Week 36 Report

Can it be that another week is gone? Where does the time go? We’ve had two missionaries go home this week rather unexpectedly – health issues. It’s hard to see them go. Hopefully they can return.

Wednesday the long awaited day finally came. Emily arrived on the 3:30 pm flight from SLC. What a treat to have her here with us! Thursday morning she got up early to do a couple of hikes and spend some time at the beach. About noon Daryn, Catie, and Clara arrived. They checked into their hotel, had naps, and then came to the office. We enjoyed dinner and visiting at our apartment.

Friday morning we went into work. Emily, Daryn, Catie, and Clara headed to the Arizona Memorial. What a great way for them to spend Veteran’s Day. They said it was a very emotional experience for them all – well maybe not Clara. Daryn and family went back to their hotel for naps. Emily joined us and we left work early to drive up to see the North Shore.

Waimea Bay

We stopped at Waimea Bay and watched the huge waves. This is the time of year they begin getting big. There were about a dozen surfers way out in the ocean waiting for waves. The lifeguards were constantly keeping everyone out of the water and away from the big waves rolling in – some very scary looking.

After getting home, Devon, Emily and I caught a bus down to Waikiki to meet Daryn, Catie, and Clara for dinner at Dukes.

On the bus to Waikiki

Birthday dinner at Dukes

Dinner was yummy. Because it was Emily’s birthday we were treated to an amazing macadamia ice cream pie. We decided to also get a slice of chocolate chip ice cream pie. It was more than enough for all six of us. Then we walked down the beach hoping to see the Friday night fireworks at the Hilton. We missed it, but enjoyed the beauty of nighttime on the beach. We also enjoyed walking around the old Royal Hawaiian Hotel. Daryn is staying there – quite posh!

Night walk on Waikiki Beach

Saturday morning Emily and I went to a jewelry craft fair with Sister Overduyn and Sister Yim. It was fun. We each bought a necklace. After that we drove to the Swap Meet. When we got there we were sorely disappointed that it had been cancelled due to a University of Hawaii home football game. What where they thinking? So we drove home. We picked up Devon and drove to the Dole Pineapple Plantation where we met Daryn and his family. We had fun looking at everything and feeding the koi fish.

Train ride at Dole Plantation for this cute family.

Pineapple sunglasses anyone?

Next stop was Turtle Bay. Catie had never been there. We walked around, bought a couple of t-shirts, and had a relaxing time sitting on the beach. Clara loves the beach – not so much the water, but she sure likes digging in the sand.

On the way back everyone wanted to stop and get dinner at one of the food trucks. Now, I must admit I have been very wary of the food trucks and haven’t had anything from them yet. Many people sing their praise – I was hesitant. But…I gave in. To my surprise I had a delicious chicken dinner, and to my even greater surprise I didn’t get sick. Win! Win!

Yummy chicken dinner - from a food truck!

We stopped to watch a beautiful sunset before heading back to Honolulu.

Sunday morning I went to choir practice and then Devon and Emily joined me for church in our beautiful, historic, tabernacle. We came home and had short naps/rests before Daryn and family picked us up to do a little sight seeing. 

We stopped at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl. It was wonderful. After that we drove to the Tantalus Lookout to view all of Honolulu from high up on the mountain – breathtaking. 

Clara and Grandpa enjoying iPad time. 

Clara came back to our house for dinner and fun time with us while her parents went on a date – dinner and a magic show. We sure love having family here.

Not sure what to call this, but it grows on a bush here in Hawaii - so colorful!

This is a live tree at the Dole Plantation. So colorful!

View from out balcony.

It’s been quite a week! I want to mention (for the sake of history) that this last Tuesday was the general election for the Presidency of the United States. The result was historic and unexpected. A total outsider, Donald Trump, won – no one expected that result.  It has caused great angst with some people – others are thrilled.  America is at a crossroads. My prayer is that we can come together and learn to appreciate and love each other for both the things we have in common and the things we don’t. After all, we are all God’s children.

Week 35 Report

It’s been another great week in the Hawaii Honolulu Mission. Monday was Halloween. Our missionaries were instructed to keep dinner and teaching appointments, but otherwise keep a low profile – no proselyting. Instead the senior missionary couples throughout the mission were encouraged to organize dinner and FHE for each Zone. So the office couples got together and had dinner and some games with the Honolulu Zone (which we are in). We had a great turn out and a great time.

We dearly love these cute missionaries and they love us.

