1/2 complete

July 3rd signifies that our mission is half over.  It is incredible how fast the time has flown, except for the moments that haven't, which are few. (hahaha)

We had a very good 4th of July.  We were invited to the "The Embassy of the United States Independence Day Celebration 2017." We are so bless to be born and raised in a country that stands for freedom, and where we have opportunities to grow, change, be educated, work hard, and have laws that keep us safe.

Free pictures are the best!

Let's celebrate!

All of the senior missionaries were able to attend, because of some creative work by Elder Preston.  Sister Larkin, our mission president's wife, did not feel well, so she did not attend, but President Larkin attended and spent the evening talking to a large variety of people.  Judge Winchester has that terrible intestinal flu that has affected so many of our young missionaries.  He stayed home in bed, but his wife did attend.  

 The decorations were delightful. All the people from the Embassy wore matching shirts.  A lot of the food was indicative of the typical 4th of July feasts, except for the Ahi and the coconut milk. 

Ready for the guests.

Lots of cake!

This cake was much bigger than it looks.

Seated with many people from every where.

Sister Doig and I are ready for our food!

We didn't have fireworks and some of the music was not the type we normally hear during this famous celebration, but it still was a great event.  We did have a Color Guard Ceremony, though:

Marshallese people representing the USA.

The official name of our mission, which was called MARSHALL ISLANDS MAJURO MISSION was changed on July 1, 2017 to MARSHALL ISLANDS/KIRIBATI MISSION.  Actually Kiribati has more missionaries than Majuro, where the mission office is situated and where we are serving. President Larkin worked diligently to make this happen.  He was very excited when the Area Presidency said to move forward.

Our LDS Charities did a project to provide grow boxes for over 300 families/people throughout the island.  With planting demonstrations, cooking demonstrations, and follow-up sessions, from the Wellness Center, success is happening.  This is exciting for us.

Little grow box in front.  Family created a bigger box
and transplanted the seedlings.

Eating the harvested produce.

Cooking demonstration using family's produce with
local fish.

Happy lady!

We had another wonderful Zone Conference.  Five of our young missionaries presented and they hit the nail on the head.  There is nothing like learning from the scriptures and having great examples stated from PMG. 

Four new sisters from Kiribati.

Also this week was impacted by the arrival of four new sister missionaries, who are all from Kiribati.This is the first time on our Island of Majuro that we have more sisters than elders serving. 

We had a great P-day.  This doesn't happen very often for senior couples, so we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We went to Laura with Elder and Sister Doig to do some bike repairs for some young missionaries. While we were there we went to the beach area where a great couple, the Tibons, had camped out over night to celebrate Brother Tibon's birthday, which is the same day as Elder Doig's.  They roasted a pig and cooked enough chicken for an army.  The food was very good.  We needed to fan the food nonstop for the flies gave us no mercy. 

Bro. Tibon & Elder Doig - Happy Birthday!

Roasted Pig.

Happiness is good food and wonderful friends!

Yes, I actually enjoyed the food!

Then we spent some time walking in the ocean, since it was low tide. Refreshing with the soft ocean breeze.


















After leaving Laura, we went to the other end of the island to buy two used phones for our young missionaries and then attended the weighing of the fish, for the Fisherman's Holiday which started on Friday morning at 6:00AM and the fish were weighed at five a'clock on Saturday.  Just a note:  Let your children color fish any color that they desire, because fish come in ALL colors.

Fish were taken from each
fishing boat to cook
and share.

Elder Preston takes much better pictures.

Mermaid Fishing Crew with Fish Queen

Note those fish.

Lots of fish being weighed.

Mermaid Fishing Boat

The Fish Queen was darling.  The most pounds of fish from one boat was 142 pounds while we were there, but there were many more fishing boats to be calculated. 

 One of the boats had a crew of all women, called the Mermaids.  They were delightful women and one of them danced the entire time, except when she was putting fish into the weighing bins. They caught 113 pounds of fish, which was on the higher end of the scale. 































We didn't get to see the Marlin Fishermen arrive at the harbor to weigh their fish.  One Marlin weighs up to 500 pounds.  Our bishop was part of the Marlin Group.  At church today, he said that he will take us with him the next time he goes.  I'm excited.  Elder Preston doesn't like to fish, but he likes boats and eating fish, so it will be great!

Even in the polluted harbor, children know how to have fun.

Cute children loving to pose.

Having fun!

Please remember that there is good in all parts of the world. We are blessed to see this little corner of the isles.

We love and appreciate your continued goodness and examples in our lives.
Elder & Sister Preston