Feb. 5, 2015
GETTING BACK INTO THE ROUTINE
Well, we are back in the thick of things here at the Suva
YSA Institute. The first few weeks were
pretty slow since the YSA’s were still on vacation in their villages. Classes didn’t start until Jan. 20, so we had been pretty chilled out. At first it is
always nice to not be so busy, but after a few weeks, we started to go stir
crazy. We are happy to be back.
Things started out pretty rough with Elder Peterson breaking
his foot while playing tennis. His body
went one way and his foot didn’t. The
Dr. casted it but he could only stand it for a week and made the Dr. cut it
off. The kids sent a boot here to him
and he got along much better after that.
He is doing good now and will be back on the court before long.
Because he couldn’t shift the “White Rino”, we got our new
car a few weeks early. It was bitter
sweet for us because we loved filling it with YSA’s and also Senior
Missionaries couples, but it was a pain driving long distances and especially
down town with the crowds. They gave us
a cute Hyundai Tucson. It is all wheel
drive so we can still get up to the Namosi Highlands to visit our favorite
Nakavika Village. I am enjoying driving
much more now days.
We have been busy with the usual CES missionary duties such
as teaching, cooking, counseling, attending funerals, farewells, dinners, ward
activities, more cooking, more YSA activities, more counseling, speaking in
church, and don’t forget, more cooking.
It’s incredibly busy, but we love it and we especially love these YSA’s. Here are a few pictures of the activities,
and other happenings of the Suva Fiji YSA institute.
Movie night with Lulu, Estelle, Tatica and Elder Peterson
Our wonderful Asenaca left for BYS Hawaii. We love her so much and she has been huge help to us. So faithful and so willing to help in any things we needed. Can't wait to see you again in Hawaii.
Elder Peterson's broken foot before they casted it. Such a bummer.......
Yep, it is broken
Mixed emotions about letting the "White Rino" go. We have made many wonderful memories in this huge LDS van of ours.
We had a council planning breakfast at our flat and Usa caught this baby mongoose. What???? Who catches a mongoose? The mother squalled and ran around like crazy until he let it go. Crazy, crazy Usa.
Usa and Fillipe
Sister Peterson not happy about this. Filipi, Usa, Bali,Sete and Regi loved it though.
Feed them and they will come. That is my moto.
Classes have started at the Institute. Sister Peterson is teaching Eternal Marriage. There are way more boys in this class than girls. Some fall asleep as you can see, but mostly they come for the "Lunch" part. However, the cute couple standing in the middle right side are officially dating and they had their first date in my class. Pretty cool huh. They are seriously talking about getting married in the Provo Temple this fall. Guess we can say we had one success story out of this class.
This is the "Eternal Marriage" class. Aren't they beautiful YSA's.
We had our opening social Jan. 24. We had a great turn out and a fun time. We played games, get to know you activity, pool (always pool), Krem board, chess, and of course ping pong. For refreshments we had an oreo dunking contest which was a huge success. Fijians love oreos and they dunked until they were sick. 
Sosi, Tuu, Gabby, Chelsy, Delana, Matt, Seniloli, Savira play "round the world" ping pong game. Always fun to put a candy bar in the middle for the winner.
Rupeni and Kata
Get to know you activity. Cross the line if ????? Tell why you ..........
There were lots of laughs while we discovered fun facts about each other
Oreo dunking contest. Always a favorite treat
Hilary won every time. She had the TOUCH.
Shan
Quiet Vega got into the action.
Oh, and then there is our Suka girl !
Errol and Mera
This is Memofa's favorite game ever.
Savira's first Activity Night. Think she had a great time.
Janis, Mela, Seta and Gabe having their own contest in the kitchen.
It was time to say goodbye to two more of our YSA's who are on their way to serve the Lord. Leba is off to New Zeland and Digi is going to the Philippines. God be with you till we meet again you two. We love you.
Moses called us last week and told us that Alavina was in the hospital again. Her body had swollen up and she was very sick. We went and visited her. It looks like her kidneys are shutting down. The next day we went back to the hospital and they were discharging her. They gave her 6 units of blood. We went to the market and bought some diapers for her and drove them all to the transport that would take them back to the village. Oh, we don't know how much time this wonderful friend has. We love her so much and we pray for them every day. Their faith in amazing but they know that God has a plan for them, and they are willing to accept his plan, only after however, they have done all they can to save her.
Elder Peterson, Alavina and Mosese
These two girls, Tuti and Leba have been best friends for the whole life. They put their mission papers in the same day, they were endowed in the temple the same day. Leba in blue, received her call first. She was called to Hamilton New Zealand. Tuti has a medical condition and got a call that told her that she might not be able to go on a mission. She was heart broken to say the least. The have supported each other through thick and thin and that is what they did with this news. After about 2 months, Tuti received her call. Guess where she is going? Yes, to Hamilton New Zealand. Crazy huh. They are inseparable. Leba left last week and Tuti will be leaving in March. We love, love, love these two girls.
three legged race, put names of Apostles in order, text the 6th article of faith to a friend, eat an apple off a string while hand were tied behind back, pass the orange under the chin, go through an obstacle while blindfolded by listening to your team members instruction, and scripture mastery challenge. We had a great time and we tired them out for sure. Here are a few pictures of this activity.
