Family Photos Friday

We finally had the camera along on the last two family outings.  I'll share some pictures with you.

We headed to the north shore again last Sunday. 

This handsome fellow was strolling around the road-side shops. 

In the 40 years that I have lived on this island, I had never stopped by this cute shop. 

Curiosity got the better of us, and we went in. 

 There were antique collections of every kind cramming the counters. 

There was everything from bottles to beads, Coke novelties to license plates,

glass fishing floats to tourist trinkets.

Even this guy....

In your hometown, there is always something new to discover. 

Now I know where to go if I need a glass ball or an Obama surfer...

We finally arrived at Waimea Bay at about 4:30 in the afternoon.  Most folks were packing up.  We were just arriving for dinner and a dip.  Clouds were rolling in, but we didn't mind.

Steph calls this a red-neck moment. 

The rain tried to scare us away, but we stuck it out and had a great time.

 

Don't let the frown fool you, I had a great time.  I think I was realizing at that moment, that I have become my mother-in-law.  She has always been the one to cook on the beach.  But she never brought the usual hot dogs/hamburgers type food.  Always the unusual - great tasting stuff.  Here I am, in all my glory, grilling beef and chicken, re-fried beans, and serving them on homemade tortillas.  Kinda weird....

in a good way.

Steph, her majesty...with her fajita in one hand, and marshmallow stick in the other...

Rebecca, enjoying hot food on a cool day!

Andrew is our official marshmallow roaster.

Benefits of sticking around, even with the rain.

We stopped on the way home to watch the sun disappear into the ocean. 

The end of another relaxing Lord's Day.

This morning, we got up early to beat the crowd and headed out to the sandbar on Kaneohe Bay.  The weather was perfect!

Mark and Rebecca on Pakele Nui and Steph, Andrew and new friend, BJ in the water.

Andrew getting ready to take a swing on the halyard.

My turn.  

 That snorkel (far left corner) got left behind today....oops!

Mark, taking us back...

Hope you have a wonderful holiday weekend.  Summer is officialy here!  I, for one, and ready for a new season!

Isaiah 42:1-12

The Servant of the Lord

 "Here is my servant, whom I uphold,

my chosen one in whom I delight;

I will put my Spirit on him

and he will bring justice to the nations.

 He will not shout or cry out,

or raise his voice in the streets.

 A bruised reed he will not break,

and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.

In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;

 he will not falter or be discouraged

till he establishes justice on earth.

In his law the islands will put their hope."

 This is what God the LORD says—

he who created the heavens and stretched them out,

who spread out the earth and all that comes out of it,

who gives breath to its people,

and life to those who walk on it:

 "I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness;

I will take hold of your hand.

I will keep you and will make you

to be a covenant for the people

and a light for the Gentiles,

 to open eyes that are blind,

to free captives from prison

and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.

 "I am the LORD; that is my name!

I will not give my glory to another

or my praise to idols.

 See, the former things have taken place,

and new things I declare;

before they spring into being

I announce them to you."

Song of Praise to the Lord

Sing to the LORD a new song,

his praise from the ends of the earth,

you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it,

you islands, and all who live in them.

 Let the desert and its towns raise their voices;

let the settlements where Kedar lives rejoice.

Let the people of Sela sing for joy;

let them shout from the mountaintops.

Let them give glory to the LORD

and proclaim his praise in the islands.

Multitude Monday

I celebrated a birthday this week.  I usually approach them with mixed emotions.  On one hand, I'm grateful that I made it another year...but, the numbers are starting to scare me.

I found a song that sums up my emotions lately.  I sang it for church a couple of weeks ago.

"Hallelujah"

Who can hold the stars

And my weary heart?

Who can see everything?

I've fallen so hard

Sometimes I feel so far

But not beyond your reach

I could climb a mountain

Swim the ocean

Or do anything

But it's when you hold me

That I start unfolding

And all I can say is

Hallelujah, hallelujah

Whatever's in front of me

Help me to sing hallelujah

Hallelujah, hallelujah

Whatever's in front of me

I'll choose to sing hallelujah

The same sun that

Rises over castles

And welcomes the day

Spills over buildings

Into the streets

Where orphans play

And only you can see the good

In broken things

You took my heart of stone

And you made it home

And set this prisoner free

Hallelujah, hallelujah

Whatever's in front of me

Help me to sing hallelujah

Hallelujah, hallelujah

Whatever's in front of me

I'll choose to sing hallelujah

 
1000 Gifts list:  (262-268)

birthday breakfast in bed

gift certificate for a massage from my kids

cashing the certificate in on my birthday

my husband's silly sense of humor in cards

$10 jeans that FIT

friends that care

another family day at Waimea Bay

counting the days til summer is here



See other's gifts list here:

Multitude Monday?

(I know it's Tuesday...I started this yesterday, but didn't get it published.  Sorry...)

