The DVD

We have been working on a DVD to show at a ward fireside at Pesega Lua.  It has been such a treat for me to listen to these kids share their testimonies. 

  Here are a couple of them, to give you an idea of the sweet spirits they have. I am struggling a little with the software program, but, with a lot of help from Elder Smithing and Mike, it is slowly coming together.  Can't wait to get it finished!

Robert Lewis Stevenson Garden Party and Excursion

Attending the Robert Louis Stevenson Garden Party was something that we have looked forward to, for a whole year. We just missed being able to go last year, and the Kellys had encouraged us to be sure and attend this year. (by the way, we marked our one year anniversary of arriving in Samoa this week...!)
 

Robert Louis Stevenson lived in Samoa many years.  He loved the island and had a huge mansion built where he and his family lived.  The climate offered welcome relief for his unhealthy lungs and the views from his home were spectacular.  He died and was buried here.  Several generous businessmen (mostly American, I believe) have made it a part of their life work, to restore the mansion.  It has become one of Samoa's most popular tourist attractions.

This is the drive onto the estate...so peaceful, serene and beautiful.

And this is the mansion.  It is unlike any other home on the island.  Definitely palongi.

As we arrived, we were each given a colorful ulu to wear. (I think that is what they are called...it's a lei)

 

The tables were elegant and look at the  pillars.  They are decorated with fresh
coconut leaves that are braided around each pole.

Here is President and Sister Leota, getting their picture taken with Miss Samoa.  You can bet that the Assistants were jealous. 

 

But, obediently, they kept their distance and chose to content themselves with their lobster dinner, instead.  Way to go, Elder Faauliuli and Elder Smithing!

Two days later, the senior missionaries were treated to a private tour of the mansion.  This is the front room.  The Merrells would call it the home teachers' room.  The walls are covered in tapa cloth and decorated with pictures of the Stevenson family.  It is the only home in Samoa with two chimneys...that have never been used.

This is the library, and the room where he dictated his books. 

It was my favorite room.  Among the many wonderful treasures, there is a framed picture of a deck of cards called Authors.  It had 13 sets of cards containing the name of an famous author and some of the books he/she had written. It brought back so many memories of playing that card game with my family as a young girl. That's how I learned the names and works of many great authors.  I have looked through the years for a similar deck of cards and have not been able to find one. 

This is the view from the second floor.

This is the front of the house.

And this...  well the story behind this piece of artwork is very interesting.  It seems that anciently, the chief over all the island would have a yearly celebration and one of the finest young men would be the guest on honor...so to speak.  He was the main course. (yes, as in entre')  Well, one year, the son of the chief happened to be there when the unlucky young man was chosen.  He told them to take him instead and he was carefully wrapped in large leaves and presented before the chief.  When they unwrapped him, the chief was astonished.  The son (who fortunately had not been taken to the umu yet) was ordered released and this tradition ended.  Interesting.

Bucket List...Teuila Festival and Marching band

A couple of months ago, Mike and I created a "bucket list" of things we wanted to do while on our mission.  This week we made great progress on our list.  The next couple of posts will be devoted to some of the fun things we have done this week.

We wanted to watch the long paddle boats on the ocean.  (I know that is not what they are called, but I can't remember their real name.)  They were practicing for the races across the harbor.  Listen carefully and you can hear the drum beats to encourage and help them row together as a team.

We wanted to get a picture of one of the beautiful rainbows we have seen here on the island.  This is one of the only full rainbows I have ever seen.  It was breathtaking.  

We were downtown because it was the Teuila festival, which is the national flower for Samoa.  As part of the festivities, we got to watch these woodcarvers as they produced beautiful wood pieces.

This young man is hand carving a kava bowl.  For months, I have believed that it was done by machine because the carvings were so exact.  What a surprise to be able to watch this art form in process.

During the festival, they sit on the ground, sometimes on top of a woven mat, and work.  We were able to see plates and bowls in various stages of production.   What talented people! 

We have long wanted to watch the marching police band that performs everyday.  We were lucky and ended up standing in the perfect place for pictures.

It was really a thrill to finally see this band in action!

There was also fire dancing. After we got home, Mike told me that they were knives, not just batons.  I am glad I did not know this while we were there. I would have been very anxious. 

I was continually amazed at the singing and dancing.  For Samoans, this is a way of life for them.  Singing, dancing and bright, beautiful costumes.  (More to come)

In the middle of the evening, it started to pour and we suddenly had a tent full of wet spectators who had scrambled up from their spots on the grass.

Ten minutes later, the show went on...It was a wonderful week.