Kosrae - The Secret Island Paradise

It was a beautiful Friday morning in Guam and a great day to be traveling. Sister Martin and I are a little anxious what awaits us on the island of Kosrae, nearly 1400 miles away from the mission home. That's about the same distance as from Salt Lake City to Seattle.

One of the many beaches of Kosrae

Aboard the "Island Hopper" as they call it here, it hops from island to island, all the way to Honolulu, Hawaii. Our first stop was Chuuk. We stayed on the airplane while some passengers got off and others got on. As we were talking to a nice lady sitting next to the window, I saw the Chuuk Airport Fire truck spraying water at a runaway dog on the runway. The dog seemed to enjoy the game, going back and forth until the authorities finally chased him off the runway.

Next stop was Pohnpei. Since these small islands usually only get one flight per day, they always drive their fire trucks out on the runway awaiting the landing. It was fun to get a glimpse of these two islands that we will come back to later in the week.

Then we arrived in Kosrae. The Nautilus Hotel arranged to pick us up and have a rental car at the hotel. When we arrived at the hotel we walked around the back of the hotel where they were growing lettuce, etc. for the restaurant. The gardener/caretaker walked up and introduced himself and said his name was Benjamin, the branch President of the Lelu Chapel.

The Senior Couple, Elder and Sister Curtis, arrived shortly after.








We decided to take a drive with them around part of the island. They said the island only has about 7,000 people. I think we saw only 100 people during our short overnight stay.

They mentioned that the islands have various WWII remains like this Japanese Tank.



Elder Curtis said he was teaching piano and said he tried out for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir like I did and didn't get in. He was thinking about getting a community choir going, perhaps with the other churches to improve relations.








We then dropped by to see some of the young missionaries and the Utwe Chapel.

We also saw the Lelu Chapel.

We saw a lot of beaches, including the one the Curtis's live on. Living on a beach? Incredible.

It was very low tide and the rocks were showing on the beach. Sister Curtis described to us a big storm surge that they had recently.

And another view of their beach.

After sampling some of Sister Curtis's Breadfruit cake and banana bread...yum, yum, we went back to the hotel and enjoyed dinner together.

As it turns out, my brother Ken served in the same mission at the same time in Japan as Elder Curtis. I emailed Ken and he remembers him. What a small world.

This is a picture of the local gas station. No pump, just measure and pour.



Supplies are very limited on Kosrae. The Curtis's asked us to buy them some shoes in Guam that we brought on the plane with us. They appreciated it.




The next morning we joined the Curtis's for a fast exercise walk.

Later at the airport, we met President George, the other Branch President of the Utwe Chapel. It was great to randomly meet both branch Presidents on the island. They have warm hearts and a love for the people of their little island. Farewell to an exceptionally beautiful island paradise.

Next stop...Pohnpei.

Sunsets and Stories

When you think about life and why we're here on this Earth, the Gospel of Jesus Christ makes it crystal clear that we are here for a real purpose. The happiness and joy that comes from serving and loving others makes it all worth the struggle. The following story illustrates a taste of this joy.

Fast Sunday, we had a spiritual feast hearing testimonies from the members. One young man's simple yet powerful testimony especially touched us. His face showed extreme gratitude for blessings being poured down upon him. He talked about how he was the first in his family to be baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Saturday, we attended a baptism where he baptized his brother by the authority of the Priesthood that he just received. His sister was baptized after him and gave the talk during the baptismal service.

He talked about reading a scripture, "Ask and ye shall receive, knock and it shall be opened unto you...", a few months ago that inspired him to have faith and pray.  He said he had been praying every day since reading it, asking God that his family would accept the missionaries, hear their messages and be baptized. His prayer is being answered as some of his family have now joined the church.

He said he knew that Thomas S. Monson is the living prophet today, and that the Book of Mormon, another testament of Jesus Christ, is true.

There were three people blessed that day, with the gift of the Holy Ghost that were baptized within the last week. One looked to be about 10, and the other two were teen aged.

There are so many more stories similar to this one we could go on and on.


These sunset pictures were from our Monday night family home evening with our mission nurse and the other senior couples on Guam.

Elder and Sister Martin at the Paseo de Susana Park in Guam

What a great group to be associated with.

Sister McClellan had arranged for us to meet at Paseo de Susana Park near the Chomorro village, with a little Italian dinner.

Sister MacCabe painting a water color of the sunset we watched

We watched the sunset and then talked for the next hour or so.

While walking across the grass, we saw many holes that looked like Gofer holes. We were informed by the more experienced seniors that they were made by crabs. We had to be careful not to step in one and possibly turn an ankle while walking back to the car in the dark.

