Author Archives: MiLinda Hudnall

Summertime Fun!

Monday, June 23, 2025

Our day starts with the expected walk to the point, on campus meetings and a student visit then. . .

They arrive today!!!

Mindy and Ellie come for her graduation trip

A quick stop for dinner at Zippy’s. . .

And just in time for Ukulele Class:

Tuesday, June 24, 2025

Actually it started off at 5am with a crisis call and an early visit, then a walk to the point and . . .

Start the day at the temple:

We had a couple of meetings this morning at the office and then enjoyed lunch from Ken’s Fish Market!!

Elder Hudnall took one for the team and stayed at the office the rest of the day. Mindy and Ellie and I took off for town and fun.

We did grocery shopping at Safeway and had to hurry back to La’ie for our introduction Devotional. We have new Mission Leaders.

Wednesday, June 25, 2025

The day started very common, our morning walk:

Then the Sharks!

Mindy planned a graduation gift for Ellie. We went out with Dive One to “swim with the sharks”. It was actually a very educational and fun experience.

Again, Elder Hudnall kept the office duties done. He had a re-scheduled training for one of the departments on campus.

Eliza and Mindy and myself, well we spent the afternoon in Haleiwa after the morning with sharks.

Phone calls and messages even on the boat, but it was fun to get away from it all for a little while.

Finish the night off on the back deck watching the sunset:

Thursday, June 26, 2025

We made it a “ride your bike to work day”

And that gave the car to Mindy and Ellie for their Beach(‘s) day!

We first joined the send off for the Workman’s at the PCC:

And Ellie and Mindy kept busy at the beach(s) while we volunteered at the PCC:

Friday, June 27, 2025

Morning Walk:

That got cut short by a downpour.

Early morning Class (8am) and final for SW Macro and Student visits and check in’s. Bike day with no pics

Finals and Finishing today.

Lunches and Meetings –

More beaches for Mindy and Eliza!

Spring Semester 2025 is now in the books and we said goodbye to friends (Bob and Gloria Johnson) as they prepared to leave the island:

And Ellie learned how to make Eyelash/Straw Lei’s, watching Jurassic World – a lot of the scenery was filmed here.

Saturday, June 28, 2025

Quick Walk before Snorkling at Three Tables:

Stop off at Ted’s

And it is time to head home to La’ie-

To get cleaned up for Honolulu/Pearl Harbor:

AND…Dinner at Liliha’s Bakery:

We had to finish the night off watching “Pearl Harbor” that was filmed before Ellie’s parents were even married. . .so it is really old . . . And really long (only half tonight)

Sunday, June 29, 2025

5th Sunday – That is all we need to say!

The morning started at 4am. Needed to have a student to the Honolulu airport before 6am for their flight home. I made it back for our church services at 8am. Friends (Lynn and Lenore Davis) from our Provo Ward were on the island for a family reunion this week. They met up with us for Sacrament Meeting.

We hurried off to our next meeting at 10am for the 2nd hour meeting in a YSA about resilience. Then it was divide and conquer. I did an 11 am combined 3 ward class about Wellness 101; Elder Hudnall held the 11:30am community ward La’ie 4th presentation on Suicide prevention.

We stopped by the apartment for lunch at 1:30pm, (leftovers from Liliha’s) and made it to our 3pm presentation in time to set up and warm up. This was another YSA ward/stake combo during the 2nd hour on Resilience and suicide prevention (postvention) – didn’t get a picture of this one –

And finished presentation #5 with Stake Presidents and Bishops from all the YSA and Married Student wards on campus.

And we made it back home for dinner at 7pm that Mindy and Ellie had it ready for us! Mahalo

A beautiful last night on the sunset deck!

Finished off Pearl Harbor, what a classic and how tragic.

Elder Hudnall and I are listening to “Watership Downs” as we drive round and about this island and just got to my favored line in the whole book:

You’re trying to eat grass that isn’t there; why don’t you wait for it to grow?

I need to keep practicing patience and turning my will over to God. As I do so, my needs are always met.

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I will close with my testimony of Jesus Christ and the Atonement of Jesus Christ. It is because of His sacrifice my needs are met. I continually make foolish choices and error in many ways, repentance is my daily focus and seeking his guidance is my path. I love the opportunity to wear this tag and represent Him for this short time. I feel Him close and the power He is in my life. I close in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

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I am also finishing this on Monday night so that I can get to bed it has been a busy week and was a crazy Sunday! I’ll save Mondays information for its own newsletter and stay on the week format!

Love,

Elder and Sister Hudnall

Summer Solstice

Monday, June 16, 2025

Started out with our walk:

I realized this morning that the ocean and horizon are much the same each morning. The rocks and land masses stay the same. The sun moves back and forth in its position, but very slowly. It’s the timing and the clouds that make the Sunrise!

Then in my personal study today I came across a reference for this article from 1976. I really enjoyed it:

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/new-era/1976/08/spiritual-crocodiles?lang=eng

Then, I received a surprise phone call from Hutia! My neighbor from Provo, Utah. She is on island and wanted to meet for lunch. Why I didn’t take a picture of the two of us together at Tita’s Grill?! I don’t know!

It was great spending the Lunch Hour with her!!

Afternoon of student visits and check ins. . . and finished the day with Ukulele class. . . Almost. Got called out for a student in distress. Everyone is OK!

Tuesday, June 17, 2025

Sunrise (cloud formations)

It is Devotional Tuesday! With two in one day. . .and this is the final devotional for BYU-H until Fall Semester.

After this wonderful devotional we had meetings with Family Services from Honolulu that were on campus for the day.

Then I had to take a student down to Honolulu for an appointment. . . And treated them to dinner at Zippy’s

Whew . . . Made it back for the Mandatory Senior Missionary Monthly Devotional. This was a musical devotional and Aloha Oe’ for the Bassett’s.

