Home May 26

Auwe!  It has been almost a month now since we left all our Hawaiian ‘Ohana to return to our home in Idaho. 

This has been a very busy time for us as we hosted two family gatherings with our children and their families; spoke in two different Wards in our Stake; embarked upon an ambitious upgrade to the floors in our house (tile and carpeting); prepared a garden spot for planting; attended the High School and Seminary Graduation of a grandson; played golf (Rich); and generally tried to establish a ‘returned missionary’ lifestyle. 

In the few moments we have between tasks and activities, we find ourselves reflecting on and missing our loved ones in Hawaii.  We sorely miss the hugs and kisses of greeting and, in spite of our best efforts, we are making little progress in getting used to all the white faces and in changing the greeting habits of all these Na Haole around here!  On the positive side, we have been somewhat successful in soliciting an “Aloha” greeting from a few of the members in the Wards we have visited at the beginning of our talks.

It is Sunday afternoon, and we are together in our “Sun Room” listening to one of our favorite CD’s, “As Temples Fill the Earth” which reminds us of the blessings of serving in the Kona Hawaii Temple.  While we have a great view of all the green trees and shrubs in our back yard and the three colorful hanging baskets of Mother’s Day flowers, there is not a Palm Tree nor an Orchid in that view.  There is not, however, any VOG to cloud the beautiful clear mountain air we have enjoyed for the past few weeks.  During the first week we were home, we did get a small sample of the Boise summer heat when the daytime temperature rose to 96 degrees.

Friends and Ward members ask us how it feels to be home from our mission and we tentatively answer that “it’s good to see our family and friends again but we miss the spiritual focus and blessings of serving in the Temple every day.”  Often, we find ourselves reflecting upon the dedicated service of the Presidency, matrons, missionaries, volunteers, and workers in the Kona Temple.  We’re certain that everything is in good hands in the Kona Temple and that the work is progressing without interruption as Elder and Sister Cox have quickly settled into the ‘best Missionary experience in the world!” 

We especially miss the Mossman’s, Heinzen’s and Nihipali’s!  They set such a wonderful example of dedicated and loving service for us!  I even miss President Mossman’s greeting of “Elder Elwood!” which usually meant a new report to be prepared.  Perhaps we have been a little slow to complete the one final task we have to perform for the Kona Temple, relating to the phone system, because of the finality of completing that task, but, we have not forgotten!

This coming Tuesday, we have an appointment with the President of the Boise Idaho Temple and we are hopeful the call will come to once again serve in the Temple.  While we will be thrilled to return to temple service, we do not anticipate a repeat of the joy of serving in the “Second smallest Temple in the world, but the one with the Biggest Heart!”

Much Love and Aloha!