Friends

This week I'm particularly grateful for friends. I sure grew up in a neat place, with wonderful people that have influenced me for good.  I'm grateful for chances to catch up.  :)

May Day

I love the spring and watching the flowers, especially the tulips, seeking and looking straight up to the sun.  Even in the wind they are drawn to the sun.  I think it's a beautiful reminder of the importance of looking up to the sun, even when the winds blow.  

The other day I was sitting eating lunch on Temple Square, admiring the flowers looking up to the sun, when the wind blew the smell of "May Day" right by me.  It was wonderful!  :)

I love May Day = Lei Day.  This was always one of the biggest festivities growing up, especially in elementary school.  I was feeling "natsukashi" today thinking of growing up and learning new May Day dances each year when I found this cute little clip of my elementary school just a few years ago.  :)

Then I found a few versions of one of my favorite May Day songs, Hawai'i Aloha.

"Hawaii Aloha"

Lyrics: Reverand Lorenzo Lyons
Music: James McGranahan

VERSE 1:  E Hawai'i e ku'u one hanau e Ku'u home kulaiwi nei 'Oli no au i na pono lani ou E Hawai'i, aloha e HUI:  E hau'oli na 'opio o Hawai'i nei 'Oli e! 'Oli e! Mai na aheahe makani e pa mai nei Mau ke aloha, no Hawai'i VERSE 2:  E ha'i mai kou mau kini lani e Kou mau kupa aloha, e Hawai'i Na mea 'olino kamaha'o no luna mai E Hawai'i aloha e (repeat hui) VERSE 3:  Na ke Akua e malama mai ia 'oe Kou mau kualona aloha nei Kou mau kahawai 'olinolino mau Kou mau mala pua nani e (repeat hui)

VERSE 1:  O Hawaii, O sands of my birth My native home I rejoice in the blessings of heaven O Hawaii, aloha. CHORUS:  Happy youth of Hawaii Rejoice! Rejoice! Gentle breezes blow Love always for Hawaii. VERSE 2:  May your divine throngs speak Your loving people, O Hawaii The holy light from above O Hawaii, aloha. (repeat chorus) VERSE 3:  God protects you Your beloved ridges Your ever glistening streams Your beautiful flower gardens. (repeat chorus)

Remember who you are....

My trip to Hawaii this last week was AMAZING in so many ways. Just what I needed. It's BEAUTIFUL! Who doesn't love Hawaii? But, it's more than a beautiful place to me. I feel like it's more beautiful to me because it's home, it's family, it's learning and growing, it's where I learned who I was, where I gained my testimony and understanding of God and testimony of Jesus Christ (see Mosiah 18:30).

Those things are so important to me and so helpful right now in life. I feel like I've been searching for a while for the next step, what I need to be doing, etc. I learned a few important lessons:

1. We need to understand clearly who we are and where we are from to move forward.
2. The eternal plan of happiness and gospel of Jesus Christ are consistent and sure.
3. It's all about family! I love my family! Home is where family is. :)
4. It's important to identify what's most important and move forward boldly living and true to those beliefs.

I am so grateful I had the opportunity to grow up in Hawaii. I love the culture of charity, love, care, and aloha. The pace is slower, people are patient and you can be yourself. The pace gives you the chance to stop and reflect and focus on things that are really important (the beauty of the world around helps too).

In contrast (and I realized this trip how stark the contrast is), there are some interesting and wonderful things I have learned living in Washington DC this past year or so. In general, I think the culture is one of pro-activity. No one waits around for anything. It's a culture of busy-ness and getting ahead. Ambition is important and the work ethic is admirable in some respects, but I wonder how many priorities are compromised or forgotten in the busy-ness of life.

In comparing these two cultures I realize the importance of each. We need to step back and remember our priorities -- who we are, what we're here for, what we truly want to accomplish each day, how we can live with the aloha spirit -- and then go forward and do something about it. People focus so much on getting ahead professionally, but I think it's more important to live the gospel ambitiously. :) As we learn in D&C 58:26-29, we should not be "compelled in all things," but should "be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of [our] own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness."

This all goes back to two things my parents taught me:

1. Dad always talks about how Hawaii is amazing because of the consistency of the temperature. I love that, but I love even more the consistency of the gospel and our Heavenly Father's love and plan. Even in different cultures we know the standards and principles of our Heavenly Father's plan and need to be true to them.
2. Mom often teaches to not let things that matter most fall to the mercy of things that matter least. It's all about love and the Aloha Spirit! :)

"It's always hard to leave this place!"

I LOVE Hawaii! I LOVE my family! It was the perfect two weeks! :) I feel so blessed and it was VERY hard to leave.

Here are some of the highlights and things that I love and miss:

* Kayaking, going to the temple and talking with MOM and listening to her great Stake Conference talk.

* Running the beach, hiking Kokohead stairs and exploring the Waimanalo fishponds with DAD....and watching him distribute cookie dough via airplane. :)

* Hanging out with CARI at all our favorite childhood spots, watching her take thousands of pictures and just being together!

* Discussing politics with MIKE and watching him explain to Kai that the ipod needs to be recharged and how the DVD player is now unfixable. :)

* Making forts for 10 sleepovers and "good mornings" with KAYLA, "running" the beach with her and watching her make friends everywhere she went.

* Building sandcastles, looking for the fish and monkeys, cuddling "at" KAI and watching his first reaction to sand, the ocean and eating shave ice.

* Smiling and making fish faces with MASON and watching him enjoy the tradewinds from the window.

* Debating important issues with MATT and watching him be a dad....it's pretty cute!

* Hanging out and talking with MEGAN in a lot of wonderful places and watching her be a mom. So sweet! :)

* Meeting and holding the adorable and sweet NOAH.

* Running around the lake with JOSH and talking to him about so many fun and important things as we drove all over the island together.

Some of my favorite memories all together are:

* playing at Kalama Beach

* hiking to the bunker and Maunawili Falls

* swimming at Hanauma Bay

* sitting together at church in Kailua

* enjoying Lanikai Beach

* watching the kids play at the "paygounds"

* learning about Samoa and Josh's last two years

* exploring the Polynesian Cultural Center

* eating at Orange Grove

* hanging out on a siblings and spouses night out

* just being all together!!! :)

I learned a lot:

* Family is what makes a house or town a home. :)

* I am so grateful that I got to grow up in Kailua.

* Understanding and remembering where you're from (places, people, experiences) helps you understand better who you are and where you're going.

* Love and the aloha spirit is what it's all about! :)

* I'm grateful for consistency. (More on this a little later.) :)

Hawaii Temple is Open for Tours!!!

If you're in Hawaii take the opportunity to tour the Historic Laie Hawaii Temple.

See pictures, times, and ticket information here.

I love Kailua! :)

It has been wonderful to spend time at home and with my parents:

• enjoying (talking to my parents, visiting with friends, remembering the wonderful place and people where I grew up, reading and discussing the Book of Mormon, using a DRYER, no real schedule, TRADEWINDS);
• exploring (driving to the North Shore to see the Temple and BYU-H, seeing the Black Pearl, looking for apartments in DC);
• running (10 miles--Kailua Beach, around the lake);
• hiking (20 miles--Maunawili Trail, bunker loop, Kokohead stairs);
• swimming (2 miles--Kailua pool, around the buoy);
• body surfing (many waves--Kalama, Sherwoods, Makapuu);
• walking (8 miles--Kailua Beach, around the lake);
• snorkeling (saw a honu!--Pupukea Beach);
• kayaking (around Flat Island); and
• trying to figure out the next adventures in life..... :)

Life is good!