Wednesday, June 18, 2025

A beautiful morning . . .

On campus all day with meetings in the office and around campus. Student visits and check in’s

Final Hope Squad Class for Spring Semester 2025

Great way to finish off the middle of the week!

Thursday, June 19, 2025

Campus is closed, no classes today! Honoring the Federal Holiday; Juneteenth

A welcomed day away from campus – chores around the pad –

Friday, June 20, 2025

Beautiful Morning Walk

Campus meetings and booth sitting with the Hope Squad greeting students headed to the library.

Sr. Sisters Brown Bag Lunch group met at Sister Burke’s amazing Pad:

It was a blessing to finish the day at the temple:

Saturday, June 21, 2025

It doesn’t feel as noticeable with the “longest daylight” of the year. Maybe being closer to the equator it is more even days and nights? Here’s to lots of daylight!

After finishing up the Pday errands, we drove up to Haleiwa for the Art Festival:

I go to meet an artist that I’ve been admiring his work, it was so fun to meet him, what a genuinely delightful person to talk to, and very talented. We are holding his “triptych” of Laie Point – Winward Oahu.

We hurried (through turtle traffic on the Kam Hwy) for our La’ie District 2 Dinner at the Turtle House.

It was a wonderful evening with our fellow missionaries . We say goodbye to Elder and Sister Greiner who have been serving for the last 23 months. He has been teaching religion and she has been in the theater department on BYU Hawaii campus.

Sunday, June 22, 2025

A wonderful day of rest! We attended church at 8am in our La’ie 6th Ward. We love our ward. We were able to visit with family members via Facebook and I had the time to put this newsletter together.

Today is Donut Hole Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We finished this Sabbath Day at a Fireside for the Voyage of the Iosepa

It was a beautiful presentation about the end of the 2025 Voyage of the Iosepa.

This magnificent 57-foot double hulled canoe was commissioned and built in 2001 through a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, under the direction of Sione Tuione Pulotu with assistance from master carver Kawika Eskaran. It is designed as a sailing classroom as part of BYU-Hawai‘i’s Hawaiian Studies program so that students can learn ancient navigational skills, connect to their Polynesian history and experience an adventure of a lifetime.

Volunteers from the community including BYU-Hawai‘i students participated in its construction, which took an amazingly quick 8 months. Kawika has shared that numerous miracles took place in the construction process. “Many times we were faced with an issue we did not know how to address. We would pray to our ancestors for guidance, we would have faith, and soon an answer would come. It would always come.”

“Unlike most other contemporary canoes which are built out of fiberglass with modern technology,” stated Von Orgill, former President of BYU-Hawaii, “the Iosepa is hand-carved out of dakua wood transported from Fiji. Iosepa’s spirit is very strong. It not only connects the Polynesian Cultural Center with BYU-Hawai‘i, but also unites the entire Hawaiian community and residents of La‘ie.”

The Iosepa sails approximately every two years, circling the Hawaiian Islands. Students are selected as crew members and are taught the ancient skills of navigation by the stars. They visit ports along the islands so that they can share the unique and powerful history of ancient navigation with Hawaiian communities. The crew is met with great ceremony. They receive “aloha” or “mana”, and they share “i’ ke”. And then, as a way to honor and bless others, the crew takes time to perform service to the community.

This powerful ship, housed in the “Halau Wa’o o Iosepa” (Canoe House of Learning), bridges not only those of Polynesian descent with their kapuna, or ancestors, through their voyages, it helps them to connect to the world by sharing its beauty and purpose to the visitors of the Polynesian Cultural Center.

President of the Polynesian Cultural Center, Alfred Grace said, “To us, Our canoe (boat) has the same meaning as the handcart does to you.”

What a beautiful way to end the week. . . Sail on

Love,

Elder and Sister Hudnall

Happy Father’s Day!

To all you marvelous Father’s out there!!

Monday, June 9, 2025

47 years ago today the Priesthood is now available to all males. I was in the Lion House with Grandma GG and Aunt Mary at the Brigham Young Granddaughters Luncheon. Elder Hudnall was then Elder Hudnall serving his first mission in the Nevada Las Vegas Mission when he heard the news!

Today in La’ie though this was the start:

It was a challenging day on campus as we continue with the needs of the students and faculty/staff processing these events. As case manager for the CARE/Crisis team, we did the empty chair shadow. I will attend each of the classes that are on the schedule for your student.

Crisis Team Meetings also were on the schedule and We didn’t make it to Ukulele tonight!

Tuesday, June 10, 2025

Devotional Tuesday:

“The mission of BYU–Hawaii is to prepare students of Oceania and the Asian Rim to be lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ and leaders in their families, communities, chosen fields, and in building the kingdom of God.” [1] How do we become lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ? We become disciples of our Savior when we seek and solidify our connection to God through the Holy Ghost, this connection helps us receive personal revelation. And then, when our connection is secure, we act! Why is this connection to God so essential? President Russell M. Nelson taught, “… in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost. My beloved brothers and sisters, I plead with you to increase your spiritual capacity to receive revelation.” 

Elder L. Tom Perry taught that obedience is a choice to trust God’s unlimited wisdom and power, rather than trusting our own limited knowledge. 

