Wednesday - Friday

Wednesday we had our weekly dinner at the Geronio's house.  It was great to have Nick back with us after his trip to Norway on business.

Then Thursday we had a ward missionary meeting at our place.  I fixed soup and salad but the Elders had a meeting and had to take their food to go.  We walked down to the beach after to visit with Melanie and see her new truck, I should have taken a picture of it.  She's happy with it.

Friday we had Zone conference all day and had it at our Kuhuku building.  It was enlightening but was hard sitting for 7 hours.  Then we went into Laie and picked up our NEW car!  We originally thought we were getting a new older car but this one was brand new...55 miles on it.  It is so nice.  It is a Nissen Sentra and silver.  On Monday we have to go into Honolulu and get Elder Walker to take off the car's monitoring device that they use on all the young missionarie's cars, this records the speed and any erratic driving habits.  Us olders don''t need this on our cars, and it is really annoying if you make a tiny mistake a loud voice comes yelling out at you.  So far no voice for me in the 12 hours I've had the car.

Then after that we ran home and grabbed our things for the YSA barbecue.  It was really fun and enjoyable but I and others made way too much food.  Thursday I had cooked up 30 lbs of potatoes for salad and made it up in two huge pans of potato salad.  I cooked up 3 dozen eggs for it too.  Anyway, not even half was eaten.  Another Senior Sister made two huge things of macaroni salad and it was hardly touched.  Anyway, the take away from all this is kids just like burgers, hotdogs, chips and drinks.  We had a lot of fancy desserts from Costco too that didn't get eaten.  Oh well, we learned, I think.  It was a fun night and I took a few pictures when I remembered.

Our cooks, President Fullmer, Ray, JD Gibbons, Christian Fullmer

Playing a table game

Basket ball and the whatever they are called balls.

Shot of leftover food

Too much eating, food coma!

Tuesday March 27, 2019

Well, we are back in Missionary mode today!  It was very fortunate that Marisa came when she did.  We had scheduled most of our medical appointments not on that week and then as days would go by many of our Missionary activities also got cancelled.  So we ended up having so much free time to spend with the girls.  But not this week.

Today started with me making cinnamon rolls for the District meeting at 10:30.  On this day we would usually award the "cleanest" apartment a prize, usually items for them to make a dinner or breakfast for the companionship that wins, but our winners left on an emergency transfer so we didn't have a winner there.  Hence, the cinnamon rolls for everyone trying so hard to win.  But I had to lay down the lay on some cleaning areas that were being neglected and told them I was really going to step up the inspection!  We'll see if my instructions are followed.  Picture below of the leftover cinnamon rolls and milk, I forgot to take a beautiful picture of the rolls right out of the oven!

After our meeting we came home and I worked on the wash after a long week of not washing and having company...then baked cookies for our "ministering" tonight.  Michele (Relief Society President) came over and we drove into Kahuku to get together with a few others to minister to the inactive YSA kids and tell them about the big barbecue we are having Friday night.  We took Michele and Tanner (our Elder's quorum President) in our car with us and had a huge success with finding people at home and all promised to come!  Such good kids.  Fun day of service.

Monday

Today was a sad day, Marisa had to leave to go back to Utah.  I promised to be a rainy day but we said we'd drive the island to find her some sun...so waking up to rain, we went into our VC meeting and came home and headed to the beaches by Ko Olina got a mile down the road and turned around and headed to Hahauma Bay.  It's a long drive but had the only sun we could use and see.  She and I snorkeled a while, didn't see a turtle that I hoped to see.  Then we drove back, stopping at the Valley of the Temples for a quick tour.  Then we came back, got ready to take her into the airport.

Along the way we stopped and saw the Turtles on the way to get Snow Puffies for her to take home to her family.

Farewell Marisa!

We stopped at Costco and then to the airport.  Sure was a fun week and loved having this special girl with us even that short of time.  Emphasizes how important family are even if so far away!

Saturday and Sunday

On Saturday we went looking for a sunny beach, started out early with Marisa and I running over to Shark's Cove, about 8:30.  We gingerly stepped in the water and then were scared by the high waves breaking over the rocks.  I hadn't checked the tide times and thought the tide was coming in.  Needless to say we weren't brave enough to venture out.  So came home, checked the tides and it was okay, was going out but we got Ramon and headed the other direction.  We stopped at Castle beach, she got in but I didn't and Ramon stayed in the car reading!