Most of the week was business as usual in the office – letters to prepare and mail, email’s to answer, return travel to request, records to update, housing problems to deal with, etc., etc., etc. Devon made one trip to Laie and one to Waipahu for housing issues. President Bekker was in the office on Wednesday so we took turns going over our individual lists of questions for him. The mission is running smoothly, but there are problems. We have a few missionaries dealing with serious illness with family members. We keep a close watch on them and they are doing remarkably well. And then we have the little silly problems – cars that get “dinged” or towed, missionaries that get locked out of their apartment, bikes that break down, and apartments that have something break or leak. It is constant, but pretty much everyone takes it in stride.

Wednesday evening Elder and Sister Overduyn invited all the office couples over for split pea and ham soup with Elder Phair and Elder Kempe. It was great. We ate, visited, and then we taught everyone to play No Peeky - a really fun game play with Rook cards. We taught it to our YSA in England and also love playing it with our grandkids. We all had a good time.

We had Elder Eborn and Elder Jensen over for dinner on Thursday (sorry no photo) and then I went to stake choir practice. We’re preparing for stake conference and the Christmas concert. I’ve been practicing my ukulele when I can, and Sister Reeder and I get together every Friday for a little jam session.

On Friday we looked at a newly remodeled apartment in our building. We are going to lose the apartment Elder and Sister Overduyn are living in when they leave in December. The owner has family that needs to live there. So we need another apartment for the couple replacing the Overduyns. This new apartment is on the 29^th floor of our building, has an amazing view, and, as I said, is completely remodeled. I think we may move to it and let the new couple take over our apartment. Devon’s not anxious to move, but I would love the view. Besides there’s a dishwasher and all the windows and doors have screens on them – something we don’t have here.

Friday evening our dinner out was with the Overuyns and the Evans (senior member and leadership missionaries). It was at the Pagoda – a restaurant surrounded by a moat with lots koi fish. It was pretty good.

Saturday started off with stake Christmas concert choir practice at 7:30 am. After that Sister Overduyn and I got pedicures. When I got home Devon was watching the BYU football game. We watched until half time then set the DVR to record the game and headed out to run various errands. We came home and watched the end of the game, even though we already knew they won. Go Cougars! In the evening we decided to go see a movie and ended up in a remodeled theater with recliner chairs – very nice.

Sunday was wonderful, as always. Elder Yoshihio Kukuchi, an emeritus general authority, visited our ward and bore such a sweet and strong testimony. We also met a sweet senior couple from Washington who are here on vacation for two weeks. It was fun to talk with them.

After church we had short naps and then headed up to the monthly Break the Fast with the senior missionaries in Laie. We left an hour early to check on a couple of apartments. One is being remodeled and Devon wanted to see how it was coming along. It looks good, but we didn’t have a key so we could only look through the windows. The other apartment is one for a senior couple – not so nice. I think we’ll exercise faith and keep looking. The couple doesn’t arrive till later in January. Housing is so hard to find that it’s hard to let go of a vacant one even if it isn't ideal.

The dinner with the senior couples was very enjoyable – good food and good company.

We were beyond exited to run into Elder and Sister Gray at break the fast. They are a couple from Orem that we served with in the Mt. Timpanogos Temple a few years ago. They come to BYU Hawaii every winter semester as service missionaries for 4 1/2 months and love it. Our paths have crossed with so many wonderful people here - old friends and new.

We close our week with great anticipation. Emily arrives on Wednesday and Daryn, Catie, and Clara arrive on Thursday. We are beyond excited! We’ve worked very hard to get ahead in our work, so we will have time to enjoy their visits. We close this week with continued gratitude for the opportunity to be here. Truly there is nothing better than serving a mission together.

Love these interesting palm trees.

Week 34 Report

Monday was a cloudy, rainy day. Work went well at the office. We had the monthly Missionary Leadership Conference with about 50 missionaries. The office staff prepared a nice lunch of chicken croissant sandwiches, pineapple, kale salad, clementine oranges, chips, and cookies. After the conference is over the office is always flooded with missionaries coming in for supplies. We love it! We had a new sister arrive from the MTC. She is so sharp. She has been studying Mandarin Chinese and will be serving at the Laie Temple Visitor’s Center. She is the only American sister we have speaking Mandarin. Her new companion came to the office to meet her and they were having a good time speaking Mandarin and giggling.

In the evening we went to a local member’s house for senior FHE with the members of the McCully Ward. There are 3 wards that meet in the Honolulu Tabernacle: McCully, Makiki, and Manoa. Each senior office couple is assigned to one of the wards. We are in Manoa, but we get invited to events in every ward. The members really do love the missionaries – senior and junior.

