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