So this week was great despite a lousy weekly planning session on Sunday.
We accomplished much and I definitely learned a lot because my Soa let
me lead a lot more this week. We're working well together, my Samoan can
hold its own, at least to some degree now, and we're getting planning
down pretty well so I can almost guarantee that the work this week will
take off very dramatically. A side note about Aso Tofi, (Thursday)
is that while we were in a lesson with a crazy old lady named Tete, and
her Daughter Lia a song came on that Mommy Jones really really likes.
Any guesses? Well remember that one musical that all you crazy girls
used to sing to me all the time, not Saturdays warrior, but the one
thats about all the crazy girls in a different country. It was Mamma
Mia!! We sat down and as we started greeting and chatting about weeks
the memories started to rush in and my Samoan had no more space in my
brain. I giggled a little bit but luckily Tete is crazy, and Lia was
practicing some good old fashioned Samoan Culture (Aganu`u) and was
whipping up some grub. Therefore she wasn't within earshot or eye shot to
see the cheesy little grin on my face. After this happening I decided
that was the house of things Robert past because about 2 weeks ago one
of the little'ns came bounding in on His Fiery noble steed whom I know
to called as Sprocket. I was on a split otherwise I would have got a
picture of it for you but I'm sure that won't be the last time the
knight and his champion horse will return. I almost broke down that day
too but, (broke down in joy, there's no such thing as sad in the work of
Salvation unless you don't fully understand God's perspective yet) even
if I did the mighty Samoan Aganu`u saved me again and Lia was chasing
her kids with a broom because they weren't very... ummm...
Aganu`ufied... ;) Plus Tete was just grinning while holding one of the
grand kids without a care in the world... ;) She's really not that
crazy, just a bored old lady without a husband who just watches 9 kids
all day long for her entire life.
(*disclaimer* I am worried someone will be hurt or offended by Robert calling Tete crazy so I would like to say when he says crazy I know he means like our home is crazy busy, silly, loud . Like being a mom with many kids can get erratic at times.)
We're also
teaching another sweet old Samoan lady who's name is Otelia and man do I
love this lady. She's already a member but fell away for unknown
reasons, probably because someone invited her to another church. Either
way we visit her and man oh man she has a sweet heart. She's very
patient with our Samoan is very accepting of us and loves the book of
Mormon. She's just trying to find God she says which makes me upset at
the Elders who taught her initially because they didn't do this sweet old
lady right. Anyways as far as stories about her go, this week she was
talking with us about the tree of life and all of a sudden wanted to
talk about the mini earthquake we felt the night before at like 9:30
at night. So we went with it because our Samoan isn't good enough to do
any redirection that wouldn't offend somebody and then we all turned
into a laughter fest. After the earthquake interruption Elder Redd summarized the plan of Salvation in a simple sentence and went to
actually say the words "The plan of Salvation" and she said wrong! He
kept trying and here's where the fun really began. `O le ata `O le
Fa`aolataga. Thats the plan of Salvation. This is what he said. If you
catch the difference the first time through I'll be very proud. O` le
`ata `o le fa`aolataga... Did you see it? That one means the smile,or
laugh of Salvation. Not a big slip-up but she was hung up on it and
started to tease him for the way he said it. By this point I was
giggling, laughing, joining in with her, etc... The difference is this,
ata, and `ata. The first one means picture, second means laugh. (Samoan
is very basic so there's no very specific words, especially for the
gospel) IE: Faife`au tala`i they mean missionary when they say it but
here's the exact translation; Fai-do, make, etc.. fe`au- Chore tala-
story `i- somehow that makes it preacher, Tala`i- preacher. So the
Samoan word for Missionary is Do the chore preaching. I couldn't have
chose a better mission/language to learn at the foundation of the world.
It was a great time with her. Shortly after we calmed down we gave here
an assignment in the book of Mormon, closed with a prayer, and left as
she continued to tease. I miss her. :)
Mommy Jones I hope
you know that I'm having a blast out here! No place on earth other than
here could make me happier a this point in my life. This is where I get
to give everything to God. I get to be a part of his fulfillment of
prophecy and I am literally helping him fulfill ancient covenants to His
children about the gathering of Israel. The best part is how much work
goes into it! Heavenly father gives me so much to do because I learn
from it but none of it really matters. He's just keeping me occupied
while He does His work. He does need us to gather His sheep. He just
really really loves us. So much so that He allows us to be his
instruments, very imperfect but still usable. I am very personally
seeing the hands of God reach out to all those who let Him in. This time
is time for me to just align myself completely with Him. He already
knows what Fale o`o to walk up to, or which street to go down. He's got
all of our lessons planned out for the next two weeks. But because He
not only wants new members but rather He wants to retain old ones, so he
commands His prophets to speak for Him and invite all who are willing
and able into His work "that is to change the world" (The first great
commandment) -Elder Holland, all so that He can watch over us. He calls
us on missions so He can be within arms reach for two years before we're
sent into the lone and dreary world. The mission field shouldn't be one
of dread, misery, or woe because we don't get to indulge in the world
for 2 years. It should be each of our very own very personal garden of
Eden. The place and the time we are permitted to walk with God every
step of our days so that when we can't anymore in the struggles of life
within the dominion of Satan, we know who we are and who's presence we
came from. I know that I am walking with God every day here in Samoa and
luckily when I don't choose to walk with Him, He gave us someone to
make up for that lossed time. The Savior is at the head of this Church
and is definitely in the center of my heart where He rightly deserves to
be. May we all clear the path for Him to rest within our hearts so that
we all may rest in the sight of the Lord.
Love, Elder Jones.
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