Lions International District 204 kicked off the New Year 2026 with an unforgettable Saturday Story Time celebration!

Families join in the D204 Lions International New Year’s Saturday Story Time on January 3, 2026 🎉 

Biba Anu Nuebu! 🎉 Si Yu’os Ma’ase’ to our outstanding featured readers—Angela Anderson, Jessica Flores, and Lion Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera—for bringing stories to life and inspiring young minds. A heartfelt thank you as well to everyone who joined us for the D204 Lions Clubs New Year’s Saturday Story Time and helped make the event such a joyful success.

As we begin 2026, let’s continue to nurture a love for reading, practice safe boating, and share kindness in our communities. Wishing everyone a New Year filled with love, joy, good health, peace, and happiness! 🦁📚🎉🌠 

Biba Åñu Nuebu!

Biba Åñu Nuebu!  As 2026 begins where the sun first rises over the Pacific, this message is offered from Guåhan with warmth, gratitude, and hope. It honors the island’s ancient roots, living culture, and enduring spirit while welcoming a new year filled with promise. Please enjoy the poem below as these words carry the light of the New Year’s dawn—celebrating health, love, generosity, and joy—shared from Guåhan to wherever you are. 🎉🙏🇬🇺❤️🌴🤗

New Year's Dawn on Guåhan: Blessings of the Pacific

As midnight fireworks bloom over Tumon's azure bay,  

Guåhan awakens first to the New Year, lighting hope's bright way.  

From Latte Stone whispers of ancient times,

To the ocean’s endless song where trade winds softly chimes—  

Here, in this island heart of CHamoru grace and fire,  

We weave our wishes bold, for a year to inspire.  

I wish you good health, like Guåhan’s pure waves that heal and cleanse,  

So every dawn you rise in comfort, strong and sense.  

Breathe deep the fresh crisp air,  

And savor days of vigor.

I wish you love of family and friends, fierce and true,  

Like nobena gatherings where kin forever renew.  

In village fiestas shared, with laughter warm and near,  

Peace blooms within your heart, dissolving every fear.  

I wish you beauty of nature, Guåhan’s divine display—  

Coconut palms swaying, reefs in turquoise play,  

Serene nature surroundings, the work of God's own hand,  

That fills your soul with wonder across this sacred land.  

I wish you wisdom to choose what truly matters most,  

Like families gazing back from the coast.  

Priorities like family promesa, etched in stone and sea,  

Guiding steps through life's vast, unfolding mystery.  

I wish you generosity, to share as villages do—  

Feasts of roasts, kelaguen, finadene, buñelos fresh and new.  

Let goodness freely flow,  

Enriching every shore where kindness helps it grow.  

I wish you happiness and joy, exploding like the lights,  

That crown the New Year first in America's delight.  

With aloha in the breeze and stars above the tide,  

Blessings cascade like waves on Guåhan’s eternal side.  

I wish you the best of everything, prosperity's warm sun,  

In this Pacific jewel where new beginnings run.  

From the Malesso’ Pier to Humåtak’s historic shore,  

May Guåhan’s resilient spirit lift your year and more.  

Wishing You a Prosperous and Happy New Year!

On Guåhan’s embracing shores, let love and light appear—  

Health, joy, and wisdom flow, as resolutions rise,  

A sea of endless promise under New Year's skies.

Biba Åñu Nuebu!  

©️Matilda Naputi Rivera

Christmas Across the Pacific: A Sea of Love

Filis Pasgua ~ Minagof Nochebuena❣️🎄 Below is a poem I wrote in celebration of Christmas as it is felt and shared across the Pacific—where many islands, cultures, and languages are woven together by family, faith, and a deep, unifying love that flows like the ocean itself.  Enjoy❣️🌴🙏

Christmas Across the Pacific: A Sea of Love

Across the wide Pacific blue, where gentle trade winds play,
The islands shine with Christmas light in love’s eternal way.
From reef to ridge, from palm to pine, one truth the heart can see—
That familia is the greatest gift across the land and sea.

~Minagof Nochebuena~

 CHamoru joy takes flight,
Feasts and laughter fill the night.
Candles glow on ocean waves,
Blessing hearts the season saves.

~Feliz Navidad~

From shores so bright,

Where hearts are warm and spirits light.

Across the waves, the joy is shared—

The Pacific unites, with love declared.

