Week of 21 March - 28 March

We arrived in Seattle from Hawaii 8:55 am Saturday morning.  The airport in Seattle was almost empty.  We rode an airport train to our next plane for Salt Lake. We arrived in Salt Lake around noon.  Now we are under quarantine for 14 days because of the corona-19 virus pandemic.  The mission in Hawaii has been chaotic. New information arriving twice daily.  President and Sister having meetings over the phones to give more information, more updates. So many young missionaries having to return to their own countries along with any senior missionaries returning home because of the age the virus seems to like best. First it was announced that we MAY go home; 12 hours later, you will go home.  This was the order of things daily.  Now no young missionaries can go out of their apartments except to get food or exercise. And senior missionaries are home. Well, those who had a place to quarantine.  Others who had people living in their homes or who had sold their homes, went to places they found to rent to quarantine.

Our stake president, President Jackson had already contacted us to make sure we had a place to quarantine and ask if there was anything we needed.  We are so blessed.  We have an apartment where we have been quarantined, our dear, wonderful children put food in the cupboards and refrigerator, wash our sheets, cleaned...Raymond and Julie, Mike and April, Jonathon and Charity have been bringing groceries, bringing food all prepared.  It doesn’t get any better.  Unless, there could be 5 more children and families living closer also.

Sunday it was nice we could hear the service upstairs as the piano played in Robinson III home.  We had popcorn which made our day as we poured butter on skinny popcorn. 

Monday I began to call some of you and we settled in more, washing and cleaning.  I probably mop the floor every day because I’m just watching it   Then today I HAD A BREAK THROUGH.  The thought came to me that I could do something for someone else:  read a story every day to my grandkids! 

Tuesday I started reading Mary Engelbreit fairy tales, one a day.  How this has cheered me!  I definitely am getting the most charge to my spirit this way.

Wednesday the Mueller Park Tenth Ward found a way to welcome the missionaries home with isolation and social distancing going on, they drove their cars to the church parking lot with signs saying “Welcome home, missionaries” and drove by our place ina nice long line honking everyone.  Yes, that was a huge boost to our spirits.  It is difficult coming home and not being able to gather and hug.

Thursday, Friday, and Saturday has been more adjusting.  It is very lonely for two people shut up.  But groceries and food keep coming and it’s starting to feel like we could get use to this life. Dad came up with an idea to drive around temple square and look from the road to see what we could see happening.  Outside walls are coming down, south visitors center is gone and work continues on making temple square even better.  Interesting that it is also being made more earthquake ready.  On one of these days, we felt another earthquake as I sat in my fat reading chair.  Dad was bouncing so he couldn’t tell. 

We are over halfway of quarantine but we can’t see how much will change after that; we just will be sure we’re not carrying the virus. We have a sweet peace between us and are grateful to have each other.  

I also called my mother, Grandma Stokes during the week.  I don’t think she remembered we were gone and didn’t even say when was I coming over?  She and Harold seem to be settled and happy at Jamestown courtyard now.  That felt wonderful.  Harold expressed how glad he was that we were home from Hawaii.

During the week, a sister from the mission department called and talked with Dad, asking all kinds of questions and then told him we were being put on “leave” status so we can be called back up to serve.  

We’ve come to the idea that it doesn’t matter where we serve but that we serve.  Service by itself is its own reward and then when we get to teach the gospel by example or by training, or by assisting, the Lord labors with us as we keep His commandments in His vineyard.  

Love you each one, Elder and Sister Robinson (we have not been released yet).

Last week in Hawaii Honolulu Mission

We let the Davis couple into the office on Saturday, March 14 to familiarize themselves with the housing files.  Then we enjoyed the day at the Polynesian Cultural Center as it will close after today.  We went to the different island exhibits, drank and ate a fresh coconut, had dinner at the Prime Rib buffet and watched the Ha Breath of life show.  While we were walking around, we went to a ukelele demonstration of how they are made and while there, we talked with a Filipino from Iloilo.  We spent at least an hour talking with her.  She knew everyone we knew.  It was so delightful.   Also when we went for dinner, our friends the Newman's from Jerome were taking tickets so we had a lovely visit with them.  They are serving at the PCC.  Tim repairs the boats used there and Fran works in the plant nursery.   

Sunday we were scheduled to speak in the Manoa Ward but church was cancelled because of the coronaviras-19.  We did have church at the President's home and were blessed to partake of the sacrament in renewing our covenants with the Lord and we had testimonies for one hour and then back to apartments.  Each zone in Honolulu repeated this on their own turns and time during the day.  How blessed we are to know and to participate in the sacrament, the symbols of the Lord's atonement, his sacrifice to allow us to be reunited with our Father in heaven, to be forgiven of every big and little sin, a time to ponder and become aware of what we need to know to become one, or to become like Him.  Every personal revelation can show us our own weakness and offer a chance to change .  If it weren't for Jesus Christ, there would be no hope, no resurrection, no repentance,...but He did come, He did die, He was resurrected and He lived that we might know His character and His works that we might learn of Him and adjust our behaviors and allow our hearts to look to Him and become more than we could without Him.  