Our next blog will be in a couple of weeks after we get back from the three islands in the eastern part of our mission...Kosrae, Chuuk, and Pohnpei.

We've finally reached all 8 families by video call

Last but not least...
Enjoyed our first video call with the Jones family.

We began with new baby Jack. He had just woke up and was very happy.

Then a little spit-up but no problem.

Tell us all about it...

Then Henry joined in, very sleepy.

It was 7:00 am Utah time and they had stayed up late with Ronda and Nate the night before.

Then Drew started telling us about what he was doing. Drew and Henry are both in Soccer and their coach is their mom, Heather. They are also both doing swimming and gymnastic lessons.

Grandpa then pulled out the one and only toy he brought on his mission, bought in a mall with Drew, Henry and Heather present. It was a small car, one of those kind you roll backwards and then it shoots forwards. Then Grandpa asked them, if they could only pick one toy to take somewhere for a long time, what would they bring.

Henry was very quick to respond..."Legos".

Then he quickly ran to get the lego box and showed us what was inside.

Both Drew and Henry started putting together various Lego toys to show us how fun they are.

We had fun watching them.

We love all of our children and grandchildren and miss them a lot.

Escorted on Base by Captain MacCabe (retired)

We took a break from the office on Tuesday afternoon. Elder and Sister MacCabe picked us up and we headed south to the Navy Base.

The first area we went to was the officer's housing area. We asked to drive by this area to see a few Martin Garage Doors that were installed a few years ago.

I remember the typhoon/wind rating that these doors had to be certified at in the Martin Door factory.

I took a few pictures for old time sake as I used to take all of the door photographs as part of my job for Martin Doors. It was a perfect cloudy day which shows the picture detail the best without the harsh shadows from the bright sunlight.

The Navy picked a special color just for this project that we called Dark Chocolate. It had to be powder coated in the factory this special color.

We waved to one of the church members that the MacCabe's knew while driving through the neighborhood.

We then went to the main entrance of the Navy base and went through their strict background check in order to get a one day pass.

After about 20 minutes we were on our way.

Barracks are really nice

We drove around looking at various barracks, stores, and many other buildings. Perhaps another time we may see some ships or subs if we're lucky.











At around 5:00 pm the MacCabes asked us if we have time for dinner. We said yes so they took us to an Irish restaurant/pub called Molly McGee's. Very interesting and quite good food. Sister Martin had a spinach chef salad and Elder Martin had traditional fish and chips, although we shared some of each. This place is very busy later in the evenings. The detailed wood decor made the restaurant very authentic looking, reminding us of our visit to Ireland.

We enjoyed this fun place.

After dinner we decided to go back to the office for a few minutes before going home.

Elder and Sister MacCabe help with the vehicle inspections that we do every month. 

They inspect about half of the cars. 

On the last Monday of every month, missionary p-day, we try to get the vehicle inspections done.

Elder Johnson and Elder Ashcraft

Everyone is washing and vacuuming their cars on that day, getting them ready for the upcoming month. Many like to play basketball in the church parking lot.

Such enthusiasm and energy.

Elder Bunn, Sister Warner, Elder Hadder, Sister Ande, Edler Pitiol

These young men and women are top notch missionaries, giving 1 1/2 to 2 years of their time to the Lord Jesus Christ's work on Earth, mostly at their own expense. They could be in college or starting a carrier. They truly love the people and the restored church and gospel. There are about 80,000 full time missionaries currently serving across the world. The work is worth it. The work is true.

More young missionary photos...basketball on p-day.

A member?, Elder Pita, Elder Eyre, Elder Krueger, Sister Warner, Elder Hadder, Sister Ande

Elder Hadder, Elder Krueger, Elder Bunn, Elder Luong

Elder Krueger, Elder Bunn, Elder Siren, Elder Luong, Elder Bailing, Sister Rotuk

Elder Luong, Sister Rotuk, Elder Eyre, Sister Warner

A little local news...
The temperature in Mangilau town where we live ranges from high 70's to the lower 90's. We've been getting more rain lately. The rainy season is coming up next month so we wonder what it will bring.

The Marriott Hotel just pulled out of Guam and is now the Pacific Star Resort. Some of the senior couples like to stay there when they come to the Couples Conference every six months. The island still has a Hilton and many other nice resorts and hotels.

P-Day (preparation day...a day...off?)

Yesterday was Saturday, our once a week preparation day, typically a day off from normal missionary duties. We decided to post various details to give you an idea of the goings on here.

Elder Martin - Pago Bay in background

We woke up as usual, Sister Martin at about 6:00 am and Elder Martin at about 6:30 am. At 7:00 am we went for our typical walk/jog down by the ocean from the University of Guam Campus.

