June 12, 2011: Final entry from Dutch Harbor

The salmon are in and all the locals are camped on the beach, casting out nets for their subsistence fishing. The harvest is bountiful. It’s an ancient, annual celebration for most native families.

Boy, have we been picking up momentum: Peder was baptized three weeks ago, followed last week by Novalee. Adriana’s baptism will be July 9. We got three new investigators within the past two weeks, one of whom has a July 23 baptismal date. We were invited to the Samoan community High Celebration to say a prayer on June 17. It’s a great honor. We’ve been praying for acceptance into that community since our arrival, believing it to be a key to unlock vast teaching opportunities, so we were elated by the invitation. Then, Friday morning our bubble burst when we read our email: THE LORD HAS CALLED YOU TO SERVE IN SITKA. We leave Tuesday, June 14, at noon. There are too many tears right now. To describe our feelings from Sacrament meeting today isn’t possible. Tommy Jones, 43, our baptism candidate for July 23, was asked to share his testimony. What a rock he will be in the gospel. He has seven sons. Kara Jones, his wife, was less active when she arrived here. Fua asked the branch president if she could give the closing prayer today. Before her prayer she bore her testimony. Another WOW for us. Fua would be baptized but will wait for Joshua. We don’t think it will be very long. When she prayed everyone felt close to heaven.

We are NOT being replaced here in Dutch. There aren’t enough missionaries.

Even though we’re tearful, we’re happy to be entrusted to help Sitka. President Dance has prayed and worried about Sitka since missionaries were pulled out of there several months ago. The reports of what we can expect are less than stellar. As we tearfully pack (relieved at some level that we won’t be enduring another winter here) we know that God has a purpose for us in Sitka. We don’t expect the same level of acceptance that we have enjoyed in Dutch Harbor, but we know it’s right for us to go there.

We love you and love this work.

Richard and Linda, Mom and Dad, Papa and Nana

Baptism in the Bering Sea

Achievement Girls goofing off.  Patient leader: Tami Davis

The view from our walk up the hill by our house

Dutch Harbor convertible

Eagles are all in their nests.  Two patrons going into the post office have been attacked. 

The beautiful Faailoga family

Tommy Jones' boat:  The Stimpson, a State Trooper vessel.  Tommy is first mate.

June 1, 2011 -- NEW BABY BOY!!



Jana and baby, about 2:30 a.m. June 1, 2011



WE’VE GOT A BABY BOY!!!!!

Stats:
Born June 1, 2011, around 2 a.m. Mountain Daylight time
Weight: 7# 12 oz
Length: 19 ½”
Hair: A thick reddish-blond mop, like Hunter
Disposition: Cries when he sneezes
Name: Jace Parker Knoll

Jana and baby healthy and strong. JJ and kids glowing happily.

Papa and Nanny doubling their work load to avoid buying plane tickets.

This was the greatest single event in our current lives, but here’s a glimpse of our activities and discoveries leading up to the debut of our baby grandson:

Last week we attended the Unalaska high school graduation. 21 graduates; About $200,000 in scholarships, some renewable. The money was basically spread over about 14 kids because the others didn’t apply. Some received huge amounts – probably enough to complete their BS or BA. We were sitting with the family whose son received the city’s $10,000 scholarship. He had already received several scholarships from local businesses and organizations, so when all is done he will likely receive around $50k. This is normal for graduates here.

MONDAY: We’ve probably attended sixty Memorial Day services between us, but Monday’s was the best. Unalaska knows how to honor fallen heroes and departed loved ones. Everything was in order – sound system, participants, props and parts. The Mayor, Shirley Marquardt, welcomed the 200 or so guests and said we were building character by attending in such freezing weather. Her words were inspiring, and afterwards she said she would bring a copy to the Senior Center on Wednesday when she helps us serve. Following her remarks the Coast Guard posted the national, state and local colors, then leaders of every denomination gave short poems, prayers or tributes about common values: God and Country. The Mayor read the names of WWII veterans from Unalaska, and then the names of those who had died in the last year or so were read slowly, each followed by a single toll on the brass bell you see at the base of the triple flags. There was an acapella solo, a 21-gun salute and taps. There were colors posted from all the services: Navy, Coast Guard, Army, Marines and a flag posted for prisoners of war. It would be impossible for a soul not to be stirred. It was so moving we forgot we were freezing. The clinic closed for the day and put on a BBQ for the community: hamburgers, hotdogs, chicken, potato salad, and lots of cookies. There was face-painting, balloons, and baseball games, which were not called off because of wind and rain. Betwixt the activities we were able to talk with Jana on Skype and get a glimpse of her cute round figure. We pretty much knew our little guy was coming any minute.

Prior to going to the Memorial service we taught a short lesson to Adriana, who has a baptism date in July. Then we picked up Novalee, who will be baptized Saturday, and took her with us. While at the clinic Richard taught another lesson to a less active brother who sat with him in the corner of the clinic’s waiting room, and then we left shortly before 1 p.m. to teach the Faailoga family. They are progressing well but we don’t have a baptism date for them yet. We ran to the store to get some provisions for our evening meeting with a less-active member who has suffered greatly. We cook for him and teach him on Monday evenings. We could visibly see a change in his countenance. Happy Day!

TUESDAY: Spent an hour and a half with Adriana to complete baptismal paperwork and teach remaining principles. Met with the Jones family, a favorite highlight. Tommy Jones, the dad, is our newest investigator. They’re moving so we took them some dinner later in the day. We’re hoping Tommy gets baptized prior to leaving, but don’t tell him. We taught Brother Topsekok several principles and helped him through some spiritual challenges. We talked with the Faailoga family—a sweet experience. Darlene Jeppesen came over with Peder and we decided to work with Peder to build a roller coaster out of lego-type-things, which wasn’t going too well. We fixed Peder Top Ramen and warmed up chicken tenders for Darlene. She’s the hardest worker on the island – takes care of everyone. Then we got a call and had to leave them and run to Fumiko’s to help her. She’s never going to be baptized but she allows us to help her, for which we are grateful. She loves to sing and would be happiest if we went to karaoke nights with her.

Tuesday night: Received a phone call after we were asleep and knew it was Jana. WE’RE GETTING A GRANDBABY!!!! JJ called less than an hour later and said he was born. WOW!

We love you.
Richard and Linda, Mom and Dad, Papa and Nana

Unalaska Memorial Day Service, 2011

Fisherman's monument, Memorial Day 2011