Serving Seniors

We LOVE our fellow senior missionaries!

The friendships we have made will last through the eternities.

I knew this would happen.

It has happened in the past when we have moved to new places...

...Wonderful people have welcomed us with open arms and hearts.

I knew it would happen here, as well...but it still amazes me that we could be so blessed.

Here is the first in a series of serving seniors that have become our "best" friends.

President and Sister Haleck...

We stand in awe of them.

When I first got here, I made so many mistakes! For the first three months, my baptism report had errors. Giant sized errors that leapt out at President Haleck's experienced eye. They could not be ignored; this is the Lord's work and the record has to be correct. But it was the way that he corrected me....never once using the word "mistake" but rather, a series of questions that guided me to my own realization of the obvious. That is the mark of a master teacher.

I love to listen to him talk of missionary work. He is almost childlike in his enthusiasm. One of my favorite stories I had to pry out of him. He had just returned from a trip to Savaii where a village had finally been opened to LDS missionaries. He was exhausted after being up early to catch the ferry, taking part in the traditional village ceremony, long drives back to catch the ferry followed by a long drive back home. As he told me about meeting with the village chiefs who had finally allowed the missionaries in, he mentioned that it had been decades of waiting for this to happen. He didn't give details, but I'm sure the missionaries had been treated rather poorly back then, so today's friendly meeting with the village leaders was especially sweet for many of the older generation who remembered what it had been like. As he finished his account, he grew silent. And then, it hit me. "You were one of those missionaries that tried to get into the village those many years ago, weren't you?!" Silently, he nodded his head.

Sweet, tender mercies.

Sister Haleck is one of the only people I know who can keep up with Mike...at times passing right by him as she accomplishes more good in less time than anyone I have ever met. The scripture in Mosiah, "...be willing to stand as a witness of God at all times, and in all things and in whatsoever place you may be..." (It's close) reminds me of her. She wants for "her" missionaries to be the best they can be.

I have grown to love her "explosions" of emotion. Shock, happiness, surprise, disbelief, amusement, excitement... it's never just a little. The first time I knew I loved her was when she was trying to help me send an e-mail to all the senior missionaries. She sat in back of me and talked me through the process of opening the senior missionary file. She noticed that the Bells (who we replaced) were still there, so she told me to delete them from the list. I hightlighted their name, hit delete and LOST the WHOLE senior missionary file! With horror, I turned to look at her, just as she realized what I had done. And then, the part that endeared her to me forever...she began to laugh. Not just a chuckle, but an all out belly laugh. Oh how I needed that kind of response! And then...she helped me put them all back in. (Note to Sister Bell: I know you are laughing at this...how you took us all with with you when you left!

How we love the Eves!

Elder and Sister Eves have taught me so much about selfless service. Sister Eve's sweet, sure testimony of prayer has helped me on numerouns occassions. There was one time in particular when I thought I had lost an exceptionally important file on my computer. (i do that a lot, don't I?) I was devastated! And frantic! And trying desperately to search for it. That was the day she came to me and asked if I would mind going with her to get some water for the misionaries. The first day I ever dropped everything and left the office. Within five minutes, we were on the road, and I was sobbing out my story to her. She immediately advised me to go back to my room, kneel down and have a prayer. She told me that is what she always tells the missionaries when they have lost their keys to their fales. Of course it worked! Prayer...immediate impression...file found! Elder Eves is a spiritual giant. He works hard at teaching the doctrine that goes along with keeping fales (homes) and vehicles clean and taken care of. These two work hard as a team to keep missionary quarters, bicycles and vehicles safe and clean for the young missionaries.

And the best part is that we will be neighbors when we return to St. George!

The first time I heard Elder and Sister Kelly talk, I fell in love with them. Their delightful English accents are like music to my ears! She is the mission nurse and he is the research specialist. We share the other half of the duplex they live in, so we are next door neighbors. Sister Kelly's happy nature reminds me so much of my Grandma Shurtliff, who was born in England. And Elder Kelly is my mentor and protector. They have lived in Canada for many years, and they have a son in Arizona, so we will have chances to see them, when we return, too.

(I guess the reason I am talking so much about returning is because these first three couples will all be leaving by the first of July. Their time is winding down and we are sharing many "lasts" with them. Bittersweet.)

This is Elder and Sister Squire and Elder and Sister Avei.

The Squires went home last December. (November?) Elder Squire was the senior missionary zone leader and Elder Avei was called to that position when the Squires left. Both couples have been a delight to get to know.

The Squires took the lead in making sure that we got together as couples frequently, to socialize. I appreciatied that he make sure there was always a blessing offered when we went out to eat. It set a great example to the eyes and ears of Samoa.

Elder Avei is Samoan born and his wife comes from Hawaii, but they have lived in Woods Cross (Utah) for many many years. They are such a fun couple! Elder Avei is always cracking jokes with a poker face, and Sister Avei reminds me of a mother hen who is always looking after her chicks...she takes care of the senior missionaries, the young elders and sisters, the members of her Samoan ward...as well as all of Samoa..."my people" as she calls them.

You've met the Krogh's before when we posted about out trip to Savaii. They were the best personal tour guide anyone could ask for. But I think my favorite part of the visit was when Sister Krogh taught us how to make flour tortias from scratch. Yum!

In 2004, Elder Krogh was in an airplane crash that had multiple fatalities. He was one of only two survivors. He served in Samoa as a young missionary and is thrilled to be among the Samoan people again.

Elder and Sister Weber!

Our mission dentist and hygienist. She was raised in Africa for the first seveal years of her life and has some really great stories to tell. And Elder Weber amazes me with his ability to perform so much dental work on so many patients in so little time. Seriously.

The Gouldings.

Another great couple we can call neighbors when we return. They are serving in Savaii so we don't get to see them as much, but they are so much fun! He was a high school principal at Deseret Hills in St. George and lots of our St. George friends know him and will agree with me.

Elder and Sister Webb are our missionary "pen pal" friends. They are serving in Tutuila so we will rarely see them. But, we send e-mails back and forth each continually, just like we did with the DaBells who were there before them. They also teach Institute classes, so they are very busy.

Elder and Sister Lata

What an wonderful couple! They almost didn't get to come when there were problems with their visas, but I think their whole family and ward must have prayed them here! Elder Merrell worked exceptionally hard on their paper work. It's all turned in and waiting for immigration to complete. They are the most gracious couple. So easy to please, and with great testimonies to share. They are both native Samoans, so the language and culture is easy for them

Elder and Sister Macdonald just arrived from Pleasant Grove, Utah. Their son is married to a Samoan and they live here with their three children. They have agreed to share their grandchildren with us! The thing that strikes me about this couple is their enthusiasm for teaching, which they will put to use in their callings to work with college and Institute age youth in Samoa.

Well, there are many more senior couples, but this is long enough for a single post. We would be interested to know if any of our blog followers know any of our missionary friends here in Samoa. It's a small world, afterall...