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

The miracles continue during this Christmas season

We're used to snow during this time of year. It's so warm, it's not so easy getting into the holiday spirit. Sister Martin took a picture of this big Christmas tree at the local bank.

In contrast, this cute little tree in our apartment, left behind by one of the other senior couples who lived in this apartment before us. Sister Martin set these up to create a little Christmas cheer in our temporary home on Guam.

And then she posted the cards we are starting to receive from children and Grandchildren.

And more gifts like this little tree and other things from family are hung up to beautify our apartment.

Interesting note: The news reported that real pine trees from the states were arriving around Thanksgiving time. The commercialization of Christmas even here on Guam is dramatic.

Of course, Christmas is really all about the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. The following link to a video called, "He is the Gift" helped us focus on Christmas in a better way. He is the Gift


And then we were privileged to attend a baptism. Sister Misanale and Sister Warner have been teaching a Pohnpeian family. The teenage sister of the three teens who were baptized spoke at the event and gave a wonderful talk on baptism, in both English and Pohnpeian language. She was baptized in February.

We went over to the Governor's house/grounds on Guam to see the Christmas lights display. It is only a few minute drive from the mission office. 

 We had a fun walk around the lights display. It's the only time I have ever sweat while looking at Christmas lights. 86+ degrees. Warm is nice but I enjoy a colder climate, especially at Christmas.

This is a beautiful fake tree. Trees don't lose their leaves on Guam. 

Ah Oh. Elder Hunter fractured 3 fingers doing a hand stand or something like that. Will that slow him down? Not a chance. I noticed doing the gas receipts that he and his companion love to walk. He only filled up his car with gas one time over the past month. Others have several fill-ups. I'm always training the leadership to encourage everyone to slow down. President Zarbock teaches that if we go slower we can wave to people and make more friends. He has also begun "Walking Wednesday" where they park the cars and walk. Elder Hunter has just taken this council to a different level. Perhaps it just depends on the preference of the missionary.

We were blessed that four sisters came over for Sunday dinner. They are all dedicated missionaries with magnetic personalities. Definitely great assets to the Lord and his great missionary work.

Sister Kuau (from Vanuatu), Sister Mika (Australia), Sister Baum(US), Sister Orrock(US) 

Sister Misanale shared these photos in southern Guam on their P-day

Sister Warner with the Carabao (Water Buffalo)

We enjoyed seeing two small miracles in the office the other day. One new missionary was having difficulty getting his government permit and was about to fly back to Guam because the allowable 30 days was expiring. They went in and met with officials and they decided to give him more time to get his paper work completed.

Another missionary forgot his permit in his apartment. The airport authorities somehow let him on the plane anyway. These miracles don't always happen. But the Lord's work continues to move forward at a rapid pace. These particular missionaries must have had a special reason to be, or to go where God needed them to make a difference. LDS missioanries share a wonderful message. We recommend all take the opportunity to listen to it. And even if you have heard it before, invite the missionaries back and perhaps invite a friend to join you.

Baptism, amazing talent, missionary talks, more

Saturday was another special, unforgettable day in Guam.

Sister Orrock and Sister Baum just before a baptism Saturday 

Pday for the missionaries...

Another great day for donuts brought in by Elder and Sister Thomas for car inspections on Pday.

Elder Talona, from Hawaii, currently serving in Saipan, played a tune for us in the office. Amazing talent.

We had a great Sunday and a spiritual feast enjoying amazing talks - and primary children sang as well.

This is an audio clip of the talk given by Elder Hunter speaking in the Barrigada Ward on November 30th. These were some candid photos I took of Elder Hunter at an earlier date. 

His testimony in Chuukese at the end was amazing. Even though we couldn't understand a word of Chuukese, we could feel the spirit testify of the truthfulness of the restored Gospel. I could literally feel that the Chuukese people listening, were greatly strengthened, uplifted and edified. 

After the primary choir sang (amazingly good even without a piano player), Sister Amy Zarbock spoke. She just returned from serving full time in the North Carolina Charlotte Mission. 

Then President Zarbock gave his remarks...another powerful talk on missionary work. Listen and enjoy.

After church we said goodbye to Sister Roberts who had been serving on Pohnpei. A loving sister that will be missed. She also needed some money for baggage due to a layover flight back to Australia. It takes 2-3 days for her to get home.

Then we headed up to the Mission Home to give a presentation for Mission Leadership Conference. Sister Training Leaders and Zone Leaders come once a month for extensive training. I talked about cars, money, and other office-related matters and Sister Martin talked about missing baptism records. Everything is done in proper order and all baptisms must be properly recorded. 

Reading from the Missionary Handbook

Amy Zarbock, right, joined the Mission Leadership Council meeting

Elder and Sister Guercio, our mission nurse couple, talked about the prevention and proper treatment of Scabies mites (also known as the 7 year itch). Very informative. Bugs on these hot tropical islands is always a concern.

A microscopic image of a Scabies Mite

After finishing in the office at about 6:30 tonight, we enjoyed a nice "BBQ on a stick" dinner at the Chamorro Village. There is always a line at "Kris BBQ", and Elder and Sister Guercio recommended it, so we decided to try it. It was great food...just needed a salad and it would've been perfect. The Chamorro village is open every Wednesday evening with both locals and tourists attending.

With Elder and Sister Guercio

Kris BBQ - Great Food

We've danced here a couple of times before. Sometimes we see Elvis but not tonight. Fun place. 

We love the Lord, we love serving the missionaries, we love and miss our family (often to tears), and we love the people on Guam.