If we listen, the Lord Guides!

As I look over our many pictures of the past weeks, I still keep pinching myself and ask "Are we really on a mission?"  We are extreamly tired but so grateful for this opportunity to serve in a wonderful country with such wonderful young people. 

I had my first experience of falling asleep while on my knees praying.  I have heard this happening, but couldn’t imagine this ever happening to me since I have to take a sleeping pill to even go to sleep.  I don’t think I have ever been so tired in my life, but it is an "exhilarating" tired.

It is my turn to post on this blog and we usually try to get it done on Sundays, but I just didn’t get to it so here I am on Thursday afternoon  at the Institute with 40 YSA’s laughing, playing pool, playing piano, singing and eating, and me trying to work on this blog.  It’s CRAZY to say the least.

We have a busy day today.  First, Missionary Prep at 10:00.  Mark had 30 in class today.  He always does a great job.  I fed them lunch today because we are playing the chimes and singing for another Welfare Hand Over Ceremony at the Service Center at 2:00.  This is our 2^nd singing assignment in two weeks.  Pretty soon we will be asked to do a concert in Votaphone Arena. You just wait and see.   At 4:30 we have been asked to host a Fireside here at the Center for a motivational speaker from Samoa.  I’m not sure what she is speaking about, but she has been all over the country speaking at functions and she is here in Fiji and so they asked us to host it.  That will last until 5:30 – 6:00 and then we can go home for the night.  See what I mean about being busy.

Ok, it is now Friday afternoon and we took a P day, so after going on a beautiful hike, I am sitting down to try to finish this blog.  I never thought in a hundred years it would be so hard to have enough time to write a blog.

Well, we had the Fireside and it was a huge success.  The speaker Ruby was amazing and the kids really liked her.  She spoke about knowing who you are and that Heavenly Father knows who you are and that you can do anything you set your mind to.  I gave a lesson on goals and time management on Tuesday, so this was great to hear.  Ruby is the girl on the back row second from the left.  The blond girl is her friend and she is from Farmington.  They are traveling around for 6 months speaking and interviewing abused women for her blog.

       We go through so much bread around here.  We feed them every Tuesday but  today was a special day.

            This is the store that we buy all the bread.  It is hot, delicious, and cheap.  Fifty cents for one loaf (25 Cents American).

This is the Hand Over Ceremony that we sang for.  The Humanitarian Department donated 450 wheelchairs and other walking devices,  All together, it was over $200,000.00 Fijian money.  Pretty great.  

This picture made the Fiji Sun newspaper.

A week ago today, we had our Hand Over Ceremony for the Rubbish Bins that the Humanitarian Dept. donated to the Suva City.  This was the service project that the Tennis's (the couple that we replaced) held just before they left to go home.  

Willie, one of the YSA's wanted to have a service project in conjunction with a dance and fireside for the end of the school year activity.  He spear-headed this project.  It was his BABY.  He called the Humanitarian Missionaries, the city council and the City Waste Manager and got it all started.  The YSA's went down to the sea wall park Nasese Park and cleaned up rubbish.  They had around 100 YSA's participate.  Then the Humanitarian Department donated $10,000.00 to Suva City where they had 10 huge rubbish bins made with the YSA's name on them and they will be placed around the sea wall.  Here is a picture of them.

This is Willie.  He is an amazing 18 year old and is 100% Fijian.  He doesn't look Fijian, but he is.  He says he is the "white version" of Fijian.

So, last Friday we had the Handing Over Ceremony to present the Suva City with the Rubbish Bins.  We had to plan this part, but it went really good.  We had great food, the kids played and sang two songs with the chimes.  Willie spoke about the project and boar an amazing testimony to the whole group which included many city councilmen, assistant mayor and several stake presidencies.  He was amazing.  The city council men were very impressed with his spirit.

This is the picture that was in the Fiji Suns newspaper last week.

Tuesday's are our busy days.  We go to the temple to do baptism for the dead at 10:00.  We go back to the Institute and we feed them.  They hang around all day for the 5:30 institute class which I teach.  I have a hard time seeing them just hang around, so I decided to teach a cooking class.  Last week was chocolate chip cookies.  Most of them had never eaten cookie dough, so I made them all try it.  They are hooked!  They love chocolate chip cookies, but the chocolate chips are way too expensive here so they love it when I make them.  Jamie and Scott sent us 2 huge packages of CC from Costco, so they were much appreciated.

