Temple Tuesday

We went to the Temple this morning.  Sessions are on the hour and we missed one by 5 minutes, but are learning.  It was nice, we were the witness couple.  Is so nice to have a couple of hours of peace contemplating what's important in life.  Sunday a man mentioned that people say it is nice to get away from the world for a while at the Temple but he heard a General Authority say that the Temple is where our world is not out in the other world.  Interesting thought, must make it more so.

 View from the Temple steps looking out

Our beautiful Temple hibiscus

Then after the Temple we went to 7-Brothers
Somehow it tasted better here than in Provo

Now I'm going to make a huge batch of dough up for Chocolate Chip Mac cookies for tomorrow night, our Wednesday night with Nick and his family and my new friend Marley the parrot!

Monday

 How I like the PCC, no people

Not really, they need to make money 

for the students at BYUH

Second Shave Ice, but who's counting

I told Ramon if we lived across the street 

from Masumoto's I'd get one every day  for 

my lunch.  Try every flavor.  This one was

banana and coconut

We first spent the day at the PCC (before they opened) getting our landlady Peggy's brother tickets for the day.  What an ordeal.  The girl was soooooo sloooow.  Then it was because she wasn't supposed to sell tickets.  Oh well.  Then we drove into Honolulu which will from now on be named "town" and looked for the first of the eye doctors we had been referred too.  We had to do this since not one of them had returned my many phone calls asking them to call me so I could make an appointment.  I decided we'd march into the office and get them to serve Ramon.  Well, we couldn't find the right building so we parked at Ala Moana Mall and walked back the way we had come looking for the address.  I went into a bar and met the nicest people.  The hostess said she'd google it for me and showed me the view from above.  So I thanked her and ran and caught up with Ramon and then we tried to enter the right building through the parking lot.  Saw the locked doors and a USP guy waiting, he asked what we needed and directed us through the parking lot to the middle building inside of the block of sky scrapers, and finally went up to the 5th floor and there it was.  The nicest, too nice, receptionist, who just kept smiling and nodding and she took Ramon's information and we filled out forms and made an appointment. So easy.  They even googled a Sprint store nearby for us and off we went.  We should be able for him to have his first appointment there in October and then the doctor serves one day sort of by us on the North Shore and it won't be so far to travel. But every 3 months isn't too bad if so.  I have to come into town every 4 weeks as it is.  

Got to the Sprint store and the boy transferred Ramon's bad phone over to his old iphone and didn't even charge us.  Then off to Costco, for another load of food, this time for the "break the fast" Cafe Rio style on Sunday.  Then to Walmart and just since we were passing Hale'iwa we stopped for shave ice before they closed.  Long line this time.  Grrrr.  Came home at 6:45, big day and rested for a bit and off to YSA FHE at 8:00.  Can I just say I am loving this YSA branch so far.  They love us too!  A new boy was there whose name was Austin Sanft!  We chatted a bit, I told him I had a 18 (he's 18) year old beautiful granddaughter!  He was way impressed.  I also met a girl whose Dad is from Basin City Washington where my cousin Michele lives.  She texted her Dad and he knows my cousin's crazy husband well!  Small world.  

I didn't have my phone but took pictures with Ramons and I'll post them if I can figure out how to get them to here.  I need some help.  It was a small group tonight but they are so much fun, we laughed and laughed with them.

 This is Alora, she is teaching us how

to play a game called Mine Bomb...I think 

that was the name

 You have plates that we drew donuts 

and bombs on..you put a blindfold

on and a friend directs you to miss

all the "bombs" and you get points

for all the donuts you walk on...

 Sister Chow who was Elder Sanft's partner

Sister Cardensa with Nicole

This is Austin Sanft!  He's 18

Sunday

As expected Sunday was a very busy day.  On Saturday President Bekker had called us and asked us if we would take another assignment, not serve in the Tongan ward but add the YSA Branch instead.  We were a little disappointed for a minute but knew there must be a reason for the change.  So we headed for the YSA ward at 10:00 Sunday morning.

It is a pretty small branch, and started typically not on the hour, but was really nice.  I've done as I did while serving at Jamestown and asked for a special blessing on being able to remember names,  and I saw this happen again yesterday.  There were about 20 young women there and only 4 men, not counting the full time Elders and Sister Missionaries.  

