Merry Christmas, everyone! We had the most delightful Christmas Day in Fiji with all of our district here taking turns contacting their families and sharing Christmas lunch together. We had a chicken dinner browned and baked in the oven with my Aunt Eva’s Hawaiian Sauce spooned on top near the end. I didn’t have any corn starch here so I thickened it with flour, as Mom used to do to make gravy. I liked it better. It was heavenly. We also had rice, lettuce salad, pineapple, watermelon, rolls, pop, etc. with brownies and ice cream for dessert.

While one missionary at a time was talking with families, the rest of us were playing party games and card games. Elder Sieverts from Bountiful, Utah called, but his brother quickly reminded him that everyone was gathering on their Christmas Day in the US to talk with him. He would have to come back the next day to Skype.

Rex had mentioned Sir Francis Drake while driving in the truck with Sieverts earlier, and he asked to hear more of the story. He and others were totally enthralled. They couldn’t get enough and kept asking for more. Rex ended up showing his Powerpoint presentation from school and taught them about one of his very favorite heroes in history. Oh, yes, Rex was in Heaven. He was in his element. Sieverts said he would have loved having him for a history teacher. I am always in awe as I watch him perform. He has an incredible talent to teach.

The Seaqaqa and Nakawakawa elders left later in the day to go to a big feast with the Petero family in Seaqaqa. We played games and had slush while they were gone. It was during that time that Matt and Rose Facetimed and let us watch the performance of the Christmas Story starring their children and some of their neighbors’ children. Rose had put together costumes and built a creative life size manger and a stable for the performance. It was perfect. It is always one of my favorite parts of Christmas. Thanks, Rose and Matt for that special gift.

The Elders came back with a big box of food to share including part of a pig. The district exchanged presents with one another and gave us a special gift. (We had taught Sister Aumua our family sign holding up the index finger to say “I love you forever!” She had taught the others as they got to the top of the Three Sisters mountain, and she had given us the sign on her video.) Our present from them was a laminated 8 x 10 picture of the district all showing “1.” It almost made me cry. I told them it was the best gift ever!

To end off the night, Rex made a humongous bowl of popcorn we all shared as we watched “Frozen.” What a beautiful Christmas Day! It bonded us as a district with our four brand new missionaries. I told them it is incredible that even though missionaries come and go, our district is always number 1.

Elder Seiverts came back the day after Christmas here, the real Christmas Day in the US, and talked with his family. I love this young man! He is always smiling, always happy, always asking how he can help. It was fun listening to him laugh as he talked with his loved ones. While they visited, we played 3 handed Spades. Elder Talamai showed us how it is done!

We got to Facetime a few loved ones before President and Sister Harward came to Labasa. They had to bring a missionary to fly to Suva to get medical attention. He will be replaced this week. While they were here, Rex suggested they use our Skype to phone home. They visited for over two hours with several of their loved ones they hadn’t been able to talk with for about a year. They were so excited! Rex made popcorn for snacks and later made tacos for dinner. They were grateful and tickled. They had been sad with the three hours on the road that they wouldn’t be able to talk with anyone. Rex made it happen. It was sweet to watch. I now know how much of a bond exists among senior couples who serve together. We become family.

Thanks for all your well wishes. We missed being home, but we had a wonderful Christmas!

Happy Holidays!

We love you!

Christmas Dinner in Fiji with our District