Some days burst with activities while others seem to drift
quietly by, and this week was a perfect example of both.
Monday was Elder Fullmer’s last preparation day on Palau and
he requested we play games at our apartment with all of the missionaries. We spent a couple of hours together strumming
a ukulele, playing Scattergories and Catch Phrase. The games and music and camaraderie provided
lots of laughter, memories, and talk of the future. Our time together was also a celebration of
Elder Murdoch’s new calling as district leader and trainer. He left for Guam Monday night (early Tuesday
morning) for training and to pick up his new companion.
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| Last time these elders are together (Fullmer, Dopp, Murdoch, Malais) |
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| Elder Dopp & Elder Fullmer |
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| Sister Talakai & Sister Purcell |
Our seminary and institute director for Micronesia, Fredevik
Nicerio, flew to Palau Monday evening. We
met for lunch on Tuesday and enjoyed a long discussion about seminary and
institute on the islands. He is a good
man working at a tough job, and we are blessed to follow his leadership and
feel the depth of his support.
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| Bro. Nicero & Tradson Mark |
We thought we would invite Brother Nicerio to dinner Tuesday
evening, but we and all the younger missionaries were invited to dinner with
the Daniels family visiting from the States.
Brother and Sister Daniels brought two of their children for a family
vacation diving in the beautiful waters of Palau. He had been a mission president in Japan a
few years ago and currently teaches at BYU and serves at the Provo MTC as the
Japanese Branch president. The hour we
spent together was a time to share mission stories, play the “do you know?”
game, eat plenty of food, and marvel at the hastening of the work.
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| Missionaries & the Daniels at Rock Island Cafe |
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| Love being together |
Wednesday was a day of preparation for seminary and
institute graduation as well as talking with Brother Nicerio for several hours
about our students’ needs and challenges.
After reporting to Brother Nicerio that we usually start on time, we
began the graduation a half hour late because many of our institute students
were late! Sergio and Raphia, our two
class presidents both spoke with power and testimony. Raphia shared the story of Sherem, the
anti-Christ and the destructive nature of pride. She spoke far beyond her 17 years. Sergio presented an amazing talk about our
responsibilities as members of the Church to always learn and grow in the gospel. He sounded like a missionary! Rolmi and Boni offered testimonies while
Brother Nicerio spoke about the power of the Book of Mormon and President Thing
ended with an awesome testimony and instruction for those graduating. He asked them to read the scriptures daily,
especially the Book of Mormon, pray morning and evening and sometimes in
between each day, attend Sacrament meeting to weekly partake of the sacrament,
serve in a calling in the branch, and spend time teaching with the
missionaries. The seminary students sang
“A Marvelous Work” and the institute students sang “Nearer, My God, to Thee”
and invited a sweet spirit with these powerful hymns.
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| Boni & Sergio |
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| Kali & Kesiil |
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| Kessy, Sister Ale, Sister Bevans |
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| A good crowd |
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| Angie Ngiraked receiving an award |
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| Elder & Sister Carter receiving an award |
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| Kesiil, our honorary seminary member |
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| Desiree |
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| Kessy |
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| Trad |
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| Raphia |
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| Boni |
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| Jose |
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| Ruthana |
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| Trad |
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| Hanson |
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| Wesley |
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| Pauline |
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| Teruo |
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| Hideo |
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| Sergio |
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| Ronnie |
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| Rodney |
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| Mcensber |
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| Five of our seminary students |
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| Grateful for our students |
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| "Congratulations" cake |
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| Seminary |
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| Institute |
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| More cake |
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| Ready for the program |
Following the graduation service, we served a dinner of
chicken, fried rice, salads, and cake to about 50 people. It was also the perfect time for many members
to tell Elder Fullmer goodbye as he flew to Guam this same evening.
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| Goodbye Elder Fullmer |
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| Elder Fullmer & friends |
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| Sergio & Elder Fullmer |
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| Sergio, Jose, Elder Fullmer, Ronnie |
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| Wesley, Elder Fullmer, Hanson, Trad |
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| Elder Malais, Elder Fullmer, Elder Dopp |
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| Our missionaries |
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| Leaving when?? |
All the missionaries gathered at our apartment before going
to the airport and send Elder Fullmer home.
