Elder and Sister Chandler

Elder and Sister Chandler

About Elder and Sister Chandler

Ready to serve our Savior in the 'Guam-Micronesia Mission' serving on the island of Pohnpei.
Currently serving on the island are 8 Sister Missionaries, 20 Elders and Elder and Sister Chandler.

Helaman 5:12

"And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation;that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall not power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall."

Monday, March 31, 2014

We are a STAKE! What a miracle!!


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. 
Stake Conference

Beautiful choir from Kitti Branch (28 converts singing all baptized since we got here, except one)

President Kalio(right), 1st Counselor President Hadley (middle), 2nd Counselor President Redes (left)

Elder Nash & Whiting serving water at our meal

Elder Kim and Elder Tapua with new convert!

Elder Tapua and Elder Kim at recent baptism

Elders Kim, Tapua, Afaulo & Becraft

Painting Scripture/Prayer rocks in seminary

Josephine and her Choose The Right rock

Rod Eric CTR reminder

Ivaloni our Class President painting herself

Relief Society Birthday Celebration Pohnpein Style

Dancing is so much a part of the festivities

Elder Chandler commented  "I am so happy today"  Just watching these islanders makes one happy!

More Scripture Mastery Games!  They love it!

Far back student in a white shirt is Bishop Nicerio on a visit to Pohnpei

Elders Matalolo and Elder Vause helping every day!  They are the reason we have so many coming now!

I love my kids!

And this one TOO!!

Elder Kim and Elder Tapua chowing down!

Carlee's Birthday/Retirement party

Elder Barrus and Elder Taule'alo

New Converts!  Happy!  Happy!




Sister Ioana & Sister Komra with their new converts

Elder Gardner & Elder Johnson with their new converts

Pohnpei District R.S. getting ready for General Authorities arrival



Beautiful fruit baskets for their Hotel Rooms

A beautiful receiving line for them at the airport

They were so touched by the singing  "We Thank Thee O God For A Prophet"

Sister Mecham touched also by the singing

Combined Missionary Zone conference two days before conference.


Elder Cook has simple walked his socks off!!

Elders Rice, Bunn, Hansen and Holt enjoying home cooking, Sister Chandler style

Elder Bunn & Elder Matalolo always helping

Native warrior dances for our visiting authorities and their wives

Their dancing is so beautiful.  What stories they tell!

Notice the simple costume.  Made jungle style

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.

1 comment:

  1. Congratulations on becoming a stake. You two can say " We were there when that happened and we were instrumental in the making." It is so evident by your letters that you are so good at what you are doing and most of all, you love it and they love you. You said that you have been there ten months. That seems like a short time to you, but it seems like a long time to me. I miss you! I can imagine how much your family misses you.
    We got another Relief Society presidency Sunday. Michelle Barratt is our new president with Martha Witt and Shauna Pulver as counselors. Michelle is on crutches right now. She fell on the ice and broke her leg but she is still willing to take on such a big responsibility.
    I have been working with the choir. We are going to sing REMEMBER ME, an Easter Cantata April 20th. As usual, we are still chasing notes but we'll have it ready.
    I sure hope you can move back into our ward. Thanks for keeping me posted and for the pictures. I love hearing from you. Sister Joyce

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