Sunday, December 29, 2013

TONGAN HOUSES

A
THIS SECTION IS NOT TO MAKE LIGHT OF THE HOMES IN TONGA BUT TO SHOW THE EXTREMES THAT EXIST HERE.  THERE IS A LOT OF POVERTY WITH A FEW UPPER INCOME LEVELS AND ALMOST NO MIDDLE INCOME LEVELS.  THIS IS A HOME ON THE COAST, WHICH IN AND OF ITSELF CAN BECOME PROBLEMATIC

RAINY SEASON MEANS FLOODED HOMES

A GRASS HUT ON A PLANTATION
 MISSIONARY QUARTERS
 AN ABOVE GROUND CISTERN FOR CATCHING RAINWATER FROM THE ROOFS.  THIS IS THEIR CULINARY WATER


 THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF A FENCE THAT WAS JUST PLANTED BY PUTTING STICKS INTO THE GROUND
 A COASTAL BEACH HOME
 SOMETIMES A CURTAIN IS USED FOR A DOOR.  SOMETIMES THEY HAVE NO DOOR

 ANOTHER HOME ON A PLANTATION.  JUST ENOUGH ROOM TO SLEEP ON THE FLOOR AND COOK OUTSIDE







 THIS HOME HAS NO DOOR TO CLOSE

WE ARE SO BLESSED TO HAVE WHAT WE HAVE.  THE AMAZING THING IS THAT THESE GREAT PEOPLE ARE SO VERY HAPPY, EVEN IN THEIR EXTREME POVERTY
A TONGAN LOG CABIN
 THE STILTS ARE FOR HIGH WATER, WHICH HAPPENS!

Thursday, December 19, 2013

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2013

Book of Alands - Chapter 39
   A story filled with rain and shine.
Goodbye to Mom, began the year;
   A gathering from far and near.
Reminiscing with each other;
   We honored our sweet angel (grand) mother!
Again a stirring deep within;
   Was it time to serve again?
Reply was "yes" . . . could we, by chance,
   Request a warmer circumstance?
Tonga's open in the Fall;
   Yes, we'd love to heed the call!
 Spring, Summer FINE, FAMILY, FUN!
   We squeezed much time spent with each one
As time drew near, again we stressed;
   But we KNEW - they would all be blessed.
Tho' we and family are miles apart,
   We're close by in thoughts and heart.
And we pray for constant care,
   To be with loved ones, everywhere!
At this special time and season,
   Remember - our Savior is the reason.
May service given to fellow man.
   Reflect devotion to Father's plan.
And may we each, this coming year,
   Remember the BIG picture here.
 PREPARE each day and be "in tune"
  Hastening . . . He will come soon.
Our love and blessing to you all,
Elder & Sister, Ma & Pa, John and Marsha Aland
 THESE BEAUTIFUL TREES BLOOM AT CHRISTMAS TIME
 GOTTA LOVE THIS CHRISTMAS TREE
 WHO NEEDS TO DECORATE WHEN NATURE DOES IT FOR YOU?
CHRISTMAS TREE - TONGAN TEMPLE - FULL MOON
GOTTA LOVE IT!

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

AN EVENING OF CHRISTMAS CAROLING





 GETTING PACKAGES OF COOKIES READY FOR FAMILIES
 THIS  WAS THE VIEW ON THE WAY TO THE VILLAGE
 SENIOR MISSIONARIES SINGING CAROLS
  CAROLING TO WIDOWS AND YOUNG FAMILIES
 A MOMENT OF REFLECTION ON HOW BLESSED WE ARE
 TREATS FOR THE LITTLE ONES

 HUMBLE CIRCUMSTANCES
A FUN EVENING THAT WARMED OUR ALREADY WARM HEARTS

Sunday, December 8, 2013

TOP 3 TONGA TESTIMONY EVENTS

Sunday, December 1, 2013

COLLECTION OF TONGAN CARS

A LITTLE WIRE WILL HOLD ANYTHING TOGETHER !!!
ANYBODY KNOW A GOOD GLASS REPAIR SHOP?
WATCH OUT FOR FALLING COCONUTS
WHO NEEDS A PICKUP WHEN YOU HAVE A GOOD TRAILER HITCH?
A TYPICAL CAR WITH A NOT SO UNIQUE FEATURE IN TONGA.  NOTICE THE WINDSHIELD.  THAT IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU COME IN CONTACT WITH A FALLING COCONUT.  A LITTLE DUCT TAPE FIXES ANYTHING!
WHEN YOU LOSE YOUR LICENSE PLATE, NO WORRY! YOU JUST MAKE A NEW ONE EVEN IF IT IS MADE OUT OF A CARDBOARD BOX!
THIS IS OUR BEATER - A 2014 HYUNDAI TUCSON

OUCH!!! ANOTHER VICTIM TO A FALLING COCONUT.

Monday, November 25, 2013

LIAHONA HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION 2013

Heading off to graduation in our Tongan National Dress
Stand and Remember - Class of 2013 Theme   

Everyone wears sandals
I can't move my arms!!!
I feel special
Bowing before accepting their diploma