Elder Neil L. Andersen reminded us that repenting is not so much a chastisement as it is an invitation to return to the Lord. He said, “The scriptures speak of His arms being open, extended, stretched out, and encircling. They are described as mighty and holy, arms of mercy, arms of safety, arms of love, ‘lengthened out all the day long.’” [7]

We have each felt to some extent these spiritual arms around us. We have felt His forgiveness, His love, and comfort. The Lord has said, “I am he that comforteth you.” [8] The Lord’s desire that we come unto Him and be wrapped in His arms is often an invitation to repent. “Behold, he sendeth an invitation unto all men, for the arms of mercy are extended towards them, and he saith: Repent, and I will receive you.” [9]

President Boyd K. Packer said in his last general conference address, “The Atonement leaves no tracks, no traces. What it fixes is fixed. … It just heals, and what it heals stays healed. [10] The Atonement, which can reclaim each one of us, bears no scars. That means that no matter what we have done or where we have been or how something happened, if we truly repent, [the Savior] has promised that He would atone. And when He atoned, that settled that…The Atonement…can wash clean every stain no matter how difficult or how long or how many times repeated.” [11]

What a wondrous gift we have been given by our Father in Heaven, who desires to maintain a connection with each of us. I know that as we repent sincerely, we can have the Holy Ghost to be our constant companion.

The devotionals are still being held in the McKay Auditorium/Aloha Ballroom (overflow) with the repairs and updating that is happening at the Cannon Activities Center (CAC)

Following devotional Elder Hudnall and our boss James Faustino had an update meeting with President Kau we and the Presidents Council (PC)

I was back and forth to the PCC today. “The purple wave” is 11:30ish when the tour guides start their shift at the PCC and their uniforms are purple, today’s was less because I was a little late. . .

Then, we had our volunteer shift at the PCC tonight which was scheduled last month, and a presentation on suicide for a district that was scheduled two weeks ago.

They were all accomplished and we called it a day!

Wednesday, June 11, 2025

The week continues with me going to classes, and visits and meetings. Back and forth to the counseling center and “bumping into students” in the CAF, Banyan Dining Hall and Aloha Center.

A friend sent me some fun icon images of us:

Finished the day with a quick trip to Honolulu to pick up supplies for events for this week.

Thursday, June 12, 2025

Shout Out to our missionary in Las Vegas Nevada – Stay cool and enjoy your birthday today!! (20)

Quick walk this morning, and a pretty loud large dog in my spot to take my regular pictures:

Then on campus for more school classes, more crisis meetings, CARE team follow ups. And a trip to Sand Island Pkwy:

– to help pick up a student who needed to be evaluated and stabilized in the hospital.

Friday, June 13, 2025

Beautiful and QUICK walk this morning. Elder Hudnall is substituting for an 8am class:

More classes and sessions held today. Then the Shaka Steel Drum class had a class concert. It was fabulous:

A month ago a few missionary couples got tickets to: Candlelight – The Best of Hans Zimmerman. It was an amazing string quartet playing amazing songs in an “out of this world” venue. The Cathedral of St. Andrew in Queen Emma Square. Candlelight in the Cathedral – soul filling night!

Another trip to Honolulu – but this one was planned!!

Saturday, June 14, 2025

Morning Walk:

Shortened by the quick rainstorm!

Beautiful Funeral services for our student and an:

Beautiful references to our eternal life and the opportunity for family to be together forever. A rendition of “Oh Lord, My Redeemer” by Professor Daniel Henderson accompanied by Professor Jennifer Duerden. This is the sole touching, now my favorite rendition:

A quote for today:

As I write this, I feel the pain and sorrow and yet, I am strangely at peace because, throughout this experience, Heavenly Father has taught me something: All my “last times” aren’t really last times. There is an “again.”

Whenever I attend a service that is celebrating someone’s time on this earth, I reflect on the different estates that I have taken on my journey. The preexistence and being with our heavenly family. The growth and development in that existence. This mortal journey and the only one I “remember and know”. The faith and trust it requires and the many experiences of being next to the veil when others have passed through coming or going. I rely on the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

This is from the book, “The Infinite Atonement by Tad Callister:

“He took upon him infinite suffering, but chose to defend with only mortal faculties, with but one exception—his godhood was summoned to hold off unconsciousness and death (i.e., the twin relief mechanisms of man) that would otherwise overpower a mere mortal when he reached his threshold of pain. For the Savior, however, there would be no such relief. His divinity would be called upon, not to immunize him from pain, but to enlarge the receptacle that would hold it. He simply brought a larger cup to hold the bitter drink.” (Chapter 14, pg. 119)

“The Savior’s love was not a love for the righteous only; it was not an abstract love; nor was it demonstrated by one dramatic sacrificial act and nothing more. To the contrary, it was a day-by-day, hour-by-hour, even moment-by-moment love! … Love was exhibited in every conscious, waking moment of his mortal life. Love flowed from every pore, every thought, every act. As naturally and regularly as we seek air, he sought to bless.” (Chapter 15, pg. 159)

“As our understanding of the Atonement increases, our ability to forgive ourselves and others increases as well.” (Chapter 18, pg. 197)

The Love that was felt today flowed freely.

We had friends from home come over to the island. It was such a fun evening to have dinner at one of my favorite places: Liliha’s Bakery!!

Sunday, June 15, 2025

Happy Father’s Day

La’ie 6th Ward – 8am Sacrament Meeting

Sister Lake is an artist . . . These Lei’s are the most wanted in the Ward. She is very kind and loving.

Beautiful Father’s Day

Love,

Elder and Sister Hudnall

Monday, June 2, 2025

Then the standard Monday morning visits and student visits on campus. Ended the day at ukulele class

Tuesday, June 3, 2025

Devotional Tuesday:

Wonderful devotional today.

Jay Manzanares (worked with him in Provo School District, he was a great resource officer) was in town and Elder Hudnall and he got to spend some time together over at the PCC:

Finished the day in Kanahoe with friends, The Wayts. What a fun way to finished a great day!

Wednesday, June 4, 2025

Again an office day with meetings and visits and Hope Squad class!

Finished today at the temple. THAT is the way to finish a day:

Thursday, June 5, 2025

We had a beautiful morning again:

Today was professional development. It was a great workshop from a visiting professor from BYU Provo, Lauren Barnes. Thanks for a great morning of info!

