Kona April 22 - 28

Kona April 22 – 28

White Hawaiian Splendor

Aloha!

Today is a day of tender emotions and the joy of anticipation!  This was our last day in our ward before we leave for our home tomorrow morning.  In keeping with Hawaiian tradition, the ward members stood and sang the Hawaiian song of farewell, Aloha ‘Oe, while we stood on the rostrum with na maka wai (tears) in our eyes and gratitude in our hearts.  Towards the end of the song, members lined up to offer greetings of Aloha while many included a lei or other gift of remembrance.

Aloha 'Oe

 

We have often participated in this most wonderful tradition over the years of visiting the Islands and once, we, along with other visitors, were even invited to join a family that was moving from Kaua’i.  That first taste only slightly prepared us for today’s moving experience! There was a visiting couple from Sugar City Idaho who were so moved by this tradition that they joined in the line of well-wishers to experience firsthand the joy and happy tears of the occasion.

President and Sister Mossman

 

Saturday was our last day of service in the Kona Hawaii Temple!  We walked out of the Temple with President and Sister Mossman and the door locked behind us for the last time.  Not wanting to say Aloha quite yet, the four of us visited as we slowly walked down the beautiful “Orchid Aisle” for the last time as Temple Missionaries.  We have grown to love and appreciate the temple Presidency and Matrons so much over this past year.  They will be forever in our hearts and prayers!

Our replacements have served for a week now and we have tried to teach them everything they will need to know to serve in the temple.  Elder and Sister Cox have quickly become beloved friends and we are sure they will quickly fill the full measure of serving every day in the House of the Lord.

This week, we have also been hosted for lunch and dinner by members of the presidency and others we have grown to love through their service in the temple.  Our favorite restaurant in Kona is Sam Choy’s and after three visits this week, we are even recognized by the waiter!  Have you ever tried Ahi (tuna) Bellys? Well, we did and they are onolicious!

There is so much more to tell you about these last days of our Mission that we will post a final chapter next week.  For those of you in our dear family, you will just have to experience the 1000+ pictures we have taken since we arrived.  For the rest of you dear friends, we will share more next week.

Our hearts are full of gratitude for this special opportunity to serve a full-time mission in the Kona Hawaii Temple.  The blessings are legion and will stay with us forever.  We send you our love and Aloha from Paradise. For the family in Boise…see you tomorrow!

Aloha ‘Oe!

Pau...It is finished!