Friday

This morning we went to the Sister's District meeting, usually we go to the Elder's on Tuesday.  There was something special happening today and they invited us to join them.  We arrived and were hustled into a large room.  Then after starting the meeting we were told to blindfold each other's eyes and hold hands, then we were walked into the gym.

Still blindfolded we were told to be quiet and listen.  Elder Allen read from a script that started with the birth of the Savior up until He was crucified.  He read from the scriptures, from all parts of the Savior's life.  While reading we were experiencing physical things, for instance:  When the fishermen were experiencing rough waves out fishing, we were lightly sprayed with water, during the recitation of the Last Supper we had a portion of bread put in our hands to eat,  ( I just held mine and someone lifted my hand to my mouth and stuffed the bread in!), when Jesus was whipped we heard the  beating as He was lashed on his back, when He was wrapped at the burial we had a long strip of cloth laid across our laps, as the tomb closed a door was slammed shut, when it was dark for three days the lights were shut off and we were in darkness, when there was light again, our blindfolds were taken off.  These were just a few of the examples.

This was a very emotional experience.  Afterwards we had a few minutes for people to bare their testimonies if they chose to.  It was very meaningful to us all.  what a tremendous object lesson!

Thursday

We are getting super busy these days.  I got up, made a meal, Chicken Tetrazzini, fixed garlic bread, baked 5 pans of cookies, and put together a box of food for a family who's Mom is having a baby and struggling this last month.  I did it gladly, hoping someone will take care of my daughter as she is in her last month too.  I took them a huge bowl of chili from last night, the Tetrazzini, frozen spaghetti sauce with uncooked spaghetti noodles, garlic bread and cookies, plus salad.  This should keep them eating while Dad works and mom tries to take care of her two children while being 8 months pregnant.

Then at 10:00 the Elders and Sisters came over for a meeting for two hours.  Not much was
accomplished.  I think sometimes they just need a place to talk and relax.

Elder Chandler, hand standing, Elder Collins spotting

We then ran the food over to Turtle Bay and headed to the Visitor's Center where we did a shift from 2:30-5:30.   It was a very slow day there.  Then we rushed home and I went with Peggy (upstairs lady who is the RS President of Branch).  We went and did some "ministering" for me to meet 6 families.  We found 5 home and left sacks of cookies for them, as well as one for the person not home.  :)  Busy day, I'm tired but you gotta love missionary work  :)

Happy Halloween!

I made a huge pot of chili for tonight's Halloween VC party and then we went over to the Temple to do a session.  At first we were the only ones there and I wondered how that would work, but soon 3 more Sisters joined us.

Had a terrific time at the church for the VC Halloween party with the Senior Missionaires assigned to the VC and then the Elders and Sisters.  The Sisters were in charge and luckily got to use some leftover decorations from a former ward party that had been held earlier.  We had way too much food and I came home with lots of chili to share around.  It was a fun night, games they planned and they had a lot of fun.

Watching the Elders play basketball

Before we ate, as we were finished watching the Elders 

play, Elder Allen asked us all to be

quiet and close our eyes.  All of a sudden we 

heard this terrific organ music blasting out, playing

Phantom of the Opera.  I thought is was the Tabernacle

Choir organist on a recording, it was that loud

and professional...turned out it was our new Senior

Missionary Elder Luker from the chapel!  He is

amazing, we could have listened to him all night!

Tuesday

After spending the morning in meetings with the Senior Missionaries and then a District meeting with the Elders...

Our District

We went over to 7 Brothers for lunch.  We hoped to see someone we knew because we always run into someone there....this time two Sister Missionaries.  It was very rainy this morning and we barely  made it to our second meeting as there was so much flooding and our little car rides low to the ground.  Kind of scary.  Dark and gloomy day!

Good and Yummy!

Then we went to Ace Hardware, bought some folding chairs and light bulbs and went home.  The Elders had asked if I'd make some cookies for their Book of Mormon class tonight as a girl there has a birthday.  I made two batches of cookies and after I was done at about 4:00 we walked over to the beach.  It was day 3 of the preliminaries for the qualifying for the Triple crown event.  With the rain we weren't sure it would happen but nothing stops surfers!  It was brown muddy waves and they were still at it.  David Bowen in our ward was filming it for TV.  He texted us that he put us on TV!  Then we ran into the Holmes, they are visiting from California for two months and are attending our Sunset Family Branch.  Great people.    Pictures of some of the beach...

