We're fasting the rest of our mission

We went food shopping yesterday, insane! Broke the Bank! 

 It's Jace's birthday on Thursday!  Yeah!  Our New Year's Baby, 46 years ago!  That was insane too....Jay missed all his football games that year.  We get to celebrate this birthday with Jace, and his family this year!

The guys are going golfing today, weather permitting.  

Sunrise

This is the kind of sunrises we see, as we stroll on the beach each morning.  This beach has a spot that washes up little shells, like the puka shell, only without the puka.  But we are gathering shells for each day we are here in Hawaii nei.  The first day we gathered any sizes and color.  Now, we are being selective, and we look for the larger ones, and those with more brown coloring.

We wear slippers to the edge of the beach, then shed the "slippahs" and walk on the sand barefoot.  It feels good to have the sand under our feet, but not so good when there are rocks.  My haole feet won't take it.

12/29/08

I can't believe 2008 is almost over.  It's been a blessed year for us.  

This mission is truly a blessing as we focus on our Savior full time.  We are enjoying our family here, and yesterday we talked online, on view, on oovoo camera with the Boston family.  With 8 people there in Boston, and 8 people here in Hawaii, it was a talk fest.  Everyone talking all at once, trying to get in front of the computer.  Of course, James had his family posed in front of their big screen watching the Hawaii ohana.  We did get some questions in and some questions answered too.  Elder McQ and I then went to the Singles ward, and we heard some wonderful talks.  I turned to Jay and said, "do you feel the sincerity in their talks?"  he agreed.  Then after we checked in on our office here at the Laie North Stake, we saw our son and his family pull up in their van at the temple visitor center, right next to the Stake Center.  So we joined them and we viewed a film there, then walked around part of the grounds.  What a nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon with your family to keep the Sabbath Day holy.  Of course, when their children range in age from 5 to 13, it's difficult to keep them all interested in the same things.  But we enjoyed the walk on the temple grounds.

Power Out

The power went out on the whole Island of Oahu at 6:30pm last night.  It just now came on, 4pm the next day.  Wow, lots of thunder and lightening. Reportedly, a transformer was hit by lightening last night.  Can you believe it.  Lightening striking.  Hawaii doesn't usually get lightening rods, just flash kine.  So the whole family was gathered in the family room for a movie, Kung Fu Panda when the power went out.  Taran was up gathering the flash lights and candles and Coleman lamp.  Jace went to check on three neighbors to see if they had candles and flashlights.  One family was using their cell phone light.  The father went to find candles at the store.  No store.  This morning, Jace and Jay got the generator working and they put the cords on the refrigerators to save the food.  It has been another game day, with no power to cook or any thing else.  What an experience.  We had a cold sandwich meal.  But now we're full, so no hot meal.  My dear friend Gwen, came to a family reunion just across the beach at Kakela today.  She came over to get me.  I heard, "huuuuiii" and I knew that had to be Gwen.  She is a hoot.  I went over to the beach all lepo(dirty) and renewed old ohana and friendships with Andrea Uale and her family, Aunty Hazel Parker, and all her children.  We were treated to a Tahitian review...this family entertains, big time.  What fun! 

Day After Already

Well, we all survived the Big day here.  It's insane!  But all is well on 55-060 Kamehameha Hwy.  On Christmas Eve I got a call from my sister Angie that our Cousin/Brother(the Hawaiian way) Sonny, Abraham Nahale-a, had a stroke and he was in the hospital.  Of course, I wanted to see him.  I called my sister Bobbie who lives here in Laie, and I invited her to go to the hospital on Christmas Day with me in town.  She said, "yes, she wanted to go too".  So I drove the two of us to the hospital.  Now you have to know that I'm not that familiar with a lot of places here, since I haven't lived here since 1962.  Even though I've visited often enough, I haven't had to drive around.  

Jace set up the GPS to the Kaiser Hospital, Halemano site.  I had Bobbie read it while I drove.  We passed our turns twice.  The GPS took us around the block to get us back on tract.  We took the scenic route.  We laughed along the way, like we used to when we were younger.  But we found Sonny, and we got the prognosis of his condition.  He is still as handsome as ever.  He will be 80 in March 2009.  All that beautiful white hair, and curly too.  The next 7 days will determine the outcome of this happening.  Abraham Nahale-a is a big wig of the Shriners all over.  He has been under a lot of stress lately.  So I'm not surprised that he has had this stroke.  He usually takes great care of himself, but he hasn't lately, because of all the duties he has had to fill.  He is engaged, but lives by himself in Kaneohe.  He loaned Jay a set of golf clubs to use while we are here in Hawaii.  Sonny has 9 sets.  For all you golfers, Sonny always heard of that one more set that was going to help his game, make him a better golfer.  

I'm glad we went to see him, and I think he was glad to see us too.  

Oooops!!!

I got the nicest ecard from some dear friends, and I thought I'd pass it on to several people in a bunch, and I deleted a lot of stuff from it, but the names who sent it.  I thought I was being so efficient, and time saving....but the intent was there.  Mele Kalikimaka to those of you who take the time to read my blog.  

