. We have not made a big deal of going home. We haven't wanted to think about; we haven't wanted to talk about it, so many people do not know it is here.
I was hoping that we would just get through the devotional and on with the day. As Elder Wakolo was talking before the devotional part of the meeting, he kept looking over at us. After doing that about four or five times he stopped and asked, "Elder and Sister Tennis when are you going home?" I told him we were leaving Monday.
"Next Monday?"
"No, this Monday." When he looked incredulously at me I add, "All missions have to come to an end sometime and now is our time."
I think he was inspired to ask that questions. He and all of the Service Center would have been embarrassed if they had missed saying good-bye to us. So the devotional was our testimonies. Scott does such a great job. He is spiritual, funny, poinient, and then spiritual again. Elder Wakolo invited us to be at the morning prayer on Friday so they can sing us the Fijian Farewell Song and have a little breakfast. Nice save, Elder Wakolo. Just another indication of why he is a Seventy and the manager of the Service Center.
Scott spent the morning in the baptistry with the YSAs. We now have 132 baptized members of our Paradise Ward. Pretty amazing for just 13 weeks and a class full of YSAs who are novices at family history work.
Spent the rest of the day working on this blog. Talking to YSAs in the institute. Asking Elder Jackson to give Scott a blessing, because he got dizzy in the temple and I am afraid that he has overdone it and is getting the flu I started to get on Sunday which did not blossom into full blown flu as Scott gave me a blessing. Delivering Susan Stanford her stuff out of our flat, picking up more food for the fireside, and fixing dinner for Maggie and Brendon.
We said good-bye to Maggie after the fireside tonight; She leaves on her mission tomorrow. She cried and cried when we hugged her. In every life comes people that seem to be familiar even though they are at first strangers. Maggie is one of those people in my life. We loved her instantly the first time she came into the institute. She is one amazing young adult woman. Our only consolation is that we will be friends for an eternity.
I was hoping that we would just get through the devotional and on with the day. As Elder Wakolo was talking before the devotional part of the meeting, he kept looking over at us. After doing that about four or five times he stopped and asked, "Elder and Sister Tennis when are you going home?" I told him we were leaving Monday.
"Next Monday?"
"No, this Monday." When he looked incredulously at me I add, "All missions have to come to an end sometime and now is our time."
I think he was inspired to ask that questions. He and all of the Service Center would have been embarrassed if they had missed saying good-bye to us. So the devotional was our testimonies. Scott does such a great job. He is spiritual, funny, poinient, and then spiritual again. Elder Wakolo invited us to be at the morning prayer on Friday so they can sing us the Fijian Farewell Song and have a little breakfast. Nice save, Elder Wakolo. Just another indication of why he is a Seventy and the manager of the Service Center.
Scott spent the morning in the baptistry with the YSAs. We now have 132 baptized members of our Paradise Ward. Pretty amazing for just 13 weeks and a class full of YSAs who are novices at family history work.
Spent the rest of the day working on this blog. Talking to YSAs in the institute. Asking Elder Jackson to give Scott a blessing, because he got dizzy in the temple and I am afraid that he has overdone it and is getting the flu I started to get on Sunday which did not blossom into full blown flu as Scott gave me a blessing. Delivering Susan Stanford her stuff out of our flat, picking up more food for the fireside, and fixing dinner for Maggie and Brendon.
We said good-bye to Maggie after the fireside tonight; She leaves on her mission tomorrow. She cried and cried when we hugged her. In every life comes people that seem to be familiar even though they are at first strangers. Maggie is one of those people in my life. We loved her instantly the first time she came into the institute. She is one amazing young adult woman. Our only consolation is that we will be friends for an eternity.
December 2
Spent the day trying to get this blog caught up, finishing the 'how-to' sheets for the Petersons. It took all day.
We had our farewell dinner with the Klinglers. They have been wonderful with us. President has allowed us to just do our job, but had always been available to help, give advise, and keep us moving forward. Sister Klingler is such a sweet person. She is the perfect mission president's wife. She works hard. She is kind and empathetic. She is spiritual and expresses that part of herself well.
We have connect through music. She is the one who really got me to start the Institute Choir for which I will be eternally grateful. She asked us to sing, gave me music, talked me through problems for which I had not experience to draw upon, and she let me come cook when I needed to be with other females. Perfect. We have developed a great love for them.
We ate. Had the opportunity to bear our testimonies. Was thrilled to hear Klinglers bear theirs. A wonderful evening even if it was really emotional for both of us.
We had our farewell dinner with the Klinglers. They have been wonderful with us. President has allowed us to just do our job, but had always been available to help, give advise, and keep us moving forward. Sister Klingler is such a sweet person. She is the perfect mission president's wife. She works hard. She is kind and empathetic. She is spiritual and expresses that part of herself well.
We have connect through music. She is the one who really got me to start the Institute Choir for which I will be eternally grateful. She asked us to sing, gave me music, talked me through problems for which I had not experience to draw upon, and she let me come cook when I needed to be with other females. Perfect. We have developed a great love for them.
We ate. Had the opportunity to bear our testimonies. Was thrilled to hear Klinglers bear theirs. A wonderful evening even if it was really emotional for both of us.
