Saturday, October 29, 2011

Happy Thought

Each week in our staff meeting, President Leota has us all share a happy thought.  Last week's happy thought was special...


This is a picture of the first baptism we attended in our Pesega Lua ward last October 16, 2010.  On the right is Sister Nanai with her three sons, standing and kneeling in the front. (Harry,Ofisa and Monte).

And this is the baptism we attended just last week (Oct. 22, 2011).  Brother Nanai has now joined the Church and his oldest son, Monte was able to baptize him!  Two older sons are preparing for baptism as well. And the youngest is waiting to turn eight!


It has been a real joy for me to watch this family becoming a great strength to the ward.  Sister Nanai used to attend my Family History class and there were a couple of times when our spirits just connected with each other.  
 
That was my happy thought for the week!




 Here is a picture of Ruth and her two sons, taken just a few weeks ago at the Primary activity. She was also baptized last year and is the one standing on the left in the first picture.  She, too, is still strong and active.  Her little boys are also active...in and out and over and under...!

As you can see, it took awhile to get the picture!

I am grateful for the wonderful friends we are making in Samoa, especially those in our home ward of Pesega Lua.  They are the best!

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Paradise in Savaii...OR....If at first you don't succeed...

This is the second time I am adding captions to these picutrees of our trip to Savaii. 
The first ones disappeared and I pouted for a week before readding them.  Here goes... 
President Leota gave us an "assignment" in Savaii a couple of weeks ago.  I believe it had something to do with "R&R" although we were able to include a mail drop, transporting a missionary across the ferry with us and a few random visits to  missionaries to make me feel better about it.  This is our view from the ferry as we left Upolu.
We were on the small ferry, so our vehicles were top side instead of "underground".  There is Henry on the far left.  We have grown fond of our little blue Hyundi.  He has taken us all over both islands of Upolu and Savaii.  We had him pretty loaded down for this trip, as you can see from the back window.

For a few minutes, I got one of the best seats on the ferry, right in the captain's room.  Being a missionary has its privileges here in Samoa.  We are treated with the greatest respect.  So, when that nice lady on the right offered me a seat, I took it!

At one point, we stopped at a chapel where two zones were meeting to make a transfer.  We decided a priesthood picture was in order.  Elder Merrell and Elder Krogh are on the left and Elder Goulding is on the right, and two of the Savaii zones sandwiched in -between.

The three senior couples spent the night in a beach resort.  Here we are, eating dinner.

The next morning, Mike and I got up early enough to watch the sun come up.  Spectacular.

The next day, we went to the rain forest and walked across a swinging bridge which led to a winding staircase up in a tree...kind of Swiss Family Robinson-like.  For some reason we didn't get any pictures at the top.
But here we are all gathered at the bottom.

As always, there are beautiful views of the ocean to be seen.

We stopped and rented a fale to eat our lunch in and afterwards played a fun game.  The food was delicious and the company was even better.

This is another view of our lunch spot.  We discoverd it was owned and operated by a family of Jehova Witnesses.  They shared their Watch Tower with us and we shared a copy of the Liahon (Ensign) with them.

The next day, we attended church with the Gouldings.  I loved this ward!  It is located within the bounds of the church school in Vaiola, so there were many young students who live there in dormitories.  (young kids, not college age)

Here are some of the housing units that the faculty live in.  They are called palogi houses because they have walls, windows and doors.

This was our return trip home, on the big ferry.  The ride was the roughest one I have ever been on.  I don't get sea-sick, but this made me green behind the gills.  Mike, too.
But, it was a great trip.  Probably our last to Savaii.  It's a beautiful island.

Friday, October 7, 2011

Evening at Aggie Greys

On September 16,  we celebrated three birthdays: mine, Sister Erickson's and the Harkers' daughter-in-law.  Since the Merrells organized the celebration, I got to chose the restaurant.  I had never been to Aggie Grays for dinner and it was a great choice!  It was one of those fill-your-plate-and we- cook-it-for-you buffets.  And it was delicious! 

During the meal, we were entertained by a great band.

And, of course, someone let the cat out of the bag, so we had a personal seranade as well...

After dinner, the Harkers took us on a tour of the hotel.  If any of my kids decide to come and visit before we leave, this might be our hotel of choice for you.  You get a flavor of the culture, with a touch of elegance as well.  (and it's clean!)

We just can't get enough of the beautiful flowers!  These were especially gorgeous that night.

See how close we could get to them!

It was a great way to celebrate by 39th birthday!
P.S.  Thanks for all the wonderful cards, gifts and Internet messages that came from America. I felt very loved indeed.