Adventures in Paradise 64

Adventures in Paradise 64

Kia Orana, everyone! Our excellent adventure continues with thoughts on transition, and  how it can change our perspective. Last Sunday, the Cook Islands were officially transferred from the Papeete, Tahiti mission to the Auckland, New Zealand mission. This transfer took place very quietly, and without much fanfare during a district conference. The meeting was presided over by Elder Watson of the Seventy and both mission presidents were in attendance. From my seat in the audience, I was an observer as President Sinjoux went from being the mission president who presided over the Cooks, to the former mission president. I watched his face as this transfer took place, and I could detect a subtle, but definite change in his countenance. I knew that President Sinjoux already missed the association he had enjoyed with the people of the Cook Islands. In that moment of transition, President Sinjoux’s perspective had changed.

We have all heard the saying that “ There is nothing more constant than change”, but I suppose the measure of who we are is in how well we adapt to and accept that change. While change can always be expected, our reaction to that change is often less predictable.  Many of us have bemoaned the trials of raising teenagers, only to find that one day, they are gown and living lives of their own. We are amazed in the end at how quickly time has passed and how our perspective on those few years has changed. Nostalgia sets in and we wish for the return of what once was. The transition to becoming an “empty-nester” can be daunting. It shifts our recollections of those years we spent with teenagers and most of us want those years back. As a disclaimer, I would just like to mention that my two boys were perfect teenagers. So, Travis and Jared, if you are reading this, you will realize that I have not been talking about either one of you!

So, where am I going with this? It is time for two missionaries serving in the Cooks to accept that our lives are beginning to change and we must face the fact that we are in transition mode. We have begun to see things differently. We are now viewing our life here through the eyes of someone who is trying to commit so many people, places and experiences to memory. For this reason, I am including more photos than usual. What follows is a collection of vignettes that speak to us of events that we have enjoyed here. Next week, we will introduce you to many of the dear friends who are making the reality of our transition more than a little painful.

Elder Watson and Ward just prior to the district conference. Elder Watson presided over the mission transfer.  As a side note, we found that Sister Watson and I both attended Bountiful High School AND the Watsons now live one street behind where I lived while growing up. It is a very small world! 

 

We enjoyed a meal with Presient Sinjoux of Tahiti, President Lekias of New Zealand and Elder Watson. President Lekias told us that he has learned to never say goodbye. Instead he always says, " I will see you later" Yes, President Sinjoux, we will definitely see you later. 

We are trying to commit beautiful views of our island to our permanent memory bank.

We will always be touched by the respect the islanders show to their deceased family members.

We will always have fond memories of driving on the "wrong" side of the street. But it is the beauty of each day here that will remain in our hearts.

We were surprised to learn that each banana tree only produces one bunch of bananas. After the bananas are harvested, the tree dies and another one shoots up in its place.

We will alwaysbe touched by the generosity of people who live in very humble surroundings.

Like snowflakes, no two sunsets are alike and they are all stunning here. We have never seen such colorful sunsets anywhere else in the world. We will miss our private light show each evening.

This gathering of canoe racers was just one of many events held on the island. I was impressed that for such a small place, there were always so many events scheduled. These events always included many locals as well as tourists and kept life very active and interesting.

Kite surfing is becoming very popular here. The big challenge is to keep yourself away from the reef. The white water marks the location of that reef.

I will never forget the availability of fresh, exotic flowers. A friend picked these orchids and shared them with us. They are stunning!

This is the Rarotongan version of a car dealership. We knew that our new car would be arriving soon, so we would visit the dock to see what the ship brought in. It turned out that this was not our car and after a two-year wait, our car arrived three ships later!

As part of a recent celebration, Avarua participated in a contest to decorate the town's buildings. Only fresh greens and native flowers could be used. This is the Ministry of Justice building and winner of the first place award. I am always amazed by the creativity people show in using their natural resourses. 

While visiting the Johansons, we watched them pick mangos to send home with us. Sister J. was very adept at using that bamboo pole. We went home with a huge bag of fresh fruit!

The Avarua branch president cut down one of his own trees and delivered it to the church. The members are involved in figuring out how to apply lights and decorations to a tree this tall. One unnamed elder (Ward) suggested that perhaps the lights should have gone on before the tree went into the ground, but he was outvoted.

So why do things the easy way, when you have a brave 18-year old who is willing to risk his life for the cause?

In an interesting change of pace, the lights were applied last and in the dark. The tree was beautiful, if unevenly lit and many who passed by the church that evening, remarked on the fun all of the members seemed to be having. My job was to keep the children happy and out of the way of ladders and falling members, so we organized a lollie scramble. This scramble consisted of me throwing handsful of candy in the exact opposite direction from the tree and having the childen go for it. My parade experience came in handy that evening.

This is the Flambouyant tree and it only blooms at Christmas time. Although island weather did not feel like much Christmas to me, this tree is one of the things that suggests the sense of holiday to the islanders. The little hut is a bus stop. If the bus is late, you can always call a taxi, as the phone number for the company is painted on the inside of this little building. How convenient!

District conference has ended and we are now officially part of the Auckland New Zealand mission. I asked Ward is this could count as our having served two missions and you can guess at his response.

So, as always, we are happy and trying to work hard. We have been very happy on our little rock  and are finding our transition challenging. We hope that you have, from our photos, caught some of the flavor of life here. You may also understand why it is so difficult for us to think about the changes that we are facing. We are just a tad concerned, on the other hand, when we realize that that neither Tahiti nor New Zealand has any record of our release. No one seems to know that we exist. Perhaps our stay here will longer that we had anticipated. We will keep you posted on news as it develops. In the meantime, know that we miss you and are still having wonderful adventures in paradise.

Love, Ward and Susan                                                   Elder and Sister Belliston, serving in the Cooks