November 30
Last night after the dance, we were making sure that everyone had a ride home when someone told us we had a huge group of young adults walking home to Lami which is a more than 3 mile walk. We threw the two girls from Tamavua who needed a ride home and raced to find those walking to Lami. Sure enough there were 12 of them. We loaded them in the van and got them to Lami. Back tracked to Suva. While going up the road to Tamavua we ended up picking up another six young adults. The first we saw was a group of four who refused a ride, but told us there were two woman we did not see as we passed them who would want a ride. We turned around and they gladly accepted a ride. Driving up the hill once again, we noticed a young woman and and a young man who refused the ride. As we drove away one of the girls in the van mentioned that the two who had refused were "cuddling". Not good. When we got to the original four we had seen, I told Scott to stop. I then just told them to get into the van and we would take them home. Anirudh was in this group and he told us that he could not get in because the girl back down the road that would not get in the van was his responsibility. We told him to get in, turned around for the second time and went back down the hill. By the time we got to the "cuddling" couple, my inner mother had come out. I rolled my window down, pointed at the girl and told her to get in the van. Her eyes got wide, but she did get in the van. The boy lives just off the main road so he walked home. Turning around we started up the hill for the third time.
By the time everyone was delivered and we arrived home it was 2:00 a.m. We are really too old for this!
We were up by 7 a.m. to get ready for the service project at 9:30. Willie met us at 9 at the institute. We loaded all the fruit (six cases), the water, and headed to the Bowling Club for the kick off ceremony. When we got there Mr. Narayan told us that had done it at 8:00 and to just go ahead to Suva Point and start cleaning. We passed people in blue FMF shirts cleaning around the Suva Bowling Club. We saw 100 or more police men and woman cleaning the shore about half way to Suva point.
Seventy + YSAs, the Jacksons, The Qaqa family participated in the clean up service project.
By the time everyone was delivered and we arrived home it was 2:00 a.m. We are really too old for this!
We were up by 7 a.m. to get ready for the service project at 9:30. Willie met us at 9 at the institute. We loaded all the fruit (six cases), the water, and headed to the Bowling Club for the kick off ceremony. When we got there Mr. Narayan told us that had done it at 8:00 and to just go ahead to Suva Point and start cleaning. We passed people in blue FMF shirts cleaning around the Suva Bowling Club. We saw 100 or more police men and woman cleaning the shore about half way to Suva point.
Seventy + YSAs, the Jacksons, The Qaqa family participated in the clean up service project.
December 1
I was so tired this morning that I thought I would not be able to get out of bed. I am so thankful for a Sabbath day which is dedicated to the Lord and a day of rest. I really, really needed a day of rest.
Monika cooked us our last Fijian meal with fish, cassava, ota, lolo, fruit (mango, bananas) and plantains. Delicious
Hogges had invited us to dinner which was wonderful.
Monika cooked us our last Fijian meal with fish, cassava, ota, lolo, fruit (mango, bananas) and plantains. Delicious
Hogges had invited us to dinner which was wonderful.
Monday, December 2, 2013
November 29
Onny did not call last night until we were eating dinner with the seniors. So Scott told her to buy the stuff and we would reimburse her for it all.
This morning at 10 we were to decorate. We had asked all the committee to help, and Onny said she would get her friends to come also. When we got to the cultural hall there were only four women, and about three men. The men set up the chairs and the women decorated. They finished by about 3 p.m. I went over for awhile to blow up balloons and to take them cupcakes for lunch.
Scott picked up the DJ at 5 p.m. and had the food guys take all the food out of our office over to the kitchen. Once again Ulai came through. He had asked about five YSAs from Tamavua to help with the food. Nice.
At 7:00 there were five men at the dance not counting the five in the kitchen. At 7:30 we had about 10 men and two women. When it got to be 8:00 and we still had less than 25 in attendance, I was just sure that no one was coming. We ended up with about 150 YSA and did they have fun. One recently returned missionary told me his goal was to dance with every woman at the dance including me. What fun.
We served: punch, cake, twisties, bongos, and cookies. There was plenty as we purchased for 250. There was even food left over.
This morning at 10 we were to decorate. We had asked all the committee to help, and Onny said she would get her friends to come also. When we got to the cultural hall there were only four women, and about three men. The men set up the chairs and the women decorated. They finished by about 3 p.m. I went over for awhile to blow up balloons and to take them cupcakes for lunch.
Scott picked up the DJ at 5 p.m. and had the food guys take all the food out of our office over to the kitchen. Once again Ulai came through. He had asked about five YSAs from Tamavua to help with the food. Nice.
At 7:00 there were five men at the dance not counting the five in the kitchen. At 7:30 we had about 10 men and two women. When it got to be 8:00 and we still had less than 25 in attendance, I was just sure that no one was coming. We ended up with about 150 YSA and did they have fun. One recently returned missionary told me his goal was to dance with every woman at the dance including me. What fun.
We served: punch, cake, twisties, bongos, and cookies. There was plenty as we purchased for 250. There was even food left over.
November 28
Today is Thanksgiving. Scott taught his Mission Prep class. I love watching him with these future missionaries. He pushes and pushes and pushes. They memorize and memorize and he still pushes.
The strange thing is that they love it--everyone of them.
The other thing they love is that the class has the same routine every week. After the devotional, they spend about 15 to 20 minutes reciting the scriptures they have learned in the past and the ones they were assigned in the last class. They always get lollies (hard tack candy). Scott then quickly teaches them the next concept they will be teaching as missionaries usually bearing his testimony along the way. They learn from him, and then they practice teaching each other. He then gives them an assignment to go home and teach the concept to their families before the next class; most teach the concept in Family Home Evening. To conclude the class Scott always shows a segment of "The District II."
Class is the same week after week, never varying and the students love it that way.
Spent the afternoon shopping for the food for the dance tomorrow. We am so proud of Ulai. He had his list ready to go, his mother had found the cheapest places to buy everything, and so our trip took way less time than we thought it would take. Maggie, and Mariah went with us. It was fun.
