Crocheting Hats and Preparing for Leyah’s Baptism

We had a wonderful week this past week.  It was a little quieter at the Institute because the Temple was closed down for cleaning and there was a big track meet going on Thursday and Friday. Classes were much smaller and there were not nearly as many kids hanging out.  It was kind of sad because we love all the noise and Celestial Chaos. 

The Rugby tournaments have also been going on so everyone is glued to their TVs.  OK, maybe even Elder Peterson and  I  have  gotten into the rugby scene.  We even went to a game yesterday and watched a friend of ours team play.  It was great, but we prefer watching the 7”s game instead of a full  15 player game (or how ever many they have on a real team).  Our night guard Zarkaris  was peeking through our screen door at the game  so we invited him in to watch the game.  He is great.  We feed him leftover treats if we have any.  He loves the sweets.

Monday was a fun day because we received a package from my sister Debbie that contained yarn and knitting looms.  I didn’t know how to do them, so I spent the rest of the day  watching videos and YouTube  to figure it out.  I couldn’t wait for Tuesday to teach the YSA’s. 

Monday Afternoon, the Sisters who have been teaching Leyah  came to the center.  We talked about the baptism that would take place on Tuesday.  They said that nobody was bringing food for it because the RS usually did,  but for some reason, they couldn’t do it on Tuesday.  Sooooo you guessed it.  That left me to make treats for all the YSA’s plus all the ward members who would be coming to the baptism.  Needless to say, I spent all Family Home Evening baking, baking, baking.  It was ok though.  I would do anything for Leyah and I didn’t have to give a lesson on Tuesday because of the baptism.  Yay…….

Well, on Tuesday a few girls came into the center and I brought out the looms.  They loved them as much as I had hoped they would.  We brought in lunch for those who came and we sat on the floor and had a picnic and knitting loom kind of day until I had to go grocery shopping for stuffs (that’s how we say things) for Sandwiches for Leyah"s Baptism.

Carrots and tuna fish was the choice for the day.  Yes that is what I said and actually it was pretty good.  Just grate up some carrots and put into the tuna fish.  Nothing to it.  TRY IT, YOU’LL LIKE IT

Leyah”s baptism was wonderful.  I wish I could have taken a picture of the font while Elder Peterson was baptizing her.  It is an outside font and very old.  Something I have never seen before.  There were a lot of YSA”s there to support her.  I was really pleased.  We ended up having plenty of food, which I was nervous about.   Here in Fiji, you don’t only take one.  They get one of everything.  It’s great.

Leyah asked Mark to baptize her and me to give a talk on the Holy Ghost.  We were so thrilled to be included in this fun occasion.    It went well and the spirit was very strong.  We weren’t sure  if we would have this opportunity to be involved in a baptism from the Institute, but we hoped we would be.  We are so grateful to be a part of  the change that has come over her life and we pray that she will continue  with her learning and her growing in the gospel.  She is like a little seed.  We must nourish  her and love her while she is tender and we know that she will stay and be a strong member of the church.

Wednesday and Thursday were somewhat quiet, but the ones who came in were excited to work on their hats.  Thanks again Aunt Debbie.

Friday night we went to our ward RS Birthday Party.  The cute sisters in our ward planned this activity around my schedule. They wanted to play the chimes for their families like they did for the Stake RS Birthday Party.   I am so glad that they did, because it was so much fun to see these beautiful ladies at their best.  Singing and dancing all night long.  The kids all stayed up until 11;00 as well and they are as happy as can be.  I love the Lami Ward.

This week we had an opportunity to give our cute Tuti (Lucy) a blessing as she has been in the hospital with fluid in her lungs.  We talked to her on the phone just before her surgery (tube put in her lungs to drain the fluid) and she was really scared.  I asked her if she would like Elder Peterson to give her a blessing and she said "Sista Petterson, I would love that so much".  We grabbed Willie and headed to the hospital.  It is so wonderful to be surrounded by Priesthood holders that can perform this wonderful ordinance at any given moment.  What a great opportunity to serve.  A few days later, Leba and I went to see her again to take her a book to read and see how she was.  She was in so much pain and had a high, high fever.  I was so worried about her.  She was crying when we came in and she was struggling to get comfortable.  We talked for awhile, calmed her down a little, wiped her tears and put a cool rag on her head.  She pinky promised me that she would try to eat something.  I was so worried about her.  Today Mark and I went back to take her another book and she looked 100 percent better.  Wow, what an answer to our prayer.  She is wonderful and the power of prayer is so powerful. She will be in the hospital for quite a while.  I HOPE I NEVER HAVE TO GO TO THAT HOSPITAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well you all, that is our week in a nutshell.  This is such a wonderful opportunity for us.  We are loving every minute of it.  Heavenly Father is blessing us with many opportunities to serve and giving us the strength to do it.  We could never do this on our own.  We know that He loves us and wants us to be here in Fiji.  The gospel is true.  We love it and love all of you.  

Until next week,

Lolome, 

Sista Petterson