Adventures in Paradise 28

Adventures in Paradise 28

Kia orana, everyone! Our excellent adventure continues with some thoughts on the joys of living well. I am in love with our little island and the people who live on it. We all shared a few perfect hours on Wednesday as we bid farewell to our visitors from Tahiti. Words fail me as I try to describe what could only be fully understood had you been here with us that evening. We felt a sense of contentment and belonging that comes from feeling comfortable in one’s surroundings.  So, for your enjoyment, sit back, relax and enjoy our pictorial of a night in paradise. Please crank up your imaginations by adding the sound of pounding surf and drums. Try to imagine the breeze through the palm trees, and a starlit navy blue sky. Listen for the quiet greetings and conversations between friends happy to see each other and the giggles of children changing into their dance costumes. Add to that, the sense, that all is well with your world. That is what Wednesday felt like to us. It was joyful.

Our Mission President, Matthew Smith, came to spend a few days with us. It was his last chance to visit Rarotonga before he is released and he wanted to say goodbye to everyone.  President Smith’s wife, Susan accompanied him, as did President and Sister Moody, who are in charge of the Tahiti temple. This party held on our property, was organized by people here who wanted to thank them for their service. So, please, enjoy our party and hopefully you will more fully understand why this piece of paradise means the world to us.

The tent is set up for our party.

The string band begins tuning. Notice the "back-up"singers!

The drummers arrive. 

You will never see these women when they are not smiling.

These girls are some of the young dancers who performed.

These children were hungry and waiting for the feast to begin.

Please note: The main course (roasted pig) was late for dinner!

The young woman on the left came in second in the teenage dancer of the year competition. Watching her dance this evening was magical.

We were told to dress in "Island Wear". Beautiful!

Our friends are enjoying each other's company.

The three amigos

Good friends. Alex, on the left taught me to slow down and take deep breaths.

The Lobbs always wear coordinating outfits to the parties.They are a matched set!

A joyful conversation.

My dear friend, Taina. She has a world-class collection of pearl jewelry!

The Smiths and Moodys opening some of their gifts. These are hand-painted pareus.

Sister Smith "cutting a rug" or in this case, grass!

President Moody doing his version of the warrior dance.

President and Sister Smith trying out their new dance moves.

President Smith bidding everyone a fond farewell.

Happy friends and musicians.

Two of the drummers

More dancing

Young warriors dancing to the beating drums

Peka George, a former national dance champion, showing that she still has all the right moves!

As always, we are happy and trying to work hard. We want you to have a sense of how much joy there is on this island and how happy we are to be part of it all. People here are teaching us to appreciate each moment and to slow down so that we don't miss anything. Might you understand why in the middle of this amazing evening, I had to wipe away a tear or two? Life is perfect here, just the way it is.

Love, Ward and Susan             Elder and Sister Belliston, serving in the Cook Islands

Adventures in Paradise 27

Adventures in Paradise 27

Kia orana, everyone! Our excellent adventure continues with a story of visitors and new friendships. It’s also a little lesson in acceptance, appreciation of a new culture and “going with the flow”.

My friends, Michelle and Julie chose to spend spring break with us on our rock. They are colleagues from school. I was excited to see them and very nervous. What if my old friends did not like my new friends? What if they would be put off by the cultural differences they were about to experience? What if my new friends served something the old friends wouldn’t or couldn’t eat. What if everyone didn’t get along? What if Julie and Michelle did not enjoy their vacation?   I was overcome with the “what ifs” of the visit. Yes, sometimes I do worry way too much. Does anyone relate? I hope so.

I should not have wasted so much time contemplating the “what if” question. Julie and Michelle had the vacation of a lifetime. Neither wanted to leave Rarotonga and my new friends here were equally sorry to see them go. The secret to the success of this holiday lies in the fact that my American friends were eager to participate in all aspects of the culture here. This attitude endeared them to the sweet people that they met; it opened doors and hearts and my friends were able to see for themselves just why Ward and I love it so much here.

Mama Numa handmade the eis (leis) that we presented the girls (ok, women) at the airport. The flowers were picked from her own trees and she lovingly fashioned them for our American friends.  The eis were truly beautiful and Julie and Michelle were very excited by the greeting.  When she met my friends Monday evening, Mama was touched by the compliments she received about her handiwork.  As the evening wore on, I noticed that Julie and Mama were sharing a lot of hugs and laughter. Julie has made a new lifelong friend because she appreciated mama’s artistry.

My American girlfriends, learned to kiss everyone on the cheek while leaning in for a hug. They learned to appreciate and enjoy the food that was offered. They complimented the cooks and asked how the different dishes were made. What cook can resist a compliment? Now they have new friends who would share their table with them again and again.  These wonderful women laughed at all of the jokes, showed total enthusiasm for any activity or adventure that came their way, and asked a lot a questions. They developed a love for the people and their island ways. They experienced, first-hand, the island timetable and went with it. They were especially touched by the beautiful children and the children's parents could see that this was true.

