Close the Fast, Taco Tuesday, Stake Conference Lunch, . . .

 It seems like everything here is driven by food.  Perhaps it is the universal language of love here.  We were in charge of the monthly pot luck called "Close the Fast" which was a great feast with many dishes of casseroles,

Our table at Close the Fast

meats, and rice, along with a variety of salads and desserts.  We ate at the staff dining area behind the Gateway Buffett in the Polynesian Cultural Center.  

Janice and I had the privilege this week of teaching both the Wednesday and the Thursday institute lessons because Brother Meyers was out of town attending a training.  We worked extra hard on the lesson to make sure that it was interesting.  Our self assessment was that it was pretty good but that is probably inflated somewhat.  We mainly wanted to make sure that the young people would come again in spite of us.  We did have a wonderful moment after our Wednesday night lesson when one of our soft-spoken and shy students had a chance to play the guitar and sing for us and a few students.  My oh my, what a surprise it was when he not only played well but entertained us almost professionally with several popular songs.  I know the young ladies in the group were suddenly a lot more interested in him!  He left that night with his head a little higher and a little more outgoing.

We continue to keep to our tradition of enjoying Taco Tuesday.  We found a taco truck in Hale'iwa that has a deal on Tuesdays of 5 street tacos for $8.00.  We took Elder and Sister Johnson (the ITEP Coordinators) with us and not only enjoyed the meal but witnessed a spectacular sunset.

We find ourselves surrounded by beauty everywhere we go.  We are trying hard not to take it for granted but to relish every stunning sunset and beautiful flower we see.  Most of all, we are immersed among an amazing amalgamation of people not only from the Islands but from India, Mongolia, Thailand, China and the Mainland.  They are warm, friendly, and most have a broad smile as you pass.

This Saturday, we actually had a little bit of down time.  We attended a gathering of Senior missionaries at Kokolilo Beach just south of Laie.  It was beautiful.  Janice and I swam for a little bit but mostly enjoyed visiting.  We came home and as Janice started a project cutting some vinyl wall art, I got out my oils and worked on a painting.  I had been

wanting to paint our temple here since we arrived.  It is just up the street from us and we see it every day.  My painting ended up a little stylized without buildings around it but capturing perhaps and earlier day here in Laie.

Janice and I spoke in our Sacrament meeting this morning.  Our Tongan ward is so kind and accepting of us.  We are so thankful to be assigned to them by our Mission President.  We also attended the Stake Conference lunch for Laie YSA 2nd Stake.  They had two sessions of conference with lunch in between.  We took advantage of the opportunity to mingle with them and passed out invitations to attend Institute. Of course, we could not escape without a clamshell full of food for each of us.

We are so happy here serving.  It makes a difference to us to make a difference here!