December

 Saturday December 2nd, we had our ward Christmas Party at the chapel. I had signed up to make a Breakfast Casserole (note to self don't sign up for that next time lol) We had to go early cause I had to bring my casserole at a certain time. It was just us and not the newlyweds, Jaxon came a little later. All the food was yummy and the decorations were Christmas. Kage had come with James, but he sat with us, next to his favorite cuzzie Leila. We wrote Christmas cards to our Ward Missionaries. We were entertained by people in our ward. Sadly we found out there was no Santa. Bro. Morley couldn't be Santa cause he had surgery on his knee. Bro. Ashworth was suppose to fill in but last minute he got sick, so I heard. As I looked around the room I was thinking Bro. Masina, Bro. Foot, Bro. Jones, Bro. Latta could've been Santa. I mentioned Santa to Jan Jones and she went irate about it lol like she had been stressed about it and was done, cause she was in charge of our Christmas Party. Anyways went to put up the Christmas tree in the Primary room for the Primary kids to see during Primary. 

In the afternoon we took the girls downtown for a concert 'Christmas with Marie Osmond'. I had won tickets from work and I asked Jay if he wanted to go but he didn't so I let the girls go. But kinda silly that Jay and I ended up going with them to drop them off and then getting something to eat at the Food Court at City Creek Mall and then waiting there for the concert to finish..... like we could've just went to the concert? Anyways the girls enjoyed it especially Leila, Erana would've enjoyed it more had it not been for her sore tummy pains she was experiencing during it cause she held in her gas lol. She was a bit grumpy with Leila and Leila didn't know why, poor Erana. 

Thursday 7th, was my Dad's Birthday. And I was asked to give a talk about 'The Light of Christ' for our Relief Society dinner which I thought was today. I had prepared my talk and Jay made checked it and made changes to it, helped me with it to make it amazing. Anyways I got myself dolled up and dropped the girls off at their YW activity and went to the chapel. But no one was there? well then I remembered I'm a week early lol so I went home and told Jay. 

Thursday 14th, got off of work early to go to Brent Woods Dads Funeral. Jay picked me up, and we went to the funeral service. Sat next to Shaun, Scott played the Piano and he also gave the prayer at the gravesite. Grandkids gave talks about their Grandpa Eugene, he was Utah's first incubator baby, and that's how he lost his site, too much oxygen. I had bought flowers in behalf of Barney and Barbara's family, siblings chipped in. Tania had done the program and the date of his death was wrong lol Shaun made fun of it to the Funeral Director. 

That evening I got dolled up again and went to the chapel for the Relief Society dinner. Luckily Jay asked me what time was it at and I said 7pm, but I said but I better check that to make sure. Luckily I did cause it was at 6pm and Jay said lucky you checked or else you would've showed up a week early and an hour late! baahahahaaa he's so funny.  

The decorations in the gym were amazing, there were huge white canopy's set up with amazing decorations like a Winter Wonderland. I was at the table with Eliza Morgan, Linda Morgan, Sis.Emma Brown, Tiffany Brown, My neighbor Sherri and her daughter. We had yummy salads, rolls, mashed potatoes and pot roast meat. I chatted with Eliza, she had broken up with her boyfriend and I said to her there's always 'Jaxon', she cracked up laughing lol Sister Emma Brown sang a beautiful song. Kendra Garcia spoke first, and then me, JoDee Barham and then Shauna Morley. I brought my stool to sit on for my talk, I also used my phone to give my talk (first time ever, I should've taken my glasses off though) I hopefully gave my talk clearly and at a good pace. Anyways I loved my talk before I gave it, I knew it was special. I got compliments afterwards and text msgs too. Sharlene Coomb absolutely loved it, said it was like a General Conference talk lol. 

Friday 15th, dropped of Scott, Heather and Boys at night to the Airport. Their cruise to the Bahamas cancelled and was changed to a Canada Cruise, how dreadful lol. Anyway they will be gone till the 24th Christmas Eve late at night I'll pick them up. 

Sunday 17th, we had invited Seamus, Moleni Bros, Duane Gudgeon and Ollie Wolferstan for dinner at Scott's house (since were house sitting) Only Duane and Ollie's families came including Imogen, Jake and baby. But I was kinda sicky and my voice sounded horrible so I tried to keep a distance with everyone. Jaxon invited his friend Zander he came too, since he knows the Gudgeons. Shaun showed up to eat and mingle a little. We had a lot of yummy food. I was going to make a Brisket but Ollie said he'll smoke up some pork roasts so I let him. I made japchae and Lupulu, Tyrell and Alisa made yummy Asian otai, there was a lot of leftovers. I gave each family my 'tomatoe and zuchinni relish'. 

