Childhood Memories

The Webster Dictionary defines friendship as the state of being friends; friendly relation, or attachment, to a person, or between persons; affection arising from mutual esteem and good will; friendliness; amity; good will. But to me friendship means lifting one from sadness, encouraging someone to believe in themselves, loving someone out of their pain and darkest hour. If anyone knows me well enough they will always know I prize friendship. I'm not always the greatest friend and can be really rough on the edges when it comes to my friends. But none the less I love my friends as if their my family. My 2nd family!As a teenager I'd associate myself with a group of girls and guys that I've always loved. We started out as a group of elementary, junior high to high school kids. Just having fun running into each other here and there. Taking rides on the UTA sharing bus passes, sittin in the hallways of Granite Jr High clowning or attending Granite High V-Ball games just supporting.





Bringing forth different cultures Samoan,Tongan, Spanish, Palangi. You name it we had it when it came to race and by personality the range was crazy. No lie! lol We'd walk around the streets of Sugar House just being teenagers. Going to dances, movies, standing out at any given time clowning either at a Park ,movie theather or someones house. Eventually recongized among other sets of friends as the Suga House Kweens. Determined to stress we weren't a gang but a croo. We were honestly just tryna find our own identities and show all people love and respect. Unless they tried to come at us wrong.Angie, Veronica, Sia , Baby, Rena, Laura, Fabi, Lulu, Tea myself and others that would occassionaly kick it. Was then and still now what makes up "Suga House" (I was a mean older sister lol NO U CAN'T COME UILA N VERONICA) But on a occassion my baby sis Uila, Pearla fabi's sis and many others enriched our sisterly bond when we'd kick it. And the previous set of women that I mentioned from Angie-myself this week as proven that friendship should never be taken for granted. Life's too short!
We came together and still are coming together this week. In behalf of the recent death of our sister Sia and Tea's mom Sister Finau. Sister Finau passed away Feb 13,2009 on Friday in Tonga while serving a faithful Lds Mission. A very viberant woman, filled with endless faith, charm to melt anyones heart, service orinented mind, sense of humor to brighten up any room and a heart filled with love we couldn't imagine therein we'll never know the capacity. Because she was always giving always loving just as a true disciple of Christ would be of course. We Love and miss her our "Suga House Missionary Mama"..It was a bittersweet time sitting listening to our sisters Sia and Tea's testimonies, singing for hours and just raw feelings that flowed out from this experience. And as I prepared to go over to support. All I kept thinking of was I can't think of me. I can't be selfish and not want to go when my best friends need me. Only because I didn't want to reopen the pain felt when Tuau SR and Tuau Jr passed last year.And I didn't realize how closed off my heart was due to that experience til I sat down with my sisters. Where I witness for myself I had to forget myself and mourn w/my Finau Family. It's not about us..
Reminiscing about our youth, my runaway moments lol and times the girls would harmonize at different events.Cause if you didn't know now you do. My sisters can SANGA not Sing but SANGA. And to hear them old songs again and remember how we were brought comfort and right then I was filled with the love of God.
That when we don't question him, when we humble ourselves to his will and we truly trust him. Only then will the healing come sooner then later and only then will we be able to live again. Even if it means living physically without our love ones. It's not meant for us to be here on earth forever becuz there is more to come after this life. So again the night was filled w/sisterhood, music and testimony. I am so grateful that no matter where life has taken each of us. I can always come home to my girls. Remembering aside from my own biological brothers and sister. This special group known as "Suga House" still holds a special place in my heart. Where each of my sisters though broken spiritually (cause we all are sinners at different degrees)their still MY spiritual giants. And have contributed to me being this missionary minded that one day they will know of the Gospel and the peace it offers for themselves.
And so I will always be indebted to them, Rocky,Roy and Uila for being my strength. I've been able to maintain my spirituality and have been able to remain strong for this long from falling away from because of them. I know God is our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ is our Redeemer ready to heal us and the Holy Spirit once obeyed will lead us out of our life failings into God's loving mercy. And that's what I want each of you see and grow in testimony.I love my sisters so much and only ask that all will pray for them. During this difficult time and know that will sustain the Finau Family more then anything worldly you could give them. Money (NO!), Tapa (NO!), Food (NO!) my sisters need your prayers the only way they'll even begin to build their faith in Christ so that they will be reassured that their mother will be waiting anxiously for each of them when they are called to go back home. LET THAT BE YOUR GREATEST GIFT TO THEM I love all of you and my Finau Family my Suga House Croo in the name of Jesus Christ Amen!

Living and Learning

Last week I was enlighten on so many levels on all sorts of issues. I've come to really take account that I can't control other people. NO matter how pure my intentions may be or what I feel is right. I learned that everyone has to experience life for themselves. I learned that even if things are smooth sailing for a minute I must be prepared for life's storms. And in being prepared I have to keep on my toes and make sure my foundation is strong. So that I never fall and if I do I have the strength to bounce back up. So what's this blog all about? It's about living life with a desire and motivation to be about something. Learn it! Live It! Share It! Whether that be on an educational level, spiritual or anything else that involves living.

I've made so many friends in the last little while through our H.Y.P.E Movement and I've been so happy. I've got my bracelett if I haven't already mention, I'm gonna take my photo and I'm recruiting 24-8 not 7 but 8..lol cause I know I'm living above the influence of fear,doubt and hesitation to succeed. All because of inspiring youth making a stamp in their communites. I am blessed and I am honored to live outside of myself and be more. Cause like the saying goes we can't change the world unless we change ourselves.. So that's what life has been about and I'm happy.

Another lesson learned has been "Letting Go" in 4 wks and 6 days will be our brother ITUAUMALOSI TEMA NICK AFO'S 1 year memorial. And though I'm not letting go of him I am resolving to letting go of the pain. The hardest thing to this day to do. Fighting to let go of because it's becoming more of a reality that this "Letting Go" in my mind should've occurred already. But I've been ignorant in my knowledge of taking the steps. So I've put all of that emotion in a gift to his daughter with the help of good family and friends that has helped me to heal. And this experience and the process in creating this gift has given me a glimpse of my love for people, love ones and the ability to really put forth myself in beliving in myself. So when I express my belief in others they really feel it. Cause truth recongizes truth and light is attracted to the light that lives within ones soul. So important that we create a bright light within to attract the right light that exist around us. And I want mines to attract the highest light that if I faulter that light will beam me up from whatever I'm going through in life. So living and learning moving and sharing that's what this year is about nowadays. I'M LIVING THE GOSPEL AND DRIVEN BY THE H.Y.P.E making things happen in 09 dedicating it all to Tuau!