I have wanted dedicate a section of our blog, to my daughter Vaiola, who turned two years of age in March early this year, intending to write of her birthday party & celebrations. But never have, until now. So here it is, and also a little more than that.
You never really to it’s full extent, ever know your child. Or at least when you think you do - they surprise you. That’s how it is for us.
Our second eldest daughter, was born on March 26, 2009. Sticking to the even number days of the month, her mother likes. She was given the name, Vaiola Pauline-Jennifer Walshe. Her middle names denote both her loving grandmothers. Her first name has a beautiful meaning, “living waters”. Vaiola is also the vilage in which my mother Pauline Matuauto was raised. Vaiola, Tapu'ele'ele - Savaii, Samoa. Campbell and I went there together both, for the first time in 2007. It is literally paradise. Situated in the hills of Savaii, Vaiola has a peace & spiritual assurance about it. It is the village of my ancestors, and as I sat on the ground while Cam was cleaning gravesides of my ancestors with a cousin, I remember a sublime feeling of peace & honour as I closed my eyes to imagine all those who have gone before me who lived in this beautiful place.
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The story of my great-grandfather Faaoso Matuauto the Head Chieftain or ‘matai’ Tapu'ele'ele, my mothers grandfather, is one that reminds me of where I am from in geneaology & identity. I am so grateful to have this experience written in the book of Elder W Karl Brewer, young missionary who served in Samoa from Dec 6, 1920 - May 29, 1923. This was during Faaoso’s time. Elder Brewer was given a Samoan name during his mission, Misi Paine. Elder Brewer has written a book and his astounding experiences are recorded in his book entitled “Armed With The Spirit - Missionary Experiences in Samoa”.
We now have this book in our possesion - what a treasure!
In this book is his role & relationship with my great-grandfather who was the youngest and also the head chieftan & other chieftans (also known as ‘matai’) of villages of how Vaiola has been occupied by citizens who are all memebers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from Elder Brewer’s time to this day. This is the geneaology of my forefathers, and how I am also a Latter-day saint, as are all my children.
The experience in short is like this. Misi Paine (or Paine) as they had called Elder Brewer, had been proselyting in Savaii, island of Samoa. (Best island in the world by the way!) Born and shortly raised in Water Canyon, Arizona, this white young man stood out amongst the Samoan people. He quickly became known as the ‘white missionary’. The matai of Tapu’ele’ele came to a knowledge of this white travelling missionary and soon word had passed to Paine that he was wanted in Tapu’ele’ele as soon as possible upon the eager request of the matai. The following day, Paine ascended up the hill toward Tapu’ele’ele and was surprised to find head chieftan, my great-grandfather, waiting for him. A ‘fono’ or council meeting was called with other matai of surrounding villages.
Paine writes, “When [the matai] arrived, they sat cross-legged, according to rank, around the council room, resting their backs against the roof support posts. I was given a place of honour next to the head chief, who introduced me as the white missionary the had been waiting for."
“Realizing that these chieftains must have had a very important prupose in mind for inviting me there, I felt impressed to add, “Your highnesses must understand that I have no authority to make promises to you that would obligate the Church in any financial matters. Anything of this nature would have to be discussed with our mission president in Pesega. How ever I can teach you the gospel and will be happy to answer any questions you may have in this regard.. The chieftains agreed.. and began to ask questions about the gospel..” beginning with “What is God like?”
Paine continues, “Little did I imagine that these matai and villagers would question me for four days and four nights, almost nontstop, about the gospel.. It happened suddenly, after the last session of questions and answers.. the youngest and highest ranking chief leaned forward [and stated to Paine] “I am much impressed with your patience in answering our questions and your knowledge of the gospel you teach.. I would like to be baptized a Mormon.. Each chieftain, in turn, responded, “I would like to join also.”
Seven out of eight chieftains elected to be baptized into the Church. Soon, the entire village made the decision to be baptized. The one chieftain, Muliaga, who was not baptized made the choice to not do so as it was the the dying wish or ‘mavaega’ of his mother that he would promise to never be baptized into another church. But Muliaga said “Nevertheless I will support you chieftains and the village fathers, in every way I can.”
Paine writes how the chieftains discussed their desire to gift all their public lands - banana & coconut plantations, school and church buildings - to the Church. Paine concludes how he found it hard to believe that these matai, heads of Tapu’ele’ele only a week before meeting him, knew nothing about the Church, and had now transferred all their plantations and public buildings to The Church of Jesus Christ Of Latter-day Saints. Paine signs off “The Lord works in mysterious ways, his wonders to perform.
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Most this information I vaguely knew of through my mother and aunties & grandfather in his old age. It was only within the last month, when my great-aunt (daughter of Faaoso Matuauto, and sister of my beloved grandfather Pueomanu Matuauto) was able to relay specific details and knowledge of the book.
Pueomanu has been a keynote figure in my life and I have chosen to emanate in living the gospel as he did as also my forefathers.
To this day, Tapu'ele'ele residents are predominantly if not all, members of The Church of Jesus Christ Of Latter-day Saints. There also remains to be the school run by the Church, Church College Of Samoa, Vaiola. There is also one other school of it's kind on the main island of Upolu, in Apia. Namely, Pesega.
Pueomanu has been a keynote figure in my life and I have chosen to emanate in living the gospel as he did as also my forefathers.
To this day, Tapu'ele'ele residents are predominantly if not all, members of The Church of Jesus Christ Of Latter-day Saints. There also remains to be the school run by the Church, Church College Of Samoa, Vaiola. There is also one other school of it's kind on the main island of Upolu, in Apia. Namely, Pesega.
Perhaps and rightly named, Vaiola. Living Waters. It’s spiritual connection is a profound one, and I for one can’t help but know it is truly a paradise, and not only in appearance. I hope to go back there very soon with my husband again and all of my children, to this beautiful heritage. A name is important to my husband and myself, and in choosing one for our children we do not take lightly and wish to have our children’s heritage connected to them in many ways including their name. I connect the naming of this holy land to reminding me of what my family and I believe in.
As for our beautiful Vaiola, she is now two years of age and almost three. She is reserved, never shies from correcting us all when we slip up, loves her brother and sister just immensely, as all my children look out for each other. She had a beautiful birthday and remained reserved holding her teddy bear while all the children were having fun playing around her.
Theme for her party was a “Teddy Bears Picnic” as her mother lost some sleep staying up in the wee hours of the night preparing for her party. But what mother wouldn’t!
Party favour baskets, the children filled with goodies from an Easter Egg Hunt. Thanks to Aunty Nelia for tying all the individual bows onto 23 baskets!
What's a birthday without a cake. Turned out suprisingly well!
Finished product & and again thanks to Aunty Nelia for opinion on dimensions!
We ended that same day with attending and participating in the Seaford Football Club hosting “The Donny Epa Memorial Tribute Match” an amazing event!
We’re grateful to Heavenly Father every day for blessing our lives, with Vaiola and our two other precious children, Luaipou Irrawaddy & Bruce Hilton. Families Are Forever.