Monday we had a senior missionary meeting with the President over conference call and learned that some seniors may go home—that's us...yes, because of my asthma.  By evening there were more directions:  all seniors will go home except office staff.  And we were just changed from office staff last week to mls (member leadership support).  

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday was constant change of direction going from more and more missionaries to return home.  It was constant change and our poor leaders could hardly keep up with the new directions, which seemed to come hourly.  The world was changing constantly:  countries closing their borders, requiring foreigners to return to their own countries, parents calling in panic, the constant need for reassurances ...

At the same time the calm reassurance for God's prophet that this will pass but how exciting to see the Lord's hand in all things.  He is in charge.  There is no need to fear but to watch in anticipation and faith, knowing we are preparing for the second coming.  Look to Him in all things.  All is well.  He is giving the world a chance to repent, including me and these happenings are a blessing to help us REMEMBER HIM , our covenants, His commandments and His promise that as we keep His commandments we will still prosper in the land.  We have an opportunity to come home and be families again.  That's what it's all about, being a family, learning to love Heavenly Father and His family.  We must start with enjoying our own family that we know but have been so separated by so many activities.  Now we have the chance to be home and learn to become together a family who enjoys each other and loves Heavenly Father.  

We had a fantastic meeting with Elder Klebingot of the Seventy who talked about the goal.  The goal is to become like Him, Heavenly Parents.  Living together, working together, loving each other, respecting each other—losing ourselves and looking outward was the theme in the mtc by Elder Bednar.  

Friday we went to the airport at 7:30 with masks on and flew to Seattle and then to Salt Lake arriving there around noonish.  Raymond picked us up.  We went to our apartment in Raymond's basement to quarantine and enjoy the "outward reach" of Raymond and Julie, Charity and Jonathon, and April and Mike as they have served us with cleaning our apartment, filling it with food, bringing us meals and leaving them at our door while we are in a 14 day quarantine.  We are still wearing our missionary badges.  President Jackson, our stake president called us before we left to make sure we had a place to quarantine ourselves.  Some senior couples have gone to air b&b's as they did not have places to go.  We have been so blessed, our apartment is wonderful and we can watch the children go outside to play and watch April and Charity and Jonathon and Julie bring us food.  The God in heaven has truly prospered us—what amazing children He has given us to bless our lives.  As we "contemplate" (gather) our children around us (in our minds and hearts).  Each one we fondly embrace, Each a gift from our Maker, God has such wonderful taste!

Sunday we had our own church meeting in our apartment but no sacrament until after the quarantine is over.  We love you are and are grateful that you each know to Whom to look for life eternal, peace, here and now.

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Aloha!

Well that's my shortest mission on record.  We have been strongly encouraged to go home. We leave Friday and are under quarantine for 14 days after our return.  Aloha!  The prophet is amazing!  He receives revelation for the Lords church.  All young missionaries who have been out 21 months will also return home.  The Lord smote Egypt; this is our turn to become humbled enough to hear His word.  What a blessing to serve as it says in Jacob 5:72...(paraphrasing) the Lord of the vineyard labors with them...  Though we will be returning home as instructed, He will still labor with us if we continue to seek Him and to do His will.  What rejoicing to be a part of His work, in the mission field or in our families, wherever He places us.  Elder and Sister Robinson

Sacrament

Today we had a one hour Sacrament meeting at the mission home. Our president is having each zone on this island come for one hour to have the Sacrament and a shot testimony meeting. 

This situation reminded me of a story I recently read about some Priests at the Sacrament table in their ward. The Priests uncovered the bread trays and discovered that their was no bread. One of the priests went to the preparation room hoping that their would b some bread but there was none. The Priest went to the Bishop and explained the situation. The Bishop told the congregation that today there would be no Sacrament. The Bishop then asked “what if there were no Christ?” Then we would be no resurrection, no remission of our sins, no hope of returning to our heavenly family, no need to have the Sacrament. We would have no need to remember a Savior and his atoning sacrifice; no need to remember the covenants we have made.

Thankfully, I believe that God lives and that his son Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer, and that it is his work and his glory to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of His Fathers, and His children. 

Next time you do get to partake of the Sacrament, remember the reason that we do it and the wonderful blessing of hope that it can give us in our lives.

I love you all.

Dad.

March Madness 2020 in Hawaii

Dad and I so enjoy the family call each month.  A special thanks to Jonathon for the message.  

Happy birthday to Nathan and Ava (his best birthday present).  

Monday everyone in the office had interviews with the President and his wife.  We’re getting transferred as soon as Dad gets the new couple trained.  We don’t know how temporary it 

will be.  Everything is crazy.  

Thursday was the first day for the new office couple and we fed them lunch—garden veggie pizza.  It turned out good.  They are very nice; from Phoenix, Arizona.  They will be good at this housing job.

Friday was Charity’s birthday!

New information comes into the mission daily.  

Saturday was p-day so after we let the Davis couple into the office, we enjoyed the day at the PCC.  Polynesian Cultural Center will be closed until further notice. There were not many people there so that was nice for us who were there—crowds.  We walked to the different representations of the islands, drank and ate coconut, had dinner at the Prime Rib buffet.  and saw the Ha^ Breath of Life show.  

