"Our future destiny lies on the other side of the veil. When I die I want the privilege of going where God my Heavenly Father is, and where Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, is." Wilford Woodruff
About a month ago we had a tragedy happen in our family, on Thursday September 1, 2011 both of my sisters Jazmyn Malia Davidson and Janelle Lula Tongaonevai were in a major car accident. From what I was told it was a drunk driver going 90 mph that ran a red light and T-boned my sisters car, they were coming from my brother-in-law Ron's football game when the accident occurred. My heart goes out to my brother-in-law Ron Tongaonevai not only did he see the whole accident, but he was also there trying to revive both of my sisters. Unfortunately one of my sisters did not survive the accident which was Janelle Lula Tongaonevai, and my other sister Jazmyn Malia Davidson was in critical condition and was rushed to the hospital. After several nights and a few surgeries later Jazzy was released from the hospital, she is so strong and is recovering each day more and more. It was so crazy how much strength my little sister has, during the time when she was in the hospital everyone was overwhelmed with shock and all kinds of mixed emotions. But yet the one involved in the car accident is over here comforting everyone else with words like "I will be alright..don't cry...everything will be ok:)" When were the ones that are suppose to be comforting her..not only that but also how much pain she endured just to recover faster so she would be able to attend our sister's funeral. Janelle is my older sister and she is the eldest out of five kids plus our other 8 brothers and sisters which equals 13 all together. During our younger years nelle was always known for being the smart one or the talented one, as we got a lil older into Jr high and high school years she was one of the popular girls. They even had their own lil clique which was called "the pink ladies," also during those years she met her high school sweetheart..the love of her life..Ron F. Tongaonevai Jr. These two dated for about 7/8 years before they got married in the slc temple on July 31, 2010. Their relationship has been and will always be a great example to me, they have shown me a love that is unbreakable, unconditional, but most of all ETERNAL! As we got older we went through so many graduations, birthdays, weddings, and many other family gatherings and occasions together. Nelle and Ron were always the life of the party, no matter where we were they would always be crackin jokes, doing impersonations, or just quoting lines off of funny movies. Growing up with my sister she was the biggest jokester, ok you know how
everyone has a blond moment every so often well I was one to have it consistently and nelle caught everyone of them LOL!..if you slipped up once in front of her then that was it you would never hear the end of it. Till this day I still heard all of my embarrassing moments especially when we got together with all the cousins, but that was the kind of personality nelle had she would always do something funny just to lighten up the atmosphere around her. I think that is what I am going to miss the most just how funny, whacky, and crazy she is. My sister and I were very close not only in age but overall, we went through everything together. No matter how far apart we were our sisterly bond remained strong, we would talk every day sometimes even a few times a day either through phone calls, texts, or even facebook. My family and I live in Phoenix, Arizona but all our family resides back in Utah, and because my husband works for the airlines Janelle would always persuade me every time to come back home for family functions or just to visit.
Nelle was all about family, she would love to get together with all the family and have a big feast, play games or just sit and talk stories. What nelle loved the most..besides Ron lol...was just talking and playing with her nieces and nephews. I can't talk for any of my nieces and nephews, but I know if you ask my kids who was the best aunt they would say "aunty nelle." Nelle would spoil the kids with candy and all kinds of goodies also if my kids would get into trouble and would be sent to timeout, aunty nelle was always there to protect them either by taking the blame or help bust them out LOL!!:) Like any other aunty there isn't anything this woman wouldn't do for her nieces and nephews. Because of how much love she had it was too contagious that everyone she came in contact with was affected... To my beloved sister...I never thought this would ever happen to us, losing you they way we did and as early as we did too it was such a big hit to my heart. I was at a loss for words and also feeling all I could do was ball my eyes out, you were always my other half like the twin sister I never had. All I was left with was so much pain, tears, and questions. But through all of that I had my own personal revelation, as I was crying into Henry's chest all I could hear were my sobs. A little while after a still small voice came to me and it sounded just like your voice and it said "Nise don't worry I'm right here, I'm not going anywhere..I will always be with you in here." As I heard the last word it felt as if your hand touched my heart and I just had this warm feeling that filled my whole heart and this calming feeling came over me. I can't express enough how much I love and how grateful I am to have you as my older sister, with all the teachings, examples, and unconditional love you had for not only me but all of our siblings. I know that this gospel is true and that families are forever, and when me and my family enter the temple to be sealed for all time and eternity I know with all my heart that I will see you again! UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN..WE LOVE AND MISS YOU SO MUCH..REST IN LOVE JANELLE L. TONGAONEVAI!!
