For several generations, our family has devoted many years to missionary service in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In our own family, we have enjoyed being around missionaries almost our entire married life. From 1989 to 1992 we had the great blessing to serve as Mission President and family in the Tonga Nuku’alofa Mission. It was wonderful to be surrounded by stalwart missionaries every day and it certainly influenced our children in their decision to go on a mission. I wanted to write this post so our grandchildren will know more about their extended family and the great opportunities they have had.
Our daughter, Liana, was called to serve in the Salt Lake Temple Mission. She met people from all over the world who visited Temple Square. We got to have her take us for a tour while visiting there. Part of her mission was spent in Virginia. Her husband, Siope Kinikini, served his mission in Argentina and he taught in Spanish. His mother, Teina, has served several missions since her husband, Pita Kinikini passed away. He was Stake President of the Tongan Stake in Salt Lake City. Liana and Siope have a beautiful daughter, Rachel Ileina.
Liana later chose to become a nurse and continue to serve others. She went on to become a Nurse Practitioner and she helps so many people every day. Siope counsels others on smarterparenting.com and he is a member of the Tabernacle Choir.
Our eldest son, Robert, served a mini-mission when we were living in Tonga before he was 18. He was assigned to a small island in Ha’apai and loved his time there. Later he was called to serve in the Cabanatuan Mission in the Philippines. He taught the Gospel in Tagalog and loved the people he served. He later met and married a Filipina, Abigail Amistad at Brigham Young University – Hawaii.
Abi is the daughter of Modesto and Elaura Amistad. They served as Mission President and family in the Philippines and also as Temple President. They share four of our grandchildren (Israel Modesto, Prinsesa Elaura, James Ali’i, and Robert Matealona), and they are so much fun as you can see!
Robert chose to serve in the U.S. Air Force. His family have lived in many countries throughout the world. He served as Branch President and other ecl
Joel ‘Aholelei was called to serve in the Japan Fukuoka Mission. He taught in Japanese
and loved serving in Okinawa. Joel married Meilani Smith after she served her mission in Guatemala around the same time as Joel. They waited for each other.
Together, Joel and Meilani have created a beautiful family who share their love for the Gospel through music. They have four amazing children, Anna Luiza, Eryn Moana, Joseph James, and Lily Ruth.
Since Jacob and Joel were still younger when we served in Tonga, they loved following our Tongan missionaries around and when the time came, they were so excited to serve a mission. Jacob was called to serve in the Las Vegas West Mission. His girlfriend, Mandy, waited for him while he was on his mission. She is now his wife and they have three wonderful children, Jacob Tupou, Zion Viliami, and Izabella Liana. Jacob (otherwise known as Cubworld) learned to play the guitar on his mission and went on to record several songs he wrote. Our family recently visited the area where Jacob served which included Lake Tahoe.
Our family has been blessed immensely from the many experiences we have all had while on missions for the Church. Serving other from various countries and learning about their cultures has helped us accept and befriend others. I am so glad that all of our grandchildren get along and are close.
Of course, we had observed great examples from our own parents. My parents served in the Wisconsin Milwaukee Mission and ‘Isi’s parents served several missions in Tonga. As I look back further into our family history, there are many stories of sacrifices made by individuals who left family to share the Gospel in other parts of the world.
