Sister and Elder Duncan: 2/6/24

 

Aloha Kākou,

Our first PCC Hawaiian Devotional this year started with Terry Panee (Brother of Doug) who is in charge of the Hawaiian village, sharing the word of the day. I thought I would share it with you, as this is a large part of what we are experiencing, and living here in our Laie mission.

Quote: 

"Welina mai me ke aloha,

February is ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi Month (Hawaiian Language Month). So we begin our ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi Month Word of the Day with “Aloha”. Contrary to popular belief, Aloha has many more than 3 meanings, Hello and Goodbye are a small part of them. 

Aloha can be a noun, an object that can be given, received and shared. Our Kuleana is to share Aloha to the world. Aloha is a Transitive Verb (an action done to someone or something). Being loving, kind, charitable, and compassionate, are actions of Aloha. It is also a Stative Verb (an action that is completed). Mercy, Sympathy, and Grace are also definitions of Aloha. 

Yes, Aloha is used as a salutation or greeting, however when we say “Aloha ʻoe”, it means “May you be loved and welcomed”. “Aloha Kāua” means “May there be friendship and love between the two of us”.  “Aloha Kākou” means the same, but for more than one person. Like all of our Polynesian family, our greetings carry a lot more than just Hello and Goodbye.

ʻO wau iho nō

-Terry Naauao Panee"

The devotional theme was "A Song to Our Descendants", 2 Nephi 25:26 "And we talk of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins." 

Four students spoke by telling each of their stories, and after each speaker they sang & danced. 

The reason I felt to share this with our family and friends is because of the spirit that we felt as these beautiful people shared their hearts with us about how each of their families found the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the impact that it has had on them personally. 

I want to add to their testimonies with my own of how grateful I am to be from Springville, Utah. I'm grateful for goodly parents who loved me when they probably were disappointed quite frequently, they never stopped loving me, they taught me about Jesus. I'm so grateful to be a parent and grandparent, and even when its hard to be away from all of them, as our dear sweet Sophie Brenna Duncan gets baptized on February 10. We know all is well because of all the love and support we have at home, and the goodness of our Utah Ohana. I'm grateful that Sophie has learned from her family and so many wonderful people, what source she may look for a remission of her sins. 

We love being full time missionaries and we are grateful for all that we are learning from the diverse beautiful people we have met here in Laie.

Aloha Nui Loa,

Dan & Stacy Duncan

Elder & Sister