Baptisms, Zone Conference and a Fireside

We have had a very busy week complete with a visit with our Mission President, a zone conference, two baptisms and a missionary fireside for the District here. In between, we managed to finally get one of our own members off on his mission leaving for the MTC in Auckland.

President and Sister Ostler arrived Saturday morning for a 'short' visit this time meaning there would be no activity day with the missionaries like our picnic at their last visit. They arrived just in time for a baptism shown nearby. The young man was taught by one of the sister's companionships, Sisters Seiko and Manoi. He shared his testimony at the end of the service. Articulate and firm in his belief. He will stay in the area and will be a great addition to his branch here.

Monday afternoon while President and Sister Ostler were doing interviews with the missionaries, a call finally came that tickets were being booked for Elder Seiko, leaving from our District and coming here to serve. He received his call several weeks ago and was scheduled to enter the MTC in Auckland this week, but somehow the itinerary for travel never came through. I had raised the question again a couple weeks ago and finally the response which was two choices: leave the next morning at 11a or wait two days and miss the first day of training in the MTC. His enthusiastic, TOMORROW meant a setting apart that evening, quick packing and he was off. I couldn't help reflect how different things are in the US where departures are known weeks in advance and parting missionaries speak in sacrament services just before leaving. Elder Seiko will be a great Elder. His family has roots back a long way in this area. His father has been the District President and his sister is serving here already. A younger brother just received the Melchizedek Priesthood and will depart while his two older siblings are still serving.

Sunday morning we were up early for a drive to Tontouta, 45 minutes away, for Church services and another baptism. This sister has been attending Church for a long time and felt the time had arrived to join the Church. This time the ordinance was performed by the Branch President. We were delighted to see some of the training we have been doing taking effect. The Ward Mission Leader conducted the service. A great day and then we were headed back to Noumea for the Missionary Fireside.

The Fireside was a musical presentation accompanied by projections for the attendees. Depicted in music and picture was the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the prophet, Joseph Smith, the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, and the restoration of the Priesthood. All the music was tied together via narration. The missionaries sang a good deal of it in chorus joined by a District Choir of members. Since it took place in the chapel, we could not record it. But we asked the missionaries to re-perform two numbers just prior to lunch during zone conference the following Tuesday which are presented for you nearby. The clips are rather long and in French, of course, but we hope you enjoy them. Sister Mautz is particularly partial to the Elders' number. there is something about clean, worthy young men joining voices together in song that delivers strong testimony of the truthfulness of their message. Attendance at the evening's performance was good with many favorable comments from those visiting the Church for the first time as well as those invited to come back.

Our Zone Conference was the final event of the Ostlers' stay with us. We were instructed by them and our zone leaders. the emerging theme centered on obedience to the Savior's will that invites His Spirit to guide and direct our actions. That obedience born of gratitude for his atoning sacrifice. Some of us get to be too rule-driven, others a little relaxed. Keeping our love for our Savior at the center balances that as we serve others. We were grateful to have been there.

The Ostlers have just finished the first of a 3-year assignment as President of the Fiji-Suva Mission. The breadth of the assignment is staggering working in 3 countries, four languages and with 120 missionaries. Some can only be reached by boat. In addition he has 3 districts to oversee as well as another to run directly as the district president himself. Flew 50K miles his first year. Travel here is many times difficult with canceled or delayed flights. When that happens you wait inconveniently or get re-routed through 'nearby' places like Australia or NZ easily adding a day or two more to a busy itinerary. However, what stands out in their minds 'the Atonement is real. As I have met with investigators, members and missionaries, I have witnessed its reality.'

These last two weeks, our missionaries have been without any mail other than the internet. No packages, no letters from friends etc. We have no idea what caused the blockage, but finally things came through this week. Letters for just about everybody. We understand there are yet to be packages to be picked up, but those had also been trapped in the backlog and will take a little time yet to arrive.

We are grateful to be here serving with fine young men and women. next week we will send one of our sister missionaries home and welcome another. Many trips to the airport, good-byes and welcomes.

Some days the sun don't shine...

Last week's rain and slogging through apartment inspections gave us new appreciation for a car, dry shoes and a warm apartment. And then we went to Houailou.

