February Visitors!!

February 10 - What an exciting Sunday to greet our daughter, Robyn & family at the airport.  We were all excited to see each other.  In just 5 short months, Logan & Saydee have changed!!!  Oh my!!

We got to play/work for 4 days.  Had great fun showing them around the PCC.  Eugene offered his past "tour guide expertise" and we laughed lots as we enjoyed our open air limo ride.  We took tickets @ night but it was so crowded (500 guests @ Prime Dining) we had to wait until Wed. to eat there.  Everyone enjoyed watching "HA" especially the fire dance!!   Logan doesn't ever want to sit on fire with a grass skirt!

We went to Kualoa Ranch and had great fun on the various tours.

 Everyone agreed the Jungle Expedition Tour was the best!  Our driver was so reckless, we thought he would roll the jeep we were in.  We hung for dear life and had terror & excitement tears rolling down our cheeks as we  learned about the various plants & trees, marine life.

Other favorites were various movie filmed sites like Jaurassic Park,  Lost, 50 first dates, Godzilla etc.

Kahuku Grill is a favorite eating spot.  Elder Grandpa, Logan & Saydee enjoyed huge snow cones.  Cocoanut Shrimp is a favorite!!

 Saying goodbye is never fun. Saydee hugging me goodbye.

Celebrated Valentines Day by attending a  dinner concert called "Due West," a country group from Tennessee.  They were great, but our dinner was not!!

Sunday, Feb. 17 -  Happy  Birthday to our son, Randy!!

 

Just want to say how much we enjoy attending our college student ward.  These worldwide kids are so amazing.  We learn from them whenever we are around them.  They exemplify courage, commitment and strong testimonies of our Savior by trying to pattern their lives after Him.  Most are so very far away from home.  Many are receiving their mission calls and are so excited to go serve worldwide.  We're trying to improve the ward here in Hawaii by offering suggestions we learned while serving at BYU-Idaho.  Elder R. attended the PEC meeting today and offered advice to help improve their priesthood.

Forklift Driver

Feb. 1 - Forklift Driver 

This is a new requirement for "Give & Take" Sr. Missionary Managers.  I must be able to sit on a fork lift, put my hands on the steering wheel and look like I know how to drive.  I passed this test with flying honors.  Hopefully when I return home I can get a job working with my son Ryan as his assistant.  Another option is to work as a part-time employee for Steven Longhurst Farms.  I might fail his required language test, which says I must be able to speak Spanish.  He says it doesn't count that I am fluent in many Polynesian Dialects as well as Mandarin Chinese, Malaysian, Japanese, Korean and English. I'm sure I'll be able to at least come up with "Mamaseita"!

New Companion - NOT!

Feb. 1 - Thurs.   New Companion - NOT

Look who was watching me cook supper?  Scared me to the point of using bad words! And then left me hoping I wouldn't be sent home from this mission early because of my choice of language!!!!   He is NOT going to be my new companion nor will he ever be welcomed in our apartment!!!!  He is now deceased and will never receive a Hawaiian Aloha Welcome.  Sister Maples (missionary friend) is sure his cousin in living with her.  Neither one should be allowed to enter a missionary's apartment, ever!!!!

Rain Storm

Sunday Jan. 26 - Historical Rain Storm
It started raining Sunday afternoon.  We ate dinner with our friends, Maples & Mickets then drove through the wet roads to a Stake R.S. Mtg.  Rained all night & all day Monday.  It came down like torrential rain Mon. afternoon. I didn't open Give & Take, just put Halloween buckets and shirts on the floors to soak up the rain.

 I had to drive through 2 feet of water to pick Gary up at the front of the PCC. I couldn't even get back to his work area which was swimming in 2 plus feet of water.  It was coming up through the manholes.  Many fields in Laie were flooded. It was pretty exciting but we were so glad we didn't get flooded or washed away into the ocean.

