Elder and Sister Craig on a Mission

CHRISTMAS GUESTS ~ WOW LUCKY US

2009-12-29T20:35:00.004-10:00

We got bonus back with Mark and baby boy...we had Christmas dinner with the Missionaries at the Gourley's house. We worked Christmas Eve and the day after Christmas but loved it. It is amazing the vacationers since the holidays began. I thought everyone went home for Christmas. We are as busy here at the PCC as a summer month. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you I didn't get to say hi to yet. We send our love and warm Aloha greetings.

Another great Visit ~ The Hanna's

2009-12-29T18:57:00.008-10:00

We visited the Iolani Palace in Honolulu and had some great evenings with the cousins. It sure is nice to be able to have family. So glad you kids got out of a few snow storms and brightened up our time away.

Sweet friends we know here.....then Missionaries leave and we are sad to see them go.

2009-12-29T18:37:00.018-10:00

Erin Apelu, Susan, front gate girl, John Muaina and daughter, Cristelle and Sister with her children, Ash who works in our office and models for Polyfoto shots with the girls, Cristelle, Bolo from Mongolia, Sonne from New Zealand, Colleen Earnshaw, Aushra and Katy, My boss Bobby Akoi who is Protocol Director of PCC,Chinpei from Japan, training the Burkharts and the Palmers to take Luau tickets, Kei and Apple from Fiji, the nebeker, Rieske and Naillon Farewell - sniff sniff, Vaughan and Tiffany Bowles

Thanksgiving visitors came ....YAY!

2009-12-29T18:24:00.012-10:00

Hooray for Thanksgiving company

I loved going to the Temple Visitor's Center to show our angel girls our angel tree.

We found a Ross in Honolulu and checked it out.

Brandon fit right in with the locals in his church attire with his new Sulu.

Ava, Abby, and Olivia made an incredible Ginger Bread House. We had fun! We also had Alvin and Preetika Singh and the Jenica and Zack Taylor family with their 3 children join us for thanksgiving dinner at our house. It was a feast with JOY

The Day before Thanksgiving

2009-12-29T18:12:00.003-10:00

Sherry Orgill called me and asked me to head up decorating a Christmas Tree at the Temple Visitor's Center. I called for recruits from the Stake and wondered if Gil and I would be doing it all alone but here came a host of little angels...Girls kept coming and we did a magnificent tree in an hour and a half. An angel tree. Every stake on the Island was asked to do a tree with a theme that reads the story of Jesus' birth in Luke 2. We also were just asked to do a Tuesday shift at the Laie Temple Visitor's Center once a month. We are very excited for the opportunity to serve there. Our first Tuesday is January 12th.

2009-12-29T18:02:00.008-10:00

The Bunkers:
Mark and Shanna also went to Dole Pineapple for a tour and a little bit of beach.......even though she wasn't feeling so good.....We did Haunted Lagoon at the PCC till we were spent out but everyone else did too.

Fall 2009 for the Craig's on a Mission

2009-12-29T17:43:00.005-10:00

The days turn into weeks and the weeks to months and before you know it, I haven't had time to catch up on blogging. We get up and go to work and get up and do it all over again. Mark and Shanna and what we thought was baby girl (now is baby boy due in April) came to visit us over Halloween. We went with them to nearby Kualoa Ranch which we were saving to explore with visitors. Who knew this was a huge Military post after Pearl Harber was bombed. It was the North shore watch area with a hastily made runway out of metal planks laid down in a hurry and huge bunkers dug into the mountain. Fascinating. Also, it is a huge acreage where many films were made such as Pearl Harbor, Jurassic Park........so many you wouldn't believe it. It is beautiful too. We had a very nice Saturday afternoon together exploring.

2009-10-31T22:19:00.002-10:00

We hit an air pocket with a gust of (warm) wind but welcome wind. My leg muscles were jelly by the time we headed back and Leah and I had a prayer to get down without falling down. Awaiting us was a cold bottle of water from Dixon's fridge and we all downed it on the first breath. It was an experience I will never forget and a highlight of seeing this beautiful island in the wilderness region of the Kualoa Mountain range.

2009-10-31T22:16:00.002-10:00

The trek down was grueling. We were 7 miles roundtrip and my legs were feeling like jelly. We both drank all our water and were so glad Dixon had an extra for us. They carry water bladders on their back with straws over their shoulder but came with some bottles just in case.....Rieske is a fireman paramedic so we felt in good hands in case of an emergency.

2009-10-31T22:14:00.001-10:00

This is the top of the lower falls. Gil climbed out there and looked down but I can't find that shot.

2009-10-31T22:12:00.001-10:00

It was beautiful. This is the upper falls and then there is a lower falls on the other side of where I was dipping my feet.