Wednesdays are pretty quiet until afternoon when the kids come to Elder's Peterson's class, The New Testament.  They come early to play pool and get cooled off.  It's fun to have them around.

Thursday's we have Mission Prep at 10:00a.m.  Mark teaches that one too. I don't know how he gets two lessons ready with all the interruptions that happen during the day.  The Kids always come first though and they are in our office a lot.  When one of us not there running errands or busy otherwise, they always ask, "where Elda Petterson or Sista Petterson"  We love it.

Friday we usually take our P Day, but that doesn't always happen.  

Saturday night we have Activity Night or Movie Night.  We usually get around 40 or more kids to that.  Remember, I am making treats for every class and activity night plus feeding them lunch once a week.  Yeeeek.  Saturday was activity night and we played games, pool and volley ball.  I made my homemade hot fudge.  We bought two huge cartons of ice cream thinking we would have some left overs.  NOT!  Look at these pictures and you can see why.  These boys took the last carton into corner and devoured it.  Notice the hot fudge in Abrahams bowl. He was drinking it! 

Anything chocolate is a hit.  Never any leftovers.

We were the envy of all the missionaries this week because of the packages and letters we received.  The other senior couples are so jealous.  Thank you all for the letters, cards, and packages.  We hang every picture up that you send.  Your emails have been so wonderful and we are so happy that all is well at home.

  We love you all so much and are constantly praying for you while we are away.  We feel of your prayers everyday as well.  We feel the Lord leading and guiding us to people and places where He needs us.  We have been traveling to the wards on Sundays to let the YSA's know about the institute and to give them a schedule.  Last Sunday we went to a ward in Lami to hear two of our YSA's speak.  We had decided to stay in our own ward for they remainder of the meetings since we didn't think we would make it in time to another ward. 

That's not what the Lord wanted us to do.  After the kids spoke, we felt like we needed to go to Willie's ward.  He is the one who planned the Rubbish bin project.  We have become very close to him.  We put the peddle to the medal and made it to his ward in time to be at his YSA's class.  We could see that Willie was upset about something.  I asked him if he was ok, and he said no.  I took him out and he told me his grandpa passed away the night before - and, just after Willie had given him a blessing.  His grandfather was not a member.  He started to cry and I hugged him and ask if wanted Elder Peterson to give him a blessing.  He said yes and he found us a room to use.  I went and found Mark and when he came into the room, Willie hugged him and sobbed and sobbed.  Mark held him for a long time, and then gave him a beautiful blessing.  What if we hadn't listened to the spirit and stayed to our plan.  We would have never known about Willie's grandfather until after everything was over.  We went to the viewing and Willie was very grateful to us.  We will report at a later and more appropriate time on the viewing.   In this, we had the opportunity to learn more about the Fijian customs regarding the death of loved ones.  

This is work is true.  Our Heavenly Father knows who we are and what we need.  We are so grateful for this opportunity to serve Him in whatever capacity we are able.  

Well, this is the last two weeks of our life.  Tomorrow is Saturday and we are going to find a BEACH :)

Moce, Sota tale

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.  

Our First Christmas In Fiji

Well we made it through our first Christmas far away from our family and friends and WOW, what a Christmas it was.  We truly missed them and all of you, but we had a wonderful experience here in Fiji.

It started with our YSA playing the chimes at a missionary fireside on Sunday night

Monday we spent at the institute with the kids and going through files to figure out how the institute functions.

Monday night the Senior Missionaries had a FHE Christmas party hosted by President Davis, the temple President.  They have a beautiful home right next to the temple.  It has a beautiful view out the back.  She had it decorated so Christmasy and it felt good since our decorations were pretty non existent this year.  

 President and Sister Davis's Home all decorated for Christmas

Elder and Sister Watling from England were in charge of the dinner.  It was a wonderful Traditional English Christmas Dinner

                 

Sister Christiansen, Sister Collins and President Klingler trying to whistle Christmas carols.  Since President Klinger is a musician, he was a ringer.

Elder and Sister Watling are from England and they planned the food being a traditional English Christmas dinner.  It was delicious.  Even had truffles and Yorkshire pudding.

