Missionary Times

Sunday, September 7, 2014

Kommol tata to my wonderful missionaries and friends

The ward had a Iakwe Iakwe for me after church on the last Sunday I was there. They all came into the cultural hall and had me sit in a chair. Then a lot of people got up to tell me thanks and why they would miss me. Then I was able to stand and tell them how much I loved them. After that they all lined up and gave me a hug and left a little Marshallese craft.

Bishop Enos, Sister Enos Crystal and me

Bishop Enos is a wonderful Bishop. He works for the government of the Marshall Islands as a protocol employee who welcomed dignitaries to the Marshall Islands. Sister Enos is a teacher and works for the Office of Education in Special Education. Both are very educated and help the people and ward in so many ways. Crystal took piano from me and was able to learn to play the easy hymns and play for church.

Bishop Enos

Stake Patriarach Tima, Brother Levi, Sister Enos

Yana Edegar. I taught her piano

Me and Rosita

Yana and Bella

Brother Levi

Patriarch Tima, Lena, Crystal and others

Bishop Enos, Arnie, Pres Anien

Kayla Edegar

Sister Enos and Sister Anien

Sister Tago and Sister Crane and boys

Arnie and others

Brian Edegar and others

Daniel Aneo

Sister Crane and Lena

Sister Terry Davis, Relief Soc President

On the day I left I was finally able to get pictures of some of the equipment that was in the container I helped to get for the hospial

More equipment Some of the equipment was still in the container. Due to the scandal at the hospital the administrators were no longer there and everything was still on hold. I will have the missionaries check on it in the coming days.

Senior missionaries had a farewell dinner for me at Pres and Sister Weir's house

It was fun to be together:

Robisons, Gardners, Johnsons, me and two new sister missionaries

Sister Huni and I just before I left

At the Airport

Saying good-bye to President and Sister Weir at the airport

Ruby and boys came to see me off

Rosita, Yana and kids were there

Bina, Donna Jorlang, Rosita and Yana and me

President and Sister Weir took me to the airport. Ruby and her boys, Rosita and her kids, and Bina and Donna were there. The Robinsons came just as I was leaving. Bishop Enos ran out to talk to me as I was bording and said that he and Sister Enos and some others had come too late to see me off

Ruby, Rosita and me

Ruby, Rosita, me and Bina at the airport

After a 6 hour flight to Honolulu and a 3 hour layover, I boarded a flight for LA and then on to SLC

Morgan and Jil, Luke and Traci and families, Jill and Kent and Eileen and LaMar Woods were there to meet me At first it was just Jill and Kent and the Woods, because the others had gone to the wrong terminal. But...soon they were all there and we had a wonderful reunion. I arrived at 9:00 pm but we still went for ice cream after. It was cold outside.

My good friend Eileen Woods and her husband were there

We all went for ice cream even though it was 9:00 pm. I spent the night at Luke and Traci's in PG. Then the next day, I went to breakfast with some of my friends from PG: Candi, Sally, Pauline, Mardene, and Jackie. Then Traci helped me to buy an I phone and I rented a car from Luke at Hertz. Then I headed over to Payson where I spent the night with Morgan and Jil and family. The next day, Wednesday, March 12th I headed for St George. My luggage had already arrived by air and Jolynn and picked it up. When I arrived at my house, there was a big welcome home grandma sign and all my furniture was there. I stayed at Matt and Jolynn's house. Jason and Nicole came to welcome me home too

A big welcome home sign was on my garage

Izzy, Bridger, and Brea

Bridger and Izzy in soccer uniforms

I spoke in church on March 29th. My whole family was there as well as Jan and Ian Gilyeat, Jacobsens, Days, Woods, Elder and Sister Perkins, and many family and friends. Aunt Jean also came down with Kellie

Family chilling out after my homecoming

Me and my 23 wonderful grandchildren

Saturday, September 6, 2014

Iakwe Iakwe

Good-bye to Elder and Sister Wayas who left two weeks before me

Elder and Sister Wayas and me

After the Barlows left, Elder and Sister Wayas were next. They were wonderful friends and did an amazing job in running the mission office, cars, bikes, and newsletter. They will be missed greatly!

President and Sister Weir and Elder and Sister Wayas

My Primary friend Sarah also left for United States with herfamily

Elder Aaron from Kiribati

I went around doing my final apartment check and was able to say good-bye to many of my wonderful Elders and Sisters.

Elder Aaron and his new companion

Elder Uiata and Elder Tuituipou

Elder Uita

Elder Tuituipou

Elder Bowden

Sister Moeai

Sister Crane

Sister Huni and Sister

Sister Moeai and Sister Samuel

Elder Duriba and Elder Sanapalu

Me and Elder Langrine (from Marshall Islands Lae)

My good friend Dr. Pinano in his office/pharmacy He helped me a lot in caring for the missionaries

My wonderful friend Rena

Ben the security guard at Lojkar Apartments He would always try to sell Marshallese crafts but was very nice and helpful. He used to take some of the old stuff we got from missionary apartments and give it to the Marshallese people that needed it...

Ben used to chase the little kids away from our apartment

The Stake Primary had a Iakwe Iakwe for me. It was so special. Many of the Primary leaders from all the wards came to wish me Iakwe. They brought food and little gifrs. I had helped Sister Linda Obekatang, President with a Stake Primary Meeting and also played the piano for the children when they sang for Elder and Sister Pearson when they were in the Marshall Islands. They were so kind and nice to do that for me.

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Me as they all came up and gave me little Marshallese crafts

Rosita, Sister Zedikiah and Sister Tibbon

There was lots of good food, and people sat around and talked and laughed and had a good time.

My piano students were really special. Even though I hadn't taught some of them that long, they were so grateful Some of them had a Iakwe Iakwe for me also.

Yana Edegar

Crystal was able to play a lot of the simplified hymns and played the organ in church several times in preparation for playing full time after I leave

Crystal Enos

Namiko, S and H

Jorlang

They had a Iawke Iawke for me

Linda Obekatang and Sister Yanou and families and They had a Iakwe Iakwe for me with food and little gifts. I taught the girls piano

The girls I taught

There is not a scouting program in the Marshall Islands and up to this point the Primaries have not been having activity days. I helped the stake primary give a presentation on activity days for boys and girls and Faith in God awards. Our ward had our first one and I taught the children how to lead music. It was fun and hopefully they will continue doing them.

Julia and friend enjoy Primary activity

Primary children

Primary girls having a good time

Primary girls including Sarah

Julia and other primary children

Primary boys love to have their picture taken

Wilson and friends

A friend of my sister Jill sent a box of little toys and candy for me just as I was getting ready to leave. Her name is Jill Eyring. Anyway, it was perfect because I was able to give it to my little friends as a farewell.