It's Luau Time!

The Utah Salt Lake City Temple Square Mission has a tradition of having a luau every summer. This summer was no exception. We were asked to be on the committee (along with 3 other couples) to organize and put on the luau this year. It is actually held twice because only half of the mission can come to it at a time. Temple Square is open to the public 365 days a year so half of the mission needs to stay home to "man the fort" (or is that "man the temple")

The luau's were held July 15th and 17th. It was held up in Big Cottonwood canton at a really nice campground. Out assignments were to buy and prepare the green salad, homemade root beer, rolls, paper products, sound system and ice. We had never made homemade root beer before so it was quite the experience for us. We made 35 gallons and the sisters loved it. The menu was bbq chicken, slow cooked pork, rice, salad, pineapple, rolls, watermelon, root beer, cake and smores. Everyone loved it and there was more than enough food. There was entertainment put on by the polynesian sisters in the mission. After their entertainment they had different groups get up and taught them different polynesain dances. We have sisters from Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji and we had a sister from Nepal dance also.

There was also sand volleyball, frisbee, dance contests, and a huge tug of war at the end. The first night we fed about 125 people and the second night it was about 110. What a fun activity. It was amazing to see some of these very quiet, reserved sisters let their hair down and just have fun. We have some amazingly talented sisters here on Temple Square. Many had never heard of root beer before let alone taste it. They had also never heard of smores. What fun to teach them and then watch them make and eat them over and over again. We still hear about it today.

Our children will be happy to know that I did not embarrass myself by 'trying' to do the hula. I can't say the same for Mike. He did get a lot of whoops and hollers when he was up there though. His hips didn't want to cooperate real well but you have to give him credit for trying! I'm just thankful that he didn't put his back out trying.

The first picture you see here is Mike stirring the homemade root beer. We found that when you use dry ice to make it you have to stir it constantly or else the mixture freezes to the dry ice and it not longer keeps it cold or adds that fizz to it like you want. We now feel very comfortable in being assigned to make homemade root beer.

The second picture is of all the polynesian sisters who put on the program for us. They are all wonderful dancers. It's hard to understand how those hips can sway so gracefully no matter what build you have. We have sisters who range from the very most petite to exactly the opposite (sort of like me!). The next picture is of me helping cut the cakes for dessert.

The following pictures are of Mike and I with some of our special sister

who we have gotten to know very well and feel very close to. The first one is Sister Amado from Brazil, the second one is Sister Gradupe from Latvia, the third one is Sister Rodriguez. She has recently come on her mission from Mexico and I am her mentor in learning to speak English a little better. Don't ask me how they think I have the ability to do that but I'm trying. I'll say one thing, we do laugh a lot!!! The last one if Sister Bak from Russia (on the left) and Sister Thorn from Sweden. We would adopt any one of these girls in a heartbeat. They are so wonderful.