On Saturday afternoon, shortly before they had to leave for the airport, Julie and Michelle spent an exhausting hour or so in the water with several children who had come to swim while their father was having a lesson with us. Those children repeatedly dunked my friends and climbed upon their backs. They helped my friends find more seashells than could possibly fit in a suitcase. They had a ball. Finally, weary and sun burnt, my friends staggered up to the house, while the children continued to call for their return. More lifelong friendships were forged on that beach. Sunday afternoon, I received a sweet text message from the mother of some of those children, asking me to thank my American friends for being so wonderful to their little ones. She said that that beach party had been the best part of the week for those children and she wanted my friends to know that the children sent their love.

For our part, Ward and I were pleased to see the easy acceptance that occurred on both sides. Our friends were enjoying each other’s company and we felt like proud parents watching it all. My Bountiful High friends let the people here know that they appreciated them for whom and what they are. A thought struck me this morning that I would like to share with everyone. People often see what is not, instead of what is. My friends were not looking to find anything lacking here. They were simply enjoying what is. They put their whole hearts into having the time of their lives.   I will always be grateful to Julie and Michelle for the lessons that they taught me last week. Thank you, good friends!

As always, we are happy and trying to work hard. We and the people that we love here lack for nothing. They believe that they are blessed in abundance and would not want life to be any other way. Ward and I feel fortunate that now, we have two homes and lives that are not lacking in life’s bounties. We are twice as lucky, if that is possible. It should come as no surprise to anyone that we consider friends and family part of that richness. Oh, yes, before I forget, it started raining Sunday afternoon. Our friends on the hill are no longer out of water. I just thought that you might like to know.

Love, Ward and Susan              Elder and Sister Belliston, serving in the Cook Islands

Julie and her new best friend, Mama Numa.

Another cute kid and new friend at FHE

Michelle said that these were the sweetest bananas she had ever tasted!

Try to look like you are having fun, girls!

What a backdrop!

Mama Numa holding court.

Just another day in paradise with good friends.

Welcome home!

A bumpy ride on the jeep safari.

Julie and Michelle enjoying the fish BBQ after the jeep safari.

Doing a little shopping, island-style. 

Michelle and Julie meet the movie star.Sharon Connell was featured in "The Other Side of Heaven"

Adventures in Paradise 26

Adventures in Paradise 26

Kia orana, everyone! Out excellent adventure continues with some thoughts on abundance and the things that we take for granted. I have learned to appreciate the fine art of being patient and accepting things as they are. Gentle reader, could I suggest that you might imagine yourself in the island life style long enough to consider your personal reactions to a sampling of our everyday events. The phrase, “Don’t worry sista”, is not being repeated as often to me as it once was, as I learn to accept what is.

Three weeks ago, I had some baking to do. Someone had left a huge bunch of bananas on our doorstep and I had big plans to turn most of it into the banana bread for which I am now semi-famous. I am smiling when I tell you this! The kitchen would smell divine, I wouldn’t be wasting the fruit and I would have fresh loaves of bread to share with our friends. Imagine my surprise (insert your own reaction here, please) when I realized that the store was out of eggs! Not only was that store out of eggs, but so was every other store on the island. In my former world, I confess that I might have lodged a complaint to the manager and ruminated on the lack of advance planning by the establishment. How would that be possible? Here, as I looked around, it was clear that other people shared my disappointment, but no one complained. There was nothing anyone could do, so why be upset. Those eggs were on a ship chugging away somewhere in the Pacific ocean and they would be here eventually. The bananas were frozen for another day.

Two weeks ago, having finally purchased the delayed eggs, I found myself back at the store, this time in search of flour. Yes, you guessed it the island was now out of flour. Imagine my surprise (insert your own reaction here, please) to find that yet another ship was holding my flour hostage somewhere between New Zealand and Rarotonga. Would lodging a complaint make that boat arrive any sooner? People here are very adept at accepting what is and making the best of the situation. Again, there were no complaints, only polite inquiries about the shipping schedule. Acceptance is often a learned attribute.

These sweet people are masters of the art of accepting what is and being grateful for it. We, who have so much, complain so much more about trivial things that we perceive to be lacking in our lives. We could all learn a lesson from those here who are teaching me to slow down and appreciate simplicity. Most here have never experienced a hot shower (insert your own reaction here, please), quality health or dental care or the extravagance of window screens. Most have never tasted fresh milk, enjoyed a beef roast, or bought 100 watt light bulbs. We have participated in FHEs where the last of the lesson was presented in front of a window so the presenter could still read his notes by the fading light outside. Electricity is expensive and only used sparingly. Most women here do not have the luxury of an oven or a clothes dryer for the same reason. We know a family who as of three days ago, is out of water because we have not had rain for a week and their water tank is empty. So here I am hoping for two more days of good weather so our American guests can enjoy outdoor activities and my friends have no water. (Insert your own mental pictures here, please) I might add, here, that as we are graciously welcomed into a home, there is never an apology for what might be missing.  We have learned to be appreciative guests in any circumstance.

