A Sense of Belonging, April in photos

So, I wasn't guy crazy as a missionary.  I wanted support from other's going through the same experience as me.  Remember that this was less than a month out in the field.

***July 9, 2004 JOURNAL: Help to focus

I got up  at early this morning feeling homesick..  I started looking at pictures of home and the MTC.  I miss those people.  I had time to reflect and to think on it.  That, I found, helped me to be more focused today.  My mind didn't wander as much.  I was very grateful for that experience.

I was thinking more on why I want our missionaries on island to be closer.  It's because we're all going through the same things.  The people here might be able to empathize, but they aren't out everyday away from their friends and loved ones.  The Lord does help us, He does.  But, sometimes (and I've been prayerful about this) I feel I need folks to talk with and laugh with to help me forget for a little while, things I'm missing and things that are bothering me.  The MTC was a good experience for me because our district was close, so we could help one another get through that adjustment time.  It's nice to be able to rely on that spirit when having a rough day.

27 April 2014

Suddenly it's been a month.

Wasn't general conference the best!  I had a bit of fun this year tweeting/facebooking out my favorite quotes.  Now the real work beings with study time.  I just completing my own personal formatted printed version (all 115 printed pages). Now I can really settle into study.  There's something about marking up the talks, taking notes and highlights that helps me internalize these messages more than on my phone.

Here are photo highlights of the month:

FHE Snack Time!

Can't go wrong with Leonards's Malasadas

Lloyd had a birthday

We got to have birthday treats with Lloyd and his class.
Lloyd wanted to share homemade chocolate chip cookies and brownies.

We surprised Lloyd with a bowling birthday party.

Grammy and Grandpa made him an awesome construction cake.

Easter

"Tactac, don't take the egg out yet"

"Okay, you can play with it"

Explanation of rules

The calm before the storm

Happy Easter!

Family Mario Kart Night

Helping Hands

Cian's Birthday

Missionary Friendships, March Vising Teach Message, Ward Picnic and Women's Meeting 2014

Two notes on today's entry:
1. It should be noted that while on Pohnpei we, as sister missionaries in walking areas, needed to be in everyday before sundown for safety reasons.  Our schedule was modified so we did companionship and companionship language study in the morning and did personal and personal language study at night.

2.  In my journal entry for July 9, I explain why I felt it was so important to have good, appropriate relationships with the elders on island.

***July 8, 2014 JOURNAL: Where has the time gone?

I'm writing earlier tonight so I don't neglect.  Long days.  TUESDAY: visited Yolanda.  We shared an article from the Ensign about a starfish (The Red Star Fish, Ensign June 2004).  About how we should hold on, hold on real tight (like a starfish clings to a rock even when the waves crash over it) to the gospel and to gospel truths, especially when we feel we are going through hard times.

Had a discussion with Brother Alfones about receiving the Melchizedek priesthood.  I enjoy discussions with Brother Alfones because he isn't afraid to ask questions and share his thoughts.

Yesterday, I was, once again, able to learn that God answers prayers.  Yesterday was district meeting.  For a while I've been praying that our district/zone/island would have a closer relationship.  That's something I miss from the MTC.  Our district and branch at the MTC were close and we got close fast.  That was good because it helped us to learn better together and to be able tohelp one another.  The elders in our MTC district really looked out for Sis. Wagstaff and me.  Even in Guam, it seemed like everyone talked and got along really well.  But when I got to Pohnpei it seemed like there was a segregation between the elders and the sisters.  Until yesterday.  Yesterday Elder Erekson (Zone Leader) brought it up as hi zone business: "how to improve the relationship between the elders and the sisters.  The elders said that things are the way they are because they're afraid of rumors spreading.  Point well taken.  We did plan activities and team-ups.

30 March 2014

It's late, but I shouldn't have taken a nap at 5:30p!  Here are some pictures for you.

If you haven't done your visiting teaching for the month yet, don't fret you still have tomorrow to do it.  Feel free to use this nifty little photo I created.

It prints well as a 4x6.

We had a ward picnic at Nimitz Beach Cove last Saturday before our ward conference:

Our ward is awesome and hanging out with our ward members is always a great time!

Yesterday I attended our stake activity for the Women's Meeting broadcast.  Here are some highlights:

The workshops were excellent.  My favorite was Sage talking about how the world values a skinny jean over a mom jean but we, as members of the church, should value motherhood over skinny/worldliness.

I was on my twitter feed, tweeting my favorite quotes and thoughts @arkeu50 and following along with what others were feeling with #WomensMeeting.  It was neat to feel connected to so many women all watching the broadcast at the same time and sharing similar emotions and insights.