April 1 - 8

April 1st was a wonderful General Conference Sunday.  We got up at 5:50 Saturday and Sunday morning to watch General Conference.  Being a part of the Solemn Assembly was a high light of the day.  Even though there was only the two of us we felt a part of the 16,000,000 plus members throughout the world.  We are so very blessed to be a part of this great work.  How grateful we are to our ancestors who heard and accepted the gospel and passed along that great love and testimony to us.  Also having a convert, Paul, among us to see with our own eyes how the Book of Mormon can change someone in such a way as to turn their whole life over to serving the Lord.   Our great desire is for our grandchildren to also love this great book and Church and spend their lives sharing its message with others.

President Oaks, President Nelson, President Eyring

We also have a firm testimony that Heavenly Father guides this Church and He has put in place His Prophet.  We were fortune enough while serving in Slovenia/Croatia to be chauffeur for Elder Nelson when he and his wife, Wendy, came to our mission to dedicate each of the lands to the preaching of the gospel.  We were actually invited to attend the dedication of Croatia.

Sunday evening we went to the "Break the Fast" dinner with the senior missionaries.  It's always held the first Sunday no matter what.  There are probably about 135 people present and everyone is assigned to a group and we all bring food to share.  They have it at the PCC pavilion.  We met a few more people.  It was a lovely evening.

Cains

Farnsworth

Green

Stonehocker

Nye

Waterfall

Kittelson

Tregaskers

Deckers

Griffins

Dunhams

Couples going home 

Monday we stayed around and went to FHE that night.  Again two couples and a single sister were going home.  The single sister was so cute.  She took about 30 minutes and told about her mission.
She is Samoan.  She said when she got her call she said "NO NO NO not the PCC".  She had been here in her early years and had graduated from BYU Hawaii.  She spent her mission making headbands and fish and birds.  She had made over 22,000 of them and then she shared all the people who visited and would ask her about the gospel and her life.  One question:  "Did you learn to make these when you were young?"  "My mama, (one of the senior missionaries) taught me when I was 73".  She was so funny and cute. 

Monday we checked out Laie Point.  Really close to us by Foodland market. 

This week we started on what is going to be our regular schedule until another couple arrives.  We go in at 10:30 and officiate and follow the 11 o'clock session, fill in wherever they need us during the middle part of the day and then officiate and follow the 4 pm session, which is a mobility limited session.  That means we don't move from room to room.  We start in room 4 and stay there the whole session.  We decided this week we would go in at 7:30 and attend the 8 am session every day.  That has been really nice.  Friday we stayed and did some sealings with Brother Weber and Goo.  We have been fortunate in walking home.  It hasn't started to rain until we get in which is good because we haven't taken an umbrella. Saturday morning we did some sealings with Brother Aki, our temple president in Hong Kong.

Giant snails at the temple

Friday we ran into Brother Ngoyi from Manhattan.  He served in the Temple on Friday evenings.  Luckily Paul has a very recognizable face and he recognized us.  He was here for a wedding of a good friend.  Also Lewis Peterson looked us up.  They live across from Rob and Larna Meier.  So many visitors from the mainland.

Brother Ngoyi from Manhattan Tempole

Shiu Narayan, met him in the Temple and he comes every Wednesday from the other side of the Island 

The musical presentation at the McKay Auditorium 

The three hula dancers at the presentation in a tribute to Brother AhQuin who passed away last week

Saturday was a fun day.  We were able to help with two sisters receiving their endowment and two weddings.  One couple, the Fu and Zheng, they are both from China attending school here.  Her parents are members and came from Shanghi and the other couple were from here, the McMoore and Ihimaera.  They are going to have such a fun time.  He kept saying "I have a wife"  That sounds so weird and she would say the same thing "I am a wife".  So very cute.  Both looked beautiful in their wedding dresses.  It was raining a little however so don't know how well the pictures turned out.  The two sisters receiving their endowments were from here, Sister Tifanie Tapeni and Sister Tracie Tapeni.  A really lovely day. 

That evening we went to a master chorale and children's choir presentation at the McKay Auditorium.  A very nice performance.

Sunday at Church Paul accepted a calling to open the church for seminary on Thursday mornings at 5:30 and stay until they are done and lock up again.  Then we got asked to speak next Sunday on Elder Wilson's talk "Take the Holy Spirit as your Guide".  We also volunteered to help the senior missionaries with a project "Just Serve" by picking up food donated by the Kualou Ranch.  They donate food, we pick it up and then deliver it to Pastor Virgil who then delivers it to the homeless.  The Dees took us out to see where and what to do.  We will do this on the 2nd and 4th Sundays.

Tonight the Goos invited us to dinner.  Someone told us "If you get invited to the Goos be sure to go.  She is an excellent cook".  We had met them in HK and Manhattan. 

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.

