Pictures from Hawaii

4-Picture of the LDS Group in front of the Laie, Hawaii Temple

5-Here's a photo from the North Shore of Oahu. There was a giant rope swing near the beach, and I caught a photo of Kayla Hamrick trying it out. (I had to use a flash since it was getting dark.)

6-Here's a photo of Ol' Blue Eyes, checking out the Arizona Memorial and the Battleship Missouri. What do you think?

7-Here's one last photo from Hawaii, taken as we left. I didn't notice, until after I looked at the photo later, that the people on the Arizona Memorial were all watching US!

8-Here's a newer photo, from our first Steel Beach; with some of the LDSC group sitting together.

From left to right, Kent (dental student), Amy Wilde (nurse, from Alberta), Georgia (ICU nurse, from SLC), Kayla (CNA, from San Diego), Lizzy (pediatric nurse, from England), and Amy Jensen (pediatric nurse, from Alberta).

(Yes, that's correct, both Amy and Amy are from Alberta.)

Anchors Away!

What in the world is Jeff Nelson doing now?? He's back on the USNS Mercy! After the first deployment in 2008, Jeff felt he had contributed to a great humanitarian mission. Now, in 2010, the Mercy is headed toward Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia and Timor Leste, and Jeff is on the way with them.

Jeff will be maintaining computer systems on board, making sure that all medical personnel have access to electronic records so they can treat each man, woman and child with the appropriate care. (Last time he was on the Mercy, Jeff met a few of the patients who had received treatments -- and that alone touched his heart enough to want to return!)

Perhaps the most exciting part of this trip is the fact that LDS Charities is coming along! By the time the ship leaves Guam, there will be 40+ members on board. That's 10 times what came with him in 2008. Jeff met Brother and Sister Hughes (from the San Diego North Stake) on Tuesday, April 27th. They are the group leaders for LDS Charities. Then on Wednesday, as Jeff was walking down the pier toward the ship, he noticed more than 50 pallets of supplies all marked "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" on each box. Apparently the church is sending medical supplies and humanitarian kits to all the locations along the Mercy's mission. (Next time your ward has a "humanitarian kit" activity, just remember that those little zip lock bags are going to places that someone you know and love --namely Jeff Nelson-- has been to and helped distribute them to those who need them!)

Okay, we'll keep you informed! In the meantime, if you want to send Jeff a little note of encouragement, email him at jeff.nelson@mercy.navy.mil

Bon Voyage!

For now, everyone at home (and in South Africa) is waiting and encouraging Jeff to have a productive experience, much like the last one.

Shipping Off

1-I attached the best photo that I took the day USNS Mercy left San Diego. I'm here at the food court of the Navy Exchange in Pearl Harbor, where they have free internet. Love you all!

2-One of two photos of sunset last night that will show how much the Mercy is rolling.

3-Here's the second photo. Set the two of them up as a slide show, and it will give you an idea of "how we roll" on the first full day out (check out the difference in the skyline!).