Lunch at the Banyan Dining Hall!

Finished the day at the PCC:

Friday, June 6, 2025

Another average day:

Began with the Walk to the Point –

Office Hours with Students –

Brown Bag lunch with the other senior missionaries –

And finished the day at the apartment getting chores done so we can pick up the Bates to go to the Punchbowl Military Cemetery and the U.S. Army Museum of Hawaii (Fort Debussy)

Saturday, June 7, 2025

We have a tragic beginning to this day, one of the students on campus ended their life overnight. It is a very difficult day, many prayers for the family and friends and those touched by these events.

Sunday, June 8, 2025

Sabbath Morning. Multiple Ward meetings to attend.

One of the talks at one of the YSA wards:

Was about this General Conference talk by Elder James R. Rays and:

The Plan of Mercy

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2025/04/33rasband?lang=eng

Mosiah 3

7 And lo, he shall suffer temptations⁠, and pain of body, hunger⁠, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer⁠, except it be unto death; for behold, blood cometh from every pore, so great shall be his anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people.

8 And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;

9 Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn⁠; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection⁠, that ye may have eternal life—

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We had a fireside for students and staff tonight.

We were privileged to begin the meeting with a beautiful song by a beautiful little one:

I would like to close out this newsletter with my testimony of the Plan of Salvation and the help it is to me to remember that we lived in the pre-existence as pre-mortal beings with our Heavenly parents. We are currently very mortal beings with the struggles and challenges that this earth life brings with it. We wanted to be able to return as eternal beings and I count on the sacrifice of our brother Jesus Christ, the atonement of that sacrifice and our choice to be His disciple and partner in this mortal path. I am grateful for the sealing power our family has to be an eternal family. I am giving myself the permission to continue to error and strive during this portion of this path. To be with them and Him for eternity.

I know That Jesus Christ is my Savior and I am a disciple of Him. In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen

Love,

Elder and Sister Hudnall

Memorial Day

Monday, May 26, 2025

Memorial Day!

What a beautiful day. Starting off with our walk:

Spent time with friends helping with things they needed this morning.

A drive by some of the cemeteries:

Tuesday, May 27, 2025

Devotional Tuesday:

“In this April’s general conference, President Russell M. Nelson said, “As we diligently seek to have charity and virtue fill our lives, our confidence in approaching God will increase. I invite you to take intentional steps to grow in your confidence before the Lord. Then, as we go to our Heavenly Father with increasing confidence, we will be filled with more joy, and your faith in Jesus Christ will increase. We will begin to experience spiritual power that exceeds our greatest hopes.” [3] 

The prophet invited us to take intentional steps to grow in our confidence before the Lord. Growth is a key principle in the gospel of Jesus Christ as it closely relates to the word, progression.

As I pondered this thought, the word, “hypertrophy” came to mind.

Hypertrophy is often used to describe the growth or increase in size of an organ or cell. It is often used to describe our muscles. For example, a body-builders’ main goal is muscular hypertrophy.

They spend hours in the weight room, adding more and more weight to increase their muscle mass and achieve muscular hypertrophy. By stressing their muscles in such a way, repetition upon repetition, the muscles respond by increasing its mass and growing stronger so that it can withstand increasingly heavier loads and stress.

On the other hand, when our muscles go through a period of time when it isn’t exercised or used, they experience atrophy or the loss of mass. 

Some of you may have experienced significant atrophy after removing a cast from your arm or leg after many months. There is often a stark difference between the leg that was in the cast compared to the one that wasn’t. The atrophied muscle becomes weak and unable to handle the same weight or stress that it could prior to the injury. 

Now, let’s apply this concept of Hypertrophy and atrophy to our spiritual growth. We have seen examples of both spiritual hypertrophy and atrophy. Devoted followers of Jesus Christ who are truly converted can expect significant spiritual gains, adding strength and fostering hypertrophy to our testimonies. Our ability to withstand trials and temptations will be strengthened. We will also grow in our confidence before the Lord.

However, when we fail to put up the reps to exercise our spiritual muscles, we will experience spiritual atrophy. Our testimonies become weak and frail and then our ability to withstand the forces of the adversary become compromised.

Spiritual hypertrophy will strengthen us to withstand the persistent pressures and cunning attacks applied by the adversary to lead us away from our Savior and weaken our confidence in His presence.

It is vital that we implement measures that ensure that we are consistently and faithfully promoting spiritual hypertrophy.

He provided these four (4) ways:

1. Recognize, develop and use your spiritual gifts and talents.

2. Emulate the Savior and become a true disciple of Jesus Christ.

3. Remove impurities in our lives by repenting daily.

4. My last suggestion is to attend the House of the Lord more frequently.

These are so vital in my life and I wanted to bring them out in my typing of this to remind myself!

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This was a not regular Tuesday, we had appointments down in Honolulu and had to hurry back for our District Meeting.

The Seamans hosted it in their apartment in Hau’ula. What an amazing dinner and a fun time getting to know each other.

Wednesday, May 27, 2025

Regular Day and started with a walk:

We had office hours – student visits – Hope Squad

Hope Squad Class #2

Thursday, May 29, 2025

Morning Sunrise Thursday!

We got a mystery pack of GF Flour:

Ended the day at the PCC:

Friday, May 30, 2025

Morning Walk – new pictures

Meetings on campus and lunch with the Sisters –

Then I had a very different afternoon – a solo trip to Kaneohe:

Great Day!

Saturday, May 31, 2025

We had a very different P-day. It started with a Funeral for our Sister Purcell, President Purcell’s wife.

Such a powerful experience in being able to be a part of honoring this amazing woman.

Her relationship with Jesus Christ, her Eternal Family

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This day was complete with both these events.

