August 20th, 2012

Talofa from Apia Samoa on August 20th 2012.

Today is our Bentley's 4th Birthday here in Samoa but not until tomorrow in Utah.  It is a little hard being a day ahead.  We feel like we are always thinking in two time zones between Samoa and Utah.  Happy Birthday Bentley!

Last week was a busy week.  Elder and Sister Ronnenkamp were here from Auckland.  They are the Area ITEP coordinators.  They will be finishing their Mission the first part of September.  We will be sorry to see them go.  They are great people and leaders.  We had the privilege of spending time with them at the school and out visiting some of the beautiful areas of Samoa that they have never been to.  We drove to the south side of the island and stopped at the Bahai Temple, the Papapapaitai Falls and then on to Vavau Beach. 
These pictures are of Elder and Sister Ronnenkamp at the Bahai Temple and its grounds.  It is a religion that has 5 million members now and they believe that there is one god.  The grounds are very beautiful and well taken care of.

This beach has become one of our favorite beaches to visit.  It takes us one and a half hours to drive there.  The roads are pretty good but you have to drive slowly and there are speed bumps everywhere to keep people from going fast.  When we go to Vavau beach we are usually the only people there and the beaches are clean and beautiful and the water is shallow in some areas and deep enough for snorkeling in others.  To be on this beach is very relaxing, peaceful and a little bit of heaven.  There used to be a resort down there but the Tsunami ripped through there and destroyed all the buildings.

 When Reed is snorkeling he says the corral is all broken and dead and there are starting to be a few new ones here and there. 

 These are all pictures at Vavau Beach.  You can see why we think it is so beautiful.  We can collect seashells and walk without anyone ever bothering us.  We have been here three times now and only had other people, that we didn't take with us, show up one time.  This is paradise.  Elder and Sister Ronnenkamp loved it and wished we would have been prepared with swimming suits.  That didn't stop us from getting our feet wet.

In Samoa, the village owns the beach so there are no public beaches.  If you want to go to a beach you have to pay someone, who is usually sitting there, a few Tala to use the beach.  If no one is sitting there they usually have big rocks blocking the road and you have to wait until someone shows up to give them your money.  It is very interesting, all these beautiful beaches and ocean and no public access.

On Saturday evening the 18th we had a really fun progressive dinner with the senior couple missionaries.  We went to one house for appetizers, one for salads, one for the main course and then we went to the mission office conference room for desserts and games.  We had 2 - 3 couples help with each course.  The food and company were both great.  I fixed peanut butter squares that were a hit.  I had to go to 2 different stores to find most of the ingredients and had to substitute for some things I could not find.  To do a 9x13 pan cost me $32 Tala or $16.  Food costs about 3  to 5 times what it would cost in the USA and that is if you can find the item.  We have found a store close by that carries quite a few items and brands you can find in Utah, you just have to be willing to pay for them.

Well, that is all for this week.  We are fine and getting ready to start teaching next week.  We start professional development this Thursday and then we will follow up by visiting classes.  The work is about to begin in full force. 

We love you and know the Gospel is true.  It is great to go anywhere in this world and find wonderful saints there.  Be Happy.

Love, Elder and Sister Spencer