A Child is Born!!!

"The people walking in darkness have seen a Great Light...on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned...for to us a child is born. to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders and He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace...of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end...the Zeal of the Lord Almighty Will accomplish this."

The Lord reached down and called one more of his children into the loving embrace of His Son, Jesus Christ...and on December 3, 2005 Keoni came under the Blood of his Saviour through baptism. At sunset he proclaimed his trust in the Lord and belief in Christ as God's Son and was baptized into His Name...with his friends and family witnessing his decision. His father and young sisters were in attendance much to our joy, for they have yet to consider such a committment. Keoni is alone in his family in this decision...but rejoices that he has joined one far greater than he has ever dreamed of. Thank you for your prayers...he thanks you as well. May we continue fighting with each other while we live on this earth...in anticipation of our eternal Home in Heaven with our Father!!!

I'll be home for Christmas to celebrate the Child that was Born to save us all!!! I am so excited about the time we will have to fellowship together...may the Lord bless us now and then and continue guiding our paths...Hallelujah!!!

Fruit Smoothie and Plumerias!

Pinapples, Papaya, and Banana's for Papa...Plumeria trees and flower for Momma! Oh, the scent of the flower lingers in the air with every breeze that blows, reminding me of my dear Marmie. I love you. I'll be home for Christmas...Maybe I can post a photo of these AMAZING Poinsettia trees in bloom around the Island...wish I could bring one back, wish more you Would come here!!! I love you so much, miss you, and thank you...Thanksgiving Day...woohooo...I'm so thankful for my loving parents!!!!

"YOU O LORD, KEEP MY LAMP BURNING; MY GOD TURNS MY DARKNESS INTO LIGHT!!!

Howdy Do

Howdy, I have not made time to mention my time back in Texas...at it is worth mentioning! Only problem remaining is that I can't begin to find the words to describe the goodness of the time. It was Good. I got to see not only my family...but family I haven't seen in years all together! Everyone gathered to celebrate my Grandparent's 50th Anniversary and it went great. It was especially good to get up to Abilene and to be overwhelmed by the goodness of my friends there. I wasn't sure how good it was at times to be seeing so many, and to feel so blessed by them as I feared the impending departure. Salt in a wound at times to fellowship in such company, but it was way worth it, and I am feeding off the memories of such Love still every day. But it is Amazing to rest assured that no matter where I may travel, I am always safe in the arms of the Lord...and I am learning day by day to allow the Peace of such Assurance to reign in my heart...no matter what.

May God richly bless you all...I miss you, and pray that we are together again SOON - though I Rejoice that we are united in the Spirit of Christ no matter the distance! I love you all so much, and am forever thankful for the fellowship I have known, do know, and will know Forever with you. Cheers y'all.

"If I go up to the Heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the Far side of the sea....EVEN THERE Your hand Will Guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast!" (Ps. 139:8-10)

A Pilgrim's Problems...Solved!

It was Sunday night and I had been released from work in time to keep my hopes of attending the nightly service at a local church alive. The sun was setting as I drove down the lower road on my way to Kona, and I ventured off the road only briefly to watch the sunset. The road I had found this day had been cut through the lava field and the condition was only slightly smoother than the lava field itself. My car has great heart, and full of confidence we made it down this four wheel drive only road. It was great fun!!! My car was enjoying showing off it's momentum as other handsome Toyota's simply stared in disbelief as we made our way skillfully toward to coast. And I'll have you know, we'd have made that trip except for one small problem...something broke.

So, my car and I had a moment of silence as we sat only yards from our coastline goal. The sunset was beautiful, begging an audience of admirers, so I climbed out on the nearby piles of black lava and enjoyed it's beauty, neverminding the empending problem of being stranded by nightfall.

After the sun had set, and I had talked to a few friends via cellphone, I began a long trek back to the highway. My car had not simply broken completely as I had feared, but was only stuck in reverse. My gear stick was uselessly floating about as I FURTHER impressed the admiring Toyota's by going BACKWARD on the impossibly rocky road. Oh yeah, I know my car was strutting...we made it out just fine.

I decided to make it back to work to ensure that I would have a job the next day and begain a long venture of driving over 20 miles that night, in reverese. Wow. Tis betterto go forward than backward on the straight and narrow road. Trust me. But, alas, a few hours and a crick in the neck later I was safely back in the employee parking lot, only slightly depressed at missing the Church meeting...again. I will make it soon. I am only encouraged by the struggle to make it to the fellowship!

