Family Ties

We did some missionary work for deceased family members this week. Elder Mundell has been struggling for several years trying to find his ancestors on his father's side of the family, and he's made some progress recently - with the help of unknown researchers working independently and undoubtedly angels on the other side of the veil as well. He was able to connect his grandmother Gertrude Serine to her grandparents John Fitzpatrick and Bridget Mullay.  So we submitted the names of Dan's great-great grandparents, and all of their children as well. 

This is how Elder Mundell is a direct descendant of John & Bridget Fitzpatrick 

On Wednesday we did the baptisms and confirmations at the temple, and followed it up by doing the initiatory ordinances for most of his family members.  It had been over a year since we'd done baptisms for the dead, and it will be a treasured memory for us to do these proxy ordinances.  We also did sealings on Saturday with a large group from the Waimanalo ward.  We feel so blessed to live so close to a temple, and we try to go every week.

Elder Mundell also did family history work for his own relatives this week. He's taken on the task of updating the names, addresses, birthdays and anniversaries of his extended family descended from the grandparents on his mother's side, Howard Lavern McBride and Malinda Moody.  It's something his mother did every year to help her send out cards for Christmas and birthdays, but now that she's 97 years old, he does this for her, along with sending out a monthly email letter from his mom to all of her friends and family.

It's been an incredibly busy week for Sister Mundell.  She had major cookie and cooking commitments almost every day.  On Thursday she baked several dozen different kinds of cookies that the Olomana ward council delivered to homes of their members and did some caroling.  She also organized a pizza party for our seminary class with games and a white elephant gift exchange.

We also had some very sad news this week.  The wife of our seminary / institute director fell off a ladder and died at their home in Laie, and the family was devastated by her sudden passing.  We didn't know Cynthia, but wanted to attend the memorial service to give our prayers and support to Pete Meyers.  It's hard to attend funerals, especially since Dan had to bury a wife and two children - and Cathy's father died suddenly when she was at college.  But this wasn't a sad, weepy experience for us. It gave us hope and confidence that after our loved ones finish their mortal journey that they will continue to watch over and bless us beyond the veil because of God's great love for His children.