Wow, it has been a5 days since I wrote. Hope I can remember what we did.
The Temple closed on Decemer 29th. It was a full day with six weddings and several own endowments and many people in the temple. Always a good day for us. New Year's eve was typical for us. Paul went to bed about 10 and I stayed up and watched some spectacular fireworks from our driveway. Poppers had been going off all night, just big bangs but at 12 it was quite a show with at least five firework displays going on around me and for home driven fireworks they were pretty good and lasted about 20 minutes. They were in almost a circle around me. Pretty fun. We also watched the ball drop in NY and remembered our fun time there.
New Years day we were invited to dinner with Lydia and John Aki in Kaneohe. They took their family and us and Sister Yen, who was visiting from China, to a Chinese dinner. Very delicious with all kinds of food. We were able to bring some home with us.
On January 3rd Kelly, Riley, Brody and Blake arrived. We picked up the van and then went to pick them up. From their we stopped at Costco to pick up the car and get something to eat. We have had a wonderful time with them and they have really enjoyed it. The Hukula Beach was their favorite.
This is what we spent our time doing. They arrived on Thursday and we picked them up from the airport with the van. It was late so just stopped at Costco to get some food and then home. It would have been about midnight for them. Friday we went to Hukula Beach and that ended up being their favorite beach. I loved it because it was close and easy to get to. In the afternoon we went to the PCC and saw three villages, by then they were tired out.
Saturday they were on their own. They were going to the Botanical gardens in Koneohe to fish with bamboo poles and try out the white sand beach. We had a special occasion in the temple. A young couple from Canada were being sealed and just a few people would be in the temple since it was closed for cleaning. We were able to escort the couple. They received special permission because a grandmother had cancer and had to be home at a certain time for treatment.
Also we are very indebted to President and Sister Hallstrom who graciously allowed us to use their home to sleep every night. Paul and I took advantage of that and it worked out well for everyone. We only had one mishap. The cleaner came in and also Brother Tuttle to do some work and he turned on the alarm so that night when we arrived it went off. He had to come back and reset it and take care of it for us. After that no more trouble. Paul was his usual self and had to vacuum and leave it spotless. What a great guy I have.
After the wedding we picked up Tessa Sullivan from the airport and on our way home stopped at the beach with Kelly and kids for a while. Sunday we attended our Ward and drove to Just Serve. Tuesday we went to Kaulua Ranch for the tour. Beautiful country up there on top we could see the two valleys. Wednesday we went to Honolulu for the Pirate ride which was great fun. Thursday we took the van back and they went on the kayaks and saw turtles and had a good time. One of those days we went to Sharks Cove and did a very little snorkling. Brody really liked it. Riley no thanks. Saturday we went to Waikiki and checked into the condo. Checked out the beach, went to the Tabernacle for Church on Sunday and Monday we came home to get ready for the temple to reopen.
We did spend a few days helping in the temple during the week. Wednesday night Paul and I drove back to the condo to pick up Riley and bring him back out with us so he could attend the Temple Thursday morning before returning home. We were the first ones there and Brother and Sister Kinikini were so gracious. He was able to do ten family names. I took him back to the condo and spent the day and last night took them to the airport. They were on the red eye and I guess things went okey because they are now home. It was a wonderful trip and we enjoyed having them with us.
Now we are back at the temple. It is beautiful and glistening. The workers work really hard to keep it beautiful. There are several changes and we were on the first session on Tuesday when it opened so we could experience the endowment before having to officiate it. This was on January 15, 2019 that these changes were made in our temple. We are so blessed to be here.
The sister missiionaries are now in the new teaching center across from us. It is quite a experience. I have been taking a few goodies over for them and so many of them in one place. I think they can have 35 by the time they are all set up. The VC is closed for carpeting and wallpaper so they have been greeting guests outside.
We have been trying to remember them by taking over a few treats to help them out. I took over 30 hard boiled eggs, a box of apple sauce left by Blake and a box of yogart. They seem to love it. I think they are often hungry.
It's been a wonderful shutdown and now we are ready to get busy and work hard until the next. We love our Savior and are so grateful to be able to help build the kingdom.
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| Arrival and stop at Costco |
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| Brody and Kelly |
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| PCC visit |
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| Blake PCC |
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Snow cones by Seven Brothers |
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| Temple Grounds Kelly Paul Mar Jean |
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| Bale at PCC |
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| Mar Jean & Paul |























































