March 2, 2014

March 2, 2014

Today we have rain again!  The North Shore is supposed to have 35-40 foot waves.  Yesterday the ocean was flat.  No waves and so calm but last night the storm came in.  It's a grey day.  Good news for coming week however, sunshine is on the horizon.

It has been a busy week.   Two couples are leaving to go home and it was PCC workers appreciation week.  Between working and luncheons for missionaries and PCC workers I haven't had to prepare much food.  We made a run to Costco on Friday night and picked up food for other missionaries, our Student Ward Break the Fast today and supplies for George.  We came home tired after delivering to supplies and food to everyone.

Presidents Day the PCC and the Administration Office was closed.  We went with the Elder and Sister Harris and drove to Kolina Resort.  We saw the stingrays and the hammerheads and walked the lagoons.  It was a pretty day and many visitors and travelers with families.  The new Disney Hotel has opened and it was busy with many families.

The stingrays were so close we could touch them.

                          This one was looking pretty closely at us.  Eyes on both sides of his head.

This week was Employee Appreciation Week.  Many PCC workers were recognized for their years of service.  Fatai in seamstress has worked 25 years and Fatu from costumes has worked 35 years.  We had parties in each department and that always includes rice, chicken and beef.  Oh and all the deserts.  No way to diet here.

Fatai from Seamstress

Fatu and Grandchild

Sister Cooper shared a good recipe with us.  Fatai is a good cook and she tried it on her family.  She is single and lives with her mother, two sisters and two nephews.  They loved the pizza.  Fatai however is Polynesian and dropped three eggs on top of the pizza with the toppings.  This is normal for Polynesians to add eggs.  They often add eggs on top of rice.  Her family loved the pizza and request it almost every night.  I thought it might be a fun to share the recipe with you.  I have had the bread sticks and they are yummy too.  

Pizza Dough

1 TB yeast in 1/2 cup warm water, set aside

Stir together

1 cup flour

1 tsp salt

3/4 cup warm water 

2 TB oil

Add yeast mixture.  Add 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 cups flour or more.  Let raise 30 minutes.  

Roll out on pan and add your own cheese and toppings.

Bake at 400 degrees until crust is brown.

 Check out the eggs!!!

Bread Sticks

Mix together:

1 1/2 cup hot water

2 TB sugar

2 TB yeast

4 cups flour

1/2 tsp salt

Knead and let raise for 30 minutes.

Melt 1 cube (1/2 cup) butter in 9x13 pan.  Roll out dough in pan.  

Sprinkle with garlic salt and Parmesan cheese on top.

Cut into strips with a pizza cutter.

Raise again.

Cook for 15-20 minutes at 375 degrees.

My work in the morning at the Costume Department is next door to the Laundry for the Ha Show. Every morning the students do the wash for the next show.  It takes the girls four hours to do the wash.  Halo from Hawaii and Breece from the Philippine's are here working hard. We talk to them about work and school every day.  They are always hungry so we bring food.  I tried to take their picture but they were being silly and would not turn around.   I will have to snap a picture when they aren't expecting it.  

Playing around . . .

This week was a busy one for us.  After Family Home Evening Monday night I had a call from Keke. She wanted to talk.  I picked her up and she told me she was getting married tomorrow at noon.  She wanted Ron and I to be her Mom and Witness.  She had not told her parents because they wanted her to wait until she finished school to get married.  She and Sofie decided to get married and move into TVA apartment that was available.  She was moving in the night we talked.  

Tuesday at noon we met them at the temple.  No worries, no new clothes, no flowers or fuss, just two kids in love and wanting to do it right.  It was a nice short temple ceremony.  After we took a few pictures and hugged them both.  We went back to work.  They were having a cookout at their apartment that night and invited us.  I took a heaping platter of fruit and we went.  The volleyball team was there and a few friends and their Bishop and wife.  Sofie was cooking a bucket of meat on the grill.  The cooked meat was placed into another bucket to serve.  All was good.  They looked happy.   Keke told me later in the week she had told her parents.  I was glad she decided to tell them.  

