Monday December 31, 2018

Last night we attended the last Fireside in the Visitor's Center for the Christmas Holiday.  The Shumway family put on the fireside.  The Mom is extremely talented and she runs a voice, piano and dance studio.  So we enjoyed their talents.  The Dad is the son of Eric Shumway.

Today we went into Laie for our VC meeting at 7:30.  Great meeting.  On the way back ran into a traffic slow up...20 min. each way...There were 16 trucks and numerous workers all watching about two guys actually work.  Typical.  Some times these power lines hang clear to the ground, it's a miracle more people don't get hurt.

Tonight for New Year's we are going to Elder Allen's house for a bar b cue with the Sister's from the Visitor's Center, and then they will all watch a movie, and we will come home.  Happy New Year!

Thursday December 27, 2018

Today is our Amelia's 11th birthday.  What a blessing it is to have her in our family.  She is excited to start Young Womens!
Tonight we got all us Senior Missionaries from the Visitor's Center together and had dinner here.  We spent the day cleaning and cooking.  I made way too many potatoes and ended up freezing a pan and we still had a pan left over.  Those Costco potatoes are just too big and make too much.  I think I'll give a pan away.

We ate, and enjoyed sharing stories, had a sort of Senior meeting so we wouldn't have to in the morning and then played the candy bar exchange gift!  It was a riotous fun!   Good food, friends and fun!  Perfect way to end the day.

Lukers, Tuitupos, Sebrings, and Allens

Christmas Day in the Honolulu Hawaii Mission 2018

Merry Christmas this day.  What a wonderful day, and to enjoy the beauty of the island over here on Christmas is so special.  Yesterday we took a walk on the beach and enjoyed the warmth.

Then we came home and finished reading the Book of Mormon.

I'm thinking of the Savior today and the tremendous price he paid for us.  I am grateful for the Book of Mormon so I can understand a little bit more about my role here on earth.  I know we are here in Hawaii for a reason and it may be to help people remember why they came to earth and their responsibility to Jesus.  I love the Book of Mormon, every time I read it I wonder how people can doubt the truth in it.  Joseph Smith could never even have come up with so many weird names if he wrote it himself, let alone the stories.  I hope I have learned and can retain what I have learned by reading this book.  It humbles me to think of the magnitude of our lives and how important we are to those who might be watching our example.  I'm grateful this day for my faith and the faith of my dear sweet Husband.

Here is a picture of the present we gave each other:

We have a District Meeting today so I am baking treats for our sweet Elders again...

Hope everyone reading this had a great Christmas and remembered the true reason we celebrate this day.

Monday Christmas Eve 2018

Whew!  What a fun filled busy week!

Tuesday, the 18th, we did the lunch for the returning Missionaries, at the Stake Center.  It was a bit easier having it there than the pavilion by the Temple.  We only had about 11 returning home missionaries.  Three were our VC Sisters.

Then for most of the week we prepared for Christmas with baking and delivering and visiting with families.  We have made some good friends here and they are like family now.  Friday, we had our Senior Couples Meeting, we delivered our presents for the VC Sisters (we each had two to buy for, these were Sisters who might not have any presents to open on Christmas day).  Saturday we went with my good friend Leslie (who has now come to sew for the PCC as a missionary) with her roommate (not called companion as they each have a different assignment on this mission) into Kaneohe to a Farmer's market.  It turned out it was on Sundays and Wednesdays not Saturdays.  So we drove over the mountain to Costco, then lunch and then Walmart and home.  They were able to stock up and many items they needed.

Yesterday, Sunday,  we had shorter meetings at both our Branches.  A lot of people were gone and it was kind of empty, especially at YSA.  As the YSA meeting was ready to start I looked over and saw this lady walk in, I knew I knew her but it took a minute.  It was my good old friend from when we lived in the Woodside condominiums over 35 years ago, Leslie Gibbons!  What a fun surprise.  Turns out she is related to our Branch President, through her daughter's marriage.  She had her son JD with her also.  We were able to catch up a little and I'm hoping to have her and Jim over for dinner with us some day soon.

