My Grandma Ana!

Seeing grandma Ana yesterday filled my heart with peace. I cried, but my tears were more for me than for her. Looking at her I felt so much love and appreciation for her work and unfailing faith. I knew that very soon she would be among those on the other side of the veil and I felt a holiness in the room because the veil was so close and so thin. I felt surrounded by love and in my mind I envisioned her son, sisters, parents, friends and all those she has done temple owrk for all waiting in a room on the other of the veil just waiting for her to come through the unseen door. I could imagine them (her sisters Meleseini, Siale, Selu, Hehea, Tangivale, Emeline and Akesa) all sitting around talking about Ana. She lived a great life. I am so thankful for the women that have blessed my life so greatly. I look at this picture and know that I come from such strong, loving, patient, hard working, faithful, God fearing women. During especially difficult times in my life I have drawn from their example and strength to determine the outcome of the situation. My inheritance is my family and my faith. I have been greatly blessed in knowing that Families Are Forever and that because of our Savior, Jesus Christ, death has no power over me or my loved ones. My heart is full of thankfulness, because I had time to know and hear my Grandma Ana's testimony, like the testimonies of her sisters. She was strong in her convictions and fearless in her approach. I felt comfort in praying for her recovery that the Lord knows who she is because she knew and taught of Him. What a wonderful reunion for Ana to be able to see her family and know that she has fulfilled her mission on this earth.

UPDATE...

Wowzers...it's been forever! So I have a lot to update on here because so much has happened!

FIRST...as far as my last post goes, it didn't go well. I am still in the same boat and shape I was when I intially started my weight loss regimen..WEIRD...I guess I have to try harder next time! It was so much easier for me to keep on top of this when I was single...now that I'm married and my husband loves me regardless it's easier to fall off and stay off the wagon...hoi! I need to stay motivated and work on gettin my sexy back!


We have also moved to a bigger better location in Saint George, which is on the West side of the Saint George Temple. We also have new neighbors. The Tuaone's have also moved to Saint George so that Joe can attend school at Dixie College. I love having one of my siblings here and I love having Babygirl and Teiks around! Lomes and the kids have been out of town for a while and poor Joey is gettin' stir crazy! I can't wait to get to Salt Lake for some much needed FAMILY TIME.


Exciting and Wonderful news for a dear friend of mine, ANGELA GRIMMER PUERTAS and her beautiful family were sealed for time and all eternity January 15th 2011 in the Timpanogas Temple. I was hoping to make it out there, but since it was the same weekend as my birthday, I was unable to attend that special event. I love her and she has been such a great supportive friend to me.


My mama, SISTER TANGITEINA LESIELI PALETU'A KINIKINI, was called to serve in the Nauvoo, Illinois Visitor Center mission. It was a beautiful moment. She had Pita Kinikini Malakai (her grandson) read the call out loud for all of us that were there. I am so happy that she is NOT going to Tonga again...I know the work is work wherever you are, but I was glad that she was called stateside. She will report to the MTC 2/14/2011. She is a wonderful mother and has bleesed my life through her constant wisdom. We are planning on visiting her in Nauvoo during the holidays and also to pick her up from Nauvoo in 2012! WOOHOOO

I also attended my very first U of U game with my best friend and husband. It was the Maaco Las Vegas Bowl, Utah vs. Boise State. It was a sad game to watch. I do things for Georgie because he makes me so happy! He was trying his darndest to get me to wear one of his Utah shirts, which did not happen! Go Dixie Red Storms is as close as I'm gonna get! LOL We were able to watch Tauni play and drive back from Vegas with him. I had a good time...it's been a long minute since I've been to a football game!


