September 8, 2013

September 8, 2013

Today was stake conference and the theme was centered around families, past , present, future, temple work, family history and reactivation of those who have drifted away.  English speaking was the minority language, so we got to use the headphones.  After watching and listening to the translator, I’m not sure how he did it, not knowing a second language.  It all seemed so easy, but I’m sure that it isn’t.  The stake choir performed at both the evening session and this morning and I am here to tell you, nobody sings like this choir did.  Holy cow, such wonder harmonies, and enthusiasm, words cannot describe how utterly beautiful the singing was. They also did prelude and postlude and even though I didn’t understand the words, I understood the spirit.

I got a chance to talk to mom and dad today.  Actually, what I did was call Sally and she had to hold the phone up to dad’s ear, so that I could say my final goodbyes and to let him go.  I had a chance to tell him to follow the light and not to look back.  I also told him that Steve and I needed him to help us with our teaching and he had a real good chance of serving the mission he wanted to serve.  I don’t know how much he understood, but at least I could tell him that I loved him.  I also talked with mom. At first I’m not sure she knew who she was talking too, but I think she finally figured out who I was.  I told her that she had a lot of wonderful memories of all the years they had spent together and maybe some not too fond memories.  She seemed lost, but did know that dad was dying and that she was going to be alone. She seems happy at the Homestead so I hope that she stays there after dad is gone.  At least she would be fed and taken care of, not alone.  I can’t imagine what will happen to her after dad is gone, she lived for when she could go visit.  Her dementia issues may get the best of her faster than we know when she’s alone and doesn’t have anything to keep her tracking.  At least at the homestead she has people constantly checking on her and things going on to keep her busy.

Hum, this week, can’t remember what happened.  We worked until Saturday afternoon with John Millar, after we got home from Vava`u, so we didn’t have a chance to get laundry or shopping done, so Monday became our prep day.  I worked as fast as I could, then our neighbors took us to town to get groceries.  It is such a trip to go to all these little stores looking for stuff.  I am not much of a shopper anyway, so our excusion lasted too long.  We did get our supplies though and had a nice ride.  The Island is green and lush, the sky Monday was a bright clear blue.  However, during the night it started to rain and kept at it until mid Friday, by which time I had to start the laundry over again.  When it’s dry, the laundry is dry in a short time, but when raining, believe it or not, it takes 2-3 days.  Our clothes line is covered so when it rains, the clothes don’t get wet and since the temperature is still in the 70’s so the clothes dry slowly. The breezes help a lot.  We do have an almost daily breeze which is heavenly when the sun is shining.  It’s funny though that at night the temperatures are still in the high 60’s or low 70’s and I am actually cool and have to have a blanket.  Didn’t think I would see the day when I was cool here.  It’s funny in the morning when we are taking our walk, that those who have been through a summer, dress to stay warm.  We are still in short sleeves and shorts, enjoying the cool morning air.

We finally had the chance to see some of the island of Friday and got some pictures of probably one of the best areas for blow holes.  The tide was out so the water wasn’t shooting as high through the holes when the waves come in, but we did get some salt water blasts when the water came through the holes.  The whole coastline on that side of the island is known for its blow holes.  Unfortunately, tourists have found parts of the islands and we left when it got crowded.  Our guides are a couple from Washington who are serving a humanitarian mission, Elder and Sister Williams.  Elder Williams is a dentist. They will be leaving the end of October.  They are a pretty funny couple, we’ve enjoyed our time with them, but they are getting ready to go home and have big plans with cruises and sight seeing before they get home.  Sister Williams is a hair dresser and loves to cook and sew.  She has made several new shirts to replace hers which have gotten faded from the sun.  It’s amazing how fast things fade in the sunlight especially when that’s the only way to dry things.  There are some of the homes at Liahona which have clothes dryers, but those are reserved for visiting general authorities and others who are visiting.  I’m not sure if that is the housing for family visitors or not,  however, they have a few more amenities than we have.  Our little house is plenty big and it certainly takes a lot less time to clean it.  We are actually quite comfortable and really enjoy our association with the senior missionaries.  We had a movie night last night and saw Calamity Jane with Doris Day.  You young folks won’t even know who I’m talking about, but it was pretty funny, although I quite enjoyed it.  We haven’t even turned on the TV since we got here.  Apparently there are 2 channels, only one in English.  Can’t say as how we’ve missed it.  We do have our creature comforts though,  IPad and tablet, which are super handy and they have games that we keep our selves entertained with.

Monday night we had a video which gave a history of the island which was very interesting.  Apparently the King of Tonga, dedicated the island and the people to God.  The Tongan islands were also called the Friendly Islands and discovered by captain James Cook.

Steve and I had to develop a Vocational program for the Young Single Adult group to promote education and job training.  We developed an interesting presentation using power point, which Steve hasn’t used before.  I used to use it when I worked for the Medicaid office, so I was able to refresh and teach him how to operate it.  I still wanted to add a little animation, but we ran out of time.  It was fun, but the venue where we presented it was not great, hard to hear.  However, it will be good for some of the training that we have to do later on.

So we are back to today.  The sun is shining, the breezes are blowing, but the clouds are starting to move in.  Don’t know what’s in the forecast, but I will know in the morning maybe.  I’m starting to develop the Tongan attitude.  We’ll just wait and see what happens and tomorrow is another day.  So it’s time to stop.  The Tongan people are wonderful and we are certainly grateful to be here and enjoying this wonderful island.