Tuesday Chinese New Year 2019 -Year of the Pig

Today we had our VCTM meeting at 7:30 and then went to breakfast for Elder Sebring's birthday at the Hukilau Cafe.  Then went back to a District Meeting at 10:30 then home.  I told the Sister's I would make wontons for their celebration.  I started about 3:00.  I made over 240 and forgot to take a picture, but I filled two tin foil pans full of sausage wontons for the celebration tonight.

The Sisters were in charge and did a fabulous job. There was wonderful decorations, and four different stations where we could make dumblings, learn to write our name in Chinese, cut origami designs, and make mochi.  It was really a fun night and we sampled lots of interesting things to eat. At the end they put on a little program with dance and we even had two dragons dancing.

Elder Allen, Elder Sebring and Sister Sebring

Monday Februaru 4, 2019

Today we went into Kaneho to get a part replaced on our car.  I had backed up into a small tree and consequently broke the rear red tail light cover.  We bought a replacement and had it put on today.  This little crash with a tree cost me $339.00!

Next we went to Ramon's appointment with Dr. Brandee Black for a check up.  Horray!  She removed the old soft cast and put on a new boot.  He still can't put weight on it but it can be removed for showers and to ice it.  It looked pretty swollen and deformed for now, but we have hopes it will return to it's beauitful self soon!

Then we came back home and I made a wonderful salad out of my giant avacodo for dinner.

I barely used the tip of it today, it's sooo big!

We  then went into Laie and went to our FHE with the Senior couples, it was game night.  We met new people and learned how to play 5 Crowns!

See Leslie!

Then we went over to our YSA FHE in Kahuku.  Our YSA Group payed Human Pac Man but we had very few people there except the missionaries.  Louie made a wonderful Lemon cake, brought ice cream,  chips and drinks for us.  He had tons left over.

Alora and Elder Gunderson and Bass

Wednesday

We went into Kaneho today to see about fixing my rear light.  I had backed into the little tree at the side of the driveway and it broke the red covering on the rear light.  We stopped at a Nisson place, they had the red covering so I bought it.  I hate to have the mission know I did this, so I am replacing it. This small mistake cost me $335.00!  They will fix it for me on Monday for $35.00.  They told me to take it home with me so they don't mistakenly resell and use it.  So it came in this large box about 21/2 long and1 foot high.  Over packageing.  Simple mistakes are costly.

Then we tried a fish place for lunch, Fresh Catch, cross that off the list.  Too Fishy!

Then we went to the farmers market that is only on Wednesdays and Sunday afternoons, at the Kanehoe mall.   It is a great one with lots and lots of fruits and vegetables.  I bought a large avocado for $6.75!

Ramon bought some belts and a new wallet, at Sears.  We came back home and then went over to the Gerionio's for our weekly Wednesday dinner with the other 4 missionaries and them.  It was really a nice night as there were not too many of us and we could all participate in the discussion.  Our cute Sisters Huang and Buhler gave great lessons as did Elder Gunderson and Bass.  I sure love getting to know these Elders and Sisters and kind of hate it when they get transferred out of our district.

Sister Buhlet, Sister Huang (Wang), Elder Godfrey
Nikaia and Nick

Tuesday

Today was the Returning Missionaries Luncheon where we feed the Missionairies that are returning home after their service.  One thing after another went wrong but it's over and done with and all is well now.

I made Valentine treats as it is close to that Holiday.  Then we went in and I got a ticket in front of Taco Bell, our President wants us to order from Taco Bell but we furnish the drink, dessert and fruit.  I ran out to tell the officer, who hadn't even started to write the ticket that I had a handicap sticker, he said "But it has to be in the car."  I said "it is"  he said "displayed".  grumpy.  So I got my stuff as he was finished writing me a ticket, he softened a bit and told me to write a letter to the judge and he'll probably waive the ticket.  I explained I was in a hurry as I just barely remembered the temple takes less time now than before and I was anxious to get back to the pavillion and Elder Sanft with our food.  Then I rushed there and they didn't put forks in for the two salads that Sister Bekker ordered this morning.  I couldn't find my car keys to drive 1/2 block over to where the Sisters live to borrow 2 forks.  So I walked rapidly there and back.  Then everyone looked for my keys.  I knew I had them as I had driven over there.  Anyway, everyone looked and of course I found them in the pocket of my purse...after praying to find them.  So embarrassing.

