Monday

Today we went to our usual FHE at the Grant building with the senior couples.  They had this terrific choir and Leslie King was in it.  It was very well done and especially beautiful with Sister Reynolds accompanying with her flute.

After we ran over to our YSA Branch FHE and they played a version of Elf on the shelf, but it was more like hide and seek.  We all had a good time.  I'm sure going to miss these young people.

Monday

 This weekend has been a very busy one.  It seems being MLS missionaries we are really busy or slow.  Never a happy medium.  Saturday while taking tickets at the Luau, I went and picked a fragrant white ginger flower to put in my hair.  About five minutes later I got this terrible burning sensation and we determined later I had been stung by a fire ant!  He took several jabs at me and I was in a goodly amount of pain.  I rushed into the bathroom and pulled down the top of my muumuu and couldn't see anything, but washed good and dressed.  I only got relief when I pressed hard on it.  I told Ramon if I was home I'd put ice on it.  My friend Ubah talked to me and then ran and got me an zip lock bag with ice that I stuffed down my neck.  It offered relief and the pain lasted about an hour.  I had talked to Leslie who was also there and she thought it was a fire ant as the PCC had been invaded by them.  That's what I get for stealing a flower!

On Sunday we were so busy.  I ended up cooking for the Break the Fast for seniors and then teaching the Temple Prep class and making cookies to take to that.  We baked our dish in the church oven while Sacrament was on and then left to go to Break the fast.  I sat next to a Sister and her husband who work in the garden center and she verified that I had been bit by a fire ant.  I guess you rarely see them as the pain kick in a few minutes after biting you.  She said they are invested with them and can't bring any plants into the PCC anymore until they get rid of them and that takes permission from the State.  They wear protective coverings and she said she had been bitten quite a lot.  Poor soul.

My friend Alan and his wife Dawnne, She's in red and he is behind her

After Break the Fast with the couples we headed over the the Visitor's Center for our Fireside that we were having at 6:00.  We changed into our VC clothing and visited with people a while.  The musical concert went very well and these girls have got to be the most talented in the world.  Everyone was in tears when it was over.  We heard remarks from our beloved Mission President and his wife.  We are so fortunate to have them

President and Sister Walker

Friday

Here is a picture of my cousin Michele and us after doing a session at the Laie Temple on Wednesday.

On Thursday we went into the VA hospital and Ramon saw a doctor and had some tests done.  I saw this neat craft decor and happened to ask the very man who made them about them.  He just used paper and scotch tape.  They were beautiful.

This one he called a crown

After the VA we spent the day in town having lunch at Hard Rock Cafe and then walking around Honolulu looking at Christmas decorations.  Then we had too much time to kill so went to the movie, Charlies's Angels and then to the concert at the Blaisdel Concert hall.  We saw this new young singer, Lauren Daigle.  we were early by about an hour, but that was okay.  When she finally came on it was really good.  She is a Christian singer and every song was about God.  I don't think I've ever heard rock and roll done with definite messages about  our Father and Jesus mentioned.  She was very entertaining, full of energy and really cute.  She had a great band and singers with her.  It wasn't at all like a revival or Gospel singing I've ever heard.  It was a nice concert with no one drunk or out of control.  It was packed and everyone there seemed to know the words to every song.  I really enjoyed it.  It was late getting home, in the dark and rain but we made it safely up and over the Pali.  Here are some pictures but they are from far away but I still wanted to show them.

Wednesday December 4, 2019

This morning we are going to the Temple with my cousin Michele.  This past week has been busy with so many things.  We had our "Thanksgiving" dinner Saturday night and had Michele and her family as well as two girls from our home ward and Tom's niece, the girls are all here at BYUH.  Had a good time visiting with them all and turns our Will knows Maggies two older sisters!  Sunday was usual meetings with Break the Fast YSA after that meeting.

                                 This is Jordan, and Brother Tayor and daughter by Ramon 

Monday meetings, and Tuesday meetings and a long doctor appointment yesterday afternoon for Ramon.  After the Temple, we'll come home and I'll fix food for the Geranios tonight.

Thanksgiving Day November 28, 2019 + 11/29/20

Early his morning we went over to SunSet Beach to enjoy the beauty of the Earth where we live.  I have a new camera and took some practice pictures of the waves.

Good 
new camera!

Great zoom!










Later at noon we attended the annual Thanksgiving Day Feast Junior AhYou puts on for all the missionaries and elderly people.  We took my cousin Michele and her husband Ben and son Will with us this year.  Here are some pictures.

Will, Ben, and Michele

Leslie King and others playing Ukelele

Tonight we went over to the Temple grounds to participate in a Temple Walk.  We were to walk up to the temple passing groups of people singing and it was to be all dark, with just the Temple lite up.  Well, we parked at the VC and walked down to Laie school but no one was there, they had all congregated in the middle of the length of the walk.

We finally walked back up to where they were.  This was to start at 6:00, the opening prayer was at 6:35 and took 10 minutes.  By then we were resigned to leave. It was very disorganized and we were frustrated.  Michele and her family were with us. Each group of singers was going to take so long to get through all their songs they had prepared.  I walked into the VC to get my purse and Gerald Cause, the Presiding Bishop of our church was there visiting.  He is nice and it was nice to see him.  We then decided to forgo the free luau and go to McDonalds.  Every thing was closed so we came back home to eat leftovers.

