Woidka's come to Hawaii!

It was fun to have Jon Allison and their family come to visit us here in Hawaii.  They arrived the evening of July 3rd and the 3 girls and Allison and Jon stayed in the condo above us.  Sam and Alex stayed in our 2nd bedroom.  The day after they arrived was the 4th of July which is also Jon's birthday, so we decided to have a barbecue at our condo pavilion to celebrate.

 They dressed in red, white and blue for the occasion!

We invited the senior couples and the young elders that serve in our ward.

I made a macaroni salad, a veggie and dip plate, hamburger fixings and some baked beans. Shannon brought a fruit plate and pasta salad and Ruby brought the chips.  We had LOTS of food!

 Hal was our chef and he cooked the hamburgers and hot dogs to perfection.

 Lillian gets more beautiful and Alex gets taller every time I see them!!

 Enjoying the spread!

 Birthday celebration time!

Happy Birthday Jon!  We love you! I baked a triple chocolate cake and a lemon cake.

Coming to the Kona Temple

Notice the "Creeper" in the background!

They all came to the temple.  Lillian, Alex and Jon did baptisms and Evie and Ella waited quietly in the waiting room. President Hee entertained them and they were really good!  Hal and I assisted and Allison was able to watch this family event.  They did baptisms for both Hal and my family names - this really made it a special event.

 It was great to have a picture of all of us taken in front of the doors into the temple.  Allison and Jon came back on another morning to do some initiatory and an endowment session.  Hal and I were able to help in initiatory and at the veil.  It was a wonderful morning and so good to have them there.

Visiting the Place of Refuge

The girls liked this ancient Hawaiian game the seemed a bit like checkers.

We were lucky enough to get to see this big turtle in the bay.  Hal and I returned home and Jon, Allison and the kids finished touring the Place of Refuge and then went snorkeling nearby.  They were able to snorkel 4 times during their time here - they loved it!  Of course, they also went to Hapuna Beach (the best beach on the island) and Magic Sands Beach (which had dangerously high waves) and a third smaller beach which Ella and Evie particularly loved.

 Visiting the Hilo side of the island

 Hal and I were able to go with the family for part of the day on Monday - our "P" Day.  Of course we visited the Boiling Pots and Rainbow Falls - both were beautiful that day!

 

Grandma and Grandpa with the Woidka grand kids 

The Woidka Family

 Taking time to smell the hibiscus

Our next stop was KHOP for breakfast.

 The girls shared a Happy Sumo giant breakfast and the boys shared another Happy Sumo.

 

Of course they sounded the gong and all the servers yelled "Happy Sumo" when they served all the plates of food! Neither the boys or the girls were able to finish the shared food!  Those pancakes are ginormous!!

 Allison and Jon had macadamia nut and coconut pancakes.

 I had the ham, eggs and pancake breakfast and Hal had eggs Benedict.  Everything was delicious!!

Alex took this panoramic picture of Ken's House of Pancakes.

Visiting the Volcano

Hal was able to arrange for Jon, Allison and Family to go with Gilbert Miles to see the volcano from Lalani Estates.  They were all thrilled with what they saw!

They viewed the river of lava through binoculars and took some awesome pictures and videos!

 River of lava

 Bright volcano sky

After viewing the river of lava, they went to the Miles' home for pineapple upside-down cake and ice cream!  Sister Miles is the best hostess ever!! 

 The Woidkas loved Hawaii and we loved having them there with us!!  

Beautiful orchids on the temple grounds!

ALOHA!!

Our Volcano Adventure

We had the opportunity to go to the other side of the island and see the volcano.  Gilbert and Linda Miles, who come every Tuesday to the temple, invited us to spend the night at their Bed and Breakfast which is in Leilani Estates. We had visited them previously on the night before Thanksgiving and spent the night with them then.  The Zabriskies and the Walkers went with us.  Zabriskies had 2 of their daughters and a granddaughter visiting them.  We decided to go after our shift and cleaning of the temple was finished on a Saturday afternoon; so we left about 3:30 pm.  When we arrived in Hilo, we picked up some Chinese take-out at Panda Express and took that to President and Sister Heinzen's home to have diner with them.  Zabriskie's and their family would be spending the night with Heinzen's after we all saw the volcano.  By the time we made the drive from Kona and picked up the food and ate it, it was dark and time to go to the Mile's to view the volcano.

 Hal took a picture of all of us after dinner.  Sister Heinzen had baked a delicious cake which we enjoyed with some ice cream for dessert.

