Tags

Tags

Saturday morning markets go on all year around here. Everything is "tagged" to sell.  We visited the Mangere Market last week in the Auckland area. Local people bring their wares to sell, anything from produce and meat, to clothing, handmade jewelry and cultural wares. It’s pretty eclectic and the locals come to fill their refrigerator, their kitchens, their closets, even their tool box with used tools, as well as their stomachs and cultural cupboards. We wondered if, because of the very low price tags on most things (as well as the makeup of the crowd) this may be where many locals with a tight budget come to shop each week. 

There were booths with lots of floral head wreathes 'ei kaku or 'ei opoko.  We often see women wearing them at church.  This lady was selling them and also modeling her "tagged" wares.  
There was also “sock war” going on with competing booths selling socks from China. They even had a section for used dishes, chain saws, and used appliances.   

We love to check out the cultural items and talk to the older islanders who still make these painstakingly by hand. They smiled when they read our missionary "tags" and said in broken English they were members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well.  
The feather cloak is a Maori korowei (kahu huru huru).
 and worn by chiefs on special occasions.

web photo cnn.com

NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern wearing a korowei feathered Maori cloak when visiting with Her Majesty the Queen of England earlier this year.

These little ladies were beading red plastic beaded leis while we were there.  We have seen them worn at many weddings.  The Maori word for neck garland or lei is 'ei kaki or 'ei karaponga. 

This little bear was a gift to us and came with her own little tag bearing her name Marama and
wearing a feathered korowei, a jade necklace, and carrying little poi balls.

Beautiful pearls are prevalent here and this market was no exception.  One of our YSA comes from the Cook Islands where her family business is a black pearl farm.  The market was selling heaps of pearl jewelry and we were amazed at the beauty of the pearls and the low price "tags".

Most produce was "tagged" about 2-3 times less than the regular NZ grocery store prices. Apples were only $1.89 kg, small lettuce head just $2, oranges $2.99 kg, peppers (called here capsicum) and avocados were tagged $3.00 each, a steal over grocery store prices. Grapes were "tagged"only $10 a kg (yikes) compared to grocery stores where they are as high as $24.00.  Watercress was a big item.  The locals told us they go swimming in the river to gather it (I had only seen it in streams) and then come to the market to "tag" and sell it. Over here they cook it (???) haven't tried that yet.

Not sure what the wiggly green stuff is...lots of prepared food tagged to sell.  Interesting that most often (meat included) it is not refrigerated. 

We just had to buy one of these foot long + white daikon radishes.  Pretty mild and huge!  "Tagged" at $1, a steal!

Lovely pork buns, one of the many "tagged" offerings for lunch.

The woven mats they wrap around their waist and wear over their lavalava's with a tie are called ta’ovala by the Tongan (Sister Stosich trying to figure it out). We see them weekly at church.  They are definitely a work of art.  "Tagged" starting around $150 and upward.  Heaps of incredible weaving, works of art.

At the center of the indoor market they held a rally encouraging Polynesian fathers to be good, and then they had a "zumba" type line dance.  As we walked by, several security folks were staring at Elder Downs.  That can leave you a bit uneasy.  We were relieved when they approached him and just asked how tall he was.

They love their meat, chicken, squid, mussels ...reasonably "tagged" here around $4-6

And this little guy was "priceless"...Strumming and singing at the top of his lungs (hitting some really high notes, bless his heart).  No specific price "tag", just his little green donation bucket where you determine the value.

Shortly after we walked in a man stopped Elder Downs when he read his missionary “tag”to talk about religion and life.  Elder Downs gets “tagged” a lot.  Because of his missionary tag, his height, and sometimes he just gets "tagged" because he’s always being a nice guy to everyone in the crowd. 

These two "Mangere marketeers" came up to us all smiles because of our "tags", said they were members too.  One of them said she recognized us because we had recently visited her ward.

Had to throw this in...will "tag" it simply, "THE MAGNOLIAS ARE STARTING TO BLOSSOM". ahhh!

THOTL
A few of the many this week:
THOTL #1.  Michelle (a new YSA) just returned from serving a mission in Korea.  One of the families she taught the gospel to there included a mother and her 3 rambunctious young children. (which made it very hard to teach above the noise).  One day as they were trying to teach the young mom, her daughter, the oldest and the "ringleader" of the children, jumped up on the table between the mom and Michelle and proceeded to grab Michelle's scriptures and wave them above her head.  As she did, a picture of the Savior fell out.  The little girl grabbed it as if to tear it or bite it until she turned it over and she saw His face.  Then she put down the scriptures and just stared quietly as she studied the picture of the Savior for nearly an hour.  Her siblings actually joined her. The lesson spoken and unspoken that day was more than sweet.

THOTL# 2.  We have to acknowledge that of all the things that could potentially be issues with premature little granddaughter Catharine, every issue has evaporated and we see THOTL in her little life and health. What a huge blessing as we watch the Lord take incredible care of our families.  They may want us to stay on missions so the blessings will continue.

THOTL #3. Another adventure for our little granddaughter Livy...she was SO excited to get a backpack and start her preschool.  They were lucky to find her one after moving to Tiffin, Ohio so late in the year.  After only a day it was cancelled.  Lots of prayers from two sides of the globe and 24 hours later mom found a one space opening in an even better and less expensive preschool!  May seem minor to you but it was enormous to Livy (and us)!   As those who've lived far from family know, you depend on THOTL to watch their backs, backpacks, fronts and sides too.

THOTL #4 Includes another investigator coming into AIB to ask questions, a unique opportunity to correct something we had unintentionally misrepresented, random listening to conference talks with answers to prayers and questions, and scores more.  He is amazing and so aware of us!

Back to Tags...

Great day for the sailboats to play "tag" in the Auckland Harbour

More sunshine, 60 degrees, and sailboats

Our senior missionary FHE group "tagging" ("miss u" sign) a few friends who just left for home.  We had our own chili cookoff.

Tuesday night classes content after classes and burritos...good combination.

Lunchside Leadership Devotional Series with guest speaker Peggy Haleck, PHD of Education, wife of Elder Haleck in the Pacific Area Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  An awesome speaker who "tagged" her adventures and thoughts on Charity for us.

Friday lunchtime gathering "tagged" Ooodles of Noodles...small but cozy crowd of lovelies.  Elder Downs practicing his new-found 'selfie' skills

Center is Masi Vainikolo, recently returned from a mission in the Philippines who delivered our Devotional thoughts, enhanced by a celebration of pizza afterwards.

Another YSA BALL  Fire and Ice-The Power Within

facebook of Sanna, Ofono and Etena  

  

In the olden days you had a dance partner but could "tag" or cut in and change partners.  Now, unless its a slow dance, you just step out on the floor and dance...without a partner.  Everybody just finds a spot and dances.

We "tag" our favorite pets, 
we "tag" things to group them on our devices, 
we "tag" some things to help us remember, 
we put price "tags" on things to show a value,
 and we wear medical "tags" to give vital information.  
Tags are helpful to give people and things names, identification and understanding. 

Right now we are honored to wear name "tags" with our name and the name of the Jesus Christ on the "tag" as well.  We admit we are far from perfect but the "tag" encourages us to keep trying to be more like Him.

Jesus Christ is "tagged" in the scriptures with over 100 Divine titles, we affirm they are all true.  And whether or not one believes...He IS the Savior and Redeemer of the world.  We witness of that.

Love,

Elder and Sister Downs

Vance and Louenda