February - Candi's 44th Birthday

Memorization of the month: Maori blessing on the food

E to matou Matua i te Rangi - Our Father in heaven
Anga matou ki a koe mo te kai nei - We turn to you to express thanks for the food
Whakapainga enei kai - Bless this food
Hei oranga mo o matou tinana - that it will be well for our bodies
Ka inoi matou i runga i te ingoa o -We pray in the name of
Ihu Karaiti - Jesus Christ
Amine - Amen

2/3/19

Hello missionaries,
We had fish n chips, cheese balls, meat pies from Sagato, and salad for another Jaxon b-day  dinner.  Mom got sodas for us to try.  There was Creamy Ginger, Irish Cream, Blackberry Jam, and Huckleberry Hibiscus.  There was 2 more but I forgot their names.  We watched Samson for our family movie.  For Jaxon’s b-day, Uncle Scott’s family came over and we had pizza and seafood curry for dinner.  Then, we sang happy birthday and had cake.  Next, Jaxon opened his presents.  I got him a blue bow tie from free stuff in New Zealand.  It had a rip when I looked at it in New Zealand so I told mom to fix it when we got home.  Now it’s good as new!  Mom read the story of Jaxon’s birth after Jaxon opened his gifts.  Erana and I had piano lessons on Tuesday.  For Young Womens, we did the iron chef.  The ingredients we were given were pork, pineapple, carrots, sour cream, and bisquick.  Bisquick was the secret ingredient that you had to put in every dish.  There were 3 dishes: entree, appetizer, and dessert.  We made pulled pork for the entree with bisquick buns, pulled pork, carrots, and BBQ sauce.  For the appetizer we made a dip for carrots made of sour cream, bisquick, and some spices.  We made mini doughnuts made with bisquick with a pineapple sour cream sauce on top for dessert.  The doughnuts were the best.  On Thursday, Erana and I played at the Ballard’s house.  Yesterday, Kage and Dray played over and we played at the park.  Then, Erana and I played at Kage’s house.  We are going to Kage’s house today for Superbowl Sunday.  I hope you have a great week, stay safe!  I LOVE YOU GUYS!
Love, Leila XOXO

Grace is getting baptized this Friday 2/8/19! She was the elders investigator but they handed her to us to teach.

  

From Mina:
Tell Jaxon happy birthday! And the heck!?!? Poor Kia! Haha at least you all were safe. Can you send a whanau picture with Tyrell in it? Just photos of you all please. It's okay if it's oldish. Send more pictures please Haha. My companion wants to see the whole family. Love you, and yes I met Zina Garisau!
Sister Wihongi

2/10/19

Hi son and daughter,
Jaxon got his braces removed, his teeth are nice and straight. We ate dinner yesterday at Uncle Jared’s. He invited us and Uncle Scott’s family over. Last week the Patriots won the Superbowl again vs the Rams this time. It was a boring game. Tom Brady’s 9th time in the Super bowl and 6th time winning it. We had a huge snow storm Wednesday. Jaxon had no school that day.

Sounds like you’ll have a challenging last few weeks son being District Leader. But I’m sure it’s not too bad and I know you’re up to it. I was District Leader on my mission for a little while as well. I remember having to lead meetings and give a message during those. One of those messages I gave was, “You know you’re doing your best when you’re trying to do better.” I think at the time some missionaries had questions of whether they were giving their best or how they know if they are. That’s what came to my mind to share with them. This is why I’m so grateful for the atonement for I still fall short with my best efforts, everyone does, but when we put our faith and trust in the Lord and He sees we are trying to do better, be better, His grace makes up the difference for our shortcomings. I’m so proud of both of you for sharing that message to the world.
We love you!! Mum and Dad.