"I rejoice in belonging to such a loving and caring organization [as the Church]. No one knows better how to bear one another's burdens, mourn with those who mourn, and comfort those who stand in need of comfort. I choose to call it 'enduring together.' What happens to one happens to all. We endure together. by : Richard C. Edgley
I just got back from camp and it was just one of the best experience ever!!! FYI..I went to a young womans camp for my ward which is sunburst ward in Glendale AZ. I have had no experience in young womans and also in camping...I know what you are thinking DISASTER!! Well if you weren't thinking it I was..LOL...anyways lets get into it I have a lot to blog about. So I kind of felt like I had a rough start towards camp only cuz of the night before. I was being lazy all day and decided to fall asleep during the day and took a three hour nap with the kids. So I wake up later on that night and started to pack and it took me all night till it was a couple hours before I had to go...I know I know what a procrastinator!! and we had to leave @ 6:30am ugh! oh well I eventually got packed, did a check list, and got there on time..YAY!!:) Day 1 @ camp so after all the head counting, checking in, and loading all the buses, we were finally on our way.The drive up was a bit long, but very nice it felt like a road trip. When we finally arrived @ camp we had to unload our stuff, settle in, and decorate our cabins. As we were settling in I checked our schedule, it was so unbelievable that we had to wake up every morning @ 6:00AM!! And every minute of every day was filled with something to do, from the time we woke up till the time we went to sleep.
Also every morning & evening we had to do roll call and flag ceremony, while we were waiting for everyone to get there we had to do cheers. OMG!! I have never heard of any of these songs before, they were okay for the first couple of days. But by the time the third day came, I got very tiresome and was done with them. For my first day @ camp my activities were archery, which was pretty cool for my first time I got 3/6 on the board. Then we did a treasure hunt / get to know you activity, I so felt like a drill sergeant..poor poor girls LOL! For the rest of the day we ate, chilled, and got to know each other a little better. As for the second day @ camp we started it off with a hike. It was so nice to hike in the woods, the scenery was so beautiful and it felt so spiritual being out there. So I came back early becuz the girl I was hiking with got injured she had a sprained ankle. While we were waiting for the rest of the girls to return we decided to take a nap, first off I overslept, secondly I missed a meeting but thank goodness for the other leaders for being on time. And when they finally woke me up they said I was..SNORING!! NoOoOo!! Can you say embarrassing?! UGH! LOL! Moving on...We then had crafts time, we made picture frames and traded tiles for our friendship necklaces. The picture frame came in handy for father's day, seeing as if I couldn't shop ahead of time and it was so close in timing.
The last activity we did for that night was so awesome and realistic, it was hold to the rod!! So the girls were blind folded and they had to hold on to a rope. The rope started from the theater cabin and went down about a mile and a half to end at the sacred grove. All the leaders had to help out with this activity, some were tempters to get you to leave the rope like satan. & others were angels..of course I was and angel and we had to hand out gems. Certain gems represent certain values in the young women's values, it was such a great experience I even got teary eyed:) OkAy were on day three @ camp so we got to sleep in....a whole half an hour later..and yet we still got up @ 6 in the morning LOL. The day was pretty relaxed this day the bishop and his wife got to come up for testimony meeting, but our bishop and his wife was out of town so instead we got the Hide's our first counselor and his wife. They are such a great and sweet couple, we even got to have dinner with them. After dinner we had a ycl program and the ycls are girls that are older like the 5th or 6th year girls that have attended camp. They had a choir program and we had one of our own girls doing one of the solos, can I just say she was amazing!! I can't wait until she gets big and famous so look out for her Jessica Crouse!!
