Celebrating Birthday's

The Joseph family have 4 small children. We took each one a fun colored ball to play with.
Sister Joseph made Sister Tiffany a beautiful skirt for her birthday.  

Celebrating Sister Tiffany's birthday in Chuuk has been such a blessing.  She happens to share her day with many people that mean the world to her, from our Grand-daughter Kya who celebrates her wedding anniversary that day, to having her great, great neice born  on that same day.  
Also, here in Chuuk, is a small boy named Brady, that we have fallen in love with who also shares her day.  To celebrate her birthday this year, we took a couple of extra days in Guam and checked out the island, but more importantly, we got to eat some fresh vegetables.  
When we arrived back in Chuuk for her actual birthday, we celebrated it with Brady and his family... She helped Brady with his cake, hence the messy face and he was not happy about it :)  
Overall, it was a wonderful day full of love, friendship and a lot of laughing.  

Zone Conference in July

President and Sister Mecham

We had a great Zone Conference here in Chuuk last month.  Sorry we've been slow to get out a blog here but our computer has been a little osukosuk lately.  The Zone Leaders put on a very good  conference and a great training.

Zone Leaders Elders Allred and Shakespear,
performing an important task at the conference.

President and Sister Meacham counseled us very well in choosing our paths wisely.  "Whoso heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, who built his house upon a rock", 3 Nephi 14:24.  They counseled us on opening our mouths and we will have them filled with the words what we shall say, "For it shall be given you in the very hour, yea, in the very moment, what ye shall say".  Live so as the Spirit can abide with us, "Wherefore, be faithful, praying always, having your lamps trimmed and burning, and oil with you, that you may be ready at the coming of the Bridegroom", D&C 33:17

After our lunch break we stretched and roamed around for a bit.  Took a few pictures and generally relaxed.  It was a good break before getting back to work and we took advantage of it.

Elder Bowers ~ Top
Elder Johnson getting his foot checked by the Doctor below 

  We heard from Elder Landroe who is the Area Psychiatrist.  He helped us understand the benefits of keeping a positive attitude in the face of difficulty.  Using the Gospel and the Light of the Lord to buoy us up.  We also heard from Dr. Donahoe who gave us the perspective of healthy living and staying in good condition so that we can do the Lords work without becoming sick and debilitated.

The conference and training ended with testimony and remarks by President Meacham who encouraged us to be valiant and excited about bringing the elect into the Church and helping them grow in the Gospel.  All were taught this day in the way of the Lord, filled with the Spirit and the Light.  Our hearts were filled and our countenances shined.  

Articles of Faith 10

We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.

Being taught @ The Ruins of Zarahelma

We arrived on Guam early Monday morning around 530am. We were grateful to spend some time with the other couples and looked forward to learning from them.

Us arriving at the Ruins of Zarahemla --
Monday night for Family Home Evening, we all carpooled to another Senior couples home, Elder and Sister Nortons, where we had been invited for dinner. 

Our honored guests that spoke to us after dinner were Brother and Sister Chris Gittens, who were in the Talisay Branch. They have lived in Guam 12 years. He is now the Stake Patriarch. We were richly blessed by the things they both taught. 

Sister Gittens transcribes the patriarchal blessings and said that on the first one she felt like she would make some changes to the words because she loves English and wanted everything to be said correctly. She said she could NOT move her fingers when she got to the place where she was going to make changes. She said they were frozen on the keys. When she decided she just better type the blessing exactly as it was given her hands flew across the keys easily.
Brother Gittens talked to us about how most of the work of the church is being done by Ephraim and sometimes Manasseh and occasionally other tribes. He told us to picture the baptismal font in the temple and how it is held up by 12 oxen. He suggested that when all 12 tribes are doing the work it will spread rapidly over the earth. When we think about the fullness of the gospel going forward with all the tribes it fills my heart with joy. Think what a great day that will be. But for now, Ephraim is to carry the work forward and finding the elect. The elect meaning those who hear the message and follow it.

Elder Tiffany and President Mecham sharing a laugh...
 

They called this place, The Ruins of Zarahemla. They had cleaned out all the debris and added potted plants, tables and chairs. Decorated with tiki torches, white lights and a tarp for the roof. "Good thing too cuz as usual, it rained"
They served a Café Rio menu of sweet pulled pork with all the fix'ins. She even made fried ice cream for dessert. It was scrumptious. We love Mexican food.
Amazing dinner Sister Norton, Thank You. (sister in the apron)

Brother and Sister Burgess are a wonderful couple that joined us for dinner.   

One more wonderful Elder...

We know that the Lord only sends his very best to the Micronesia Guam Mission. We don't get to meet them all but what a blessing this was for us.


