sunscreen and seat belts

Every work morning, I roll out of bed around 4:45. One of the first things I do is get dressed. One of the perks of my job is that I get to be in a swimsuit all day. That also means I'm in the sun. So I've started this routine of lathering up in sunscreen. (My favorite is Ocean Potion because it smells like a dreamsicle--thanks Leslie!)

One morning, as I was rubbing in this glorious spf, I started to ponder some deeper meanings of sunscreen. I'm getting to the age where I'm realizing the effects of things. Food I eat, vitamins I take, not exercising, exercising too much, what causes back pains, flossing, etc. It means something to me now. I put on sunscreen every day for two reasons. 1. Let's be honest, sunburns don't look good on anyone. 2. Skin cancer prevention. I thought about the emotional decisions I make every day. They effect my future, right? I put sunscreen on as an effort to protect myself from future problems. Are the decisions I'm making now righteous decisions that will make my future easier and less painful?

I had the same realization as I put my seat belt on, while driving to work in the dark hours of dawn. Windows down. Palm trees sprinkling the horizon. Singing at the top of my lungs. Breathing in sugar cane ash. Coughing. Wheezing. Windows up. Sun peeking out from behind Haleakala. Moon slipping bashfully behind the West Maui Mountains. Hazy and subtle. I've trained myself to put my seat belt on. I even sometimes mindlessly grab for it when I sit down in normal chairs. Sigh. We know that it is something we are doing to better ourselves. It's a righteous decision.

"This is the history of the generations of Noah. Noah was a just and righteous man, blameless in his [evil] generation; Noah walked [in habitual fellowship] with God." --Genesis 6:9

-righteous [those who are upright and in right standing with God]-

Obedience is tough. Putting sunscreen on in a sleepy stupor is frustrating. It would be so much easier to not do it. Or only on some days. Seat belts are annoying and constricting. Now that I view sunscreen like the Lord's protection over me, it's more fulfilling to put it on. And if I view my seat belt like God's armor, I'm willing. That hard decision you are making now WILL make your future easier. Trusting God now, before you see the benefits is worth it. Trust. Faith. Obey. Discipline. Righteousness results. IT IS WORTH IT.

This is our promise:

^"12The [uncompromisingly] righteous shall flourish like the palm tree [be long-lived, stately, upright, useful, and fruitful]; they shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon [majestic, stable, durable, and incorruptible].

¹³Planted in the house of the Lord, they shall flourish in the courts of our God.

¹⁴[Growing in grace] they shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be full of sap [of spiritual vitality] and [rich in the] verdure [of trust, love, and contentment].

¹⁵[They are living memorials] to show that the Lord is upright and faithful to His promises; He is my Rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him." --Psalm 92:12-15

In Him,

Risa

literary snapshots

Every day I have moments that I wish I had an iphone to whip out and snap a photo of what my life is like. Some literal, some figurative. A sunset. A smile. A snapshot of the happiness in my heart.

New things are happening.

I island hopped with Leslie and Tiffany to the north shore of Oahu for the weekend for a Young Life Leader's retreat. Camp Mokule'ia. We got off the plane and clambered on a school bus. Ukulele tunes. Sun beams through the windows.

A weekend filled with worship, Jesus, laughter, rest, prayer, adoration, and skits/games. Laughter breaks down walls. Let the truth of God sink deep into your bones. Life. Abundance.

I loved the consistent background noise of gentle waves. God reminding us: "I love you. I love you. I love you."

