Tongan Relief Society Celebration

I always look forwards to Saturdays w/ Autumn. She woke up at 7:30, so I turned on some cartoons and kept dozing while she watched them. Then she wanted to play w/ my hair, so she went and got the brush and fixed my hair. After she had had enough of that, she decided she wanted some cereal. She was reading me a book she found while we ate.

Nick and I spent the majority of the morning watching the 2nd half of Pride & Prejudice. Autumn was in her room and had been quiet for way too long, which usually means trouble. So, I went in to see what she was doing and she had put on her ballerina skirt that Heather made for her birthday. I was naughty and told her to jump on her bed so I could practice taking some action shots. She had a blast but only did it for 30 seconds and decided she was worn out. I guess it’s just not as fun to do when you have permission…it’s more fun when you know you’re not supposed to do it.

She came walking down the hallway wearing these shoes I bought her for when she’s 2 shoe sizes bigger. She loved that they had a little heel on them. Do you think she’s a girly girl or what?

Mom called and said she wanted to go to lunch. So, we got cleaned up and went over and met her at McDonald’s. We like going there so Autumn can play and run around. I took the top off my Big Mac (a few less calories, right?) and she decided she wanted to eat it. She would take a few bites of her food and then go play for a while and come back and get a few more bites.

I try not to take for granted the fact that I get to be around my family so much. We are so close and I realize not everyone is so lucky to have such great family that they actually want to spend time with. We always have a good time together.

This morning, my good friend (that I used to date), Mou, called and said his Mom would like Autumn & I would like to come to a Relief Society celebration at their ward. The men were doing all the cooking and then there would be a program after words. Since we had no plans for the afternoon, I told him we would love to. So, after lunch at McDonald’s we headed over to the celebration. There was A TON of food! We got 2 huge pieces of beef, some pulled pork (that was my favorite part), some taro, and sweet potatoes. They also had a bowl of shrimp and some creamy fish and tomato salad. I wasn’t very hungry since we had eaten at McDonald’s not much earlier, but what I did eat was super good.

While we were eating, they had some fun island music playing. A bunch of ladies would get up and dance. Mou’s Mom was dancing and surprisingly, Autumn went over to her and they had such a good time dancing together.

After some dancing, it was time to celebrate the anniversary of the Relief Society. They lit some candles and we sang Happy Birthday (Autumn thought it was for her) and then the Relief Society presidency blew out the candles and a few of them shared their testimonies. I couldn’t understand what they said b/c it was in Tongan, but I could still feel the Spirit. The Spirit is always so strong around the Tongan Saints.

While they cleaned up the food and put away the tables, they had some more dancing and Autumn thought she was in 7th heaven. She ran around and danced and had the best time ever.

We had our chairs moved to the side of the room and then a group of men came in and sang a few songs. It was absolutely beautiful and I am always amazed at how Polynesians in general know how to dance and sing.

After the singing, they had several different groups come out and perform. There was singing and lots and lots of dancing. Autumn & I loved just being there and soaking in all of the amazing cultural performances. All of the Tongans that I have met are such loving and happy people.

Autumn walked up to this lady and was touching the feathers she had around her wrists and ankles. This sweet woman took the feathers off her wrist and put them in Autumn’s hair and let her keep them. Autumn was so thrilled and happy.

After the performances were over (it lasted about 2 and a half hours), Autumn went around picking up all the feathers that had fallen on the floor. At first she would go over and hand them to Mou. Then, she started just going around and handing them to random people. Everyone was so sweet and loving towards her.

Here is Mou and part of his family from left to right:
Kesa (sister), Dad, Mou, Anna (niece), Mom, Heipi (sister-in-law).

It was so WONDERFUL to see Mou and his family again. Kesa and Heipi sat by me the whole night and made Autumn & I feel so loved and welcomed. They are such humble and loving and faithful people. I am blessed to know them.