Monday, January 7, 2013

CHRISTMAS 2012


2012 WAS OUR FIRST CHRISTMAS IN THE SOLOMONS.  Last Christmas we were in Papua New Guinea.   We missed the snow, the mistletoe, and all our family oh, oh, oh!!!! 
 

One of the things we love about Christmas in the Solomons is the Christmas Trees that bloom so beautifully with theses amazing red flowers starting in November and ending in February.


Grid lock at the Town Council round a bout!!
 
This is the traffic jam we found ourselves in on Christmas eve.  We thought that everyone would be gone to their homes by boat to other Islands to celebrate the long holiday with family.  Many leave for most of December and January.  Some businesses and restaurants close for 3 or 4 weeks during the holidays.
 


 
Telekom, the local telephone company, put up this huge tree in downtown Honiara.  It was beautiful!
 




This past week, it was time to take down the tree.
 
 
Our Mission President asked all of the Senior Couples to hold a party for the young missionaries.  On Christmas Eve, we held ours.  We sang Christmas carols, had a talent show, testimonies, presents, and FOOD!!!
 



 
Elders Ifuna'au Jr., Tuisalanga, Sione and Judge

Elders Savea, Ifuna'au Sr., and Tula
 
Elders Wanebana and Falevai
 

Elders AhChing and Haura
 
Elder and Sister Mitchell reading the story of the birth of Christ from Luke
 
 
Oh..............the food!!!
 
 
 


 
 
 
 

 
 
The Samoan and Tongan Elders
 
 
Sister Mitchell made a chocolate cake for Elder Wanebana to celebrate his birthday which is on Christmas day
 
 
 
Fun, Fun party
 
 
ON CHRISTMAS DAY WE TOOK THREE ELDERS TO THE AIRPORT TO BOARD A PLANE FOR VANUATU.   We picked up two elders who arrived from Vanuatu.
 
 
As we took the Elders to their flat at Burns Creek, we found the gate locked and no one with a key, so No problem, just over the fence, luggage and all!  Elder Ifuna'au climbing the chain link fence bare foot.
 
 
 Christmas pies for Elder Mitchell!!!!!!!!!
 
The day after Christmas, (Christmas Day in America), we were able to visit with each of our Children and Grandchildren, via skype.  What a blessing!!
 
At this Christmas time, we are so grateful to be serving the Lord Jesus Christ.
 
 
P.S.
 
 
Thanks Bren and Family!!!
 
 
We just got a package today that Brenda sent 1 month ago for Christmas.  When she saw our blog, she was very sad to think that we didn't have the presents from her family under our tree. SO..............we put up our tree today and put her presents under it!!  We then"pretended' it was Christmas and opened the presents!  It was really fun to have this "extra" Christmas!


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