Priesthood Blessings and Miracles

I want to share this story before I forget it. It isn't an experience of mine, but it is one that I don't want to forget - so what better place to record it than on my blog.



This is where the part of me that's terrible with names shines through. But take a good look at this sweeet little girl that her parents are holding. Her dad is the branch president on Fanning island, and was on Christmas Island during the time we were there. He shared an experience he had with this little girl. He said that they were visiting someone, and this little girl stopped breathing. I think she had gotten sick. Anyways, he went to pick her up, and she was still. He tried everything. They dunked her under the water to try to waken her, with no response. They tried it again, and still no response. They rode a little motorcycle/moped across a really bumpy road to a nurse (about 20 minutes away). She tried everything, still with no response. She was pronounced dead. Her dad and the friend who was with him, knew they needed to give her a priesthood blessing. They didn't have white shirts or ties on (most of us wouldn't really think about that - but he did. He felt he wasn't being respectful of the priesthood power which he holds without his white shirt). So they went back to get his white shirt on, and came back to his daughter and they gave her a blessing. As they were leaving, the little girl started twitching. The nurse said that was a normal part of someone who has died. That father wouldn't take that for his answer. Before too long, his little daughter started breathing again. And a spunky little girl she is too!!! Her personality reminds me of a certain little 10 year old that lives in my house ;).



The nurses father is a pastor to another church on the island, and her brother was present to witness all of this. When he saw what happened through the power of the priesthood, he was baptised a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.



Anyways, a couple things really stood out to me about his experience. First of course, was the miracle that took place with her life being preserved. Second was the faith it took for that father to show so much respect for the priesthood power, that he left his dead daughter to make himself presentable of such a calling. I hope to aspire to such faith as this father showed.

I have had many times where priesthood blessings have had such power in my life. Maybe not to the extent where my life was preserved - but miracles all the same. One occurred while on this trip to see mom and dad. I get these pains in my stomach from time to time, (gallbladder problems from when I had it out, or ulcers - I don't know. But VERY painful). Anyways, the night before we left to come back home, I had one of those moments. My other 4 episodes I've had of this pain have been so intense, and the only relief I have found from it was to receive a priesthood blessing. This time was no exception. When dad and Ira gave me a blessing, the pain finally started to subside. By the time I had to go to the airport, the pain was gone. I knew the hospital there wasn't an option, so I was so grateful to know that the best care possible was right beside me. Maybe my story isn't as climatic as the one of the little girl coming back to life - but the priesthood power was given to us to help us through many of lifes trials. And I for one, have no doubt in it's power.

Humanitarian picture update

Following are a few pictures of where some of the humanitarian supplies Brayden and Nathan collected went to. This closet was empty before the shipment arrived. When investigators or members need a white shirt, they are able to come here to pick a shirt to keep. This only pictures about half of the supply. The other half went to Fanning Island, and some to the Poland branch. Two young men with new shirts, ties, and pants - and I might add...big, bright smiles!

Some of the ladies who received fabric to make clothing.

The outfits the two girls are wearing were made from fabric sent.

This is the little sleeping angel who was pictured in an earlier post, as we were trying to see if this dress would fit her. Now she's wide awake and looking like quite the princess in her new dress.

I can't tell you enough how much these donations of money and supplies is appreciated by us, our boys, our parents, and especially the Kiribati people. THANK YOU!

The Final Chapter (Part 9 million!)

For all of you...you will be glad to know that this is the end of me writing about our week on Christmas Island. Believe it or not...I have lots more pictures too! :)

This post is really just a bunch of random pictures that didn't really fit into any catagory.


Mom and dad took us on a drive to the bush. It's just out in the middle of nowhere. We went to this beach that was so beautiful with the coral . (I keep messing up and spelling Coral like corral. I guess once a farmers daughter, always a farmers daughter!)

Elder and Sister Moser

Ira

Nicky

Grandpa/Elder Moser
Another stop on the beach. They showed us some of their favorite spots along the beach.

Ira and I really wanted to be like the natives, and climb the coconut trees...barefooted!

So that earlier picture of me was a bit deceiving. I really only got about 5 feet up the tree, with 15 feet to go. My feet are just too "soft".

Following are a lot of pictures of some of the people. I wish I could remember their names - but I couldn't even remember them 2 seconds after I had been told their names. They are just hard to pronounce and even harder to remember. BUT, I will have their faces etched in my mind forever. They were so kind to us, and they love my parents - and my parents love them.

I do remember this girls name - because I have a sister with the same name! I'm sure hers is spelled completely different, but it's pronounced Robin. She and her brother live behind where my parents live, and they love to come visit.

Robin can play music with this leaf and her fast-moving fingers. It was remarkable. I tried, but only ended up spitting!

We went to this families home for Family Home Evening. Ira got to give the thought, and then we each went around the room and shared our feelings or thoughts. Then they had dinner for us. They are such a neat and kind family. Their home was probably one of the most developed homes on the island, with walls and a floor.

