Remembering the Sacrifice

Monday evening we had an impromptu, unplanned BBQ to celebrate Memorial Day. Clockwise from the far left are: Tim, Jon, Ken, Kim, Kaitlyn and Michelle. We had burgers, dogs, potato salad, chips, dip and brownies with ice cream. Yum.

We all appreciate the sacrifices that have made our freedoms possible. And every Sabbath we celebrate the sacrifice that Jesus made for our eternal freedom. Even those who live in countries that aren't as liberty-blessed as the U.S. have been assured that eternal freedom in God's kingdom is theirs for the taking. What an awesome gift!

Brookshire

Here's today's progress on our condo. We're the second level, which is right there in the middle. The biggest opening is the patio, and the windows from the patio lead into the master bedroom. The door goes into the great room (triple windows), and the second bedroom is on the end with the single window (that you can see). We found out today that those triple windows in the living room don't open, which is totally unacceptable, so I'll have to do some work on that problem.

Make a wish!

We celebrated Ken's 35th birthday about a month ago, so I'm late uploading photos. Anyway, we had 15 or 16 people over for haystacks, cake and general good-time gabbing. Fun!

I *finally* do!

We just returned from Michael and MeeRa's wedding in Porterville (yesterday at 3). I didn't get any ceremony photos with MeeRa in her actual wedding dress; she changed into this traditional Korean dress (called a Hanbok) for the reception. It was a lovely wedding and the couple is probably in the air on the way to Tahiti as I write. Fun!

Our first night on the Big Island we did a manta dive. A synopsis: descend to 35 feet, hold up flashlight which excites plankton, mantas feed on plankton. There were at least six, perhaps eight, rays that night. Very cool; we bought the video from our excursion. Remind us to show it to you. There's a fascinating eel incident on it as well... We really enjoyed Big Island Divers. I recommend them if you head out that way.

Today we went to Hanauma Bay to snorkel. Ken hadn't been there before. Once we got past the first reef break, it was much prettier. We saw a couple of turtles and lots of big fish. Tourists have really trashed the reef on the inner side. People are unbelievably clumsy and careless.

We didn't take many photos with us in them at the Waikoloa Village. But here's "the grand staircase" that leads from the lagoon to the lobby. Really pretty hotel. Dog, The Bounty Hunter, was there at the same time to marry his girlfriend tomorrow night.

Cruising around Gilligan's Island. Yes, the real Gilligan's Island.

A little picnic in the park before heading down to the water at Waimea Bay.

Drying out after a snorkel at Waimea Bay.

Matsumoto's Shave Ice, famous on the North Shore. Ice cream on the bottom, a layer of azuki beans boiled in sugar, and topped with shave ice. Yum!

Aloha!

We've been enjoying Hawaii this week. Arrived noon Wednesday and had a nice supper with Wendi and Chris. Early yesterday morning we went diving (YO-257 and the Pipeline). Today is the full moon, so the current was really strong on the wreck dive and we were really nervous down there because of fatigue. Neither of us seemed to be able to get enough air. Anyway, we'll avoid dives in a current like the plague from now on. The Pipeline was a nice dive; shallow with pretty fish and no current. Much more relaxing! We were home by 11 a.m. in time for showers and lunch with Wendi and Chris at the local Korean BBQ. Yum. Then an afternoon nap in the tropical breeze before a late supper in Waikiki with Jon, Tim and Chad. They've been auditing the conference office here and are headed home this afternoon. Today about eight of us are taking a pontoon boat to an outer island for a day of snorkeling and a picnic. Wendi and Chris are going to Maui tomorrow for a few days, so we'll have their house to ourselves for a day before we leave for the Big Island Sunday morning. It's a rough life. :o)

ReligionFacts - Just the facts on world religions.

ReligionFacts - Just the facts on world religions.

Cool Things to Remember

Some of you may be intersted in stuff on my other blog. Just wanted to remind you it's there (CLICK HERE). The link is also along the left column, so you can always get to it.

Folding Money

The Shirt

Guitar Lessons

Lessons

The 29 Healthiest Foods on the Planet

So I downloaded a plug-in/extension for FireFox called StumbleUpon, which basically pulls up highly ranked websites in categories you select. So I'll probably post a zillion links to cool sites because of that. Here's one. The 29 Healthiest Foods on the Planet

Stuff I want...

I want a Roomba and an air purifier for each room.