Time

We’ve been reminded by several friends and family that this week marks our year anniversary as missionaries in the Micronesia Guam Mission.  In many ways the time has flown as on angels’ wings and in others it has crawled as slowly as our Palauan red centipedes.

Chris McDonald joining us for dinner

Time has slipped by as we love our members and missionaries and feel their strength and faith in hastening the work of inviting all to come unto Christ.  We are grateful to be associated with such inspiring people and feel our own testimonies grow through their righteous examples of honesty and industry.

Listening to Conference (mostly)

Time slows considerably when we miss our family at home, especially when they celebrate life-changing events in their lives.  We know they are fine without us, and that double-edged sword leaves us both humbled and grateful.

Easter eggs

Easter egg fun

Elder Murdoch & Elder Malais

Sister Talakai & Sister Bevans

Elders Dopp, Malais, Murdoch, Fullmer

Sister Purcell & Sister Ale

Time came to a near standstill this week as one of our young elders, Elder Dopp, suffered from a terrible sore throat and temperature.  We nursed him for a couple of days before taking him to the hospital early Saturday morning for an evaluation.  We didn’t feel much confidence in the diagnosis, but at least he was able to get some antibiotics, and we’re relieved to report that he’s feeling much better and should return to 100% health by tomorrow.

Elder Dopp resting while his companion Elder Fullmer keeps watch

Improving

Doing better every hour

Some of our time this week has been dedicated to helping young people work on mission papers.  Our little branch has two young men serving as full-time missionaries already, but a young man and a young woman began their process this week.  This is one of the greatest pleasures of our experience here.

Rolmi

Sergio

Most of the world watched General Conference two weeks ago, but we finally had our time to enjoy the spiritual feast this week-end.  We met at 9:00 A.M. at the church on Saturday, watched a session, enjoyed a potluck lunch, then watched the afternoon session.  We repeated this pattern on Sunday, but many more members of the branch attended with us.  We’re grateful for the messages of church leaders that instruct, inspire, encourage, strengthen, and testify—and already look forward to their messages printed in the Liahona so we can study and “remember” the feelings of this week-end.

Lunch on Saturday

Waiting for lunch

Ready to serve

Between sessions of Conference, feeding the missionaries, and meeting with members, we remembered and celebrated that time that the Savior Jesus Christ came forth from the tomb as the culmination of his Atonement and offered us the unspeakable gift of forgiveness and eternal life as we sincerely and humbly repent.  We testify that he lives.

Back to Work

Dr. Hartup is smiling--we think!

We began the week on Guam visiting our friend the dentist.  Dr. Hartup must have some pull (pun intended) with his dental lab because Elder Carter’s crowns were prepared in only two days and placed on Monday afternoon.  We returned Tuesday for some adjustments, but they seem to be fine and are a major improvement over previous problems.

Monday evening we were blessed to share family home evening with other senior couples.  Elder and Sister Hurst hosted the event and asked all of us to bring our laptops.  They shared several facets of the Church’s family search website, and all of us were pleased and excited to learn more about our ancestors and how we can share this information with members and investigators.

Sister Martin & Sister McClellan

Sister Hurst, Elder Martin, Elder Hurst

Sister Mecham

One of the blessings of spending time in Guam was visiting with Bishop Freddie Nicerio, our director of seminaries and institutes for Micronesia.  He gave Elder Carter a blessing, assisted by Elder Martin, that reminded him to increase his faith in the Savior Jesus Christ and His Atonement and that he would be able to adequately deal with his medical issues.  A sweet spiritual lift.

Wednesday afternoon we packed our belongings and drove to the mission office to meet with President Mecham.  He gave Elder Carter a priesthood blessing that brought a sweetness and calm to both of us.  Elder and Sister Martin followed us to the airport to retrieve our vehicle, and to our surprise Bishop Nicerio pulled in next to us as he dropped off his sister for her flight.  We love these great people but there’s no place like home—Palau!