We walk by some beautiful newer homes down a hill until we reach the Marine Research Laboratory. Then we walk down to a look-out over the ocean and then down sort of a boat ramp to Pago Bay. We may go snorkeling there some day.

After coming back, at about 7:45, Elder Martin started working on a new pancake recipe, perhaps never before created or thought of. We both actually liked it a lot so we added it to our written recipes. It's called Grandpa Mike's Wheat/Coconut Pancakes. We poured some Chokecherry/Elderberry syrup(brought from home) on them, which tasted good, and some maple syrup as well. Wish we had our coconut/macadamia nut syrup. We saw an ABC store in town that may carry it.

At about 9:30 am we picked up Sister McClellan, the mission nurse, to enjoy a pleasant day at the annual Micronesia Island Fair.

This fair includes local arts and crafts, music, dancers and entertainment, food, various vendors, etc. It also includes some vendors and entertainers from other islands.

Sister Martin, Sister Ande, Sister Whipple & Sister Finau pointing to large screw,
and Sister Vave

Just before we arrived, a sister missionary called in distress with a flat tire, wondering why the spare wasn't as tall as the regular tire. Since we were only about 5 or so minutes away, we decided to assist them. We took the tire down the street to get it repaired. After the sisters installed the tire, we were on our way.


We arrived at the festival at about 11:30 am. Just when we arrived, Sister McClellan received a call from a sick missionary on the island of Saipan and talked to them about their situation.

At around noon Elder Martin received a call from two Elders who were locked out of their apartment. All keys to the car and the apartment were inside.

Sister McClellan

Sister Martin with a hand carved wood purse from the Philippines

Sister McClellan and Sister Martin stayed at the fair while Elder Martin drove back to the Mission office to get the spare set of apartment keys.

While at the office, the AP's called and said that the Zone Leaders in the island of Chuuk were trying to call me, Elder Martin, with a problem. I called back but no answer. After rescuing the Elders with the key, and being around 2:00 pm, with no more parking available at the festival, and a baptism at 4:00 pm, we decided to head back.

After arriving back home to our apartment, we both fell asleep. Unfortunately, we missed the baptism. We then got ready for the evening session of Stake Conference at 6:00 pm. Arriving early we greeted and talked to several people, including the young lady who had come into the mission office a couple of weeks ago wanting to be taught the gospel...see earlier blog post. She will be baptized on May 10th, while we are out visiting the other islands. We wanted to go to that one.

At about 6:45, Elder Martin had to go to the airport to drop off Elder and Sister Hurst's car, who were arriving in from the island of Kosrae. Their flight was first delayed 4 days and now 1 1/2 hours. Sister Hurst was supposed to speak in evening Stake conference but missed it.

The sisters who had the flat tire that day were also at the airport, picking up a returning sister who just finished her mission at the Laie Hawaii temple visitors center. A few minutes later, President and Sister Mecham arrived at the airport, on their way to the island of Yap for 4 days. Elder Martin greeted them and took their car back to the Stake Center, just as conference was ending at around 7:30 pm.

Sister Martin then told me, Elder Martin, about a talk in conference that I missed, about the sister of the Catholic lady that we met and talked to today at the tire repair shop. To make a long story short, it was about how the speaker hesitated in sharing the gospel many years ago to his teacher, but who later joined the church. Her twin sister is who we talked to today.

We then took the Mecham's car back to their home to park it there and after drove home. The night was dark and humid as we began to BBQ chicken after waiting an hour for the charcoal to be ready. Our neighbors, the Hurst's, (Family History missionaries) were just arriving home. We chatted while our chicken finished cooking. They live just two doors down.

At 11:00 pm we enjoyed doing a video call with the Bullens.

(Early for them - 7:00 am their time).


Fun, fun.

It was early in the morning for sleepy Laura.

But when she started telling us about how she was making money and saving for something, she perked right up.

We had fun talking to them until well after midnight, Guam time.

At about 1:00 am we went to bed. Another wonderful day of missionary work.

Today, Sunday the 27th of April, we went to Stake Conference and then came back to video call with the Sparti's.

We were all excited to see each other. Gavin and Gage had just gone to bed. Lindsay said that Gage is taking swimming lessons. He cried non-stop the first five lessons. Lindsay promised him his favorite treat if he would stop crying. He hasn't cried since. He is water safe now.


Gavin and Grace are also taking swim lessons.

Aliza, Grace and Gavin are all in Soccer.

Grace said she almost scored a goal in the rain that morning, and was enjoying Activity days.











Aliza is now in Young Women's and was excited for girl's camp coming up in the summer. She said it is more fun than Primary.

We love all of our children and grandchildren.

We know the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ is true and we are very grateful to work and serve in this part of the Lord's vineyard. We are having fun!