Spring has sprung

Our weather has turned the corner, we are now moving towards summertime.  I asked someone the other day when the cool weather is, they said November through April, that wasn't good news.

  We are now halfway to our longest day of the year, June 21, when we will have 12 hours 12 minutes of daylight.  Our shortest day of the year was on December 21, when we had 12 hours 2 minutes of daylight.  So not only does the weather stay the same, but the hours of daylight do also.  We won't have any of those long summer nights either, the sun goes down at about 6:30.  

The Church just keeps growing here.  Sister Gardner, Elder Anderl and Sister Balenacagi with two new members

I took this picture to let you know that basketball here is co-ed.  Sister Balenacagi pays each P-day and from what I can tell, she is quite competitive.  It also helps that she is almost 6 feet tall.

I found some new nets at the store the other day, I was trying to figure out how to install them.  Elder Kidder took care of it with a garbage can.  Also in the picture is Elder Flynn

I'm proud of these missionaries.  They come to p-day each Monday and arrive at around 3pm.  In the heat of the day (and I mean heat...at least 99 degrees with the humidity), they play basketball and tennis.  They don't have to fight the crowds for a place on the court, even the locals don't play at this time a day.  

Joan sent us plastic Easter Eggs and candy for the "Easter egg hunt".  Even after they spent some time in the hot airport in Majuro, we had quite the candy feast.  On combined P-day, we had the "hunt".  It was just like watching your kids as the missionaries scattered all around the yard looking for treasure. (there were some even filled with cash).  Above is Elder Hosler on the hunt while Elder Wells and Tenoa and Elder Ulitui enjoy their finds.  

Elder Kidder searching...he didn't win.

Elder Norton and Elder Jordan

Sister Barlow.  She isn't dressed for this hunt, get a load of those shoes and skirt.  

This is Elder Turner with one of his wild T-shirts.  I'm not sure if Iron Maiden is a real cartoon creature, but our son-in-law should know this.

Sister Gardner was the winner and received her very own Frisbee.   

Sisters Tieke and Elder Mills and Ulului enjoying their treats

We attended our first funeral this past week.  It was very sad.  Bishop Onerio from the Eita 2nd Ward passed away from an apparent heart attack.  He was Elders Anderl and Anderson's Bishop.  He was only in his forties.  We also knew him as he worked as a maintenance man around the campus.  What a wonderful man.  

Above is the hearse, which is the back of the truck and the pall bearers sit on the edge.  His casket was made right in the wood shop on campus.  His wife (above) spoke at the funeral and all three children participated as well.

  

This is the family car.  After the funeral, he was taken to his home, where he is buried in his yard.  

Time to leave.  Elder Sippy went home this week.  We got to know him just a little as he was on North Tarawa for quite a long time.  He will have a nice reminder of his mission here as he has a large bike chain scar on his leg that Sister Bonnemort nursed.  Above in the picture are Sister and Elder Bonnemort, and Elders Everett, Eneri, Sippy, and Wells.  

Our illustrious Zone Leaders, Anderl and Anderson.  They showed up way early one morning to get the key to house 7 to shower as they had no water in their flat.  Sister Bonnemort got a free shirt from the visit, as Elder Anderl decided this black one was a bit too little, but she let him keep the tie.  

New missionaries....it always is with deep anticipation that we greet the new arriving kids (that is what they call them).  This moment is their first experience with Kiribati.  They exit the Immigration and Customs building and...well you can imagine their eyes.  Sister Bonnemort is greeting Elder Mendenhall from Arizona

Sister Kimmons from Texas.  She won't need that much luggage going home I can guarantee.  

Elder Butterfield from West Jordan Utah and Elder Lewis from Kent Washington

Locals Elders Toakarawa and Teira with Elder Everett

Elders Butterfield, Anderl, Anderson, and Sister Kimmons.  This is the last minute you will see these Elders in a suit jacket.  They are stored for 2 years, not be be worn until they board the plane to leave for home.  

Sister Bonnemort took the mug shots below.  She tried to get Elder Lewis to smile, but he just couldn't crack one.  We will follow-up though and see if it does return.  

Elder Teira

Elder Toakarawa

Elder Lewis

Elder Butterfield

Elder Mendenhall

Sister Kimmons

Elder Katene with Elders Teira and Jared Whippy.  Elder Katene will be serving on the Island of Beru with Elder Mahe.  They will be opening this island for missionary work for the first time in a long, long time.  Beru is about 300 miles south of Tarawa.  We are going to miss Elder Katene, who is from New Zealand.  He has such a fun personality and gives great haircuts.  Elder Whippy is sporting one of his new cuts.  Elder Jared Whippy is serving on Marakei with Elder Norman.  

We started reading the D&C together each night.  It has been a while since we have read it.  I thought these words were just perfect

D&C Section 4 verse 1-7

1.    Now behold, a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men.

2.    Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day.

3.    Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work;

4.    For behold the field is white an already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul;

5.    And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work.

6.   Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence,

7.  Ask, and ye shall receive, knock, and it shall by opened unto you.