This program was so moving that almost everyone cried....yes yes even me, I'm just a big cry baby but the water works don't stop there. After the ycl program we had testimony meeting with our first counselor and his wife, I swear I couldn't hold back my tears even if I tried they flowed out of me like there was no tomorrow. The meeting was so spiritually cleansing and emotionally moving, I was so touched & thankful to have experienced camp they way I did and with the people I did it with. When we got done with our testimony meeting we gave hugs and ate krispy creme doughnuts. We acted like fools for the rest of the night, we were laughing @ everything and anything. We laughed so loud that you could hear us across camp, and laughed so hard till it hurt and trust me it hurt bad!! hahaha ahh the memories:) I got to talk to henry and the kids before I went to bed, if you ask me this was a perfect day for me!:) Final day @ camp I am so glad to go home but at the same time I am so going to miss camp. So we got up, had breakfast and roll call, then we had to clean up and pack up all our stuff. We had to wait a lil while for the buses & as we waited we played games to keep us entertained, once the buses got there we hurried and loaded our stuff and then went about our way. We eventually reached home and had to say our goodbyes but got to see our families loving faces...... Well until next time love always muah!!:)
P.S. The best part of it all is they loved me and they called me the coolest funniest leader ever!! how awesome is that?! The lord has truly answered my prayers!!:) LOVE YA..
OOOKKAY!!! So let me start from the beginning so you don't get confused, my religion is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints or in other words lds or a mormon. And in my religion we have callings and mine just so happens to be the camp director of the young women in our ward. So basically I'm going to young women's camp and I will be one of the leaders there. First off you usually attend young women's camp when your a young woman..hence the name duh! LOL. Well in my case I didn't get to attend camp in my youth years, becuz of various reasons we won't get into that. Secondly I have only camped once in my life, it was when I was very young and I don't remember much...UGH!!! help me!! Anyways so we will be meeting at the stake center at 6 in the AM and I am not even packed yet.
Not to mention I am not a morning person, I am such a PROCRASTINATOR!! I have so many things running through my head...This is my first time really going to camp and I don't know anyone there. I mean I know the girls and ladies that are going in our ward but only by name, I really don't talk to anyone and there really isn't anyone I can be myself around. I have so many questions...Is my family gonna be okay? Am I gonna be okay? What if I embarrass myself? Are the girls gonna like me? Will I make a good impression on them?..Oh well we shall see and like my yw president says "prayers, lots and lots of prayers!" LOL CAMP IS HERE AND I'M SUPER EXCITED!!:)
I've got to admit I haven't done much work and I feel so bad, I wish I could have done more...I feel for the women that will be going up to camp with me especially my young women's president. All that I slacked in they have made up in, I am so grateful to them in all they do for me if it wasn't for Shelly Crouse I don't know what I would do. She has been beside me from the beginning, I was lost in the dark and she helped & guided me through it all. I am so thankful to know these women becuz they have shown me what true strength is, I can only hope that I can live up to their fine examples! THANKS SO MUCH LADIES FOR EVERYTHING!!! All that's left is cross your fingers and hope all goes well..Wish me luck!!:)
LOVE ALWAYS
I wanna make a shout out to my mother and also to her husband Sam for graduating from college this past weekend. I am so glad I got to be there to share in their moment of success, not only did they graduate from college but they also graduated with honors. It was a good weekend!!! Even though I was there for a short period of time (an over nighter) LOL it was still fun:) I live in Arizona and from time to time I like to travel back home which is Utah, mostly for big occasions like birthdays, weddings, funerals, and in this case for graduations. But during those times I have witnessed them make tremendous sacrifices, late night homework nights, and outstanding commitment!
