This little blog has been neglected of late.  Just two days after my last post, my father-in-law passed away. Both Mark's parents gone, just a bit over 3 months apart.  Now the flurry of activity to close up and sell a house that has been a home for so many for so long.

But it hasn't been all sadness, these last few months - there were two weddings in the family!  In addition to Steph and Kyle's wedding last March, a nephew and niece were married.  The next generation takes shape and life's promised hope comes.  All are occasions for family to gather and support each other.  That's truly what life is all about.

Typical... family and friends!

Tomorrow, our homeschooling year will begin.  It will be my 16th year teaching.  (Two have graduated, and two are still with me!)  What a journey this has been.  I'm so excited to get started.  There is something about the smell of new books and sharp pencils!  I've been longing to return to the comfort of schedule.   I've loved the freedom of summer, but every season is just long enough...

We are also arriving at the first anniversary of our community house.  God has taught us so many lessons on living and loving as a family.  I am so grateful!  I know God has a plan to use this house for His glory.  Lord, help me not be in the way!

So, what are the lessons I've learned during this season?  The "what ifs" of life are not the worst thing in the world.  I've lived through a lot of what ifs this year:  "'What if my daughter settles down on the mainland?", "What if Jean passes before Bob?", "What if there is conflict among those in our community?"  God is big enough for the "what ifs".  They don't take Him by surprise.  In every "what if" situation, God has shown us a new part of His character and provision.

There's the feeling in the air that we are turning a page. Only God knows what is ahead for us.  I take comfort in knowing He is there and will take care of the details.

Shooting in Paauilo - red-neck moments...

Family is expanding - Mr. & Mrs. Kauhane

New beach adventure on the Island of Hawaii

Cousins at the stables - cowgirls at heart!

Rock jumping at Kealakekua - not far from that "little grass shack"

Kealakekua sunset - perfect camping spot!

Cousins fishing off the rocks.

More sunset views at Kealakekua

Rigging the poles on Uncle Kevin's boat off of Kawaihae

January in the Branch House

“And now let us believe in a long year that is given to us,

 new, untouched, full of things that have never been.” 

― Rainer Maria Rilke

January was filled with many special blessings.

Becca, Jake (honorary member), Rachael, Mark, Karelin, Steph, and Andrew

My first-born daughter, Steph, came home for a short visit.  We spent some precious family time together for nine days.  We were able to squeeze in a bridal shower, beach days, and take some family pictures.  The next time we see her, we'll be in Portland for her wedding.  The March wedding day is fast approaching and my to-do list is long, but God has paved the way and His hand is on every detail.

The girls, back together before the bridal shower!

Beautiful morning at the beach before heading to the airport. *sniff*

The house continues to be a gathering place for young adults.  Our small group is growing every week and the beds and couches are always full of guests!

"Mama T" and "Mama J" - as we've been named

One of our guests was Danielle Teeter, a sweet woman from Kauai.  She is involved in a new retreat center that plans to run amazing camps and other events through the summer for teens.  She invited us to come over in May for a worship retreat.  So excited!  I know God has big plans for this special place, and is doing an amazing work through her ministry.  It is such a blessing to meet other like-minded people who love Jesus and are living all-out for Him. I loved hearing about her family. We have a lot in common.  It was great to meet a new friend.  She was just here overnight, but in the morning we took a fun hike up to the Lanikai Pillboxes.  We both think each other's island is the prettiest...

new sleeping loft

The community is growing closer every day.  We were able to build a sleeping loft in the studio to give Morgan and Tasha more private space.  We spent Superbowl Sunday (which was Morgan's birthday) together, projecting he game on the wall.  So much fun!

Building crew after a day's work

Football! (Note: people in photo are more excited than they appear.)

Training has begun for our fundraising half marathon and relay run.  The Kailua Nazarene Church will be going on a mission trip to Peru in July.  It's an expensive trip, so funds must be raised.  Mark and a few others will be running the 13.1 miles, and we are putting together several relay teams to share the miles.  Community racing!  I will share more about the trip as the details are available.

Yesterday, the gang took a quick hike up to the Pali lookout.  Up the ridge, there is a spot we call the Pali Puka (hole) where you can see through the mountain face.  It's a pretty scary hike (so I stayed home...) but they say the view is worth it.  Maybe I'll get the nerve to go the next time.