Tuesday 19th, my sister Lian and my nephew Leo flew in from Dallas, and NZ. I went and picked them up at the airport in the afternoon, after work. It was my last day of work before Christmas Break. I stopped and picked up baby from school and went and went through Apollo Burgers drive through to get Lian and Leo a burger for dinner.  When I brought them home they unpacked and gave me all my New Zealand goodies. They had Christmas gifts for everyone too. We got ready for our trip to Las Vegas tomorrow. 

Wednesday 20th, we set out on our way to Las Vegas about 10am. Jay, me, Leila, Erana, Lian and Leo. The girls sat in the back seat. We had very little boot space we only brought one pair of clothes because we only staying for 2 days. We stopped in Beaver for Rootbeer milk, but they didn't have any, sad. We got ice-cream and cheese curds. 

Went to China town when we got into Las Vegas and got us some Korean hot dogs and Boba drinks. Walked around a bit. Checked into our Hotel and went for a little stroll around Vegas at night. Got me a pink cardi with polar bears lol. Girls and Leo went on the roller coaster at NYNY. 

Thursday 21st, ate our Hotel's yummy breakfast, they had a nice selection of yummy breakfast foods, buffet style. You could get someone to make you eggs, omelette.  Went and walked around Vegas again went to see the huge flower display in Bellagio. Bellagio had a Christmas themed flower display with Christmas trees, nutcracker. Lian, Leo and girls went to see the Avengers Station in Treasure Island. Jay and I had seen it tons before so we just went and did a bit of shopping. Looked at Caesar Palace and then went to China Town again and got some Mochi doughnuts. We came home on Friday. 

Sunday 24th - We had a nice Christmas program. 

Monday 25th - Christmas Day! We opened gifts, had breakfast, and lounged around. Lian had bought Jay & I Maori Snuggies, mine was lilac and his was black, they are so Awesome. Scott, Heather and boys joined us for a nice steak dinner, they had gotten back from their cruise the night before. 

The rest of the week, we did some sight seeing downtown, malls, outlet stores and Ross. Till Lian and Leo left on Friday 29th. 

Saturday 30th - We had a family WIHONGI get together at Jody & Moni's home. We played our white elephant, ate pizza and took photos. We put one of Mum's last wigs in the White Elephant again. It was only Jody's, Scott's and our whanau. 

Sunday 31st - We had just Sacrament again - Yay! We had a New Year's party at our home for whoever wanted to come. It was just our family and Scotts family lol. We ate yummy finger foods, and played Scotts Trivia game and other games that Kage set up for us. He brought his friend to our party, I wonder what he thought of us when we'd put silly/potty answers on the game! 

The Light of Christ - Mum's talk for RS 12/14

When I was young, about 12yrs old, I was swimming at the river with my sisters, cuzzies and friends, like we usually do on a beautiful sunny day in NZ. That day we were swimming by one of the huge concrete pillars that holds up the bridge. We were standing on a fallen tree that was sticking half in and out of the water,  jumping off it into the current, swimming with the current down a bit, getting out on the side and doing it all over again. Out of the blue one of my mischievous cuzzies pushed me off of the tree and I fell into the water unprepared.  Immediately the current pulled me downwards right near the concrete pillar under the water, it was pitch black and the water got colder. I used all my strength to try and swim upwards back to the surface where I could see the light. I wanted so badly to get back up to that warm radiant light, where my sisters, cuzzies and friends were waiting….But the current was too strong, and the cold dark water enveloped me. I was scared. I was running out of breath and my fear turned into panic. At that point the only thing I could do was to pray -  

Sometimes life is like this experience I had. Sometimes in life we are in dark cold places, and sometimes it gets scary and it can happen out of the blue. Sometimes we make bad choices, we lose a loved one, you could be fighting an ongoing illness, going through unemployment or financial hardship, are alone and feel unloved. It is through Christ where we find the light to lead us out of those dark times.

During His mortal ministry, Jesus said, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

The Light of Christ is given to all who come into the world. It is the source of our conscience which tells us naturally what is good and evil. But it's more. It is His love, it is His grace, His mercy, it is His truth, it is His spirit.

A few weeks ago, Sister Belnap gave a wonderful talk in sacrament reminding us about the parable of the 10 virgins. I wanted to emphasize that again and talk a little about the oil and the light.

When we put oil in our lamps it is the same as receiving this light and it can grow within us. When we ask God for repentance, when we forgive others, when we pray and exercise faith in God, when we love and be kind, when we renew and keep covenants all these things give us more light, it can give us strength and we’re able to face any of the dark times.