March 19 - March 26

Our first week in the Laie Temple was a wonderful experience.  It was a full week and we kept busy.  President asked us to just observe and become acquainted with the layout and procedures of this lovely temple.  We did by attending all the prayer meetings for each shift where we were introduced and were warmly welcomed.  Everyone seemed really happy that there was a missionary couple again.  We attended two sessions each day and filled in the rest of the day helping where we were needed and this way we were learning our way around.  By Saturday we were asked to be escorts for a bride and groom.  Always a wonderful experience.  Our day started at 6:15 and we went home after the 4:15 prayer meeting.  Saturday we went in at 5:15 am and came home around 2:30 pm.  It was a great week being a patron and helping with all the ordinances.

We received our new name badges so we are official. 

Friday evening was the 2018 Cultural Celebration at the Cannon Center.  It started at 9 pm - 12:00 am.  There were about 78 different groups who performed dances from their country.  It was amazing.  We also recognized Tessa Sullivan in the Ballroom Dancing Club so it was fun to watch someone we knew.  All the presentations were fantastic.  We left at 11 because we needed to get up at 4 for Saturday's work. 

MJ & Tessa Sullivan in her apartment

Hawaii Cultural Night 2018

Hong Kong Club

Ballroom Dance Club with Tessa Sullivan

China Club

New Zealand Club

Tahiti Club

Saturday evening after a little nap we went back to watch the rest of the program.  It was from 8 - 11 pm.  We left about 10:30 that night.  Church is at 8 am and we were pretty tired.  A very fun activity.

Sunday morning we attended the Laie 1st Ward.  Met some people from the Ward.  The  Comptons and Tippets and had a nice visit with them. The Comptons just retired from BYU-H last spring and are here selling a home.  The prices here are amazing.  It's listed at $1.2 million.  Sorry Kelly, no 2nd home here.  In Sacrament meeting we had great speakers, the Dave Smith Family, spoke on Elder Uchdorf's "Three Sisters" talk.  Sister Tippets lead our discussion in  RS on the Sabbath day.  What can we do before, during and after to make the Sabbath a delight. 

Tonight we called Brother Jerome Pollard, who we knew from Camarillo.  He had been in the hospital last week and we met his wife at the Temple.  He is home so we went for a visit.  What a wonderful couple.  We had a wonderful visit and they fed us dinner and we each told our stories of how we met our spouses.  We could certainly see the hand of the Lord working in his life and bringing them together.  We also shared wonderful stories from the LA Temple days.  We are so very blessed to be here. 

We also took a walk thru the Visitor Center and rewatched the Welcome to Hawaii movie again.  We are slowly getting to know the Sister Missionaries who live on our street. 

March 11 - 20 Setting apart; SLTemple MTC; Arriving in Laie

Sunday morning Paul, Robbie and I headed over to the Stake Center to be set apart as missionaries.  Bishop Jackson, always our supporting Bishop, was also there along with the Stake Presidency, Kurt Soffe, Shawn Healy, and Robert Brough.  They each took a few minutes to talk about our mission and then we were set apart by President Soffe.  We received some very wonderful blessings and admonitions to continue to study the scriptures and to continue to learn and grow.

After Church Kory and Katie had us all over for dinner and we had a nice last dinner with all those in Utah. 

We checked into the Radisson Monday night and were at the Joseph Smith Bldg at 7 am Tuesday morning where we were met by the Lunds and Danielons.  They are in-charge of the senior temple missionaries.  They took us over to the SL Temple to the Chapel where we met Pres. and Sister Aldridge, who were our trainers.  There were 15 couples going to Cebu, Philippines; Friberg, Germany; Johannesburg, SF;  Brazil, Taiwan, Nauvoo, Ghana, Toronto, and Hong Kong.  

We had a wonderful week of training.  Our main focus was "treating the patrons in such a way that they want to come back to the temple again and again."  We also reviewed all the ordinances and  as a highlight we got to see the Assembly Hall on the 4th floor.  This room is only used four times a year under the direction of the First Presidency.  A temple devotional, General Conference for all General Authorities and Temple Presidents seminar.  It took 39 years to build the shell of the temple.  When the capstone was put in place it was April 6, 1893.  President Woodruff asked to have the inside completed one year from that day and it was.  You realize what a miracle that was when you look at all the incredible woodwork inside the temple.  It has not changed in all these years except to paint it.  It is all so exquisite and when you realize they had no modern tools to build it.  It was a wonderful experience to be in the temple those three days.  

Kory's family also came over Thursday night to say goodbye.  What great grandkids we have.  

We were pretty much packed but had to rearrange a few bags because Paul found out they had racquetball available so we had to squeeze that equipment in.  Kelly and Blake took us to the airport and we flew out at 11:45 am and arrived at 3:00 pm.  

Mel, from the FM group, picked us up at the airport.  What a great guy.  We had a good visit on the way home.  He decided to go thru the mountain and come up the other side because of all the heavy traffic that time of day.  We remembered many of the places we passed.  

