Rex also wrote the following;

Thanksgiving night we visited with the Roths until 10 PM. They were great hosts. They let us sleep at their flat and served us a nutritious breakfast the next morning. It was very good.  I loved the Swiss/German accent. It is a soft, sweet German.

We went with the Walkers on a driving tour of meeting houses and church leaders on the southeastern part of the island.  It was a three hour tour, more like eight, okay ten if you include a little shopping in Savusavu. 8 AM-6 PM The Natewa Bay Road was mostly gravel and full of pot holes. It was a bumpy, jostling ride. We went at least an hour out and back on that road. The Hibiscus Highway, however, was oil half of the way and gravel the rest. We went on that road to Buca Bay, a dock where they pick up missionaries from Taveuni. The ocean was beautiful there. Two hours out and, yes, we returned. The scenery was spectacular. We saw a new coconut tree that was genetically produced to stay short. They also mature faster than a normal tree. An average-sized man can pick the coconuts while standing on the ground without using a pole.  Another plant is the mile-a-minute, a fast growing plant with huge leaves that was brought in to hide war machines. It is pretty, but it is a noxious vine that grows up and over the top of everything. 

One of the places we visited was Nabua. There we met President Joeli Kalougata. His last name means blessed. He is a combination  Nephi, Stripling Warrior, and Captain Moroni. In laymans terms a 6’4” strong-willed, bronze-skinned saint with a pure heart. He doesn’t mince words as he teaches his own children and church members. He tells them to always live worthy to go to the temple and attend the temple. Excuses or unworthiness are unacceptable. He sets a perfect example for them to follow. It was an honor to meet with him and talk with him.

He wrote an article for the Oct. 2004 Ensign called “The Only Survivor.” Please everyone, take time to read it.https//www.lds.org/ensign/2004/10/the-only-survivor?lang=eng 

He is a great man and has a wonderful family. His oldest son was chosen after his mission for a sponsorship (a rich man wanted to help a deserving young person come to America and gain an education.) He graduated and got a good job. He sent money back to his family to help send his younger brothers on missions and to college. This oldest son is returning to Fiji in Dec. for a 3 week visit after an eight year absence to help his father build a new home. Their house is forty five feet from the beach. The meeting house is connected to their home by a common wall. I held his thirty foot bamboo pole used to pick bread fruit. President Kalougata gave us wedges of a giant pineapple he had grown. He called it Honolulu pineapple. It was the best I have ever eaten, and there is some really good pineapple here. It was good to the core, meaning we even ate the core.

After the tour Betty and I drove back across the Island to our flat in Labasa.  It was so good to be home or at least our home away from home.

Elder Rainsdon said I hit the nail on the head about President Joeli Kalougata, but he said, "If you think he looks strong, you should see his son Alekisa. He is 6' 8" and totally ripped. Where most men have a 6 pack, he has an 8 pack! He plays professional rugby in United States with the Eagles."

 President Joeli Kalougata's beach by his home.

The huge tree in the background fell over but some of the roots were still buried. It is still growing and is spreading its live branches upward to stay above the ocean.

Rex with the bamboo pole.

Rex wrote this. He teases me about not summing things up, but this was worth his beautiful description:

Our Thanksgiving Day started with a ride over the river and through the woods of paradise as we drove from Labasa to Savusavu. The volcanic mountain drive was breathtakingly beautiful. Each bend and every hill opened a picture perfect panorama of pristine paradise. Pine trees blending with palms and a myriad of broad leaf trees decorated the lava sculptured landscape. Added to them, in the higher mountains, was a tree we had never seen before. It was in the exact shape of a palm tree, but the branches were like lacey ferns. We endured this vision of heaven for an hour and a half until we dropped down, and the oceans blue came into view. We had to stop and take some pictures.

We parked at the church, and Brother Roth walked down and guided us back to their flat. They are from Switzerland and speak German. They run the Humanitarian Aid program for the church here on this island, Vanua Levu. They help schools with desks, chairs, water tanks, etc. They help villages with water systems and other projects, also. Sister Roth speaks English quite well. Brother Roth’s English is pretty good, but he has a lot of trouble understanding the people of Fiji speaking their version of English, whether they are native Fijian or Hindi. (Of course, we have a hard time understanding them, too, especially on the phone. We can see why the USA doesn’t use Fiji for tech support.) Therefore, Sister Roth works with the people and does all the computer work and he does all the cooking.

