Our last Zone Conference

 President and Sister Mecham made sure we were able to attend one last Zone conference with our boys.  As usual we all headed to the Blue Lagoon for our meeting to start early Tuesday afternoon. This time was different because we knew if would be our last one.  

Sister Mecham taught about how we make a two way promise to receive the Holy Ghost and that the spirit will NOT force himself on us.  When we are given the Gift of the Holy Ghost we are told to RECEIVE the Holy Ghost.  We discussed as we learn, allow, listen and receive, the Holy Ghost will testify, guide us, guard us, heal hearts, and teach us truth. "Obedience brings blessings and strict obedience brings Miracles". Discipline brings desired results.

She loves to teach us with props and the Elders enjoy learning from her.  She used the example of opening your mouth which is something President Mecham always teaches about.  Open your mouth and share the Gospel. Her point was that as we share the gospel we obey and will see the miracles.
She told us a story about the wind and sun having a disagreement about who was stronger. They decided to place a wager, about then a young man with a jacket was walking down the street so the wind said who ever can get him to take off his jacket will be the strongest.  He started to blow, he blew and blew but the more he blew the young man held tighter and tighter to his jacket.  The sun finally said let me show you how this is done and he began to shine down on the boy.  The young man began to relax, undo his zipper and finally he took the jacket off. -  She likened the story to our testimony.  Your testimony is strongest when you share it rather than when you hang on to it tightly.  

~ Elder and Sister Yamashita ~ First Quorum of the Seventy our Area Presidency ~ 

We know that each of these young Elders do a great job opening their mouths and sharing the gospel and their testimonies.  D&C 33:8-10, open your mouths.

 Remember your companion is your investigator.

President Yamashita taught us that we also need to teach people if they were not doing what they were supposed to be doing that they needed to repent and get on with it.  He was also talking to us, the missionaries.  He said the Lord is getting urgent about sharing the gospel with world.  In D&C 88:73 Hasten the pace of his work.  In PG it teaches us the principle of Faith - understanding doctrine will change behavior faster than behavior will change behavior.  The Lords work is wonderful and we missionaries are his army.  "Endure to the end"

We three shared our last testimony with the group because it is our last Zone Conference together.  We will see Elder Jones in Utah in May. 

We have been blessed to know many wonderful young Elders and serve with them on this mission.  We know that President and Sister Mecham are called of called to teach and lead this mission.  We love them all dearly and feel blessed by such a wonderful miracle to be able to serve in the Micronesia Guam Mission.

Last Family Home Evening with our Chuukese families

Monday night we had our Family Home Evening with the Mwan Branch. Like we have posted before, we are all family here in Chuuk.   

Sister Tiffany with two wonderful friends, Sarafina Walters and Tasisiana Walter with her daughter Rentoni, one of Sister Tiffany's primary girls that loves to help her everytime we are at the church. In the background is Elder McEwen, he does not know he is in the picture because he is not given one of his special poses.

 Here we are with Mama Isabel Walters. She is such a special lady and we love her dearly.  

This wonderful family belong to Junior - they wanted to give us beautiful gifts and dance for us for a going away gift.  We have built a wonderful relationship with this family. Merina and Junior couldn't come tonight because they are on a plane to Hawaii to get Junior the medical help he needs.

Roger Wolbert and Elder Tiffany. Roger has been our boat driver for the past 18 months. He has always taken extra special care of us. He is Tasiana Walter and Renti Wolbert son.

 ~ Us with Useless and the family - Juniors family ~

Sister Tiffany with one of her favorite boys - Ertin Walter this young man belongs to Herman and Sarafina Walter. He is going to be 12 at the end of April and will receive the priesthood. He promised that when he gets his mission call he will email her so she can come get him at the airport. 

Can you tell how much Sister Tiffany loves these kids?  Her heart is broken because she has to leave them and is going to miss them so very much.

~ Elder Tiffany with two special friends Malinta and Oriko ~

~ Sister Tiffany with two more of our special friends Marsine Joseph and Deutrimina ~

~ More love with the girls ~

~ and a couple special boys ~

~ Elder Tiffany with his good friend Riaton Newyear ~

 ~ This is Tanya with Sister Tiffany pulling goofy faces ~

For dinner the ladies made tuna fish sandwiches. They know how picky we are with the food here, so they figured we would enjoy a sandwich instead of the normal rice, fish and other local food. We have eaten their food but it is true, it is not a favorite of ours. The young elders enjoy it more than us. .

