HAWAII



DAY 3 – Sunday

It was up early this morning to get ready for church. We wanted to attend the 9:00 am sacrament meeting of the Kona, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1st Ward. We had an automobile now so we were self sufficient in the transportation department. But just because you have a car, doesn’t mean that you know where you are going. We had written the address to the chapel down on a piece of paper, but we had cleverly left it behind in the apartment. Going by memory just didn’t seem to be getting the job done. After going up several dead end roads we decided to find a service station and a telephone book to get the address. We found a service station and looked in the phone book; we found the ward building entry, but no address. There was a phone number, but no answer when we called; well duh, it was Sunday.

We knew where the LDS temple was located so we drove over to it to see if the ward building was anywhere nearby. Lucky enough it was just across the street. We hurried inside and arrived just after the opening hymn had been completed. We were there in time to receive the sacrament and to hear the speakers. The first speaker was a13 year old youth speaker who spoke on the atonement and the suffering of our Lord. She gave a wonderful talk and then bore a strong testimony.

Sister Dana was the next speaker. She and her husband had been spending the winter in Kona and had been integrated into the ward through their callings. This was their last week in Kona before they returned to the mainland and they were both scheduled to talk. Unfortunately Brother Dana had to return to the mainland early, so it was just Sister Dana speaking.

Sister Dana gave a wonderful talk on the Holy Ghost. She gave examples of how the spirit had worked and guided her and her husband throughout their lives; how they had received their testimonies and how their family had been blessed through obedience in listening to the promptings of the Holy Ghost.

After her talk, we sang the final closing hymn. The bishop announced that after the closing prayer the congregation would stand and sing Aloha ‘oe for Sister Dana. What a touching hymn it was. Thank goodness there were some who could complete the hymn without choking up. Me, I just blubbered out some words and then resigned myself to listening and letting the spirit guide my thoughts. After the completion of the meeting, several of the sisters and a few of the brothers came up and placed flower leis over the head of Sister Dana. She must have received fifteen leis before the service was over. There were many hugs and teary goodbyes. The Hawaiians have always shown great respect and love for their friends. It is never just a goodbye, it is always Aloha.

Aloha