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.
First fishing trip with these boys. We didn't…
Our friends/neighbors DeWayne and Amy Ruffell and…
We just learned that the new Mission Leaders that…
With the aroma of fresh baked homemade bread from…
Claudette's granddaughter Kim is telling her…
Here everyone is discerning who told the truth…
Luxama is a great young man, 15 years old, super…
We enjoyed an amazing hike and sunset with our…
We experienced this beautiful sunset on our…
Berlande is a really special young woman from…
On the Mermaid's Chair hike we explored tidepools…
WE enjoyed a snack on this rocky beach on our…
Nice shot here in our tropical paradise!
Kristi and Berlande :)
This is the luxury jet ramp at STT airport. They…
This met this man who sang a wonderful uplifting…
She is even prettier than these beautiful flowers…
One of our church member friends on St John,…
Visiting Alicia on St. John Kristi had the…
Alicia's two children love Kristi!
With Elders Kelsey and Soto on St John visiting…
This is the view from the Windmill Restaurant on…
We enjoyed lunch on St John at the Windmill…
Cornhole toss is one game we have had fun with at…
The cornhole toss setup
One of the Family Home Evening games we have…
Claudette thought Elder Holyoak's drawing of her…
Sandy was the first person ever baptized on St…
Elroy is a great friend! While feeling something…
Here is Elroy with Elders Eardley and Holyoak on…
We enjoyed watching and feeling(!) the power of…
We can see multiple islands from St Thomas. To…
Finding Awe!
We enjoyed the power of the crashing surf at this…
President Mike Sorenson with his wife Natalie…
Kristi with the Pickett's daughter Taylor, her…
Sunset at Brewers Bay beach near our apartment.
Kristi has continued her tradition of really fun…
With the Cano family in Mexico on vacation for 3…
Bridgett joined us for our ST John services one…
Claudette is amazing! She has been a member of…
We were wondering if we were somehow transported…
We loved visiting Puerto Rico and the El Yunque…
El Yunque National Park has several observation…
Here's Kristi at the entrance to El Yunque…
We visited Puerto Rico twice in December and were…
One of the Family Home Evening games we have…
We met at the Cano's home on St John for a…
Kristi with Natalie Sorenson - we had a wonderful…
This is the Mission Home on PR where our Mission…
We were fortunate to see several wild Macaws when…
We saw 11 Macaws and Puerto Rican parrots on our…
The historic El Morro fortress built by the Spain…
This gives an idea of the streets in Old Town San…
One of many observation/guard towers near the…
We stayed two nights with the Mission Doctor -…
One of our Minute to Win It games at FHE -…
Here Natalie and Mia race to stack cups in a time…
Yudis and Shammy are trying to get a cookie in…
Vince really liked his first taste of Soursop!
Our friends Vince and Jackie Rhoton visited with…
The ladies in Gail and Bert's garden - where we…
We travel to St John every Sunday for worship…
The USS IWO JIMA made a St Thomas port call for…
Crusie ship in Crown Bay with the USS IWO JIMA…
Some of our FHE participants - what a fun group!
Elder Morris got to travel to St Thomas from PR…
Dinner at our apartment with Lendjuna and…
