It's hard to believe that we've been here for almost a month! Thought I'd give you a snapshot of our day.
Most days we wake up at 6 a.m. We usually get down for breakfast by 6:45 a.m. On the menu each day is oatmeal, cereal, and hard boiled eggs, except for weekends when something new comes on the menu. We have sooo much oatmeal that when we went to the beach, Micah was playing with his "Oatmeal making machine".
Between 8-9 a.m. we have worship. Then, 9 a.m.-noon we have a guest speaker in the classroom. So far we have learned about the nature of God, being released to do what God is calling us to do and hearing God's voice.
At noon we run up the hill to pick up Isaiah and Levi so that we can have lunch together. We quickly inhale our food while we sweat from running what feels like a mini-marathon and the crazy intense heat.
By 1 p.m. we are either back in the classroom for outreach prep or getting together in our small groups for discussion. Our class day ends at 2:30 when we pick up Micah, Isaiah and Levi.
You would think that now is the time for family time, but the boys are all wanting to go in different directions. I've decided to be the snack mom and have my boys in for a snack and chat and they can have any friends in for it too. As long as I get some time with my boys. Then, they're off again.
Dinner is at 5 p.m. Followed by more playing. Then it's time to unwind for bedtime at 8 p.m.
Crazy, but true! We're all loving it!
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Put on the full armor
I just watched the movie "Killing Fields" in preparation for our outreach in Cambodia. My heart broke. Then, my heart was gripped with fear.
Something inside said there's no way that I will take my children to anywhere that even has the remote possibility that my children will be hurt! Even as I was feeling this, I knew that wasn't what God wanted for me or my family. But, what could I do?
Yesterday the guest speaker, Tray Shephard, said that all too often Chrisitanity looks like people guarding the walls of a castle, saying that if you want to come in, you need to learn our language, culture and ways.
But, Tray says, we as Christians need to be finding the evil in the world and vanquishing it in the name of Jesus. That we shouldn't go with our fists, but with our arms wide open. And, sometimes our warrior cry is actually our tears.
It was in that moment, that truth, that I saw a picture in my mind of me placing a helmet on Isaiah and handing Levi a small dagger.
We are using this time God has given us in Kona we are prepare for battle. Not as the world battles, but how our Heavenly Father does His warfare. Those times will be filled with compassion, tears and love. It might look like us going into an orphanage, or feeding the hungry or giving hope to the hopeless. Whatever it is, we as a family are standing up and saying, "Yes, Lord, choose me!"
Something inside said there's no way that I will take my children to anywhere that even has the remote possibility that my children will be hurt! Even as I was feeling this, I knew that wasn't what God wanted for me or my family. But, what could I do?
Yesterday the guest speaker, Tray Shephard, said that all too often Chrisitanity looks like people guarding the walls of a castle, saying that if you want to come in, you need to learn our language, culture and ways.
But, Tray says, we as Christians need to be finding the evil in the world and vanquishing it in the name of Jesus. That we shouldn't go with our fists, but with our arms wide open. And, sometimes our warrior cry is actually our tears.
It was in that moment, that truth, that I saw a picture in my mind of me placing a helmet on Isaiah and handing Levi a small dagger.
We are using this time God has given us in Kona we are prepare for battle. Not as the world battles, but how our Heavenly Father does His warfare. Those times will be filled with compassion, tears and love. It might look like us going into an orphanage, or feeding the hungry or giving hope to the hopeless. Whatever it is, we as a family are standing up and saying, "Yes, Lord, choose me!"
Thursday, October 14, 2010
It takes a village
It's loud here. It's busy. There's always people around. Finding solitude is near impossible. And that's exactly how Loren Cunningham, the founder of YWAM wanted it.
In his book "Is That Really You, God?" he writes that he designed this Kona campus to look like a village where everyone would live together in a relationship-oriented lifestyle.
Now, this is quite different from my sanctuary at Lake Margaret. This whole noise thing from sun up to sun down was concerning me. I wondered how would I ever find my peace?
So, I went to Walmart and grabbed a pack of earplugs to silence the buzz. As I stood in the aisle contemplating my purchase, I felt the need to put them back. It just didn't seem right to pay $2 to fight against what God is obviously wanting to do in my life.
It all makes sense today as I read that it wasn't by mistake that this campus is so active, that's what it was meant to be. Who am I to mess with that?