Elder Carter, Elder & Sister Martin, Sister Carter

Elder Carter, Elder & Sister Martin, Bishop Nicerio

All of our missionaries greeted us Wednesday night as we arrived at our apartment.  Their homemade signs and heartfelt sentiments brightened the day and our hearts.  We love our missionaries! 

As we sat around catching up on the events of the last few days, the zone leaders answered their phone and stepped outside to visit with the assistants to President Mecham.  They later reported the mission-altering results of the phone call.  Our dear Sister Norgrant was transferred to Yigo on Guam and will serve in a threesome with two Chuukese companions and will also travel to Saipan as a sister leader/trainer.  Sister Purcell will stay in Topside but will serve as the sister leader/trainer on Palau.  Sister Ale will continue to serve in Meyuns but will have a new companion, Sister Bevans, who has been serving for four months on Guam.  All four of our elders had no changes.

Elder Malais and Elder Murdoch stopped over with several packages from our family and friends.  We’re planning a mission preparation course, and many of our needed materials were in the packages, plus plenty of treats to share.  Thank you!

Elder Carter opening a package

Sisters' luncheon to say goodbye

Sister Ale & Sister Norgrant

Thursday night we gathered to say goodbye to Sister Norgrant.  We’re thrilled that she has this new opportunity, but are so sad to see her go.  She is a faithful, determined, and focused missionary, and will be a blessing wherever she serves.

Sister Carter, Sister Norgrant, Elder Carter

Sisters Purcell, Talakai, Norgrant, Ale

Sister Ale & Sister Norgrant

Our cute zone!

Sister Norgrant's last treat in Palau

Sister Norgrant

Friday night we gathered at Palau Community College to watch some of our members as they participated in International Night.  They modeled customary and modern clothing for all the islands and then performed dances and songs representative of their various cultures. 

Native costume

More costumes

Elder Murdoch & Elder Fullmer

Angie & John Jr.

Missionaries enjoying the show

"All Micronesian" shirts

We couldn’t stay long though because we hurried to our apartment to meet our new missionary, Sister Bevans.  We spent a few minutes learning about her, her family, her past service on Guam, and her plans for the future.  We hope she feels comfortable on Palau and know she will be a valuable asset for our zone.

Sister Bevan, Elder Fullmer, Sister Ale

Sister Bevan--first night in Palau

Elder Fullmer and Elder Dopp, our zone leaders, hosted a meeting Saturday afternoon where they presented the training they had received in Guam.  They reminded us that God’s ways are not man’s ways and that we need to discover for ourselves what He wants us to accomplish in our mission areas.

We love Saturdays because we usually have a baptism, and this week we were able to watch Pauline Kobeney Thomas and Ruthana Lanwi enter the waters of baptism.  Ronnie, Pauline’s husband, performed the ordinance for both of them.  He was baptized only a few weeks ago and was so pleased to have this opportunity to exercise his priesthood and see his wife join him in the Church. 

Pauline & Ruthana--so happy!

Pauline, Ruthana, and friends

Sister Purcell, Pauline, Ronnie, Ruthana, Sister Talakai

How wonderful to be back with our Palauan saints on Sunday!  We missed them terribly, and they said they missed us.  Though the air conditioning is still broken at the church, we love gathering together and learning from one another.  Two of our recent converts spoke in Sacrament Meeting along with Elder Murdoch.  They bore sweet, simple, and pure testimonies about their own conversions.  The Primary children sang a capella versions of “I Stand All Amazed” and “Did Jesus Really Live Again?”.  We played a piano duet (“Christ the Lord is Risen Today”) and the choir ended the meeting with “He is Risen.”  Next Sunday is Easter, but we will watch General Conference so this was our chance to sing our Easter music.

Following priesthood executive meeting and branch council, the missionaries met at our apartment for dinner.  Since we were gone on Fast Sunday last week, we decided to serve breakfast.  They seemed to enjoy our version of an egg mcmuffin—at least all the food disappeared.  For dessert, we devoured Elder Carter’s birthday cake.  His birthday is this Thursday, but we always celebrate together the Sunday before—and we will celebrate every single day this week.

