School has begun again………

Since our company left, in fact since we dropped them off at the airport, the weather has been very wet and stormy. On our route Monday we found trees that had blown down on the cross island road and edges of the road washed away. Some wards had no or shortened meeting on Sunday because of the weather. It did clear up later on Monday at the far end of the island and we saw this beautiful water fall that is not there to see very often. 

Tuesday morning the college students were there ready to start and be introduced to us and all the college (high school) staff. 

Everyone was ready to get started, even Gramma. 

As I have said before, one of the things we have learned in Samoa is, “the happiest people are not those who have the most, but those who need the least”. Last fall I watched the students at the Sauniatu Primary School, play tether ball with a bag of rags tied to the end of a rope. I tried to buy a tether ball, but I could not find one in Samoa or American Samoa. I ordered one from Amazon. It cost more for shipping than the ball cost. Thursday was the day Gramma and I gave it to the school. The pole didn't have a ring bolt to connect the clip from the rope, so the custodian got some wire from old fence and made a loop to connect it. 

There was a lots of excitement, and Sister Maugatai set the rules, demonstrated what to do, and gave some instruction on taking turns. 

It was a lot of fun to watch, and the girls were the fiercest competitors.  Of course we were there to teach our class, we set up and Gramma did her part with her usual enthusiasm and energy.

It was good to see what a small gift like a tether ball can do for students that might not have one. The rest of us have lots of “stuff” that we do not really appreciate. We need to thank our Heavenly Father for all that we have, not just the “stuff”, because it is not what is important, but the gifts of life, family, friends, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We love you all, be good, go to church, serve others, and always remember to do what is right. Tofa Soifua, Grampa and Gramma Hammond.