Changes

The senior missionaries with
 Pres.&Sis Larkin.

To be honest the days are a blur. As I am sitting here trying to remember our daily activities, I'm not sure what happened.  So many new opportunities and unusual circumstances have occurred as we have had to force our humanitarian efforts to the sidelines while circumspectly slipping/stumbling into the mission office arena.

This has been a week of many good-byes:  First and hardest is the departure of Elder and Sister Goodsell.  They have been the quintessence of a true servant of the Lord.  They diligently tried to pass on their mass knowledge to us.  I'm not sure that our brain cells are intact as needed. This meaningful thought continues to vibrate in my head: "He whom the Lord calls - He qualifies." 

Sister Goodsell was supposed to be in the empty
chair.  Ended up with only the yummy
Australian dessert and her husband.

Sunday evening President and Sister Larkin had a "last dinner" for the Goodsells.  Sister Goodsell hates to have her picture taken.  One has to be very sneaky or we have to have members or investigators as part of the picture and then she steps forward with a smile.

We went to the airport on Monday evening to say our last good-byes.  So many wonderful members and seminary students were there, too.

E/S Goodsell with a seminary student
and a 87 year old lady, Rose, who is a great
dancer.

Pres/Sister Larkin, our nurse, Sister
Shumway were laughing and
actually got Elder Preston to
laugh in a picture.  We need to
mount this one on the wall.

Elder Preston getting his last few
questions answered before his
mentor leaves.

On my third trip to the immigration office, I was finally able to obtain the VISAs for two missionaries that will be arriving soon.  It seems that the only person, who is allowed to the sign the little blue card (ARC), has been too busy since I submitted the paperwork on April 10th, to have time to sign his name twice.  I have stayed calm, patient, and pleasant throughout each visit, because I know that I will be stepping into that office at least two times a week, until the "real" office couple arrives. 

After leaving with my two blue cards, I recognized a young lady, who I have met once at the immigration office.  I truly feel that she is the most professional and brightest employee employed there.  I greeted her and acknowledged the enormous amount of paperwork that they have to go through every day as we traveled together down the five floor on the small cave like elevator.  At the end of our ride, she said, "The thank you card that your group left with us really made an impact.  My boss actually posted it on Facebook.  It made all of us feel appreciated.  Thank you for being such a good group."  (Of course the card with a box of homemade cookies was presented by Sister Goodsell on our last trip to the immigration office before her departure.)

Simple goodness often brings notable blessings or at least warmhearted memories!

As I was driving to retrieve the visas, I was caught behind one of the island's school buses.  Of course it needed to every few "it seemed" feet.  The bus would stop; the bus driver would stick his hand out of the door while holding the red flag; and all traffic in both directions would stop.  Not exactly what I had planned, for as always, we Americans usually have our time scheduled, and this was not part of it. As each group of students clamored off the bus at the designated area, students crossed the street in front of the bus going different direction, or headed right, left, or straight on the bus side.  At the next to the last stop, a large group was stepping out of the bus when a group of about 5-6 boys around the age of 4th-6th grade, who did not attend raced to the bus door as the children were exiting.  Two of these boys had 4 foot white poles that looked like PVC pipe.  Instantly, one of these boys starting shoving a school child, who was dressed in his green shirt uniform, and striking him with his fist with one hand and used the pole with the other hand.  The school child was trying to avoid the assault and escape.  It wasn't working.  The bus driver did nothing and the other children just tried to circumvent the turbulence.

The teacher, principal, mother just surfaced instantaneously.  I started honking my horn, which did not attract even a glimpse from anyone.  I kept honking. When the bus driver pulled away, I drove right next to the attacker.  He looked up as I rolled down my window.  I fashioned my meanest look and said as I was pointing directly at him, "You stop it right now!!!!!!!"  He stopped and the target hurried away.  Immediately another boy, who was with the attacker, walked to the side of my window wearing a huge smile said, "Hi."  I guess there will be no hard feelings.

We are still trying to stay involved in our weekly health screenings.  

   

Tanner with the new shirt.
Use your x-ray vision
Second logo on the bottom
is LDS Charities!
That is us.

Note the new shirts that will be given to those to have already earned walking shoes and have committed to still being a part of the walking clubs another 20 weeks, get a bright glow in the dark shirt to enhance safety during the walks of early morning or after dark in the evenings.  Tanner Smith is our champion from Canvasback Wellness Center.                         

Now I have a project for all of you to share in a lesson or during a family home evening.  Write the word - 

A  T  T I  T U D E  across a piece of paper.  Then under each 

1  +20+20+9+20+21+4+5 =

letter write the number in would represent.  The numbers add up to ????  Yes, 100%.  When you have a good attitude, you can put out the best. Let's all give our all this week. 

