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| Mainstreet sporting a rainbow |
Mother’s Day is a huge event for missionaries because they
get to call their families, and with the time difference between countries,
these calls took some planning. Sister
Ale led the group calling her family Sunday evening in Palau since Australia
has only an hour’s time difference.
The rest of the phone calls began Monday morning at 8:00 A.M. our time
and Sunday evening in North America. We
had a few technical glitches, but after a few frustrating minutes, two
missionaries were able to connect on two computers while we received calls from
our children on the iPad. Happy faces
all around!
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| Elder Murdoch |
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| Sister Purcell |
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| Elder Dopp |
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| Sister Bevans & Sister Ale |
Between calls or while waiting for companions, the rest of
us played games and ate candy graciously sent by our family in the States. Even after the calls were all completed, we
stayed together for a few hours basking in the joy of calling home yet
realizing we’re in a rare, short moment of our lives to share the gospel of
Jesus Christ with everyone we meet.
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| Elder Malais waiting & waiting & waiting |
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| "Spoons" makes the time fly |
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| Guess what? |
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| No clue! |
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| We got it! |
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| Not the right answer, but... |
After exercising Tuesday morning we cleaned out the library
and family history center at the chapel.
These tiny rooms needed a lot of attention, and though many probably
wouldn’t be able to see much difference, it felt better to us. We filled four big boxes with surplus
materials to distribute among the members so they can enjoy all these items in
their homes.
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| Before |
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| During |
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| After |
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| Before |
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| After |
We enjoyed a picnic Tuesday evening with one of our members
working in Aimeliik. We arrived shortly
before sunset, sat outside eating our chicken salad sandwiches, and
occasionally feeding the four skinny dogs who stared at us the entire time. Another member drove into the farm property
just before we left, and for anyone who has been in out-of-the-way Aimeliik, can
appreciate the truly miraculous nature of that visit.
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| Always a beautiful view |
Our last Seminary class was bittersweet. We’ve enjoyed a great year learning about the
Book of Mormon together, sharing insights, discovering principles, and
emphasizing doctrines, but now we won’t meet for the entire summer. Change can be hard.
Institute class was a carryover of that bittersweet Seminary
feeling. Many of our college students have
already returned to their islands for the summer, but we celebrate that several
will stay in Palau and continue their class work.
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| Rolmi, Melinda, Ruthana, Sister Carter |
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| Melinda (leaving Palau) & Sister Carter |
Last weekend Palau hosted the Etpison Cup, a fishing
challenge that offers thousands of dollars in prizes. One of our member’s sons caught a 100 pound
fish, but didn’t even place. They must
have pulled several “monsters” from the deep to overshadow a 100 pound
fish! We enjoyed part of the spoils though
as they shared several fillets with us.
We’ve been in denial for quite a few weeks that Elder
Fullmer is about to complete his mission and leave Palau on May 21st. We couldn’t deny it any longer though as we attended
a zone lunch on Thursday to say farewell and recognize that there could be
other changes within our missionary companionships. We met at a restaurant called Kramer’s, sat on
their patio, breathed in the fresh air of the ocean three feet away, and talked
about his future.
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| Elders Murdoch, Dopp, Malais |
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| The Palau Zone |
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| Sister Carter, Sister Talakai, Elder Carter |
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| Sister Talakai, Sister Purcell, Elder Murdoch, Elder Dopp |
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| Sister Talakai, Sister Bevans, Elder Fullmer |
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| Elder Malais, Elder Dopp, Sister Bevans, Sister Ale, Sister Talakai, Elder Fullmer, Sister Purcell |
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| Elder Fullmer, Sister Ale, Sister Bevans, Sister Talakai, Sister Purcell |
Following the lunch, we met at the church for an inspiring
and useful district meeting about teaching with boldness but not overbearing,
and we were able to role play what we had been taught. We asked Elder Fullmer to bear his testimony,
and he offered a sweet, heartfelt review of some of the things he’s learned on
his mission and expressed gratitude for each of the missionaries and all he’s
experienced in Palau.
We drove to Camp Katuu, the American installation, to visit
with Chris McDonald and Maria Simer for a few moments. Chris is stationed here for six months and
Maria is a Palauan who works in the office.
Chris has added such strength and maturity to our branch with his
willingness to help and participate where needed. We need him to stay LONG past his six month!
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| Near the gate at Camp Katuu |
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| Chris McDonald |
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| Maria Simer |
Our trip to Babeldaob this Saturday started in a torrential
downpour, but turned into a lovely, sunny, warm day visiting with our members
who live away from the chapel.
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| One lane road near the airport |
We
returned in time to prepare for Sunday responsibilities and attend the baptism
of Ulang, Rodney Yakuchil’s sister.
Rodney performed the baptism and Elder Carter confirmed her on Sunday. Ulang has been attending church as long as we’ve
been in Palau, so it was an especially sweet baptism for us.
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| Ulang, Thomas, Rodney |
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| Ulang's baptism group |
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| Sister Ale, Ulang, Sister Bevans |
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| Ulang & Rodney |
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| Ulang & Rodney |
Jerry Knight, a counselor in our branch presidency, returned
this week from a six-week trip to the Philippines, Alaska, Arizona, and Arkansas. We really missed him and are grateful for the
leadership he so willingly offers.
Sister Purcell turns a mature 21 on Friday, May 23rd,
so we celebrated at Sunday dinner with crockpot lasagna and a dessert she
requested: banana/chocolate pie. We’re all pretty chatty until food is served
then it gets extremely quiet except for silverware touching plates and rhythmic
chewing. We love our missionaries and
love to celebrate each one!
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| Sister Purcell, Ale, & Bevans |
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| Sister Talakai |
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| Birthday girl Purcell |
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| Happy Birthday Sister Purcell! |
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| Elders enjoying dinner |
Sunday evening Sister Ale and Sister Bevans organized and
presented a missionary fireside. The
theme was how the gospel enhances family life.
They had a couple of members share their feelings and stories of how the
gospel has helped them in their relationships with their. It was a tender evening.
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| Kali Kesolei enjoying a piano lesson with nephew Jordan |
Serving a mission is a blessing, and serving on Palau is
serving in paradise. We’re grateful for this time
set apart for fulltime missionary service and know it wouldn’t be possible
without the faith, prayers, and support of our family and friends. Thank you for all you do to sustain our
efforts!
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| Beautiful sunset |
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