Lu'au and lots of other things

since about February I've been going and serving at the Island Feast Lu'au and I've had the same job since we moved the Lu'au there. it was a challenge for me because I had to sit there and tell people that they couldn't go to the Prime Dining side of the Lu'au and then if no one came by, it got kind of slow and became a long day. But a few days ago I was talking to Misty, the supervisor at the Lu'au and she told me I could be greeter starting the next day.

So, now I get to sit by the door and greet people as they come in to eat and I take their tickets that they use to get into the restaurant. For someone who is such a big "people-person" like I am, that was such a tender mercy when they asked me to do that.

One other cool thing that happened recently was I got to go on another sign language tour. It was kind of scary for me though because there were four people from different countries and they all only knew a tiny bit of ASL so it was kind of a challenge to talk to them and to try to figure out what on earth they were saying. I know at least two of the people were from the middle east and I'm not sure where the other two were from. It made me think of something my sign language teacher said about how ASL interpreters receive the Gift of Hands (instead of the Gift of Tongues like missionaries receive when they go on missions) :) It all ended pretty well because I used pantomime and i understood some of the fingerspelling that they used

i'm so grateful for the opportunity to interpret for Deaf guests that come into the center. It makes me feel really good that I am able to use that to help people that need it and that it will be something that will come in handy when I go back to school because I can start working on getting my interpreting license. it also makes me feel good as a missionary being able to serve those people. One of my main purposes here at the PCC is to spread the Aloha Spirit (or the Spirit of God) to everyone I meet. This is one way I can do that.

i know that Heavenly Father has given me these opportunities to serve different people and to spread the gospel to them, too

in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen 

-elder Ballam

conference

Hey I hope you guys were able to watch conference because it was really good. I really enjoyed the priesthood session. I got to go watch it with two of our neighbors who lived in the condo above us, their names were Cortland and Ethan Honn. There are 5 of them and the parents, Cortland and Robbie Honn actually brought the three kids out here because their daughter Cami got accepted to BYUH so they came for the second semester and stayed until just a few days ago. They are such a nice family and it's been really fun to get to know them. Cami  works at PCC in the bracelet engraving place where you can get the Hawaiian version of your name put on a leather bracelet. I have one, by the way, which is awesome. She also use to work in one of the big shops up in the front of PCC. Last week right before her family left, she gave them a really good surprise, she got engaged!

I liked the talk that elder Hales gave about putting the Armor of God to protect you against the" fiery darts of the adversary" I never knew that his dad was an artist and that he drew a picture of the armor of god, for Elder Hales when he was in high school. It reminded me of the painting that a guy did for me a couple summers ago of me standing on the stage of the Ellen Eccles' Theater standing in front of the savior, wearing the Armor of God.

I know that all of the people that spoke in conference were called by God and the messages that they gave were specifically for u

in the name of Jesus Christ Amen

-Elder Ballam

my birthday

hey guys sorry it's been a while but i wanted to tell you the cool stuff they did for me on my birthday back on the 9th. They threw me a party at the mission settlement when I got there that morning and then later that night when I wen to watch them take down the flag and sing, the hula girls did a dance for me to a Hawaiian song called "Beautiful Kawai'i" which I want to learn how to play on the Uke. Later we went to dinner and two of the serenaders sang happy birthday to me in Hawaiian and English. It was funny though because it was a jazzy version of Happy birthday so it was really really really fast. Then another one of my friends sang a Hawaiian song to me, too.   

fireside last sunday/ meeting a lady after the fireside

hey guys sorry it's been a while but I have a cool story I want to share with you. It's short but sweet  i hope you like it:

 So last week, dad and I got to do a fireside for the Relief Society in one of the Laie Wards here and after we were done, this lady came up to me and she said "you probably don't know me but my daughter use to work at PCC and she's talked to you a few times. I just wanted you to know that my daughter went on a mission because of meeting and talking to you.

That really surprised me because I've never had anyone tell me something like that before. i kept thinking "I had that big of an influence on her?!"  I just want you to know that you never know the kind of impact you're going to have on someone. I don't even really know the girl very well. I just met her a little while ago. But the fact that I had that sort of influence on her, makes me feel really good.