We were in the ukelele shop and met a young student from Iloilo.  She knew everyone we knew and we had a great time reminiscing.  She is married and they are staying at BYU Hawaii until she finishes. Then at the buffet taking tickets was our own Tim and Fran Newman from Jerome.  Probably most of you don’t remember but they were in our other dinner group.  It was so wonderful to see them. We had a fun visit.  And at dinner sitting next to us was another Filipino couple who were just married in the Laie Temple this morning—no family, just the two of them and their stake president.  They were so happy.  We said “halong” to them and it was delightful.

Joseph Smith is the prophet of the last dispensation of the fulness of times.  He saw God, the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.  Because of this event, we have the only true church of Jesus Christ and are blessed to be part of it and to be led continually by a living prophet of God, Russell M. Nelson.  What a blessing I feel it to be that I have known to look to Jesus Christ for everyone question or concern or trouble I have face in this life.  I can become like Him.  Look and discover how He responded under every circumstance and bend who we are to be like Him.  We can all do it and be together forever and have eternal increase.  I love you!

March1st. Fast Sunday. Visitors.

What a great start to the week:  It was fast Sunday, which I look forward to these days.  It's a really good time for me to repent, to become more humble and teachable.  "More Holiness Give Me".  

At church we always have visitors since the Tabernacle is in the middle of Honolulu. It's great.

Well, I introduced myself to the Campbell couple from San Diego, just visiting for the week.

I showed them to Sunday School, then Brother Campbell asked Dad if he would give him a blessing, as a problem had just come up with his arms and he was concerned.  So Dad connected with the Elder's quorum president and we went into a room after church and the service was done.  I then invited them to dinner at our place.  We weren't expecting company so it was like "feeding the 5,000 on 2 very small chicken thighs and potatoes" but it worked.  We had a wonderful visit with them.  His first wife died and this is his second marriage.  They have had ten years together.  He is originally from Canada.  Such nice people.  She said she had always dreamed someone would invite them to dinner when they would go out of town and go to church, so I fulfilled her dreams, she said.  It was just as great for us.  We drove them back to their hotel as they did not have a car.  They came to church by bus, I think.

Anyway, it was a great start.

Monday I sent out mail, made and remade and remade shadow boxes for the going home gifts for the missionaries. I was looking for a scripture about prophecy as it was discussed in Sunday School (how to receive revelation—Alma 17:2,3), but found one I needed right now.  Alma 26:27 ..."when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold the Lord comforted us, ...and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give you success."  I don't always see what success the Lord has for me.  I guess this is where the patience and trust in the Lord comes in.  The song "More Holiness Give Me" has been in my heart and mind today.  I filled "Trunky Packets" for the visitor's center missionaries.  They have instructions for the departing missionaries plus some papers for each missionary to fill out like "Most Spiritual Experience on your mission", "Testimony", "Life's Lesson", Travel Itinerary, physical tb test for after mission, farewell agenda (which includes a temple trip, PCC show and farewell testimony meeting).  

After work, we walked to Safeway and back.  It turned out to be too far both ways; I had shin splints and spent the night in the tub.  How thankful I am that we have a tub.  

Thursday I had my most embarrassing moment here so far.  The President had called for a mission wide call.  We were picking up bicycles and beds at the missionaries near Kaneohe, so we needed to listen on the road.  Well, it was discovered that we had not been told about the "Messenger" which is where we get out information for the mission.  The office lady, Sister Evans showed me how to get on, the AP(assistant to the President) invited me to the group.  So at the appointed time I got on, it said to "tap" to get on, so I did—nothing happened, so I tapped again, and again.  Then Sister Olsen from the office called and said to "hang up I was interrupting the whole meeting".  It was ringing every time I tapped but not getting me on.  Later I found out that I was suppose to dial a certain number and then put in a code to get on.  Well, so much for not having all the information.  And, of course, the message all the missionaries saw was "Robinson's are calling" 3X's.  I was uninvited:(.  

Ray saw the eye doctor on Friday and it looks like it is no longer bleeding and the tear has adhered to the retina.  He will go back in 3 months to have it checked again.  After that we went to a 4:00 session at the temple.  One road was closed because of flooding, I think so we were rerouted a longer way but it was a pretty drive and we had left in plenty of time so we made it to the session.  I even had time to do two initiatories before the session.  

Our day off is Saturday but it seems that is still a busy day for Ray.  We don't mind.  We didn't come on a mission for a "day off".  We took a nice ride to pick up and take bikes, helmets, and locks (combination:  1129:)) to the elders.  We stopped and looked at scenic sights along the way.  That night we had dinner with Sister Wang and Sister Thomas who serve in our Manoa Ward at "Happy Days" Chinese restaurant.  Brother Matabele, 84 years old on May 9, Tongan, moved here when he was 32.  He had 6 children with his first wife who died of cancer; then he married his second wife and had 3 more children with her.  He has 9 children and 39 grandchildren—ahead of us by 1 each time.  He has a lot of interesting stories.  So he likes to feed us at a restaurant the second Saturday of each month.  Now that is something to look forward to:)—such a nice man.  He's been bishop 3X's.  His second wife is Japanese, Filipino and a convert.  She played in Hawaii 5 O, the long playing tv series.  It will be fun to know them better.