The best update concerning my life, is that Siaosi Pakileata Manu went through the temple December 18, 2010. .
It was a very special moment for me to witness him take the necessary steps to become worthy to enter the Lords house and to make covenants that will bless our little family eternally. He recieved his endowments in the Oquirrh Mountain Temple and was escorted by his good friend Paul Ahotaeiloa. We are now still waiting for clearance to be sealed to each other. I love him dearly and know that the Lord has truly been good to me and my little family. He is mindful of me, this I know
All in all, it's been a great life and I am happy.

Happy Weight!

I'm sure you know what this blog post is going to be about from the title! So, long story short...I have been very happy the last few months and I've accumulated "happy weight," you know...the weight that you gain when you're soooo happy you can only eat and sleep and then eat some more!heheheheeee I love and adore my husband and even thought he see's nothing wrong with my weight gain, I am a little preoccupied with my new found measurements. Aside from wanting to look and feel better we are seriously discussing having children. I stay pretty active with my usual daily routine my downfall happens to be eating right. I decided that I would take matters into my own hands and start a workout program that lasts for 4 weeks. Let's do this one month at a time. I will be following the Turbo Jam workout schedule and watching closely what I eat and hopefully my efforts will pay off. I made this public because then I will be accountable! I will keep my blog updated on my progress! Yayyyyyy...let's get this party started!!!!

Life in Saint George!

A lot has changed in the short few months that have passed. I am living and working in Saint George, Utah with my husband Siaosi Pakileata Manu. The blessing on serving a mission in Honduras has allowed me to find employment quite easily. I work in the South West Utah Health Department-WIC office. George is working at Red Rock Canyon School and going to school full time. We are teachers in primary for Valiant 8-9 in the Saint George 12th ward and we love it.


We attended our annual Pita and Teina Kinikini Family Reunion in Manti and it was great to be with family. George is studying media and communications and has really been intrigued with the Mormon protesters, mind you he is a convert just as of September 2009. He had a small showdown with one that was actually a surprise.


George is the perfect optimist. The glass is NEVER half empty with him, that's why we are perfect for each other...cause my glass is ALWAYS half empty...so by putting us together you will always have a full cup! hahahahaaaa

It's official...I am Mrs. SaLote Marie Kinikini Manu!

I have now been Mrs. SaLote Kinikini Manu. I am, or we are, very happy. I now reside in St. George, Utah and I love it. I live far from my family, which is not something I had ever planned on doing, but it has proven to be a blessing for me and my family. When we were first married I just stayed home and made sure the house was clean and the meals were cooked. After about a month of watching my husband attend school all week and work all weekend I decided that I should find a job, just to help lighten his load. Our little family was blessed because I was able to find employment for the state WIC office in St. George, which is right down the street from our home. Another blessing about our home is that we also live down the street from the St. George Temple. Our families are able to visit us from Salt Lake as a small vacation from their usual daily routine.

Exactly One Month from Today....

Today is November 18, 2009...and it's exactly one month from today that...I'm getting married! WOWZERS! A lot in my life has led up to this point and I am truly happy and recognize that I have been blessed! I will be marrying George Pakileata Manu. We have had our share of "ups" and "downs" but for the most part we love each other and that is all that matters. George came to Salt Lake on Monday November 2nd by shuttle and I picked him up and took him to his friends house. He got all dressed and we then drove to my brother, Siope's house where my mom was and my oldest brother. He asked them to allow him to be the one who will take care of me the rest of my life. He told them that he was ready and willing to be the one who cares for me. Both my mother and brother agreed and thanked George for finally being the one who I have chosen. I guess I must have been subconsciously picky. My brother Siope counseled us on what to expect and gave him a fair warning about me...hahahahaa...I cried most of the time. My mom also spoke with us about the decision that we are making. After we left the house George took the keys from me and drove us up to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. He walked me to the front of the temple and started fumbling around with the ring boxes. He said, "SaLote Marie, this is nothing in comparison to what you deserve." Then he got on his knee, and I started laughing and told him to get up cause he looks ridiculous, and he said, "Let me look ridiculous, I don't care. I promise to bring you back to this temple as soon as I am able and we will be sealed. SaLote Marie, will you marry me?" I of course said, "Yes." and kissed him on his forehead and he lifted me up and spun me around...It was a wonderfully beautiful moment!

