Back Home– December 3, 2014

And it’s time to go – home!  After a few days in New Zealand seeing some of the wonderful sights there we boarded the plane and headed for home. 

After what seemed to be an endless flight we finally arrived in Los Angeles and patiently waited for our last flight to reach home.  And wonder of wonders it left early – Wow. 

And when we got off the plane and walked out of that long hall way there was a whole bunch of great looking people – waiting just for us.  We laughed, we cried, we gathered up our luggage and headed to Sizzler for some good food.  Actually anywhere we went would have been good food to us at that point. 

And the next week we talked in church and had the family over for breakfast after and again laughed and enjoyed just being in our own home, with our own family.

Did I mention that we are so grateful for our time in Fiji, but so grateful to be home!!!

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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! 

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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!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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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