Sunday was a beautiful Sabbath.  Three really good talks.  "Rejoice in our every day",

Oxen yoke:  one oxen is me; one oxen is Jesus.  The yoke is the atonement and the resurrection.  I cannot bear it alone.  I cannot change my environment but I can change me.  "Come unto Jesus" was the break song.  3rd verse:  Come unto Jesus; He'll surely hear you, If you in meekest plead for His love.  Oh, know you not that angels are near you ...?  What a message.  The meeting was for me.  The other talk I got a copy of.  The first story took place in Klein Germany Jan 2, 1975 with the piano soloist Keith Jarrett.  A 17 year old Vera Brandeis was the concert promoter.  It was a sold-out concert but there was some confusion and the piano he was to play on was not there; only a small baby grand that was used for practice purposes.  Jarrett adapted to this unfavorable situation by sticking to the more soothing notes of the middle keys and he compensated to the quiet nature of the smaller piano by standing up and pounding down on the keys.  The recording taken that night remains Jarrett's most popular piece and became both the bestselling solo jazz and solo piano albums in history.

The second story was about the London Underground tunnels that people depend on for commuting to and from work.  In Jan 2014 a strike went on by the London Underground staff and it was closed forcing thousands of British citizens to adopt alternate routes.  An economist discovered that the commuters in the thousands adopted new routes to work that were more optimal because they were forced from their comfort zones.  The third story was about Peter walking on the water and as long as he looked on Jesus, he could do it; but when he lost his focus on Jesus, looked at the boisterous wind, he was afraid.

Disorder can transform our lives.  Not that we try to create chaos but as we look to Christ, He can bless us to be transformed.  Kind of like the trimming of trees and such.  He is building out of us a mansion, not a little hut.  We must pass through adversity to become like Him. 

Back to the beginning:  "Rejoice in our every day!"  May God help us to become like Him.

Love to each of you.  And thanks for everyone being present today for the "phone call".  It feeds our souls to be in contact with you.  Love Sister T Robinson, Mother Teresa:)

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Soaking in the tropical beauty

Walk back to the apartment

Driving to deliver bikes to the Elders

Feb 22-29

Yesterday we went to “Call of the Wild” movie with three other senior missionary couples:

2 couples are missionary military relations:  the Scholes from west Bountiful and the Fotheringhams.  Elder Fotheringham went to school with me in Cedar City, same class.  He knew my friends there.  How funny is that1. Elder and Sister Hester are from New Zealand and are serving at the PCC gardens nursery.  We have a couple back home in Bountiful from New Zealand, the Wilson’s.  They probably know each other?  Ha, yes, Elder Hester was a counselor in the bishopric to Brother Wilson back in New Zealand.  They are still good friends.  They told us a lot about them.  Sister Wilson was a really good tennis player.  Anyway, it was so fun to make a connection.  The Wilson’s live in our condo section.  Connections are always fun.

After we separated, Ray and I drove to the Dole Plantation and looked around, took some wonderful pictures and shared a Dole whip.  The whip was so creamy but half a one was enough to cause my tongue to feel raw.  I will have to be very careful of my pineapple eats.  There are over 100 different varieties of pineapple.  The pineapple in the Philippines never caused a reaction. I ate all I wanted there.  Just interesting.  The pictures are of Ray with a painted eucalyptus tree, a beautiful yellow hibiscus (must be Rachaels since it’s yellow), and a chocolate tree.  If you kiss by it, you get a chocolate kiss:).  If you look closely, you can see the chocolate pods.  Ray purchased some chocolate macadamia nuts.  We ate at Taco Bell:)

We returned to Honolulu after buying a few groceries and then watched on tv the BYU/Gonzaga basketball game.  BYU 91-78!  Woohoo!  It was a great game!  

Sunday. Church at 11:30. The lesson was the conference talk by Elder Budge “Consistent and Resilient Trust”.  Surrendering ourselves to God and putting our trust in Him in all things, even in hurtful things, trusting, knowing that this hurt will or can prepare us for joy.  I loved the part “It violently sweeps everything out of your house, so that new joy can find space to enter.  ...Whatever sorrow shakes from your heart, far better things will take their place.”

“The good news of the gospel is not the promise of a life free of sorrow and tribulation but a life full of purpose and meaning.”  We, I can overcome the world by looking to Jesus Christ and trusting He is taking care of me.  He has not left me in darkness?  He didn’t whine about how he was unfairly treated.  We can feel burdened like Martha with so many concerns, but we have the ability to seek assistance from the Lord in prayer to resolve our concerns.  He has prepared a way for me to become like Him.  Like the Jaredites in the barges, I am not in control, except to follow Him and keep His commandments; but He is blowing me with different winds (experiences) to get to the promised land.  These things can build my faith and trust in His work.  We have commended ourselves to this work here in the Hawaiian Honolulu Mission office.  I have light from Him to see me through the challenges.  I’m thankful to know He is mindful of me.  And I do not cease to pray for our families at home to seek Him, to know Him, and to do His will.  Thanking Him continually for our testimonies and seeking to be continually converted by serving others, especially each other.

