We were not good about posting the last two months of our mission. We were busy with Perpetual Education Fund and BYU Hawaii student applications.
We have been home for two weeks now; how time flies. As we reflect on our experiences in Samoa it is hard to express all that we learned. Much of what happens on a mission is hard to explain to others. I am so grateful to have Reed who understands each and every experience. Coming home has been hard. It has taken me by surprise; I never even considered that I would have to adjust to being home. I can't even begin to say why, it just is.
How grateful I am for this experience. As difficult as it was, it has forever changed who I am.
Thanks to those of you who followed our adventure; we certainly felt your faith and your prayers.
So it is on to the next adventure; two new grandbabies this year and some much needed family time. Dorothy had it right--"there's no place like home."
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Thursday, December 30, 2010
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM SAMOA
Although we missed our family and Christmas traditions during the past month, our holiday season will be one we remember forever. A family in our ward brought a homemade Samoan Christmas tree to us. We are not likely to ever have another tree like this one. It was made from coconut tree leaves, including the fish and shrimp. The Squires (who finished their mission last month) left some Christmas decorations for us to use. We played Christmas music on our ipod all month and tried to pretend that it felt like Christmas. No Christmas on a mission would be complete without a mission conference and party. In true Samoan fashion, there was enough food for two or three missions.
Debbie's visiting teacher invited us to a family Christmas party, which included lots of traditional Polynesian dancing. This three year old named Yazmin was an amazing dancer and quickly became Debbie's friend. Once again, enough food to feed the entire neighborhood.
The best part of the Holiday Season arrived via Air New Zealand when Ryan, Katie, Dax, Gehrig and Lily came to visit. On the way home from the airport, we stopped to feed the sea turtles, always a hit with the kids.
Unfortunately, the Plantation House does not offer its traditional tea party the week of Christmas, so Gammy threw her own party for Lily.
Christmas would not be complete without Gammy's sugar cookies.
Ryan's family wasn't here long before we headed to the beach. As usual, we were the only ones there. Ryan loved the snorkeling and Dax and Gehrig loved seeing all the colorful fish. Lily was in heaven playing in the sand.
Because it's the rainy season (it rained for 35 straight days) there was plenty of water at Papase'ea (Sliding Rock) and everyone took full advantage of it.
It wasn't a completely traditional Christmas morning, but watching the kids open their gift was a treat.
We spent Christmas day at the beach and driving around the island. If you don't look carefully, you might miss Lily in this picture.
Ryan and Katie brought small toy packages to give to needy Samoan children. There is a small village of people who recently became displaced because the government took their land and relocated them. The missionaries recently did a clothes drive; until last week most of the kids in the village were naked. We bought some food and the Ryan's kids helped us put together boxes to be distributed along with the toys. It was a unique experience for Ryan's family to see how some people live. As usual in Samoa, the people are happy and cheerful despite their living conditions.
Ryan and Katie were able to go through the temple while here and on Sunday we took some family pictures.
A trip to Samoa would not be complete without a trip to the market.
Ryan says his favorite part of his Samoan visit was driving around the island to see beauty that doesn't exist in many places.
It was strange to think this may have been our last trip around the island. We'll be coming home in six weeks, which made it a lot easier to say goodbye to Ryan and his family. Thanks Ryan, Katie, Dax, Gehrig and Lily for bringing a little bit of home to our Christmas season.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Wonderful and Busy Time in Samoa
Our last few months have been busy and eventful. Every day or two, it seems something wonderful, unusual, disturbing, uplifting, awesome, etc., etc., etc., occurs. The lives of senior missionaries are never boring. We recently had a visit from the Asst. Dir. of CES from Salt Lake, Kelly Haws. Brett Macdonald, Director of Church Farms in the South Pacific and a friend of ours, ask us to accomplany him and Bro. Haws to Sauniatu for a special program. Sauniatu is a beautiful place that is significant to the history of the Church in Samoa.
On the way to Sauniatu, we visited a family in Manunu to give Bro. Haws a sense for life in a Samoan village. We counted 15 plantation crops all being grown within a few yards of this family's house.
