Branch Brotherhood

This was an eventful week for our branch. On Monday, for Family Home Evening, the members went on an 'eggs-treme' egg hunt. Each team was assigned a different color of egg to gather. They ran around outside in the dark. After finding their eggs, they returned to President Lee's house and decoded the special Easter message from the clues written inside the eggs. Then they colored eggs and had treats.

Wednesday evening we had a branch temple session for all those who were endowed. Because this week was our branch conference, there was a member of the Stake Presidency and a High Councilman there as well. What was really wonderful is that we were all there to witness a young man named Kaisa taking out his own endowment. He has an interesting story.
We first met Kaisa in December at our branch Christmas party. We visited with him for a few minutes and when we got ready to leave, he said he had something he wanted to give us. He went to his pickup and returned with a large box of crackers. He said that he had decided to return to the Church and become active again after being away for seven plus years. True to his word, he has not missed one Sunday since he made that pledge. He received his patriarchal blessing, the Melchizedek Priesthood, and he has been taking Dennis' Temple Prep class during Sunday School. When he walked into the chapel of the temple on Wednesday evening, he just stopped, wiped his eyes and said, "Oh, this is sweet." He is a humble man with a heart as big as all outdoors. There were over twenty-five of us there which was the largest turnout the high councilman said he had seen at any of the Branch conferences they were doing. When we were all gathered in the Celestial room and Kaisa came in, there was such a sweet spirit there. I felt how much joy Heavenly Father must feel to see one of His prodigals return. Here is a picture of Kaisa: (A few months ago he didn't own a white shirt or a pair of pants!)

Next up for Kaisa? Now he says it is time to find a wife!!

Yesterday was "Helping Hands" service day and our branch cleaned up around the community center where we meet and then across the street, at the beach. The entire Elder's Quorum that were there then went and helped a man move a giant shed to a new property. The man is a friend of Brother Fullmer (1st Counselor) and is not a member of our church, although he is a minister of a 'surfing' community church of some kind. He is a well-known surf photographer on the North Shore. He was amazed that all these young men would show up to help him out when they didn't even know him and they were so happy doing it! He went to the branch activity afterwards up at Fullmer's house where they were cooking a pig and thanked everyone and offered the blessing on the food.
Here are a couple of pictures of the cleanup and the pig roast:

Marvalyn Santeco, our RS President, Kaye, Lezlie Lee, wife of our Branch President and her son

Cleaning up at the Sunset Beach Community Center

Apparently men's work - no girls allowed!

It is Easter Sunday so I colored eggs, six colors and six eggs.  The Easter Bunny visited mom but not me, I hope that is not a reflection on my faith in the Easter Bunny.  We then had dinner with our faculty friends, the Sharps, who are always kind and thoughtful of us.  They have five boys who are also thoughtful and friendly.  It was a nice Easter celebration.

Kaye and Mary have shaved ice

This week was a busy one. 
It was a mid semester break and filled with lesson prep and a variety of activities.  Our friends, the Eltons, made a welcome visit.  Here is a photo of Kaye and Mary having shave ice.  We then went paddle boarding with them.  

Paddle boarding at Kahalua

At the end of the week we went with Elder and Sister Rowell to Sea Life park, a smaller version of Sea World.  They had shows and exhibits that were interesting. Kaye fed the birds.     

Kaye feeding birds at Sea Life

Rowells and Wrights at Sea Life Park

                                                          

On Satruday all the missionaries got together for   

Easter Saturday 2014

Easter dinner.  It was a most enjoyable evening.  The next day we had a nice Easter service at the branch.  Kaisa had his last temple prep lesson.  He is going through the temple on Wednesday at a branch session prior to our branch conference.  He is so excited.  He is the third YSA that we have helped prepare for the temple.  Kaye is now teaching the Family History class with the goal being completed four generation sheets.   

The photo below did not make it to press last week.  We like it so included it in this week's effort.  It is the last time that I will wear academic robes so I thought it deserved a photo. The occasion was the BYUH graduation.