This is where 
Dave films from

Monday

Whew, whirlwind weekend!  Yesterday we started by having church up at President Fullmer's house.  Our Rec Center was closed because the lady who usually opens the gate and doors is out of town and no one would substitute for her and help her out and open it up for us.  Although it was pretty neat sitting out on the Lanai (patio)  and taking the sacrament in the open air surrounded by mango, banana and plumeria trees.  Beautiful morning in God's paradise here on earth.

After we ran over to ward council for our Sunset Family Branch and then church there.  It was a full day but we were so happy and feeling spiritually fed.

Today we went into town for my infusion, it alarms me because I have to go into the chemo center of the hospital now and it is kind of uncomfortable.  I somehow feel guilty I don't have cancer around all those who do.  This is a much different way they do it here than in Springville at my doctor's office.  Slower and a little less precise...but it still works so I'm just happy it is finally set up and good to go from here on out.

Tonight we went to our FHE with the Senior missionaries at BYU, Dr. Jason Hughes was there speaking to us.  He is a member and a doctor many go to here.  We actually go to his partner a female doctor named Ember Christensen and we love her.  We even dropped by once without an appointment and she got us right in.  She is also a member.  He answered questions and was pretty helpful and nice.

After we went to our funnest FHE with our YSA kids.  It was CupCake Spooktifying night!  I brought frosting and decorations and Sister Fullmer made cupcakes.  They decorated them.  It was the largest group we have had so far...27 people.  It was nice to mingle and have fun with them.  One of the girls is named Marisa and I asked if I could call her Risi, cause my Marisa we call Risi.  She said she only lets certain people call her that and I could.   Such sweet kids.  Pictures are below.

Ikaika, Alora, Elder Collins, and Audrey

Char, President Fullmer, Elder Chandler

Gabe and Marisa (brother and sister)

Elder Collins, going home in a week...

Alora our master gamer!

President Fulmer

Friday

Today is "Trunk or Treat" night!   I made chicken noodle soup with home made noodles, (we could either bring soup or chili).   I spent a good part of the day making it but also had some time for visits with friends in our branch. 

Maile had called with Inde and they were on their way to their Trunk or Treat.  She went way out on decorating her car and they were dressed like Minnie and Mickie mouse.  They looked so cute and Inde says "grandma" so clearly now.  Miss my little guy.

It started raining as we left to go to Trunk or Treat and since we were having it outside at Sunset Elementary school I was a bit worried.  We had tons of food from people, everyone brought so much, but it got dark quickly and we had no lights.  So people were using their phones until Dave ran home and brought a light.  All the little kids looked so cute and the cars were decorated really neat.  Reminded me of our time in California with Ryan's family trunk or treating when the kids were little and then in our wards in LA trunk or treating in the church parking lots.  Everyone goes way out on this except these two old missionaries I know.  We did hang some solar lights around the trunk....

Brother Dave Bowen and Elder Sanft

Lilika Geronio

One of the Lee girls

Thursday

We had a  very productive meeting with Brother Bowen our mission leader in the family branch,  plus our two Elders and Sisters at our home this afternoon.  I baked them cookies and had cheddar popcorn and licorish from Costco.  I had run over to see Sister Kopp earlier with cookies and visited a bit with her.  Such a nice family.

Later we had the Elders and Sisters to dinner,  We had told the kids in the YSA ward we'd have them to dinner if they brought a friend...we don't call them investigators any more but friends.  Audry came with a neat friend named Marni, and she acted very patient and interested through the first discussion.  It was a very spiritual  night and she even wiped a tear or two away.  I served Cafe Rio and she loved it, had never had it and wanted the recipes.  Forgot the picture taking part....darn.

But here's a picture of recent shave ice and our bug collecting... the bugs are back, nastey little nats.

Pineapple and papaya

We have about five bowls out to catch them and
then change liquid about twice a day.  I finally
sprayed last night in the air some Raid stuff and
that helped a bit, at least we could sleep.