2009-10-31T22:11:00.000-10:00

We did make it and what a great refreshing place to rest...

2009-10-31T22:10:00.001-10:00

Down there is Laie town and all of the PCC and BYUH from the top of the mountain. "How much further?"

2009-10-31T22:08:00.001-10:00

How much further??? And I smell pig? A pig wallow right in the middle of the trail. Wild pigs roam the countryside and make a muddy wallow here and there. You smell them before you see it...

2009-10-31T22:07:00.000-10:00

We had to have a few rest stops.

2009-10-31T21:46:00.002-10:00

Look at that incredible Tropical Pine tree....
Gary Dixon and Don Rieske are avid hikers and invited Gil and I to go one early Saturday morning on a hike. We headed to Laie Falls up the mountainside and decided to work towards it and quit if it seemed too much. Leah Rieske and I tagged along and were having a great time. I expected it to get cooler as we climbed higher but the entire hike was sweltering jungle heat and a good up hill jaunt. Almost there, we decided to got all the way up. It was not easy but we made it.

2009-10-31T21:44:00.001-10:00

I couldn't resist this picture of the young Tongan couple at the devotional. Obviously in love. Elder Craig in the background taking movie pictures of the ceremony.

2009-10-31T21:43:00.001-10:00

I just love this cute picture of my Missionary companion. Elder Craig. He's one great missionary and everyone loves him.

2009-10-31T21:41:00.001-10:00

This some of the luncheon buffet at the Farewell. gil with Jeff McDonald. Every occasion is a feast time. Hence the term Luau.

2009-10-31T21:38:00.001-10:00

This is Steve and Jan Downs. He is a great Country Western poet and singer who did a few gigs with Bren Hill. They are great people we have come to love.

2009-10-31T21:35:00.002-10:00

More great people we are going to miss. Sharlene and Del Nebeker, the Hobbs, and Delia and Warren Naillon. They all go home before we do. That's the way it goes....

2009-10-31T21:31:00.002-10:00

Tim and Elaine Hobbs from just over the boarder in Idaho left with the Dixon's. They were so fun to know too. You meet the lovliest hardworking people on missions. She is 4 foot 10 and he is 6 foot 4. He was stooping down to give her a kiss. He said it is easier if they just stand on stairs. She goes up four or five from the landing and he saves his back.

2009-10-31T21:22:00.002-10:00

This is Elder and Sister Dixon from Brigham City. They picked us up from the Honolulu Airport when we arrived 6 months ago, and we took them to Honolulu Airport to go home to Utah October 7th. He was sort of our Zone Leader, coordinating all of us in our positions of service. The were very warm in getting us adjusted, settled and welcomed. Maren and I worked in the office together and I sure miss her. This was their farewell luncheon and ceremony we had just before they left. Look at the incredible leis. These loving Polynesians present so many gifts and treasures to departing Missionaries it is just incredible. It's a happy but emotional farewell. You seem to just become dear friends and then they leave you. We will look forward to a reunion in the future.......especially since they are just up the road from Ogden.

2009-10-26T21:13:00.001-10:00

Sia and Walter Tonga. Their other daughter is 11 and is with her grandmother in Tonga. The custom is to leave a daughter with grandmother so she won't be lonely. They desperately miss that daughter and can't wait to be reunited in February.

2009-10-26T21:10:00.001-10:00

This is our hot and cold water outdoor shower. Not very private but washes off the sand and salt water before you come in...

2009-10-26T21:05:00.001-10:00

We had a ward Pot Luck dinner in our back yard a few weeks ago. We had games and opened coconuts. The next few pictures are of our party that was well attended. Our house faces Kamehameha Highway and the back faces the ocean.

2009-10-26T20:56:00.002-10:00

This is Sia Tonga and 3 of her 5 daughters that performed for us at the Tongan Devotional. About every other month since we've been here a PCC Village has presented a Saturday Morning early morning Breakfast and Devotional. Sia performs as MC and singer at the Luau Shows. She has taught her girls to sing harmony. They sound like angels. It will be a sad day for the PCC when she packs up her family and returns to their Island home and extended family to Tonga.

2009-10-26T20:38:00.002-10:00

"Oh, there you are Elder Craig. Looks like you found Elders McDonald and Eggett who have lost their wives in Winward Mall..."

2009-10-26T20:36:00.000-10:00

"Gil, I am in the Mall and finished my errand and cannot find you." Preetika and Digi and I are looking for you and Alvin.

2009-10-26T20:30:00.001-10:00

This Alvin and Preetika Singh and Digi, students we took to Walmart and Costco on a Saturday. Most students do not have a car and the nearest shopping from Laie is in Honolulu or Mililani, or Koneohe, all of which are an hour away on the two lane Kamehameha Highway at 35 miles per hour. When you "go to town" you take some kids with you. We were all stuffed in the back seat because of Ann. Ann is a little old lady we met in Walmart who missed her bus. She had several bags tied to her walker and was sitting outside of the store. She asked Gil if he had a cell phone and would call her "special needs bus" which he did and found that it would be 2 hours or more before another bus came her way. We offerred to take her to her home in Koneohe because we go right past that town on our way home....she hesitated a minute and looked at our missionary tags then said, "well, if I can't trust you Mormons I don't know who I can trust." We gave her a bottle of cold water and tucked her bags in the back and hoisted her up front. She was delightful and delivered her safe and sound.

2009-10-26T20:27:00.001-10:00

Gil and I with Preetika Singh at the Swap Meet shopping. Hot hot hot day so we got us a cold coconut water to refresh us. The swap meet is a huge deal that opens every Wednesday and Saturday (if there is not a game) at 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Honolulu Stadium. It is very fun to go to.

2009-10-26T20:25:00.001-10:00

Taking some kids from our Ward to Dinner at the Polynesian Cultural Center at the end of our work day. The Ambassador and the Gateway Restaurants have lovely buffets.

Papa searching for Birthday gift for Sophia. Yep. She'll like this pink one.

2009-10-26T20:23:00.000-10:00

I'm very behind but promise to catch up and send you some things we are doing. We are surely on the go but rewarded always for all our efforts.

2009-10-26T18:38:00.002-10:00

Uplifting message from Brother Jim

2009-10-26T18:36:00.000-10:00

>
> CLIFF YOUNG
>
> Don Davis, a good friend, first introduced me to Cliff Young of
> Australia - a man who has since passed away but will certainly
> never be forgotten. I would encourage each of you to Google his
> name and you can read (and Utube) the whole fascinating story but
> indulge me to share just a piece of his story to teach a lesson or
> two that should inspire all of us - no matter our age or interest.
>
> Cliff was 61 when he became famous. He was a rancher and had kept
> his sheep 'in the fold' without the benefit of a jeep or a horse
> but only his two good legs. He entered, for the first time, one of
> the most grueling races on the planet - nearly 1000 kms (600
> miles), running from Sydney to Melbourne usually a seven day race.
> Only top athletes - and in prime condition - even considered
> running this professional race. When Cliff showed up to run, he
> was scoffed at as he arrived in Coveralls and ranch boots covered
> with goulashes (in case it rained).
>
> The race began and Cliff was last for some time but near the end of
> the 5th day he passed the frontrunner and finished the race in just
> over five days and broke the course record by over nine hours. He
> didn't know he was supposed to stop and sleep so he just kept
> running and running - the Young Shuffle became as famous as
> Cliff. Everyone stopped laughing and Australia fell in love with
> Cliff Young. He was awarded $10,000 which he didn't expect and
> gave it away to the last five runners who got $2,000 each. The
> next year, at 62, he ran again but he suffered a dislocated hip,
> bad knees and shin splints that nearly 'did him in'...but he still
> finished 7th and received a new car, not for winning, but for being
> the most inspirational runner. He immediately gave it away. He
> wasn't in this for the money.
>
> He ran because he wanted to.
>
> He was dang good at it.
>
> Lesson Time:
>
> There are no limits on what we can achieve - we limit ourselves
> with our fears, our lack of faith in ourselves and with bad
> information. Cliff Young didn't know he was supposed to stop and
> sleep. He didn't know he had to wear Nike's to win. He didn't
> know that anyone running 600 miles had to be young and
> professionally trained.
>
> If we REALLY accepted the Atonement and REALLY knew who we were
> foreordained to become we would stop putting brakes on our
> potential and unleash the Godhood Gifts, most often which lay
> hidden in each of us.
>
> We need to challenge ourselves to DO better; to THINK better; to
> PONDER better; to READ better and more; to WRITE more, then better;
> to SHARE more and then READ some more; IMAGINE ourselves winning
> races; ENTER some races; dislocate a few hips; push our knees to
> the limit and fight through the pain of pushing our limits. Most of
> the time we live in envy of those who 'have' instead of asking how
> they got it and putting together a plan for how we too can push our
> limits of achievement. We fear the unknown and usually avoid it.
>
> Tomorrow morning I'm having a talk with Betty (my girls bike with
> the basket on front) about our mediocre performances. We can DO
> BETTER. We may not be Lance Armstrong, but Betty and I are just
> five years older than Cliff Young when he began his overnight climb
> (I mean five day climb) to the top and I think we can DO better.
> If Cliff can run 600 miles with shin splits and a dislocated hip,
> Betty and I can surely do one more lap around the Big Circle or
> stop needless spending or read more scriptures or do better home
> teaching - in fact I can't think of anything I can't do better.
>
> Anyone join me?
>
> Bro Jim

P DAY and a Wedding!

2009-08-01T20:05:00.004-10:00

Picking coconuts in our front yard. Who needs to climb up the tree??

Wilson and Sunny Unga Wedding

Tongan style. 26 cakes. Delicious. Custom is to give cakes with quilts and Tapa cloth rugs to your Aunties, Bishop etc. People who influence your life. Two or three quilts given with each cake. AMAZING!!

Sure beats running out the door at 8 with a granola bar. Fresh mango, Blueberries, Banana, on french toast with Huckleberry syrup and turkey bacon. Lani. Means heavenly.

What do you catch on our beach...

EEL Soup Anyone??

HAPPY HULA BIRTHDAY GIL

2009-07-30T21:00:00.004-10:00

OHHHH Happy Birthday to you Gil!!

Packages came from all over the mainland.

Such fun to get packages!

A few supplies slipped in for MOM!!

Friends and Flowers

2009-07-30T20:56:00.004-10:00

Sherries boss Bobby Akoi - he is so nice and has such a fun laugh that makes everyone laugh!

He also leads the Laie choir.

Just some greenery from the yard!!

Our friends the Naillions

"HA" the breath of life

2009-07-24T11:02:00.001-10:00

The new show opened last night to a wow performance. It seemed every mechanical thing was not working but as the cast and crew all knelt in prayer after working every night to perform the Horizon show, then practicing the new one after that till after 2 a.m., they pleaded to the Lord to consecrate their efforts and sacrifices to be able to make the opening show a success. Everything worked perfectly and they received a teary standing ovation. WOW to the new HA show. Can’t wait to go to it with YOU

Love MOM

A bunch of recent happenings here in Laie!!

2009-07-22T10:40:00.010-10:00

Our friends Leilei and Cindy. they are getting married.

His name is not Cindy but we call him that. She is a hygenist.

They are a cute couple.

Alvin and Prettica Singh. They are the computer whiz.

Bryce and Roseanne Bowles visit. What a treat to see those faces in person. We took them to the Tahitian Village Devotional. It was wonderful.

Gil at my desk. What a view!!

PCC to the left. Ben the gardner having lunch break. He is an adorable man.

My cut! Thanks Sharma for the med kit. Perfect stuff. Helping!!!

The mission settlement girls.

The quilt squares behind us are precut and ready for guests to buy.

Grandma Lilies hand appliqued wedding flower quilt. It is a magnificent Piece.

The green fabric is one piece of fabric!!

Monday is pink Mumu day!!

Weychen, LaVelle Moss volunteered from Provo. A widow and BYU prof. Jolene Ogden Nurse with Dr Podiatrist husband Marshall just arrived also to be 2nd in command. Bev Eggett mans the chapel next building over, me. I run between the office and the Settlement. Seated is Bonnie Adams leaving and turning head position over to Cynthia Pulley and her husband Steve.

Student from our ward. He and his sister Naniko are favorites of mine. Her husband is Rio and baby is beautiful. His wife is A wonderful conversion story. He looks like he's having a street meeting eh?

Talking about the Book of Mormon.

My pet project is getting signs. One tooth pulling job at a time...

If you look close Gil is over there fixing the luau sign.

Another goodbye. They are so hard!!

New couple on the left.

Weychin such a talented cheerful loveable girl.

Mele head MS lady with Bishop Steve. Talent galore.

Missionary friends Jeff and Joan McDonald. AND the cutest lady!

His 91 year old mom. Sis in law to Bill and Verna Egbert. Imagine that. Pass foto on if u can.

Ceremony and food bidding Farewell to The Adams. This is Sia a local woman with student Ghana from Mongolia.

A RS Pres in her student ward. Delightful always smiling girl.

The Petersons. He's on his way to Reno for Hot August Nights.

We dont know them as well but such nice people.

Another departing couple. Susan Easton Black too. Traditionally we sing Aloha Oe and present them with a departing lei.

It's emotional. I always cry.

From our ward. Salt of the earth people. Been here 2 years. He is a psychiatrist, sociologist, BYU counselor.

Home is Provo

Dragon Fruit.

Last week we tried lychee. Unusual. Size of a small plumb. Tough skin u peel to find a wet white juicy fruit that tastes like a large grape with a large seed in the middle u save and plant. Yum.

Beach Walks

2009-07-22T10:16:00.005-10:00

We try to get in as many beach walks as we can early in the morning. Usually we are the only ones out there. Here are some photos of some recent ones.

We find home made beach swings

Feeling very brave. How hard can they pinch do you think???

Gil the master crab catcher.

Ward Party at Our House

2009-07-22T08:09:00.003-10:00

We had a ward party at our house a few weeks ago. It was really fun. We had Tama Bopp come and give a lesson on how to open or husk a coconut. He is amazing. Then the team to open coconuts and get the most coconut water won. The boys pounded them so hard they lost all the water but the girls were careful! The girls won. It was so fun... and fun to watch!! The winners got a bottle of coconut pancake syrup. YUM

Brook Spurrier from NZ is a Woman!

Tama Bopp giving the instructions.

Some of the wives watching from the porch.

2009-07-19T20:14:00.000-10:00

Interesting quick story.

Every morning I unlock the board room - sometimes the building. We leave for the PCC office at 8:15 a.m. and arrive 6 minutes or less later. I am in charge of the Devotional, making out the schedule, emailing everyone a reminder the day before, laying out the song books and the I give the program to the Conductor of the Devotional which is one of the Execs. By then it is exactly 8:30 a.m. The board room is impressive with large black leather chairs, about 20 or more, I'll count them tomorrow, and a lovely long shiney table that looks like rich mahogany embellished with a gold inlayed strip around it. (Gold paint, not real gold.) This room has been visited by Prophets and Apostles of the Lord, Presidents of Universities and Countries. It is an impressive room. It has a picture of the 12 Apostles on one wall with the Prophet and Presiding 1st Presidency next to a picture of Jesus. There is good lighting and ambiance but it is freezing in there. We all say BR! It is very highly air conditioned. It has a cupboard from floor to ceiling housing all the electrical wiring that hooks the room up to Cable and internet and conference calling with a 10 foot by 10 foot retractable screen on one end of the room. It has other tasteful and exotic decor which are lovely gifts from dignitaries around the world displayed there and all through our foyer and office... Each day someone in the office is assigned to do a Cultural Belief, (which is basically an example of one of the points of the Mission Statement of the PCC, for example: an employee who Wowed a guest), Spiritual Thought and choosing our song, a Prayer on the day, and then any announcements or comments are called for. Then everyone is wished a great day and we are off. I am always impressed and amazed at the wisdom and preparation that comes from each individual; especially when Elderly Patriarch President David Hanneman gives one of his Cultural Beliefs or one of his prayers, you know that God is listening to him. The spirit permeates the room and my soul and I am ready for the day and whatever it brings.

Yesterday for the Cultural Belief, Bobby Akoi, (my boss) told us of a guest that came in 1998 that we would find interesting. The crown Prince of Saudi Arabia asked to visit the Polynesian Cultural Center with his entourage of 20. They flew here in a Private Jet and rented the 2nd floor of the Turtle Bay Resort. He brought his own cook with him and asked to visit the PCC for part of the day, then be served dinner and go to the Horizon's Night Show that starts of 7:30 p.m. Our night show is the biggest tourist attraction on Oahu. It really is a spectacular show that has run for over 12 years with tweeking here and there, and will be retired for the new show called "HA" meaning the Breath of Life to be started in August. With the debut of "HA," all preparations from costumes to new lighting and sound systems in the Pacific Theatre are underway. It is a BIG deal, and everyone is busy in preparations.

The Prince and his entourage seemed to enjoy the Villages and threw many hundred dollar bills as tips to guides and staff as they went along their tour of the PCC. Their cook was put in touch with Fifita, our head Food and Beverage lady and together they got what was necessary for him to prepare their special meal. They were served privately in one of the Villages King's Lodge. Bobby felt some tension about them yet they were very kind and he left them in the charge of Logo to finish their meal while he went to the Pacific Theatre to check on their Night Show front row seating arrangements. By 7:45 p.m. he called Logo on his cell phone to see where they all were, the show had started and they hadn't artived. Logo said they had been sent to the Theatre with one of our guides. After investigating, Bobby found that the group all wanted to smoke and out of respect, knowing we don't smoke in our facility (yet we do have several smoking areas - perhaps they didn't know that,) they left without seeing the show. Bobby sent them a note to thank them for their visit and sorry they missed the show etc....

A week later a note was sent back. They had a wonderful experience and were delighted with what they saw and learned about the Polynesian Culture, and thanked all who made their visit a good experience Attached was a generous donation check for $10,000.00.

This place is full of stories.......I love this place.
Love MOM

July 4th

2009-07-05T08:38:00.004-10:00

Gil loves his lava lava (skirt)

This is Tama and Gailyn Bopp

Wonderful friends we adore.

Misty Rose from the Philippines - she is head Luau girl at the "Ohana"! Always running - Busy Busy!

Working the Luau July 4 with Tama & Gailyn

journal entry

2009-07-05T08:36:00.002-10:00

Sunday May 31, 2009.
Yesterday we went to Hauula to have an island experience. Eating at the Local Papa Ole’s for lunch with the Bopp family. Tama, Gailyn, Indigo, gorgeous girl of 8 and Sage, beautiful boy of 6. It was fun to be with a family and children. They are great people and have become dear friends, giving us love and assistance and directions for everything. They came back to our house and we cut up a pineapple that we bought roadside from Ava at her local stand. Ava is so kind to us and tried to give us everything once she saw our missionary tags. We tried to pay her full price but she would not hear of it. She makes the most delicious fresh juice and fruit drinks and insisted we each have one. It was divine. Papaya, Mango, bananas, pineapple juice….and whatever else. Very delicious. So lovely are the people here. The Bopp family played on the beach while I rested in a lawn chair from our moving experience. I was bushed. We moved from our Vacation Rental over the garage on part of the day Thursday and finished Friday afternoon. We still have much to get settled. It wasn’t so hard but was; due to the rigorous work schedule we keep up. I just get a little worn out. We run from thing to thing and the move intensified fatigue, but I feel strength and vigor return as we go along. We go early each day and have only one down morning a week, sometimes none. 8 a.m. is the norm.
Today I was called on to speak impromptu in Sacrament Meeting. I can now think of more things to say but I delivered and it is done. I bore my testimony and told of how pleased we are to be serving in this Paradise among such choice people as they are. Most of the students here live in TVA housing, ( Temple View Housing,) including our ward which is the married student 2nd Ward 5th Stake. They are in sight of the gorgeous Laie Temple which is closed for complete overhaul renovation until June of 2010. That will be a great time, the rededication. We are so excited to be serving at this historic time when the Temple will re-open.
We are having combined Elders Quorum and Relief Society meeting today and our Teacher is our Bishop. Bishop Buckingham who has been a marriage and family relations counselor for over 30 years. These are my notes from his talk. Very appropriate to a ward of newly weds – and old timers too. He has great advice!
Proverbs 10:13 says: Only by pride cometh contention, but with the well advised is Wisdom. (I’ve always said that the answers to all of life is in the scriptures. Seek and find them.)
He goes on to say:
What do boxers do when they go into the ring before the fight?
They shake hands and have RULES
Marriages should also have RULES OF ARGUMENTS.
No yelling
No name calling
Yelling and name calling is grounds to walk away. Dialogue is over when 1 and 2 happen. These things make you forget the issue. Even pet words used on us can be trip wires….
Remember that we all bring our personal history and unresolved historical issues to our marriages. Be aware of what you brought to the marriage that can be an issue – causing a trip wire. Trip wires are easily camoflauged but easily tripped on. We tend to put disproportionate amounts of emotion on something that our spouse may trip on. We create mine fields that our spouses have to tip toe around. We all have different perspectives. What unresolved issues you have that you bring to the marriage that cause trip wires and mine fields have to be identified and diffused. Your spouse doesn’t want to intentionally upset you. How is he or she to know??
Lack of sleep, pressures, deadlines at work, hunger etc. tax our physical strength and patience. Pick a time when you have physical and emotional energy to resolve conflicts. Be hyper vigilant in keeping peace in the evenings because that iw when most arguments start, when people are spent and tired. Criticism and complaints start arguments.
A study was done that concluded that ones who stayed married give 5 to 1 more compliments and affirmations than criticisms. This builds up an emotional bank account for rough times.
Keep the emotional bank accounts healthy........
After Sacrament Meeting today he asked all our ward to consider 3 things.
1. Get more out of Sacrament - bring a notepad and take notes
2. Go to a really nice restaurant this week and have a really nice celebration dinner. Save the receipt and let that receipt be your benchmark for your fast offering donation. It isn’t about the money. It is about Sacrifice. We need to sacrifice more and then we shall reap the blessings that come from it.
3. If any of you are putting off having children, he challenged the congregation to rethink their posture. We gain Godly attributes by, through, and because of our children. By being parents. Take it to the Lord.
Gil said we are good on 1 and 2. Are we going to have more children???
Love to all.

June 2009

2009-06-10T18:29:00.015-10:00

Gary and Maren Dixon with Kathy Tolleson who directs me when I do letters for the Pres. Kathy has a son serving in Iraq. She is good at what she does. Nice looking Board room!

David Haneman. Over 85 yrs old. Comes in everyday doing research and history scrapbooking of years of the PCC. He is giving a Cultural Belief presentation at our morning Devotional. He used to take all the visiting dignitaries of foreign countries and all the VIP s on personal and private tours of the PCC. He has his picture with everyone who is anyone A powerful spiritual giant. Everyone adores him. We certainly do.

The Protocol Secretary I am replacing. Her last day at work is Wed. I dearly adore her.

At the break the fast Sunday potluck. Earl & Shirley Denos. Its a fun time.

I make the food assignments and all the PCC Missionaries break fast together.

ElderS Rex and the Pulley's. Rex is the one whose daughter is getting married here on our beach next week. Pulleys are taking charge of the mission settlement next month when Adams' are released.

For break the fast. Behind Gil is Elder Hobbs alias Tiny Tim married to Lorraine who is 4 foot nothing and 90 lbs, raised mink and farmed acres up near the Idaho boarder past Logan. They are the Nicest! Their job is to make runs for supplies. They go all over the Island everday for something somewhere. Wonderful people. Every couple is so sweet and nice. Add your prayers for Pulley's grandson. Age 3. Cancer.

Our friend Connie, she is from China and learned English here. She volunteers at the MS while her husband teaches. She is so fun to talk to and learn about. They are on their way to Montana and up to BC. She has never been to the mainland so I am excited to hear about her two week trip. Gil & I are in our matching attire to work the Luau.

Connie is in Mission Settlement mu'mu.

Hard work - Great work environment!!

Just a pretty little garden we walk through on the way to and fro.

Bidding and singing departing missionaries farewell. The tissues are passed around!! Sniff.

Monday is pink Mu'mu day. Some of my girlfriends I work with in the Mission Settlement.

Carol Hansen, Cynthia Pulley, Bonnie Adams. The husbands are posted a few photos down in their matching shirts.

Denos's Farewell. Every village brings gifts, leis, and songs of Appreciatio. Then we eat!!

Florences Farewell. Sure going to miss these folks that leave!!! :(

John H. Steve P. Dave A.

2009-05-26T20:53:00.002-10:00

This is Leilei and her sister Gaily Bopp - neat sisters
Leilei gets married in Oct. in a Maggie dress - Good taste!

These 2 sisters and their friend are in their 80's on a girl trip. I so enjoyed their visit to the Mission Settlement and their spunk, I had to take their picture. The one in the middle reminded me of Aunt Fern. Fern's prettier. But these ladies have get up and go and spunk.

This is me with Michael Hogge, mom's cousin. Wonderful relative!
We drove out to Turtle Bay and had dinner - quiet, lovely resort. YUM

MEMORIAL DAY

2009-05-26T20:47:00.004-10:00

Oriental Meat Market in the Ala Moana Shopping Center
Lookout from the PunchBowl Cemetery on Memorial Day
You can see all of Honolulu and Pearl Harbor from here...

Awesome Humbling sight to be at the PunchBowl on Memorial Day.

Some of our Missionary Group we went with - Very HOT day

Acres of War dead at the PunchBowl. Decorated with honor....

2009-05-15T07:39:00.002-10:00

Gil off to work at the PCC

Hawaii Rainbow

Beautiful Laie Point

Looking at a possible new pad. Love ours but its too noisy.

The work attire!

Mothers Day Party

2009-05-15T07:30:00.003-10:00

Dave & Bonnie Adams
Mothers Day Party. Sherrie was ill and had to miss it. :(

Jack Johnson!!

2009-05-07T18:55:00.003-10:00

Jack Johnson (who lives on the north shore) brought elementary school children to the PCC and did a free concert. We were ushers!

2009-05-07T18:52:00.001-10:00

Last night I met Togi – from Mongolia who joined the church in December – I sent you the picture of us. He works each evening in the Gateway restaurant where we did tickets. Amazing young man.

Also met Rita from Fiji and Tauva from Samoa . These kids are so dear and so smart. More to come – but here is a bit….

Wednesday May 6, 2009

It is going well…..we are feeling like we are getting our arms around it. It isn’t easy or a vacation. We are up between 6 and 6:30 and to the office by 8 ish. We never miss devotional at 8:30 a.m. which is our Office devotional. Each department here has their own. We have Devotional with the Executive office staff in the big board room with President Orgil, COO’s, CFO, etc. They are all really fine people.

My morning office job is with Kathy Tolleson who is head of Human Resources. Another missionary Maren Dixon works with me and in the afternoons when I leave, a student named Kay from the Phillipines (who calls me mommy) does other work for Kathy. Kay calls my job the “nose bleed job.”