After much wind, rain settled in with clouds hanging low over the higher hills all over the island. Hard steady rain for three days soaked the soil so that there was no place for the rain to go. The main north south route north of Tontouta actually flooded to the point of closing for a few hours while we were navigating (pardon the pun) through our flat inspections. We were north for the apartments there, headed back south to find the road getting deeper and deeper in water and then realized we had forgotten to retrieve information we needed. So back we went. In the 20 minutes it took us to retrace our steps, the road was 6 inches deeper in water with quite a waterfall to one side. We tried to capture the effect on a picture nearby, but the effect isn't quite the same as being in it. Was good to be passed it for the last time. When we returned Saturday afternoon on our way to Bourail and Houailu, everything was pretty well cleared away and quite passable. Great river drainage system! We are happy to report that all of our missionaries were warm and dry.

So when it rains, we adjust with rain slickers, different shoes and hats. The elders, pictured nearby, roll up their pants and walk through it. We understand they did give up porte-a-porte the second day and just kept up with their pre-arranged rendez-vous. You will note Sister Mautz's stylish shoes for the rain as well as those of Elder Mautz.

Saturday, we left home about noon, attended a baptism in a nearby branch and then took off for the north country, the bruse.

The baptism was delightful. By then, the rain had stopped. the new member is from Wallis, a French speaking island southeast of Fiji. His family lives there and he will soon return. So we want him well prepared to lead his family before he leaves.

We met the elders in Bourail for dinner and did some temple recommend interviews before calling it a night in a local inn. Up early Sunday morning, we drove the hour between Bourail and Houailu getting there in time for 9a Church and to meet the members in the small branch there. Beautiful scenery. the little inn deserves one anecdote. Posted on the wall was the offer that the chef would cook anything we shot as long as we didn't want to keep it as a trophy. We particularly liked the pink bathroom in the honey moon suite.

Nearby are a few pictures of the scenery as we crossed the island from West to east. Bourail as well as most of the towns where we have missionaries are on the west side of the island. Houailu is on the east. The road across is less well maintained, but passes through some beautiful country with breath-taking vistas across valleys with steep sides climbing up mountains whose tops were actually tree-less. Cascading waterfalls. We enjoyed the drive narrated by one of our elders who does this drive frequently. Along the way, we encountered a warning sign, 'nids-de-poulet.' Literal translation is chickens' nests. What is meant is 'potholes.' And they meant it. We all had to slow way down on a winding scarcely two lane road.

The branch in Houailou pictured nearby is small. they meet in a small, rented building that also serves as the missionaries' flat when they are in town. The presiding authority is a tribal chief who hitchhikes to Church every Sunday and leaves his suit in the meeting room until he returns the following week. After jokes about not breaking the eggs in the nids-de-poulet we talked about the needs of the young men in his little branch as well as those in his tribe. How to motivate them to work, teach them standards in their lives and provide activities that developed life skills. He shared his concerns for the young people of his tribe who need he Gospel of Jesus Christ as a standard as well as listed above. The internet reaches all over the world and brings with it the mixed blessing.

We provided the program along with Elder Hammond who arrived here in New Caledonia a few months ago. Sister Mautz spoke through a translator. All listened politely while Elder Morrill translated for her. However, when she switched into French at the end of her talk to share her testimony, the members of the congregation one at a time switched from polite quiet faces to broad smiles and sparkling eyes listening to her share the feelings of her heart. A tender moment and mercy for all attending. She does better than she believes and everybody loves her for the great efforts she is making!

On our way home we visited with our friend in the Bourail branch who has now had 8 weeks of leaving smoking behind. The change in his countenance as well as his feelings about himself were noticeable. We learned that one of the great blessings of the Word of Wisdom is being able to be obedient. When the Savior taught that if we love him we will keep his commandments, he was then merciful to us giving us commandments we could keep. The Word of Wisdom is one of those. And He blesses those who follow not only with health but with the feelings of worth born of obedient love for the Savior.

And so, even though some days the sun don't shine, things always get better.

Hiking, Wild Weather and Visiting Primary

For the record, today is Bastille Day, when Marie Antoinette got carried away and lost her head. French independence day. Pretty big here. We will see if we have fireworks tonight.

