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.