Family

Family

Called to Serve

We have loved traveling and being with family for the past two years but we felt the call to serve another mission so here we are in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania for the next year.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Farewells

On June 25th the Barrigada Guam Stake had a farewell party for President and Sister Dowdle.


There was tons of food - that is the norm for any activity here. The missionaries are always right there when there is food.


We had entertainment. President Dowdle showed his skills learned on the islands as he played the ukelele. A member of our Ward was singing a Hawaiian song as Wanda Davis (in the background) was dancing a Cowboy hula.


President Dowdle moved from the ukelele to the singing mode as he joined Bill Davis, Elder Clarke, Dale West and Jonathan Valiente. They did a wonderful job - considering they did not get together until 10 minutes before the party started.


The Dowdles left for home on June 29th. President and Sister Mecham arrived at midnight, the two Presidents had an orientation meeting at 6am and we took the Dowdles to the airport at 9:30am. The Mecham's are getting on the job training! It is interesting with a new President and new office missionaries coming at about the same time. We are missing the Dowdles but wish them all the best as they acclimate to civilian life again.

We also said farewell to a member of our Ward. After attending the farewell for the Dowdles, Oner Mak passed away early the next morning. Our hearts go out to his family. Sister Mak is one of my favorite people here and the Mak children are in our Institute class. This is a hard time for them but Brother Mak has been released from some very bad health problems. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Dolphin Watching

A couple of weeks ago the seniors on Guam went on a little Dolphin
watching cruise. The day was beautiful and we had fun watching
a group of spinner dolphins.



Here is our little group with Captain Alex.






We had a great time watching and taking pictures.













The dolphins loved to follow us and jump through
the wake behind the boat. If you watch closely
you will notice that they spin when they jump.



Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Scout Camp ala Guam

Several weeks ago I volunteered to help out at Scout
Camp for a couple of days, just days, I didn't stay for
the night. This was easy to do since it is only a 15
minute drive to get to the camp. Actually camp was
held on the property of a resort along the east coast
of the island.

There are nine troops on the island and seven troops
were participating in the camp. Four of the troops
were LDS. It was fun helping out, especially at a
camp on the ocean.


We had a great location right along the coast. This
is the entrance to the resort area where camp was
held.


I checked in at the headquarters tent and then
searched for our troop.



I soon found our campsite


and was just in time to pose for a group picture.


I visited merit badge classes, this one was on
geo caching and was taught by Bill Davis.


The boys took a short hike and found two
caches in the area.


Here is a swimming class in the ocean.


I also helped record progress for a class in the pool.



This is our scoutmaster, Al Smith. He also serves
as Young Men's President and does a wonderful
job with all the young men.


Of course a day in Guam would not be complete
without a little rain. This lasted about ten
minutes then the sun came out again and the
weather was beautiful.


Just after the rain some of the boys had a beach
rugby game.


Daily activities resumed


and my two fun days at camp came to an end.