Sunday, June 4, 2023

Bula from Fiji,

It has been quite a week.  We left SLC at 5:30 on Sunday night and arrived in Suva, Fiji at 8:00 Tuesday morning.  (We lost Monday somewhere in the air!)  President and Sister Marcus picked us up and took us to their house for breakfast with some other senior couples.  We then went with the Hatch's (a senior couple) grocery shopping.  That was quite an experience.  They don't have a lot of the things we have.  I bought a few basics but was not sure what I was going to do with any of it.  We then took our things back to our "flat".  It's quite nice.  Has a pretty good size kitchen open to the family room, one bath and one pretty big bedroom.  We then went with the Hatch's again into town.  We went to an open air vegetable market and bought Lynn a skirt (sulu).  We have to get him some sandals before he can wear it.  Will send pictures!  Then we went to the temple president's house for dinner.  Quite a full and overwhelming day.  It is so beautiful here.  Our flat's front window looks across the parking lot to the temple.  It is very green.  It looks like we are in the middle of a rain forest.  
Wednesday morning was spent unpacking and getting organized.  We then went to the temple from 12 - 6.  The temple is quite small--one endowment room, one initiatory booth, two sealing rooms, a pretty good size baptismal font.  There are only 3 sessions per day--Tuesdays and Saturdays mornings and Wednesday, Thursday, Friday--afternoons.  The people that come as patrons and those that are serving here are so kind and humble.  I know I am going to love these Fijian people.  On Tuesday there was a husband and wife taking out their endowments. Their daughter had served a mission and whenever she went to the temple, her parents would do baptisms.  They finally made the decision to take their endowments and be sealed.  What a happy day!
On Thursday morning, we went on a walk.  Lynn found a place that sells doughnuts nearby, so he was very happy.  I forgot to say that one of my suitcases didn't make it to Suva, but it returned on Thursday.  That made me very happy.  
This week at the temple we had a group of members who had come with their families to spend the week doing their ordinances, being sealed to each other and other family members.  They didn't speak English, but you could tell how happy they were to be here.  There will be another couple of groups coming the next two weeks.  They stay in our complex, so its fun to spend some time with them.
Saturday we served in the morning and then Lynn was able to get a car and we ran some errands.  You drive on the other side of the street here, it was an adventure, but Lynn did great.  We found McDonalds and Cost U Less (a lot like Costco).  That night we went with the Edmonds (senior couple) to an Italian restaurant for a delicious dinner.  
Sunday we attended church.  A lot of the church is outside.  It reminded me a lot of the church we went to in Hawaii.  It was testimony meeting.  What strong and heartfelt testimonies were given.  On the way home, we went for a drive.  Saw beautiful big homes along side homes barely standing, but all with the most beautiful scenery.  That night the Hatch's has us for dinner.  All of the people here have been so welcoming and kind.  We feel very blessed.
We miss you all, but know we are needed here.  We pray that all is well with you all and that you never forget how much your Heavenly Father loves you.  STAY STRONG!
Grandpa and Grandma
Lynn and Kay

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