April 21, 2015

Baptisms, farewells, bad haircuts, and YSA's stuffs

It has been a pretty eventful month here in Fiji, and as a result, time is going by so fast.  We don't know where March went and now April in almost gone as well.  When you are having fun, time just flies by.

Even though we have been pretty busy, it seems like it's about all the same around here.  Institute classes, baking treats, lunch and learn, lesson prep, baptisms here and there, trips to Nakavika Village, more baking treats and lesson prep, and FHE's.  The pool table is constantly being used by YSA's and our boss President Safeit (who is by far the loudest player here.  There is never a dull minute at the Suva Fiji Institute Lounge.

The worst thing that has happened this past month was a BAD HAIRCUT.  I have been crying about it for 6 weeks.  I went in for a nice trim and came out with total layers, and a very bad cut.  Guess this Chinese guy didn't understand TRIM.  Oh well, the Lord doesn't give us anything we can't handle right?  J/K I don't think the Lord cares about my hair cut, but I am surviving it and time will heal all things. hahahah

It is always a happy day when we get a new YSA baptized.  Corina is a darling girls and she is so excited about being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  She is a wonderful addition to YSA's.

 This is the Baptismal Font.  Pretty awesome 

We got to spend a little time with Our Cute Elder Tomasi at a Zone conference.  He is one amazing missionary.

Lunch and Learn continues to bring in the boys.  Pretty amazing since the class is Eternal Marriage.  Food is the draw in this instance.

Elder Peterson was asked to come to Nadi to do his RM presentation.  This was a great break for us and we were able to have a wonderful dinner at the Harbor on Denerau.

Here are a few pictures of our cute YSA's at a pool activity we had for a Saturday Activity.  Most of these kids haven't been to this public pool so it was such fun for them.  We had a great turnout and a wonderful time.

Elder and Sister Johannson were our guest speaker at our Eternal Marriage class.  They are amazing people with a great engagement and wedding story.  Elder Johannson is a great speaker and entertains the YSA's as he teaches them.  It was a fun class for sure.

Another YSA leaves on her 18 month adventure.  Lucy Ratukalau is heading off to Auckland New Zealand where she will be an amazing missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  We love her and will miss her terribly but we are proud of her decision to Serve.

 Thanks for the Easter Package Jamie and Scott Beynon and Family.  Our YSA's are lucky that we have such a wonderful family taking good care of them.

 

We picked Alavina up in Little Nakavika to take her up to her village to spend a few hours with her children and family.  It was a very emotional day because this will probably be the last time they see her.  Alavina is very sick with Overian cancer and is very week and thin.  We love her so much and would do about anything to help her.  

Moses (Alavina's husband) Alavina and Sister Peterson.

Found a few kids to play with for awhile while we waited for Alavina.  The kids here are so dang cute and they love, love, love lollies.

Alavina's family were so happy to see her, but so sad to say goodbye.  

Elder Peterson giving his 

RM presentation to the Elders of Fiji who are finished with their missions are heading home.  Oh how we love the missionaries.

Anybody for a Salmon Waffel?  Only in Fiji.

Family Home Evening always brings a lot of YSA's out.  They love to be together on Sunday nights.  Brother and Sister Carthew spoke to them and it was a great night.

Elder Gifford Nielson who is in the Area Seventy Presidency, came to Fiji to reorganize the Suva North Stake Presidency.  That night, we had him come to our Senior Couple FHE where he spoke to us.  He told story after story about his football days and then related them to gospel principles.  He is an amazing speaker and another great entertainer.

Suva North Stake was reorganized today.  The gym at the LDS College was packed.  President Qaqa was called to be the new Stake President.  He will be great.

This is Waisaki and Waisaki Jr.  They are father and son and were baptized together.  I am the lucky one who gets to visit teach their cute wife and mother Milike.  It was a very happy day.