It’s been about 3 weeks since I last posted, and man what a whirlwind of a holiday season it’s been. This post may be a bit long, since I’ll have more than just a simple sentence for each of the 7 “supers.” Before I get to them though, I want to say “Kim, I love you with all of my heart. Happy 10th anniversary!” We’ve been through thick and thicker, but God has pulled us through. Thank you for you.
1) Over Christmas break, we got to be a part of something amazing. Actually, the 5 of us joined my sister and her family of 7, and my brother’s 4, for “The Christmas Scavenger Hunt.” It first started off with all of the kids finding clues, poking holes through paper, singing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus, and digging through drawers. Then they had to traverse the zip line and pick up more clues. Last, they had to hike up a hill.
click here to view video
T, you’re a super creative brother in-law, thank you so much for making our stay at your house awesome!
2) Here is what our church did, the Sunday before Christmas: Pretty awesome.
3) Oh yeah, our boy ALSO TURNED ONE!!!
4) About 4 years ago, a baby Orangutan was born at the Phoenix Zoo, and I was lucky enough to capture this shot:
On Sunday, December 27th, Kim and I went back to the zoo and met up with Jen (Kim’s sis) and her family of 5, and we got to see how the little one’s doing now:
5) Some sort of phone was anounced. Meh. (however, look to 2010 for at least a dozen Android phones to release on all different carriers)
7) And Last but definitely not least:
Brigadier Venancio (Ben) Nunes, Sr. (Retired Officer)
February 18, 1913 – December 27, 2009
Brigadier Venancio (Ben) Nunes was born on February 18, 1913 in the Philippines. He came to Hawaii at age 7, graduated from Leilehua High School and studied accounting in college. He came to know Christ as his Lord and Savior while attending an outdoor Salvation Army open-air meeting. In 1938, Ben was called to serve as an officer in The Salvation Army. In 1946, he married Gloria Juan of the Philippines. Their appointments included Lihue, Waimea, Ewa, Aiea, Camp Homelani, Honolulu, Hanapepe, Kona, Honokaa, Hilo Temple, Phoenix Temple and the Phoenix Adult Rehabilitation Center. Ben served close to 40 years in the Salvation Army.
(click here to view Lani and Malia’s song to Apo) Ben and Gloria were known as Visionaries. While assigned to the Aiea (Leeward) Corps, they opened the Salvation Army’s first preschool on Pearl Harbor Naval Base. In 1957, they were assigned to the Honokaa Corps and were an integral part in moving the Salvation Army’s facilities to the historic Rickard Hotel property. While there, they began the Honokaa Community Swimming Pool project, opened the Kona Outpost, maintained the Salvation Army’s largest Sunday School in Hawaii, and the surrounding sugar plantation communities, and opened the Hale Malama Care Home for the aged, prototype of the Salvation Army’s current Silvercrest facilities. They moved to Phoenix in 1969 and opened the Mohave Day Care Center. After retirement in 1978, Ben encouraged 6 older Retired Officers to meet in his home to form the now thriving Retired Officers’ Fellowship.
After 96 years of faithful and loyal service to his Creator, Ben is survived by his wife, Gloria, his sons Ben Jr, with wife Marti, and his son William; grandchildren, Kealani Willbanks and her husband Tyler, Ben Nunes III, and his wife Kim, Christopher Nunes and his wife Michelle, and 10 great-grandchildren; Malia, Marissa, Justin, Hannah, Kiersten, Heather, Madison, Donovan, Nolan and Jackson.
Ben’s life exemplified the faithful soldier called to battle for the souls of men and to win them for the Lord. It was that drive and passion leading him to bring men to the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. To God be the Glory!
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Phoenix Citadel Corps on Saturday, January 2, 2010 at 12 noon with the committal to follow at Resthaven Cemetery in Glendale, AZ. Son, Major Ben D. Nunes (Retired Officer) will preside at the Celebration of Life and Major Harry Lacey, Phoenix Citadel Corps Officer, will preside at the committal.
Galatians 3:20 “I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” HALLELUJAH!
Thank you for recording these memories. The Joy of Jackson’s birthday and Apo’s going to heaven. Love it. Pops.