2 week retreat

Aloha,

The four girl interns were asked to house sit for a family in the church for two weeks. Even though it's practically in the same neighborhood where we live anyway, it's like a mini retreat staying here. It feels homey. And air conditioned :) Ha, and snuggling into a bed with a luxurious foam mattress pad and actually sleeping under the covers and staying cool is such a pleasant break from the usual. Alyssa and I had girl talk before we went to sleep last night and I just cherished every minute of it! I am just so thankful for Alyssa's tender heart and how both our hearts are in similar places. I love that she is a big dreamer and we can get excited about God's awesome plans for our lives. Mhhmm.

Yesterday I met with my friend Erin who is here in Maui for culinary school. She is so great! We ate at this quaint cafe called Cafe at La Plage. It reminded me of Edesias in Manhattan and I loved it! We sat at a table with a view of the ocean and I sighed with happiness. On Thursday afternoons I'm in the bookstore. After organizing bookmarks and putting belated birthday cards back in their correct spots I went over to the children's building to restock coffee supplies in the classrooms. I heard the melodious sounds of a ukulele class floating down the hallway. I found myself stuck to the spot outside their doorway just praising God that I was in Kihei, HI listening to a ukulele class--complete with "yes Lord!"s and "yeehaws". And the moment I walked outside and felt the warm breeze and heard the rustle of the palm trees and saw Haleakala in the distance I sighed with contentment. I love admiring and simply being in awe of the natural beauties and wonders God creates for us to enjoy. God has been growing this dream in my heart my whole life. It's His perfect plan.

A question I read in the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan was this:

"If you could have heaven, with no sickness, and with all the friends you ever had on earth, and all the food you ever liked, and all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed, and all the natural beauties you ever saw, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted, and no human conflict or any natural disasters, could you be satisfied with heaven, if Christ was not there?" -John Piper.

This makes me think of my current situation (and also eternity). This is all I ever dreamed of and more. But I would not even be close to satisfied if I were here for men and not for the Lord....if I wasn't compelled by Christ's love and comforted daily by the thought that He wants me here. He's using me here. I am desiring to walk intimately with the Creator of the Universe. I think it is SO important to thank God for everything. For His blessings, for our tribulations. Praise Jesus for placing desires in our hearts and being joyful to serve Him because He delights in that! What are you living for?

"Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days." Psalm 90:14

Risa Elena