The Jaredites were 344 days on the water.  We must trust His timing and trust His care of us in the storms of life.  I know He lives and loves me and I’m thankful for every tender mercy He shows me.  

We went to a baptism of Ampai last night.  She’s probably in her late 50’s.   Her and her husband, Courtney married yesterday.  He was a less active and they were living together.  Now she’s been baptized and it was really a wonderful service.  The talk on baptism was amazing.  He told the story in John 3:1-5 and D&C 13.  His presentation was great!  The talk on the Holy Ghost was amazing also.  He turned off all lights and had us close our eyes and then he lit his phone.  So much to learn from that.  We are not left to walk in the dark but we need to be quiet and pay attention.  So many times we receive promptings but ignore them, brush them off as our own ideas, or even think to ourselves “I know another way”. “It won’t matter this time”. Etc.  That first thought is generally the Spirit if it’s good. Then we must act or we are stoning the prophets so to speak.  

Monday I mailed out birthday cards to a few missionaries, during our lunch break Ray helped me cut up vegetables for a huge roaster pan of roasted vegetables.  Tonight is family home evening at the President’s house and all senior couples on our island are bringing something to eat that they love.  We played a game that was really fun.  We were seated in two circles, inside and outside circles facing someone and then we were asked a question and each person responds and then the outside circle moves one person and another question is posed, such as: What are two pet peeves of yours?  If you were singing karaoke, what song would you sing?  What is one thing you would change if you could go back?  What are your hobbies?  What is one thing you can’t live without?  What changes over time? ... After we have  all changed completely, then it was asked who could name 5 people with their answers.  It was fun.

Tuesday was missionary leaders conference (mtc). 60 missionaries and the office ladies all cut up pineapple, made salad, cut up apples to put in chicken salad for croissant sandwiches, and washed grapes then served it in the courtyard and cleaned up after.  

At night, we had a new missionary come in from Japan and 4 from Hong Kong, reassigned because of the coronavirus.  

Wednesday was the beginning of Mission Tour with Klebingot as the visiting authority.  He’s German, his wife is from Russia and teaches at BYU-I.  They are very young.  I missed some of the talks because I was setting up for the luncheon (130+) and cleaning up after.  But what I heard was great.  They go to Maui tomorrow and the Big Island on Friday.  

Friday Sister Foster and Sister Evans were not in the office, they both had stomach flu.  I answered the phones, ran off tabs for the Book of Mormon and the copy machine is broken.  They came and thought they fixed it but it won’t copy anything; it just shut down:(.   The phone answering is interesting .  We have a regular caller that is institutionalized who calls every week and wants the missionaries to come visit him and he talks a long time.  It is really sad.  The missionaries have been told that they can only go once a month.  

Saturday we drove to Laie to the temple, the Olsen’s who were our friends in he mtc met us there and we went to the 8:00 session.  The temple is small and only runs on the hour.  They hand out numbers when you enter and when the numbers are gone, you wait for the next session in another hour.  We drove in the dark, leaving at 5:45 am , arrived at 6:50 but too late.  The numbers were all given out.  

After the temple, we went to the Visitor’s Center and saw our friends, the Cottrell’s there.  They just came this week to serve.  They served as guest service missionaries (gsm) the same time we did on Temple Square and the Conference Center.  His father served as the director of the (VC) some years ago.  He has passed away.  But they were thrilled with their mission call.  It ties them back to his father.

The Olsens drove us around the campus and pointed out where they serve (in the student services).  And then we went to their house and had chicken vegetable soup.  It tasted like home.  It felt so good to my soul.  We drove back to Honolulu after that.  Ray was going to take me out to eat but we never can find a place to park downtown.  I didn’t really want to go anyway.  (I know “sour grapes”). But it’s true. I’d rather eat where I know what I’m getting—not too adventurous .  

Today is fast day and next week is our family call!  So sorry we are missing all the plays going on there.  We love you, Elder and Sister Robinson

Week ending February 22, 2020

Sunday was church in the Tabernacle.  After church we had invited Elder and Sister Evans to dinner.  They are from Farmington, have been here since September; and he is the finance person and she is the receptionist. They have quite a story.  Their son had his mission call and was to leave soon and so a group of friends decided to go to Logan for some activities and then to one of their friends farewells.  The driver fell asleep on the way home and one person in their car was killed.  Their son had arm and leg fractures plus brain trauma and he lives in a home where people are trained in how to serve him.  Their whole life changed and of course, his did.  

In the evening was a fireside by the stake choir. Sixty-five members in the choir.  They sang, “I Believe in Christ” (so powerful), O Holy Jesus,” “This is the Christ” (very moving), “The Spirit of God like a Fire is Burning”, (I can’t hear that without thinking of Nathan shouting, “we’ll sing and we’ll shout” as he did in Burley at one of the cousins baptisms), Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.  It was calming and empowering to my soul.  

Monday has not relieved me from vertigo yet.  But happy day, the Olson couple from the mtc came to visit us from Laie.  They are serving in student services at the college.  He had some anointing oil with him so I pulled them and Ray into the mail room and shut the door and had a blessing.  I was relieved immediately. How blessed we are to have the priesthood power to heal us according to our faith and the Lord’s will.  We visited with them and then took them to our apartment for lunch.  It was such a nice surprise.