Hawaii Temple Keke and Sofie March 4, 2014

This was a busy week for us.  We were working days and worked three nights at the PCC.  We were trying to save time for family next week and work more this week.  Mike, Tammy and family are coming on March 8, Saturday.  We were working at Prime Dining when Elder Tremea made a new friend from China.  He was very chatty and wanted a picture together.  I was wearing matching dress but he only wanted Papa in the picture with him, go figure!  

This week we entertained rain every day.  Only ones not soaked were the ducks at PCC.  They were happy with all the rain and easy worms.  

The flower blooming this month at the PCC is the Red Caribaea. It  is the largest heliconias in the world.  I see it used in landscaping because the stocks are tall and leaves are big.  They make good borders and are used in floral arrangements.  They will last in arrangements for a month or more.

We had three birthdays this month and celebrated them all in one party.  Eliza, Roger and Odma birthdays were cause for a breakfast party.  Roger turned 50, Eliza is 42 and Odma is 26.  Oh to be young again.   Notice the rice cooker….always rice, breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The Birthday kids,  Odma, Roger and Eliza

We are so blessed to be able to share time with the people here.  Sometimes I forget how wonderful it is to be among them.  It's more than 95 percent Latter Day Saints here in Laie with BYU-H and the community.  I really think our mission is two fold.  First to love and serve at the PCC and second to encourage, lead and help the young students to live the gospel everyday.  The Lord blesses each day. I feel his love and see the tender mercies he has blessed us and our family with.

We love each of you, 

B good….Love, Nona and Papa  

February 16, 2014

Rain, rain and more rain.  We haven't seen a sunny day for three weeks.  Everything is damp and we can't get dry.  We feel like wet mops traveling through time.  Nights are muggy.  Air conditioner at the apartment has stopped and we can feel the difference.   This too shall pass…

Thank you Tammy for the Valentine Box.  We shared the candy today with students and it was a big hit at church.  It has been so hot in the apartment we decided to not bake the cake yet.  My oven and even the top of my stove heats the place up in quick time.  We have no vent over stove either.  I bet the cake would be wonderful, maybe I will bake it for you when you come.  Thanks for your thoughtfulness.  We could not eat all of the candy so we shared some with our Elder Quorum Presidency, these guys are always hungry.  They loved the candy and said thanks.

We went to dinner and to see The Lion King for Valentine's.  Elder and Sister Pollock went with us.
The guys had planned the evening and we had good fun.  The show was in Honolulu at the Blaisdell Concert Hall.  This was a fun treat for Sister Pollock and I.  Notice it was raining but warm.

Elder and Sister Tremea and Sister and Elder Pollock

Paige, I hope you read this, I received your letter.  Thank you for thinking of us.  I think about the baby boys and know you are a busy good mom.  We love to hear from you.   All the fun things your family is doing brings back lots of memories.  Those years when the kids are little seem so long, yet they are just a moment in time.  Where are the horns from the deer Matt killed?  I bet they aren't for hat hangers!

Aloha to Ev and Kid.  We think of you often and I'm sorry I didn't get Christmas letters out.  It's about all I can do to get the Blog out.  By the time we get home from work we either have FHE, work at the PCC or Church Assignments and then we drop into bed.  I was sorry to hear you lost Tracker.  Who is doing the dusting for you now?  Indie must be very busy at your home taking care of all the family needs.  For your information, Aimee has been taking pictures of three cats that are watching our home.  I will include pictures.  Maybe you have seen these cats too.  She said they sleep on the backyard chair cushions and scare everyone away.  They have claimed their territory I guess.  We are thankful we have both family, friends and cats taking care of us.

Is this Jeanie's Cat?  Two yellow cats that have found a good place for afternoon naps too.

It was good to hear from you Robyn.  We are counting on you and Mark checking over the fence to see if anyone moves into our home.  We have scheduled our friend Ralph Harper to bring his son and crew to do Spring cleanup of the yard.   With the winter you have had ,we might lose trees etc. too.   Maybe it's time to just go desert landscaping.  What do you think?