We are hoping that Onny will call before we go the our Thanksgiving dinner and say she is ready to go buy the decorations.
The strange thing is that they love it--everyone of them.
The other thing they love is that the class has the same routine every week. After the devotional, they spend about 15 to 20 minutes reciting the scriptures they have learned in the past and the ones they were assigned in the last class. They always get lollies (hard tack candy). Scott then quickly teaches them the next concept they will be teaching as missionaries usually bearing his testimony along the way. They learn from him, and then they practice teaching each other. He then gives them an assignment to go home and teach the concept to their families before the next class; most teach the concept in Family Home Evening. To conclude the class Scott always shows a segment of "The District II."
Class is the same week after week, never varying and the students love it that way.
Spent the afternoon shopping for the food for the dance tomorrow. We am so proud of Ulai. He had his list ready to go, his mother had found the cheapest places to buy everything, and so our trip took way less time than we thought it would take. Maggie, and Mariah went with us. It was fun.
We are hoping that Onny will call before we go the our Thanksgiving dinner and say she is ready to go buy the decorations.
November 27
Tonight was our last Eternal Marriage Class. I wanted to summarize all we had learned over these past 13 weeks. I found this really wonderful talk given by President Spencer W. Kimball to the young adults (I think) in Sweden? Norway? It contains a summary of all the most important things these Fijian YSAs need to remember. I had them read different pages underlining the advise given them by President Kimball and then those that read a specific page told the rest of them what to underline. We talked about things as we went.
I ended the lesson with the 12 promises made by Vaughn J. Featherstone to those who are regular temple attenders. The promises are so profound.
I ended with a strong testimony. I started with "I want you to know what I believe."
I worry for our YSAs. They have many especially bad customs to withstand, parents who mean well, but are doing well by them, and the same trials that every YSA across the world face. They must be very, very strong to face all of this and stay strong in the gospel.
I ended the lesson with the 12 promises made by Vaughn J. Featherstone to those who are regular temple attenders. The promises are so profound.
I ended with a strong testimony. I started with "I want you to know what I believe."
I worry for our YSAs. They have many especially bad customs to withstand, parents who mean well, but are doing well by them, and the same trials that every YSA across the world face. They must be very, very strong to face all of this and stay strong in the gospel.
November 26
Scott taught his last lesson in Family History tonight. About a month ago I told him that I was starting to get really stressed and therefore, would love it if he would teach all of the Family History lessons. He has done a magnificent job of it.
Tonight's lesson was on writing personal histories. He had me talk a little about the family stories booklet I put together years ago for my siblings, and then gave copies to our children and grandchildren. I emphasized passing along family values through the stories they write about their ancestors.
Scott helped them see how important it is for them to start now writing their histories. In fact, he had them start writing the most important thing that happened to them when they were young. It is really a new concept for Fijians. I do not know anyone here who keeps a journal.
I am so proud of Scott. The Family History Class has baptized over 100 members of their families. We will have about 110 members in the Paradise Ward by the time we go home. That is an amazing number for young adults who have never done genealogy before.
Had a Thanksgiving pie party tonight with the seniors hosted by Elder and Sister Wells. I took my famous Mud Pie and because the recipe makes two pies, Sister Jackson did not have to make one. we had all kinds of pie. I was so good. I only had a very small piece of passion fruit cheese cake. We serve with the most delightful people.
Tonight's lesson was on writing personal histories. He had me talk a little about the family stories booklet I put together years ago for my siblings, and then gave copies to our children and grandchildren. I emphasized passing along family values through the stories they write about their ancestors.
Scott helped them see how important it is for them to start now writing their histories. In fact, he had them start writing the most important thing that happened to them when they were young. It is really a new concept for Fijians. I do not know anyone here who keeps a journal.
I am so proud of Scott. The Family History Class has baptized over 100 members of their families. We will have about 110 members in the Paradise Ward by the time we go home. That is an amazing number for young adults who have never done genealogy before.
Had a Thanksgiving pie party tonight with the seniors hosted by Elder and Sister Wells. I took my famous Mud Pie and because the recipe makes two pies, Sister Jackson did not have to make one. we had all kinds of pie. I was so good. I only had a very small piece of passion fruit cheese cake. We serve with the most delightful people.
November 24
Today we had the best speakers ever in sacrament meeting. The theme was 'being an example of the believers.' Each talk was so profound that we forgot to take notes. Each was so different. The one we remember the best was Brother Fukiyama's talk. He told us about his two friends Matt and Joe who were members of the church but who were not the same kind of example to those around them. It was such a non threatening way to teach. By the time Brother Fukiyama was finished I am sure everyone in the congregation had identified themselves in several of his examples.
We have been working really hard to make my dog bite scar look better. I am not sure it is working, but Scott thinks it looks vastly better. Every morning after I shower I put vitamin E oil on the scar rubbing it in so it does not get on my skirts. Every night I put coconut oil on it and Scott rubs and rubs the scar trying to break down the tissues, so nicer looking ones can emerge.
I really am just grateful to have my leg, and so I try really hard not to care that the scar is so ugly. However, I have decided that deep down, I am hoping that all this rubbing with oil will fix the ugliness.
We have been working really hard to make my dog bite scar look better. I am not sure it is working, but Scott thinks it looks vastly better. Every morning after I shower I put vitamin E oil on the scar rubbing it in so it does not get on my skirts. Every night I put coconut oil on it and Scott rubs and rubs the scar trying to break down the tissues, so nicer looking ones can emerge.
