Happenings in February

2012 is the 100th year anniversary of the Seminary program in the Church.  I wish that all the youth who were at the commemoration program this evening were in these pictures.  There are about 30 faithful kids who come every school morning.  But I had to hurry and take the photos with whoever ran to the refreshment table after the broadcast because they were anxious to have cake and ice cream!  Serving refreshments with me is Sister Conner and Sister Robinson, Seminary teachers.  The broadcast we saw was of the meeting held at the Conference Center in January with Boyd K. Packer as the main speaker.  We received a CD of it a few weeks later. 
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February 29th was missionary transfers. No missionary in Saipan was transferred to another island with this transfer.  The 6 young missionaries in Saipan have been exceeding the goals for lessons taught and member-present at lessons. Baptisms are coming along almost every week. We were all glad that such great work was not interrupted with transfers We are glad we can help in baptism lessons and in doing what we can to help at the baptisms themselves. Here are pictures of baptisms in February and there more are scheduled for March.
The first picture is of Ragee Paulis. He is the young man in the center of the photo in black - of course he wore white to be baptized in and the missionaries are going to start teaching the value of wearing church clothes to church starting with their baptisms.

The second picture was a baptism on February 26th with three young people.  They are Jerilynn Paulis - next to Sister Jones, then Jerika Sekool and her brother (or cousin, it's hard to keep cousins and siblings straight) Jersey Sekool.  We got to know Jerika and Jersey better at a fabulous Family Home Evening last month presented by Sisters Ika and Tuileto'a.  It was outside someone's house in the area of Saipan called Kagman.  I felt like I was at mutual camp under the stars doing role plays and games and feeling the Spirit of the Gospel.  I was in a "family" with Jersey and Jerika putting on a skit of the "sower" found in Matthew 13:3-9 and the seed being planted in good ground.  Elder Jones (Dad) was in a "family" with Jonathan (Ilene's son), Elias Ferejan and others. Their seeds fell by the way-side.   I will try to get pictures of this FHE from the sisters.