Partying in the New Year 2016

We are lucky enough to be here in Tonga with 18 Senior Couples, which makes for some fun times.  News Years Eve we started off with a talent show that Elder and Sister Deakin were in charge of.  They asked Elder Murdock to sing an Elvis song to open the party.  The theme of the party was Nuka Las Vegas, therefore Elder Murdock wanted to sing Viva Las Vegas, but the the lyrics were not appropriate for missionaries.  Therefore we changed the lyrics to match our mission here in Tonga to Nuka Las Vegas, such as Roosters a crowin', big waves a crashin', pigs a flashin'. It  turned out quite well with all the other festivities for the night and for the next day, New Years Day 2016.  Following are some photos of our fun times together.

Here is Elder Murdock starting the evening off with Nuka Las Vegas.

Elder Va'enuku entertains us with some Tongan music and his guitar.  He is very good!

Sister Va'enuku's talent is her wonderful heart to know what people need.  She tells of a lady who was in great need.  She did not even have a pillow or a blanket for her bed that was just a board.  She is a wonderful lady!

This Elder Bearce, who has a great talent to fix anything and rebuilds anything.  Elder Murdock likes to talk with him about the vintage cars that he has rebuilt!

This is our District Leader, Elder Holbrook, a retired full bird colonel from Army Reserves as a Chaplain.  He is wonderful with his great leadership qualities!

This is Sister Van Den Akker who is a beautiful artist and can make anything, beautiful beads out of paper as well as oil paintings.  She has painted a picture of the Blow Holes that is beautiful, such talent!

This is Elder Clarkson who stood and thanked everyone for all that we have done for he and his wife since they have arrived.  He also let us know that a friend from his home sent 40 Pound (London) for him to use where needed.  After Sister Va'enuku's talk he now knows where it is going to go!

This is our closing number, Sister Deakin is singing, Sister Radmacher, a beautiful pianist, and Elder Deakin, a master on the guitar.  He has played since he was 4 years old!

If you can see, the white board depicts the old year passing into the New Year with a coconut to determine the time.  Who needs the ball in New York, anyway we are the first in the world to welcome in the New Year 2016!

After the talent show we move into "Fort Hall Casino" (the teachers lounge) for some wonderful snacks and visiting time!

A group of us even got together and played the dice game, one that Elder and Sister Murdock are anxious to teach their family when they get home!  Great Times!

While we were playing games and enjoying the wonderful refreshments and waiting for the coconut to drop we were entertained with wonderful piano and guitar music by Sister Radmacher and Elder Deakin.  Elder Va'enuku and Elder Radmacher are looking over their shoulders!

It wasn't long before Elder Radmacher relieved Sister Radmacher from playing the piano and Elder Va'enuku sang along with them.  We learnt that Elder Radmacher is an avid song writer and we were able to hear one of his songs that has been produced and recorded, "Hotel Holiday".  He really gets hoppin' when he plays his music, so very talented!

And we even had some bubbly to toast the New Year in.  Sister Clarkson is getting an early sip!

Here is Elder Johns helping the coconut along at the count down!  HAPPY NEW YEAR 2016!

We had some with a few little (strange) hats!  Brother and Sister Walker, who has adopted our group,  is checking out Elder Clarkson.  They just moved to Tonga and he is head of Air New Zealand, fun couple!

Here is Elder and Sister Murdock toasting in the New Year.  Can you tell it is past their bedtime? Following our toasting in the New Year, we all headed outside for a wonderful firework display.  The committee for this activity definitely out did themselves.  What a great night!

On January 1, 2016, we all gathered together at 5 PM for a Mexican Pot luck.  When this group gets together, there is always tons of wonderful food, even fried ice cream for dessert.  You can't beat that!

We all had a wonderful dinner and after the clean up we all gathered together for Movie Night.  This night we watched the "Ultimate Gift", what a great movie to start out the New Year.  Wonderful goals that we could set for ourselves in showing love, kindness and many other areas!  It was a wonderful evening and a great way to start out the New Year!

"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