Hello eggs,
There was a huge snowstorm on Wednesday so they canceled school. I hung out with my friends on that day and on Friday. On Saturday we went to Uncle Jareds to eat dinner. After that, me, Talia, and Kage went to go see Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse. It was a really great movie, I loved it because it reminded me so much of me lol because I’m Miles Morales. Anyways, hope you two are having fun on your missions.
Love, Jaxon XOXO

Hello missionaries,
I got set apart as a secretary for the Mia Maids.  We went to Uncle Scott’s for Superbowl Sunday/dinner.  For FHE, we learnt how to bless the food in maori and now we have to memorize it in 1 month.  I asked Jenna if she would like to come to church and she said maybe.  I asked for a personal progress goal and also because she was going through hard time and I thought going to church would cheer her up.  They canceled Young Womens because it was a snow day.  We made an igloo from the snow on the deck.  Erana and I had Tausala on Thursday.  We are learning a new dance.  It’s a fast dance involving a lot of fa’arapu.  On Friday, Mom, Erana, and I went to a lot of stores.  I got skates from the Thrift store, a dress from the DI for Serina’s wedding, and strawberry Kit Kats from the Ocean Market.  We got food from the Ocean Market and ate at home.  Yesterday, we went to Uncle Jared’s house for dinner.  Alessandra and Ariki have grown up so fast!  Alessandra knows how to speak Spanish now.  I went to the temple afterwards with Camille and Heather Cloward, Sister Thackeray and Eliza Thackeray, Anna Ballard, Alivia Ledward, Sister Ishino, and Ethan Leonard.  We went to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple just so you know.  We had an arm wrestling contest and I won against the winners which were Eliza and Alivia.  I hope you have a great week, stays safe!  I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!
Love, Leila XOXO

Hi Tyrell and Mina,
I don’t know what I’m going to say cause Leila took everything I was going say except her young women.
Love Erana xoxoXoXoxOxO

From Mina:
Forward tyrells email to me. For some reason he forgets to send them to me or something Haha anyways, I'm typing my group email right now. And also, can you send me a recording of E Papa Whangaia? Or the stick song? I can't look it up on YouTube or Google and I'm wanting more kapahaka.
Love you!
Sister Wihongi

When I watched Spiderman: Into the Spider Verse, it reminded me of you too Jaxon. Except Miles was cooler. Nah, jokes. No school because of snow?! Lucky! And I want to see your smile now!
Leila, you are already doing missionary work and I'm so proud of you! Now that I'm on a mission,  I wish that I have reached out to my less active/nonmember friends more at home! So keep it up, I'm proud of you. That's a good lesson to teach Dad, something that I need to remember.
Love yous! Xoxo
Sister Wihongi

2/17/19

Hi,

Didn’t do much this past week, it was cold and snowy. We have a car rental to drive in during our car gets fixed. Went to the movies with the kids to see Spiderverse, it was a good movie. It’s my birthday this Tuesday I will be 44yrs young!!! Dad and I will go out to eat at the Cheesecake factory tomorrow, and maybe see a movie. Do you know the new rules about you can call us every week, but only call us when you want to. Every week is a bit too much! Lol And we want to write to you because it’s our weekly journal. Plus Tyrell will see you soon! Tyrell your haka at the airport depends on how many men/boys show up at the airport since it’s gonna be during the week and people have work and school. Dad and Jaxon says their not doing solo’s!! So you may not get a haka, if not will throw one in on your homecoming day!!!
Lol Anyway we love you, be safe Mum and Dad xxx

Wassup eggs,

We went to go see Spiderman: Into the Spider-verse on Friday. We all liked it, Mom said she wasn’t bored watching it. Later that day I went to my friend Jess’s house. It was his birthday on Valentines day so he was throwing a party on Friday. I had so much fun, we played hide and seek outside when it was snowing and me and Ceedrek got lost while Jess and others kept on running away. Ceedrek and I just walked back to the house and waited for them to come back lol. Then we’re gonna have dinner at Uncle Jared’s house today. Hope y’all have a nice and fantastic week. 