Christ also said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

You can shine your light through your love. The Apostle John mentioned this in a recent Come Follow Me Lesson that, “He that loveth his brother abideth in the light”. 

Even though we may not be able to share the oil in our lamps, we can share the light. The oil in your lamp is your obedience to the commandments, sharing your light is your example of keeping those commandments.  The oil in your lamp is your faith, your testimony and sharing your light is bearing your testimony to others and sharing your faith. The oil in your lamp is the love you have in your heart and sharing your light is the love you are showing others through kindness and service and kind words. The oil in your lamp is having the spirit with you through your faithfulness and sharing that light is inviting others to have opportunities to feel that spirit, coming to church, ministering, teaching them. So although you can’t give away your oil they can see your light and they can choose to fill oil in their own lamps. 

There have been many people that have influenced me and shared their light of Christ with me, for instance I had a very kind Primary teacher who I loved, and if it wasn’t for her I probably would not have gone to church. In Seminary, I had the best teachers but one especially encouraged me just with her lessons to love my scriptures, I would carefully mark my scriptures and write little notes on the side of them. Because of her I had the desire to wake up at 5am and bike 6 miles to our chapel for that hour of Seminary before School starts. These wonderful sister’s shared their light with me and helped me want to be good and do good. You beautiful sister’s also share your light with me, by your examples, and service and lessons, and kind words and deeds to me and my family. You are my family and I love you and appreciate you all.

So back to that scary moment when I was sinking in the dark, cold waters of the river because I was tired and out of breath from fighting the current and all I could do was pray. After I pleaded for help from Heavenly Father,  I stopped struggling and swimming and let the current pull me down under the water and through a scary darkness, and I went under the pillar and popped up on the other side of it into the light where the water was calm. Never had the sun and the air feel so good. No one was there to see me cry and no one knew I nearly drowned, except my HF. 

I know because of my faith in God, that I could pray to him to get me out of that dark situation. He knew the best escape was to go under and through the darkness, the opposite of my natural instincts, but I came out on top, into the light on the other side. Sometimes the Lord allows you to go through those dark times but when you put your trust in Him, even when you think you’re at a point when all hope is lost, you’ll find calm waters and salvation on the other side - you’ll find His Light!  You’ll find that He was with you all the way. And you’ll find that your light will have gotten brighter because of that experience.

In D&C 50:24, it says, “That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.”

Testimony

November

 Thursday November 16th, went to Erana's POP - 'People of the Pacific' performance at Bennion Jr. High. I had made 2 loaves of Maori bread yesterday for it. The performance was held in the Lunch area. Only the POP group had free food, lots of it and yummy - shrimp, rice, noodles, otai, desserts and my bread. I went and helped the boys with their haka - Ka Mate. I told them to lose the grass hawaiian skirts lol. POP were good kinda long lol Poly's always are. Erana was awesome, she was a pro and stood out. The boys did a better job in practice than the actual performance, they need to be louder. Out of the Chinese, POP, Mexican, modern dance etc my favorite was the American Indian girl with her hoop dance, just blew me away - I went and told her she was amazing!!! 

Wednesday November 22nd, began our Thanksgiving break, only 4 days off of school, girls have 3 days off. 

Thursday November 23rd woke up and watched a little of the Thanksgiving Parade on TV in the basement with the girls. I had to go prepare all my yummy food I was taking to Scott's.  I gave the turkey to Heather to cook, I made ham and funeral potatoes, shrimp ring, stuffing, cranberry sauce and cherry pie. Thanksgiving was just us and our kids, Scott's family, Moana and James Moleni. We had lots of yummy food, food I only eat once a year lol. James and Moana didn't stay very long. We went in the hot tub it was nice. 

Monday November 27th, the girls and I went to Julius Skipps Funeral. It was sad to hear of his passing, I was sad for Kehau and Aria and the rest of his kids. Julius had been sick for a very long time, hanging in there and doing his dialysis so he can be with his family. I had texted with him not so long ago about his Piupiu's he wanted to sell, and that was the last time I had heard from him. Now he's gone and pain free and in a good place. The funeral was long cause we went to the viewing, that was in the gym, heard from different people that talked about how they knew Julius and funny stories. They served food, the girls got some. When the viewing ended the girls and I went and paid our respects to Julius and his family, Kehau is always so welcoming and kind, Leila and Aria hugged for a while. Then we moved into the sacrament room area for the service. Julius's kids spoke and then Kehau, they gave beautiful talks. I was so impressed with Kehau she was able to talk about Julius and keep her composure. We didn't go to the burial site. 

