East meets Pacific -- Reconnecting with Friends

Annette, Jana, Lucy, Mak, Akiko, and me at Volcano National Park: July 2010

Several weeks ago, some of our friends from the east came to visit the Big Island and we were fortunate to meet up with them for a few hours at Volcano Nat'l Park.  It was so wonderful to see these fabulous ladies, talk about their families and the happenings that have occurred since we left.  Some of the news was sobering, yet there was plenty to make us want cheer and laugh.  There have been a lot of births and changes!

I feel so fortunate to know each of these women.  I think they are interesting, lovely and super smart.  Annette was kind enough to lend and recommend to me some excellent books/authors.  She is very knowledgeable yet easy to relate to, so it is fun to talk with her.  Jana is so poised, articulate and talented -- she makes her own chocolate!  We ran the National half/full marathon together in DC last year and I really enjoyed getting to know her while we trained.  Akiko is very genuine in her manner, speech and actions.  I value her insight and observations.

Of course, it was joyful to meet the two new, sweet ones!  Lucy and Mak are such happy little campers and such troopers, hiking around the Volcano.  They make me want to have another little one. : )

The only picture I got with my children in it.  That's why I'm posting it.  Also, it's such a... unique picture it makes me smile. 

Oh yes, one little anecdote.  We accompanied the ladies to the Lava Tubes and Akiko lent us a couple of flashlights to light our way in the tubes.  I reprimanded Elijah for shining the lights into people's faces and he exclaimed by way of explanation, "I'm looking for their brains!"  Annette joked that maybe Elijah should be Akiko's husband's apprentice - if I'm not mistaken he is a Radiologist.

Stake Primary Activity - Pioneer Day

Yes, our Stake Primary is amazing.

 In two hours, our children shook cream in little glass jars to make butter,...

ground wheat, assisted to make bread,  pulled a handcart, learned a song,

walked across an "icy creek" (wading pools with ice blocks in it)

 and heard the story of the three selfless young men who assisted a whole pioneer company across an icy creek. They later died from health problems caused from that wintry night.

My appreciation grew for those whose faith paved the way for us today, and I hope that my kids absorbed some of what they learned that day.