A blur of activities and preparation
for Christmas, yet we feel somewhat un-Christmas-like with equal parts hot temperatures
and humidity. We’re grateful for this
season of the year and our focus on the birth of the Christ child as we look
for more ways to serve Him and His children in the beautiful isles of Palau.
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| Elder Carter wishing all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! |
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| Delivering hygiene kits to hospital (Minister of Health) |
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| Hygiene kit assembly |
Monday evening several branch members and all the
missionaries gathered at our apartment for a dinner hosted by Betty and Clair
Hall. Betty wanted to cook for all of us
one more time before their departure to the States on Wednesday morning. All 20 of us enjoyed her generosity and
thoughtfulness as we ate lasagna, salad, bread, and her famous four-layer
dessert. We will surely miss them in the
branch!
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| What shirt size? |
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| Good food/good company |
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| What size again? |
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| We eat well. |
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| Lasagna--yum! |
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| Kids had fun too. |
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| Betty at work. |
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| Who needs chairs? |
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| "Cheese" |
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| Serving ourselves |
Tuesday evening all of the missionaries and some branch
members entertained at Bethlehem Park as part of the community Christmas
celebration. We sang eight Christmas
carols to a delighted audience. We think
they liked our singing, but they especially enjoyed Santa’s visit following our
performance.
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| Sister Norgrant, Sister Purcell, Sister Masiasomua, Sister Ale |
We hurried from the park to do some home teaching to a
less-active brother, and we were so happy to see the light of the gospel shine in
his countenance. We’ve been visiting him
for about three months now and feel blessed to see the gentle but sure
transformation as he remembers his testimony and the outpouring of heaven’s
blessings upon him.
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| Koror at Christmas |
Sister Carter said goodbye to her Palau High School class
last week, but they asked her to return on Wednesday so they could finish the
party they started last week. Together
they reviewed what they had learned over the semester in preparation for the
final exam on Thursday, took pictures, ate ice cream, and then delighted Sister
Carter with Palauan dances and giant farewell cards. She left part of her heart with each one.
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| Giant cards presented by beautiful girls! |
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| Showing some dance moves |
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| Beautiful faces!! |
The last Seminary class for 2013 concluded Wednesday night
with the challenge to read and pray about the Book of Mormon every day during
the holiday break. We’re already looking
towards our opening class/party on January 8th and are pushing hard
to make sure we have even more students attend faithfully. Institute completed this semester on Thursday
night with a lesson followed by pizza and treats to celebrate the season.
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| Elders & Kaytano before he leaves for his mission |
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| We will miss you! |
The branch Christmas party on Saturday night was a
smash! Elder Carter, ever the
accountant, counted all 91 members and investigators who chose to spend their
Saturday evening with us. The Primary
began the talent show with a couple of Christmas carols followed by the
full-time elders showing their Palauan dance skills taught them by several
young boys. We’re pretty sure the chapel
neighbors had to hear the peals of laughter crashing through the windows,
especially when it didn’t stop during the entire dance routine. Melody Lee sang a famous Philippine song
called “Christmas in Our Hearts”, and she performed with no accompaniment. So brave!
She was followed by the sister missionaries and several other sisters
demonstrating their outstanding Samoan dance skills. All those practices were definitely worth
it! Raphia Ngiraked sang an original
Christmas song and accompanied herself on the guitar. She knows how to sing from the heart. The Antonio girls presented a beautiful authentic Palauan dance. Each missionary companionship then hosted
games that brought even more laughter and squeals of delight. Everyone ate cookies, cookies, and more
cookies washed down with chocolate or strawberry flavored milk to end the
fun-filled evening of love, fellowship, and celebration of Christmas.
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| Game time |
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| All the right moves |
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| Dancing |
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| Knock off the ornament |
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| Hang the ornament |
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| No hands |
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| Jingle in the trunk |
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| Jingle again |
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| Keep jingling |
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| Follow the leader |
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| Beautiful Samoan dance |
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| Dollar trick |
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| How low can you go? |
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| So creative! |
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| All together |
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| Melody can sing! |
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| Primary children |
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| Ready to start |
We had lots of sweet surprises at the branch Christmas party including Maylin Obak's visit from St. George. Originally from Palau, Maylin moved to St. George just before we left on our mission. We met her three days before we entered the MTC in April and she gave us a beautiful and practical introduction to Palau. Now it's an extra blessing to meet her in her homeland and introduce her to many new members.
Sacrament Meeting Sunday morning was the culmination of many
months of music rehearsals and preparation.
Eleven speakers quoted thoughts from General Authorities about the birth
of Jesus Christ and his love for each of his children. They spoke about how we can find peace in
this life through keeping the commandments and serving those around us with
charity and love. They testified of the
reality of Jesus Christ, the only Begotten Son of the Father in the flesh, and
his mercy as he willingly offered to come to earth, teach us the way home, then
suffered the Atonement that we might live with him again. Between the speakers, the choir offered three
different musical gems that were medleys of famous Christmas carols. The sister missionaries sang “Mary’s Lullaby”
and Sister Purcell sang a solo of “Mary, Did You Know?” accompanied by Elder
Malais on the guitar. The Young Men and
Young Women sang “Still, Still, Still” while the Primary sang three short songs
from the Primary songbook. The
congregation were included too as they sang “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing” and “Angels
We Have Heard on High” between a couple of the speakers. We felt a wonderful spirit inspired by word and
song and feel ever more deeply the profound nature of the Savior’s sacrifice.
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| Young Men delivering treats to Primary |
We pray that each of you have been touched by a word,
thought, or hymn this week that will help you bend more humbly before Him who gladly
ransoms us as we daily repent. May the “Spirit
of Christ” fill your hearts and homes as you celebrate this season. Please remember that we miss you, but our
thoughts of home are miraculously replaced with joy serving the Savior in this
singular time and place. We love you!