While in Sauniatu, all of us had a chance to speak to the village about the value of education.
The people of Sauniatu gave Sister Tolman a lei made of spider orchids.
Last month, we had a devotional at the institute and gave class certificates to those students who attended our classes.
Togipau, one of our students who was baptized recently gave a talk at the devotional. Seeing the transformation taking place in someone like Togipau is an amazing experience.
Our devotional included a talent show. The best performance was from this group of singers (Daniel, Fred, Aolele, and Heti), none of whom are members of the Church, yet.
Two weeks ago, we had a very interesting day. This is Uriana, one of our favorite students. Sister Tolman has had a great impact on Uriana's life and helped her with many difficult things. The family decided to name a baby recently born into the family after Debbie. They invited us to the baby's blessing and to'ona'i (traditional Samoan Sunday meal). Upon arriving at sacrament meeting, I was informed I was blessing the baby, which normally would not cause me any concern, but I have never done it in Samoan. It was stressful but turned out okay. After church, we went to Uriana's home, which is in a small valley and includes several houses with the entire extended family living together.
It is an interesting hike down to the home.
This beautiful baby's name is Debra Melanie Louise Alatina Vaisala.
There is nothing quite like a Samoan feast.
Our semester ended two weeks ago. We wanted to thank our institute council students for their work during the past year. We took them to the beach. Believe it or not, they never really go to the beach, despite being surrounded by some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. For most people, it's hard to imagine going to a beach like this and being the only ones there.
We had a great time. These kids are wonderful and a lot of fun. We showed them how to snorkel, which they had never done before.
We then stopped and went swimming at Sua Trench, a huge hole with a cave connecting it to the ocean. It's an amazing place to swim. Although only a one-hour drive from their homes, none of them had ever been there before.
Amidst our busy lives, we sometimes forget we're in one of the most beautiful places on earth.
We found out our replacement senior couple will be here in time to start teaching the next semester in February, so we'll see you about Valentine's Day.Friday, September 10, 2010
Oh, my goodness. . .
Only those words seem appropriate to describe the experience of meeting a grandbaby for the first time! Brett, Sarah and Avery spent a week with us during our mid-term break. Avery was born in January and we had not yet seen her. She delighted us with her darling personality. She is a studier of people; she wants to know everything about a face. Our favorite trick is her growly bear; she growls in response to someone growling at her unless it is her dad and then she growls spontaneously. How grateful we are for the time we had to get to know her.
How could anyone resist kissing that face?
Brett got his one wish for his visit to Samoa--climbing a coconut tree!
Now you probably understand why she growls at Daddy; I think it is an invitation to play!
Nothing better in this world than to hold a sleeping grandbaby--heaven!
Part of the great joy of this visit was to watch Brett and Sarah as parents. They have figured out how to provide an environment that has allowed Avery to develop into a happy, healthy, secure baby. We loved every minute of their visit.
PS. We had the kids in our Institute Council ask us today if we would stay another year. While that felt really good, how could we not come home to all of our darling grandkids?
How could anyone resist kissing that face?
Brett got his one wish for his visit to Samoa--climbing a coconut tree!
Now you probably understand why she growls at Daddy; I think it is an invitation to play!
Nothing better in this world than to hold a sleeping grandbaby--heaven!
Part of the great joy of this visit was to watch Brett and Sarah as parents. They have figured out how to provide an environment that has allowed Avery to develop into a happy, healthy, secure baby. We loved every minute of their visit.PS. We had the kids in our Institute Council ask us today if we would stay another year. While that felt really good, how could we not come home to all of our darling grandkids?
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Getting Lost in the Work
Before our mission, Pres. Ostler said he had a feeling our mission would be a different experience than we expected. Other than the first month, when we were sent to American Samoa to help with the tsunami relief effort, our mission has not involved anything particularly unexpected--until the past couple of weeks.
