Fiji!!? Yep, Fiji.

Our close friends, Deborah and Nathan, asked us if we would be game for a five day trip to Fiji. Hmmm...let me think about that...of course we went. It was a much needed trip away and we had a fabulous time. We love traveling with them.

One of our favorite days in Fiji was spent traveling four hours, one way, on a bus ride to the branch office of Jehovah's Witnesses. It was a long ride, but when we arrived, it made it all worth it. The family there is about 40 people, just a little bit bigger than our family in Guam. They have a beautiful branch full of beautiful, friendly people from all over the world. As you might have noticed, this brother is wearing a what is called a sulu. It is not a skirt...although it might look like one. They say it is very comfortable. Wearing one is optional, but it is completely acceptable business and service attire.




This is the view from the branch. Fiji is a huge island. Like we said, it took us four hours, one way, to get to the branch. And we only went half way around the island to get there. Comparably, you can drive around the whole island of Guam in a little over an hour. Fiji is mountainous and lush. Every turn looks like you are in a picture in National Geographic. The branch is in a large city, but when you get out in rural areas, it is just breathtaking.

One of our last days in Fiji, we spent all day on this sailboat. It was so relaxing. One of our stops was 'Castaway' island, where the movie Castaway was filmed.

Welcome Baby Caden!

This is our new nephew! Or at least we feel related. :) Precious little Caden Douglas Messier was born, weighing in at only 2 pounds, 3 ounces. He was 10 weeks early. Isn't he adorable? We love you Mark and Jess! Congrats on a healthy baby boy. He is beautiful. Wish we could be there to share in the excitement.

Some of the cool vegetation we see in service.

You probably guessed the first one, a banana tree. Local bananas here are littler than the kind we were used to back in the states. They are super yummy. Perfectly sweet, and just the right size. And I never knew they had a huge flower at the end of the bunch. The locals eat that too.

The second photo is of a betel nut tree. That is a nut that the locals chew. It is much like tobacco. It is addictive. And it makes people passive like when someone uses marijuana.

The third photo is of taro leaves. Aren't they huge? Taro is a root like a potato. They use it a bunch of different ways. They use it as a starch or as a desert.

The last picture is of a papaya tree. Delicious!

Pig for dinner anyone?

This is what we see every time we go out in service on Saturday. This man sells his pigs outside of McDonald's...and people buy them. It is super typical for people to roast a whole pig for a barbecue or gathering. And McDonald's is the only place in our territory to stop for a drink or the restroom. Starbuck's...I miss you.

Sorry there have been no recent posts...

Sorry we have not posted any updates lately. It has been a crazy few months. We have had some major health issues going on with both of our Moms and have been really busy making sure they are both well. Plus, I(Miki)was diagnosed with malignant melanoma. Don't worry, it has all been taken care of. But, needless to say, we have had a lot on our plate. We will be posting new stuff soon. Much love to all our family and friends.

Exciting News!

Maybe you know that my (Miki's)Dad got married. He and his wife, Betty, just celebrated a new grandson being born, Chase Stamps. He is so cute. Congratulations Justin and Meghan, Betty and Dad! A new little one to spoil with love.

Special Assembly Day

We just had our Special Assembly Day. Man, did we need that. It was super encouraging. Here on Guam, there are around 800+ publishers. So, for assemblies, we are all together. It is a lot of fun. Here are a few pics of friends from our congregation.

Every so often, Jason finds a friend in the kitchen.

Don't worry, it is not poisonous, just big.

Our favorite stop in Palau is Jellyfish Lake.

We wish you could all see this for yourself, because there are no pictures or descriptions that are going to do it any true justice. It is absolutely amazing.

Jellyfish Lake

Palaun laundromat, Palaun spelling and a Palaun beach.

Bible Study, Palau style

During lunch at the District Convention, they had a study under the shade of a tree.

Nathan and company

Here is Nathan, a young brother who we went to Palau with and the group that went to Jellyfish lake together. Next to Miki is Nathan's Mom, Deborah, who made the whole trip possible. Thanks Deborah, you rock!

Not sure what really is going on here.

Well it sounded like a cool idea!

Palau! Palau! Palau!

These next few pictures pretty much speak for them-
selves

Not for the faint of heart.

We took Tom and Sue on a hike that went from the mountains to rivers to waterfalls to ocean to rainbows to torrential downpours. They passed with flying colors. Wow.

Welcome Tom and Sue!

Tom and Sue Herrschaft came for a visit. We greeted them with leis that Miki and a local sister from the outer islands of Yap had hand made the night before.

Yes please!

Not bad after a long day at the office!

Nothing like good friends...

This is Deborah and Nathan Crisostomo. They are very good friends of ours. When we were here the first time, we were in the same congregation, and got along right away. Deborah is a single mom who makes us so proud. She works so hard to put Jehovah first and stay close to her son. And Nathan is really growing up. It is fun to be a part of. She is doing such a fantastic job. We will be heading to Palau with them next month, so you will probably see many more pictures with them. We love them so much.

District Convention

We had such a good time at the district convention this past weekend. All of our studies came as well. They loved the program. We took the family shopping and bought them their first ties. As you can see, the boys had taken theirs off by the end of the day. But they were so proud to dress up. Jason got to teach them how to tie their first ties. It was so much fun watching them meet all sorts of new people. And 20 were baptized.

In the lower picture, you see Jason, John (the Dad in the upper picture) and Ryan. Ryan showed up at the branch one day asking for a study. He is from American Somoa originally, but now lives in Washington and was here for work for a few months. He was studying for some months now and did not want to miss his studies while he was here. It has been such an awesome privilege to be part of his time here. He is gentle and kind. And you could tell he really enjoyed convention. It was fun too, because a lot of people that have moved here to help, moved from Washington, so he got to meet them too. What a small world.

Wedding Time

The whole Bethel family was invited to a wedding this past week. Here are a few photos of our friends that we get to work and play with every week. The top shot is of Phil and Susie Nutter. They were missionaries before being brought into the branch. You can be sure if you hear laughter, you will find them.

In the bottom picture is Jared and Marisa Fruciano from Boston. They are here as international servants. And to our right are Lacey and Travis Brooks. They are also bethelites. We have had so much fun with all these guys. From laughing at everyday crazy things to camping out on the beach.

Friends make the place.

I found Nemo!!!

Deep Blue

This is what was going on under the water the same day as the previous photo.

Can words really describe?

I took this photo after work the other day. When you're in the water, you are so consumed with what's going on under the water that, at times, we forget to look at the beauty above or at least where the two come together.

Hiking on Guam

Here you can be down in a cave swimming in crystal clear water and in just a few minutes hike up over a hill and be standing on the cliff side overlooking the ocean. Really relaxing and really refreshing. The perfect end to a service day. It was crazy too, after we had swam all over the cave, we were out having lunch and we looked down to see the biggest eel we have ever seen. It was right where we were just swimming. And it had babies with it too! Freaky!