Sunday November 30,2019

Yesterday I spent an hour or so at Turtle Bay Beach visiting with my cousin Michele who is here for a week.  What a nice time that was.  I find as I mature that family is so important, and those years when we didn't see each other because of various things, mostly raising our children, just slip away and we are still close family forever.  We reminisced about our Mother's and the role they each played in the other's life.  Little did I know my mother was such a wise person to give good advice to a newly married niece.  I so loved Michele's mother, my Aunt Rayma.  What a blessing she was in my life when I needed her so.

After I came home and finished up the preparations for our "Thanksgiving" dinner I had planned for this night.  We had two young BYUH students from our home ward come, Maggie Christensen and Grace Miller, as well as Tom and Shahara's niece Mckenzie, along with Michele, husband Ben and son Will.   We had a great time all together.  McKenzie is from where Michele's daughter lives in Arizona and will knew Maggies two sisters.  Small world in the church, as they say.  It was good food, and I think the girls enjoyed being there even if they didn't know each other or our family.  McKenzie gave them a ride back to Laie.  Then we oldies, played SKYJO, a fun game Ryan had given us last Christmas.  Was a fun night and Michele did all the dishes, as I put stuff away.  I sure love this cousin of mine.Yesterday I spent an hour or so at Turtle Bay Beach visiting with my cousin Michele who is here for a week.  What a nice time that was.  I find as I mature that family is so important, and those years when we didn't see each other because of various things, mostly raising our children, just slip away and we are still close family forever.  We reminisced about our Mother's and the role they each played in the other's life.  Little did I know my mother was such a wise person to give good advice to a newly married niece.  I so loved Michele's mother, my Aunt Rayma.  What a blessing she was in my life when I needed her so.

After I came home and finished up the preparations for our "Thanksgiving" dinner I had planned for this night.  We had two young BYUH students from our home ward come, Maggie Christensen and Grace Miller, as well as Tom and Shahara's niece Mckenzie, along with Michele, husband Ben and son Will.   We had a great time all together.  McKenzie is from where Michele's daughter lives in Arizona and will knew Maggies two sisters.  Small world in the church, as they say.  It was good food, and I think the girls enjoyed being there even if they didn't know each other or our family.  McKenzie gave them a ride back to Laie.  Then we oldies, played SKYJO, a fun game Ryan had given us last Christmas.  Was a fun night and Michele did all the dishes, as I put stuff away.  I sure love this cousin of mine.

Tuesday

Very busy week for us this Thanksgiving week.  Yesterday we attended our two Family Home Evenings after a busy day getting ready for the week ahead.  Our YSA Branch didn't disappoint with the usual night of fun games.  This game was called YSA Olylmpics but really should be called "flip the slippers across the cultural hall", our Oliver came up with this unique idea.  We had a smaller group tonight but we love them all so much.  Already tearing up thinking of leaving these young friends of mine.

We're at the start of the "Vans Triple Crown" surf competition now at Sunset Beach.  Took a minute to  run across the street and check it out.  The Hancock's dog Ellie decided to follow us.  Naughty dog! We had to bring her back.

Today we had a District meeting and
then went to the Temple.  It is the 100 year celebration of the dedication of the Hawaii Temple on Thanksgiving.  We have a huge celebration that day.  After having a lunch furnished by a local Football Star Junior Ayou, we will have a "walk" after dark from the elementary school up to the Temple.  All lights will be out except the Temple will be as usual.  There will be singing along the way and at 7:00 pm a free luau is offered to all who attend.  My cousin Michele and her husband and son Will will join us this day.  Everyone is really excited about it all.  I have a new camera, I just hope it lives up to my hopes for the evening pictures in the dark!

We saw that it was 15 degrees in Utah today, can't complain at 88 today.  Although, a little snuggle on a cold night in a warm bed sounds pretty  good after all this heat for 17 months.

Sunday

Wednesday night we had our usual gathering at the Geranios house.  This night it was packed with people and food.  Nick decided to barbecue steaks and they were yummy.  I took a big batch of baked beans and huge potato salad and some guacamole.  We all had a good time.  The view was wonderful and Lilika posed for me with Blue the bird.

Then Thursday we substituted at the Visitor's Center for the Allens.  I took a picture of two of the Sisters whom we have grown to love.  Sister Argyle and Sister Mohi.

Then yesterday, Saturday, we again substituted there for the Redders.  It was a rainy day both days and not very many people ventured out.  Today we have our usual church meetings and we are looking forward to a quiet spiritual day.  This week starts out full taking out the Christmas Trees, at the Visitor's Center, for the Stakes to decorate this week.  

We have a big celebration for the 100 year celebration of the Hawaii Temple's dedication on Thanksgiving.  My cousin, Michele, and her husband and son will be here to celebrate with us.  There is a big luncheon at noon for all the Missionairies at the PCC then a walk from Kam Highway up to the temple grounds where there is a free luau for all in the evening.  I have been reading the book Stories fo the Temple in La'ie, Hawaii this past week.  It is full of beautiful miracles and stories of the Hawaii Temple. So uplifting for me.