Hiking, Wild Weather and Visiting Primary

For the record, today is Bastille Day, when Marie Antoinette got carried away and lost her head. French independence day. Pretty big here. We will see if we have fireworks tonight.

The result is that we have some time to catch up the blog from the last 10 days or so. We have had a very full 10 days with Branch Council training in two branches, a District General Priesthood Meeting where I presided and spoke, as well as a fireside for returned missionaries where I also spoke. My first ventures in speaking were talks I read having written them out word for word. I quickly realized perfect grammar is no substitute for eye contact and sincerity even if my pronunciation isn't quite perfect. I even ventured into an extemporaneous story about Chris' march to the BYU stadium in 1997 during the sesquicentennial celebration of the pioneers' entry into the Salt Lake Valley singing 'Called to Serve' after hearing a chorus of brethren here sing 'Appele a Servir.' Still brings tender memories that I felt prompted to share. I think everybody understood! The text of my talk centered around the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood calling us to action. As part of the Abrahamic Covenanted people, we must carry the Gospel of Christ to all the world starting in our own homes, families and branches doing our home teaching. Emphasis on DOING.

A week ago Monday, the zone leaders planned a bi-zone hike to a water fall not too high up the side of a 'mountain.' The day was a bit overcast so the hiking was great. Sister Mautz decided to go shopping, so I was without a companion. We had a good part of the island's missionaries with us as you will see in the accompanying photos. The path was marked largely by foot worn packed clay where not much was growing. In a jungle-like setting, that is pretty good marking. Lots of rocks to climb over and round. The foliage was dense. Took some getting use to to see large palm trees some quite tall, others right at eye level through the under growth that otherwise seemed not unlike a normal wooded setting.

I was surprised to see who the real climbers were. Sometimes those who seem a little more reserved on the flat are quite the climbers when we got to the falls. Pictures nearby will show you the hikers and the terrain. We started out about noon time everybody having already eaten lunch, and were back off the mountain in time for supper. Missionaries are quite conscious of each others needs, so I enjoyed being with them as they cared for and looked out for each other.

No real trouble keeping up except that bi-focals play nasty tricks on balance and vision when one is climbing or coming down steep paths. I was well cared for.

As noted in last week's entry, the District Primary expressed some concern about some of the Primaries in the district. We visit a different branch every week as we try to be available for temple recommend interviews and to support the local leadership. So after the sacrament service of family worship, we have been visiting Primaries where the children under 12 are taught, have activities and sing together. I am not quite sure what I expected, but I am completely captivated by these beautiful children singing in such perfect French the Primary songs I have known all my life. They must be very intelligent to speak so well. The children are eager, enthusiastic singers and participants. Just like those in my own family or in any congregation of the Church. 'If you chance to meet a frown' is sung world over with the same wonderful effect. The culture of the Church's music supported by the scriptures of the Bible and Book of Mormon are as at home in Noumea, a fairly civilized place, Tontouta which approached the 'bush country' or Bourail in the bush as they are in SLC or Oakton Virginia. Love of eternal family, being obedient to parents to be happy, and the light of the Savior's love are universal values bringing happiness to all. We hope a couple of nearby film clips, one from the Noumea 2 Branch and the others from Tontouta Branch will be as delightful to you as they were to us when we were visiting. These primaries are well organized with good teaching and fun singing. The children were well behaved. We obviously haven't yet visited the problems our District Primary President was concerned about.

Briefly, the weather was something this week. Again the wind swung around into the SW. But we had high winds of 25-30 mph and a tropical depression. Big breakers on the beach. There are no reefs in that direction to protect the shoreline. And it brought out the surfers and sail boarders. Because of the wind direction, they were right below our balcony. Sister Mautz went down and got the nearby film clip of a boarder. Essentially, these guys are flying huge crescent shaped kites, perhaps 25 feet across. These are attached to the boarder by 150-200 foot cords allowing him to 'control' the kite somewhat. He rides his board on the water going across the wind back and forth using his weight to balance against the wind. High speed. From time to time, they jump off a wave crest or to turn themselves around. I wonder how you learn to do this without dying in the process. Perhaps only the best survive. The nearby film clip will give you the idea. Turn the volume down as the wind noise is loud.

Here are the film clips. I know they are a lot of them, but we think they are worth the viewing.

Last one, I promise.