It was an action-pack weekend.  Just what I needed to de-stress from an emotional week.  This job hunting thing is really an emotional roller coaster.  I find a job to apply for that seems like it would work for me and the family, send in my resume, wait, wait, wait.  If I get a call for an interview, I get all excited, show up, give my best (try to explain who I am in 10 minutes...), then more waiting.  So far, nothing has come of the process.  Nothing outward anyway. 

So to get away, the family packed up and set out for Waimea Bay on Sunday afternoon.  Well, half the family.  We let a couple of kids stay with their friends...remember, I'm de-stressing.  (It was not the day to force a family outing.)  The water could not have been more beautiful.  This is a beach that's known for it's monster waves during the winter.  The Eddy Aikau surf meet wont even be held unless the waves are 40'.  But in the summer, the bay is calm as a lake.  The water was so clear, you could see your toes and the sandy bottom below.  Incredible.   This beach is also known for it's dangerous undertow.  When I was a little girl, about 5 years old, my dad had to come rescue me.  The tow started taking me out, and I couldn't get back in.  Ever since, I've had a profound respect for the ocean.  I'm not a huge fan of big waves.  So this Sunday, the water was so inviting, I stayed in for 30 minutes.  Not too cold, not too windy.  Just right.

After swimming we fired up the little beach grill and made fish tacos.  The fish was shark...very tasty!  Roll it into a home-made flour tortilla, add some beans, cheese, tomato, sprouts and salsa.  A great meal to watch the sunset.  Such a gift.  I was revived and at peace.

1000 Gifts (252 - 261)

sales on Craigslist

God's living Word

waking with a song in my heart

a husband that doesn't mind doing the dishes

the trampoline that brings their play together and bridges the age gap

clear water of Waimea Bay

parking place in an impossible lot

fish tacos, cooked on the beach

silence of sunset, all watching, followed by cheers as it melts away

crescent moon that smiles at me as it follows me home

Multitude Monday

See the heart in the sky?

It was a busy, but fun weekend.  Mother's Day was celebrated with the grandmothers and family over at our house.  Home-made pizza, bottled root beer and fresh strawberries with chocolate, brown sugar and sour cream for dipping.  Yum.

Still waiting on interview results....got one "no" for sure, but am waiting on two more answers.  What a process.  On the way to my interview last Thursday, I really started doubting myself.  It all started when in dug to the bottom of my purse for lipstick.  I never wear it, but it's in my purse.  I guess it's a mom thing.  Anyway, when I looked into the rear-view mirror to put it on (my mother never needed a mirror) all I could see were the flaws in my face.  The self-talk went something like this, "Look at those wrinkles, you're way too old for this...",  "Your teeth are so yellow.  You shouldn't even open your mouth..."  It was relentless.  The nasty voice in my head was going full force.  Thankfully, I had a few minutes to spare so I pulled over and took a few deep breaths.  Then I prayed.  I don't remember exactly what I said, but I know that the nasty voice had to go.  My Redeemer was with me.  He who made me, cares for me and loves me gave me the courage I needed.  I walked into that interview with my head held high - smiling.

Whom have I in heaven but you?

And earth has nothing I desire besides you.

My flesh and my heart may fail,

but God is the strength of my heart

and my portion forever.

Psalm 73: 25-26

 

This then is how we know that we belong to the truth,

and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence

whenever our hearts condemn us.

For God is greater than our hearts,

and he knows everything.

1 John 3:19-20

 

I am so grateful that I have a place to run when my heart condemns me.  God is so much greater than my heart.  It is so easily swayed and deceived.  He knows how to set my heart at rest.  All have have to do is run to His presence.

 

1000 Gifts:  (234 - 251)

 

prayer in the night for a sleepless son

hearts reconciled

new job prospects

encouraging words from a friend

divine appointments

going to the theater with the kids

peeling potatoes for mission meal

classic Audrey Hepburn movie for the family

injured bird recovering in a box

enough for today

great interview

crazy dream that makes you laugh when you wake

mother's and daughter's lunch

multi-generation hula

hand-made card and gifts from loving kids

loving memory of a mom in heaven

two more loving on-earth mothers


Join the Gratitude Community here:

Photo by Rachael James

Certainly

cer·tain·ly   /ˈsɜrtnli/
–adverb

1.with certainty; without doubt; assuredly: I'll certainly be there.

2.yes, of course: Certainly, take the keys.

3.surely; to be sure: He certainly is successful.

This word jumped off the page of my Bible this morning.  Certainly.  I don't often use the word.  It seems there are not too many things that I've been certain of lately, at least not in the dictionary definition of the word.  I might say, "I certainly hope it doesn't rain on Saturday." or "You certainly may not!" when one of my kids asks to have 5 cookies before dinner...  But listen to the word as Jesus used it:
 

“And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing,  yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.  And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?"  Matt. 6:28-30

He will without doubt care for you.

He will, yes, of course, care for you.

He will surely care for you.

Why do I have so little faith?

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for

and certain of what we do not see.   Hebrews 11:1

LORD, help me have a "certainly" kind of faith today.  Amen.

