Ramon and Sue's Mission Blog

Thursday, February 14, 2019

Happy Valentines Day!

This morning we woke up to thunder and lightening at about 4 a.m. Torrential rains were beating down all morning long. The Whetmans were still here and were going home on the redeye tonight so we decided to show them a bit of our island, the part we love without the tourists! We went with them out to Kaena Point but it was so cold and rainy we didn't even get out of the car...except we stopped for Snowpuffie and got out. We have to initiate everyone to Snowpuffies! They loved them, from there we went and got shave ice, as cold as we were.

Kaena Point

Nancy and Ron Whetman

We came home in time to have a ward mission meeting at our apartment with the Elders and Sisters and Brother Bowen. Then the sun came out but we were too tired by then to go out and celebrate Valentines. We've been fed so well the last few days we needed to eat all our leftover food! We are actually doing our Valentines dinner next Thursday with two couples from the Visitor's Center. We decided last week to celebrate Valentines then!

Wednesday, February 13, 2019

Wednesday February 13, 2019

Today we went with Glen and Sheila Sebring (Elder and Sister) to Mililani to lunch. We had an early lunch because they have a 2:30 shift at the VC. We ate at the Shak, introduced it to them, it's a bar and grill and we ate outside. It is cold here today again. It was a fun day, and of course we stopped and showed them the "snowpuffies" place, so they can go there on their own!

Yummy!

After we went home and I baked Valentine Cookies to take to the Geronios for dinner tonight. At about 3:00 Nick called and said they's meet us at Pounders. I said okay and asked which beach, the first or second? He laughed and said "no. the restaurtant at PCC. I told him we'd pay our own way, as it is expensive, and he said definitely NO. So we met them and had a great time. Ramon and I shared a pizza that was loaded, even had french fries on top (I wouldn't recommend that). This is a great family. I sat next to Kyton the 15 year old son and we had a great discussion about swearing (at his instigation). Then it went on and on from there. He is such a great kid, and has grasped the gospel so strongly. Reminded me of discussions I've had with my grandkids. I mentioned EFY and he had never heard about it, so I told him and his parents about it. I also had Sister Chong tell him about her expreience. She is from China and saved for years to come to BYU and attend EFY and then went on this mission. Wonderful young people.

Elder Sanft and Nick Geronio

Left around table: Nick, Elder Bass, Sister Beuhler, Sister Chong, Nicki, Elder Gunderson, Kyton, Elder Sanft

The three girls were around someplace, but not in the picture.

Tuesday, February 12, 2019

Tuesday

I got up early and baked cinnamon rolls for the Elders for District meeting today at 10:30, for Valentines. They were so sweet and appreciative of my endeavors! We stopped and bought a gallon of milk to go with the rolls. I took some candid pictures of our meeting. They always have a lesson and object lesson as well.

Blindfolded Elder Gunderson being guided by Satan through and
obstacle course, first to follow his path
and then the "Savior" to guide him out of this world.

Yesterday I got a message from a Sister who was our secretary in our LA mission, they were here in Hawaii and wanted to say "hello". They were staying in Laie and asked if we were near. I told her we would be in Laie on Tuesday for a District meeting until noon. She said they'd go to the temple and then call us when they were done. We got out of our meeting and the phone immediately rang before I had even gotten into the car. It was Sister Whetman saying they were just leaving the parking lot of the temple. I told her we were about 1000 feet away in the parking lot of the church next to the temple. Anyway, we went over to the PCC and had lunch with them and visited for over 2 1/2 hours. It was a fun visit, to catch up on 6 years. They are here until Thursday, I talked them into going to dinner tomorrow night at the PCC and see the show. We couldn't go with them as we have a standing dinner date with the Geronios on Wednesday nights. But we may see them as another surf event is taking place starting tomorrow and they want to watch one of them. Here is a picture of us.

Ramon eating his Hawaiian hamburger
it had a fried egg on top!

Us with the Whetmans

Monday February 11, 2019

Yesterday it was the coldest it has been here for me. It was down to 65 degrees but the wind was so high it made it much colder. Before our 2:00 church the power went out all over the island. Trees were down and it was dangerous. I pulled into the parking lot and there were no spaces to park so I was going to drive on around the building, as there is parking on both sides. Then I saw this parking space by a tree, but left it thinking it was too close for us to get out, with the knee scooter and all. When we came back around the 2nd time a huge limb had fallen right on the parking spot we would have been in! Tender mercies! We had our church and Relief Society without lights and it was spooky. I was anxious to get home safe.

The power was off all night, lucky for us Dave our landlord is an electrician and has a handy generator. Gave us power but no internet or TV. But we were just fine.

Today we had our VC meeting this morning. We came home and I spent 4 hours making this fancy candy lei. I doublt I'll make another. It's very stiff, made out of Jolly Ranchers.

We then went back into Laie at night for FHE with the senior couples. Tonight President Halstrum, the Temple president talked to us. Our temple here will celebrate 100 years on November 27, 2019! I'm glad we will still be here for that event. He said nothing big was being planned for the celebration yet.

After attending the above FHE we went into Kahuku to our YSA one. This one is always different and a bit wild. There were two new guys I didn't know there. Really nice men. We played a fun game but it was about over when we arrived. I snapped a few quick pictures.

Louie with our refreshments! He's the greatest!

Saturday, February 9, 2019

Saturday

I cleaned good today. We got our new bedroom...finally, so happy to have it. It has been a trial living in a studio, like a motel room for two! But we love it here and are now glad of the bedroom!

I left Ramon watching BYU basketball, and ran into Leslie's apartment. She's been nice enough to sew for me. We went over to Longs drug store and then over to PCC to get a Acai bowl for me to try, she loves them. I do too, now! Acai is a type of ice cream/yoghurt dessert with lots of fresh fruit, granola etc. on top. It was really cold weather today...70 degrees and everyone was wearing hoodies and shorts and freezing. But to be fair, the wind was really blowing and I even got cold. The first time I've admitted it in 7 months over here! We drove up to the point and I took more pictures. There are warnings out about the surf and beaches are closed. Sure is windy. But beautiful ocean views.

Laie Point

Friday

Surf warnings today. I walked down to the beach early and took a couple of pictures. Then we spent the first of the day visiting a few people, and especially KloeAnn and Charles. She is always ready for us with a water bottle and a treat...and I always bring a plate of cookies or something too. Then on we went to run errands. I wanted to show these pictures of Sunset Beach this morning.

Large swells

Wednesday, February 6, 2019

Wednesday February 6, 2019

Today we got together with three other couples serving at the Visitor's Center and went into Honolulu and visited the Honolulu Museum of Art and Doris Duke's home called Shangri La. We had a full day and after ate at the restaurant that the Handcock's son Josh works at as a manager. The food was good and we had a great time. We didn't get back here until after 4. Fun day with good friends. I'm going to post the pictures I took because the book at the gift shop was $75.00 and I was too cheap to buy it.