We were so happy to welcome Brittany and Chris and their 3 boys Michael, Luke and Keaton as well as Jason and Molly to Fiji for a visit. This is the greatest thing ever to be able to show them what we have been doing for the past year. We were so excited that the boys were able to join their parents on the trip. They are the first grandkids to come here.
We started off in Nadi this time as they came in on a Monday instead of a Friday. We picked them up early (6:00 a.m), went back to the hotel to freshen up a bit and then headed to the boat dock to catch a boat over to Malolo Island. This is our second time there so we were pretty excited to show the family around.
Britt catching a few Zzzzz's on the boat. Must of been a hard and long plane ride.
We had a fabulous time on Malolo Island at the Malolo Resort. Because we had been there before with Heather, Jason, Stacy and Jesse, the staff remembered us and treated us like we were family.
A few things we did there were: jet ski, hand fishing where Sister Peterson caught the biggest fish and they cooked it for us and we had it for lunch, hiking, relaxing, singing with the band, playing guitar with the band, and just having a great time. Here are a few pictures of day 1, 2, 3 or their visit.
Michael showing off his great hair and Fijian flower. Real Fijians wear flowers in their hair.
Michael got to play with the band At Malolo Island resort. He was in Heaven.
Keaton admiring the fish that I caught
Day 4
Today we drove to Pacific Harbor after a fun time at the Malolo Resort. We stayed at the Uprising which is one of our favorite places. Papa handed out the sulu's to the boys and showed them how to put them on. The boys were so excited about their sulu's and their bula shirts. They looked so handsome.
Day 5
Today was a great day. Today is the day that Keaton was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He turned 8 in October, but waited to be baptized here in Fiji.
We got up and got dressed in our best sulus and Sunday best and headed to Magoon's Lagoon. Sister Magoon and her family are members and they live right on the beach in Navua. They are wonderful people and have become great friends.
We arrived and found the whole Magoon family dressed in their Sunday clothes to participate in Keaton's baptism. Keaton and his dad had prepared the program for the day. We went inside the Magoons home, had the short program and then out to the ocean we went. It was an amazing experience to see Keaton and Chris (his dad) all in their whites standing in the ocean. The weather was perfect and the tide was just right. The baptism was performed and we all went back inside where Keaton bore his Testimony of the Holy Ghost. He did such an amazing job with grace and confidence. The Spirit was so strong and there were tears shed.
After the baptism, the Magoon's had prepared a beautiful and very tasty lunch for us. We ate, played with the kids, swam, ran on the beach, net fished, boat rides, cleaned fish, had lunch and then went home tired but very happy and grateful for this great experience with these wonderful Fijian friends of ours who made Keaton's baptism day so incredibly special. This will be a day none of us will ever forget, especially Keaton.
Keaton bearing his testimony about the Holy Ghost.
Luke even got a bath from Sister Magoon.
DAY 5
Today we headed up to the Nakavika Village in the Namosi Highlands to visit Moses and his village. Michael, Luke and Keaton held a car wash and earned $2000 in Fijian to give to the school. It was decided by Moses that the best way to spend the money, was to buy the uniforms for the school children for next year. Elder Peterson and I ordered and picked ip the uniforms before the family came so we would be ready to deliver them.
Talk about an amazing experience. It is traditional when you bring something to donate to the villages, you must go through a Kava ceremony. This is a welcome and a thank you ceremony. Because we don't drink Kava, they still performed the ceremony and our drivers drank in our behalf.
The women of the village had made all of us Salusalus and presented them to us. After the welcome, Luke got up and expressed to the chief, how grateful they were to be able to come to the village. He told him what they did to raise the money for the uniforms. Michael also stood up and spoke to them. We were so impressed with these two grandsons of ours. We were Proud Grandparents for sure.
After the Kava Ceremony, we played with the school kids, sang songs, jumped ropes, played ball, gave out lollies, played some more and then said our goodbyes. The village kids and our family were touched with the friendships that were made that day. These memories will never be forgotten.
The boys carrying in the boxes of uniforms for the school kids
The little kids here are adorable. It's hard not to want to take them home
Keaton with the school uniform on. He is the white kid in the middle :)
This beautiful lady putting a salusalu on Michael
After a wonderful time at the village, we headed to the river with Moses for a white water rafting trip. We went cliff diving, swimming in the river and pretty much carried our 10 man raft down because of the low water levels. Oh well, sega na lega (don't worry, be happy as they say in Fiji).
The scenery was amazing and the company was the best. We had a great time. We ended with a delicious tunafish sandwich and a long-boat ride back to Navua. What a great day we had.
Day 6
Today we started at the Market in Suva. We took the bus (that is an experience all in itself) down to town. We bought fruit, vegetables and treats for dinner on Sunday. We always love to go to the market. The boys spent their time and money looking for sunglasses. They bought about 3 pair each. They loved the knock off name brands I guess. We ate Indian food, pineapple and had a great time. The Market is always a must.
Day 7
Today, we dressed up on our sulus again and went to church. It was Edwina Bogidua's farewell as she is going to Australia for her mission. She gave a great talk (it was all in Figian so we didn't understand it) but it was good to go support her. We love this girl very much. She is the one who started calling us Grrrandmother and Grrrandfather. She will be a great missionary. We had a great roast beef dinner which tasted so good after all the restaurant food and then went for a great walk along the sea wall. It was a very restful day and very needed.
Day 7
Today we went to one of our favorite places Takalana to see the spinning dolphins. It was a beautiful day and the sea was very calm. We had a nice breakfast, walked down to the boat, Britt caught a ride with one of the village boys and his horse, climbed into the not so new boat, headed out to the open seas, saw many many dolphins spinning and jumping, we snorkeled, swam and headed back to see more dolphins and then back for a wonderful lunch. Britt and Chris wanted to stay over night but decided it would be too tight of schedule since they were headed home the next day.
We handed out candy to the children playing along the road and this is alway so fun because they don't get much candy so they are your friends for life. We had a fabulous day at Takalana.
Today we had to say goodbye to the family. It is always so hard. We spent one more morning at the market buying last minute "stuffs" before we headed to the airport. Vinaka vakaleve matavuvale for the visit. We so enjoyed sharing our mission with you and watching you embrace this wonder culture and people that we love so much. These memories will stay in our hearts and minds forever.
Sister Peterson not wanting to leave until their plane took off. Moce mada until we see you again.
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