New Series: Kaykay's Quotes

Today, after coming home from church, our family sat down on the floor for some play time. Kaykay has not been feeling well this week, so it was a pleasure seeing her play and interact with us. In doing so I said, "Where did you come from?" Ready to tell her from heaven, she quickly replied, "From daddy!" Ahh...nice!

Letting my "Yes" be yes!

Being a fairly "new" parent, God has taught me a great deal having to care and nurture our almost 2-year old daughter and today was no different. After a leisure morning at home, I needed to run to Costco and then drop off something at our church building. As I was putting Kaykay in her car seat, she asked if we can go to "Papa's house." Papa, by the way, is my dad. I simply replied, "After we do all the errands." So after we finish all the errands, I contemplated whether or not we should pass by my parent's house; as we passed by my parent's street, I felt tired and thought I will just bring her at another time. As I parked the car in OUR driveway, Kaykay looks at the house and says, "not Papa's house!" I explained to her that I was going to take her some other time. Streams of tears resulted from that explanation. Looking at my daughters sad, disappointed face, conviction flooded my own heart: I told her I would take her. I turned on the car, shifted it to reverse, and we were on our way....to Papa's house...

Though it may seem trivial to people, my yes needs to be "yes." Otherwise I am teaching my daughter that my word has no value, no truth, and is unreliable. Let it never be!!!

"But let your statement be, 'Yes, yes' or 'No, no'; anything beyond these is of evil." Matt 5:37

A DAY WE WILL NEVER FORGET

As I sit here watching a recap of the events on Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001, I am left with a heavy heart. I remember that faithful day as I got up ready to go to work and turning on the news to see both of the WTC towers engulf in flames and smoke. Thinking I was watching a movie, I then realized that I was witnessing history unfold. And as I sit here once again, I can no longer find the words that can adequately describe what I am watching. It is a sobering feeling knowing that those that I am watching on this documentary, lost their lives to save strangers. I wished to write more but I am a lost for words. My only prayer is that people have not forgot what happened on this day and that the reality of death compels them to call upon the name of Jesus by which they can be saved.

I Still Believe

Scattered words and empty thoughts seem to pour from my heart

I've never felt so torn before, seems I don't know where to start

But its now that I feel your grace fall like rain

From every fingertip washing away my pain

I still believe in your faithfulness

I still believe in your truth

I still believe in your holy word

Even when I don't see, I still believe

Though the questions still fog up my mind

With promises I still seem to bear

Even when answers slowly unwind

It's my heart I see you prepare

But its now, that I feel, your grace fall like rain

From every fingertip washing away my pain

I still believe in your faithfulness

I still believe in your truth

I still believe in your holy word

Even when I don't see, I still believe

Well the only place I can go is into your arms

Where I throw to you my feeble prayers

Well in brokenness I can see that this was your will for me

Help me to know that you are near

(written by Jeremy Camp)

End of Summer

Alas the dreaded end of the summer has fallen upon our family. Indeed Mike has returned to work and I, along with Kaykay, have been left to tend to the home front. Looking back, we were quite disappointed that we were unable to go back to Hawaii for an annual summer trip, however we made it up by multitudes of "mini" vacations, or dare I say camping!

The lack of recent blog entries only indicate our attempt to squeeze a few more getaways before Labor Day. I suspect that we'll continue to do so until the weather prevents us.

Quick cap of this weekend; unfortunately we were unable to take any photos except for today. We left for a family weekend trip with Mike's family in Reno. I was a bit excited to share the Circus Circus experience with Kaykay however I believe she may still be too young to fully enjoy the games. But we did get to spend time with Mike's parents and younger brother - who we seldom get to see, let alone hang out with. We only spent one night in Reno afraid of the traffic we would face traveling home on a Monday. (On a side note: I think Mike and I are done with buffets for about a year!)

Today, we began our day leisurely at home; even having enough time to wash my car.

Our summer excursions were filled with long road trips manifested in the layers upon layers of dirt, bugs, and other unknowns coating my car. Mike and Kaykay did most of the work.

We then made our way to the park where we spent the day hanging out with the COV & CORE ministry, in fellowship, eating, and playing volleyball. What a great day to end a summer-long, wonderful experience.