It was just after sunset at Kalama Park in the beach town of Kihei, Hawaii. We sat with our friends Ken and Sheron Drake, and their daughter watching a parade of bicycles go by. Each bike had multi-colored lights strung through the tire spokes and bike frames. It was the twice-weekly Hawaii Electric Light Parade to promote night-time bicycle safety. Our friends young-adult son was among the participants. We lived in the same ward many years ago, even went on a handcart trek together, but hadn’t seen them for decades. They have family on Maui and visit occasionally. We had a nice time, became re-acquainted, and figured out we don’t live very far from each other in Pleasant Grove, Utah. We learned that they were in the cast of The Chosen, Season 5, filmed not far from our Mosida mission in Utah. Like for most people, they have experienced some challenges in life. I hope we provided some love and encouragement.

Early in the week my cell phone rang. It was Dale Johnson from our Kahului 1st Ward. “Brother Hardman, I’m sure you are very busy, but since it’s a work day I didn’t know who else to call.” Hearing his voice reminded me of his warm welcome to us in church a few weeks earlier and our conversations during the recent ward temple trip to Oahu. “My leg is troubling me and, well, I don’t have insurance and… could you come over and give me a blessing?” We of course went right over and Brother Johnson welcomed us from a folding chair just outside his apartment door. Judging by the stack of well-warn books under the chair, it’s clear Dale does a lot of reading out in the fresh Maui air. We entered the cinderblock home and met Sister Kathy Johnson and their young adult son Joshua. We got to know the family, talked about faith and priesthood blessings, then Joshua anointed and I sealed the blessing. We didn’t have our instruments with us but we sang a hymn with them, shared a few stories, and then departed.

A few days later my phone rang again. It was Dale. He sounded cheerful and said nothing about his leg. This time he wanted help tagging (adding a name) an ancestor photo on Ancestry.com. He had worked for Ancestry many years before and I was happy to hear that he likes doing family history work. Again he said something like, “I’m sure you are busy, but…” “No,” I replied, “This is interesting. I enjoy family history. I know FamilySearch better than Ancestry but tell me what you’re trying to do.” In his detailed Canadian manner he described the problem, gave me access to his files and we dove in. “It’s a picture of a band with my uncles from my home in Manitoba, Canada. I’m related to four of them in the picture but I know the names of all six but can’t tag the two.” We fiddled and tried a few things, but without success. So, after the call I fired a question off to Chatgpt.com and got the answer. On Maui, while plunging into our service mission calling, it feels good to dip my toe occasionally, even if very briefly, into the sea of family history.

Our daily preparations as service missionary Group Leaders for Healing through the Savior, Addiction Recovery Program (ARP) continued this week. Last Sunday we attended two Ward Council meetings on the Island of Molokai via Zoom from Maui. We explained the program and encouraged all to invite those who can benefit by participation. We also connected with Elder and Sister Teve who have been hosting ARP on Molokai for many years. This very kind and loving couple welcomed us and we all expressed desire to coordinate and assist each other. On Maui we printed some flyers and purchased some easels and set them up in several foyers of meetinghouses in both stakes. While up-country at Pukalani we met with the assigned high counselor, Brother Keola Higa and stake President Kelii Wunder and received much support for what we are doing. “The hardest part will be getting people to attend the first time,” President Wunder expressed. “[It is difficult for them to ask or get] help overcoming weaknesses in their lives.” They plan to encourage wards in their stake to have us come and present in ward councils and other gatherings. We provided a digital copy of the ARP flyer for them to circulate. In the mean time we continue to study the materials we will use when conducting the group meetings. (Before leaving Pukalani that evening, we were impressed with the beautiful sunset. See picture)

We have become good friends with two of the Honolulu Hawaii Mission senior missionary couples who are serving on Maui; the Marriott’s and Taylors. This week we had lunch with the Taylors at one of our favorite restaurants, “Coconuts Fish Café.” The Taylors serve as Member Leader Support (MLS) missionaries which means they do many things to help the missionaries (including fix flat tires), the mission president and the local leaders. They also serve at a local Catholic food pantry and have invited us to join them. “Many churches on the island think very highly of the Latter-day Saints,” Elder Taylor informed us. “It would be good to get the ARP flyers to these churches.”

During our spare time Joan does creative needlework and I work on creating songs. When I need to record vocals, I set up a simple recording studio in our apartment (see picture). I recently released the following on Spotify and other major music outlets: When Earth Meets Heaven, Ballad of John Griffin, and Feel God’s Love Again. Also, it has been years since Joan has worn a wedding ring. So, we resolved that omission (see picture). Mid-week we packed, got a ride with Elder Taylor to the airport, and flew to Utah for a family reunion that has been planned for many months. (One of the benefits of a part time service mission is the flexibility to return home occasional for personal reasons.) While at home we enjoy some Sundance air and views (see picture), a Mosida Handcart Trek Site reunion dinner, and stake conference. We look forward to spending a few days with children and grandchildren.

Pictures: Pukalani sunset, Ring, Recording studio, Sundance