Another week down! We're on the downhill side of our year-long mission here in Samoa so I think the time is going to fly by. We've been here almost 7 months now! We've seen a few pictures of the fall leaves turning at home and that's something we don't see here. It always looks pretty much the same. However, we've been seeing a LOT more bright colorful paint lately since all the villages are really sprucing things up for the Commonwealth meetings coming up in October so I guess that's what we're going to have to appreciate since we can't appreciate the changing seasons here like we do at home. We got a couple days of rain this last week and the humidity has been noticeably higher so maybe that means we're heading into the hot/rainy summer season soon.
It was a little slower this last week, so we didn't feel quite so busy. Monday we had our office meeting in the morning, and then I had to see four senior missionaries with medical issues--I had to email the Area Medical Advisor for advice on a couple of them because I don't feel that knowledgeable about the more complicated health issues of Seniors. HaHa, I guess I'm one of them but I feel pretty healthy compared to a few of the senior missionaries that are here. On Tuesday we went to our district meeting and delivered needs to the northeast zone on our way back so we were gone most of the day. Our new district leader, Elder Leinbach, had us play Jeopardy. Each companionship was a team and Elder G. and I took second place with the most points for correct answers. The only category we didn't do so well on was the Scripture reference one where we had to know what the scripture reference was. I'm good at recognizing the scripture, just not good at knowing where it's found. We did pretty well with the trivia category and the 3-words to identify a scripture story, and missionary planning and goal-setting. I was just glad we didn't come in last!
On Wednesday we took a couple of hours in the afternoon to go grocery shopping. We went to three different stores and still didn't find everything on my list. That's one of the annoying things about the supply chain here in Samoa. There's always things that you can't get, and different stores get different things so it's not a one stop shopping excursion. It's that way for Elder G too when he's trying to find things for the missionary's housing. He spends more time shopping in stores than I do now! Bet you never thought that would happen.HAHA
Thursday we got a pretty good soaking which was needed here. It rained almost all day. Friday and Saturday there were a few cloudbursts here and there but plenty of sunshine too. We drove around the island quite a bit on those days to fix things, check on sick missionaries, and move some missionaries to new mission quarters because they are remodeling the MQ they were staying in. We had an entertaining phone call from Chanse while he was trying to figure out a water issue and got sprayed by a skunk! Sorry about that, Chanse! But we're sure glad you're there to help keep things in shape back home. Sunday we drove to the Southeast Zone for church, then came back home and relaxed for the rest of the afternoon and evening.
I've been reading all the conference talks from six months ago over the last few weeks to try to prepare for the General Conference coming up next weekend. Looking forward to hearing new messages from modern-day Prophets! I hope you'll all take time to listen in. There's always something there for each of us to learn.
We're going to miss watching Ethan and Bayli run the St. George marathon next Saturday. Good luck to both of them, We'll be anxious to see some pictures! We kinda miss that tradition.
I found a quote from Mother Teresa that I saved to my photos a few years back--2013 to be exact. Don't remember where I got it from but it's a good one so thought I'd share it with you.
"People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.
If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway.
For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway."
--Mother Teresa
Manuia le aso!
More pictures of COLORFUL Samoa
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