Elder and Sister Robbins: July 2010

Monday, July 26, 2010

President and Sister Dalton came to our apartment after our Pearl Harbor trip to change. They were going next door to the Tabernacle for a baptism. The baptism was in the Freeman's ward. We took a picture of them in front of our grandchildren's picture.

I can't remember what this thing is called but it travels all over the ocean around the Island. We were told it can track an object as small as a baseball from New York City to Seattle. We pulled up close to it and Sister Dalton, Sister Freeman and I got out to take pictures. We were on Ford Island where no picture taking is allowed and suddenly we were being summoned by a military guard and he called the police to look at our cameras to delete our pictures. I told Sam he should have been a little faster getting us out of there. We later went to the USS Arizona and Dad was able to get this picture of the thing. If it is out cruising on the Ocean, we can take pictures but not when it is docked on Ford Island.

U.S.S Missouri - This ship was docked at Brereton, Wa. and the concensus of the Navy personel was it should be retired at Pearl Harbor because of it's history.

Same tracking device. Picture taken on the way to the USS Arizona.

The USS Missouri is a huge battleship!

There is nothing more beautiful than a long line of American Flags.

I am not sure why Dad put this picture on!

This is a picture of President and Sister Dalton and the Freemans (you can hardly see Elder Freeman behind Sister Freeman) and Sam (our tour guide) It was a wonderful day being with our new President at Pearl Harbor. We got to know him a little better. He said he was the 2nd oldest of the 145 new Mission Presidents. He said "this is not a sprint, it is a marathon so usually much younger men are called

. He is 66. They are well off financially because of their generosity. When missions were not the same across the board, there was a poor family in their ward whose son was called to a $900. month mission. The Daltons put a container in their own yard and asked the ward and others to put their newspapers in the bin so they could take it to be recycled when recycling was hardly heard of. They paid for the mission this way and realized it was very profitable and started what is now a huge industry. They said China buys most of their papers etc. now. They have no financial worries today because of their generosity.

Dad and the Freeman's after touring the USS Missiouri

Proud to be an American. We are headed to the USS Missouri.

I didn't know until the tour guide told me that ships are obsolete and only 2 Frigates left that will be retired in 2 months. The USS Missouri was a battleship and no one was ever injured or killed on it when it was in activity.

Why did men think they needed huge ships with huge guns

and amo (Dad is standing by one)? Women would have never come up with all these war things!

Look how far the bough of the boat is from Dad. That white in the background of Dad's left is the USS Arizona Memorial.

This says "Over this spot on 2 September 1945 the instrument of Formal surrender of Japan to the Allied Powers was signed thus bringing to a close the Second World War. The ship at that time was at Anchor in Tokyo Bay".

This is where General McArthur was standing when the surrender pape

rs were signed by him and the Japanese.

This is the door to the Captain's bedroom and bathroom which was impressive compared to the rest of the ships living quarters.

This is the Captain of the Ship's dining area where he served dignitaries dinner.

Dad is pretending to be the captain at the Captains desk.

U.S.S. Missouri Prayer - hanging in the Captain's quarters on the USS Missouri - Almighty God and Father, Giver of all victories, Let us remember with reverence the valor and devotion of our departed shipmates, and those who sacrificed their lives. Remind us that no greater love has man than He who lays down his life for his friends. In the blowing of the wind and chill of Winter, We will remember them. In the opening of the buds and the rebirth of Spring, We will remember them. In the shining of the sun and the warmth of Summer, We will remember them. In the rustling of leaves and in the beauty of Autumn, We will remember them. So long as we live, they too shall live, For they are now a part of us. As we remember them probably we more than any others understand the words of this ancient and Holy song; They who sailed the seas in ships, Treading on the deep waters, These saw the works of the Lord and his Wonders in the Abyss." Amen

Our wonderful tour guide Sam is telling us all about the USS Missouri. We felt like VIP's because not many people are allowed to go in the Captains quarters. See the door behind

Sister Dalton with the glass on the top half of the door. Other tourist were trying to get in the door the whole time we were in there (about 45 minutes) to see these rooms. These rooms had some very historical treasures. In

All of us in front of the anchor!

Fun Day!

It is hard to see how huge this ship is behind us.

This is the USS Oklahoma Memorial close to the USS Missouri. It went down close to where the USS Missouri is today. Each of the white slats in the fence has a Sailor's name and information on it. The dying and dead were pulled to this spot and that is why the memorial is here. It is on Ford Island.

The fence represented the Sailors standing at arms length to guard the ship.

Friday, July 23, 2010

This is a beautiful picture of the Laie Temple. The Open House will be in October. We are so anxious! Elder Eubanks goes home in January after being the Director of the Temple Visitor's Center for 2 years. I am so glad he will get to go through some sessions before he goes home. He has watched the daily progress from the Visitor's Center and seen almost every detail being done and is anxious for the dedication too. It was supposed to open this month (July) but kept being pushed back. We were afraid it still wouldn't be open when he went home. It had just barely closed for renovation right before the Eubanks got here. We hope some in the family will be able to attend this beautiful Temple.

I just found out Saturday that Elder Eubank was asked to extend another year.

Elder Ashby, If You Could Hie To Kolob

You would never know if I didn't tell you but this is If You Could Hie to Kolob, composed by our favorite Elder, Elder Ashby . This is at a ZC with Sister Peterson sitting in front. His mother is a AWESOME influence and she is from SLC. He rarely uses the sheet music to play. He mostly plays his own compositions. The AP's battery ran out so this came to an abrupt end. Relax now and listen to the soothing sounds of the master musician, Elder Ashby........

This is the Polynesian way of teaching the Gospel. In case you can't understand what they are saying, here it is: Take the book from your pants, slap the book on your chest; read the book, read the book, pray, pray; We got the Gospel you get it, you get it, no matter what, you get it, you come a, you come a, you com a walk in the waters with me, whee!!! President Peterson actually did this pretty much like the Polynesians the first time he brought the new Mission President to the office. I was quite impressed a white guy could do it so well. These missionaries did this in one of the Zone Conferences and took President Peterson by surprise but he liked it and it became well known throughout the mission.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Nut farm

This is a statue of of the couple that started the farm.

Nut farm

This says Harry and Mary Lake dedicated their lives to the principles of love and service for all God's children and especially to Natiave Hawaiians. They believed that tragedy and spiritual poverty could be overcome by strength of character and humble belief in a benevolent God.

Their generosity, work ethic, profound sense of humor and love of family were evident in every area of their lives. These beautiful statues fashioned by master carver, Victor Niu stand as a symbol of Harry and Mary's core belief that "Through Christ, no failure need be final".