Kona May 21-27

                                         Living on the side of a volcano!

Our 'New' Ride

                                        Elders Avens, Brooksby and Elwood for dinner

Kona May 21 – 27

Auwe! Where has the time gone? Another busy week has passed and it’s Sunday again.  We have been on our mission for almost a month and it seems like forever and yet, time has passed so quickly because we are enjoying the work and the people around us so very much.  We miss the family but being able to email, talk and text makes the family seem much closer than 3000 miles away!

Monday was another special day to honor the service of Elder and Sister Horton and we were invited to join.  This was a breakfast held in the North Kohala area at the Mauna Lani estates hosted by a family that live here part time. There were a small group of 12-14 members who, of course, all brought food to add to the menu.  Once again we were given the opportunity to try some new Polynesian dishes.  There was enough food to feed three times the number of guests present and we were all given bags of food to take home with us at the end.

Have you ever eaten taro Malasadas or ‘Otahiti (sp?)? ‘Otahiti is a combination of diced watermelon, fresh shredded coconut and coconut milk served in a cup from a hollowed out watermelon. It’s eaten with a spoon until the watermelon and coconut is gone then drank like a fruit juice. I think Carolyn really enjoyed this Tongan dish because she not only had several helpings there but consumed the bags we brought home as well.

Tuesday was the beginning of an exciting week at the temple! We had been training on the Temple Scheduling System (TSS) since we arrived but on Tuesday morning we switched to the new Temple Scheduling Program (TSP). This is a much more powerful, online scheduling system that will eventually save us many hours of work and greatly improve the accuracy of scheduling.  Carolyn was just getting an inkling of how to use the old TSS and now has had to start leaning a totally new system.  By the end of the week, we have come to appreciate the improved capabilities but still have much more to learn.

Speaking of learning, we started split shifting with the Horton’s on Thursday. We now serve on the morning shift and they serve in the evening.  This allows us a little more time off since we are there only 7-9 hours each day. Once the Horton’s leave on June 5^th, we will be on double shifts until the new Missionary couple arrive, which may not be until mid-August. Carolyn has found the phones to be a challenge, with up to three lines ringing at the same time.

We continue to meet warm and wonderful people in the temple.  Word seems to have spread about my desire to learn Hawaiian because a number of workers and patrons alike either try to test me or to add to my vocabulary. This is all in the spirit of love and I feel blessed by their assistance.

On Thursday, we purchased our “new” car form the Horton’s! it has been a very good car so far although we do miss the air conditioning when we are driving near the coast where the temperature is in the upper 80’s.  Our apartment is above the 1400 foot level so we enjoy cool evenings and pleasant sleeping conditions. It rains almost every night at this elevation and last night we fell asleep listening to the rain fall at a ferocious rate of maybe 2 inches an hour.

Since we also live on the side of the largest mountain in the world, getting exercise is easy…just walk down to the mailbox and back.  Although that is only a short 1/8^th of a mile roundtrip, it is up and down the roads in the complex that are maybe at least on a 15 degree slope.

I think that President and Sister Heinzen (1^st Counselor) are concerned we may not be getting enough to eat because they bring us fresh bananas and avocados every week. The avocados weigh more than a pound and we have nearly thirty bananas that are beginning to ripen nearly all at once.  We will need the Banana Bread recipe from home, ice cream and toppings to keep ahead of the bananas.

Our love of the Gospel and temple service continues to grow with each passing day.  The Presidency has been a joy to work with and since we are almost always short of ordinance workers, they pitch right in and do everything necessary to make sure the patrons have an enjoyable experience in the temple. One of the Counselors was vacuuming the hallway the other evening setting the example that there is no insignificant service in the temple. 

Sister Mossman, the Temple Matron, continues to challenge and teach me Hawaiian.  I want to leave you with a scripture in Hawaiian she gave me that you will have to look up in your English version to enjoy.

D&C 19:23

E a’o me a’u Ho’olohe I ko’u ‘olelo Holo iloko I ka ha’aha’a I ka ‘uhane a e maile Kau.

We love you all!

Kona May 16 - 20

Bunch of Bananas from Presidnt Heinzen







                                                                             Kona Temple at 6 AM

Kona May 16 -20

Aloha Auinala I ka Pule ka la! Good Sabbath day afternoon!

