We are famous! (maybe just "unique")

Today was an exciting day for our branch because the article about our branch was in the Church News. We thought it was a good article with only one big mistake. Unfortunately, Kirk's body was never recovered but his accident was a defining moment in our branch. They are going to be sending us copies of this edition, so that will be a fun keepsake to have. If anyone would like to read the article, it can be found at:  http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865606748/Building-the-kingdom-in-Hawaii.html

This past week was week 5 of the five week campus break. Finally, things can begin getting back to normal. Dennis begins his classes tomorrow morning. It sounds great to have a big break, but after awhile it gets old and we just want to work. After all, that is what we were called to do. Our call didn't say anything about cruising for a week and spending a week on Maui. Not that I'm complaining mind you, but it will be good to get back to our routine.

We did have a couple of fun outings this week however. First, we went with two other missionary couples to tour Queen Emma's Summer Home. It was a 'pre-fab' home built in Boston and shipped over here. The house has many of the original furnishings that belonged to her. Out back, in a separate building, there was a quilt group! I wandered in and visited with them for a few minutes. They were all working on beautiful appliqued Hawaiian quilts. After touring the gardens, we headed to Chinatown for some dim sum. It was a fun to see something new. Here are a couple of pictures.

(L to R) Craig and Janet Frogley, Dennis and Kaye, Lynn and Peggy Rowell

Dennis and Kaye at Queen Emma's summer home

Then on Friday we went snorkeling over at Shark's Cove. The Rowells had never been before and after living here for a year, they decided they should try it. They had never even been in the water so it was quite an experience for both of them. They were nervous, but after the whole getting into the water with flippers on, they did great. The fish were amazing and well worth the effort. There was standing room only on the rocky beach. All those tourists! We tried to take them to Haumauma Bay for their first time, but even leaving at 7:30 am wasn't early enough - It was closed by the time we got there at 8:45. But  we still had a great day.

Afterwards we went to Romys for garlic shrimp since they hadn't had any of those either. I personally think the whole garlic shrimp thing is over-rated, especially when you can get the same thing at nearly all the other places in the area. We had to wait 40 minutes for our order even without any line ahead of us. Driving home from church today, I noticed the line was huge. Some of those people are probably still waiting there. How long would you wait for garlic shrimp?

Famous Kahuku shrimp trucks

We had a nice day at church. We missed last week because we were on our way home from Maui and I missed the kids. We have another baptism scheduled for next Sunday evening and had a ton of visitors today, as well as several less-actives we have been trying to get out. Dennis taught a temple prep lesson to a girl from American Samoa who is going home in two weeks so she can go through the Samoan temple with her family. She already has her mission call: to SWEDEN!! That is crazy, but she is excited. She is very sharp and will do a good job.