The Relief Society President is Michele and was so sweet.  Everyone welcomed us and was so nice.  It's kind of fun being around young adults!  The Branch President is just turning 40 this Saturday and is fun too.  He is President Fullmer and was fun talking about his ADD and how he deals with it.  He is very energetic and the kids seem to love him.  We stayed there until 1:15.  We were kind of put on the hot seat for a bit during the last hour, it was a combined Priesthood and Relief Society meeting and we sat in a circle and anyone could ask any kind of question of us older people.  There was also a missionary couple from BYUH who serve with us.  The first question was "Do you believe in hitting your kids?"  I answered a loud "NO", then we all went on to explain about reasoning with them, gently but firmly counseling, what to do with kids who scream in grocery stores for items, etc. , swatting their bottom etc.  Next question was how do you explain to your friends/family  that can't go to your temple wedding why they can't go in.  Good questions.

After this meeting we drove home, I made us sandwiches and we only had time to eat a half before having to run to Kahuku to our Sunset Family Branch where we had to speak at 2:00.  We rushed and barely made it before the opening.  Our talks were on the blessings of a latter day prophet and how we benefit from them.  I guess it went okay.  Mine was written up and Ramon's was from the heart.  You can guess which went over better!  He mentioned the many times of living in the 18th ward where a lot of General Authorities attended as well as Prophets.  He has had some unique and special experiences with them through the years of his youth and later moving so many of them in the moving business.  He mentioned having to speak before going to Viet Nam and President Joseph Fielding Smith spoke right after him.  I think he was an apostle at the time.  Ramon had people in tears as he related special times.

This meeting went from 2:00 until 5:15, finished up with a Priesthood, Young men. Young women, 

and Relief Society in a combined meeting talking about the recent fireside President Nelson had counseling our youth.  They went over the  5 things he asked the youth to do.  Great meeting.

We drove home again, ate the other half of the sandwich and ran back into Laie to attend a 24th of July musical fireside.  We sat by the Tuitupos but we left half way through.  The music was nice, but not what we expected.  It was modern LDS music, songs I'd never heard but not about the Pioneers nor any good old Pioneer hymns.  We left just too tired to sit on hard chairs any longer.  

Was a good day but a big difference from our short Sundays at Jamestown!  I think we'll like the YSA ward.  There is  pool party for Relief Society sisters in a couple of weeks at Turtle Bay, I'm in!   Also, a break the fast next Sunday with Cafe Rio food,  I'm cooking some of the pork and other stuff. FUN!

Saturday

Friday was pretty uneventful.  We got up at 6:00 ran to Laie to purchase powered sugar for cookies I was making.  Came home, made cookies, went to the beach for an hour while the house cooled down, or  I should say got a tiny bit cooler.  We then cleaned up and went into the Visitors Center to see what was up.  Evidently they only have a total of 2 couples working there all the time plus Sister Missionaries.  So they will probably need us to substitute for them quite a bit we hope.  One of the men in one of the couples was a guy I used to know in the school district, Paul Tuitupo.  They arrived just a week before us.  It was fun to remenis and find out we know many of the same people.

Later, I went with Sister Hancock (our landlady and Relief Society President of this branch) to take dinner to the Branch President's family their baby just returned home after a while in the Newborn care unit after being born.  Then Peggy's son came and hooked our TV up and the day was over. Below are pictures of the dogs here.  They are friendly and stay outside all the time and NO treats ever!

 Ellie, she's  younger than Chester

Chester, old soul 13 years, can barely walk

Wednesday

We got our first Shave Ice with Shahara's family and then off they went to the beach.

Shave Ice #1

Should I count them? or will I be embarrassed at the end of 18 months!

We met with the Elders to go to a members home here on the North Shore.  These people are in the business of catering wedding and other events.  The home was set on the beach with a great expanse of green lawn down to  the beach.  The family are part members, the dad and 3 children got baptized two years ago and Mom is still deciding.  Evidently they feed the Zone leaders and Sisters and Senior Missionaries every Wednesday at 5:30 and we are to bring anyone we want with us. 

View from deck

The 15 year old son had these parrots or macaws, not sure exactly what they were.  He has raised them from incubated eggs and feeding them every hour as babies.  Marley is 3 months and Blue is younger.  Marley took to me...must have known I was a nurturing soul. 

Marley - 3 months

Blue

 Sunset at Turtle Bay

Family Home Evening with the Polynesian Cultural Center missionaries

Last night we went over to the PCC and walked and walked (it didn't seem this far 47 years ago) back to the far corner where the Iosepa Canoe is housed to hear about it first hand from the man who carved it.  This canoe is 57 1/2 feet long, it took 8 months to build which is a feat in itself.   Canoes usually take 5-12 years to carve.  This man said he learned to work in 4 day shifts, 24 hours a day without sleep.  He and a Tongan carver built it.  I won'd go into the details but miracles were performed and the fact alone that it weighs 9 1/2 tons and still floats is a miracle.  It was a fascinating evening and cool breezes blew through and I was so reminded of my younger years working in this beloved place.

Our missionary loving this!

