I paid rent this month.
With the help of my parents, I bought a car. 2001 Honda Accord. Her name is Bailey and she's perfect. I couldn't have dreamed up a better Maui Cruiser. I am so thankful to have a set of reliable wheels to get me where I need to go during this insanely busy season.This was the first year I wasn't in Kansas for Christmas.
At first, it was fine. I had a healthy amount of longing to be home, but also felt very content to be with my Maui family for Christmas.
Then on Christmas Eve, I opened the gifts my parents had sent me. My Daddy had recorded his voice reading "The Night Before Christmas" and I just lost it. Such a tender, loving act. Tradition. I love my family and they mean so much to me.
Putting on my big girl shoes.
Leslie invited to me to wander up 7,000 feet to a cabin in Poli Poli on Christmas Day.
It was exactly what I needed and I was surrounded by wonderful people who love me.Bundled up by the fire. Chai lattes by Kim. Exchanging gifts. Late night games. Good food.
My first New Year's Eve on Maui. Christy came to visit and we had a lovely time visiting with friends. Blowing up one illegal firework off South Kihei Rd. At midnight, we were already cuddled up in bed, giggling and ready to slip into a much needed sleep. Ideal.Fear-Fights
I have been working out so much stuff in my heart over the past few months. Leaving the internship was like graduating high school. A few of my best friends moved off island. I transitioned into a new full-time job.
I have never really dealt with loneliness before. But I have struggled to rely on the Lord fully the past few months. Struggled to trust Him to meet all my needs. And it's weird to think that maybe I haven't been completely trusting Him before. He is my portion. He is all I need. I know the words and promises, but I have had to claim them as my own during this season.
I asked the Lord to give me a Word to really dig deep into. He gave me two: Honesty and Truth.
Fight lies. Believe truth.
I picked up some good truth from an article Alyssa sent me. Lately, I'll make a decision, know it wasn't the best and repent. Then the next day I'll do it again! Then I get into this cycle of blughness (that's what I'm calling it) and am constantly slapping my forehead, frustrated at my own disobedience. I have found that when I feel like God is distant, it's because I am the one who has made it that way! No, you are not abandoned by God. No, your sin is not too much for him. Yes, he loves you even though you've been sinned against and have sinned grievously. Yes, he forgives you and will redeem you as his child. Know God's promises to you in Scripture, he is the ultimate Keeper of your heart.
Funnies:
By falling into my job on a boat in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, I have been enlightened to the hilarity that is commonly referred to as snorkeling. I know in previous posts I've talked about a few stories. Recently, I've committed to collecting all my stories and putting them all together. Whether that turns into another blog or a book, I just know, with my whole heart, that these stories are too good to not be shared.
A few of my favorites from the past few weeks :)
If there is a truth universally acknowledged, it is this: snorkeling is awkward. I found this out one morning after helping a mom and daughter get into the water. I turned around to go back up the swim steps and my face smacked into a rather large brazilian man's rear end. He was wearing a speedo and thought he was being helpful by backing down the stairs with his fins on, when in reality he ended up scarring me for life.
A few days later, I was standing on our bench, lifeguarding and tossing pool noodles into desperate fingers. I happened to overhear this statement coming out of the mouth of an older gentleman as he was walking down the steps to get in the water, "Ladies," he says to a few younger women behind him, "two things excite men." I drop my noodle pile and anxiously lean over the railing to make sure I hear what he's about to say. "Two things excite men. Snorkeling and food. But mostly snorkeling." The women giggle politely and I shake my head laughing at how that is not at all what I thought he was going to say! He grins, plops on his mask, and happily jumps in to explore Molokini crater.
One time I was reaching in a puka (hole/closet) for some chips and a little boy came up behind me. He tapped on my shoulder and when I turned around to see what he needed he looked up with an inquisitive smile on his face. “Did you get this job because you have such long arms?” he asked. I laughed and said,”Yes, that's exactly how I got this job!”
The last one for now, happened last week when most of our passengers were in the water snorkeling. I came around the corner to put our pretzel snack out on the galley when I saw that two people were behind the galley doing something at the sink. Which, boat etiquette calls for only crew being allowed behind the galley. An older chinese lady and her daughter, I assumed. I asked if I could help them with anything. The daughter just laughed, brushed me off and said,”Oh no, we're fine, she's just cleaning her dentures!” The sweet old lady just looked over at me with a toothless smile and I had to walk away, overcome with a fit of the giggles. Captain J came down and when I told him what happened, he replied, “Bleach everything!” I see something new everyday!
