March 27 - 31

Everyone knows that Hawaii is beautiful and these pictures just confirm that knowledge.  Monday we drove around the island again to go to Costco and Walmart to pick up a few more things we thought we couldn't live without.  This side of the island is much quieter than Honolulu.  

Kamehameha Hwy

This little island sits off the hwy and during low tide you can walk out to it

We had to make a quick stop to see the turtles.  They are surrounded by red rope to keep us away from them.

Monday night we attended FHE with all the couple missionaries some serving at BYU-H and others at the PCC.  Several were going home.  Hear are a few of their words.  

"don't be sad it's over, be glad it happened"  "Heavenly Father is in charge of the plan" "drops of awesomeness"

"a young girl was sent on an errand by her mother.  She returned home very late.  When asked by her mother "what took you so long?" she said, "I met a girl whose bicycle was broken and she was crying and I stopped to help her."  "but you don't know how to fix a bike" "I know, I sat down and cried with her". 

"I think we did some good today"

"Have you seen the Lord's hand in your life on this island?"

Nephi:  "the Lord is able to do all things...behold the power of God"

"We are "Missionaries" holding hands around the world.  Like an army with the gospel flag unfurled.  we are led by His light and we love truth and right.  We are building the Kingdom of God." 

A family from HK we saw again at Costco.  Students at BYU-H

 We arrived at the temple at 6 am on Tuesday for preparation meeting.  We then returned home and came back at 10:30 to begin our shift which lasts until 6 pm.  On our way in we ran into missionaries who had just finished the 8 am session.  We were fortunate enough to find Sister Nabor's (from Manhattan Temple) granddaughter, Sister Hoffman, who is serving here.  What special missionaries we have all around us.  The different Zones come into the temple on a regular basis.  We have other wonderful Sister missionaries who serve at the Visitor Center who live all around us.  We are so blessed.

One afternoon after the temple we took a stroll to the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) and took in the Samoan Village performance.  Kap does a great job of MCing the event.  We learned all about the coconut tree and how it provides everything needed in Samoa from baskets, to coverings for their homes, wood, fire, hats, clothing, food, etc.  Can't wait to visit the rest of the villages.

Two men climbing the trees

Tuesday evening after the temple I attended the Laie 1st Ward RS birthday party.  It was really lovely.  This is just one centerpiece of many.  We had a great dinner and then several past RS presidents shared thoughts about "righteous women who make a difference in our lives".   One told about how one woman began the "hukala".  The chapel had burned down and the people had no place to meet.  They had to earn $56,000 to build a new one.  She knew the people of Laie did a lot of fishing and so they organized and invited tourists from Honolulu to come out and see a hukula.  They charged $3 a person and gave them the experience of pulling in the nets. etc.  They began to have these on a regular basis and before they knew it they had earned enough money to build the chapel which is now right here by the temple.

This week my niece, Sarah, had a baby boy, Jaxson.  Five weeks early but 7lb 5oz.  Both are doing well and are at home.  Mom, Debbie, was able to fly out and be there.

Katie and her sister, Leslie,  and brother at the blessing of Zach's baby girl

Saturday and Sunday were spent watching conference in our home.  What a special experience to participate in the solemn assembly and sustain our new Prophet and President Russel M. Nelson.  Some new changes for the Priesthood.  There will now be one Elders Quorum for all High Priests and Elders all working together with the RS in ministering to the needs of the people. We will no longer call VT and HT by those names but now it is "ministering" in the Lord's way, one by one.  We are being asked to step up in our stewardship over Heavenly Father's children by loving and caring for each other.  We were especially excited about the new temples announced.  Bangladesh India; Argentina, Nicaragua, Philippines, Layton, UT; Richmond, VA; and a major city in Russia.  The work of the Lord is moving forward.  We can expect opposition in our own lives as this happens.  May we follow the counsel of the Prophet to be more humble, prayerful, spend more time in the temples and being more righteous.  If we do, we will be able to stand strong, keep the covenants we have made, and influence others to come unto Christ. 

We love the Lord.  We are so happy to be able to serve in some small way.   Be faithful, be true.  We can do HARD things.