I napped until work, caught the shuttle, and considered my options while at work all day. I determined my only option was to figure out how to fix the problem myself. Hopefully. So, after work I disassembled my console, and learned more than ever about how that whole gear shifting thing worked. I was told that it was my "linkage" that broke. I don't know...it was the thing that the stick is attached to...looked more like an elbow to me. So, I ducked taped my "elbow" together and I'll have you know that the Cricket is running just fine!!! I had help from Jason, my co-worker in getting the tape tight enough, and we were set by sunset. Yeah!!!!! No worries, i'll make it to that Church service soon...I'm sure of it!

Christian Home!!!

Yeah! The day finally came! I found a place to live!!! I enjoyed one more night under the moon after my long flight back from beloved Texas, and greeted the Hawaiian sunrise with renewed determination to find a room before it set again! I was calling places out of my price range even, praying for provision...and I found it!!! I went and looked at this house, loved the chinese lady who lives there, and her 82 year old Philipino husband is just awesome! The room and house are all nice, but I took it when 1) she lowered the price for me, and 2) FOUND OUT THEY ARE CHRISTIANS!!!! I think I almost lost my bid when shouted Praise the Lord a little too loud! :) They're funny people, but a blessings. She's in her late 40's...he's not...they're funny. But, he's a great cook and when I have come home while they're at the dinner table, I am ushered in to share...no questions about it! So, I enjoyed a fine dinner in my new resting place followed by after dinner entertainment by Papa Chen, who is known as one of the finest accordianists in the Islands. Best I've ever heard! I have the funniest/greatest video of him playing How Great Thou Art, with her working hastily in the background to find extra food to send upstairs with me.
The house is nice...feels more like a lodge than a house because it's so spacious. Papa Chen built it many years ago. It has a great ocean view, is somewhat close to work (35 min.; great for here!) and it came with a bed!!! It's so nice to sleep horizontally...

Enjoy the photos...

Home Coming!

Yeah! Today is the day...I'm on break at work now, but am heading to the airport as soon as the work day ends! I can't wait to see you all...call me, we have to squeeze as much fellowship into a week as ever before. I'M SO EXCITED!!!!

Much Love,

Dolphin Time!!!

Yeah! I was finally able to get in the water today for a surprise encounter with my favorite dolphin! His name, Kolohe (coal-o-hey), means Rascal, which he is. Ten dolphins live in our lagoon, most all of whom were born here. After charging, checking in, and watching several people partake in one of our programs, it was VERY good to actually experience what it was all really about!

I wasn't expecting to swim with the dolphins today, and was thankfully wearing my swimsuit underneath my work uniform! (It's sometimes nice to go to work with my swimsuit on underneath so that when the day feels long, one can think that they're just on the way to the beach and running a few errands on the way...works for me.)

That was a fun part of the day, but the day started much better than any previous as we were finally able to have a "Lead" meaning with the supervisor, Diana. She's a very sweet lady, who longs for us to be "happy," and to be a friend even more than a boss. In case some do not know what job it is that I've taken...let me explain...I'm still trying to understand! My assigned role is to be a "Customer Service Lead." This means that I understand EVERYTHING about the company as far as retail, charging, check-in, program info, and most importantly, how to fix problems with our direct customer service. I have been shuffling through the learning of the EVERYTHING but today I was finally able to invest some of that. There are three "Leads," including Jason, Ty, and myself. Our meeting with Diana was good. I put myself in charge of typing up the "minutes" of the meeting to send off to all the top managers, and LOVED IT!! Finally I felt useful as one of the big problems was solved...and my General Manager seemed quite impressed. It's nice to have a bit of affirmation every once in a while. Today went much more smoothly than ever concerning the issue we were trying to fix. It was an easy solution, as many are, just needed to be seen and dealt with. Whew...there's hope for me here yet.

My fellow Leads are in the picture at right (Ty next to me, Jason next to her), as we're giving Kolohe a signal to splash us...which he did. As you can see I'm very turned around...the water was cold and I'm just not way into fishy salt water yet...which Mike, our trainer was way to aware of. I got splashed a lot. The other girl with us was in a regular program and we were joining her since there were no others signed up. One of our interns was so excited for she was convinced that she was a girl on a tv show called the Bachelor, so I don't know if that's a good thing or not...but she was really nice, and loved the program!