Sunday, June 1, 2025

Church starts early, 8 am our time here in Hawaii. I was awaken to these fun photos:

Joining my world back home with great Missionary Friendships.

Church added new friends:

And we finished this Fast Sunday with new friends in our Laie 6th Ward.

Munch and Mingle – saying goodbye to more friends;

Many beautiful things about family, eternal life and relationships this week. In one of our morning scripture study time’s we learned this and WW Phelps

William W. Phelps used his talents to build up the kingdom of God. From his first days in the Church, his talents were needed. His talent in poetry is still praised, as fifteen of his hymns are printed in the current hymnbook. On his tombstone are etched words from his hymn “If You Could Hie to Kolob”:

There is no end to matter;
There is no end to space;
There is no end to spirit;
There is no end to race.

There is no end to glory;
There is no end to love;
There is no end to being;
There is no death above.

I want to end with my testimony of eternal life and our opportunity to be eternal families with eternal relationships. I am grateful for our family, our eternal family and the opportunity we have to be together forever. Through the sacrifice, atonement and resurrection of our Savior and Brother Jesus Christ. It is because of His life and death that we have these blessings. I am forever indebted to His life and death. I know He lives and is the mediator for us when we are eventually reunited with him and our loved ones.

Mahalo🌴

Love,

Elder and Sister Hudnall

Monday, May 19. 2025

Afternoon walk

Tuesday, May 20, 2025

ONE YEAR!! – We arrived on island 1 year ago today!

An indescribable year. . .

This morning:

And it is Devotional Tuesday:

Third Tuesday of the month is usually a

Double Devotional Day!! New triple D !!

We had the Mandatory Senior Missionary Devotional at the Temple Visitors Center. It is really nice to be with the entire group:

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Started VERY early. We were up at 4:30am to make sure we were connected and ready for Eliza’s graduation.

So Proud of this wonderful Young Woman! So difficult to be 3000 miles away, but sent my Gramma Hugs!!

Then, Elder Hudnall had to teach a Social Work Class

Meetings, Student Visits, and end the day with Hope Squad Class and Kaeo teaching QPR.

LONG DAY!

Thursday, May 22, 2025

More Early Morning Graduation(s)

Then the Morning Walk:

Staff Meetings and then an All Hands Meeting for our department with President Kauwe. He showed us the changes for the re-build of campus:

More Student visits and updates, meeting with Interns

News from Home, Mindy and Otto hiked to the “Y” and shared with me:

We then finish off the day at the temple:

Friday, May 23, 2025

Awe it’s Friday, and mid-terms are done. . .

Students still feeing the stress -meetings never end!

Today we finished the day at the PCC:

Saturday, May 24, 2025

Morning Walk:

P-Day – Chores:

Spray for bugs, Laundry. . .

Off to Honolulu to visit a member of our district in the Hospital, Then, haircut, fix ukulele, groceries. . .

These kids were in the ukulele shop, such talent:

Whew – P-day!

Sunday, May 25, 2025

On the way out the door for church, I am very grateful for Elder Hudnall and his diligence at keeping our space pest free:

I saw this hanging on the Bulletin Board in Church:

And from one of the lessons in this week’s study:

Asking Questions of the Lord

Commentary on D&C 50:10–14

Though the Savior is an omniscient being and could simply offer corrections by decree, He often employs the technique of reasoning. Gently but firmly, He leads His disciples to correct conclusions by asking questions that allow them to use their own intellect and knowledge. There is wisdom in asking inspired questions to a seeker of truth rather than just providing the answer. As the most inspired of teachers, the Savior models good teaching by asking the disciples to consider what they were ordained to in the first place and what it means to preach the gospel by the power of the Holy Ghost.

While the manifestations among the Saints in Kirtland appear strange to us today, there is still a tendency among the members of the Church to look outward to less nourishing sources in our gospel learning. At times, we eschew the simple truths of the gospel in favor of flashier material that is less nourishing. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland warned, “When crises come in our lives—and they will—the philosophies of men interlaced with a few scriptures and poems just won’t do. Are we really nurturing our youth and our new members in a way that will sustain them when the stresses of life appear? Or are we giving them a kind of theological Twinkie—spiritually empty calories? President John Taylor once called such teaching ‘fried froth,’ the kind of thing you could eat all day and yet finish feeling totally unsatisfied.”[1]

It is worthwhile for all of us to ask from time to time, unto what was I ordained? What is the Lord asking me to do, and am I doing it in the right way?

[1] “A Teacher Come From God,” April 1998 General Conference.

Source

Doctrine and Covenants Minute by Casey Paul Griffiths 

Related verses

Doctrine and Covenants 50:10-14

Mid Month of May

– noticing the Naupaka (now paka) flowers blooming:

https://kealakai.byuh.edu/the-naupaka-flowers-story

Monday, May 12, 2025

This week BYU Hawaii was represented in Carnegie Hall with a beautiful “Worldwide Requiem”

https://www.ldsliving.com/watch-byu-hawaii-hula-dancer-performs-with-choir-at-carnegie-hall/s/12792

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Devotional Tuesday. We still meet in a makeshift manner while the CAC is undergoing a refurb.

It is held in the David O McKay Auditorium, but the Senior Missionaries are told to attend in the overflow and leave the seating for the students. We meet in the Aloha Ballroom!

Then an errand to the PCC and I found one of the names of our grandchildren in the gift shop!!

And Mindy’s Otto

Ended the day at the temple:

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

A regular beginning of a day:

A walk to the point. . .

Elder Hudnall had to take the car down to Kaneoke so I walked down to work, too rainy to ride the bike.

He hurried back because it was the Hope Squad Opening Social BBQ:

Thursday, May 17, 2025

Staff Meeting – substitute in Social Work classes – All in a day on campus!!