Remember how much we love and miss you,

                                                Elder & Sister Preston

Blue Starfish and taking down the Computers

Well BIG day today.  Nancy and I are now the official, hopefully temporary, Mission Office couple.  The current couple left for home today.  The Mission President has previously asked us to step in until the next OFFICIAL Mission Office couple arrives the first part of June.  We have been doing training on a part time basis for the past month.  And this is the last week of the month.  Nice time to make the change.  Turned on the office computer today and it said there are '2 Days to get the missionary support funding finalized'.  That is a big deal here because some missionaries are paid through the BofA card while those on  outer islands are paid by check to a variety of accounts including tribal councils.  So I have to know where every missionary is going to be May 1st and get funding to the proper accounts.  It took me all morning to sort out just the 44 missionaries on Majuro.  There are 81 in the Kiribati side.  That's for tomorrow.
In doing so I only had to turn off the computer twice because it was going in circles and not doing anything.  Not too bad for the first day I guess.

Now for the FUN.  Anyone every seen a BLUE starfish???  We keep hearing from people about seeing blue starfish.  Go this island.  Go to that pool at low tide.  Go up by the bridge.  And so we have been out looking for blue starfish.  Last Saturday we, at my suggestion, went looking once again because even the Judge Winchester said go to this pool at low tide.  So we did:  Nancy and I and E/S Doig.  Here are some pictures.

The search for BLUE starfish is on.

We looked high. As high as we could. That's tall for this island,

We solicited help from off shore.

With standing ferocious rip tides.  Try standing in this on slippery moss.

We found eels.

And crabs.  Lots of small ones.

And didn't find one starfish, let alone a Blue starfish.

 The natives on the shore must of had a good time pointing fingers at those weird Americans wandering though the water.  Looking in this pool.  Looking in that pool.  Seeing how close to the edge they would come to some pretty good drop offs.

Any one for a Snipe hunt?   I am now convinced that the search for BLUE starfish is the Marshallese version of going on a Snipe Hunt.

In thinking about it I don't recall anyone saying they saw a BLUE starfish.  Only going LOOKING for a BLUE starfish.    But it did get us out in the water.  I had a good time walking around.  Nancy tried climbing the light pole (Majuro light house) at the ocean entrance to lagoon.  And it did give us something to do on a P Day.  So all was not lost.

Your Marshallese BLUE starfish search guide and tour director.

Missionaries come and go.

Our good friends, Judge Colin Winchester and his wife, Rebecca, have left for a conference and to visit their children and grandchildren in the states for a month.  Colin is making a difference in the legal system here and Rebecca along with Elder and Sister Doig have created a preschool (mum's and tots) and an after school program for over 80 students in Majuro.  The impact will bless the lives of these sweet children and their involved mothers for years.

We had our last family home evening with all of us together at our home, because our dear friends, Elder and Sister Goodsell, who we also served with in our last mission are returning home to Virginia on Monday.

Left - Sister Shumway, nurse; Elder Doig; back - Sister &
Elder Goodsell; Us; Rebecca; Sister Doig, front &
center.  Judge Colin is taking the picture.

We have had such a united group.  We are so happy for the Goodsells and yet already miss them and all the good that they have continued to accomplish.

Judge Colin & Rebecca

On Friday we completed our second health screening in Woje, which is on the west end of our island.  We always have the opportunity to meet and work with such interesting people.  We are very blessed.

Naci, girl on the right holding her
little brother, Valentine,
arrived two weeks ago to live here.

Parents of Naci, with their
daughter, Nancy

Two wonderful people trying to
rejuvenate their health.

Left our apartment to take help transport six of our finest elders to the airport before 7:00A this morning.  They are flying to Kiribati, which is another country in our mission.  They will learn a second new language and some of them will finish their missions there.  This is like starting over for them when transferred under these circumstances. They will be sorely missed. It was rather emotional for all of us.

Six of our finest elders.  We will miss them.

Sisters and elders gathering to say good-bye for now.

Majuro Airport.  Famous six elders with President Larkin
on the far left side.

Reading the scriptures brings us such joy, opens the doors of understanding, and continually rejuvenates us.  We love our country and constantly feel blessed for being born in the US after the restoration of the Savior's church in a land where we are able to have freedom of religion.

I was reminded about this again this week as I was reading:"Behold, this is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ, who hath been manifested by the things which we have written."

Remember that we love you so much.
Komol Ta Ta
Elder and Sister Preston

Happy Easter

Friday, was an adventure. Since it was Good Friday, many government and local business were closed so we did not do our ordinary 3-4 hours health screening.  Instead we went to the island of Calalen, which is approximately a one hour boat ride. 

Our boat for the day

The Cargo boat--hope it floats.

Half of the group

 











Remember, we are in the Marshall Islands.  The Marshallese people have a very established arrival time.  (Anytime within four hours after assigned time seems to be appropriate.  Usually 1-2 hours after set time is the most evident.)

Since there were 50 people planning to attend and ten of these were to complete two health screenings on the island by ten of these people (we were in this group), the members of CLP could bring family - no extended family to the island to play in the water and eat.  We had a boat that would leave at 9:00A.  Return to Majuro and get the second group. 