Enjoying treats

Elder Dopp & Elder Fullmer

Sister Talakai, Elder Carter, Sister Purcell

Elder Carter and his birthday cake

A lighter moment

A little more traditional

Make a wish!

How many candles?

Sister Bevans, Sister Ale

Elder Malais & Elder Murdoch

Elder Murdoch

We are grateful to serve the people of Palau, but we couldn’t do it without the ever-abiding support of our family and friends.  We love you and feel the power of your faith!

A Week Away

We awoke to a normal Monday morning of 80 degrees and who-knows-how-much humidity, completed our regular running/walking, visited with family on the internet, taught piano lessons to a few missionaries, visited with some members, and prepared to leave for Guam on the over-night flight.

Sister Paz and Sister Carter at Palau airport on the way to Guam

We arrived at 5:15 A.M. Tuesday morning, hopped into our rental car, drove to the local Denny’s for breakfast, and arrived 30 minutes early for Elder Carter’s dental appointment.  Dr. Hartup, our new best friend, went to work in Elder Carter’s mouth and found more than what we bargained for during three hours in the chair.  He completed the needed root canal and determined that the crown that had been placed in Palau was 25% too big and placed incorrectly, hence causing trauma to a neighboring tooth.  Dr. Hartup “invited” us to return on Friday for more dental work(no Wednesday night return as we had anticipated).  After four hours in the chair Friday, Elder Carter sported two teeth prepped and sporting temporary crowns which have to be placed sometime next week. 

Elder Carter and the view from Bay View hotel

One of the few highlights of this dental interval was visiting with the senior missionaries working on Guam.  The Martins keep the mission office under control while the Hursts ignite the fire of family history with any who will listen.  We enjoyed the cooking of both couples Sunday evening and so appreciate their kindness and thoughtfulness.

Martins, Hursts, Elder Carter

We spent a little time on the phone talking with Elder Fullmer on Palau to let him know of our extended stay in Guam.  We asked him to cover for us for several assignments and then found, much to our dismay, that Melody Lee, one of our beloved branch members, was leaving that very evening for the Philippines.  We are thrilled that she will be back with her family, but so sad to lose her sweet smile and wonderful talents.

Tuesday afternoon we checked into the Bayview Hotel and were assigned to the 20^th floor.  We had a fabulous view of Tumon Bay and city sites, but were happy to transfer to the Pacific Star the next day (formerly the Marriott) for the remainder of our stay. 

Elder Carter checking in at the Pacific Star Hotel

Sister Carter welcoming airline crews at Pacific Star Hotel

Perhaps the greatest trial of the last few days has 

been Elder Carter’s wrestle with severe anxiety.  With medical and dental care on Palau less than desirable and situated 900 miles from immediate help, his anxiety about future problems has been a major issue.  Fortunately we have a capable and understanding mission nurse, Sister McClellan, and an outstanding and inspiring mission president, President Mecham, who are helping him through a difficult time.  We’re grateful for your prayers in our behalf!

While we have a lot of “extra” time on our hands, we have been trying to compile our income tax records to meet the April 15^th deadline, visited the social security office to handle Medicare details, and tried to keep our minds occupied with things besides medical or dental issues.

Saturday evening Sister Carter was able to attend the General Womens Conference delayed broadcast at the Barrigada Chapel.  About 100 women attended to hear inspiring messages from our church leaders then met afterwards for elaborate refreshments in the cultural hall.  They must have an expansive budget compared to our branch in Palau! 

We attended the Barrigada Ward for Sunday meetings and enjoyed visiting with several people that we’ve met on prior occasions.  One of the highlights of the morning was seeing our very own zone leaders Elder Fullmer and Elder Dopp as they were on Guam for training.  We are grateful for them and all of our other missionaries who work so diligently to invite all to come unto Christ.  How we miss them when we’re away!

Sister Carter, Elder Dopp, Elder Fullmer, Elder Carter at Barrigada Ward

We’re not sure what this next week will bring, but we have faith in Jesus Christ.  Thank you again and again and again for all your prayers and support.  We love you and pray for you!