July 5, 2012

 This is the Magiagi Institute where we teach classes and help PEF students

 We asked this Samoan what this was and it is to keep dogs out of his yard!  There are at least 200 bottles around his house for the same reason!

 This is a store window of beautiful dresses.  This is what the women all wear to Church on Sundays.  The materials are truly beautiful

The picture above is a new blue Samoan roof--we think this color blue is the national color--they love it

These are 4 of the 12  Samoan Church History Murals and stories that we are taking around as part of our Open House presentation to the 24 stakes

Trip to Savaii June 2012

Walking across hanging bridge about 200 feet up in huge trees in the rain forest

Beautiful ocean inlet outside our motel window in Savaii

Blowholes in Savaii

Tapa demonstation, Lyle painting after demonstration.  Wall hanging is made from mulberry tree after removing bark from tree.  We have one to bring home.  It was amazing.

Samoan bedroom or living room--not sure which room it is in a fale.  Mats are on the floor for sleeping

Beautiful waterfall and fresh water pool.  There were at least 20 other waterfalls coming into the same pool

Reeds drying in front yard to make woven baskets

A swimming pool overlooking the ocean in Savaii

This is one of the first places that the sun comes up in the South Pacific.  This is the remains of a catholic church after a hurricane in 1990.

A beautiful sunrise looking out our window in Savaii

June 2012

 50th anniv. performers 1

 50th anniv. performers 2

50th anniv. performers 3

 Samoan lawn mowers

 Samoan Banyan tree

Early morning temple attenders.  We were going on our 6 a.m. walk

More performers

 50th Anniversary "Pork" (there's 10 of them laying there)

Below:  Samoan "fine" mat.  These were gifts given during the ceremonies.  They are all hand woven from dried leaves.  They take over a year to one.  They are unbelievable!

Coconut Beach Resort

Dad's still sweeping--This is our car port--washer and dryer are behind neighbor's hanging laundry

This is the outside baptismal font at our Church--Chapel in is background, classroom are on the sides

Going to Relief Society Samoan style...

Samoan beach front property

Typical Samoan Mom n Pop stores

 Samoan Tour Bus

Vaiomoso Primary

One of our favorite Institute teachers - Faafili Papalii

May 1, 2012

Samoan roof cleaners in bare feet or flip flops on a very hot tin roof

The Burtons and Gertschs at the Samoan Temple

Note the Primary kid's arm petting the dog out the window!

Your Dad's homemade "hoe" to plant the garden

Onion Grass growing in your Dad's garden--1 week's worth

Samoan family fale--returned missionary son in back with his Mom

Live crabs for sale in front of a store where we buy groceries

Samoan taxi and bus stop

Samoan bus stop

Samoan open market

Samoan Car Wash

Pres. McKay fale at Sauniatu where he visited in 1921
Our size milk carton compared to our iron...and it costs about $2.50
The women all wear beautiful white clothes to the other churches
Not sure whose these fales are, but they are really nice on this green grass
This is probably a grandparent's grave in the front yard

Samoan wild life
Sr. missionary trip to Sauniatu Pres. McKay Memorial marker
Dad's new lava lava
Univ. of Samoa rubgy field---beautiful fale in the background
Samoan tree trimmer
Samoan clothes dryer
Samoan laundry taps--which one is not--or right, neither of them...

Below--Samoan coconut delivery truck