Hey brother Don, Mr Knight Reflector.  You get more kudos for that Reflector than anyone I know. We all know if we don't thank you we will get cut off…or something like that.  Thanks for all you do to make it happen once a month.  We do appreciate what you have done.  Now, could you separate the family histories so it would be easier for the Campbell's and the Knights.  You know, put the Campbell's on a pink sheet and the Knights on blue sheets and ship it out.  That way we won't get mixed up with familly histories for the past, present and future.   I am just kidding!!!
Some days it's hard to get going, you were right... we were too old to go on a mission.   You and Clejo did it right going on a mission in your early fifties.  We keep you in our prayers and are thankful to have a family circle.

The little town of Laie had big news last week.  A sister here in the community drove her car off the Point and killed herself.   (The Point is a beautiful lookout point high above the town.  You can drive to it and see the ocean and waves hit rock formations.)  Everyone knew her.  She was single lady, 49 years old, never married.  Not sure why she did this.  We have had four funerals here in the past month.  One year birthdays and deaths are big family events here.  They celebrate or grieve for at least three days.  Food and money are exchanged and families live together for days and even weeks. I don't think you would understand it unless you were here to experience it.  They bring food, and take food home, money is given to the family.  Each family donates a lot of money.  This is a tradition.  Families will pool their money for these occasions.  They are very humble and kind to one another.  A few weeks ago a man died who was a truck driver.  We were driving to Kanohoe and pasted over 50 big semi trucks all shimmed up, traveling slowly, blowing their horns, one after another cruising the entire island on the little two lane road in his honor.  The traffic was backed up for miles.  If you were in a hurry, forget it.

Sunday in the Mission field is a very busy day, we start at 9 am and finish around 3 pm with an occasional stake meeting a 5 pm.  We work with the Elders and Sisters in the Laie Young Single Adult 5th Ward.  Right now we have around 110 young people in the ward, 70 girls and 40 boys, good odds if you are a male.  Most of the members are returned Missionaries and so have a good understanding of the Gospel.  Some of the Elders are just learning how to be home teachers, the mainland guys seem to have a better grasp of the system, so they are teamed up with the Asians and Polynesians to help them out.   For Valentine's Day the home teachers delivered 70 roses to the sisters, they were thrilled.   Any thing that can be done to get the members of the ward together is a blessing.  The goal is to get the sisters to rely on their home teachers for help, blessings and support instead of having to rely on the Bishop.  I think it is working.

We hope you are having a good week.  We love and miss you.
Nona and Papa

February 5, 2015

The last two days with the Barton's were busy and fun.  Friday I watched Sarah while Scott, Aimee Maddie and Jake went to the temple to perform baptisms with our Student Ward.  After they were back I took them to the Polynesian Cultural Center to see where Papa and I worked.  We had to hurry because Maddie had a surfing lesson at 10 am.  Everyone liked the beach the best I think.

We knew Joe who is now working part time at George's house were they stayed.  He is from California and loves to surf.  He will graduate this spring.  Papa asked him if he would be willing to give Maddie a surf lesson and he agreed.  Scott wanted to have one too, but I think Maddie got the best lesson.  She was thrilled.  The kids stayed at the beach all day.  I think they had their fill of sun and beach today.

Maddie's Surfing teacher….Joe.  She did get up and surfed!!!  She said she saw a big turtle with baby out surfing!

Beach to ourselves, Aimee Sarah and Jake enjoying the waves.

Maddie's soft sand ball

Papa's new Missionary Exercise!

Turtle carving on the beach

Beach day over…clean off the sand!

We went to dinner with Scott and Aimee. Tonight we had curry chicken.  We were told about this little Fiji Grocery Store off the side of the road.  Little hole in the wall, but turned out pretty good. Week has rapidly passed and was all too soon to pack up and go home.  We took them back to Airport and had some teary goodbyes.

Last Day at the PCC…..we will miss the Grandchildren.

Barton Family Hang Loose...

