Makakilo, Hawaii Fireside December 2, 2011

Thanks for all the updates, Bib, it's like I was there!

I captured many of the words, but could only hope to convey a little of the Spirit. I spoke briefly to Bronco afterwords and a few players. They entered their own names above as an autograph of sorts. I told them what I was doing. I talked to Travis Uale at length - but forgot to have him sign. I will sign for him - Travis Uale - there.



While waiting to talk to Bronco - in line - he was amazingly patient and talked to each person somewhat at length. A few young players that want to play at BYU were ahead of me. Bronco first asked each one about their style of play and work ethic. When asked what it takes to make the team - he said send me some film and if I see you flying around I will take a look. If you aren't flying around - I will turn it off. Then he switched to questions resembling a Personal Priesthood Interview of worthiness (PPI). Are you making goood choices off the field. Do you understand what we represent. I don't ever want to hear a player complain that they didn't think the Honor Code was serious, explained, or emphasized.



This meeting was more spiritual than I could possibly convey. Bronco cares about his players as players and as people. It is very real.

Wow bib, thanks. Good detail.

Bib - thanks for every detail you provided - I could feel the Spirit even though I wasn't there. Note: everyone has a little prodigal son story in them or related to them to tell - we are all works in progress.



Love Bronco's remarking he wants to see people flying around yet taking the Honor Code and personal worthiness seriously. Sounds like Sons of Helaman they obeyed with exactness yet did not fear death. That's the type of player we want and why we are a strange and peculiar people.

We have the right man at the helm.



Go Cougs!!!



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Hoping that some good recruiting comes out of the meeting. That would be awesome.



PS "Flying around" sounds like a DC to me.

Nice play by play bib. Appreciate the effort.

Great job bibster. You could even feel a bit of the spirit that must have been presented at the fireside. This is where Bronco really excels.

byucougar1 wrote:
Please keep us informed about attendance, who spoke, the impact of the Spirit, how locals reacted, message delivered and overall impressions.



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I am not very good at estimating crowds - but



I got there 20 minutes early and had to park inthe third tier parking lot - Church is on a slight hillside and parking terraces down the hill. The first 4 or 5 rows in the Chapel were reserved for family members of the players. It is kind of ironic in Hawaii - culture is many people do not seek the limelight - so those seats were not taken although the family I sat next two in the 2nd row of cultural hall seats, i.e. half way back - technically are related to some of the players. Another irony - a guy from our ward was seated right up there in those faamilyu seats - gonna have to ask him who he could possibly have been related to. Distant relative if at all. I could have fibbed and gottenright up there. But in the Spirit of what was about to happen - chose thie hgier road. And I could have gotten seats on the opposite side of the Chapel about halfway back - but when Brother Uyema and his wife spotted me and pointed to the seat next to them - hey - I will take a seat with friends halfway back over a seat by strangers 1/4 of the way back any time.



You probably have someone much like their family in almost every ward. Sister Uyema is absolutely the first person to bear her testimoney (in Tongan accented English) unless someone outruns her to the podium. Brother Uyema is soft spoken and happy to be in the background. Family of humble means. Takes photos at every event and goes to the trouble to print them and hand them out to people later. Gives gifts and leis to very missonary, wedding, etc. It is a sacrifice for them. Volunteers for every service project. INstrumental to Ward mission activities. Invites people all the time.



Funny story. True. I was made Ward Mission Leader son after moving to this Ward. I hadn't even met all of the Ward Missionaries yet when I was asked to call some f them up to the podium to share missionary moments. Our actual missionaries were whispering names to me as to whom I should call up - none knew in advance. I thought they said "Donna" Uyema. SO I called up "DOnna" Uyema. As Tana Uyema walked towards the podium, I hoped he either didn't hear me mis-speak his first name or that he had a great sense of humor. He is built - to say the least. He had served a missoin and had not played football since High School, iirc, but walked on and made the BYU team with only 1 year of eligibility. He was singled out along with Travis Uale by Kanekua Friel as being the guy that challenged him to read the scriptures and pray about them to gain a testimoney of the truthfulness of the Gospel. He never played at BYU - is finishing up his masters degree there now.



There are many families like this in Hawaii. Great, humble, people. They are often linked to La'ie and Kahuku.



Back to attendance - Definitely over 1,000. Maybe 2,000. Reaction was very positive. Many people stayed around to talk to players and renew acquaintences with each other.



One of the first players I approached - and I do not have good enough eyes to recognize most of them - was a realy big Polynesian. I mentoined to him that my family was frieds with the Uale family. He asked me if I knew the Anae family from La'ie. I said I knew who Robert Anae was, had heard him speak at a similar fireside in Honolulu five years ago, and that my son's friend sang at that fireside, but did not know him. He said, Robert Anae is my dad. Fine young man. I told him I loved his Dad and hoped all works out well for him with the changes going on at Arizona.



I tried to remind a few of the players that Hawaii would be bringing it and I hope that they were prepared. Tree bristled a little bit - "I am not worried a bit about it". Knowing of him, and his intensity, I am pretty confident that he has not overlooked Hawaii and is prepared.



I enjoyed most talking to some of the younger, unheralded, players, who have yet to make a name for themselves at BYU. Sampson was also a lot of fun to talk to.



If you ever have the opportunity to attend one of these - do it. And invite a friend.

I have now attended 3 - two in TX and one in MS. They unify the saints in the message the gospel brings, provide us examples of how we can expect trials and adversity in our lives - how we can overcome them with gospel solutions involving faith, prayer, scripture study, service, etc. And finally the mission of the church and it's members. We all love to feel the Spirit, and this is a great vehicle - especially for us die hard fans that tend to idolize the Y and all of it's idiosyncrasies.



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amazing synopsis.



Thank you Cougarbib!