A hui hou Elder Taylor!

Tonight we said a hui hou to Elder Taylor. He made such a difference in our lives. Taylors has been on Maui for a while, over 6 months I think. He came to our home every night on his way home, read scriptures with us and then Llewellyn would take them home. He really taught us the importance of family scripture reading and we learned to love reading together. I am so thankful for full time missionaries who serve the Lord. They give up two years of their lives and live a very restricted lifestyle, concentrating totally on the Lord's work. It was full time missionaries that taught me the Gospel and for that I am forever grateful. One day, our sons and maybe even Kamalani will be serving the Lord on a mission. What a blessing! I am so thankful for the Gospel and for the opportunities we have to serve our Heavenly Father!

Easter Pictures . . .

Time to grind! Kamaehu, Kaleohano, Brad and Kamalani dig in to the 'ono food! Didn't we say "kids eat first"??? How did Brad get to the front of the line?

Ka'iliwai gets his eggs ready for the Easter Egg Hunt in Grama and Papa Olsten's back yard!

Mom and Dad pose for an Easter picture at brunch Sunday morning.

Baby Noah joins us on Easter Sunday. We love him so much! None of us can pass by him without kissing him and oooing and aaaahing. He still has Heavenly dust on him!

The kids get ready to hide their eggs.

Mom has wala'au time with her nephews, Scott, Dustin and Chris and their wives and of course, her two favorite girls!

The cousins . . . Scott, his wife Lani, me and Chris. Although Scott, Chris and Dustin are my cousins, I consider them the brothers I never had. I love, love, love them!!!

Dad and Papa Olsten lounge on the couch in the family room after an 'onolicious Easter brunch!

Papa Dickie takes a picture of me and my favorite young woman in the whole world - beautiful Kamalani!

Kamahiwa and Ka'iliwai pose for a picture and share their warm smiles with us!

Glorious Easter!

Easter was so enjoyable! We began our morning with brunch at Grandma and Papa Olsten's house with the Olsten side of the family. Papa read the Easter story from the bible before we ate. Lot's of delicious food - poached spinich eggs, homemade sausage, lil smokies, fish, homemade bread, fresh fruits, scrambled eggs and of course, Ham! It was nice to have time together with our family before going to church.

Sacrament meeting was focused on the theme, "He is Rise". Lory Aiwohi spoke. In her talk she shared about the very recent loss of her mother and the loss of her brother 8 years prior. It was a very touching talk that she gave and I know it wasn't easy for her. Nalia Yasso also spoke and in her talk I was reminded of all the Christ endured for our sakes and the power of the atonement. The highlight of the sacrament meeting was the Senior Primary Children who sang an intermittent hymn and the closing song. So beautiful to hear the voices of our children testifying of the risen Christ!

After church we went to Mom's house for dinner with the Medeiros 'Ohana. The Yassos joined us as well as Mel and Baby Noah. Later, Le'a joined us at home for a late Easter meal after a long day at work. It was a simple, but perfect Easter. We talked about the atonement and about our Savior and really focused Easter on him. We didn't color eggs, make baskets or anything commercial in our home. Instead, we simply focused on the true meaning of this holiday. Of course, the children dyed eggs at Boys and Girls Club and had a few Easter Egg Hunts, but for the most part it was a Christ centered Easter.

We've had many different kinds of Easters. Many years were spent at Celebration of the Arts in Kapalua. Of all the Easters I can recall, this one was just really special for us. I am so grateful for simplicity!

Vacation to Kona

I love to see the temple, I'm going there someday
To feel the Holy Spirit, to listen and to pray
For the temple is the House of God
A place of love and beauty
I'll prepare myself while I am young
This is my sacred duty.

Aloha 'Ohana,

Yes, the Kawa'a family took a nice family vacation to Kona - all 6 of us! We attended the Waiehu Ward Temple Trip. It was a wonderful experience, especially having the Kamalani and Kamalei join Llewellyn and I in the Holy Temple.

In addition to temple work, the children enjoyed the pool at King Kamehameha Hotel. Good grief, they are all papa'a now!

Wednesday night we had a lively church social at the Kona Stake Center. Our children peformed, Bubba sang and the rest of the kids danced hula. They all sang our family favorite - "Little Candle" and "I Am a Child of God" medley. Different church families performed and of course, the Youth did a presentation. Lots of fun, fellowship and 'ono food!

Thursday night we went bowling. This was our Youth Activity. It was a blast! I never saw Llewellyn play so bad - gutter balls were never in his vocabulary (smile). Aue, Daddy may have lost his touch. The best part was watching Aunty Shar bowl so hard she fell flat on her back. I guess I shouldn't say that it was "fun" watching her fall, but she gave us all a good laugh once we knew she was ok. Never saw Wes move so fast and bend down so quickly to help her! (smile)

On Friday we went "holoholo". Yes, the Kawa'a family drove to Hilo via Saddle Road to visit our best friends and 'ohana - Punawai and Hokulani. We miss them so much and it was so great to spend time with them. Of course, we met at Kuhio Grille - 'ono, 'ono, 'ono!!! Then Punawai joined us on a tour of the Volcanoe. The kids really enjoyed learning more about this wahi pana, the Lava Tube was a highlight and they loved the steam vents as well. The drive back was so lovely via Hamakua. I stayed awake the whole time reminiscing, absorbing the beauty around me and of course, the highlight, daydreaming of my retirement in Waimea (big smile).

So many spiritual experiences and family bonding. I couldn't ask for a better vacation with my best friends in the whole world - my husband and children!

Mahalo e ke Akua - you have richly blessed us!