Nixon & Kona Aldan, baptized at last

    Nixon Aldan has been taking the missionary lessons for 23 years.  He would listen, and then drop the missionaries.  He would listen and then the missionaries would drop him, because he was not progressing. Over the last 23 years, a lot of missionaries have taught Nixon.
     His wife Kona, says that over the years, every time he would be struggling , she would tell him he needed to pray, and so he would, and guess who would show up at there home, within hours usually, you guessed it, the missionaries.
      We met Nixon and Kona, not long after we first got here. We really liked them both right from the start.  Satan has been trying for a long time to stop Nixon and Kona from getting baptized, and he has succeeded for 23 years. Even tonight as we all prepared for the baptism,  the truck that was bringing everyone, broke down.  Then the power went off at the Church. Well, we were all determined to not let Satan win, so the truck was fixed, and even though it was dark, we had lights in the Chapel, as Elder LeFevre and Elder Chandler and a couple of other younger missionaries, went outside, pulled their cars so the lights would shine in the Chapel. and we turned on the car lights to light up the Chapel for the Baptismal Service.
   Then we went into the room where the font was, and all of us turned on our flashlights and shined them into the font. and the baptism went on.
    Now here is another miracle, about 1 month ago we received a box of clothing for missionaries. In the very bottom of the box was a pair of brand new, never been worn before, still had the tags on them, size 42  baptism pants.  Elder LeFevre and I said to each other, who will ever be able to wear these. They are way to big. (most Micronesian are very small people)  Well guess what size pants Nixon needed. You guessed it, size 42. They fit him perfectly.
   We all know who is in charge out here, The Lord.  He knew Nixon was going to need those pants, so he sent them. and a miracle, 23 years in the making, happened tonight on Pohnpei.
Nixon and Kona Aldan were baptized.  
   A special Thank You to all of you missionaries who have helped teach Nixon and Kona over all these years.   All the work you did with the Lord, finally paid off.  Well done thou good and faithful servants

The truck arrives

A very happy Iva, their daughter, she was baptised
several years ago

Waiting for Nixon and Kona to come out for pictures

YES, Nixon, finally in white baptismal clothing

The whole family, all have been baptized except the youngest boy, now
that Mom and Dad are baptized.

Just a very few missinaries who have taught them.

Elder Lyman baptized Kona
Elder Madill baptized Nixon

Let there be light, and there was light in the Chapel

Baptism by flashlight and car lights

WHAT A GREAT DAY FOR THE LORD.

Zone Baseball, yea, pictures of all your kids, what you have been waiting for

   We had a Zone Activity, Baseball,  it was fun to go and watch all the younger missionaries play baseball today. They had great fun and it was pretty funny to watch sometimes.
  On a personal note, Thank You to all you parents of these amazing missionaries, we have the honor of serving with, Each one, in there own way, has expressed there condolences to me after the death of my mother this week. It was very comforting to have each one at some point come and sit up by us and just sit, I knew it was there way of saying " We are here for you, Sis LeFevre"  We love these sons and daughters of yours.
Thank you for raising such fine sons and daughters.

Sis Roberts, get a load of those pants, you just want to say
Yo Ho, Yo Ho, a pirates life for me, or Hammer Time

Elder Hanson

Elder Barrus, Sadie, Sis Orrocks

Elder Johnson

Sis Ma'a

Elder Holt

Elder Madill, Elder Bunn, & Elder Kim

Elder Leeworthy, Elder Vause, Elder Petersen, Sis Fatongia,
Elder Gardner

Same group, with Sis Beutler

Elder Afualo

Elder Cook

Elder Rice, Elder Hanson, Sis. Orrocks, Christina, Elder Barrus

Elder Bourne, Elder Lyman

Elder Johnson

Elder Gardner & Sis Roberts 

Elder Bourne, Sis Fatongia Sis Orrocks, Sis Roberts, Sadie.
Wait a minute, what is Elder Bourne doing in this picture