I really am just grateful to have my leg, and so I try really hard not to care that the scar is so ugly. However, I have decided that deep down, I am hoping that all this rubbing with oil will fix the ugliness.
November 23
OK I am getting really worried. Tonight only five of the council showed up and the dance in next weekend. Breath. Breath! Breath!!!!
November 20
I have been rereading notes I have made for lessons I have been given. One of them seems so pertinent.
"Faith is our reward for belief and hope. You can believe and not have faith."
James E. Talmage
As our mission is coming to a close, I have been looking back to see if we have done the very best job we could do. Because I tend to be critical of myself, I have found myself feeling guilty. Then I read this quote from Elder Talmage which helped.
I believe we have done the best we could with the knowledge we had at the time. I hope we have done our best in each situation that we have encountered. And in the end I have faith that the Lord would have inspired us to do differently if that had been His will. And since faith is a gift from God given through the Spirit, I have been asking for increased faith that our work here is completed.
"Faith is our reward for belief and hope. You can believe and not have faith."
James E. Talmage
As our mission is coming to a close, I have been looking back to see if we have done the very best job we could do. Because I tend to be critical of myself, I have found myself feeling guilty. Then I read this quote from Elder Talmage which helped.
I believe we have done the best we could with the knowledge we had at the time. I hope we have done our best in each situation that we have encountered. And in the end I have faith that the Lord would have inspired us to do differently if that had been His will. And since faith is a gift from God given through the Spirit, I have been asking for increased faith that our work here is completed.
November 18
The Service Center changed the devotional from Tuesday at 10 to Monday at 2 o'clock. We are so thankful for the Wellses who keep us informed, because the Service Center never does.
It was changed to farewell the Salomones. Principal Salomone has been transfered to Kiribus; he will function there as the vice principal. He is also our stake patriarch and his wife has just been released as a counselor in either the stake primary or the stake relief society.
At the first of Sister Salomone's testimony I had a coughing fit, so I left the room. I have been trained not to interrupt meetings by walking out and walking in. I remember sitting in Sacrament Meeting as a child needing to go to the bathroom and knowing that I could not, because it would disrupt the meeting. It is the way I have trained our children.
After I got a drink and the coughing had ended, I was waiting outside the door to the room where the devotional was being held, when Maggie, one of the ERCs secretaries, walked up. She asked me what I was doing and I explained that I was waiting for Sister Salomone to finish her testimony. She looked at me really funny and then said, "Don't you want to hear her testimony?" I replied, "I do not want to disrupt everyone else." She again looked at me and then quietly opened the door and went in.
I was so stunned by this experience. She is right I thought and yet I did not/could not go into that room and disturb everyone else.
As I stood there waiting, it came to me that I was being a Martha--very carefully taking care of worldly things. I was doing the 'right thing', but missing the important thing. At that moment I so wanted to be a Mary. How does one become a Mary when one has lived an entire lifetime being a Martha?
Scott told me later that Sister Salomone's testimony had been so spiritual! More salt in the wound.
Tonight we had FHE with the senior couples. Elder and Sister Jackson were in charge. They held it at the Institute. Dinner was lovely. We had a slide show after. Each couple was to show one or two pictures that represented them. The idea was to get to know each other better.
I never do this. Never! I entered eight--yes, that's right, 8--photos. My only excuse is that they were all of the YSAs and the things they have done over the past 18 months. I am so proud of them. I just had to brag.
It was changed to farewell the Salomones. Principal Salomone has been transfered to Kiribus; he will function there as the vice principal. He is also our stake patriarch and his wife has just been released as a counselor in either the stake primary or the stake relief society.
At the first of Sister Salomone's testimony I had a coughing fit, so I left the room. I have been trained not to interrupt meetings by walking out and walking in. I remember sitting in Sacrament Meeting as a child needing to go to the bathroom and knowing that I could not, because it would disrupt the meeting. It is the way I have trained our children.
After I got a drink and the coughing had ended, I was waiting outside the door to the room where the devotional was being held, when Maggie, one of the ERCs secretaries, walked up. She asked me what I was doing and I explained that I was waiting for Sister Salomone to finish her testimony. She looked at me really funny and then said, "Don't you want to hear her testimony?" I replied, "I do not want to disrupt everyone else." She again looked at me and then quietly opened the door and went in.
I was so stunned by this experience. She is right I thought and yet I did not/could not go into that room and disturb everyone else.
As I stood there waiting, it came to me that I was being a Martha--very carefully taking care of worldly things. I was doing the 'right thing', but missing the important thing. At that moment I so wanted to be a Mary. How does one become a Mary when one has lived an entire lifetime being a Martha?
Scott told me later that Sister Salomone's testimony had been so spiritual! More salt in the wound.
Tonight we had FHE with the senior couples. Elder and Sister Jackson were in charge. They held it at the Institute. Dinner was lovely. We had a slide show after. Each couple was to show one or two pictures that represented them. The idea was to get to know each other better.
I never do this. Never! I entered eight--yes, that's right, 8--photos. My only excuse is that they were all of the YSAs and the things they have done over the past 18 months. I am so proud of them. I just had to brag.
November 17
I just could not get up this morning. It was one of those days when I needed a whole day to myself. Because we do not have a council representative for the Raiwaqa building, we needed to get the new handouts there. Scott graciously said that he would take them so I would have longer, quieter morning. Even then, I was not ready on time for church.
I have learned many things about myself on this mission. One thing I have learned is that I work so hard all week that I am often so tired on Sunday that church seems too hard. Because it is a day of rest, the little devil on my left shoulder tells me that I should stay home and rest. I do not, but some Sundays it is a real struggle.
