The contrast was striking, a massive cruise ship in port backed by the beautiful wave-filled Pacific to the north, and a very old multi-story apartment complex on the shore of Kahului Bay. Before stake conference we had asked the Relief Society president, Celeste M. for someone in need of a loving visit. “Morning!” she replied. “We have quite a few sisters that I haven’t met. One sister that I know typically would enjoy a visit is Eve A.” We quickly looked her up in the online ward directory and saw where we needed to go. “She has a parking spot right outside her apartment,” President M. texted. “She doesn’t have a vehicle.”

During stake conference we were inspired by the powerful Tongon Ward choir followed by the stake president’s personal surfing story where, after waiting a long time for a good wave, he moved closer to shore for more frequent waves, likening our need to not be too far out in our waiting for service but being where the needs are and acting on our promptings.

We found Eve’s parking spot, called her phone for further directions, and were warmly greeted by her and her neighbor Tracy D. These two ladies seemed more than thrilled to have visitors, especially visitors carrying musical instruments. Eve used a walker to get around but soon had us seated on the Futon sofa across from her over occupied computer desk where I noticed a well-worn quad of scriptures. They invited us to partake of crackers, cheese, and clementines on a paper plate near the Futon. Eve grew up in Cache Valley, and Tracy was born in Moab, Utah. They met as neighbors just a couple years before and were both members of the Kahului 1st Ward. At first the conversation focused on their negative emotions regarding health, homelessness on the island, and the need for local governments to focus more on those needs. Listening politely we then asked for their thoughts regarding the stake conference which they had watched via Zoom. They each noted inspiring remarks from speakers, then the Spirit moved the conversation to God’s love, mercy, and the Atonement of Jesus Christ. We shed joyful tears together while reading Alma 7:11, “he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind;…and he will take upon him their infirmities,…that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people…” We then discussed the intimate personal future joy that helped the Savior endure. Hebrews 12:2, “who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross…” After a while we asked if we could sing them a song. “You’re going to sing for us?!” Eve and Tracy’s eyes widened. “Yes.” We replied with a smile.

As we sang, “For the Joy Set Before Me,” there was obvious deep meaning there for Eve and Tracy as the Kleenex box was kept in use. We also played Ashokan Farewell, an Irish fiddle tune, and finally one of our handcart songs, “Pioneer Lullaby.” Some young children appeared and disappeared at the open windows as we played. Eve’s son appeared in the room as well and expressed his knowledge of the history and background of certain music types. Typical of such ministering sessions I asked, “May we have prayer with you tonight?” Eve readily agreed and asked me to pray. As we departed the harbor area, Joan and I felt God’s love and how wonderful it is to be in places of love and service. Tracy, Eve and her son were in our prayers that night and we knew we were in the right place, grateful for the people we are meeting and serving, grateful for our supportive family and friends.

A week earlier, before leaving home in Utah, we had family over for breakfast on General Conference morning. Wheat Waffles and peach syrup were on the menu, one of our favorites. After breakfast and conference, we held an Easter devotional where Bethany read about the resurrection of Christ and Rebecca H. gave a thought about Easter. We bore our testimonies, Jana gave the family prayer then we all hugged, said our goodbyes, and Melanie took us to the airport. After descending past Mount Hood into Portland, the timing was just right for us to catch the Saturday Evening Session of conference sitting in the airport. We also received a couple unexpected texts. “Aloha Elder & Sister Hardman! This is Celeste from the Kahului 1st Ward R/S Presidency. Is there anything you need? Do you have a ride? Is there anything we can do to assist? …If you’re up & wanting breakfast, we are having the missionaries over for breakfast at 8am between conference sessions.” We got similar messages from Paul of the stake presidency. We soon figured out that Paul and Celeste are husband and wife. We expressed our Mahalo and accepted the breakfast invitation.

It was midnight Hawaii time when we got off the plane in Kahului, found our rental truck and set out for our hotel room since our new apartment had no furniture. After a short night’s sleep we went and had a lovely breakfast (a feast actually including yummy cocoa rice) with President Celeste and President Paul M., four missionaries and several family members. As a thankyou gift we retrieved our instruments from the truck and played Ashokan Farewell for them. They were grateful.

Over the next week we moved into our apartment, acquired needed furniture, had companion study each morning, watched The Chosen at the local theater, walked twice up the neighborhood hill for exercise, bought a car, drove to Lahaina and back, attended stake conference and made a special visit to Eve and Tracy.