We are back -- We missed you!!!

Hello Family and Friends!

We are not missing in action; you may have noticed we did not send out a blog update last week. We came back from Tanna anticipating that we would leave for the island of Santo for another teacher training. We received word that the Santo district would be watching General Conference on the day we had scheduled the in‑service training for our teachers. In addition, we totally forgot that school was out for the week of April 20th through the 24th. When there is no school, there is no seminary and no SIS. We would have had no classes to visit. We moved our trip to the island of Santo this week. We leave this Wednesday, which is Mark’s birthday!

During the week of April 20th it rained every single day, all day. One day the temperature was in the 70s. The breeze from the ocean was incredible! Of course, the rain made the roads melt and there was lots of mud. The bonus, of course, was cooler temperatures. I believe we have hit the end of cyclone season — YAY! We are going into the season of fall or autumn here in Vanuatu. The coldest month is August, and the temperature ranges are high 79, low 68, with the record high being 89. Something I did not know was that we just got out of high‑rain season. That is enough about the weather.

The week of the 20th Mark and I had two different projects on which we were working. Mark is trying to finalize the report on the YSA conference. He has had very little support. He has reached out to committee members for their feedback many times. So, he took the week to prepare the report for submission to the area. Yes, it was held in January and yes, it is now May. That’s island time. My project is one that I cannot go into detail about yet. I will keep you posted with further details in the future. It kept me busy all week.

Paradise Cove Resort beach area

We enjoyed a wonderful Saturday with the other senior missionaries at Paradise Cove. Paradise Cove is a resort close to us. We had dinner there not too long ago and decided to spend some of our Saturday there. Thank goodness it had stopped raining. The day was incredible. The resort was not busy. In fact, it felt like we had the whole place to ourselves. The temperature and the humidity were extremely pleasant.

Paradise Cove Resort - Standing next to the "Chief" Tam Tam

Paradise Cove - Lunch with
the rest of the Senior Missionaries

With a new week beginning and school back in, we became busy quickly. On Monday we met with our Seminary and Institute team. We have a new Seminary & Institute Supervisor for the island of Efate. The supervisor’s responsibility is to support all the seminary & institute teachers in the stake; that includes all the units on this island. Maklen will be amazing! She is excited to serve and help with training and ministering to the teachers and students. She will be observing the teachers and students and then putting together training that will assist them in becoming better teachers.

Monday is SIS (Succeed in School) Math Day! This past week Mark and I talked about doing another review to see where the kids where. Having a week off really throws them into a backwards spiral. Meaning not only does it take weeks to get everyone to attend class again, but they also forget a lot. We prepared a simple multiplication and division review. The multiplication went well. The division did not go as well. Mark spent time again showing them how to do it.

Sadly, we have handed over the responsibility of teaching our Monday afternoon math class. Tania, who is the most amazing young single adult/return missionary, will be teaching them. Tania actually said she would be happy to do it. This will give us the time needed to set the SIS program up in the other units on the island. SIS has actually stopped happening in our Etas Unit. The teachers just stopped showing up. We will need the time to support them and get it going again. We will continue to do snacks and check in on our math class, but they have an excellent teacher. We love these kids so much and really want to see them succeed in their educational studies. It hurt our hearts to tell them, but I know it is important to set this program up with the locals taking on the responsibility of teaching as we will not always be here.

Tuesday, we headed to Eton, that's the unit connected to the ward that we support. Some weeks ago, we mentioned that they had been struggling to hold their daily seminary class. Well, we had arranged with the teacher to teach Tuesday and Thursday, and she was to teach Monday and Wednesday. Friday was another school holiday. This gave her an opportunity to observe us and gain some different teaching ideas.

Our course study is the Old Testament this year. The lesson on Tuesday was on the Tabernacle. Mark taught about what it was, the construction, and how the Lord had asked them to build him a sanctuary where he could come and be among them. He shared pictures of what the tabernacle looked like, described the outer court, the holy place, and the most holy place, and explained the symbolic objects in each area and how they all symbolized Jesus Christ.

Eton Seminary students standing with the picture of Jesus
and the Vanuatu temple

I then taught how the people were asked to make an offering to help build it. They brought gold, silver, bronze, scarlet, blue, leather, material, and jewels — things they had brought with them from Egypt. The people brought so much that Moses had to command them to stop bringing things. I shared that the Lord still commands his people to build temples where he can dwell among them. I showed pictures of modern‑day temples, which are different from the tabernacle in Moses' Day, but still similar. I explained how they still contain symbols of Jesus Christ and showed them pictures of some of the rooms in the temple. We then gave the students journals with a picture of Christ on the front to record notes. We also gave them a picture of the nearly finished Vanuatu Temple. We all went outside to take a picture, and I loved how they wanted Jesus and the temple in the photo together. As we took the picture they arranged their temple picture to appear with Jesus.

