So many exciting things have
happened on our Island in the past few weeks.
Our little Island became a stake on March 16th, 2014. The out- pouring of the spirit was evident
everywhere. Over 1446 were in
attendance. We now have a wonderful
stake presidency, with a clerk, executive secretary, and High Counselors. We have 5 wards, 3 branches and 3
groups. What a blessing for this
wonderful Island. A Patriarch will be annouced
soon to make the stake complete. We
thank President Mecham for his tireless efforts to complete the necessary work
to qualify us to become a stake. We had 89 saints who met in Harriman, Utah, (return
missionaries, Pohnpeins living in US and a return Mission President), who
enjoyed a direct wire feed, to be a part of this great event! Conference weekend
we enjoyed the blessing of having Elder Whiting, Elder Nash and his wife, along
with Brother Turley from the Historical Department, President and Sister
Mecham, and President and Sister Dale West in our home. They came to share a meal with us before hopping
on the red-eye flight back to Guam and Utah.
Thank you Brethren & Sisters for sharing your time with us.
Seminary and Institute is
winding down for the year, but the students are amazing in their
attendance. One day we had 48 students
in our High School seminary class. It was the day the Holy Ghost had prompted a
lesson to be given on the Book of Mormon.
The day before, with 40 in the classroom, we talked about the Holy
Ghost. We discussed how to recognize the promptings and how to merit His loving
kindness to us. Both days were spirit
filled and we were once again so grateful to be a part of this wonderful work
on this Island. Miracles happen all the
time here and we love being a part of all of it. Some days it just does not seem real that we
are really serving here.
Baptisms continue to come
each and every week. Some with tears
streaming down their cheeks, so grateful the missionaries found them. Sharing our testimonies of our Savior Jesus
Christ with others is a blessing that we cannot even express to you.
We just had a quick visit
from our seminary and institute leaders from Guam, Japan, and South Korea. It was a blessing to have them discuss the
challenges we face here. Just to know
they understand more about the culture, the love of the saints here for the
gospel and the sweet tender spirit about them as they go through life trying to
live the Gospel.
It was enjoyable to have them
meet with our teachers and feel of their love.
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| Stake Conference |
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| Beautiful choir from Kitti Branch (28 converts singing all baptized since we got here, except one) |
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| President Kalio(right), 1st Counselor President Hadley (middle), 2nd Counselor President Redes (left) |
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| Elder Nash & Whiting serving water at our meal |
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| Elder Kim and Elder Tapua with new convert! |
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| Elder Tapua and Elder Kim at recent baptism |
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| Elders Kim, Tapua, Afaulo & Becraft |
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| Painting Scripture/Prayer rocks in seminary |
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| Josephine and her Choose The Right rock |
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| Rod Eric CTR reminder |
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| Ivaloni our Class President painting herself |
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| Relief Society Birthday Celebration Pohnpein Style |
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| Dancing is so much a part of the festivities |
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| Elder Chandler commented "I am so happy today" Just watching these islanders makes one happy! |
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| More Scripture Mastery Games! They love it! |
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| Far back student in a white shirt is Bishop Nicerio on a visit to Pohnpei |
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| Elders Matalolo and Elder Vause helping every day! They are the reason we have so many coming now! |
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| I love my kids! |
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| And this one TOO!! |
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| Elder Kim and Elder Tapua chowing down! |
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| Carlee's Birthday/Retirement party |
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| Elder Barrus and Elder Taule'alo |
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| New Converts! Happy! Happy! |
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| Sister Ioana & Sister Komra with their new converts |
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| Elder Gardner & Elder Johnson with their new converts |
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| Pohnpei District R.S. getting ready for General Authorities arrival |
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| Beautiful fruit baskets for their Hotel Rooms |
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| A beautiful receiving line for them at the airport |
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| They were so touched by the singing "We Thank Thee O God For A Prophet" |
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| Sister Mecham touched also by the singing |
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| Combined Missionary Zone conference two days before conference. |
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| Elder Cook has simple walked his socks off!! |
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| Elders Rice, Bunn, Hansen and Holt enjoying home cooking, Sister Chandler style |
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| Elder Bunn & Elder Matalolo always helping |
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| Native warrior dances for our visiting authorities and their wives |
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| Their dancing is so beautiful. What stories they tell! |
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| Notice the simple costume. Made jungle style |
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| Seminary kids performing for the visiting authorities! |
We continue to love our
mission. We are almost 10 months down
and time is flying by. We miss our
family more and more as time goes by.
We just received pictures of all the girls old enough to attend the
Women’s Meeting and they were all having soooo much fun together. However, they were missing one very important
someone. ME!! We do love and miss them so much. We love you all. May your lives be filled with peace and happiness.