Only 32 actually came. You should have seen the motor boat that took all our gear and food.  We are shocked that it made it.

We finally left at 11:00AM.  Neilani, member of CLP, took two trips to bring twelve of her children (seems that she adopted four during the night), plus her and her husband.  They do have 13 children, but three are off island and two didn't come.  One was working and the youngest is only 3 months old.  So subtract five children from 13, which leave eight, but 12 children attended, so you figure the math.

Ackley half of the group....Note the Twinkies!

The sky was darkening and as we left the shore it started to pour, which it did until we arrived at the island. 

starting the fire of coconut shells

Look at that food!!! 

Nancy trying the fish

It RAINED

AND RAINED

Dr. Black wanted to see so put on snorkel gear

We had a wonderful day surrounded by delightful people. Some were cooking enormous mounds of chicken, very hefty yellow-tail fish, stacks of hot dogs, and a pot of rice that could fill many plates.  While the cooking of these foods was happening, it seemed to be desirous that people had plentiful appetizers, so hunger would not be an issue.  What were the choices?  Big sized sandwiches, cookies, (we brought sliced oranges, apples, and homemade banana bread that went in a moment), many different types of chips and dips, Twinkies, guava juice, water, coconuts filled with fresh cold coconut milk, mid-aged coconut that were cracked and just the inter coconut ball was eaten and the list is longer I'm sure, but my memory stops here.

The water was a beautiful turquoise blue and then we would see areas of purple feathered with streaks of dark and light blue.  The fish were picturesque and the water was an ideal temperature for swimming and/or snorkeling.

Elder Preston was in his element.  Water everywhere, good natured people, and a great variety of food!

The following story is shown by all of Elder Preston's pictures.  Sit back and enjoy!

Refuge Boat Arrival at Calalen Island.

Cooking and eating facility with clothes drying on the roof.

Strawberry apples from island tree.

They are mighty tasty!!

Nancy is checking out the beach and our Cargo boat

Enjoying the water.  It was nice and warm.

What color!! And look how high the boat rides now.

Heading to the beach after nonstop eating.

We love serving.  We pray that you love your life.  If bored, find someone to serve. It makes life good!

Love April Conference

Today, Sunday, I was able to get some pictures of some very special people from both of the wards that we attend.  We attended the Delap Ward today, but we always arrive early so that we can talk to the people in our Uliga Ward, too.

Uliga Bishop (Majuro Doctor) with adopted
baby girl - 13th child

Bishop & Sister Ackley
with three of their 13 children

Great couple who went to
the Honolulu Temple to be
sealed in February.

Delap Ward RS President in center
with her Presidency.
Yours truly on the left.
Yolanda is also the Stake
RS President, Bishop's wife
and an attorney.

Some others wanted to join the group from Delap Ward.

On Monday, April 3, 2017, we were asked to give a presentation to a Comparative Religion Class at the Catholic Assumption High School in Majuro.  The teacher, Jonathan, whom we have been doing a gardening project asked us to participate.  The presentation was 1 1/2 hours. We thought that some time would be taken in addressing questions. We were surprised that there was not one question asked.  Elder Preston gave ample opportunity, but no takers.  He even asked if they had heard things about the church that they wanted to know if they were correct facts or not, but not one voice was shared.

There was a great feeling in the room, as Elder Preston/Craig shared great factual information about the Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ upon the earth and about the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  I shared more of the day to day happenings of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  They were such a serious quiet group.  I finally got them to smile and laugh a little. 

Elder Preston
presenting at Assumption
Catholic HS

Sister Preston loves teaching.

Jonathan, the teacher, is on the front left end next to me.
Elder Preston - Centered on back row.
Students enjoyed having their picture taken.
Loved having the student put her arm around me.

April 7, 2017

We had a successful 3 1/2 hour screening  in Woja at the Protestant Church. We had more children attend than normal, so we had fun taking their pictures.  

We, also, met a couple who just moved back to the island after living ten years in Logan, Utah.  Their 11 year old daughter, who has never even visited the island, is in pure shock. She and her younger brother have cried all week and want to return home (Logan).  Their father said that he has been away from his home in Majuro for too long.  Their youngest child is named Nancy. Nancy is certainly not on the popular baby naming list.  When I heard him call her name, I didn't know that he was talking to his daughter, so I turned around.  We started a long conversation.  They are a beautiful family.  The 11 year old would not attend the screening.  She is going to have a very difficult time in the school.  She has been receiving a really good education in Logan.  My heart goes out to her. Education is challenging here.  High School graduates often read at only a 4th to 7th grade level.  Much to be accomplished.

Woja Protestant Hall
Free Health Clinic

Exercise Time
Logan Dad holding his boy and youngest
 girl, Nancy,  while exercising.

Dad from Logan, Utah and his little girl, Nancy.

We love your and appreciate your prayers and love,

Elder and Sister Preston

Such cute boys.