Wednesday, January 14, 2015

More Cockroaches? - Ritidian Refuge hike

For Christmas, a few of our grandchildren sent us a big cockroach. This cockroach was like a gummy bear though. So, I talked Sister Martin into a picture. Here we are talking to the Jones family, who gave us the cockroach. 



Yum, yum, we love to eat cockroaches.


This is a very cold January in Guam. Lows are hitting a bone chilling 77 degrees. In a few days, the cold front is expected to drop to an unbelievable, 76 degrees. The high is 85. It will soon be back into the 90's.

Four of our five porch plants are blooming in this cold weather. White Ginger flower, Plumeria, Basil and a small rose. The Gardenia isn't currently blooming.




After a wonderful week of office missionary work, we always try to get out and get our bodies moving and explore the beauty of Guam.

This time, the Senior Couples decided to get together on P-Day and explore Ritidian and the Guam National Wildlife Refuge in Northern Guam.

Elder Thomas, Sister Martin, Sister Thomas, Elder Hurst

Elder Guercio, Elder Hurst, Elder Martin, Sister Guercio

Sister Guercio



Exploring the shallow caves...

Sister Martin said, "May I please have the camera?"
Elder Thomas, Elder Guercio, Sister Thomas, Elder and Sister Hurst and us - Sister Guercio took the picture


Elder Guercio and Elder Martin looking at an old stone-lined well

Elder and Sister Guercio

Elder Hurst and Elder Martin on the trail

Picture of Sister Martin - "I got the camera back"

Another fun hike - and the cloudy day made my day

Elder Martin digging a mote around his sand castle

Not a very crowded beach.

A little visitor dropped by to see what's going on - The video below shows him hiding in the sand




Driving out of the refuge, we saw some pigs running loose, or wild. Not sure which.



Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Quick to Observe - Portuguese man 'o war - more

Warning!

We were walking/jogging the other day on our usual route, and ran into a few college students on the beach. They pointed out these baby Portuguese Man of War Jelly Fish that had washed up.  We hadn't noticed them before and were very surprised. 


These kind of Jelly Fish can leave a nasty sting with their venomous tentacles, imposing a risk to unaware swimmers.

Sister Martin pointing out the Portuguese Man 'O War, washed up

This was obviously a sign to not go swimming there on that day.

This reminded me of something President Zarbock has mentioned on more than one occasion. He said we should be "Quick to Observe". There are many danger signs in today's world that we must beware of. We should not only be on the alert continually, but point them out to others as the college students did to Sister Martin and I. 

"Quick to Observe" also applies to decisions and choices we make on a daily basis. We need to be quick to see the warning signs of temptation, and have the courage to take actions, such as reading the scriptures, praying daily, and follow the living prophet.    

Elder Bednar gave an excellent talk on this where he said, 

As used in the scriptures, the word observe has two primary uses. One use denotes “to look” or “to see” or “to notice”—as we learn in Isaiah 42:20: “Seeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not”.

The second use of the word observe suggests “to obey” or “to keep”—as is evident in the Doctrine and Covenants: “But blessed are they who have kept the covenant and observed the commandment, for they shall obtain mercy” (D&C 54:6).

Thus when we are quick to observe, we promptly look or notice and obey. Both of these fundamental elements—looking and obeying—are essential to being quick to observe. 

Here's a link to the full talk...Quick-to-Observe

I have a long way to go on mastering and applying this concept, but I keep trying, determined to improve.

Zone Conference

Days filled with an outpouring of the Spirit of the Holy Ghost is when miracles happen. For that is when we truly begin to understand and learn by the Spirit. That calm, peaceful feeling that teaches us beyond what our mortal brain can comprehend. Zone conference was no exception. 

I will admit that sitting for several hours in a meeting is not always easy on the body. I found myself standing up in the back once or twice just to stay awake. But it was worth the effort. We were enlightened that day by the inspiring words of our leaders, who are great examples of how to be more like our Savior Jesus Christ.

A few key points remembered:
Be...Careful, not Casual.

Exact obedience.

We are a mission of miracles.