I love what Young Life stands for. I went to my first official Kihei Young Life leaders meeting on Sunday night. New faces. Fresh perspective. Lost kids. Sharing Jesus. Eternal mindset. Walking life together. Stokage. I don't know where God is calling me to specifically yet, but I am already seeing SO MUCH FRUIT from faithful prayer. It works. Big things are happening on the islands of Hawaii :)

I started a new job on Thursday. Pacific Whale Foundation. Each morning, we take out a boat of 100 plus passengers and snorkel Molokini and Turtle Town. There is nothing better than jumping in and wiggling my fin free toes in the Molokini blue waters. I'm learning a ton. Did you know that boy turtles have long tails and girl turtles have short tails? Or that a clove hitch knot is incredibly useful on a boat? Or that baby shampoo and water is excellent for defogging goggles? I like it a lot. And if you want to snorkel, you should definitely check this trip out :)

I am content. Satisfied. I want to be with God and let HIS grace and love wash over me. I want to write. Pen to paper. Fingers to keyboard. I want to sing. Strum guitar strings. Hum a thankful harmony to the melody God is singing over me. It's catchy.....and I like it :)

In Him,
Risa

the eighth month of the year

8 Songs that I've listened to on repeat in the past week:
1. Sunshine-Stephen Jerzak
2. You Are More-Hillsong (God Is Able Album)
3. Cosmic Love-Florence and the Machine
4. Calgary-Bon Iver
5. OK-Mutemath
6. Ehu Girl- Kolohe Kai
7. Your Love-Brandon Heath
8. I Will Exalt- Bethel Live (Ft. Amanda Falk)

8 Reasons why I love Hope Chapel:
1. I've never been welcomed into a community like my ohana at Hope Chapel
2. The internship. Now I truly know what biblical discipleship and walking together looks like. it's not always pretty, ha, but MAN I love my intern family. Big love.
3. Worship. I have grown SO much in this area and a lot of it can be attributed to the worship leaders at HC.
4. The Gathering. I love the vision that this ministry has. I hadn't ever attended church on a Friday night before, but now it seems so normal I wouldn't not want to go to church on a Friday night.
5. The courtyard. I have had so many anointed conversations in that courtyard.
6. It's transparency. Honesty and truth reign at Hope Chapel. It's not perfect, but it's a work in progress.
7. Kihei Christian Bookstore. It's one of my safe places. I feel like I can breathe easy when I'm in there.
8. Rise young adult ministry. I'm encouraged by the lives the young people around me are leading. It truly does take a certain type of person to live in Maui. Adventurous. Easy going. It's cool to walk life with these guys.

8 Reasons why I am STOKED about my next season:
1. I have no idea what it is going to be like. Number One reason. Hands down.
2. I get to work on a boat!!!!!!!!!!!
3. Craig's Discipleship Class. Jam packed with challenges and growth.
4. I will be making money :)
5. My home life is one of the biggest blessings I've ever experienced.
6. Working for an author part-time. I just love the way God works. There is so much TRUTH in God knowing the desires of our hearts. Majority of the time I don't even know my desires. But He does. Then I catch up to them. I'm excited to catch up to this dream!
7. From my lanai, I can see the sun rise over Haleakala AND the ocean/West Maui Mountains. It is idyllic.
8. There is no timeline. Everything is indefinite. I like it that way :)

8 Things I want in the next year:
1. Play my guitar mo betta.
2. Write more music.
3. Surf on a longboard....
4. .....then surf on a smaller board.
5. Do something handicraft like. Make jewelery. Crochet. Knit. Something.
6. Increase my prayer life. Praying for others is POWERFUL.
7. Refine my passions and giftings.
8. Buy a pair of Toms. Everyone else is doing it! :)

8 Words I am clinging to about God:
1. Truth
2. Faithful
3. Creative
4. Grace
5. Mysterious
6. Safe
7. Promise
8. Wonderful

staycation

Last week I had a staycation. I took some days off work and had the pleasure of living the resort life out at the Westin with my parents for a few days. Pool lounging, ono grinds, and an ample dosage of Vitamin D via the sun. I ate at my favorite restaurant (Duke's) with my favorite people. I saw a sunset that is etched permanently in my mind. Picture this: the sun hanging heavy in the sky. Tangerine orange clouds. Radiant beams penetrating through and reflecting off the ocean. A sailboat cruises by as the sun begins it's descent, disappearing beneath the horizon. Perfection. R2H (Road to Hana) on Saturday. Here are some photos!

Secret Falls Hike.



