Bula Vinaka, it's been another eventful week.  Mondaywe had a farewell  dinner  for  Andrew and Teddy  Jackson.  They  worked with the young single adults, helping them qualify for the Perpetual Education Fund the church offers for those who qualify.  Sister Jackson was a brave woman, she ocassionally drove a car, loved to shop downtown by herself and would take a taxi back to the flat since her husband didn't like to shop (like many senior men in our mission) and she loved eating lamb and currie.  She also learned to cook authentic Indian dishes while here. Elder Jackson played the keyboard at the Samabula ward and knowing that he would soon be leaving recorded accompaniment for some of the hymns, but I was told the Fijians decided not to use it because it was too fast (the tempo it's supposed to be sung at.  One challenge for many of us Palangi's here in Fiji is that the people know the melody of the hymns, and sing with such spirit, but always sing it at a long slow pace which is challenging for us Palangi's.

We stopped to pick up some elders and I had to take a picture of this  Pawpaw tree (papaya).  It must have been blown over in a storm and the trunk of the tree wedged against the pole.  There is a small tuft of green leaves at the top and some small fruit that has ripened (orange)  A definite object lesson in perseverence.

This is an example of a strong healthy pawpaw tree.  The fruit grows in clusters like
 big grapes just under the green folage around the trunk of the tree.

We were invited to go to the temple with the Wells (on the right) and  Sister Howell  (middle)who they  know from back
home.  Her husband had a stroke several years ago and was in a wheel chair until he passed a way last year.  She teaches school and knows one of the Wells grandchildren who attends the school she teaches in.  Sister Howell is also a pioneering woman in that she decided to plan a trip through the Pacific.  She made all the arrangements herself and is traveling alone from Fiji, to Tonga and then on to Samoa.  She said she wasn't ready for the rocking chair yet!  When I heard she had decided to take a bus from Suva to Nadi to catch her plane which is definitely a good way to see what this island is like. However, remembering our trip to Levuka and how Elder Hogge was shoving our suitcases in the outside storage area of the bus,while I was trying to get on the bus to save us some seats and being pushed all together into the bus (Fijian's truly don't understand the concept of forming a line and taking your turn.  So based on that experience,  I suggested she may want to have Elder Wells help her.  Forturnately all went well, and it wasn't as crazy as our bus ride. . 

Look what showed up on our driveway Saturday morning.  Another fat juicy  millipede.  I was talking to Elder Anrews the other day and he told me he and his companion found one of the big millipedes as fat as this bug but with longer legs and a sting that can be really painful.  He said it was 12 inches long.  This one is only about 5 inches and big enough for me thank you.  I asked how they got it out of their flat and they said with a hanger.

This is the new 10 seater van the mission just received.  Elder Hogge  got  word Friday  that they would be delivering it
Friday afternoon.  We were due to leave at 4:30 for a quick dinner at Tappoo City and then a movie.   Elder Hogge opted to stay and wait for the van, but I told him I was going with the senior's.  I needed a break from the routine as I had been stuck in the office all day while everyone else ran errands.  The van finally got delivered to the office at 6 pm and when I got home Elder Hogge was pretty calm about the whole thing.  I think it's due to what he said recently  in a moment of great frustration.  "If they tell you it will be ready in a day it will take two days, if they tell you in a week that means it will take two weeks, if they say no worries that means it will never be done! "   We enjoyed the van for a day and then traded it with the Elders who were due to receive it.  Our gray car "Shirley was traded in for the van and we now will be driving a teal car the elders were driving.  I told Richard he'll have to think of a new nickname for the teal car, because Sister Jackson's first name is Shirley.  She was a good sport and laughed when we told her our car's nickname.

So here's a glimpse of what it's like to go grocery shopping.  The critter on the Right is a crab.  They pack these fish in ice, but I'm not daring enough to try cooking any of these.  Some of the people in patron housing
cook fish and the smells from frying them hang in the air and are not very pleasant. 

Parrot fish

fish with big orange eye might be a bulls eye 

Beautiful color parrot fish but too big for two people, at least that's my excuse

We were excited to learn that the two single sisters who are coming to work in  the office with us were coming  in time to have two weeks of training before the Whiting's left.  Then we got an email on Friday announcing that the one sister wouldn't be coming until August 3rd the day the Whiting's are leaving!  Sister Klingler said maybe she could come in and learn what Sister Whiting does and then teach it to Sister Newsom. The problem is she has family coming this next Thursday for a 10 day visit (8 of them)  So she's going to be pretty busy.

 I'm hoping that President Klingler can get some clarification from Salt Lake as to why the date change, and push for them to send both sister's at least a week before the Whiting's leave.  That's because I know nothing about finances and can be of no help to them and know things will be stressful for all of us the first few weeks.


Our Bishop gave us some good counsel in church today,  live the commandments and strive to live so that
you can have the Spirit's guidance in you life.  We3 hope each of you will feel of the Savior's love in your life
and make good decisions. this week.

Love Sister and Elder Hogge