President and Sister Walker met us at the Roth’s flat to share Thanksgiving. The Walkers are from the Boise area. (They are aunt and uncle to Michelle and Spencer Ray’s family.)  Elder Walker is a counselor in the mission presidency. This is their second mission. The last one was to Ohio. Each of the other two couples have ten children. The Walkers have 72 grandchildren, the oldest being 25.  We are all the senior couples on the island.  The Smiths were also invited from Taveuni, the next island over, but he was just put in as executive secretary to the district presidency and was in training. 

We had a semi traditional Thanksgiving Dinner.  Chicken instead of turkey and cherry jam to replace cranberries. I personally did not mind the cherries. We threw in a few fruits from Fiji like pineapple, and it was a wonderful meal with cheesecake and pie for dessert.

We Idahoans had to teach the Swiss about what Thanksgiving is. That made the day that much more special. There we were, three couples who had only met once before, far from home, away from our brothers and sisters, children and grandchildren, friends and neighbors, sharing what we were thankful for. We talked extensively about our children and family, our homes and country. We played games, ate, and played games some more. Each time we explained the rules for a new game, it was fun watching as Sister Roth would explain it again to her husband in German.  We played until 9:00 PM. It was a special Thanksgiving Day!

 Just past Seaqaqa, are mountains full of planted pine trees. It looks as if we are going though Strawberry Canyon in Idaho, but thicker and more well groomed.

They chink the bottom of the trunks and hang plastic bags to collect the resin.

 Doesn't Rex look smashing in his Sulu?

View of ocean as we dropped out of the mountains.

Brother and Sister Roth from Switzerland serving Fiji in Humanitarian Aid.

They have the most beautiful yard!

 There was a huge bush in Roth's yard that reminds me of our morning glory, but huge.

View of the ocean from Roth's yard.

Savu Savu is a favorite for yahts. 
They have started to make the  tiny island in the background into a private resort.

I just can't stay out of the ocean even dressed in a skirt. The water is so clear and so warm.

Rex climbed the hill and took this view. He loves how I come alive when I'm by an ocean. 

We had a picnic with the Walkers. I wish the camera could capture all the shades of blue.

Looks like Monopoly money, right? Love the colors!

Rex says, "I plant!" He cut off the top of a pineapple and planted it.

We live at the top of a hill. Our cement driveway is a very steep slant down to the metal gate by the road. Rex has to put the truck in 4 wheel drive and first gear just to drive it to the top where we park & that's without any snow!
We went out first thing this morning to do some much needed yard work. We didn't want to get the back of our mission pickup dirty so we used something we learned from when we were in South Carolina with Roxi when Zach was born.We piled the weeds, grass, branches and debris onto big tarps, and Rex pulled them one at a time down to the side of the road where the big truck will pick it up. It would have been about 3/4 of a pickup load. At the end of about an hour we were both filthy and raining sweat off our faces. A really good work out.
At 11 AM we had district meeting. It was a great reminder of fellowshipping and following up on committments to bring people to church. One of our zone leaders Elder Tyler from West Jordan was there on splits. He flies back home next Tuesday.
Afterwards we ate out with the Elders and Sisters. We really like the Chinese restaurant we went to. Their sweet and sour chicken is amazing!
At 6 PM, Rex and I are meeting with our branch clerk to start trying to clean up our branch records. Many came here to work and left soon after, but the records just stay or come right back whenever they are sent away. Tonight is the start of a very long process trying to send away the records of those who have left Labasa and hope they don't come right back. We have had training of how to do that. We will see if it works. This is one of our big responsibilities here to get rid of the ones who aren't here so we can concentrate on strengthening and activating the ones who are.

Bishop Womack made me homesick this morning by sending me a picture of a sunrise back home. He took it while coming down off the top of Little Mountain. That's one of the first things I looked for every morning at home.