More pictures of our hideaway in Paradise

 Shower for our sandy feet off our deck

 View of back of house, we are main level

  Chickens that are too friendly!

 Papaya tree

 Orange tree

 Our deck

 Children's play house

 Garden area

Back of house

I wanted to post pictures of where we live because this blog will become a diary/book when we finish our mission.   It will undoubtedly have some random pictures and comments to help us remember our time here

Sunday

Yesterday we went to church and found out we were in the Samoan ward.  I guess I forgot they rotate in January.  On the way back we stopped by Turtle Bay because Shahara had texted and said they wanted to go to church with us.  So we went back to the same chapel and attended the Tongan ward, where Ramon met a cousin, of course.  Then home for a quick break and back to the Sunset Branch at 2:00 for their services.  We stayed through all the meetings and then the President of the branch wanted to talk to us. We got back to the apartment at about 6:00, ate and then went over to Turtle Bay to see the kids and play Catan with Shahara, Tom and Maya.  Maya loves it and always beats us at  this game.  I was running on vapors,  I was so tired.  Came back at 9:30 and went to bed.  Ramon actually went to bed early and to sleep.  Guess because he didn't get any naps that Sunday!

We talked with the Mission President last night.  He'd like us to stay with the Sunset Branch and also serve in the Tongan ward as well as a few other things.  No PCC but maybe some substituting at the visitors center, which we'd love to do.  He mentioned that they are soon to have 70 Sister missionaries at the VC second only to Temple Square.

Today we got up early, went into Mililani to Walmart, spent $160, then went over to Costco and spent another $250.  Sure adds up when you think you are stocked up but need just a few things.  Ramon had forgotten his swim suit, brought no BYU shirts, left his brand new shoes home, and then needed shoe polish stuff. Next time I'm packing for him!  Poor Doran having to mail all that to us.  We did buy shorts and swim suit, but the shoes need to be sent.

Got back to the apartment and put stuff away and then spent an hour across the street at Sunset Beach, my favorite.  But I swear either the waves have gotten rougher, it's usually calm in summer time, or I'm getting picker and more fragile!  But I enjoyed the cool water and just floating around.  Too many tourists for me though.  I had a good visit with Peggy our landlady after too.

Tonight we are going to FHE at the Polynesian Cultural Center.  More on that tomorrow.

We made it!

Well, after a girls night of seeing my much awaited favorite movie Mama Mia 2, (loved it by the way)  and staying up far too late we got off.  Doran was good enough to drive us to the airport with Amelia. Tears flowed by me and can I just say how much I love my kids.  They were meant to be mine all the way, good or bad I love them so much. 
We had a good flight except for the landing, really rough.  We got a text from the Williams saying to text them when we landed.  He is the housing guy and she is the President's secretary.  It was great getting to put faces with whom I've talked to so much.  They told us if the housing didn't work out they'd be glad to help.  Anyway, we walked the wrong way to baggage had to turn around and tramp back.  Got out mountain of luggage and waited for them at the curb.  and waited, I thought I got the message wrong.  But they got help up by a policeman doing his duty but only gave them a warning.  
We got our little car and headed to the North Shore.  

I, knowing my way around went on my way, missed the turn right at the base and Ramon kept saying:  "You're headed to Kahuku!"  then he'd say "you're headed to Makaha!"   I would laugh and say 'I can see the ocean I know where I am going."  Well, little bit later we pull in front of the Snowpuffy place!  I had gone about 1/2 mile further West, we were on the wrong road unless you want a Snowpuffy!  It was soooo crowded!  Cars in the parking lot and across the street.  Crazy.  I hate that everyone knows our special places.  After the Snowpuffy Ramon was okay with my little detour.  But the traffic was crazy busy Saturday afternoon!  Took us forever to go 10 miles.  And the Turtle beach was a nightmare.  I wish all the tourists would go to the Big Island and leave mine alone!

We made it to our apartment and I absolutely love it!  Now if I can just get this husband of mine to go to bed at a reasonable hour all will be okay.  We have a four burner gas stove and the oven does hold a normal cookie sheet if you put it in the long ways!  It is a beautiful setting, the Hancocks are so nice.  I have tons of storage space and it is full of "stuff" everyone has left, like: toaster oven, sewing machine, tons of paper stuff for picnicking, kitchen ware, etc.  Love it.  So blessed.

Our apartment, main floor

The "studio"  a bit messy 

The view...Sunset Beach is on other side of trees

Kitchen - it's got lots of cupboards!

I should have taken pictures after we unpacked not during!

