Happy New Year!!! STILL

Happy New Year!!! Or, well, Happy Chinese New Year! A fun festival in town filled with dancing dragons and everything reminded me that I had yet to greet the New Year on this poor, lonely blogspot. And so, I admit that my goal to manage this blog as a constant, informative site on the "goings on" of Hawaiian life has been seriously neglected. Do please forgive me. And, do know, late as this update is...that things are going GREAT here in the Islands!
I was so blessed to return from a wonderfully refreshing trip to Texas to find a home waiting for me in Hawaii! I was afraid that my time in Hawaii was drawing to a quick close as financial situations disagreed severly with housing opportunities. I came back expecting to sell my car and move on within the month, much to my chagrin, but have been overwhelmingly blessed to live in a beautiful house with the Gnauck family. Melanie, Andreas and 8 year old Spencer and I are enjoying a great family life in Hawaii...so much that I sent Andreas to Texas to visit my family. He is presently living in my old bedroom at my parents house...since i live in his, it was only fair! Actually, my Texas pride has overflowed so much that I have convinced them to move to Texas with me, and since we can't bear the thought of parting, they're considering it! Okay, maybe not just because of me, but they really may more to Texas...you all must meet them, and don't worry, Andreas doesn't always look so perplexed, (top right) just usually. :)
I am working at night for Andreas, the "man of the house," in a night cleaning business, which allows me the days free for study, learning, talking, writing, reading and adventuring!
It is so good to have time to dream and enjoy life...life is too precious to be missed! I walk around each day and see people walking around who don't seem to know what it means to be alive (so usually i try to tell them, which sometimes goes over better than others:). Seriously though, the more strangers i talk to and befriend, the more I am convinced that people are oft times waiting to be invited to live the life they long for. To dream beyond they hand they have been dealt. it is the most amazing thing I know of to watch someone become vulnerable to the reality of "MORE" and begin to chase after it. It is a vulnerability, for surely with dreams come disappointments, but...that's LIFE..and life is meant to be lived, and disappointment is an instrument used to dig great wells for joy to fill!
So, i'm seeking the Lord, wishing more and more for greater discipline to fully embrace the opportunity I have here, and I am daily coming closer (i hope) to an understanding of "what's next." that's the title of all my future chapters...what's next...I don't know what it means...exciting, isn't it??? As a young, older man encouraged me the other day, "uncertainty is the adventure of life!" I so agree with him...life itself is an adventure...and the sooner we realize that, the more content we will be. Life is hard. Life is not fair. Life is painful. Life is good.

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,