Kot epwe non roem ach chu sefan!

On our last day together we got up early and took a walk by the Ocean,  stopping along the way at a few spots to hear a spiritual thought and scriptures from Elder Norton.  

There are few times in your lives when you will enjoy the sweet spirit and satisfaction that come from giving full-time service together in the work of the Master.

With the wind and the occasional sprinkle we continued on enjoying our time together.  Oh life in the tropics!

What an amazing sight it was to walk behind so many wonderful worthy friends serving and making sacrifices to serve the people on each of their respective islands whom they have all come to love dearly. As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it is our greatest privilege to return His love through sacrifice and service and claim His holy promise: “And whoso layeth down his life in my cause, for my name’s sake, shall find it again, even life eternal".

There were many fascinating things to see like this little hermit crab that climbed into the top of a plastic bottle to keep safe.    (you can't see me)

Breakfast was set up for us all after our walk by Elder and Sister Norton and Brother and Sister Bergess.  As usual the food was fantastic!

It was a lovely way to end the conference sheltered under the outstretched limbs of trees less than 50 feet from the ocean.  We were able to enjoy hearing testimonies from the couples who will be finishing their missions soon, although the weather threatened to make us wet a couple of times we enjoyed each others company without disruption. 

It has been a pleasure to serve with these couples. Each one brings a different strength to the mission that is very much needed in the field. 

When we were at the MTC we were asked the question, "What would you say to someone who was thinking about going on a mission"?  

Our answer, Just Do it! “Our decision to go on a mission brought new vigor, new emotions, new friends, new places and new challenges. It has brought us closer together as husband and wife. We have a common goal and a real partnership and best of all, it has brought new spiritual growth, instead of spiritual retirement.

As we say in Chuukese ~ Kot epwe non roem ach chu sefan! 

and in English ~God be with you until we meet again!

We only part to meet again. . .

Okay, we know how to have a good time.  

We went out to dinner with a few of our favorite couples for our last night together, although many of the other wonderful couples couldn't make it for some reason or another.  

But they were missed and we love them dearly.  

We must get all of the extras in before we head back out to our respective islands.

~ Elder and Sister Garrett going in after dessert ~

Elder and Sister Kjar had this dessert the other night and said it was amazing ~ the whole reason we came back here (Chili's) for dinner was so they could all enjoy this dessert.  Yummy!!! All things which I prepared for the use of man; and man saw that it was good for food.” (Moses 3:8–9.)

Elder and Sister Vincent were all in for dessert too. 

We had such a fun time with everyone.  

~ Elder and Sister Jones ~ 

~ No dessert but she did get some shopping in so she was very happy still ~

~ Elder and Sister Tiffany ~ 

~ No dessert for us either but we sure are happy to be 

with such wonderful friends ~

See what happens when you don't call shot gun.  

In the trunk you go Elder Garrett

Okay if you must have the little lady with you
then in she goes.
Our version of a stretch Limo.
Please keep your arms and legs inside the vehicle while the ride is in motion.

May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind be ever at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall softly on your fields.  And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the hollow of his hand.
~ We are each back on our islands now to continue our missionary work ~

The Seniors Class Bash

Every 6 months the couples meet in Guam and give a report of the things happening on each island.  It gives everyone the opportunity to build camaraderie and friendship plus learn from our Mission President and from one another.  Every couple has a different calling and helps many wonderful people.  

Missionary service is a priesthood duty, an obligation the Lord expects of us who have been given so very much.

 We learn that in the Lord’s plan, our understanding comes “line upon line, precept upon precept.” In short, knowledge and understanding come at the price of patience

January 2013 Senior couple conference Guam

"We become what we want to be by consistently being what we want to become each day.  Righteous character is a precious manifestation of what you are becoming...Righteous character is more valuable than any material object you own, any knowledge you have gained through study, or any goals you have attained." You have to go through your own wilderness to get to the Promised Land. 

President and Sister Mecham, E/S Jones, E/S Olsen, E/S Tiffany, Sister Obenauer, E/S Jex, E/S Johnsen, E/S Kjar, E/S Vincent, E/S Prince, Sister Eldredge, E/S Garrett, E/S Norton, E/S Lefevre, E/S Eakins.

C. S. Lewis, the striving, pragmatic Christian writer, poignantly framed the issue. He asserted that Christianity tells people to repent and promises them forgiveness; but until people know and feel they need forgiveness, Christianity does not speak to them. He stated, “When you know you are sick, you will listen to the doctor.

Dinner and FHE

Monday night for Family Home Evening and we all meet up at the Mission home for fresh Mahi Mahi, rice and salad ~ then of course dessert.  

 Front Left around the table Right; Sister Jones and Elder Jones - serve on Saipan, Elder Johnsen and Sister Johnsen - serve on Palau, Elder Tiffany and Sister Tiffany - serve on Chuuk, Sister Vincent and Elder Vincent - serve on Pohnpei, Elder Kjar and Sister Kjar - serve on Pohnpei

 Same L - around R Elder Eakins - serves on Chuuk, Elder Prince and Sister Prince - serve on Guam (office couple), Sister Garrett and Elder Garrett - serve on Yap, Sister Jex and Elder Jex - serve on Guam, Sister Norton and Elder Norton - serve on Guam, Sister Eakins - serves on Chuuk.

 L-R Sister Olsen and Elder Olsen - serve in Guam, Sister Mecham - mission mom - serve everywhere, Julia, daughter visiting, Elder and Sister Lefevre - serve on Pohnpei.

 Elder Lefevre ~ belongs to the cook 

 ~ Sister Lefevre ~ good job Sister!

~ The loving couple Elder and Sister Lefevre ~ 

After Dinner we played games - to get to know one another and to also test our memories from the previous 6 month conference. 

