Off to Guam...

We are back on Guam, but only for a quick dental check-up and the senior couples’ conference hosted by Fredivik Nicerio, the Seminary/Institute coordinator for Micronesia.  Elder and Sister Strother serving on Yap arrived the day before us, and we eagerly anticipated the arrival of couples from three other islands and our new mission president only to find out that their airplane had mechanical difficulty while in Hawaii and their arrival was delayed until today.  We will have to pack more fun into the next four days to make up for the delay!

Elder & Sister Strother, Sister & Elder Carter

We attended the Barrigada Ward for our Sunday meetings and then spent a couple of fun hours with Elder and Sister Hurst at their apartment.  They hosted us for a lovely dinner and interesting conversation.  It’s a giant treat to spend time with other missionary couples and share stories.

The Church may be some of United Airlines’ best customers since missionaries are constantly flying among all these isles.  Sister Purcell, Elder Dopp, and Elder Malais returned from Guam Monday evening following another successful leadership conference with our new president, President Zarbock.  They were accompanied by the assistants, Elder Ashcraft and Elder Peterson, who spent three days teaching with the elders and our entire zone.  They hosted a zone meeting on Wednesday where both elders offered tremendous suggestions how to teach boldly as we listen to the prompting of the Holy Ghost and how to use the Book of Mormon in every lesson.  The assistants stayed at our apartment for a few hours Wednesday evening prior to our flight to Guam early Thursday morning.

Listening to the assistants

Role playing

Elder Peterson giving instructions

The assistants and our zone

Saying goodbye to the elders

Elder Carter spent quite a bit of time this past week tying up last minute details for the branch temple trip to Manila, Philippines next week.   We’re thrilled that some of our Palauan saints have prepared themselves to attend the temple and hope they will set a positive example for all the other members of the branch so that we have many more attend on the next trip.

Following pure inspiration we were able to finally find a member for whom we’ve searched our entire mission.  He needed us and the Spirit brought us together, just as he has done for several other members over the last few months.  We’re grateful to be on the Lord’s errand.

Rayda and some of our beautiful young women

Tuesday evening we spent 30 minutes playing basketball at the church BY OURSELVES.  We were just about ready to lock up since no one else showed for Sports Night when we saw three people walking down the driveway.  Shortly thereafter, several others joined us until 20 were playing basketball while we watched from the sidelines.  It had rained for several hours during the day so we thought that it dampened enthusiasm for the sport, but the clouds parted, the moon shone brightly, and all of us enjoyed a cool evening being together.

The first three at Sports Night

The day after we arrived in Guam, our sweet friend Rolmi Muller received her mission call!  She will serve in Manila, Philippines.  We will report all the details next week—after we find out for ourselves when we return to Palau.  We are so happy for her and all the people she will meet and teach in the Philippines.

We also missed a baptism in Palau on Saturday evening, so next week we will post pictures and share details.

Rolmi is on her way to Manila, Philippines!

We miss our Palauan family—that includes our eight young missionaries—but know that this next week spent with all the senior couples serving in the Micronesia Guam Mission will give us energy, strength, and inspiration to lengthen our stride and hasten the work.

We love being missionaries and we love all of you who so willingly support us!!