Pastor John and Leigh's Sabbatical Mixed Plate

One set of grandparents has now left us and another has arrived!  My (John's) parents Joan and Tom were with us for a wonderful week at Turtle Bay on the north shore of Oahu, and now Leigh's parents Myrtice and Paul are spending two weeks with us -- one week in Honolulu and one week on the Big Island of Hawaii.  Leigh's mother Myrtice grew up in Honolulu, and our time together allowed us to visit her growing up places, including the home where she lived until her mother died when she was 14.  A wonderful extra blessing was the opportunity to meet or reconnect with relatives -- some she had never met and others she had not seen for a long time.  This is part of our exploration of Leigh's cultural heritage.  Leigh's family goes back four generations in Hawaii through her mother.  Myrtice's grandfather immigrated to Hawaii from China with her great-grandfather.  They settled in Hawi on the Big Island.  Myrtice's mother moved to the island of Oahu, married in Ho

My (John's) mom and dad arrived in Honolulu from Ohio, and we picked them up at the airport and drove to a new spot on Oahu to spend some time together, Turtle Bay on the north shore.  What a blessing it was to spend time with them and especially for the grandparents to be with their grandchildren Luke and Joy.  Together we enjoyed several beaches, more great food, the beauty of a lush Hawaiian valley, worship at another multiethnic church, time with Leigh's uncle Warren and auntie Carolyn, several Hawaiian cultural learning experiences, and many varieties of shave ice! Grandparent time! Eating tacos, garlic shrimp, and Hawaiian BBQ from food trucks at the north shore! Beautiful beaches by day and at sunset! Swimming and snorkeling! Worship and a potluck Father's Day lunch at Waialua United Church of Christ!  We were welcomed with leis knitted by members of the congregation, and the potluck reflected