November 23, 2014
   I love Sundays here! The people are so friendly and welcoming. Each of tthe sisters gives me a hug and a kiss on the cheek. It makes me feel special.
   We were able to go out with the Elders visiting tonight. They have such a strong spirit and do so well at teaching.They teach most of their lessons in Fajian. We only understand a few of the words, but we feel the Spirit. We speak in English. The Elders ask us to introduce ourselves, give any input, and bear our testimonies. We love to go out with them.
   Today was an example of why we need a 4 wheel drive truck. The roads were muddy and narrow. One section had my side nonexistant. It went straight down over a cliff. Luckily Rex clung to the middle of the road.
   We taught an 18 year old girl who is a member but hasn't been to church for a while. She is smart and beautiful. We invited her to come to Invitation Sunday on Nov 30. It will also be the Primary Program.       
   We then split up for a few minutes when a Methodist gentleman came out of his house dressed only in a towel and invited us in to come in and tell him about our church. The Elders thought it would end up in Bible bashing.They smiled and left us with him and went to the next house to teach some investigators. The man was actually very gracious and hospitable. Rex did a good job teaching him about the apostasy and the restoration and some of the things we believe. He called Rex a good preacher, but Rex said he is not a preacher, but he is just giving the message of Christ. The man asked for a prayer before we left. He gave us some mangos to take home. (Since I'm the only one eating them, I am getting quite a few.) He walked us up the hill and pointed out the house where the Elders were visiting. We bid him goodbye and joined the Elders. The family is adorable - a man, wife, and 6 kids. I would love to see them join the church.

   One thing happened not of a spiritual nature. I was trying to take a nap this afternoon when I tried to swish away an ant or whatever it was that was moving under my sleeve. I opened my eyes just in time to see a 4 inch gecko run across the bed and disappear over the edge. That was a first!

   All is well. We are happy! The Gospel is true!

   Take care everyone!

Our first baptism today. Tubu taught by Sister Keititi & Sister Heitonga. This is what it's all about!

  We are starting a data base of active branch members to try to get to know them better.

   We will be working with branch leaders to try to clean up records of all those who have moved. They have 740 members on record, but only 90 come.

   The Relief Society President has sent me a list of ward leadership with phone #s. That is definitely helping. One challenge is communication since many don't have phones or email. We are going to try to get all the contact info we can to try to bind the branch together. Another challenge is transportation. The branch area is huge, and most have to walk. We are trying to lay a foundation.

   Rex finally got the gas oven lit, and had me make brownies with oil instead of butter, since we forgot to buy butter, and he wanted brownies. He said they are good. They looked ok, but since I can't taste them, I just hope he's telling the truth. For all those who know him....

   We made rice yesterday & he had rice and spam. I'm eating the rice and letting him eat the spam. I just can't do it yet.

   Rex volunteered to give the Elder's lesson on Sunday. He's having fun making a Power Point presentation. He says he's really overkilling it. He misses teaching and really wants to get to work doing something. We had an appointment to go visiting with the Branch President, but he was out of town and had to cancel. Now that we have a few phone numbers, hopefully we can get going.

    We are also communicating with our mentors above us in CES, and they are starting to send a few things. We have had no training as far as Education Specialists. We have been researching on the Internet and finding a few things. They have promised to train us soon so we know how to fill this calling and help the people of Fiji.

Love you all!  

November 19, 2014
   It has been fun working with the Elders & Sisters in our district. We had a district meeting yesterday and went out to lunch together. They are very inspiring!
  We bought an umbrella just in time. They have had a drought here. We have been praying for rain.. Today they had a nice rain. My father would say, "If I had a funnel, I could drink all that." It came down pretty hard for about 20 minutes, and then off and on for a while. I had to think of my own children and how excited they would get when it rained as I watched a little boy and girl next door running, playing, and laughing in the rain. They were totally drenched! The water was running off our roof to make a waterfall. Rex jumped on it and said, "I promised you an island with a water fall!"
   We also got my phone from home unlocked from AT&T so we can use it as our local phone here in Fiji. The one we had was definitely a "dumb phone." Mine is going to make communicating with branch members and mission leaders so much easier!
   I am so excited! We have pineapple, mangos, bananas, and watermelon! Better fruit there never was!
   Love you all!

