March 24/2019

March 24/2019

Talofa family and friends, what a crazy but great week we had. There were moments of tears, heart break, laughter and fun this past week as we had a handover to a home that helps abused children, gave out school desks and chairs to a couple Primary Schools, visited our Little Sisters of the Poor, had an umu and got to finally go to the beach. Wow, I’m exhausted just thinking about it all. We seem to be running on overdrive right now as we try to get so many things finished and cleaned up.

Our week started with a hand over of food supplies to a home for orphans, neglected and abused children and unwed mothers. There are around 70 children that live there, they sang, danced and some spoke to us of the hurt they have suffered but also spoke of the hope they have through the Campus of Hope and the good people that work with them. The children ranged in ages from newborn to 18 years. Pictured are some of the older girls that are now helping and leading the way for many of the younger ones. It was really a very emotional and moving experience.  I am so grateful for all I have.

We had the opportunity to go see one of the favorite Sisters this past week, Sister Christina and take some supplies to the elderly. She and a few other nuns look after the older people here that have nowhere to go and their families don't want them. They do not have homes here for the aged as families are to take care of their own but sometimes it just doesn't work that way. They offer a great volunteer service and are as humble and sweet as I have ever met.

Our last school container came and we will not see another one before we go home. We were able to deliver the contents to 2 Primary Schools. One of them was a newly built school that had nothing in the way of desks, chairs, books, tables or shelves. The other little school had only a few desks, so both were really happy with their new to them supplies. I am always amazed at how thankful they are for the used school furniture that they receive. The children at this last school were so excited and happy, they sang songs for us and could hardly wait to sit in a chair at their school.

On Friday we had an umu( Samoan Cooking) for some people from New Zealand that were visiting, so much food. It was quite a feast, with lamb, fish, taro, palusami, cooked bananas, Faiai Pilikaki, breadfruit, platters of  fruits, lots of niu, and I made a lettuce salad (lol). They sure know to party here, who needs an expensive barbecue?

We were able to finally take some time to go to the beach Saturday afternoon. It was wonderful to swim in the ocean, walk along the beach and just enjoy all the beauty that Samoa has. I never tire of the views and the beauty that is here. Although I hear the snow is melting at home and the water is running in the ditches. I always love springtime, hearing the water run and seeing the baby calves that have just been born running around. So much beauty wherever you live.

We’ve been reading about parables in the New Testament from the  Come Follow Me manual.

To me, the parables are inspirational because they are puzzling and sometimes hard to understand. They force us to think and ponder. And in the process of our pondering, the Lord inspires our hearts and teaches us the things we must do in our own lives. We learn from the bad examples in the parables as well as from the good. There are so many Christ like characteristics that I would like to follow and put into my life like, love, acceptance, humility, and devotion.  So much to learn!

I hope you are all well and life is being good to you, sometimes it is an uphill battle but we never have to go through it alone. We love you and you are always in our thoughts and prayers. Give our grandkids a really big hug and tell them that we love and adore each one of them. They make us smile!

Have a wonderful week and remember to Be Happy and Be kind!