Memorial Day Week-end

Atypical week:  Not many resemble one another.  How can that be?  Welcome to the missionary world. 

We thoroughly enjoyed having Sam visit and bringing his horticulture expertise last week, but we were also grateful to spend more time in the office after he left, which as you all know is the hub of any organization.  Starting Monday, Craig had the typical four days at the end of each month to justify all financial transactions for 190 missionaries as well as all the happenings of the President and his wife.  This seems to be a challenge for most people in that hot spot. 

We welcomed a new elder and a new sister.  They seem bright, progressive, and ready to serve.  

Elder Apela, Sister Mohetua, E/S Belen

Elder Apela will immediately be going to Ebeye with Elder Helgenberger, who has been an AP since we arrived.  He is so lucky to be trained by one of the finest missionaries.

 

AP's until today - Elders Helgenberger & Bird.

Elder Thiel has become the new AP with Elder Bird.  This will also be a mighty set.  

Elder Thiel & Elder Bird
AP's

Elder and Sister Belen also arrived for four days and will travel on Sunday to Kiribati, which is another country in our mission to be the new office couple.  The president had them come here for a few days to get trained.  Very unusual days.  Since they were called as an office couple, we assumed that they would be in-serviced in the MTC.  No - they were not. Our work was cut out for us. 

E/S Belen (She is from Australia - him from Philippines
now both from Tennessee)
Note the 190 little pictures of missionaries on the board
behind them.
We have handled a lot of paperwork for all of them repeatedly.
Some we have not met and yet we feel that we know them
and continue to keep them in our prayers.

Elder Kennerley and Elder Uitu live with the AP's acros the road from us.

Four mighty missionaries.

Saturday evening we were fortunate to attend the baptisms of three young men and a darling girl. Listening to them share their testimonies was delightful.  We were blessed by their sincerity.  I meant to get a picture of all of them, but I only got one picture of this young man, whose wife is a member already.

New member of the church with
his wife.

We will be teaching our last institute class for this school year on Wednesday.  We walk away with mixed feelings:  joy that we were able to be with those who really want to learn of the gospel of Jesus Christ; sad that it is our last class until September; and relieved that we will have more time to give to our humanitarian projects during the summer.

This last lesson, Come Unto Jesus, is my turn.  I have thoroughly enjoyed studying for it.  Keep positive thoughts and prayers that our students will understand and feel the goodness of Our Savior in their lives. Let's all remember some of the words written by Orson Pratt Huish in the hymn, COME UNTO JESUS  . . . Come unto Jesus; He'll surely hear you, If you in meekness plead for his love.  Oh, know you not - that angels are near you - From brightest mansions above?   

Come unto Jesus from every nation, From every land and isle of the sea.  Unto the high and lowly in station, Ever he calls, "Come to me."

Remember that we love you,

Elder & Sister Preston