Wilma Visited

First off, this is the second time I am putting captions with these pictures. That's as in

GRRRRRRRRRR! I'm so Mad!

No one should have to rewrite clever comments that they can no longer remember.

I guess the good news is that the pictures are all still here. Elder Merrell and I have worked out a system. He loads the pictures and I write the captions. If I'd have lost his pictures, it would not have been pretty. He might have made me start loading them myself again which would have been sooooo much worse. I'm not sure whose guardian angel was at work on that one, but I'm pretty grateful.

That said, I will attempt to recreate the original 116 pages.

This past week, we experienced our first "almost cyclone" Wilma hit American Samoa and did quite a bit of damage. The tuna factory lost its roof which means a lot of jobs distrupted. Independent Samoa, which is where we live, got the remnants which still produced a lot of flooding. This is right in back of our apartment.

Here I am, just down from our apartment, wading in the water. It reminded me of my childhood visits to Grandma and Grandpa Shurtliff's when we got to play in the irrigation water.

These are the apartments that we first lived in on the mission compound. They were flooded. Luckily, we now are on higher ground.

This is the main road that runs past the temple.

We have been amazed at how much water the ground can hold here. Most of this water will be gone in a few hours. Until the next rainfall. Then it will be gone in a few hours again. The ground is made up of a lot of volcanic rock.

Here we are at the wharf. Look at those waves.

Again, this water will quickly seep into the ground in a short period of time. It sure doesn't do that in St. George or Vernal!

Notice the guy that is knee-deep in water. I'm pretty sure his house is flooded.

This is a road!

Here are a couple of videos of the rain coming down...We love it in Samoa!

Thank-You, Shara Dawn!

I have always loved hearing about the life experiences of President Monson. His words have been an inspiration to me as he draws great lessons from simple experiences.

For Christmas, Mark and Shara Dawn sent us this book.

I love it.

You should read it.

It will change your life.

Thanks, Shara Dawn. You have always known just what we needed.

(I promise to let Elder Merrell read it when I am through.)

Our new favorite cookie

We received many wonderful treats from family and friends for Christmas (stay with me...I know it's the end of January). We were so grateful to be able to share our plenty with many missionaries, ward members and friends.






But, we were stingy with a few. I hid this box of cookies in the back of the fridge and forgot about them. (I know...seems impossible) I found them a few days ago and immediately opened the box to try one. Which brings me to the following question...

How do you spell heaven?

A-n-d-e-s---C-r-e-m-e---d-e---M-e-n-t-h-e---C-o-o-k-i-e-s!

There were only 12 cookies. Elder Merrell came in and tried one, too. I tried telling him that I was sure they were intended just for me, because my kids know I love the candies. Elder Merrell bristled up and informed me that the box had both of our names on it... and he took his second cookie. It was then that I had to impose a two cookie per day limit on them.

I think I better go home and check to make sure the rest of my cookies are still there.

P.S. We cannot find them in Samoa. (HINT)

Escaping To Paradise

Last weekend, we got to go to Savaii, one of the three major islands in the Samoa Mission. Here we are, waiting for the ferry to take off. We had been told Savaii was much more primitive than Upolu, so I was surprised when we got there and saw that the place was quite civilized...and so beautiful!

This was the view from our motel.

What a fun picture!

Mike poked our badges in this black sand beach. I think the sand is black because of all the lava rock.

Mike is standing on a lava arch. He has just discovered a family of crabs, but they disappeared before I could get the camera over to him.





This is a better view of the arch. Everytime the tide came up, it filled with water.




We were very fortunate to have our own personal tour guides, Elder and Sister Krogh, who showed us all around the island. Here we are eating lunch with Elder Krogh and a sweet man who took us to the blowholes. (Sister Krogh is taking the picture)





He knew just when to throw a coconut shell into the hole so that the wave would toss it into the air.

Isn't this a gorgeous waterfall? Normally we have the place to ourselves, but we shared it with a youth group who were visiting from New Zealand that day. It felt like we were in the Garden of Eden!

Not long before this picture was taken, that piece of "tapa" cloth was the trunk of a mulberry tree! It was about 4 inches in diameter. We watched as this Samoan woman stripped the bark off, peeled away the layer of white, soaked it, pounded it, flattened it with a tool made from a shell, stretched it some more and laid it out to dry. She then stenciled over it and painted it with a brush made from a seed pod. The paint was made from a plant as well. Notice the woven mats we all sat on. I love the culture of this country!

Elder Krogh said we should ask our grandkids the following question,

"How big is a leaf?"
This one's pretty big! But they get much bigger.

Here we are with Elder and Sister Krogh. We had such a wonderful time with them. And, they live right outside of Heber! We'll be able to visit them when we go to Vernal!

This is what is left of an old Catholic church that was filled with hot lava when a volcano errupted in Savaii back in 1905. This is a view from the front of the church, looking back. Interestingly,
the lava stopped just before it got to what would have been the pulpit.

We had a great time feeding the giant turtles. Look at them fighting to get to that papaia!