Tuesday was Hawaii at it’s best, weather wise – beautiful blue skies, refreshing trade wind breeze, and air that felt crystal clean. It was a quiet but busy day in the office. Not many interruptions, so we were able to get a lot of work done. I even was able to have a nice, short nap. We made another trip to the Toyota dealership to pick up the remaining new cars for the office. In the evening Sister Overduyn and I attended a Relief Society event for the Manoa Ward. The RS president was recently released, so she and her counselor had a dinner/social at her home to say thank you to all the sisters that served in any capacity with her. I was included because (1) I’m a missionary, and (2) I play the piano for RS. There were about 30 sisters attending. Sister Mataele’s home is high up on the hills above Honolulu. The view of the city and sunset was beyond amazing. We had a wonderful, bountiful turkey/ham dinner with all the trimmings and then some. We visited and played a cute game. It was just wonderful to be with these special women. They truly practice the aloha spirit – old and young. It is pure joy to be in their presence and share in their love of the gospel and each other. This is such a special place!

Wednesday was cloudy with misty-like rain off and on – someone called it Hawaii snow. We had a good day at the office and then spent a couple of hours running errands for the office. Devon needed to restock apartment supplies, and I needed things from Office Max. We came home and had yummy leftovers I brought home from the RS dinner last night. It was just as good the second time! Our absentee ballots finally came in the mail. We filled them out and dropped them in the mailbox.

Thursday was much like Wednesday – more clouds and rain off and on. After office hours we hopped on the bus and went back to the Fossil store at the International Marketplace to have the band on my new watch adjusted. They were happy to fix it for me. We walked around a little and then caught the bus back home. It cost us each $1.00 to ride down and we used a transfer ticket to ride back. Doesn’t get any better than that.

Stunning light/skylight in the International Marketplace

 Again on Friday we had rain off and on. I spent a good portion of my day updating my instruction book. The previous mission secretary left me amazing instructions – I would have been lost without them. But, things have a way of changing and we’ve added a few new things…so, I’m updating. It seems really strange to be thinking about my replacement - didn't I just get here?! Friday evening we went to dinner with the Overduyns. The restaurant was just okay – Italian, but can’t hold a candle to Olive Garden (which we, unfortunately, don’t have in Hawaii).

Saturday morning I went to stake choir practice at 7:30 am. They are preparing for their big Christmas concert and today was the first practice. After that we loaded up the mission truck with a queen bed, fire extinguishers, a vacuum, and a package - items that Devon needed to deliver to various missionaries in Kaneohe and Laie. It was rainy again, so we carefully wrapped the bed in tarps and then headed out. The ride was lovely, and everything got delivered. We were so pleased to see the progress of the new senior missionary couple apartment in Hau’ula. The owners have made it adorable – cute furnishings and colorful accent walls. I would love to live there. Hope the new couple feels the same.

After everything was delivered we stopped at the Settlement in the PCC. I have fought the urge to begin a Hawaiian quilting project, but finally gave in and bought a small project. Most of the Hawaiian quilts, pillow coverings, and wall hangings you find here are made in the Philippines. If you find one made in Hawaii you pay $$$. I finally decided the only way to get a reasonably priced one made in Hawaii was to make it myself. So for $28.00 I bought a kit – now to get started.

We decided to drive around the North Shore (the long way) to get home. We stopped at Seven Brothers for late lunch. Hawaii is noted for it’s wild chickens. They roam all over the countryside. Of course, we don’t see any in Honolulu. Anyway. I had to take a photo of some we saw while we were having lunch in Kahuku.

 Devon is so good to me! He let me stop at The Ukulele Site store in Hale’iwa. I had my ukulele with me and wanted to ask about different strings. The sweet Hawaiian man working there was so helpful and encouraging. He helped me pick out some new strings and put them on my uke for me. I have a beautiful koa wood Kanile’a super concert, which he agreed was a prize. He played it and WOW! The new strings give it a different sound – more mellow, which was what I was hoping for. Now all I need is practice, practice, practice!

Sunday was restful. I attended ward choir practice. The talks and lessons were all excellent. Bishop Halstrom had us all stand as we sang the intermediate hymn, "I Believe In Christ." It was so powerful! They have called a RS pianist, so I’m out of a job, unless she needs a substitute. I suppose that is okay, but I did enjoy playing. It’s a good calling for the sister, so I’m happy.

We end our week feeling grateful and very blessed. Between the wonderful people and the surroundings, there truly is beauty all around us.