The most exciting things that have happened this month of September is that Salote Monica was baptized 9/5 and Elenoa and Tangiteina were beptized 9/25, on their birthday and Siaosi Manu was baptized 9/26, in St. George! This was a great month of missionary work and of eternal progression! I have definitely not been this happy in a very long time. So, that's all for now folks and I'll get with ya'll with the details of the happenings around town and in my head!

CHEEEEEEEEEESE! So much has happened since I was able to blog last. It is now the last day of September and boy have I been busy! This is a picture of me and my boyfriend Siaosi Pakileata Manu. There is a whole long story that goes with our relationship, which I will share with my blogging community at a later time!

Sonasi Manu Po'uha "Pa"

Very few people enter your life and leave such a great impact on it. I have been blessed to have such people in mine. One of which, is Sonasi. July 2, 2009 at about 3 o'clock in the morning he left this life behind with a great legacy to be carried on by those who knew him. Pa, as he was known by his children and grandchildren, was a mountain of a man. I was blessed to be named after his daughter Salote. He always called me "Lalu" and would always call me over at family things and I'd sit on the floor beside him and he would just put his hand on my head. I knew I was loved even if it was never said, it was shown. When I was preparing to go on my mission, he told me to come to the temple and do a session with him. I attended a session at the Salt Lake temple with my mom and I thought that I missed the session he was attending because I did not see him. When the session began I heard his voice. It was a wonderful experience. After he invited me into one of the offices of the Salt Lake Temple and gave me fatherly counsel, as my father had already passed away. He told me that he raised his daughters to be smart with money, time and talents so as to bless other people. He spoke on how he raised them to survive a month on just $10.00. He raised them to be confident and told me that I should be advised in the same way. He proceeded by telling me that no one is prettier than me, no one is smarter than me and no one is better than me. Not to be prideful but to be confident in my self worth. He advised me to be humble and recognize to bless others because I am good and have been blessed with much. We hugged and he said, "I love you, Lalu." I went on my mission and returned home to be married in the temple. Few short years later I was no longer married. I felt as if I had let everyone down because my life hadn't occured as I had planned, or that I had dishonored my name. He treated me the same, as if nothing happened. He once again invited me to the temple, where I met him and did another session, after which he hugged me and said, "I wish I can be good like you, why you so good?" I cried, because I felt a closeness to all my Fathers at that moment. He encouraged me to keep on doing what I knew was right. I started dating and I saw him at the mala'e where he always sat next to his granddaughter Pauline's gravesite. He called me over and I sat on the gorund next to him and he asked, "how is your boyfriends?" I laughed and then I said, "His family doesn't like me, so we're not friends anymore." He looked at me as if he were so offended by what I just said, then he said "Lalu, everyone loves you. don't you know that? You are the best." I laughed and squeezed his hand. I love Pa. He will forever be remembered as a great blessing in my life! Ofa Atu Pa!

General Thought and Feelings!

I love my life and all that take or have taken part in my life. I have been truly blessed to know and get to know the most amazing people in the world. They are not amazing because they hold any type of position, except for the fact that they are truly good people. The other day I was talking with my mom and we were discussing the life of my siblings and how we all know each other so well. I was asked to describe each one in one word, it was a real time for reflection on my part, which I did and was able to come to the conclusion that I love them very much and I have been truly blessed. The highlight of my life now comes from my nieces and nephews. They bring me such joy, it's difficult to imagine my life before they were even around. I am also grateful for the companionship of friends. I've been lucky enough to get to know many new people that have impacted my life for good. The struggles of preparing for school, work and the social aspect of life helps me be mindful of the Lord's love for me!So, this is me and my babygirl! That's all...the end!