I’m in our office looking out of the window at a few houses surrounded by trees and lots of shrubs and bushes. I see papaya trees loaded with green papayas, palms and a lot of Coffee trees. There is a brilliant flash of red as a Cardinal flys from tree to tree. The name of our condo complex is the Kona Coffee Villas. We are surrounded by coffee plantations that are very dark green and quite pretty to look at.  I’ve been assured by our Temple President that it’s OK for missionaries to live here!
This past week has been very busy for us but also very satisfying to our spirits. Some days are long, arriving at the Temple shortly after 6 AM and leaving about 10 PM.  We do get a couple of hours break in the early afternoon to eat and rest before the early evening sessions begin. I believe we have been in the temple more than 47 hours last week.

We have learned so much this past week from Elder and Sister Horton.  We are so grateful for their patience and instruction.  There is always something new to learn.  We have been introduced to the Ordinance Workers by the Presidency in eight different preparation meetings. Being introduced means we were asked to stand and share our Mo’olelo or story about who we are and why we wanted to come to the Kona Hawaii Temple to serve our mission. In addition, we have been able to bear our testimony and express our love for temple work and for these wonderful people.  The expression of my desire to learn the Hawaiian language and to be able to bear my testimony in Hawaiian is always met with smiles and expressions of support.  I now have at least ‘elua kumu, two teachers, Sister Mossman and Sister Bean!

I was set apart on Thursday by President Mossman as the Assistant Recorder.  We were set apart as Ordinance Workers last Saturday and have been able to serve in this capacity a number of times because sometimes they are short of workers.  This has been a real joy to serve again and gives us a break from the ‘fire hose’ of learning in the office.  The workers and patrons alike are so happy and wonderful to associate with during our time in the temple. We have been given a hug and kiss on the cheek so many times this past week; we are quickly learning to greet everyone the same way.

My duties as Assistant recorder have expanded greatly from the responsibilities I had in Boise.  I can now clean the font, vacuum carpets, replace light bulbs in the chandeliers, and lock the gates. Since the missionary couple assigned to be the Assistant Engineer are not here yet and may not be here until mid-August, I also get to monitor all the temperature levels in the rooms, and visually inspect the pumps, valves and gauges under the font. Monitoring all this from a separate computer display on my desk helps me watch the Ph level, temperature and water safety in the font. Also, I was told that when two of the Presidency are off Island and the other member of the Presidency is visiting another part of the Mokupuni Nui, Big Island, I will have a key to use in case of an emergency while the temple is closed.  Please pray for the safety of our temple!

Carolyn is learning all kinds of new things in the office from retrieving prayer roll names from the voice mail, to scheduling appointments and record verification of members coming to the temple for the first time. We have been training on the temple scheduling system but on Tuesday we will switch to a new Temple Scheduling Program!  So far, results from our initial testing indicate the new system will save us virtually hours of time while improving accuracy.

We love our Presidency, the Matron and her Assistants!  They are such warm and loving people.  Everyone has made us welcome and part of the Kona family.  Our testimonies have grown as we have grown in the work of the Lord here in the Kona Temple. I ka inoa no keiki hemolele Iesu Kristo. Amene!

Kona 5/14 -5/15

                                      View from the Mansion overlooking Kailua Kona

Kona May 14 -15

First, just a note from Sunday evening!  We were invited by President and Sister Mossman to join Elder and Sister Horton for dinner at their home in Kona.  This was a wonderful recap for the Sabbath and Mother’s Day with a special evening with our Temple President and his wife.  They were the perfect hosts, which says a lot because the Hawaiians always make you part of the family in about 2 seconds.  We enjoyed hearing about their family and careers in and out of the church.  President Mossman is a former District Court Judge and Sister Mossman was an entertainer, singer and dancer in hotels in Maui for the tourists. They are a very spiritual and gracious couple.

The missionaries we are replacing, the Horton’s, also proved to be a strong example of the gospel and of service.  One surprise was that Sister Horton was an expert in stained glass! Her accomplishments, as part of a company in Salt Lake, include many of the temples.  Her story was inspiring and she will be returning to her work after they conclude their mission. Remarkably, she is a volunteer!