The result is that we have some time to catch up the blog from the last 10 days or so. We have had a very full 10 days with Branch Council training in two branches, a District General Priesthood Meeting where I presided and spoke, as well as a fireside for returned missionaries where I also spoke. My first ventures in speaking were talks I read having written them out word for word. I quickly realized perfect grammar is no substitute for eye contact and sincerity even if my pronunciation isn't quite perfect. I even ventured into an extemporaneous story about Chris' march to the BYU stadium in 1997 during the sesquicentennial celebration of the pioneers' entry into the Salt Lake Valley singing 'Called to Serve' after hearing a chorus of brethren here sing 'Appele a Servir.' Still brings tender memories that I felt prompted to share. I think everybody understood! The text of my talk centered around the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood calling us to action. As part of the Abrahamic Covenanted people, we must carry the Gospel of Christ to all the world starting in our own homes, families and branches doing our home teaching. Emphasis on DOING.

A week ago Monday, the zone leaders planned a bi-zone hike to a water fall not too high up the side of a 'mountain.' The day was a bit overcast so the hiking was great. Sister Mautz decided to go shopping, so I was without a companion. We had a good part of the island's missionaries with us as you will see in the accompanying photos. The path was marked largely by foot worn packed clay where not much was growing. In a jungle-like setting, that is pretty good marking. Lots of rocks to climb over and round. The foliage was dense. Took some getting use to to see large palm trees some quite tall, others right at eye level through the under growth that otherwise seemed not unlike a normal wooded setting.

I was surprised to see who the real climbers were. Sometimes those who seem a little more reserved on the flat are quite the climbers when we got to the falls. Pictures nearby will show you the hikers and the terrain. We started out about noon time everybody having already eaten lunch, and were back off the mountain in time for supper. Missionaries are quite conscious of each others needs, so I enjoyed being with them as they cared for and looked out for each other.

No real trouble keeping up except that bi-focals play nasty tricks on balance and vision when one is climbing or coming down steep paths. I was well cared for.

As noted in last week's entry, the District Primary expressed some concern about some of the Primaries in the district. We visit a different branch every week as we try to be available for temple recommend interviews and to support the local leadership. So after the sacrament service of family worship, we have been visiting Primaries where the children under 12 are taught, have activities and sing together. I am not quite sure what I expected, but I am completely captivated by these beautiful children singing in such perfect French the Primary songs I have known all my life. They must be very intelligent to speak so well. The children are eager, enthusiastic singers and participants. Just like those in my own family or in any congregation of the Church. 'If you chance to meet a frown' is sung world over with the same wonderful effect. The culture of the Church's music supported by the scriptures of the Bible and Book of Mormon are as at home in Noumea, a fairly civilized place, Tontouta which approached the 'bush country' or Bourail in the bush as they are in SLC or Oakton Virginia. Love of eternal family, being obedient to parents to be happy, and the light of the Savior's love are universal values bringing happiness to all. We hope a couple of nearby film clips, one from the Noumea 2 Branch and the others from Tontouta Branch will be as delightful to you as they were to us when we were visiting. These primaries are well organized with good teaching and fun singing. The children were well behaved. We obviously haven't yet visited the problems our District Primary President was concerned about.

Briefly, the weather was something this week. Again the wind swung around into the SW. But we had high winds of 25-30 mph and a tropical depression. Big breakers on the beach. There are no reefs in that direction to protect the shoreline. And it brought out the surfers and sail boarders. Because of the wind direction, they were right below our balcony. Sister Mautz went down and got the nearby film clip of a boarder. Essentially, these guys are flying huge crescent shaped kites, perhaps 25 feet across. These are attached to the boarder by 150-200 foot cords allowing him to 'control' the kite somewhat. He rides his board on the water going across the wind back and forth using his weight to balance against the wind. High speed. From time to time, they jump off a wave crest or to turn themselves around. I wonder how you learn to do this without dying in the process. Perhaps only the best survive. The nearby film clip will give you the idea. Turn the volume down as the wind noise is loud.

Here are the film clips. I know they are a lot of them, but we think they are worth the viewing.

Last one, I promise.

What to do on the 4th of July

So here we are in New Caledonia on the 4th of July. Scarcely any mention here of it at all! The winds switched from the predominant southeast to southwest bringing with them heavy clouds and rain showers off and on. But not to be discouraged, our team of nearby elders planned a baptism preceded by a BBQ. Made for a great day.

With a little imagination, you can make sausages seem like hotdogs, chips are chips, some soft drink and ice cream on a mild winter afternoon with temps in the 70's. The real trick was finding charcoal and a grill all of which you will note in the attached pictures where we are cooking on the front step of our mission office. Our Tahitian elders insisted we sing the National Anthem before eating. We are still grateful to be Americans.