After work I went to the carnival in Kona with Keone, Ty and her husband and CUTE 3 year old boy. Very fun. There was a great Reggae band playing and Keone just couldn't help but get up and dance by the stage when the singer called for it...Though no one else moved. I was urged forward, but bowed out gracefully...I am injured you know!! Then I went on one of those very spinny, topsy, turvy rides and thought only my flip flops had surrendered to gravity. However, I was then handed my cell phone, which was in a few pieces. I have no idea how it got out of my pocket...but I also don't know how that ride was legal. Good news though! It still works!!! It was already broken, and though the screen design is changed a bit, it still makes and receives calls quite well! I am SO impressed!

Pray for Keone (Key-own-E). We were able to have a really good talk tonight. He'll be a really good lil' brother here. His birthday is three days before my best, real little brothers! Neat guy, has survived a lot. His mother died suddenly in bed when he was in eighth grade (he found her) and he has been all but raising his twin sisters (now 13) on his own since. Very strong spirited, mature, ambitious young man. I was able to meet them tonight and they are precious!!! But please do pray for him to come to know the Lord. We were able to talk and he is one of FEW who have shown any desire for something deeper than the often very shallow "laid back" lifestyle of the "Islands." Pray also for a girl named Selena, and for my boss Diana, and for ALL those at my workplace and on the Island...but those by name for now.

Please also continue praying for the Spiritual life of those who have received Christ and are now striving to be a part of the Body! Like me!!! The church I have been meeting with, although only 8 people, has been struggling with the Leader...ship and the differing views...like clapping. It caused a bit too much commotion this Wednesday, and many just long to worship!!!

Hallelujah, I miss you, I'll see you soon! Aloha,

Sunrise...Sunset...

I GET TO SEE A WEST TEXAS SUNRISE IN ABOUT A WEEK!!! YEEEEHAWWWWW!!!!

Yes, I did intend to update this more regularly, but for fear of rambling on without stopping, I choose many nights to not even "go there!" However, tonight I will as I am spurred on by the hope and anticipation that I plan to be in TEXAS in less than a week!!! I never knew I could be so happy about such a thing! I have missed the good land, and great people before, but WOW, this is almost too much.

It has been hard here, to be honest, but I am learning to take every day at a time - and in each have found enough strength to continue on. However, I despise simply "getting by" for I LONG to prosper, and to bless and to BE USEFUL TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD!! I am so thankful for the job that I have, but it is disappointing at times. I'm doing more retail work than direct customer service, and the learning stage is never my favorite. :) I sat down with my boss today though and had a good, very honest talk about everything going on. She is very sweet and has blessed me many days with her patience and understanding.

There are interesting aspects about my job however...our VIP of the day was Wayne Newton for example. That was kind of fun, and he has an ADORABLE little girl! But, I feel bad for his wife...her left ring finger must get sooo sore under all that weight...all the other girls didn't seem so sympathetic though.

I am so hungry for spiritual community right now. It is hard to work in such a worldy environment and to not be surrounded at the end of the day with those who can remind you, and rejoice with you about Who we are in Christ Jesus our Lord. But it is good to learn to trust in Him to supply all needed.

I overheard two ladies talking at Starbucks last week and they definately mentioned the name of Jesus a few times....and I pulled up a chair. After they got over the shock of not knowing what i was doing, I explained how GREAT it was to hear people talking about my Lord! They laughed and told me about some fellowships that I have been trying to seek out. Today I was supposed to meet with one of those ladies, Kristy, who is a leader in the Youth With A Mission program base over here, tonight for a worship gathering. I got through work hoping for this, and was very disappointed when everything that could go wrong, did go wrong when closing the store...so I got off work later than ever and was too late to drive an hour to Kona where the worship was being held. Very sad, but very beautiful sunset still! I was surely in awe.

Please keep praying for me, and my physical health especially. I had to call in an hour late to work this morning (very embarrassing) because I couldn't move well this morning as I had a nice fall yesterday when my back didn't cooperate in the most graceful of ways! After prayerful stretching, and the usual ice...I was on my way. Small delay, and I don't want to complain about the pains, but I do long to move and act with my fullest potential! But, that is in the Lord's hands...and I'm trying to leave it there. :)

I miss you all more than you know, and pray for you very often. It is good to feel close in the Spirit of our Lord through prayer...Oceans and land masses have got nothing on the Spirit of Unity!!! The sunset tonight was beautiful, but I anxiously await its rising on me again in Texas! I love y'all, SEE YOU SOON!!!!

ALOHA...again!

Aloha! Okay, thank you for letting me confess my weakness and desires in the previous post...I will now get to the 'fun' stuff and explain more about what's up in the Islands! I have managed to have a little bit of fun and adventure in my first couple of weeks in Hawaii. I have been on the "Islands" for two weeks officially this night!