When we arrived at the Institute last October, we discovered there were very few students there. It was a quiet place without much activity. We learned there had been a note on the door advising that no more non-members of the Church were allowed at the Institute. Games (primarily ping pong and pool) were only allowed on Fridays, and there were very few students attending classes. We got permission to allow the games every day, encouraged students to invite all their friends, especially non-members, had more parties, and did everything we could to promote an open, welcoming environment. There were some growing pains and things were difficult. We gradually implemented some rules designed to encourage students, including our non-member friends, to come to class and be active participants in Institute. To play games, print, and use the computers, they had to register and come to classes. We wondered for a long time if we were making a mistake, and enforcing our rules was not fun. As this semester started, I was miserable; I wondered if we were doing any good at all and felt like we were, to some extent, just putting in our time. My attitude stunk and I needed help.
After some very searching prayer and some very real and painful struggle, we felt impressed to start a special class for non-members and to change our attitude about these young people who seemed to be at the Institute just to play games. We have put our arms around them and welcomed them in, literally and figuratively. It has been an overwhelming success and has energized us and the entire Institute. We never expected to do "missionary work" like this while on a CES mission.
We have had some amazing experiences in the past few weeks. We are teaching basic Gospel principles and essentially giving the missionary discussions in our non-member class. This past Thursday, we had 13 non-members come to class. We have had two baptisms (Nora and Togipau; pictures below) at the Institute this semester; we also now have six more who are taking the missionary discussions and several more who are almost ready to meet with the young proselyting missionaries. Several are receiving the missionary discussions from us but just don't know it. The Lord has blessed us in amazing ways recently. Non-members interested in the Church suddenly are coming our of the woodwork.
Nora's Baptism Day
Togipau's Baptism Day
When we arrived at the Institute last October, we discovered there were very few students there. It was a quiet place without much activity. We learned there had been a note on the door advising that no more non-members of the Church were allowed at the Institute. Games (primarily ping pong and pool) were only allowed on Fridays, and there were very few students attending classes. We got permission to allow the games every day, encouraged students to invite all their friends, especially non-members, had more parties, and did everything we could to promote an open, welcoming environment. There were some growing pains and things were difficult. We gradually implemented some rules designed to encourage students, including our non-member friends, to come to class and be active participants in Institute. To play games, print, and use the computers, they had to register and come to classes. We wondered for a long time if we were making a mistake, and enforcing our rules was not fun. As this semester started, I was miserable; I wondered if we were doing any good at all and felt like we were, to some extent, just putting in our time. My attitude stunk and I needed help.
After some very searching prayer and some very real and painful struggle, we felt impressed to start a special class for non-members and to change our attitude about these young people who seemed to be at the Institute just to play games. We have put our arms around them and welcomed them in, literally and figuratively. It has been an overwhelming success and has energized us and the entire Institute. We never expected to do "missionary work" like this while on a CES mission.
We have had some amazing experiences in the past few weeks. We are teaching basic Gospel principles and essentially giving the missionary discussions in our non-member class. This past Thursday, we had 13 non-members come to class. We have had two baptisms (Nora and Togipau; pictures below) at the Institute this semester; we also now have six more who are taking the missionary discussions and several more who are almost ready to meet with the young proselyting missionaries. Several are receiving the missionary discussions from us but just don't know it. The Lord has blessed us in amazing ways recently. Non-members interested in the Church suddenly are coming our of the woodwork.
Nora's Baptism Day
Togipau's Baptism DayTender mercies are being felt every day. The other day, one of our non-member friends, a girl named Vanessa, came into our office and asked if she could go to church. I, of course, said yes and asked her if she would also like to meet with the proselyting missionaries and formally take the lessons. She agreed to do so. I then had the task of finding someone here at the Institute to befriend her. I checked the list and found only one student from her village, who, unfortunately, had not been coming to class. I went into my office and said a prayer that someone would be put in Vanessa's path who could help her through this process. A few minutes later, a student asked me, "Elder Tolman, weren't you looking for someone from Motootua?" She then said, "I think those three new boys over there are from Motootua." It turns out they are not students but were on their lunch break from work and decided to drop by the Institute (they had never been here before); they were all from Motootua and one is the ward mission leader. A few minutes later, the student who had not been coming to class showed up to apologize for missing Sister Tolman's class and asked for some makeup work. She just happens to have been called recently as a stake missionary. I have never had a prayer answered so quickly and directly. We took Vanessa to Church on Sunday; she loved it, started the discussions this week, says she already has a testimony, and is excited about every new experience she has with the Gospel and Christ's Church.