After an hour we left that beach, went over to Hukilau  where our stake was having Youth Conference, so that didn't work.  We drove on and headed over to Pounders.  Looked at it and decided to ditch the beach idea, it just kept raining!  We came back home, showered, changed and headed to Mililani to a movie.  Then stopped for shave ice on the way home.  That night Marisa and I went over to BYUH to their Cultural Night.  It started at 8:00 and we lasted til almost 10 then came home and crashed into bed.

Sunday we had our usual church meetings, after YSA at 4:00 we went straight up the coast to go to the Valley of the Temples, a beautiful Buddhist Cemetery with different areas for different peoples of the world.  We arrived just as they were closing, who closes at 4:45 p.m. when the sun is still shinning!?!  So that was a two hour trip for nothing!  We drove back and I drove her around BYUH to show her the campus and we stopped at the VC and met Tuituitupo's daughter and her family who were visiting.  Long day, bed early.   We did stop and take some amazing sunset pictures. We want to go to Hukilau Cafe for breakfast tomorrow.

                      Marisa taking a picture

Fun Friday

Unfortunately we had to take Sara to the airport this morning, so we made the best of it...!  We first stopped at the Snow Puffie bakery and got snow Puffies.

Next stop was Kaena Point to show the girls the beautiful coast line.

After that we went over to the Dole Plantation and walked around and got the girls a Dole Whip cone.  Then we fueled at Costco and dropped Sara off at the airport about noon.   She's a great person and we enjoyed our time with her.

After we headed over to the other side of the island, not where we usually go...to Ko Olina and Disney's  Aualani Resorts.  We got our normal parking place and enjoyed the afternoon there at the calm bay.  We didn't snorkel just enjoyed the sun and calm sea. Marisa and I walked around the Disney resort and oooed and awwwed at all the fun stuff and wished we were rich enough to stay there.

Then stopped in Mililani on the way home for food at the Shack, a bar and grill we like to eat at.  Came home pretty tired but to a huge package awaiting us.  My friend Debbie Turner from LA had sent me a large Christmas Santa Hawaiian style.  He had on flip flops and Hawaiian clothing and I love him!  She was so thoughtful to do this.  Fun day!

Thursday

On Wednesday we went into Honolulu to the Aloha Stadium to the swap meet.  We first had to run and get Elder Sanft's library book from the doctor's office in Waipahu, he left it there after his appointment.  The girls and I walked around the swap meet for a hot hour and didn't really buy much.  Then we headed over to Hanauma Bay but stopped at Jack in the Box for a quick lunch and then on to Hanauma.  We had a great time, we snorkeled and Elder Sanft sat under a shady tree and read his book.  Although he did get in the water for about 15 minutes.  The doctor had told him that swimming would be good therapy for his ankle.  I saw my famous fish, the Christmas Wrass, this one was brilliant fluorescent with aqua fins and neon print stripes!  I love this fish for it's unique markings and the creative designs all over it.  God in all His simple beauty.  Next time I promise to take my underwater camera, I keep forgetting.  Afterward we stopped at the Blowhole and took some photos.

Blow Hole!

Marisa and Sarah

We finished up and came home but Garmina directed me up and over the mountain and once I started and found she was wrong, I couldn't turn around.  It took us at least an extra 45 minutes to get home.  I was so mad but now I know!  We came home and the girls  went to Sunset Beach and took more pictures of the sun setting, and oh!... the moon these past 2 days.  It's so bright and gets all the roosters cock a doodle dooing all night!

Today, Thursday,  we went over to Waimea Beach early and got in some sun and the girls swam a bit. Then we went to the PCC and walked around.

Canoe Show
I suggested Elder Sanft take the scooter, which he did, but then that bothered his knee that had a replacement knee and so he was not a happy tourist.  We also went over to the Visitor's Center on the tram and Sara spoke to some missionaries there.  Then we drove over to 7 Brothers for hamburgers, and then to the point to show it off to the girls.  From there we went to Turtle Bay to film the sunset from there and then back to the PCC for the night show.  It was spectacular as usual, I love it!

Beautiful Marisa!

Tuesday March 19, 2019

We ran into get Ramon a shot in his eye and the doctor decided to take some time and run some tests, so...we waited quite a while, but the girls were good sports.  Then we went over to Pearl Harbor and Sarah and Marisa went in the museums and then we all took the boat tour  over to  and around the Arizona memorial.  They are refurbishing it now and so we couldn't get off the boat but we still saw it.  Very moving, first they show you a 20 minute film about December 7, 1941 and then you view the Arizona.

After we went and got lunch at Zippys, stopped for Malasadas from Leonards red stripped truck, and then went up to Punch Bowl Memorial Cemetary.   Then we came home in rush-hour traffic and drove through Hale'iwa and just had to stop for shave ice, but we were so full we each shared one with another.

