THE CALL HOME

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! 

Elder Murdoch

Sister Purcell

Elder Dopp

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.

Elder Malais waiting & waiting & waiting

"Spoons" makes the time fly

Guess what?

No clue!

We got it!

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.

Before

During

After

Before

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.

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.

Rolmi, Melinda, Ruthana, Sister Carter

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 21^st.  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.

Elders Murdoch, Dopp, Malais

The Palau Zone

Sister Carter, Sister Talakai, Elder Carter

Sister Talakai, Sister Purcell, Elder Murdoch, Elder Dopp

Sister Talakai, Sister Bevans, Elder Fullmer

Elder Malais, Elder Dopp, Sister Bevans, Sister Ale, Sister Talakai, Elder Fullmer, Sister Purcell

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!

Near the gate at Camp Katuu

Chris McDonald

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. 

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.

Ulang, Thomas, Rodney

Ulang's baptism group

Sister Ale, Ulang, Sister Bevans

Ulang & Rodney

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 23^rd, 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!

Sister Purcell, Ale, & Bevans

Sister Talakai

Birthday girl Purcell

Happy Birthday Sister Purcell!

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.

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!

Beautiful sunset

Mother's Day 2014

Happy Mother’s Day to all mothers, especially to Ferral Jones, our mom, who continues to bless our lives as we serve in Palau.  We love you!  Thanks to our children too who so lovingly send cards, letters, and packages to celebrate mothers.  We love you!  Our branch family and missionaries prepared greetings, cards, and messages to make this day special.  One sister in the branch didn’t get a chance to talk to us at the chapel, so she called after church to give her Mother’s Day wishes.  We love you!

A Palauan mother preparing tapioca

 Not only did this week include a holiday, but a visit from our faithful and fun President and Sister Mecham, our mission leaders.  We held zone conference Saturday, the last for Elder Fullmer.  He leaves Palau on May 21^st, and we’re missing him already!  He bore a sweet, simple, and strong testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel.  He and Elder Dopp presented training for all of us followed by counsel from President and Sister Mecham.  We love them so much, and are grateful for their support and instruction that ALWAYS lifts and sustains us.

Celebrating birthdays of Sister Purcell, Elder Dopp, & Elder Carter

Elder Dopp & Elder Fullmer

Elder Murdoch & Elder Malais

President Mecham

Elder Fullmer--last testimony

Palau Zone

Sister Ale & Sister Bevans

Elders Carter, Murdoch, & Malais

Sister Mecham

Sister Purcell & Sister Talakai

Sister Ale & Sister Bevans

Elders Dopp, Fullmer, & Murdoch in a role-play

Palau Zone May 2014

Zone Conference was followed by the baptism of Hesila Kuroda, wife of Silmai Mad who was baptized just a few weeks ago.  How sweet to see a newly ordained husband baptize his wife and see the joy in both their faces!  We feel blessed to participate in ordinances and get to know new members of the church.

Silmai & Hesila

After all the Saturday meetings, we were able to spend extra time with the Mechams as we went to dinner and visited a couple of sites in Palau.  They will complete their three-year mission the end of next month, so we are grateful for the extra moments we can share now.  They will visit us one more time on June 9^th as they make a whirlwind final tour of all the mission islands.

President & Sister Mecham--our dear friends!

We spent part of our preparation day at the local aquarium.  It sits on a small peninsula with a beautiful view of some of the rock islands.  Since most of the exhibits are outside, the setting made it even more spectacular, plus the variety of fish and other wild life helped us appreciate even more the beauty of our mission area.

Sister Carter enjoying the breeze

Elder Carter looking for fish

Elder Carter

Sister Carter standing on the peninsula

Besides all of our regular missionary labors during the week, we also attended an additional zone conference on Thursday afternoon.  Elder Fullmer and Elder Dopp reported all they had learned at the leadership meetings held in Guam, supported by Sister Purcell who also went to Guam.  They reviewed how the Savior taught and encouraged us to follow his perfect example.

