The first night at the Novotel hotel, we tracked the storm, visited, and played Clever Endeavor. The next morning, we had a delightful breakfast buffet at the hotel. Brother Willis picked us up and took us a little early to the big Suva church. We helped the other senior couples put 2 cookies in a baggie for each of the missionaries as part of their lunch. All the missionaries, young and old got to meet with President Eyring and the other church leaders. Young Elder Miller from our Zone, bore his testimony followed by The Area Presidency and Brother Richards. Elder Cook is one of my favorite speakers. He bore his testimony and said something that really hit us hard. He said, “I know His voice. I know His face!”

President Eyring spoke to us last. We were on the fourth row from the front. Many times it seemed as if he was looking right at me. My heart was full of joy, and I had to wipe away a few tears because I was so happy at the honor of being so close to a member of the first presidency. It felt as if he was speaking right to me.

Some of the following notes are directed specifically to us as missionaries, but most are applicable to everyone. Much of this is paraphrased:

President Eyring told us that before he landed in Fiji on Friday, many were watching Winston, a category 5 Cyclone, one of the biggest in history. They were worried for his safety and for all the people who were coming to see the ceremony and rededication of the Suva Temple. The brunt of the storm was projected to hit head on into Suva on Saturday, causing major damage. They met him at the plane, explained the situation, and asked if he should get right back on the plane and go back to Salt Lake.

President Eyring said, “I have a feeling of peace. We will go on.” Not long after that the trajectory of the Cyclone slanted to the north, leaving Suva on the outskirts of the storm.

President Eyring told the story that when he was born, his father insisted that he be named Henry as those before him, but all his life his mother called him Hal.

He told us, “The Holy Ghost knows your name.”

He choked up a little as said, “He knows me also as Hal. He knows details of your life. He is trying to help.”

Whenever you feel discouragement, “Push that away from you! Stop! Pray! Go Forward! Don’t be afraid!” The Lord is in your work more than you know. He is actively in your lives. He will make everything turn out.

“This is the time of the gathering of Israel. Converts will bless your name.”

Find the Holy Ghost every day. Have and feel the Holy Ghost. Dig a little deeper. Feel the Holy Ghost’s closeness. He knows you and loves you.

Jesus thought of you in Gethsemane. There is joy in feeling the atonement. “I’m clean! I’m clean!”

Find joy with Him, a feeling of closeness with Heavenly Father.

God tells things to the hearts of the people.

“Do you think they could hear me?”

“Don’t be afraid they will reject you. Don’t do that!”

They have to feel the Holy Ghost. Have faith that God will direct you to whom you need to see. Try, pray, ask the Holy Ghost to help in what you say and do, and with things you haven’t done.

“I bless you with a feeling of peace.”

“God reads hearts.”

He loves you!

There is forgiveness!

He ended with a fervent and sweet testimony! What an incredible man!

To honor our guests, all of us missionaries rose and sang our mission song. It was glorious!

President Eyring had a smile on his face most of the time.
Elder Cook is in the background.

We had a wonderful breakfast buffet. In the front are the Roths and President Harward.
Rex is visiting in the back.

The Czieps are from Idaho near Rexburg.
They rent a bunch of houses and do landscaping and yard work for the rich and famous.
Instead of going to St. George for the winter, they have had a house built in Taveuni, Fiji and go there for a few months each year. They scuba dive and take underwater pictures and videos. 
When we were visiting Taveuni, they hiked with us to the lower falls where we stayed and they continued with the rest of the group 1 1/2 hours to the upper falls
They met at Ricks in a hiking class. They still do everything together. A great couple.

The water is starting to get choppy in front of Cyclone Winston

Taken from where the church leaders sat: A group of amazing missionaries.
Rex is on the fourth row from the front showing 1 finger which means, "I love you forever."

Rex with Sister Roth on his right and Sister Heitonga and Sister Isoa behind him.
It was great to see all those who had served with us in Labasa and in our Taveuni Zone.

We met Elder Singh we had helped finish applying for BYU Hawaii

With our sweet Sisters Raga and Elias. Sister Raga was told to pack all her bags before going to Suva. She was being transferred  between transfers and would not be coming back to Labasa.