The girls returned to the apartment in time to change and run across the street in time to see the sun set.  Our beautiful Marisa!

Monday March 18, 2019

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELDER SANFT!!

Today is a very special day for my husband, his birthday and we tried to fill the day to the brim with fun things to do!

Let me start by saying that last Saturday our Granddaughter Marisa (Shahara's) came to visit for a week with a friend, Sarah.  So we spent the day Saturday picking up them each separately from the airport and then running home and dropping off stuff and running back to the airport, but it was all worth it for a visit, we are so excited to have them here!

Sunday was spent mostly at church meeting, with me showing off our Marisa.  But between meeting we went over to Sharks Cove and saw the waves, again they were majestic with 40-50 foot waves!  The girls were impressed!

Sharks Cove

Then after our afternoon church we came home and had a St. Patrick's Dinner, corned beef, cabbage, carrots, biscuits, mashed potatoes, and Ted's Bakery Strawberry cream pie!  We had invited a young woman Sara had converted on her mission to Tiawan, the girl had gotten married and lived here in Laie going to BYUH.  So we had her and her husband join us for dinner.

Ali and Skyer                                                             

After dinner we went over to Turtle Bay to look at the sunset, but it was too cloudy.  We had a very good sabbath!

Sarah, Skyer, and Ali                                                                                   




Marisa and Sarah                           

Today we ran into our VC meeting but they were doing training on for the teaching center, from SLC via SLC,  Sisters only, so we were able to leave.  Our Visitor Center is the second largest in the world next to Salt Lake City.  We are not in this picture as we forgot it was picture day.

  We came home and drove around trying to find a place to get some sun and water but it was still early so we went and toured Waimea Falls Park. 

On the tram up

After that we went over to the beach at Turtle Bay and layed out for a while but no one was brave enough to get in, it was too cold and windy.  I had packed a picnic so we sort of ate that.  Then came home,  changed and went over to Kualoa Ranch to do the Movie Tour.  It was a lot of fun.

Us acting scared!                                     

Chinaman's Hat Island from Kualoa

 After we went to the Pounders restaurant in the Marketplace of the PCC and had dinner.  A waiter spilled a full glass of water on the Birthday boy but it was an accident...and they gave the Birthday boy a free piece of guava cheesecake! 

We then ran home and I iced the Watergate cake ( he always has to have that cake!) and got ready for FHE.  It was just our branch and we had 20 people.  Great turnout!  I had to cut that cake pretty thin to serve everyone.  We found out a couple of our Elders were being transferred suddenly to another city.  I don't know any details but I sure will miss them.  I really liked Elder Fatiou.  Fun full day!

We played "Dart Art" outside                                                                                               

Sarah and Marisa with our YSA                               

The group after...we had 20 people!  A record for Elder Sanft's Birthday!  They love him!

Cody hugging Elder Sanft, Elder Fatiou on left and Louie in kitchen

Alora in charge of our short devotional where we liken our experience to the Gospel or share our love of Christ.

Birthday!!

Wednesday

Sunday was a great day except our Elder Bass was being transferred and Sister Huang returning home to Taiwan.  Two of my favorite missionaries!

Elder Bass and us

On Monday we ran into Honolulu again to see Robin and baby Krew.  He is doing much better and as soon as he can learn to swallow and breathe he'll be able to be released.  Robin's mom was coming on Tuesday and Robin has to return home to SLC on Saturday but her Mom will remain with the baby until Robin can get back, hopefully in a couple of weeks!

He's a pretty good size now and such a sweet baby

Tuesday we had another luncheon for the returning home missionaries.  This time there were 8 Sisters and 4 Elders returning home.  It was windy and coldish but I think they enjoyed it.  I made lei's for the Sisters we served with here on Sunset and also for a relative of Ramons from our Westchester ward in LA, Sister Fifita.

Sisters Taufa, Huang, Cardenas and us 

Tonight we met at the Geronios as we do every Wednesday night.  Nick is still in Norway but Karen Nichols and I have been preparing the food the last couple of times.  Tonight Sister Chang brought her parents and brother so we could all meet them.  They came from China to pick her up and see her mission.  They were very nice, no English, but she translated as they all told us their conversion stories. So remarkable, as they were Buddists.  Such neat people.  Of course, as all good Asians do, they brought us all little gifts.  We got a little fabric coin purse.  It was a lovely night and beautiful sky above.

Sister Huang and Father

Brother Huang bearing his testimony

Sister Huang and her Mother while she bears her Testimony