Aokuso Sefulu Lima

Aokuso Sefulu Lima. That’s Samoan for August Fifteenth. That’s the day we leave. That’s the day we begin our re-entry. It was probably wise that we do it in stages, traveling through Hawaii to spend time with friends before returning to the hurried pace of Western life. You don’t notice, I know, that life moves very fast where you are, where we soon will be again.  So many people in a hurry.  So many cars. Traffic moves very fast.  So many things competing for our attention.  I remember those feelings from long ago.  Will I be able to catch up, to keep up?  Can I keep up with the yard and our home, which in my memory now seems by comparison so very large?  Mission life is very simple; not without challenges, but simple. Here in Samoa life is slow. People passing on the street make eye contact, both children and adults. They smile and speak their greetings of friendship: Talofa! Talofa lava!  Malo! Malo lava! Malo soifua! 

The days are falling off the calendar at an alarming rate. Our walls are bare in our apartment.  We’re sorting and discarding and giving away food, clothing, and miscellaneous ‘stuff’. We’re cleaning, making lists, planning menus to get us through the remaining days and use up what’s in our freezer and cupboards. And most importantly, we are spending time with friends. There have been and will be picnics at the beach, dinners with friends at our favorite restaurants, and in our homes. All this is happening at a time when the temple is humming with activity and we are in the midst of it. So many families are receiving the sealing ordinances to become forever families. Weddings too, and baptisms for the dead, and endowment sessions in which every seat is filled. School is on vacation in American Samoa and ward groups from Pago Pago fill patron housing. The baptistery is busy with large groups of youth, three and four baptisms back to back in the morning and then again in the afternoon and evening. We have seen a marked increase in the number of Samoan family names being brought by the patrons to do the work for their own ancestors instead of using temple file names.  It’s all part of the hastening of the work.

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Number one on the Bucket List: Manono

We finally made it to the little Samoan island of Manono. I just have to give you a glimpse of our Manono trip on Saturday, July 26^th. It took about 4 boat loads to get us all over there. The island in the distance is actually Apolima. The next picture is of Manono. Lots of Samoan history involves Manono.

The sea was the most beautiful turquoise, a bit choppy going over, and really rough coming home. Those in the back were bailing water most of the way back to Upolu and many of us were soaked. What fun we had!

We walked around the entire island before eating the Samoan feast our hosts provided for us. That really built up our appetites!  It took us nearly three hours to make it all the way around. Here are some of my favorite scenes.

A few of our group. Our guide is the short Samoan man in the red island shirt. He is a high chief.

My visit teaching comp, 

Asofa Fuatimau and her husband. 

A bright, colorful home. Family transportation- 

a boat parked in front. No cars on Manono.

Looking back toward Upolu.

 Local folk enjoy posing for photos.

I believe this from the coconut palm 

will become sennet used in making rope.

Friends and sisters. Part of our group.

Wow. Just wow.

My guy heading into the jungle. Nearly all of the trail was along the coast, but this last little section cut inland just a bit.

The end of the trail.

Even our plates were made from the environment, banana leaf plates

filled with every Samoan entree imaginable, only a few remnants remain here. So good.

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# 2  Kekepua'a: A Tutorial

Tai and Kristen Tauiliili run the Pesega Church College (aka high school) Canteen. Some months ago we stopped by on our way home from our morning walk and bought a meat bun. We liked it. Enough that we finally asked if they would teach us how to  make them. Can you believe they agreed without hesitation? Yes you can. We are in Samoa!  Here's how it went:

Our tutor first mixed a very stiff bread dough, 

then rolled it into the long roll you see, 

twisting off enough for each roll.

Next he flattened each roll with the heel of his hand into a 4" diameter.

This is the filling for the kekepua'a (pork cake), which really should be called

kekemoa, since this is chicken (and moa means chicken), chopped and marinated in soy sauce and onions.

Holding the dough in his cupped hand, he spooned the meat into the center.

Using your thumb and first two fingers to pinch the dough as you go,

and the opposing thumb to keep the meat inside, you've successfully

prepared the meat bun when the dough encloses the meat completely.

Next, the buns are steamed for 25 minutes, at which point they can be eaten, frozen for later use, or cooled completely and then deep fried, which is the way they are sold at the canteen.
Learning to make these was on our bucket list.

