Church today -- 10/30/11

Because next Sunday is Stake Conference, today was fast and testimony Sunday for all wards in the Kaneohe Hawaii Stake.

Testimony meetings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, President Spencer W. Kimball once said, "are some of the best meetings in the [Church] in the whole month, if you have the spirit." 1

President Kimball

The spirit was undoubtedly evident  because today's meeting at church was the best meeting of October.  And this is not a slight to the other meetings we've had on the preceding Sundays, for they were of spiritual benefit.   Testifying today were Bishop Bert Oshiro, Chauna Faumuina, Filipo Filiaga, Faafetai Lesa, Joe Ahuna, Elder Delai, Roy Hirokawa, and Pohai Hayashida. 

President Kimball also went on to say that "if you are bored at a testimony meeting, there is something the matter with you, and not the other people. You can get up and bear your testimony and you think it is the best meeting in the month; but if you sit there and count the grammatical errors and laugh at the man who can’t speak very well, you’ll be bored. … Don’t forget it! You have to fight for a testimony. You have to keep fighting!" 1

Brethren, let's keep fighting for our testimonies!

Since today was a fifth-Sunday, there was a combined priesthood & Relief Society meeting in the 3rd hour, conducted by Brother Rob Carlile, with the topic being family finance with key points being taught--

1. Paying a full and honest tithe
2. Managing money wisely
3. Learning self-discipline and restraint in money matters
4. Using a budget
5. Teaching family members early about the importance of working and earning

Copies of "One for the Money" were given out today.  If you do not have a copy, you can get one here (free).

Elders Quorum announcements:

•  The priesthood from our ward and the Waimanalo Ward are responsible for setting up chairs at the Stake Center for the upcoming Stake Conference.  We will be doing this on either Friday afternoon/evening 11/4 or Saturday morning/afternoon 11/5.  The exact day and time for this service is TBA. 
• Service project:  Adopt-a-Highway clean-up of assigned sections of Kahekili and Likelike Highways on Nov. 12 Saturday.  Meeting time will be 7:30am at Kaneohe Burger King.
• Report about your assigned home teaching families to your home teaching district leaders or via this link by month's end 10/31 Monday.

Elders Quorum Activity: Makapu'u Sunrise Hike

We had a wonderful activity EARLY this morning.  Meeting at 5am and starting the hike at 5:30 a.m., we started out as a group of four (Kanoa Kanahele, Gene Tamashiro, Dayle and Jacque Turner) and ended up as a group of twelve.  Eventually joining us were eight other church members.

L to R:  Rosie, Cody, Gene, Kanoa, Jacque, Dayle, Elder Delai, Elder ?

Elder Delai at sunrise 10/29/11 Saturday -- Makapu'u

Dayle and Jacque Turner, with Makapu'u Lighthouse in background

Makapuu Sunrise Hike--Join Us!

Come and join us for a hike to the Makapu'u Lighthouse.

Saturday October 29.  Meet @ 5am along Kalanianaole Hwy by the Makapuu Lookout (at the top of the hill just past Makapuu Beach Park).

Bring a flashlight, an umbrella (in case of rain), something to drink, your camera, and a light jacket.

We'll have some refreshments (donuts and drinks).

2 Peter 1:18-19-- And this  voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.

Church today -- 10/23/11

Sacrament meeting:

• Ward business:  Brother John Teves called and sustained as a Sunday School Teacher.  Brother Joshua Steffen called and sustained as the Duty to God coordinator for the Young Men's program.
• Stake business: Irving Chun released from the Stake High Council (Brother Chun was called as Bishop of Kaneohe 4th Ward). John Aki called/sustained to Stake High Council.
• Sacrament program: Featured in the program were the primary children. It was amazing how many of the children were able to share their messages with have to read a prepared script.  For insight about specifics of the program, check out the links here and here.