Kaye and Dennis at BYUH grad

It was suppose to be a week of rest and preparation.  I guess we tried to squeeze too much into a few short days.  The summer term now begins and runs until the middle of June.  Term classes are a challenge, two hours of instruction is a challenge for teachers and students so I have worked to change things up to make it work better.  I will be teaching D&C and a new class of potential missionaries.  I am looking forward to meeting the students.  One good thing about summer is the smaller classes. 

We have reached the "hump" month of our mission so I broke out the new white shirts, pants and suit.  The shirts are getting gray from the dirty student laundry facilities, so the ones I saved will look so clean and fresh.  Clothes wear out so fast in this climate but so does everything else. 

 We have eight months to go with new adventures and experiences. 

Family + Friends = FUN

This past week has been a whirlwind of fun activities with time spent with family and friends.
Elise and Reid and family were here for Spring Break. They drove up from Ko'olina and watched the Sunday afternoon session of General Conference with us and then we shared a salmon dinner 'picnic-style' on the cement tables at the School of Education patio. There was no way all nine of us could eat around our little table in our livingroom! Fortunately, the weather cooperated and we even took a little walking tour of the campus.

On Monday we all hiked the Manoa Falls Trail. This short hike (2 miles round trip) is beautiful with giant trees, bamboo forest, clinging vines and ending at a 160 foot waterfall and pool. It was not too strenuous even for old people.

Hiking the Manoa Falls Trail

 After this we drove to Chinatown and had lunch at the Golden Dragon. The girls had never had DimSum before and while it may not have been their favorite thing to eat, they were all good sports. On our way back to the car, we poked around the various fruit, meat, and junk stores. Sarah was in heaven as she spoke Chinese with several people. We were all impressed at her ability to converse with the waitress, shop owners and even one of grandpa's students. It was fun to watch. I am amazed!

From here we went to Waikiki to enjoy a little beach time and a little bit of sunshine. Reid and Camille, Hannah, Eliza, and Sarah all had a surf lesson while Elise, Emma, and I cheered them on from the seawall while we watched crabs and fish. They all managed to stand up on their boards and ride a wave or two. It looks like a lot of work to me. When they all got back to shore they were exhausted and had raw, red knees but were proud of their accomplishment!





On Tuesday Dennis took Reid golfing and while they did that, the rest of us drove over to Waimea for a picnic. We planned on staying in Laie but Hukilau and Castles beaches were so cold and windy that we hoped the North Shore would be better. We did manage some sunshine there and the girls had a great time body surfing in the big waves at Waimea. We all had dinner at the Kuhuku Grill and then went to watch the night show at the PCC. As with the Cromwell kids, the fire dancing was a big hit.

Thursday, Dennis and I drove down to Ko'olina and met up with them. We drove out to snorkel at Electric Beach. It was a bit of a swim to get out to where the bubbles from the pipes empty into the ocean and there are supposed to be quite a few fish out there. But there is a current that runs alongside and it is a little scary to get caught in it. I've decided I really don't like open-ocean snorkeling. I'd rather paddle around an enclosed area like Shark's Cove which I really enjoy- except for the name.

 Anyway, from there we spent the afternoon at Makaha, the only place on the island that seemed to have any sunshine. It is so far away that not many people go there though so it is quite nice. We stayed the night with the Swensons and even played a little canasta which would have been very fun except for a couple of big cheaters - You know who you are!

On Friday, Reid took Dennis on a deep sea fishing trip. They left early in the morning, drove up to Haleiwa, and spent the morning fishing for mahimahi.

 They both said the hour of fishing was great but it was a long ride out and an even longer ride back. They had good luck though and caught eight. They were allowed to keep 25 pounds and then the boat sells the rest to Cholos, a Mexican restaurant in Haleiwa. They said they are good fighters and it would take around 15 minutes to get one on board. One creepy thing that happened was when they had one fish on the line and were reeling it in, a shark came up and bit a chunk out of it! Yikes!