This is Kristen. Isn't she beautiful? We love the Tauiliili's.

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#3  Dinner at Salima's Home

Grandparents of Ariel Leon

Sister Salima and I became friends
as we worked together in the temple.

When her daughter Mataora gave birth to a baby boy, she asked what Elder Crowley's first name was.

This little grandson, their first grandson, was blessed the day this picture was taken.

His name is Ariel Leon Leati.

We were privileged to have dinner in their home two weeks ago. Her husband Senetari is bishop of their ward. He made an umu and cooked taro and palusami for our dinner. They also served fried chicken. He confessed his love for KFC, and said a relative brought a bucket back from American Samoa, and he thinks it's the best. They are such a good family. Their married kids live with them, so we have held little Ariel Leon. Their own younger children, Dominique (9), and Julie (7) are a big help. Salmar (4), not so much. They have four older children: a daughter serving a mission in the Philippines, two married children, and a seventeen year old son still at home. Mataora (mother of Ariel Leon) and her husband also live with them.

L-R Salmar, Dominique, Ariel Leon, Julie
Grandpa Salima says, Ariel doesn't cry - he roars like a lion since his name means Lion.
Having a namesake in Samoa was definitley NOT on our bucket list. What an honor!
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Lava Lava Explosion

On August 2nd we met at President and Sister Fitisemanu's home for our bi/monthly FHE, this one to be our last. We were planning to go to Tafatafa for the day to enjoy the Su'a's hospitality and the great beach there. It turns out it was very stormy at Tafatafa on Monday, so instead we did the second most favorite thing we all do when we get togethere; we ate too much of favorite Samoan foods. I brought Sapasui (Samoan style chop suey) and this time I got it right. I found a really good recipe on line, instead of trying to duplicate what we've eaten here. Finally I got it right and everyone loved it. That felt so good.

It turns out it was a kind of farewell for us. They presented us with a stack of lava lavas, colorful and bright. Sister Tafua demonstrated different ways of wearing a lava lava.

Not a great picture but you get the idea.  After showing me the right way to wear a lava lava, they insisted we do the siva. I suggested I dance on Leon's back the way we remembered seeing it done 40 years ago. 

Wisdom won out. One foot on his backside just for effect. What a sport!

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 The Fun Never Stops

We've dined at some of the great restaurants as guests of some of the great friends we've made here - places we had not yet discovered, or had only heard of but not experienced.  This week we had dinner with Ed and Laura Mulitalo at The Bistro. That was like going off island w/o leaving: quiet jazz music over the sound system, white linen and crystal; wonderful food and lovely presentations; great conversation with good friends. Laura pointed out that our waiter with his dress lava lava and white shirt was barefoot. Love it!

Earlier that afternoon, I taught Laura how to make pie crust. That was on my bucket list to do.

Taking Sister Kamerath to Kokobananas for dinner was also on our bucket list. 

She has wanted to eat there after hearing from us how great the food is, and we finally made it.

Jay Moors, owner and chef, is a former CCWS student of Leon's. After we had ordered, the waitress brought an appetizer of fried egg plant. When our main entrees were brought, she followed up with three lobster tails, all "from Jay".  The food was absolutely perfect. When we went to pay, we were told there was no charge.  And we didn't even get a picture of Jay! But we found this one of him and his family on facebook

Isaac and Vernetta Tagaloa suggested we get together one more time before we leave. Remember the 4th of July umu at their home? We'll never forget it. So Friday night we ate at our favorite Chinese restaurant with Tagaloa's and with Jay's uncle Mark Moors and his wife Pat (remember those huge avocados we had in abundance during their season? Those were from Mark and Pat's trees).

Tagaloa's                            Mark and Pat Moors

                                               Really good Chinese food. 

Saturday Steve and Rebecca  Roos invited us to have lunch at their home between our Saturday morning  temple shift and the senior missionary outing to Matareva Beach on the south side of the island. We really enjoy this couple. Steve was chief of police in Idaho Falls before coming on this mission. They raised a large family, retired early and their mission here is focused on self-reliance, specifically helping the Samoan people to improve their employment situations. They offer computer classes, help prepare resumes and generally aid their clients in entering the work force or improving their options.

                                               He has authored two suspense novels based on his experience in law inforcement. They are both very active and adventurous people. 

