1- 7 inch centipedes crawling over the bathroom floor can scare the crap out of you!
(The picture of it in the toilet does not do it justice)
I haven't heard my sweet wife scream like that before!
I know. It looks gross but how else could we show you?
2- Flexibility is key to as we learn to be on "Fiji Time".
3- Fijian Young Single Adults's are beautiful, happy and love to laugh and tease. They are hungry to learn - and EAT.
Last night was the YSA Saturday activity night. It was movie night. Paula popped like a ton of popcorn yesterday afternoon for treats. There were about 25 there. At least 1/2 of them are RM’s. There has been a steady stream of missionaries leaving from here as well. Three of our institute kids, left just this past week. One from our ward is leaving the day after Christmas to Sierra Leone in Africa.
Interesting story – this young man is the only member in his family and the youngest of 6 children. His father is a Methodist minister and was very much against his son joining the Church. But this young man’s conviction to the Gospel was too strong for his father to say no. In fact, his father attended church with him today. BTW – his mother, and the ministers wife, passed away last January. So this young man is the only child left living with the father.
The bishop had the young man get up and bear his testimony. He expressed a humble and sincere testimony of his conversion. He did it Fijian. I could not understand all of it, but the Spirit told me that what he as saying was very profound. Then, the bishop invited the young man’s father to get up and share his thoughts too. I thought; "this ought to be interesting!" He was very respectful and appreciative of the support the ward has given his son and he expressed how he has felt the friendly feelings from LDS – as he calls us. The minister also attended our priesthood meeting and spoke there as well. The missionaries were setting up an appointment after church.
6 - Finally, we have learned and realised just how much we love and miss our family. Good thing you don't see the tears when we hang up after one of our FT sessions. Because WE DO LOVE YOU ALL!!!!
Just a few of the YSA and Missionaries after the Christmas Missionary Fireside
The view out our back door.
Grandma Ema Peela just can't keep her hands of these cute babies.
The view from our "temporary" home at a hotel. This is approximately 3 blocks from our ward building.
My Companion - She is a keeper. Notice she forgot her name plate. I did the same thing one day and felt totally out of place. It really means something to wear the Savior's name close to your heart.
Sister Pete sacrificed part of her luggage allotment to bring her chimes. You can see here, one of the ways they have been huge hit.
We loaded up our freight shipment to Fiji with Christmas treats for the YSA's. They loved them even though the chocolate Santa's were chocolate blobs by the time they got them in their stockings!
One last thing in closing – Last night, after the movie, we had packed with us about 50 little Christmas stockings and treats to put in them and give to the YSA's. Yes, the chocolate Santa’s were more of a chocolate blob but you get the idea.
She explained to them our tradition of the Christmas stocking. We then we gave them out while they were still seated. When we were finished handing them out they first expressed there gratitude - and then, spontaneously they started singing a tractional native song to us to express their feelings for us. Not only was the harmony amazing, with all the parts, but the rhythm was there in great abundance. They sang three verses. It brought us to tears. Check out Paula's FB for a glimpse. These YSA's are beautiful and such a joy to work with. Their hunger and eagerness to learn about the Gospel is humbling and a little bit intimidating.
The work is True! Have a Merry Christmas.
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