Tuesday.  In the scriptures I read 2 Nephi 14:6 “ ...tabernacle for a shadow from the heat...a place of refuge... covert from the storm...”. The temple is our tabernacle today.  We plan to go to the temple next Saturday.  We’re both looking forward to it.

Wednesday I made calls or texts to all the zone leaders on Oahu for reservations to the temple and the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC).  I printed 4 sets of Book of Mormon tabs and had pictures printed at Office Depot for shadow boxes, which I will probably put together next week for a gift from President and Sister Walker to the departing missionaries.

Thursday I made copies and bound the “Atonement” book and put together some information for 5 missionaries who are being transferred here from other missions—Hong Kong and Japan.  The corona virus has caused the church to transfer missionaries out of Asian areas into other missions after a 2 week quarantine period.  

Friday I had the office to myself.  Sister Olson is an ordinance worker at the temple every Friday and the Evans couple, well, he had a birthday so they took a little relaxation time to another island.  So I checked in mail, printed 30 packages of tabs for the Book of Mormons and Ray went to the eye doctor.  President and Sister Walker flew in from Maui and asked me t

to check on the Mission Tour dinner plans for next week and I figured out how to do that!  Luncheon is set for noon to feed 38 on Thursday in Maui and another one set for noon on Friday to feed 44 at the Hilo Stake Center.  My first real job.  I did it:). And reported back to her.

  We’re going to a movie today with some other couples on the island; it’s called ‘Call of the Wild”.  Dad has had 2 phone calls so far today for apartment problems. I don’t think he gets a p-day:).  

As Mom said I went to the eye dr. I had several “floaters” in my left eye that came on in one day about two weeks before we left for our mission.  About four days ago I had about twice as many floaters. I learned that sudden onset of floaters can indicate possible detached retina so I decided to see about getting a Dr. appointment. I found that it is difficult to get into a retinal specialist without being referred by another Dr. One of the Dr’s I called told me of a retina specialist group that takes patients without a referral, so I called them and they scheduled fe for an exam just yesterday. During the exam the Dr. could see that I had a tear in my retina. The Dr. took me into another room where they do laser treatments in which they laser around the tear and this burn causes the tissue to adhere to the retina. She said that it was good to catch it early to hopefully avoid having a detached retina. I feel that it was a great blessing that things went so well.

 After the procedure some Elders called me and said that they were getting a new companion which would make three I their companionship and they needed a bed and other items for the new elder sho was re-assigned from Hong Kong. So I gathered some things from our storage area and went to Walmart for the other items and took a trip to the other side of the island to deliver the items by about 5PM.    A lot can happen in a day.  

My first week, (transfer week) I was with Elder Aldridge, whom I replaced, and we went to the airport three times to help with luggage (with truck and trailer) and take some missionaries to the Airport. We also took stuff to furnish two new apartments. Seems like the same kinds of things that I was doing back home. I also deal with broken things and arranging for plumbing problems and so forth.

I love you all, we pray for all of you daily.

Our Walk to the Office and Kawaikui Beach Park

Kawaikui Beach Park

Hawaii Honolulu Mission

We left Bountiful at 8:30 am and arrived via Delta at 3:00ish.  Elder and Sister Alldredge picked us up at the airport, took us to our apartment at the Banyan Tree 2902, showed us our car and spot #51, and our mailbox.  Then we went shopping at Safeway.  Even that was an experience.  Shopping is up about 2 stories, so we send our bagged groceries in the shopping cart down it’s own kind of escalator.  We were a little concerned but we made it down and so did our basket of groceries intact.  We went to our car but had some challenges getting back to our apartment as there are one-way streets and no outlets and dead ends.:). We made it, made some fish tacos for dinner and unpacked. We were pretty tired.  We unpacked and ate fish tacos in our apartment. SOOOOO tired!  I am having a bout with vertigo; hopefully it will end quickly.  

Sunday we looked over all the papers we need to read and sign for our apartment. We read our scriptures and went over “Come Follow Me” manual.  2 Nephi 3:  9, 10, 11. Joseph Smith was raised up, like Moses, to set God’s people free, free from ignorance or lack of knowledge of God’s covenants and His way of happiness.  3:23  “they shall hearken unto the words of the book.”  Because God and His Son, Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith and led him to translating the Book of Mormon, we have His way of happiness as we choose to follow the precepts in the Book and follow His modern day prophets.  I love the Book of Mormon and the Restored Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  There is no better way to live and following Jesus Christ is the way to prosper in the land.  We have been so magnificently prospered:  15 grown children, 38 grand children!  There is no greater joy than to see our children choose the only true God to follow.  Testimonies are a start, conversion is the goal.  Life together with our Heavenly Parents is the hope.  We can do it.  Keep His commandments and study His character, fill your mind, heart and time with this.  We’ll go together.  

 Church is a short walk at 11:30 in the Manoa Ward at Tabernacle. Three o'clock here was our family call.  Thanks for being on "hangouts".  It fills us up to see you and hear your voices—doesn't matter what you say though we are happy to hear the news of the month and appreciate the spiritual thoughts.  We love you. 

At 5:00 we went to the office and started learning our jobs here. 

