Sister Joyce Guidi

For family who many read this, I want to introduce you to a delightful young lady, Sister Joyce Guidi who we have been hosting in our home for over a week, prior to when she entered the MTC.  She is the daughter of a wonderful family we met and worked with on our mission. They live on a very small french country island in the South Pacific called New Caledonia where her mother serves as the country director of Public Affairs for the Church.   The island is about 7,000 square miles in size, (you can drive around the entire island in around 6 hours), and has a population of around 270,000.  The majority of the citizens are either Kanak, (the original indigenous people), or French people of European descent who first came to work in the nickel mines, their largest industry.

We traveled to New Caledonia several times for various Public Affairs events, and met the former president of the country, Mr. Gomez.  One of the events we helped with was when our Area President, Elder Hamula came to organize the first stake in New Caledonia.  Sister Guidi's father was called as the first stake president. Many government and civic officials including President Gomez, came to hear the announcement and socialize at a reception we held afterwards.  Here are a few photos of our mission memories, and then some recent ones taken this past week of Sister Guidi:

Prior to the big announcement, Elder Hamula honored the first two young elders who served in NC and who traveled back for this historic event.  The young man on the left is translating Elder Hamula's remarks into French.  (This was one of the very few times I was given permission to take photos inside the chapel.)

President Guidi giving his remarks after being called as the first stake president of New Caledonia.

Sister Guidi giving her remarks.

The ward choir made special dresses for this special occasion.

 Meeting, greeting and congratulating after the meeting.

Elder Hamula  and former President Gomez renewing their friendship at the reception after the meeting.  When we had a private meeting with President Gomez on a previous trip, he said he admired our church and believes we are working to improve the lives of the people in New Caledonia, and he offered his full support for our activities.

   Being interview by the media for the evening news.

More about the first two missionaries to serve in New Caledonia.  When this older couple found out they were coming back to NC for this historic event, they couldn't wait to meet them.  They said that these young missionaries stopped them on the street and talked to them about the Gospel.  At the time they were not interested, but accepted a book the missionaries gave them.  Years later they joined the Church, and had always wanted to find the missionaries to thank them for introducing them to the Church so many years ago.  This was such a sweet reunion to witness and I just 'happened' to be in the right place at the right time with my camera, when they found each other and told their conversion story to the missionaries.  They even brought their special book to show the missionaries they had kept it and remembered them these many years.   Wonderful memories for them and now for us!

There are always cultural celebrations that take place with major events.

Elder Hamula with soon to be President and Sister Guidi at the cultural event.

 This photo and the four following, are examples of 'stock' photos I took everywhere we traveled.  The  Church is always looking for new and fresh photos to use in their publications and on their websites, and they are desperate for photos of non Caucasian members.

This girl was so photogenic.  I took several pictures of her and in every one she is beautiful and acted so relaxed in front of my camera.

This was a very special photo for me.  I saw this lovely couple coming up this walkway after church.  They were arm in arm, laughing and you could tell how much they enjoyed being together.  When they got to where I was standing, I told them who I was and about my Public Affairs mission call, and asked if I could take their photo.  They laughed and were embarrassed but said I could.  I asked them to go back down the hall and then walk towards me again, and I snapped shots all the way.  This was my favorite.  I love their expressions and I thought they looked so lovely with their white clothes contrasting their beautiful skin.  I figured this image could be used in an article about marriage, or communication, or family, or church attendance or something.  About a month later, Sister Guidi called me and said that the husband had just died suddenly.  She asked me if she could enlarge and frame this photo to give to his wife as it was the last photo of them together.  

This was just one of many ways I found that my photography blessed the lives of people while we were on our mission!

The Guidi family had not had a family portrait taken in years.  I was happy to do this and give them something to remember Elder & Sister Larsen.

 It would be hard not to miss scenery like this!

Yes, we were really there and saw and experienced all of this, and I have photos to prove it!! (haha)

But now to fast forward to the present:

 We met Sister Joyce Guidi at the airport along with several families of missionaries who have served or are currently serving in New Caledonia.

We took her shopping to find the clothes, especially warm clothes that she couldn't find at home.

We fed her well.  She couldn't believe the huge portions of food served at restaurants, and was amazed when the servers kept filling up her soda glass.

We went to the Jordan River Temple which has significant and tender memories for her mother.

And yesterday we said goodbye at the MTC.  We wish her parents could have been there.  They are, and should be, so proud of their daughter!  She has worked hard and sacrificed much to be on a mission and considers it a great privilege and blessing.  Sister Guidi will be serving an English speaking mission on Temple Square.  Although French is her native language, she speaks English beautifully with a delightful accent.  She is friendly, outgoing, extremely mature for her years and has a firm testimony of the Gospel.  She will be an awesome missionary and representative for the Church!