Well, it is time for my weekly post. Another week has ended so I will try and recap some of our activities.
This week we were working in the temple Tuesday and Thursday morning from 5:45-1:00 and Friday from 1:00-8:00. Every Tuesday we have a meeting with the Temple President and Matron having to do with procedures that may need to be looked at or changed and things we could do better while on our shifts. As with my report last week, we spent a great deal of our time re-certifying the ordinance workers. Most shift coordinators are very easy to work with and willing to do anything they can to adjust schedules so their sisters/brethren can meet with us for a few minutes. One of the issues that this temple has with nearly all shifts is that of Ordinance Workers not being dedicated to their weekly commitment of serving in the temple. Some sisters get substitutes but by enlarge, they just don't show up. The brethren have the same problem. Some shifts can be short five or six workers, and where there are only 10 or 11 on a shift that really hurts. Many times I (and I know Larry is the same) would get called on to help with the ordinances in a pinch. I don't mind doing it and helping out. It makes the time go faster for sure.
In this temple they have a cafeteria but the only menu items available are soup and bread--both made by BYUH and sent over each day. If they have left over bread on any day, the workers are allowed to buy it for $1.50 which we did this week. I have never tried their soup since it doesn't really look all that great most of the time.
On to our days off. Our apartment is so small that we just can't sit around all day and read or watch TV so we find places to go. Larry had a hard time convincing me that we needed to do something each day because it likely entails an extensive drive. I think I have mentioned that Costco and Walmart are about an hour away. We have a few eating establishments here on the north shore but most are again, 45 minutes-1 1/2 hours away just because of traffic and slow speeds.
Monday Keith and Larry installed screen doors on our apartment and our neighbors, the Fry's. Wednesday we went went to the temple as patrons. I love doing that too. Love the peaceful feeling and the special time I have to communicate with my Heavenly Father in His Holy house and to quietly reflect on those loved ones who have left this mortal world for whatever their responsibilities are on the other side of the veil.
Later that day we drove into Costco, one day we went into Honolulu (in fact we did that two days) to the mall and just some general sight seeing. At least the grocery store is close to us but for variety we still go to others on the island.
What I do know is that I am so grateful I get to serve in the temple. I think it would be hard to live on the island forever. I am used to things being almost at my fingertips and they are not here.
I am so grateful for my belief in God and His Son Jesus Christ and for the atonement. Also for the principles we know to be right and true with His gospel. What a blessing that knowledge is and I pray every day that each of my children will stay faithful to their covenants with Heavenly Father so that we can be an eternal family after we leave this life.
Have a great week!
Sunday, July 26, 2015
Monday, July 20, 2015
Feeling A Bit Overwhelmed Still...
This week has been a good week. We, of course, have Monday's off since the temple is closed that day. We try and get our apartment cleaned and run errands, usually a trip to Costco or Walmart, or both and do our laundry on that day. Keith (President Pierce) called us and told us that Tuesday morning would be a very busy day at the temple since it had been closed for two weeks. Our shift this week was the early morning (5:45 am-1:00 pm) shift so that meant we would be busy as well.
Our typical job in the temple involves re-certifying the ordinance workers and training the newly called ordinance workers. Tuesday I had two new sisters to train. I was able to get them started with their memorization before I began my assignment as an escort for a new patron. Larry had much the same kind of beginning to the day since he was the escort for the new male patron. When we serve as escorts, we get to assist the patron as they prepare to receive their ordinances. This is something I had never done before so it was a fun thing to do.
Each shift starts out with a preparation/prayer meeting so at the 11:00 hour, Larry and I were in charge of this meeting since President Pierce and his wife were involved with another couple coming to be married. Again, a new experience for both of us.
Unfortunately there was no time on that shift to re-certify any of the ordinance workers. I loved being busy. The time went fast and my back didn't hurt.
Wednesday was another day off for us so we attended the temple for a session then found things to take up our time that day too.
Thursday and Friday were early morning temple days again. These two days were a bit more calm. We were able to do several re-certifications those days as well as help out in any of the areas we could. Unfortunately, my back started hurting pretty bad by Friday. Not sure what is the problem with my back but the exercises don't seem to be helping much.
Friday night we went to Subway to eat since we were tired and didn't want to cook.
Saturday we decided to go in to Honolulu to Ala Moana Mall and sight see on Tantalus Drive. This drive is a very steep and winding road where lots of expensive houses are-overlooking the ocean and Honolulu. The views are so impressive of this sprawling city on the banks of the ocean.
I am pleased to say that I am getting more familiar with my assignment here on my mission.
The people here are so loving and welcoming to us and Larry knows many of them or their families since he lived here for a few years so that makes it much easier for him.
