August 5, 2021
In the 1970’s and as a young redheaded fair skinned 11-year old girl living in Laie, Hawaii the year round weather offered very little variety. On the north shore side of the island, trade winds were the refreshing blessing against the heat and humidity.
Our beloved chapel on Iosepa Street had no air-conditioning which made conditions just right to fall asleep during Sacrament meeting each Sunday. Sunday school was in the morning, then a break and back to Sacrament in the late afternoon.
During church I often folded over and put my head on my father’s knee and fell asleep. Eyes closed and semi-aware I sensed the trade winds quickly pushing dark and thick clouds over the building. Occasionally birds would make their way into the chapel and fly high above. The louvered screen covered windows allowed breezes to make their way through the chapel cooling us off. I felt the Lord’s Spirit of comfort while on my Dad’s knee. Personal homemade palm leaf fans dotted the congregation, fanning beads of sweat. Oscillating fans strategically spaced and mounted on the walls never did reach the center section where we sat—they just stirred the air. Children stood on the pews close to the walls and faced up to the fans. With hair blowing and eyes closed they followed the slow and deliberate motion of the fan.
As quickly as the clouds moved in front of the sun and darkened the chapel, the rains loosened and burst forth. Loud, glorious, and classic Hawaiian torrential rains could be heard on the chapel’s rooftop then gushing through the down spouts. Puddles accumulated instantly with the heavy and thunderous splashes of water hitting water….hitting water. We listened. The final speaker ended and the organist began playing the prelude to the closing hymn.
“Abide with Me; ‘Tis eventide.
The day is past and gone;
The shadows of the evening fall;
The night is coming on.”
Lifting my head off of my Dad’s knee, I looked beyond the window screens and felt the awe inspiring Spirit of the living waters giving me respite from the heat.
“Within my heart a welcome guest,
Within my home abide.”
Please. Stay in my heart…linger. I felt the protecting Spirit and comfort of this moment protect and keep my heart warm and safe.
“The darkness of the world, I fear,
Would in my home abide.
O Savior, stay this night with me;
Behold, ‘tis eventide.”
