Elder and Sister Robbins

2011-02-16T20:13:00.006-07:00

I took a video of the inside of the Honolulu, Hawaii Tabernacle tower light when I went up to repair it. I waqs up there for about 3 hours one afternoon. It is as close to a sauna as you can get. The glass bricks are the kind you see in resturants built in the fourties.

2011-02-15T23:20:00.003-07:00

I was looking at some old pictures and decided that this one had to be on our blog even though Mom and I weren't there.

2011-02-15T23:04:00.003-07:00

This is an old picture I took of a sunset on Ala Moana Park beach. I was in an apartment on the 39 floor.

2011-02-15T22:58:00.005-07:00

This is Glamorous Mom when we went out to dinner New Years eve 2010.

2011-01-05T08:20:00.002-07:00

We tried to make Mr. Jackson comfortable by putting him in a plant Mom has in the office.

2011-01-05T08:19:00.002-07:00

This where I found Mr. Jackson walking in front of the Tabernacle.

2011-01-05T08:15:00.003-07:00

I brought Mr. Jackson to the office for everyone to meet him. I'm on the left then Elder Biggs(our new assistant to take Elder Doanes place), Elder Doane and Elder Moncur.

Mr. Jackson

2011-01-05T08:13:00.004-07:00

This is Mr. Jackson. He is a Jackson Chameleon that I found in front of the Tabernacle.

Honolulu Tabernacle

2011-01-05T08:00:00.003-07:00

This is the Honolulu Tabernacle taken from the sidewalk in front of it. The tower is 141 feet high. The light has not been on for at least 5 years. Pres. Dalton challenged me to get it turned on before Christmas(this was about Dec. 10). Not an easy climb and the light area gets pretty hot in the day time. It took about 6 times going up to finally get everything going. It really looks good at night. I have Mom to thank for initating the project. The church on the otherside of our appartment building turns on their steeple light every night and she wanted our tower light turned on. I am thankful for the oppertunity to have been the one to get to do it.

2011-01-05T07:56:00.003-07:00

This is a picture of the Honolulu Tabernacle showing the light I got turned on. I took this picture about 6:15. The light is set to come on at 6:00. Notice the parrots flying around. They do this every evening about this time.

2011-01-05T07:51:00.003-07:00

This is the Honolulu Tabernacle after dark with the light I fixed turned on. I set it to come on from 6:00 PM to 12 midnight and 5:00 AM to 7:00 AM for the seminary students.

2010-09-13T23:56:00.003-06:00

This is our follow up to Ginny asking everyone to help Richard to get a picture to show up when someone googles Mormon. Check with Richard and get any additional details.

2010-09-08T00:08:00.000-06:00

It was our time to organize Senior FHE this past Monday. We knew Elder Brinley was coming to our mission August 28th. We had read his book "America's Hope" right before we came on this misison. We actually read it twice because he talked about how the 3 peoples had been swept off this nation because of wickedness. He said we would have the same fate happen to us as happened to the Jaredites if we didn't stay righteous. Saving our freedom depends on the amount of righteusness we maintain in this country. Elder Brinley had just given a presentation on this at Education Week at BYU a couple weeks before he came here. We didn't tell the other 4 couples what we were doing for our activity. We invited Elder and Sister Eubanks and Elder and Sister McArthur. We had the most wonderful evening. Everyone loved the dinner, thanks to Stacy planning the menu and then Elder Brinley did his presentation using a projector. He referred to Glen Beck 3 times and how he is working hard to get people to wake up before we lose our freedom.

When FHE was over, the other couples were saying they were putting us in charge of all FHE's. After we got home and I had just gone to sleep, President Dalton called to say how very much he enjoyed the whole evening and thanked us for inviting the other 6 Saints to our FHE. He also told them to come back any time to our FHE. The bad part of that is it takes an hour to drive from Laie. Elder Brinley is CES at BYU-Hawaii and is the new Chaplain there. He took over Elder Cole's place who was our Stake President when we lived with Norma those 2 years. Elder Brinley has written 10 books. The other 9 are on marriage. He came from the BYU religion department. We had heard Elder Eubank on KBYU about a month ago talking about Kolob and of course weather patterns. We heard Elder McArthur speak on KBYU 2 Sundays ago about riding with President Hinckley to choose the location for the San Diego Temple. President Hinckley agreed with Elder McArthur that the land Elder McArthur had recommended 5 years before they decided to build a Temple in San Diego should be the site after looking at several locations with Elder McArthur. The problem was the land wasn't for sale. As you can guess, President Hinckley told Elder McArthur to obtain the land and of course he did. We hope the Eubanks and McArthurs can come speak to us at a FHE. The Eubanks and McArthurs are at the Temple Visitor Center in Laie too.

