A baptism and Marit's visit

In the last two weeks we have enjoyed our visit with our daughter Marit as well as carrying on with the daily responsibilities.

The Tontouta branch continues to grow and prosper. New leadership welcomes those whom the previous branch president had brought back into the fold. And the missionaries are working hard. We joined the branch twice in the last two weeks. The first for Luc Ozoux's baptism. His grandmother lives south of Tontouta. He spends a greater part of his life with her and was glad to meet the missionaries. She will see that he has the opportunities the Church provides to grow and prepare for a mission himself. Elder Turner and Elder Rock have been teaching him. He was baptized on July 3.



In our interactions with the Tama family, we learned that Grandpa Julien Tama hand makes Tahitian ukuleles. Sister Mautz was quick to note how much Marit would enjoy such and instrument. These ukuleles are brighter in sound than their US relatives and are strummed with a quick movement with the wrist. Brother Tama had four from which Marit could choose. The round variety, his son explained to us, are really not for those who wish to play the instrument. Those with a notched base sit on your leg so that the instrument is well supported for vigorous strumming. . Brother Tama, to our disappointment, was absent the day we went to pick up the ukulele but he left some notes for basic chords and his son was there to show off the instruments for Marit.

However, he too was apparently disappointed as he called the next day to invite us back for dinner and a session of music with himself and his two sons. That made for 2 ukes, a banjo and a guitar. Great time. Too much food, stayed too late. But not too much music. He was delighted at how quickly Marit picked up on chords and strumming techniques that set basic waltz and march rhythm patterns.



Although we are in the middle of 'winter' here, Marit enjoyed two weeks of unusually warmer weather for the season. This allowed us to be on the water a little. One effort, sail boarding, during which we learned the basics and another day on the lagoon on wave runners. A local outfitter provided a guide, the wave runners, wet suits and snorkeling gear. We joined a party of two others, were picked up at our apartment at 8a and were on the water a half hour later. Light winds made for calm water. Sea turtles slipped away as we screamed past on craft that go faster than I wanted to believe. We stopped twice at small islands for a rest, some exploring and snorkeling. One of these featured a small reef of its own that attracted a variety of vividly-colored tropical fish. Our favorite, dubbed the 4th of July fish, was red white and cobalt blue. We hoped to see another like him at the local aquarium but had no such luck.



In between, we took care of month end reporting, closed an apartment and spoke at a General Priesthood meeting. And then it was time to put Marit back on a plane for home. That was early Sunday morning starting 27 hours of travel to finally arrive home. We returned to Tontouta just next to the airport for Church that Sunday morning and then back to taking care of all that needed to be done.

Here are some pictures that Marit took during her visit that we thought you might enjoy



Marit's visit reminded us that we have been gone for a long time. We are most grateful for our Heavenly Father's blessings to our family during those months. Soon-to-be two new grandchildren, educational and career opportunities but most of all for the opportunity to show our love for the Savior by keeping His commandments and serving His children.