SISTER
PETERS 90th BIRTHDAY - On February 16th we were invited
to the 90th Birthday Party and dinner for Sister Mariaha
Peters. She was the first Fijian to be
baptized into the church. Her husband
was the first Samoan Stake President and the first Samoan Mission President. She has a history that is so
awe-inspiring. She gave a copy of her
life story and it is amazing how much she sacrificed in her life before and
after her baptism. Again, we felt so
honored to be part of her special day!
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Monday, March 18, 2013
Chapter 45 - From Institute Student to Missionary
Chapter 45 - FROM
INSTITUTE STUDENT TO MISSIONARY
One
of our greatest joys is sharing the excitement of seeing our institute students
receive mission calls. Two our very
first students fall under this umbrella.
Ammon Autele left for his mission on 2/12/13. He was called to Australia.
We not only got to know him, but his family
also. They go to the same ward as
us. His Mom is the Relief Society
President, and his Dad is the High Priest Group Leader. They have a little boy about the same age as
our Rhythm and he reminds us so much of him – curly hair and mischief in his
eyes. We love this family so much!
Jared
Iosefa left on 2/25/13 – He was called to serve in the Philippines.
Jared flew out with Sister Pitoau
Sikotilani, one of the missionaries from Western Samoa that we got to pick up
when she flew in from Apia and spend the day with until the flight left at 10:30
PM for Hawaii. They were both on the
same flight as Sisters Burton and Wixom and their husbands. When they got to Hawaii, they missed their
connecting flight to Los Angeles. So
Jared called an uncle and he rescued them.
Two stranded missionaries had the chance to attend the Hawaiian Temple
together before continuing their flight to the MTC.
Both
of these young men have found their way into our hearts. In fact when they were set apart, Dennis was
asked to stand in the circle, and when they bore their testimonies they
referred to us as their “grandparents”.
We will miss them so much – but they will be awesome missionaries….
Chapter 44 - Outgoing Missionaries
OUTGOING
MISSIONARIES - 2/12/13 – We picked up two more elders today on their way to the
Provo MTC. Their names were Elders
Foalima Ete and ElderJunior Tuivaiti.
There
were two sisters with them, but they had family on the island so we didn’t have
the opportunity to have them with us. It
is amazing to be with these missionaries and even though they come as perfect
strangers, we part as perfect friends and we always feel like we are sending
one of our own children to serve the Lord.
They have an amazing spirit with them that lifts us and strengthen our
testimonies. There are so many evidences
to the truthfulness of the Gospel around us everyday and it keeps us on a
Spiritual High…
Chapter 43 - Our Own Little Miracle
Chapter 43 - OUR
OWN LITTLE MIRACLE…
We
continue to pray everyday for the energy and strength we need to meet the
demands of our mission. Every day brings
new challenges and surprises. We have
learned that whatever is planned for the day can be changed with every phone
call and that flexibility is the key. At
night we literally fall into bed wondering what the next day will bring, and
pray that we will have the energy to meet it’s challenges. The other morning at institute I suddenly
realized that almost without exception, every prayer that is offered by our wonderful
students includes a request to the Lord for us – that we will have the strength
and energy to do all that is required of us to meet the needs of our mission. It is not always those exact words, but almost
without exception, every prayer they offer expresses thanks for us with the
plea for that blessing. The first time I heard it I thought to myself, “We must
look awfully OLD to these young people – otherwise why would they make that
request?”
It was not until the other day
that I realized the miracle… Because of
their continued prayers we are being blessed with the energy and stamina we had
twenty years ago, and that is why we wake each morning with renewed
strength! Between their prayers and
those of our wonderful missionaries we are being blessed with “strength beyond
our own”.
Chapter 42 - Fanene Celebraton
Chapter
42 - Fanene Celebration
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| Sister Ana Fanene next to her husband's grave |
On
Saturday, January 19th, we
were invited by the Fanene Family to a celebration in honor of their father who
died about a year ago. When a person dies they have a celebration after
they have been gone for a year and they unveil the headstone. David
Penirose Sainila Fanene was an awesome musician and he passed his musical
talents onto his family. They had dinner and a program with lots of
dancing and singing. His band (which included a brother) played for the
event. It was such an honor the be invited.
 |
| Daughters and granddaughters |
 |
| Grandsons |
 |
| Family members dancing |
One of the son's, Marvin is an NFL
football player. He built this home for his parents. It is known as
the "mansion" and when it was built, Brother Fanene said the third
floor was to be an apartment for the missionaries. The elders that are
lucky enough to live there are really blessed. There is actually two
rooms/each with a bathroom that could house missionaries - with a large sitting
room in between for their use.
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