Less Talk More Action

Signs of local gang activity - stalking the grounds.

Last Tuesday evening there was a knock at our door.  When Lepeka answered it I quickly found out it wasn't good news.  It was the 2nd counselor in the bishopric coming to ask us to speak in church on Sunday.   Now I really don't do well on short notice and so my first thought was to say no (of course, we never would say no ... but I did think it).  We were given the topic from a talk given by Elder Massimo De Feo of the Seventy titled: "Pure Love: The True Sign of Every True Disciple of Jesus Christ" (it's a wonderful talk and definitely worth reading).


Lepeka talked about the ultimate example of pure love given to us by the Savior as He atoned for our sins.  She talked about the great example of the Dutch people after WWII as told in the following short video That We May Be One: The Dutch Potato Project.  It's a true story as told by many of those who were actually there.  It lasts about a 12 minutes (YouTube video).

I talked about some specific things we could do to help us develop more Christ-like attributes specifically based around teens (remember we're in a High School aged student ward here) but it can apply to all as well.  I tried to use my iPad teleprompter app but there was too much echo in the room for it to scroll automatically as it recognized my voice.  You can only imagine the horror of having to scroll manually with my index finger!

One of our High Priests sporting' his colors in Sacrament meeting.
Gotta love it!

Somehow we survived but the blog will be the biggest victim this week.   The talks combined with the perported death of my iPhone 6+ R..I.P., after 6 years (it's not even one in dog years) means not many photos and not much time to dedicate to the blog.  We do have a few photos of missionaries and a couple of older photos that we haven't posted yet that I will include and I'll do my best to get more photos taken again next week.

This tree in Downtown Nuku'alofa lost most of its leaves
from cyclone Gita but had very few branches broken.  The
leaves are back and you can see how far they spread out.

This is the same type of tree and was about the same size.  It is located on
the Hospital grounds and lost all of its leaves and many of its branches.
It will take years for most of these trees to recover (if they ever do).

For now, please know that we love you and appreciate so much all of the kind words expressed in you emails, your prayers and a special thanks to those who are taking care of things for us at home.  The end of our mission in Tonga draws nearer all the time.  We are expecting to be home on November 9th or 10th depending on flights.

Elder Kaumavae and Elder Earl Leaving the dentist office
at Liahona.  Elder K said he was soooo happy!   More dental
work needed but he is out of pain.

L>R, Elder Breshears, Elder Loto'aniu, Elder Takapu and Elder Mafi
Hanging at the MQ in Vietongo on P-day.

Newly rebuilt Aloha Island Grill set to reopen in August.

The school bell rings

A plethora of plump puaka (pigs).  I don't know about you but I'm gettin'
a hankerin' for bacon!

This could be one of the most meaningless signs on the island.  we don't
need no stinking' sign!

The next few photos are of Camp Makeke to show how it weathered the storm and is coming back strong.  It was blocked off so we didn't go down into the camp to take photos.  These are all taken from the main entrance.

Pano shot of Camp Makeke from the front gate

Large Rugby field on the left

Camp directors quarters and office at Makeke

These are the two trees that stand at the entrance to Makeke neither of them fared very well through Gita but they're trying to make a come back.

Pigs stalking pigs with food (coconut).

As of today, all 8 baby chicks are still with us.