There's so much to say and so little time to say it. Today is Sunday. We started the morning early with a zoom meeting with ALL of my family--sisters, brother, nieces, nephews, children and grandchildren to wish my mom a happy 90th birthday. It was so fun to see everyone and see the love she has generated. She kept saying she can't believe this was possible. She looked and sounded great. Then it was off to Korovou where we attended the Korovou Branch as we always do. Today was the Primary Program. Livini asked us a couple of weeks ago if we could download the music for the primary so the children could sing to music. They usually sing a cappella. So Kim put a power-point together (because that's an easy way to have the songs ready and in order that you need them) with all the music they were singing. Last Sunday, they practiced and I practiced with them playing the songs on my computer and using a speaker for better sound. It was pretty rough. They had a hard time singing WITH the music. Mostly they were too slow. But they still wanted to do it. So this morning, we got to church and I set up the speaker and soon church started. Again, the children had a hard time keeping up but the chorister, Livini, but she was pleased. So I am pleased that I could do that for them. Then I was off to teach young women. I love the young women. We had 11 girls and the President there today. We had a great class. The girls are shy to speak English and have a hard time but I felt like a got a few comments out of them. That's a success in my book. At the end, Sister Turavu said she wanted me to record the girls wishing my mom a happy birthday. HOW SWEET OF THEM! After class we had a pot-luck luncheon to celebrate the Primary children. It's always an adventure to have pot-luck. I had some delicious fish, kasava, dalo, wild ferns (they have another name for it), barbecue chicken, chili with chips, chicken curry and tang. Kim had some bread fruit. I had some bread fruit at school this week for my first time and it really wasn't bad. A little bit sweet. You have to boil it and Sarah had fried it afterwards which probably gave it more flavor. They say it is very healthy. After the luncheon, we had a very short fireside. Guest speaker was Peter Senioli who had been a missionary here a few months back. He has since finished his mission. The branch was so happy to see him, especially the youth. He has a great relationship with them. I'm not sure what was said since it was all in Fijian but I do know they had asked him to talk about bullying and how we treat others. Peter rode up with us so we also took him home. He lives out past Lami, which is the next town past Suva. It was about 30 minutes past our place but we were happy to take him there. After the fireside the transport came and took half the branch members home and we went to the Turavu family's home. We had a little presentation for them. Their daughter Sophie, as well as their other children, has a huge interest in the piano. We were made aware of a program the church has to help youth learn to play. They provide a keyboard and instruction manual and the youth commits to lessons by a member and then play for the branch. We took the family a keyboard today. They were so thrilled. I'd already been teaching Sophie on Sundays after church, but she had no way to practice during the week. It was cute to see each member of the family try to play some things on the keyboard. I'll do a little more teaching with her but then I'm turning it over to Sister Jarrett. She's a little worried about it, but I think she'll do fine. There's another girl in the branch that has shown a big interest the last couple of weeks. She needs a way to help build her confidence. I would love to be able to get a keyboard for her as well but I don't know if Sister Jarrett could handle 2 girls taking lessons. Anyway, by the time we rolled into our drive at 5:00, I actually felt very satisfied and filled with joy. "When you are in the service of your fellow beings, you are only in the service of your God." I truly felt so much joy. I couldn't help but think, this is what the gospel of Jesus Christ is all about. Serving, Loving, Sharing. I'm so grateful to be here and have these opportunities. My heart is full tonight.
Happy Birthday to the best mom! "Sister Ardith"
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