Missionary Times: Hawaii, My Wonderful Family and Friends

The best thing about stopping in Hawaii on my way back to Majuro was seeing my wonderful family: Chelsea, Tylie and Bri. We had so much fun together. They met me at the airport with leis and hugs and I was so excited to see them

We had so much fun This is at Pounders

Bri, Chelsea and Tylie

Chelsea, Bri and Tylie had been there for about three days and had enjoyed the beach and had been doing some things in Honolulu with a friend. They picked me up and we went shopping for a few things that I needed. Then when we got home we went beach hopping and stopped at several of our favorite beaches. This includes Kakela, Pounders, and Turtle Beach up on the north shore. Tylie loved the turtles that were out sunning themselves.

The device on the top of the turtle on the left is a tracking device

Our favorite photo location is on the cliff by Pounders

We enjoyed the beaches and went to Matsumotos for shave ice with ice cream. Then we came home to eat our favorite treat Chocolate Haupia pie. It can't get any better than that.

The next day we got up early and went to get tickets for Pearl Harbor. After we got them, we headed to the swap meet and Tylie got some necklaces for her pre-school class and we all got some other fun stuff.

Waiting for Pearl Harbor Tour

We really enjoyed the Arizona Memorial and the swap meet. After we were through with those two thing we went into Honolulu. I had to go to the dentist to take care of some problems with one of my crowns. While I was in the dentist, Chelsea and Bri found a new Eggs and Things and so we all enjoyed a wonderful breakfast that afternoon. The dentist was right by Ala Moana Shopping Center so wc decided we needed to do a little more shopping. Chelsea bought me some running shoes for Mother's Day. Thanks so much Shane and Chelsea, Tylie and Ryder. I love them. That night we were tired but we enjoyed the beach behind our condo at Pat's at Punaluu. I had never been there before

Tylie standing by the names at the Arizona Memorial

The condo we stayed in was on the side of the Pat's at Punaluu towers. To get in you had to go through several different doors. There was a little patio on the back and one as you went in the front door. Pool available and nice beach in the back

The Arizona Memorial

Making Funny Faces

Here's our fun car we got to drive Thanks Luke

The next day, Thursday, we went to the PCC. My wonderful friends Sape and Taofi got us discount tickets and so we were able to go. The new show at the I-max was really neat. I loved the night show too. . Both of these fit so well into a plan of salvation type theme.

At PCC

We had a great time watching all the shows at PCC

Look at that guy behind us Kristen from Valencia came with us

We had a wonderful day and evening at the PCC

Pal's brother at the Samoan Village

Tylie and Auntie Sape Sape made us leis and flowers for our hair

One of my best friends in the whole world Sape We were cheer leaders together at Kahuku High school

Taofi, Me, and Sape

TJ and Carrie

My good friend Pinky. She lived with us for a year when we moved back to Utah

I got to spend time with several of my wonderful friends. Laie will always feel like home to me. Many of my friends still live there.

At Wiamea Falls

On the last day we could be together, we wanted to beach hop again. The only problem was that it was really rainy. We started out at some Laie Beaches but decided to try going to the North Shore since its not always so rainy up there. The waves on the North hore were too big so we just put our towels down and tried to lay out and watch the surfers. In the pouring rain, we finally gave up and got back in the car.. Then as we were trying to figure out what to do, we passed Wiamea Falls hike. We decided to try it and it was really fun. It rained a little but we had a great time

The hike to the falls was fun When I was young we used to hike there all the time free Now its totally commercial but still beautiful

Chelsea under the falls


Swimming in the pool under the falls

After the swim

Tylie loved the hike and swim in the falls

View looking down from the Laie Temple

The beautiful Laie Hawaii Temple

That night we ate dinner at Sape and Taofi's and then went to visit the temple gournds.

Tylie enjoyed the temple grounds

Saturday morning, Chelsea, Bri, and Tylie had to leave early so I took them to the airport. We had checked out of our condo at Pat's but I went back to Laie to go to a session at the temple anyway. Sape was one of the ordinance workers at my session. That was very special. Later, I checked into my hotel right by the airport. No sooner had I gotten there than the phone rang and it was my good friend Brandon S from Pleasant Grove. He lives in Hauula with his wife and family. He invited me to come back to Hauula and see them and have dinner. He didn't have to twist my arm too hard. Right after he hung up, my Laie friend Pauline L T called and so we decided to ride to Hauula together and visit along the way. She lives near Kaneohe so I picked her up there and we drove to Brandon's house. We had a wonderful Chinese dinner prepared by some Chinese people that were visiting. It was fun to see Brandon and his family. and to visit with my wonderful friend Pauline.

Pauline plays and sings beautifully


Sunday morning I rode the bus to Greg and Heidi's ward . They invited me to stay for lunch which was so good. Greg is a medical student at the University of Hawaii I loved seeing them

We passed over this atoll on our way to Majuro

Sat and Sunday nightI stayed in the Best Western by the airport. They were all out of rooms and so they gave me a Suite which was really huge and elegant. It was fun. I had to be up by 3:30am Monday morning for a flight to Majuro which left at 5:30 am. I enjoyed the flight.

Majuro

Home to Majuro Can you believe we live on a little sliver of land like this?

I had a wonderful trip. I got to help the nurse in Kiribati, see the other side of the mission,and meet and work with several of the missionaries there. On the way home, I went through Fiji, Kirimati Island, and Hawaii. I loved seeing my family and friends but I did decidee I am not quite ready to come home. I still have work to do here in the Marshall Islands Mission.

The Sisters

I got home just in time to watch general conference with the mission. We spent two days watching the DVDs of conference since most of the mission couldn't get it live here.