Thursday November 30th at 6pm. We went to Kayla and Dodge's wedding in Draper at The Studio. They had beautiful decorations, and cute lil'japanese girls dressed in traditional Japanese clothes they took instant photos of us and stuck them in a book and then we write in that book next to our photo. We went and congratulated the Bride and Groom. We sat with Tyrell, Alisa, Mina and Tane. They had yummy asian food. Sushi, fried pot stickers, tempura veges etc. They had a drink stand, that you can get specialty sodas or make up them yourself. They had home made yummy lime sugar cookies and little ice-cream tubs (Selena's husbands parents made) peppermint, grapefruit sorbet. Leila again didn't catch the bridal bouquet because it hit the chandelier and fell on the ground and the only one that wasn't embarrassed to pick it off the ground was Leila lol We had a fun dance at together and sent of the bride and groom with sparklers.

October - Leila's 18th Birthday

Had a relaxing nice weekend for General Conference. I made a breakfast casserole, and had a cinnamon dessert thing from Papa Murphys cause I was too late buying the cinnamon wheels. Good talks were given, President Nelson - Think Celestial! 

 I've started helping Erana with her POP class, 'People of Polynesia'. I'm teaching the boys the Haka, Ka Mate, All Blacks version. There's not much boys and they try, they are shy and don't give it their all. 

Jay and I went and had our health check up for the first time in a long time before Covid 2020. We both had good numbers though.  

I've been selling piupius for Julius Skipps, he had about 9 piupius and patu's. But I only was able to sell the Piupius, Sheena too the rest of them. They weren't in good condition, only a few were. They were good for framing. 

Took the girls to practice a maori song for Ariana Moleni's wedding, it was at Elsie's home. The song is cool it's called 'Toku Reo Toku Ohooho'.

Saturday Oct 14th, we went to Ariana Moleni's wedding in West Jordan at their stake chapel. Everything was beautiful, reminded me of Mina's wedding. They had yummy tongan island food. Their song was beautiful. Jay and I had to leave to go to our ward Chili Cook Off. Girls stayed with Mina at the wedding, later Mina messaged that Leila caught the brides bouquet. Dustin Marcrums chili won, I didn't get to taste alot of it, cause there was hardly any left when we got there, but it had curry in it, which is a good sign. I liked Jesse Justets chili again, it's yummy and spicey. Some of the Ferguson family and Bro. Val Hacker intertained us with their band, and sang some cool songs. 

Sunday Oct 15th, Jaxon dropped Jay and I off at the airport early in the morning. We were off to Florida, without my babies, sad I know. We got to sit together, Jay window me middle and a very large man on the end of me lol. Flight was good, we landed at a new Airport Terminal which was new and for Jetblue and international flights only. We got something to eat at Shake Shack, I thought I was buying a mushroom hamburger but noooo it was a vegan burger called a Shroomburger. Oh well it was still yummy. Took a 'lyft' to our hotel. We stayed at the Hilton Grand, same hotel as last time, but this time we were on the opposite side closer to the Hotel. Our room faced Sea World and the road but there were trees in the way. We had a balcony and we were on the 5th floor. We had a nice room with a kitchenette and hot tub. At check in Jay signed us up for there gimmick, and said to me why I not intervene and say no, huh! We ordered groceries for our long week stay and went for a walk around the Hotel pool. And got into the hot tub in our room and watched some KDramas. 

Monday Oct 16th. Today we caught the shuttle to Aquatica, it wasn't the hottest day and we probably should've changed the day to Bush Gardens but it was too late. We were early and the park wasn't open so we waited. When in, we got our secluded spot and I went and got our first meal of the day, Fish sandwich, mac cheese, chocolate cake and a drink. I bought the all you can eat deal with a discount from our hotel it came to about $45. I can get a meal every hour and a half lol. Second meal was a pulled pork hamburger, fries, fruit and drink. Third meal was BBQ ribs, fruit cup and drink. Fourth and last meal for the day was chicken strips, salad, David's cookie and drink. Since it was not as hot as we'd have liked it to be, we only went on a couple of slides and we went in the lazy river mostly. We sunned a lot, it was nice. We put a lot of sunblock on cause last time we were in Florida sunning, Jay got all these freckles on his body and face lol. We caught the shuttle bus back to the Hotel. And then we sat in the Hotel's hot tub and chatted with a couple of floridian ladys. 