JD and Leslie Gibbons

We had a Christmas Sacrament meeting and it was basically scriptures of Christ's birth with a lot of singing.  Our wonderful kids did a great job.  I love these people so much.

Louie and Chelsea

Alora, Ryo and Louie

Alora and Char

We actually had time to have a leisurely dinner today.  After dinner I ran over to the VC to the Fireside of the Chalk family.  While driving I passed a bad accident in Kahuku by the High School, where a utility pole had been hit by a SUV and the pole fell on top of the drivers part of the car.  When I arrived at the VC there was no power, so no lights.  It was weird.  I ran and got a flashlight out of the car and then everyone used their phones flashlight to shine so the people could be seen and see their music to perform for us.  It was a "Light your World" moment for sure.  They did a terrific job.  When I went to come home all the lights were out all over town and it was pitch black.  Spooky.  I drove through Kahuku and just past the accident the lights were on again.

I wanted to post these two pictures,  both are of Ramon with our granddaughters.  One is of Rayma 20 years ago and one is of Esme a week or so ago when we were home.  Very similar pictures of our beauties.

Ramon and Rayma 20+ years ago

Ramon and Esme

Christmas Eve we met at the chapel to have dinner that the Goo Family provided for us.  It was beautiful Salad and Soups.  It was so kind of them to think of us all at this busy time of year.  We enjoyed visiting and eating and then they stayed and sang every Christmas song in the Hymn book, all the verses, but we came home.  Wonderful end to a Christmas Eve.

Monday December 17

Today we went to the VC meeting at 7:30 and then ran into Honolulu to get our computer fixed,which is dying.  I guess we need to buy a new one as this screen if rapidly going.  So if I don't post for a few days it is because I am trying to figure out what to do.

We rushed home, it took us 2 1/2 hour with the heavy traffic.  We were trying to get back in time for FHE with the YSA branch at 6:00, to  join them in Christmas Caroling! Barely made it in time to plate some cookies and rush out the door, It was the most fun ever.  President Fullmer had a flat bed trailer behind his truck and it had a bench on it and we all piled on and he pulled it slowly up and down Kam highway stopping to go on the frontage roads by the houses as we sang.  It was amazing the crowds that gathered or came out to watch us. I think they had never seen such a thing.  We all had a great time.  I had a necklace and headband that lit up with Christmas lights and was quite festive, if i say so myself!  Here are the pictures.  We also caroled at Jack Johnson's house, he's a famous singer from here and also a famoous surfer's house, can''t remember his name.

Elder Chandler and Nicole

President Fullmer and his wife Rebekah

Our Relief Society Presidency
Marisa, Nicole, Michele, and Alora

Sunday

Another busy busy Sunday.  Started with our YSA Branch council meeting at 8:00.  Then we got a call to teach in the other branch today due to Brother Bowen filming the surf competition at Pipeline.  Then an hour later the Elders asked if we'd go to the Sunset Family Branch council meeting instead of teaching and they'd teach the lesson.  So change of mind set.  It was sad at YSA as we sang Aloha Oi to Nicole who is returning home to Arizona after years here.  I really love this girl, and wish the best for her.

At our Family Branch, it was also sad, we sang to Elder Chandler as he is being transferred to Hilo on Tuesday.  He was crying all through his farewell talk and then the singing got us all crying again.

 In Relief Society we plated up cookies and went caroling to all the auxiliaries and offered each person a cookie. 

After church we ran home and ate, and ran over to Laie to the fireside at the Visitor's Center.  The Tonga Sisters were the fireside.  They are making a name for their family, having been on the Ellen show and touring the South Pacific. I thought I got a better picture but it turned out it was on "video' and "video's" don't don't show up on this blog.  Darn. They are beautiful girls.

The sister's holding and singing with their younger siblings. Cute little ones sang great too!