This is the son and grandson of the above family.

This is the father of the above family.

Elder and Sister Moser helped this girl (Lavinta) get her missionary paperwork complete. So now it will get submitted, and she will get to go on a mission, sooner or later (remember...EVERYTHING work on Kiribati time - even mission calls).

Mom and dad with President Ninsenewa and Sesenga - I know I have Sesenga right with names, but I'm not sure I have his name right. And I'm sure neither are spelled right! This is the only home that has furniture, and painted walls.

This man has changed my outlook on several things.

I asked him how many children he has, and he laughed and said, "well, that depends." Some days he has more than other days. Biologically he has 4, but there are always, always more at his home. He cares for people, and gives them food and a place to stay. He says, "God has provided for me. Every time I give a little, He gives back a lot."

Pres. Ninsenewa and Sesenga's family at dinner

This lady made these gifts for us. She made a shirt for Emilie, and some candy. The crowns on our heads are candy taffee crowns. She said, "I'm glad my candy gets to go to America."

This man and his wife also brought gifts to us. The stick that Ira is holding is black coral. He cut it from the bottom of the ocean, 20 years ago - and gave it to Ira. That coral is worth a lot to them financially, and worth even more to us, because it was given to us by such kind people. His wife made the shell necklaces and bracelets we are wearing.

As we were driving down the road, a guy was standing at the side of the road with this bucket of crabs. He was going to get a transport or walk it to us. He had caught and cooked all these crabs for us to enjoy.

And enjoy we did!

This guy brought us 4 lobsters.

Since we farm people, have no idea how to cook lobster, the sisters cooked it for us and showed us how to get the meat out.

And we enjoyed that too!

Elder and Sister Mosers house only has one place to rest during down time. So we all got nice and cozy for a little snooze. (actually, this coziness only lasted long enough to get the picture - then two got the snooze while the other two found something else to do).

The day I dreaded since the moment we bought the tickets to go on this vacation. It was time to say goodbye. The night before we left, we got 3 phone calls asking us to stop at their homes on our way to the airport. We were leaving at 4:30 AM, and these 3 families were standing outside their homes with gifts of jewelry, clothing, flowers and more. My heart was truly touched. These people do not have much, yet they gave so much.

This lady (I only know her as the post mistress), met us at the airport with more gifts. We later found out that Kassis (the lady I wrote about earlier whose been working picking up Kopra), was at the side of the road when mom and dad were driving back home, waiting for a bus that never came, to bring her to the airport to give us more gifts.

I hadn't been feeling very good the last couple of days, and it all came to a peak during the night before we had to go to the airport. I was pretty sick, and in a lot of pain. I had been to visit the hospital on this trip, and was not about to visit there as a patient! Thank heavens for the power of the priesthood. After a blessing, the pain began to subside, and I was able to make it home without any major problems.

There is the metal detector which separates my parents and us. My dad and I were holding hands on that little desk to the left, he was on one side of the detector and I was on the other. We kept setting off the alarm, to where they finally turned it off, and let us hug one last time before we boarded the plane.

I took this picture out the airplane window. Notice how mom's hand is in the "I Love You sign" as they wave goodbye. I was glad that my last view of mom and dad wasn't them standing alone. They have loved ones who surround them every single day - and for that, I am so grateful. All of us back home are so grateful to know how much they are loved by the Kiribati people.

This trip was one of the best experiences I have ever had. It was more than an experience...it was a feeling. A feeling of love and charity - a feeling I hope to never forget.

I miss my parents more than words can say - but I now have a complete testimony that they are where the Lord needs them to be. I tried to convince myself of that before, but now I know it's true. They are being blessed during their service, and so are their loved ones at home. And I believe the Kiribati people are blessed to have them.

As the people we said goodbye to would say..."Till we meet again...". I'm pretty sure that won't be in this lifetime - but I'm grateful to know that we will meet again on the other side.

So for one last time in Kiribati style...

this is Nicky, signing out!...Tiabo!

Snorkeling (Part 8)

We took a day and splurged, and did one of the few things there are for tourists to do on Christmas Island. We went snorkeling. As is typical of Kiribati, we were on Kiribati time, and got to go 3 days later than our scheduled day! It was absolutely worth the wait. The water was beautiful, the snorkeling was incredible, and company was the best!

I have this coolest-ever camera case that waterproofs my camera, so I can take it underwater and get some extra fun pictures.

Nicky

Elder Moser

Ira

Elder Moser





Me and my dad

A bit of what we were looking at when we were under the water. There were lots of fish too, but I didn't get a good photo of any.

This is where we had lunch. It was on Paris, which is the very point of the island, opposite of where my parents live. Paris is not far from the Poland branch. We had this little beach all to ourselves.

This is the view from our picnic hut. Yes...it was a bit of paradise!



On the boat.

Aren't they cute? The color of the water in this Lagoon was amazing. I have never seen water quite like it.

Sister- Mom- Moser

Elder - Dad - Moser