Baptism

Noah Jace Kaiao McQuivey was baptized May 30, 2009 at the Laie Stake Center.  He was one of 5 boys baptized this day.  He was baptized by his father, who later confirmed him.  

Queen Emma chapel at St. Andrews Priory

We are in training

We need to learn how to greet people, and to tell them all about the PCC and the assignment we have is to "man" the chapel.  It's fun to meet people from all over the world.  It's been raining a lot this week, so the people come into the chapel to get out of the rain.  But they are greeted by this handsome couple.  We are meeting many of the other missionary couples, lots of fun.  Aloha, Bula Vinaka, Malo e lelei, Talofa, IaOrana, Kia Ora and all that good greetings.  

Serving at the PCC

How about those missionaries.  We are taking a break from Seminary and so we volunteered to serve at the Polynesian Cultural Center.  It was fun.  We talked to a lot of people, from all over the world.  

Memorial Day in Hawaii

This is the first time I've been here for this occasion.  I am at the gravesites of mother, Dad Grace, and Dad Luahiwa is here, also my brother Emerson, and nephew Eldred Chong.  A walk just a few graves away is my aunty's Rose and Mary right next to each other.  See the Ko'olau range just behind me there, it's shaded but this mountain range is most spectacular, it run all along most of the middle of the Island of Oahu.

This is the first time we will not be near our son Jarrod's gravesite, but we know he is remembered every year by family and friends.  So a solemn Memorial Day weekend this year.  We will be working at the PCC on this holiday.

Bad news, Good news

The bad news is that Seminary is over for now, until August 3, 2009.  Good News is that we still have Institute, and those who have graduated will always be able to find an Institute where ever they go.

We slept in this morning, Elder M woke up at 5:45am while I slept in until 6:07.  We're setting up to cover the Employment Resource Center, and even volunteer at the Polynesian Cultural Center.  They can always use some help, even tho' the tourists have slowed coming over to Hawaii.  

We love being here, love being missionaries, and we love each other very much.  We have grown so much, through all the adversity, and challenging moments.  By studying the scriptures diligently together, we have been able to keep the adversary away from our door.  

This is the Lord's work.  

Malama pono

Pau 2009 Seminary NT

This was our last day for the New Testament 2009 year.  I loved it.  We were only here for half of the year, but we have bonded with the teachers, and students too.  The best feeling in the world.  I love serving with the youth of the church.  These are our leaders, our Royal Army.  

Oahu Burial Council

This is the end of Jace's chair kuleana on the Oahu Burial Council.  on May 13, 2009 was Jace's last meeting.  He served two years.  The members are singing a "Mahalo kealoha" oli to Jace, and placed a maile lei and another with the "ha"....forehead to forehead, then breath each other's breath for confirmation of good feelings toward each other.  Hawaiian is spoken most of the time.  Pono!

Scripture Mastery

We had fun this morning with our scriptures from the New Testament.  But I threw in a few from other "sticks".... OT, D&C, and BofM.  They totally GOT IT!

Zone Conference

"We are grateful to be in the Hawaii Honolulu Mission - The Aloha Mission.  The Atonement of Jesus Christ is our message, love of God and others is our motivation, and obedience to the commandments and mission rules is our strength.  By sharing the gospel with others, we can give them the "ha" - the breath of life, even eternal life.  Aloha  "  This is our mission folks, we are truly blessed to have such great leaders.  Our mission president Steven N. Peterson, and his wife Cathy, spoke to us tonight about the Atonement of Jesus Christ, on our Zone Conference which we spent for Family Home Evening together.  We were welcomed royally by the other missionary couples there.  There are 175 young missionaries, and 85 Senior couples.  Thus far, for 2009, there have been 237 baptisms.  The kingdom is growing, and we are blessed to be a part of it.

Mothers

Our Heavenly Mother gave us our first honor, then our earthly mothers gave us mortality.  We are truly blessed, to have the power of procreating, bringing all of our brothers and sisters to this second estate.  May you all come to know the richness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in its fullness, and to live it to your very best!  The Lord's Plan of Salvation is truly a Plan of Happiness.  I am happy to be here in Hawaii, serving in the CES program of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with my very handsome companion.  

Pond

Happy Mother's Day Taran!

VOG

It's been a few days of this.  See how it affects the entire Island Chain, all the way from the Big Island.  It was supposed to subside today, but it seems worst.  

Golf

Yesterday was an especially eventful day for Elder McQuivey.  He shot a Par on the Kahuku wonderful Municipal Golf Course.  He was pretty tickled with that effort.  Yes, we do have time to do the fun things that keep us fit and fabulous.  

All is going well with the Seminary preparations for graduation. We have worked hard with the teachers, Bishops, and Stake personnel to get 51 qualified to graduate.  I will be conducting a Scripture Chase next week with the rest of the students, while Elder McQuivey will be rehearsing with the Seniors.  Romans 1:16

Missionary 15

The missionary hazard of serving in Hawaii.  Yesterday, Elder McQuivey split his pants, Puka Pants!  Yes, that is the first time in his life, ever!  Jace tells us that is the hazard of serving in Hawaii.  I've gained that and then some, I sorry to say.  I can't seem to stop it.  The food is oh so good and plenty of it.  I wish I had a picture here to show you, but I don't think we have one to show you all.  

We're loving this mission.  Graduation is coming up soon, and that is the culmination of what started out 4 years ago for some of these young people, and for us, the last 6 months.

May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii

This is all of Laie to witness the children presenting a fabulous production at the PCC venue.  What an amazing show.