My new friends are grateful for the slower pace of life here. They are not lazy or disinterested; simply put, they are content. In my old life an SUV was often viewed as a necessity. In this new life Gustav and Elizabeth are grateful for their family vehicle, a red scooter. Ward jokingly remarked to our friend, William that he was half an hour for a meeting. William’s simple reply was that “I am here”. When I first drove around our island in the evening, I noticed groups of people, “just sitting around”. Why aren’t they doing something, I wondered? (Insert your own reaction, here, please) What I now realize is they are indeed doing something and it’s lovely. They are enjoying the cooling of the day, their little piece of heaven and each other’s company. They are catching up on the days events while they enjoy a shared meal together. Coming together is a national pastime. This is a place where several generations live together under the same roof. It is a place where family and community matter. 

Last weekend we enjoyed LDS general conference. It was broadcast live, which meant that our morning session aired at 6:00 am (insert your own reaction here, please), with a rebroadcast scheduled later in the afternoon. Being there that early with friends provided another gift of simple abundance for us. Rather than running off after the first session, many brought breakfast to share and we spent the time between the two sessions quietly enjoying yet another meal in the company of good friends and a lot of laughter. Children and some adults took naps on the lawn or in the beds of their trucks. It was peaceful and unrushed and now I am looking forward to October to do it all again.

We have mentioned our friend, Stella, who is leaving Rarotonga for a few months. She is

returning her mother to one of the northern islands because her mother misses it. Her mother is elderly and wants to go home .Stella and her six-year old daughter spent two and a half days on a rickety, old boat in cramped quarters only to arrive on an isolated island with a total population of fifty people (Insert your own reaction here, please), no airport, no grocery stores and no hospital. There will be no fancy meals or fast food, unless you consider catching a falling coconut fast food.  There will be a lot of fish, augmented by the meager supplies that Stella brought with her. Oh, yes, the only way off the island is another rickety old boat that will arrive about every two and a half months. We are worried, Stella is not.

We, at home have so much. American is a land of abundance and opportunity. Keith Merrill, once told me that after he returned from his mission in another humble corner of the world, he was amazed by the fact that his parents spent good money on a microwave oven, just so that food would cook faster. Why? (Insert your own reaction here, please) I am finding that I am beginning to see parts of my old life in much that same way. What is the rush? Why the hurry?  I am beginning to appreciate things more after waiting for them. Do you know how good chocolate ice cream tastes when it finally arrives from New Zealand? I do and it’s delicious. Anticipation adds an extra indiscernible quality. It’s the cherry on top. I can now more fully appreciate the old phrase, “I’m waiting for my ship to come in.” People here actually go down to the docks to watch the containers being unloaded. Then they follow behind the transports to see where those containers are delivered. It’s like a parade with a surprise ending. It’s fun! I might also add, here, that some of these boxcar size containers often end up on someone’s property as a new home (Insert your own reaction here, please) and the new owner is so happy to move in.

Well, as always we are happy and trying to work hard. As we are learning to move a little more slowly and to appreciate the simple life that we find here, we wish that you might find some contentment is accepting what is. Might I suggest even, that taking time to appreciate the abundance of your lives would not be a wasted exercise? You are all part of our abundance. You cannot imagine how much pleasure your e-mails bring to us. We so value the connection that we have with each one of you. Thank you for being there. 

Love, Ward and Susan                   Elder and Sister Belliston, serving in the Cook Islands   

                                      

Gus and Elizabeth and family taking an afternoon ride in/on their family vehicle!

Goodbye and be careful!

This family supports itself on original artwork sold in front of their home. They are thrilled to be able to support a family while doing something they love.

We have learned to take time to enjoy a glorious sunset.

Our home is the long white roof in the center of this photo. The view is spectacular and another simple pleasure.

Our newest friend. Baby Kristina is reacting to Wards camera flash.Watching her grow will be another simple pleasure.

Adventures in Paradise 25

Adventures in Paradise 25

Kia orana, everyone! Our excellent adventure continues with thoughts about the women in our lives and our connections with them. So, with all due respect to the wonderful men we know, this blog is dedicated to members of the fairer sex, our soul sisters, the better halves, those who nurture, and the Thelma and Louise in all of us.

