More Sunday Thoughts...

In thinking about what to put in my blog this week I have had lots of thoughts come to me.  It has been interesting to me to see how my thoughts have transformed over the last seven months.  When we first arrived and started our service I wrote of places we were able to go and things we did on our days off with a little on our service in the temple.  As of late, the things we do and places we go aren't nearly as important as the things I learn and the spirituality that I feel from week to week.  I love this feeling.  Another epiphany I had today was that throughout my life I have always been active in the church, taught lessons, been in presidencies and casually read my scriptures.  However it was at those crossroads or trials in my life that I took the scriptures seriously-hoping to find the comfort and answers I was looking for.  After Carl's death I remember praying and searching the scriptures to find comfort in God's plan for each of us and I was rewarded with peace, for the most part.  I now appreciate the trials in my life that have driven me deeper into the scriptures.  It seems that the trials never stop and maybe even increase in numbers and severity but I know I can find answers and comfort in reading the scriptures and recognizing Heavenly Father's hand in my life.  I have been thirsting more and more to know more of Christ and His life and teachings.  I love learning of and pondering God's immaculate plan for us if we but just follow His example and hold fast to our convictions and covenants.

Today we experienced another very spiritual Sacrament meeting. The family (the Hikila's) that spoke talked of having the Light of Christ in our lives. They referenced a talk given in General Conference by Elder Vern P. Stanfill titled "Choose the Light". The little girl, almost 8 yrs old talked of her excitement to be baptized and the things she has learned by meeting with the sister missionaries. Her brother talked about a time when the power was out in their home and how afraid he felt. His mother assured him that the power would come back on and he believed her. He related that to how we need to have faith in what we are asked to do and that having the light of Christ is better than living in darkness. Sister Hikila shared her testimony of their being re-activated and being sealed in the temple this past December.The opening song was well chosen, "The Lord Is My Light".  Our Sunday School lesson came from 1 Nephi where Nephi was told by the Lord to build a ship so the family could cross the ocean toward the promised land.  Nephi said  "I will go and do the things the Lord commands..."  The question was posed "What things will we do that are commanded by the Lord?"  It made me think for sure.  I know there is so much more that is expected out of me than I have given over the span of my lifetime.  I hope I can in some way measure up to doing those things asked of me in order to return to Him.  I did feel good in that we are here serving a mission, something that has been asked of senior members when at all possible.

...Until next week.

1. 
   

WHAT A BLESSING IT IS TO BE BACK TO WORK

Here we are one week closer to going home.  I started this week by spending my two hours a week in the sewing center at BYU-H as I have been doing this whole semester. Like most other weeks, I didn't have anyone come for help but I was able to get a couple projects finished that I was doing for other people: a table runner for my sister-in-law, Debbie and a skirt mending for my neighbor, Judie.  We then made our weekly trip to Costco for groceries.  Milk in the grocery store is $5.00/gal.  At Costco it is $2.69.  Gas is also a deal at Costco at $2.09/gal. Then we attended FHE and learned about the Iosepa canoe that is on display at the PCC.  The carver for this awesome canoe talked of some of the tender mercies that happened in building this canoe that is actually used for some voyages between islands.

This week the temple reopened after the three week shut down.  That means that we as temple trainers have been very busy re-certifying the ordinance workers.  I think most temples do this once a year but this temple asks that we do it twice a year.  I really enjoy doing this because it gives me a chance to get to know each sister that I meet with just a little and feel of the spirit that is in the room when they repeat the ordinances for me.  I have been truly touched and my testimony strengthened by a few of the sisters in their love and gratitude for the ordinances they are set apart to help with.

Sundays are the best!  What a renewal I feel each week as I attend church, partake of the Sacrament and listen intently to the talks and lessons that area there for me.  Today was no different.  As I listened to one of the Sacrament meeting speakers, she mentioned a talk given by Sister Jean Stevens in the Women’s session of this past conference (Oct. 2014) on living up to our covenants (Covenant Daughters of God).

I came home from church and read the talk and have decided that this week I want to focus more on the covenants I have made with the Lord, which will ultimately let me return to His presence some day.  One of the comments she made was that the first saving ordinance that we take upon ourselves is that of Baptism.  Her comment was this, “As essential as and significant as the covenant of Baptism is, it is only the beginning—the gate that puts us on the path to eternal life. Ahead on our journey are temple covenants to be made and priesthood ordinances to receive.”  She quoted Elder Bednar as saying, “As we stand in the waters of baptism, we look to the temple.”  As I walk around this community of Laie, HI, and serve in the temple each day, that statement is perfect.  Looking out from the front doors of the temple is a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean at the end of a palm tree lined street.  This beach is called “Temple Beach”. 

Years ago this beach is where the baptisms were performed for the saints here in Laie.  They have since stopped the practice of being baptized here but what a perfect visual my mind sees. 