 
Last week the students were all excited because it was the Chinese New Year.  Foods and parties were talked about on campus.  We were invited to Sarah and Wade's home for dinner.  It was a good evening with them.  Baby Tyler has grown so much, he is 20 pounds and only 3 months old.  His legs and arms were plump.  Wade's mother is still here from China and has been helping with baby while the parents are both going to school.  She doesn't want to leave but her visa expires in April.  If they fly home for just one day they can renew their visa for another 6 months.  Crazy to think it is that easy to stay in America.  She has asked to take the baby home so the kids can finish school, but I don't think that will happen.  Dinner was dumplings, vegetables, chicken wings, and some kind of rolled ball with a gooey sweet taste.  They kept asking if we liked.  Oh, and we were taught to eat with chop sticks which was fun.  They had purchased some small chop sticks that were easier to eat with.  It was nice evening.  Both Sarah and Wade are only children.  Sarah had an adopted sister when she was eight, but Wade is from long line of male children only.  Father, grandfather, great grandfather.  Sarah is first generation joining church.   Wade's family have been members for awhile. Sarah came to Hawaii to go to school and lived with a single lady there.  She was LDS and helped her get in school.  She took to church and Sarah meet with the missionaries and later joined the church.  Her parents are not members.  They are supportive to her and her husband and family here.  She said she has work to do when she gets back to China.  They still have two years of school.

We were working last week and had a nice surprise.  Kelly and Claudia Clayton were at the Polynesian Cultural Center.  We were taking tickets and got to talk to them. They updated us on their family and the Ward at home.  They were here on a conference trip.  We were happy they stopped to see us.

Claudia, Sister and Elder Tremea and Kelly Clayton

Work last week seemed long.  It's hard to take time off and then go back to the normal work week. Papa has Church Auditors here for the week and he has been busy.  We are sewing shirts and mending costumes.  We also do that glue gun thing….if we can't mend it we glue it.  Cathy, our boss, came in today and had been to the store first.  We noticed a hole in her pants and she had been to store, and around PCC and campus.  Well, we fixed it for her with tape, couldn't hardly use the glue gun on this one, and the material was too thin.  Pants needed a good patch job.  We are also making these sunny yellow headbands for the Ha Show. 

Boss Cathy's taped pants

Costume Department, headbands for the show

Boss Cathy's make shift kitchen!  She is making soup.  I just put clean cover on ironing board!!!  Notice electric plug.

Tuesday Bob and Dareth Anderson flew over to see us from Maui.  We picked them up at the Airport at 9:00 am.  We drove them to Laie to go to the PCC.  The day was a wet one.  It rained all day.  We stopped in Haleiwa for breakfast at the Cafe Haleiwa.  It was a small little surf cafe, but very good. We stopped at Teds for malasadas and then home.  I took them to the PCC and got ponchos for them to battle the rain.  Everyone has a good time at the PCC rain or shine.  The shows go on even if it rains.  I think they enjoyed all the villages and shows.  We worked taking tickets at Prime Dining and took them to dinner with us after.  They couldn't stay for the Ha, Breath of Life Show because their flight was at 9:45 pm.  We drove them back to the airport.  Today we drove around the Island twice.

Ocean walk in the rain.

Turtle Bay 

Ron had a treat last Saturday, our P-day.  Some of the guys asked him to go golfing with them.  He was gone almost 6 hours golfing 18 holes.  They went to Turtle Bay.  Some pictures of the course are below. He had good time, borrowed some clubs and didn't do too bad.  He hasn't golfed for 9 months. He kept up with all of them, except Brent Przybille, true blue golfer from Canada.

Turtle Bay Golf Course

Elder Przybille

Tough Course?

Golf Course

Sunday was Fast Day.  We have decided to take a different class and support one of the students who has started a Family Search Class.  I think we will like it.  We lack names and dates on the Church Files.  Looks like there is much to do.  We might have you send us some information if we continue.  The students are very quick to help everyone on the computer.  Our ward also has a class after church for indexing.  

Sacrament Meeting was spiritual meeting.  The girls bore testimonies first and the boys all finished up strong.   The students are from so many different cultures, places and each try to express their testimony in English.  We can understand why some are shy and struggle at school with culture and English.

We had Break the Fast with all the Missionaries Sunday after church.  Sherelene and I ended up washing all the tablecloths this time.  Lucky me, Papa took them up to George's washer.  It would take me all week to wash 10 tablecloths.   That's the perks of talking to George about the house problems every day.  I am beginning to think they are good friends already.

Today is Wednesday and we just got back from the Temple.  We went to the 7:00 pm Session.  Next week we are going to go earlier.  It was good Session.  The officiator was Papa's golfing buddy.   He is a small Samoan with big smile and so kind to us.  Tonight when I looked around the room we were surrounded by every color, shape and size people.  It was a touch of heaven.

