BonAire (2-3 FEB 2019)

BONAIRE

We spent the weekend in BonAire with the Branch so that President Baird could take care of a few items of business and so we could spend time with the Branch Members.  We love being able to visit all the areas of our mission to spend time with missionaries and members alike.  The constant travel can be draining but we truly are loving the moments.  We see miracles all the time.  They happen in the lives of people.  We have really come to know how very aware our Heavenly Father is of each of His children.  This time we were sitting in the airport and a young man came and sat next to us.  He was going through some struggles and President Baird was able to have a great visit with him.  I told him that these things don't happen by coincidence.  The Lord knew he needed us there. We had met him before and I'm so glad he came over to be with us.   I could really feel the Savior's love for him.  That is another thing that has been made more clear to me.  When we are set apart for a calling in the Lord's church, we are blessed with a portion of the Savior's love for the people we have stewardship over.  This is very real!!  It is an incredible gift He has given us.  Whether it is in the nursery or as a missionary or any other calling.....so make sure you take the time to be set-apart for ANY calling.  It is an important part of Building His Kingdom!!

You'd think I'd be better at "selfies" by now....lol😜😄

Sister McGuire & Sister Woolsey

BonAire Youth Activity

Playing Volleyball.  Even President Baird and I gave it a go for a while.  We had to leave early though.  A few more people showed up just as we were leaving.  We have been so impressed with the youth of BonAire.  There are only a few of them but they are a strong group.  President & Sister Albus were telling us how a Senior Couple by the name of Elder & Sister Bawden started youth conferences while they were here.  This has been a huge help as far as keeping these youth strong and united.  It has also helped many prepare for missions.  Before the Bawdens there were very few missionaries that went out from the ABC islands.  Now we have 6 with more preparing to go and a few that have just returned.  Each of them have told us how these youth conferences have influenced their lives and strengthened their testimonies of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.  What a wonderful legacy this couple left.  Each of our Senior couples are doing similar things.  They are so valuable to us!!  I don't know how we could ever do this mission with as "spread out" as it is without our senior couples here looking out for the missionaries and strengthening the members.  We love them so much!! 

I got President Albus with his eyes closed....
but I didn't want to leave him out. 

Kevin, Sister Albus & Kaeden

President Baird having a "thumb war" with Kevin

Kaeden

This lady attends the BonAire Branch every
winter....this is a good place to be a "snowbird"
She usually doesn't see the same missionaries because
they get transferred.  It just so happened that Sister Robertson
met her when she was here last.