On our way back to campus I asked Micah's teacher Mariya if she knew what all the construction hub bub was near our apartment. She said that it's the stage for YWAM's 50th Anniversary Celebration in November. Oh, God, you sure do have a sense of humor!
Did I mention that they're expecting nearly 5,000 people?
In his book "Is That Really You, God?" he writes that he designed this Kona campus to look like a village where everyone would live together in a relationship-oriented lifestyle.
Now, this is quite different from my sanctuary at Lake Margaret. This whole noise thing from sun up to sun down was concerning me. I wondered how would I ever find my peace?
So, I went to Walmart and grabbed a pack of earplugs to silence the buzz. As I stood in the aisle contemplating my purchase, I felt the need to put them back. It just didn't seem right to pay $2 to fight against what God is obviously wanting to do in my life.
It all makes sense today as I read that it wasn't by mistake that this campus is so active, that's what it was meant to be. Who am I to mess with that?
On our way back to campus I asked Micah's teacher Mariya if she knew what all the construction hub bub was near our apartment. She said that it's the stage for YWAM's 50th Anniversary Celebration in November. Oh, God, you sure do have a sense of humor!
Did I mention that they're expecting nearly 5,000 people?
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Four is the new Two
At the end of November, YWAM will host a huge 50th year celebration here in Kona. They are expecting between 4,000 to 5,000 people are expected to invade the YWAM campus.
Whenever our base gathers together the speaker always says that this is a special quarter, a time of the Lord's favor. I laughingly brush it aside thinking, "Aw, you say that to all the quarters." But, what if it's true? What if they sense God's stirring? What if they feel that there is something big on the horizon?
So far, I can recognize something big -- it's the amount of families that He has called to meet Him here. Our Crossroads DTS has 49 adults and 39 children! There is a family with 7 children, 6 children, couple of us have 4 children, then there's the ones with 3, 2 and 1 child.
Many of you know our story and how we feel that we are to remain open to God's leading for us, to sell our home, quit our jobs, etc. So have many of the families here! We are all homeless, jobless, but filled with God's hope for our futures.
He is preparing His army. And, I think many of them will be under the age of 12.
Whenever our base gathers together the speaker always says that this is a special quarter, a time of the Lord's favor. I laughingly brush it aside thinking, "Aw, you say that to all the quarters." But, what if it's true? What if they sense God's stirring? What if they feel that there is something big on the horizon?
So far, I can recognize something big -- it's the amount of families that He has called to meet Him here. Our Crossroads DTS has 49 adults and 39 children! There is a family with 7 children, 6 children, couple of us have 4 children, then there's the ones with 3, 2 and 1 child.
Many of you know our story and how we feel that we are to remain open to God's leading for us, to sell our home, quit our jobs, etc. So have many of the families here! We are all homeless, jobless, but filled with God's hope for our futures.
He is preparing His army. And, I think many of them will be under the age of 12.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
The price
I don't know if there's any way to cushion what's been going on in my heart the past day. I don't know if there's any way to say it nicely. So, I'm just going to say it ... Let's not live any longer with a cheap view of God.
I had the privileged opportunity to speak with several people from China who are here on the YWAM base. As we're sharing our stories it becomes quickly evident that our journeys are not the same, that our sacrifices are not the same, that our reverence for all things God are not the same.
In sadness I realized that we are allowed to worship God freely, but how many of us really give Him the worship He deserves?
But these people risk it all, give their all and hunger for all things God despite the possibility of persecution. Would I be willing to do the same? Would I be willing to walk the path they have chosen? Am I really ready to say "take it all?"
I had the privileged opportunity to speak with several people from China who are here on the YWAM base. As we're sharing our stories it becomes quickly evident that our journeys are not the same, that our sacrifices are not the same, that our reverence for all things God are not the same.
In sadness I realized that we are allowed to worship God freely, but how many of us really give Him the worship He deserves?
But these people risk it all, give their all and hunger for all things God despite the possibility of persecution. Would I be willing to do the same? Would I be willing to walk the path they have chosen? Am I really ready to say "take it all?"
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Can you hear me now?
Now, for the location of our house. Picture this. In front of our two-story building is the kid's playground. Behind us is the cafeteria. To the left is the Ohana Court where all the main events take place. To the right is the pool.