My dear friend and brother Brady rode with me to San Diego from Abilene a couple weeks ago so that I could bring my dear car over with me. He survived long miles through long deserts and proved AGAIN his incredible faithfulness as a friend. Cheers to him! I flew out of San Diego on the 6th of August and was greeted with amazing aloha spirit by the dear Hanson family who arrived just prior to me. They brought a beautiful lai for me...and I don't ever remember flowers smelling so good! (this was a blessing for all, by the way...remember, no air conditioner in the desert!) I had more fun than I could have dreamed during the next few days touring the island with them, snorkeling, fellowshiping, and admiring the beauty of the Lord. Their encouragment and Love filled me up and readied me for the next step over onto the Big Island.

I arrived on "My Island" on the 9th and I am convinced I have found the best! :) Not that I've been to all the others, but this place is fabulous! It's twice the size of all the other islands combined, and offers a great amount of diversity that suits me just fine. From volcanoes and lava fields, to rainforests, blue coastlines, and snowy peaks the Big Island truly has a beauty all its own to unveil. It is the least populated per square mile of all the Islands leaving vast amounts of beautiful, diverse land just begging to be explored. I'm only slowed by my bum leg at the moment, but that is healing fast...I hope!

I have started work and it is going well. It's quite a different job from any I have had before, or had imagined getting, but different can be a good thing. I'm working at Dolphin Quest which is part of the Hilton Waikoloa Villiage in Hawaii. (http://www.dolphinquest.org) My official position is to be a "Lead" in Guest Services which I have found out since arriving means that I must understand EVERYTHING that goes on with this company. So, I'm learning fast, and hoping to learn faster. The program is truly fantastic, and it is so fun to be a part of watching people have the time of their lives playing with dolphins and learning about all kinds of oceanology. I am confident that the job will only get better and more enjoyable as 1) my leg and wrist heal allowing me to work easier and 2) I understand what's going on better! i like to KNOW, but my patience sometimes lacks when I'm in the Learning stage....grrrr. I will have it all figured out someday...maybe. :)

I will post more pictures soon, but for now I have spent way too much time fighting a bad internet connection and I have to be at work early! I love the vast open spaces and lack of development here...but it does mean longer commutes to work! So, mahalo (thank you) for taking the time to check this out...I'll try to get more interesting in the future!

BLESS YOU ALL, Love you much, Aloha.

ALOHA!!!

Aloha! Greetings in Jesus Name to all those I love, miss, and cherish forever! I'll be using this blogspot to keep regular (hopefully) updates about my times and adventures here on the Big Island, Hawaii.

Before I get into anything else I want to explain the meaning of this site name, confess to you my weakness and hopes, and beg for your prayers.

I chose the name, "Unplowed Ground," after reading through Hosea, especially verse 10:12. This verse has been whispered continually to me over the last few years and reads, "Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fuit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord until He comes and showers righteousness upon you." This verse communicates a calling that I long to respond to. I long to devote my entire being to His Way, yet I have failed many times to do this.

I am thankful for this verse as it calls me higher, reminding me of the focus, purpose, and goal for my time. I want to follow this verse! Yet I am weak and there is much of my heart, mind, and soul that are still not devoted to His Service and so clings to fleshly desires of this earth! Yet I am reminded of the truth that the Lord is in control and that I cannot gain righteousness on my own, as I have selfishly sought to do so many times in my life. No, nothing righteous can come from me, and therefore I must "break up my unplowed ground." All of me that is not working for the Lord must become devoted to His service. I must seek out what only He can provide, and then He will be the one to come and shower HIS Righteousness upon me. My heart is given much peace to remember that all things come from Him, though I am astounded daily at how easily I forget this. His righteousness, His power, His Grace, and His Love overcome my weakness. Yet He asks for my devotion, and asks me to sow what He has given me...and this is my aim, and my prayer for my time on this island...and on this earth.

Please remember me in your prayers as I long to be freed from the chains that bind me, keeping me from reaching Higher for Him. I long with all my heart to be transformed more into the likeness of He who has created me, and have struggled much to grow as I desire. My heart has been touched by His Love and Grace, but there is still so much to be softened for Him. Many aspects of my life have not been devoted to His Service, and I long to continue walking in His Way by seeking to dig deeper into every area of my life. My focus has drifted and I have failed many tests in the last several months. However, I have learned more of my Lord's Grace than I imagined possible, and I now cling to that Grace as I continue pursuing His Righteousness with ever renewed determination. My prayers are also with you...

"Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until He comes."

~Hosea 10: 12