Fast Forward

As I read my old posts, it takes me to another place in time. My life today, two years later, looks the same as it did before, on the outside. I live in the same city I left. I am married, and raising kids. A new one, Kai, joined our family in June. He is a miracle. He is the joy that erased the pain.

It’s been 18 months or so since I’ve written a post. I’m not sure where to start. Many of my network still see me in Hawaii. I could start by telling you the story of my return to the mainland from Hawaii on Mother’s Day, 2010… but that is a painful memory. So, I’ll start with a happy story.

Paul and I were married on a Pier by a fisherman who happened to be an Ordained Minister. It was a gift from God, affirming our faith to one another. That day marked the beginning of a family that is supernaturally, natural.

I do not know why my other two children adapted to the “new” so quickly….or why I rarely think of Hawaii.

Perhaps because the joy of a new life brought into the world, or the knowledge of my own life – redeemed.

Witnessing the story of redemption, first hand is an experience that centers me in faith. Faith, the knowledge and understanding, that when all else fails, God is still in charge. It did not matter how far I ran, or where I sought peace. My dad said “follow peace”.

Now I understand that peace is within me, because God is there, too.

Today, my struggles are not a roof over my head – rather they seem so insignificant compared to 2010. The yard needs to be mowed, I want more time with my new baby, how is my husband, and will my 13 year old win her volleyball game today? They pale in comparison to 99% of our world…. but… this IS my world. It is a gift from God, mine to enjoy.

He gives and takes away – and gives back 100 fold. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

 

Entertaining the Angels: Part 3

Tsunami Saturday Continues

It is still Saturday. Tsunami Day. Worship is nice. Genuine at least. Announcements, followed by …. what? A homeless person walks in. He is stumbling and murmering. He places his last quarter before shouting

“I give you all I got! It’s all I got! What do I gotta do? You tell me what I gotta do, I’ll give it all, just give me Jesus. It’s all I got, I give it all to you people!!”

My heart sinks. I have never seen a more beautiful display of surrender. I could relate, very well. My life too, was in Gods hands. The only difference was that my roof was provided for by an addict. I was not complaining. I could have easily been this man. I cried. What happened next shocked me. Maybe I was the only one surprised to see the ushers of the church escort him out.

They lead him out like he was disturbing the peace. To me, he resembled perfect peace. He resembled me. They were leading me out of the sanctuary too. The only thing that separated me from that man were the old ‘preppy’ clothes I wore. No one knew my plight, but I was accepted. I did not belong there either. I got up and went to the cross out back, on the hill. I knelt and asked God to not let me hate them. I prayed hard. I cried hard. I did not want to hate them for not seeing Jesus in their own church. They ushered this man out to the cross. He said “What are you going to do, crucify me?” It looked as though they might. But I was there.

Everyone stopped. He ran to my side to ask if I was o.k. I told him I was sad and that I missed my kids. He told me about his. He began to tell me the reason he was there. He was there to entertain the angels. I believed him, because I could not tell if he was real or sent directly from God for that moment in my life. Twelve others joined me as he spoke about his journey. He was escorted off the property a few moments later. The people listening were changed by his story at the cross. I was amazed. The wait was worth that moment. I went back to the house on the beach with the roommate who stayed behind, it was still standing. God stopped the tsunami and let me see the Real Jesus. It was still Saturday.

The story of that man, from Juno Alaska spread to the whole island. I knew we would meet again.

 

Entertaining the Angels: Part 2

The Church

You visit a church. Not just any church, one your friends recommend. This church has a branch in your hometown, that your parents enjoy immensly. You visted once before and enjoyed the Youth Pastors message.

He taught in flip-flops. You love that the kids can Rip-stick around the open concept, looking out over the ocean with a large Cross, situated on the mountainside. There’s a quaint little bench settled nearby to enjoy the reverent beauty of the sacrifice God made for us two thousand years ago. You remembered that they fed the congregation after the service. You remember how the youth who greeted you remembered your name because you met them at a coffee shop. You went back. This visit was different.

Your opportunities to go to church have been stifled by transportation issues for two months. You finally meet someone willing to take you to church. You are thrilled. You miss your home church, the worship, the people, the community and your kids back home. You’ve been in this foreign land for months with no money, only God. Your friend finds you a Gideon Bible. He tried.

You read the New Testament handout you found at the last church service you attended, months prior. Your soul starves for Proverbs and some fighting stories from the Old Testament. Your days pass. Finally, a tsunami comes, forcing you out. You end up at a friends house who has a friend. He’s going to church. He asks you to go. The day is Saturday, you think. All of your belongings are with you, because you evacuated. You were woken up at 4:00AM with the warning. Get out or face impending death. You pack.

Your room mate has no gas. No money either. He uses it to buy pot. You are stuck. You made friends with the neighbor. He wants to go to higher ground. He gets you and all your stuff there. You sit outside all day and decide to broadcast live. Others need to know you are o.k.. People help you. People watch you. People wonder about you. The tsunami never comes. You leave. You go to your other friends house. Your roommate hates you because you found higher ground. He wanted to stay. You don’t know where you will stay tonight. You meet another stranger at your other friends house. This one wants to go to church. Your higher ground friend and your other friend leaves you alone this new, stranger friend. The day is still Saturday, you think.

You talk. He loves the Lord. He is not bad looking or weird. Just a normal guy with a really bad crush on his ex girlfriend. He tells you his life story. You are tired and just want to take a shower. You take a shower in your other friends house. You load your belongings. For the fourth time that day, in your new friends truck.

