Let Your Light Shine

Last night was our ward's Relief Society Birthday dinner. Our President had a vision and it was so fun seeing the sisters react to that vision.

I know that there are a lot of pics, but I tried to capture the whole feeling.

As they entered, they were greeted by the RS Presidency and then

escorted to their seats by the YM (needless to say this took many of them by surprise) into...

a transformed cultural hall. We tried to make it seem smaller, more intimate


beautiful centerpieces made out of Kukui pods, lemons and other local flowers

Meanwhile in the kitchen there were men that were actually plating the food and getting it ready

to be served by the YM and YW

After a yummy dinner we...
sang "Happy Birthday"...

and enjoyed a movie, dessert and music by a member of the Bishopric

and our 2nd counselor

then...took an impromptu trip around the many islands that are represented in our ward...

The Philippines


Hawaii

Tonga joined in...

even the mainland sisters danced the "Hokey Pokey"

Needless to say there were tons of laughs

(sorry I didn't get pics of our Bishop dancing a Samoan dance with one of the oldest sisters in our ward, a Tahitian dance, a Samoan dance by the RS President and the looks on all the sisters faces when they realized that how special they were being treated for an evening).

Our 1st counsalor gave a great short talk on the importance of the Kukui nut and how it was used in ancient Hawaiian times as a source of light. I just loved how she tied the whole thing together.

It was a great night! The Men our our ward along with the YM and YW made it so special, we couldn't have done it without them. Mahalo

The light in so many faces really made it worth it!