We finally found the beach in Labasa!

Rex walking out. He saw lots of fish & a stingray.

They have a grove of palm trees with little huts and shelters and benches to have picnics.

Only a small strip of sand before the waterline. This is at really low tide. Past the shadows is lava rock with sand on top. We saw tons of crabs and crawly things all over the beach. More like a really big reservoir than an ocean. The coral reef makes it so absolutely no waves.

Monday, Nov. 17
    Church was wonderful! We met many amazing people. Instead of having rooms around a gym and hallways as we have at home, it has buildings surrounding sidewalks and a grass enclosure with flowers. I visited the primary.There were only 7 children. 8 usually come. One little 3 year old named Bella bolts for the door and runs the sidewalks and darts between buidings any chance she gets. Her 12 yr old sister brought her back at least a dozen times.

   Sister Bull who used to be the Relief Society President now is Primary President. She used her iPad, cute visual aids, and was so expressive. She is beautiful, good with the kids, plays the piano, smart, totally impressive!  She did everything for Primary, including practicing for the primary program which will be Nov 30. Then she played the organ for Sacrament Meeting and gave a talk. Her husband is in the branch presidency.

   Later in the day we went out with the missionaries to visit a less active sister. Addresses here are around this road and somewhere in this group of houses. They looked for a half hour, finally found where she lived, and found she was not home. We were parked on the side of the road as they walked and looked. People here walk everywhere. One young man walking past, ran over and said, "LDS?" We talked with him for a while until the missionaries came back. His name is Filipe. He used to come to our church as an investigator long ago. The Elders got his info and will be visiting him. Maybe we didn't find the sister so they could find Filipe. 

   We next went to another less active couple. They have a daughter on a mission to Ghana, Africa. She will be home by the end of Nov. The missionaries invited them to come back to church. They have been offended. Plus, the father, as a boy, was taught by his father that as soon as you enter the church, the Holy Ghost leaves. I can understand wanting to follow the words of a father; however we all expressed that the Holy Ghost is strong inside the church, and that as he comes, he will feel it for himself. The missionaries taught them mostly in Fijian. We understood a few words, but mostly watched their expressions and listened. Much was also said in English. Dad has been doing such a good job in the words he offers. At the end, each of us bore our testimonies. They said they would try to come the last Sunday, which besides being the primary program is a special invitation Sunday throughout the whole mission for people to come to church, plus their daughter will be home. They said they would invite their extended family to come with them. The spirit was strong. Dad says, "This is what I want to be doing here."

Everyone take care!

Love you!

   It was our P day today so we ventured out to find the ocean.We had a partial map. We knew the name of the beach started with Koro. We found Korotubu on the map and headed for it. We had a beautiful drive, saw lots of Palm Trees, tons of Mango trees with ripe fruit falling onto the ground, sugar cane,  lots of cattle,  goat herds, a few natives, 3 mongoose crossing the road (or do you say mongeese???), and lots and lots of graveled road. We actually found the little villiage of Korotubu, but no beachfront property. We drove slowly through the village and on past and saw the ocean as we drove parallel to it, but we didn't ever make it to the beach. I guess in Labasa not all roads lead to the beach! 
   We found out tonight the beach is in the total opposite direction to where we went -not in Korotubu, but in Korovatu. I know! They sound really close, right? And we didn't write it down when we heard it. There may be hope yet seeing the beautiful beach of Fiji. Another P day perhaps. I can hardly wait.
   We met with the missionaries and the ward mission leader tonight. We are going on visits with  the missionaries tomorrow. Much to do.

This is the best view of the ocean we got on our tour today. So close, but yet so far away!

  Update of our fun and games so far:  We woke up Saturday morning Nov. 8 in Heber City, UT flew out of Salt Lake to LAX, had an 8 hour layover, flew to Nadi, Fiji 11 hr flight where Elder Gregory from Mapleton and his companion greeted us with fresh rolls, then we flew onto Suva, Fiji. Since we crossed the International Date line, it was Monday, Nov 10 at 8 AM when we landed in Suva. We had only had a couple hours sleep. Brother and Sister Terry met us at the airport and took us to the mission office. Our mission president and his wife, Brother and Sister Layton, had a lovely breakfast waiting for us. We visited for a while and then went to through a couple hours orientation. We cut through some red tape and bought needed supplies, then we went to lunch with the mission president and his wife. It tasted so good!  Everyone was so sweet and accomodating. Brother and Sister Terry took us shopping. Rex got his two sulus -skirts, which he wears all the time. Everyone made us feel like VIPs.

