Our family has the opportunity to go serve a Dental mission trip to Tonga during the summer of 2016.  We have been planning this trip for the last 6 years.  The idea came from an article that I read about 12 years ago when I was in Dental school in Iowa.  I read about a family that sold everything and went on a Dental Mission trip to Tonga for a whole year.  I really wanted to do that, but Heidi (my sweet wife) is more realistic and knows what is reality and what is a dream.  There may come a time when we do that, but for now, we came to an agreement (Heidi's idea) to go to Tonga and serve for 3 months.  We will be serving on the main island of Tongatapu.  
     Tonga is in the South Pacific.  The Kingdom of Tonga is made up of one hundred seventy-six coral and volcanic islands.  There are only fifty-two islands that are inhabited.  These islands are known as the "Friendly Islands" because the Tongan people are always smiling, laughing, singing, and dancing.
      We are serving this Dental mission through the LDS Academy of Dentists.  They own a clinic on Tongatapu that serves the people there.  The LDS faith is a large part of who we are.  When considering where to serve and who we were going to serve, we wanted to be able to go through our Church.  The Church Dental clinic allows all of us to serve as a family.  Each of our children will be involved in helping assist the Dentists, assist the hygienists, help with sterilization, and help teach the Tongan children how to speak and read English in school.
     We are SO excited to be able to go and serve these people that we have been learning about.  We know that as we serve, we will learn so much from them.
     One thing that I thought about doing is choosing twenty values.  Each value, I would research, write about on this blog before we go to Tonga, and then share experiences of Tonga that coincide with those values.  We have about two months before we leave home and go to Tonga.  Each week, I would like to write about two values.  By the time we leave, all 20 values will be written about and thoughts and feelings will be recorded.

     The Barfuss Family - AKA - "Barfi" family.  I thought I would let you know a little bit about each of us before I start this blog.  It's important to know who we are, what we're like, and why we are doing what we are doing.  I have the best family EVER!
     I have been so blessed to be married to the most amazing woman.  Her name is Heidi and she is the most amazing person you would ever meet.  She is the mother to our 5 children and she has a deep passion for being a Mom.  Heidi has her RN degree, and could be working as a nurse, BUT, she chooses to stay home and be a Mother to our 5 children.  I have never seen a woman have so much passion and love for children as what Heidi does.  She is very selfless, works so hard, and is one of the most Christ-like people that I know.  She stays busy with our five kids and balances all the demands of what life brings.  She is an amazing person.  Your life would be enriched by having Heidi be a part of it.
     Logan is 15 years old and is a Freshman in High School.  He enjoys playing the violin and piano.  He loves to run cross-country, track, and in the winter, he loves to ski.  He just received his Eagle Scout.   He loves anything outdoors - biking, hiking, fishing, etc.  He has an interest in computers and technology.  In fact, whenever we have any "techno" question, he is the first one that we go to to help solve the problem.  He's a good kid and we're proud of who he is and what he's doing.
    Makayla is 13 years old and is in the 7th grade.  She has a passion for violin, piano, singing and is enjoying her musical talents.  She really loves to read all sorts of books and often, we'll find her with her nose buried deep into books.  She loves to run, loves to learn new things, and loves being a teenager.  She can have a "spazy" personality, but you have to know her well enough for her to bring it out.  She is a wonderful daughter and we are blessed to have her be a part of our family.
     Maddison is 11 years old and is in the 5th grade.  She is very out going and loves to meet new people.  At dinner time, she'll often tell us that she met a new friend at school (AGAIN).  When we're out doing things in Twin Falls, she will always see someone she knows and go up to them and give them a big hug.   She loves everyone!   She's very creative and loves to sew and make new creations.  Some things you can tell what they are and they look great ... and others, you have to use some imagination.  We love our little "Maddi".
     Braden is 8 years old and is in the 2nd grade.  He is big into sports and loves soccer and basketball.  He just started playing the piano and is enjoying it.  Lately, he has been reading "Harry Potter" series and loves it.  He can't stop talking about it.  He loves to learn new things all the time and he will tell us what he's learning.  I think he has a photographic memory (which can be dangerous).  He loves to swim and all the things we do as a family in the outdoors.  We're counting on Braden to help us out when we're old and forgetful.
     Ella is 4 years old and is doing pre-school.  She has a huge imagination and a fascination about princesses.  I swear she has about 10 different princess dresses that she wears ALL THE TIME.  Her favorite princess is Sleeping Beauty.  She has a wonderful smile and personality that would melt anyone's heart (I'm not just saying that because I'm her Dad either).  She is out little princess.

Smiles that make a Difference

     When I started my own Dental practice in August of 2007, I came up with the tag line, “Smiles that make a Difference.”  My vision of this statement has developed over the years, but the fundamental meaning behind this is making a difference for every person that is part of our practice family.  Not just Dentally, but physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  Every person has a story.  It is our duty to know the people that we are serving and know where they are coming from, where they are, and where they want to go.  If we understand that, then we are able to build relationships of trust, we can instill the value of our services (dental health), and we can understand where they are coming from so we can treat them to our best ability.  We want to make a difference Dentally, but also we would like to be a part of their lives. 

      I love to make a difference for people and let them know that there is someone out there who cares and who loves them and wants them to realize their potential and their self worth.  We have had some wonderful opportunities to be a part of so many lives and share in their lives.  We have had a lot of joy in helping make a difference. 

     These people who we have tried to serve have really been the ones to serve us.  We get more in return for our service to them than what they get from us.  That’s the ironic blessing of it all.  

      My hope in recording my thoughts, feelings, and experiences is to help motivate all of us more in doing good and making a difference for the people around us.  Isn’t that why we are here on this earth?  To see what difference or what legacy we can leave.  That is my hope for whoever is reading this.  To motivate to do good and serve others around you.  I love the scripture that says, “And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom;  that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.”  Those things that you share will multiply, and those things that you withhold will diminish.