Moroni 1:2 ...Thou Art....Quick To Observe (Mormon was only 10 years old)

What a Great Day! (Zeph 1:14)

....and much more




Sister Kuau

Outing with the Senior Couples on Guam

We had the unique opportunity to go to "Underwater World", Guam's large Aquarium. It had an amazing array of sea life. Here's a few pictures.
Sister Martin looking through the glass at a Shark at Underwater World

It looked a little like the one in Salt Lake City that Debbie and Christian enjoyed. They posted some pictures of a few of our Grandchildren on Facebook.


The turtles were as fun to see as the sharks.



Goodbye Elder and Sister Strother

We said goodbye to a beautiful couple, Elder and Sister Strother, going home to New Zealand. They were serving on the island of Yap. We will miss them so much.

Elder and Sister Strother teaching us a hand jive to the song Rockin' Robin

Sister Martin and Sister Strother, a few hours before their flight home

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

A great hike to Fonte Dam and Micronesia Christmas memories

The day after Christmas Bishop Davis invited ward members to "Hiking with the Bishop". There were 15 of us. He says he will probably do this often.


We hiked to Fonte Dam. A few months ago we came part way but had to tun back before reaching the lookout due to high water levels.

The dam was constructed in 1910 under Pres. Taft to supply water to Hagatna

Elder and Sister Hurst

Elder and Sister Guercio

Elder Martin and Elder Reed



Sister Martin at the look-out point

Arrived at the look out. It started to rain. Elder Reed exclaimed, "It's not rain it's Liquid Sunshine".


Picture at the top with the group minus one who was taking this picture.

 Heading back. Hold on, it's a little slippery.



Oh no, a wild orchid stem is broken.


Quite a fun hike with several of our new friends.


Christmas Memories...

These next three pictures President or Sister Zarbock took on Christmas eve. We enjoyed a couple's pot-luck dinner at the mission home.

President Zarbock, Elder Hurst, Elder Reed, Elder Thomas, Elder Martin, Elder Guercio



We were invited to a island style Christmas pot-luck lunch at Rose and Robert Laanan's home in Dededo. After eating, we shared our favorite Christmas.



A few of the couples went to the Hyatt for a Christmas breakfast.


After getting a little stir crazy, cooped up inside all day, Sister Martin said, "Let's go see the sunset". So we did. Sometimes we get so busy in life we don't take a little time to see and enjoy God's creations.


Looking forward to a "Happy New Year".

Saturday, December 27, 2014

Livin' the Dream

Sister Martin and Elder Martin in front of a real ginger bread house at the Hyatt Hotel in Guam

As sad as we are, missing our family during this Christmas Season, we are happy and love serving in the office, serving the other missionaries, and serving the people in the Micronesia Guam Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

"Livin' the Dream" is one of the phrases President Zarbock likes to use referring to being on a full- time mission. It is. We have dreamed and planned of going on a full-time couple mission, all of our lives.

Like President Monson said, "As your circumstances allow", or "Make yourselves available for full- time missionary service". Here's the link to his 5 min. talk in 2010...As we meet together again

Our mission is currently short two CES senior couples. So, if you know anyone that desires full-time service in the Micronesia Guam Mission, the best mission in the world, Urdaneta, Philippines would be a close second, (where my sister and husband serve), please contact us or President Zarbock immediately.

If interested (or know someone to send this link to), click here to see Senior Missionary Opportunities.

More on "Livin' the Dream"




We showed you the Barrigada ward party but we also had a wonderful Guam Zone Missionary Christmas party. Elder and Sister Guercio decorated with Christmas lights and all of the missionaries brought food to share.






After the food we watched the movie, "Miracle". It was about the US Hockey Team's victory during the 1976 Olympics. Very motivational.

Right after the dinner we hurried over to a birthday party for one of the youth in our ward. Since she was turning 16, we watched a small video on dating by President Monson. She thanked everyone for coming and wanted to give something to us all. She bore her testimony to everyone and then sang "Oh Holy Night" while playing the ukulele. Many of the youth are amazing with good, strong values and standards.





Sister Martin took some pictures of Sister Mika, just transfered to Palau, and also Sister Misanale who just received their Christmas packages.


Tis' the season for more food. We went to a Chinese lunch buffet with Bishop Davis and Brother Batimana.




Some missionaries gave me this picture to post from a p-day activity visiting the old Japanese caves.

Some more missionary service projects. I didn't see the spider. 

We'll end with Elder Telona featuring a p-day solo.