Last Farewell Self-Reliance Services and Off to the Airport –November 20-21, 2014

Just when we thought the farewells were over – Foki planned another one.  It had been a full day training the Russell’s (our replacement couple) and at 3pm food started arriving and then the people from the service center gathered around.

We didn’t know that Sonny Maiwiriwiri could play the guitar and sing, but he is very good.  He played and they all sang, again they brought tears to our eyes as they sang “God Be With You Till We Meet Again” and “Isa Lai”.

Foki had a large Tapa cloth made specially for us and a Kava Bowl made with a small gold plaque on it for us.  What thoughtful people, its hard to leave them.

Dinner that night with President and Sister Layton and the Russell’s.  Finally we made it to bed.

Up early the next morning.  The Peterson’s met us at the office parking lot to take us to the airport.  The Terry’s and Sister Layton opened the window upstairs and called out their good byes and we were off.

The Peterson’s dropped us at the gate and off they flew – to get ready for a group of their family coming in to visit. 

And off we went…leaving Fiji behind and heading for New Zealand for a few days.  And then home! 

		Last Farewell VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Farewell to Fiji–November 10–16, 2014

Farewell Party–Samabula 1st Ward

Farewell Party–Young Single Adults

And now the end has come! 

It’s time for us to leave Fiji and head back to our real life – with bucket loads of memories.  We have been treated to such wonderful farewells, which only makes it all the harder to leave these wonderful people who we have come to love so very much.

So thank you Samabula 1st ward for all the memories, thank you YSA for all the fun, thank you senior couples for lunches and fun times, and thank you service center, you’ve all been wonderful!  Thank you Fiji – you have taken us into your hearts and we will never be the same!

 

 

 

 

 

 

		Farewell Parties VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Farewell Song to President and Sister Davis–November 6, 2014

Construction Workers Sing?

The Fijians have a beautiful song that they sing when people leave.  It’s called Isa Lai.  Last week Pres. and Sister Davis were ready to leave and before they left the temple construction workers went over to sing the good bye song to them.

It was a neat occasion to witness.  There was just one small hitch, and he is standing in the center in a red shirt.  He took the high part and sang with gusto.  Gusto, but not quite on tune the whole time.  You will notice even the singers were smiling – just a bit.

You can hear the bass and other lower parts were beautiful, but I’m afraid that this rendition is one that brings smiles, and not the usual tears it normally brings.

		Farewell Song to President and Sister Davis VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Tearing Down–Before Building Up – November 8, 2014

Sometimes you are just in the right spot at the right time.  And last week we were in the right spot to see the workmen taking Angel Moroni down from the top of the Suva Temple.  It’s the roof of the temple that needs the most work and so he had to be taken down for a short while.

And so at 10:00am on Tuesday morning all the senior couples, along with a few others, were found standing in the doorway of the Service Center…waiting.

The crane was in place, and there had been a few trial runs.  Well, maybe they weren’t practice runs, but they had used it to lift and reposition the large rubbish bins.  And at 10 am sharp, up went the three workers who were responsible for getting him off and onto the crane.

It took a few stops and starts, and a short delay while they brought up more tools, but finally everything was in place and he was slowly lifted up and swiveled around and lowered safely to the ground.  Once on the ground the workmen all helped carry him safely to his new temporary home where he will receive a new coating of gold leaf and any other needed repairs, before being lifted back into place when the new roof is done.

We won’t be here to see him go back up.  But we hope someone will be kind enough to take a few pictures of that event as well.

And then it was back to work, just another day in paradise.

Tearing Down–Before Building Up

		Tearing Down–Before Building Up VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL