MTC Week 2/Arrival in Honolulu

Our second week at the MTC, although filled with some sweet spiritual moments, was also very frustrating.  We were thrust into the world of vehicle coordinator duties/responsibilities along with computer programs that keep track of more data than I ever imagined.  In our attempt to calm our minds, we kept saying, “we’ll get this  . . . eventually”.  We were told that the interim VCs had left to return to their MLS (member leader support) role and that we would be on our own to figure it our when we arrived.  We also knew we had a lot of cars to manage on 5 different islands and this would pose a logistical nightmare.  Our instructors were so very patient with us; they spelled it out as clearly as they could and offered a lot of grace.  “You can do this”, they kept telling us, but Michael and I knew that there would be a lot of prayers and hand wringing ahead.  (We’ve since learned that when we arrive the interim VCs will be with us for at least a week or two which is a huge relief. And we’ve learned that our mission manages the largest fleet of mission cars than any other mission in the world.  Woah!)

At lunch time in the MTC we made a point of chatting with various missionaries and of course little miracles appeared every day.  One day we met Sister Campbell and Sister Kim who are from Oahu and who will serve in the Philippines.  The next day we met Sister Ng who is also from Oahu (knows Sister Campbell).  They encouraged us to visit their families when we arrive!

Another special encounter this week was meeting up for lunch at the MTC with our wonderful Eagle friend, Kya Whiting who is currently working at the MTC in social media marketing which generates many missionary referrals to specific missions across the US/Canada.  She was so sweet to reach out to us and to offer her words of encouragement over a delicious salad bar lunch at the MTC (honestly the salad bar was the best!)

We also made time to visit my awesome nephew and his wife, John and Amy Bingham, who live in Provo.  They offered so much love and support.  We needed that!

On our night before departure, Curtis (my twin brother) and his wife Denise met us for dinner and a trip to the Saratoga Springs Temple.  Both were fabulous!  We loved spending our final night with them.  Since they served their NYC mission over 3 years ago, they offered so many good things to remember about making our experience all that it can be.  We love you Curt and Denise!

Then on Friday we hopped on a plane and headed to Hawaii.  It all seemed so unreal to me that we were finally going.  All the lead up and anticipation was over; it was go time!  We landed 6 1/2 hours later and were met by Elder and Sister Lelegren, an office senior couple who handle most of the logistics in the mission.  Great people as are all the office couples.  We drove to the mission office where we met President and Sister Andersen, our mission leaders.  We felt their love and gratitude for serving with them.

We moved into our apartment, a unit on the 29th floor of the Banyan Tree Plaza, a downtown 36-story apartment building that sits just east of the Honolulu Tabernacle, a beautiful landmark building that was built in 1941, just before the Pearl Harbor attack.  It has served the saints here in Honolulu for over 80 years.  The mission offices are situated right next to the tabernacle to the west.  We’re working to make our apartment our home away from home for the next 18 months.  The views are spectacular!  We’re about a mile from Waikiki beach, but I doubt we’ll spend much time there because there are far less crowded places to see and enjoy.

On Friday evening, still exhausted from our flight, we met for a potluck with about 10 other senior couples who serve near Honolulu in various capacities.  Everyone shared their story about making the decision to serve a mission and how they ended up in Honolulu. We also attended a baptism yesterday of a sweet Haitian sister who attends the Auwaiolimu ward we’ve been assigned to attend (say that name 3 times).  And today we introduced ourselves to the ward. Everyone greeted us so warmly with lots of hugs and kisses and “Alohas”.  The Aloha spirit is very much a welcoming attitude; we love it.  This ward sings the closing hymn in Hawaiian–very beautiful.

Aloha friends!