Enjoying Guam as winter turns to spring.

We had an excellent meeting with the Governor Eddie Calvo, thanks to the efforts of the Barrigada Stake President, Arthur Clark.  We shared some census images from FamilySearch relating to the Governor's family and asked him to consider letting FS film Guam's vital records.  By all accounts the meeting went well,

President Arthur Clark, GAHurst, Governor Calvo, JJHurst, Tami Burton (Stake FHCenter Director)

The Yigo Ward YW came in on Thursday for another evening of getting names ready to take on their temple trip next month.  Everyone that is going has been able to find at least one name to take thanks to some great family history consultants:  Jamieliz and Sisters Gogue, Siren, Burton and Guercio. 

We love walking the beach north of Tanguisson where we found this little hermit crab inhabiting a gnarly piece of coral.

Jeanette in the curious little rock garden area some mysterious person maintains near Tanguisson Beach.

             Barrigada Guam Stake Relief Society Dinner - Safari Theme.  Sisters Thomas & Reed.

Sister Masau and her daughter Irene Nakamura, Sister Martin and Sister Johanis.  It was a lovely evening and well attended.

A Farewell Visit to Yap

 

 We continue to enjoy the beauties of Guam.  Every evening presents a gorgeous display of light and water as the sun sets.  Friday, February 20 we decided to leave the office early and take a walk on Tanguisson Beach before dark.  We were rewarded by this beautiful display of color.

The next day we participated in an "Adopt a Highway" clean-up along Route 8 with members of the Barrigada Ward and the missionaries.  Here the Lieutenant Governor unveils the official sign. 

Late Tuesday night we flew to Yap for our second and last visit.  We met with members there to teach them how to use FamilySearch.  Here is Juanita Marngun (in the blue t-shirt) with her family. She is a returned missionary and now seminary teacher in the Colonia Branch who is also a very good helper on FamilySearch.  We helped members at the chapel in Colonia . . . 

and also made house calls.  Here Elder Hurst helps Teresita Lihpai while daughter Tracy Gayas listens in.  

Joseph Ayin, the patriarch of the family, showed us the little house he is building for himself.  His family has grown so much that he now has to sleep on the porch!

Sunday we met with many members.  Here, at the Colonia chapel, Anna Faltinag shows Sweetie and Aloy how to enter names into Family Tree.  They are hoping to be sealed to each other and their children in the Manila temple this year.

We enjoyed seeing some of the Yap Day celebrations on Monday, March 2.  This is a "Sitting Dance" performed by men from the district of Rull.  Behind is a traditional "Men's House."  Note the man purse there right below the window--a "must have" accessory for all men on Yap.

Mayleen, a member of the Colonia Branch, had a booth at Yap Day where she sold handicrafts.

Two little boys are "guarding" the traditional shell money.

We took a break from the festivities to meet some members of the Thol branch at the chapel in that village.  Sylvester and Deccawitta have both created trees in FamilySearch and have been trained to help others do the same.  

Tuesday we were lucky to meet and have lunch with  Danny and Julie and their beautiful family.

Here is Juanita helping Haviar Gogol.  She is one of the people we "left behind" in Yap to carry on family history work.  At this point no one is coming to replace us. 

 If you know of anyone interested in doing fascinating and rewarding work in paradise, please give us their name and number!

Back in Guam, Elder Hurst is getting a lesson in Chuukese from Kitaela Kalima, Barrigada Ward Relief Society President.

Yesterday we drove south to Uamtac to celebrate Discovery Day.  Magellan supposedly sailed into this little bay and the first European set foot on Guam on 6 March 1521.

Just another week in Paradise . . . warm air, water and friends

Walking north along the east coast of Guam toward Fadian Cove.

Our destination - Fadian Cove.  We had to bushwhack our way through the bush.  Thank goodness we had a guide or we would still be out there in the jungle someplace!

Gomer and beautiful wife at Fadian Cove.

Our favorite taro and local food vendor from the island of Rota at the Mangilao public market.

Outside our apartment door - sprouting coconuts, basil, tomatoes, oregano, ornamental & coconut tree which we picked up on a morning hike 11 months ago and put in our planter.

Daniela Booker with her four-generation pedigree which Jeanette helped her complete.  Her mother is from Palau and father from Texas.  She left this week to serve a mission in California.

"Priests Pools" a series of waterfalls in the lava flow, overlooking Merizo on the south end of Guam.

Grant enjoying the fresh water falls and pools - some over seven feet deep.

Refreshing!!

Wild orchids almost everywhere.

Jean Jacques Tehahe of the Dededo Ward.  Tahitian we are helping get in contact with family in Tahiti after many, many years.  Classic.  It is the joy of connecting families, living and dead, that makes this work fun and fulfilling.

Yes - there are monitor lizards here but this is the first we have really seen after a year of being 

on-island.  Harmless. This is on the Talofofo River.

Welcome 2015 - and now January is almost gone!!!

Where America's Day Begins:  Sunrise January 1, 2015 Tagachang Beach, Guam

Senior couples outing at Ritidian Beach - limestone formations.

Barrigada Relief Society shared stories of their grandmothers.

We began the senior missionary conference with Family Home Evening and hamburgers at the mission home on Monday night.  Five couples came in from the islands to join us.

President Zarbock grilled burgers and dogs - assisted by Elder Martin.

President Zarbock entertained us during a break at the seniors conference.

On Thursday we took a Talofofo River Excursion to end the senior missionary conference. From left to right:  Elder and Sister Reed, Sister Proffit, Elder and Sister Hedgepeth, Sister Furstenau, Sister Hurst

Exotic fruit - soursop

A man from Puluwat in Chuuk demonstrated a traditional fire starting technique for us.  

Traditional weaving of hats, baskets, etc. by a young lady from Yap.

The missionaries join in the fun at the Barrigada Ward Party at Ypao Beach on Saturday.

Baptism in the ocean at Merizo, Guam Saturday afternoon.

Christmas Week

Elder & Sister Hedgpeth in Pohnpei fed us a wonderful meal on Sunday and looked after us until our midnight flight back to Guam.  They are adjusting magnificently to Pohnpei and are a great boon to the work.

 

We returned to Guam early Monday morning and participated in a Zone Christmas Dinner and movie (Miracle) that afternoon.

 

Dededo Ward Christmas Party - December 23rd, with a roast pig, more food than you could carry, dancing and, of course, a nativity!

 

Jeanette with Santa (Junior Nicerio - HPGL of Dededo Ward)

 Christmas Eve Dinner - Senior Couples at the Mission Home

 Senior Elders:  Pres. Zarbock, Hurst, Reed, Thomas, Martin & Guercio

Jeanette, Christmas Morning at Tagachang Beach in Guam!