We continued to do our Perpetual Education Fund work in between activities (just in case you wonder if we really are on a mission--sometimes I wonder too!). We spent one day with Elder Hamula and President Wheelwright (BYU Hawaii) traveling the island, holding educational firesides. it was a unique experience to work with Elder Hamula to help motivate the young adults of Samoa to seek higher education. We have seen up close and personal what an amazing disciple Elder Hamula is; how we have come to love him.
The very last week of our break, President Haleck asked us to accompany a young Elder to New Zealand for surgery. He doesn't speak much English so Reed interpreted for him. We also spent time with our wonderful friends, Pat and Paul Streiff. They spent one year of their mission in Samoa and then were sent back to the Area Office in New Zealand. We traveled for a couple of days seeing the country; what an amazing place. When it was all said and done, we were pretty homesick! We are back to teaching and loving seeing the students again.
Rachel and Matt's visit was fun and very busy; that seems to be the way things roll when Owen is around. We loved playing with him and listening to his stories. Unfortunately, while he was here he split open his head. After some lavender oil, a priesthood blessing and a makeshift bandage, he was good to go. It healed nicely and quickly; what a blessing! I think Owen's favorite thing was the ocean. He loved the water, the sand and the fish!
Bob and Rosemary are always so fun to have because they want to know everything about anything. We spent days traveling the island and talking, talking and talking--with a bit of Pinochle thrown in; well, more than a bit! It is their favorite game and we are happy to join them. I must report that the girls 'took Samoa!' Game on boys--next year! We also went to high tea (I know that is not how the English spell it--sorry) and on a hike up to Robert Louis Stevenson's grave site.
Jessica and Devon and girlies visit was so much fun. We wore Devon out the first week trying to see everything before he had to go home. We had some fun and a scare at the beach. (Ask Devon for the story) We also fed the turtles; they were hungry that day and just about snapped off some precious fingers.
Jessica and the girls stayed another week, which was so fun. We played hours of games with the girls, did some 'craps' (aka crafts--Jenna's leftover baby word) with sea shells and went to high tea. Jessica was brave enough to make the trip home with the three girls on her own; another harrowing story. (Ask Jessica for the story)
Elder Tuimauga is truly one of the Lord's most sincere servants. It was a privilege and a blessing to accompany him to New Zealand. He hasn't been a member of the church for long, but the goodness simply oozed from him. He is still in New Zealand recovering from shoulder reconstruction.
We saw some of the country, which was incredible. It is winter there and it was freezing(!), which was a nice change from the heat and the humidity. We spent some time on a mountain luge track. It was a great mix of serving and having some fun with our dear friends!
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