I think this started when I went to work. I worked hard five days of the week in my job and being a mother at home. Saturdays were catch up days for getting done what did not get done during the week. They were always emotional, busy, and hard days which left no day to prepare for Sunday.
I have decided that when we get home I am going to make Saturday a day of Sabbath preparation both physically and mentally. I am going to labor really hard for five days and spend Saturday doing what I need to do to be prepared for spiritual learning and spiritual service. I want to be excited to go to church every Sunday Morning.
I have learned many things about myself on this mission. One thing I have learned is that I work so hard all week that I am often so tired on Sunday that church seems too hard. Because it is a day of rest, the little devil on my left shoulder tells me that I should stay home and rest. I do not, but some Sundays it is a real struggle.
I think this started when I went to work. I worked hard five days of the week in my job and being a mother at home. Saturdays were catch up days for getting done what did not get done during the week. They were always emotional, busy, and hard days which left no day to prepare for Sunday.
I have decided that when we get home I am going to make Saturday a day of Sabbath preparation both physically and mentally. I am going to labor really hard for five days and spend Saturday doing what I need to do to be prepared for spiritual learning and spiritual service. I want to be excited to go to church every Sunday Morning.
November 16
We held council meeting tonight at 5 o'clock. Even though we waited a half hour to start we only had four YSAs in the meeting. Sigh.
Many YSAs showed up for the activity tonight and most of them were new. We love meeting new YSAs. About half way through the evening I walked out of our office where we had been talking to some YSAs and noticed that "the pest" was standing in the pool room. When he saw me, he started out the front door. I am much faster than he gives me credit for and so he had not reached the stairs before I was out of the door. With him was another young man. I told them both to wait, and then in my best strict mother voice told "the pest' that he was to get off the institute property; no sitting in the grass nor on the bench under the tree, because I did not want him sneaking into the building again tonight.
I then turned to the other young man and explained that he could not be in the building because he was not 18. He asked if he could just wait for his friend inside the institute, and because I was so frustrated with "the pest" I told him no.
Later I learned that the other young man was from my ward, and was not a friend of "the pest." He had come with Manase Kofoe, his old YM president. Boy did I feel stupid. I reminded Manase that he absolutely could not bring young men to the institute. He apologized which was unnecessary.
Many YSAs showed up for the activity tonight and most of them were new. We love meeting new YSAs. About half way through the evening I walked out of our office where we had been talking to some YSAs and noticed that "the pest" was standing in the pool room. When he saw me, he started out the front door. I am much faster than he gives me credit for and so he had not reached the stairs before I was out of the door. With him was another young man. I told them both to wait, and then in my best strict mother voice told "the pest' that he was to get off the institute property; no sitting in the grass nor on the bench under the tree, because I did not want him sneaking into the building again tonight.
I then turned to the other young man and explained that he could not be in the building because he was not 18. He asked if he could just wait for his friend inside the institute, and because I was so frustrated with "the pest" I told him no.
Later I learned that the other young man was from my ward, and was not a friend of "the pest." He had come with Manase Kofoe, his old YM president. Boy did I feel stupid. I reminded Manase that he absolutely could not bring young men to the institute. He apologized which was unnecessary.
November 15
Manase, who is over the fireside reported this morning that the two Suva stake presidents would be out of town on the date we set the fireside. Now what??? We discussed using bishops and threw that out. Scott finally said that we should ask Elder Wakolo. We resist bothering Elder Wakolo as he is so busy. Scott and Manase went right up to the service center and asked.
Elder Wakolo said he would be glad to lead a question and answer fireside, but it would have to be moved to Tuesday, December 3. Scott and Manase agreed to the change, and then came back to reality when I told them that we had handed out the individual schedules to young adults in every ward in the two Suva stakes and some in the Nausori stake and that we had huge posters in every chapel that said the fireside is on Sunday, December 1.
I called Maggie and asked her to come in today and get new posters made. I wish I knew how to change the one she made, but I am not familiar with the program she used. She is in the middle of finals, but bless her heart she got here and changed the pass along schedules and the big posters. I then had to go to the Service Center to print the posters as they are in color.
This has been a frustrating day. Besides the problem with the fireside, the lady at the airport tried to charge us $30 instead of the $15 she told us to plastic wrap the suitcase we are sending home. Because Maggie needed to finish her test at school, I had to ask the Wells to stay late at the Service Center so I could get in and print. We asked the Wells to go out to eat and Elder Wells refused to go. This blog is becoming a real chore. I would love to stop writing, but I have not been keeping much of journal and so I feel like I have to finish what I started. It is driving me crazy. To make matters worse, I got bit in bed last night and by 4 o'clock the bite was itching so badly that I had to go home and get some ointment. While putting it on the bite, I realized that I had three bites not just one. I think a dark rain cloud is hanging over me. I feel just like Joe Btfsplk.
I told Scott I needed to end the day in a peaceful, positive way. He asked the Jacksons if they wanted to go out to dinner and they accepted bless their hearts. As we were walking out the door the Wells called and said they had changed their minds; they wanted to come and had, in fact, invited the Hogges to come as well. Hmmmm.
We love the Jacksons; they are just the best. They are fun, easy to get along with, interested in everything and are funny. We had a great dinner.
Elder Wakolo said he would be glad to lead a question and answer fireside, but it would have to be moved to Tuesday, December 3. Scott and Manase agreed to the change, and then came back to reality when I told them that we had handed out the individual schedules to young adults in every ward in the two Suva stakes and some in the Nausori stake and that we had huge posters in every chapel that said the fireside is on Sunday, December 1.
