Month of birthday, weddings, & Father's Day

We attended the baptism of a sweet little girl in our Uliga Ward on Saturday.  Her mother was so shy and looked so happy.  Her father confirmed her. It was so humbling, for he was so new to the task.

Sister missionary who friendship
this sweet little girl.

New baptized primary girl with mother
and younger siblings.

 On Saturday, June 17th, we once again shared healthy food samples at the Farmer's Market.  We are very tired of cooking stir-fry.  We talked Tanner, director of our CLP and the Wellness Center, into letting us do New Zealand Spinach and onion omelets. We actually grow the NZ spinach in two large planters in front of the mission office.  (I actually don't kill it - miracles do happen.) It was a great hit for the few that came.  There was a torrential rain storm that would slow down sporadically, which kept people at home or under cover. 

At times during our drive to the market, it was difficult to see out the windshield even though the wipers were in full motion. A big semi went by us on the opposite side of the single road through a huge pool of collected rain water, consequently water was splashed over the hood of our car and blinded us from any vision whatsoever for a few seconds.  Craig instantaneously stopped the car until the wave of water subsided.

Chef Preston

Waiting people to purchase local veg/fruit.

Spinach, onion omelets

Assistant to Chef Preston
passing out samples.

Since today is Sunday, June 18th, it is Father's Day. (A day before the states and months before the Australians celebrate in September.)  Father's Day for us is a very special day, for we both have such a love for our fathers and the part that they played in our lives.

The people in the Marshalls seem to spend a lot more time and energy on Father's Day than Mother's Day.  During priesthood meeting, the primary children arrived with gifts and some darling songs to perform for the fathers.  (One was in English and the others in Marshallese.)  Then the YW/YM arrived and passed out homemade cupcakes with little flags that stated: HAPPY FATHER'S DAY.

The Marshallese women made beautiful Marshallese neckties, which are like bolero ties that our cowboys wear in the US. (I know them well because my dad liked to wear them.)  Sister Swain (RS President) made the very well-made tie for Elder Preston, who she calls Elder President, and I am Sister President.  Not a bad title for two common people.

It was a delightful presentation.  All males 18 years and older received one, whether a father or not. I wish I could send a video of the children's voices, but we have not been successful doing so, yet - another tech lesson that we need.

Primary singing songs of tribute to fathers.
Led by the little girl in the orange top.

YW & YM joined the tribute to fathers.

Men wearing their new  gumball leis, while waiting for
their boleros.

We pray that your day and week is wonderful!

Please remember how much we love you.

Elder & Sister Preston

Elder Preston with two young elders behind
him ready to receive gifts.

Summer

Since our seasons really do not change except for lots of rain, normal rain, or no rain.  The temperature stays quite the same - from our 81 degrees at night to 92 -95 during the day.  So we imagine the summers where our loved ones are enjoying sunshine, green grass, swimming pools, rivers, and lakes.  We do have the sun, green, but no rivers, lakes, or pools.  Most of all we are sure that our grandchildren are enjoying the break from schoolwork.

We are blessed to have welcomed two new senior couples to our part of the world.  One has been assigned to the office and the other couple will be Auditor/MLS/ and office support.  Our days and hours are spent passing on information, so we will be able to return to our humanitarian work full-time.  They are both wonderful couples.  We are elated.

Pres. & Sister Larkin
with four senior couples.
HURRAY!
Nurse is taking the picture.

E/S Seager (Mid 50's) Young and
full of energy.

E/S Coombs  (80 & 78) from Australia with
President Larkin.
Look how young they are and very
vivacious.

We completed our fourth week of health screening and education at the New Beginnings Church in Delap.  The pastor is only 41 years old, but has blood pressure that is in an unhealthy range, and his blood sugar level was too high, also.  After the second screening, he went to the health clinic, where the doctor wanted to put him on medication.  He opted to change his eating and exercise patterns.  So proud of him:  he started our suggested walking club; changed his diet; and was a true example of healthy change for his neighbors and congregation.  He lost weight and his blood sugar level and blood pressure are in the healthy range.  He has become a witness for his community that change can be for the better.  We seldom see success this quickly.  This is a superb flash in time.

Small section of the people attending the health screening
in the outdoor patio church.  The pastor and his
family live in the connected home.

We love you and hope that your week is wonderful.

Elder and Sister Preston

June - 8/18 or 4/9

The Wellness Center hired a new intern to replace Conner, who is returning to the states to finish his last year of college.  Tanner's new intern, Brianna is a nursing student from Utah State who is a LDS return missionary.  She served in Oregon in a Marshellese community.  She will be here for two months and she speaks the language.  She has already become a real asset to CLP and our ward. 

Conner leaving
Brianna arriving

On Monday evening, we hurried to the airport so that we could say good-bye to one of our institute students.  Bruce is leaving for two years to serve the Lord in Iowa.  This is a huge step for this nursing student.  He is such a dedicated young man.  We are so proud of him and his goodness.

