Kona March 25 - 31

Newest Orchids for Easter

Kona March 25 – 31

Hau’oli La i ala hou ai ka Haku!  Happy Easter!

We awoke this morning to an absolutely beautiful clear day here in Paradise.  It was truly an Easter morning to remember!  Perhaps it had something to do with being able to sleep in about four hours longer than we had for the past four days.  In the last four days, we, like the faithful Tongan saints from the Pi’ilani Ward on Maui, have risen very early to come to the Temple to serve in the House of the Lord.

"Oh How Lovely Was the Morning"

 

Shortly after 5:00 am each morning, they would come streaming into the parking lot in their rental cars; warmly greet each other then quietly gather near the front door of the Temple for a song and prayer before coming into the Temple for a long day of service.  Early Friday morning, they were gathered at their usual place and just as the sky was lightening with the glow of sunrise, they offered the Hymn “Oh How Lovely Was the Morning” in the Tongan language. Such a reverent and joyful spirit they bring to the Temple.

This was the last time we will have the opportunity to serve with the Pi’ilani Ward in the Temple.  As they were leaving Saturday morning to return to Maui, Brother He (his Tongan name is much longer and not easy to pronounce) came into the office to thank us for our service.   He is the Temple coordinator for their ward and we have worked together when scheduling their visits.  Brother He is a tall and very powerful Tongan and when he gave me an embrace of farewell, I felt humbled by his physical and spiritual strength and by his expression of love for us.  We will truly miss all our wonderful Temple friends!

On Tuesday, President and sister Mossman invited us to join them on a trip to Waimea that evening to attend a concert by the Kamehameha School Children’s Chorus.  The Chorus is from the Kamehameha Schools on Oahu and was touring and performing on the Big Island. Past performance venues include Disneyland.  The Mossman’s granddaughter had been a past member of this Chorus along with some of the children of President and Sister Nihipali.  

Kamehameha School Children's Chorus

 

It is difficult to describe in words how very good these Fourth, Fifth and Sixth graders perform!  There are 85 in the choir and all have some Hawaiian ancestry to qualify for enrolling in the Kamehameha Schools.  Their musical director was so enthusiastic and animated; it was clear the kids loved her and followed her direction perfectly.  We have attended many excellent choir performances as our children were growing up but we have never before witnessed the performance level of the Children’s Chorus.  We purchased a CD from one of their performances which we will share when we get home.

After this uplifting and joyful performance, we were greeted by a full moon rising through the wispy clouds over Mauna Kea as we rode back to Kona.  Altogether, an excellent evening!

We noted last week that we had received a surprise gift from the Young Women of the Meridian 4^th Ward.  Before we left for church this morning, we opened the last egg of the Twelve days of Easter.  We then went back to the first plastic egg and reopened them in sequence, reading the scripture in each that lead us back through the last days of the Savior’s life, His Atonement, crucifixion and Resurrection.  That last egg contained only the scripture from Matthew 28:6, “He is not here; for He is risen, as He said.”

The scriptures and the tiny reminders we found in each egg were very much appreciated and were a special reminder of whom we worship and of His suffering on our behalf along the path leading to Eternal Life that He opened for us.  We are grateful for the opportunity we have been given to serve in His house and feel of His love for each of us.

Much love and aloha from Paradise!

Jungle by the beach at Honokohau