Short message for a short month:)

We are creeping into February at snail pace one moment and then the "hare" takes a turn, too.

 This last week has changed enormously because our CLP Outreach Clinics have been tabled for a short period of time and our NCD meetings have not been happening because so many key people have been off island.  We both enjoy being more productive and busy every day.

Before in-takes the senior couples always inspect all missionary apartments. During our inspections we were told that the water wasn't working correctly.  Elder Preston found one of the problems.  Do you think the filter should have been changed according to the schedule?

Yes the black filter used to be white!

On the 1st of February we had an in-take and welcomed two new sister missionaries.  One arrived through the Provo MTC from the country of Tonga and the other from Australia.  Since President and Sister Larkin were in Tarawa, Elder and Sister Seager did the welcoming and the instruction.  They do such an incredible job.  We are so blessed to have them among us working in the office and directing and leading the young missionaries.  

Sisters third and fifth from the right are new from
the Provo MTC.  First from Australia and second
from Tonga. They are with their trainers and STL's
are on the ends.

APs and Zone Leaders join the group.

We three senior sisters got to join, too.

On Saturday morning, after our fish stir-fry demonstration and sharing at Farmer's Market, we hurried home to take all the other senior missionaries to actually see the "Blue Star Fish." 

Our "young" crew after our finds relaxing while Sister
Seager continued to enjoy the water.

  The tide was really low and we found five blue starfish.  Everyone enjoyed the event and it was nice to have it so close to home. Plus we wanted to grab the opportunity before the following happened.

We received this alert from our US Embassy:

Weather Alert – U.S. Embassy Majuro (February 3, 2018)

Location: Majuro Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands 

Event: The U.S. National Weather Service in Guam has issued a high surf advisory that major inundation is possible inside the lagoon this evening through Tuesday night.  

Surf along north facing shores will rise today and reach hazardous levels of 8 to 10 feet by this evening. Surf is expected to build further to between 10 to 12 feet by Sunday afternoon.

From this evening to Tuesday evening, MAJOR INUNDATION OF ONE TO TWO FEET is possible, especially during high tides inside the lagoon along north facing shores near the airport eastward to west facing shores near the post office. Minor inundation of less than one foot is also possible along north ocean facing shores of Darrit.

The U.S. National Weather Service, the RMI National Disaster Management Office, and the U.S. Embassy in Majuro will continue to monitor the situation and will send updates as needed.

  

Actions to Take:

·        Avoid venturing near reef lines and exposed beaches, especially along north facing shores. Breaking waves can knock you down, causing serious injuries and rip currents will be life threatening.

·        Take action to protect crops and properties from salt water throughout the weekend.

·        Please be cautious and stay away from flooded roads and shorelines.

·        Keep a safe distance and do not touch downed lines or anything touching the line, such as a tree branch or another person.  Don’t climb utility poles or trees near power lines.  Contact with power lines is a major cause of electricity-related injuries and deaths. 

·        Do not touch anything electrical while you stand in water or while your hands are wet.

·        If high water is approaching your residence, turn off the electricity at the main circuit breaker box. If you don’t know where your main circuit box is, find it now.

·        Unplug appliances and, if possible, move them to a safe area. You may be able to raise some appliances, such as washing machines, onto concrete blocks. Move smaller appliances and home entertainment equipment to a higher area.

The evening of our Starfish searching, we decided to go to Chit Chat with Elder and Sister Doig for some local pizza.  On our way to dinner, we saw some men unloading rice bags from a semi-trailer and placing them in a local business.  How long do you think this will take?

Rice being unloaded from a semi-trailer.

We had a little change of minds after we looked at the place we usually like to sit. We went to Tide Table instead.

The tide was building rapidly behind the Chit Chat
Restaurant.

Our favorite seats were getting covering by the ocean
waves.

We had PII come to spray for termites, but they couldn't find a nest, so they said call us when we saw termites again.  

Replaced or repaired?

While the man was here we showed him the pipe that is behind our toilet and asked if the plumber would think it was bad enough to repair.  He said, "yes."  Hopefully that can happen before the pipe dissolves. 

Hopefully you can jump from one topic to another since there is very little continuity this week.

Inspite of this, please remember how much we love you.

Elder & Sister Preston