Talisay Coconut Olympics and Dededo Ward Baptism

On memorial Day 4:00 pm - The Talisay Ward had the "Coconut Olympics". 

It's amazing the variety of games that can be done with coconuts. 

Three teams and 120 Coconuts in the circle

The object of the first game was to get your coconuts from the circle to the finish line without walking or running with the coconuts, or letting them touch the ground. We basically handed or tossed them to each other after we spread out in a line. The second game we kicked them all the way to the finish line. 

Elder and Sister Guercio, Elder Holmes and Elder Martin in action

Sister Martin, left, was moving fast and furious

Another game we used a towel to either hold the coconuts or to roll them without letting them touch the ground. The walking on coconuts game was fun and challenging. The older people assisted the younger team members to walk on the coconuts.

Sister Guercio and Elder Holmes

There was a trivia game...

...and then a blind folded game.

The last game allows experienced people to use machetes to chop the top off of the coconuts accessing the juice. Then someone runs with the coconut to the circle and pours the juice into a big cup. The first one to fill their cup, wins.  

Our team was close to winning but ended up in last place, since our machetes were dull. After the event and the announcement of the winners, we enjoyed a nice Chicken BBQ. It was a great flavor/marinade ...mainly Soy Sauce and onions, with a little garlic, vinegar, and Cola soda added.

They had fruit platters from the Navy Base commissary that included Blueberries, Blackberries, Mangos, Pineapple, Red and Green Grapes, Honeydew Melon, Strawberries, Watermelon, Cherries and Oranges. It was a rare sight to see the variety on Guam. 

Last Saturday, the Boy Scouts put on a fundraising spaghetti dinner and desert auction. Good food and a lot of fun. 

Sister Martin made two of her famous "Teddy Bear" bread

After that we headed up for Dededo for an 8:00 pm baptism

It was a wonderful baptism with great messages and testimonies

Sister Baum talked about the Holy Ghost in the video above

Smile Sister Martin and Sister Baum

One of the talks/testimony on baptism was by the sister of the one getting baptized. She spoke truth with her heart, and again, we were touched by the Holy Spirit as if the heavens were opened upon us.

Sister Rock and Sister Muamoholeva talked about the restoration

Elder Taule'alo performed the Baptism Ordinance 

Thank you Heavenly Father for touching our hearts during this amazing evening, blessing all who attended.

Memorial Day weekend in Guam - Asan Beach Memorial

Pictures at Asan Beach

The War in the Pacific National Park Rangers put on a display of flags of those who lost their lives on Guam during WWII. They put up one flag and light for every person. American flags and Guam flags, depending on their origin at the time.

They listed the names on a display.

Elder Thomas began a conversation with a fellow Vietnam veteran. They were talking about the welcome home they received when returning from the war. Elder Thomas had a negative response where this man said on Guam they received a warm and appreciative welcome home. He talked about the sacrifices of young men and the importance of preserving our freedom of rights to speech and religion today.

Sister Thomas and Sister Martin

Quite an inspiring memorial to reflect on those who sacrificed for the cause of freedom.

Perhaps a few sunsets as we reflect and ponder about our loved ones who have gone before us.

Sister Martin's Father, David Sinclair, passed away. 

Grandchild Charlie Hossfield passed away(held by sister Aubrey)

Sister Martin's late husband, Farrell, with children from left, Debbie, Carol and Shannon

Elder Martin's late wife Laura with daughters Stephanie and Kristine

Mother's Day Calls and Lunch with Guam Zone at the Mission Home

P-Day in Guam is Mother's Day/Sunday in the States
...and a great day to call or Video chat via internet with Mothers and family at home

Elder Wright, Elder Siren, Elder Matalolo

Sister Misinale. Elder Holmes online with his family.

Sister Muamoholeva, Sister Ta'ase

Elder Fabiano

Elder Tafuna

Dinner at the Mission Home with Guam Zone

Sister Ta'ase, Sister Aviata, Sister Misinale

Sister Talakai, Elder Matalolo, Elder Arcayan, Elder and Sister Guercio

Elder Waimila, Sister Talakai, Elder Taule'alo, Elder Matalolo, Elder Tafuna, Elder Siren

President Zarbock welcoming Elder Bloxham back, who was away from us for a bit.

Elder Katta, President Zarbock, Elder Canakaivata, Elder Bloxham, Elder Ladore, Elder Guercio

President and Sister Zarbock greeting all of the wonderful missionaries

President and Sister Zarbock love and care about all missionaries in the Micronesia Guam Mission as do we all.

Sister Martin and Sister David

Sister Bulewa (left), joined others for a picture

Elder Wright and Elder Katta have the same color tie

Count our many blessings. We feel so blessed to be here with so many wonderful missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. They are amazing. God is amazing who has blessed us all with these opportunities of a lifetime.

Typhoon Dolphin and Clean-up

Typhoon Dolphin landed on Guam, beginning in the evening of Friday, May 15th. They said it was a category 2 Typhoon, hitting Anderson Airforce Base at 106 mph.

Our apartment in Mangilao was closer to a category 1 at around 60 - 80 mph. We're glad we had a concrete structure. Government officials encouraged all who didn't have a strong home to go to the shelters. At least two stake members lost their homes.

Here's some videos from our apartment, a little before the storm really got going:

Many more lost their homes from Typhoon Maysak, that hit the islands of Chuuk over a month ago.

Storm track of Typhoon Dolphin

A few days later, Dolphin turned into a Super Typhoon in the ocean. Prayers were answered.

Assessing some of the damage

Sister Martin by the once-beautiful, uprooted African Tulip trees next to the mission office

Broken (fan) Palm trees near President and Sister Zarbock's - Mission Home

Down at Asan Beach. Big waves washed up rocks.

These concrete parking curbs/bumpers were washed around this parking lot like play toys. Palm trees were stripped.

Central Guam Missionaries joined the Barrigada ward youth and others for the "Adopt a Highway" cleanup, a few days after Typhoon Dolphin stirred up the litter.

Elder Fabiano and Elder Murdoch out front with Elder Waimila and Elder Tafuna, if you can see him, were close behind.

We picked up a lot of trash. Not too much Typhoon related. And we just did this highway a few weeks earlier.

A few of the Barrigada Ward youth were across the street from us. We all had a great time helping to clean up.

The vests are becoming famous on Guam

Nearly everyone wore the "Mormon Helping Hands" vests, by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It also has the great web site Mormon.org

Bother Ching drove behind us, picking up the large debris and full bags.

Sister Martin and I picked up hundreds of spent cigarettes. Here's an interesting link on cigarette litter in the environment.Cigarette Debris and Guam is Not an Ashtray

Thanks Brother Ching for taking our picture.

Not much in our bag but hundreds of cigarette debris