Rainy Day May!!

Finished the day at the PCC and we stayed dry:

I don’t know if these photos are the “Harry Potter” photos on this platform. I hope you can see the hand drop for these Utah ladies on their motorbikes:

Sunset on the deck:

Friday, May 16, 2025

Freezing Friday. Actually I wasn’t that cold, but it was a continued rainy day and EVERYONE was in a coat or jacket.

We just went about doing our regular Friday schedule.

Added in “Campus Connect” and Elder Hudnall and Jeremiah took care of the table:

Finished the day with friends and Chinese Dinner (which I didn’t even take a picture. . .)

Saturday, May 17, 2025

P Day – clean, laundry, wash car, and go to Honolulu!

We visited the Iolani Palace with Elder and Sister Fisher:

Foot massage before the Costco Run and Sunset diner on the Punchbowl Rim:

Sunday, May 18, 2025

A quiet Sabbath Day. Nothing on the schedule after Church!

I want to finish today’s newsletter with this:

In a recent video on social media, President Jeffrey R. Holland shared a sentence from scripture that he loves and called “a terrific line.” The sentence comes from Ether chapter 3 in which the Lord asks the brother of Jared, “Believest thou the words which I shall speak?”

President Holland points out that the Lord isn’t asking the brother of Jared if he believes the words the Lord spoke in the past. Nor is He asking if the brother of Jared believes the words the Lord is speaking right now.

“[The Lord is asking,] will you believe the words I will speak?” President Holland says. “What a … quick examination of faith.”

Believing in What the Lord Will Speak

President Holland shared how this sentence inspired a young woman to be baptized. The young woman was “very bright” and “very committed” to her new faith, but her family did not understand her decision. She was hurting over the trouble her desire to be baptized was causing in her family and almost decided to postpone her baptism.

But then she remembered Ether chapter 3. She, like the brother of Jared, had received a testimony and needed to keep going to hear more of the Lord’s words in the future. With that assurance, she knew she could not put off her baptism. We, too, need to believe in the words the Lord will continue to speak.

“I want you to believe the words the Lord has spoken, is speaking, and will speak in these latter days,” President Holland says. “We better believe them. We’ll need them in a world tossed and torn, and people worried and divided and confused. We need to believe what the Lord will speak soon and always, till the Savior comes.”

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This I believe – The words of the Lord in scripture, through the mouths of the prophets and in my own heart through prayer.

Mahalo for spending this time with us.

Love you,

Elder and Sister Hudnall

Happy Mother’s Day!

Monday, May 5, 2025

Happy Square Root Day!

Also Cinco De Mayo – we had wonderful Chicken Tacos at home because there is only one place to celebrate in Laie, Taco Bell! And one in Hau’ula North Shore Tacos!

Too crowded for an option AND we had Ukulele Class!

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

Last year on this date, we entered the MTC Provo:

And this year:

Also this year the

First Devotional of Spring 2025 Semester:

Such a helpful message for all of us.

“The Savior’s message is clear: His true disciples build, lift, encourage, persuade, and inspire—no matter how difficult the situation. True disciples of Jesus Christ are peacemakers….

My dear brothers and sisters, how we treat each other really matters! How we speak to and about others at home, at church, at work, and online really matters. Today, I am asking us to interact with others in a higher, holier way. Please listen carefully. ‘If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy’ that we can say about another person—whether to his face or behind her back—that should be our standard of communication.” [1] Such important words from our living prophet.”

“One of Christ’s most profound teachings is that we should “love one another, as I have loved you”. [2] But how can we truly love one another if we don’t understand each other? Whether you’re just starting to date, or you’ve been married for years, the ability to talk openly, listen carefully, and understand each other’s needs is essential.”

Elder Marvin J. Ashton of the Quorum of the Twelve taught, “I pray our Heavenly Father will help us to communicate more effectively in the home through a willingness to sacrifice, a willingness to listen, a willingness to vocalize feelings, a willingness to avoid judgment, a willingness to maintain confidences, and a willingness to practice patience. … Communication can help build family unity if we will work at it and sacrifice for it.” [6]

A beautiful devotional and great reminders and information to continue to grow with!

Our day finished at the PCC:

It is fun to do Ask Me at the Shaka statue. MANY many pictures are taken. We got a few this time too.

Wednesday, May 7, 2025

Middle of the Week and an overcast morning:

Student Visits

– figuring out student life and campus struggles

– Hope Squad for Spring Semester begins

Then:

Finish the night at the PCC and the Fire and Knife Show:

Spectacular ending of an overcast day!

Thursday, May 8, 2025

After our walk:

Elder Hudnall started on campus teaching on of the Social Work Classes, Sister Hudnall in Counseling Center Staff meeting.

Afternoon friends and rainstorm:

And Close the day at the Temple:

Friday, May 9, 2025

And our Friday at the Office – Meetings and then Brown Bag lunch with the Campus Missionaries.

We finished the day in Honolulu at Liliha’s Bakery with friends. Kathy Konrad and Mike Carneal. We met them when they rented the Airbnb behind us. They return to the island often and we get together when possible:

Yummy Meal and New Friends

Saturday, May 10, 2025

How fun to get messages from home about Hank (Henry Miles). He was only 75 when I first met him on the “Y” trail. He used to wear white pants and shirt, like a painter (it was cooler in light colors) and I called him the hiking angel. He is truly a renaissance man. He shared some of his writings with me throughout the years!

It was our Lei Day, not May 1st. Elder Hudnall made sure all the senior missionary Sisters had a Lei for Mother’s Day! (he and Elder Spilker getting them)

Then over to the PCC for “We are Samoa” continuing.

They replaced one of the trees on Hale Laa Blvd (Temple road)

And a surprise coming home, a beautiful flower for Mother’s Day from our boss James!

