Well, here we are with just one week to go before we board a plan headed for SLC. This week has gone so fast, as have the others. In each of our Prayer Meetings last week as I stood to give the training, I mentioned that that would be my last day on that particular shift. I got a little choked up each time I said it. This week we will say goodbye to all the night shift people as we train in their prayer meeting. When I came to Hawaii just a year ago I had no idea I would get so attached to some of the people here. I have so enjoyed what we have been doing here and the special interaction we have had with so many.
A couple weeks ago President and Sister Taala invited us to their home for dinner along with Brother and Sister Fry. They served Hawaiian Haystacks which were really good. I haven't had those for a very long time so I totally enjoyed the evening. We had a nice time just talking-something we don't get to do in the temple very often. Tonight we had a visit from President and sister Nihipali. They brought us a nice gift of a picture of the Laie Temple and a picture of the Chad Hawkins version of the Laie Temple. I don't have either of those pictures so I was thrilled. We have been collecting some Hawaiian pictures to put on our walls at home so these will be nice additions. Tomorrow we are invited to President and Sister Kealoha's home for lunch. I'm sure we will have a great time there also. These people have been so very nice to us and have really appreciated our service. The Fry's are going home the same day as we are so the lunch is for them too.
This week we will be busy packing our suitcases and cleaning out the apartment. It isn't to big so we should be alright. We have had to send some boxes home and still have a few boxes to go I think. Mostly because we have bought some souvenir items. Oh, alright. I have bought a few new articles of clothing but I am leaving some things here too. I have given some of my things to the sister missionaries and have left some temple clothes at the temple for the student workers. Some of our left over food will go to one of the college girls who is a coordinator at the temple, Sister Katie Kelly. I have become pretty close with her and hope we can keep up correspondence at least through FB.
Next Sunday we have been asked to speak in church so that will require some prep time this week. I was hoping we could escape that but not so. Our topic is Fathers, in honor of Father's Day the next week.
Sunday night we have been invited to stay at Keith's house since he is taking us to the airport early the next morning. We will leave about 4:00 AM for our 7:00 flight. We should arrive in SLC about 7:30 PM where all the kids and grandkids will be awaiting our arrival. If all goes well, we will go for ice cream on our way home. I can't wait to see them all.
As for things I learned or was reminded of in church today. Our SS lesson was on the conversion stories of the Sons of Mosiah and Alma the Younger. They were rebellious and speaking out against the church until they were visited by an angel and chastised. Alma the younger was even struck down for a while. After he regained his health he became a great missionary for the gospel of Jesus Christ.The question was asked "when were you converted to the church"? I pondered that. I have been a member all of my life and probably relied on the testimony of my parents and my husband to some extent. I am not the kind to question authority and have always known that the teachings of the church give me a better life. I know that as trials have come to me through the years that I was strengthened through prayer and reading the scriptures. I know that my testimony of the atonement and temples and families has truly been strengthened this past year as I have been away from family serving in the temple most days. So for me, my conversion has been a gradual process-one that could have been challenged because of any number of difficult trials in my life. I am so grateful I have chosen to let the Lord and His son Jesus Christ help me through those times and heal me rather than distance myself from them and let adversity and the adversary win. I know that when the time comes that I have another huge trial or devastating circumstance, I will find myself in the temple to find solace and answers rather than try and figure them out myself.
One thought to go along with this. After Carl died, I found that I needed a crutch to help me get through some pretty tough times. Yes, I prayed and read scriptures and asked questions but sometimes I just needed a diversion. I shopped. And I shopped. Almost to the point of an addiction. I didn't need the things I bought but it made me happy. I have now come to realize that those things were a false sense of security. I really only needed the gospel of Jesus Christ and the comfort I receive from earnest prayer and study to make me happy. I have come to appreciate that so much this year.
Yes, I know this has been long but I had lots to say. I may not get to write again until after we get home but I will continue this blog.
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