A new chapter in our mission seems to be emerging as we are called upon to help with leadership training. A couple Sundays ago while we were visiting one of the branches, the District primary President caught us and asked for some time. That scheduled event happened this week. A great group of energetic sisters well-experienced in the Primary themselves, they hoped Sister Mautz could give them some help. Their High Council adviser also joined us at our invitation. Even Sister Mautz had to admit that she got enough of the conversation to keep up with things. I helped getting ideas back to them. Fundamental things like orienting teachers to their responsibilities came up as well as how to help an unhappy child. But when we learned that during sharing time all of the teachers go to Relief Society leaving the local branch Primary Presidencies to take care of 15-30 children, Sister Mautz was pretty helpful. As in 'You have got to be kidding me!' Which doesn't translate quite so emphatically into French. We made some plans which the high councilor can take back to the District Presidency, one of which was to have a demonstration 'Sharing Time' on a 5th Sunday so that parents can better understand how to help their child prepare for a talk or a Scripture. I will be in that meeting to reinforce things a little bit. We came home tired from the long day as well as having concentrated hard for a couple hours during this training session. We will meet again.

Today's baptism was for an 11-year-old boy, Benoit. His family isn't quite as he would like it to be, but all were there for the baptism today. He comes to Church every Sunday with his mother and older brother. A number of missionaries were present, so our chorus singing 'Appele a Servir' (Called to Serve) at our young friend's request was powerful. But the great moment of the day came when the Branch President called upon Sister Mautz impromptu to give the closing prayer. She didn't think it was perfect French, but everybody else was grateful for her efforts and understood everything she said. Learning French is giving 'eternal progression' some new meaning. Without rushing, she took time to express the feelings of her heart. Very moving for all.

In addition to month end reports, trips to doctors and and government offices to renew visas and zone leaders meetings, we watched the missionaries in their monthly service day which, as you will see in the accompanying photos, was a car wash. Did they all belong to the same Mutual? It was a busy day. Because the soil here is red, cars get pretty dirty, and a good car wash is hard to find. (In fact the local car repair shops require that a car be clean before being brought in for servicing or repairs)So a 'Free Car Wash' sign gets a fair amount of attention. While they are waiting, the drivers get a doctrinal presentation of the Restoration of Christ's Church in its fullness, or perhaps happiness in family life. A number of them are interested then to invite the missionaries for further discussion.

Yet another party, training, and transfers

A week ago Friday we posted to the blog and thought we would have another two weeks before we would have anything to report. We were wrong.

Saturday night we attended the last of the celebrations for Mother's and Father's Day for the year here on the island. This one was held at the Noumea Un (one) Branch. Carl got a very nice printed and laminated invitation to this soiree so we put it on our calendar. We have been in the branch a lot this past month so we are getting to know them pretty well. We were delighted to see a sister that we had visited with the missionaries earlier in the week and to meet some 'friends of the Church' who sat at our table. Like the party in Tontouta, the young people were our servers. This time it included young men, young women and the young adults of which there are lots! The dinner was great complete with appetizers, soup, main dish, and dessert. They feed us too well here.

Of course a party isn't a party without entertainment, right? It was dancing again but this time it was the young men in the branch who entertained us. This was a Maori war dance that was used to scare off the white men when they landed on New Zealand. They performed two such dances and performed with gusto. We loved watching and we hope you do to.

A few weeks ago we were contacted by the office in Tahiti to inform us that Sister Christine Hunter was going to come and give us some training. Sister Hunter is the person that all my emails and reports go through. She is the guru of finances in the region. We wondered what training she could possibly train us in since we had been here doing what we do in the office for some time and no one was sending us word back that we were doing it wrong. I did notice on one of the reports that I do weekly something that didn't make sense to me and I inquired about it but no one responded so I just continued doing what I was taught by the Elders. Well, it turned out that I was right about something not being right with the form so I had to go back and correct a few weeks of reports. I did an audit of the records and knew that all the checks had cleared except one so I only went back three weeks. Anyway, it turned out that the training was very much needed and probably was needed about eighteen months ago when the other senior couple left and the missionaries took over. The training helped and now we know who Sister Hunter is and feel like we have a friend in Tahiti. And she can make our bills get paid and understands the French banking system here.