A couple of weeks ago, there was an unfamiliar young man named Aolele hanging around the Institute late in the day. I asked him what brought him to Institute, expecting him to say "the games." He said he felt the need to change his life and thought a good way to start would be to be around good kids. He joined our new member class and has been very serious about exploring the Church. Last week, he came in and asked me if I would sign his copy of the Book of Mormon we gave him the week before. He opened it to the back page for me to sign and I noticed he had written something on it. I asked if I could read it, and he consented. He had written in very poetic form essentially that sometimes one has to hit rock bottom before the need to change becomes clear and that the Book of Mormon would change his life. I was privileged to sign his Book of Mormon. He has not started the discussions yet for family reasons but he comes to two of our classes regularly, is reading the Book of Mormon, and says he will join the Church someday.
What an amazing experience a mission is. We will be grateful forever for the Lord's guidance in doing what He wants us to do. We don't always see the big picture as life is unfolding, but He is in control and knows exactly what He is doing. Our task, our privilege, is to patiently and cheerfully do what He guides us to do regardless of what that might be. We truly are blessed; losing ourselves in the work has enriched and energized us.
A couple of weeks ago, there was an unfamiliar young man named Aolele hanging around the Institute late in the day. I asked him what brought him to Institute, expecting him to say "the games." He said he felt the need to change his life and thought a good way to start would be to be around good kids. He joined our new member class and has been very serious about exploring the Church. Last week, he came in and asked me if I would sign his copy of the Book of Mormon we gave him the week before. He opened it to the back page for me to sign and I noticed he had written something on it. I asked if I could read it, and he consented. He had written in very poetic form essentially that sometimes one has to hit rock bottom before the need to change becomes clear and that the Book of Mormon would change his life. I was privileged to sign his Book of Mormon. He has not started the discussions yet for family reasons but he comes to two of our classes regularly, is reading the Book of Mormon, and says he will join the Church someday.
What an amazing experience a mission is. We will be grateful forever for the Lord's guidance in doing what He wants us to do. We don't always see the big picture as life is unfolding, but He is in control and knows exactly what He is doing. Our task, our privilege, is to patiently and cheerfully do what He guides us to do regardless of what that might be. We truly are blessed; losing ourselves in the work has enriched and energized us.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Our busy, wonderful and adventuersome break ...
Our first semester of Institute ended the last week of May. Shortly thereafter, Rachel, Matt and Owen came for a visit. Followed by our dear friends, Bob and Rosemary Taylor. Then Jessica, Devon and the three girlies finished out our visits. It was so wonderful to see everyone. Each visit brought new adventures and good times.
We continued to do our Perpetual Education Fund work in between activities (just in case you wonder if we really are on a mission--sometimes I wonder too!). We spent one day with Elder Hamula and President Wheelwright (BYU Hawaii) traveling the island, holding educational firesides. it was a unique experience to work with Elder Hamula to help motivate the young adults of Samoa to seek higher education. We have seen up close and personal what an amazing disciple Elder Hamula is; how we have come to love him.
The very last week of our break, President Haleck asked us to accompany a young Elder to New Zealand for surgery. He doesn't speak much English so Reed interpreted for him. We also spent time with our wonderful friends, Pat and Paul Streiff. They spent one year of their mission in Samoa and then were sent back to the Area Office in New Zealand. We traveled for a couple of days seeing the country; what an amazing place. When it was all said and done, we were pretty homesick! We are back to teaching and loving seeing the students again.
Rachel and Matt's visit was fun and very busy; that seems to be the way things roll when Owen is around. We loved playing with him and listening to his stories. Unfortunately, while he was here he split open his head. After some lavender oil, a priesthood blessing and a makeshift bandage, he was good to go. It healed nicely and quickly; what a blessing! I think Owen's favorite thing was the ocean. He loved the water, the sand and the fish!
