Kona September 24 - 30

Walua Trail - Our New Walking Path

Kona September 24 – 30

Aloha,

Happy Sabbath to all and a Hau’oli La Hanau to me!

I’m celebrating 71 years today and it has been a great day because of my family and friends making it a special day!  Mahalo nui loa for all the birthday cards and wishes.  Most days, I don’t even feel that old!!

We have had another great week in Paradise!  On our P-Day, Monday, we rode with Elder and Sister W. over the Saddle Road between the Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa volcanos to the Hilo side of the Island.  It was the first time we had been over this road.  Most of the years we came here, the road was so bad the rental car companies would void your contract if you dared to venture over it.  Now, most of the road has been rebuilt and the last half is an easy drive.  Considering Kona is at sea level, the summit of the road is over 7200 feet in elevation.  The weather was clear all the way and we were able to see the tops of both volcanos which are both over 13,650 feet in elevation.  Pictures later!

When we reached Hilo, we drove to Banyan Drive which is right along the shoreline near Hilo Bay.  The road is lined with huge Banyan trees which were planted in the early to mid-1930s by famous people of the time, such as Amelia Erhardt and Babe Ruth. We even found one planted by Heber J. Grant!  We stopped along the drive for a picnic lunch and to take pictures which we will share later.

After the picnic and sightseeing in this beautiful area along the Bay, we headed north up the Hamakua coast to visit Akaka Falls State Park, one of our favorite places to visit on the Big Island.  While not large in terms of area, the park features some of the most spectacular characteristics of a tropical rainforest you will find anywhere.  We took lots of pictures of the flowers, trees and waterfalls we enjoyed and yes, we will share them later. Imagine the sweet aroma of White and Tahitian ginger along the pathways.  The main feature of the Park, of course, is Akaka Falls which cascades 442 feet from top to the misty pool at the bottom.  I’ve included one shot of the “jungle” and a couple of the waterfall to give you an idea of this “Garden of Eden.”  Awesome!

 

Akaka Falls

 

 

The "Jungle"

 

We capped off the trip by visiting one of our traditional eating places, Paniolo’s Country Inn for a great hamburger, fries and a Macadamia nut, chocolate chip cookie for dessert.  We have enjoyed this good ol’ comfort food for over 25 years.  This is not a gourmet or health food restaurant!

We told you last week about the Temple Presidency announcing a ‘special’ Wednesday evening session to encourage Big Island members to come to the temple more often.  We didn’t know what to expect and since the ordinance workers would be the Presidency, Matron and Assistants, plus the two Missionary couples, we had mixed emotions about a lot of Saints attending.  They started arriving at about 5:30 PM and by the starting time of 6:30; we had filled the room to overflowing (by about 50%).

Now we were feeling very happy with the turnout, but one of my responsibilities is to monitor the air conditioning and air quality from a display on my desk and it didn’t take very long for an alarm to start in the air quality of the ordinance room.  Now, you might think it was the temperature but, you would be wrong!  People breathe in air and exhale mostly carbon dioxide CO2.  We had exceeded the alarm set level for CO2 in the room.  We took several measures to lower the level and everybody had an enjoyable session with no complaints or health problems.

This week we will welcome two wards from the island of Moloka’i to the temple.  We look forward to their visit even though we will be rising earlier and serving a few more hours each day.  Their faith and commitment to temple service is inspiring and while we may be tired physically, we will be energized spiritually by their example of service and faith.

The Temple will be closing on Saturday for General Conference then we will be closed for the next two weeks for our semi-annual, maintenance and cleaning.  This will be our first experience with being actively involved in a maintenance shutdown but we will get some days off to enjoy some island travel and see some of our favorite places again.

It has been a great day and Skyping with some of the family has made it seem like they’re close by us.

                                                    Blowing out the Candles via Skype

Love and aloha from Paradise!

 

Kona September 17 - 23

Kona September 17 -23

                                                             Fresh Lemons in Season

Aloha ko’u ‘Ohana a na hoaaloha!

Another week has quickly passed by and it’s the Sabbath once again!

It has been a busy week for us in the temple as we welcomed some of the Saints from Maui back to the temple.  I’ll share a couple of observations in addition to those we have shared before.  The Tongan people are some of the most reverent we have observed serving in the temple.  If you only saw them in the temple, it would be easy to assume they were very sober and not given over to much of a sense of humor, which is certainly not the case.  A choir comprised of Tongans almost always sings a cappella and are among the most beautiful you will ever hear.

