Christmas comes to Tarawa

 As Christmas lands on the Islands, the parties and celebrations began.....

Our first Christmas Activity was the Service Center and Moroni High School Christmas Party.  They had it catered from the Pacific Chinese Restaurant.  It was yummy.  

It is very hard to compete with the voices of these people.  They are born with wonderful singing voices.  I don't have a picture, but Sister Bush involved the whole group on a mixer dance.  They had a blast.  And you know what, they are pretty good dancers too.

Tuna Fish sandwiches and then some.  Sister Bush and Sister Bonnemort pose with our departure lunch.   We said goodbye to three Elders that we have grown to love.  Elder Norman from Orem, Elder Banks from Spanish Fork, and Elder Packer also from Orem.  As you can see, there is a bunch of sandwiches here, but these elders eat every last one!  Those bags of doritos are not cheap here, but they enjoyed them as well.  And can you say Orange, well take out your wallet if you wan't one, they are orange gold.  

Just in time for Christmas.  The following missionaries were lucky to arrive just before Christmas.  

Elder Klatt from Yucaipa California

Sister Tauteoli from Utah

Elder Lopez from Utah

Elder Koplin from Idaho

Elder Sias from Minnesota 

Sister Apinero from Samoa

Sister Bonnemort stated making her famous suckers (lollipops), and Elder Banks just couldn't wait to give here a hand and of course the payout.

Elder Banks. He took home more souvenirs than anyone.  He even took home sand from the Islands  

This is Elder Packer with his family.  Elder Packer was born in Kiribati and just completed his mission here.  He was adopted by the Packers when he was just a newborn.  He was called to serve here and got to know his "first" family quite well.  His Mom and Dad have died, but there were plenty of brothers and sisters and cousins still living here.  What a great experience for him to serve in his native country.   

Elders Gawkoski, Banks and Norman 

Elders Gawkoski, Banks, Norman and Packer

This is Elder Simpson who came home for Christmas from Beru.  He brought a whole bunch of this "mud bread", which is made from this algae that grows only in the waters off this island.  Apparently, they use it in all kinds of cooking.  Did the bread taste good?  NO 

Our Christmas from home arrived on Christmas Eve.  Thanks to everyone for their gifts of joy to us.  Food is all we ask.

 

Elder Monson zonked out

Elders out cold in the office

Elder Falke couldn't stay awake one more minute

These are our neighbors.  They love to come over and bake cookies every Sunday night

The Mission Office in Majuro sent down the entire Christmas dinner. Eveyone enjoyed it , and this year we even got some locals to try the pumpkin pie. 

 
 

Elders Jared Whippy and Paora