When I leave this island next year, I will be bringing home a treasure. While it is true that I cherish all of my experiences here, and will miss new friends, one particular experience of this last week has given rise to the subject of this blog. I now own a one-of-a-kind Tivaevae!  Teymere Tairi is a master Tivaevae artist. She is creative and inventive in her work and she never creates the same design twice. Her Tivaevaes are museum-quality and highly sought after. They are also very expensive. A true Tivaevae is done entirely by hand and can take as long as a year for one person to finish, hence the hefty price tag.  Once in a while, when she needs extra money to support her family, she will sell one of her creations unfinished, through a second party. Her one request of the friend who sells it, is that Teymere know the identity of the person who bought it. Sadly, I did not have my camera with me when I met Teymere, but I can say that is was a very sweet meeting. She was glad her Tivaevae was going to a loving home and I was thrilled to meet its creator. My job is to finish what Teymere started and to enjoy the process. As she hugged me, she told me that we were now “forever sisters”, because we both have a part of creating a treasure. Whenever I work on or look at my new Tivaevae, I will always remember my new sister.

As I began to closely examine my Tivaevae, I was struck by what this woman had done and I could not help but see parallels in other areas of my life with the women that I know. Teymere had a grand plan. It was original and beautiful. She knew that someone else would be trying to follow her plan to completion, so she showed the way to complete it. There are basting stitches in different colors to delineate different stitching directions. These stitches also keep the pattern from slipping or heading off in a wrong direction. She set the example for me to see the correct way to go. She left me a pattern to follow long after she will no longer be there to guide me and she made those directions very understandable. This was done with love and gentle guidance. She explained the hand stitching to me and made sure that I understood those stitches before we said goodbye. She taught me by example, then she kissed me on the cheek and sent me off on my own.

So, this week, my new treasure has gently reminded me of the other treasures in my life that take the form of the women that I know. Many of you have taught me by example. You have been my guides through troubled waters and difficult days. You have been listeners, whom I know will keep a confidence. I have learned from you when you didn’t realize you were teaching. I respect your quiet strengths and the concern you have for others.

My mother taught me the difference between needing and wanting. I am still touched when I think of all of the ways that she sacrificed for her family. She gave me a pattern for living a good life. She was the first to teach me the homemaking skills that became not only my vocation, but my avocation. I miss her.

The women in my life have made my life richer for knowing them. I have appreciated their talents and their willingness to share. I know the most talented musicians, the best teachers, the most creative artists, and the best cooks. My friends have shared favorite  books with me as well as their “secret” recipes. They are creative homemakers and great hostesses. The women I know have taught me about service, commitment, hard work and spirituality. I have friends who have the most wonderful senses of humor. The women I know are tender and loving, thoughtful,generous and very smart. They are doting mothers, wives and grandmothers.  We have laughed together and cried together as well. We can have long conversations without being aware of the passage of time. (Ask any man about this!) These things bind us together; they connect us.

So, as I take a stitch or two in an odd moment here, I know that this Tivaevae will not be finished any time soon and it doesn’t matter. What actually matters to me is the way that I feel when I look at it and the women that come to mind. Thank you all for being part of the fabric and design of my life. Come and visit me when we are old. I will be the one wearing the very strong tri-focals working on a green and white Tivaevae. If you like, I will show you how to make the special stitches. Then you can start stitching from another corner and we will laugh and share stories while we work. From one woman to another, it will be lovely!

As always, we are happy and trying to work hard. We appreciate all of the women who have taught us and continue to be great examples in our lives. Last week, I invited people to make comments about what home means to them. With all due respect to the men, all of the comments that we received came from women. Most said that they indentified with the subject and tone of the blog. Several mentioned experiencing the same longing as I had expressed. Some added personal thoughts on what home feels like to them. One friend mentioned that home is a place where one feels physically and emotionally safe. Home is a place where we can be our authentic selves. Home is partly a state of mind. So, I also thank all of the women in my life who have made me feel at home.

Love, Ward and Susan                   Elder and Sister Belliston, serving in the Cook Islands

 

My beautiful Tivaevae.

The design is created by folding the white fabric in half, then in half again. The artist then cuts out the desired shapes, much like we do to make snowflakes. The cloth is opened and attached to the under fabric. Everything must be even and flat. Then the overfabric is pinned, double checked, then finally basted into place with a code of colors to guide the quilter. 

                  

This shows the red basting stitches that guide the guilter on these particular flowers.

The raw edges are turned under and hand-quilted into place. All knots are done on the white fabric, so as not to spoil the design on the green underside. When finished, there is a companion design as it is turned over.  This is the small part of the Tivaevae that I have completed, as I just couldn't resist the temptation to try what I had learned. It's lovely, isn't it? 

I just couldn't resist working in a few stitches before bed one night.

Simple pleasures are the best. Good night.