December 18-24

Caroling on Base

Sister Nakamaejo (Keano, the mission leader’s wife) called families on base and invited them to go caroling. We met in the parking lot of the commissary. The Ambridge family, Cass family, Kellog family, Sister Tolbert and Easten, and the Knights were all there. It was a great group with lots of children. Sister Clark wasn’t feeling well, but Elder Clark came. The Nakamaejo’s had Christmas hats for everyone to wear. I especially liked our two snowmen. We went to several less active members houses. Some had moved, some weren’t there, but we were able to get a couple of homes. We sang to three houses that weren’t members. They had recently moved in and our members had moved out. They were so happy to have us. Sister Nakamaejo invited everyone to the musical fireside. She is a great missionary. The kids had a ball singing Rudolph and Santa Claus is Coming to Town and Brother Nakamaejo played the Ukelele. We also did Silent Night. Each family brought a plate of treats to share. It was a fun evening.

Musical Christmas Devotional

On Friday we went to a special musical fireside about Jesus. People had invited friends and there were lots of missionaries there. The choir was amazing and did some songs I hadn’t heard before. I got to visit with Sister Bayliss and her nonmember husband when they brought their little one out in the hall. I was sitting out there because the hard seats got really uncomfortable. All the choir held battery candles during one number about the light of Christ. I loved how the choir was all dressed in white and how everything around them was decorated with candles, white, and lights.

Potluck at Thrift shop

On Wednesday the Thriftshop was closed for the holidays and they had a potluck for all the volunteers. I took croissant muffins stuffed with brie cheese, cranberry sauce, rasberry jam, and topped with roasted pecans and a sprig of rosemary. There was lots of unusual local and asian food that people had brought. The ladies were all friendly and very nice. They got out some anise (licorce) alchol after eating. It was a customary drink during the holidays in one ladies home country in Peru. It also helps to settle the stomach. It smelled good.

On Friday we had Pantry duty. There were three crates of pears that needed bagged and sorted. There were a bunch that had molded and had to be tossed. I spent most of my time there helping with that. One African American guy, who I thought worked there because he was always directing people, I found out was a chemical engineer and owned his own company. Lots of non lds people volunteer there every week. It’s good to know there are lots of good hearted people in the world.

Christmas Eve Dinner

We gave talks in the YSA branch during a wonderful Christmas program. Sierra Knight sang a beautiful solo. Then Humberto gave his first talk and told about himself and bore his testimony. Then I gave a five minute talk and Elder Whitman gave a 10 minute talk that he read from the Ensign about Christmas symbols. Then the choir did a beautiful job singing. It was a small choir so Sierra invited her family to sing in it as well, which really gave it that extra umph. Leah Aki, home from college for Christmas, played a harp. President Aki then gave closing remarks. Sacrament was the only meeting of the day. We went to Kailua sacrament as well. Kaneohe was at the same time so we missed it.

After sacrament, people without family such as military personel, headed to President Aki’s for a Christmas Eve dinner. We gave Sam, Mary, and Humberto rides. I had made a salad, garlic bread, coconut cake, and apple cider. We also brought a Costco chocolate tuxedo mousse cake. The Aki’s made meatballs, mashed potatoes and gravy, a charcueterie board of cheese and meats, and some roasted vegetables. It was all delicious. A new guy named Garrett was also there. He wasn’t a member but came to church, and I invited him to join us. He is a very nice, friendly guy. I hope he comes to church again because it’s just what he needs. He’s had a hard time because his wife was hit by a car and died.

After dinner, the few of us that stayed played Telestrations. We had some really good artists so it was easy to guess what things were. Elder Whitman and I were poor artists so it was funny when we drew things.

Jacob was an illustrator so his art was amazing. The drawing on the left was Jacob’s. It was animal crackers. The drawing on the right was Elder Whitman’s animal crackers. Haha. Mine weren’t any better. Sam guess for my fruitcake drawing was mold.

After Telestrations ,we played Throw the Avocodo. I expected it to be as fun as Throw the Burrito but for some reason it wasn’t. Nobody wanted to get up and hide from the throw so it never got wild.

While we played Telestrations, President Aki sang songs and played his guitar. Humberto has played guitar before and wanted to try it out again.

Christmas Lane

After we left the Aki’s, we drove down Christmas Lane. It was a street that was highly decorated with lights and decorations. There were lines of people driving down or walking down it. As we were leaving, a child was handing out candy.

At Humberto’s, he went in and brought out two giant gift bags. He had gotten us gifts. Two beautiful, soft sweatshirts from American Eagle. It was so thoughtful. He really is an amazing, kind hearted young adult.

We didn’t get any gifts because there were too many YSA’s, but I will probably get Humberto a wave rider board or snorkeling set. He enjoys going to the beach.