Livin' the Missionary Life - Micronesia Guam Mission: September 2012

Welcome, Elder Ashcraft & a family reunion

It was 1:00 a.m., the plane is late, and several of us missionaries are at the airport, waiting for the arrival of our newest missionary. Elder Ashcraft. When you are use to going to bed at 10:00 p.m., missionaries are very tired at 100 a.m. So we were all trying to stay awake and welcome our newest missionary. The plane finally got here. Welcome, welcome to Elder Ashcraft, he will serve in Mand, with Elder Cole as his companion and trainer. He looks a little tired, but ready to go.

Waiting at the Airport for our newest Missionary

Tired Elder Hansen

Tired Sis. LeFevre

Tired Elder Davis, Elder Gasu, & Elder Cole

Tired Steven ( a former missionary, came back to visit), Tired Elder Pierson

I can't believe it, Flip-flops, boy, these Elders really are tired, and could it
really be our "Perfect" Zone leader?

Elder Cole greets his new companion, Elder Ashcraft

New companions, Elder Cole & Elder Ashcraft

And then we get another surprise, so even though it was late, we had to hang around to watch a family reunion. Pres.Redes (branch pres. Mand branch) and Sis. Redes and the family are also at the airport. Their daughter, that they have not seen in 7 years is arriving for a visit, with her 1 year old little son. This is the first time Grandma and Grandpa have seen this little grandson. They have never even seen pictures of him or seen him on the computer and their daughter has been gone for 7 years. We enjoyed watching the family reunion

Little sister, waiting

Friend from Sapwalap, sorry I can't remember his name
It is 1:30 a.m. you know.

Jefferson, waiting for his big sister

Sis. LeFevre and little sister

And here she come, after a 7 year absence

Mom and Sister get the first hugs

Ainti's next

Grandma get to hold her grandson and see him for the first time

Grandma and Grandpa saying Hello to their grandson for the 1st time,
poor little guy is scared to death

Grandma has the touch, he calms right down

It is good to be home

Jefferson and N.J. working, that is what little brothers are for, getting the luggage back to the truck

Justy, gets baptized

Justy with Joseph Alex
both from the Uh branch

Elder Lyman, Justy, Bro Elias

Elder Lyman and Justy

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Elder Lyman, Justy, Elder Madill

Leevaughn & Awalt
at the baptism

2 beautiful little Pohnpein girls at the baptism

Justy is Sis. Smiths son, the Elders in Uh have been teaching him for a while now, and Saturday night he got baptized.

A Keyboard for the Kalio Family

There is a music grant through the Harman Foundation. The purpose is to get keyboards and music lessons to area's that may not get the opportunity other wise. So back in February, I applied for a grant from them for 16 keyboards. 2 for each branch on the Island. (that was the limit). The Keyboards have to stay in the buildings and we teach the lessons in the buildings. We got the grant and the keyboards arrived in mid March. So we have been teaching piano lessons in 7 of the 8 branches on the Island. Well part of the grant is that when you find 2 or 3 students who really show progress and understand well the skills. You can apply for a keyboard for them to keep, to have in their homes. So about 2 months ago I applied for a keyboard for the Kalio family. They have 13 children and 7 of those kids have been taking lessons and are doing really well. We found out last week, that the Kalio family was awarded a Keyboard for their home. So we took it to them. they were thrilled. I also had written to a Music company that I dealt with, before our mission, and had ask them if they ever donated piano books to humanitarian causes. They said yes and had sent me piano books, all kinds.