This little video is Elders Kjar, Garrett and Prince
singing the BYU song...
Go Utes!!!
We enjoyed a nice evening with one another.  We learned nicknames and heard fun stories about one and another.  Someone was nicknamed Twinkie, someone once looked like Mel Gibson, several different ladies worked at Frostop - same one, same time but didn't know each other.  

Taking in the Sites

When we’re busy, time seems to pass quickly and the past six months have been no exception for us.  We had couples conference this past week in Guam and because we had appointments we went in a few days early.  That gave us time to check out the island of Guam with a few other couples.  

This little hike goes down into a fresh water spring.  It is very pretty, young kids like to go swimming and hang out there.  Some scuba divers enjoy night diving through the caves.

We don't get to see big waves like this on our island because we live within a lagoon ~  this water was beautiful turquoise color and the waves were crashing on the rocks.
When you're on your small island day in and day out, you really look forward to a 6 month break and spending time with the other couples.  MGM has the best of the best and we love each one of them very much.

Elder and Sister Garrett were with us, she decided to head back up to the car.

Remember, too much of anything in life can throw us off balance. At the same time, too little of the important things can do the same thing. King Benjamin counseled “that all these things [be] done in wisdom and order” (Mosiah 4:27).
When we do the basic things our life is full of spiritual understanding that will confirm to us that your Heavenly Father loves us.

Guam Historical and Cultural

The island of Guam, Guahan in native Chamorro, is a truely cosmopolitan community that reflects the cultures of its original Chamorro inhabitants as early as 2,000 B.C., influenced by countless European, American, Asian, Micronesian, and other people who have occupied, visited and immigrated to Guam since the 16th Century.

A number of World II Japanese gun emplacements, caves, foxholes and pillboxes as well as sunken ships and airplanes (Japanese and American) still abound around Guam and under 

Guam 's clear waters.

Wherefore, this land is consecrated unto him whom he shall bring. And if it so be that they shall serve him according to the commandments which he hath given, it shall be a land of liberty unto them; wherefore they shall never be brought down into captivity; if so it shall be because of iniquity; for if iniquity shall abound cursed shall be the land for their sakes, but unto the righteous it shall be blessed forever. 2 Nephi 1:7

Due to its strategic position, Guam was used as a command post for U.S. Western Pacific operations until the War concluded in 1945. On May 30, 1946, the U.S. Naval Government was re-established. Although concluded over 50 years ago, Word War II still exerts a major influence on Guam . Relics and evidence of the War are still evident all across the island

For they were not fighting for monarchy nor power but they were fighting for their homes and their liberties, their wives and their children, and their all, yea, for their rites of worship and their Church.  Alma 43:45

Feeling lucky stucker... Make my day!

Flying high into the sky...

All of our military personnel are our HEROES!!! Everyone in this great nation knows of a military hero personally!! Whether they are your brother or sister, your mother or father, your cousin, Aunt or Uncle, your neighbor, your spouse, high school friend, or a close family friend when our nation calls on them to defend our freedoms, to protect us, or to help another nation in harm's way they are there!! They are depended on, needed, and get the job done!! They are AMERICA'S MILITARY HEROES!!!

Guam - before the conference

E/S Jex - awesome tour guides

 We had doctors appointments in Guam before the conference started so we were able to enjoy a few sites.  The Guam Senior couple, Elder and Sister Jex, showed us around. They are simply two of the funniest and know where everything is. President Mecham let us take his new van and Elder Tiffany drove us, (he has a Gps in his head so we never get lost). Here we are at the first site with the other couple, the Garretts, who also came in a few days early for appointments.    

 
 By the 18th and 19th centuries, travelers to the Marianas noted (lattes stones) only in abandoned areas, where they had apparently been left after foreign-introduced disease had decimated the Chamorro population. In modern times, latte stones are a symbol of Chamorro identity and are found in a wide variety of government, business and personal contexts. Concrete lattes are sometimes incorporated into new buildings, while residents of the Marianas will sometimes incorporate actual latte stones into the landscaping around their homes

Some archaeologists believe that only high status Chamorros lived in structures built on latte stones, while others have put forward the theory that all Chamorros in the Latte Period lived in latte structures, and that the height and number of the stones in the structure indicated social status.

A miniature Stonehenge-style monument in Guam, this site demonstrates a home-building technique that dates back to 500 A.D. The site shows eight pillars atop which the Chamorro people once built their homes. These pillars have been moved from different locations across the southern portion of Guam to rest here as a monument to the indigenous people. The pillars are made of limestone taken from coral, and were transported great distances, to the place of the homebuilder. These stones often doubled as grave markers topping the buried relatives of the homeowner and are considered sacred.

Help!!! we can't get out were all locked up. . . These are tunnels left over from WWII you can venture into.  

E/S Garrett

Chuuk Government

It's all pretty interesting; Activity of NGOs in the FSM is curtailed by the strong financial presence of the United States and its supporting agencies. Millions of dollars in grants are funneled into the FSM by a host of U.S. bureaucracies including the Departments of Agriculture, Education, Interior, Health and Human Services, and Labor. Relief from typhoons, droughts, landslides, and other natural disasters is provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

First on the list here is the Supreme Court looks and sounds good right!

The front door to the Governor's office all the BIG decisions take place here?

The Legislature office it burned down right before we arrived a clan from the outer islands apparently got upset about something and decided a bonfire would be cool.

This is where you buy electric power its called CASH power you guess how much power you are going to use and then buy it for CASH and it is expensive here. And it goes out whenever day or night. Another thing to be grateful for in the States 24/7 power and its a better price. These are just a few of the interesting places here on our island.