Later that day . . . .

What a gorgeous beach! The only ones not pictured are Lamoreaux's daughter, Bet and her husband Brit, and they're taking the pictures with all of our camera's.

L-R:  the Winters, Sister Kamerath, me and Leon behind me, Elder and Sister Krogh, the Thomas's (here for six months as dentist and assistant helping the Layne's), Sister Sa'u, the Lamoreaux's, the Laynes (dentist couple), the Roos, and the Edwards.

Here are our photographers with Bet's parents, the Lamoreaux's.

Yesterday a Brother Brunt introduced himself to us after church, telling us that Leon was home teacher to his family all those forty years ago when he was in fourth grade (form four). He remembered David and Justin and asked about them and our family. We showed him pictures and he said that since that time his dad has joined the church. He was here visiting family and is returning to Hawaii on the same flight with us this Friday. When he said he was a Brunt, I mentioned that one of the A.P.s to President Leota was an Elder Brunt from Sydney AU. He said with a big smile, "That's my brother's son!" Elder Brunt was a favorite of ours. When he and his comp had dinner with us they asked how we met. When we told our story, he got the biggest kick out of it and always seemed to think of it whenever we met after that. We attended the farewell testimony for the departing missionaries before he left. Although ninety percent was in Samoan, the spirit was so strong and I could follow most of what was being said. Elder Brunt was an excellent missionary. He spoke some in English and recounted the story of Christ's visit after his resurrection to Peter, James and John as they were fishing on the Sea of Galilee. His point was that each of these returning missionaries must not go back to their former lives, unchanged. They must continue to be involved in bringing souls to Christ in whatever calling they may have and in their everyday walk in life.

Elder Brunt the day before he flew home. Several of his family were here for this final testimony meeting.

Tonight is our last FHE with the senior missionaries. President and Sister Tolman said they will be there. It will be our last opportunity to be together with all these wonderful missionaries. We love them all. 

President and Sister Tolman. Aren't they the cutest?? We love them. We were at the recommend desk last week when they came to the temple. We asked how they were doing and President said, "We have 200 children!!!" He has been semi retired for the past 20 years and this has been quite a radical shift in lifestyle.

Tomorrow we are working both shifts to allow Lamoreaux's to have time with Bet and Brit. We all had dinner together yesterday and so enjoy this great young couple. We know how very special it is to have family here to experience Samoa with you. When Leslie and James, Ben and Brianna were here in 2013, the Lamoreaux's worked our shift for us and we appreciated that so much. In between shifts Rita Keil and daugher Daphne Papalii are taking us to lunch. Wednesday, Sister Tinielu from the temple is taking us to lunch. Thursday we are returning a chair we borrowed from Keils and our car to Lupe Ieremia, who paid cash money (in American dollars) weeks ago and graciously allowed us the use of it until we leave. 

Lamoreaux's kids leave Wednesday and they have asked to take us to the airport Friday afternoon. We are so happy for that. We love the Lamoreaux's. Their home is in Orem and they will be home next spring. You may remember that this is their third mission. They first served 2 years in Romania and then 18 months in Mongolia. Obviously Samoa was their reward.  Oh, Sister Satiu, our new neighbor and her husband just invited us to have lunch with them on Thursday, so we are all booked up. All the food I prepared ahead and froze will be eaten by others and that's okay.

I really must get to packing now. I hope you have not been bored to tears. The good thing for both of us is that I will never know that you stopped reading long ago. For any who are still with me, I just want you to know that a mission is worth every sacrifice. We are grateful. God bless you all.

Alofa tele lava,

Elder and Sister Crowley (I am going to miss my name tag.)

All the News I can think of:

Dear Blog friends and family. Thanks for following us on this amazing format of the latter-days called a blog. We so appreciate your friendship and the many prayers that sustain missionaries, young and old. We have grandchildren serving as well and know that all who are helping hasten the Lord’s work are deserving of our prayers. We testify that they are heard and we and they are sustained and strengthened by your prayers for missionaries.

I hope to be able to recount those things I’ve wanted to share over the past weeks. I’m going to make a list to help me focus.

