Tsunami Scare

Well, Oct. 27,2012  will be a historical evening for us.  5:30 p.m. there was an earthquake in the Queen Charlotte Islands off the coast of B.C. A couple of hours later our landlord's daughter pounded on our door telling us there was a Tsunami warning for the Islands of Hawaii and to evacuate.  I thought she was joking, because I had specifically said in my talk "I just pray there will NOT be a Tsunami!!!    http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/28/us-hawaii-tsunami-idUSBRE89R02M20121028

We knew we were to go to the Temple (a littler higher level than where we live, which is just across the road from the beach). We basically packed up all our personal belongings, plus food from our little storage pantry, filled our backpacks (which I had obtained from my favorite store "Give & Take") and headed to the Laie Temple grounds.  I always keep half frozen bottles of water in our freezer, so we felt we were quite prepared to spend several days, if needed  before coming home. Plus, Elder Reynolds insisted we take his Bavarian Peach Cream Pie we had just purchased - so we were set! ("If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear.")

The parking lot was filled with sr. couple missionaries,young missionaries, students, and local citizens. It was kind of like a huge tailgate party.  Everyone had their radios turned on, munching on goodies and just waiting for the first wave to come on shore, which was scheduled to arrive at 10:28 p.m.  

The Big Island of Hawaii was supposed to get the highest wave on the leeward side of Oahu.  (We live on the windward side.)  Fortunately, none of the waves (apparently there are many that come after a Tsunami) were very big and the surf was only about 3 ft. higher than normal.  No one seemed panicked and just waited for the final word that it was safe to return home.  Some of us finally left about midnight, and by 2 a.m. the "return home" notice was given.  What an exciting evening, after finally knowing all was well and we wouldn't be floating back to Idaho by way of the Ocean!!!!  Missionaries are always blessed.