As we started to unload I noticed my suitcase with all my Sunday clothes was missing!  We checked the car, and no suitcase.  We tried calling the airport and TSA lost and found is only open 8:00-2:00!  So we drove back to the airport an hour away, now it's 10:00 p.m. Utah time!  I told Ramon to circle round the airport pickup area because you were not allowed to park and wait.  I jumped out and he drove off.  Just then I realized we were at the local Aloha Airlines and not Delta.  I asked a traffic guy where Delta baggage was and he said about 1/2 mile away!  I said "Oh no" and he promptly told me to take the WIKI WIKI shuttle (it's free), it was just arriving.  I jumped on and told the driver "Delta please."  We drove there and I got off and no one was anywhere around.  I thought, well I'll just have to get my  suitcase, catch the WIKIWIKI and go back to where I was dropped off to find Ramon.  His cell phone stopped working and had no way of communicating. 

So I walked to the turntables, no one around except a nice security cop lady, she didn't know anything.  She told me to go ask a guy who was a long ways away.  I ran over to him and he said  "Dear, go back along the back wall and turn left and walk until you come to the office."  I did and walked and walked.  Got there and saw some bags but no people.  I politely yelled "Hello?"  A voice came out of no where saying "is that you Sister Sanft?"  I said "yes, do you have my suitcase?"  He came out pulling my beloved suitcase.  He said he had called President Bekker (now he knows how dumb I am!) and told him about our suitcase.  I told him he was a wonderful human being.  Then I started back to the road.  Suddenly, I thought how did he know my name, that the suitcase was ours and to call the Mission President.  There was nothing on the suitcase to say we were missionaries.

Then I get to the curb befuddled and ask the traffic cop guy when the next WIKIWIKI was due.  He said any minute.  I look over as this car pulls up and it is Ramon.  He figured I was dropped off at the wrong place, had only been circling 3 times when he saw this old lady dragging a bag to the curb.  Yup, the whole thing only took about 15 minutes.  It was truly a miracle for this tired old lady.  We hadn't eaten, it was now about 11:30 Utah time, so we stopped at Zippy's to have food.  Whew!

Today is Sunday.  After getting 3 hours sleep I was up at 5 local time and ready to go with the Roosters crowing.  We spent another hour putting stuff away and deciding we were staying here!  We went to the Tongan ward at 8:30 which ended up being the Samoan ward that started at 8:00!  We attended that then started back and saw Shahara had texted us about church.  She and her family have been here a week at Turtle Bay.  We drove over there and went in and they decided to go to church with us.  So we then went back to the real Tongan ward at 10:00.  I almost cried it reminded me of my LA wards and all the love I had and have for those sweet friends.  I hope this mission is as wonderful as that was.  What great times we have remembering.  After church we came back to our apartment where I'm writing this, then church again in the Branch at 2:00.  I really hope we are assigned to the Tongan ward.  It felt so good to be around familiar people.  That's our adventure so far.  First miracle happened for us now let's see where the other miracles come!  

I know we are supposed to be here for a reason other than my love of Hawaii.  I will post how we got to this point in another post when I have more time.  For now, Aloha!

MTC 2nd day...

Here we are pointing to our island mission.


This sweet girl is our afternoon teacher and we came to
find out she is in our home ward, has been for a year, but
of course we've not been there!  What a great teacher
she is.  Just lives up the street from us.
FYI  We had  great devotional tonight with President
Ballard as our speaker. It was fun to see Leslie (King)
there helping with the music, and we met a couple who
are going on their mission to Maui next month in our
mission, friends of Leslie.  We ducked out at noon and
met Maile and our Inde for a quick lunch at Taco Bell,
don't know if I can make it 18 months without my boy.

We were so spiritually fed today.  Our Hearts and eyes
were overflowing.  We were told that of the 1400 or so
missionaries in the MTC only about 25% came from
homes who had two parents taking them to church, not
even counting having daily prayers, or FHE, or scripture
study, just getting them there AND the other 75% were
not even that blessed.  I am amazed at the young men
and women who desire to serve without parental
influence.  What great youth are here willing to serve
our Lord.  Humbles me.  We were reminded of in the
early days of the church how so many fathers and husbands
left their young families to serve.  We really don't even
know what it is to sacrifice, so I guess I can make it
18 months without my grandkids.  I've been feeling
sad because we'll miss so many milestones in their
lives next year.  But I know this is what we are supposed
to do.  We've been promised so many times that miracles
will happen in our family.

We made it to the MTC!

July 16, 2018  - Entering the MTC
Pretty neat Birthday for ME!

We're going on a mission!

It's official! On May 1, 2018 we received our official Mission call to the Honolulu, Hawaii Mission as Member Leader and Support Missions. We are beyond excited and blessed to have this opportunity. Follow along with us for the next 18 months as we document our experience.