A really cool video i found on the youth application for the church online i thought you all would like...! check it out!

https://www.lds.org/youth/video/none-were-with-him?cid=iphone

Singing at the Brazil Club

On Sunday, I got to sing a song that my friends Kallie, April and Leticia sang, when I was on seminary council when I was a senior. The song is called "To Be Like Him" the topic was on scripture study and that song talks about the scriptures so I thought it would be a perfect song to sing.

 My mom had to go searching for a piano because the room didn't have one. She doesn't take no for an answer very easily so she went wandering around until she found one and some boys helped her push it into the room. It was one of those really small pianos like you find in the relief society rooms at church. know what I'm talking about? it was square instead of the shape a piano normally is.

P.S. I want to say thanks to April for emailing me that song so I could sing it.
Elder Ballam

new Hawaii Village

yesterday, i went to the new Hawaiian village that just opened a few weeks ago. They use to do everything that they do in the Hawaiian village, in the Marqueses village, in a big white tent, but now that Hawaii is open they don't have to do that any more. it was really cool to see all the different areas where they do the cultural presentations like the Hula and showing you the different uses for the Taro root. The cool thing about the different villages at the PCC is that they do a flag raising and lowering ceremony ever morning and night. Once when the village opens when the center opens, and once when the village and the center closes. They also sing their national anthem. Hopefully one of these days I can make it over to the Hawaiian village when it opens for the day so i can hear them sing their national anthem.

here's some trivia:

1.  how many of you think that the coconut is a native Hawaiian fruit?
2. how many of you think that the pineapple is a native fruit?
3. how many think that the macadamia nut is native to Hawaii?

missionaries

i got to go on splits with the missionaries again a couple weeks ago. it was really cool because we got to try the new "baptism approach" that the church just came out with, which means that you skip all the lessons and discussions and you ask them if they want to be baptized the way that the Savior was. it was really cool to actually see it "in action" because the person we asked almost said yes! She said she'd think about it and tell them when they came back the next time.

i really love going on splits with the missionaries and helping people because it gives me the chance to teach, and at the same time, I get to physically help people if they ask me to do something. Most of the physical stuff that we've helped people with has involved moving heavy things, which i obviously cant do, being in a wheelchair but there's other ways that I can help them, like just keeping them company

well i have to go to work now but I'll keep you posted

Elder Ballam

temple with my sign language teacher last week, and other random things....

I Had a cool experience last Friday. I got to go to the temple and do a session with my sign language teacher that I've been taking ASL from as part of my mission. It was really cool to get to sign with her in the temple. It was soooooo cool. Who would've ever thought I would get to do a temple session with one of my teachers? I think i get to do it with her again in a couple of weeks.We're going to Waiamea valley park today which is a really cool place that has lots of different kinds of birds and also has different classes like Hula lessons and lei making classes. There's also a waterfall that usually has water in it. If it rains a lot then there will be a lot of water but if it doesn't rain, there won't be that much.

Matthew 25:35-40

yesterday I went to the "graduation party" that's what they call it instead of a farewell party, for President Orgill, who i guess you could call my PCC mission President. He has been the president of the PCC for the past 13 years and he has now been called somewhere, they dont know where yet, or else the just wont tell us, to serve as a mission president. The farewells that they have here are so amazing because you get to see all the love that each of the people have for the person leaving. When i went to his, i thought it was going to last maybe 1/2 an hour to an hour, because most of them do. It ended up going for 5 hours. Each island that is represented at the PCC, gave him amazing things form their islands and then they would perform for him. Then each department at the center, like food and beverage and the island office and stuff, would give him things. Then he got up and gave a talk about what it's been like for him over the past 13 years, being able to serve the people of Hawai'i and all over the world. Throughout the whole night, it made me think of the scripture, Matt. 25:35-40 that says

 "for i was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

Then shall the righteous answer him saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered and fed thee, or thirsty and gave thee drink? when saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick or in prison and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, my bretheren, ye have done it unto me"

This basically describes president Orgill to a T. I was talking to my mom after the party was over and we both decided that if Webster's dictionary ever came up with a new definition for the word Charity, they should put "see President Orgill." I mean, he always thinks of other people before he thinks about himself, he always takes time to talk to people when he walks around the P.C.C. Sometimes i wonder if he ever sets aside some time just for himself to do whatever he wants. It's always " How are you doing" "what can i do to make your day better?" etc.

