Come On Ring Those Bells

I was interviewed this week by the UMHB Bells newspaper…as a current student. Facebook is a tricky tool that allows you to communicate so easily with someone that you think they live somewhere around 300 College Street, when, in fact, they live on the most isolated island in the world–3800 miles away.

Nat and I now have NetFlix AND Internet! We are both a little overwhelmed with all the instant convenience.

Things at the church are continuing to go full speed. I love the time I am able to spend with the kids and their families. I am enjoying learning all of the administrative things that come with the job, and I am continuing to have victories and failures–learning from each of them. Fall FunFest and the Children’s Christmas Musical are the two big events we have coming up in the children’s ministry. Julie, my friend and coworker, moves this Wednesday. Her last day at work was today, and the ELC assistant director job is now completely on my shoulders (ahhh!).

The people of the church are continuing to be wonderful to me, exhibiting characteristics of our Father in their actions and words. I am excited about what God is doing at Hawai’i Kai Church, Honolulu, Oahu, and Hawaii.

I am continuing to read in Ezekiel. I read the following earlier this week:

Ezekiel 24: 15-18 ” The word of the LORD came to me: “Son of man, with one blow I am about to take away from you the delight of your eyes. Yet do not lament or weep or shed any tears. Groan quietly; do not mourn for the dead. Keep your turban fastened and your sandals on your feet; do not cover the lower part of your face or eat the customary food of mourners .”

So I spoke to the people in the morning, and in the evening my wife died. The next morning I did as I had been commanded.”

Ezekiel’s consistent obedience is incredible to me. He is steadfast in what God is calling him to do–only questioning God at the beginning of the book when God tells him to cook his food over human feces (after Ezekiel questions God, he is allowed to cook his food over animal feces instead…still gross). All of the other radical things God demands of Him (for His purposes of showing wrath toward Israel and Judah), Ezekiel executes in the timing God calls him to.

Not only is it difficult for me to read all of God’s judgement on human sin, but it is hard for me to relate to Ezekiel. Then there is Jonah: slow to obedience and quick to anger when God’s way is not his way. I have been struggling with Jonah’s anger since this summer–how could a guy who sees God’s powerful sovereignty not delight in whatever He wills? I am not yet (or anywhere near) as faithful or obedient as Ezekiel, I pray that I will not be angry like Jonah; but I am a servant. I am servant of the Most High, who is called to a life of obedience, sanctification, and worship. I am so sad and upset that I am not in Texas this weekend celebrating my great-grandmother’s 100th birthday with my family, but I am delighted to be where God has placed me for now. It is my joy to be part of His work here in the islands, but I am constantly having to re-adjust my attitude when inconvenience occurs. I can write over and over again that God is working–and that is a wonderful thing to celebrate, but there is more. We can celebrate that we are no longer under the law, that God does not only respond to sin in wrath, but He sent Jesus to be the sacrifice that produces freedom to us from the judgement of sin upon our repentance! He is the Alpha, the Omega, our Victory.

Pictured below is Julie with the gift she received from all of us at the ELC. It is a beautiful Hawaiian Jewelry bracelet and ring that says “Be Still” in Hawaiian. It was wonderful to be able to celebrate Julie and all the ways God has used her here! Also, some cute boys huddling on the playground (it is so hard to find pictures with no kid faces)!

Julie and her Hawaiian Jewelry

Boy huddle

 

Sweet Sweet Saturday

Okinawan Festival

Wand-erful!

Sweet sass

 

71%

I found out today that Hawai’i is 18% Protestant and 71% Unaffiliated (there are other percentages in this statistic, but those are the two I am going to bring to your attention). Arnold, the church’s elder chair (whom I adore), presented this to me today in one of our strategic planning meetings. I abruptly realized that I am a Bible-belt girl, with Bible-belt ideas in a place where those thoughts and ideas aren’t applicable! How wonderful that we serve a God who is not confined to a certain region, way of life, thinking or approach. We serve the Most High who is able in all circumstances to accomplish His purposes!

I went to a gospel choir practice last night and had so much fun! I wasn’t sure what gospel choir in Hawai’i would look like–but it was wonderful. I am excited about the relationships I am making through this ministry!

Natalie and I went up Makapu’u to the pools pictured below this past weekend. I hope the thrill of the beauty of this island never ends for me!

I have been in Hawai’i for 4 months now–and what a 4 months it has been! This past month has, by far, been the most difficult; but I am continuing to learn so much about the God I serve, myself as His servant, and the ones He calls me to love. I am still reading in Ezekiel and Luke–and am continuing to learn about God’s justice, wrath, the weight of sin, true repentance, and the pure pursuit of righteousness (as my dad would say “God calls us to holiness, not happiness”). With all of this comes a heightened sense of urgency and burden for the lost around me–and a renewed joy for the opportunity to be used by God. I feel like, in a way, I really have it easiest being removed from everything familiar. I think Jesus knew this was the easiest, least distracting way to follow him–that’s why He asked the rich young ruler, Peter folks (that’s how locals say Peter and the other people associated with Peter), etc to leave everything behind immediately.