Multitude Monday

Well, I didn't get the job that I interviewed for.  As my Grandma Gladys would say when she beat you at cards, "Sorry... goody."  I can't hide the fact that I really don't want to work outside my home.  I am going through the motions to be obedient, day by day, one step at a time. 

Living in today is the only thing that keeps the stress of life from taking over.  I must trust in the Lord today.  I have what I need today.  (Psalm 23:1, The Lord is my Shepherd, I have all I need." NLT)  Looking to tomorrow only makes me freeze up in fear. 

Since today is Monday, I wanted to add to my 1000 Gifts list.  I've been keeping it going in my journal even though I haven't posted it lately.  I've also started my kids on their own journals.  It is such a great way to keep my eyes on what the Lord is blessing me with every day and it's wonderful to pass that habit on to my kids. 

There are so many things that God gifts me with that if I wasn't looking for them, I would miss them.  It's kind of like spring here in Hawaii.  We don't have the dramatic change from winter to spring that most of the world has.  Here, the plants and flowers are always around.  If I don't deliberately look for spring, I could miss it.  Some of the subtle ways that spring arrives are the way we don't need to sleep with the extra quilt on the bed, or noticing that the wind off the ocean is warmer now.  I don't want to take for granted the new life that is all around me.  And I especially don't want to take God's blessings for granted.  Recording my 1000 Gifts has greatly helped me stop and say thanks to the Giver of all good things.

(189-233)

waking to find Andrew reading in bed

an almost forgotten rose, blooming in the garden

a peaceful school day

a clean kitchen sink

when my husband comes to my rescue

a bush full of hibiscus

new mercy today

dreams that speak of God's input into my life

chocolate chip pancakes

using new leadership skills

friends who keep me accountable

kids learning to count the gifts

morning rain that refreshes the dry ground

beautiful bike ride with Mark

gracious worship team that rolls with my mistakes

yummy barbecue dinner

God's provision, again

special fellowship with SIL

learning to fight the fight of faith

feeling a part of a community of believers that's bigger than what I can see

alone time with Mark - to talk and be quiet together

the beauty of paradise right around us

a daughter who trusts us enough to confide

dancing for the Lord

heart to heart talks

full moon rising over Kailua

answered prayer for heart cleansing

grace that calms an anxious heart

smoothie for breakfast

time to be with the kids

morning at the Sandbar with the family

cool water dip that refreshes

awesome view of God's creation

afternoon with cool rain that's perfect for Sabbath rest



Be part of the Gratitude Community here:

Fatihful - God is true to His word.

I wonder if this happens to other bloggers.  You're going along just fine, posting at semi-regular intervals, then suddenly *wham* nothing...  Well, it happened to me.  I guess I got caught up in thinking that everything I write must be profound...(like anything is?)  Anyway.  That's my usual m.o.  I try to jump in with both feet, always into the deep end.  Then I wonder why there's all this water in my mouth... Gulp.  I've forgotten that getting better at anything takes time.

So, here I go again.  I'll try to remember the advice that I would give anyone else, "Just keep it simple."

Part of my challenge is that life is very stressful right now.  Between raising these four, wonderful, sometimes exasperating kids, and being there for Mark, and trying to finish up our school year, and taking my online worship leader's class, and actually preparing to lead a meaningful worship time, and being as frugal as I can to make ends meet... I've also been trying to find a part-time job. 

I haven't worked outside my home for over 18 years.  I've had my own business, but always worked it from home.  My kids don't know a mom who's ever been away on a daily basis.  That has been an amazing blessing to me and I am so grateful.  The time I've had with my kids has been one of the treasures of my life.  Now, just contemplating the idea of leaving the house for 4 to 5 hours a day can make me start to hyperventilate.  (No, really, I do!)  I know, many of you do that and more already.  I applaud you.  But I'm scared spit-less.  Now that I've actually taken the leap to start applying, the next excruciating step is waiting for a response.  I had a good interview last Monday - a week ago - and now am waiting...waiting...waiting.  I know that my time with my kids has become so important to me that I am in danger of making it an idol in my life.  I feel like Abraham, who's taken Isaac up the mountain.  I've agreed to take the trip but I'm desperately looking for an extra ram in the bushes...

My rock in the storm is always my relationship with Jesus and His Word.  I've found myself clinging more closely to Him everyday.  That's just the way He wants it.  As each day dawns, new mercy is given and received.  I know that I am in the palm if His hand.  I shall not be moved.

 Let all that I am wait quietly before God,

for my hope is in him.

He alone is my rock and my salvation,

my fortress where I will not be shaken.

 My victory and honor come from God alone.

He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.

 O my people, trust in him at all times.

Pour out your heart to him,

for God is our refuge.

Psalm 62:6-8

God told me that this year would be a year of "Faithful".  He is true to His word.  How do you know that God is faithful unless you need to trust Him in a new way.  God, in His mercy, is taking me further on and further into my trust of Him.  That's what I asked Him to do...  Faithful.  He is, may I be in return.

This song speaks to me right now.  (Turn off the player at the top of this page first.)


Thanks for letting me be real...  Even while I wait, I'm enjoying the view.