Hawaiian Temple

 That's all for now.  It's after ll:00 pm and I have to get up and go early.  Be good and do something good every single day.  The Church is true, keep living and reading your scriptures.    We pray for you,  sometimes, morning, noon and night, just to make sure you are covered.

Love you.  

January 21, 2014

Last week we celebrated one of the missionaries birthday.  It was Phil Robinson.  He picked the place for dinner and we were all pleasantly surprised.  There are some shady looking motor home shacks in Kahuku that we pass regularly and have never stopped.  Phil said they were good and proved to us it was.  We ordered what we wanted and then all had a yummy yogart from the ice cream truck.  Good place to stop if you are ever driving around the island.

Phil and Susan are back of picture.  He's the birthday boy.

Trying to decide which truck to order from?

Still trying to figure it out!

Everyone's Happy….Elder and Sister Jaster front, Elder Tremea, and Elder and Sister Fuller.

We were really busy in Costumes last week.  It was mostly repair for costumes and then I had to repair the 75 foot sail for the "Ha" show.  That's always a job, expecially without Sister Cooper.  I have missed her this week.  I am taking some time with the kids next week and then she will be back, so it isn't too bad.  Cathy has been working with me, telling stories as she calls it, so I won't be alone. She was making the necklace for the Queen at the "Ha" show.  It's braiding both ends around a sharks tooth.  She used her feet as you can see in the pictures.  Braiding was over two, under one….

Looks so easy, Cathy does it perfectly.  Has to be for the Queen.

We anxiously awaited arrival of family………January 18th.

We are enjoying Scott, Aimee and family here.  We picked them up at the airport Saturday afternoon. Their plane was on time, so we picked them up at baggage.  They just walked out and we had family with us.  I have missed their hugs…it felt so good to hold them.  We didn't want to waste any time so we took them straight to the big Swap Meet at the Aloha Stadium.  This happens only twice a week, Wednesdays and Saturdays.  Lucky for us some of the vendors were just winding up so the kids quickly picked out some trinkets and we left for home.

We stopped in Halewa for dinner.  This is a fun little town on the North Shore.  It was a Mexican Food and everyone enjoyed eating outside.  Maddie couldn't believe it was so warm.  I think she has long pants and sweat shirts in her heavy luggage!  They had all changed in the car at the Swap Meet, but it was still a warm day.  The waves were big and beautiful coming home.   They loved accommodations and couldn't believe the view.  The kids wanted to go to the beach, so we walked them down the secret trail to the beach and they loved it.

Sunday was more of a quiet day other than Sarah, she woke up at 5:30 am, made her bed and caught her finger in a rat trap.  Wasn't fun!   We walked them to the Laie Point from their house and to the beach again.  They took lots of pictures.  Our church was at noon, Papa had early meetings.  The kids came to Sacrament Meeting.  Scott said he wished he would have went to the entire block he was so impressed with our Student Sacrament Meeting.  Bishop Wasdon is good at calling the kids from audience to speak and he did.  As they were coming up he asked one to speak on Faith, second one to speak on Hope, and the third Charity.  The Bishop spoke for the rest of the meeting.  We all relaxed!

Jake liked the water fountain at the Heber J. Grant Building for saving water and to fill up your water bottle.

We had dinner with the family at their rental home.  Planned the week for their activities.

View from the deck of House

It was a beautiful sunny Sunday today.










Monday was a holiday and Papa and I had the day off from Mission responsibilities.  The kids wanted to go snorkeling so we went to the North Shore at Sharks Cove by Pupekea Beach Park and they snorkeled.  It was a warm sunny beach day.  They were able to see many colorful fish in the cove.  We stayed until early afternoon and came back to Laie and found a beach for the kids to play. We stayed for the rest of the day.  We took them to the PCC for dinner at the Island Feast.