Hanging with the parental unit in the caves of Waianapanapa



Plumerias. Hamoa Beach. Blue vanilla/coconut shave ice from Ke'anae.

Change is happening in my life. But joy is in the little things. And the people around you. I cherish my ohana so much. And I have great parents! And I live on an adventurous island that I love. Life is good. And I must admit, instagram photos make everything cooler :) (thankyoumartineason!)

In Him,
Risa

more maui

This season of life is weird.

Growing up. Change. Transitions. Big dreams. Small dreams. Realistic dreams. Broke as a joke. Questions. Answers. Unknown. Excitement. Fear. Trust.

I've spent the last few months in a massive state of indecisiveness. Stay. Go. School. No school. Hawaii. Maui. Oahu. Kansas. Washington. Ministry. Car. Moped. Job. Unsure. Hesitant.

Choppy and vague. Every option has pros and cons. Each idea has something I desire. All along, I have had my eyes locked in on the King, wanting nothing more than to follow HIS path for me. I kept wondering why I didn't have a clear purpose/idea/desire as to what to do with my life next. As I'm sure many people can claim from experience, God works in mysterious ways. And on a typical Thursday night a few weeks ago, a couple from Hope Chapel that I love and admire so much invited me over for dinner. I explained all my woes and questions and dreams dwelling in my heart. They had a proposition. To live with them, and work for Robin, who is an author. Rent free. We prayed together, and I drove away, feeling completely peaceful and completely convinced the Lord hand was covering the whole thing. And really excited because it's all too good to be true!!

Blessings. Understanding. Trusting that God really does direct our paths. I am now assured that even in what I thought was darkness and confusion, God was working. Is working. Will continue working. I have no clue about what is coming tomorrow. But I LOVE what is happening right now. Dude. Allowing God to write your life is tough. But way better. WAY better. We don't even know. He does.

Maui no ka oi :)

-Risa-

summer reading

Remember elementary school summer reading? I remember trying to do my absolute best to figure out what the teacher of the grade I was heading into would expect me to know about each book. I also experienced the first inklings of resistance towards doing something I that enjoy doing when it is required. I have always loved to read, but if I have to answer questions or write a paper at the end I tend to drag my feet in a BIG way! Some of my favorites were The Phantom Tollbooth, The Cricket in Times Square, Wringer, James and the Giant Peach, The Outsiders, Sideways Stories From Wayside School by Louis Sachar (that one may not have been required but I LOVED IT), Tuck Everlasting, The Giver.....I could go on forever!

Since those treasured years of pre-teen awkwardness, I have tried to challenge myself to read more during the summer. In the past few years, my schedule hasn't actually changed with the summer season, but I still really enjoy setting occasionally outlandish goals to read lots of books. Last summer, I read all of the Shopaholic books, through which I decided I really enjoy British humor :) I also read Classic Christianity by Bob George--a Jason Spence suggestion. It rocked my world! This summer, I want a well-rounded list of literary gems. And I'm trying to be organic about it. I have already started and finished a handful of books, but I love suggestions!

1. I read the entire Christy Miller series. The College Years were my favorite of the series. They are meant for high schoolers, but I caught myself relating to the characters in unexpected ways! Now that I have met Robin, I enjoy reading her books with a new perspective. Actually, a lot of her books are on my summer list! Including Praying for Your Future Husband (co-written by Tricia Goyer). I am in a small group that meets to study this book further with other young adult single women. IT IS SO GOOD! Another I plan on reading is her book that released today Canary Island Song.

2. Growing in Grace is the sequel to Classic Christianity and it is really good. It's taken me awhile to read but it basically unpacks the Gospel and how we can live life full of experiencing God's grace as He lives His life through us.

3. I'm still on a Larry Crabb kick. 66 Love Letters is too good of a book to quickly read, as I tend to do. But it's on my list!

4. When Borders was having it's clearance sales, I picked up the book The Last Summer by Ann Brashares. She wrote Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants so I figured with a discounted price it was worth the read! I haven't read it yet, but it will be my book of choice to take to the beach!

