Welcome to Guam!!

Last week, I took the opportunity to take an orientation class about our new home. The first day was a classroom setting. We learned various things about Guam, military life on Guam, some history & the culture of the Chamorros. I'm very happy I took the time to do this. I learned alot & became more comfortable with our new life here. The second day was an island tour. We drove around most of the island (and yes it did take all day, even though it's only 30 miles long). The bus made several stops along the way so we could take pictures and visit sites. It was incredibly breathtaking & I couldn't believe that I actually live here, not just vacationing. I hope you enjoy the pictures as much as I enjoyed taking them

Make a Smilebox photobook

Chamorro Village

Every Wednesday night at Chamorro Village there are fiestas (i think that's what they call them).  It's set up like a marketplace with different shops full of clothing, home decor, jewelry, and other island stuff.  Food vendors are out selling some delicious bbq, desserts, & other foods. This is where we got our meat sticks...

Our Meat Stick...Sticky & Sweet!!

Aaron enjoying his coconut milk straight from the coconut

Mary & some of the kids (it's great having family here)

Aaron & his cousin Than chillin' at Chamorro Village.

Farrah tasting the meat from the coconut. Her face explains it all! (It cracked me up)

Ahhhhh...Enjoying a refreshing frozen pineapple & strawberry drink. (very hot & sweaty that night)

Also, we recently celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary on November 4th. It's hard to believe 3 years already flew by.  Actually, the night we went to Chamarro Village was our Anniversary. We loved being able to do something different we haven't before, tasting the local food, seeing the local entertainment, visiting local shops.  I knew marrying Aaron would lead me to new adventures I would have otherwise never done. I never imagined moving out of the country, but I am so grateful to be on this ride with him. I feel pretty dang lucky! (and of course a million times blessed!).

Talisay Branch

I have never seen a church building like ours before. So I wanted to post pictures because I love how unique it is. We have 3 branches on the island and our building is the only one built this way.  The picture below is our chapel (attached directly behind is the gymnasium). I love hearing the rain on the tin roof during sacrament. (It rains often on Guam)

The next two  pictures are of the baptismal font.

Yup, it is outside. I think it's pretty cool.

I know this isn't a very good picture, but it's of the classrooms. Everything is outside connect by breezeways.

Here is another picture of the front of the building.  If you can't tell this is directly off the side of the chapel, more classrooms & offices.

Notice the beautiful sunset sky in the background?  There is always a breathtaking sunset on Guam. It is my favorite part of the day. Usually, great big fluffy clouds are in the sky, shades of pinks, blues, oranges & yellows dazzle around. I will try to capture a picture of what I'm trying to describe, but it's obvious I'm no professional photographer. It's absolutely amazing though, take my word for it.

Halloween Festivities

The spooky dessert I made when we carved our pumpkins. Ghosts in the Graveyard.

Ooh, scary I know.

At our branch's Trunk or Treat, the youth put a little game of Fear Factor on for adults & kids.

We had to suck baby food out of these cups...

 

With a tiny straw, which made it hard to get everything in one shot...

I believe I heard the flavor was Roast Beef & Vegetables

It was NOT good, but at least my team WON!!

Then we had to fill a bowl up with dog food that had gross earthworms crawling around in it, using a spoon! (kidding, no earthworms were in there)

To end the activities, we finally had the Trunk-or-Treat.  It was a really fun night. We started off by having a chili dinner with the Branch, a costume contest, a cake walk, and so on.  I have never been in a branch before, but I am excited about this new experience.  There are alot of military families (which of course means constant transition) and several local families too. The Talisay Branch has a wonderful family spirit that is comforting to be around. We are happy to be apart of them & grateful we are able to have family in the branch as well.  I hope everyone else had a great Halloween night!!