As the sun was rising in the early morning, they would gather at the entrance deck to the temple quietly visiting among themselves, many of them sitting on the concrete and carpet of the small entry area.  As I watched them from the recommend desk, one of the brothers would stand and offer a prayer in Tongan; then they were prepared to enter the temple to serve.

Early Thursday morning, which was their first full day of service, several of the men brought boxes of snacks and food along with an ice chest filled with fruit drinks into the little break room in the office area. This was about 5:30 AM!  They then went to dress and begin their temple service.  A few hours later, in small groups, they would come through the office to the break room and enjoy a quiet visit and some snacks together then on to the next session.  This procession went on for much of the day and we enjoyed their presence and spirit of service.  The 7:30 PM session on Thursday night was scheduled by one of the Kona Stake wards and they were joined by most of the Maui Tongans and the session ended up about 20 more than the room was designed to hold. Don’t tell the fire marshal!

Friday was much different because they all came to the temple fasting and served all day without breaking.  There was not much around for us to eat other than the Orange Cranberry Macadamia nut muffins Carolyn baked which were pretty great.  They served all day and we added an additional session for them in the late afternoon.  At their request, we opened an additional session at 6 AM Saturday morning so they could serve in one more session before leaving for the airport and their flights back to Maui.  We are so impressed with their selfless example of faithful temple service!

The Temple Presidency also decided to add a session for every Wednesday night at 6:30 PM to give the saints here on the Big Island more opportunity to attend the temple. This starts this week and we are wondering what we will do if they come in large numbers, because we don’t have assigned workers for this session and the Presidency and the two missionary couples will constitute all the ordinance workers!

We have always been disappointed in finding somewhere to get some walking exercise when we are not in the temple.  Walking around the parking lot of our apartment complex is not the best since it’s built on the side of the mountain and there isn’t a flat spot in the parking lot.  My old knees are starting to strongly object to the steep hills.  Today, at church, our Family History instructor told us about a 3-mile (one way) hiking trail only a few miles from our apartment that is relatively flat!  We look forward to getting some exercise this week.

                                               A knee busting slope in the Parking lot!

Speaking of the hiking trail and steep hills…we drove by the entry point to the trail to make sure we had the directions right, then proceeded on up the road to connect to the Old Mamalahoa Highway that leads to our apartment.  We normally take the Queen’s Highway which is newer, wider and faster than the old road.  The Mamalahoa Highway is narrow and winding, having been built a long time ago, so it follows the contours of the Hualalai Volcano.  Hualalai has been dormant for centuries so its slopes are covered with a dense “jungle” of trees, bushes, coffee trees, flowers, grasses and homes perched above and below the road.  All in all, this is a pretty spectacular drive as the road tunnels through the foliage round and round and up and down the slopes.  It is important to keep my eyes on the road since there are no guard rails or shoulders in most places and some of the sheer drop offs next to the “makai” (towards the sea) side of the road would be an exciting but short ride if you went off the road.

One final thought about how small the world is getting!  Today in Sacrament meeting, one of the speakers mentioned he had served in the Arcadia California Mission during 1982-84 which is where our oldest son served in 1984-85.  This is the third time in the last month we have visited with a former missionary who served in the Arcadia Mission during that time period.

Tomorrow is P-Day and we are going to join Elder and Sister W. on a trip up over the Saddle Road (over 7200 feet in elevation) between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa volcanos then up the Hamakua Coast to see one of our favorite places, Akaka Falls.  This will be our first sightseeing trip since we arrived nearly five months ago plus, since we’re riding with them, we will enjoy air conditioning.  Pictures and details next week!

Love and aloha from Paradise!

 

Kona September 10 - 16

Kona September 10 – 16

Aloha,

Today is Sunday and when we left for church this morning we were blessed by a clear blue sky, no VOG, no clouds, and only the beauty of one of Gods’ creations stretching before us.  Almost as soon as we got to the highway leading down the mountainside to Kailua-Kona, we could see the coastline and ocean stretching before us.  What was unusual this morning was that the view was so clear, we could see clearly all the way to the horizon over 40 miles of ocean away! 

I mentioned before how we are blessed with beautiful flowers brought by members to decorate the rostrum, piano, organ and wherever there is room for a vase.  Today was no exception!  There were containers of Kalihii Ginger (Tahitian torche) in all those places.  Kahilii Ginger is an appropriate flower for a church because it has golden blooms and a heavenly fragrance that was evident throughout the chapel.

