Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Jenn's Amazing Trip to Micronesia

We've heard some requests to post some more photos of Jenn and Mom and Dad (Gordon's parents) in Micronesia on the island of Kosrae.  Jenn took Grandma Evans to visit the new Foote missionaries.  Here are a bunch of pics.  Enjoy!

Jenn and Elder Foote went and looked at some ancient ruins.
Here is Jenn and Dad (Elder Foote) at the bottom of the stairs that lead to the ruins 
Jenn and Mom (Sister Foote) are standing infront of the Island of the Sleeping Lady. You cannot see it very well in this picture, but the island resembles a lady on her back.
Dad is holding a coconut tree growing out of another coconut husk, he found that  sitting on the ground!
This is a member family on Pohnpei (pronounced: pon a pay)
Mom and Dad seem to be doing great.  While we were on Pohnpei, the Facilities Manager told me how great they were doing and that Dad had already remembered everyone's names and that mom was trying to learn the language.  None of the other senior couples have tried to learn the language.  But what really struck me was Dad learning every one's names.  Remember when Dad used to call everyone "Sunshine" because he couldn't remember their names?  While I was in the zone conference on Kosrae Mom loaned me her notebook.  It happened to be the notebook that LeeAnn had written the notes from their setting apart blessings.  While reading that, I had forgotten that Dad had been blessed to remember names and love the people.  Loving the people was easy, but the remembering of names was a blessing to be sure.  The people there love Mom and Dad and Mom and Dad love the people.  Mom learned to introduce Grandma and I in Kosrian.  She would say, "This is my mother" and "This is my daughter".  Everyone would look at me, then look at her.  Then the conversation of she's really my daughter-in-law would commence.  I'm a little too tall!  Everyone would always say, "She's so smart!" talking about Mom, because none of the other senior missionaries had tried to learn the language.  

Their home is really nice and roomy for Kosrian standards.  They have two bedrooms, one used as an office, a large living room and a good sized kitchen.  Compared to here it's not spacious but on an island where an entire family lives in one or two rooms and cooks outside it's pretty nice.  

Mom is teaching anyone who wants to learn how to play the piano and they've taught the young women how to lead so they can do it instead of the missionaries.  Mom helped the youth put together some hymns which they sang at District Conference as well as in the youth fireside.  The islanders sing beautifully and as loud as they can.  When I was at church on Sunday here the difference was sad.  60 people from Kosrae could put our entire congregation to shame without even trying.  I really loved singing with the Kosrians.  

I could go on and on, but I'll end here.  Mom and Dad look and are doing great.  I didn't get to spend tons of time with them, but what time I did get was so wonderful!

Miss you all!

Love, Jenn


3 comments:

LeeAnn said...

Jenn, I am sooo jealous that you got to go and visit Mom and Dad. It looks like you had a great time. I cant believe how gray Dad's hair looks...

Sarah said...

Thanks for posting!! Wowo look at that vegatation! It sounds like you had a great trip. I am so glad you got to go. It is good to hear that they are loving the people and that they are loved as well. I remember hearing about Dad's blessing - I'm so glad that he has been able to remember everyone's name. I would love to hear even more.
xoxo, Sarah

Gord and Jenn Foote Family said...

I love Dad's haircut. Tanner and I want the same kind.