This has been a rather ordinary week. It is challenging to make this blog seem like a missionary journal and not just a travel journal but as service missionaries, we really do the same things each week. It is like reporting on a job and so our readers will have to excuse the lack of spiritual experiences, but know that we are enjoying our time here and the opportunity we have been given to help and serve.

Last Monday was the last basketball game of the season and our team won with over 100 points and so it was time for more ice cream. One senior was also honored and so it was a fun evening with lots of missionaries and students in attendance. One nice tradition they have here is that the retiring player makes his 'one last shot' as a Seasider. Everyone cheers and buries him in tons of leis.

This is a picture of Dennis with three of his students who are cheerleaders. I made sure they all knew that he had been a "rally-man" as a student at the University of Idaho. He only did it to get a free trip to Hawaii and when they decided not to take the cheerleaders, he quit.
Hmmm... I always thought we weren't really a cheerleading family and wondered about Kimberly but now I see - It was genetic!



Yesterday we went to 'town' with another missionary couple and visited the Bishop Museum, Hawaii's largest and most comprehensive museum. It was started by Charles Bishop as a way of honoring his wife, Bernice, who was the last descendant of King Kamehameha the Great. It houses much of Hawaii's history and culture. They have the feathered cape worn by King K. himself and other interesting objects. It was remodeled a few years ago and is a very interesting place to visit. It is actually a complex of buildings some on the same property and others scattered about the island. Here are a couple of pictures from there.

Here I am standing in the rain in front of the Science Adventure Center with the museum in the background.

Dennis and Kaye in doorway to Bishop Museum

After visiting the museum we went down to Chinatown and had lunch - Dim Sum - with the Rowells. They had never been there before and had never had lunch like that, so it was fun. We walked around a little after and I felt like I was back in China - sorry Bob. This time I didn't see the tubs of raw chicken feet, but did see a pig's head they were butchering as well as a tub of pork intestines. Home to a dinner of cheese and crackers.

DimSum with the Rowells

And finally, the other big event to happen this week is that the Laie McDonalds closed!! Those of you planning on visiting here will no longer have this fine dining option. (See picture) Not to worry, a new one is supposed to built in just two short months. Good luck with that plan. HAHA.

In addition to getting a new McDonalds, the new Marriott is actually going to happen. They are having a groundbreaking the middle of March so that is very exciting news. It will be a Marriott Courtyard, three stories, and will employ approx. 150 students. Some people in the area do not want any new business' to come in. They have big signs around that say "Leave Country Country" but this is sorely needed as the only place to stay around here is Turtle Bay. We think it will be a great addition to the area.

We are off to the monthly "Break-the-Fast" with the other missionaries. I am taking chili as it is cold and rainy - again. I will be happy when the rainy season is over. Then I will complain about heat and humidity! Aloha!