I went and talked to him after it was over and I just hugged him and cried because he has been so nice to me since I got here and i just love him. I guess you could say he's been like a second dad to me while I've been here, that's how close I've gotten to him. I think he's the closest example i can think of of acting like the savior would act, other than President Monson and the 12 apostles. Wherever he gets called on his mission, the people are going to LOVE HIM. He will make a really good mission president no matter where he is sent to.

He's even told us some very spiritual things in confidence about how much the Savior loves the P.C.C. 

I know that the savior loves me and that he loves President Orgill as well and that no matter where President goes on his mission, that he is going where the Lord wants him/needs him to go. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

family is here

i'm so excited that i get to see the rest of my family in such a short period of time. My sister Ester and her husband Scott left last night but now my brother Chris and sister in-law Jen and their 4 kids are here and i get to spend some time with them. Shortly after that my sister Vanessa, brother in-law Stefan and nephew Sebastian will be coming out. Then my other sister Olivia will be coming. or maybe it's the other way around, i dont remember... the first to come were my brother Nick and sister in-law Adel and my niece Mia. I am so gland that they all get to come see me and spend some time with me while I am here.

i know that my family loves me and that I will get to be with them forever. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

Family

the past couple of weeks have been really fun because my brother nick, sister in-law Adele, niece Mia and nephew Grant came to see us from Maryland and they stayed with us in the condo upstairs from us here. We had a lot of fun together and I was really glad they came. This Monday, my sister Ester and brother in law scott are coming. I'm so excited to see them soon. I'm so greatful to know that I can be with them forever.

i say these things in the name of Jesus Christ Amen

meeting a cool guy at pcc a couple days ago/ singing in December

hi everyone,

I had a really awesome experience a couple days ago. As some of you might know already, I play the ukulele at the mission settlement and ask people if they would like to play or if they are interested in buying one. Well this guy with tattoos (I don't remember his name so I'll call him jake)   and his girlfriend came and he started to play the ukulele. While he was playing a song he knew, he told me that they had just been to the visitor center next to the temple. He said something along the lines of "I wasn't prepared for what i saw when i walked in. I saw a HUGE statue of Jesus Christ. I had to make sure no one was looking because I started crying. He looked exactly the way i imagine him, tall and really strong looking. He must've been pretty strong because when He was growing up He was a carpenter. i'm excited for when He comes back,"

i don't know what will happen but i think that he has a really strong testimony of the Savior, and who knows? maybe he'll want to learn more.

I know that Heavenly Father lives and that I crossed paths with that guy so i could hear his testimony. I don't know if I'll see him at the pcc again but that experience really touched me.

i also got a call yesterday from a guy in president Orgil's (the president of the PCC)) office and they want us to do a few Christmas songs for their Christmas devotional on Dec. 7.We also get to do a fireside at the V.C. in December

i know that i will be able to meet people at the devotional that Heavenly Father wants me to meet and that i will be able to share my testimony with the people at the V.C. about the Savior's love for us and the real meaning of christmas.

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

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.

11/10/12 - 11/12/12 giving a friend a book of mormon and signing for people at the PCC

I'm combining two days into one post to tell you what happened yesterday and this past saturday.

 Saturday- So I've been talking to our contractor Daniel about the church for about two months now and I told him that if he had any questions he could ask me. He has had LOTS of questions and seems really open and interested.  Then we had a thing on Sunday called "bring a friend to church day" where we could invite someone to church to let them see/hear what we believe.  So, I invited him to church and gave him an English and Spanish Book of Mormon (because he speaks both English and Spanish) and told him that if he had any more questions, I'd try to answer them the best I could. I wrote my testimony inside and he read it out loud to me.  He would stop and say, "I believe that too."  He has a little boy named Lucca that he loves a lot and wants him to have a good and religious upbringing, so he is interested in the programs for kids at the church house. It felt so GOOD to open my mouth and bear my testimony to him.  He is a really good honest man and I pray that some day he can join the church and find all the happiness there. He would be a great member..

