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.
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