Derek posted this on June 27 to his Facebook account ... a sweet memory of a helping hand in Hawaii.
We were newlyweds with very little money – about to move to an island where we didn’t know a soul. Until we met Bob.
Danielle and I were just 25 years old when I was offered a full-tuition scholarship to the University of Hawaii to pursue my MBA. I was working in a Provo basement for a tiny 6-person startup called Qualtrics, when I decided it likely wasn’t going to take off. Haha. Whoops! We accepted an offer for graduate school in Honolulu – sold everything we had (which wasn’t much) and boarded a plane.
We literally didn’t know anyone on the island, but my parents mentioned our situation to some couples in their Church congregation. One of them said “I have a brother on O’ahu – here’s his email address – I’m sure he’d be happy to help.” I remember writing an email that basically said, “Hey Bob. You don’t know me – but my wife and I are moving to Honolulu and our flight arrives at 12:30 AM. Uber hasn’t been invented yet, and we wondered if you could pick us up from the airport and let us stay the night in your house, and then drive us to our apartment the next day.” The only thing we had in common was that we were members of the same Church. I sent my email, embarrassed that I was asking so much from someone I had never met.
Five minutes later, I got this reply: “Aloha Derek. Tell me your flight number. I’ll be there.” And he was. By the time we gathered our luggage (not a couple carry-ons – we were moving…this was everything we owned) it was well after 1AM. I got a text message “This is Bob, I’m ready when you are.” We met him outside and he loaded our bags and drove us to his modest home for the night. The next morning, Bob said “let’s get you some Spam and Eggs at McDonalds – you’ve got a big day.” He drove us to McDonalds, bought us breakfast and then to our apartment. We thanked him profusely for his generosity – but it didn’t stop there. “You don’t have a car – how are you going to get groceries?” We’ll walk I guess – I answered. “Hop back in, let’s get you what you need.” Bob then drove us to Foodland and walked with us for an hour as we bought what we’d need to survive our first week in our new place.
I never saw or talked to Bob again after that day – but I’m forever grateful that a perfect stranger would willingly drive in the middle of the night to pick up two scared kids from the mainland and not leave their side until he knew they were okay. President Nelson, the man I believe is the living prophet of God is turning 100 years old this year. As he reflected on the significance of that number, he invited us to consider times that we’ve been the “1” in the parable of the lost sheep. As I thought about this – I immediately thought of Bob, who reached out to my wife and I as we were (quite literally) lost in a new place. Thank you, Bob, for being like the Good Shepherd and ensuring that we made it to safety.
#99plus1
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Derek has written official articles for the church website before, so I asked him if this had been an assignment. He answered "The church is doing a little 99+1 campaign ... and if I'm being honest, I was asked my some of my leadership to help "model" what members might do if they were to engage with this campaign) - but no assignment, this was on my own. :) "