Delta 

First view of Diamond Head 

Matsumoto Shaved Ice 

Sister Missionary bikes at the Visitor Center, there are 40 sisters serving there and three couples

Sunday outside the Visitor Center with Temple in background

Sister Missionaries from Hong Kong

Sunday visit to Visitors Center. 
Always love the Christus 

A view of temple thru a Visitor Center window 

Monday stop at Dole Pineapple on our way back from registering the car.

Ortho came out to spray and found this guy.  He said his bite is very painful.  

 Friday evening we had a lovely dinner left for us by Sister Kealoha along with enough food to get us thru several days.  We sort of got settled and went over to the temple and did a session.  When we came home we started unpacking and I think it was about 1pm Hawaii time when we went to bed.  Saturday we went into the temple and President Kealoha set us apart as ordinance workers in the Laie Temple.  After visiting with them for a while we left and drove to Costco and Walmart.  Sunday we attended the Laie 1st Ward where we  were warmly greeted.  Monday we did some errands and got the car registered.  Monday night we joined a Senior Missionary FHE.  Elder Maples spoke about "Tender Mercies from the Lord" in his life.  A very touching story of losing his 20 year old son in a motorcycle accident, coming to the PPC to direct the Marketplace and Pounder Restaurant and helping another family from Utah who also lost a son in a motorcycle accident.  The Lord truly does know and care about each and every one of us.  We need to listen to the promptings we receive. 

Today, Tuesday was our first day in the temple as ordinance workers.  We were at the 6:15 prayer meeting and stayed the day participating in two sessions and doing a few of the ordinances and getting acquainted with the layout of the temple.  So many wonderful saints here and they are very welcoming.  We feel so very blessed to be here and thank Heavenly Father for this opportunity. 

March 11, 2018 Week before leaving

A great last week in SJ.  We had signed up to usher at the Jordan River Temple on Tuesday.  We were able to usher in the baptistery and because it was rather slow they let us go on a tour of the temple.  It is so beautiful and has some beautiful new artwork.  Someone said there were 40 new pieces.  We also signed up to clean the temple each evening from 10:30  pm to 11:45 Monday thru Friday.  We were able to clean in all five areas of the temple so we got to see it all.  It was a really special opportunity.

Today, Sunday, March 11 we met with President Soffe, Healy and Brough at the Stake Offices to be set apart as missionaries.  Bishop Jackson and Robbie also came.  They each shared some thoughts and gave appreciation for our service and then we were given beautiful blessings and encouraged to continue to study the scriptures and develop all the talents Heavenly Father has given us.  We have such supportive leaders whom we love.  I also have a wonderful husband who reaches out to everyone and is the first to thank someone for their service.  I am very blessed to have such a loving and caring man in my life.

After Church we all went over to Kory and Katie's for dinner and a good visit.  We have wonderful grandchildren we are so very proud of.

Isaiah 61
Matt 22
1 Tim 4:12
D&C 31:3 "Lift up your heart and rejoice, for the hour of your mission is come; and your tongue shall be loosed, and you shall declare glad tidings of great joy unto this generation."

 “I meet so many people who constantly complain about their burden of their responsibilities. Of course the pressures are great. There is much, too much, to do. There are financial burdens to add to all of these pressures, and with all of this we are prone to complain, frequently at home, often in public. Turn your thinking around. The gospel is good news. Man is that he might have joy. Be happy! Let that happiness shine through your faces and speak through your testimonies. You can expect problems. There may be occasional tragedies. But shining through all of this is the plea of the Lord: “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest...”

President Gordon B. Hinckley

Laie Hawaii Temple Mission March 2018 - September 2019

This journey began nine months ago when we returned home from the Manhattan Temple Mission.  We started getting our medical and dental work done the first month of our return.  Bishop Steve Jackson got us into the portal right away and we quickly filled out the forms.  It didn't take too long to get our medical back and we submitted our papers,  On August 1, 2017 we received our call from President Thomas S Monson calling us to serve in the Laie Hawaii Temple as temple missionaries.  Of course we were very excited and happy.

It has been a long eight months since they announced our call in August and people are surprised we are still around in January.  We have had a great time with family during this time. We attended two family reunions, Education Days at BYU.  I spent October with four of my brothers while they dug beets on the farm.  Brodie Meier was baptized on December 2, 2017.    For Thanksgiving we all (19) went to St. George for five days.  We stayed in house together with a pool and had a wonderful time bonding again.  Christmas was spent in Island Park with everyone.  Our granddaughter, Courtney, returned from her mission in Kansas to return to BYU-I along with her sister Kaylee.  Mallorie was involved in dance at the studio and school dance team.  All the boys have kept us busy watching all kinds of ball games.  We have loved every minute of it.  Kaylee also received her mission call in November and is now in London South England Mission.  It's a great feeling to serve with your grandchildren.

Family picture in Snow Canyon 2017

Courtney's Homecoming returning from Kansas Mission

Fun time in St. George

Brodie's baptism picture

Proud Mom ad Dad 

St. George Temple 

Kaylee received her Endowment in the St. George Temple at Thanksgiving time

Robbie with parents Kelly & Rob

Josh and Kory

Josh and parents Katie and Kory