 We drove to the Pahoa High School where we met the Miles.  The only way you can get into Leilani Estates is with someone who lives there and will vouch that you are with them as guests.  Most of the people living in this sub-division have evacuated ecause they have either lost their homes or their homes are threatened by the volcano.  Unfortunately, there are looters that get into the this area and steal and vandalize the abandoned properties.  Linda and Gilbert Miles live above Fissure #8 and have chosen to stay in their home.  They are prepared to evacuate at a moments notice with both of their vehicles packed with their most important possessions. So after we met the Miles in the parking lot of the high school, Walkers and we followed Gilbert in his pick-up truck and Zabriskie's and their family followed Linda in her car.  There were 2 police check points that we had to pass through to go into the estates.  Just as we turned onto the road leading to the first checkpoint, another car jumped in between Gilbert's car and Walker's car (which we were riding in).  In the darkness, Gilbert didn't notice that the car behind him was not us.  He told the police officers that the people in the car behind him were with him and to allow them to come in also.  Then with our window down as we approached the checkpoint, we heard the driver of the car ahead of us answer the police officer, when asked if he were with the driver in the car ahead of him (Brother Miles) "Yes, I'm with him".  Then he drove off following Gilbert.  When we pulled up the officer asked us if we had identification showing that we lived in Leilani Estates.  Of course we didn't, and we then told him that we were with Gilbert Miles who was in the car  that was 2 ahead of us.  He looked skeptical and asked us our names and shined a flashlight into the car into our faces and then finally let us go.  He must have figured 4 old people with missionary badges must be telling the truth.  Shortly after we left the checkpoint, a police car with lights and sirens blasting passed us and pulled over the driver that had lied about being with Gilbert.  They were serious about not letting people in if they were not with residents!

The Mile's home is about 1 mile from Fissure #8 - the most active of all the volcano fissures.  The map above shows the lava flow's path through Lailani Estates where hundred of homes have been destroyed.

Mile's home is circled in the photo below.

Fissure #8 has formed it's own crater with an opening from which the lava is flowing in a river, which is 3 miles wide and 20 - 30 feet high, into the sea.

After passing the 2nd police checkpoint without problem, we arrived at the Miles' home and from there, drove to where we could see the "river of lava".

 The road is barricaded closed so that you cannot get closer to the actual flow.  We were about 1/2 mile from the flowing lava and it was still amazing to see.

 It lights up the sky with fire, smoke, steam and a red glow!

After we had taken pictures there, we returned to the Miles' home which is about 1 mile from the lava flow.  Zabriskies then drove back to the Heinzen's home to spend the night and Walkers and we stayed there.  Linda baked some chocolate chip cookies which she served warm with ice cream and we sat out on their patio until about midnight - watching the glowing, steamy, red skies from the flow and listening to Linda and Gilbert tell stories about the volcano and many other topics.  It was a fun evening!

 The view from the Mile's back patio

 The next morning, Linda had breakfast prepared for all of us.

Breakfast included, yogurt and fruit, eggs, rice, spam, and cranberry nut scones.

 We had to have a picture to remember this special time together.  Mile's church meetings didn't begin until 1:00 pm so we had plenty of time to visit and to see the steam and smoke from the volcano that is visible by day.

 

 They also showed us what is called Pele's Hair which are pieces of lava that the exploding fissure sent out during it's most active explosion.  Pele is the name of the Hawaiian goddess of fire.

We then attended church with the Miles.  It was fun to see so many temple patrons and workers from their ward that we knew.  After the meetings, we drove back to Kona.  We felt we were very fortunate to see the lava flow and also to spend time with the Heinzens and the Miles - they are awesome people!

ALOHA!

May and June Moments

Kealakekua Ward Party

Our ward had a "Chili  and Cornbread Cookoff".  We didn't enter, but we went to the party.  Of course, the menu for dinner was - chili and cornbread.

The prizes were cute - wooden spoons and forks.
It was fun to sample the food and spend time with the other missionaries and the ward members.

Relief Society and Young Women's Service Activity

The sisters in our ward gathered for a potluck appetizer dinner and then to make lap blankets for a nearby senior center and leis for the graduating seniors. 

 It was fun to be with the other sisters - young and old!

I brought my cute upstairs neighbor and friend - Sylvie.  Sylvie is not a member of the church, but she likes to come to the Relief Society Activities with me.  On National Best Friend's Day (who knew there was such a thing!)  she sent me the sweetest text message.  I have taken treats for her and her son and  have invited her to church and to the Relief Society Activities.  Her husband passed away this past December and she is happy to have a friend so nearby. At this activity, she and I worked together to make a lap quilt.  I have met so many awesome people here that have good hearts and want to help others.

Random snapshots and memories

Lunch out with President and Sister Hee and the Senior Couples.

Another day and another photo of the senior couples

Missions are ALL about the people!