5. At the same Borders clearance sale, I picked up the book Daring Chloe by Laura Jensen Walker. I've never read any other books by her, but it looked like a good Christian novel. I'll let you know what I think :)

6. To top off my so far incomplete list, Cooper left her copy of Mansfield Park on Maui by accident, and I want to be sure to conquer that before she comes back again this summer!

If I'm reading at home, I love to have music playing. The chill soundtrack of my summer has been the new Bon Iver album. It's super chill and good for background noise too.

Now that I have an official list typed out, I have some reading to do :)

In Him,
Risa

23 things i loved about my 23rd birthday

1. Paddle boarding with Alyssa at the Fairmont. Turtles swimming gracefully beside us. Gliding on our boards just above the reef.

2. Starbucks. Coconut iced coffee. Chatting on Robin's breezy lanai. My quiet time looking out over the pacific.

3. Pirates of the Caribbean with my boss and department. DURING work hours. In 3D.

4. Singing Afterglow with Ryan after the Gathering and praising my King.

5. HIS promises echoing in my heart. All. Day. Long.

6. Floored by the Lord. Amazed by the Holy Spirit. Authentic. Honest. Obedience.

7. Waking up early to head to Lahaina Harbor and be whisked away to Lanai for the Rise Retreat. Sailing. Sights. Secret Surf Spots.

8. Taking a nap on the beach of Manele Bay. My favorite beach ever.

9. Camping in a tent under the bright night stars. Lisa's mom used to tell her when she was a little girl that stars were little poked holes that allow us to see the light shining down from heaven. And so that God and the angels can peek down on us :)

10. A morning at the Four Seasons. Free fancy coffee. My Amplified Bible. Getting rocked by the King.

11. Excitement. Dolphins in the Bay. Mandy and Alyssa. Despite jelly fish stings and the impending threat of leg cramps or exhaustion. Dolphins. Swimming all around us. So close. Jumping and spinning. Echolocation banter. My Sunday morning worship session :)

12. Letting the sun wrap it's arms around me. Wiggling my toes past the scorching layer of sand to the soft cool sand beneath. Bathing in the cool ocean waters.

13. Doing my best to balance on a sailboat without holding onto anything. Careening. Roller coaster waves. Sunset. Tired.

14. Paddle boarding with Sarah. Laying out on our boards. Tickling the water with my fingers. Unexpectant. And then......Dolphins. AGAIN! In Kihei. Right next to us. Unreal. Such joy.

15. Intern Lunch with the Gunn's. Ritzy chicken. Arnold Palmers. Robin served us on their fine china and read us a children's story she wrote many years ago about being set apart. SUCH a gift. Ross gave us timeless life advice.

16. Intern birthday dinner. Paia Flatbread. Lisa discovering a gecko in her hair. The "One Word for Risa" game. N'Sync. Singing at the top of my lungs. Windows down. Martin knowing every word to Nelly songs. Nertz.

17. Fish Market dinner. Five Love Languages. The deep and familiar smell of a new leather journal. Like a cozy arm chair. Life Guard Stand talk under a drizzling night sky.

18. Sneaking away to McDonald's for much needed Diet Coke and perhaps a good cry.

19. Cruising with the top down in Leslie's car. Blanche. Launiupoko. Late nights. Life chats.

20. Surprise Saturday. Maui Moped Madness. Traversed the Terrain of West Maui. Stunner sights. Rickety Rope Swing. Sunshine. Helmet Hair. Plumeria Plucking. Horn Honking. Lots of Laughter. Chewy, Leslie, and Alyssa. It was one of the coolest things I've done in this lifetime.

21. Lei making while watching Indiana Jones. Congraduations.

22. Hosting a boat full of basketball players and coaching for NBC Basketball Maui camp. I love mingling. Jena and I got to meet and greet lots of cool people. Windy and Wonderful.

23. The simple and delightful fact that my birthday was almost 2 weeks long and full of things I never dreamed I'd be doing in this lifetime. Thank you Lord. HE KNOWS!