After church, we detoured from our normal route home to drive down Alii Drive which runs right along the coast.  The colors of the ocean are so varied and the fresh smell of the ocean and the surf connecting with the shore combine for an almost breathtaking experience.  As the driver, I had to keep a wary eye out for the joggers, cyclists and crazy haoles but enjoyed the drive none-the-less.   It did seem strange though, to drive by our condo in Sea Village where we had spent so many memorable vacations.

This week, we celebrated our 49^th Wedding Anniversary!  Every moment has been full of love and appreciation for each other.  Hawaiians have a saying “HE ‘OLINA LEO KA KE ALOHA” (Joy is in the voice of love) which is so true! While we have spent a number of anniversaries here in the Islands, it was extra special to be able to spend the day in the Temple serving others, and then to celebrate our love for each other. 

That evening, we made reservations for Sam Choy’s Kai Lanai Restaurant for dinner.  Kai Lanai literally means ‘patio over the sea’ and the name is justified by the view.  Built up on the mountainside above Keahou, the view of the Pacific Ocean at sunset is truly spectacular.  For those of you who have been to Kona, Sam Choy’s rests on the site formally occupied by a Wendy’s fast food that was put out of commission by an earthquake several years ago.

Sam Choy is a world-famous chef whose specialty is Pacific Island cuisine.  Dinner was outstanding and not very expensive (even for missionaries).  For our Pu Pus (appetizers), we ordered Calamari (squid in a tempura batter and deep fried) served with a delicious, slightly spicy dipping sauce.  To our surprise, it also included three or four baby octopus prepared in the same way as the Calamari.  Yes we did and they were excellent! 

After the appetizer, they served ‘sampler’ portions of both soup (Creamy Carrot and Ginger) and fresh green salad with a creamy Wasabi dressing.   Pictures are worth a thousand words, so they say, but you will have to make the trip to taste the goodness of our Entrée and this wonderful dinner!  We will go again!

Macadamea Nut Crusted Chicken with Brown Rice  New York Steak with Garlic Mashed Potatoes

 

Beginning next week, we will welcome the Saints from Maui to the temple again.  It is always a joy to serve with these faithful brothers and sisters and to be humbled by their sacrifice in time and treasure to come and serve in the temple.  Since our islands are separated by about 18 miles of very deep ocean, they can’t simply get in the car and make the trip to the temple.  Airfare, lodging, and food make their trips expensive and a significant commitment of time.  The difference in this visit, over their visits in June and July, is the addition of the second Senior Missionary couple to the temple.  Our days won’t be so long, only 9 - 10 hours instead of 17 but the joy of serving will be just the same.

The Temple Presidency has elected to offer an addition endowment session at 6:30 PM on three Wednesday evenings each month, to encourage increased temple attendance by members of the Kona Stake.  Since we don’t have Ordinance Workers assigned to Wednesday evenings, the Presidency and both Missionary couples will have the blessing to serve as the Ordinance Workers.

Another blessing of serving in a small temple is the opportunity to help clean the temple!  The temple is cleaned after every shift by the Ordinance Workers assigned to the shift, unlike larger temples that have paid members that come to clean every evening. On Saturday, a more thorough cleaning is performed.  Big Island wards are assigned to come and clean the temple each Saturday afternoon, but sometimes there are only three or four members that show up to clean.  When there is a shortage, the Presidency, any remaining Ordinance Workers, and the Missionary couples pitch in to fill the gap.  I felt blessed to vacuum the Celestial Room and wished the vacuum was quieter. A General Authority has said “We don’t clean the temple to keep it clean, we clean the temple to keep it from getting dirty!”

We miss you all and send our love, prayers and aloha from Paradise!

Kona September 3 - 9

Kona September 3 – 9

Aloha ‘Ohana a na hoaloha! Greetings family and friends!

The time is racing by.  Only five more days to our 49^th Wedding Anniversary!  We have spent many anniversaries here in the Islands.  This year, I think we will go to Jackie Ray’s for dinner after our temple shift that will include assisting the Presidency in training Shift Coordinators!  Auwe, only one year to Gold!

We promised to tell you about a wonderful evening we spent with the First Counselor and his wife at their little home only a couple of miles away from our apartment here on the mountainside.  They are in their fourth year as a Counselor and Assistant to the Matron here in the Kona Temple, having served three years in the previous Presidency.