 Afterward Ramon went up and found out we are real cousins.  His cousin Sulianna was their grandmother, and I even remember her,  We also met another family member, Sione Nui's daughter.  I knew Paul Niu, the brother of Sione, at CCH.  Small world.

My good friend Leslie King arrived yesterday to start her mission here as a costume sewer in the PCC.  We took her and her companion to take some pictures of BYUH all lit up for Christmas.

BYUH all lit up for Christmas, beautiful!

 We had a little bit of trouble finding Leslie's apartment in the dark but finally found it.  It's nice and new but kind of small.  But Leslie NEVER complains and is loving it all.  She has a very nice companion.

Saturday December 14

Today was spent baking again and then attending our Branch Christmas Party.  The Party was held at the Community Center where we hold YSA Branch church.  We went over a couple of hours early and helped Peggy and Dave set up.  I baked cookies for tomorrow's cookie exchange at Relief Society and then made us a couple of fruit cakes.  Ramon and I love them and they last for months in the refrigerator.  We were exhausted afterwards, as we also stayed and cleaned up. The highlight of the night was have baby Paslee there, she was born before we arrived in July and spent up until now in the hospital due to have very little intestines.  They worked miracles  on her and reconstructed new intestines and she is perfect now!  Such a sweet, happy, healthy looking baby now.  Many prayer were offered on her behalf, miracles due happen these days.   Pictures below:

Friday Dec.14 con't.

 We started today, Friday, by checking Elder's apartments for cleanliness...hummm.  The main problem is space.  They now have to feed themselves at night and cook for themselves and they have no cupboard space and half of them don't have stoves or ovens.  This is going to be fixed, I hope.

Afterwards, we had lunch at Seven Brothers and then ran to the doctor.  Elder Sanft has had a large bruise on his forearm for a month.  He finally decided it had something inside it and maybe he ought to tell me about it.  We got right into the doctor, who asked another doctor who thought maybe we should wait it out or have a ultra sound.  I opted for the ultra sound tomorrow.  They only do them once a month at this clinic here.  They seemed to think a baby centipede bit him while he was doing yard word.  He doesn't remember it hurting or when it happened,  just a large bruise.  Now it has a 1/2 inch hard thing inside.  We'll see.  Meanwhile, they called and said the technician wouldn't be in for the ultrasound, so to wait.

We came home and I made some Christmas treats, for the "returning home missionaries" and also the ward party tomorrow night, and the cookie exchange at RS Sunday.  Everything looks yummy but they aren't but the kids will probably love them.  Too sweet.  Tomorrow I'm making Fruit Cake for us and sugar cookies, also for the returning Elder's lunch.

Friday December 14, 2018

Merry Christmas!  We arrived back in Hawaii yesterday afternoon after an awfully early flight from SLC.  Grateful for a son, Doran, who was willing to get up at 3:00 a.m. and drive us up to the airport!
Ramon couldn't find his drivers license so there were several tense minutes there, but he was cleared to leave finally.

Now back to the last week.  We were so fortunate to be able to come back home and help a little with Maile and Cameron's new baby girl.

This is Esme Goldie Ashby!  Welcome to our world little one!  So precious.  I spent a day cooking up some meals to freeze and leave with Maile.  She didn't need much help, she is so organized and efficient.  What a good Mommy she is to Inde and little Esme.  Maile's labor was only about 2 hours from start to finish and as a result she felt fine.  She's a little sleep deprived now, but things will settle down pretty soon. Her home was all decorated beautifully for the holidays and her neighbors and friends had given her a shower and she had all she needed to carry on.

We were able to visit with our children at Shahara's home, which is a new home and she had it decorated for the holidays just beautiful too.  She had everyone over for dessert night on Sunday but then she made soup, bread, nacho sauce and chips and eggnog.  What a fun night catching up and eating our fill.  Then two days later she had us and the Crists over for dinner and to go to a choir concert Maya was in.  The food was so good, and she is making me proud of how well she cooks and presents her food.  We went to a Christmas concert at Mt. View High School and saw Maya excel.