When President Ostler was here for Zone Conference he had a meeting with the Senior Zone leaders about transfers. We thought that since they were planned to happen at zone conference then there probably would not be any. We were wrong about that and things really got shaken up on Friday. Elder Aiho and Elder Johnson, who used to be Elder Huuti's companion were made the Assistants to the President on New Caledonia. Elder Huuti is now companion with Elder Livingston and they are the zone leaders for the north part of the island. Elder Amundson is now Elder Troutman's companion and they are the zone leaders for the south part of the island.

Feelings were a little tender on Friday morning. Some of these companionships have been together for quite some time and the bond between them was more like brothers than companions. We went over to the Riviere Salee building where the transfers were taking place to say goodbye to some of the Elders that we saw weekly on P-day and to welcome their replacement. I felt like I was sending off my sons on their missions again. We have grown to love these fine young men and young women. (No transfers for the sisters since that took place when the new sisters arrive at the end of May). Carl loves to take pictures and you will notice in one of them an empty plate. Last week, these Elders came in and brought Elder Mautz a Father's day cake. We missed the photo op with the cake itself. Chocolate is a delicacy here for the missionaries so the cake disappeared quickly. Those in the picture are the ones who got to enjoy it. We had to re-create the photo before everyone left for their new assignments. That companionship is one that got split and I think it was hard for both of them. Several companionships were like two peas in a pod and splitting them up was tough, but each will grow from the experience and they will continue to do the work and be blessed for their obedience and hard work.

We don't have much coming up these next couple of weeks so we may not have much to report on. Carl is continuing his help with training the District and Branch leaders. We will meet with the District Primary President this next week and hopefully help answer some of her questions about training in the Branches.

We admire the faithfulness of the Saints here. They sacrifice significantly for the really important things. Sunday after meetings one of the branches had a dinner together and then we started the process of temple recommends for all the members as they prepare for a trip to New Zealand later in the year.

Thank you all for reading our blog. We enjoy doing it and have heard from many that you enjoy reading it. We are grateful to be here with these great people. We see in them the results of faithful obedience to the Savior's commandments as happiness fills their lives, sometimes in very humble circumstances.

A baptism, a zone conference, Mothers' and Fathers' Day continues

We are on the other side of our second Zone conference since our last posting. The weeks are full and slip by quickly.  Weekly tasks such as getting bank cards for the new missionaries so that they can access their bank accounts (try 3 different trips having had to pull the new missionaries in from their work an hour away) and monthly living allowance, getting them registered with the government, reporting on the week's financial activities to our supervising area, teaching with the missionaries when invited. All seems to fill up more time than we expect. We have taken to carrying our lunch to the office when we go as we are always there longer than we expect. But the office administration part of our assignment is bountifully interspersed with wonderful opportunities with the members, baptisms, teaching and training.

Our Mission President and his wife arrived on Wednesday a week ago. With them came Elder and Sister Bohman, who are about to complete an assignment as the Mission nurse and the finance man for the MIssion in Fiji. We enjoyed some great experiences together while they were here as reported below. But we should note how grateful we are to be in New Caledonia. They arrived eager to do some shopping for everything from sandals for the sister missionaries to tubes for bicycle tires for the Elders in Fiji. Such things are rare in Fiji. So built into the week they were here was shopping. Sister Mautz can now navigate downtown Noumea with ease in her car with automatic transmission. We are grateful for that. She would go one direction with Sister Ostler and the Bohmans, while I went another with President Ostler. 

While President and Sister Ostler were busy interviewing the missionaries we had a chance to visit with the Bohmans.  We had met them when we arrived in Fiji just before coming to New Caledonia.  We knew we would be very good friends if we had a chance.  The chance came this trip.  They shared lots of experiences from their time in Fiji.  Elder Bohman really is the do it all man in the mission for Fiji.  He takes care of whatever needs to be done with the vehicles of the mission, he delivers appliances to the flats, he deals with the missionaries who roll their truck and missionaries who think that taking a knife to the ice in the freezing compartment is the easiest way to get rid of the excess.

Sister Bohman shared experiences of the illnesses endured by the missionaries in Fiji. Untreated bug bites get infected, splinters inflame. Arms swell. We are happy to miss all of that. As for the most part, the missionaries here on New Caledonia are pretty healthy and smart.  After their visit we became even more grateful to be serving on our little island where we don't have to filter our water or worry too much about the food we eat.  Overeating is the challenge. 

