It all started when my parents served a mission in Taichung Taiwan as mission presidents. They were loved dearly by the members of Taiwan and so when mom and dad left, the members of their mission rented a performance hall to send them off. My dad and mom, as well as a bunch of Kim's who flew to Taiwan were asked to sing at the "farewell".
After my mom passed away, my dad asked all of us to join him on this trip to Taiwan in remembrance of her. When the PR group for the church in Taiwan heard we were coming, they asked my dad if we could perform in the city of Taichung, just like the "farewell". He agreed and so we began rehearsing for this performance. A little after, we soon found out that 1 performance multiplied to 7 performances and 2 firesides. We got a little nervous, and started rehearsing with more earnest.
We decided to make a theme behind the performance of strengthening your family through church, traditions, culture and time. It was really fun seeing our family grow closer together through putting on this performance. The church in Taiwan has recently started blossoming and a lot of members are trying to develop their own family traditions and values. We were hoping that through seeing our performance it could motivate them to strengthen their family just as Linda was able to strengthen hers.
The show started out with an opening hymn and then the keikis sang the first verse of "Teach me to Walk in the Light".
At the second verse the adults walked in singing and surrounded them in back. We then sangI am a Child of God in Chinese. It was great to hear the audience participate with us and sing along as well.
After that number we would break apart into individual family units to sing Families can be Together Forever. At one venue I remember feeling my children's arms around my legs, while holding one baby in my arms, and seeing Jenn carrying the other as we all sang about our family's potential. It was overwhelming how much peace and love I felt for my young growing family at that moment.
Then the focus moved to developing talents. Dad asked us to play something on the piano, so we played a duet called "Jubilation."
At our last performance we actually forgot our music so we filled in with an improv swing dance number.
The second half of the program was dedicated to sharing our multi-culture as a family group. Mostly we performed Hawaiian numbers.
Hana Chant
Aiwohi ohana dancing "Ulupalakua"
Aunty Cynthia dancing "Waikiki" while.....
Aunty Lene sang her solo.
All the women danced to "Hawaiian Lullaby" (Where I live)
The couples danced Noho Pai Pai. It was lots of fun to dance hula with my love by my side.
Right after the couples hula, the men (and boys!) had to jump on for the Maori Haka "Kamate"
My nephews always looked forward to doing this number.
The women also did a Maori number called "Na Waka"
Our last Hawaiian hula was to the song "Eia Makou"
The youth of Mililani stake performed this number for the temple re-dedication in Laie. It was neat to watch my niece Lindsey teach this number to all of us old-timers.
We ended the show singing "Hawaii Aloha" and "The Lord Bless You and Keep You."
Obviously the kids had more fun playing with each other than performing. Ethan are you really punching my daughter??
I love Anjuli's reaction. A girl's attitude vs a boys physicality.
After the closing prayer we all sang "Aloha Oe" which many members recognized and sang along with us. While we were singing we'd go out into the audience and shake their hands. The members loved holding Jasmine and taking pictures with Anjuli or the children. We even had some buddhist monks approach us and ask to take our pictures with them.
Well the show has ended and we're back from Taiwan. Overall we performed for over 3,000 people at venues all around the island of Taiwan. The show brought a lot of people of different faiths together and the message of family values struck a chord in the hearts of the people in that land. Thanks dad, we'll always have these memories to help strengthen our own family circle.
No comments:
Post a Comment