Spanish Step & Missionaries

We keep hearing about all of the amazing hikes on Guam, so one Saturday we ventured out to try another one. This one was called Spanish Steps. It is on the coast of the Navy Base and it is only opened once and a while.

 

It dropped down some steep terrain and we used ropes to help us get down. Then we hiked through the jungle. It was beautiful. I've never done or seen anything like it.

 

Lydia is a great hiker. She's pretty much better than I am at this too. ;)

Paij and Morgan were our tour guides. They made sure we had lots of bug spray, sunscreen and that we didn't lose our way.

 

It was a really great hike because it was in the shade and just challenging enough to feel like you accomplished something tough. 

The ending point was here!
We all got in the Collin's gear and snorkeled to our hearts content. We saw so many amazing things. I love this ocean so much. It makes me happy.

A cute hairstyle.

After our hike we hurried home and the Sister Missionaries came over for dinner and man alive did they have some stories for us. I learned so much about Guam, the island, the culture, the food, the people and the church from them. I loved visiting with them. Sister Warner is just about to go home and she's eaten it all and done so much good here. Just in the weeks I've been here she has had 3 baptisms with multiple people. She's a rock star! She's eaten raw chicken for dinner too. Ugh. I don't think I could. She's eaten a dog too. Yikes.

The other Sister is from Hawaii and she got here one week after us. She was homesick and opened up to me and I love her so much for that. I was feeling discouraged as well but my desire to take her under my wing replaced my fear and my own worries for a while.

We were all invited to a 1 year olds Birthday party after we fed the sisters. One year old parties are a big deal here, one year olds and 50 year olds. They don't do much in between.

 

Lydia and I got to know some of the children. They loved getting their picture taken. 

 

Some of them are in our ward and others are not...I'm still learning whose who around here.

It was Willie's niece turning one. Willie was one of our first friends here, he is in the Ward and he works at the Hotel where we stayed for so many weeks. He's only been off the island once and that was for his mission in California.

 

Willie's Mom and all of the women must have been cooking for days and days. I have never seen so much food in all my life. I wanted to take a picture of the table but I couldn't get myself to walk over and do it. We stuck out like sore thumbs and I had already eaten. The don't use plates or casserole dishes as platters, they each come with those huge Tupperware boxes, the ones we use for wrapping paper. It was impressive! SO much food. Lydia tried a little and the Elders pounded it. It must have been good.

 

I loved escaping the military world for a night and seeing how local people celebrate. I hope we get to do it more.