May 18 - 23rd, 2013 First Week

Aloha!

A week has already passed and I can't remember sleeping. Just days...We did a lot of filling out forms and smiling for new badge pictures. One for BYUH, one for PCC, and our Mission badge. Trick is to know which one to wear. We are not supposed to cross over on PCC wearing Mission Badge. Also, we are to wear Aloha clothing on PCC grounds when working or visiting.

We finally come to our P Day Saturday. I feel better. We spiffed up the apartment and went to do exchanging and some gathering. We found a Salvation Army store and scored big. Dad found 5 Aloha Tori shirts!!! I found pillows for couch, slow cooker 60 style never been used and basket for shoes, odds and ends and the two loudest brightest Aloha dresses I've ever seen. When we went to pay it was one of two days a year everything was half off. That made us feel pretty good. I think it was total of $54.00. We then went to Costco and bought one chair for the computer and it was $20. I wouldn't let Ron buy the chair at the Army store....should have for $5.

We attended a Student Ward for church. It was the first time I had seen a student teach Sunday School with his iPhone only. He pulled up his whole lesson from phone. He did a great job. He was a mainlander. They call the Asian Students: kids with the brains; the Hawaiians: kids that know how to have a good time, and the Mainlanders: kids with the money. I think the Asians have the hardest time adjusting, they are taught to be respectful and listen. Sometimes here they go a long time waiting for help or to participate in class.

We had an appointment with President Dalton, and his wife, our Mission President and also an appointment with President McCarthy our Stake President on Sunday afternoon. We will be assigned to a Student Ward this week. Our new Mission President is coming in July.  His name is President Warner and he is from SLC.

Struggling with my new job. Sister Harris puts so much time into it. After her husband passed away she came back from SL to her job. She has spent many extra hours each week to make the schedule work for everyone's personal plans. Last week the single sisters took her to the beach. It was first time she has been to the beach since she came back after funeral 14 months ago. It's going to be hard to fill her shoes. I'm feeling overwhelmed right now. Ron is trying to help me with Excel Program. It's a big change to go back to PC after having an Apple Computer.

The last two nights we have wandered back to the PCC after work. We can get our exercise done just walking around. Also they have a new movie, "Breath of Life". Its 20 minutes of beautiful Hawaiian mountains and waters with gospel principles sprinkled through it. Seats shake and move and you get blown and sprayed with water. All new theater. Great attraction for visitors. We have been getting close to 1,000 visitors per day. Budget is based on 1,785 people per day. These young people work so hard to make it a special day for everyone that visits.

We had a little rain cloud that bounced around today. Sprinkled some, later rained enough to get everything wet, including our clean car, and then the sun came out.

We met a couple from St George at Family Home Evening, Phil and Susan Robinson. They live on Spyglass Hill. We went to dinner together tonight. Most of the BYUH facility are leaving. They have 5 weeks off. We will be short this summer for people to help at the PCC.

How's Elder Mangelson doing? Are you practicing the Boston lingo. Emme are the wedding plans moving forward ok? Two months and counting...but who is counting...exciting time for you. Hey Amanda are you getting close to winning your games for Hawaii? How cool would that be.... What is Matt up to?

Thanks for the Sunday letters. I have already started looking forward to them. We are praying for Sam to have a good trip with the Teachers. Elle, I loved the jokes and Gus and Cloe's playtime. Anna and Maddie doing the Challenge again!!! Wow, I am impressed. Sarah are you missing school? You must write me a letter ok. Jake we have a suggestion for your Eagle Project. It involves the students who come here from poor countries. It's a good idea and the PCC will help pay the postage for shipping if it is Eagle Project.

We pray every day....sometimes two and three times a day, and you are always included. We hope you’re happy. Be good. We love and miss you.