Return of the Gecko Lizard

We have had a few "house guests" living with us rent free over the past few weeks.   Most we don't mind.   The centipedes must leave immediately; the ants are given a nice little shower of premerthan; the frogs are escorted out the door.  But the gecko lizards - we like to keep them around.  They eat most of the tiny bugs and flies that annoy us.   That is until the other morning . . . . .when I picked up my deodorant to apply, and in the millisecond it took to realize there was one of the little critters running down my arm after taking a ride in the container, my instincts kicked in and I moved pretty dang fast!  I don't know who moved faster though - me, as I exited the bathroom, or the gecko trying get away from me.   We both lived - but my hair is a little more gray.

Here is a little video of Sista Petterson making pop corn for our movie night.   I think the YSA's go through about 10 gallons of popcorn every movie night.

Movie Night Popcorn with Ultra Modern Popper! 

 Luke and Beckham this is for you:  As we were attending church today, we noticed two little guys probably around two years old playing by themselves.   When we looked closer, they were playing with Tech Deck skateboards.   Who would have thought that we would see a Teck Deck skateboard in Fiji?  We have not seen one skate park or skate board since we have been here.  Sorry.

In this next photo you will see Sosi and Ulai.   Sosi is an RM (on the right).   He is 6' 3" and probably weighs 260 lbs.  He is a gentle giant.    Ulai (L) just received his mission call.  I took the photo as they were practicing to sing a duet in church.   I wanted you to see how they are dressed.   Most men wear the sulu and footwear is optional.   I love it.  It is my preferred fashion now.   I wonder if I could get away with wearing this in Utah?!

What is really amazing to us about these young returned missionaries is the fact that they are called to serve as bishopric councillors and stake YM presidents as they return from their missions.   The young man who just received his call to New Zealand has been serving as the ward mission leader for a year now.   

Priesthood leadership opportunities come early and fast in the mission field.   Our grandsons should pay close attention to their priesthood duties as they too will be called on to provide guidance and leadership while they serve in the missions they are called to and beyond.   

We are having a blast serving our Lord here in Fiji.   The time is really flying by.   Our lives are truely blessed to work with these wonderful people.   We love them.   Our cups are full!  Thank you Heavenly Father!

Market Day and Hair Colour Day

We should never go more than one week without doing this blog, because time is going by so fast and we are so busy that we don't even know what day it is.  We loose all sense of time and date.  We just go about our work and when all the YSA's decide it is time for them to go home, we go home.  No not really, but almost.  We spend a lot of time at the Institute Center with these wonderful YSA's.  So many of them are waiting to go on their missions so they are not working or going to school.  The Center is a safe place for them to be around other members and off the streets.  We have decided however, that we need to be teaching them something while they are just hanging out.  I have decided to teach a few cooking classes.   They are really excited since they are always so hungry when they are here.   Elder Peterson has been busy assisting those who already have their mission calls by helping them with questions, actual paper work and pre-mission preparations like clothing purchases etc.   The Lord has blessed us with so many opportunities and we are determined not waste any.

Let's see if we can remember what we have been up to for the past two weeks.  Ever since I have been here I have been talking about getting a sulu.  Last week one of our cute students came in with one for me.  It is beautiful.  She taught me how to tie it and wear it.  It was a good thing I had something under it because it might have fallen off a few times.  Oh well, I'll get better at it.  Now both of us wear skirts!  :>}

My new sulu - Elder Peterson and I BOTH wear Fijian skirts now.

Before we left home, we had sent a big box over here - and it finally arrived.  It took three weeks to get here and none to soon.  Elder Peterson was so excited to get that package because it had all my hair color in it. ;}  He begged me to let him color my hair -  so, reluctantly, I let him.  By the look on his face, you can tell he was so incredibly excited.  I have to say - he did a great job but isn't looking forward to 3 weeks from now.:)

We have wanted to go to the market since we got here.  It is soooo crowded down town on a Saturday, so we hadn't journeyed there as of yet.  Avenish and his wife Shammie who are also our neighbors and landlord asked us if we wanted to go with them on Saturday.  We were so excited since he has a store right there by the market so we didn't have to find a place to park.

The market was interesting t say the least.  We bought a ton of fruit (papayas, pineapple, watermelon, popcorn, mangos, spinach carrots, beans and pumpkin (squash).  Everything is so fresh and so cheap.  What a great place to purchase all the wonderful fruit and vegetables that are grown here,  if it just were't so crowded all the times.

The fresh vegetables and fruit just waiting for us to pick through. 

FRESH Seafood - icky smell!

Elder Pete and I decided to take our first P Day and go to Pacific Harbor and play a little golf.  Felt a little guilty - but  only for a minute.  We had a great time and we were the only people on the course.  That is right, no waiting on either sides.  It was fun to relax and enjoy the game and the scenery.  The lily pads on the ponds were spectacular. These pictures do not do it justice. Frogs were all over the course and I couldn't resist picking one up to show our granddaughter Riley that I too can pick up "live things".  (Mark says "note the glove".  Ha Ha

Sunday, we visited 3 wards to visit their YSA classes.  We are recruiting YSA'S to come to class and also to just let them  know we are here.  From doing this, we had several new attendees at the classes this week.  We will continue this until we have visited all wards in every stake in our area.  That will take us a few months.  It's ok though because we are meeting so many new kids and they are responding to us and we love them and love serving  them.

Monday was a lesson preparation day.  I had one lesson and Elder Pete had two to prepare.  Usually, Monday's are a pretty quiet day at the institute - so it's a good day to prepare.  Monday night was Senior missionary FHE.  It was educational event to learn about the Hindi involvement in the Church from a temple sealer - who just happens to be Indian.  Also, two couples were going home and 2 new ones came last week. They are darling, and I think we can have fun together.  The "deer in the headlight" look is still familiar to us.  

