January 28/2018

It’s been a busy week. Scott and I worked on the ER container here in Upolu, we opened it up about a month ago, looked at it closed it, knowing it was going to take a lot more time than we had at that time. Well, we got it cleaned out, organized and it looks pretty good. We still have a few more things to get and we need to label the supplies but if there was an emergency they could now find what they need. We loaded our truck with more supplies to go to Savaii, which we will took towards the end of the week.

We also had a meeting for the new Diabetes project which will be starting the first week of February. We are really looking forward to this pilot program which will be implemented through the church. 7 of the top 10 countries in the world that have a diabetes problem are here in the south Pacific.

Scott and I headed to Savaii on Thursday with our truck full of ER supplies for the sea can. We unloaded and marked all the supplies so now it is organized and ready. It was a hot, humid job but there is satisfaction in knowing that it is ready to use in case of an emergency.

We did decide to drive around the whole island of Savaii, It normally takes around 5 hours to drive it and it did take us a bit longer as we stopped at a couple of our projects. One in the village of Asau, a company here in Upolu, have started sending over water tanks, 4 of the 25-3,000-liter tanks had arrived. We met with the village mayor and he took us around to show us where the tanks were delivered. Only 21 left to be delivered, they bring 5 at time by ferry and it is quite the process. It could take months for all the tanks to be delivered. We will be over in Savaii several more times before this project can be finalized and closed.

We also went to Sili a primary school in Savaii that LDS Charities did a bathroom renovation for. We went to see if they needed some school supplies and to make sure the washroom was in good working condition.

We stayed at the Amoa in Savaii, which was nice. The Thursday evening after we finished the sea can we checked into our hotel, Scott went snorkeling, we ate dinner a fell into bed exhausted. I had just fallen asleep when I felt something on my face, I sat up quickly brushed it away and turned on my light. There was a huge cockroach scurrying up the wall. I didn’t scream, Scott was sound asleep, so I spent the night with the light on watching the cockroach. The ceiling was really high  , so I couldn’t kill  it. Scott did finally wake up and wondered why the light was on, I told him what happened and maybe I did cry just a bit. We layed there, he fell back to sleep and I kept guard with the light on for the rest of the night. The staff promised to go and take care of everything. They were good, but the next night I kept the lights on and kept guard once again. Needless to say I was a bit tired after that adventure. We checked out on Saturday, headed back to Upolu to meet the other senior missionaries at a beach. Each time we go to a beach it is my favorite but seriously Virgin Cove is now my most favorite. They filmed the TV show Survivor there. It was secluded, the sand amazing and absolutely beautiful. I even tried snorkeling, really I did. I quite liked it and will definitely do it again.

I’m very thankful for my mission companion, who is so patient with all my weird and crazy hang ups. He has caught on here so quickly and has embraced everything with a love and passion. People here are amazed at his energy and his let’s get er done attitude.  I just try to keep up and sometimes give a gentle reminder that we are in Samoa and things take time.   He is a great example to me and he makes me want to be better.  We feel so blessed to be here in this little bit of paradise, we love the people. They are a hard working, happy people. The children are adorable, they always talk to us, wave at us and always have a huge smile on their faces. We love it and can’t get enough of it.

I miss my family and friends and I’m so thankful we are able to talk and facetime. Although it only makes me miss them more. They do seem to be doing just fine without me, HMMM how does that work? I think of you all often and hope you’re doing well, taking care of each other, be patient with each other and have an understanding heart, be kind and just love each other.

Remember to see a great day and rise above and continue on your journey knowing the Lord is with you.

I love and miss you and am sending big hugs to all my adorable grand kids.

Virgin Cove Beach 

 
This is how they dry their clothes here, lay them on the hot lava rocks.

Just like Robinson Crusoe, picked the coconut, husked it, broke it open with a rock and we enjoyed eating it. So good. What a man, supplying food for his family!    

Black Sand Beach