·      

      The unique blessings and lessons  that come of serving in the temple
      The importance of serving beyond the scope of our specific call
·         Our ward family and their examples of faith
·         Our temple missionary family and our recent loss
·         Another beautiful site visited and the beautiful people who live there
·         Fagalii Cemetary
·         CCWS Reunion

It is a blessing to be in the temple nearly every day. Officiating in sacred ordinances is such a privilege, and seems especially significant today when some feel that women are unfairly denied priesthood ordination. We sisters who have had hands laid upon our heads and have been given authority to administer saving ordinances in the temple, find it especially hard to understand. Everything in the temple clearly teaches both our need for a Redeemer, and our mutual need as sons and daughters of God  for each other in order to claim the highest blessings offered by our Father in Heaven.  As we come to know God we also come to know ourselves. A mission serves as a catalyst, taking us out of our comfort zone and turning our hearts to God for help every day.

Our first view of the temple as we arrived for the Saturday morning shift.

Every mission assignment is unique. However there seems to be a common experience among newly arrived senior missionaries here. When we first arrived Leon felt somewhat of a lack, wondering what more he could do to be of service. We’ve since heard that same sentiment expressed as we’ve talked with other seniors during their first few weeks. I remember shortly after coming that we walked over to the auto shop and the wood shop (which is what he taught when we were here in the early ‘70’s), talking to the teachers, looking at the equipment and somehow wanting to help. There seems to be this feeling that they aren’t using all their time and talents to the fullest. However, we have learned – first hand – and by observation – that it is just part of the transition into mission life for a senior missionary. Soon we are immersed in our specific assignments, accept callings in our wards, and find opportunities to serve everywhere. We begin to feel that we belong.

Our new dentist, Elder Layne and his assitant, Sister Layne, 

laugh now about how they felt "under used" when they first arrived.

They couldn't have been any happier if they had won the lottery when Elder and Sister Thomas arrived to share the load in the dental clinic. Elder Thomas retired from his dental practice in Corvalis, OR just prior to coming. Laynes hail from Florida. I can't remember where and it's too late to call them.

Unlike all other senior missionaries here, we temple missionaries are under the temple president rather than the mission president. Unlike them, we are not assigned to attend a specific ward, but are free to attend where we choose.  We have come to love our Pesega Lima Ward. We are consistently inspired and strengthened as we attend our weekly meetings, serve in our teaching assignments and as home and visiting teachers. We love our ward family. By their fruits, we are told, we shall know them. The sixteen full-time missionaries serving from this ward are evidence of their faithfulness. Their faith in God is implicit. They do not doubt the love and power of God to help and to heal.

We also feel part of a family of temple missionaries. I’ve written before about our next door neighbors, the Sauni’s. On Sunday, June 8^th, just one day before his 81^st birthday, Brother Pata Sauni died of cardiac arrest. He was speaking in another ward sacrament meeting when he collapsed at the pulpit. Within minutes he was gone. We have all been affected by the loss of this dedicated servant of the Lord. He and his wife were first to arrive for every shift, working both morning and the afternoon/evening shift every day. He was well known for his “malosi” (strength). His signature greeting was to take a boxer’s stance and punch the air toward you. His handshake was to bump fists with you. Now it has become a standard hand shake among the workers as a way of acknowledging our loss.

On a brighter note, earlier this month a group of us dined at Lupe Sina, which was definitely on our must-do-before-we-leave list. Lupe Sina Treesort (treehouse resort) is a 30 minute drive on the cross island road to get to the turn off. It is another ten minute challenging dirt road up and down and around with signs posted at intervals just to give you hope that you didn’t miss a turn somewhere.  From the deck of the main treehouse, you have an  expansive view of the sea and sky. Carol and Jack Batchelor, owners and gracious hosts,  prepared and served a wonderful meal on the veranda of their home, and gave us a tour of the most recently completed treehouse. On an earlier visit we toured the original one. The cost for an overnight stay in the banyan treehouse is $750 tala per couple. That's $327.25 American at the current rate of exchange. The view alone is worth that.

Carol and Jack's home where dinner is served on the veranda.

The sunset from where we were seated for dinner.

They are just as friendly and gracious as they look.

 Jack is a master builder and a creative genius. The banyan tree is host to the original treehouse, which is integrated into the structure of the tree itself. The tree (they call it Samson) estimated to be 300 years old, stands 180 feet tall with a circumference of 140 feet. You can look it up on the internet and learn more at www.lupesinatreesort.com.