While the boys were off fishing, the girls enjoyed a morning of pool time - so relaxing, so nice to just sit around and visit. The Marriott even had a mermaid show in the afternoon. She sat at the edge of the pool and told all about her family and life under the sea. She swam in the water and let all the kids touch her scales, fin, tale or body. Whatever. I guess we all know what Emma wants to be for Halloween!

Five bathing beauties!!

 Dennis and I had planned on coming home that afternoon, but after their good luck fishing we decided to stay and barbeque fish with them and enjoy one last meal together. It was so nice to be able to spend time with family. We thoroughly enjoyed every minute and are so sad that we don't have any more visits to look forward to. Picture me with my sad face...

Saturday morning was BYUH graduation and Dennis walked with other faculty members, wearing his robes. I sat in the audience and it was really interesting and fun to watch. I was surprised at how many of the graduates we knew. It is a such a small school that all the colleges are able to walk together. As the names were read, their country was also announced. I am continually amazed at how diverse this campus is. I truly love seeing all the various cultures represented.

This is a picture of Mel (Melanie) the fiancee of one of the members of our branch. She is great - She plays on the girls volleyball team that won second in the nationals. We are very proud of her!





On Sunday we met up with our good friends Jon and Mary Elton. They came to church at our little branch with us and then we all had dinner together.  On Monday while Jon, his friend Randy Day, Elder Rowell and Dennis were all golfing at Kuhuku, Mary and I took a drive over to Haleiwa for a nice long visit and some shave ice. It is so good to see them after so long.

What a great week this has been! But now time to get back to work!!

Great friends together again

Today is the date of our traditional sunrise service.  This year we celebrated the date by rising at 5:30 to watch conference on BYUTV.  The conference sessions are broadcast live at 6:00 am, 10:00 am and 2:00 pm for priesthood.  The conference weekend started with a conference pancake breakfast with our YSA branch. 

Conference in the Little Theater on Campus

The tradition involves arriving just after 5:00 and getting ready to cook breakfast for the YSA branch members.  We are always surprised how many show up at that hour.  We flipped pancakes as the members showed up with bacon, sausage, hawaiian hotdogs, scrambled eggs, juice and fruit.  What a feast.  It is a good tradition and sets our branch apart.  I did notice students coming from the stake center in church dress feeling a little smug (or jealous?) as they saw our crew in PJ's, sweats and full of good food and conference. 
Here is a photo of Kaye and me at the morning conference session.

Kaye and Dennis at YSA conference breakfast

The conference events ended a rather ordinary week.  The only big events related to final exams and the end of the winter semester.  We know have some time off before the hectic summer semester begins.  This semester went much better than last semester.  I finally adjusted to the aloha spirit of school at BYUH and focused more on the students.  I enjoyed all my classes but especially the missionary classes.  These young freshmen who are putting in their papers were delightful students.  They were so anxious to fulfill assignments like talking to strangers at the mall or practice teaching the short version of a missionary lesson or giving a spontaneous sacrament talk.  It was fun to see their energy and excitement.  Almost all of them will be in the mission field by the time Kaye and I finish our mission in December.

The big event of this weekend and next week is the visit of Elise and Reid's family.  They filled our little apartment making it necessary to have our Sunday dinner outside on picnic benches near the Education building.  I BBQ Costco salmon which turned out okay.  We watched the second session of conference and enjoyed a tour of the campus.  

Kaye and the girls

After their visit Kaye and I had to have a little nap.  Tomorrow we will hike with them and then take them to China town for dim sum at our favorite restaurant.  Their visit came at a great time with BYUH in finals and no classes.  We will report the events of the week next Sunday.  I am sure we will have adventures to report. 

 We were grateful for conference and the messages of instruction, testimony and inspiration.  So nice to have technology that links the whole world together.

Reid Elise and girls in front of BYUH