Very special visitors

Between the time Elder & Sister Vinas and President & Sister Alvarado arrived in Dominica Saturday, 4 December 2010, they had a light supper in the kitchen of the Portsmouth building. . . . . (As his wife and children have returned to the states, President Cook was happy for the fried chicken, Dominican macaroni and cheese and fresh Cole slaw supper provided by Sister Walther and Sister Cooper!) . . . . presented a fireside, conducted interviews, spoke in two Sacrament Meetings. . . . .

. . . and ate a sack lunch. Then, as quickly as they came . . . .

. . . . they boarded another plane, less than 24 hours later, to hurry back to San Juan for still another meeting and the First Presidency Christmas Devotional.

Denis and Guerlina Dessanon's Wedding

The day before the wedding, the 'tux' hangs on one of four walls that will be the only private place Denis and Guerlina will call home. Friday morning the happy groom, finally dressed and ready . . . . .

. . . . after Elder Hadlock was successful in getting him to answer the door . . .

. . . and had selected his tie and buttoned (and unbuttoned) his four-sizes too large shirt . . .

. . a frightened bride and groom sat waiting in the library for the ceremony to begin.

By the time rings were exchanged both bride and groom were smiling.

After Denis and Guerlina were pronounced "man and wife" they gathered with a small group of friends for a photo in front of the building where they were married Friday, 10 December 2010.

Then they rode happily in the backseat of the Santa Fe ' wedding limousine'
. . . to 42B Steber Street where a little party was held in their honor. Kimberly was among the happiest of the guests.

The groom has a dream to be married here some day! Before that day the bride must understand the restored gospel and become a baptized member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Calibishie

We found an oasis at Red Rock Haven in Calibishie. From the pictures that follow you can see the beauty of the trees, . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . the water,

. . . . . . . . the waves, . . . . .. . . . . . the rock coves, . . . .

. . . . . the crashing surf, . . . .

. . . . . the tranquil beach, . . .

. . . . the peaceful lunch setting, and a man with more than one woman. You can also see the Atlantic is not like the Caribbean.

Seen on or from the veranda . . . and backyard

Is he ?????? . . . . . . . . . or is he???? . . . .

. . . . or is he not????? . . . .

Whether your bag is meditating or pondering the scriptures, newly-painted graffiti, or . . . . .

. . great big old cruise ships, you can see it all from the veranda . . .. . . or the backyard.

Caribbean Area President, Elder Vinas's first-ever visit to Dominica

First order of business was a light supper which had been prepared and transported to Portsmouth by Sister Walters and Sister Cooper. Shortly thereafter it was time for the fireside to begin.

Of course there were no pictures allowed in either Sacrament Meeting, so the next order of business with the Mormons was food . . . . naturally!

While the visitors had lunch in a sack there was time for others to enjoy the beautiful poinsettias next door to the Portsmouth chapel.

Then all too quickly it was time for Elder and Sister Vinas and Sister and President Alvarado to leave Dominica to return to San Juan.

Dominican mornings . . .

. . . begin like this . . . . . . . and then gradually begin to change . . . . .

. . . and change again . . . . .

. . . and again . . . . .

. . . . . . and then . . . . .

. . . . . . the sun will come up to stay.

Just another manic Sunday

Although this isn't the entire congregation, or necessarily the best picture taken (from the outside the 'chapel') last Sunday, it is the best of Roger's "do" waiting for Sacrament Meeting to begin . . . . . . while Hermine and Reginald scrub their hands and prepare the Sacrament in the kitchen.After Sacrament Meeting was over and other members had finally gone home, . . . and lunch had been eaten, and dishes were being washed . . . there was plenty of time for serious gospel discussions, . . . .

. . . . time to enjoy satisfied stomachs. . .

. . . and time for light-hearted conversation. (NO! Joel isn't!)