They have a nice home on the Hilo side of the island and are the source of most of the bananas, tangerines and pineapple we receive each week.  In addition to his assignment as First Counselor, he serves as the Temple Engineer.  He is very skilled in everything mechanical and has an engineering background.  Because of the high cost of housing here in Kona, he modified a truck trailer into a bedroom, tiny kitchen and a bath.  They parked it on our Bishop’s family farm and live here during the week then go home to Hilo for the weekends.

They invited us to join them for an outdoor barbeque.  He cooked chicken on a grill over a fire and baked bread in a Dutch oven. We had a great time with an excellent dinner and good conversations.  After dinner, we enjoyed desert of Carolyn’s Decadent Carmel Apple cake while sitting around  the fire.  At this altitude, the fire felt pretty good!

 

                               We were joined around the fire by a ward member...see the orchid story below.

Monday, Labor Day, we opened the temple for a special visit by 2 wards from the Hilo side of the Island.  They have a tradition of Labor Day visits to the temple to perform baptisms, endowments and sealings as part of what they call “The Elijah Program.”  It was good to spend most of Labor Day ‘Laboring’ in the Lord’s House with these faithful saints.

Last Sunday, our Stake Center was blessed to have a beautiful orchid collage near the front of the chapel.  One of the ward members lives up the mountainside and raises all kinds of plants and fruits.  He brought these to share with the ward members. He is very skilled and built the plant stands they are mounted on.   They are so beautiful and brought a special reverence to our meeting.  Today, someone had brought vases full of Anthurium, red Ti leaves and Bird of Paradise for the podium, desk, piano and organ.  What splendor!

 

 

 

 

 

We have lots of lizards around the apartment complex.  Most are Geckos and Skink lizards but occasionally, something really unusual crawls out of the bushes.  That was the case this week when we encountered a 10-12 inch Chameleon crawling across the stairs leading up to our apartment.  This was a three-horned version called a Trioceros Jacksonii or Jackson’s Chameleon.  I just had to take some pictures to share.

 

 

 

A quick update on what becomes of some of those bunches of green bananas that we are given nearly every week.  In fact, we’ve had more than three dozen bananas at one time. Problem is, when they ripen, they seem to ripen all at once!  Last week, I made a batch of Grammies’ banana bread with fudge icing. It was a loaf cake and about 10 muffins.  We took then to the Temple break room last week….can I just say ‘they were a hit!’  It’s not like we don’t ever get banana bread….we do, all the time!  I believe the most common compliment was “that fudge icing was a great touch!”  Grammies’ banana bread and fudge icing wins again! Yum! Yum!

We pray for you all and express our love and aloha from Paradise!

 

 

Kona August 27 - September 2

Kona  August 27 – September 2

Aloha,

This has been another wonderful week in the Temple!  We are settling into the new routine with serving only on the morning shifts with the other couple serving the evening shifts.  We keep busy with a variety of routine tasks, fixing computer problems, ordinance work, patron requests, scheduling, and of course, responding to requests from the President to, in some cases, convince the Temple Department that we need to change some information on the LDS.Org website.  Never mind that every temple website in the world uses the same template!

Whenever we close the temple for the day and lock the gates, we’ve noticed that there is almost always Geckos or other brown lizards that seem to like to climb on the gates and perch waiting for a free ride when they are closed.  Sometimes, they get startled and run across our hands but usually they ride until we drop the locking bolt into the concrete walkway before they take off in a flash.  The picture below shows a couple of Geico/Gecko riders on one of the gates.  While I was taking their picture, the little guy in the center became very curious about what I was doing and arched his neck to get a better look.  If you look at the picture close, you can see the smaller Gecko peeking around the corner of one of the bars.  We don’t let them into the Temple because they don’t have recommends!

We have met so many beautiful and wonderful people over these past four months.  Among them, are a former Kona Temple President and his dear wife, the Matron.  They are both Hawaiian and he now serves as a Sealer and she an ordnance worker.   Both are also some of the kindest, loving and humble people you will ever meet.  In our mind’s eye we can visualize ancient Hawaiian Royalty…tall, regal in bearing, gracious to all and exemplifying everything relating to the spirit of Aloha.  This describes perfectly these wonderful saints!

On several occasions, we have listened attentively to the President “talk story” about Hawaiian history…all 80 generations of it.  These are their ancestors!  Through these ‘talks’, we have learned much about the Hawaiian people and their traditions.  Sister V. often gives me a few Hawaiian words to learn and kindly helps me to pronounce the language correctly.

