Courageous Devotion - Comes From Food & Beverage

A couple of Saturdays ago the Food & Beverage Department held their annual devotional. It was a wonderful experience for all who attended. The speakers were especially inspirational.

Taylor Young was faced with the challenge of being courageous when her father died while she was still a young girl. She described being a teen who missed her dad, and making the decision to come to BYU-H. The transition was difficult, and has taken much courage, but she is finding great blessings. "We all have small moments of courage," she said.

"I am inspired by the dishwashers and BBQ Lunch Crew," she continued. She explained how the dishwashers make it a point to fulfill their job. Even after a hard day they push to complete their responsibilities. She then highlighted the BBQ Lunch crew. “They have great experiences, because they choose to portray a positive and enduring attitude.”

President Peter F. Uchdorf, during his visit to the PCC last week,  stated that our 'efforts will be bless if we continue in faith". Taylor takes great courage in this promise. She is very proud of the entire crew for their faith and their courage.

Imeleta Coffin is both a returned missionary and a convert to the Church. She discussed the importance of moral values, quoting our prophet, Thomas S. Monson, who said "...in order for us to make the correct decisions, courage is needed—the courage to say no when we should, the courage to say yes when that is appropriate, the courage to do the right thing because it is right."

She compared the act of courage like unto Nephi, when commanded to return to Jerusalem to obtain the plates. He did not waiver, but went and did as his father told him to do.

Imelta also had to face fear and make a decision based on faith, even though it was very hard. She was raised in a devoutly Catholic family. Her father went to Mass every day. When she decided to go on a mission, she went to her father to tell him of her decision. He was very angry and told her "if you leave, you are no longer my daughter."

She had to choose whether to stay and be a daughter to her dad or go to do what the Lord wanted her to do. She had faith that the Lord would touch her father’s heart in the future.

After her mission, she went home. When she arrived at the house, her father asked her to come over and sit by him. She was surprised, because she expected him never to speak to her again. He told her "I am proud that you came home and served with honor".

"You are not still mad," she asked him?

He placed his arm around her and asked if she would go to his baptism the next day, while she was still ordained a missionary.

Two years later, she was attending school here at BYU-Hawaii when she received a call that her father had passed away. This has been very difficult, but she is so grateful for the gospel in her family’s life.

Imelta explained that Jesus Christ gave her the courage to push through. After all, it was Jesus Christ, in the Garden who had the courage to take upon Him the sins of the entire world.

Siniteke Fotu is from Tonga. She talked about how nervous she was the first day of work at the PCC Food & Beverage Department. "I thought, I hope I won't cut off my finger,” she explained. “It was not long before I found that I loved my job".

She shared a great quote: "With hope you gain courage. With courage you gain confidence. With confidence you will find that there are no limits to what you can do."

She told us that "we may come without knowing how to do our jobs, but because of our willingness, we learn so fast. Some of us are happy to receive a paycheck, some are happy for the experience, but all of us feel nervous. Maybe we worry about how to respond to a guest, or how to cook the food".

"Small and simple things make great things come to pass," she said. "When we have courage, everything is possible." (Alma 37.5)

The last speaker was our recently retired VP of Operations, Logo Apelo. He gave the students great words of encouragement. "It takes courage to do whatever it takes to get an education. Look at all of the people depicted on the art work in the murals on the wall," he instructed. "It took courage for these people to build this place so that you and I can have a better future." He thanked the students for their courage to do what is right and advised us all that "with the spirit of our ancestors, we all work to make sure that the PCC will continue on. We've faced tough times all these 50 years", he reminded us.  "Do you know how we survived? Through the courage of our employees."

Logo finished with these words: "Let's do everything we can and leave the rest to the Lord."

And with those amazing words ringing in our ears - and with our hearts full of gratitude and inspiration, we headed off to feast and dance.

Chef serving our Administrators

One of his marvelous creations (fish)

   

A quick note regarding Fifita Unga, head of F&B. This is a woman of grace, courage and an amazingly level head. She is a mentor and example to her staff. She is exacting in what she wants - which is for her department to be as good as they possibly can. She starts at the top, with herself, by giving her whole heart and best effort. We all love and respect her very much.