Seventeen months ago today Nina and I were dropped off at the Provo Missionary Training Center by our grandson-in-law Randy Strader. Our official release date is February 9, 2017, six months from now. While it seems like we just got here, I’m certain this six months will fly by just as quickly.

This afternoon we were assigned to “guard” the exit at the Aloha Luau at the Polynesian Cultural Center. What that entails is sitting by the back exit and guiding people to the restrooms. Occasionally someone will come in that way thinking it’s one of the entrances. In that case we direct them around to the front. This is a pleasant assignment as there’s no stress and little to do other than watch the people and the luau program.

Tonight’s luau was pretty full and everyone seemed to be having a good time. The luau program consists of short presentations from a few of the Polynesian islands, recognition of birthdays and anniversaries, some audience participation, and a youngster performing a fire-knife routine. The program lasts just about an hour and fifteen minutes. The first picture is of a traditional, ancient hula form practiced in Hawaii when hula was reserved for the priests and was part of their religious rites. The second picture is of a group having dinner at the luau. The food is served buffet style and is definitely all-you-care-to-eat. The luau starts serving about 4:45pm and the buffet remains open until 7pm or until the last guest leaves, whichever is earlier.

Late last week we were informed that our apartment is going to be converted from a one-bedroom with a garage to a two-bedroom no garage and that we will have to move somewhere else. One possibility is in the neighboring town of Hau’ula, about 4.7 miles south of Laie Temple Visitors’ Center. This is the upper floor of a fairly large house. We’ve only seen the outside. Tomorrow after our shift ends at 2:30pm we’re hoping to be able to see it. I’m pretty sure the Church is going to put it under contract, so either we will have to or the other senior missionary couple will have to move there. We have first refusal as we’re the most senior. Problem is, there isn’t much available and this may well be the best that can be found. It’s a difficult situation and one that we had hoped to avoid. However, the Church has budgeted this year to convert the remaining two apartments in the complex where we’re living into two-bedroom apartments. We really need to additional bedrooms for sister missionaries, so we’ll probably just have to suck it up. There’s only six months left. That’s not very long in the whole scheme of things!

Ta ta for now!