   Since they are remodeling the Suva Temple, the patron housing is all being used for construction workers. Brother Terry took us to a sweet Bungalow to sleep for the night. They had to pull all the suitcases at least a block over the river and through the woods, past beautiful flowers. We got there at 7 PM and dropped dead away in our bed. I don't think I've ever been that exhausted! I woke up at 12:30 AM and couldn't go back to sleep. It will take a while for me to get used to the time change. We are a day a head and 4 hours behind. When it is 10 PM Wednesday there, it is 6 PM Thursday here. Fun, huh!
   The next morning, Tuesday, Nov 11, Elder Terry took us to the airport where we flew to our final destination in Labasa, Fiji on the smaller island just north of the mission home. The elders met us at the airport, and it was Elder Read's birthday so after we unpacked, we took them out to lunch at a Chinese restaurant. I'm not usually into Chinese, but again the food was so good!
   Brother and Sister Terry and others had worked hard to clean our flat and supply it for us to arrive. They even bought us a new mattress. I can sleep on it without pain, which is incredible since I have slept on an air mattress or Sleep Number Bed for the last 13 years! Thank you Brother and Sister Terry for all the many things you have done for us.
  Our flat is a beautiful older home with a view of palm trees and tropical flowers. We even have a banana tree in our yard! Rex says the best feature is that he can stand at a sink and wash his hands and feet at the same time. The sink has an open pvc pipe coming down within an inch of the floor. The water runs across the floor and into the shower drain.
   Yesterday, we met Brother and Sister Walker, absolutely amazing senior missionaries. They are uncle and aunt to Michael's oldest daughter through marriage. Incredible people. Talented and knowlegable beyond measure. Sister Walker took time out to show me training materials she had prepared.
   They took us on a tour to meet some district leaders, the Paterno's. I'm blown away by the knowledge, friendliness and great faith these people have. They had planted sandalwood trees in their yard. The trees only cost $5 each as seedlings, but after 10 years when they mature, and  working through government regulations, each tree is worth $20,000 - $30,000. They said it was a great way to help pay for children's college.
   We had a meeting with the zone. They taught us many great things and even sang happy birthday to me. Sister Walker had made cupcakes to celebrate my birthday.
   Today we continued the zone conference joined by Brother and Sister Layton and Elder Haleck from the Quorum of the Seventies and his wife. Now I know why our sons write home so excited about zone conferences. It was incredible! The Spirit was so strong!
   Sister Spencer had orchestrated the luncheon with the aid of her husband, and the rest of the senior missionaries helped prepare and serve the meal. Again, best barbeques I have ever had. The watermelon topped it off.

                                                                Zone Tour
   We finally have our 4 wheel drive pick up. Rex drove it for the first time today. Crazy driving on the wrong side of the road. Right turns are the worst!
   Our Internet is terrible, but I appreciate what we have. In fact, I appreciate all that we have. Fiji is beautiful. We still haven't been to the beach yet. It is 45 minutes or more away. I can hardly wait to see it.

Taken from our front window.

Just received a picture of the amazing people we were with at the last 3 days at the MTC.

At the MTC in front of the World Map - pointing at Labasa, Fiji.

 Our MTC District with our teacher and minus one sister who had surgery and will leave one week later.

Rex & Betty in this MTC picture.

 They had to take 3 pictures to get all the senior missionaries in who came into the MTC with us.

We made friends with many of these wonderful people. We loved hearing all their stories. The MTC has exceeded all our expectations. We have learned and grown and feel so close to the teachers and amazing people here. We will be separating and going all across the world to teach and serve as missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

We left family and many loved ones behind to enter the MTC. 

We love you all! Take care, and may the Lord Bless!