It’s been years since we sent family greetings, and we thought now was as good a time as any to restore tradition. We knew we wouldn’t have time to send them in the fall, so we prepared to send love notes in February. Well, that was the plan!
Call me old fashioned, but we’ve handwritten the addresses (albeit sloppier than I’d like), and I’ve insisted on writing a short note in each card (Sterling thinks I’m crazy!), but I’m happy to say that the last of them should be in the mail tomorrow.
I’m sharing two cards because I ran out of the first and had to make a simpler card with my limited supplies (almost all my stamps, etc. have been given away). I’m also sharing what was typed on the insert and the photo we included…since I can’t send greetings to all of you. I wish I could…and with a handwritten note in each!
(The formatting is messed up, and I don't have time to mess with it...my apologies!)
Aloha from the Gardners!
It’s been years since we’ve sent greetings, but we look forward to seeing photos of you and your family and hearing about your lives, so we hope an update from us will be appreciated too. We’ve had a memorable experience here in Hawaii while serving as missionaries, and here are some of the blessings of our mission as it comes to a bittersweet end:
- Working in the Hawaii Honolulu Mission office with
great people
- Serving with the BEST mission president and his wife
- Watching the young missionaries grow into men and
women of God
- Being asked to “hang out” at the YSA branch and
attend institute class
- Teaching temple preparation class and attending the
Laie Temple often
- The magical duo of our branch piano player and
chorister
- Lessons and talks from amazing young people with
strong testimonies
- Visits from all the members of our family at least once
- Having dinner with friends and family on vacation
from the mainland
- Enjoying the relaxed culture and the warmth of the
Polynesian people
- Elder Holland’s visit to our mission and singing in the
choir that evening
- Excellent care at Queen’s Hospital during Sterling’s
stay after his stroke
- The view from our 29th floor city apartment and its
convenient location
- Practicing yoga at a studio less than ten minutes away
from our apartment
- Fresh fruits and vegetables, especially apple bananas
and pineapple
- Beach trips, scenic drives, and hikes around the island
- Sterling picking fragrant plumeria flowers for my desk
to brighten my day
- Blue skies, billowy clouds, and beautiful weather
We love our mission, we love the Savior, and we love you, our dear friends and wonderful family.
Hugs from Hawaii,
Elder and Sister Gardner