Last Saturday we participated in the baptism of a sister, the wife of a -re-activated young man in one of the branches here in the city. A tender experience She is an educated woman, a school teacher. He is the recently re-activated son of a family whose parents are just finishing an assignment as the mission president in Madagascar. She shared a strong testimony of the Book of Mormon. It was clear she had studied it and the Bible extensively before taking this step and was very happy. As she noted in her remarks after being baptized, she was grateful now for the opportunity to plan for an eternal family as she and her husband prepare to go to the Temple. 

Saturday evening, Sister Mautz hosted a 'sisters' night' with the Mission President's wife and the Mission nurse for the sister missionaries. We brethren were 'banished' to yet another 'Fetes des Mamans' in another branch.

Monday was a busy day as we attended a picnic with all of the missionaries and President and Sister Ostler. Pictures and videos accompany. One of the challenges of the missionary work here for our Mission President is that he is 1000 miles away and has broad responsibilities with other missionaries also great distances away from him. In his first year he has traveled 50K air miles. He also presides over several districts of Church members because their numbers aren't quite strong enough to be a Stake. He is just completing his first year. The goal of this conference was to allow him a little more time with these good missionaries. Hence the p-day picnic. In the planning with the zone leaders, we accepted the responsibility for food for the picnic. Ham, cheese and turkey sub sandwiches on baguettes, an apple, chips and desserts brought largely by the missionaries made a very adequate menu. Took a while to make all of that, and I was glad to have help from Elder Bohman while Sister Mautz led a shopping expedition with the visiting sisters.  The Zone Leaders planned and provided games followed by the inevitable touch football game and some volleyball. As Sister Ostler noted in greeting the missionaries in p-day clothes, 'You look like regular young people.' The contrast next day at Zone conference in white shirts and ties was striking.

Because the Bohmans were leaving the mission shortly, the zone leaders had arranged for us to join a couple families for family home evening Monday evening. We were all a bit tired and sun burned. but off we went to a delightful evening. A family with younger as well as teen age children. We sang an opening hymn, had a lesson, played a game involving tying two neckties, in simple fashion and another more complicated, while each tried not to have both ties arrive on his/her lap at the same time. Lots of yelling and screaming. And for you scouts, we learned to tie a bowline which in French is called 'un noeud de chaise.' A chair knot because it makes a fixed loop which can be sat in when hung from  a branch. And we are half way around the world. Family Home Evening is for everybody! The highlight of the evening, however, was the testimonies we were invited to share. Sister Mautz's was entirely in French. She is making steady progress in spite of being an impatient student.

This Zone Conference focused on teaching techniques to help the missionaries help 'friends of the Church' better understand the Gospel of Jesus Christ as they study the Scriptures. We did some role playing as well as some specific teaching by the Zone Leaders, our Mission President and his wife. And during their time here, they also interview all of the young missionaries. Quite a busy time for them. And then suddenly they were off early Wednesday morning. An 8a flight an hour away which meant we were up at 4:30a for a ride to the airport. Time to catch up on sleep, work at the office and to begin preparing for the week ahead with leadership training, Sabbath, and yet more Fathers' Day celebration.

New Missionaries, a baptism, Mothers' Day and Gratitude

Last Saturday morning we were up early and off to the branch near the airport to attend the baptism of a young man, 11 years old. He will be joined in the Fall by his parents who are getting their life in order. In the area where he lives, local tribes are still quite strong along with their tribal customs that aren't always consistent with eternal principles like marriage and families. But he is a bright young man and has been reading the Book of Mormon and concluded he wanted to go ahead with his family's support. Both his mother and father were present. The Primary children sang (sorry that we missed getting it on 'film.' For another time) and it was delightful. The baptismal font is in the middle of the courtyard between the two wings of the building. It is a tiled hole in the ground with running water in and an electric pump to empty it. Covered when not is use. Pictures nearby will show you the setting. Carl is learning to preside at such meetings and also play the piano. The members are always grateful to have music for singing. And we all love to sing together. Rousing hymns.

