Natural Disasters

This morning there was an earthquake and tsunami that hit American and Western Samoa. The earthquake was very shallow (only about 30 miles deep reports say) and caused a lot of damage.

My gut reaction was fear. I had no idea that this even happened. Claire called from California and told me and I instantly jumped online to check out what was going on. I started to text Kasala and add more money to our Skype account. I wanted Kasala to come home right away so we could call and check on his family. I couldn't stop crying. I was very scared that they were not going to be alright. After talking to Claire and trying to convience Kasala to leave class Terina and I knelt down to say a prayer. I explained to Terina what was going on and she seemed to understand. She offered her prayer to Heavenly Father and asked that her Grandma Emii and Grandpa Afa to be safe from the waves and octopus. Then she sat very quietly while I cried and prayed that our family would be safe.

I'm a very emotional person. I still can't stop crying. When Kasala finally came home it took a while for us to get through. When Maima finally answered the phone I started crying even harder. When I talked to Afa I couldn't stop. I was so relieved that they were safe. I was so greatful that they live high enough in the mountains to be out of harms way. I totally wasted like $1.50 crying on the phone as my father in law tried to calm me down and assure me that they were in the safest place possible. I gave the phone to Terina, who was dying to talk to Grandpa, and continued to cry. And still... .2 days later, I can't stop crying. My biggest fear was that I would never get to see my family there... never get to meet them and tell them how much I love them. I was scared that Terina would never get to know the world her father came from. I am truly greatful that we will get a chance to go there and see his family.

I see the pictures on the internet, I've watched all the news reports and my heart is so heavy. Many people already didn't have a lot and now they have nothing. I can't bare to see any more  pictures of mothers and fathers burring their children. I watched a report tonight of a father putting his 3 year old daughter in the ground. Terina is 3. I get so frustrated with her sometimes but I don't know what I would do if she were to leave this world.

The events of the past few days have been devestating. With another earthquake today (October 1) we have not been able to reach Kasala's family. The quake was much samller and we are sure that they are busy helping in the efforts to find people and helping those who they can. I love my family in Samoa and I know that soon we will be able to see and be with  eachother. Until then, they will continue to be in my prayers and in my heart.And I'll think twice about complaining when we have to send boxes and packages that costs hundrends of dollars home.  :)