Love, Jaxon XOXO

Hello missionaries,

Mom and I went to the Trek meeting at the Stake Center on Sunday to sign our permits and see what we have to where for the Trek.  Erana and I played at Jenna’s house on Monday. We helped her organize her stuff because she moved into the basement and now her older brother is in her room she was in before and her 2 other younger brothers are going in the older brother’s room.  We had corn, green beans, and chicken for dinner at their house.  I asked Jenna if she wanted to come to church again, but she said no thanks and I said ok because I understand that it’s her choice if she wants to go or not and that I can’t force her to go.  I taught the lesson for FHE.  My lesson was on service.  For Young Womens, we had a P party. We wore pj’s or something pink or purple.  We had peanut butter treats, peanut butter pretzels, pumpkin choc chip cookies, and baby pumpkin muffins.  We learnt about personal progress and the 5 p’s.  The 5 p’s are perfect planning prevents poor performance.  I’m not sure if the first p was perfect or not because I forgot what first p was.  Happy Valentine’s Day!<3  Erana and I had Tausala.  Erana made me a Valentine card and dad gave me feijoa candy.  In Tausala, they gave us crowns and little treat bags.  I felt so much love in Tausala today, well I always do that’s why I love Tausala.  Mom got Erana and I milkshakes after Tausala at Arctic Circle and fries.  We went to see Spider-Man: Into The Spiderverse on Friday.  Erana and I played at Kage and Dray’s house yesterday. Then, Kage and Dray played over after. I hope you have a great week, stay safe! I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!

Love, Leila XOXO

Hi Mina and Tyrell,

Mom, Dad, Jaxon, Leila and I went to the movie theater to see new Spiderman movie called Spider Verse it was funny but one part was sad.  Serina is getting married soon the theme color is Peach.  Leila and Jaxon are looking for Pioneer clothes with Mom they were looking for the Pioneer clothes in dis.  

Love Erana xoxoXoXoxOxO

From Mina:
I haven't heard from them but I probably won't be able to see them. Are they here in Taupo? And when is Tyrell coming home?! Happy Early birthday mum! 44 years young!!  And I can call next week via messenger. I'll call at 2pm my time, which is 6pm your time. Just phone call, and I'll video call on holidays. I'll probably just phone call yous once a month.if that makes sense? Haha

On Mon, 18 Feb 2019, 9:21 AM Candice Wihongi, <candicewihongi@gmail.com> wrote:
This is not your letter just letting you know that grandma Poh Choo is there in NZ with Aunty Trish and they wanted to visit you today! I gave Aunty Trisha your email to contact you so you might already have heard from them. And hey you can video call/chat us today if you want will be at home then at Uncle Jared's for Ariki's bday. Fb msgr is the best if you have that if not that's fine. Well lmk love ya Mumxxx

From Tyrell:
I'm not going to call you guys I'm probably just going to wait till i get home. And it's okay if I don't get a haka at the airport, I think it would be cool at my homecoming though.

2/24/19

Hello missionaries,
After church last week, we went to Uncle Jared’s for Ariki’s birthday.  His english is better and I can understand him.  Kage and Dray slept over afterwards. Erana and I played at Kage and Dray’s house on Monday.  We went to McDonald’s for mom’s birthday.  I got mom a product that makes your skin look young.  We had chocolate cake.  It was combined for mutual on Wednesday.  We learned about Chinese New Year and made/ate pot stickers.  We played volleyball after.  Erana and I only went to the first hour of Tausala.  Then we went to Kapa Haka because we have a show coming up.  I went to the Thackeray’s grandma’s house for Young Womens on Friday.  We had a LOT of fun. The Thackeray’s grandma’s house is so huge like a mini mansion. We had dinner first and had pizza, salad, crazy bread, and grapes. We then planned a lot of Young Women stuff and had popcorn and candy in between. Then, we played around and got permission to look around the house. Lafiana would always try and scare us and would tell us to go first when we would look in the rooms and then she would turn the lights off.  Yesterday, we went to Serina’s Bridal Shower.  I played with Jonah and Dray.  We played hide & seek and sardines.  Then we started telling silly stories.  Around where Jonah lives there are a lot of deer and we saw around 14 deer when driving home.  I hope you have a great week, stay safe! I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!
Love, Leila XOXO