President Orgill's Farewell

 Jan. 18.  Pres. Orgill's Farewell

Pres. Orgill has served as President of the PCC almost 13 yrs.  We were so blessed to attend his farewell party Friday night.  

He and his wife arrived at 6:30 p.m. in this PCC  floral-covered cart.  

 They were greeted by the Motor Pool (Blue Shirts)  

They then boarded two canoes.  All of their children and special friends were with them and they rode around the Lagoon in the canoes while each village sung/danced and bid them farewell.

 At each village, the President & his wife were given beautiful leis and gifts. 

All 50 of us missionaries gathered @ the Mission Settlement House and sang "You are my Sunshine."  Tears flowed freely. This was a very spiritual and touching moment for everyone.  Pres. Orgill stood in the canoe and with tears streaming down his face, applauded all of us.

We were to wear our matching Aloha Wear.  

At the end of the boat ride, many of the Island People were dancing with fire.  We clapped and sang and danced to the song "Celebrate Good Times, Come On." There were torches burning, everyone dressed in their native costumes. So fun!!

We enjoyed our personal tour guides to help us find our way around the lagoon in the dark.  Eugene used to be a tour guide and also a canoe driver. One month ago he went to San Francisco and married Candace in the Oakland Temple. We work together at Give & Take. Thanks also to Eugene for snapping all my photos.  He treats me so good!!

 Following the canoe ride, we gathered at the Gateway and enjoyed dinner and a program.

When Pres. Orgill & Family arrived back at the Gateway, they were welcomed with the strains of "Called to Serve".  We were all singing.  Pres. Orgill personally hugged all who were near him as he passed.  He has reported directly to Pres. Hinckley and Pres. Monson for these past 13 yrs.  He is a friendly, emotional, spiritual and caring more for others than himself, man and will return to Orem, UT  where he and his wife will await their new Mission President Call.

 Over 1,000 missionaries and PCC workers were fed.  After dinner, all the people who work @  PCC  gave gifts and provided entertainment. This party lasted until Sat. 1 a.m.  The Polynesian people said they could keep entertaining for several more hours to show how much they love Pres. Orgill and his wife.

They received about 6 quilts, even one from Elder G's Department, "The Blue Shirts".  They (blue shirts) truly are the backbone, best workers at the PCC.

We R Blue Shirts..Chant..Elder R and his "Blue Shirt" Buddies recited their Hawaiian Chant.

For the closing number we all stood and joined in singing "We're Thanking You for all You've Done".  Once again, not too many dry eyes.

It was an incredible celebration & we were thrilled to be able to share in this grand occasion. Something we shall never forget!!!

Happy Birthday in Hawaii!!

 The day began with the Hawaiian's having their yearly devotional @ 8 a.m.  We sat in this awesome big hut and listened to speakers; watched singing and dancing. 

 We ate Hawaiian Food.  Each venue featured various food items salad, fruit, meat, (Hawaiian Style ) and cake desserts.  It was held outdoors in a beautiful garden setting.  This area on the PCC, that Hawaii represents has been recently renovated.  We were the first to get to see it.  Soon to come will be an awesome IMAX Theatre. We had a sneak preview and it is breathtaking to fly over all the Islands.  You even get sprinkled with water a few times.

Shopped in the afternoon @ Costco for our weekly hotdogs & berry sundae, washed the car then headed back around North Shore to eat supper with friends @ Kahuku Grill.  I really love the chocolate coconut banana bread alamode.  It is" to die for"....so I can only eat it every 6 months.

 

I modeled this cute table cloth that my friend Susan Robinson from St. George gave me.

Loved doing face time with my kids and grand-kids.  Gotta luv this IPHONE Elder R.gave me for my Bday.  Aloha 

 

Happy Birthday Sister Reynolds!!

Happy Birthday to my mom (a couple days ago)!  We missed not celebrating with her, but I know she didn't miss celebrating in below zero temperatures. Hope you had a great day!  We love you and miss you Mom, Grandma!!