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.