2010-09-07T22:03:00.005-06:00

Elder and Sister Eubank eating Killer Brownies Sister Freeman had made for desert for our FHE. I tried to get pictures of everyone putting food in their mouth.

2010-09-07T22:02:00.002-06:00

President and Sister Dalton at FHE with desert in his hand.

2010-09-07T22:01:00.002-06:00

Elder and Sister Freeman, Elder Eubanks and President Dalton with their yummy desert.

2010-09-07T22:00:00.005-06:00

Elder and Sister Webster, one of the regular couples at FHE. They are military missionaries. They have a ranch in Idaho.

2010-09-07T22:00:00.003-06:00

Dad, Elder and Sister Brinley after his fantastic presentation. Sister Brinley wanted to share her desert but Elder Brinley said he could handle one by himself.

2010-09-07T21:59:00.001-06:00

Elder and Sister Gilchrist. Sister Gilchrists grandfather was the Stonecutter. Maybe you have seen the video about him. He was the one who carved Holiness to the Lord over the doorway of the Salt Lake Temple. He lived in Alpine and walked to Salt Lake City to carve the stone for the Temple. He lost a leg so he made a wooden leg and continued to walk to SLC from Alpine to finish the work on the Temple. Sister Gilchrist told us this story when it was her turn to do the FHE. Wonderful people. They too are military and one of the 5 regular couples at our FHE. All these people have great pioneer heritage, especially President and Sister Dalton. Then there is Mom and Dad with not a lot of previous members of the church in our genealogy.

2010-09-07T00:07:00.000-06:00

Elder and Sister McArthur. They said they are going to send us the video of his talk on BYU. They had been in the mission office and I had met them there a few months ago. We don't hear from them as much as the Eubanks so they thought we had them confused with a well known McArthur who teaches at BYU-Hawaii and had intended to invite the other McArthurs. I told them "no we have the RIGHT McArthurs. We love the associations with all the other Senior couples we have met.

2010-09-06T00:58:00.002-06:00

President Dalton picked us up at 6:45 am Thurs. Sept 2nd to go to Pearl Harbor again. They had a lot of the vets, a Senator and a lot of other VIPs at this ceremony for the 65th signing of the peace treaty with Japan. This ship was in Tokyo for this event with General McArthur, Admiral Nimitz, Halsey and others. I hope to send everyone a program if I can get enough. When we looked at the aged vets, we wondered when they are all gone how many patriotic citizens will keep that spirit of America alive the way they did.

2010-09-06T00:35:00.002-06:00

This is the USS Arizona with USS Missouri right behind it. Dad took this driving on the bridge to Ford Island.

2010-09-06T00:34:00.002-06:00

President and Sister Dalton with Dad in the background.

2010-09-06T00:33:00.004-06:00

All the red, white and blue was awesome.

2010-09-06T00:33:00.003-06:00

Dad by the big guns!

2010-09-06T00:32:00.001-06:00

Us!

2010-09-06T00:31:00.004-06:00

Dad by one of the big bullets.

2010-09-06T00:31:00.003-06:00

Military Band. They were pretty good.

2010-09-06T00:30:00.001-06:00

Pearl Harbor

2010-09-06T00:29:00.003-06:00

Dad liked being with all the servicemen.

2010-09-06T00:28:00.001-06:00

The tower in the background is the airstrip where the Japs shot all the airplanes lined up for their easy target.

2010-09-06T00:27:00.003-06:00

A picture of sailors on the lower deck and marines on the upper deck where they did the 21 gun salute. It was LOUD.

2010-09-06T00:26:00.002-06:00

Big flag at the front of the ship. It was a beautiful day with a nice tradwind.