Yes, it truly was an... escape to paradise!

The Rescue

Chickens roam freely in Samoa, as do pigs. It's a delightful part of the culture and we love it...well, at least the chickens. (The pigs can be a bit intimidating at times.) We haven't run across any pigs in the mission compound, but there are several chickens. We have been watching two mama hens with their babies. One hen had three chicks that are getting quite large. Another hen had five. I'm not sure, but maybe five was too many for this young mama hen, because two of them got away from her and fell through a drainage grate. We heard the chicks peeping like crazy, but it took us awhile to locate where they were. Unfortunately, the grate was secured with heavy bolts on each side that were tight and rusted. Mike was finally able to get one side undone. I wish we had a picture of the two guards and Elder Merrell holding up the grate as I fearlessly reached inside to rescue the two little chicks.

They came right to me because I had been kneeling by the grate talking to them for the twenty minutes it took to round up enough man-power to get the job done.

Afterwards, I started walking around the compound, in the direction we had seen the mama and her three other babies head. Soon, the quiet little chicks began peeping and wriggling in my hands and I knew we were close so I set them down. They scurried over to mama and she immediately covered them with her wings. Sister Kelly and I both agreed that the scripture, "...how oft would I have gathered you under my wing ..." was a fitting end to the story!

Post #100!

Elder Merrell mentioned awhile ago that he thought he ought to start helping with the blog. I let him know that it was MINE! He respected my wishes and the blog has been pretty slow-going. So, I decided it was time to repent. He will now be making some posts, too, including the one just before this one. I wonder if you will be able to tell them apart?! (And, I'm also pretty excited to start seeing more stuff come up on this blog!)

Pesenga 2nd Ward Choir

The first Sunday we attended church in Samoa the ward choir sang. We didn't realize that it was the ward choir because they didn't have a conductor and they were in the first 6 rows of the chapel. (Not facing the audience) They sang so clear and loud we instantly fell in love with their singing. We knew that it would probably take months before we could sing like those ward members because we didn't know more than two words in their language. The next week Bishop Joseph asked us to participate in the choir. We agreed reluctantly because of the language barrier. The first practice they sang the Halleluia choris. They were SO VERY GOOD. Then we found out that the songs they were learning were in english. We thought we could do it. Then as the conductor lead all of us his instructions were in Samoan. Again we followed along and had a few helpers point to where we were in the music and we hung on for the ride.

We thought that we would sing once or twice for the ward at Chrismas time. We knew that this would give us an opportunity to get to know these wonderful people. Then all of a sudden we heard about more and more practices. They got longer and longer and more and more frequent. We were having a hard time keeping up with choir practice, visiting families, mission office and home upkeep. Let alone preparing for Christmas. Then we found out they were practicing for a program to be taped and shown on Samoan TV. These people love to perform. Since they were preparing for the TV progam they either voluntered or were asked to preform at more places. Some were on the other end of the island. Getting to these other places is a whole different story. A couple of the pictures give you a hint how we traveled.

When all the performances were over we realized what a wonderful, exilerating and spiritual trip we had been on. Because of our willingness to participate, we gained some very choice friends. We had been so busy we had not become homesick. We were with our Samonan family. They filled in the void of our family back at home. We really enjoyed Christmas. I have videos of one of the performances. I can't get it to upload. I'll keep trying.

Temple Square

In Samoa, there are no street addresses. You'd have to live here to understand why.

So, when people ask me where I live, I tell them, "I live on Temple Square!"

Cinderella

Elder Merrell has described his role in the Mission Office as one similar to Radar on the sitcom, M*A*S*H*. I have thought long and hard, to come up with a character that describes my role and I keep coming back to the same one...CINDERELLA

...in Grand Central Station!

A typical day for me includes sitting at the computer, entering baptisms; sitting at the computer, creating a multitude of files for incoming missionaries; sitting at the computer, working on the weekly and monthly reports, the mission history and the newsletter; sitting at the computer entering more baptisms and writing and sending letters to missionaries, to parents, to bishops and to Stake Presidents.

Sometimes I get a break from the computer as I answer telephones; work on release books for outgoing missionaries; file paperwork, and direct traffic to President Haleck's office, which adjoins ours.

All of this is happening as elders and sisters and visitors pass through the office almost constantly, sometimes with emergencies that need to be taken care of immediately. I try to visit with everyone who comes in, without appearing too anxious to get back to my tasks, but sometimes, I just have to get back to work. All around me, people are coming and going, but I am pretty much confined to the Mission Office, unless I slip away to move a load of laundry along...seriously!

...Does that sound like Cinderella to you?

Sometimes I feel that way. (I confess that I have prayed to have the burden lightened, like the followers of Alma did in the Book of Mormon.)

On the other hand...Cinderella is a princess!

And sometimes I feel that way.

I am greeted with a warm welcome and handshake by every missionary who comes into the office. As I slowly learn the names and faces of each missionary serving in Samoa, I am amazed at how quickly I am growing to love them all.