He answered plenty of questions about his mission and offered advice to
each of us. He said that if there was
one thing he would do differently, it would be to learn the language
sooner. He recognized that speaking the
native language was also the language of their souls and that they could better
understand and recognize the Spirit when hearing their native tongue. We took plenty of pictures then sent another
of our fine missionaries home after serving faithfully for two years.
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| We love you Elder Fullmer! |
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| Carters & Elder Fullmer |
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| Answering questions |
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| Share what you've learned |
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| Sister Bevans, Sister Purcell, Sister Ale |
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| He has learned so much! |
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| Smile |
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| Elder Fullmer's worn out socks |
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| WE |
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| WILL MISS |
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| YOU! |
Thursday morning we attended Palau High School graduation to
celebrate with some of our branch members.
It was very, very hot, but we persevered and congratulated several of
our friends. While at graduation Sister
Bevans reported problems with her back and shoulders. She was in a lot of pain and unsure what to
do.
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| Sister Ale & Sister Bevans at the doctor's office |
We spent several hours at a doctor’s
office and talked with a physical therapist, but nothing seemed to help much.
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| Sister Purcell, Sister Ale, Sister Bevans |
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| Crowd of support |
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| Graduates |
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| Sister Ale, Sister Bevans, Sister Purcell |
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| Sister Carter with Michelle |
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| Rolmi & Sister Talakai |
Sister Bevans pain levels remained high on Friday, so we
took her for a back massage. It didn’t
seem to help either. She was able to
attend the Young Single Adult party Friday afternoon that was also a
celebration for Sister Purcell’s birthday.
Sister Purcell turned a seasoned and mature 21. The YSA men barbequed hot dogs then we played
games inside since it was still very, very hot.
It’s always warm here, but this past week has seemed exceptionally hot.
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| Rolmi with birthday cake |
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| Sister Talakai & Sister Purcell |
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| Surprise! |
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| She was surprised |
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| Blowing out the candles |
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| 21 years old |
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| Poster signed by friends |
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| Singing with friends |
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| Barbeque |
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| Ready to eat |
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| Happy birthday |
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| Waiting for the party |
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| Hot dogs |
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| Goodbye to Hanson & Ronnie (for the summer) |
All of the missionaries congregated at our apartment Friday
night to welcome our newest elder, Elder
Striplin from Australia. He and Elder
Murdoch flew in from Guam in time to eat apple cobbler, ice cream, and Sister
Purcell’s birthday cake. We peppered
Elder Striplin with plenty of questions, and he graciously sated our
curiosity. He will be an awesome
addition to our zone and will serve in Midtown.
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| Elder Murdoch, Elder Malais, Elder Striplin |
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| Sisters Bevans, Ale, Talakai |
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| Elder Striplin--our newest missionary! |
The joy of our new elder was softened with sad news for
Sister Bevans. She flew to Guam late
Saturday night so she could receive additional medical care for her back. We heard from her Sunday morning that she had
arrived safely, had already visited a doctor, and they were searching for a
chiropractor. With the Memorial Day
holiday tomorrow, that may be a big order.
We continue to pray for her quick recovery so she can return and serve
with us.
Wilbur Seharmidal was baptized Saturday night by Elder Dopp
in a sweet, short service and then confirmed Sunday morning by Arisei Tikel. He’s been studying with Sister Purcell and
Sister Talakai along with a few other members of his family, so we’re hoping
several others will follow his example.
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| Wilbur & Elder Dopp |
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| Silmai, Wilbur, Sister Talakai, Sister Purcell |
Sacrament Meeting was a big surprise for plenty of us. Brother Knight asked all of the seminary and
institute students to move to the front row of the chapel. He then proceeded to tell them what a fine
job they did studying this past year and for their accomplishments during the
graduation ceremony, and then asked them to bear their testimonies. What a surprise! They were stunned but did a fine job and were
followed by the testimonies of their teachers, Sister Ngiraked and Sister
Carter.
Sunday dinnertime is always a treat—in more ways than
one! The missionaries are happy to meet
at our apartment for food and fellowship, and since Elder Striplin is new, we
reviewed a lot of past activities and talked about plans for prep day tomorrow. We love our zone and are blessed to serve
with such dedicated, focused missionaries.
Thanks too for our family and the love and support you generously give
every day of our lives. We love you!
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| Elder Carter, Elder Striplin, Elder Murdoch |