Beautiful granddaughter!
We were able to go out to dinner with a few friends and 

enjoyed good food and a wonderful visit with them.

Happy Birth day Esme Goldie Ashby!

Our sweet newest grand baby was born this morning.  Maile called us and when I saw the time 3:37 a.m. I knew she was in labor.   We are running home for a week tomorrow and I had hoped she'd wait til we got there.  But all is well.  We were worried and got special permission to go home for a week, and we took advantage of it.  Ramon said at dawn, "so are we still going?"  You bet!  She'll now need our help for a few days and I can tend our sweet Inde!  Maile delivered fast, just two hours after calling us she gave birth.  Lucky for her.  Esme is 20 inches and 6 lb. 7 oz. of perfection.  Looks a lot like her big brother.  All is well and we are so blessed.

Then we ran into town and Ramon saw his eye doctor.  All was well there and he didn't have to suffer through a shot in the eye  today.  Now we just have a couple of FHE's to get through and tomorrow's meeting and then we leave for home tomorrow night.  Our car is a mess so we are dropping it off at the Mission Home for repairs while we are gone.   Now for the pictures:

More pictures as the day progressed....

Our sweet Inde with his new Sister

At night we headed over to Kahuku for FHE with the YSA Branch.

I took left over chips and dip and made a few dozen cookies, had to

use up the dough in the refrigerator before we leave.  We played the game
 Elf on a Shelf, other wise known as "Sardines".  See if you can see

where our first Elf Nicole hid...???

Elder Chandler warming up or showing off, prepping for the game!!

Elder Chandler

Ryo

Elder Bass

Nicole and Alora

Ryo and Elder Chandler

Then we gather together to
all share how this can be related to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It's amazing but everyone usually had plenty to say about it.

Sunday

Today was "fast" Sunday so we had break the fast at our  YSA Branch.  Needless to say, we had plenty of leftovers from the Pig Roast so had leftovers.  Everyone loved it all and we even have plenty of chips for FHE.

The Smith family from the back

Elder Chandler and Emily
the girl who lives in the "bedroom"

After Sacrament meeting in the Family Branch we all moved forward and watched the church's Christmas Broadcast from Temple Square with our Prophet President Nelson.  Special meeting.  I loved Sister Eubank's talk.  So special, simple and sweet.

Saturday--Big Pig Roast Day!

Well, the Triple Crown is back on, it was off for a few days due to small waves, but bright and early we heard the announcers!  We walked over, mainly to buy Elder Sanft a t-shirt of the event.  Here are pictures.  Our friend David Bowen was directing it for TV.

TOO many people on my
favorite beach today!

 This morning we spent cutting up watermelon and pineapples for our Big Pig Roast today at Sunset Elementary school.

At 11:00 we drove over there and helped set up.  The pig was done about 1:00 but we had to wait for the chicken and rice to come from Laie.  We had lots of chips and snacks to keep us fueled and then the pig was presented.  The pig roast was a missionary effort to let people know who we are and to give them some knowledge of the church.  There were even people right off the street, well, right off the beach, since across the street from SunSet School is Pipeline another great beach for surfers.  We had a great time and met some wonderful people.  I invited a bunch of Japanese people and then had no one who could speak Japanese to them.  But they ate and smiled and thanked us.  President Fullmer built the roaster and got up bright and early to put the pig on and supervise.  Then he had to leave to perform a wedding but joined us later for the feasting.  There were games and the Branch bought some big balls to have people roll around in...?... Elder Sanft even decided to try the balls.

We had a Elder 's Quorum party at 5:00 but BYU also was having a Girl's Volleyball game so we didn't go to the party we were just too tired, we're starting to feel our age.  :)

Nicole and President Fullmer

Elder Sanft and Brother Speigler

Brother Speigler and Louie our cooks!