Good-by, Elder and Sister Kelly!

Elder and Sister Kelly were our mission nursing couple.  Sister Kelly was the official nurse and Elder Kelly was a great support and "right arm" to her.  Thursday they completed their mission and returned home.  We had the privilege of driving them to the airport Thursday night.  I did amazingly well, even as a flood of memories washed over me...

They took us on a hike to see the actual grave marker of Robert Louis Stevenson.  That was a memorable hike.  In his mid seventies, Elder Kelly started off on the trail at such a fast pace, I was afraid I would never be able to keep up.  I was relieved when Sister Kelly told him to slow down.  Then, it starteed to pour, so we were all pretty soaked by the time we arrived at the marker...cute picture, anyway!

We went on several other preparation-day excursions during our 9 months together.  Almost always, we were riding in "Henry" the mission vehicle that the four of us shared.  You'll see a picture of Henry in a later post.

We also shared a duplex apartment with them.  They were the best neighbors!  (Have you ever seen how bananas look when first picked?)

This is one of my favorite pictures of Sister Kelly.  She loved to arrange dinners for the senior missionary couples and both of them had a flair for doing things up nice.  This is the "plate" (actually a woven basket made from coconut leaves) her fish and chips were served in at a fun little place called the Bays. 

On St. Patrick's Day.  Elder Kelly jumped into this picture, even though he didn't have any green on! But with a name like Patrick Kelly, who needs the green?!

Here we are, right outside the apartment, with the men in their lava lavas!  I know...pretty blinding to look at! I'm going to miss these two.  They have become eternal friends.  The best kind. 

Tofa, mai feleni!

Trip to American Samoa, part 2: (This one's for you, Dad)

While in Samoa, one of the things we have missed the most is MILK.  It comes packaged here in such a way as to be able to store it on grocery shelves.  I had to spit out the first drink I took of it.  My exact thought was that there's no way that horrible tasting liquid could come from a cow! 

Little by little, we have grown more accustomed to the taste.  We can eat it on cereal and we can get it down when mixed with Hershey's chocolate.  I use it for cooking. On occasion, I have craved it so badly after eating a cookie that I will hold my breath and take a big swig of it, straight. 

So, we were surprised and delighted when we discovered that American Samoa has REAL milk!


Heaven to our taste buds...truly one of the best parts of the trip!
(I know this will make my dad happy to read, even if he can't see the pictures)

 

Trip to American Samoa, Part 1

This week, we were able to visit American Samoa.  It required a short 35 minute  airplane trip from the island of Upolu where we live to the island of Tutuila.  We went over to train the missionaries and help prepare for the new mission president and his family. We rode on this tiny little plane, which had six rows with three tiny seats in each row. I am not sure how some of the "larger" Samoan bodies folded themselves up to fit; it was a pretty tight squeeze for Mike and I! But what a gorgeous view as we got ready to land!

Here we are with the Webbs, on the left who are the office couple in Tutuila and the Eves on the right. Mike had a leaf he was fighting with...can you tell?

This is one of the many boats that are in the harbor.  Everything that comes to this island comes through this port.

What a spectacular view! When the tsunami hit in September 2009, they say that the huge wave pounded up on the shores of the island and, having no place to go afterwards, it bounced back and forth again and again!

Out in the ocean you can see a tiny island. They call them flower pots. And, down on the beach there are two open air beach fales. Yes...we live in Paradise.

Below, is what is known as the cock's comb. There are so many chickens and roosters in Samoa. It is only fitting to have a small island named after one.

The vegetation is thick and lush.

A better view of the flower pot.

Tuna fishing and processing is a big industry on this island.  Starkist Tuna has a big plant here.  It provides many jobs for the local people.  I'm sure glad we don't live downwind.

Look at these cute little buses! They are made from a Toyota base with the passenger seats up above. Mike wants to ride in one with the Webbs. I volunteer to take the picture.

This is the end of part one. More to follow.