Well, as I have written before, this is the last week that our current temple presidency will be in the temple as the presidency. We have had some tender moments hearing from President Konekoa and his wife in various venues. They spoke in Stake Conference on Sunday and oh, what a spiritual meeting that was. Both of them spoke of the importance of temple attendance and the great blessing it can be and will be in our lives. When I look at my own journey of temple attendance over the last 45 years (yes, it was nearly 45 years ago that I attended the temple for the first time) I have such a different understanding of the plan of salvation. I am so grateful for those people in my life who have added to my understanding of and love of the temple.
Yesterday (Monday, October 27) we were invited to a luau put on by the temple employees for the outgoing presidency and missionary/mentors. It was wonderful to see how these people appreciate the presidency. So much food to eat-mostly food peculiar to the Polynesian culture. Some of it I have a hard time with but I was able to find things I really liked. (I may have been better off calorie wise if I hadn't). Again, President Konekoa and his wife offered a few words of wisdom but mostly just humble appreciation to those of us who make the temple run as Heavenly Father wants it to be. Today we had our final meeting with them after our shift in the temple. President Konekoa is such a humble man and just wants everything to be run as smoothly as possible and in accordance with temple policy and purity. I know that as we work with the upcoming presidency, President Kealoha, President Niopali and President Taala and their wonderful wives, I will learn much from them too, but that is what life is all about. Learn as much as we can while on the earth that will help us in the eternities and our lives and families will be all the more blessed.
I will say that I am a little disappointed at one thing I was told today. For the past four and a half months of our mission, we worked in the temple three days a week with an additional meeting on Tuesdays. Today we were told that our schedules would change to five shifts each week. Tuesday through Friday either morning (6 am to 1 pm) or afternoon (1 pm to 8 pm). Saturedays we will be finished by 1:00 but I am just a little concerned about the back pain I experience when I have worked two days in a row. I guess I will follow my own advice and just buck up and deal with it.
On another note, we have had a pleasant visit this week with my youngest daughter, Carlee and her family. They were here one week and are ready to board a plane for Utah in just a couple hours. We have had a great time at the beach, sightseeing and touring the Polynesian Cultural Center. We have had several meals together, taken two hikes and a pleasant walk to Temple Beach from the front of the Laie Temple. The tender mercy in this is that it has been beautiful weather for their visit. We have had lots of rain the the past few weeks but while they were here there was little rain and only at night. If there is one more thing I could have requested, it would have been to have the turtles walking on the shore. We saw them just a few feet out in the water but the waves were so strong they couldn't make it to shore.
Oh how I love my family. I love how they love and support each other in everything they do. We have had our trials and problems and will continue to have them just like any other family, but we are always there for each other and willing to help. It has been so heartwarming to me to see how they step up to the plate while I'm not there with them and help each other when there is a need. I know their dad is so proud of who they have become as they have grown into adulthood and parenthood. The cousins all love each other so much and get along so well. Not sure what I did in the pre-existence to deserve them but I am one lucky mother.
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
Sunday, October 18, 2015
Oh How Time Flies!
Wow! I can't believe how fast time is going. For the first month we were here I really thought one year would never pass. I was having a hard time adjusting to the extreme heat and humidity of the Island. Now, I see that with only eight months left, I need to make the most of the time we have here.
The weather has moderated somewhat now. It is a little cooler at night and even though still a bit muggy when it rains, it is not 98 degrees with 100% humidity. This past week it has rained quite a bit. Here on the north shore of Oahu, there was quite a bit of flooding last Monday. The big park area in front of BYUH became a like. We walked over there a couple of nights and it was beautiful with the lights around the campus shining on it. Many people in the village were using sand bags to keep water out of their homes. It was something like 3" per hour and rained for six hours. This week is supposed to be much better. The good thing about the rain is that it is still warm so you don't mind being out in the rain. Except for my hair. I'm still not loving what my hair does in this climate. I certainly should have planned a different style to live here.
The work at the temple is becoming so much easier for me. Almost second nature. The training is becoming so much easier since I know what I'm doing and have done it so much now that I don't need to think about what comes next. There are only two more weeks left before the new Presidency takes over. The current presidency, President Konekoa, President Pierce and President Bell and their wives wanted to work at least one week with each shift so that meant mixing up the missionary and mentor schedules as well. This has been a little difficult in the continuity of training because we all train a bit differently and it takes a little bit of review time with each new ordinance worker. All will work out but it has been interesting.
We are expecting some changes as the new presidency takes over but probably not for a couple months.
We were able to attend a fireside tonight in conjunction with the 150 year anniversary of Laie. It is pretty interesting to me to note that really, most of the people on this part of the island are related back through the generations. I guess it makes sense when the size of the community is so small and the Samoans, Tongans, Fijians, and others came here mostly to build up the church and to be close to the temple. Even today, Laie is probably 90% LDS whether active or not.