We walk around the community, along the beach or on the walking path several times each week which helps to keep us exercising to some degree while we are here. This week we did at least three of those walks.
As I serve this mission I hope to grow closer to my Father In Heaven as I study the life of the Savior and ultimately the Father. Those things we learn in the temple are a testimony of the creation of this earth and the principles we are to learn while on this earth. Our faithfulness to the ordinances and covenants we make on this earth will help us in our ultimate goal of living with our eternal families and Heavenly Father when we leave mortality.
Our typical job in the temple involves re-certifying the ordinance workers and training the newly called ordinance workers. Tuesday I had two new sisters to train. I was able to get them started with their memorization before I began my assignment as an escort for a new patron. Larry had much the same kind of beginning to the day since he was the escort for the new male patron. When we serve as escorts, we get to assist the patron as they prepare to receive their ordinances. This is something I had never done before so it was a fun thing to do.
Each shift starts out with a preparation/prayer meeting so at the 11:00 hour, Larry and I were in charge of this meeting since President Pierce and his wife were involved with another couple coming to be married. Again, a new experience for both of us.
Unfortunately there was no time on that shift to re-certify any of the ordinance workers. I loved being busy. The time went fast and my back didn't hurt.
Wednesday was another day off for us so we attended the temple for a session then found things to take up our time that day too.
Thursday and Friday were early morning temple days again. These two days were a bit more calm. We were able to do several re-certifications those days as well as help out in any of the areas we could. Unfortunately, my back started hurting pretty bad by Friday. Not sure what is the problem with my back but the exercises don't seem to be helping much.
Friday night we went to Subway to eat since we were tired and didn't want to cook.
Saturday we decided to go in to Honolulu to Ala Moana Mall and sight see on Tantalus Drive. This drive is a very steep and winding road where lots of expensive houses are-overlooking the ocean and Honolulu. The views are so impressive of this sprawling city on the banks of the ocean.
I am pleased to say that I am getting more familiar with my assignment here on my mission.
The people here are so loving and welcoming to us and Larry knows many of them or their families since he lived here for a few years so that makes it much easier for him.
We walk around the community, along the beach or on the walking path several times each week which helps to keep us exercising to some degree while we are here. This week we did at least three of those walks.
As I serve this mission I hope to grow closer to my Father In Heaven as I study the life of the Savior and ultimately the Father. Those things we learn in the temple are a testimony of the creation of this earth and the principles we are to learn while on this earth. Our faithfulness to the ordinances and covenants we make on this earth will help us in our ultimate goal of living with our eternal families and Heavenly Father when we leave mortality.
Sunday, July 12, 2015
Last Week Of Vacation
July 12, 2015
So Tuesday we start back to work in the Laie, Hawaii Temple. Since we were only here one week before the temple closed for cleaning/maintenance we really didn't get a feel for what we are supposed to do as far as training goes. Starting Tuesday I think we will be in for some wonderful experiences.
As far as our experiences this past week...
We did some shopping on a couple of different occasions. Remember, it is quite a drive to get to any kind of store other than a grocery store and a Longs Drug. On Tuesday Larry and Keith went to the temple to do some carpentry work, putting door frames up in the laundry room. That took them most of the day so I just hung out around the apartment. Did some reading and studying for the talks that we gave in church. Oh, yes. Last Sunday the bishop asked us to speak in church so that required a bit of reading, studying and preparing this week. We used a lot of the ideas we used in our farewell talks in Ogden so it was pretty easy. Other days this week we have done some island sightseeing i.e. Old Light House hike, blow hole, walks on the beach etc.
We have been out to eat a couple times this week. I haven't been reporting where we have gone but I think I will start that today.
We ate at Kahuku Grill on Tuesday and North Shore Taco on Saturday night. On Friday morning we went with Keith and Debbie into "town" to pick up their car so we went to Denny's for breakfast. Eating out is pretty expensive over here--in fact, eating at home is expensive too. I have found it interesting that food at Costco is about the same price here as it is in Utah but food in the grocery store is somewhat more. Maybe just on the North Shore since there is nothing else around.
Last night as we were returning from our Costco run we got a flat tire. Seems it was a blow out caused by driving on a low tire. Tomorrow we get to go get a new tire.
Well, next week I should have more to report on after being in the temple all week.
Signing off for this week.
So Tuesday we start back to work in the Laie, Hawaii Temple. Since we were only here one week before the temple closed for cleaning/maintenance we really didn't get a feel for what we are supposed to do as far as training goes. Starting Tuesday I think we will be in for some wonderful experiences.
As far as our experiences this past week...