Hi Tyrell and Mina,
We went to Myays house for Serina’s bridal shower.  We went to the stake conference today I was sitting with a friend then family though.  Mina how do clean the fishes tank?
Love Erana xoxoXoXoxOxO

Hi Son and Daughter,
We had Stake Conference today. It was pretty good. Elder Christensen of the Seventy was the visiting General Authority. Monday Mum and I went and ate out for her birthday at the Cheesecake Factory at Fashion Place mall. I had that day off for Presidents Day Holiday. We looked at a few stores after so I could buy her some new clothes for a gift. Tuesday on her actual bday we took the kids out to McDonalds then came home baked a cake and Mum opened her gifts. Mele Fifita gave her a banana pie from Village inn for her birthday. Now Mum and I are trying to lose a few pounds we gained the last few months. We went looking for a car on Friday. We test drove a Mazda 3 Touring. A nice car but we didn’t feel quite right about it so we are still on the lookout. Jaxon took his second and last driving test at the school but failed again. Now we’ll have to take him to the DMV for his test. He did worse than his first test. The tester he had is a really strict nit-picky one. Oh well. Mum and the girls went to Serina’s Bridal shower Saturday. Well keep up the great work, I know the hand of the Lord is watching over you both and blessing us as well for your service. God lives, Jesus is the Christ and the church is true. What a wonderful opportunity you have to share that with the people in your missions.
Love Dad and Mum

Hello eggs,
Didn’t have school on Monday because of President’s day. Also didn’t have school on Wednesday because the juniors were taking their ACT test so that was great. My friends were stuck out in the cold so I acted like Jesus and took them into our house. I told Dad I had friends that were stuck in the cold and he didn’t act like Jesus, he was a little angry or upset or frustrated because I could tell by the look on his face when I told him that I was gonna take them in. (Jaxon is all plaque, I wasn’t angry or upset) They hung out at our house for a while and then Mum dropped them off. Hope you two can have an awesome, spiritual week!
Love, Jaxon XOXO

January 2019! Jaxon's 16th Birthday

Scripture of the Month (Same): Galatians 5:22-23

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

1/1/19

Hi Tyrell,
We are at Auntie Lians. It is new year's day.  We had a lunch with all the cousins on mum's side.  We drop Mina off in a couple days.  We are doing fine and hope you are too. Sorry we didn't get everyone to write. Endure to the end, the Lord can still use you to do a lot of good.
Love Dad and Mum xxx

1/8/19

Hi son, oh and daughter, almost forgot. I'll include Mina in this too even though she won't read this until Friday.

We are still in NZ and currently in Rotorua staying in a hotel. We are doing fun stuff here. We spent time in Hamilton visiting friends and relatives. It has been really awesome. We went to church in Temple View. I bore my testimony. After we ate food at a friend's home then ate some more at the Hamilton lake with a bunch of old mates from back in the day. We're eating fish and chips and pies all the time. We dropped Mina off at the MTC on Thursday. She is now a sister trainer leader. She emailed us after getting there. We hope to go home Thursday but the flights are looking full. So we aren't sure when our flight home will be. We're going to do more fun stuff today in Rotorua and your cousin Leo auntie Trisha's boy will hang with us. We'll get back into having the kids write when we are back home.
Hope all is well, love you. Dad and mum xxx

1/11/19

From Mina:
Can you send me a copy of my farewell talk please? And I’m praying for you! Hopefully you can make it on the flights! And also, have you made a blog yet? I don’t have any of the uncles and aunties emails and I want to let them know about my experience! Love you!
- Sister Wihongi

The sisters have a room to themselves with their companions. The elders have 4 to a room. And Elder Pututau is in my Zone! In the Zone photo, he is exactly three elders above me. Or the first one on the second row. He is hilarious! And I told him about connections in Utah. He’s from West valley. We have So many Tongans, Samoan, and Tahitians . We also have Philippinos, Canadians, a few from Kiribati and Vanuatu, and one from Japan. Haha and most of the Tongans are from NZ.