On another note, I have been pleasantly surprised to be able to meet someone nearly every week that has roots to Ogden. Today in church we talked to some people who are from North Ogden (brother and sister Olsen) and knew of my family. In talking we found out that my aunt Beaulah and uncle Ed are her aunt and uncle too. Sister Olsen's mother was sister to Ed, my mother sister to Beaulah. Such a small world out there. Several of the students I train in the temple have served their missions in the northern Utah missions.
Well, time to sign off for this week.
The weather has moderated somewhat now. It is a little cooler at night and even though still a bit muggy when it rains, it is not 98 degrees with 100% humidity. This past week it has rained quite a bit. Here on the north shore of Oahu, there was quite a bit of flooding last Monday. The big park area in front of BYUH became a like. We walked over there a couple of nights and it was beautiful with the lights around the campus shining on it. Many people in the village were using sand bags to keep water out of their homes. It was something like 3" per hour and rained for six hours. This week is supposed to be much better. The good thing about the rain is that it is still warm so you don't mind being out in the rain. Except for my hair. I'm still not loving what my hair does in this climate. I certainly should have planned a different style to live here.
The work at the temple is becoming so much easier for me. Almost second nature. The training is becoming so much easier since I know what I'm doing and have done it so much now that I don't need to think about what comes next. There are only two more weeks left before the new Presidency takes over. The current presidency, President Konekoa, President Pierce and President Bell and their wives wanted to work at least one week with each shift so that meant mixing up the missionary and mentor schedules as well. This has been a little difficult in the continuity of training because we all train a bit differently and it takes a little bit of review time with each new ordinance worker. All will work out but it has been interesting.
We are expecting some changes as the new presidency takes over but probably not for a couple months.
We were able to attend a fireside tonight in conjunction with the 150 year anniversary of Laie. It is pretty interesting to me to note that really, most of the people on this part of the island are related back through the generations. I guess it makes sense when the size of the community is so small and the Samoans, Tongans, Fijians, and others came here mostly to build up the church and to be close to the temple. Even today, Laie is probably 90% LDS whether active or not.
On another note, I have been pleasantly surprised to be able to meet someone nearly every week that has roots to Ogden. Today in church we talked to some people who are from North Ogden (brother and sister Olsen) and knew of my family. In talking we found out that my aunt Beaulah and uncle Ed are her aunt and uncle too. Sister Olsen's mother was sister to Ed, my mother sister to Beaulah. Such a small world out there. Several of the students I train in the temple have served their missions in the northern Utah missions.
Well, time to sign off for this week.
Thursday, October 8, 2015
Conference Weekend, Quick Trip to Utah.
Well, here it is Thursday night and I haven't written my blog for this week. I usually do this on Sunday evening but the weekend was kind of a blur right now. We returned to Ogden/Salt Lake on Saturday morning so we could attend the wedding of my nephew Eric and Jamie Niel. The events were very nice and the bride and groom looked wonderful. It was nice to visit with my sister for a bit and my brother Mont and his wife while there. My children also came to the reception so it was great to get to see them.
On Sunday we watched conference. What a wonderful conference it was. There wasn't one talk I didn't enjoy. I was especially touched with President Monson and his testimony, Near the end of his talk he started slumping a little. We could tell he was getting pretty weak and the brethren right behind him were ready to jump up to help him if he fell over. What a heart-felt testimony he delivered. Such a valiant servant of God.
After conference the kids and grandchildren came over for one of their favorite meals-chicken and noodles. This has been a family favorite with my own children and the spouses for years. I know all the grandchildren love it too. It was great getting to hear all of them trying to catch up on the week with each other. I will be happy to have that part of our Sunday's back next June. I love our time here in Hawaii but Sunday's tend to be a very long day because we are finished with church at 11:00 AM.
Our schedule at the temple is all mixed up this month due to it being the last month for the current presidency. They wanted to serve one week with each shift so we have been moved around also.
This week Larry's granddaughter, Kaylee is here visiting her cousin so we have been able to see her a few times which has been very nice. Later this month my daughter Carlee and her family will be coming over to visit us so that will be a good time as well.
I think I will close with this much tonight and promise to write more next week.
On Sunday we watched conference. What a wonderful conference it was. There wasn't one talk I didn't enjoy. I was especially touched with President Monson and his testimony, Near the end of his talk he started slumping a little. We could tell he was getting pretty weak and the brethren right behind him were ready to jump up to help him if he fell over. What a heart-felt testimony he delivered. Such a valiant servant of God.
After conference the kids and grandchildren came over for one of their favorite meals-chicken and noodles. This has been a family favorite with my own children and the spouses for years. I know all the grandchildren love it too. It was great getting to hear all of them trying to catch up on the week with each other. I will be happy to have that part of our Sunday's back next June. I love our time here in Hawaii but Sunday's tend to be a very long day because we are finished with church at 11:00 AM.
Our schedule at the temple is all mixed up this month due to it being the last month for the current presidency. They wanted to serve one week with each shift so we have been moved around also.
This week Larry's granddaughter, Kaylee is here visiting her cousin so we have been able to see her a few times which has been very nice. Later this month my daughter Carlee and her family will be coming over to visit us so that will be a good time as well.
I think I will close with this much tonight and promise to write more next week.
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