We did some shopping on a couple of different occasions. Remember, it is quite a drive to get to any kind of store other than a grocery store and a Longs Drug. On Tuesday Larry and Keith went to the temple to do some carpentry work, putting door frames up in the laundry room. That took them most of the day so I just hung out around the apartment. Did some reading and studying for the talks that we gave in church. Oh, yes. Last Sunday the bishop asked us to speak in church so that required a bit of reading, studying and preparing this week. We used a lot of the ideas we used in our farewell talks in Ogden so it was pretty easy. Other days this week we have done some island sightseeing i.e. Old Light House hike, blow hole, walks on the beach etc.
We have been out to eat a couple times this week. I haven't been reporting where we have gone but I think I will start that today.
We ate at Kahuku Grill on Tuesday and North Shore Taco on Saturday night. On Friday morning we went with Keith and Debbie into "town" to pick up their car so we went to Denny's for breakfast. Eating out is pretty expensive over here--in fact, eating at home is expensive too. I have found it interesting that food at Costco is about the same price here as it is in Utah but food in the grocery store is somewhat more. Maybe just on the North Shore since there is nothing else around.
Last night as we were returning from our Costco run we got a flat tire. Seems it was a blow out caused by driving on a low tire. Tomorrow we get to go get a new tire.
Well, next week I should have more to report on after being in the temple all week.
Signing off for this week.
Sunday, July 5, 2015
Hot and Muggy--Ready To Get Back To Work
It is Sunday so I need to update our blog post. I would like to say that it has been an uplifting and productive week but since the Temple is closed there really is not much to do here. We have made a couple trips into other towns with Keith and Debbie and just by ourselves to get groceries, etc. We were in dire need of a broom so Walmart helped us out with that. We have taken walks nearly every day but that still doesn't fill up the hours in the day. We have also done lots of reading. We are studying the Doctrine and Covenants together so that has been a good thing. We also have individual reading we are doing. I am currently reading The Savior's Final Week by Andrew C. Skinner. The book is fascinating and gives so much insight into what Jesus Christ endured in Gethsemane. I'm not to far into it but I am loving it and gaining a greater love for my Savior.
Yesterday was July 4th but unlike Ogden, there were no parades to attend. The fireworks last night were held at Turtle Bay but with lots and lots of people attending, we decided to stay home and not get caught in the traffic. During the day we went to Keith's house to be of some service during their yard sale. They will be moving back to the mainland when their assignment in the Temple Presidency is over (end of October) so they are selling "stuff" and getting ready to put the house on the market. It was so hot and muggy, I didn't envy them one bit having to put everything out and then pack everything back up when they were finished. Hopefully we were of some help to them.
Today, being Fast Sunday, we will attend our first "Break the Fast" pot luck dinner with other Sr. Missionaries in the area to be held at PCC. It should be fun to meet with and visit with others over here serving either at the PCC or BYUH. Would have been so fun if our neighbors, the Reeds, could have served their mission here too. On Monday evenings they hold FHE for the Sr. Missionaries as well. We plan to attend those from time to time also.
This week Larry will be helping Keith do some carpentry work in the temple. We had heard that we would be asked to help clean the temple but so far we haven't been asked. Hopefully that will happen this week
One other thing to mention is that this upcoming week is our ward campout. Having never participated in something like this before I will report on that next week with my entry. The ward members go to Hukilau Beach (a five minute walk from home) and camp, eat, have activities etc. Also, we have been asked to speak in church next week too so this week may be a little more full than last week.
So I close for now until next week.
Yesterday was July 4th but unlike Ogden, there were no parades to attend. The fireworks last night were held at Turtle Bay but with lots and lots of people attending, we decided to stay home and not get caught in the traffic. During the day we went to Keith's house to be of some service during their yard sale. They will be moving back to the mainland when their assignment in the Temple Presidency is over (end of October) so they are selling "stuff" and getting ready to put the house on the market. It was so hot and muggy, I didn't envy them one bit having to put everything out and then pack everything back up when they were finished. Hopefully we were of some help to them.
Today, being Fast Sunday, we will attend our first "Break the Fast" pot luck dinner with other Sr. Missionaries in the area to be held at PCC. It should be fun to meet with and visit with others over here serving either at the PCC or BYUH. Would have been so fun if our neighbors, the Reeds, could have served their mission here too. On Monday evenings they hold FHE for the Sr. Missionaries as well. We plan to attend those from time to time also.
This week Larry will be helping Keith do some carpentry work in the temple. We had heard that we would be asked to help clean the temple but so far we haven't been asked. Hopefully that will happen this week
One other thing to mention is that this upcoming week is our ward campout. Having never participated in something like this before I will report on that next week with my entry. The ward members go to Hukilau Beach (a five minute walk from home) and camp, eat, have activities etc. Also, we have been asked to speak in church next week too so this week may be a little more full than last week.
So I close for now until next week.
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