Lucky for us, Samoa is host for this year’s CCWS Reunion. Church College of Western Samoa was the name of the school when Leon taught here from 1971-’74. It is actually a high school and is now known as Pesega High School. We attended the opening day on Saturday. Our good friends, Vernetta Tagaloa and Pat Moors (former students of CCWS), have worked on the planning committee with others for months preparing for this week.

 Three months of practice for fifteen minutes of beautiful and energetic traditional siva.

Sister Tagaloa, who organized and helped teach the dance. 

Notice the Pesega school colors of yellow and blue reflected in their costumes.

On the stage behind are posted snapshots of students, teachers and administrators on a timeline from the '60s through the 2000's. In the 1970's section is a very faded enlarged yearbook picture of Leon. I wouldn't have recognized the image if his name hadn't been printed underneath. But, hey, he is there. Our next door neighbors all those years ago in the teacher housing were Kent and Penny Larsen. Kent was a counselor at CCWS at that time. He is arriving tomorrow for the reunion.We are really looking forward to that.

                                                                                     Leon                                 Kent

Leon and I visited the cemetary at Fagalii, the original site of the mission home in the early days of the LDS church in Samoa.. A smaller portion of the small cemetary is cordoned off by a low fence. Within this space is the resting place of LDS missionaries and family members from the late 1800's to the early 1900's. Of the eight graves there, four mark the graves of children, all under the age of two; one is a 21 year old wife and mother. The organization of the 27th stake in Samoa just this year is a result of the sacrifice of these pioneers and those faithful souls who followed in their footsteps, including their Samoan converts, who endured sacrifice and persecution to rival that of our own pioneer ancestors. In the May 1975 Ensign is a talk given by Elder Loren C. Dunn titled, Faithful Laborers, which details the stories of these very souls buried here.

A newly published book titled, A Bright Samoan Sunrise, contains the stories of 26 early Samoan converts, compiled by R. Wayne Shute and Tuifao Tufuga. The stories come from journals and from the pen and memory of living descendants. The story of Sale Manu (1898-1956), is related by his daughter, Nesa. The family was baptized in 1934. Manu was called as a branch president in Savaii during WWII when American missionaries were called home and the local leaders were encouraged to preach the gospel and strengthen the members. The village of Satupa'itea on the island of Savaii, where Manu was assigned to serve was a Methodist village. The pastor of the village threatened Manu with harm if he continued to visit members of his flock. Manu only taught villagers who invited him in and wanted to learn about this new church. Explaining this to the pastor did no good. Time passed and tensions grew. News came through a family member that they had better leave "that night"or their lives were in danger.

Early the next morning, at Manu's direction, the family all dressed in their white Sunday clothes, Manu in his suit. A band of about 200 men approached the house. Leading them "were about 10 high chiefs". The men were carrying wood, axes and knives and rocks. They built a huge bonfire in front of the house. Kneeling before the high chiefs and using the high Samoan language, Manu addressed the chiefs, "I am willing to die today with my wife and my children if this is the will of my Father in heaven. If it be his will, we will die today because of our testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints--you go ahead and do what you came here to do. I am willing to die." In response, the highest chief replied, "Manu, we are afraid. You are a true servant of God. This umu (fire) was for (the owners of the house where they were living)". The chief said that the property owners had left in fear of their lives. He then told all the men, including the chiefs to go home. All but one obeyed; the one came back and set fire to the fale, and two other buildings as well. A police officer had been dispatched with news of the escalating threats. When all of this came to the attention of the Commisioner of Samoa, armed troops were sent to round up the offenders.

When asked by Police Inspector, Fitisemanu, what kind of punishment Manu would think appropriate, he said, "I forgive these men of the things they have done--all we want is to be left alone so that we can worship as we see fit." The crimes were serious enough that the judge felt they must go to prison. "Punishment was meted out to all the high chiefs with lesser punishment for the young men of the village."

The words of those faithful laborers sunk deep into warm and loving Samoan hearts. Today their descendants are participating in the hastening of the work of the Lord, faithfully serving in their wards and stakes and in other areas of the world as full-time missionaries. We know some of these people. We learn from their example what it means to be truly converted. We will miss them, but hope never to forget them.

Manuia soifua. Until next time, thanks for sharing this experience with us.

Sister Crowley