"You are a Peters." Said the Stranger...

(Me @ 17 yrs old)

My friend Kiki posted this story on her blog today. It reminded me of a similar incidence that happened to me when I was only 16 years old.

I was at my first job and this Samoan guy comes up to me and says "You're a Peters". He didn't ask this as if it were a question, it was like he was stating a fact. And it was a true fact, but I didn't have a clue who this guy was. I was dumbfounded, I must have looked really stupid with my mouth hanging open for what seemed like an eternity. After I got over the shock, I nodded and mumbled something that confirmed his previous statement. He then did the thing that us Poly's are famous for....the "Do you know...?" game. Don't laugh, y'a'll know what I'm talkin' about! LOL Apparently, he knew my grandpa Iuli as well as my Uncle Leonard. I, to this day, do not know who that was nor do I know how he knew I was a Peters. It can't be that I look like a Peters, because I look like my mom. I don't think I look anything like my dad or my dad's side of the family.

Anyway, this story has stuck with me since and it wasn't until I read my Grandma's Biography that I understood how this stranger could possibly know my roots. You see, my Grandpa Iuli was a great man, and that is an understatement. He touched many lives while living in Samoa/Hawai'i and more importantly, while serving the Lord. It is because of him and my grandma that our name is known throughout the Samoan community. I like to think that I have a little bit of my Grandpa's light shining in me, and hopefully by my actions, some people notice that too.

My Grandma has gone on to serve SEVEN missions and she can speak FOUR languages. The latest language she learned was Tongan, she served in the Nukualofa temple and LOVED every moment of it. How that woman learned to speak Tongan in her late 70's is beyond me...I mean, I can barely speak English! The other languages she speaks are Fijian, Samoan and of course English. I'm grateful to all those before me, who have laid the foundation for my faith and testimony. I'm truly blessed to have come from people who have the most love and respect for the Gospel.

Love,
Rina