my heart is full

Good morning!

This past week I experienced some new Maui things! I dropped off Leslie at the airport and drove her convertible back to Kihei listening to my reggae jams under the Maui night sky. I got to go to the Maui County Fair, which was epic, I must say. I tried poi mochi (see photo) which is definitely an island favorite. I don't know what I was really expecting to be different about a county fair in Maui compared to Kansas, but it still had the same long lines, greasy food, and excited kids to ride on rides that are scary mainly because you're not actually sure if they'll stay together while you are on them! Sunday morning I was on the worship team, and I lead a couple songs. Steven and I sang a duet during communion. Because of Your Love by Phil Wickham. I realize more and more what a passion the Lord has given me for singing. I am energized by it, and I love every second I am anywhere singing praises to Jesus. On Sunday night, I took advantage of a hammock in Wailea and listened to the waves crash, and saw shooting stars through the branches of a palm tree.

On Mondays and Thursdays, I have what the interns fondly call "green time" where we serve in another area of the church outside our ministry. Some interns do outdoor maintenance around the Hope campus, some work in the bookstore, and others clean toilets. It is hard work and it's humbling. After my green time on Monday, my friend Jenny picked me up (she had a day off from her job) and we went to the beach. When we were chatting in the ocean while the waves gently lapped at the shore, we were both so stoked that this is the kind of thing we get to do on our day off! I get to splash around in the ocean! I always feel so uplifted when I spend time with Jenny. We just talked about God's Word, and rejoiced in what the Lord is doing in our lives.

We went to Jamba Juice and tried out the Pumpkin smoothie (it was really good!) and then split an acai bowl together. MAN I love the acai primo bowl from Jamba with my whole heart. Acai, banana, almonds, coconut, and honey. It's amazing. Seriously :)

The Lord totally orchestrated a rockin' night of fellowship that night! As you can see from the photo, we had a lot of people over!! And 4 more people came after we took the photo! We ate dinner together--I'm learning to cook for others on my own and not be an awkward flamingo in the kitchen. The guitar always makes an appearance when we all hang out. We have a lot of musical talent in our group which is so amazing. New people came over which I just love and we ended up playing a hilarious game of telephone pictionary. Maui is just such a sweet place to live as a young adult. I'm so thankful for the Ohana the Lord has given me here.
-It's a Good Thing to Hope for Help From God-
"God's loyal love couldn't have run out,
his merciful love couldn't have dried up.
They're created new every morning.
How great your faithfulness!
I'm sticking with God (I say it over and over)
He's all I've got left.

God proves to be good to the man who passionately waits,
to the woman who diligently seeks.
It's a good thing to quietly hope,
quietly hope for help from God.
It's a good thing when you're young
to stick it out through the hard times."
-Lamentations 3: 22-27