On Thursday, they were all waiting for us. The lesson was on sacrifice. Mark began by explaining the law of sacrifice during Moses’ time and how the people would bring offerings to the temple. He did an excellent job helping the students understand why they sacrificed animals, how they did it, and what these sacrifices reminded them to remember. I followed by teaching about the law of sacrifice in our time. I shared scriptures showing that after Jesus was resurrected, he said burnt offerings were no longer required. Instead, the Lord now asks us to come to him with a broken heart and a contrite spirit.

In the scriptures we read that he wants our whole bodies and souls. He wants all of us to follow Him. So, I demonstrated this by taking a leap forward and said" Here I am, Lord.” Then we read another scripture teaching that he wants us to serve with all our heart, might, mind, and strength. Do whatever he asks of us. Then I leaped Forward and said here I am Lord; and then I said:

Capturing me leaping forward during Thursday's lesson-
We need to be "All IN"

I will serve you with all my heart and touch my heart, my might acting light a muscle man squeezing my arms together, all my mind pointing to my head and all my strength, showing my muscles. We chanted this over and over again. I told them the Lord just wants our hearts, "choose me" is what the Lord is saying. We also took some suckers to hand out if they answered questions and participated, which of course they did. We asked for one boy and one girl to share something they learned about sacrifice that day and then we ended. We brought along six pizzas as a treat, which was well received. They do not often get treated to pizza. We were happy to feed them in a spiritual and temporal way. I demonstrated by touching my heart, flexing my arms, pointing to my head, and showing my muscles.

These kids are eager to learn and are bright and beautiful. It is a joy to see them hunger for the spiritual. If anyone wants to help us out, we could use scriptures. Some of our seminary classes only have one set of scriptures to pass around. Bibles would be the best gift ever — even used ones. PM me if you are interested in helping our students. They live humbly and are happy yet shy. When they pray, they cover their face with their hands as if no one can see them when they pray. I want to say, I can still see you! When they answer a question and are praised, they light up.

I am not sure what Mark, and I ever did to deserve to be here among these precious souls! I know when our time is over here, my heart and my mind will never forget these precious moments. Three of my favorite littles, who have to be around 3 years of age pull their leftover food containers full of sand by ropes down a dirt road in this same area. Finding joy in a homemade toy. These are the same littles who went running with bush knives in their hands down the same road. I think I shared that a while ago.

Friday was another school holiday, so Mark and I were free to help our Mission President and his wife. Sister Ball asked me to organize a meal for Zone Conference. So, the younger missionaries gather about every 6 weeks for training with the mission president and his wife. We have two zones on this island with 30 missionaries in each zone. They had already had 1 conference while we were in Tanna a few weeks ago. So, Mark and I spent the day preparing a home cooked meal for the missionaries. I cooked all day. Its’s my love language as my kids would say. Earlier in the week I decided that I wanted to cook fried Rice & Hibachi Chicken. I Cooked the white rice on Wednesday because cold rice makes the best fried rice. I spent Friday morning making these incredible homemade brownies! Mark had a list of things to pick up from the Mommas market and the grocery store for me. What would I do without my sous chef! Something I have really come to appreciate is how well Mark and I work together. I love how supportive he is of my crazy ideas. While I made the fried Rice he cut 20lbs of chicken into strips. It always feels so good when what we work on together turns out to be a success. I love our high fives, our hugs and our reviews of work performed and ideas of ways to do it next time.

Our stove top from the splatter of the fried rice after being done cooking.

We did have the beef spring rolls dropped off from a Caterer as I could never have accomplished that with everything else, we were doing. Our kitchens are little and our stoves are small. We are actually more blessed than our senior friends as they have easy bake oven stoves. We had 1hour and 30 minutes to cook the chicken and it was going pretty slowly. We called our neighbors (senior missionaries) ask if we could use their oven/stove and Mark went over and started cooking Hibachi chicken in their apartment while I cooked in ours. Mark had 3 pans going and I had 2. Whew! We did it! We got up to the Mission house just as they were finishing their training. The meal was well received and very much appreciated. For dessert we had brownies as big as the palm of Marks hand and vanilla ice cream. Every companionship left with a takeaway full of fried rice. I also made homemade yum yum sauce. My kids will really appreciate that as we don’t eat fried rice without it.

Cleaning up the mess.

On Saturday, we had our 1^st Seminary & Institute training meeting with Maklen, our new supervisor on Efate helping to lead with our support. She did a wonderful job putting things together. We focused on helping students to recognize when the spirit is present in their lives. Creating a classroom where they have opportunities to feel the spirit. Katimal, who is the area Coordinator, kicked it off with an activity. He had gone to New Zealand for a special training and came back with a bag of small plastic Jesus figures. He had us help him hide them in the room in which we were meeting. To kick off the training he invited the teachers to find Jesus. It was fun to watch them hunting around the room for Jesus. There were 20 little figures hidden all over the room. After all the figures of Jesus were found, he then talked about helping the student to identify where Jesus is in our lessons. Studying the Old Testament this year we see many symbols and we encouraged our teachers to help the students understand how those symbols represent Jesus. It was a fun object lesson. Katimal, then took some time to teach about the Spirit which led to a few more object lessons.

