Long Overdue

Dear family,

Hello!  I really did not realize it had been so long(Jan. 7) since we had written of our mission life. 

We planted a vegetable garden last Saturday, and the beets are already up--it is fun to inspect it every day as we leave home.  We water it 4 times a week, and have planted yellow summer squash, green peppers, green onions, tomatoes and the beets.  A friend who is coming in April will bring us some green bean seeds (can't buy them here).

There have been three holidays in the last two weeks, all dealing with commemoration of the discovery of this island in 1462 and of the national heroes.  We are about "holidayed" out--on those days, there is no Outreach, no seminary, no one comes to piano lessons, and the stores and offices are not open, so we are left to our own devices.  We took a long walk to the top of a hill overlooking the harbor and investigated the outside of an old fort built in the 1600s to protect the entrance to the country.  Since we walk almost everywhere, our endurance for climbing, etc. has greatly increased, although it sure was hot.

Last Wed. was a busy holiday, for a change!  We joined with members and non-members from all over the city in a nationwide clean-up project to clean a couple of beaches.  It was sponsored by the mission president who set it up with the nation's president for every island, and the clean-up days will be four times this year.  Everyone who comes to help gets to wear the yellow "Maos Que Ajudam" (Mormon Helping Hands) vests.  The city furnished a large school bus(since there was no school that day) and so many people gathered at the church to come, that the bus had to make two trips.  It was to some beaches on the other side of the island, about 15 miles away.  We left early in the morning and worked till mid-afternoon. The church and the city furnished a nice lunch for the 131 people who came.  After the work was done, many of the young people went swimming off the end of the pier. I went wading, and the warm sea water felt so good on hot, tired feet.  131 was a huge turnout, more than ever expected, but we had 200 vest, so it was OK.

Last Tuesday we met with the school superintendents from the schools in the city which we are helping with the school kits.  It was a ceremony in which the kits were shown, the Church was graciously thanked, several important speakers including Larry, and the newspaper cameraman was there for photos.  Since this was the first project we ever thought up by ourselves, we wanted to celebrate, so we went out for pizza.

In our branch, we do not have a Relief Society president who is present (she works at the hospital), so many Sundays there is no meeting for the sisters.  I feel very sad about this.  We are encouraging the branch leadership to improve in this area.  Priesthood meeting is fine, so is Primary and YM/YW.  Sometimes I have attended the RS in the other branch in our building when I don't need to play the piano for our branch.  I have satisfied myself that I will be engaged in a course of "Home Study Relief Society".  I miss it so much.  Sherrie, Donna, Joanne, Marie, Jen, Mother, Bea--please attend RS, it is such a treasure.

We are all preparing for Zone Conference next Saturday, and the mission president will be here to interview us for temple recommends.  I will want to save that one with his signature on it, and not turn it in to the stake president at Orem.

We set our computer to show us the temp. at Orem each day.  Wow, really cold!!

We think of all of you and pray for each one of you and your needs and desires every day.  We love you all very much!

Love, Elder and Sister Goff (Larry and Pat)