I have learned that the best part of serving a mission is all the wonderful people that you meet and grow to love.  I decided that I want to get their pictures and names and some of my feelings recorded so that I can remember them in the future.

Sister Qiuano and Sister Francisco.

Both of these sisters serve as temple workers on Friday and they are very different, but I love them both!  Sister Quiano is quiet, seems stern and rarely smiles.  I was intimidated by her at first and it took me a while to get to know her and feel comfortable around her, but now that I do - I love her.  She has a good heart and is very dedicated to serving in the temple.  On the right in this photo is Sister Francisco.  She loves everyone and everyone loves her!  She is in her eighties and faithfully comes every Friday from Hilo to serve in the temple. She has shared with me the struggles she has faced raising her family and losing her husband - she has been a widow for many years.  Sister Francisco has a smile and a good word for all - she always tells me that she loves me.  She truly is one of my favorite people

This is Sister Kalamau - she is so kind and sweet and appreciative of anything you do for her.  She suffers from some disease that makes it difficult to walk and to stand up completely straight.  We were here a few months before we became friends.  When I say we, I mean both Hal and I.  Hal noticed her sitting at the back of the ordinance rooms (where she always likes to sit) and he noticed that she never went to the prayer circle.  She is shy and would not just go forward on her own, so Hal invited her one day.  Her face lit up in a beautiful smile and she as so pleased to be included in this special part of temple worship.  One morning when I was helping in the office during prayer meeting, Sister Kalamau came in to get an ordinance card.  I asked her if she was taking one of her family names through.  She told me that she didn't know how to find the names or what to do.  I told her about Take A Name and helped her download it on her phone.  She quickly began to see names of her family and ancestors.  The office missionaries helped her get the cards printed and this began a new era in her temple service.  She was able to do the work for her mother and sister and others in her line.  We will not forget Sister Kalamau and her wonderful smile and sweet personality.


Sunday Night - Game NightWe like to gather on Sunday evenings to have dessert and play games with the other senior couples.  With lots of teasing and fun, we spend this time together.  There is a story about the Halburt K. Mickelsen and the downward pointing finger - ask Hal to tell you about it.

 Malama Pono

We met in June at "Auntie Ginger's" home for Malama Pono (Hawaiian words for care, righteousness,progression and other good things!)  This month, Shannon, Ruby and I provided the dinner - we figured it was our turn.  We had a taco bar and lemon cake and cheesecake for dessert.

        Faith Bean is our leader and she takes charge!  She conducts the meeting, leads  and provides the music, gives the lesson and organizes everything!  She is a cute lady and full of enthusiasm and ideas.  Below are pictures of some of the sisters that attend regularly!  For a bunch of old ladies, we have lots

of fun!

   "Auntie" Ginger  - our hostess   

Ruby

Shannon

Pam - she is quite a character with lots of stories to share!

 Grace always has a  beautiful smile and she is an "Uber  Taxi" driver and picks up Ruby, Shannon and I and takes us to Malama Pono each month. 

 Yvonne - always happy with a smile! 

                                                             

Ann moved here with her husband from
England - I love her Brittish accent!

                   

 Faith is playing her ukulele and teaching us some Hawaiian songs.  In the picture below, Faith is doing the hula and teaching us the hand motions as we sing one of the songs we learned.  When she was young, Faith performed at the Polynesian Cultural Center in Laie on Oahu.

Celebrating our 49th Wedding Anniversary

Hal and I went for a late lunch/early dinner after our temple shift.  We love the food at the Fish Hopper in Kona so that is where we went!

Kealakekua Ward 

 Cheryl teaches Relief Society once a month and she is so cute.  She makes special blackboard magnets, has a floral centerpiece and then dresses to match !  Her lessons are very well prepared and visually lovely as well!

Traci Nakamoto teaches our Gospel Doctrine Sunday School Class and is one of our favorite people here.  Her lessons are great and she is friendly to everyone.  Hal loves to tease her and she is always a good sport!  She is the ultimate BYU fan!

 Lydia is another Relief Society teacher who prepares awesome lessons. Both she and Traci use lots of technology and they can make it work without calling in any experts!  My hat is off to both of them!

Speaking at the Single Adult Fireside

This is a picture of us with "Kona Kay".  Kay makes candy, cookies, banana bread, jams, jellies etc. - which she sells in her booth at one of the big outdoor flea markets in Kona.  Whenever we visit her there, she loads us up with free goodies.  So, when she asked us to speak at the Single Adult Fireside (which she oroganizes and hosts at her home); we of course said we would.  Just as every event here, this fireside included a huge buffet dinner. Hal and I spoke after dinner and shared some stories from our previous missions and this mission.

Then we sang some Hawaiian songs together with ukulele accompaniment.  We even sang the Hawaii State song!

ALOHA!!