Tuesday Oct. 17th. We walked over to Sea World and caught the bus to Bush Gardens. We were able to sit together on the bus, it was an hour and 20min drive. We didn't buy the 'quick que' cause the ticket guy said it wasn't busy today - Yay! Went on the Iron Gwazi ride 2x lol cause and then walked around by the Kangaroo's because we missed out on that side last time. The weather was perfect, they had out their halloween displays. Jay and I went on some rides and then finally had enough. I like going on the train. We got a cinnamon pretzel it was yummy, got sucked into buying a pineapple, coconut cheese cake it wasn't so good as I thought it was going to be, not for $8. We got a footlong bacon cheese hotdog - yummy and near the exit before we left we had a peach funnel cake, I had to wait for ages for it because the ice-cream machine wasn't working. Just as it was my turn it started working - Yay! The ice-cream shop I wanted to eat at wasn't open. I bought me a green sweat top that Jay didn't like he liked this hoodie, but I chose the green one. Went back to Sea World on the bus and walked to our hotel, it was night time and dark. 

Wednesday Oct 18th. We've been eating maple sausage, eggs in ramen, toaster scrambles, cereal, bananas for breaky. We walked over to Sea World and got on the newest ride 'Pipeline - the surf coaster' where your standing up, it was fun so we went on it 2x before the line gets long. Their Halloween stuff was out too, I like seeing the Halloween stuff. Jay and I made reservations to eat at the Shark Grill for 230pm. We watched the dolphin show, went on the Atlantis log ride and got Jays favorite Cinnamon nuggets. When we were going to be seated at the Shark Grill it was next to the bar where it was horrendously loud I asked if we could see away from it lol. We sat at the opposite end in a booth and we could see the sharks swimming around in front of us in this huge aquarium. I had the Filet Mignon $43 Jay had Pan Seared Scallops $37, both were yummy. We took our time savoring every moment, we enjoyed it. We left the park early and went for a walk around our Hotel Pool area, and then went to the pool.

Thursday Oct 19th. Woke up a little early and walked in the dark to Discovery Cove. We ate our usual breakfast, I got me my prescription googles, and a layout spot over by the Lazy River entrance under an umbrella. We absolutely LOVE Discovery Cove. We get to snorkle with the fish and stingray, we get free breaky and lunch and snacks. When I was snorkling I saw a gold thing at the bottom of the sand, and I was allowed to dive down and grab it. It was someone's butterfly to an earring, so the back of an earring. We fed the birds and went in the Lazy River, it was a beautiful sunny day. The goggles kept on leaving an impression on my forehead, huh my skin is loosing it's elasticity- old! We had dole whip ice-cream and some cheese looking pizza things that were delicious from the snack bar, that we didn't have last 2 times? When it was time to go home we caught the shuttle back to our Hotel. 

Friday Oct 20th. Went to Aquatica again for a do over because of the weather - do over! The weather was much nicer, went on more rides. Also got our All You Can Eat pass again lol. Near closing of Aquatica Jason got to go into the Lazy River without me end of the day while I went and got our 4th meal. But it was too late for me, I tried to go with him but he took ages going around cause he was watching the All Blacks play in the World Cup. 

Saturday Oct 20th, we were just going to stay at our Hotel and lay out at the pool for today and Sunday. We came late to the pool, there weren't any lay out chairs left. We just layed out on our towels on the concrete in the secluded areas around the pool. In the afternoon we got a little bored and decided to go over to Sea World. We walked over and while there it was extremely crowded. Why would you come on the weekend if it's going to be so crowded, Jay says it was the floridians with their annual passes. We just went and got our favorite 'Cinnamon Pretzel Nuggets' sat and ate them. We didn't stay very long because of how crowded it was. On the walk back to the Hotel we stopped at the 7'11 and bought drinks and anything else we needed for dinner. 

Sunday Oct 21st was pretty much the same thing except we didn't go to Sea World. We sunned by the pool again. We were able to get lay out chairs and take them to a secluded spot they have on the outside of the pool area. We packed our bags because we weren't able to get a late check out.

Monday Oct 22nd, after breakfast and we waited till 10am to leave our room. We walked over to the check in desk and sat outside near the pool for a while. We walked over to Sea World and put our suitcases in 2 lockers. Then we just casually spent the day, doing some rides, log ride, looking at the Manatees, watching the dolphin show. Checking out the Penquins, line took for ages and they had removed the chair ride, lame-o! We got a yummy 'dulce leches & vanilla' waffle cone ice-cream! Then we left and caught a Lyft to the new airport. At the airport we ate some Chic Filla and Cinnamon roll. Our flight was good, nothing weird happening. Jay was by the window again and me in the middle. Tyrell and Alisa picked us about late at night about 10pm and took us home.

Sunday 29th, Leila turned 18! Scott's family came over to enjoy some tres leches cake.

Halloween was at Scott's again. We had the traditional yummy soups, boil up, clam chowder, and chili. We walked the neighborhood with the kids a little.