Ginger

Hibiscus

? - but look at the interesting leaves

Week 33 Report

Monday…crazy busy Monday! I was fully expecting a quiet start to the week, but that never happened. It seemed I was stomping out fires and answering questions at every turn. I had a ton of advancement letters to prepare and print – easily the most I’ve had with any transfer. The fact that we have 27 new trainers for 27 new missionaries was the biggest factor. President was inspired to call missionaries who have only been out 2 transfers as trainers. They are fresh, committed, and excited about the work. I think it’s brilliant. Devon spent a good part of his day delivering household stuff and bikes to missionaries. Monday evening we had FHE with the other senior missionaries at President Bekker’s home. It is always relaxing to get together, visit, eat, and play a fun game. President gave us a great thought from Preach My Gospel. It was a welcomed relaxing end to a stressful day.

Sitting L to R: Sister Evans, Sister Overduyn, Elder Overduyn, Elder Haskell, Sister Haskell (on floor). Sister Sturgis, Elder Sturgis.

Standing L to R: Elder Evans, Elder Reeder, Sister Reeder, Elder Tufts, Sister Bekker, Sister Tufts, President Becker, Sister Eldridge, Elder Eldridge, Sister Bentley, Elder Bentley, Sister Yim.

Actually, the best part of Monday was a couple that stopped by the office. They are from Utah and are here on vacation. They want to serve a senior mission in Hawaii and stopped by to see if there was anything coming up. Well…there certainly is! We are due to be released in March. This couple has extensive banking and secretarial experience and would love to work in the office. WooHoo! I think we have replacements. Nothing is guaranteed, but we have a need and they are available. Hopefully it will all work out.

Tuesday was also busy, but steady. I finally was able to shred two sets of files for the departing missionaries, and create files for new incoming missionaries. I also had time to organize my Come and Go Binder for upcoming transfers. It’s a genius method of keeping track of what needs to be done and when. I used to be afraid I would forget something, but now I have full confidence in this system. I updated and emailed the weekly Come and Go Report and emailed the mission newsletter to all the parents. I also mailed letters, release certificates, and travel information to the stake presidents and bishops of our November departing missionaries. Devon was crazy busy updating the addresses and phone numbers after transfers. It is such a mammoth task and it changes every 6 weeks. He is also getting paper work competed for the new senior apartment, and getting ready to close out another. In the evening we drove to Super Cuts for hair cuts with our favorite girl, Vicki.

Wednesday and Thursday were more of the same at a manageable pace. I got started on the next round of departing binders and I’m ahead with handouts and letters That always makes me feel good.

One of the things I make every transfer is the above “Planner Add-ons.” They are quick teaching references for the missionaries to use. They add them to their planners. Months ago I reformatted the text. Now I just have to print the four pages back-to-back, laminate, and cut each page. Then I take them to have holes punched so they can add them into the spiral binding. It is labor intensive, but so much cheaper for the mission if I do the work instead of taking it to Office Max – heaven knows we spend enough money there with other things. I also print, laminate, and cut two other information sheets for the missionaries. It always feels good when these are out of the way.

Friday was a quiet day. Work was steady and we didn’t have many interruptions. Sixteen new cars for the mission have arrived and needed to be picked up at the Toyota dealership. So a group of us drove over to get them. Sister Reeder and I have started having “ukulele Friday.” We bring in our ukes and play for a few minutes in the afternoon. It’s so much fun. We’ve started working on Christmas music. Friday evening we went to dinner at a great Mexican restaurant with all the office staff. After dinner we walked to a store called Martin & McArthur’s. It is a high-end store specializing in products made from Hawaiian koa wood – very beautiful and very expensive. It was almost like a museum.

We bought these koa wood Christmas trees, but passed on the $34,000 table and $14,000 headboard.

A couple of the new cars we picked up are going to be shipped to the Big Island. Before that can happen they need to be driven around to get the gas tank below ¼. Elder Reeder, the car czar, asked us to take one on Saturday and drive as far as we could, and we were happy to help him out.

Does this look like a mission car? Well it is, and it is the car we got to drive around. Pretty sweet! Our assigned car is a 2013 Toyota Corolla with 18,000 miles on it. We don't put many miles on...after all, we are on an island, and we walk back and forth to work and church all week. 

First we went to the Dole Pineapple Plantation.

Then we drove to this quiet cove and went snorkeling. There was a fair amount of fish. But as I was paddling back to shore, along came a huge school of yellow stripped fish  and some blackish fish – probably 50 or more! I followed them around a bit as they stopped and fed off the rocks. They didn’t seem to mind me at all. After the beach we headed home for quick showers before we made a run to Costco, Safeway, and WalMart. With all that, the gas gage was still at ¾.

Sunday was beautiful and relaxing. In the late afternoon we decided to take a drive up Tantalus Drive to see the view of Honolulu from the mountains. It did not disappoint.

This photo was taken from the balcony of our apartment building.

It's been another wonderful week. We're rested and grateful to have another week to serve in the Hawaii Honolulu Mission.