Visitors from the East…….

Yes, we had visitors from the east. The problem was that their flight got in a little early and while we went up to the observation area and waited to see them get off the plane, they were going through customs. So they set in the waiting area wondering where we were and we were in the observation area wondering when they were coming in. There are no electronic screens letting you know about flights in Samoa. Thirty minutes later I found them, they were going to take a Samoan Taxi if they had waited much longer (that would have been interesting).

As soon as they settled in (got some Samoan funny money) and got lunch, they were ready to hit the beach, insect repellent and sunscreen and they were ready. Notice the van in the back ground? We put 650 kilometers on it in seven days.

 Everyone hit the water, and then Joy sat in the shade and Gramma search for shells.

The tide was very low so Gramma looked harder for shells.

On Sunday we went to the English Ward Sacrament meeting and then went to the Motootua Ward Sacrament meeting, the ward that we are assigned. Sunday afternoon we went to Sauniatu because our class had been canceled the coming Thursday and it was the only day we could go there. I forgot the camera, but Matt got some good pictures. Monday started the first week of school for teachers. They had meeting all week. We had to teach three in-service lessons and attend a video conference with school leaders in New Zealand. In between we entertained. They were on their own at the Robert Louis Stevenson home one day and the sliding rocks another.

 They were lucky because this little cottage was available to sleep at while they were here.

We went on the coastal walk.

 The Togitogiga water falls (it had rained and the water was a little dirty, but Wayne and Matt couldn't resist).

Then a hike to the Ma tree. 

The next day after Gramma and I taught another in-service, it was off to the beach again. This time we went to the Lalomanu beach on the far eastern part of the island. We rented a beach fale and stayed there several hours. 

 Thursday it was a visit to the cultural center program, sliding rock, and Fia Fia show and dinner. The new missionary couple the Stevens went with us to the show.  

I had to get reservations to this show and I laughed when we saw the reservation card. There are no “d’s” in the Samoan Language. 

We think our visitors from the east had a good time, and apparently the “old people” wore them out. 

 It rained on the way to the airport, but a mile before we go there is stopped. We said our sad goodbyes, and then on the way home is rained very hard for about the next twelve hours.

 

We enjoyed the visit very much, but now back to work and our goal is to teach as many classes as we can between now and the end of our mission. We love you all and wish we could have seen you all, but this short visit helped us remember how much we do miss each and every one of our family members. We love you and ask the Lord to bless you each day. Tofa Soifua, Gramma and Grampa Hammond

It did not rain on the parade……

Before I address the rain or the parade, Gramma has been up to more bird pictures. Her little blue bird loves power lines and she took pictures on a hot, hot day during our Monday route. She took five pictures and only the first one had the bird in it. The others were pictures of  just the power line. The sun was rather bright.The second picture is the one I took after she got back in the car.

 We did have a parade. Everyone was ready for the 6:00 start. Gramma, the Jacksons, and some other Pesega ward members.

Guess what, Fa’Samoa,(the Samoan way) it started a 6:45. It was the 20^th anniversary of the Pesega Stake so they had a celebration. (Pesega is one of 25 Stakes here on the island).There were some pretty good floats and their party and dance after the parade went until 11:30 Monday night.

It was cloudy, but did not rain on the parade. The next night the heavens opened and it poured down. Elder and Sister Jackson have two of their daughters here and one brought her to small children with her. The little granddaughter was timid at first about getting in the rain (the rain in Utah is cold), but once she got started there was no stopping her. I think Nash would of liked to ride his scooter in this downpour.

 On Tuesday we had to go to Sauniatu to teach an in-service to the teachers. Elder and Sister Stevens, the new couple, rode with us. We took a picture of them at one of the David O. McKay monuments.

 

We have spent a lot of time getting ready for Joy. Wayne, Matt, and Cristina’s visit. We think (nothing is sure till it happens) we have a place for them to sleep in one of the cottages by the temple. Our car only seats 4 comfortably so I am trading our car for a van for a week, (I hate driving a stick shift with the shifter on the wrong side). Of the 550 days we will be gone on our mission they picked the seven worst days to come, and two couple at once. We have three presentations and in-services to the teachers and staff, during the week. One of the Area Seventies and Bruce the head of the Church schools will be here. So we will be sifting in and out of meetings and try to get to visit as many sites as possible. Sister Jacobs said she has a slow week so she could help out if they need to be somewhere we can't take them because of our meetings. It will work out; it just will not be as easy as it would have on another week. It should make for some exciting pictures for the blog. We are excited to have them come. I will be sending the blog off before they get here. Sorry for all the parade pictures, but it was kind of neat to see all the work this group went too. We still miss you all and literally, pray for each of you each day. We are getting ready for a very busy six months before we get home. Do what is right, the Gospel is true, and may the Lord bless you. Tofa Soifua, Gramma and Grampa Hammond