The entertainment was all the senior couples making fools out of themselves by attempting to whistle a Christmas carol.  Silly but fun.

We then sang Christmas carols and I brought out my chimes and again, they were a hit.  Everyone loved playing them and the sound brought such a sweet spirit to the night.  

Tuesday, we took the YSA to the temple for baptism for the dead. We had about 14 show up today.  Again, they were there an hour early.  They are so dedicated to this work.  

After we were done, we all went back to the institute.  They wanted to go caroling with the chimes to an old folks home.  I didn't know where there was one, but Sister Jackson told us of a lady that she visiting teaches who was living in a "Old Peoples Home" and she hadn't done her VT yet so she and Brother Jackson came with us.

We loaded up our van and their car and off we went.  It was such a beautiful experience.  These kids are so amazing.  We played 4 songs and then they handed our candy canes that were left over from the stockings I had made them.  The wonderful part was how tender they were with the residences.  We could hardly get them out of there. 

When we were through, they kept asking to go to another one.  Again I did't know where there was another one, but they did, so off we went to drop in on another "Old Peoples Home".

This time we went to the one that we were scheduled to go to that night with the Missionaries and the Senior Missionaries to put on a Christmas party.  We didn't think they would mind hearing us twice, so we went in and ask if it would be ok.  They were delighted to have us come.

Again, the YSA did great and spent time talking and hugging the residents.  It melted my heart.  

By this time we were all starving so we took them to McDonalds for lunch.  To my amazement, most of them had never been to McDonalds before.

Being so cheep in the US, I guess I didn't realize how expensive it is here.  I ordered 15 Big Mac meals and they loved them.  I'm still not sure if they would take a Big Mac over their fish & chips they love so much.  It sure tasted good to me through.

We went back to the center for a little while and then headed out again to do the Christmas party for the "Old Peoples Home".  It was fun being there with all the Elders and Sisters.  We really don't get to spend much time with them so this was such a treat.  They have so much enthusiasm and energy.  

This time, they played the chimes as we all sang.  They loved it.  (I am so Happy I brought these chimes).  We dressed some of the residents up in the Nativity costumes and Elder Peterson read the Christmas story as they sat on the stage.  It was a tender picture and a good way to end Christmas Eve.  We were supposed to go with our ward caroling but we were to exhausted to even think about it.  Fun, Fun, Fun day.

Christmas Day wasn't to eventful.  We got up, read the letter Greg Costly had sent us, had a little breakfast and went for a drive.  We saw some beautiful country, but we didn't know where we were going so we turned around after about an hour and went the other way.  We drove down town and out to the water front and found a wonderful Chinese restaurant.  Had a Fra la la la la kind of a Christmas dinner.  Came home took a little nap and then went to a movie.  Didn't know you could see movies on your mission did you.  Well, seniors have a little less strict rules than the younger missionaries.

The day after Christmas, Thursday for us, Wednesday for you all, was the best of all.  We were able to talk to all the kids and grandkids.  It was so fun to see all that Santa had brought them and to hear their voices and see their adorable faces.  There is nothing better than family.  We may have shed a few tears as well.  

The Jacksons, bless their hearts, called and asked us if we wanted to go have lunch at a place called Pacific Harbor.  We accepted gladly and we are so glad we did.  It is beautiful to say the least.  Where we live in Suva isn't the Fiji that you think about when you think Fiji.  It's more of the busy city feel.

The drive to Pacific Harbor was fantastic.  They told us history, showed us places to go and things to do when our kids come over and showed us an incredible golf course that we can't wait to go back and play.  I bet you didn't know Seniors Missionaries could play golf either.  Well we can and YES! WE WILL....  This was the Fiji that you think of when you think of Fiji.

So you can see that we did have a different but good Christmas here in Fij, but to tell you the truth, I'm glad it is over and I can quit anticipating how hard it would be and how sad I thought I would be.  Now it's time to move on and really get down to work at the institute.  In fact we have our work cut out for us.  We are going to a Fiji wide YSA camp in Nadii and we have been given 3 assignments so we have been off and running today getting ready for it.

We love you all and hope your Holidays were Merry and Bright and that your New Year will find you healthy and happy.