My mother is a great example not only to me but to others out there, she has showed me that you are capable of anything if you put your mind to it:) She is a mother of thirteen children, a grandmother to five beautiful grandchildren, and a full time employee at the VA hospital. And still through her hectic life she managed to find time to be a full time student as well. If that isn't dedication then I don't know what is....Can you say mother of the year:) LOL!!! She has helped shape me into being the mother I am today, I want her to know how proud and thankful I am to have a mother like her!!:)
WWAAHHOOO MOM!!! YOU DID IT!!! CONGRATS AGAIN!!! Whats next on our bucket list? LOL JK LOVE YOU!!! LOVE ALWAYS
Do you ever have one of those days where you just can't escape the negativity all around you? Cuz today happens to be one of those days! Its so irritating when you try your hardest to focus on the positive but all you seem to think about is the negative. I think my biggest problem is I have nothing to do, you know how some people have work or school...Well I have nothing!! Other than the kids but they don't give me too much to do just feed them, entertain them, and sleep the day away..What a life right??.... What am I talkin about that's basically the same thing I'm doing..LOL..But it is so different when little kids do it and when grown adults do it, for a kid that's just their life and for a grown adult that's just being a bum!! Well, I'm a stay at home mom and I know what your thinking that's a job in its self...But to me I feel like I can give/do so much more and be a mother as well you know?? Not to mention my main concern is being secure for what ever may come my way, were ok for right now with one income but in the back of our minds were always thinking are we gonna make it through the end of the year??? Whats gonna happen if we don't have that income anymore?? where will we be then? So many questions unravel when i start to think about the future and not knowing whats in store for me and my family. I don't have much work history and the highest degree I have is a high school diploma, I want to be able to have something I can fall back on if needs be..All I know is talk is cheap and the way I was taught was don't just tell me you want it, show me that you deserve it!! I know for a fact motivation has a lot to do with it, for examples motivating yourself to get up and go to work everyday. Or motivating yourself to get up and go to school, or even just motivating yourself to get up and do the basics for everyday living. For some people there motivations are their families and that is the same in our case, but I also look to other things for motivation. Like the homeless or those that are ill and have to be hospitalized for the remainder of their lives, or even those that are in far away countries that are suffering from hunger, poverty, and even slavery. I feel for all those people that are going through these tragedies, but myself and many others out there don't want our families to end up like this...Looking at people and families that are going through things like this make me feel blessed, to have the family that I have and be where I am today..I may not have everything I want but I have everything I need!!:) So when it comes down to it or by the end of the day, if your ever having "just one of them dayz" just count the many blessings you have in your life and don't take any of them for granted!!:) And thats all folkz..LOL
Hello there...Ok I'm not gonna lie, it has been forever since I have written in a journal, thankgoodness for the update technology these days! If it wasn't for blogging I don't think I would ever pick up a journal, only reason being is I hate hate hate my handwriting....Ugh! How sad is that? Anyways...getting on with my introductions: My name is Jenise Masina, I will be turning 24 years old in a few weeks! Wahoo! I am married to the hottest and hard working husband who happens to be Henry Naitorosene Masina! We have two beautiful kids who are Riece Tausoa Lula Masina and Henry Naitorosene Masina Jr.! They are a couple of crazy but entertaining kids, my life wouldn't be complete without these 2! :) Speaking of kids...I am the 2nd oldest of 13 kids. There are originally 5 of us but when my mother remarried we went from 5 to 13. My parents are Jason Sioualofa Davidson and Lula Sonny Tuinei. They both remarried to Adele Fauatea and Sam Tuinei. I lived in Utah for the majority of my life but I now reside in Glendale, AZ. I love to play sports....so i guess you could call me a BALLER! Lol! I love both volleyball and basketball equally. :) My favorite color is Blue...if you can't already tell. I am from the island of Samoa and am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! :) I hope to be sealed to my family someday soon and cannot wait! :) Well that's all I have for now....so until we meet again, I bid thee good day! :)