Christmas, farewells, welcomes, parties and more.

Our Christmas card (first time going paperless)...

We were working in the office as usual when all at once a big cockroach appeared, looking directly at me. Elder Hunter was standing there and saw him before I did. He went to grab him with no luck. It was on the loose. Sister Martin said, "I'm leaving the office while you take care of it." Later that day I was able to catch it. Another "normal" day in the office.

Last week we enjoyed witnessing two more young women getting baptized. They have been coming to church and to young women's meetings for months now. I think one was from Pohnpei. Sister Orrock just went home and Sister Baum just got transferred to Saipan.

Elder Afualo performed one of the baptisms

Sister Baum gave us a few pictures from a service. Makes us a little nervous how machetes are almost standard issue here.

Two awesome missionaries, Sister Orrock and Elder Baliling, wearing the tie, are going home, They finished their missions.

Many young missionaries were either being transferred or going home. Many pictures were taken.

Last week we had the Sisters over for dinner, how about Elder Kata, Elder McEwan, Elder Afualo? Teriyaki beef & chicken.

What would a missionary blog be without missionary shoes? Missionaries walk a lot. Elder Tafuna recently arrived to Guam from the islands of Chuuk. He said he was given some new shoes, while in Chuuk, but they were stolen, so back to the good old reliables. Nothing that a little duct tape can't repair.

Then he was given some other new shoes. Looking good. Hope these don't get stolen.

Here are a few pictures from our Barrigada ward Christmas party. I sang Brightly Beams our Father's Mercy with Bishop Bill Davis, Brother Dale West, and Brother Jonathan Valiente.

We like the words to this song about the lighthouse and the often forgotten lower lights. We all need to help our Savior rescue lost souls and keep the lower lights burning. Coral reefs or rocks can be catastrophic. Ship captains alter their course to align the lower lights with the main lighthouse light to miss these obstacles at night. Likewise, the Gospel of Jesus Christ points the way for us to true happiness on this earth and Eternal Life in the life to come.

We all enjoyed President Zarbock and his Banjo. Enjoy these videos.

Edelweiss featuring the Hague family

Elder Amatus and Elder Tafuna

Sister Martin and the Christmas pig

Elder Martin and the feast. Red rice is a standard item.

Elder Hatch. Oops. Caught Elder Kim with his mouth full

Elder Arcayan and Elder Tafuna

Sister Misanale and Sister Ta'ase

Elder Roberts and Elder Samachy

Elder Kim, Elder Stripling , Elder Bourne

President Zarbock, Sister Zarbock, Sister Reed, Elder Reed

Elder Herman and Elder Roberts

Everyone loved the entertainment, as you can tell.

Elder Plocher and Elder Barrus