The girls on the way up!

Yeah, this is why I stayed home!

View from the top - that's the Pali Highway. See the dirt path on the edge?

The peak of the Pali

The Puka!

The famous Pali hair shot!

As I start this new year, I think a word that has been planted in my heart is hope.  Hope is the expectation of good.  I don't now exactly what will happen, but I know that my God is good, and His plan is good.  I heard a message by Kris Vallotton of Bethel Church recently say, "Faith sees, hope feels, and love never fails."  I love that.  Faith sees what will be before it is.  Hope feels expectation for good before it is known.  Love never fails even when it is not deserved.  He went on to say, "Hope gets you off the couch and onto the porch..."  That is so true.  We must live with an expectation of good in order to move on to a life of faith.  I can't see what God is doing yet, I just know He is always working for my good.  That is hope.  I've just begun to explore what this will mean for our year, but I know I wont be disappointed.

View from the Lanikai Pillboxes -  Yes, I did take this one!

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully 

look forward to sharing God’s glory.

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.  And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our 

confident hope of salvation.  

And this hope will not lead to disappointment. 

For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

Romans 5:1-5 NLT

My prayer for you is that you be filled with hope in 2013!  You wont be disappointed when your hope is in Jesus!

Camping at Kualoa - now I know it's really summer!

"Chinaman's Hat" off of Kualoa Beach Park in Kaneohe Bay

Our summer hit full swing this weekend as we're out at Kualoa Beach Park for camp.  Spending time with biological family and our faith family is what summer is all about.

Whatever you're doing this weekend, I pray you'll find a bit of rest and relaxation.  God's creation is all around and speaks of His glory.  Get outside, find a shady spot and enjoy His presence!

 

 The Lord is merciful and compassionate,
slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
  The Lord is good to everyone.
He showers compassion on all his creation.
  All of your works will thank you, Lord,
and your faithful followers will praise you.

Psalm 145:8-10 (NLT)

Tuesday...I'm back!

Aloha everyone!  You may have thought I fell off the end of the earth...  But no, I'm just trying to adjust to this new "schedule-free" summer.  Our family has been having a great time together.  I'll share some of our recent doings.

To end our school year, we went camping at Kualoa Beach Park.  It was a great long weekend with our church family.  Camping on the beach is so fun.  The kids have so much to keep them busy.  At this particular camp site, there is an island off-shore that was just close enough to kayak to.  Rebecca also made it out there on her surf board.  We swam and collected shells.  Andrew went crab hunting after dark.  And of course, Mark had to build his famous campfire.  S'mores all around.  Great fun.

Koolau Mountains on one side...

Kaneohe Bay on the other.

Empty beach was perfect for morning quiet time.  God's creation takes my breath away!

"Chinaman's Hat" where the kids played most of the day.  When Mark and I were in high school, we climbed to the top...I haven't been up there since.

Relaxing under the common tent.

Andrew and his catch of sand crabs...they were released back to their homes shortly after this was taken.





On Father's Day, we made another trip up to Waimea Bay.  It seems to be our go-to beach for barbecues.  Can you blame us?  

(Not our boat...  Maybe some day we can bring Pakele Nui up the coast.)

More burritos on the beach.   Our crowd keeps growing.  This time we were joined by friends Jess, BJ, Makana, Victoria, and Jake.  The word's out!  But the more the merrier.  I love having the kids' friends along.  And feeding the crowd is fun, too.  Mark and I are getting quite a system. 

I'm still looking for work.  I thought I had a position, but it fell through.  It's really stretching my patience.  I'm not sure what the Lord wants me to learn from this.  I keep returning to my theme for this year, Faithful.  God is a faithful God.  And I will continue to be faithful in trusting Him to see us through. 

In the meantime, I'm enjoying the time off of school.  These days are passing quickly.  Reading is a treat and my tan is finally getting the attention it needs.  ;)  Already I'm feeling the itch to get my curriculum planning started for next year.  Only 7 weeks until we start again.  Every year I promise not to put it off.  Perhaps you will keep me accountable to that goal...

Thanks for stopping by.  I appreciate you!

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.