July 12- first of our MANY beach days!

 Since everyone was just trying to get acclimatized, we just had a relaxing day at a couple of beaches! We started at the beach right behind our house. We have a swing right by our beach access.

Landon had already ventured down the beach to see an old WWII pillbox we have close to us.

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Then we went to Hidden beach, not too far our home, on the turtle bay property. It is not so crowded.

They got to snorkel a bit…

And lots of relaxing!

On the way out we saw this massive Banyan tree!  They form roots up in the branches, and then they hang down and grow until they reach the earh, then they form a new trunk and start again.

 

July 11, 2022 welcome day!

 Today was the day all the new missionaries came into the mission.  We had only 1 young sister and 5 senior couples and 3 single sisters.. when these new ones come the mission holds a welcome dinner for them and Pres. & Sister Bassett. The sweet office staff does all the meals, and we usually go over ( next door) to the Stake center to help set up.

Since we and the Cannons ( the other senior couple working with us at the VC) came in mid-transfer, we were also invited to come.

The food was traditional Hawaiian fare:  

Pulled pork and rice

 Macaroni salad - ( rice and Macaroni salad are served with EVERYTHING here! )

Fruit salad

Broccoli with red peppers

Taro Rolls- taste just like regular rolls but are made with Taro root.

Hawaiian cake with coconut and pineapple

Chocolate Haupia pie and pineapple custard pies from Ted’s Bakery!

After the dinner we went out onto the plaza at the Visitor’s center where we took some pictures in front of the temple. A few missionaries sang the song that President and Sister Bassett helped to write. The Cause of Christ.

Then we took a picture with the 3 singl sisters that came in. They all had Tanner as their teacher in the MTC. Here we are with Sr.Gonzalez, Sr. Jones, and Sr. Shepherd.

Later that night about 9:15, Chad and family rolled in. We pretty much blew up the 3 queen mattresses and let them go to bed! They were pretty tired!

 

July 9 - Elder’s service project

 Saturday mornings our Elders can be found in our church parking lot washing cars…for free!  There are only 10 elders in our mission and they are on loan from the Honolulu mission. They are here working on a trial basis, They work on the outside of the visitor’s center and temple grounds from noon to seven pm. They are there to talk to guests who only walk around the grounds, especially the ones off the Trams from the PCC, those who never come into the visitors center where the sisters work.  But every Saturday they do a free care wash as a service.  

That night the whole mission gathers for Transfer news! The Elder AP’s show a slide show of the transfers- who is changing apartments, companionships, new leaderships such as trainers and STLs - Sister Training Leaders, and Lead STL which is like AP for the sisters. We hold it in one of the theaters in the Visitor’s  Center. Each of the missionaries who are returning home give their testimonies. Then we all go out onto the Plaza just outside the VC and honor all those outgoing missionaries. Everyone is given a lei or two and we all surround them and sing Aloha Oe…. Which is a song in Hawaiian that wishes them good will u til we meet again! Then everyone crowds around and gives each one a lei and there are lots of hugs and tears!  

President Bassett saying goodbye first

Now everyone goes up to say goodbye

Sister Gireau-Carrier who was one of our lead STLs. Also, interestingly , her father was the mission President in Lyon France just after we left. He followed Pres. Brown.

Sister Hernandez-Peña from Orem. She always called us Elder and Sister Happy!

The lesson…anytime you give your phone to a missionary to take your picture…expect several selfies of that missionary!!!

Sr. Hernandez Peña  wearing her HAPPY shirt the next day!!!

Friday July 8,2022 - Landon’s Day!

 While we are here, Chad and Michelle and family have driven to Utah…(in preparation to come and see us on our mission).  Today was the day Landon went to the Provo City Center temple to receive his endowments, in preparation for his serving a mission in Perth Australia. Layne and Aaron and Arie happened to be visiting Utah as well, so they got to go too…as well as Mason.

Congratulations to you Landon!

Also received some mail from back home. Ashley next door is picking up our mail and her sweet daughter Ava included a picture in the package. I put it right up onto the frig! Love the palm trees!

July 7, 2022- Pday

 This was an interesting day!  I started my day by walking across the street to the PCC. Trish Maples runs the Hukilau hair salon there. Since we have been in Hawaii my hair and nails have been growing like a weed! So, I went today to get a hair cut. Pretty good deal she gives to missionaries…$30. 

Then we made a quick run to Costco and Walmart. We are expecting Chad and Michelle and family on Monday, so we tried to stock up as much as our little frig and few cupboards will allow. The best news…The gas prices have not changed since we have come here….still $4.99 a  gallon!

The bad news…went out to eat lunch at Subway…2 6” turkey, 2 chips, 2 drinks, 2 cookies….$21.50!!!!

Yep Hawaii is definitely more expensive!

Then we came home and did my hair color!  Before I left, my wonderful hairdresser helped me figure out how much color I would need for 18 months. Then she bought it all at the beauty supply so I wouldn’t have to pay so much! Then I shipped it all here before we came. This was my first attempt at doing it by myself!  Actually she had Roger come to my last appointment so he could watch and learn how to do the back.  

I may not have gotten the EXACT mixture right because I think it turned out a little dark,  but I think both Roger and I did a great job!!!

Thank you to my hair dresser back home Michelle Eberhard! Glad I don’t have to do it again for another 4-5 weeks! Ha!

Wed. July 6,2022- First shift at the PCC

 Today was our first shift taking tickets at the PCC. Typically we work from 4:15-6 or 6:15. 

There are usually 6 of us at the door ( only 4 at the Gateway buffet) One person takes care of organizing the lines, 2 people are the ticket takers….we cross their names off a master list….and 2 put a lei on the patron, and 1 stationed at the back door to stamp hands,  if they have to leave for the bathroom, so they can come back in. We wore the new outfits we bought at the Aloha Bowl swap meet!  Muumuu-$16.  Aloha shirt $12. Great deal!  ( at a swap meet near here the muumuus are $30. And shirts are $20. - Roger rather likes his Sulu!

I poster a picture asking our kids whether they like it better with the shirt tucked in or out.

Absolutely 100% said….tucked in !!

Here is Roger doing the ticket checking duty!