That trip worked nicely with the expected arrival of our 3 new sister missionaries since the airport is just minutes away from the chapel there. However, due to some strikes (related to last week's incidents in Noumea) they were a  couple hours late. So we waited. Our reunion with all three of these good missionaries was delightful. Two of them came from the USA where we had met them in the Provo MTC. The third is from here. I had set her apart just 

weeks ago. She went to the MTC in Auckland and noted to me, 'to think I almost missed that delightful experience.' We brought them home to our apartment where we met the other sister missionaries. Shirley hosted a delightful luncheon with a pasta/chicken salad, fruit, French bread and cheeses and brownies for dessert. No small effort in our small kitchen, but she was well prepared from efforts the preceding day enhanced by salad dressing mixes sent from home. 

We got new missionaries matched up with their trainer companions and off to their assignments before the day was done. We did have one small adventure in all of this. One of my tasks is the responsibility for the car fleet of 10 autos here. As you know, I buy them, trade them in etc. Also see that they get maintained. I also test the missionaries to be sure they have reasonable abilities to drive and a clean record before they are allowed behind the wheel. Each car has one designated driver. In this case, the designated driver was to be one of the new missionaries who did not know how to drive a stick shift. 

So, after a prayer together, we took off into the hills and rond points (round abouts) of Noumea to train her a little. She actually did quite well. Her companion could drive but does not have an international driver's license. After leaving only a bit of tire on a rather steep incline and stop sign, we got along quite well. We even had a flustered moment so that I could say 'OK, just stop and let those cars by. Gather your wits, take a deep breath and then we will try again.' All in a day's work in that short hour. She left just at dusk to drive north an hour with a great calming companion, some measure of self-confidence and lots of our prayers with her. We have seen her or spoken with her twice since then, things are going well and getting better.

The week slipped away before we knew it with P-day and end-of the month reports and efforts. But all is done now. We are beginning to feel like our work is under control and we can turn some thoughts and effort to working more with the local leadership and Branches.

We can't forget the missionaries in the blog.  P-day brings many of the Elders and some Sisters that are close t0 the office to check for mail or just to visit with each other.  It is fun to listen and watch.  This week, some of the Elders found dropped coconuts on the ground.  I don't know where they found the big knife, but pretty soon they were chopping off the hard skin and enjoying coconut milk and the insides.  See the attached photos.

At the baptism earlier in the week, the local Branch President invited us to their Mothers' Day soiree to be held last night. So we drove back yesterday evening not knowing quite what to expect. Nearby pictures will tell the story better than words. We arrived to find half the parking lot decorated and set up for dinner. A deer was roasting over a slow fire on a spit. Palm fronds and pine bows created a natural barrier and feeling of enclosure from the rest of the parking lot. Dinner was prepared entirely by the brethren while the sisters visited. And it was a dinner. Home made egg rolls, soup, vegetable salad, the roasted deer, rice, poi in two creations that were delicious and filling. then cakes and fruit salad for dessert. The Aaronic Priesthood, dressed in suits, white shirts and ties served us all evening long very attentively.

But the most fun was the entertainment provided by the Young Women who performed a variety of graceful, sometimes very energetic Tahitian hulas and dances in native costume. Clearly, the local culture is surviving. We loved it. Because it was dark and we were outside with modest lighting, you will only get a flavor of some of this. But the images nearby should be fun. We enjoyed songs form the Primary. When we left at 9:30p for the hour drive home, the party was still going strong. At one point, the daughters and their mothers joined in a dance. A few selections were from individual young woman who clearly prepared quite well. How do they get their hip to move like that? A Primary child, about 4 years old, stole part of the show dancing at the same time as one of the YW.  She could mimic exactly what the old girl was doing.  It was amazing. (Note that in the accompanying pictures, those that seem darkest are short video clips to give you a flavor of local music. We regret not having brought our video camera.)

An finally, while we have been doing all of this, our family at home is greatly blessed. Donna and Chris welcomed a new son, Ean, born Thursday evening if we have our dates right, without complication. Ean and Donna are doing just fine we understand. We hope to meet this new grandson via skype tomorrow our time. Pictures have already made it half way around the world   And Dr. Alan Mautz successfully completed his 4+ hour oral examinations to be admitted by the examining Board as a certified radiologist. We pray for our children and are grateful for the Lord's blessings upon them. In addition a nephew and his wife welcomed a new daughter to their family. Quite a week for the family.

We approach zone conference in the next ten days and a week long visit from our Mission President and his wife. Will be a busy time but we enjoy their visits very much.  They will be accompanied by the mission nurse and her husband who will be returning to their home in the next few weeks.  We enjoyed meeting them on our brief visit through Fiji.