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 Week 46

Baptism and Sea Monsters!

29 June 2026



I don't think we showed you our new office. We moved from the 3rd floor offices to the building right next door.  The Area is expanding with many new employees. They now lease an additional floor in the building next door.  If is very nice and we have more room, but I miss working by the missionaries.


Typical lunch break. Generally the senior missionaries find each other to chat and enjoy a lunch together.   


No one told us how hard it would be to say goodbye to fellow missionary friends. They come and then they go. Goodbye Elder and Sister Hillier!  They are good people and did a fantastic job as the executive secretary and with the temple patron fund.  We hope to track them down when we are done and attend a BYU game together.  We share the same passion for BYU.




This view caught me off guard on our evening beach walk. Sea Monster with a sweet tooth.:)


Ministering comes in all shapes and sizes. We thought it would be fun to go watch our desk buddy Duschon Nonoa play rugby with his city league team. He loved having us there so we could meet his wife, daughter and father. He is really a soft, sweet teddy bear. But don't be confused. This teddy bear plowed through lines and creamed all in his way. We love Duschon!!! (the running player)


Duschon after a successful "try".


After the game, they present themselves. It's a respectful tradition. Actually I was hopping for the Haka but we will have to wait for that at the All Blacks game in September.


By the way, I am repp'in a BYU Women Soccer hat.   Proud to rep them anywhere I can.

We have to mention the closing prayer that was offered in our ward today.  It is the 5th Sunday, so the ward always has a linger longer on 5th Sunday. A relatively new member gave the closing prayer.  He is great, and has a fun sense of humor.  So much so that during the prayer he said, "bless those that have prepared food for the linger longer, and please forgive those that need to go to the store and market after church to get something for the linger longer."  It had everyone laughing out loud after he closed the prayer.   





We attended a baptism this week of a couple from Nepal that joined the church. Sweet couple with such humble and meek hearts. They will make great members and have already found so much joy in the gospel.  Always such a great event to watch the gospel in action as it changes lives. Usually the junior missionaries have these experiences but every once in awhile the senior missionaries are blessed to be in the right place at the right time like Elder and Sister Leach here.

We love our mission. We love being in the service of the Lord. We feel like we are contributing and needed. We feel blessed and see tender mercies often. We enjoy working together. It has been good for us to share this experience together. We communicate on a common level about daily activities and projects. Our conversations aren't about what we did that day as much as solving problems and feelings. I can better see where Kelly's gifts and talents are being used here. I think we see each other differently. Just some thoughts.

We love you and miss you!

Elder and Sister Shaw



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