New mission president

Last Friday was the last office meeting with the Grangers.  They did an amazing job in the mission, because there are alot of different issues and challenges here.  They had mixed emotions about leaving, but they were anxious to see their family too.   I made heart shaped sugar cookies for a special treat as a little token of our love for them.  Of course the office elders love sweets, so its fun to bring them in.   We told the Grangers good bye that day.  They weren't leaving untiil Monday, but we knew they would be busy with their replacement coming in.  

Elton Beach

Eton Beach

Relief Society Presidency

The new mission president and his wife, President and sister Duquette, arrived Saturday afternoon.  The Grangers met them at the airport and took them around to get acquainted with the area. Sister Granger called me Thursday and asked if I would be willing to make two small meals for the Duquettes.  I enjoy doing things like that so I was happy to do it.  For their arrival on Saturday evening, I made a grilled chicken salad with pear,walnuts and blue cheese, along with fresh pineapple and papaya, and a baguette.  For Sunday, I made grilled chicken with penne pasta and roasted tomatos in alfredo sauce, and a green salad.  I saved a half dozen sugar cookies for them also.  Greg and I brought the food to the mission home and had it in their fridge before they got there. 

That same Saturday morning we all went to Eton beach for a weiner roast.  We all pitched in an brought different things to go with the lunch.  When we got there, the wind was just howling.  Luckily they had these little areas that had a barrier around the fire pits so that we could still roast hot dogs.  So, though the wind was on the verge of blowing us all over, we made the best of it.  Sister Davidson sent a package in the mail to us that had all the fixings for S'mores!  They were sooooo good! We all had a good time.

On Sunday, I took a break from primary and went to Relief Society.  Even though I could bearly understand what they were saying, I could still feel the spirit that was there.  The teacher likes to break into small groups to discuss a certain part of the lesson, then after what seems like an hour, bring everyone back together to discuss.  Most of the sisters don't understand very little English, but they like to know what I have to say about it.  Maybe they just like to hear me speak English, just like I like to hear them speak Bislama.  All I know is that I love them to pieces!  

Monday morning as we played pickleball in the church parking lot, a plane flew overhead, it was the Grangers headed home to Adelaide, Australia. I don't know that we will ever see them again, but we will always remember what good people they are.  We will miss them.  That afternoon we went into the mission office to make a phone call, and had a chance to meet  the Duquette's.  They were both originally from Quebec, Canada.   He worked for Michelin in Canada, them moved to work for them in No. Carolina because they have family in the states.  They eventually moved to Orem, Utah, and built an apartment in the basement of their daughters home.  They plan to serve multiple missions and didn't want to worry about a house.  We invited them to family home evening that night.  If they can, I think they will be joining us in our activities.  They are awesome!  This coming Sunday, we will all be meeting the new office couple, the Gibbs.  They are from Somoa.  Once we get them settled in their apartment, we'll all have dinner at our apartment.  We're having a potato bar with all the fixings!  

Next Friday, we will be going to Guadal Canal in the Solomon Islands for our last audit there.  The Fuimaono's will be leaving the mission in August, so we're glad we will be able to say good bye to them.   Elder "F" is having a training session with the branch presidents and clerks, just as he did six months ago, so we'll go to perform the audits while they're in from the other island.  We have been blessed to met so many wonderful people who have enriched our lives.  Serving a mission does that!   Happy Fourth of July every one!   Love, Greg and Ann