(The picture below is what I see from Temple Beach)

As we stand in the waters of baptism we can turn and look to the covenants we make in the Holy Temple of our God.  I personally am so grateful for the blessings that I have received from the covenants I have made--especially that of my eternal marriage in the Temple.  What would I do if I didn’t have the knowledge that I would once again live with my eternal companion who left this earthly life way to early? 

Which brings me to the third part of my blog today.  We are again, reading the Book Of Mormon.  I have been following an instagram group who is reading the Book of Mormon also.  (Social Media can be really helpful sometimes.)  The reading today is 

1 Nephi 17 and the question of the day is “How has the Lord been your light in the wilderness of life?”  I love reading the responses from other followers and today there were some awesome spiritual thoughts shared.  As I read of some of the trials that others have I realized that my life is no different than theirs in that we are all giving trials that the Lord knows we can handle and conquer.  We may not realize that at the time and feel as though we are going through a very dark wilderness with all by ourselves with no end in sight.  I have been there in my life a few times but with faith in God and His son Jesus Christ we can emerge from that wilderness and see the light of Christ again.  Nephi had some very hard trials with his brothers, his journey through the wilderness, his building a boat according to the Lord’s plans and his very long journey across the ocean to the “promised land”.  One of the comments today mentioned the wilderness of life that the early saints went through in just trying to do what the Lord wanted them to do when the church was restored to the earth.  I am pretty sure I would not have been a very good pioneer in walking across the plains and watching people starve or be murdered or die of disease but we all have our own journeys through life.  My journey has been filled with many small bouts in the wilderness (illness, money issues, conflicts with children, moves, new callings in the church. Etc.), a few bouts with a big wilderness in front of me, including the death of Carl and my parents and even the mission that I am now serving (I was taken right out of my comfort zone).  I am also sure that as I go through the rest of my life, which I hope is many more years, I will face the wilderness many more times but that through my faith in God and the knowledge that he loves me and wants me to return to him, I will be able to forge through those trials with an eye single to the glory of God.

For those who read this very long blog today,  I really didn't mean to go on and on about things but these things have really been on my mind today.  

GETTING BACK TO THE REASON I AM HERE IN HAWAII--THE TEMPLE

Here we are with only five months left of our mission.  I seriously can't believe how fast time is going.  It really seems like just a couple of weeks since we arrived and I had that deer-in-the-headlight look about me.  I know I really need to make the most of the time I have left here in beautiful Hawaii.  It seems like a very long time since we have actually been in the temple here.  It closed on December 28 for a scheduled three week cleaning/maintenance.  This Tuesday we get to go back to work, and I am certainly ready.  We will be very busy for a few weeks re-certifying the ordinance workers and hopefully training new workers for some of the shifts.  When we arrived last summer we had the task of doing this same thing.  I was extremely nervous then but now I have a little more experience so I am looking forward to it.  I love the temple and the wonderful peace I feel when there no matter the capacity in which I am serving.  I love the constant reminder of the meaning of life and the plan of salvation and what our Heavenly Father and His son, Jesus Christ have done for me and will continue to do for me as long as I am worthy of those blessings.

Today in Sacrament meeting, the high council speaker referenced a talk by Elder Robbins in April 2013 titled "Which way do you face?"  I have been doing much thinking about that phrase all afternoon.  I read the talk also to give me some further enlightenment on what that meant.  Elder Robbins talks of Christ being the only perfect follower of God.  He never let up on his standards (or God's standards) to gain more earthly friends.  He always knew what was right and and true and followed and taught after these things for his whole ministry.  Even though Christ doesn't walk the earth now, his teachings and example should still be the things we seek after if we are to "face" toward our God.  I loved this time to reflect on my own behavior in this matter.  I know that at times I have felt peer pressure to conform to beliefs or behaviors that didn't coincide with what God wants me to do with my life.  Sometimes I let the earthly desires I have overshadow the spiritual desires my Heavenly Father has for me.  I need to and plan to make a resolution to more perfectly follow those teachings I know to be right and true so that if asked "which way to you face?" I can honestly say, I face toward God and His teachings in the gospel.  I know I may falter at times--we all do.  But if I have my sights set in the right direction I know that Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost will help me to attain that eternal life that I seek.  
We were also taught about the correct use of the Sabbath day.  That is another thing that has been an interesting behavior change while on my mission.  When at home I would do those things that I was used to.  Church, dinner with family, maybe a little scripture reading or reading of church books, and some television.  Here we have no family and until recently, we were out of church at 11:00 with nothing to do during the day.  It doesn't take long to prepare a small meal for just the two of us so I have been doing a great deal of reading.  Scriptures and other church books (and of course blogging) have taken up my Sunday's.  Don't get me wrong.  I love having my children come to my house for dinner when I am home and am really looking forward to doing that again in another five months, but I am also going to keep up my spiritual reading and pondering the things I learn in meetings.  I know that these things will continue to bless my life as they have while serving a mission in the temple.  