New Missionary Called and One leaves for her Mission

   Kenio Joel, received his mission call. He is going to the Marshall Islands.
 About 9 months ago, Kenio was ready to receive the Priesthood, had his interview and passed and then got scared. So he hid out for several long months. Kenio had never missed a day of Institute the first semester at C.O.M., National Campus, but we did not see him at all until the last day of class the 2nd Semester. He had gotten scared of the responsibility of the Priesthood, so he needed some time. We visited him at his home, during that time he was away. and then the last day of class, he walked in. After the lesson was over, he came up to us and apologized for running, we had a good talk, and the next morning Kenio showed up at our door, to fill out mission papers.
   I know the Lord had been waiting on Kenio to make up his mind, because when he did, the Lord opened every door WIDE.  We got his Physical and Dental done all in one day. Never had that happen before, the usual was anywhere from 3 to 10 return visits. So when Pres. Mecham came the next week, Kenio had his interview, and was a little nervous again ( really Pres. Mecham is the nicest man, he is not scary at all, well except if you are in trouble, then maybe a little, just kidding), So we waited to mail in his papers until he said he was ready, it took him about 3 weeks, then he came up to us at summer Institute class and said, o.k. I am ready Mail them in. So we did, That was 4 weeks ago, this last week, on Wednesday night we opened his call with Him and his family.
   What's even better is he arrives in Salt Lake to go to the MTC after we are home, so we can go to the airport and meet him and have him stay with us overnight, if he does not have any other family, and then we can take him to the MTC the next morning.
   Kenio will be a great missionary, just ask any of the Elders that have had him work with them over the last several years, since he was baptized.

Kenio, waiting to open his call, he was a little nervous

Pure Joy, as he read where the Lord wanted him to go

Sweet Elder Madill (don't ever tell him I actually called him sweet)
explaining to Kenio's dad all about the mission call
and where he was going and what he would be doing.
Kenio only has one sister that is also a member of the church,
his parents are not, and neither are any of the rest of
his family. 

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     Then it was time for Joni Yakana to leave for her mission in the Philippines, off she goes. She will also be a great missionary. In fact, I can't think of one of these great young adults that will not be a great missionary.

Joni Yakana

WE LOVE THIS WORK.

M J, he will receive his call maybe this week, he and Joni plan
to get married when then both get back. 

and I just couldn't resist, Elder Chandlers new missionary foot attire,
 not sure if it is mission approved, but it was midnight, afterall

Baptisms, Baptisms, Baptisms, Awsome August

   Our Mission set a goal for 100 baptisms for the Month of August, so we have all been working hard.  Here are just a few of the baptisms, we had this last week, here on Pohnpei. and I don't even have pictures for all of them, because we couldn't get to all of them.
    We also had baptisms in Palikir, Sapwalap, & Uh, and this was only this week.

Awak Baptism

Awak Baptism

Sekerra Baptism

Awak, again

Nett Baptism

Mom

    I lost my Mom yesterday.  She was killed in a car crash.
   I remember when we left for this mission, my Mom and dad saying, that if anything happened to them while I was gone, that I was not to come home, I was to finish the work that the Lord had called us to do.
I agreed with them that if anything happened I would stay here and serve the Lord.
It was easy to do, when I thought that they would be there when I got home. Now, being half a world away, it is hard to not be there to watch over my Dad and brothers and sisters and my kids.
  Thank you to my brother, Dean, for that Skype call. I am grateful, that the electricity stayed on here just long enough to get in touch with my Father and some of my family. I am grateful that that my Mom was killed instantly, and did not suffer. I am grateful for the love I have felt from others as they have found out and come to comfort and sustain.
    But the thing that I am the most grateful for, is that our loving Heavenly Father provided a way, that I know I will see and hug my Mom again. Heavenly Fathers Plan of Salvation provides that way, Temple blessings and sealings provide that way. I may not be able to say goodbye to my Mom back home, as she is buried, but I know I will say hello to her again, when I leave this life.
   I love my Mom, she was an amazing women, who I am like in so many ways. Thank You, Mom for teaching me to always put the Lord first. I will not fail you now.

More Pictures to catch up

  Time is going by so fast as we approach the end of our 2 year mission. I never have enough time to write everything down, so please forgive that sometimes

Sis Chandler, she is a climber, we took them up to see the guns, and
found some new stuff had been uncovered.

I don't think I will ever forget the beauty of Pohnpei

We love these guys, Elder & Sister Chandler

an old (we think) generator from WW11

Birdseye View

Baptisms

If you don't take care of your forklift, the Jungle will grow right through it

Nayleen Kalio

 Faces of some of the people I love so much.

Juanita & Bernie

Sisters, Layleen & Nayleen

Nayleen likes her picture taken, Nayleen and N J

Jacob & N J

We will never forget Layven Kalio, He leaves in about 1 month
for a mission, He is going to be amazing

Loved this shot,  Elder Tapua & Elder Peterson,  then......................................

They caught us taking their picture and had to wave goodbye

End to another Perfect Day

, you only get pictures, with short explanations, or no explanations ( some pictures don't need words) enjoy.