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| President Crowe, Alexander and Peterson at my setting apart on Oct 13th |
I'm now in the Washington Federal Way Mission and the work has begun. It's wonderful to get acquainted with all the people around us, especially the Marshallese. We're trying to get to know them and understand a little bit about their culture. It's amazing to me. It's hard to keep track of all the families as they are continually changing locations and you may find a child of one is now living with someone not their birth family, but a "cousin" of some sort. Interesting. I understand it can be a real challenge doing family history because of all the "give away" customs.
I had a great week at the MTC and was able to finally connect with my companion, a wonderful woman from Oklahoma. She loves and misses her family so much but is anxious to help the Olympic Branch and all the people that had been found, but now are somewhat lost. And so am I. Thus far, we've done a lot of visiting and trying to locate less active branch members. We also attended a family home evening with one family (well, actually about 3 different families all living together), a trunk or treat potluck to celebrate Halloween, a Fiddler on the Roof production (took a newly baptized member, her daughter (9) and granddaughter (7)). Today was the Primary Sacrament Program and it's always a bit entertaining as the children sing and perform their parts. We're soon off to a Young Women activity to study Preach My Gospel.
We had a wonderful lunch and orientation by President and Sister Eaton upon our arrival in Washington. He seems to be very caring and kind and is excited for us to interact with the Marshallese.
My friends, Joanne and Carl Byers really made an impression with the Olympic Branch. Their picture is up on the bulletin board at church and everyone remembers them and loves them. They really helped the branch a lot and we hope to do the same.
Here are some pictures most recently taken of Octobers adventures.
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| Fun friends: Janie, me, Mary Kaye, Trell, Karen, Judy, Ginger |
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| We enjoyed lunch at the Olive Garden just before the MTC for me |
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| Reuniting with Armenian missionary couples: Dutsons and Dows |
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| District at MTC with our Teachers, Brother Zundell and Sister ? |
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| Sister Henderson and Patti pointing to our Mission headquarters |
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| Sister Henderson and Sister Peterson with the world map at MTC |
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| District at MTC with afternoon Teacher, Brother Copans |
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| Emily and me just as I was leaving John and Julie's |
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| Sisters Henderson, Peterson with Pres and Sister Eaton at the Mission Home |
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| Family Home Evening with Kalles Family |
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| My downhill bedroom, another story, bed now on blocks |
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| Sister Henderson in our Living room |
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| Our kitchen...all electric...darn, miss the gas. |
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| Outside view of apartment, first floor right is ours |
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| View out the sliding glass door of the backyard |
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| Marshallese sisters at Relief Society making plaques |
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| Here we are with our night's work |