Bob and Rosemary are always so fun to have because they want to know everything about anything. We spent days traveling the island and talking, talking and talking--with a bit of Pinochle thrown in; well, more than a bit! It is their favorite game and we are happy to join them. I must report that the girls 'took Samoa!' Game on boys--next year! We also went to high tea (I know that is not how the English spell it--sorry) and on a hike up to Robert Louis Stevenson's grave site.
Jessica and Devon and girlies visit was so much fun. We wore Devon out the first week trying to see everything before he had to go home. We had some fun and a scare at the beach. (Ask Devon for the story) We also fed the turtles; they were hungry that day and just about snapped off some precious fingers.
Jessica and the girls stayed another week, which was so fun. We played hours of games with the girls, did some 'craps' (aka crafts--Jenna's leftover baby word) with sea shells and went to high tea. Jessica was brave enough to make the trip home with the three girls on her own; another harrowing story. (Ask Jessica for the story)
Elder Tuimauga is truly one of the Lord's most sincere servants. It was a privilege and a blessing to accompany him to New Zealand. He hasn't been a member of the church for long, but the goodness simply oozed from him. He is still in New Zealand recovering from shoulder reconstruction.
We saw some of the country, which was incredible. It is winter there and it was freezing(!), which was a nice change from the heat and the humidity. We spent some time on a mountain luge track. It was a great mix of serving and having some fun with our dear friends!
We continued to do our Perpetual Education Fund work in between activities (just in case you wonder if we really are on a mission--sometimes I wonder too!). We spent one day with Elder Hamula and President Wheelwright (BYU Hawaii) traveling the island, holding educational firesides. it was a unique experience to work with Elder Hamula to help motivate the young adults of Samoa to seek higher education. We have seen up close and personal what an amazing disciple Elder Hamula is; how we have come to love him.
The very last week of our break, President Haleck asked us to accompany a young Elder to New Zealand for surgery. He doesn't speak much English so Reed interpreted for him. We also spent time with our wonderful friends, Pat and Paul Streiff. They spent one year of their mission in Samoa and then were sent back to the Area Office in New Zealand. We traveled for a couple of days seeing the country; what an amazing place. When it was all said and done, we were pretty homesick! We are back to teaching and loving seeing the students again.
Rachel and Matt's visit was fun and very busy; that seems to be the way things roll when Owen is around. We loved playing with him and listening to his stories. Unfortunately, while he was here he split open his head. After some lavender oil, a priesthood blessing and a makeshift bandage, he was good to go. It healed nicely and quickly; what a blessing! I think Owen's favorite thing was the ocean. He loved the water, the sand and the fish!
Bob and Rosemary are always so fun to have because they want to know everything about anything. We spent days traveling the island and talking, talking and talking--with a bit of Pinochle thrown in; well, more than a bit! It is their favorite game and we are happy to join them. I must report that the girls 'took Samoa!' Game on boys--next year! We also went to high tea (I know that is not how the English spell it--sorry) and on a hike up to Robert Louis Stevenson's grave site.
Jessica and Devon and girlies visit was so much fun. We wore Devon out the first week trying to see everything before he had to go home. We had some fun and a scare at the beach. (Ask Devon for the story) We also fed the turtles; they were hungry that day and just about snapped off some precious fingers.
Jessica and the girls stayed another week, which was so fun. We played hours of games with the girls, did some 'craps' (aka crafts--Jenna's leftover baby word) with sea shells and went to high tea. Jessica was brave enough to make the trip home with the three girls on her own; another harrowing story. (Ask Jessica for the story)
Elder Tuimauga is truly one of the Lord's most sincere servants. It was a privilege and a blessing to accompany him to New Zealand. He hasn't been a member of the church for long, but the goodness simply oozed from him. He is still in New Zealand recovering from shoulder reconstruction.
We saw some of the country, which was incredible. It is winter there and it was freezing(!), which was a nice change from the heat and the humidity. We spent some time on a mountain luge track. It was a great mix of serving and having some fun with our dear friends!
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