Tuesday, I taught my first class.  Yikes:)  This is what I have been worried about.  I am teaching The Gospel and the Productive Living class and it is a fun one. We had about 26-28 there.  This is pretty close to a record.   We were scrambling for more chairs and table.  I think they came because they knew I had made chocolate chip cookies.  The whole time I was making cookies, I kept thinking,"Damon, where's my Bosch?"  This mixer looks way bigger in the picture than it really is.

We also completed Baptism's for the Dead on Tuesday and had 26 show up.  Yep, that has to close to a record breaker!   They love doing this work and the temple workers love them too.  They are amazed that we have been able to get so many out.

Tuesday was a very busy day.  We were at the Center from 8:00 AM-9:30 PM.  It was a long, but good day.  Falling into bed exhausted was easy.

Wed. Elder Pete, taught New Testament and  did a great job.  We were at the institute until 9:30 that night as well. Thursday, we had to be there at 7:30 for a meeting and came home at 5:00.  Elder Peterson taught again today Mission Prep and it was wonderful.  These are 90 minute classes mind you.  It is a busy schedule but it is all good.  This picture is the crazy YSA's that hang around after class. This picture is only 1\3 of them.  The rest are playing pool around the corner or eating in the kitchen. They are a wonderful bunch of kids.  We LOVE them.  Can you tell they love to have their picture taken?

This is Hozea.  He just left for a mission to the Philippines.  He is receiving his customised laundry bag.   Our new tradition we started for each elder or sister as they depart.   

When we first got here, the weeks were soo long and we thought we would never begin to figure out our responsibilities.  We have learned that with the Lord, ALL things are possible.  We have had to depend on Him in every aspect of our lives.  We are tired and spent at the end of the day, but our hearts are full of gratitude for this wonderful experience to be serving our Father in Heaven 24/7.  These kids have cemented a place in our hearts forever.  We see their desires to be good and it makes us want to be better.  It hasn't all been easy for sure. Living in a different culture with foods we have never seen before, smells we have never smelled before, long hours, people we have never met before, roads we have never traveled before, and insects we have never seen before, are keeping us out of our comfort zone, but as I said, the Lord is blessing us and we also feel of your prayers in our behalf.  We love you all of our family and friend  daily.

New Year 2014 in Nadi, Fiji

We had the joy of experiencing New Year 2014 in the town of Nadi (pronounced Nandy) which is on the western side of the main island.   We left on Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM for the 4 hour drive on a two lane highway.   With us, were two young couples who were part of the planning and program committee.   One couple was from Fiji and the other from Tonga.  

The Young Single Adult Camp started on the 31st and was held at a "resort hotel".   The event was presided over by Elder Taniela B. Wakolo, the Area Seventy.  He is giant personality.   The Lord certainly knew who he was calling when he chose him to lead the Church in this part of His vineyard.   We have learned since that he, as a native Fijian, and convert to the Church, has just been called to preside over the Arkansas - Little Rock Mission.   He will be a fantastic mission president.   He expects exact obedience but has a lighter side that endears everyone to him.  

Elder Wakolo and our presentation on Christlike Attributes.

There were 150+ youth who attended.   They were divided into "ohana's  (families) and given a name from The Book of Mormon.   They created banners and family cheers and skits to present to the group.   Below are a few shots of the results. 

New Years was celebrated with dance until 2:00 AM.   Wake up call was 5:00 AM on January 1, 2014 to on time to board the buses to hike into the mountains around Nadi.   The paved road disappeared soon after we left the main highway.   We took our 12 passenger van and it took a beating to the point of the flat tire on the way down.  We are trying to think of a good name for the van demonstrates its strength and reliability to get us where we need to go.  

The hike to the top was  1 hour grind.   Many of the YSA's completed the hike barefoot.   Youch!  No problem for them though.

The view from the top was incredible.   A devotional was held under Elder Wakolo's direction.   He spoke of the importance of never giving up when times are tough.   He spoke especially to the RM's in the group who he said "you need to find your eternal partner on the hike down".  That got a big laugh of course.

If you look hard, you can the YSA's climbing to the top.

Sister Peterson says this was great exercise.  

Happy New Year 2014 in the mountains of Fiji

Elder Wakolo speaking to group at the top.

We met Elder & Sister Walker at the YSA camp.  They are from Idaho and his sisters worked with Paula at the Bountiful Temple.  They are stationed on the island of Savusavu.  He is serving as a councillor to the mission president and doing member/leader support.   They explained that have hot water from the sun and electricity only part of the day.  They are absolutely a delight to be around and blessing to those they work with.   This is their 4th mission. 

Pool Fun

Thank Goodness for the pool because it was HOT!  Nope, we did not get in.

Time to eat (again!)

The Whole Group!  We are the little white specs at the right.

Well, that's it for another busy week.   The school semester starts in 1 week so summer break will over.   I should  mention here that we are writing this in dark.  Our power is out and has been for several hours.   We have spent the evening playing with the little family from Australia with 4 little girls form upstairs as no one can stand to be indoors without any air conditioning or air movement.   We hope it comes back on soon.   We are learning to adapt and be flexible as we live here.   What a wonderful experience we are having.   The only thing that would make this better would be have our family closer.   But, we realise, not having them around is part of the sacrifice we are offering in order to be faithful and steadfast and immovable Mormons!  And, we get to meet and make acquaintances of some great people who live and work here as well.