Yesterday- As most of you know, I know ASL and part of my mission is to sign for the Deaf people that come into the center. So far I've only used it one other time but yesterday I was at the Lu'au and a tour guide came in and said "Hey Ben how much ASL do you know?" I told him I knew a lot and he said "Do you think you know enough to do a tour?" I said "I'll do my best. when do you need me?" he said in about half an hour. I asked someone at the luau if that would be OK and she said "Why don't you just go with him right now so you have time to wait for them."  So I went to the front of the center and waited for them. I wasn't sure if I could do the whole tour in ASL so I asked if a tour guide could come with me and do the talking and I could translate it into sign language. So, I got to go around the center with this lady and her daughter. The mom was Deaf  and her daughter was hearing but knew fluent ASL.  Her daughter  really helped too because if the mom was behind me or something, she would sign for her if I didn't know certain signs. It made me feel really good that I was able to communicate with the mom so she could enjoy the center.

MISSION MAN!

With all the buzz about the lowered age for Mormon Missionaries, here's a great video to share with all the 17- and 18-year-olds you know. http://youtu.be/Elwp8J1pTho #LDS #Mormon #missionaries 

polynesian recipies to try

recipes from the PCC
Watermelon Otai

look at how hard this is to make... ;)

1st ingredient watermelon
2nd ingredient coconut milk
3rd ingredient ice

Taro Bread

Hawaiian taro is more versatile today than just traditional poi. In the islands it's also made into chips (as in potato chips) and even flour which is then used to bake pancakes, or bread. Our Polynesian Cultural Center Alii Luau recipe calls for a delicious dinner roll form.
Yield: 1-1/2 doz

Ingredients

	Warm water (90 degrees), 1-1/3 cups
	Egg, 1
	Poi, 1 cup
	Butter, softened, 1/2 cup
	Purple Food Coloring, 1 tsp
	Sugar, 1 cup
	Flour, 2 lbs
	Salt, 1/4 tsp
	Yeast , 2-1/2 tsp

Instructions

1.	Using a table mixer
2.	In a mixing bowl combine egg, butter, food coloring, poi and water
3.	Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients.
4.	Mix all ingredients on speed 2 with a dough hook; texture should be smooth
5.	Remove from mixing bowl and place on flour table top; scale 3 oz. Dough and roll into ball size.
6.	Line baking pan with aluminum foil and place roll taro balls 3x4
7.	Set a side to rise for 15-20 minutes
8.	Bake at 225 degrees for 20 minutes.

COCONUT SYRUP

1 can coconut milk

1 cup flaked  coconut. for best coconut flavor, plant a coconut seed, grow your own coconut tree, wait for the coconut to ripen and climb the tree and pick and shred the coconut with a sharp stick. save the milk that come out of the coconut. ;) If you want an authentic hawaiian experience do it this way...... or not. careful when you climb the tree that you don't fall and break something. ;) ok for those of you who are a little scared of heights... go to Smith's marketplace and buy a coconut.

3/4 cups brown sugar

combine all ingredients into a heavy sauce pan, bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes. stir occasionally. transfer to a blender and puree until smooth (this is what it said online but we didn't do it that way we just blended it until there were little coconut chunks in it. it's better this way in my opinion) serve immediately!

Resurrection Cookie Recipe

I dont know the original source for this recipe so if you find it can you add it on here so i can give credit to the person who figured this out? the website I found it from though is http://www.motherhoodonadime.com/kids/resurrection-cookies-printable-recipe/

 so i can give credit to the lady that posted it last
 

• Resurrection Cookies: Directions & Printable Recipe

  April 3, 2012 by Stacie Nelson
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  I’ve had this recipe for Resurrection Cookies in my Easter file for a while, but this is the first year I felt my girls were ready for them.  (The last few years we’ve made Resurrection Rolls — just because I felt the simpler approach to the death and resurrection of Jesus was more age-appropriate for younger preschoolers).
  I would suggest reading the Bible story of Jesus’ death and resurrection aloud to your children before you begin making these cookies.  I particularly like the version in The Child’s Story Bible by Catherine Vos for older preschool and elementary-aged children.
  

  
  

  
  

  Resurrection Cookie Recipe

  Supplies:
  
• 1 cup almonds (or pecans)
• 1 tsp. vinegar
• 3 egg whites
• Pinch of salt
• 1 cup sugar
• Zipper baggy
• Wooden spoon
• Mixing bowl
• Mixer
• Cookie sheet
• Spoons
• Tape
• Bible

1)  PREHEAT OVEN TO 300 DEGREES.  Place one cup nuts into a baggy.  Beat the nuts with a wooden spoon until broken into tiny pieces.  Remind children Jesus was beaten by the Roman Soldiers.