Us with Bruce

Bruce with his family.

We actually had a partial P-day on Saturday.  Elder and Sister Doig joined us for an hour drive to Laura and then we walked along the beach.  There were some people playing in the water, but the pollution/bacteria is so great that it is not an area that we dare swim, but we did wade and enjoyed the breeze and the beauty of the ocean.  Then we headed back to our apartments to ready ourselves for the evening.

People playing

Happy beach boy.

Sister Doig and Sister Preston, plus Sister Preston's
new friend

Elder & Sister Doig and me carrying
Elder Preston's sandals.

The previous day, President Zedhkeia made a personal visit to the mission office to invite us to the first birthday celebration of two of his grandchildren born ten minutes apart - one girl to his daughter and her husband and on one boy born to his son and his wife.

 

Little boy's first birthday.

Little girl's 1st birthday.

We have heard many stories about the large celebrations, enormous expense, and importance of this Marshallese event.  This was our first personal invitation and attendance.  President Zedhkeia also said to invite all the missionaries.  There were approximately 300 guests and maybe more.

The evening was well planned: the live band and vocalist performed beautiful music which made me want to dance;  the Uliga sister missionaries and the ward sisters performed four Polynesian dances; and President Zedhkeia said a meaningful prayer for each of his  two celebrated one year old grandchildren. We felt  honored to be invited.

 

Ready for many guests.

Long food lines.

Uliga Ward waiting to perform dances.

Dancing with great rythym.
3rd lady on front row - 87 years old.

Each invitee was given a white container filled with a variety of meat, variety of breadfruit, papaya, macaroni salad, and/or rice along with a bottle of water, soda, or coconut mild in the coconut as he/she walked through one of the two looooong lines.

 

Two of our elders ready to feast.

The feast.

 

We were seated in the VIP section where our food was brought to us.  Each of us received a full container of a variety of meat (pork, chicken, turkey, fish) and another large container with the salads, rice, breadfruit, fruit, etc.  The delicacy - eel was given to just a few.  I was one of the special recipients.  I feel sad that it is not a desired food for me.

We were waiting to be served.

We ate a few bites of the food and took it home.  Today, Sunday, we shared the rest with the four young missionaries who live Lojkar area where we reside.  They were unable to attend because they had a wonderful baptism in the Long Island Ward.  So now we are all happy.

It was rewarding to attend church today.  I usually look forward to partaking of the sacrament and just receiving a spiritual rejuvenation, but we had added blessing this first Sunday of June.  It rained and the temperature was only 85 degrees and my brain cells were more capable of functioning.

Also as lessons are given, I have gained the perspective that there are many words that we say and hear that are a standard for us, but they make no sense to many of the Marshallese members and/or investigators. Today I asked my translator, if the people understood the word "qualify."  She said, "Probably not."  She asked and they did not.

Then some of the more knowledgeable and schooled members started to ask me to explain, i.e. . . . the field is white already to harvest.  The best part is what happened after I gave the explanation.  The people started to talk, contribute, ask questions.  Learning was happening.

I asked Elder Preston about his priesthood lesson as we driving home.  After a litany of questions, I finally was told that he taught the lesson.  He had notes from our last conference and he taught from four talks that were given.  I bet that it was powerful, because I know how much he enjoyed the lessons taught that day.

We attended a member's high school graduation at the Catholic Assumption High School for Limbuk L. Ackley, daughter of Bishop/Doctor Ackley and his wife whom we serve with in CLP, Neilani.

Limbuk's invitation.  

Limbuk is a very bright talented young lady who has been accepted at BYU Hawaii, but not until 2018.  Her English Proficiency Test results did not arrive in time for the fall of 2017.  She plans to major in math.  She has the ability to do so much.

 

22 in her graduating class.

They had many happenings for this graduation today, Catholic Mass, etc, but we were invited to the actual graduation that was to start at 4:00PM.  When we arrived there were no available seats, so standing it would be.  The first hour of standing was palatable, but going into the second hour, I was too comfortable any more. Tender mercy - a young man brought two chairs for us, but Elder Preston, being the true gentleman, gave his to the lady to his left.  In a few minutes, the young girl seated to my right gave her chair to him. 

 

Beautiful Limbuk.

The event ended at 6:45PM.  Almost 3 hours for the 22 graduates.  There were a lot of speeches and each graduate talked, but their talks were short. We were invite to the Ackley home for a feast, but we chose to return home to break our fast.

It is evident why the Isaiah has been quoted throughout time by the prophets and still is.  Isaiah 41:10 & 13 are two of my favorite scriptures lately.  Hope you enjoy them, too.
10 - Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am they God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
13 - For I the LORD thy God will hold they right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

We love and appreciate your support.
Always,
Elder & Sister Preston