AMERICAN CITIZEN!!!

We went to Ikea afterwards for lunch-which was delicious. . . since you can can desserts, kid food and a good meal all for the price of two servings almost anywhere else :) Mere saw this fabric food set and I figured if I had her carry it around the whole store while we looked around she would put it back, but she clung to it all the way to the checkout line (see it in her hand above) ! Below is the Graduation dinner for the branch's teacher preparation class and then photos from Thanksgiving and Saki Sr and Seru's home.








A potluck after church above right. Below: Thanksgiving dinner!!!

flashback-Thomas and Lisa are coming up on 1 year of marriage ;) Here's all their nieces and nephews!

Saki is now a U.S. citizen! Yeah!!! It's kind of a feeling of relief to not have him be a temporary resident any more. Mere, Glenn, and I were able to attend the swearing in ceremony which was very well done. It made me feel proud to be an American, grateful for those who have died for our country, and grateful most of all for the freedoms and blessings we often take for granted in this blessed country! Anyone who has traveled will know what I mean. So a belated Happy Thanksgiving to all-that we may all express gratitude to the Lord for what we have been given!

I am most grateful for the sacrifice of my Savior Jesus Christ and the plan of salvation! I am also indebted to my amazing husband, my delightful children, my parents for how they raised me, my brothers and their wives for their support, Saki's family for their love and support, including his dear Aunt Meresiana.

Family Photos & Graduation Pictures

When my dad came out almost a month ago we asked him to take some family photos and some of Saki in his graduation gown. Yes-Saki has graduated and finished his Masters in Business with Finance concentration! He finished this summer, but we've been busy doing things and never got photos etc... I am so proud of him for all his hard work and how well he did in all his classes despite them being online. I think he learned more than most students since he puts so much effort in learning about the assignments, not just getting the homework done. We are so blessed he was able to accomplish this almost all during his time of unemployment. God has the best timing in everything, it would have been impossible for him to do so well while working full time and doing things at church and with family. It felt like he was working full time with his school and at times I begrudged his efforts in his classes, but he pulled through with the perseverance I have always admired in him! We were short on time for taking the photos, so most the kids were looking away...we need to schedule a photo session with you Carlye :)

October's Over? Wow!

I guess I haven't uploaded my camera for a couple of weeks...here's some photos of my dad's visit as well as our Halloween costumes. We actually didn't celebrate Halloween much--since it was on a Sunday we didn't go trick-or-treating and Saki had to work Saturday so we were unable to go to the stake activity. I tried to do some fun stuff at home-cheese cat toast, dress up, making a paper turkey (Glenn kept trying to tear it), playing and popping pop corn-but you know how it is with kids, sometimes it doesn't all go like you had planned it. I know they enjoyed sliding down the slide into their play balls and Mere loves popcorn, never made it before in a pan. So I guess they had fun and didn't know what they were missing. I always enjoyed Halloween because I love costumes, I would love a costume ball for my 50th wedding anniversary! I love making and seeing all the neat costumes and ideas, but I DO NOT like all the gory, gross, and "sexy" costumes that are becoming so rampant. In my book Halloween is for kids and wholesome fun... and cute little kid costumes!

There's also some photos of Saki's family members, one Aunt and Uncle visiting from his mom's village in Fiji. Then there's photos of the kids playing in the water fountain at the temple. You may wonder why I'm always talking about the temple and going to the temple. The temple is not our chapel, but it is a place of worship. It is dedicated to the Lord and is the Lord's house. It is a sacred and beloved place. We do work for ourselves and for the dead in the temples-performing ordinances like baptisms for those who did not have the opportunity to be baptized in this life and marriages or as we call them sealings of families for all time and all eternity. This is through the sealing power of Elijah (see the Old Testament). We believe that those who have gone on are taught the gospel in Heaven and are able to choose to accept these ordinances if they wish to. Paul speaks of this in the New Testament in 1 Corinthians 15:29 "Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead?"
While only worthy church members can enter, anyone can attend an open house and walk through a temple before it is dedicated. What we learn in the temple helps us more fully understand our purpose hear on earth and the eternal perspective of things. It is a place of peace, love, and joy. It is a place where Saki and I find comfort and strength.

COMING UP NEXT WEEK-FAMILY PHOTOS






Mere walking with Glenn-they're cute when they do this, Mere walks a little bit with him, but then she speeds up and looses him. He is pretty good at walking to the park (just down the hill) and is understanding a lot now-hold hands, go take a bath, where's your car book etc-fun to see. I have to say I love kids growing older, it's a great source of joy to me to see them develop and change and grow!

See Glenn's double cowlick? Makes a mohawk no matter what I do...

Happy Birthday Boxer!!! See our paper turkey-Mere thinks they say cock-a-doodle-do, so we watched some turkeys online and will keep practicing gobble gobble :)


Does this remind you of Brenna Tima?

Typical Glenn, typical Mere


Glenn loves this car book from the library-he LOVES vehicles and balls!




Bui Kiti, Aunty Ruci (Seru's 1st cousin), Uncle Mosese, Saki Sr, Seru

Aunty Tara, Seru, Aunty Ruci (ruthy or ruth) (Seru's 1st cousin), Aunty Asena (Seru's sister), Aunty Gade (gnanday) (2nd or 3rd cousin?) and in front Uncle Mosese and Saki Sr.



Ruby and Lydia-my neices!!!