Still hoping to send pictures

FHE, the family went to see the lights in downtown Honolulu.  Santa and Mele Claus about the size of a two story building, sitting with their feet in the fountain, Santa has a shaka sign, Mele has a red muumuu, and a flower in her hair pulled up on top of her head in a bun.  The many displays were very impressive as we walked around on the grounds of the city, county and state buildings.  All we Utahns could think about, was how nice and warm it was to stroll around, instead of freezing cold on temple square.  

Another temple session this morning for us all.  It is so crowded, mainly determined by the closing of the temple this Saturday the 27th.  But still so very precious.  I was the cause of the giggle by my family.  My headpiece was inside out.  When I don't have my own clothes, it's hard to fit everything in, and wear it all respectably.  Oh well.  It's the session that counts.  We did more names for Sherrill's Norwegian relatives.  

It's Sunday

Lots of wonderful Christmas programs in the three wards we attended today.  The music was oh so beautiful, and the messages were straight from the scriptures.

Elder McQuivey and I were asked to talk in SS class today, about what it's like to spend Christmas on a mission.  Jay and I sort of rehearsed about who would say what.  He wanted to talk about how it is Christmas for us everyday.  We think of the Savior 24/7, and we try to live as he would want us to live.  That means repenting constantly.  I was to bear my testimony.  And in bearing my testimony, I had to tell about that "place" I was at when that very special witness was testified to me, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God,  my Savior and my Redeemer.  I told about studying the scriptures all my life, as far back as I could remember.  How I was an akamai student in Bible class in the Congregational Church on the Big Island, and at Kamehameha Girls School.  I knew my scriptures well, having memorized many in English and in Hawaiian. 

I was a young mother, studying the scriptures on my own in the early morning hours before my family woke up.   And I can see that special place now, as I recall, on the floor in the bathroom in Murray, Utah.  I was curled up on the red shag carpet, over the heat vent, and that special witness was made known to me.  I sobbed, as I did today, feeling the Holy Ghost bear witness to me again.  I love my Savior.  With my eternal companion, I feel we are progressing as we dedicate our lives at this time to His service.  This mantle is truly a wonderful cloak that we wear every day, especially as we wear our name tags.  

Our Boston Ohana

KULIA IKA NU'U      That is our ohana motto.  We love it that our ohana pray for us.  We feel of their love and support.  And we got letters from each one in the form of written words, and fabulous drawings. This photo is Fall in New England, but they get some really heavy snowfalls that stay on the ground a long time.  Mele Kalikimaka Boston McQuiveys.  A me ka Hau'oli Makahiki Hou.  

Chuckle..........

No, downright funny....

We, Elder McQuivey and I and our daughter-in-law, Taran and her mom and two men and another couple were doing sealings today in the temple.  'The names were really challenging to our Sealer...first some Norwegian names for Sherrill's family, then this couple came in with Chinese names.  The poor Sealer struggled through the names, then he suddenly said in the local vernacular and inflection, "who dat!?!?!?"  I started giggling, not at him, but at the expression, that had me in tears.  I was shaking with silent laughter that I couldn't stop.  It was so funny, only in Hawaii.  Yeah, only in Hawaii.  I'm sure the angels had a smile, at our amusing moments.  

Last Day of Seminary until 1/13/09

Party time everywhere in the two buildings we are over.  

We are going to the temple again today, since it closes for 18 months.  We have some family names for Taran that need to be endowed and sealed.

We study the scriptures every chance we get, and today is no exception.  Mele Kalikimaka everyone....E malama pono

Doesn't feel like Christmas

When we walk outside, we feel the warmth of the Islands with the people and the temperature.  Even if it rains, it soft and warm.  Wet, nevertheless.  

Our kuleana is for the teachers.  Even tho' they are called by their bishops, they are dedicated and passionate about teaching our youth.  We will pick up some Great Harvest Bread, individually wrapped, to give to each teacher and to the building coordinators who open up the gates and the doors for the teachers.  When we get there in the morning about 10-15 minutes before the class time, the BCs are already there, cheerful and they know all the kids.  They call them by name.  One teacher even told me he knows where to find the students, they are sleeping on the stage or in the chapel....he knows, because he used to do the same when he was their age.

I love turning on the local radio stations here that play Hawaiian music all day long.  I bet no other missionaries from the mainland do this.  

We are still doing fun things around our apartment.  But everything is so expensive that I need to curb back on the spending.  

I want to post pictures, but I don't know how to use this camera and this Apple stuff.  We went to the temple yesterday, it was so nice.  Small but nice.  

Jace and the Hawaii Reserves Incl., is under fire for the flooding in the community, because the people are blaming HRI for not keeping the streams dredged......when actually, they have, but anytime anything happens here, it's the church that is at fault.  These people have been spoiled by the church, when all around in the other communities, people have gotten in and worked to clean up and repair.  Elder Q.Cook, says, he has seen it in other parts of the world, where the people of the church are spoiled. 

