Pesaga Lua Farewell Fiafia

Pesega Lua gave us the most wonderful fiafia when we left.

It made us feel very loved.    Our greatest compliments came when they told us we were "Samoan". 

We truly felt like brothers and sisters.

Here's Mike dancing with the Relief Society President, Sister Naea.

Two of our dearest friends, Sister Manoa and Brother Kaio. 

It's hard to say good bye to these fine people.

I especially love the youth and their fine manners and willingness to share their talents again and again.

This family will always be dear to us...the Talaipa family.  The two little boys sobbed and hid from us when we first arrived.  Last week, one of them came up and hugged Elder Merrell's leg. (Now he was the one sobbing!)

 The youth of the ward are the best!

 This little guy now carries Mickal's name.  Pretty special memories.

 Not too many of the Samoan babies cry when we pick them up any more! 

 Sister Toala. 

She is the absolute salt of the earth.  No finer woman in the world. 

 Oh how we will miss these people!

Cousins

Their stories will stay with us forever. 

 This young lady has the most incredible testimony and beautiful spirit.

Bishop and Sister Joseph and a couple of their kids.  I have no words to adequately describe them.  Suffice it to say that we were the envy of every other senior missionary couple on the island. 

We were so blessed to be a part of this ward. 

Matou te alofa Pesega Lua. 

Fa'afetai tele lava!

Valentine's Prom

Pesega Lua had a prom for Vaelntine's Day.  The women were invited to wear prom dresses.  I did not have one, so I wore a pretty skirt and matching top.    I fit right in with everyone.

These manikins (oh wow!  I can't remember how to spell in English anymore!) were part of the decorations.

I'm with Ken; I'm not sure who Mike's with.

As usual, there were people of all ages and sizes dancing with one another.

The missionaries were obedient and pretty much stayed outside, keeping their distance from all the cute girls.  I love these guys!

This little sweetheart and her brother were having fun, too.

Brother and Sister To'a are recent new grandparents.  This little guy chose to come down to earth just as Sacrament meeting started.  Sister To'a, sitting on the stand with her family, received a cell phone call, immediately jumped up and left.  Brother To'a got  talk a little longer than he had planned that day!

This shows you that Samoa does have some fancy technology when it comes to music at ward dances.

Brother and Sister Key, with matching dress and tie.

Cute prom dress!

I walked into the kitchen with a camera in my hand and got instant smiles!

These guys were ready for the camera. too!

One picture is never enough...and more and more keep jumping in!

I am going to miss this when we go home.

Relief Society Presidency plus a young single adult.  That's something else I love.  Everyone pitches in to help.

I was taking a picture of the girl in back when these two popped into the picture!

It was a great night!  Good clean family fun!  That's what the gospel teaches.

Please bless Ramsi.

 Last December, Annie and Sasha traveld to Samoa for  a visit and they brought Ramsi.  We took her to see the Pine family.

 She got passed around quite and bit and was amazingly cooperative.

 It wasn't until little Palota started screaming that Ramsi decided she'd had enough.



Last week was our last FHE with this family.  Vaelaa gave the closing prayer and she cried clear through it.   I was especially touched by something she said.

 "Please bless Ramsi." 

What a tender moment!

The Yellow Dress!

Just when I thought I had seen it all, the annual visiting teaching convention rolled around.

When I arrived, the front row was filled with sisters wearing yeallow caps and gowns. Guess why?!

Because they had achieved 80%  or better visiting teaching for the year!

Here is Brother To'a congratulating his wife as she holds up her certificate.

And here is Brother Talaipa congratulating Sister Talaipa.

Sister Etuale and Sister Ruth (who was baptised right after we got here) are all smiles. 

This is one of my most favorite pictuers!  Don't you love the ulas they have around their necks! Yes!  They are made from fresh flowers.

Here is a sister who didn't qualify for the yellow cap and gown, but she still wanted her pictue taken with her certificate.

So did Sister Iese. Brother and Sister Iese are some of the most dedicated members of the ward.

I had so much fun taking these pictures! 

Sister Naea and Sister Joseph, the Relief Society President and her first counselor.  I love these two women.

As at most Visiting teaching conventions, there were lots of inspirational talks about visits made and visits received by visiting teachers.  At the end, Bishop Joseph gave a talk.  Mostly in Samoan, but he did say in English that he expected even more sisters to get to wear the yellow dress next year.  And   I found myself being inspired to be a better visitng teacher when I return home!   (Only in Samoa!)