On Jan 4, 2019, at 7:30 AM, Candice Wihongi <candicewihongi@gmail.com> wrote:

What are your bedrooms like how many sleep in them? Elder Pututau is related to the Schwenke's. Did you give a talk on Sunday and how many missionaries are in the MTC? I forwarded your first email to Julie. Love you Mum

On Thu, Jan 3, 2019, 09:50 Wiramina Wihongi <wiramina.wihongi@myldsmail.net wrote:
I made it safely!... of course. haha, They have us email our parents to let them know we're safe. My P-day will be on Fridays. But not tomorrow because I just arrived here so it'll be next week. The first thing I did when I walked in was to have an interview with the President and he felt the impression to give me a calling - Sister Trainer Leader! Basically, i'm a leader over all the sisters in the MTC and i just report to the President how the sisters are doing and I have to attend more meetings. And I have to give talks during sacrament... Haha. Thank you for all that you've done! I love you! I'll email you next week!

1/13/19

Hi Ya’ll,
I was sick yesterday, really bad allergies and my monthly so I didn’t go to church today. We got in on friday, we were praying so bad to get on a flight, Mina was praying for us too. We were going to go to Honolulu but Dad said we better try LAX first, that flight did not look good but we tried anyway and we all got on - Yay! We also made our next flight from Lax to slc and are so grateful our prayers were answered. Now back to reality…. Which is cold weather and work and school for kids! Lol Well Minas last email was awesome I cry everytime I read it. I know grandma and grandpa and our ancestors are watching over you both. Do the best work hard you only have a short time give it your all!!
Love you Mum and Dad xxx

Hello Tyrell & Mina,
We got home from my vacation in New Zealand on Friday. We went to a Museum in Auckland and I learned that butterflies have teeny scales for wings and they have taste receptors on their feet. And, we went to Rainbow Springs in Rotorua and I learned that the kiwi’s nostrils are at the end of the beak and they have very good hearing. We also went to Whakarewarewa and I learned that the people cook their meals in the hot pools. I hope you have a great week, stay safe! I LOVE YOU!!!
Love, Leila XOXO

Wassuh Tyrell & Mina,
We came back to this yucky, cold, disgusting Utah:( I miss New Zealand already. Now I have to catch up in all my school work and that’s gonna be really stressful lol. New Zealand was amazing! We went to a museum and we went to Rainbow Springs in Rotorua which was fun. Jennie the Kea aka the bird that bit Mina is getting old so they keep her in the back so we didn’t see her. But we saw the Kiwi birds, and I videoed them even though your not supposed to lol. We also went to The Luge in Rotorua. It has rides but we just stayed on this track ride like in Snowbird. We went to the Agradome that has the sheep show. There was a funny kiwi guy hosting the show. We had fish and chips almost everyday lol. I gained 14 pounds lol and i’m still not fat. Oh! I almost forgot! We dropped off Mina at the MTC yayyyyy lol jk ); Well I hope you have fun this week and be safe.
Love, Jaxon XOXO

Hi Tyrelly Smelly & Mina,
I was on vacation for 2 weeks in New Zealand. I liked going to Rotorua which is a town in New Zealand in the North Island. We went to Rainbow Springs which is a Aviary for birds, lizards and trouts. I saw lots of ‘kiwi’s’ they are native birds from New Zealand. They are endangered birds, they are nocturnal which means they sleep in the day time and are awake at night. They are also flightless birds, they run around on the ground and eat worms, insects and berries. I also a Tuatara which is a giant lizard and was around when there were dinosaurs!
Love Erana xoxxo

1/17/19

From Mina:
Can you send me lyrics to He Honore and other church maori songs please. I can’t log in to google drive or my other email and I want to remember these songs! Thank you for sending the farewell talk. I’m glad you made it home safely! Love you!
-Sister Wihongi

Oh and can you send photos of the family when you dropped me off at the MTC? I want to show my companion.