Read John 19:1-3

¹ Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. ² The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe ³ and went up to him again and again, saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” And they slapped him in the face.
I also included Isaiah 53:5:
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

2)  Allow each child to smell the vinegar.  Pour a small amount into a bowl and allow them to taste it.  Explain that vinegar was given to Jesus to drink when he was on the cross.  Add 1 tsp. vinegar into a mixing bowl.

Read John 19:28-30

 ²⁸ Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” ²⁹ A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. ³⁰ When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

3)  Add egg whites to vinegar.  The eggs in this recipe represent life.  They remind us that Jesus gave his life to give us life abundantly.

Read John 10:10-11

¹⁰ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.  ¹¹ “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

4)  Put a pinch of salt in your child’s hand.  Allow them to taste it.  Add a pinch of salt to to the eggs and vinegar.  The salt represents the salty tears cried by the women who followed Jesus.

Read Luke 23:27

²⁷ A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him

5)  Place a pinch of sugar in your child’s hand.  Allow them to taste it.  Add one cup sugar to the mixture.  Up to this point, the ingredients have been very  bitter, but the sweetness in the recipe comes from the sugar.  The suffering and death of Jesus are bitter, but the sweetness is that Jesus died because He loves us.  Oh, how He loves us!

Read Psalm 34:8

⁸ Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

Read John 3:16

¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

6)  Beat the mixture for 12-15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed  (I recommend setting a timer — it’s important to beat the mixture well).   The whiteness of the mixture reminds us of purity and the cleansing of our sins because of Jesus’ death.

Read Isaiah 1:18:

¹⁸ “Come now, let us settle the matter,”
says the LORD.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
they shall be like wool.

7)  Stir in the nuts.

8)  Drop the dough by spoonfuls onto a cookie sheet.  The mounds represent the tomb where Jesus was buried.

Read Matthew 27:57-60

⁵⁷ As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. ⁵⁸ Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. ⁵⁹ Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, ⁶⁰ and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.

9)  After the oven is preheated, put the cookie sheets in the oven.  TURN OFF the oven.  Allow your child to place pieces of tape and “seal” the oven door.  Jesus’ tomb was sealed with a large rock.

Reread Matthew 27:59

⁵⁹ Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, ⁶⁰ and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.

10)  Leave the cookies in the oven overnight.  Your child might feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight (they were probably expecting to have a yummy treat soon – at least mine were).  Jesus’ followers were very sad when the tomb was sealed.

John 16:20-22

²⁰ Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.²¹ A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world.²² So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.

11)  In the morning, open the oven and have some cookies!  The cookies should be hollow inside.  Remind your child that the tomb was empty.  Jesus is risen!

Read Matthew 28:1-9

¹After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
² There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. ³ His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. ⁴ The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
⁵ The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. ⁶ He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. ⁷ Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
⁸ So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. ⁹ Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.

The tsunami

So I had an interesting Saturday... In the morning we went to Honolulu to go to the swap meet where you can buy really cool expensive stuff for dirt cheep. After that, we went to the Live in HD broadcast of Verdi's opera "Otello" based on Shakespeare's play. After it was over, we went shopping for some lights that we are going to install sometime this week. Maybe tomorrow or the next day, I'm not sure. Then, we went to the new movie called Hotel Transylvania and about 1/2 way through, one of the guys that worked there, came into the room and he said, "there is a tsunami warning that is going to hit in about two hours. if you come out into the lobby, we can get you another ticket to come see the movie again..." The only times i've ever heard about tsunamis were a year and a half ago when one hit Japan, and the other time was when I saw the movie The Other Side Of Heaven.

 The guy told us to find higher ground in case the water came further inland. We stayed in our van listening to the radio, and finally slept there for a few hours.  Don't worry, it didn't even come anywhere close to where we were. It was interesting though because while I was really scared, everyone else was all calm saying stuff like "when this happens...." one of my friends even told me that it's an annual thing that they do every year just in case something happens... which it did.

There are still people watching it to make sure that it is still safe. The Big Island was the one that got hit the most. They had all these different shelter places for people in the different cities to go and the place that the senior missionaries were told to go was the Temple or the Temple Visitor Center.

I think we were inspired to stay in Kaneohe and not go home after we went to the swap meet in Honolulu. Our condo sits right on the ocean, and those coastal towns were all evacuated to higher ground.

Hawaii the Beautiful

sunsets

                                     These are a few pictures of the sunsets here.