I called Maggie and asked her to come in today and get new posters made. I wish I knew how to change the one she made, but I am not familiar with the program she used. She is in the middle of finals, but bless her heart she got here and changed the pass along schedules and the big posters. I then had to go to the Service Center to print the posters as they are in color.
This has been a frustrating day. Besides the problem with the fireside, the lady at the airport tried to charge us $30 instead of the $15 she told us to plastic wrap the suitcase we are sending home. Because Maggie needed to finish her test at school, I had to ask the Wells to stay late at the Service Center so I could get in and print. We asked the Wells to go out to eat and Elder Wells refused to go. This blog is becoming a real chore. I would love to stop writing, but I have not been keeping much of journal and so I feel like I have to finish what I started. It is driving me crazy. To make matters worse, I got bit in bed last night and by 4 o'clock the bite was itching so badly that I had to go home and get some ointment. While putting it on the bite, I realized that I had three bites not just one. I think a dark rain cloud is hanging over me. I feel just like Joe Btfsplk.
I told Scott I needed to end the day in a peaceful, positive way. He asked the Jacksons if they wanted to go out to dinner and they accepted bless their hearts. As we were walking out the door the Wells called and said they had changed their minds; they wanted to come and had, in fact, invited the Hogges to come as well. Hmmmm.
We love the Jacksons; they are just the best. They are fun, easy to get along with, interested in everything and are funny. We had a great dinner.
November 13
Went in to class tonight not knowing exactly what I was going to teach. I had studied the lesson, had taken great notes, had some really good scriptures, but could never get a lesson plan to come together.
I took the page of scripture references, and some of the notes and just winged it.
I do not like 'winging' it. I feel that most of the time when teachers say they are 'winging' the lesson it is another way of saying that they have come to teach unprepared. I do have to say, however, that this was one of my best lessons. There was an abundance of comments made many of which were deeply thought out. I love it when the students set the direction the lesson should take.
What a blessing.
I took the page of scripture references, and some of the notes and just winged it.
I do not like 'winging' it. I feel that most of the time when teachers say they are 'winging' the lesson it is another way of saying that they have come to teach unprepared. I do have to say, however, that this was one of my best lessons. There was an abundance of comments made many of which were deeply thought out. I love it when the students set the direction the lesson should take.
What a blessing.
November 12
Scott spent part of yesterday after we got into Suva and most of this morning working on a presentation for class tonight. He decided at the last minute to change his lesson. He threw out some slides, added some questions that were in the teacher's manual and presented one absolutely fabulous lesson.
November 11
We drove back to Labasa this morning and along the way a big truck shot a rock into the rental car's windshield and we got a huge chip. In fact, we got one big chip and one little chip. Yikes!
We stopped as we were going into the city, because we had been told that there was a crematorium just of the main road. We wanted pictures.
We stopped as we were going into the city, because we had been told that there was a crematorium just of the main road. We wanted pictures.
THE CREMATORIUM
If you look, you can see wood stacked under the roof. What is difficult to see is that it is stacked inside what looks like an upside down table--legs in the air. The body goes on top of the metal legs we suppose on a wooden blank. Whoever talked to Scott said that the family keeps vigil until the fire has reduced the body to just ashes--three days.
When we got to the rental agency, I reminded Scott to show them the chip. Bad idea. That rock chip cost us $700 Fijian. According to the agency there is no one in all of Vanua Levu who repairs rock chips; the entire windscreen has to be replaced. The dealer did give us a discount of $100. For which neither of us felt very grateful.
November 10
Elder and Sister Howard are assigned to Savusavu as humanitarian missionaries. They work specifically with water projects. Many/most Fijians that live outside of metropolitan areas get their water by collecting rain water. It is not clean. They teach villages and individuals how to clean and keep clean the water they collect. They also work with wheelchairs, computers for schools, solar energy, etc.
The Howards picked us up for church this morning and had previously invited us to lunch. Church was interesting. It is a little building built on the same exact plan as the church we attended in Bau. One walks into the chapel which is just a 30 X 20 room with stackable chairs. On both ends of the room are two doors. Three are to very small classrooms (8 chairs) and one is the bishop's office. We attended all three meetings.
Relief Society was interesting and the sisters were so cute. We got started with only four of us in the room. After the opening hymn, the opening prayer and the announcements, we had to wait for the teacher to show up. The R.S. president had passed out manuals to everyone except me and I could not figure out why some of the sisters had two manuals. It was not until the teacher said that we would be reading portions of the lesson and then discussing that portion that I realized that the R. S. president had gotten English manuals for the sisters who could read English. As we read, some read in Fijian, some read in English. Some comments were made in English and some in Fijian. So sweet of them to try so hard to include me in the lesson.
We found out after church that there was to be a baptism. It was to be done in the ocean. We were so excited to see an ocean baptism. Another Fiji first for Scott and me.
After the baptism there was to be a lunch for those who stayed. Because they did not have enough food, Sister Howard ran home, cooked rice to put under her taco soup and took all of it back to the church.