Pupekea Beach Park, snorkeling

Maddie, Aimee enjoying the sun

Sarah enjoying her Nona

Kids are out there snorkeling somewhere

Sarah and Papa trying to build sand sculptures

Maddie starting on her sun tan

Big waves hitting rocks behind snorkeling pool

Sarah boogie boarding at Castle Beach

Maddie enjoying her hole in the sand

Scott and Jake boogie boarding

Sarah enjoying the hole that Maddie dug

January 12, 2014

Time seems to be flying by, it has already been two weeks since we last wrote in our blog.  We have been through our first Christmas and first New Year in Hawaii.  They were both a wonderful exciting time for us as well as a sad time in our not being able to spend the time with our family.  The hawaiian people love to celebrate the new year in with fireworks, you could see them all over the houses of Laie, some legal but many were illegal.  Some were as good as we have seen in St George, Tyler Christensen would have a ball over here lighting all of his fireworks, he usually provides his own show in the Knolls area over the 4th of July.

We spent New Year's eve taking tickets at the PCC, we worked the Ohana Luau, we had a full house that night, Lots of people from all over the world celebrating the new year at the PCC.  We met people from all over the world.

Elder Pollock & Tremea

We had a New Year's eve party at the Cooper's, we had several missionary couples, played games, ate and had a great time.

Elder and Sister Tremea

Elder & Sister Cooper, Logan

Elder & Sister Mikits, Tennessee, Elder & Sister Nielson, Mesa Arizona

Elder & Sister Robinson, St George

As you can see from the picture these senior missionaries are on the old side.  We are all in our mid 60's and early 70's but we can still have fun.  So that you don't get the wrong impression the bottle we are holding is non-alcoholic grape juice, and was very good.  We rang in the New Year with hope in our hearts that we can be the best we can in serving the Lord in the 2014.  We did not quit celebrating until 1:00 am and got home tired, we are not used to the late hours.  Good thing we don't have a new year celebration every night.

2014 we have been learning to make the fire dancers skirts in Costumes.  This was my first fire tea leaf skirt.   The leaves grown in the big garden south of the PCC.  They are all washed and brought to us.  We first strip the center vein and make it pliable to bend.  Then we tie and braid each leaf over a twine.  We make the skirt 36 to 45 inches long.  The ends are braided 15 inches to tie around the fire dancers waist.  The skirts are made and then kept in the fridge.  The dancer removes it from the fridge just before the fire dancing.   The skirt is cold, wet and damp and puts the fire out quickly.  The skirt is used for one week then replaced.   You will see the skirts at the PCC Ha Show.  

We are sewing men's shirts in sewing.  They are looking better.  I have learned a few tricks with sewing shirts too.  I remember before our mission started, I thought I would be giving and serving the people here.  I have been so blessed here.   I have been given more love and taught better ways to live and be happy.  The Hawaiian people live, serve and love each other unconditional.  Material things are far from their daily needs.

My 2014 goals are to be more patient, more kind, more forgiving,  and look for the something good in everyone.  It's easy to forget these things with our hurried daily mission life.

Papa and I have found a great trail from our house up the hill to the point and down the side of the mountain to the beach.  We are trying to get more exercise.  Mainly it's for me, Papa walks to work, but I drive and don't get the early walk.  This seems to be a good thing to try to do after work each night.  The only negative is, if we happen to come home and sit down, it's all over, no walk.  We just have to change clothes and shoes and hit the road.      

We have been having storms pass through Laie.  It's usually sudden and over with blue skies following the rain.  The North Shore still gets the high waves and everyone flocks to surf or watch the waves.  We have driven to Mililani for groceries and gas and stopped to see the waves.  It can be high waves one day and the next very calm.  We are praying for calm days when you come Aimee.  We get what we get and we will simply do all the activities as planned, the way the Hawaiians do.  Hang Loose!

Our Ward has made some big changes since January.  Both Relief Society Presidency's were released today.   Two new presidencies were sustained.  The Bishop is quickly making all the changes since some of the kids graduated and are leaving this month.  We have many new students.  I didn't realize this is a common turnover every semester.  It's hard to stay organized.   I guess it is ever changing.

The weeks are busy and fly by.  We are looking forward to the Barton's coming this week.   It will be fun to show them what we are doing here.  Have a good week, we love and miss you.  It's fun to hear your busy with school and sports again.  Be love to hear about them.
Love and miss you all,
Nona and Papa