Dearest Family and Friends,

  It is had to believe there is snow there, a least in Grace, ID. Our first banana bush in our yard dropped it's stem of over 60 bananas. They are so good. Dad wrapped it in a big black plastic garbage bag so they can ripen more evenly and to keep as many critters off of them as possible. We went on a short walk behind our flat and we could see another bunch on the same bush overhanging our fence. We also have 2 other banana trees in our yard.. We have an avocado tree that has avocados over 2 inches in size now. They may be ready to use in a month or so. 

  Dad and I gave our talks today in the Nasinu 1st ward, it is a Fijian speaking ward, but they all understand English and also speak it. The Stake Pres. also spoke explaining to the ward members that next week a member of the Gen. SS Presidency and YM Pres. are coming to visit this ward. These same people will be meeting with all 4 Stake Pres. etc., Bishops, and all leadership under them for Sat. meetings. The Stake Pres. said in his remarks that after our talks, the Nasinu 1st Ward has no reason not to become Self Reliant. (Thanks so much for your prayers.) The Self Reliance Initiative has only been thought of as connected with the PEF loan program. This is only one part of this revealed initiative that is directly under the First Presidency. We went to our ward after our talks so we could be a apart of SS and Priest./ RS. Speaking briefly with our Bishop, he has some of the same thinking. It is going to take a while for the complete purpose of SR to catch hold. When it does leaders, families, and everyone will catch the vision and everyone will be blessed. We are going to be speaking in our ward, Suva 3rd, Dec. 27. 

   The Stake Pres. ask us to present the SR program Tues. evening as part of their Bishop's training mtg. The Suva North Stake is catching the vision and already several wards are holding SR classes. 

  Tonight we are having our monthly fireside at the mission home with Pres. and Sister Layton and all the other Sr. couples. We all bring a dish that we have signed up for. I am making Potato Supreme and is in the oven cooking while I am typing this.   

  I shared this parable about a farmer's donkey as part of my talk. I will share a  shortened version of it, so you can just get an idea the point. A farmers donkey fell into the the farmers well and could not get out. The farmer tried everything he could think, so he decided to get his neighbor's help to fill in the well with dirt so nothing else would fall into the well and at the same time bury the poor old donkey. As the donkey saw all the dirt coming in on him, he could not believe what was happening so he shook of the dirt and stepped on top of it. This continued until the dirt was at ground level and the donkey happily trotted off. This donkey used his own initiative to get out of his serious predicament. (What does it mean that Jesus Christ is "mighty to save"? (2 Nephi 31:19) as it related to lack of work, lack of skills, consumer debt, addictions, or any other temporal challenge that keeps us from being self-reliant. Do you believe our Savior has the power to help us and to make more out of our efforts that we can do ourselves. I, the Lord am bound when ye do what I say, but when ye so not what I say, ye have not promise. Faith, prayer, work, listening to the promptings of the Holy Ghost and using your own God given talents were also parts of our talks.

   With all the voices we hear in the world, I was touched by Pres. Russell M. Nelson's admonition to the women in the church: This world needs righteous covenant keeping women. We need your strength, your conversion, your conviction, your ability to lead, your wisdom and your voices. 

   Our RS lesson today was on Leadership: Effective leaders stand firm in the faith and set a good example. People respond to effective leadership. We are instruments in God's hands and should seek the spirit in leading and building others. 

  We have got to leave for the fireside at the mission presidents home. We love you all! Dad and Mom (Elder and Sister Smith)