This week, she invited Carolyn and me to join her in the little waiting room near the entrance of the Temple.  We didn’t quite know what to expect and were not prepared for what happened when she came into the room, closed the door and asked us to sit down with her.

She began, by telling us about the Hawaiian traditions concerning quilts or coverings.  As some of you may know, there is a special quilt made in Hawaii that is usually floral in design and made with row-upon-row of very fine hand stitching, creating a very intricate and beautiful quilt.  She explained that these special quilts are called “Kapa” in Hawaiian and are crafted with ancient  traditions governing their use.  Among those traditions are the manner of folding, must never be sat upon, and that only married couples are to sleep under a Kapa quilt.

She then spoke about another kind of quilt or covering.  In Hawaiian, the word for a covering is “Kihei” meaning a rectangular kapa cloak tied in a knot over one shoulder or a bed covering.  The little town of Kihei in Maui got is name from being ‘covered’ in clouds.  Next, she told us of the Hawaiian word “Pili” which means ‘to bring together’ such as being wrapped in the arms of love for each other and for the ‘Ohana (family) or being wrapped in the arms of our Heavenly Father and His love for His children.

This beautiful story brought tears to our eyes as we learned of the Kihei Pili!  Sister V. then opened a bag she had brought with her into the room and unfolded a bright and cheerful Kihei Pili and gave it to us with her love.  She explained that she has a tradition of making these coverings to give to some of those who come to serve the children of our Heavenly Father. While she didn’t know who we were, she knew that a couple would come to serve God’s children in His House and she was prepared to recognize their service in this very special way.  Further, she counseled that  the Kihei Pili was to be used every day as a covering for us and as a reminder that our Heavenly Father opens His arms of love to each and every one of His children.

Our tears flowed freely and we all embraced together in the arms of this wonderful, magnificent daughter of God.  We’ve included a picture of our Kihei Pili that we have enjoyed every day since and we will treasure all our days.

While Rich goes to take a little nap under our Kihei Pili (yes, it is cool enough to need a light covering when napping or just sitting quietly, especially  up here on the side of the mountain ), I will tell you another ‘story’ about Sister V.  Rich has given a very apt description of how she looks and our feelings for them both….with this picture in mind.

It was about a month or six weeks into our doubling shifting with some extra-long 16 to 17 hour days.  I did not feel well one morning and had to go lay down for a while on the couch, in the same waiting area that she gave us the Kihei Pili.  After a while the door opened, it was Sister V.   She came in and sat on the end of the couch.  She said “give me your feet.”   She very gently picked my feet from the floor, put them in her lap and started to rub them and to talk to me in her soothing, gentle way.  She told me of how her mother would rub her feet when she was ill or tired when she was a child (I became a child again).  I shared with her how my Mother loved her feet rubbed and that I had grown up rubbing her feet.  We talked of other things while she massaged.  I have never felt so humble and loved!  

As she told us of the Kihie Pili, “the seams and patches do not match up precisely, I ran out of binding and had to add two inches here (she said kind of embarrassed) but that is us like our lives, sometimes things don’t always go as we want or plan, we make the best of what we are given”, what wisdom, insight and good advice!

Whenever we use ’our Kihie Pili coverlet’ I will think of her beautiful brown fingers working on it and rubbing my feet with the love of Christ in all that she does!

This last Friday evening, we traded shifts with Elder and Sister W. so they could attend an activity with some of their close friends who live here in Kona.  As we left the temple and closed the gates, the night skies cleared and the full moon brightened the night sky and shown down on the temple.  It is unusual to have clear skies in the evening but this was exceptional and a celebration of a “Blue Moon” or the second full moon in a month.  This won’t occur again for another five years or so.  I just had to take a picture and share it with you.

We finished our week with a barbeque at the First Councilor’s ‘little home’ away from home… they live in Hilo and stay here during the week.  But, that is a story for another post, promise!

Love and Aloha from Paradise!

Kona August 20 – 26

Ahoha I he ua nui!

Greetings on a very rainy afternoon from our island paradise.  At the elevation we live, about 1500 feet above sea level, the climate is very different from where the Temple is located just 7 miles away.  Up here, the temperature is about 10 degrees cooler and it rains almost every night.  These huge volcanos that form the island act as giant weather engines.  Many mornings start out clear and sunny but during the day, the rising moisture from the ocean is carried up the slopes of the mountain to the cooler air then turning into heavy clouds surrounding the higher elevations.  In the late afternoons and evenings, these clouds heavy laden with moisture, are pulled back towards the sea by gravity.  At some point, all is needed is the right combination of elements and the rain cascades down in a torrent of water.  Last night and this afternoon’s rain, I would estimate, could measure up to a couple of inches of water.