 We were fortunate to get the opportunity to meet Elder Cook. He has been serving in Saipan for most of his mission. We had heard many good things about him and what a great missionary he is from all who have served with him here. It was a real treat to meet him and his family in Guam. When we arrived in Guam, his father spotted us at the hotel and came right over. We became friends right away. Elder Cooks parents came out to get him and what a blessing it was for everyone. He was able to get released early so he could go in the water with the family. We're thinking that is a great plan... It was truly a gift to meet them all and spend time getting to know one another.


Elder Cooks family live in Vernal, Utah. 

I am a Child of God

Preparing the rising generation to build strong families to lead the Church in the future and then to return to their Heavenly Father is an important responsibility—one that involves leaders, teachers and most of all the parents.

This is a small part of our Primary in the Mwan Branch. When I decided to seperate the smaller children from the older ones, I did not realize how difficult it was going to be to teach with the language differences. The children here are some of the very best kids in the world. They don't fuss or fight and they like to learn. They really love to sing the songs.
A child can do the things which nourish the faith of others. Every word we speak can strengthen or weaken faith. We need help from the Spirit to speak the words which will nourish and strengthen them. The Lords work here is evident in our different callings and challenges. We are grateful for his patience and that is what our young people need from us.

Here is a chart of many of the Mwan branch Primary children. We have been teaching them to sing "I am a Child of God" in English. The song in Chuukese is also very beautiful, so they will be singing it in both languages for President Ringwood when he comes for our District conference this fall.

We are organizing them to sing "I am a Child of God" in English.

Part of the Mwan Primary with teacher "super woman" Sister Albert on the left and on the right is Sister Ewar who knows pretty good English so I have recruited her to help with this project.

We know that Jesus is the Christ. We know that He lives. And we know that He leads us in this work—His work—to bring to pass the eternal life of His Father’s children. He knows each of us and love us. We are all Children of God.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways”

Our Savior gave Himself in unselfish service. He taught that each of us should follow Him by denying ourselves of selfish interests in order to serve others.
“If any man will come after me [He said], let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
“For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it” (Matthew 16:24–25; see also Matthew 10:39). Changes can be very difficult and when changes come your way, it's up to you how to react to them.
"Ran Allin Elders" Welcome to Chuuk
“You can never love the Lord until you serve Him by serving His people.” President Monson

Our New Elder(s) Bower, Walters and Obray
The Chuukese headbands & sun glasses were given to the New Elders from their trainers so they would stand out because the white shirts, the badge, black pants and ties just were not enough on a tropical island paradise. :)
Elder John A. Widtsoe declared, “We cannot walk as other men, or talk as other men, or do as other men, for we have a different destiny, obligation, and responsibility placed upon us, and we must fit ourselves [to it].” That reality has current application to every trendy action, including immodest dress. As a wise friend observed, “You can’t be a life saver if you look like all the other swimmers on the beach.”

Elder Lavides with his new companion Elder Obray and Elder Lavides old companion Elder Lina
~Elder Bowers~ Elder Obray~

~Elder Walters~ If we love and serve one another as the Savior taught, we remain connected to our covenants and to our associates. Our Savior teaches us to follow Him by making the sacrifices necessary to lose ourselves in unselfish service to others.

Elder Jones showing off his Kool-aid red finger it's bad for his teeth, but will he listen?
Elder Obray given thumbs up to his mother at home... he is not eating the kool-aid.

See my fingers are normal color ~ such a great Elder

Elder Walters, what a great smile :)“For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it” (Matthew 16:24–25; see also Matthew 10:39)

“Whosoever is of my church, and endureth of my church to the end, him will I establish upon my rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against them.” (D&C 10:69.)

We must not lose hope. Hope is an anchor to the souls of men.

Changes are very hard, we get close to these Elders and they become our children and we love them very much. It's hard for us when the time comes for them to be transferred to another island or they return home to their families. We miss them greatly. We know that the Lord only sends the very best to Chuuk and we are honored to have the privilige to serve with such valiant servants of his chosen young man.
Gordon B. Hinckley: Circumstances change, but our message does not change. We bear testimony to the world that the heavens have been opened, that God, our Eternal Father, and His Son, the risen Lord, have appeared and spoken. We offer our solemn witness that the priesthood has been restored with the keys and authority of eternal blessings.

Family Home Evening with Mama Merdy's family

[The Lord] expects us to have family home evening—one night a week to gather our children together and teach them the gospel. Isaiah said, ‘And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord.’ That is the commandment: ‘All thy children shall be taught of the Lord.’ And the blessing: ‘And great,’ he said, "shall be the peace of the children".

The group all together after a wonderful lesson, bearing of testimonies and beautiful singing  Chuukese style harmonizing.

Elders Allred, Elder Tiffany, Fita, Elder Shakespear after playing the game Black Magic everyone loves to try and figure out how this game works.
The Elders love playing this trick on them.