We had a small group and I forgot to take a picture.  I feel bad because we knew 4 of the 6 returning missionaries.  Was a frustrating day.   Here are some pictures of the cookies and treats I made.

Monday January 28, 2019

Today we went to our VC meeting in the morning then drove over to Costco and Times Supermarket.  Shopping highlight of  my week.  We needed so many things and this next weekend is Break the Fast in both places.

After we came home we ate and then wentto FHE for the Senior Couples at the Grant Building.  A couple had toured Aisa for a month with only a back pack, looked fun but not my kind of fun.  Then we went over to Kahuku for our YSA FHE and it was combined with another ward's YSA and it was really nice.  We had a good group.  These kids come up with fun games. The first one was where we were put  into groups of 3-4 and then given a big piece of cake.  Then on the table were several things, like ice cream, sprinkles, condiments...kechup, mustard, salt pepper...about 8 things.  We had to roll dice and whatever it landed on corresponded to one of those items and we had to put it on our cake.  It was hillarious and fun.  Then they likened it to sin and the attonement.

Then we went into the Gym and played a version of human Fooze Ball.  This was really fun!  Would be a good game for a family reunion. You can see how to play it by the pictures I took, I think.

Friday January 25, 2019

Shoot, I thought I had posted about Ramon's surgery.  He had surgery Monday, at Castle Hospital in Kaneohe.  It went well and they were very nice to us and then we came home to recover.  This is so minor compared to the other surgeries but still surgery.  He never complains.  Is a good patient most of the time.

Well, it's been a pretty quiet week, letting Ramon heal and pretty much stay down and off his foot.

I went into our District Meeting Tuesday morning and met with the Elders for 1 1/2 hours.  I took a cute picture of them.  They had made district ties and so all had them on for this picture.  Two of our Elders think they'll be transferred tomorrow.  I hope not, but it's not up to me.   I do hope we get to keep Elder Bass until another transfer.   He's ours here in the Sunset Branches.

Elder Bass is second from right

After I stopped by Taco Bell to get Elder Sanft some food.  We have "returning missionaries luncheon" next Tuesday so put in that order too.

Wednesday I ran into town by myself and got my infusion, then went to a few places to shop and then home by 3:00.  Long day by myself when I'm used to a companion by my side all the time :)

Today Elder Sanft felt good enough to go get a hair cut and then we went over to BYUH for me to run and see what the Farmet's Market was all about.  I didn't like it so saved some money.  My friend Kathy's back from Utah so I asked her to go with me so I could show her this weirdly producing Papaya tree.  The tree ususally grows on one big trunk with papayas growing on the top under the leaves, kind of like coconuts.  Well, Kathy told me that if you cut the trunk it will branch out and papayas will grow on the branches too.  This tree must have had about 100 papayas on it's branches.  Never seen such a sight.  I'll go back and take a picture and put it here.

Tomorrow we are back to work checking how clean our Elders keep their apartments.  Love these guys and they do the best they can.  I'm never dissappointed.

Sunday - January 20, 2019

We have had a pretty nice Sunday.  It was almost as busy as usual even with the two hour block in church instead of three.   We went to a fireside in Laie put on by the Wolfgramms, we heard Moana's name, so went, didn't know much about it.  Turns out our YSA Branch should have known about it as it was our Stake YSA putting it on.  Darn, I feel bad my YSA people didn't know.  Moana, one of the  original "Jets" and two younger sisters and two brothers were there.  It was very nice and informative about the family.  We never know what's happening with them so this was  fun.  Afterwards we went up and talked to the girls and Moana.  I guess there were 10 children when they started out, and Mom and Dad took a break and 10 years later had another 7 kids who followed the older ones into the business as they dropped out, got married and had kids.

Moana is holding the mike, Tatiana is next and  ?

Here are some pictures Leslie took of  us at the PCC yesterday.

Kind of looks familiar with the scooter and Elder Sanft crippled again!