Another Side of Heaven

Serving with love in the Caribbean

22 November 2025 - 15 January 2026 A December to Remember and Welcome 2026!

We will soon begin the second half of our mission. When Jenni and Amy were here visiting us in February (see our next blog post for pics!), one night we got a call from our mission leader President Horstmeier. He wanted to speak with both John and I. He asked us if we would be willing to transfer to the island of Dominica. It was quite a shock for us. Normally senior missionaries stay in the same area throughout their mission. Another senior couple, the Barringtons, are finishing their mission on Dominica and because Dominica has had some real momentum in the past few months, President Horstmeier wants continued support from senior missionaries there. We will fly there on April 29. We have mixed feelings because we have grown to love so many people and have made some strong friendships here inside and out of the church. Our experiences will be with us forever. We feel this first 9 months have prepared us for the next 9 months. We are ready for a new adventure and hope that we can continue to help the Lord with His work here upon the islands of the sea. We are learning so much from the wonderful people we have had the privilege to love. Everyone has a different story and different circumstances, and we have watched people go through challenging times. It strengthens our faith as we watch them exercise theirs. We have felt so much joy as we have served alongside the missionaries. They all work so hard every single day and always with a smile. They inspire us in many ways. It has been so fun to watch new missionaries grow and flourish. We continue to learn from President and Sister Horstmeier. Every Tuesday is our mission devotional. One thing we were reminded about this last week was to apply the scriptures to ourselves and to remember to include the Lord daily in everything we do, and to record spiritual impressions and know that most often they come quietly. They come when we are pressing forward to accomplish the Lord's will. We were encouraged to ask the Lord "what would you have me do today for your vision for ourselves and others"? We have felt the Lord leading us along as we have tried to make connections and to build relationships, and we know these precious friendships will last into the eternities. It has been a privilege to speak of and testify of Christ.

 

Fisher of Men with Fishermen!1

First fishing trip with these boys. We didn't…

First Visitors!2

Our friends/neighbors DeWayne and Amy Ruffell and…

New Mission Leaders Announced3

We just learned that the new Mission Leaders that…

FHE Homemade bread!4

With the aroma of fresh baked homemade bread from…

Kim telling her story5

Claudette's granddaughter Kim is telling her…

Who told the Truth?6

Here everyone is discerning who told the truth…

With our friend Luxama7

Luxama is a great young man, 15 years old, super…

Mermaid's Chair hike with Berlande8

We enjoyed an amazing hike and sunset with our…

Sunset Mermaid's Chair9

We experienced this beautiful sunset on our…

Kristi and Berlande10

Berlande is a really special young woman from…

Natural Whirlpool11

On the Mermaid's Chair hike we explored tidepools…

Kristi and Berlande12

WE enjoyed a snack on this rocky beach on our…

Kristi and Berlande13

Nice shot here in our tropical paradise!

Kristi and Berlande14

Kristi and Berlande :)

Luxury jets at STT15

This is the luxury jet ramp at STT airport. They…

This Man!16

This met this man who sang a wonderful uplifting…

Kristi and Flowers17

She is even prettier than these beautiful flowers…

Little Door18

One of our church member friends on St John,…

Kristi getting in some tickles with Abram19

Visiting Alicia on St. John Kristi had the…

Kristi with Abram and Nashley20

Alicia's two children love Kristi!

Visiting Alicia and her family on St John21

With Elders Kelsey and Soto on St John visiting…

St John View22

This is the view from the Windmill Restaurant on…

Lunch with the Missionaries on St John23

We enjoyed lunch on St John at the Windmill…

FHE Cornhole game24

Cornhole toss is one game we have had fun with at…

Cornhole!25

The cornhole toss setup

Dennis with no-sight drawing26

One of the Family Home Evening games we have…

Claudette laughing at Elder Holyoak's drawing of her27

Claudette thought Elder Holyoak's drawing of her…

Snande "Sandy"28

Sandy was the first person ever baptized on St…

Elroy at his Baptism29

Elroy is a great friend! While feeling something…

Elroy with the Elders at his baptism30

Here is Elroy with Elders Eardley and Holyoak on…

The power of waves31

We enjoyed watching and feeling(!) the power of…

Vieques and Puerto Rico in the distance32

We can see multiple islands from St Thomas. To…

Kristi and Waves33

Finding Awe!

Tide-pooling at Mermaid's Chair34

We enjoyed the power of the crashing surf at this…

Our St Thomas Branch President, Natalie, Shammy35

President Mike Sorenson with his wife Natalie…

Christmas gathering at the Pickett's island36

Kristi with the Pickett's daughter Taylor, her…

Brewers Bay Sunset37

Sunset at Brewers Bay beach near our apartment.

FHE blind "Auction!"38

Kristi has continued her tradition of really fun…

St John Sacrament service39

With the Cano family in Mexico on vacation for 3…

With Bridget on the Ferry40

Bridgett joined us for our ST John services one…

Claudette speaking in church41

Claudette is amazing! She has been a member of…

Kristi - El Yunque42

We were wondering if we were somehow transported…

El Yunque Rainforest National Park, Puerto Rico43

We loved visiting Puerto Rico and the El Yunque…

Kristi - El Yunque44

El Yunque National Park has several observation…

Kristi - El Yunque entrance45

Here's Kristi at the entrance to El Yunque…

Puerto Rico Temple46

We visited Puerto Rico twice in December and were…

The "Cup Game"47

One of the Family Home Evening games we have…

Christmas gathering on St John48

We met at the Cano's home on St John for a…

Food at the Cano's Christmas celebration49

Kristi with Natalie Sorenson - we had a wonderful…

At the Mission Home50

This is the Mission Home on PR where our Mission…

Macaws on Puerto Rico51

We were fortunate to see several wild Macaws when…

Macaws on Puerto Rico52

We saw 11 Macaws and Puerto Rican parrots on our…

El Morro Fortress53

The historic El Morro fortress built by the Spain…

Streets in Old Town San Juan, PR54

This gives an idea of the streets in Old Town San…

San Juan Guard Tower55

One of many observation/guard towers near the…

Mission Doctor56

We stayed two nights with the Mission Doctor -…

FHE fun57

One of our Minute to Win It games at FHE -…

FHE Cup stacking game58

Here Natalie and Mia race to stack cups in a time…

FHE game59

Yudis and Shammy are trying to get a cookie in…

Vince likes Soursop!60

Vince really liked his first taste of Soursop!

Vince and Jackie Rhoton learning about soursop61

Our friends Vince and Jackie Rhoton visited with…

Kristi with Jackie Rhoton and our friend Gail62

The ladies in Gail and Bert's garden - where we…

St John Missionary Correlation meeting63

We travel to St John every Sunday for worship…

USS IWO JIMA64

The USS IWO JIMA made a St Thomas port call for…

View of Crown Bay and USS IWO JIMA65

Crusie ship in Crown Bay with the USS IWO JIMA…

FHE group66

Some of our FHE participants - what a fun group!

With Elder Morris67

Elder Morris got to travel to St Thomas from PR…

Dinner with Lendjuna and Bridget68

Dinner at our apartment with Lendjuna and…

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