2019 Weeks 12-13 (17-31 March)

It is so nice to have this beautiful view outside when inside...

It feels a little chaotic because some patio doors are being replaced.  The mission home was built around 1984.  A few areas are showing the house's age and slowly things are being replaced.  Of course the patio doors are not the same make and model and a few adjustments were needed.  They had to cut the ciment in the door openings to fit the new doors.  I covered the furniture and it did help a lot. The cement dust just goes everywhere and it is hard to get rid of.  I am glad I have Margret to help.  She has been working hard and I have tried to help but she did most of the work.

Last weekend we were in Santo for a district conference.  The day we left for Santo we spoke to Audree about living with geckos.  As we arrived at the hotel room, one was right outside our door.  I had to take a picture to show Audree.  They are just part of our everyday life, like flies.  Although I prefer geckos to flies.

the one on the right was in our bedroom at the mission home when we came back.  Both welcoming us. 😀 

               

My dinner was king fish cooked in a banana leaf and that was grand-papa's dessert.😋

We go to the same hotel when we are in Santo and I always wonder what happened so that it was necessary to post this sign as we go up the stairs to the reception desk.😏

Despite the bad weather and heavy rain the district conference was well attended.  The chapel was full and the outside pavilion was half full.

It was adorable to see these pikininis following the missionaries, anxious to help them put things away after the conference.  I thanked them for their hard work when I saw them and they were so happy to tell me they had helped the missionaries do all the clean up. 

I saw this sign of tasks to do to clean up the Church and then I saw the state of the bathroom floor when the conference was over.  A lot more work awaited the members after we left.  It rained during the weekend that explains the dirt on the floor. 😟

We spoke before of the members on the island of Ambae who had to evacuate their island twice because of the volcano acting up and the ashes covering most of the island.  The volcano is situated in the middle of the island.  That happened before we arrived here.
 A lot of people from Ambae have been trying to build a new life in Santo.  The members in Santo  have been working hard to help members and non-members alike.  Grand-papa went to visit  some of the areas.

 This well was finally completed this month and it is connected to this tank to provide water for the people settling in.

How can I complain because of the inconveniences of the little mess while they are changing the patio door.  

The humble and cheerful resilience of these people is truly inspiring.

One bush chapel the members of Ambae made for them to meet in.

Another bush chapel they built.

The table for Sacrament

At the end of district conference in Luganville, Santo.

            Sister Taufanga                                               Sister Meyer

            The day we left Santo, there were two sisters finishing their mission coming back to Port Vila at the same time we were.  They were saying their goodbyes to the members and it was hard to witness that.  Usually, I just see them at the mission office the day after they left their area.

At the airport, some members came to say goodbye.  A zillion of pictures were taken.  

Two elders were also traveling with us being transferred on Efate.

Last week I saw this quote and thought it was a good one to put on the blog.

This past Monday, this "little ship" was docking in Port Vila with a few tourists.😎

They close downtown to all traffic when cruise ships come in so the tourists have the place all to themselves. That day, I just stayed at the mission home preparing food for the missionaries leaving and the new ones arriving.  Grand-papa took the picture.

The four sisters returning home.  It was a joy and a privilege to serve with them.  We will miss them. 

And now...(drum roll)…

THE NEW MISSIONARIES

It is always so exciting to welcome the new missionaries.  It is instant love, like when you see a new baby.  And they are not babies but young servants of the Lord, courageous and scared, ready or not here we go.  And we will do our best to help them every step of the way.

It is dragon fruit season.  A new favorite of ours!

 It is nice to see the different displays during the year.  We already have seen the Christmas displays now it is Cadbury Eggs season.  Unfortunately (or fortunately for my waist) they do not have the kind we like so much.  

It is spring time in South Carolina and Mylene has sent me a picture of azaleas in her yard.  

Thank you for that.  

I am sending you  flowers from the  yard in the mission home now, this fall.

Can you spot the butterfly in this bush?

How about the head in that meat counter? 😲

I saw this beautiful article from Deseret Book on a new artist.  I love her paintings and her purpose in her work.

From an article on Deseret Book .com:

"

After working through her own experiences with insecurities and self-doubt, Kate hopes to share her message of hope and faith through her artwork. Each art piece carries a special meaning or message she wants to share with others.

“My goal from the very beginning has been to help others feel the love that the Savior has for them.” Kate shares on her Instagram account @Kate_Lee_Art.

Kate shares through her social media accounts how her relationship with her Savior has been such an important part of her own journey. Her faith and gratitude for the gospel have played a significant role and inspired many of her creations.

“I am so grateful for Christ and the life He lived and lives for us. For the sacrifice He made, for the endless love, compassion, service, patience, and guidance He gives. That He loves us so deeply He laid down his life for us . . . each one of us,” Kate posted on her account @Kate_Lee_For_Real.

“We can be unstoppable when we allow ourselves to see and seek the good in us,” she adds in another post. “And push away those negative thoughts that threaten to keep us from moving forward and fulfilling our purpose here.”

Kate also reminds us that in the midst of trials, it is important not to give up.

“Best advice I ever got [was], ‘Choose to ACT and not be acted upon.’ No matter the circumstances, choose to move forward. Don’t let your past mistakes, or others’ mistakes, old or new hurt feelings, grudges, fears, or anything else keep you from accomplishing your dreams and from being happy. Who you are and what you do absolutely makes a difference.”

I am using the above drawing for our mission.  Sister Meyer who left this week is the one who drew it for us.  I use it for the booklet we make for the new missionaries arriving and I just changed what I ask the missionaries leaving to fill out for them and a souvenir for us.  It is appropriate that she should be the first one to fill out this form with it's changed look.

One special teaching that touched me this week as I was studying the scriptures that I want to share with you in closing.  The drawing of the Savior in the bottom was made for grand-papa and me by another sister missionary for Christmas.

Mifala lavem yufala tumas.