However..This was our incredible sunset tonight 

 The young elders didn't get enough to eat so they went down to the Trukstop for more food.

 Elder Hunter practicing his serious picture face - he was having a hard time doing it but was holding firm.

These guys just love the camera. For more pictures check out the FB mission profile.  

 Elders Obray, Sofele, Kleven and Elder McEwen

 Having these guys around just brightens up the room.  Always, always they are full of love and fun.

Tonight was very special to us and having our elders in for the party just made it all the better. Our heart is full and we feel very loved and blessed to be part of such a wonderful family.

Information for parents & family

We have had several parents asking about maps and flags from here for their son's mission area. Here is a gentleman that can help you with whatever questions you might have.  He speaks English really well and will be happy to assist you.
(Chuuk Visitors Bureau)
PO Box 1142
Weno, Chuuk 96942
(691)330-4133 / (691)930-6424
www.visit-chuuk.fm

Our Last Sunday in Chuuk :(

This is Zoey - she is a daughter of the District President.  She has always been Sister Tiffany's little buddy and she loves her very much.

 “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”

This is Tasisana Walter Wolbert - we absolutely love this lady.  She is one of our favorite people.  She is married to a sweet man, Rendi who is a police officer here in Chuuk.  She is a mother of 10 children and our prayer is that they will be temple ready for the November trip this year.  

Elder Tiffany with some of the boys, Roger and Brandy with his arm around them.  The small boys are in Sister Tiffany's primary class and just wanted  be in the picture also .  Ycenp, JenJen and Gladson  ---“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind,” He said. “This is the first and great commandment.”  Coupled with the second great commandment—to love our neighbors as ourselves.

All the boys showed up today to say Goodbye.  We reviewed what has already been taught mostly because I wanted to make sure they would remember they are Son's of a King.  I love these little guys so much and will always keep them in my prayers.  The boys have been practicing the song "I Want to Be a Missionary"  Hopefully they will continue practicing and singing so they can perform in November at the District Conference.  And KC, my helper, is such a sweetheart. It has been wonderful watching her grow in the gospel and with her English.  

Brandy, Oriko, Christine and KC - - - 

what a great bunch, we have such a fun branch. . .

Love is the great commandment, it ought to be at the center of all and everything we do in our own family, in our Church callings, and in our livelihood. Love is the healing balm that repairs rifts in personal and family relationships. It is the bond that unites families, communities, and nations. Love is the power that initiates friendship, tolerance, civility, and respect. It is the source that overcomes divisiveness and hate. Love is the fire that warms our lives with unparalleled joy and divine hope. Love should be our walk and our talk.

When we truly understand what it means to love as Jesus Christ loves us, the confusion clears and our priorities align. Our walk as disciples of Christ becomes more joyful. Our lives take on new meaning. Our relationship with our Heavenly Father becomes more profound. Obedience becomes a joy rather than a burden.

We pray we will be known as a people who love God with all our heart, soul, and mind and who love our neighbor as ourselves. When we understand and practice these two great commandments in our families, in our wards and branches, in our nations, and in our daily lives, we will begin to understand what it means to be a true disciple of Jesus the Christ.

Spiritual Power of Our Baptism

What a beautiful day!  

Everyone is having a service before the baptism at the District Presidents home.

Baptism into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints requires full immersion in water by a person who holds the proper priesthood authority to baptize.  This is necessary because, as the scriptures indicate, “baptism symbolizes death, burial, and resurrection, and can only be done by immersion.” It also follows the pattern set by the Savior, who was baptized in the river Jordan, where there was a lot of water.
As Matthew records, “And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water.”
We can't think of a more beautiful location than this one right here.

This young group are all excited and ready to watch the baptism.

 The older gentlemen on the right in the picture is Ezekial, the grandpa (papa) of the three young ladies getting baptized.

