Time

January 1 2008 Kiritimati Island, Kiribati
It has been almost 2 months sense the last write up on Wasting time.. and Now it seems I don't have enough time, let along think about waiting it... Thanksgiving, Christmas, and even New Years Even has came and gone for us. Now we are looking at 10 weeks left here on our mission and wondering what is coming our way next.
To back up a bit, Thanksgiving was wonderful, we had a delightful meal of Turkey and mash-potatoes... Not enough mash-potatoes though. Then on the 19th of December (our 20th) our little Avery June Newby was born... coming in at a whopping 7.13 oz and all natural at that. Way to go Jessica! She is 20 inches long and she wrinkles her forehead like her daddy did when he was a baby. She is fun to look at and I can NOT WAIT to meet her. Christmas was interesting and way fun too. The Friday before Christmas, Elder Newby ran into a couple who had been shipwrecked on Fanning island after a 2.5 month drift in the open ocean. September 20th till now. They just got off the same Boat we were on the early part of December from Fanning after a 9 day voyage on that.. with a about a 9 day stay on the island before the voyage. To say the list they were a bit frazzled. We helped them get to Hawaii, where we hope they will be further aided by the good mercy of others. I know the Lord put them in our path and we had a delightful 4 days with them... including Christmas day. We also had 17 Baptisms that day... so how can one complain? We had a wonderful Ham and Mash-Potatoe dinner... this time making plenty of mash-Potatoes. The very next day our castaways, Jerry and Darla Merrow was on a flight out of Kiribati on the way to the Good ole USA. Something they said, they will never take for granted again...
New Years eve has now been completed with all the fine entertainment by one of the FHE groups in our Branch... I have a video people will NOT believe.
so now we have 10 weeks left on our island paradise and we feel a little heartbroken about it... with some real bitter-sweet emotions. like last Night I thought as I watched the performers. I will really miss these tribe like people. (A social group comprising numerous families, clans or generations together with slaves, dependents, or adopted strangers) the very best way to describe them is right there in the dictionary.
So now we look towards the uncertain future.. no home, no car, new job, and family and friends to get reacquainted and meet. We have had some good news as of late too. My Brother Bob was cleared of his cancer, my mother is strong with hers... it looks as if I will get to see her again.
That is it for now.... We are really excited for 2008 for we are going to make it GREAT! People make it what it is right... yet, Things do happen as we have learned from 2007 that are out of our control... it has been a good lesson to learn. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

waisting time

waisting time is such a sad state of affairs.... don't get me wrong... I am waisting time right now but... sometimes because I'm in a 3rd world country I have to find something to do while my computer down loads so this is what I thought of... I will write another blog... what am I down loading... well, the Adbe reader of course.. taking a whole 3 hours to do so and it is REALLY LATE at night and I'm tired! but, we have to have the reader to view the contract for our upcoming summer employment. I don't want to call it a JOB... I would rater look at it as a career opportunity... so it is important stuff that takes like... forever to down load... and why do I have to down load it in the 1st place. most computers come with that right??? well this one didn't and my computer crashed last month so now I'm borrowing one to help me run the missionary mini office that we have to send our report on.

one very exciting thing happened this week that I wanted to just take a moment to share... we started the Temple Class on Sunday the 4th of November and we have over 40 that will qualify to go. WE ARE SO EXCITED.... to end our mission seeing the fruits of our labors in being an instrument in HIS hands is so rewarding. I just can hardly believe it is real... so I will PINCH myself and sure enough... it hurts so it is real.

we got 3 hours in of study time today. I love the scriptures! I have a relief society training tomorrow night so that should be good... we feel the saints really catching on to being members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. because they are now practicing the 14th article of faith... We believe in Meetings.... sure, I bet you have heard that one before but tonight.. the Elders quorum meet, bishopric meet, the primary meet yesterday and the R.S meet Sunday so things are really hopping... now the Y.M and Y.W. need a boast yet but that will be NEXT week!.... we now at 63% for the down load.... projected remaining time.... an hour..and 8 min... soooo now what???