Monday evening, we were invited to a Malama Pono to recognize the Horton’s for their service in the Kealakekua Ward and the temple.  Malama Pono is Hawaiian for caring for each other and is put on by the Relief Society sisters.  Because of the unexpected death of an elderly man that the Horton’s had been fellowshipping shortly before the dinner and program began, Elder Horton was not able to attend.  Along with one other husband, I was the only other man in the group.

This activity was held at the home (read Mansion) of a church member who built the homes (2) on the slopes of the Hualalai volcano overlooking Kailua Kona and Kailua Bay.  I only had my phone to take pictures, which was unfortunate because the views were spectacular and the sunset produced the fabled “green flash!” The house or really two houses connected by elevated walkways were built by an elderly couple.  One ‘house’ was designed for the couple as a master bedroom, dining area and other rooms…probably over 2000 square feet of hardwoods, rock and soaring ceilings.  The other ‘house’ was built for the kids and grandkids and was even larger.  Someone said the monthly maintenance of the houses and grounds was over $20,000 PER MONTH!

This was a Hawaiian ‘pot luck’ dinner with dishes like poi, kalua pork, Hawaiian sweet potatoes, fried reef fish, fresh .pineapple, wonderful salads, baked ham with orange marmalade/mustard relish, Sushi and finished with purple sweet potato tart topped with a coconut custard pudding!  I tried everything but the reef fish, which Carolyn did try it and said it was very mild and good and the Sushi!  This turned out to be the finest “Hawaiian” dinner we’ve eaten.  Our donation, which was very well received, was western Idaho beans and ground beef!

Following dinner, we had a Home Evening lesson from Sister Bean, the Relief Society President, based on Elder Dallin H. Oakes address at the last General Conference.  In the middle of the lesson, Sister Bean got out her Ukulele and the entertainment began. Oh my! We sang, played traditional Hawaiian percussion instruments, and some of the sisters danced the Hula!  Even Sister Horton was brought into the act and was taught the hand moves and swaying of the Hula.  Turns out that four of theolder sisters had been performers’ way back when the ships brought tourists to Kona.  They all were a joy to watch and listen to the songs all the way from the Hawaiian War Chant to the Little Grass Shack in Kealakekua Hawaii. We were, after all, members of the Kealakekua Ward!
Malama Pono was a wonderful, joyous activity with the spirit of Aloha and the teachings of the Savior all equally represented by the love of these sisters.  We were truly blessed by the love and harmony of Aloha!  Carolyn was put on notice that her turn to dance would come at a Malama Pono when we leave the islands!

Today was a long day at the temple!  We got up at 5 AM and arrived at the temple at 6:15 for our shift. It was another day of ‘fire hose’ training from the Horton’s.  Since there is not another missionary couple to handle the Assistant Engineer duties, we get to do things that are not normally part of the Assistant Recorder or Office Assistant duties.  Never thought I would be learning how to manage the Ph balance in the font or be monitoring air handler flows in the 6 zones of the temple to make sure everyone is comfortable.  Carolyn is having similar learning experiences in the office with scheduling, answering phones, recording and a couple of dozen other tasks!

After a 3 hour break around 1 PM, we returned to the temple to help on the afternoon/evening shift.  They finally kicked us out a little after 9 PM tonight.  So far this has not been a vacation but it is so much more.  All the ordinance workers are so loving and welcoming.  I’m sure we have never been hugged and kissed on the cheek by more brothers and sisters in all our lives!

We continue to love and enjoy the work. Wednesday will be a lighter day but the learning will continue.  The spirit of the temple is so uplifting and we are so blessed by being here!

Sister Mossman, the matron, is helping me learn Hawaiian.  One of the phrases she gave me today seems appropriate…”E maka’ala mai I ka hana no ke Akua I ka Hale la’a.” “Be vigilant in the work of God in the Temple.”

Kona May 11 - 13

Kona May 11-13

Finally had time to hook up the laptop to the network so now we can share our wonderful experiences with you! 

Friday was our travel day to the Islands and it was an adventure!  The short version will have to suffice…left Salt Lake on time and arrived in Los Angeles (LAX) as planned.  First change was that we changed planes which we did not expect to have to do.  In the airport, moving to the next gate we met many members who either gave us knowing smiles to stopping and asking if we were coming or going.  Met 3 returning missionaries from South Korea who stopped and asked where we were serving and expressed the usual “Aaahhh… that will be great!” They expressed their appreciation for all senior missionaries.