This is Elder Kleven's (on the left) first baptism and he is really excited. He's been working on the language and he's doing great.  He has only been out a couple of weeks.  He said this was beautiful and he never dreamed he was going to have such a wonder, exciting, adventurous mission.

Elder Sofele helped with the baptisms because he knows the language and he has also been teaching these young ladies.  Baptism is our spiritual rebirth. It cleanses us from head to toe and allows us the companionship of the Savior through the gift of the Holy Ghost. He will now accompany each of us along the road of life.

1st Councelor in the Branch Presidency Esmeit and Sunday School President Ezekial or grandpa watching  things develop.

Elders looking for a deep enough place to do the baptism

Jesus came to John the Baptist,

In Judea long ago,

And was baptized by immersion

In the River Jordan's flow.

Now we know that we must also

Witness faith in Jesus' word,

Be baptized to show obedience,

As was Jesus Christ, our Lord.

To fulfill the law, said Jesus,

When the Baptist questioned why,

And to enter with my Father

In the kingdom up on high. 

Making a plan --- who is going first?

“Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”

Hanging around waiting for her turn to be baptized. 

Our first birth takes place when we are born into mortality. Our second birth begins when we are baptized by water by one holding the priesthood of God and is completed when we are confirmed, and “then cometh a remission of [our] sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost.

The little girls love Elder Kleven.  He said even though at times he feels like this mission here in Chuuk can be hard at times, being right there at that moment he knew it was all worth it.  You see even us missionaries continue to be converted. The spirit is always very strong and attends us when we need it most. We only need to be open to receive it.    We pray that we will tend and take care of our baptismal covenants. As we say our prayers, especially each Saturday night, we ask Heavenly Father to prepare us to take the sacrament so the spiritual power of our baptism will be ever present in our life.

Thank Goodness for Positive Changes

When we arrived in Chuuk, the FSM Postal service office was here.  Kind of a rough look'in place in side, very hot, dark and dusty from the roads.  There really was very little organization and a lot of packages got lost. 

We thought it was a little crazy but wait . . . it is going to get even funnier.  One day we were driving by and someone was taking the Post office sign off the building, we were like, huh?  Wonder if they are getting ready to paint it or something?  Nope - they were moving only they didn't tell anyone.  It took us all about 1 week to find the new location.

Yup, this is the place - This place made the last place look like an amazing beautiful palace.  This building was the hottest place we ever saw, it was like a sauna sometimes. They had a fan on but it only rotated the hot air.  The poor postal workers were always sweating big drops.

For packages they had to go up steep stairs, they had NO organization what so ever, it was completely crazy.  We felt so bad for these workers.  They also had to get everyone's mail.  There were NO mail boxes here.  This place was always busy - you would walk in, write your box number down on a clipboard and wait until one of the postal workers was available.  Sometimes it seemed like you had to wait for hours to know if you had mail or not.  If you had to pickup packages it could be even longer because they would have to locate them.  We really are not exaggerating.  This was totally insane and the busiest post office we have ever seen.  Many of the people here have relatives who send them large boxes of stuff all the time so there was always a line up.

Oh what a great wonderful day when the brand new post office opened in Chuuk. Air conditioning, clean and postal boxes. The last post office killed off one of the workers we think because he did not come to this one.  He was pretty old and we don't know how he did it for as long as he did at the old one.

This is Johnson and he normally never smiles.  Most times he seems kinda ornery, but today he had a new haircut and Sister Tiffany told him it looked nice, thanked him for his help, then asked if we could take his picture.  He was very nice to us and said Yes.  He is also very happy with the new Post Office.  Even though we have a new post office and things are not getting lost, you still should tape up your packages really well.  

 Again folks, remember to put a letter in that package.  There is always room for the news from back home even if its about the lawn dying or the dogs that bark next door.  Missionaries all want to hear about whats going on back home.

This is an example of how you can make sure it will not get smashed or broken into.  Remember it has a long ways to come. It's a loooonnnnggg journey.  Keep in mind it is hot and humid here, don't mail any parishables, or things that can melt.  If you are interested in great things to mail your missionary, check out the list we put together back in August 2012.  The list would work probably for all the missionaries serving on Chuuk, Yap and Kosrae because  they are the most primitive.