Monday we were at the office at 7:45.  2 Nephi 6:14 "none will He destroy that believe in Him".

We start our day officially at 8:30 with an office devotional:  prayer, thought, then business sharing of information.  I sent out notices for family home evening with the senior couples (mls) and office couples with food assignments.  Once a month we have family home evening and dinner together at the mission presidents home, so he sets the date. I cut out run-off phone numbers for handouts, made a new "master" for training for missionaries.  New missionaries arrived, 8 sisters and I set out luncheon for them and the office staff plus Elder and Sister King who were in our training group at the mtc.  They are serving as directors of the Visitor Center in Laie.  It is a new model of leadership that the church is trying out.  It was so fun to see them again.  Also there was a couple from Burley who knew Uncle John and the group of family there.  She had served with Aunt Denice on the stake young women.  That felt really good to talk with them.  And, Sister Juliette Hart from Logan was in the group of sisters.  She will be teaching on another island to begin her mission.  Then cleanup etc.

Tuesday I put outgoing missionary pictures in the Book of Life (President Walker wants to keep pictures of all his missionaries in a large binder that we have titled the "Book of Life".)

I pulled files out of President's office and shredded all the information on those missionaries, made new files for those just coming in, labeled pictures and put magnets on them for the transfer board and for the board at President's home, redid zone notebooks for President's interviews, marked and tagged one Book of Mormon.  Ray and I with Alldredge went to President's home and delivered all the luggage for the missionaries.  Around 7 pm we went shopping at Costco.  We finally have groceries $600 worth—maple syrup, vegetables, kodiak cakes etc.  

Wednesday I began writing in birthday cards for serving missionaries for the rest of February. Jacob 5:72 "...the servants did go and labor with their mights; and the Lord of the vineyard labored also with them...". What a blessing for all of us to be laboring in the Lord's vineyard with Him.  Today we put together lunches for the departing missionaries (13), collected their phones, had a fireside in the tabernacle at night for their last farewell and testimony in the mission.  So many mixed feelings—happy to go home to see their families, but what is in their futures?, not wanting to leave those they love here. ..  Oh, the heart-wrenching feelings.  Lots of hugs going on.

Thursday, I quit putting down what I did.  Too many details but I did check mail for responses, shredded more papers, labeled more Book of Mormons, worked in the mail room.  

Friday I made lemon pancakes with yogurt and pineapple and berries for office and AP's for valentines.  I made letters for bishops and stake presidents and labels for mailing home for missionaries.  Marked and labeled more Book of Mormons.  Alldredge 's goodby day.  President took us all out to Mexican dinner before their flight home to St. George, Utah.  

Thought for the day:  "None of us came to earth to gain our worth; we brought it with us."

                                                                                    Sheri L. Dew

Saturday P Day for seniors.  We first went to one of the Sisters apartments who were having trouble with their disposal.  It smelled terrible.  Ray had brought a tool to help with working on it.  :). As he tried to put his hand in the disposal to clear it out—there was a glass that had dropped into the hole stopping the water from going down!  :) :). :). It was an easy fix.  Ray pulled the glass out.  After that we went to the huge mall in Honolulu.  It's pretty great.  We just went to Target and purchased 4 placemats to protect our kitchen table, some q-tips, and a rubber spatula.  Then we went to Office Max to try to get more printable labels for the Book of Mormons but they didn't have what we were needing.  

Now for relaxation, we went to Kawaikui Beach Park.  The breeze was wonderful and the view was for the soul.  Pictures included if I can figure out the technology.  

                          We love you, Aloha

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Arrived -- Honolulu Apartment pictures

MTC-Second Week

The Book of Mormon records much contention, jealousy in one family.  But the father continues to exhort them to righteousness.  Be of good cheer no matter what part you play in a family.  Be believing and trust God.  “Frankly forgive”. Look for God’s hand as trials change my nature.  

I love this by Dallin Oaks:  “any philosophy or organization that opposes belief in God brings captivity of false ideas.”  Ensign March 2015. The Lord prepared us a liahona—the Book of Mormon.  If we feast on it and follow Christ, He will lead us to the Promised Land.  His word helps us face challenges and teaches us how.  Liken the scriptures to me.  

So wonderful how we can look at each story we read about the Savior and we can discover His character.  

Sunday Ray and I went and spent the day with my mother and her husband at Courtyard at Jamestown.  We went to fast and testimony meeting with them and Sunday School, had lunch with them.  Some of the nicest people live there.  We really enjoyed our time with them.  Monday morning at 8 am found us in class learning IMOS, the computer program the missionaries use.  I am really good at touching the buttons the teacher tells me to touch.  I would like to take one of the teachers with me!  Monday night we attend fhe again and listened to Elder Bednar.  I would like to listen to it at least 4 more times.  

Tuesday was more office programs:  Lettters to family of arriving missionaries, ...

