Happy New Year!

New Year’s in Palau seems to be a more widely celebrated holiday than Christmas!  We heard plenty of fireworks, smelled the savory aroma of several barbecues, marveled at the fewest number of cars on the road we’ve ever seen, yet were surprised to find so few people home.  Missionary work slowed down for a few hours.

Sister Ale & Sister Norgrant

Skarlee, Elder Murdoch, Elder Malais

As we reviewed our efforts and goals in 2013, we were all disappointed to find that we were one baptism short of our yearly goal.  But Monday, as many of us gathered at the church for piano lessons, we learned from our zone leaders that we had miscounted!  Imagine our excitement, awe, and humility when we discovered our error.  We reached our goal and saw 30 souls exercise faith, repent, and join the Church in 2013.  We didn’t quite know how to express all the tender feelings of our hearts, but we celebrated with dinner together, generously provided by a donation from Ferral Jones, Sister Carter’s mother. 

Happy Palau Zone

Celebrate!

President and Sister Kesolei invited all the missionaries to ring in the new year at their home.  As we climbed out of our car, we could smell the chicken, bratwurst, fish, hot dogs, and spicy sausage they barbecued in our honor.  We consumed massive amounts of fruit salad, potato salad, red rice, and all the varieties of meat.  Just before dinner we even saw the last couple of minutes of a televised football game, but we all laughed plenty as we sang Karaoke in their front room.  We spent a delightful two hours with some of our beloved branch family.

Elder Murdoch

President Kesolei

Joanny Kesolei & Sister Norgrant

Lots of food!

Elder Malais & Elder Murdoch

Elder Dopp

Elder Malais, Teruo, Elder Dopp

Elder Carter, John Thing

Waiting to sing

Teruo

Sister Norgrant

Elder Carter & football highlights

 A couple of weeks ago we walked into an office looking for an individual and ran into a friend from another faith.  She was so glad to see us and mentioned that we were an answer to her prayer.  She had been teaching a young Korean girl how to speak English, but was spending a few weeks in the U.S., so she asked us to take over.  We’ve enjoyed this opportunity to get to know Geum Ha and share some of our native language.

We continue to receive Christmas packages from our family, much to our delight and that of the younger missionaries.  We are grateful for each item and are most thankful for the tangible and heartfelt love that flows from each package.  Thank you!

Scripture markers

Clothes & candy!

Lots of treats

So happy

Lots & lots

We love packages!

Love those gifts

Quite a haul

Year's supply

Our trip to Babeldaob this month was a delight!  In answer to our prayers, we found and visited with nearly all of the members we were seeking plus the weather could not have been more beautiful as we felt a breeze cooling the bright sunlight everywhere we went.

Typhoon Haiyan destroyed this mango tree

Sunday morning was a continuation of Saturday’s blessings.  Some members we had visited attended church for the first time since we’ve been in Palau and committed to be there more often.  Sacrament Meeting was an opportunity for some of the St. George people, who are leaving this week, to share their testimonies and feelings about their Palau experience.  Their testimonies were punctuated with plenty of tears, plus we listeners were equally touched by their tender emotions.  We and the branch will miss their service, experience, and testimonies!

Last Sunday with the Huffakers in Primary

We are grateful for 2013 and all the lessons we learned about one another, our family, missionary work, and the loving concern of our Heavenly Father.  We are grateful for another year and a new beginning for each of us!  We anticipate even greater blessings and experiences throughout the new year and wish the same for each of you, our wonderful family and supportive friends.  We love you!

Christmas Gifts

Christmas decorations in Koror

Christmas in the mission field is much different than at home, but how grateful we are for the opportunity to focus more on the Savior and serve our younger missionaries and the people of Palau.  The hot temperatures and high humidity were definitely unChristmasy.  Our outdoor light display brought a festive holiday feeling as Christmas music played in our car and apartment.  

