Refining....

A few people have let us know that they are having trouble signing into the blog. We had this set as a private/closed group, and apparently that's an issue for people with certain types of email addresses. For that reason--and the fact that more have requested access than we can cover with a closed group, this is now TECHNICALLY public. We'd still like to keep this as private as we can, so please don't share it on FB or anything like that. But now hopefully everyone can get in. If you know of someone close who isn't in yet and wants to follow along, you many invite that person. On "public" setting, we can't invite any more. Send them to debbithewriter.blogspot.com. 

Also, please understand that since this is a google application, the only people who can leave comments are those who are signed in with gmail accounts. That doesn't mean you have to open a gmail account if you don't want to. You could still contact us through regular email. (I won't publish those addresses here, just in case "public" grows into more than we would like. They are available through various means to the people we know.) 

We're down to our final week of preparation--we leave Saturday for the MTC in Provo. 

Ward Luau Activity for Youth, May 2024

The Countdown Continues....

We are T-minus 11 days until this adventure really...oh, it's too obvious...blasts off. A few of you received the first post. Many more are now being invited to join. If you are able to access this, please comment so we will know. If you do not want to continue receiving it (no hurt feelings, I promise), please also let us know that.

Note: If there are multiple people in your household who want to read this, you may have to share. Apparently there is a limit on how many people I can include and keep this a closed group. I'll work on that.

Off now to practice throwing a shaka.

(Shaka: A hand sign that originated in Hawaii and is often associated with surf culture. It's made by extending the thumb and little finger while curling the three middle fingers. For emphasis, the hand can be quickly turned back and forth with the knuckles facing out. The shaka can be presented with the front or back of the hand, and the wrist can be rotated back and forth. While it can mean "hang loose," it can also mean "hello," "goodbye," "thank you," "things are great," "take it easy," and "aloha." "Aloha" has its own set of meanings, encompassing the essence of peace, love, compassion, and respect.)

Statue of Hamana Kalili, the father of the shaka. By Leroy Transfield. It stands at the Polynesian Cultural Center, Laie, Hawaii.

 Hey, friends and family!

As we get ready to depart for our mission in Hawaii, we're trying to figure out the best way to keep in touch with everyone. Cousin John suggested a blog, so I'm trying this out--resurrecting my old writing blog to see if people can get to it and view pics and all that. I'll throw a few pics up here to see how that works. 

If you can find and read this and see the images, please comment so I'll know it's working. 

(This is a closed group. Only those invited will be able to access it.)

A Kauai chicken I painted last year.

Before the mission call.