Kona February 25 - March 3

"Pansy" Orchids

Kona February 25 – March 3

Aloha,

We awoke this morning to a beautiful, clear day which has continued into this afternoon.  It was good to be back in our ‘home’ ward again and feel the lingering excitement from last evening’s “Fifth Annual Kealakekua Chili Cook-off” held in the Stake Center.  Of course we attended and enjoyed an evening of talent, noise, and good food.

Chili Cook-off Entries

There were at least eighteen ‘chili ‘entries from traditional to vegetarian; with beans to beanless; beef to chicken; and of course, mild to hot and spicy.  Traditional rice, salads, rolls and desserts added to the chili and filled everyone to the top.  Interspersed with eating was a talent show and drawings for door prizes.  One thing you can say about a ward party in Hawaii is that there is no lack of kids, food, happy people and general chaos!

My Kinda Chili!!

A couple of talent highlights were first, a traditional Hawaiian Chant by one of our good friends who speaks fluent Hawaiian.  Brother K. had taught his two sons (age 6 and 8) plus one of the other boys in our ward to join in the Chant while wearing warrior costumes.  They were great! 

At church today, during the break between Sacrament Meeting and Sunday School, we complimented Brother K. on the performance and asked him if he knew a Chant (‘Oli) concerning the importance of gaining knowledge that the Temple Matron had tried to teach us at a Christmas gathering at their home over the Holidays.  He indicated that he knew the Chant and recited it right there in the hallway (in a quiet manner).  We were impressed and asked him if we could record the Chant.  He said sure and we stepped into the kitchen where Brother K. recited the chant while we recorded it on our Droid.  We will be happy to share it when we return home.  Perhaps if I listen to it enough times….probably not!

While it may seem like a broken record…we had another great week in the Temple!  There are a lot of visitors coming to the temple from places where there is still a cold, snowy winter and we are always happy to see them at the Temple.  I greeted one couple at the recommend desk and noted they were from Hyde Park Utah, where my father was raised and his family lived for many years.  After a few questions, turns out they are acquainted with one of my first-cousins that still lives there.  Not only is time flying by but the world is clearly shrinking!

Temple Wall

One former visitor called the Temple and asked if anyone could take some pictures, of the hand built wall lining the back property of the temple grounds, highlighting the contrast between the temple grounds and the tangle of the Kiawe brush and grasses on the other side of the wall.  This sister had noticed this during her visit and had returned to Utah before realizing how the contrast could be used effectively in her Relief Society lesson.  Never turning down a chance to take a picture, Sister Elwood made it a priority to take some pictures and email them to this sister.  We hope her lesson turned out well and we will share one of the pictures.

Sister Elwood celebrated her birthday this week in a pleasant but different way than usual. 

We had talked about going out to dinner at Sam Choys or some other good restaurant in Kona to have a quiet celebration.  Tuesday morning, Sister H., one of our great Office Volunteers, invited us to join her and the Missionaries at her home for dinner on Thursday evening.  It seems that her husband often has to work late so, when she invites the missionaries and she learns her husband won’t be home in time for dinner, she has to meet the missionaries at the door, explain the problem, and give them money to go out for dinner.  Understanding the situation, we agreed to join her for dinner so the Missionaries wouldn’t have to go out for a hamburger or pizza instead of getting a home-cooked meal.

Earlier in the month, we had signed up to host the full-time young Missionaries for dinner on Tuesday evening.  Over dinner, we told them we would be eating with them again on Thursday evening at Sister H’s home.  They couldn’t remember their dinner schedule but looked forward to meeting us again for dinner.  The Elders do like to eat and they’re sort of grandsons for us. 

Thursday afternoon as we were leaving the Temple, the Elders met us and explained that there was a mistake somewhere because, on their schedule, they had another family hosting them for dinner that evening. 

Some "Grandkids" to hug

Before leaving for dinner we got to SKYPE with some of our family and electronically celebrate her birthday, including an electronic, candle blowout on the Birthday cake.  Long story made short… we SKYPED with family; enjoyed a great roast beef dinner; met some of Sister H’s family, including five grandchildren which provided Sister Elwood the opportunity to hug and enjoy some non-adult company; and were later joined by the Elders who ate some dinner and dessert.  All-in-all, a good way to celebrate a birthday.

Next weekend we will be back on the speaking ‘circuit’ traveling to the Hilo side of the Big Island to visit and speak at two wards over there.  President and Sister Heinzen, he is the First Counselor in the Temple Presidency, have invited us to stay at their home in Kea’au on Saturday evening to avoid an early Sunday morning 100+ mile drive.  We look forward to the visit and speaking in the Ainaola and Keaukaha wards.

Much love and Aloha from Paradise!