Next we were stopped by a Sister Missionary on her way home for her daughter’s wedding.  She has been serving in the Guatemala Temple and was returning in a few days after the wedding.  She was going to be the companion to Sister Dick from our group and was looking forward to working with the Brinton’s that were also part of our group at the MTC.  Small world? Oh yeah!

We left the gate on time but had to be pulled back to the gate to fix a problem with the air conditioning in the cockpit.  My suggestion that the pilots open a window seemed to fall on deaf ears!  We left and arrived in Kona 5 hours late! While on the plane, Carolyn sat next to a young lady from France.  She and about 9 others were traveling to Kona for a week-long conference on Gravitational Waves. Ok, we don’t know exactly what that means either but she was a very engaging young 24 year old who was obviously very smart.  She had heard of the “Mormons” and Carolyn told her about the church and the temples.  During the flight, several people stopped by to see if we were coming or going.  One sister was traveling to be with her brother and mother because her sister had died of a heart attack on Thursday.  Her brother and mother were taking the loss very hard and she was going to be with them.  Her brother was a returned missionary but had gone inactive for a number of years.  She gave us the information about him and we have put their names on the prayer rolls and gave the information to the missionaries to contact him.  When you are on a full time mission, that little badge we wear draws a lot of notice, so far all positive!

We were met by Sister and President Mossman at the airport with an Orchid Lei greeting! They are so sweet and loving we look forward to serving with them.  We finally met Elder and Sister Horton at the temple and they took us to our condo in a pouring rain.  They were so kind and helpful to us.  By the time we got some orientation and about 70% of our bags unpack we were exhausted.  The time was nearly 5:00 AM Mountain Time when we got to bed.  Long day!

Saturday was our first day in the temple.  We were set apart as Ordinance Workers by President Heinzen the First Counselor. President Mossman was in Oahu for meetings and will set me apart as Assistant Recorder on Wednesday.  Followed was a wonderful full morning of introductions, training by the Horton’s, and even participating in baptisms with a youth group then cleaning the Baptistery!  We were given most of the afternoon off to do some shopping and finish getting settled in our new home. After we gave it up around 9:30 in the evening, we had improved the economy in Kona considerably!

Another blessing of being a missionary is the recognition and welcome by members wherever we go, from Denny’s at breakfast, to Costco and Wal-Mart in the evening. The wonderful thing about the Aloha spirit is that most members give us a big hug whenever they greet us.  Never mind that we are complete strangers, we are part of the family in about 5 minutes!! The members of the church are incredible!! We think that is one of the reasons we love the islands so much.

This morning our Sacrament Meeting started at 9:00 and we were made welcome by members and visitors alike.  We met our friends, the Thompsons, who introduced us to Hawaii way back in 1982! Now we are back in the same ward. 

President and Sister Mossman have invited us to their home this evening for Tacos! The Horton’s will be joining us and we will all get to know each other better. Monday is “P-Day” and the Horton’s will be helping us get everything transferred from them to us.

We send you our love and testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  We love our Savior and are so blessed to be sent to this beautiful land and people.  Thanks or even Mahalo Nui Loa hardly seems adequate to express our feelings and appreciation to the Lord!

MTC Last Day May 10, 2012

                       Leaving the Provo Temple for our mission!

MTC May 10, 2012

It was another wonderful day in the Provo Temple or at least half a day.  Elder and Sister Hammond gave more beautiful instruction on temple ordinances then we were given to opportunity to attend an Endowment session.  We have so enjoyed Elder and Sister Hammond’s instruction, testimony and sweet spirit over the last three and a half days.

Just before lunch, Elder Larry Gibbons from the Seventy talked to us about the wonderful service of being a missionary and especially being a missionary in the temples.  He taught us from the scriptures and with his testimony.  In visiting with him after his teaching, we indicated we had served in the Boise Temple for more than 12 years and asked about the rededication.  He smiled and said “this year!”  He further indicated that he would see us in August in Kona. We have been so blessed these past 10 days at the MTC and the temple.

Rod and Mary picked us up at the MTC and we were able to visit with the Zoe, Caden and Rowen for a little while before they brought us to Jeremy’s where we will spend tonight before catching our flight to Hawaii.  We missed Baxter because of school testing he was taking.