2010-09-06T00:25:00.002-06:00

Elder Freeman, Dad and President Dalton in front of the big guns.

2010-09-06T00:24:00.001-06:00

The men like their pictures by the big guns!

2010-09-06T00:22:00.001-06:00

Freeman's, Dalton's and us. President Dalton took us to the 65th anniversary of the signing of the peace agreement between America and Japan Thursday, Sept. 2nd. This is the USS Missouri where General McArthur signed the agreement.

2010-09-02T22:05:00.000-06:00

Mel the mailman bringing mail to the office. He gets overwhelmed some days by all he brings to us, especially Christmas and Valentines Day. It takes him several trips to get it all to the 4th floor to our office.

2010-09-02T22:04:00.001-06:00

Mel bringing me the mail!

2010-09-02T22:04:00.000-06:00

Here he comes

2010-09-02T22:03:00.000-06:00

Bringing all those packages to us. Amazing how much missionaries look forward to mail - from anyone!

2010-08-01T20:07:00.002-06:00

When we moved in this 29th floor apt., it was a nasty mess. The walls were filthy and the carpet was thread bare with 20 different colors of dirt. We talked the owners into buying paint and letting us paint this place and talked them into replacing the carpet. It is a very pleasant place to live now. It is right next to the tabernacle so takes us about 2 minutes to be in the Chapel and about 5 minutes to get to the office. So much better than the studio we lived in for almost 8 months.

2010-08-01T20:06:00.004-06:00

This is obviously the bedroom. Yes, we now have a bedroom. It has been occupied by another couple for the last 4 days. They are here for CES mission and didn't have a place to stay. They were going to sleep in the Institute Bldg. and since they are 75 we told them to just stay with us for a few days. We sleep on a mattress in the living room.

2010-08-01T20:06:00.003-06:00

This is our front door entrance.

2010-08-01T20:05:00.007-06:00

Dad standing on our lanai (that is what they call a balcony here).

2010-08-01T20:05:00.006-06:00

Dad on the Lanai with the ocean in the far background. That is Waikiki beach! We walk down to that beach every morning. It takes us about an hour.

2010-08-01T20:04:00.001-06:00

Other end of our Lanai. That is Manoa valley where the U of H is.

2010-08-01T20:03:00.002-06:00

A beautiful protestant church straight down from our Lanai. We don't know what they preach but it is a very busy church.

2010-08-01T19:58:00.001-06:00

I am standing at the front door to take this picture. That is the Lanai in the background.

2010-08-01T19:57:00.002-06:00

Dad is standing by the bathroom door. The bathroom is the only thing smaller than the studio we were in. The studio had a huge bathroom. This is a tiny bathroom.

2010-08-01T19:56:00.004-06:00

Our favorite spot in the apt., our grandchildren's picture wall!

2010-08-01T19:56:00.003-06:00

The front door in the the background and the bedroom doorway is just over Dad's shoulder.

2010-08-01T19:55:00.004-06:00

The city didn't show up either past the Lanai.

2010-08-01T19:55:00.003-06:00

We thought you would be able to see Diamond Head over Dad's head but it didn't show up.

2010-08-01T19:54:00.002-06:00

Dad sitting at our little table on the Lanai. We like to eat breakfast there when we can. You can see some of the city past Dad.

2010-08-01T19:53:00.004-06:00

Front door, digital picture with Dallas Cowboy's going past.

2010-08-01T19:53:00.003-06:00

This sofa and mirror are a couple of the things I brought from the studio.

2010-08-01T19:52:00.002-06:00

Our small kitchen in the background but at least we now have a kitchen and the fridge isn't a foot from our bed like the studio.

2010-08-01T19:51:00.001-06:00

Dad and Brother Francis put this pergo floating floor in. It had 40 year old linoleum in before. The doors under the sink were rotten so I took them off and put these green curtains to cover the space under the sink. I also painted the cabinets and replaced the hardware. The manager is coming to take pictures of the apt to show the owners how nice this place is. Dad also put baseboards on. It is common for a lot of places to not even have baseboards. We saved the owner thousands by doing the labor. The manager got an estimate to have someone do what we did and the owners flat refused to do any of it because of the cost. She only agreed if we did everything.

