God is Everything

 

March 15, 2026

Hello Friends and Family,

 President Henry B. Eyring who serves in the 1st Presidency of the church gave a talk in 2007; In that talk he shared the following about keeping a journal:

“I wrote down a few lines every day for years. I never missed a day no matter how tired I was or how early I would have to start the next day. Before I would write, I would ponder this question: “Have I seen the hand of God reaching out to touch us or our children or our family today?” As I kept at it, something began to happen. As I would cast my mind over the day, I would see evidence of what God had done for one of us that I had not recognized in the busy moments of the day. As that happened, and it happened often, I realized that trying to remember had allowed God to show me what He had done.”  Who would not want to see Heavenly Father’s hand more clearly in their life?

This week I was reminded of this talk from a Facebook post I had made.  I have never been very good at keeping a journal.  I wish I had been. I guess it’s never too late. I believe that it is important to see God. To quote a line from one of my favorite movies; “God has everything to do with it.  He’s everywhere. He sees everything.” From the Count of Monte Cristo.

Taking the opportunity to share our week with you gives me an opportunity to look back and see clearly God in our lives and in the lives of those we love and those we serve.

As mentioned in prior letters, Mark and I have been working with others to establish Succeed in School (SIS) in all our units.  Last Sunday we went to the Mele branch and shared a presentation explaining the program and its benefits.  It went very well; we handed out 30 registration forms and had adults volunteering to teach. 

Introducing SIS program to the Erakor Branch members

Today we visited the Erakor branch and our visit was received very well.  We handed out over 47 registrations!  I am so unbelievable thankful for this program!  Education changes lives and we are beginning to see great results from this program.  God knows exactly what his children need.  I see how the Lords’ hand is upon the isles of the sea.

The schools are so overcrowded and there is no free education.  It is difficult for families to pay for the education.  Our humanitarian missionaries the Meyer's shared in their letter this week that most of the kids start out in primary school, but by secondary level, only an estimated 17 percent graduate.  Take a look at our chart – This is how succeed in school is leading to educational success and Faith building experiences.

We are hoping to have each unit up and running by the end of April. There is also a Mom and Me program we hope to get set up for the preschool age kids.  We are going to start that program in one unit; as sort of a trial run to see how it goes. 

Sister Kalo (3rd from left in the back) and
her seminary class.

This week we had the opportunity to attend 2 separate seminary classes.  Because they are held in the same building at the same time I went to one and Mark went to the other.  I attended Sister Kalo's class, she is a recent return missionary.  She served here in Vanuatu.  She is absolutely amazing!  Observing her class almost brought tears to my eyes.  Prior to visiting her class when I saw her, I would ask her how her class was going.  She would tell me her students love her!  It’s true, they do love her.  She is a fabulous teacher, and she is helping her students build their faith in Jesus Christ.  She had 9 students.  One thing I loved was after the lesson she asked one student to share their testimony of what was discussed. I also loved how her students took notes in their journals of scriptures and questions she asks.  They were so attentive and anxious to learn.  I learned so much from her.  I can’t wait to visit her class again. 

Amos (on right) and his 19 seminary students.

Mark attended the other class.  Amos George is the teacher.  Amos is amazing, he was baptized last June.  He has a huge class, with 19 students in attendance on that day.  Mark shared that Amos had prepared one lesson and after finding out Sister Kalo had taught them that lesson the week before in a combine class as he was unable to teach he switch gears and taught a totally different lesson.  Mark said he did a great job.  The students were engaged and were writing notes and he also had someone at the end of the lesson testify of what was taught.  We have pictures of both classes to share.  Amos is on FIRE!  He loves the gospel of Jesus Christ and is such a great example of Loving and teaching others.  There was one student that swooped in and touched our hearts, Thomas.  We had never met Thomas until that day.  Thomas approached us both and asked if he could hug us 😊.  Of course we allowed a hug, as we were leaving, he gave me one more hug and as we drove off he ran to the church fence after us shouting Mi luvem you!  The youth are amazing, I wish you could all meet them.

We taught our Wednesday night Institute class which was Embracing the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I have mentioned before how much I love this course; Jesus Christ and His everlasting gospel.  I love teaching and I especially love teaching others of the Love that Jesus Christ has for all of us.  There was a section in the lesson that asked; how can pondering the Savior’s suffering in Gethsemane and on the cross increase my gratitude for Him?  As a class we spent time searching the scriptures and learning just how he suffered.  I know we only have a small amount of information, but what an over whelming feeling of Love entered my heart.  This week I have been thinking a lot about Jesus Christ.  Pondering is good.  With Easter approaching I am so thankful I have lessons like these to turn my attention more fully on the reason we celebrate Easter.  Taking the name of Christ upon me at baptism truly has a deeper meaning as we ponder what he has done for each of us.

Our boss went out of town and was unable to teach his Institute class on Friday so we volunteered to teach.  It just so happens to have been one of Marks favorite lessons from that same course we teach on Wednesdays.  Finding purpose and Joy in the creation.  So, we had already taught this lesson before and were happy to do it again.  I love that My Man loves the earth!  We had discussed how understanding the purpose of the Creation brings added meaning to our life?  At the beginning of my letter I mentioned “God has everything to do with it.  He’s everywhere. So, we had another opportunity to witness that God created the earth for us.  When you look at how marvelously he created the earth how can you not feel his love for you? He made it so perfectly with everything that we would need and for our enjoyment.  I love how flowers actually have scents.  Not only do flowers please our eyes, the smell of them enhances our experience here on earth.  Flowers are just a tiny example of how much God s’ love is in everything. And Everything is a testament of his Love for us.  We talked about the crowning creation of our bodies and then we talked about how we are stewards and not owners of the earth.  One thing we have noticed about Vanuatu is that people throw their garbage on the ground. The island can be very dirty in some places.  So in talking about taking care of the earth, I had papers in my hand and to illustrate I threw the papers up in the air and they hit the fan and made a noise that woke everyone up.  It was hilarious and I think our students will think twice about littering now.  As you can read, we are anxiously engaged trying to do good every day.  Our math class has now grown to 14 students!  The younger class is up to 12 students.   The roads still melt when it rains and we love being missionaries . Great things are happening in Vanuatu!  We love you all and hope you’re planning on a joyous Easter season. We have great reason to rejoice!

Love,

Darleen & Mark, Nana & Papa, Mom & Dad

Additional favorite pictures from the week:

Our long awaited delivery of our Succeed
in School books for the Vanuatu 
islands.

Terry our Bislama teacher.

Driving home from church as it was raining. You don't
always see someone with a pan over their head!!!
Mark killed a bug and the flyswatter 
broke apart and a small piece landed
in Sister Meyer's eye, even though she had
on glasses.  Thank goodness they got it out.   
Bug swatting is dangerous.


Blue starfish that Sister Lamph found on the
beach from last Saturday's trip.
The overflow area between the chapel area
and the primary area.  This is where the members
sat during Sacrament service.   It pored, so the
tarps kept them relatively dry.

A view from the front of the ward sacrament meeting
right at the end of services on Sunday.   They
were inside and outside of the building.








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