Tomorrow starts a new phase in our mission.  The preparation to serve defies description.  Our testimonies and knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ has grown so much.  We are anxious to serve but we will miss our fellow temple missionaries as we scatter across the world to serve the Lord in ten different temples.  We have grown to love them and have enjoyed our service together.

The Kona Temple President and Matron will meet us at the airport tomorrow afternoon and we will be set apart that evening at the Temple.  The Lord has blessed us so much and we know He will bless all our family as we serve our Mission.  We are grateful for our call and have a firm testimony of the divine nature of that call.

MTC Day 10 May 9, 2012

              Our wonderful Temple Missionary Group with Elder and Sister Hammond in the middle.

MTC May 9, 2012

It is our last full day at the MTC and temple training.  We had the opportunity to serve as patrons in the Initiatory and Sealings today in addition to training by Elder and Sister Hammond and the Temple Engineer.  It has been a blessing to discuss sacred temple ordinances and temple operations in such a spiritual setting.

All our suitcases are packed and weighed to make sure we don’t pay any more for our checked luggage than the $120 for the four bags.  We try to get our money’s worth so three out of the four weigh between 45 and 48 pounds each.

Tomorrow concludes our training in the temple with an Endowment session and a visit from a General Authority.  We will miss the MTC and the Provo Temple but we are excited to travel to Kona where we will finally meet President and Sister Mossman and Elder and Sister Horton.

We will have a last visit with Rod and his family tomorrow and won’t see them until they come to Hawaii to celebrate Christmas and New Years with us in Kona...our first reservation for ‘Mission Aloha B 'n B. We are now taking reservations for the Mission Aloha B 'n B so get your preferences to us soon!!

Rod will take us to Jeremy’s for an overnight visit with his dear family then Jer will take us to the airport to leave for Kona on Friday morning! 

We will be met in Kona by President and Sister Mossman, have dinner, then later meet in the Temple to be set apart for our new calling.  We’re excited to meet them and to finally meet Elder and Sister Horton who we will replace.  Saturday morning we report for duty and our real mission will begin in earnest.

Friday will be a long but happy day for us and there may not be a ‘post’ until Sunday.  Be assured you are in our thoughts and prayers! E pili mau na pomaika’i ia ‘oe (may blessings ever be with you)!

MTC Day 9 May 8, 2012

MTC May 8, 2012

The end of another day at the MTC is fast approaching!  We spent the majority of the day at the Provo Temple being taught by Elder and Sister Hammond.  This was a very special day for us because we were permitted to review the sacred ordinances of the temple in a way we had never before been given.  This gave us new insight to just how special the ordinances of the temple are and we look forward to arriving in Kona on Friday.

As part of our training, we were taught by the Temple Recorder, Brother Jensen.  I could identify with much of his comments and am looking forward to serving as the Assistant Recorder in Kona.  I’m sure there will be new things to learn that will fill our time in the office.  We also hope to serve as ordinance workers if the President approves.

We were also given an overview of the laundry operation.  This might not sound too glamorous but we learned the Provo Temple Laundry washes, on average, 10,000 pounds (dry weight) of clothing every day. Now that’s a lot of washing!  The tour ended with all of us folding and sorting clean clothes.

One of the Elders in our group that lives nearby brought his camera today and took a wonderful group picture of all of us in front of the temple.  As soon as he emails it to us, we will post it so you will be able to see these beautiful senior missionaries that are going to serve in holy temples around the world.

Tomorrow, will be another day in the temple serving as patrons for most the day.

This evening we were spiritually treated to a Devotional with Elder and Sister D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.  Again, the singing of the prelude music was so incredible and spiritually uplifting.  The last hymn was “Called to Serve” and the 2,000+ Elders and Sisters really put great power into their voices as we stood when Elder Christofferson came into the auditorium.

Sister Christofferson taught about the importance of developing a genuine love of the people in your mission.  Having this love will bring about the opportunity for conversion more than most everything else.

Elder Christofferson taught from the scriptures about the Doctrine of Christ and the unity of the Godhead.  You can be spiritually fed by studying 2 Nephi 31:5-21, 3 Nephi 11:31-41, and 3 Nephi 27:13-20.  You will not only have a greater understanding of the Doctrine of Christ but you will also gain an understanding of the roles of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.  We will be sad to leave the MTC.

We leave you with this phrase in Hawaiian…E pili mau na pomaika’i ia ‘oe! May blessings ever be with you!