Christmas caroling in the heat

Join in the singing

Another home, another carol

Following lively Christmas caroling, our zone decided to celebrate Christmas Eve with a dinner at the Palau Pacific Resort, an exclusive hotel in this country.  We took several pictures around their decorated tree and entry way, and then found our way to the beach and our table for ten.  We had just ordered dinner when we felt the first sprinkles.  We waited for a few minutes under an awning, canceled our dinner, and decided to find an indoor restaurant since the rain continued to fall.  We watched a couple of our branch members dance at a beach barbecue then drove to the Rose Garden Restaurant where we had a lively discussion, good food, and enjoyed time spent together.

Palau Pacific Resort tree

Palauan dancers under a canopy/photographer in the rain

Christmas day dawned bright and beautiful with calls to and from family members.  The younger missionaries came to call home, and thanks to technology, four of us could talk at the same time.  In between phone calls we helped ourselves to cold cereal and lots of pies Sister Carter made, and treats sent by family members.  We enjoyed sitting around the tree opening gifts together, played a couple of games, then ate some more.  Many missionaries did not receive packages from home YET, but they all had packages to open from our secret Santa event and a Christmas game.

Treats from home

What could it be?

Opening gifts

Making a cake

Puzzle time

Love comes in Christmas boxes

Letters are a wonderful gift

More gifts

In cognito

Family makes us happy

Embroidered head band

Elder Malais

Sister Purcell

Sister Norgrant

 Elders Murdoch, Fullmer, Dopp

Sisters Norgrant, Masiasomua, Ale, Purcell

Elder Malais

Opening all at once

What?  No Alphabits?

Elder Fullmer and Elder Dopp

Elder Dopp

How does this work?

Ready to open

Lots of gifts under the tree

In the Christmas spirit

Bring on the gifts

Christmas music

Sister Ale

Sister Masiasomua

Elder Carter and See's Chocolates

Sister Purcell surrounded by gifts

We gathered again Christmas evening for another baptism, Marsh Henio.  Each baptism is sweet, but how much more memorable to share this experience on Christmas day—the only way to have a “white Christmas” in Palau.

Mars Henio

Mars and Elder Fullmer

Henio and Dativa's family plus Sister Carter

Since the 26^th of December here is Christmas in the United States, some missionaries called home and we were able to visit with more of our family.  We are so grateful for Skype and Facetime and that our children carve time in their busy, holiday schedules to allow us a glimpse into their Christmas celebrations.  Our children spoiled us with gifts, cards, letters, and lots of attention.  We love you so much!

Elder Dopp on Skype with his family

We jumped right back into missionary work following the holiday and enjoyed sharing the First Presidency message with many of our branch members.  Saturday evening we gathered for another baptism of two new members:  Antonio Borja and Dildis Melus.  We were privileged to be the witnesses at Antonio and Fran’s wedding just before his baptism.

Dildis waiting for baptism

Dildis' family

Antonio's family plus sister missionaries

Antonio

Church services seem to involve a little guesswork.  We always start Sacrament Meeting on time at 9:00 A.M., but we’re never sure how many people will attend by the time it’s over at 10:10.  We began this Sunday with about 50 people and ended up with over 110.  Our three new members were confirmed and received the gift of the Holy Ghost and then our speakers were three of the St. George group who will be going home in only two more weeks.

 

President Kesolei made a giant announcement at the baptism Saturday night as he told the members that the mission would now help them go to the temple two times each year.  Considering that it’s at least $1,000 per member per trip, that’s an extraordinary gift.  Elder Carter added another giant announcement of President Kesolei’s call to serve as second counselor in the Micronesia Guam Mission Presidency.  We’re so happy for him and his desire and ability to serve in this capacity and wholeheartedly sustain him.

Sister Ale and Sister Norgrant with Kessy & Kubarii

President Kesolei’s new calling will bring about major changes in the branch, and we’re looking forward to President Mecham’s visit in mid-January when we’ll find out what those changes may be.  We’re praying mightily that as he calls those to lead the Palau branch in the years to come that we will do all in our power to sustain, support, and love our new leaders.

Brianna Bryner and Crystal Huffaker, our Primary counselors leaving soon

The New Year begins this week, and with it we recommit ourselves to humbly seek the Lord’s direction as we serve here in Palau.  May each of you recognize the hand of the Lord in your lives and rely more fully upon his strength and wisdom as you step forward into a new beginning in 2014.