These past two weeks have been filled with reading fluency timings (DIBELS), classes, church assignments, Relief Society birthday celebrations, a field trip, a baptism, and even some shopping. We managed, however, to go to the Golden Restaurant with Elder and Sister Waldron and Sister Alldredge for a wonderful meal at sunset on Friday, March 20th. Even after being here 6 months we still can't help but be amazed at the beautiful sunsets.
Many have inquired about storm damage here. Typhoon Pam passed 1000 miles south of us, and heavily damaged Vanuatu, but the high tides and swells still caused some serious damage to the roads on Tarawa. The first picture shows half of a main road eaten away between Eita and Bairiki. The second picture shows huge concrete blocks tossed clear over to the other side of the road on the causeway between Bairiki and Betio.
On Wednesday, March 11th, the Taiwanese ambassador spoke at our student officer induction assembly after pinning the officer's badges on each new student officer. He gave a very interesting talk about how students can achieve much more than they think they are capable of. Note the new piano in the lower left corner of the picture. This is the piano I brought back from New Zealand. The school finally has a piano that works in the chapel.
On Friday, March 13th, the Tarawa West Stake Relief Society birthday celebration was held on our campus. This was the booth for having your picture taken. We had ours taken but decided we've already posted enough pictures of ourselves.
After refreshments, the dancing began. We liked this picture because it conveys the exuberance of the people for their dancing. Even the little kids get out and dance.
The next day, Saturday, March 14th was the two-stake Relief Society birthday celebration in Bairiki. These are all the senior couple sisters who were present. From left to right they are Sister Baber (she was visiting with her auditor husband from Majero), Sister Waldron, Sister Bogh, Sister Wall, Sister Sumner, and Sister Alldredge.
Here is one of the many birthday cakes served at the 2-stake celebration. The two pictures below show more of the traditional dancing. Each ward was assigned one of the Pacific island dance styles. Our ward was given Hawaii, so our sisters did the Hula. Our ward was assigned the colors yellow and blue, hence the outfits above.
After returning from the Relief Society birthday celebration, we were able to witness another baptism in the ocean behind our apartment.
On Thursday, March 19th, the Interhouse track and field day was held in Bairiki. This picture shows the 6 teams lining up for the parade past the stadium where we sat and judged the marching.
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