whale watching

Friday mornings, I've started giving guitar lessons to a junior hai girl. We really hit it off on the purity retreat and so it's been so good getting to know her and spend time talking and playing guitar with her each week. She is such a great student! Then Friday afternoon, Leslie and I grabbed 808 Deli sandwiches to go and headed to the Monacai beach to talk and soak up some sun rays. She is so precious to me. We were able to secure the ever elusive lounge chairs that are NEVER available, so we stayed up on the grass and chatted while the waves hit the shore. Friday night, I was able to help sing worship. I have only sang on the Sunday worship team, and for Afterglow (which is after the service on Friday nights) so I was really stoked to be a part of that team.

Saturday, I slept in and it felt amazing! Christy was up making her fantastic cupcakes for Jena's birthday extravaganza in Lahaina that night. The girls hit Kamaole Park 1 to meet up with our neighbor Jenny and some other girls that are friends visiting Maui. Jenny had two paddle boards with her, so I was able to go out with her and paddle. We had a great conversation about what God has been teaching us lately. I love where her heart is at.

Saturday night, we all carpooled out to Lahaina (the 45 minute drive is a deal breaker for a lot of islanders) to get BJ's pizza and eat on a grassy knoll overlooking the harbor. We were able to go around and share what we love most about Jena. I am so thankful to have Jena in my life. She is mellow and chill, and her heart for her ministry just glows. She always has a kind word and is always encouraging and uplifting! It was so refreshing just hanging out and talking with all of the people there.
Sunday's sermon was so great. Pierre spoke on Getting to the Heart of Generosity. He presented a very solid gospel message that was convicting and powerful. Usually, I sit with other interns during whichever service I attend, but I was the only one at the 8:30 service. At the end of the sermon, he challenged those who didn't know the Lord to stand up and accept Him. And he also challenged those who had made a "wrong agreement" with Satan, or who were not walking with the Lord and needed His forgiveness and grace right now. The Holy Spirit was PUMPIN in there when Pierre was praying. And after the 10:30 service, I was informed that we ran out of Bibles! Praise the Lord! What a great problem to have!

The interns gathered together again and carpooled to Lahaina for the 2nd time to go on a whale watch! It was pretty incredible! It was such an adventure. My eyes were glued to the horizon for any glimmer of a fin or water spraying out of a blow hole. They are majestic creatures. We were able to hear the song they sing by putting a microphone underwater. Brandon told us that all of the male whales sing the same song, but they start and stop at different times so it never sounds in unison. Isn't that fascinating? The sunset was beautiful, and I was able to make some new friends on the boat as well! We ate in Lahaina and then headed home.

Please be praying for my visa. I have been really anxious about getting it all together, since it is my first time. I mailed it yesterday and I'm just giving it to the Lord, and trusting that this whole experience is in His strong and capable hands.

This is the Word I meditated on this morning:
"But you, dear friends, carefully build yourselves up in this most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit, staying right at the center of God's love, keeping your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ. This is the unending life, the real life!.....And now to him who can keep you on your feet, standing tall in his bright presence, fresh and celebrating—to our one God, our only Savior, through Jesus Christ, our Master, be glory, majesty, strength, and rule before all time, and now, and to the end of all time. Yes." Jude 1:20-21 & 24-25

How can we have our arms wide open, eager to receive His mercy? I always want to be right in the center of God's love!!

Risa