Both Scott and I have been really careful to honor the Fijians and they way they do things. We made the decision that we would "become" Fijians while we were here. I blew it so badly today. I am embarrassed with my behavior. When we got back to the church after going to the Howards to help cook the rice, the R.S. president gave each of us a plate of food that she had saved just for us. It looked awful! Mostly curry and I really, really do not like the curry here. I thanked her, and asked her to give it to someone who had not eaten yet. Her reply was that everyone had already had a little. I should have just taken it and moved the food around on the plate. I am sure it was tasty to Fijians, but for some reason today, I just could not. I refused the plate again telling her to give it to someone who needed it. I did not fool her. She knew I did not want to eat it. Later as I was talking to one of the brethren I looked up and there was the R.S. president slumped over her own plate of food. I know I hurt her feelings. It was the best she had to offer, and had worked hard to provide it for us. Dang! Dang! Dang! I could not undo what I had done. I felt to guilty. I should have felt guilty.
Good old Scott, took his plate and ate it. He said it was pretty good. What a horrible way to end a really wonderful Sabbath.
The Howards picked us up for church this morning and had previously invited us to lunch. Church was interesting. It is a little building built on the same exact plan as the church we attended in Bau. One walks into the chapel which is just a 30 X 20 room with stackable chairs. On both ends of the room are two doors. Three are to very small classrooms (8 chairs) and one is the bishop's office. We attended all three meetings.
Relief Society was interesting and the sisters were so cute. We got started with only four of us in the room. After the opening hymn, the opening prayer and the announcements, we had to wait for the teacher to show up. The R.S. president had passed out manuals to everyone except me and I could not figure out why some of the sisters had two manuals. It was not until the teacher said that we would be reading portions of the lesson and then discussing that portion that I realized that the R. S. president had gotten English manuals for the sisters who could read English. As we read, some read in Fijian, some read in English. Some comments were made in English and some in Fijian. So sweet of them to try so hard to include me in the lesson.
We found out after church that there was to be a baptism. It was to be done in the ocean. We were so excited to see an ocean baptism. Another Fiji first for Scott and me.
After the baptism there was to be a lunch for those who stayed. Because they did not have enough food, Sister Howard ran home, cooked rice to put under her taco soup and took all of it back to the church.
Both Scott and I have been really careful to honor the Fijians and they way they do things. We made the decision that we would "become" Fijians while we were here. I blew it so badly today. I am embarrassed with my behavior. When we got back to the church after going to the Howards to help cook the rice, the R.S. president gave each of us a plate of food that she had saved just for us. It looked awful! Mostly curry and I really, really do not like the curry here. I thanked her, and asked her to give it to someone who had not eaten yet. Her reply was that everyone had already had a little. I should have just taken it and moved the food around on the plate. I am sure it was tasty to Fijians, but for some reason today, I just could not. I refused the plate again telling her to give it to someone who needed it. I did not fool her. She knew I did not want to eat it. Later as I was talking to one of the brethren I looked up and there was the R.S. president slumped over her own plate of food. I know I hurt her feelings. It was the best she had to offer, and had worked hard to provide it for us. Dang! Dang! Dang! I could not undo what I had done. I felt to guilty. I should have felt guilty.
Good old Scott, took his plate and ate it. He said it was pretty good. What a horrible way to end a really wonderful Sabbath.
Sunday, December 1, 2013
November 9
Through Trip Advisor Scott found a tour guide named Elaine that was willing to take us anyplace we wanted to go. She started with a full day trip to an island which included lunch, snorkeling, and just laying around. We ended up with me staying at the hotel (to read) and Scott driving himself out to her partner's village and then taking a billibilli out to a nearby island to snorkel all for $45 Fijian which is about $25 Fijian. Scott had a great time.
Me? After I read for a few minutes, I got really nervous. All I could do is think about all the stuff we had to do before we left Fiji. To make myself feel better, I worked on the how-to-do sheets for our replacements, the Petersons. I sat on the balcony typing, thinking, and enjoying the view. A perfect half day for me.
When Scott got back, we went for a late lunch and then decided to take the only other paved road on Vanua Levu. It runs past the expensive resorts on Vanua Levu. I drove and we just watched the scenery, talked and enjoyed ourselves.
We drove for about forty minutes and only saw construction trucks and three or four cars.
This road was one of the best roads we have
driven on in Fiji--smooth with no potholes. Besides rebuilding the road, new bus stands have been constructed or are in the process of being built.
Near the end of the paved road, Scott started asking for directions to another arm of Vanua Levu. We knew it would be dirt, but hoped it would give us great ocean views. It was interesting that everyone we asked gave us different information. It became clear that the older people we asked did not understand English well enough to know what we had asked.
We finally found the beginning of the road into the bush. We drove it for about 15 minutes and decided no view was worth this drive.
We turned around and headed back to Savusavu.
Just before we got to Savusavu we came across this cute little portable store. When Scott stopped to take pictures the store owner insisted on having his picture taken while contorting his body.
Me? After I read for a few minutes, I got really nervous. All I could do is think about all the stuff we had to do before we left Fiji. To make myself feel better, I worked on the how-to-do sheets for our replacements, the Petersons. I sat on the balcony typing, thinking, and enjoying the view. A perfect half day for me.
 |
| THE ROAD |
When Scott got back, we went for a late lunch and then decided to take the only other paved road on Vanua Levu. It runs past the expensive resorts on Vanua Levu. I drove and we just watched the scenery, talked and enjoyed ourselves.
We drove for about forty minutes and only saw construction trucks and three or four cars.
 |
| VIEW FROM THE RESORT ROAD |
 |
| ISLETS ALONG THE ROAD |
This road was one of the best roads we have
driven on in Fiji--smooth with no potholes. Besides rebuilding the road, new bus stands have been constructed or are in the process of being built.
