Hawaiian's are awesome!

There're a lot of really cool customs that they have in the ward i go to here. One thing that they do is stand and sing "Aloha Oe" which is kind of like Hawaii's national anthem. It was written by Queen Lili'uokalani in 1877. It's kind of the Hawaiian version of God Be With You 'Til We Meet Again" she wrote it for a man she loved as he left the island and everyone sang it later that night and now everyone sings it when some leaves the island. Today they stood at the end of his farewell and sang Aloha Oe to a boy that is leaving on his mission to Las Vegas Nevada. After the song, most of the ward lined up to shake his hand and give him a lei around his neck.  He ended up with about 25 leis.  It's a beautiful custom.  I really like the people here in the Islands, because they are so kind and filled with love for everyone and for the Lord.

Another custom they have is not wearing shoes in church, and the ones that do, only wear sandals or flip-flops. My parents have joined in on this custom too. (not barefoot yet though).

I really like going to the Deaf ward because I get to talk to the few Deaf people in the ward and I'm one of only a few people in the ward (besides the interpreters) that can communicate with them and tell them what people are saying in church and stuff. I've also had the chance to talk to them at the P.C.C. I know that the Lord is helping me to have these opportunities to learn sign language here on my mission.