Elder Fullmer & other missionaries in Guam

Elder Fullmer sharing his testimony in Guam

This past Monday was a national holiday, Senior Citizen Day.  We think Palau may be the only country to celebrate this holiday, and it’s a very big deal here.  Many government and civic leaders had ads in the newspaper, the community college painted a sign, radio announcements reminded everyone of the day, plus several area events focused on the contributions of seniors.  We have a hard time remembering that we’re senior citizens, but on this day it seemed okay because everyone ramped up respect and honor.  We like it!

Who's a senior?!

Sunday morning Sister Carter received a call from the Primary president that she would be unable to make it to church since she had been at the hospital with her grandson all night.  Sister Carter prepared a lesson, sharing time, and already had singing time ready.  She invited Sister Mecham to join her, and together they made sure the Primary children had an opportunity to learn more about the scriptures and what they could do to be happy with their families.

After all the church meetings on Sunday, the ten younger missionaries and President and Sister Mecham came over to our apartment for a dinner of build-your-own burritos.  Based on leftovers, it was a big success.  We’re grateful for the time we spend with our missionaries, and they’re grateful for food and company.  It’s a good mix!

Carters & Mechams

Caught ya, Sister Bevans

Dinner with the zone

Our beautiful sisters

President Mecham with Sister Mecham working

This is a rare time in our lives to serve the Lord and the people of Palau.  We could not do it without the support of our family at home and hope you know how much we love you!

Regular Week

The most notable item of this week is that there was no notable item of the week!  Our regular missionary schedule continues, but we didn’t have any major event to chat about except that the work continues and we’re grateful to be a part of it.

View from the church parking lot

After teaching piano lessons Monday morning, we spent a few hours playing games with our younger missionaries.  We love being together and have found that we don’t care about “winning” anything.

Elder Malais, Sister Talakai, Elder Dopp, Elder Murdoch, Sister Purcell, Sister Bevans playing a game

Elders Dopp, Malais, Fullmer, Murdoch

Three of our branch members at the college

Sisters Talakai, Bevans, Purcell, Ale

While riding her bicycle one of our young women was hit by a car.  She had some damage on her hand, so she and her dad flew to Guam for more medical help.  We’re praying that all goes well for her and they will return to us soon.

Our district meeting Thursday was a sweet spiritual experience as Elder Malais shared his thoughts and feelings about the Atonement and our responsibility to share the message of the Savior.  Following the meeting we decided to take a few new pictures of our zone.  We love each missionary and are grateful for this short time to serve together in Palau.

Palau Zone

On this bright, early, and HOT Friday morning, we gathered for a service project in a member’s garden.  Though our member cancelled the project, the elders decided to go ahead and clear grass and other greenery near the garden with their weed eaters.  While they worked, Elder Carter labored at the chapel and Sister Carter returned home to work.

Elder Murdoch and his "sweat" towel

Only a few members joined us for First Friday Flicks, but Elder Carter had made a boatload of popcorn.  No worries though because the elders were happy to take it off our hands, and we think they might have shared a bit of it with the sisters.

Elders Murdoch & Malais found a few spare toilets

Early Saturday morning Elder Fullmer, Elder Dopp, and Sister Purcell boarded the plane for Guam to attend leadership meetings.  They will return Monday evening, and we will be so glad to see them.  Our world seems a little off kilter when they leave us.  The remaining three sisters, two elders, and us drove to Ngaraard for the funeral of Jorang Chiba, a member of our branch.  We sang “God Be With You ‘til We Meet Again” and Sister Ale offered a prayer.  Funerals in Palau last most of a day.  The younger missionaries stayed for the entire time while we attended for an hour or so—just in time to provide additional singing voices and moral support.  In a few weeks, we will return with the family to dedicate the grave.

On the beach at Ngaraard

Sisters Bevans, Ale, Talakai

Sisters Bevans & Ale with Kamalani

Sister Talakai

Beach at Ngaraard

Summer house on the water at Ngaraard

Sisters Ale & Bevans & branch members

We’re grateful for another week to serve in Palau with the faithful support of our family—our family that continues to grow.  We discovered this week that we have another grandbaby that will arrive in November!  The blessings continue to flow and we are thankful to recognize our Heavenly Father as the source of every single one!

Missionary work can be tiring--just ask Sister Bevans!

Sister Purcell & Sister Talakai on our patio

Writing a song together

Making the words and music work