On a lighter note, “Glee” starts tonight! The Vonderful Vords are DVRing it for me! Also, kids are saying cute things each day to me–I wish you all could meet each of them. I’ve been teaching the kids the song “Only A Boy Named David” in chapel the past couple of weeks–I’m not sure if I or the kids love that song more–either way, the giant comes tumbling down every time! I am continuing to work on movement and pitch awareness in the music classes–it is so fascinating to me how quickly their minds grow and how evident it is when they master a concept. My favorite part, by far, is how much they love music–how excited they are just to sing a move–the most joyful noises I have never known come from their little mouths! It sure does make Psalm 150 so much more excited to me when I think about praising Him with the hearts and excitement of little children.

Makapu'u tide pools

 

Day off

Yesterday I had my first, “real word”, day off. I spent my day off with my dear friend Julie basking in the sun at secluded beach we found at K’aena Point. This much needed day of rest hit the spot! I did take my camera with me–here are a few shots of our surroundings.

My favorite picture of the day.

K'aena Point

Facing southwest.

Mauka

South.

 

Romans 11

I think food is multiplying in our fridge and pantry. I think gas is reproducing in my car tank. God continues to be so faithful! It hit me yesterday that Natalie and I have yet to really purchase groceries (only a few odds and ends), and I have only paid three times total to fill up my car with gas since I’ve been here. How wonderful it is to experience the provision of the Almighty God, knowing that you are right where He wants you–even though you still feel completely uncomfortable. Slowly, but surely, I am becoming more aware of the things I am going to have to give up to be here: short drives back to UMHB or home, my great-grandmother’s 100th birthday, other special occasions, Mom’s casseroles, thunderstorms, grandparents, Dad fixing things, shopping just to shop, driving just to drive, experiences with friends I already trust and love, etc.

In so many ways my job looks totally different than I envisioned–I am experiencing goodness in ways I never dreamed of–and I am finding delight in things, a year ago, I would never have considered delightful. I am loving my co-workers and the kids (even if some kids only love me because I have stickers). It thrills me when the kids and parents tell me how much they enjoy music class, and I am enjoying the freedom to find new ways to connect with the families of the church.

“O the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?…”

 

Week Two

It has been a sweet, but slow-moving week. Hurricane/Tropical Storm/Tropical Depression Felicia was nothing but nice Hawaiian rain with a little wind. I am still really enjoying work. I have met a couple of wonderful new families in the church–and have already been very blessed by them. We are continuing to accomplish tons of work in the office. Last night, Natalie and I went to a hibachi grill with the Goto family–what a wonderful treat! The house is still freakishly calm and quiet now that summer is over, however we did host a rousing game of silent football the other night. I am confident that God is doing something–I am just not exactly sure what it is; but I am so excited to be part of it! My prayer is now that I will seek Him alone, that I will stand firm against the temptation of sin so that I may be right in the center of wherever He wills.

Pictures of silent football to come.

 

Day Seventy-one?

Woah! Seventy days of summer is over! It is weird not having Mark and Miles around anymore, but I am excited for them and their year at school. I am also excited about my year here in Hawai’i Kai. It feels so wonderful to know that I am where God has called me to for now! I am going to try very hard to update every Friday with pictures and a blurb of what all is going on. I enjoyed some alone time tonight, and I am looking forward to a restful weekend of cleaning, organizing, and learning how to string a guitar. There is a stir of excitement in me for my first tropical storm. Natalie and I are stocked up on water and supplies for PB&J(f) sandwiches. My Auntie C also sent me an awesome care package today!

 

Day Seventy

Multi-cultural lunch

Char organized a muti-cultural lunch for Julie, Mark, Sensei and myself today. We enjoyed some delicious Korean, Chinese, and Portuguese food. I am so sad for the guys to leave for the mainland today, but I am also so encouraged by looking back and remembering all God did in and through us this summer. It has been a wonderful, challenging, stretching, and encouraging summer!

 

Day Sixty-nine

Meredith, Miles, and Mark were able to go to the Swap Meet and a few other fun things today with Dawson and Cordray. It was hard to stay at work while they were out having fun! We FINALLY finished the follow up packets for all of the day campers today! It feels so nice to have that all finished. I can’t believe the guys are leaving tomorrow! Man the summer has flown by! Kala’i took pictures with Mark and me today for one of his homework assignments (as pictured below).

Kala'i

Fisher kids and Mark

 

Day Sixty-eight

Vord kids

We went over for our final summer mean with the Vords. They have been so wonderful to us this summer! We had a great time eating meaty cake, playing games, and seeing magic tricks. I had the incredible opportunity of performing an opening act for Dawson’s magic trick by playing the hit song I wrote this week titled “The G song”.