Tonight we went out to Laura for our first meeting with our new shadow leadership ward. We went to a baptism of a young wife who’s husband had been inactive for several years. He became active again and was able to baptize his wife. There was such a sweet spirit there as the family bore their testimonies. The six young missionaries assigned to the Laura ward, who taught this family, sang a special musical number. They took turns singing in four different languages: Marshallese, Gilbertise, English and Fijian; we were so touched and impressed.
May 8th
Today was Mother’s Day. As we traveled the 30 miles out to Laura, I wondered if the people here celebrate Mother’s Day. I was so surprised and impressed when everyone in the ward told me “Happy Mothers Day.”They actually say it in English too. I was presented with a hair comb, a string of large gum balls in plastic wrapped around my neck like a lei, a plastic woven flower for wearing over my ear, and a beautifully woven wreath type circle of freshy flowers for my head. Norm was adorned with a very fragrant lei made of fresh flowers, that smell like gardinias. He was worried about having an allergic reaction, but we were fine. There was obviously a lot of work involved in making these things. The people in that area are extremely friendly and sweet; even all the kids shake hands and smile a huge smile that lights up their face.
We feel a great need to learn the Marshallese language and we are working hard at it. In Laura, the people don’t speak much English and we need to learn fast. They asked me to speak today in Relief Society and I had to have a young sister translate for me. When I used some of the Marshallese phrases that I know, she would translate it in English and they would giggle at the joke.
I am going to have to get a good hand fan; by the time the church block was over, we were very sweaty hot. Last night at the baptism it wasn’t bad, but today it was sweltering. Many of the people set up chairs outside and listened out there. All of the doors and windows are opened, so it is almost the same as being inside, only cooler.
Tonight we went out to Laura for our first meeting with our new shadow leadership ward. We went to a baptism of a young wife who’s husband had been inactive for several years. He became active again and was able to baptize his wife. There was such a sweet spirit there as the family bore their testimonies. The six young missionaries assigned to the Laura ward, who taught this family, sang a special musical number. They took turns singing in four different languages: Marshallese, Gilbertise, English and Fijian; we were so touched and impressed.
May 8th
Today was Mother’s Day. As we traveled the 30 miles out to Laura, I wondered if the people here celebrate Mother’s Day. I was so surprised and impressed when everyone in the ward told me “Happy Mothers Day.”They actually say it in English too. I was presented with a hair comb, a string of large gum balls in plastic wrapped around my neck like a lei, a plastic woven flower for wearing over my ear, and a beautifully woven wreath type circle of freshy flowers for my head. Norm was adorned with a very fragrant lei made of fresh flowers, that smell like gardinias. He was worried about having an allergic reaction, but we were fine. There was obviously a lot of work involved in making these things. The people in that area are extremely friendly and sweet; even all the kids shake hands and smile a huge smile that lights up their face.
We feel a great need to learn the Marshallese language and we are working hard at it. In Laura, the people don’t speak much English and we need to learn fast. They asked me to speak today in Relief Society and I had to have a young sister translate for me. When I used some of the Marshallese phrases that I know, she would translate it in English and they would giggle at the joke.
I am going to have to get a good hand fan; by the time the church block was over, we were very sweaty hot. Last night at the baptism it wasn’t bad, but today it was sweltering. Many of the people set up chairs outside and listened out there. All of the doors and windows are opened, so it is almost the same as being inside, only cooler.
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