Our S&I Coordinator, Katimal - The Boss!!!

After Katimal sat down, I got up and several scriptures that teach us how the spirit speaks to us and how to recognize that spirit. I shared a scripture in 1^st kings 19:10-12 on how the Lord speaks with a still small voice. I love how Elijah goes before the Lord discouraged with Israel. Elijah tell Him what is going on, and then the Lord says: “Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord” … Then the Lord teaches him that he has been with him all along.

Maklen then had 5 teachers come up and she gave out 5 candy bars with scriptures on them. Each scripture taught about the Love of God and Jesus Christ. Each took the opportunity to read the scripture and then shared what they understood about the scripture and what it was teaching. This demonstrated how the students can take part in their learning experience. By sharing their understanding of the scripture and what the spirit is testifying to them. They have an opportunity to wittiness what is given to them in their heart and mind, place there by the Lords’ Holy spirit. The spirit speaks to our minds and to our heart and is often felt.

I went next and had another teaching example that they could do with their students. Since we are studying the Old Testament, they will soon study the book of psalms. I ask for 3 teacher volunteers although I ask everyone to participate. I told them that I was going to play some music and while listening I wanted them to write down things that came to their mind, what they felt, things they remembered, things they were moved upon to do.

We listened to Savior Redeemer of my Soul Savior Redeemer of My Soul - Dallyn Bayles, Jenny Oaks Baker & Lyceum Philharmonic, #Hallelujah and Peace in Christ Peace in Christ: 2018 Youth Theme Video. I have included the links if you want to try it yourself. After listening to the music each teacher shared what thoughts had entered their hearts and their minds. I shared my witnesses as I remembered times in my life when I felt broken, and not whole and how Jesus Christ had made me whole again. When I sought for peace during a difficult trail and final found it in Jesus Christ. Creating a space so that students can recognize when and how the Lord is speaking to them will help them understand that He is near to them.

Mark teaching in-service meeting

Mark went last with the task of helping students to strengthen their relationship with Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ. He shared several scriptures that will be introduced in an upcoming lesson. Numbers 11:2, Numbers 11:23, Numbers 12:7-8, Numbers 14:18-19 and Numbers 21:8-9. Then ask questions like: What did you learn about God and Jesus Christ? Did you feel Gods’ Love, if so how? What did you learn about God love for you? He walked us through this and we learned so much together. He gave all the teachers a challenge: For each lesson you prepare in the coming week, identify one place where you can ask your students a question that will help them see examples of Gods Love.

We got home and sat for 15 minutes and then left for an early dinner and a movie with our group of eight senior missionaries. We were exhausted but it felt good to have the week behind us. We then went to the only theater on the island and watched the Michael Jackson movie. I really liked it! It brought back so many memories. I thought it was well done and focused on his talents. We arrived home early enough to look over our Sunday School lesson that we would teach to the Young Singles.

Our Sunday School class with our "all girl" attendance. Yes, she's
hiding her face!!!! :-)

On Sunday we had nine girls in our Sunday School class, I am not sure where all the boys were. The lesson was similar to the one we had taught to the seminary age kids earlier in the week on the tabernacle and the temple – So with a few adjustments we taught the lesson one more time.

We hosted the senior Sunday night gathering and enjoyed talking about miracles and faith. We watched Dallas Jenkins, the producer of the chosen, share his experience of the miracle that took place after filming the first season of the Chosen. They were able to witness an absolute miracle by way of getting permission from the church to film it on the Goshen site in Utah. Then we listened to a song he shared as he prayed for that miracle, Check it out at this link. I love it and its’ one of my new favorite Christian songs -Faithful now - Vertical Worship - Faithful Now (Live).

We then watch short clips of the chosen from episodes of Jesus speaking with Nicodemus on the roof top. and also Jesus healing the Centurion’s servant (Check them out below):

The Chosen: Jesus speaks with Nicodemus
Teaching With the Chosen: Jesus Heals a Centurion’s Servant, Matthew 8, Luke 7

We had a wonderful faith filled discussion about Faith and Miracles. I love our Senior missionaries. Sister Beck mentioned it takes a lot of faith to leave our families and serve. It absolutely does, but we also know the Lord is watching over them.

So, to my family, I want you to know I love the Lord with all my heart, with all my might, mind and with all my strength and I know he is watching over you all. We love you and pray that you will see him in your lives every day. I know he is there; He is faithful! A promise keeper!

Have a super fantastic week. We love you! Sending you bigfala hugs!

Nana & Papa, Mom & Dad, Darleen & Mark, Sista Lovelace & Elda Lovelace

Paradise Cove Resort - Brit Meyer (Humanitarian Senior Missionary)
and Mark crashing from a long week. He loves
when I take pictures of him sleeping, not!!!

Additional photos for the past few weeks: