Aloha 1/28/13

Aloha!

A fabulous week in paradise!  Tuesday, we held District Meeting at the Stake Center in Makakilo.   Afterwards, we had lunch at the apartment and headed to Waianae.  We visited the Nanakuli area and saw Hannah Mahoe with an added bonus of her 2 daughters.  What is so interesting we see the daughters often and didn't realize they were daughters to Sister Mahoe.  Mel Mahoe is YW President in Nanakuli and her sister, Christine Asue, is the Stake YW President.

Then we stopped to visit Roberta and John Westbrook.  He joined the church last July before we arrived in August.  He is on fire!  We asked him and his wife to fellowship the Libres in their Ward. They said they would do that.  As we headed home we stopped at Beauty Castillo's and had a nice visit.  Two houses down from Beauty we visited Linda Akamu and challenged her to take the missionary lessons.  She said, "she would."  We just have to catch her between doctor appointments... (like someone else I know!!!)

Aloha 1/22/13

Aloha,

Another great week.  Tuesday we held our Zone Conference at Makakilo with the Waipahu Zone.  The M&M sisters' won the award and a car freshener for having the cleanest car in the Makakilo Zone.  I think they need to take us out of the running or we'll ace every time.  Elders Lasitani/Hunter got the "Good Housekeeping" Award.  Go Tonga Branch!!!  They also celebrated birthdays from October thru December... which "us" birthday people got to choose a candy bar and another item.  We are treated royally here.

The theme of the conference was:  "Wherefore, be not wary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work.  And out of small things proceedeth that which is great."  (D&C 64:33)  Sister Dalton gave small tips on how to remain healthy... 1) wash sheets/pillow cases weekly, 2) cut out soda, 3) if you fail to plan, you plan to fail!   She also stated that to feel the Holy Ghost we must be engaged in study, prayer, faith and confidence  to do the Lord's work.  She has a to do list:  1) Keep a pad and pencil on your night stand to write down inspiration, 2) Pray before you study, 3) Keep your study area clean.  All these things invite the spirit.

Aloha 1/14/13

Aloha,

Another week in Paradise.  On Tuesday, we held our District Meeting in Waianae.  We had our opening exercises and discussed where we were w/our teaching pools and set goals.  Afterwards, we separated into districts and had our lesson.  We focused on teaching clearly and asking questions that would help us know where the investigator was and how we could be clearer in our teaching.  We practiced a Zone hymn "Let the Holy Spirit Guide" that we will sing in our Zone Conference tomorrow w/the Waipahu Zone.  Personally, being tone deaf! I'd rate us #1 in enthusiasm.  Actually, they sound pretty good.  We'll find out tomorrow from all the ah's!

Right before we dismissed, we got a call from the past Relief Society President in Waianae !st Ward and said she was having a meeting w/the new Presidency at her home.  We said, "We are on our way."  We met the new R. S. sisters and left them with our wealth! of Relief Society knowledge on questions that they didn't even know to ask!!!  They will be great and we will back them up in anyway they need.  Left for our favorite park to eat lunch and then worked in Nanakuli.  Great day meeting some brothers and sisters that needed a hug and a prayer.

In Memoriam, Lynn Chandler 12/28/51 to 1/7/13

Lynn Annette Mortensen Chandler

December 28, 1951-January 7, 2013

Lynn Mortensen Chandler was born on December 28, 1951 to Mary Jane and Kenneth Mortensen. Lynn became the older sister to their other eight children: Wayne, Brent, Lola, Rita, Karla, Toni, Tammie, and Adam. Lynn is also survived by her children: Chris and his wife Ofa, Marni Nicoli and her husband Emilio, Brook, Spencer, and Rachel Hall and her husband, Adam. Lynn found so much joy in her grandchildren: Liz, Esther, Nathaniel, Emily, Hampton, Benjamin, Gabriel, Luciana, and Max.

Most of you here today probably knew Lynn only as an adult, but I got to grow up with her, thanks to my oldest brother, Stanley, flirting with Lynn’s Aunt Kathy, Mary Jane’s younger sister. Stanley hung around the Mortensen’s house while Aunt Kathy was in town. Lynn and I were just babies at the time, and she was exactly three months older than I. Mary Jane said that Stanley and my second oldest brother Jimmy kept bragging about their baby sister. Evidently I was cuter/stronger/smarter than Lynn, so Mary Jane decided she had to meet this child prodigy. Honestly, I think I simply had more hair than Lynn, and my brothers had probably taught me some nifty tricks!

Aloha 1/7/13

Aloha,

It was a short week in this here Island of Paradise.   Those holidays take a toll on the work.

We had a great day working in Waianae on Sr. Sister Splits'.  Sis Mathews and I worked the Makahaha area.  If we didn't see anyone home, we would leave a pass along card with our phone numbers and say, "call us and we will stop by another time".  Sister Suafoa and McGiven worked the Nanakuli area.  They stopped at Sis Hea's to visit w/her about a couple of Marshallese families and get some names of sisters to visit.   I called an hour later and they were still there!  I said, "Ok, it's time to go visit."  We stopped at Lorretta's where we (Lynn and I) stayed last February to enjoy a little R&R.  Loretta invited us in for a cup of herbal tea and a chat...so we visited for about an hour. (Pay Back Time!!!)   She sent us away w/pomegranites, basil, limes, garlic chives, and chard from her garden.  YUM.  We enjoyed our time in the Makaha area.

Aloha 1/2/13

Aloha and Hauoli Makahiki Hou,

What a wonderful season of JOY w/the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  On the 22nd we attended the Makakilo Stake musical of "There is a Star."  They have been preparing for months and it all paid off in blessing the lives of those that attended on the 22 and 23rd.  They opened with the "Hallelujah Chorus," but the highlight of the evening was the Primary adding their voices to the choir w/"He Sent His Son."  It was a fabulous concert w/woodwinds, strings and voices.

Sunday we attended our meetings and then took our neighbors the "Joy to the World" video of the birth of Christ and wished them a Merry Christmas.

Monday we did our domestic chores and prepared for our Christmas Eve dinner and get together w/the Srs. at the mission home.  Lovely dinner of filet mignon, salads, rolls and yummy desserts.  We then gathered for readings and singing Christmas carols.  I gave each couple one of my family cookbooks. This was the shot in the arm before Christmas day.

Tuesday, Christmas Day dawned bright and sunny.  Here is a picture of our Poinsettia tree and the loot under it.  Talked to family and sent out my love.  We had Bro and Sis Elam, Sis Suafoa, Sis Mathews, Sis McGiven, Penny and yours truly for our feast of Prime Rib. YUM!  Played games afterwards and topped the night off w/cheesecake.

This is a picture of my grandchildren, Avery, Boston and Van in the snow by my condo in Utah.  They came for Christmas from Florida to spend with family members and friends.