New Year’s in Palau seems to be a more widely celebrated
holiday than Christmas! We heard plenty
of fireworks, smelled the savory aroma of several barbecues, marveled at the
fewest number of cars on the road we’ve ever seen, yet were surprised to find
so few people home. Missionary work
slowed down for a few hours.
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Sister Ale & Sister Norgrant |
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Skarlee, Elder Murdoch, Elder Malais |
As we reviewed our efforts and goals in 2013, we were all
disappointed to find that we were one baptism short of our yearly goal. But Monday, as many of us gathered at the
church for piano lessons, we learned from our zone leaders that we had miscounted! Imagine our excitement, awe, and humility when
we discovered our error. We reached our
goal and saw 30 souls exercise faith, repent, and join the Church in 2013. We didn’t quite know how to express all the tender
feelings of our hearts, but we celebrated with dinner together, generously provided by a donation from Ferral Jones, Sister Carter’s mother.
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Happy Palau Zone |
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Celebrate! |
President and Sister Kesolei invited all the missionaries to
ring in the new year at their home. As
we climbed out of our car, we could smell the chicken, bratwurst, fish, hot
dogs, and spicy sausage they barbecued in our honor. We consumed massive amounts of fruit salad,
potato salad, red rice, and all the varieties of meat. Just before dinner we even saw the last couple
of minutes of a televised football game, but we all laughed plenty as we sang
Karaoke in their front room. We spent a
delightful two hours with some of our beloved branch family.
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Elder Murdoch |
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President Kesolei |
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Joanny Kesolei & Sister Norgrant |
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Lots of food! |
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Elder Malais & Elder Murdoch |
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Elder Dopp |
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Elder Malais, Teruo, Elder Dopp |
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Elder Carter, John Thing |
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Waiting to sing |
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Teruo |
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Sister Norgrant |
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Elder Carter & football highlights |
A couple of weeks ago we walked into an office looking for
an individual and ran into a friend from another faith. She was so glad to see us and mentioned that
we were an answer to her prayer. She had
been teaching a young Korean girl how to speak English, but was spending a few
weeks in the U.S., so she asked us to take over. We’ve enjoyed this opportunity to get to know
Geum Ha and share some of our native language.
We continue to receive Christmas packages from our family,
much to our delight and that of the younger missionaries. We are grateful for each item and are most
thankful for the tangible and heartfelt love that flows from each
package. Thank you!
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Scripture markers |
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Clothes & candy! |
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Lots of treats |
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So happy |
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Lots & lots |
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We love packages! |
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Love those gifts |
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Quite a haul |
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Year's supply |
Our trip to Babeldaob this month was a delight! In answer to our prayers, we found and
visited with nearly all of the members we were seeking plus the weather could
not have been more beautiful as we felt a breeze cooling the bright sunlight
everywhere we went.
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Typhoon Haiyan destroyed this mango tree |
Sunday morning was a continuation of Saturday’s
blessings. Some members we had visited
attended church for the first time since we’ve been in Palau and committed to
be there more often. Sacrament Meeting
was an opportunity for some of the St. George people, who are leaving this
week, to share their testimonies and feelings about their Palau experience. Their testimonies were punctuated with plenty
of tears, plus we listeners were equally touched by their tender emotions. We and the branch will miss their service,
experience, and testimonies!
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Last Sunday with the Huffakers in Primary |
We are grateful for 2013 and all the lessons we learned
about one another, our family, missionary work, and the loving concern of our
Heavenly Father. We are grateful for another
year and a new beginning for each of us!
We anticipate even greater blessings and experiences throughout the new
year and wish the same for each of you, our wonderful family and supportive friends. We love you!
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