2010-08-01T19:50:00.001-06:00

The sun was shing bright in the kitchen window behind Dad to see the beautiful sky out the window. There are constant rainbows out this window and off our Lanai.

2010-07-26T20:26:00.002-06:00

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.

2010-07-26T20:25:00.004-06:00

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.

2010-07-26T20:25:00.003-06:00

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.

2010-07-26T20:23:00.002-06:00

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

2010-07-26T20:22:00.001-06:00

The USS Missouri is a huge battleship!

2010-07-26T20:21:00.001-06:00

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

2010-07-26T17:17:00.003-06:00

I am not sure why Dad put this picture on!

2010-07-26T17:15:00.002-06:00

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.

2010-07-26T01:04:00.004-06:00

Dad and the Freeman's after touring the USS Missiouri

2010-07-26T01:04:00.003-06:00

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

2010-07-26T01:03:00.003-06:00

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.

2010-07-26T01:02:00.001-06:00

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!

2010-07-26T01:01:00.002-06:00

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.

2010-07-26T01:00:00.002-06:00

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 papers were signed by him and the Japanese.

2010-07-26T00:59:00.004-06:00

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

2010-07-26T00:59:00.003-06:00

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

2010-07-26T00:58:00.001-06:00

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

2010-07-26T00:57:00.006-06:00

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

2010-07-26T00:57:00.003-06:00

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

2010-07-26T00:56:00.005-06:00

All of us in front of the anchor!

2010-07-26T00:56:00.003-06:00

Fun Day!

2010-07-26T00:55:00.002-06:00

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

2010-07-26T00:43:00.001-06:00

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.

2010-07-23T16:45:00.005-06:00

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

2010-07-23T15:49:00.003-06:00

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........

2010-07-23T12:33:00.004-06:00

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.

Nut farm

2010-07-21T23:09:00.001-06:00

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

Nut farm

2010-07-21T23:06:00.002-06:00

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". Mom likes to stop at this macadamia nut farm on the way to Laie. She loves this placque.

Eel

2010-07-21T23:03:00.001-06:00

I went fishing and another man caught this eel. I don't know what kind it is but it was mighty ugly.

Back side of the plumeria blossom

2010-07-21T23:01:00.000-06:00

This is the back side of the previous plumeria.

Plumeria Blossom

2010-07-21T22:58:00.000-06:00

Close up of a plumeria blossom. They are almost perfect.

Mom raking blossoms

2010-07-21T22:49:00.002-06:00

I took this picture from our apartment which is on the 29th floor. Our apartment is right next to the tabernacle. In Hawaii you rake as many blossoms as leaves. Our ward was in charge of cleaning the chapel and grounds this weekend.

Dads birthday.

2010-07-21T22:45:00.002-06:00

Mom got a cake and brought it to the office. From left to right; Al, Me, Sis. Suafoa, Bro. and Sis. Freeman. Mom took the picture.

Huge frog

2010-07-21T22:41:00.001-06:00

This frog was by the tabernacle. I put him by a plumeria so you can see just how big he is. A plumeria is about 3 to 4 inches across.

Lizard in Ginger

2010-07-21T22:35:00.002-06:00

If you look real close you will see a lizard hiding. I cut ginger out of the A Ps yard akk the time but this time I got a stow away.

Bird of Paradise.

2010-07-21T22:22:00.002-06:00

This is a Bird of Paradise flower. We got them at one of the ward buildings in Waihewa.

A Ps Mederias and Hatch.

2010-07-21T22:19:00.001-06:00

The A Ps were preaching to us.

Mom on Mothers Day

2010-07-21T22:16:00.002-06:00

Mom wore her coursage to church on Sunday.

Mom on Mothers Day

2010-07-21T22:13:00.001-06:00

Ginny sent Mom flowers and a coursage. This is Mom at her desk.

Plumerias

2010-07-21T22:10:00.002-06:00

Plumerias grow in bunches like this one. The chapel/Tabernacle has plumeria trees all around it.

Mr. Lizard

2010-07-21T21:46:00.002-06:00

Hawaii does have lizards. I didn't name him because I let him go.