God placed us right in the center of all the major happenings on campus. Gatherings and social events go late into the night behind us, while we are greeted at 5:30 a.m. with the clanking of the kitchen.
The crazy thing is is that this country-loving, forest-dwelling girl needs a little more space and quiet! Apparently God has other plans for me. And, I want those plans. So, as soon as I can get some transportation somewhere, I'm going to buy some earplugs!
God placed us right in the center of all the major happenings on campus. Gatherings and social events go late into the night behind us, while we are greeted at 5:30 a.m. with the clanking of the kitchen.
The crazy thing is is that this country-loving, forest-dwelling girl needs a little more space and quiet! Apparently God has other plans for me. And, I want those plans. So, as soon as I can get some transportation somewhere, I'm going to buy some earplugs!
Friday, October 1, 2010
The First 24
Aloha from Hawaii!
It's been a mad dash for us to get to the STARTING LINE, but we did it! With the help of amazing families like the Ficks, Parsons, Yaholkovskys, Lees and Iwasakis our last day in Seattle was spent dropping off our van for shipping to Hawaii, doing a last-minute dump run to clean the house (*did I tell you GOD SOLD THE HOUSE!!), fix damage done due to a leak in the roof, and trying to think thin so that our bags don't go over 50 pounds!
*I need to break away from the story for this important message -- Isaiah just woke up and got changed into a long-sleeved shirt and pants! I think he'll soon learn :)
The plane ride went well! Boys did great, parents did OK, too!
This is where I want to record my initial thoughts, because I know that all too soon it will become common place in my mind.
I was struck with the landscape. I never realized the vast expanse of the lava rocks everywhere! But it was good to see some old familiar friends -- plumeria trees, palm trees, lizards and roaches.
When we arrived, we got to meet the leaders of our school and see our new digs for the quarter. It's actually quite spacious. You walk in the door, and on the left is a closet followed by the kitchen area that has a micro, cupboard and a full-size refrigerator.
On the right is more closets and the sink, with an attached shower stall and toilet.
The main floor has a queen size bed, desk, rattan seating set (totally a Hawaii thing!), plastic dining set, a pack and play for Levi and high chair.
Now, for the loft. I know everyone's been wondering about this. Think Charlie and the Chocolate Factory as they walk toward the door and the room gets smaller and smaller. That's what it is. So, there are stairs from the main living area to go to the open lof with 3 twin beds for the bigger boys.
There's also 5 dressers -- more than we even owned!
I will continue more later, as this is already getting quite long ... Stay tuned ... Same bat time, same bat channel.
It's been a mad dash for us to get to the STARTING LINE, but we did it! With the help of amazing families like the Ficks, Parsons, Yaholkovskys, Lees and Iwasakis our last day in Seattle was spent dropping off our van for shipping to Hawaii, doing a last-minute dump run to clean the house (*did I tell you GOD SOLD THE HOUSE!!), fix damage done due to a leak in the roof, and trying to think thin so that our bags don't go over 50 pounds!
*I need to break away from the story for this important message -- Isaiah just woke up and got changed into a long-sleeved shirt and pants! I think he'll soon learn :)
The plane ride went well! Boys did great, parents did OK, too!
This is where I want to record my initial thoughts, because I know that all too soon it will become common place in my mind.
I was struck with the landscape. I never realized the vast expanse of the lava rocks everywhere! But it was good to see some old familiar friends -- plumeria trees, palm trees, lizards and roaches.
When we arrived, we got to meet the leaders of our school and see our new digs for the quarter. It's actually quite spacious. You walk in the door, and on the left is a closet followed by the kitchen area that has a micro, cupboard and a full-size refrigerator.
On the right is more closets and the sink, with an attached shower stall and toilet.
The main floor has a queen size bed, desk, rattan seating set (totally a Hawaii thing!), plastic dining set, a pack and play for Levi and high chair.
Now, for the loft. I know everyone's been wondering about this. Think Charlie and the Chocolate Factory as they walk toward the door and the room gets smaller and smaller. That's what it is. So, there are stairs from the main living area to go to the open lof with 3 twin beds for the bigger boys.
There's also 5 dressers -- more than we even owned!
I will continue more later, as this is already getting quite long ... Stay tuned ... Same bat time, same bat channel.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)