The other senior couples that serve with us are also becoming dear, dear friends.

I am also thrilled to count as my friends an assortment of chickens, roosters, cats, geckos and pigs that are now a normal part of each day.
And, I do have my occasional "night at the ball..."

...One Saturday, the Eves took us to a fireside put on by the missionaries serving in Aleisa Zone. Four sisters and seven elders worked incredibly hard to put on a truly wonderful presentation about the Plan of Salvation. I returned home filled with joy and gratitude.

Cinderella really doesn't have it so bad at all...

AND...I can't leave out Prince Charming! (insert picture of Elder Merrell...someday when he lets me take his picture..)

One of the greatest blessings I have had while serving this mission is to work alongside my eternal companion and see him in a different setting than I am used to.

I always knew he was a hard worker. (Insert picture of the Energizer Bunny)

And I always knew that he was well-organized. (Insert picture of completed 5000 piece jigsaw puzzle)

But it never occured to me that I would come to admire those qualities so much... or that I would develop a desire to be more like him in some of the very characteristics that used to drive me crazy.

Cinderella it is, then!

Stake Relief Society Conference, Samoan style!

A couple of months ago, our Stake had a Relief Society Conference. It was so much fun! Each ward had a room or area to display talents from their sisters, and afterwards, we enjoyed a talent show, and a fashion show. I have never laughed so hard in my life! It was a great day! This is a Samoan Christmas tree, made from fresh palm tree leaves, woven onto a specially made Christmas Tree stand. The decorations are made from palm leaves, too.

This is in the room my ward decorated and this is our Bishop's wife, Sister Joseph and her mother. Sister Joseph "ran away" and joined the church against her parents' wishes and risked losing contact with them. But, as you can see, they are still very much a family. They live next door to one another. She supports the bishops's family in many of the ward activities. Most recently, she participated in the Christmas talent show. That story needs its own post...with video!

This is our good friend, Siva. She accompanies Elder Merrell and I on our visits to ward members and translates for us. She had just given me a flower for my hair and the two of us are trying carefully to keep it from falling out. I love the flowers that nearly every Samoan female wears in her hair. I have to figure out a way to start wearing one, myself.

This dear sister is also in my ward. Her name is Sister Ao (Pronouced like the beginning of the word ouch). She has a wonderful sense of humor. She keeps the sisters in stiches during her monthly Relief Society lessons and she always makes sure I get a copy of the Conference talk she uses...I wish I had a copy of the funny stuff as well!

These are sisters in my ward who sang during the talent part of the Conference. All four of these sisters are part of an extended family that I have grown to love with all my heart. The two older sisters are real-life sisters. The one sitting down (Sister Tuala) told me to button my blouse one Sunday in Relief Society. (I quickly complied and have not worn that cute outfit to church again) The one in purple is the daughter-in-law of Sister Tuala and she can hold her own. Her daugher leaves to go on a mission to Riverside, CA in early February. I'm not sure either one of us will be able to let her go.

Look at these beautiful displays!

This sister is in the same ward as Sister Kelly, our mision nurse. One day, she stopped by my house, thinking it was the Kelly's and she tried to explain to me that her heart was hurting. She laid down on the couch and clutched at her heart. I about had a hear attack, myself. Fortunately, we both recovered.

Aren't these beautiful! All hand-made, mostly from leaves and seeds...

...by these sisters!

This is Sister Kelly and the "heart-attack" sister performing a dance for the talent show.

Samoans LOVE to have their pictures taken. I stared to take a picture of the two in the middle and before I knew it, two more jumped in!

More displays. I want to have one of these Relief Society Conferences when I come home! (Please Connie, Please!)

"...making a tinkling with their feet."

These are my favorite pair of black heels. I was told to bring closed-toed sandals, and that no one wore nylons in Samoa. I was a stubborn hold-out for a long time. I simply could not feel properly dressed without my nylons and my high heels. Until one memorable morning for me...I was walking over to the Mission Office one sunny morning, in my favorite pair of black heels and a really smart looking red skirt, feeling pretty good about my appearance.

And then, a scripture popped into my head, totally un-invited!

"...because the daughters of Zion are haughty

...walking and mincing as they go,

and making a tinkling with their feet."

I had to get out my scriptures to make sure I was remembering it correctly. Then, I looked down at the footnotes and read what tinking meant...

"walking with short rapid steps in an affected manner"

If anyone was guilty of walking with short, rapid steps as I hurried past the slow-paced Samoans that morning, it was me!

It really cut me to the quick.

So, I have given up my nylons. (My children's mouths have just dropped open)

And I have been wearing this pair of sandals everyday. (until recently when my parents sent me another, even more comfortable pair)

On Sundays, it is okay to dress up a bit, so I sometimes wear the heels...without nylons, because it really is too hot. And because Sister Tolman told me I was the only person in Samoa wearing them, except for Sister Pemberton. (and Sister Pemberton is in her 80's!)

And I don't hurry so much when I walk to the Mission Office anymore.

Life is Good.