The Christmas season, heading into the heat of summer.

We have been busy with island families in the Temple.  We have many more Temple marriages from other island nations than we do from Fiji.  We have had several couples from Vanuatu, and many families from Karibiti.  In the last two months families have been coming from Papua New Guinea (PNG).  PNG is not in our Temple District but wants to be, we think putting them back in our district is in the works.  They like coming to our island Temple and it costs them less than Australia, plus no visa is needed for Fiji.

These out-islanders are generally gentle and simple people, with great faith and frequently have strong spiritual experiences while in the Temple.  The are also very appreciative of the opportunity to come to the Temple, and are grateful for the help we try to give them.

Romain and Suziane Yunack outside the Suva Temple.

The Karibati families always bring frozen fish with them to use during their stay in Patron housing.  At home their diet is fish everyday, chicken and fresh beef are not eaten, though canned corned beef is used.  

The Angimaua family from Karibati gave us these fish to
try.  They couldn't understand living far from the ocean and
having fish be expensive in Idaho. I filleted them, wasting
 all the good head and tail parts.

Our weather has turned hot, so even morning walks are warm and humid.  Christmas decoration have appeared and we had our Temple Worker Christmas Devotional on Saturday the 3rd of  December.  We had a choir and some congregational carols, and a nice catered lunch afterward.

Sr Olsen, Pres and Sr Yee, Cindy, and Pres Anderson.

Srs Johansson, Taito, Cama, Dolokilagi, Kois, and Ceguandraus.

Sr Kelemeti

Tabutabus, Srs. Delaitabuna, Ramaga, Resture, Cagicaucau,
 and Kaititi. Sakiusa Maiwiriwiri standing.

Bro Diloi, Sr, Cava, Olsens, and Bro Cavu.

The Royal Poincianas are blooming too, an echo of Florida, and the Dominican Republic.

Tree in front of the Yee's home.