Speaking Assignment Makawao Ward

 Today we spoke in the Makawao Ward.  I gave basically my farewell talk for the third time, different wards of course.  Jeff gave a great talk from the heart.  He basically spills our whole life in his talks but people just love it and think he is the best.  He is the BEST!  Our talks were met by a very warm reception from the members and they were all so kind.  We had a really enjoyable Sunday meeting with both the Pukaloni and the Makawao Wards today.  We just love these wards.  We didn't think we could love a ward more after our service in Kihei but I have to say we really really love these wards.  There is so much good missionary work going on here too.  It is so wonderful to be serving at this time when Heavenly Father is hastening the work of  Gathering Israel on the earth.  

In Pukaloni ward the Stake Patriarch President Wunder gave a wonderful talk and really shared with us so much about what exactly is happening in the church as far as missionary work and the work of building temples across the world.  He gave us some really amazing statistics.

He said there are 382 temples announced, under construction  or operating and when they are all completed it will give easy access to 95% of members across the world.  Image that?   What a huge blessing for all of us to have access to the blessings of the temple. 

That is one thing I have learned about serving on this island of Maui is how much of a blessing it will be when these members have access to a temple.  They sacrifice so much!  It takes a full day to go to the temple , they catch an early flight, rent a car, drive to Laie, go to as many ordinances as they can and then drive back, fly home getting home late at night.  Some of our ward members even serve in the temple with all those limitations.  Being temple ordinance workers and going every week to serve.   It is really amazing and humbling to think of this and that I have 5 temples within a few miles of my home in Provo, Utah.  

President Wunder then talked about the temple on Maui and how the church has just recently purchased 46 acres of land, next to the Maui Lani Stake Center in Kahului.  He said this isn't an announcement but he feels it will just be a matter of time when we get the church rendering of what the temple will look like and they will proceed with the ground breaking and get started.  It has been about three years since the temple has been announced here on Maui and this is a significant step forward.  He then gave a charge to the Priesthood and asked them to step up and do more than they are doing and lead their families in righteousness.  It was inspiring. 

He told a story of giving a patriarchal blessing to a young man.  His mother was not active and his father was not a member.  He asked them to come to the blessing.  After the blessing he felt inspired to talk to the father and he asked him to give a blessing to his son when he started school in the fall.    He said his face went white and then President Wunder explained that even if he was not a member he still is the patriarch of his family and he can bless his son.  He offered to come and help him give a blessing to his son before he goes to school in the fall.  I thought this was so inspired.  

After church today we were invited to have lunch with Jeanette and Ryon Frisch.  Members of the Makawao ward.  We went to their beautiful home in Paia and had a very fun lunch of hamburgers and yummy ice cream for dessert.  It was so fun to visit with them and to have a tour of their house and garden.  We kind of exchanged whole life stories and it was fun to get to know each other better.  

A very good sabbath day.