Day 2 -

A like along an ancient pathway on the Southern rocky shore, The path goes from Shipwreck Beach to some un-pronounceable place to the Northeast of Shipwreck.

A pleasant dinner with a view to die for

We drove out to the Northshore as well to look for whales. We saw the whales blowing into the air, but the water was too chopy for us to actually see much. So we went back on the Highway from Hell (horrible traffic AND construction every 5 miles. Why do we think Hawaii received so much Federal Funding for obscure highway projects? HUMMMM)

Anyway, we stopped at a waterfall mostly to rest from the traffic

And finally, some out-rigger teams practicing (Which I will upload when the computer is faster)

Day 1

We we woke up this morning, it was raining and overcast. We drove along the Waimea Canyon, also know as the Grand Canyon of the pacific. The wind was pretty blustery as we stood on the rim of the canyon ( behind the railings.) The scenes were amazing. Many of the shots show some haze, as it was in the morning before the humidity had burned off.

The view points had some very long drops - of 2000 ft or more in places. This canyon is 1/2 mile deep and 10 miles wide. Not as big as the real Grand Canyon, but colorful in a different way.

After wards, we went to Dukes to eat. We sat by the beach with a gentle breeze and split a cheese burger. No, we did not have Hula pie.

A video of the panorama of the canyon.

Not focusing on the task at hand

I was deer hunting once, and instead of watching for deer, I was watching the trees and the leaves as they would blow off the branches and flutter to the ground. The result is the poem below. Somehow, the words have more meaning now that I am a little further down the road.

Brittle Autumn Bones

His last strength holds on.

The wind and rain

Have battered and bruised.

And tormented the withered being

He rattles as he moves

His brittle bones creak and groan

As he sways with wind and age

And never moves a step

Oh the memories of youth!

When wind and rain caused naught

But gentle sway and light rustle

Of youth and inexperience.

His strength fails at last.

Letting go, round and round

He circles, back to earth,

To find his final resting place.

Simplicity and Beauty

The creations of God are amazing. After Moses had his vison of the earth, he remarked that "now I know that man is nothing, which thing I had never before supposed." When I see the the beauty of nature, I am overwhelmed.Whether the cliffs, valleys and waterfalls of the rugged mountains, or the simplicity perfection of the passion flower below, each detail seems to be planned with immaculate perfection.

The soft warm water of the South Pacific

or the rugged beauty of the winter in the mountains are equally adept at taking one's breath away.

While the creations of mankind may be interesting and inspiring, they cannot compare with the simplicty yet complexity of nature.
The simple things seem to bring the greatest happiness.

Mothers teaching daughters
Brothers bonding in a shared laugh
bring a smile to all but the most hardened face. I love nature. I love my family. I love that Father has given us the opportunity to be sealed for eternity. I am proud of each of my children and grandchildren. I love their accomplishments, even the simple ones of learning to climb stairs.

Arrival of Number 8

Cameron Rae Melville

Born January 5, 20115 lbs 11 Ozs
17 1/2 inches long.
Cute as a button
Big things come in small packages

Merry Christmas

Since my mother's passing, I have been under quite a bit of stress and pressure from work and time commitments at the Church. I did not get a Christmas letter out to family and friends. I would like to discuss a bit of these last four weeks.

Week 1

The week of Thanksgiving was wonderful. Matt, Lecia and Kennedy were here. It ended way too soon, although the trip to the zoo was a pleasant way to end the trip.

Week 2

The next weekend was Inventory. I had to work the weekend. I didn't do too much as far as actual inventory work, but it was important for me to be at work when every other person in the company had to work. (No Pictures)

Week 3

The next weekend was quite busy. In the morning we had "Breakfast with the Bishop" as a Primary Activity Day. I thouroughly enjoyed talking to the Primary Children. I had to leave early to head for Mesa. Congratulations to Tanner and Jessica.

We had to leave Mesa right after the sealing to attend the Ward Party.

Week 4

We again went to Mesa. This time we spent Friday evening looking at the Christmas lights at the temple.

After the lights, we went back to the hotel and, for the first time in our married lives, we had room service together. (I had had it before when traveling on business). In the morning, we attended the temple and came home. On Saturday evening we went to the Holiday Party for work. It made for a late night and harder day at Church the next day.

Work

During this time, I had been behind at work because of being gone for Mother's Funeral. In addition, we were working on next year's budget, which meetings and projects took up about 50% of available working hours.

Tithing Settlement.

I really don't need to say much more than those two (2) words. Although it was often fun and I do enjoy the time with the members, it does take a lot of time.

BUT==> We finished the budget on Thursday the 23rd. I handed November's financial package to the owners on Friday the 24th. I am almost caught up with miscellaneous projects. I am all but done with Tithing Settlement. The stress is gone, and I am at peace.

So, to all of my friends, family and any lurkers on this blog,

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Bonus coverage - I will not do a 2010 recap yet, as I will surly miss something important. But pictures of Hawaii are always good.

Here is a picture from the top of Diamond Head Crater. Yes, we did the hike.

On what was supposed to be our last day, we experienced a Tsunami. It was interesting, but not dramatic.

Miles to go, before I sleep

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

by Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

My mother used to quote this poem to us, sometimes several times a day. I think the poem gave her strength. She knew that there were places along life's path, that seemed to long for us to stop, to think, to ponder, and to perhaps lie down for lack of ability or strength. It helped her at times, to stop and to enjoy peace and beauty in places where we would not normally think of peace. And the poem gave her a reminder, that in spite of fatigue or conflicting options, the call of duty and responsibility moves us onward, towards fulfilling our mission.

I had a good day today. I met with several families for Tithing Settlement. But there was one sister that needed words of help and encouragement. I had felt that I needed to meet with her. My first question set her to tears. We talked of life, of imperfection and of parental duty. I saw some of my mother's fatigue. Yet this sister will go on, for she loves her children. I asked her to go to the temple, alone, without family or friends, and to just spend time with Father. The words that came from my mouth, that I had never before thought of, were, "As you help Father with His children, He will help you with yours." She has miles to go before she sleeps. She has faith and hope, and she wants the best for her family. She knows that she is imperfect. Where and how do we find the strength to continue?

The Master issued this invitation, "Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matt 11: 28-30)

So we accept the invitation. We turn around and face Him. We strive to change our actions, our habits, and yes, finally, our character. As we try to live as He did, his actions become ours. His habits become our habits. His character becomes our character. And just as we have been "graven on the palms of [His] hands", we have the image of Christ graven upon our countenances.

That is our goal. That is our end, if we endure well the mortal experience. For most of us, we "have miles to go, before we sleep."