Of another discussion, I'm not sure if I have mentioned in a previous post that I volunteer two hours of my time each week to be in the Sewing Center on BYU-H.  This week I also volunteered to hem lots of new mu mu's for the sister missionaries. The new mu mu's aren't here yet but I will be busy when they get here. A new couple (Brother and Sister Swinton) have just arrived to take the place of Brother and Sister Priday, who were over the visitors center and the sister missionaries.  Last night I met the Swinton's and was able to hem her new mu mu for her.  I love being of service to people using the talents that I have developed over my life time.  I also helped Debbie Pierce with some sewing projects yesterday as they get their home ready to put on the market in preparation for moving back to the mainland soon.

Well, I have certainly rambled on and on today so I'll close for today.  More to come next week, I'm sure.  Have a great week!

2016!!! Oh How Time Flies!

Sunday, January 10, 2016
Well, it has been a couple weeks since I have posted on this blog.  With the beginning of this new year I am greatly aware that our time as missionaries here in Hawaii is quickly winding down.  When we first arrived it seemed like one year would be a long time.  The first couple months did seem to drag a little but now the time is going fast.
I'll quickly recap the last couple of weeks.  We have been on a little vacation from the temple as it has been closed for cleaning and maintenance since December 28 and will not reopen until January 19.  As long as the temple was closed Larry and I planned a trip to other islands for a week.  I had never been to Kauai or Maui so that is where we went.
On the island of Kauai we stayed at Kauai Shores in Kapaa.  We traveled around the island in both directions.  We were able to see Kilauea lighthouse and the Nene geese, beautiful beaches and ocean scenes and lush greenery in Hanalei and Princeville.  We took a river cruise on the Wailua river to see the fern grotto.  From what Larry said, it wasn't as neat as it used to be but it was to me since I had never seen it before.  Our hotel was right on the beach so it was fun to walk along the beach there.
We stopped in the town of Kapaa to window shop in the quaint stores.  We went to Waimea and Kokee state parks and Poipu where we again found a fun little old town to visit.
We then went to Maui for three days. We stayed at the Maui Banyan resort.  Here we took a sunset cruise in the ocean to hopefully see whales.  And indeed we did see several whales.  They weren't actively breeching out of the water but we could see them and hear them as they surfaced quite often.  At one point we were surrounded by several whale and had to wait to leave the area.  It seems that a boat cannot start its engine if there are whale within a certain distance from the boat.  It was pretty cool. On Friday we did something that I didn't really think Larry was serious about.  He wanted to leave the hotel very early, drive to the top of the crater Haleakala to watch the sunrise.  That very early time was 4:00 a.m.  which meant we had to arise at 3:30.  I was not really hip on this but when we arrived at the top after about an hour and a half drive in the dark on switchbacks, there were about 150 cars there.  We weren't the only crazy people.  It was cold for Hawaii (45 degrees) but the eventual sunrise was truly amazing.  I was glad that we did it and that I hadn't discouraged Larry from his life long dream of doing that. (It did take me the rest of that day to really wake up). We then went to Lahaina and again, walked around a fun little old time shopping district.  Banyan park was there where one banyan tree had reproduced so many times that a whole park was just banyan trees.
Saturday morning we got up and took the road to Hana-a very beautiful but pretty treacherous drive with something like 200 curves and several narrow bridges where only one car could cross at a time. With the time that we stopped to take pictures and do a couple little hikes to waterfalls and a black beach, it took us about 3 hours to get to Hana.  Once there, there was absolutely nothing.  No restaurants, no fast food places, not even a place to get a soft drink.  Back on the road we got and made the return trip in just over an hour.
Today, Sunday, we left the beautiful island of Maui and returned to our humble little apartment in Laie to get back to the business of serving our mission.

As a little side note, our good neighbors, Gary and Connie Reed have been serving a mission in Redland California for the past year.  We turned our papers in the same week and got our calls a week apart.  They have served their mission and will be leaving for home this Thursday!  It doesn't seem possible that they have been gone a year and are nearly finished and we still have five months left.  I guess if there is one thing that I envy about their mission it is that they were able to leave soon after getting their call and are finished and able to go home.  Our time will come soon enough though.  We still have service to do and am looking forward to getting back to the temple and our assignments there.  I have missed it and I'm sure I will miss it even more come June when we leave.  One thing I have to look forward to is the eventual visit from two of my children and their families the end of March and first week of April.  Stacie and Keri both gave the vacation to their kids for Christmas so they are pretty stoked about coming to Hawaii to play, and of course, see grandma and grandpa!
Wahooo!