Adventures in Paradise 20

Adventures in Paradise 20

Kia orana, everyone! Our excellent adventure continues with a special invitation! In addition to our first baptism, which was held last Saturday morning, we enjoyed hosting our first wedding here at the mission home. Two of our favorite people chose to be married and we would like to share their wedding day with all of you.

You are cordially invited to attend the marriage of

Judith and Tai

Saturday, 19 February, 2011

Ceremony to be performed on the beach at Blackrock

4:00 p.m.

Reception and Kai Kai to Follow

Avarua Branch Cultural Hall

Avarua. Cook Islands

Please join us for this happy event

Kai Kai catered by good friends

Flowers furnished by mother nature

Wedding Cake by Belliston Bakery

Wedding clothes fashioned by:

Williams and Belliston Clothing Inc.

Officiant: President Lowry

Emcee: Danny Mataroa

Weather provided courtesy of the Cook Islands

Judith being escorted down the isle by her father.

Tai grinning while waiting for his bride.

President Lowry and Tai enjoying the view.

Judith and Tai make a handsome couple!

Saying "I do"

Finally! We are married!

A simple expression of love.

Friends and family enjoy the afternoon and our beach.

Our friend, Danny Mataroa introducing the new Mr. and Mrs. Pemberton.

The head baker at the Belliston Bakery.

The head baker with the company's first wedding cake! Fresh orchids were supplied by a neighbor.

(Baking hint: When standard baking supplies are lacking, learn to be creative. The cake layers are anchored by orange pvc pipe to prevent slippage)

Parents of the bride flew in from Mangaia, another island in the Cook Island Chain.

Danny and the band get the party started

The cake table

The bride and groom enter with their children. Notice, they have changed clothes.The eis (leis) were hand made by friends. The green eis (leis) are called Maile or Ti Leaf Leis.

Tai and Judith at the head table.  A brilliant tivaivai quilt makes a beautiful  background.

The first dance

Tai gave a sweet speech about how much his life had changed in the past year.

Tai and Judith's daughter, Leeann. We are best friends and I am going to keep her!

Good friends

Tai and Judith hope that you have enjoyed their wedding. Ward and I were thrilled to be part of the planning and the festivities. We have grown to love this family and wish them every happiness. They are planning to be sealed in the New Zealand temple in March of 2012 and we hope to participate in those preparations as well.

As always, we are happy and trying to work hard. Life is good here and we are looking forward to new adventures.  We hope that you all are having a few adventures of your own. As always, we would love to hear from you. As senior (you know how much I dislike that term) missionaries, we are encouraged to take advantage of our beach and the ocean. Ward vowed that he would not go in the water until he had "his" first baptism. So...........................

As the sun sinks slowing into the west (that would be left in this photo) our happy snorkeler is headed into the water for the first time!

Ka kite for now and love from Ward and Susan   Elder and Sister Belliston, serving in the Cook Islands