Busy week and even busier on Saturday….

What a week! We had the Jacobsen’s with us for a visit. Elder and Sister Jacobsen are the ITEP Coordinators and supervise all the ITEP and TVET missionaries in Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, and Kiribati. There are 12 ITEP, TVET couples in the islands including them. We made two trips to the airport, two trips to the ferry (so they could see the Stonehockers in Savai’i), and two trips to Sauniatu, one for our class on Monday and then Tuesday to visit with the principal. Monday we were to speak to the student body. That morning they changed it to Friday and then onThursday night changed it to this week. We have had a lot of changes, but for sure we will speak this week, maybe. We gave our first professional development Wednesday to all the high school teachers on teaching with Love and Logic. Gramma did a great job. We had to modify it a little for the Samoan culture.
There is always something to see here in Samoa, we were headed in to “Lucky’s” a store we buy some of our groceries at and these crabs were for sale on the front sidewalk. I know it is not a very good, but there was a crowd around them and it was hard to get a good picture. 

Next are some of the pictures from our TV taping performance last week.

Here we waited 2 hours for the power to come back on. 

This the Motootua music threesome at the taping. The Sister next to Gramma also did the flower arrangements. 

Here is Sister Jacobsen with a class at Sauniatu. 

Here is another class (Sister Talataina), the missionaries are always treated with respect. 

This is their school bell. It has been there since the early 1950’s. You can see some of the construction in the background. 

This is some of the 1^st graders and another picture of their teacher (Sister Maugatai). 

The falls at Sauniatu were running fast with the morning rain.   

Here is a Fale just through our fence by the compound. People do live there, it is a very humble home. 

On Saturday we picked up the Jacobsen’s from the ferry at 7:30 with the Goodlets. It would be their last time in Samoa before they go home (July). They had been here in 2012, but had not seen much of the Island, so we spent the day seeing a few sights. We went snorkelling for a couple of hours and then we went to the Coconut Beach Club resort and was invited to see their show on Samoan culture. Look close in the middle of this picture and you can see a coconut tree climber.

Here he is coming down.   

Here is a picture of them building a Fale.

They talked about the importance of the coconut and cooked a meal for us. 

Grating the coconut.   

Squeezing the milk out of the coconut. The milk is the most important thing. The shredded coconut that we put on cakes and cookies, is use to feed the pigs and chickens (not a good reflection on us). 

They are cutting palm leaves so we can weave our own bowls for the meal. 

All the time they were telling stories, showing us how they do things, and entertaining us with music. 
 

We had the Kava ceremonies, traditional welcome and a wonderful meal. 

 
We then rushed to Togitogiga falls. It had very little water running compared to normal, but It was still beautiful.  

I crossed the river at the top and took this picture looking down. 

Going back home we stopped at the most fascinating resort Lupesina Treesort it’s the tree house resort.

This is the lodge where they serve your meals if you stay there and it is also a restaurant  (we will be going to eat there in a few weeks with some of the senior missionaries) 

These are the tree houses you can rent to stay in by the night or week. They are a little pricey. 

Here is the inside of the first one.    

Here I am giving instructions on what picture to take and Gramma takes one of a bald guy. 

Here is the second one, outside and inside. 

Here is the shower. 

It had a second bedroom and has a balcony with a beautiful view both directions.

I took this picture looking up from the front door of the room. 

A very interesting visit. 

Goodbye tree house! 

We had to hurry home, shower, clean up, get in our missionary attire, went to dinner and then rushed the Jacobsen’s to the airport, just in time. It was a busy and little stressful week. Next week we hope to slow down a little, but who knows what it will bring. Gramma is still busy with music besides our teaching and training assignments. Mother’s day is next Sunday here, it’s a big deal in Samoa. They are out of school on Friday and Monday, and our ward has a party Friday night and Saturday. We will try to call so you can wish you mom a happy day. She is a great mother and she is a fantastic missionary companion, the best I have ever had. The gospel is true, we love you, and you are in our prayers. Tofa soifua, Elder and Sister Hammond.