At night it was a fireside with Elder and Sister Bassett for all the missionaries.  I was responsible in our district during the day for the spiritual thought.  Of course, I told what was still on my mind:  the story of Lucy Mack Smith’s brother, Daniel, who has admonished his friends not to go swimming in a river they were by and other fellows were there too.  But one fellow said, I’m going anyway and he jumped in followed by 2 others.  All were doomed for a watery grave as they got caught on undergrowth.  Daniel asked the rest of the group if any of them would dive in to save them at the peril of their own lives.  No one spoke.  Daniel dived in and pulled each one out, one at a time and told the others to roll them over barrels to get the water out of them.  As they recovered, they told Daniel they would always remember him, that they wanted to always live by him.  Though the spurned his counsel, he still went in after them.  

So much like us.  Sometimes I don’t recognize the Lord;s counsel; but He jumps in and saves me anyway.  I learn good from evil from my experiences in life.  And hopefully I love the good and seek His counsel as I develop and turn from the natural man.  

Wednesday was more office programs:  entering baptism records, how to split the screen, making the President’s message, transfers...  Yes, I’m over my head and my brain has turned to mush but with God nothing is impossible.  

Thursday there was training for the finances, the vehicles, ...wow!  The vastness of the mission and the Lords church!  We received a thought today by Ezra Taft Benson: 

 “When obedience ceases to be an irritant and becomes our quest, in the moment God will endow us with power.” 

Friday we returned to Bountiful to wash and repack.  Tomorrow the Lord’s WORK.  Aloha!

Farewell Program -- Obedience is a principle of power

MTC pictures

Finding the mission on the map

Missionary Training Center

District Week 1

District

Mural of Esther

Farewell -- First Week MTC Provo

This has been an amazing week.
On Monday, it was expressed, “With one touch of the  finger, we can bring heaven or hell into our life.  Speaking of our devices.  When we think of the Character of Christ, He turns “out” in compassion—not “inward”.  He is not self-absorbed, selfish, self-centered.  In Matthew 4 as we read of the temptations, it was pointed out that in all the temptations, it was about “if” you are the Son of God, “if” is the key of pride, self-centeredness.  What a glorious gospel to be centered on the atonement, change, conversion—being consistent in living what we know. The opportunity to turn away from self (what I want, like the Cookie Monster “I want cookie”) to turning back to God.
Tuesday We spent more time looking out:  What are we doing each day to become more converted to Jesus Christ:  How can we serve?    How do you know if it’s the Holy Ghost or just me? Elder Bednar said: “  Quit worrying about it! “. 
Elder Bednar told a story about a time when Elder and Sister Packer came as visiting authorities to Elder Bednar’s mission as a young missionary.  Elder Bednar was working in the office and so it was his opportunity to pick the Packers up and send them on their way to their destination.  As Elder Bednar put them on the train, he thought they might get hungry so he gave them 20 marcs because he knew that was the only exchange that would be useable. 
Well, as the Packers were on the train, the Germans came to check on their passports and his wife’s passport was one that had a three year extension on it.  They were not recognizing the passports with extensions.  They were going to throw her off the train at the next stop.  Elder Packer reached into his pocket and pulled out those 20 marks and  put them in their passports.  She was able to stay on the train.  Elder Bednar said, “Was
 that the Holy Ghost or just him that put those 20 marks in Elder Packer’s hands”?  Quit worrying about it.  Just move on those impressions without trying to figure out if it’s the Holy Ghost or you. 
Wednesday we learned some basic teaching skills.  Help \ Invitation \ Promise\ Doctrine
We discovered the meaning of being a true disciple:  student, learner, example. Our purpose in life is to become like Him, to be one with the Godhead.  Oct 2012 Conference Daniel L. Johnson spoke on “Becoming a True Disciple”.  Jeffrey Orlando said in an mtc devotional, “Remember this truth, everything in the conversion process must happen to you before it can happen to them—-everything.”  So important to remember as we raise families, influence friends...  Each of us must be converted first before we can extend our influence on others.
 When we went to another building to see some murals, I was holding the door with Sister Bartschi and her husband tripped and fell on his hip.  They were in our district; he was our district leader.  Ray and Elder Noel went and administered to him at the hospital.  They were assigned to the Salt Lake City Mission.  We’re down to two couples now.
Thursday’s theme for me was communication.  What?  I’m a good communicator!  Well, I’m a good talker and easily sidetracked. I don’t know if I’ll learn this one lesson:  LIsteN!
Do NOT think of my own experiences.  ASK questions:  Why?  How do you feel about that?  Tell me more...  Have a clear purpose.  Avoid prying questions???!!!  What.
More important than speaking is listening.  Once I heard a statement that went like this, “God gave us 2 ears and 1 mouth for a purpose.  Listen twice as much as we talk.
We watched a video of the blind man since birth and his healing.  There were some interesting observations for me—-the blind man went and did what the Lord told him to do and then he could see.  Another wonderful day.  Our district is now just us.  The Noel left tonight to begin their travel for their mission.  They are driving to see family first and then they are called to Tempe Arizona Mission Addiction and Recovery.  This is their second mission.  Previously they served in New Zealand Addiction and Recovery.  They are amazing people.  What insight and and deep understanding they have.
Today we saw the mural of The Sons of Mosiah. 
Friday.    Who do I want to be when I return from this mission?  I want to be more Christlike.  I want to be better at listening to others and through the Spirit, engage others to feel heart to heart experiences with the Spirit.  We love you!  Aloha!
~Teresa, Mom, Grandma