Near the end of the paved road, Scott started asking for directions to another arm of Vanua Levu. We knew it would be dirt, but hoped it would give us great ocean views. It was interesting that everyone we asked gave us different information. It became clear that the older people we asked did not understand English well enough to know what we had asked.
 |
| MANGROVES |
 |
| A GROVE OF COCONUT TREES |
We finally found the beginning of the road into the bush. We drove it for about 15 minutes and decided no view was worth this drive.
We turned around and headed back to Savusavu.
Just before we got to Savusavu we came across this cute little portable store. When Scott stopped to take pictures the store owner insisted on having his picture taken while contorting his body.
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| THE WHEELBARROW STORE |
 |
| THE CONTORTIONIST |
November 8
We flew from Suva to Labasa (lahm bah sah) this morning. Scott was feeling sad that we had not seen Vanua (van new ah) Levu, the second biggest island in Fiji, so he got plane tickets, rented a car and here we are.
We flew into Labasa, because it was so much cheaper than flying into Savusavu; so cheap, in fact, that we saved enough on the flight to pay for the car rental and most of our hotel costs. It takes under 45 minutes to fly from Suva to Labasa. Labasa has a population of around 28,000. It is the largest town on the island and is situated on the north eastern side of the island. The town sits on a delta which was formed by three rivers as they converged on the ocean. It looks like every other town in Fiji; however, the drive from Labasa to Savusavu is a really beautiful one.
We chose to stay in Savusavu (sah voo sah voo), because everyone told us that it was such a pretty place. It is. The harbor is the nicest one we have seen in all of Fiji. Many Australians and New Zealanders have sail boats that are always here in Savusavu harbor. We understand that the owners of the sailboats come and just use them like a condo although sometimes they choose to sail them around the Fijian Islands.
We stayed in the Hot Springs Hotel which is up on a hill overlooking the harbor. We spent quite a bit of time sitting on our little deck looking at the harbor.
We ate a quick lunch which was not so hot, and then we took a tour out to a pearl farm. The farm is in the harbor on the sea side of the island that faces Savusavu.
The pearl farm was fascinating. It takes three to five years to get the pearls. They start with very young clams, wait for them to get big enough, implant the seed for the pearl, and then wait. While they are waiting they have to keep the clams clean, so they bring them up every so often for cleaning. They also have created artificial reefs using plastic that hangs from frames in which they plant the clams. The pearl farm in Savusavu specializes in black pearls which can range from soft pastel shades to dark green, blue, and black. They are so beautiful. And expensive.
Ate in a much better place tonight; the Captain's Table very plush. We had the nicest talk with a couple from New Zealand who were willing to tell us all the sights we need to see on our visit there.
We flew into Labasa, because it was so much cheaper than flying into Savusavu; so cheap, in fact, that we saved enough on the flight to pay for the car rental and most of our hotel costs. It takes under 45 minutes to fly from Suva to Labasa. Labasa has a population of around 28,000. It is the largest town on the island and is situated on the north eastern side of the island. The town sits on a delta which was formed by three rivers as they converged on the ocean. It looks like every other town in Fiji; however, the drive from Labasa to Savusavu is a really beautiful one.
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| A PARK AT THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN |
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| VIEW FROM THE MOUNTAIN TOP PARK |
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| CLOSER VIEW OF SAVUSAVU HARBOR |
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| WATERFALL ON WAY TO SAVUSAVU |
We stayed in the Hot Springs Hotel which is up on a hill overlooking the harbor. We spent quite a bit of time sitting on our little deck looking at the harbor.
 |
| SAVUSAVU HARBOR FROM OUR BALCONY |
The pearl farm was fascinating. It takes three to five years to get the pearls. They start with very young clams, wait for them to get big enough, implant the seed for the pearl, and then wait. While they are waiting they have to keep the clams clean, so they bring them up every so often for cleaning. They also have created artificial reefs using plastic that hangs from frames in which they plant the clams. The pearl farm in Savusavu specializes in black pearls which can range from soft pastel shades to dark green, blue, and black. They are so beautiful. And expensive.
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| CLAMS HOLDING PEARLS AT THE BLACK PEARL FARM |
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| WATERFALL ON WAY TO SAVUSAVU |
November 6
Boy have we gotten in over our head. When we asked the Institute Council to plan the end-if-the-year dance, we assumed that it would be easy. We have done it before. Sega na lega. (no problem)
Well, they added a service project, and a fireside both of which are driving us crazy. We have to go the city council, city manager, and to President Yee over the service project. Willie Irava is insistent that we get money from the church to donate rubbish bins to the city of Suva. Suva City is excited about our donation because they want rubbish bins for the new parkway they are finishing along the Suva seawall.
For the fireside we asked the stake presidents from the three stakes to come and function as a question and answer panel; two of the three are out of town! Now what?
Makareta Vodo is in charge of publicity and she has spent two days here working on the posters, and handouts.
We have started holding council meeting weekly hoping that everything will come together in the end. With all of this we are still preparing three lessons a week, attending the temple twice, and holding our Saturday Activities.
Well, they added a service project, and a fireside both of which are driving us crazy. We have to go the city council, city manager, and to President Yee over the service project. Willie Irava is insistent that we get money from the church to donate rubbish bins to the city of Suva. Suva City is excited about our donation because they want rubbish bins for the new parkway they are finishing along the Suva seawall.
For the fireside we asked the stake presidents from the three stakes to come and function as a question and answer panel; two of the three are out of town! Now what?
Makareta Vodo is in charge of publicity and she has spent two days here working on the posters, and handouts.
We have started holding council meeting weekly hoping that everything will come together in the end. With all of this we are still preparing three lessons a week, attending the temple twice, and holding our Saturday Activities.
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