~Maligayan Pasko~

Philippine voices sing,
Of hope and peace the Christ Child brings.
Families gather, hearts entwine,
The stars above in bright design.

~Ameseighil ubwutiiwel Layi Luugh me raagh fee~
Carolinian hearts sing free.
Their blessings travel wave to wave,
A gift of peace the season gave.

~Peren en Krismas~

Pohnpei’s rain falls light,
A song of love through silent night.
Each drop a prayer, each breeze a hymn,
The world grows bright, though skies grow dim.

~Pwapwan Kirisimas~

Chuuk’s bright bay,
Echoes laughter through the day.
Children’s songs and elders’ grace,
Bring heaven’s warmth to every place.

~Monono ilo raaneoan Nejin~

Marshallese hearts proclaim,
That Christmas joy is still the same.
From shore to shore, the laughter flows,
As kindness, like the ocean, grows.

~Falang e Baynag~

Yap’s voices resound,
Tradition’s rhythm all around.
Hands together, spirits high,
Their joy ascends into the sky.

~Tok Tapeng~

Kosrae’s jungles hum,
With songs of peace that softly come.
The earth and sea in harmony,
Reflecting love’s simplicity.

~Ungil Kurismas~

Palauans cheer,
With open hearts and voices clear.
The ocean sparkles, calm and wide,
As families gather side by side.

~Mele Kalikimaka~

Hawaii’s breeze,
Carries joy across the seas.
Aloha shines in every smile,
Love that lingers all the while.

And from the heart of American Samoa, too,
~Manuia le Kerisimasi~ to you!
Where mountains meet the ocean’s song,
And aiga (family) keeps us strong.

Across the Pacific, one truth we know,
Wherever the island breezes blow—
That Christmas shines in every land,
When hearts reach out and hands join hands.

Merry Christmas from around the Pacific!
A sea of love, pure and terrific.

©️Matilda Naputi Rivera

Join us for the D204 Lions Clubs New Year's Saturday Story Time - Jan. 3, 2026

Join us for the D204 Lions Clubs New Year's Saturday Story Time on January 3, 2026, via Zoom or in person at the Hagatna Public Library.  Register at https://bit.ly/lionsclubreading.  We look forward to seeing you there! 🦁📚🚤 🎉😃

A Double Dose of Birthday Joy! 🎂 🎉

Celebrating Two Special Blessings Today!

It’s a double celebration! 🎉 Sending heartfelt Biba Kumpleaños wishes to this outstanding young man and to our precious grandson, neni Dmitri!  Hu guaiya hao❣️🎂🎉

Happy Thanksgiving ~ Gratitude Always

Magof Ha’ånen Mannå’i Grasia ~ Happy Thanksgiving to one and all! It’s important to remember that Thanksgiving is more than a single day—it’s a way of living that celebrates kindness, compassion, and love in every moment. This Thanksgiving, I want to thank my dear family and friends for the warmth, laughter, and support you bring into my life. May your hearts be filled with peace, your homes with joy, and your days with the gentle reminder that gratitude truly is life’s purest art. Happy Thanksgiving, Si Yu’os Ma’åse for being there, and blessings to you all. Enjoy the following poem I’ve written, inspired by the beauty of simple acts that lift others and the light that gratitude brings into our lives. God bless. 🥰🙏🦃 

Gratitude Always

Being grateful is the time for all,
A gentle whisper, a heartfelt call.
Here and abroad, both near and far,
Gratitude shines where kind hearts are.

It lives in moments small and sweet,
In every smile of those we meet.
A word of comfort, a helping hand,
Can lift a soul, help one to stand.

Keeping the gratitude in all we do,
In every word, in every view.
Through giving hands and caring hearts,
True compassion softly starts.

When storms may come and shadows fall,
Gratitude reminds us to stand tall.
For even in trials, lessons bloom,
And hope can chase away the gloom.

In different ways, our love is shown,
Through simple acts, our spirits grown.
A door held open, a listening ear,
Can make another’s burden clear.

Memories linger, warm and bright,
Kindness turns darkness into light.
Each act of love, though small it seems,
Can ripple out beyond our dreams.

Not just today, but every day,
Let thankfulness guide our way.
For gratitude is life’s pure art,
A melody that fills the heart.

So share your light in all you do,
Let joy and peace flow out from you.
For every soul, both old and new—
God bless the world, and God bless you.

©️Matilda Rivera