Sister McQuivey

Dec.16,2008

The lesson in the manual for today is taken from John 19.  The teacher I visited taught from John 21.  That is why we study several lessons so we can keep up with the teachers.  The last day for Seminary this semester is: Dec.18.  So many of the teachers are wrapping up on their study of the gospels.   It keeps us focused on our Savior.  What a wonderful way to spend one's time, focusing on the Savior.  I get all choked up when I think of His life and His teachings, and His Atonement.  The Sacrament has a greater meaning for me, especially after our Bishop at home in the AF37th Ward gave a beautiful talk on the Sacrament, before we left home. 

We truly love being in His Service. 

Mele Kalikimaka

More Rain

After three Sacrament Meetings today, we came home to make us a nice little dinner for two.  We will be going to the Temple Visitor Center tonight to hear Taran sing.  She is the whole program.  We are so blesssed to be here.  It has continued to rain and rain and rain.  People here have been talking about and praying for each other who have had damage from flooding.  Jace and Taran's property sit up a little higher and they did not have the damage that we could see all around us.  Our Heavenly Father knows our needs and he does bless us, even when we have trials, and especially in our trials.  

Hawaii Ohana

This is our ohana in Hawaii.  We are renting a two bedroom apartment above their garage.  They are the best landlords.  We are so spoiled.    

This is one very busy family.  

We get up early to attend our Seminaries and their two daughters are already out of the house on their way to school in Honolulu.  

Jace is up and running on the beach, Taran gets herself and the boys on their way as we are returning home from our assigned tasks.  

We have one more week before school is out for the holidays.  Aloha, from Elder and Sister McQuivey

We need an Ark

It's raining. We don't have this kind of rain in Utah. We went to Seminary at 6am and half of the teachers didn't show up, so Elder McQuivey taught a class. I sat in on another, after taking two students from another class to join one in session. Then during the class, well taught by Bishop Prescott, a girl got a text message that School had been cancelled. That broke up the class with cheers. Calls were made to parents to pick up students, because the school buses usually pick up straight from the Stake centers. We drove back home, with a river gushing over part of the road. But we made it, and now we are stuck here at home for the rest of the day. This rain is the real thing. No messing around with drizzle or mist. It's raining. The surf has been high, and yesterday the big surf competitions were held. This front is heading east toward all of you on the mainland.

This was taken months ago, when we were still in Utah. But we don't need sweaters here, especially not a turtleneck sweater. We love meeting all these wonderful people here. Tonight we met with the Home Study Seminary class of the Laie North Stake. Bro. Joe Wilson was most cordial. Actually, "aloha greeting" us with embraces and kisses. Oh how I love this. And we found out what a small world we all live in where the church is concerned. Bro. Wilson is married to my high School classmate's daughter. These students cannot attend early morning seminary because they leave for school in town at 5:30am. They attend Kamehameha and Punahou. Two private schools. Punahou just won the Div.I football championship for the first time, and two of the football players are in this class. They were studying from John 9-12, of the New Testament. I will put more pictures on when I figure out how to use this camera.

Ano Ae Komo mai e ku'u Blog

It's been a wonderful week of work and play. I know, we're on a mission. But we also know that we are being blessed immensely.
We visited the Laie wards this morning. I visited with Sister RosaMaria Hurst's class. She was inspiring. I thought if I had to wake up early for Seminary, I would want to have her for my teacher. Sister Hurst is from Peru originally. Her husband teaches Math at BYUH. The lessons are from the New Testament. And they are on John 13. We study each night, so we can follow along with the students.
Elder McQuivey visited Sister Jodi Chowen's class. She had the students meet outside of her classroom for a Hymn and prayer and Devotional before they entered the classroom which was well prepared. At the entrance way she had laid down palms, and sheets for them to walk in, with their shoes off. Then she taught them about the Savior. We are learning so much.
Tomorrow we will visit more classes. If the teachers invite us to stay, we will.
We are loving our stay here, especially now that we have "moved in" to our apartment, which is just above the garage of our son Jace and his wife Taran. We went to their ward yesterday and then we went to the Laie Stake Singles 11th ward in the afternoon. We invited the singles to come to Institute next semester on Thursday nights.
We have also been given the assignment of teaching an Institute class in Honolulu for the college students there one day a week. We plan to make all of our weekly errands that time, after our class.
We love our apartment. Elder McQuivey painted the entire two bedroom, one bath, living room and kitchen. The whole apartment was re-carpeted, and we bought a king sized bed and a queen sized futon. Sherrill, our daughter-in-law's mother, provided us with all of our dishes, utensils, pots and pans, and her recliner. The former tenants left their kitchen table and chairs. We spray painted the chairs and they all look good as new. Everything rusts here, so we will have to keep a lookout for that. I purchased some crystals to absorb moisture from the cupboards, to reduce the mold growth.
We love being here. We live right on the major highway that goes around the Island, Kamehameha Highway. But with the windows closed at night, we can sleep quite contently. But we only need a single sheet for comfort. It's cool in the early morning, but we're OK with that, we're not complaining. No need for a sweater even.
We love the way everyone here greets each other, including us, with an embrace and a kiss on the cheek. I love it. I'm home! Elder McQuivey gets right into the local greeting. Everyone is beautiful. The church is beautiful and the gospel is most beautiful. Aloha