Today was Stake Conference for the Kona Stake and we enjoyed the talks and testimonies of those who spoke to us.  One couple who spoke were Senior Missionaries from a place called Idaho Falls, Idaho!  I met a couple in the Temple this week who were from Meridian, Idaho and she had graduated from Meridian High School just a few years before the first of our six MHS graduates!  A member of the Stake Presidency and another Brother we met today, all had served missions in the Arcadia California Mission in the 1983-85 timeframe when our oldest son Rod served there.   Okay, so the world isn’t very big!

The prelude music for the Conference was played on the organ by a young man in our stake that is blind.  I don’t think we’ve ever heard such beautiful and soaring renditions of the hymns as this young man performed.  You could feel a power and majesty to the music as he gave feeling and emphasis to every measure unlike we’ve ever heard before.  Even though he played without interruption for over half an hour, I could have listened to his testimony through the music that flowed from his spirit to our ears and hearts for another hour.

Today, we enjoyed the company of the other Senior Couple serving with us in the Temple.  They live just a few miles south of us and picked us up this morning to go to Stake Conference (their car is air conditioned).  After conference, they joined us for a dinner of fruit salad, tacos, and burritos followed by Raspberry cheesecake and ice cream.  We watched the NBC Rock Center report on the church from the internet.  Elder W. announced it was time for a nap so they left and we cleaned up the kitchen.  I want you to know this is no small feat to be typing, listening to the falling rain, and needing a nap!!

Just a note about the generosity and love shown by the Saints here in Hawaii. Perhaps it’s the Temple but I think it goes beyond that. The love is genuine and is not restrained like we sometimes experience on the mainland.  We have seen this from the very first day we arrived here.  While shopping in Wal-Mart, a sister who we had never met noticed our missionary badges and immediately came up and welcomed us with a hug and kiss.  Ordinance workers bring food to the break room to share with others on every shift.  Fresh fruit is to be shared with everyone.  This past week alone, we were given papaya, limes, avocado, tangelos and bananas. I think the picture says it all.  I hope we can bring a little of this love and generosity home with us.  In many respects this truly is a paradise!

In closing, the Young Women’s program is inspired and has and is playing a very important part in our family.  The Temple Matron, my Hawaiian Kumu (Teacher) gave me this translation from the YW values…

                E ku ana au, me he ho’ike o Akua  (I will stand as a witness of God)

                I na manawa apau (at all times)

                I na mea apau  (in all things)

                A me na wahi apau. (and in all places.)

 

Love and aloha from Paradise!

 

                                                                Bounty of Paradise

Kona August 13 - 19

Kona August 13 – 19

Aloha!

This has been a very quiet week as we have now shifted to only serving on the morning shifts.    There were, however, a couple of highlights.

First, we enjoyed the company of the full-time Elders as we hosted them for dinner on Wednesday evening.  In a role shift, we provided the spiritual message and bore our testimony about the importance of both the service of proselyting missionaries and temple service missionaries in bringing all of God’s children to the ordinances of exaltation.  We really appreciate the service of the full-time Elders in our ward and since, tonight is transfer night, we hope they don’t get the dreaded transfer call.

Second, even though this was a quiet week, I did end up in the emergency room at the hospital this afternoon.  I had been exhibiting the symptoms and the pain of another kidney stone since last Friday morning.  In fact, the pain was pretty intense Saturday morning so I stayed home while Carolyn made the trip to the temple by herself.  As part of the training for Sister W. in assisting new missionaries and those coming to be sealed after marriage, it was important that Carolyn be there to provide that training.  Saturday was the longest we had been apart since late April.  She even got to go do the shopping without me which I’m sure she enjoyed since I do not like to go shopping!

I was wakened about five thirty this morning with the intense pain I have, unfortunately, come to know all too well.  We stayed home from church and called the full-time missionaries to come give me a Priesthood blessing.  Finally, we went to the hospital to verify my diagnosis and to get some serious pain killer into my system.  The diagnosis was correct and now we just have to wait for the final phase of this process.

So, I’m tired and a little more ‘dopey’ than normal, therefore, we bid you our Love and Aloha from Paradise!

P.S. Time to start planning for Christmas!