Sunday, May 11, 2025

8 am church and a wonderful Mother’s Day Meeting with the graduating seniors asking about their mothers and the Primary singing to all others

We FaceTime with our kids/grandkids each Sunday:

Then Elder Hudnall presented my Mother’s Day gift:

He had the kids send pictures and an artist here in La’ie put this together from those variety of pictures. Our Wonderful Dozen!

We received our invitation to this:

So proud of this girl! We are cheering in spirit at this wonderful event! We will be up and watching at 5am!

To finish off this week’s Newsletter, a friend sent this clip and I wanted to conclude with it. I don’t know if you can all watch it, but I hope so:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by FollowJesusChristNorthernUtah (@followjesuschristnorthernutah)

I am humbled and honored to be the mother of four of Heavenly Father’s precious children. They are wonderful adults now and are serving and loving littles of their own. I’m so proud of each one of them! Thank you for letting me be your mother! I love each one of you and miss you dearly!

I’m grateful to be able to serve and have this Mother’s Day in the mission field. We have been Full-time missionaries for 1 year now. I am so grateful for the opportunity we have to serve and be in La’ie, Hawaii!

Until next week –

Love,

Elder and Sister Hudnall

May (Lei) Day 🌺

Lei Day is a statewide celebration in Hawaii. The celebration begins in the morning of May first every year and continues into the next day. Lei day was established as a holiday in 1929.

Monday, April 28, 2025

Back to our regular routine –

Sunrise Walk to the Point

AND… back to the office

Monday Morning Meetings, Student visits, getting everyone ready for Spring Semester starting this week.

bananas. . .reminds me of the zucchini drops back home:

And we finished up the evening at Ukulele –

Tuesday, April 29 2025

Rainy Morning – Lone Coconut on Tree and bike ride to work:

Sums Up the Day!! – last day before school starts

Wednesday, April 30, 2025

The Sun will come out tomorrow (today)

And brought out the snails!

First day of classes – and here we go. . .

We did get to finish the day at the La’ie Temple:

Thursday, May 1, 2025

May Day and our introduction to “Lei Day”

But we started it with the usual walk and listening to General Conference Talks. (We use our AirPods and each wear one of the pods. That way we can start our companion study on our walk)

We happened to be listening to Elder Garrett Gong’s talk and saw this mother hen

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2025/04/45gong?lang=eng

And found these wonderful Hen activities for the kids:

Our granddaughter Eliza put together a beautiful poster for our great grandmother Zina:

Zina – – -Me – Eliza!!

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AND – it is Lei Day.

Our neighbor Pat made us beautiful handmade Lei’s from her trees:

What an appropriate way to end our May Lei Day!

Friday, May 2, 2025

Preparation day! Different than our Missionary P-Day. We are starting the Spring Semester by getting Hope Squad ready to begin this semester. CARES team worked together to help get holds cleared, classes registered, jobs found and paperwork done!!

The flag circle is in full array and we found a reminder to keep going:

And we found a reminder for ourselves:

Then we ended the day at the PCC:

Saturday, May 3, 2025

Began our P-Day with a devotional at the Samoa Village at the PCC:

Then our regular P-Day errands and chores. . . But we ended the day with friends and a Sunset get-together:

Then, furiously making Lei’s for our Aloha Oe’ Munch and Mingle tomorrow. Some of Our MTC District members are finishing their mission:

Sunday, May 4, 2025

Fast Sunday! A wonderful way to start the month. From today’s Sunday School lesson:

And we learn that we have a lot more to learn: “If thou shalt ask,” the Lord promised, “thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge” (⁠Doctrine and Covenants 42:61⁠).

61 If thou shalt ask, thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge, that thou mayest know the mysteries and peaceable things—that which bringeth joy⁠, that which bringeth life eternal.

We finished our Sabbath day with the mandatory Munch and Mingle for the Senior Missionaries. This one was a tender one for us.

When we entered the MTC in May of 2024, we met 8 couples and 5 single sisters who all made the journey to the La’ie Hawaii Mission. Today we sang, “Aloha Oe” to half of our group. They finished their 12 month mission and are returning home.

Great Missionaries and wonderful memories!

We are grateful for the opportunities to learn and grow that we have continued to have. . .

Mahalo for being a part of them!

Love,

Elder and Sister Hudnall

Happy Anniversary #44

Monday, April 21, 2025

Between Semesters!

But still our morning walks:

Then off to campus —

BYUH is a Three Semester University.

Fall – Winter – Spring

Classes are on break, but we still have students on campus 24/7. They work full time during the breaks and they still live and play here.

So, I still have students on campus for visits and appointments. Thus, Monday morning meetings and visits.

We end the day with the ukulele class and our new teacher sister Jeri Crosby. She’s a brand new missionary with her husband from St. George. She’s been a music teacher and she’s a teacher of music teachers and we are very lucky to have her here.

We got a copy of our Mission photo:

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Started the morning with our walk and photos from home:

Similar to yesterday morning but notice the difference in the clouds

We had meetings this morning and finished up the day at the PCC

Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Student visits, Health Clinic Visits, Hale visits –

Then Lunch (with friends) and Errands

The Beach House at Haleiwa

Ended the evening at the House of the Lord

Thursday, April 24, 2025

44 years ago we were at the Salt Lake Temple on this day. Marvin J. Ashton sealed us for time and all eternity.

This year we are in Hawaii!

We had the opportunity to visit the Garden Island, Kauai!

Then we explored the North Shore of Kauai:

Friday, April 25, 2025

This was our reception day 44 years ago. We spent the day getting ready for our reception evening! BUT . . .

44 years later we are:

I’ve wanted to ride in a helicopter with no doors for many years, and really didn’t think it was going to be a reality. Then we are in Hawaii and it is an easy opportunity to arrange.

