Sunday 3 June - Fast Sunday

Today is fast Sunday. Some of us thought we would just keep hydrated by drinking water. Thought it was a good idea until sitting in the mess I remembered I need to have food in my stomach to take the malaria pill. Just had a bowl of oatmeal to keep it down. Not too much today as we are at the island Sangihe. There was supposed to be a ceremony on the island and recreation activities. It was cancelled last night as they decided no to do the ceremony. 

HM2 Courtney Loveless is going on shore to play sports with the kids. He was supposed to leave by 9 and at 10:30 they were waiting for the shore crew to get the shade canopies set up at the town for when they pick them up. By the time they it going it will be time to come back. We had to go and do a portable femur / hip on the man before they put in a medullary pin. It was pretty interesting and the project hope guy took pictures and I copied them. The funny thing is there was nothing going on in the department so 4 of the department guys came up too so we had 6 of us doing the films and we were almost tripping over each other.   

They told us last night that we (LDS) can not take pictures of any of the patients or military people. Which is funny because they all want to take pictures of us. I  just take them when I can. It was great to see how to do a portable. Jen wrote the basic techniques for me. Will not be doing too many patients as none are coming on board today at this place. I did have to talk to the guy on the island and we were problem solving what is needed for a very basic dark room. They are now telling us they have film holders but not film. He gets picked up tomorrow so we will be looking at his pictures and problem solve. 

We had fast and testimony meeting. It was wonderful. I even bore my testimony.

Spent the afternoon sending pictures form my iPad to you and Jen's family and just talking. She is 25 and her mom is from Canada so she has the duel citizenship. Said she just applied and paid the $75.

HM2 C. Loveless said he had a great time on shore. He played soccer and volleyball. He took a big bag of candy on shore and the kids would not leave him alone even if after it was all gone. He said it was so fun and would do it again. Sounds like it would be a great time. 

Did get an email form Marianne Lampson so if anyone else has questions tell them they can write direct. Just had dinner and watched "Despicable Me".(Need to get this show.) it was a great Sunday with people I have come to love and appreciate. As much as I thought I could not be of worth, I was able to contribute and help solve the island issue. It seems every time I am to go off ship it gets changed, then they needed me to talk and brainstorm about the island problem. I am sure sometime I will get off and hope it is not to stand in line outside but the play with the kids.

We are also hanging onto the hygiene kits as the navy will not let us give them to and patients or family on the ship so we will see if one time the navy will let us take them on shore. I have signed on to do the one day trip in Manila to the volcano and temple so I will let you know more on that. Thank you your emails and love and support.