Elders quorum:

• EQ activity:  Family sunrise hike to Makapuu Lighthouse.  10/29 Saturday.  Meet @ 5am along Kalanianaole Hwy by the Makapuu Lookout.   Invite neighbors and friends!  Doughnuts and milk will be served after the hike.
• Service:  Adopt-a-highway:  11/12 Saturday.  Meet @ 7:30 a.m. @ Kaneohe Burger King.  Instructions and assignments will be given there.
• Home teaching:  Remember to visit your assigned families. We are responsible for reporting about visits by month's end.  You can report to your district leader or via the online home teaching report.
• EQ lesson:  Brother Bill Sellers taught us today, using H. Melvin Ballard's talk about service as the foundation.  Key points of the lesson: 
  
  • “By small and simple things are great things brought to pass. …And by very small means the Lord … bringeth about the salvation of many souls” (Alma 37:6–7).  [Acts of service need not be "big" ones].
  • Serve @ home. Charity begins at home.
  • Serve @ church.  Kindness, encouragement, sensitivity, unity should be our touchstones.
  • Serve in our community.  Said Elder Ballard:  "Through our heartfelt kindness and service, we can make friends with those whom we serve. From these friendships come better understanding of our devotion to the gospel and a desire to learn more about us."
• Quorum Challenge: Do a random act of kindness every day in the coming week.  For some ideas and inspiration, check this site.

God Bless, Brethren!

Church today 10/9/11

Sacrament meeting:

• Youth Speakers:  Nakea Hanohano & Erin Cullen:  Nakea bore his testimony and Erin spoke about faith which "comes by righteousness" and "is the first principle of the Gospel." 
• Adult speakers:  Ruth & Moses Bergao, Herman Kanahele.  The Bergaos are former members of the ward who have moved to Utah and are back on Oahu for a visit. Brother Kanahele is a former bishop of the ward and is now high priest group leader.  All spoke about talks that stood out to them from the recent General Conference.  Sister Bergao referred to President Uchtdorf's talk "Forget Me Not," Brother Bergao spoke about the importance of "Standing in Holy Places" and Brother Kanahele made reference to talks by Boyd K. Packer ("Counsel to Youth"), Henry B. Eyring ("A Witness") , and Robert D. Hales ("Waiting Upon the Lord:  Thy Will Be Done").  Very good talks today.

Elders Quorum Announcements:

•  Activities:  Brother Kanahele reported about the Filipino Food Fest on 10/8.  All went well and a good time and good food was had by all. Upcoming activities are the Makapu'u Family Hike on 10/29 Saturday.  Meeting time will be 4:45 along Kalanianaole Highway near the Makapu'u Lookout. 
• Service project:  Adopt-a-Highway trash pick-up outing on 11/12 Saturday.  Meeting time and place to be announced.

Elders Quorum Lesson:

• The lesson was presented by Ka'ano'i Walk, who pointed out the "Precious Promises of the Book of Mormon" which is this month's First Presidency Message by President Thomas S. Monson.  Those promises include "truth, peace, freedom, and blessings if we 'will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ'" (Ether 2:12).  Note: this is the home teaching message for the month.  Brethren, carry this message to your home teaching families.

Elders Quorum Committee Meetings:

• Activities/Service Committee: [Members] - [Goals/Responsibilities]  - [Minutes]
• Temple/Family History Committee:  [Members] - [Goals/Responsibilities]  - [Minutes]
• Perfect the Saints Committee: [Members] - [Goals/Responsibilities]  - [Minutes]
• Proclaim the Gospel Committee: [Members] - [Goals/Responsibilities]  - [Minutes]

Filipino Food Fest -- Elders Quorum Activity

Members of the quorum had an experience today that was "full" of the spirit at Thelma's Restaurant in Waipahu.  Brethren getting their fill of the spirit (and food) were Kanoa Kanahele, Ammon Kau, Damon Magalogo, Joshua Steffen, Gene Tamashiro, and Dayle Turner.

Brother Magalogo served a mission in the Philippines, so he was a good resource re: the food offered in Thelma's all-you-can-eat buffet ($12.50), which included a dish few of us had eaten before but which most of us tried today.  Although a dessert-like fruit dish was offered in the buffet and of which all of us partook, a few opted for additional dessert, namely halohalo (see Damon with his below) and banana lumpia.

Damon's halo halo
Photos by Joshua Steffen

In all, ono and a good time. 

A future eating activity was discussed, with a top candidate for this activity being Kim Chee Restaurant in the Enchanted Lakes Shopping Center (Kailua).

Damon Magalogo, Gene Tamashiro, Kanoa Kanahele, Dayle Turner @ Thelma's