Samoa Christmas

We're back! I don't know why, but I feel I have to announce we're back, although no one even really knew we went anywhere. But we DID. We went to Western Samoa for Christmas, and we just got in yesterday. This morning we opened presents. So now we're all in our corners of the house answering emails, reading new books, or playing with new presents...Christmas morning style.

For three nights including Christmas we got to stay in a lovely little village in the mountains called Sauniatu (Sow-nee-ah-too). It was a gathering place for the early Saints in Samoa and was given an apostolic blessing from Pres. McKay in the 1920's. There is a beautiful Spirit in that place, and we were so blessed to stay in a very nice house used by couple missionaries (but now vacant). The Church administrators actually setting up an aquaculture system there for farming demonstration, so Ephraim helped them build the system and gave a workshop, and in turn they let us stay there for free!

We also got to go to the temple for some family names, we ate yummy food, played in some nice waterfalls, and learned more Samoan. For some reason we were the only ones at the places we stayed, therefore, royal treatment and all the swim time we want. I'll write more on Falepalagi, if you're interested.

Today's Ephraim and my anniversary, too. Nine years and still very happy. Isn't marriage amazing?

Well anyway, thanks for all the Christmas wishes. We sure love you all and wish you were closer. We really wish we could be in Jerusalem! Or that you all could've shared the lovely beaches on Savaii with us!

Can't wait to hear about your Christmas too!