August 2015 Events & Goodbyes

On August 7th a group of the Senior Missionaries went to dinner to Liku'alofa Beach Resort.  Elder and Sister Holbrook's daughter and her husband were here visiting.  It was a wonderful show and a pretty good dinner.  Following are some photos of the night.

This is part of our group, from left to right, Sister Wolfgram, Elder and Sister Beckstrand, Elder and Sister Holbrook, and last is their daughter and her husband.  Just waiting for the dinner to start.

Elder and Sister Murdock enjoying the evening out!

There is Elder and Sister Wolfgram starting down the food line.  The food was very nice.

This is part of the show that we had after dinner.

More dancers for the show.

This young girl was very beautiful and did a very beautiful dance.

There was also fire dances in the show.  It was pretty amazing.

This young girl did a solo fire dance.

At the end of the show they encouraged so many people to come up on stage to learn some of their dances.  Sister Holbrook's daughter was chosen to represent us.  She is the one with the blue t-shirt.

On August 16th we had a Fireside with Elder Gifford Nielsen, former quarter back for BYU and is now councillor in the South Pacific Area Presidency.  The Seniors had to sing a number at this Fireside.  Elder Nielsen talked about the Priesthood authority and who holds the keys to do missionary work, temple work, ward work.  He had President Tupou, Mission President, President Wasala, Temple President, and the Stake President come up to the pulpit at the same time and had them tell what keys that they had, what authority that they had.  He then explained that it is all to work together to bring about hasting the work, "to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end."  Following are a few pictures of the evening.

This is a special chair that is always set up when Prince Ata is coming to any church meeting.  He must have a separate place to sit that is away from the rest of the group.  It was very beautiful.

After we were able to get some pictures with Elder Nielsen.  This is Elder and Sister Moon, Church Auditors,  who are about to go home.

This is Elder and Sister Beckstrand, our dentist, who is also about to go home.

And here is Elder and Sister Murdock, who are NOT about to go home!

On the same day of the Fireside we also had our President's Dinner and our farewell speeches from Elder and Sister Beckstrand, and Elder and Sister Moon.  It was kind of a sad day to have to say goodbyes to these two couples who have done so much for the mission here in Tonga.  Following are a few pictures of the evening.

The start of our President's Dinner, there is always very good food here!

Elder and Sister Beckstrand giving their farewell to us all.

Elder and Sister Moon giving their farewell to all.

Elder and Sister Beckstrand and Elder and Sister Moon

Elder and Sister Beckstrand, President and Sister Tupou, Elder and Sister Moon.

This is Elder and Sister Beckstand with our Tongan Missionaries.  From left to right, Elder and Sister Wolfgram, Elder Va'enuku, Elder and Sister Tupola, Elder Tautua'a, Sister Tautua'a, Sister Tupola, and Elder and Sister Beckstrand.

 Our final goodbyes to the Beckstrands.  Elder and Sister Moon are leaving at 3 AM so we will not be able to see them off.  So our last goodbyes will be at their apartment the night before.  Sister Beckstrand was amazing what she was able to pack on and in for her trip home.  Here are some pictures of the day.

Here is Elder and Sister Beckstrand with their luggage and their Tongan broom.  They had five big bags to check, plus some pretty hefty carry ons.

Elder Beckstrand and President Tupou getting in line for check in.

Sister Beckstrand is letting us know how many outfits she has on as her suitcases were too heavy to pack everything in them.  Even when they started the check in process she had to go through one of her carry-ons that was too heavy.  When she opened it there were packages of Schilling Beef Stew Mix, Taco Mix , and Koolaid pouches.  We could not believe she was wanting to take these items home to America. I told her she could buy them there and she replied that she has been in Tonga too long!
At this time she had an extra skirt on, but when she repacked her carry-on she had some capris and another shirt.  It is a good thing they will not be weighing her!.

Here they are after 2 /12 hours of trying to get them checked in they are finally ready to go through the door.  Notice the extra blouse she has on!  The one computer bag was too heavey, but they finally said just go on, but next time not so heavy!

While Beckstrands were getting on the plain, Elder and Sister Moon's daughter was getting off.  She is coming to go home with them, with a stop for a few weeks in Australia.  They were very happy to see each other!

She is a beautiful girl, looks like here Mother, Sister Moon.

Everyone needs good friends.  Your circle of friends will greatly influence your thinking and behavior, just as you will theirs.  When you share common values with your friends, you can strengthen and encourage each other.  Thomas S. Monson