Two Month Mark

November 15-21, 2021  

Email #8 

Aloha Family!

 

Yesterday marked the two month point of being here in Laie.  I am so glad that those first two months are over with.  It wasn’t terrible but there were many uncomfortable parts about it—getting used to all the newness—new apartment, new assignments, new ward, new people, new food (to some extent), new stores (lack of stores), new ways of doing things.  And all the things our apartment lacked that we needed to fix, update, buy etc.  I’m just really thankful to get to this point and feel so much more comfortable with our way of life. When we got here we didn’t have AC,   nor a comfortable place to sit, no car.  We only had very dim lighting in the kitchen.  The bed in the spare bedroom was uncomfortable. But life is so much better now.  We definitely feel more at home and have made the best of things.  Of course there are things I miss but we are feeling pretty blessed to be here.

 

Monday evening our district got together with a couple other districts for a special FHE/fireside. Greg Maples, who is in charge all the food for the PCC—spoke to us.  He is an amazing man with a long list of credentials.  He was directed by the spirit to come here and work in this current job even though he REALLY didn’t want to. He went through a very difficult time after they lost their 18 year old son in a motor cycle accident.  He was depressed and had lost his desire to do anything.  He was told by the spirit to move and change jobs. And through a series of events, he ended up at the PCC.   His presentation was terrific.  If you want to know more about his him and his story—he gave a BYU Hawaii devotional talk that you can listen to on YouTube.  I don’t know how much of his story he tells in his devotional talk (I haven’t listened to it yet) but it might be something you want to look up. 

 

At the warehouse on Wednesday, I spent the morning putting price stickers on items.  I worked with Samedy who is from Cambodia and who will graduate in just about four weeks. Her mother and two sisters will fly here for her graduation.  She has not seen any family members in person for four years.  She is so excited to be with them soon.  I just marvel at the sacrifice these students make to get an education.  She will do an internship in Utah at the beginning of the year and is nervous but excited about her new opportunities. I hope that our grandchildren will appreciate and take advantage of all the opportunities they have in obtaining an education.

 

Scott and I were invited to attend a meeting Wednesday evening (with eight other senior missionaries) to help out some students (in the social work department) with a project they are involved in.  They asked us questions about our lives and about getting older.  One of the questions that stood out to me was—“Did your life turn out the way you thought it would?  Our answer was “yes and no”.  In many respects it was exactly as we planned.  We wanted to have and raise children who love the Lord and desire to be a part of His church.  Could we have foreseen the many experiences we have had?   No. But in regards to the very important things in life.  Yes—it turned out (maybe even better) than we ever imagined.  We are so very blessed. You children are such great examples to us.  We are so thankful for your hard work, service, striving to live the Gospel and being incredible parents.  You and your sweethearts are eleven of our favorite people on earth. Thank you for your goodness. 

 

The ukulele store was busy on Thursday—probably more so than it has been since I have been here and there were only three of us for the first three hours.  Two of our workers were asked to go to the Tongan village to run the cash register there.  At one point, Wink was gone to help a customer, one register wouldn’t work, Candi (Wink’s wife) couldn’t figure out how to do something on the other register, and there was a long line of people trying to check out.  I’m glad no one wanted to have a ukulele lesson right then.  It was pretty crazy.  Wink got back just in time to help Candi with her problem on the register.  The time goes faster when it is busy but it can be stressful.  But I really do love working there.  I feel blessed.  I still love these words “that was so much fun” after I teach a lesson to a group on the ukulele.  I hope that I am planting seeds in that people will remember the spirit they felt while at the PCC. 

 

The most fun part of the week was the gender reveal by Jordan and Faith.  We are so thankful for FaceTime and that we could be included in it!  Congrats on your new son Jordan and Faith! I really felt like it would be a boy.  After “Jordan Jr.” is born we will have 10 grandsons and 11 granddaughters.  21 wonderful blessings!!!

 

The second most fun thing that happened this week was that while I was ringing someone up at the register, I heard a little girl yell—“Mrs. “Bleak!!!”  I looked up to find one of my former students standing there.  What are the chances of that?  She asked if she could give me a hug.  She ran over and hugged me so tight.  It was so much fun and so special.  We talked for several minutes.  That made me miss my former life a little.  But that chapter of my life is closed and I know I am very blessed to be in this new chapter.  

 

Scott and I went to Waimea Falls on our P-Day.  It was open to all of the senior missionaries but not very many attended.  We had a wonderful time however just walking lazily and enjoying all the beautiful trees and plants and waterfall. We went to the Laie temple visitor’s center to sign a book that will be given to the Kings (our directors). The Kings are going home soon. They will be missed. While we were at the visitor’s center, we decided to watch a couple of short movies in the theater.  We LOVED being there in the AC, soft chairs and we especially loved feeling the spirit there.  That was the first movie theater we have been in in over two months. 

 

Yesterday we were contacted by the Kanells (from our Bountiful ward). They were on the island and wanted to get together with us.  What a fun surprise!  We found out later that they have a condo here on the island (1 ½ hours away) and actually come here pretty regularly.  They drove over and picked us up and we went to dinner together.  It was very fun to be with them. 

 

Since it is Thanksgiving on Thursday, I know that the holiday season is here but it sure doesn’t seem like it.  We have nothing here to measure the holidays with.  No change of seasons, no decorations etc.  Maybe as we see Christmas decorations come out, it will feel more like the holidays. We will be thinking about you this week as you each celebrate Thanksgiving in your own way.  I hope as you count your blessings this week you will remember what great things the Lord has done for us.  I am eternally grateful for Him and His great sacrifice for me.  In this last general conference, President Nelson said, “There has never been a time in the history of the world when knowledge of our Savior is more personally vital and relevant to every human soul.  Imagine how quickly the devastating conflicts throughout the world—and those in our individual lives—would be resolved if we all chose to follow Jesus Christ and heed His teachings.”

 

I know He lives and loves each of us!

 

Much love,

Sister Bleak, Mom, Grandma, Gayle

 

 

How I have seen the hand of the Lord in my life this week:

*I was helped to make it through the day after hurting my hip on my walk Tuesday morning.

*I had been looking for a particular woman who lives on our street to try and build a friendship with her.  It finally happened and I found out that she actually lives next door. (I know that she isn’t a member of the church)

*I was able to reconnect with my former student.  It brightened the day for both of us!

*We were contacted by the Kanells (from our ward) and taken to dinner. 

*God’s beautiful creations are so very amazing.