1/20/19

Hi,

I went to my friends birthday after that I went to Kage and Dray’s house then we went back home. Leila and I watched this movie called Dolphin Tails we didn’t finish it cause it was too late. Love Erana xoxoXoXoxOxO

Hello,

On Tuesday, Erana and I played at Jenna’s house and we ate spaghetti there. For Young Womens on Wednesday, we played a game called Bunco that is a game you play only with dice, a paper, and a pencil. Erana and I had piano practice and Tausala on Thursday. Friday, Erana and I played with Kage and Dray at their house for the whole day because they didn’t have school. Yesterday, Kage and Dray played over. Today, we went to the Wolferstan family’s house for dinner. I hope you have a great week, stay safe! I LOVE YOU GUYS!!! By the way Mina, I didn’t cry when we dropped you off, but when we got home, I cried in my bed for maybe 3 nights when going to bed. Home is just so boring without you. I’m used to going to you when I’m bored and giving you hugs. I wish you didn’t have to go. And Tyrell, what would you like to do with me when you get back? I’m curious, and I also want to spend more time with you.

Love, Leila XOXO

Hi our awesome missionaries,

We had a week of getting back to normal stuff and it was hard after having a couple weeks off in the sun in NZ. We ate dinner after church with the Wolferstans. And had a nice visit. Not really a whole lot to write about for this week. We hope all is well. Keep working hard, loving the people and following the spirit

Love Dad & Mum xxx

1/27/19

Kia Ora, 

Been working and cleaning...same stuff. Jaxon had a driving test, he said he didn’t do very well. It’s been Jaxon’s birthday celebrations this weekend, went to Golden China last night for a yummy dinner. And now for sunday dinner Dad made fish n chips, got some pies from Sagato bakery. I made a seafood curry and salad and we also had a shrimp platter and brazilian cheese balls - a lot of food!!! Stuffed. Jaxon’s asking for Pizza tomorrow when it’s his actual bday, will invite Uncle Scott’s family probably. And that’s our weekend. Oh yeah our van couldn’t work when we got back from vacation had to have it towed. The engine had seized and it would cost about $3500 to fix so this weekend we donated it, just like the escort. Will probably get another small car just before Tyrell gets home. Serina’s wedding is March 8th. 

Hope your well and doing awesome we pray for you and tyrell everyday and love you very much. Love Mum and Dad xxx and Jaxon and Erana

Hello missionary siblings,

On Tuesday, I played at Jenna’s house and we had chicken and rice and corn for dinner. For Young Womens on Wednesday, we had our New Beginnings and the new beehives were being introduced. The new beehives are Anna Ballard, Heather Cloward, and Lafiana Fifita. Eliza Thackeray introduced Lafiana and she kept on calling her Leila by accident XD. Before Young Womens, Erana and I played in the snow for 3 hours! Erana and I had Tausala practice on Thursday, and I finally got my chahoo right! Friday, mom left the oven on broil with the pan and it’s lid inside so the pan lid shattered to pieces and the house filled with smoke. I went on my hangouts to tell mom what happened and she sent me a message before me sending that that I didn’t see saying Leila check if I turned the oven off hello Hellooo. So, that happened. We went to say our last goodbyes to the van and clean it out. So many memories in that van. Yesterday, Erana and I played at Kage and Drays house. Then, dad, mom, Jaxon, Erana, and I went to Golden China for Jaxon’s b-day dinner. Today, we had to write our letter before church so I will tell you about today next week. I hope you have a great week, stay safe! I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!

Love, Leila XOXO

1/28/19

From Mina:
It's 5A Matipo St. Taupo. If you send stuff, send it to my mission office instead. Also, share the maori songs drive folder with me please!! thank you. Also, someone wanted me to tell you "Send love from the Katina family in Temple View!" I don't know if it's spelled that way tho. Katena? and Brother Davies said he knew dad when he was just a kid. lol