“If we live the gospel, people will come into the Church. They will see the virtue of our lives, and they will be attracted to the message we have to teach. That message places great emphasis on the family. The family becomes a very important thing in our teaching and in our practice. We believe that the family is the basic unit of society. You can’t have a strong community without strong families. You can’t have a strong nation without strong families—the father, the mother, the children as one unit working together. Now the family is falling apart all over America, all over the world. If we can just cultivate good, wholesome family life among our members, I don’t worry very much about the future of this Church”
(interview with Ignacio Carrión, El País [Mexico]

“You have to establish in your life some sense of prioritizing things, of giving emphasis to the important things and of laying aside the unimportant things that will lead to nothing. Establish a sense of justice, a sense of what is good and what is not good, what is important and is not important; and that can become a marvelous and wonderful blessing in your lives”

~ Always in the Middle of something ~ Today it's Uman

  ~~~The Saga of Tumbalina ~~~

~~~See that big storm coming behind Elder Tiffany
It's following us and we were hoping to beat it to the island ~~~

Well, we tried, but it didn't happen. As soon as we stepped on the long dock, it started to pour. Now this is not your little sprinkle rain storm, this comes in buckets and sheets here. Chuukese Style. Thank goodness for some members who were watching out for us and invited us into their home. We were completely drenched and they made a place for us, but we dripped all over their floor. We felt so bad because we were completely wet and didn't want to get mud all over. No worries! They just said, "Please come on in..."
.
Priesthood Power comes in all sizes and packages...

Up, up and up some more ~ come on Sister Tiffany, we are almost to the top ~

There is a sublime truth behind the idea that we are always in the middle. If we look at our location on a map, we are tempted to say we are at a beginning. But if we look more closely, wherever we are is simply in the middle of a larger place.
Looking through the jungle we are almost to the top ~just a little further ~

It's pretty thick, but we can do it ... make a good path Elders!

Elder Bowers letting us know that even the
young Elders need a Chuukese towel to carry for wiping the brow.

We have to go through that also.... really!
Good thing their is nothing dangerous on this island or is there????
Keep reading...

Boy this is a thick jungle...

When we looked at the birth dates and death dates on the headstone connected by the usual insignificant little dash, this small symbol of a lifespan suddenly fills our mind and heart with an abundance of rich memories. Each of these treasured memories reflects a moment.

We also locate the members that have passed away,
family history work and temple work marches on.

We try to establish sincere friendships with all of them and
visit them in their homes and elsewhere.

Lots and lots of Pineapples up here, it is a beautiful site.

Breadfruit prepared for cooking, then pounding.

~ This sweet, lovely members home ~

This lovely Mama and her daughter are inactive, her son is a preacher in another religion.
They were very kind to us and as we visited we shared our feelings, bore testimony and enjoyed each others comments. Branch President Billy expressed his love towards them and explained the reason for our visit, then he invited them to come back to church. The Elder lady (mom) has a really bad leg so she can't leave the house, but the daughter told us she would love to come back to church on Sunday. Elder Tiffany closed with a prayer.

"Being always in the middle means that the game is never over, hope is never lost, defeat is never final. For no matter where we are or what our circumstances, an eternity of beginnings and an eternity of endings stretch out before us." We are always in the middle.
Here's Elder Tiffany in the middle of the thick, but we are forging on...

Elder Bowers also came this way...

This is a part member family. The father was very good to us and
had the family came out to listen and visit with us. 
After leaving this last home we were heading down the hill which is always harder to do than going up. The rain kept coming and coming and the mud here is very slick. It can be like walking on ice. Remember the movie "Romancing the Stone" where they are walking in the jungle and it is raining really hard and all of a sudden they are in a mud slippery slide. Well that is what it looked like the first time Elder Tiffany went down, he got up and then he was down again. He got up and took a few more steps and then he was down again... four times he fell. It was kinda scary. I said, "Oh
s---, Elder Tiffany, are you alright"!!! It scared me quick and it just spilled right out. Elder Bowers started laughing and it kept a grin on his face the rest of the day. This was a great day and we all were falling down, but Elder Tiffany won the competition.

This is what happens sometimes in the middle of the missionary work ~

One last home we need to visit along the way before calling it quits.
 ~The Lords servants shall go forth~

This is "Tumblelina's" back shot. He's just a little covered with mud,
smashed breadfruit and what have you. A little of this and a little of that.
Yup! that shirt went right to the trash, no way to clean that...

Elder Lavidas is only wet and sweaty, he doesn't have far to fall.
He's built a little closer to the ground, but his heart and testimony is like a Giants.

Elders Lavidas and Bower happily returning to their home, wet, sweaty and soggy...
Oh what a day! It is for sure, one for the diary.

The dock awaits us... Elder Tiffany went down here one last time on the dock. I tell you the man earned the nick name, Elder Tumblina, with grace, dignity and poise.