Donna's Birthday

We had fun celebrating Donna's birthday by spending the night at the Westin Hotel on Waikiki Beach.  Unfortunately (or fortunately) we had forgotten  the congested crowds in Waikiki.  We took our bathing suits and had planned on sitting under an umbrella or palm tree and enjoying a quiet retreat.  Once there, and checking the surroundings it seemed inappropriate for two missionaries to cavort in bathing suits and so we left them in the suitcase and found quiet places to read.

We did, however, enjoy visits to the Iolani Palace used by Hawaii's King and Queen from 1882 until 1893 when the USA muscled in and, in effect, deposed the Royal Family and took control of Hawaii.

Here's a picture of the front of the Palace.  Yes, that is Donna standing at the bottom of the stairs on the right side.

We also enjoyed a tour of the USS Missouri Battleship.  The "Mighty Mo" was the ship where the Japanese signed the surrender agreement in 1945, bringing the war with Japan to a close.  It is moored next to the USS Arizona Memorial - a fitting symbol of the beginning and the end of the conflict.  It could fire a 2,700-pound "bullet" 23 miles.  It was called back to active service in the 80's and was armed with Tomahawk missiles.  It is 887 feet long and weighs over 100 million pounds.

At the VC's weekly training meeting Donna and Sister Slade and Elder Lafiso (who also had birthdays this week) were sung "Happy Birthday" missionary style.

Her birthday celebration wrapped up by having dinner at Duke's in Waikiki with Steve and Karen who flew in from Kawai on their way back to the mainland.

I know what you're thinking "Are they really on a mission?"  Yes, we are.  My non-journal entry this week was a very poor tour presentation for two visitors from India who zipped out of the VC while I was in the middle of a comment. On the other hand, Donna had a great tour with a couple from Michigan (she was Catholic) who had many questions, listened intently, and left with a much better understanding of our beliefs.  The wife was especially attentive to the revealed understanding of infant baptisms.