Kathy is gradually giving me more and more tasks. Primarily I handle complaint (Nose bleeds) and compliment letters. For example, one of my letters was to an injured guest. I wrote him up a heartfelt apology that his trip was cut short due to the injury – wished him a speedy and full recovery and then got him a refund for his tickets. He fell and cracked some ribs getting off the canoe ride. He complimented everyone for taking care of him and getting him to the hospital which was nice, but that was unfortunate he fell. The canoe guys are to hold onto people….. I have to write the letter, give it to Pres.Orgil for approval and suggest a refund. He ok’s it and I make a check requisition to have the refund made out after I track down what was paid – very good records are kept here. We can see his reserve number and the number on his tickets – actually he mailed the unused tickets back to us. He missed the Luau and night show. We gave him a full refund and invited him back another time….I have to be flowery and very sympathetic. Some letters you want to just tell them to quit griping, but this man was legitimate. I take the check requisition downstairs to Kristy who gives it to Maka who makes the check after I have first taken it to Pres. Orgil for his signature of approval. (He must get tired of me handing him letters and check reqs..) I get the check the next morning and make all the copies for the ones who get a copy and log it into a computer file and then file the hard copies in the drawer……one letter takes many processes. 3 letters I did this morning were apologies that their experience wasn’t up to their expectations so I sent them a DVD of the Tongan Village performances and traditions…

..I’m sure that was very interesting…

Then I walk over to the PCC after lunch and work in the Mission Settlement section until 5:30. There I work on sewing projects in between guests who wander in. I tell them about the Hawaiian Quilts on display there, have one I am sewing the binding on, and give people a short history of the first settlers who came and brought Christianity to the Islands and the Mission Settlement house itself – how it came to be. It is a replica of a New England one – come over and you get the private tour….

Gil picks me up there. He is everywhere in the center and in his office. He has a neat office with windows facing the entrance of the complex and a side view of the PCC which is right next to this office. He is causing some awareness of many things that can easily be changed for the better here. Leadership from Sr. Missionaries with various business and other skills is really a neat thing to watch. Everyone finds their niche and starts a web of cohesiveness and improvement. I am very impressed with the caliber and willingness and skills of all these people rolling up their sleeves.

We are ticket takers at the Luau one or two evenings a week from 5 to 6:30. We get home really tired and do it all over again. Sat. is P day but we have had two 8 a.m devotionals to go to on Sat. so far, and then Costco or Koneohe for “stuff.” Church is 8 a.m. I am becoming a morning person whether I like it or not. I am holding off some sniffles as of yesterday and hoping for success. I don’t need to get sick…

I will have to write a whole page and put up pictures about the Samoan Devotional. It made me want to be Samoan.

We have walked our beach twice.

Shame! It is absolutely breathtaking and I see it from my bedroom window – wake up and leave. It is calling us and we will get out there a few evenings this week. We have 4 evenings this week taken up, luau ticket taking last night and Gil had Elders Quorum Meeting, Family Home Evening was Monday, tonight is Crime Prevention town meeting at 7, Friday night we are going to the High School May Day show at 9 after the PCC Night Show. So you see we have full days.

May Day here is unbelievable – That is a whole blog page in itself.

We plan to get settled into a more permanent house right away and then maybe things will smooth out. We are in a vacation rental. It is nice but right next to Kamehameha highway and traffic noise is annoying me immensely to say the least. I dooooo like it here and know that we are making an ant size difference, but with lots of ants things can be good. There is a really great group of senior missionaries here. One couple on their 3^rdMission , she raised 9 children and they are in their 70’s. So I am bucking up. They raised my bar.

Tell everyone hello and love…..

Sher/ Mom/ Nana and Papa

2009-04-27T20:23:00.002-10:00

ALOHA from Laie Hawaii. A promise of more details to come but we are learning and loving our mission so far. A longer post soon. Love you all!!

Elder & Sister Craig

2009-04-26T17:36:00.002-10:00

Hi kids and grandkids, The spirit in the pcc is the best. Crazy busy and were loving every minute of it. If you want structure and a open field to make difference this is the place. we will be sending you a talk from Elder Ballarad,please read it in detail. Its the foundation of our mission. hard to put in words,but it explains the importance of the pcc to the world. Love Elder Craig

2009-04-22T11:07:00.000-10:00

Touring the PCC

2009-04-22T11:05:00.000-10:00

2009-04-22T11:01:00.000-10:00

Sunday

2009-04-22T10:26:00.001-10:00

Our House in Laie.

MTC

2009-04-22T10:19:00.000-10:00

2009-04-22T09:46:00.000-10:00

2009-04-22T09:36:00.002-10:00

Goodbye to Las Vegas & Utah!

Our Mission Blog

2009-04-01T20:43:00.003-10:00

Welcome to the missionary blog of Elder Gil Craig & Sister Sherrie Craig, called to serve in the Honolulu, Hawaii mission for the Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter Day Saints on April 13th, 2009.

We hope you will join us as we write about our missionary experiences in Hawaii for the next 18 months. Here you will be able to share in our much anticipated and exciting journey as missionaries, along with viewing pictures we post from the mission field.

We welcome your comments and hope to hear from all of our friends and loved ones while we are away.

With much love,

Elder & Sister Craig
a.k.a. - Dad & Mom, Papa & Nana, Gil & Sherrie