To the temple...

Jacque and I attended the temple for the first time today.  We joined our ward's young men and women and their leaders to do baptisms for the dead.

It was very spiritual and peaceful in the temple.  Jacque was enthused about being baptized.  I also was baptized (10x) but did so from a kneeling position to facilitate the baptizing for the brother who was performing the ordinance.  Someday, we hope to do baptisms for our own ancestors.

2nd anniversary in Kona

Jacque and I vacationed in Kona on the Big Island for our 2nd wedding anniversary.  We stayed there from the 4th to the 7th at the Holua Resort at Mauna Loa Village.

During our stay, we attended Sacrament meeting on Sunday at the Kona 2nd ward, which is presided over by Tim Lino, one of Dayle's good friends from his youth.  We also had Tim and his family over for dinner and a pool party at the resort on Monday.
 
Jacque and I also hiked a trail to Kealakekua Bay, the site of Captain James Cook's death.

Jacque heading down the trail to Kealakekua Bay

The Melchezedik Priesthood...

Jacque and I attended our first Stake Conference today.  Elder Rasband of the Seventy gave an excellent talk.  Also at the Conference today I was sustained by stake members to be receive/be ordained to the Melchezedik Priesthood.  At the subsequent Sunday at our ward, I was ordained as an Elder by Brother Longley, a high priest from the Stake High Council.

As a holder of the higher priesthood, I now have the authority to give blessings of comfort, counsel, and healing to the sick and afflicted.  In fact, the first blessing I bestowed was to Jacque, who was ill.

Receiving The Gift...

During sacrament meeting today at our ward (Kaneohe 1st), Jacque and I were confirmed members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and received the gift of the Holy Ghost  Jacque was confirmed by Elder Sam Menasco, a missionary from Delaware.  I was confirmed by Tim Lino, a High Priest from Kailua-Kona on Hawaii island.

Into the Waters...

Jacque and I were baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on this day.  We were baptized at the Kaneohe Stake Center by Elder Michael Webber, a missionary serving here from Wisconsin (pictured below right; to the left is Elder Samuel Menasco of Delaware).  Many members of our Ward (Kaneohe 1st) were in attendance. 

Except for Dustin, no other members of our family were in attendance but we are hopeful that all will enter the waters of baptism someday.  If we live our lives by the Gospel, this will come true.