November 18, 2023

Aloha Family and Friends,

Paula: I was reading in the Book of Mormon yesterday and read one of those ‘I don’t remember reading this before!’ scriptures. One that touches your heart with new meaning. In Moroni 7:4, Mormon mentions a ‘peaceable walk with the children of men’. This describes our sweet, gentle mission that is quickly coming to a close. 

We have spent four semesters walking the paths of BUY Hawaii, basking in the gentle breeze coming off the ocean. We’ve avoided skateboards, scooters, and tiny little motorized bicycles. Everywhere we walk, we say ‘Aloha’ to beautiful young people enjoying the fellowship of the saints. We adore the campus with its unique buildings, amazing trees and gorgeous flowers. I mostly love the most beautiful babies, whose faces reflect the world. For me they are the HOPE that comes from the FAITH of their young parents. 

Our walk among these children of the Lord has inspired us. These students leave their homes to come here, but their thoughts never leave their families who are so far away. So many students that we’ve met have lost a loved one while they are here. Besides studying university level subjects in a second language, they work 19 hours a week, serve in the temple, take care of each other, deal with mental health challenges and date and get married. When we remind them that the LORD brought them here for a reason, they get tears in their eyes and feel HIS love. They continue to press forward. 

Our peaceable walk is coming to an end. We fly home two days after graduation on December 10th. We leave the beautiful shores of O’ahu for the lovely snow-covered mountains of Utah. We look forward to seeing you all soon. Aloha.

3 Wherefore, I would speak unto you that are of the church, that are the peaceable followers of Christ, and that have obtained a sufficient hope by which ye can enter into the rest of the Lord, from this time henceforth until ye shall rest with him in heaven.

4 And now my brethren, I judge these things of you because of your peaceable walk with the children of men.