Hosanna!

This weekend has been amazing. It's been so uplifting and charged with spiritual electricity! I wanted to make sure I document it now even though I'm so so exhausted, to make sure I don't forget this feeling. So here goes:

It started when Kamuela went to help a couple in our ward move Saturday morning. Now this might seem like a small insignificant thing, but I was very proud of him, because it's not often that he gets to be home on a Saturday, nor to be able to sleep in. But he willingly left at 8:30am and gave a whole 3 hours of his time to help! He is my hero. From there he attended a lunch where a group of students he teaches were given 15 new ukulele as a gift, and he gave a speech thanking the donors. 

Now normal Kamuela by this time would be tired and want to come home and rest and cruise the rest of the day. But instead, we went to Waikele (which = SHOPPING = something he hates to do and usually tries to avoid at all costs) and bought me a new skirt, earrings and perfume! And it's not even our anniversary yet! I have hit the jackpot big time.

Then we visited with our close friends the Krugs, and celebrated with them the memory of their dad, who had passed away a year ago, 

[his dad inspired the name of their Hawaiian music group "Hi'ikua" and the composition of several songs coming out on their new album next year, due to be released on his birthday, February 10]

and spent quality time fellowshipping with them.  They are so good to us and although they aren't members of our church, they are uplifting to be around and have a great spirit about them. The kids love Ka'ihi boy and treat him like their younger brother :) They are so gentle and playful and excited to have him visit. 

Then today was the rededication of the Laie Temple. It made me a little sad that we didn't live in Laie anymore and get to be a part of the shows and presentations and feeling the spirit that was so strong in that little community while the Prophet was visiting. So instead we played a few of the talks from last General Conference on our computer while we got ready for the dedication, and that helped us prepare ourselves. I was especially touched by President Monson's talk in the Sunday morning session and went back to read it again. These were "Like" Passages.

Although I wasn't planning on attending the dedication, I did end up going to the final session with Beth and I'm so glad I did. I'm always so hesitant to leave Ka'ihi for long periods of time, I worry about him too much. But I prayed throughout that he would be happy and not even notice I was gone. I'm pretty sure that's exactly what happened.

When I saw the General Authorities and speakers all dressed in such beautiful clean white clothes, it filled my heart. It made me want to hug them! I felt so peaceful and comfortable and safe. Their words helped to calm my spirit and in my mind I saw a glimpse of eternity. The embers were stirred and the fire is fueled again, to press on with the Lords' work and do all I can to make mine an Eternal Family. That is true happiness.