January 2018 - A New Year Begins!

New Year's Eve in Paradise

We gathered with the other temple missionaries to ring in the New Year.  We had a dinner of pizza, salad and cake followed by some games and lots of visiting and teasing, as well as seeing and hearing the fireworks the neighbors in the area were setting off.

 Elder and Sister Walker

They are the couple that came out with us in October and they hosted the party.

They work in the temple office.

 Elder and Sister Cox

They go home soon and have served in the office for 3 years (this is their second mission to the Kona Temple).

 And of course, us!

Malama Pono - January

 Sister Walker, Sister Cox and Grace (a member of our ward) went together to Malama Pono.  Of course, we began with a dinner - when you gather in Hawaii, there is alway dinner.

 Our hostess, Ginger (in the forefront)

 Grace and Joan (both really fun ladies)

After dinner we had a  lesson about the life of President Monson and after that we just visited and enjoyed each other's company.  Our number were few (8) but it was a great evening.

Visiting the Kohala Ward and Dinner with the Staples

Last Sunday, we traveled with Elder and Sister Zabriskie (the new office couple) and Elder and Sister Cox and Elder and Sister Walker up north and then turned east to Kohala to visit the Kohala Ward.

It was fun to visit another ward and see many of the patrons and temple workers who come from that ward to serve in the temple.

Hal and I - after church

Brother and Sister Staples attend the Kohala Ward and live about 20 minutes south of the meetinghouse.  They are temple workers on Saturdays and they had invited all of us to come to their home for dinner after church.

Brother and Sister Staples with Elder and Sister Cox in front of the Staples' beautiful home

Our whole group

Inside the Staples' lovely home

All the Sisters helped to get everything ready for a taco bar and hot tortilla soup - it was a feast!

 We also had some delicious fresh fruit!
After dinner we went outside on their lanai to enjoy dessert. They have a gorgeous backyard with a pool and a view of the ocean.

Dessert was a chocolate covered passion fruit cheesecake with a chocolate macadamia nut crust.  Yummy!

It was delicious and we enjoyed the food and a pleasant afternoon together.

Cox's Farewell Party

President and Sister Okura hosted a farewell Party to honor Elder and Sister Cox's 3 years of service in the Kona Temple Office.  We gathered at their home for dinner and a program.  Everyone brought something and we enjoyed a feast of Japanese, Filipino, Chinese, Vegan and good old American food.

The Cox's receiving hugs and aloha leis

President Okura and Elder Cox

President Heinzen (First Counselor in the Temple Presidency), Joan Sinema(a temple worker) and Grace (a temple worker that helps in the office). 

Us wearing our "aloha clothes" - do we look Hawaiian?

Brother Sinema and Elder Zabriskie

Elder Zabriskie and Sister Walker

President Heinzen and our guests of honor

President Heinzen brought fresh squeezed orange juice from the oranges he grows in his orchard at his home in Hilo.  He made 3 gallons of juice for the party.  He generously brings us oranges and bananas every week and we love the juice we get as well as the delicious fresh bananas.

Me talking to Joan

Sister  and Elder Zabriskie, Elder Cox and Elder Walker.

Sister and Elder Walker

President and Sister Hee (Second Counselor and Assistant to the Matron)

The Hee's have come from Maui to serve in the Presidency.  They left their beautiful new home on the island and now live in a small studio apartment while they serve for 3 years in this calling.  They are awesome people!

Sister Hee, Sister and President Okura

After dinner we shared memories ( with lots of jokes and humor) and our thoughts about Elder and Sister Cox.  President Okura then presented them with a beautiful picture of the Kona Temple with their names and dates of service inscribed. This picture was framed in a Koa wood frame that was made by one of the members.  It was a fun evening and a chance to honor the Cox's and get to know our temple presidency and fellow temple workers better.  We will miss Elder and Sister Cox but their family is anxiously awaiting their return home!

Aloha!