On Mother's Day we attended the worship service at Moanalua Community Church. But before service began we drove around our old neighborhood in Salt Lake and Moanalua. Again, many new stores and changes in the neighborhood. Even around the Church. It really looks so different: Gone is the former Manse/Parsonage now turned into a parking lot. Gone is the old shopping center now transformed into a modern mall with lots of restaurants and stores like Ruby Tuesday, Koa Pancake House (where we shared an omelette/pancake plate, again!), Jamba juice, etc.

The service began at 10:30 a.m. with the Praise Band leading the Praise singing. Misa, the pianist Peter and I helped choose to replace me in '98, is still there and has been loyal to the Church. A couple of military personnel, who are part of the military band, has stepped up to help with the music ministry of the Church, which I believe has been a godsend and a blessing. The new minister, Dr. Andrea, has a good connection to the military through her husband who himself is a minister at Fort Shafter. And, the children of the Church have grown in number and have been given wonderful opportunities to be part of the worship experience.

After the service our friends planned to have Mother's Day lunch at the Tradewinds Club restaurant inside Hickam Air Force Base for the 12:30 p.m. seating. We were invited as guests of the Agbalog family (thanks, Lynne and Sonny!). There were about 30 people in our group and we occupied an entire row of tables. The buffet set up had so much variety of food choices: cook-to-order omelette station and waffle station, prime rib/leg of lamb/ham carving station, dessert station, salad station, breakfast/assorted meats and potatoes station.

I had some from each of the stations and took my time eating what I got. It turned out I only went once and tried some of the ones I didn't get from someone who did. Everything was good and very filling. Fortunately I wasn't overly stuffed (like a turkey, LOL).

We had a picture taking session at the lobby before we all went on our own way. (I'll need to remember to ask Richard to send me copies of the pictures.)

Peter and I went Downtown after lunch to watch Spider Man III. We knew it would be busy and the parking lot full but because we now visualize and thank the Universe for a parking space we always find parking at the right time and in the right place. (This is the 2nd confirmed experience we had since the previous day!) Then we bought our tickets for the 3:30 p.m. show (it was already 3:40 p.m.) and as we got into the Theater the trailers were still being shown and we found great seats at the center and just as we sat down the movie began. Synchronicity at work!

After the long movie we drove back to Waikele for a get together of friends at Lynne and Sonny's. There were lots of pupus and other food set at the table. It was like our lunch buffet was continued at their place. The fellowship and the conversations, as always, were fun and interesting. We sure are thankful that we can be part of this every now and then.

Our other friends left around 9:30 p.m. (because they had kids that had school the next day). Lynne, Sonny, Peter and I continued to talk story until a little past midnight when we started to feel sleepy and exhausted after a whole day's acitivity.