This is a rare sight. Sister Bonnemort getting her hands dirty. She has never has been a gardener at home, and when I saw her digging weeds, I had to take a snap shot. Apparently, it was short-lived as she was in her missionary clothes, and she ran out of steam after about 4 feet of garden. 
Boils be gone. Boils seem to be in style here, as many elders seem to get at least one. They are really an infected hair follicle, and they can range in size small to great big pussy messes. Getting a boil seems like a "right of passage" on this mission. I'll bet Sister Bonnemort treats at least one a week. I have seen all kinds, but this one was very unique. After extracting the puss and stuff, it left 3 nice holes in this elder's neck. 
Farewell Dinner
We said goodbye to three elders this past week. Elders Everett, Anderson, and Pearson. We had the traditional spaghetti dinner.
Elder Pearson went home to Cedar City to attend Southern Utah University. We didn't spend much time with Elder Pearson as he was in the Marshall Islands as the AP, then off to the outer island of Aranuka
Elder Everett made the trip home to attend school in St. George Utah. He is originally from a little town in north Alaska called Kotzebue. He showed me where it was on Google Maps, and it is like at the end of the earth. Elder Everett was our Zone Leader. One of the first times that I met him was when he called with a kidney stone. This is one tough dude. But the Spirit was with him as he passed the stone in record time!
Lose the shades dude! Elders Anderson and Pearson went to pick up their suit coats, coats that haven't seen the light of day for 2 years. They both tried them on, and just like that, they still fit. But they sure didn't smell fresh.
Sister Bonnemort with Elder Anderson. Elder Anderson was our Zone Leader since we came on this mission. He is said to be the longest living Zone Leader in the mission. We spent a bunch of time talking about life and what the future holds for him. The last few weeks he was very apprehensive about going home, as most missionaries are. I'm not sure whether he will enter the nursing field, sport medicine or another field, but I know that it will be service oriented. He has a love for people, and you could tell by the crowds that came to see him go.
Elders Everett, Anderson and Pearson
p-day at the Bonnemorts. Elder Norton, Sister Barlow, Elder Lewis and Tuilahingingi are playing a mean game of cards
Sister Tieke Elder Flynn and Elder Gittins chilling
Shelley's plate. Sister Bonnemort cooked up a wonderful dish of baked chicken, potatoes and carrots. She was so proud that it turned out.
Independence Day in Kiribati
The Senior couples were invited to a special devotional in honor of the 4th of July. Everywhere we go we are always the "honored guests" and this was no exception. We sang patriot songs, watched a short video, and had cake and treats. The people here are so shocked that we only celebrate our Independence Day on one day, as here they celebrate for an entire week.
Elder Thorne gave the devotional message, which is that America was prepared by our Savior to be able to receive and spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Every celebration includes a cutting of the cake.
Moroni High School takes 1st place. This is big stuff in Kiribati. There is a big rival that is ongoing between schools in track and field. The story goes that Moroni won the prize in 2010, but last year there was some type of close calls that in the end cost Moroni the trophy. Not this year though, they took first place in a bunch of events and took 1st place overall. That is no easy task, especially when many do this barefoot!
Honoring Father's Day
On Father's Day, the Ward honored all the fathers. Lita, who is the Moroni High School Principal and the Ward Relief Society President always puts together such wonderful programs. This is Elder and Sister Bush.
Sister and Elder Thorne
Of course every program come with music. Sister Bonnemort is dancing with Lita's grandson. He has the Kiribati moves down just about right for an 18 month old
Every program has a garland ceremony where there is a dance and then the dancers present the garland to the honored guests.
Tennis anyone? They start them early over here. Our neighbor, Teroi is the tennis coach. These kids play tennis everyday and sometimes the rackets are just about as big as they are. The spend hours hitting the balls against the walls of the school, on the driveways, and basketball courts. The only thing stopping them is the dark. It is dark by 7:00, so they have to quit.
Zone Conference
President and Sister Shaw were here for our Zone Conference. President Shaw shared his thoughts on the Doctrine of Christ
Sense of Urgency
Walking with Purpose
Learning the Language
Learning the Gospel
Focus
He challenged us to think and write about a miracle that happens each day
Our chief Cooks and Bottle washers...Elder and Sister Bush
Sister Balenacagi, Brother Tokarei, Tokintekai, Tiumati, Meenari, and Sister Barlow
This is a Stake Relief Society activity where all the sisters brought clothes and did an exchange. Then they all learned a Western dance by Sister Bush
Sister Ogborn teaching how to make tortillas. They really are quite easy to make.