Now you are on the way to church. You do not know that this new friend brings his latest fling-of-the-week to church. Thankful to be ignorant and going to a familiar place, you arrive Home at last. It took a literal tsunami to get you there. Now you can hold a Bible in your hands. Sing songs and be around other people like you. Then you realize the truth. You have changed. You are no longer blind. God opens your eyes.

 

Entertaining the Angels: Part 1

.Entertaining the Angels

Part 1
Do you know how we look to the Angels? Hilarious. Each day the stage is set. The camera is rolling and we are given our lines, scenes, make-up and wardrobe. The activities of each day define our choice of words, clothes and the route we take along the way. Predictably boring, to us. Not to them. Picture this. When I dress up and think I look all hot, it makes them laugh, hard. Actually, I’m certain it was me who started the “look cute when you work-out” style at my gym ten years ago. That fad is way over, but it still lives on. Now I’m starting the “Trecks-and-boardshorts” fad; as if Houstonians have any use for either one.

Yesterday, the real life Rocky Balboa walked into the gym to perform jump-down-spread’em jacks in front of me, bandana and all. At first I wondered if this person was intentionally sent to help me laugh again. He helped me giggle at myself, because I know that is exactly what people say about me. Then, I thought it was because of the light headedness from the ab work-out, when yesterday was “ab-day.”

At first I saw him and wondered if Aaron (trainer dude @lafitness) saw him as well. Aaron was brilliantly distracted by his own script with the how-to-use-the-not-so-hard-to-use tricep machine. I was completely impressed that he saw him and did not flinch. That confirmed that this person was sent for my sole entertainment. Just before my torture tricep session, “Eh, Rocky!” escaped my lips. By now, Aaron has had three whopping doses of my personality, and has become used to being the singular audience member of my one man show.

Laughter makes a workout seem fun. When the Real Rocky Balboa shows up on the set, it deserves a standing ovation. Attention must be drawn to this supporting actor, because he stole the show! He was awesome entertainment and I give him two thumbs up, so do the Angels. Even the lady in the sauna got a good laugh and me laughing. Now, laughing at me is easy, I have no choice. I’m free.

Oh man, my son just got sprayed in the face when he turned on the water hose. Classic. What matters most is he laughed at himself, too.

The whole chain of Hawaii got to laugh at me for a few seconds this week. I realized that when you are living, life is funny. We were advised to enjoy the activities at Kaua’i Team Challenge, a ropes and adventure course designed to help at-risk youth overcome tough obstacles. Once we forgot cameras existed, life happened. We worked as a team, having never met before. Watched couples lead one another through physically draining activities and learned about trusting strangers. Little did they know my daughters fifth birthday was at a Rock gym. I once had a fear of heights; it vanished on a skii lift – after I came downhill.

Honestly, I was excited to see what fears were left. It was the blind leading the blind. During the episode, I lead my blinded partner right into a tree. I thought “bark” would work; my parther thought otherwise. She related it to our previously decided command to turn right: ruff-ruff. Big miscommunication. We could not use words to clear the air. She must move forward into the unknown. We had no other choice. The least I could do was soften the blow. I put my hand where her head would hit the tree and gave the command for forward: chuga, chuga. The rest is history, and I snorted on cable television.

When designing our language, we did not consider a roadblock. We often rely on expert advice to help us through life. What if these trusted advisors do not see your roadblocks? When God speaks His language, we will run into some trees. He knows the roadblock and exactly how you will respond. He softens the blows and gives us time to laugh, learn, heal, and get up again.

For more entertainment, you can watch episode “KTC” on Inspiration Channel on the Hawaii cable network, http://oc16.tv.

 

Kaua’i Big Wind & Waves: March 1

Surf News Network.

First, thank you for the safety wishes and lots of prayers for us down here in Kaua’i. �God heard you and we were spared, and continue to pray for Chile and Japan, who may be next on the tsunami wave radar. �

We are so thankful that the tsunami did not hit the Hawaiian islands. �We are all prepared and ready. �If anything ever does happen, we have a Free Store where you could send stuff ahead of time; we’ll be activating a disaster plan soon, send stuff anytime to: Free Store Kauai in Kapa’a, HI.Follow/Friend @freestorekauai�. �This is Hawaii, but like any city/state we have people in need; desperate need actually — especially of shoes/slippers and Toddler Girl’s & Boy’s clothing. �

We do have some really big surf and winds today, tonight and tomorrow from a storm 800 miles away. �My friend Merri, an avid surfer, stays away from the surf in these conditions, she said “It reminds me of the hurricane”. �She’s been on island for over 20 years. �

At any rate, just wanted to give you guys this information. If you know anything about any storm coming or have any weather knowledge of how this could affect us, please TWEET @kauaiday.��The wind is intriguing for Kiters like Pete, but I bet he’s even steering clear because they gust, then die down. �If the wind dies, the kite goes down, leaving kiters in the ocean– not fun – experienced Kiters like Pete (I call them The Wind Chasers) know all the tricks on how to get to shore or catch the next gust. �

So, from Kauai, we’re all safe and sound – today there’s no one on the beach, it’s really rough and the tide has been up all day with the gusty winds. �It reminds me of the Texas Coast – and Galveston Bay’s choppy water�before Hurricane Ike. It�helps to have some hurricane experience, ’round these parts…. cause ‘ya just never know. �

Keep an eye out for us – our island is the furthest West, and the first one to get the North winds.�

Mahalo!

via Kaua’i Big Wind & Waves: March 1.