Our pilot Hasen was quite young, but he did a great job. We didn’t get air sick, even when he took us inside the canyons and right up to the waterfalls, and then down to the floor of the beach. It was a thrilling experience and beautiful up close view of God’s creations!

We finished the day at Duke’s on Kalapaki Beach in Lihue, Kauai and a walk on Nawililwili Park.

Saturday, April 26, 2025

A lazy start and brunch at Leongs Roadhouse in the Coconut marketplace. No photos of the amazing Avocado Toast. Then our trip around the South end of the island and up into Waimea Canyon.

I didn’t realize that Lilo & Stitch has a hometown! Here’s for the grandkids! BUT, in Hanapepe there is a swinging bridge and fun bookstore we stopped at.

It was a familiar drive up the canyon. It felt like we were driving the Alpine Loop in Provo Canyon, BUT GREENER! The red rock was the feeling of Southern Utah, but Green everywhere!

Sunday, April 27, 2024

the morning started early:

Church at 8:30am, but we are used to our 8am church!

We take all these pictures, and I didn’t take one at the historic Kapa’a Church? I can’t believe I didn’t document that beautiful Hawaiian church. It is etched in my memory.

I take photos of breakfast, the pineapple fritter (which was delicious) but not the church?!?!

And of us leaving the Hilton Garden Inn on our way to the airport (but not the Historic Kapa’a Church ?!?!)

The flight back to Oahu, was a 20 minute flight!! We waited to board the plane longer than we were on the plane!

I’ve been studying about the Holy Ghost these last few weeks and I wanted to end this week with some comments from a talk I was reading. Elder Gary E. Stevenson in a General Conference Talk from 2017, “How Does the Holy Ghost help you”:

“I invite each of us, especially Primary children, to consider, “How does the Holy Ghost help you?” As I pondered this question, I immediately reflected upon an experience from my youth. . .

When I was about 11 years old, my father and I went hiking on a hot summer day in the mountains near our home. As Dad hiked up the steep trail, I jumped from one large rock to another along the sides of the trail. Intending to climb one of the large rocks, I began to clamber to the top of it. As I did so, I was surprised when my dad grabbed me by my belt and quickly pulled me down, saying, “Don’t climb on that rock. Let’s just keep on the trail.”

Minutes later, as we looked down from higher up the trail, we were stunned as we saw a big rattlesnake basking in the sun on top of the very rock I had intended to climb.

Later, as we were driving home, I knew Dad was waiting for me to ask, “How did you know the snake was there?” So I asked, and my question led to a discussion about the Holy Ghost and how the Holy Ghost can help us. I have never forgotten what I learned that day.

Can you see how the Holy Ghost helped me? I am forever grateful that my father listened to the still, small voice of the Holy Ghost, as it may have saved my life.”

The Holy Ghost Warns

As I described in my childhood experience, the Holy Ghost can help you by warning you in advance of physical and spiritual dangers. I learned again of the important warning role of the Holy Ghost while I served in the Area Presidency in Japan.

During this time, I worked closely with President Reid Tateoka of the Japan Sendai Mission. As part of his usual mission routine, President Tateoka planned a meeting for missionary leaders in the southern portion of his mission. A few days prior to the meeting, President Tateoka had an impression, a feeling in his heart, to invite all missionaries of that zone to the leadership meeting, instead of the prescribed small number of elder and sister leaders.

When he announced his intention, he was reminded that this meeting was not designed for all missionaries but only for mission leaders. However, setting convention aside in order to follow the prompting he had received, he invited all missionaries serving in several coastal cities, including the city of Fukushima, to the meeting. On the appointed day, March 11, 2011, the missionaries gathered together for the expanded mission meeting in the inland city of Koriyama.

During this meeting a 9.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami struck the region of Japan where the Japan Sendai Mission is located. Tragically, many coastal cities—including those from which the missionaries had been gathered—were devastated and suffered great loss of life. And the city of Fukushima suffered a subsequent nuclear event.

Although the meetinghouse where the missionaries were meeting that day was damaged by the earthquake, through following the promptings of the Holy Ghost, President and Sister Tateoka and all missionaries were safely assembled. They were out of harm’s way and miles from the devastation of the tsunami and the nuclear fallout.

As you heed promptings from the Holy Ghost—impressions most often quiet and still—you may be removed, without ever knowing, from spiritual and temporal danger.

Brothers and sisters, the Holy Ghost will help you by warning you, as He did my father and President Tateoka.

The Holy Ghost Comforts

To continue answering the question “How does the Holy Ghost help you?” let’s now explore His role as Comforter. Unexpected events in all our lives cause sadness, pain, and disappointment. Yet, amid these trials, the Holy Ghost serves us in one of His important roles—as Comforter, which is actually one of His names. These peaceful, reassuring words from Jesus Christ describe this sacred role: “I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever.”

The Holy Ghost Testifies

The Holy Ghost also testifies and bears witness of the Father and the Son and of all truth. The Lord, speaking to His disciples, said, “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, … he shall testify of me.”

. . .I invite you to more fully live the words sung so often by our Primary children, words I am sure they recognize: “Listen, listen. The Holy Ghost will whisper. Listen, listen to the still small voice.”

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I put the stories in because the WARNING of the Holy Ghost is so true. . . And I have experienced it many times. But, I have been looking for the Comforting and the Testifying and I love how he ended the talk with his testimony and the reminder of this wonderful Primary Song from my youth. . .

I rely on the Holy Ghost and this still small voice in my life and have since childhood. I am grateful for this gift from our Father in Heaven and the Savior Jesus Christ. They are ever present in my thoughts and I do count on them every hour of every day. I testify of their guidance and comforting presence. I invite you to ask for their guidance and comforting presence in your daily life also. . .

In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.