Yesterday, Sunday Sept. 27 was a great day. We greeted those at Labasa and then went to Naduna for the meetings. It was a good thing we were there. The group leader still has a “new way” of doing it. They had regular Sacrament Meeting until after the Sacrament. Then without a word, they picked up their chairs and started going to classes. Rex stopped them in mid stride and told the group leader they needed to finish the Sacrament Meeting first. Rex offered to speak. He stood for a moment, thinking of what to say, and then gave a powerful talk on Baptism, Holy Ghost, Enduring to the End and preparing to go to the temple, using Nakawakawa as an example and challenging them to go on a temple trip with the Labasa Branch in the spring. It couldn’t have been better.

Then he asked if the group leader wanted me to speak. Since Sister Bulewa from Naduna had just died, I talked of how fragile life is. That we must teach our families to hold to the Gospel so we can be together as a Forever Family in Heaven. We must do absolutely everything necessary to make that happen. We must set a good example, keep the commandments, and always pray and give thanks to a loving Father in Heaven. We must hold tight to our beliefs and never let go of the Iron Rod. Then I bore my testimony.

Later, since I had mentioned the Iron Rod, Rex brought up again the story of helping with Franklin 3^rd Girls Camp. The girls were blindfolded and told to hold onto the rope course that represented the Iron Rod and not let go, no matter what. Rex tempted them to let go of the Iron Rod by telling him there was a huge snake on the trail, and saying he would lead them around it. A few of the girls listened and let go. He led them away and just left them standing there. Stacey, our granddaughter, was at Franklin’s camp that year. She held fast to the Iron Rod with all her might. No matter how much he talked, he could not convince her to let go. He was a proud Grandpa on a Grandfather-Granddaughter date in the mountains. It is an experience he treasures.

At 5 PM, we had a Missionary Fireside. We showed the first few minutes of the Uchtdorf talk called “Lift Where You Stand” showing how if we all work together, we can help the branch and Missionary Work succeed.

Then we broke into three groups for 10 minute sessions. Since one of our main assignments is helping clean up the records, we were going to have them help look at the records and give us info on those who had died or moved.

Our first group of ten had only 2 members. The rest were nonmembers brought by Manasa, the Chief’s son. Rex had to think quickly. First he had them solve a riddle about cannibals and missionaries trying to take a boat back and forth across a Parana-infested river without the cannibals’ eating the missionaries. Since Fijians used to be cannibals, it seemed appropriate. Next he had them form a human knot and untie it, teaching problem solving and team work. Lastly, he told the Duck Food joke. They loved it all.

Our next two groups helped with the records first, then did the cannibal riddle and human knot. It worked well.

For refreshments, we dipped ice cream cones. One thing for sure. No food was left over! They even ate the crumbs!

I am feeling better, and we are loving it here in Fiji. The people are amazing!

Keep the Spirit Strong!

We love you!