Both Mike and I are very thankful to God for this opportunity to raise and shepherd her; it has been such an honor and blessing to watch her grow.
May the Lord save her and cause her to see the beauty of Christ!
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Kk's 7th year
There's been many events, since my last posting, that I thought would be note worthy but I think Kk's 7th birthday tops them all. I simply can not express, fully in words, when I look at her face and no longer see a toddler, but a blossoming young girl.
Both Mike and I are very thankful to God for this opportunity to raise and shepherd her; it has been such an honor and blessing to watch her grow.
May the Lord save her and cause her to see the beauty of Christ!
Both Mike and I are very thankful to God for this opportunity to raise and shepherd her; it has been such an honor and blessing to watch her grow.
May the Lord save her and cause her to see the beauty of Christ!
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Remembering The Shepherd of Shepherds
These past few weeks have been filled with much sadness and tears; we found out on Resurrection Sunday (Easter) that our loving and brave pastor in CA, Steve, who has been battling an aggressive brain cancer, went home to be with his Lord. How fitting it was that God would usher Steve to Heaven on such a day - a day that we celebrate Christ conquering death. In as much as we knew this day was coming, how can one truly prepare to hear of the passing away of a loved one.
As many gave accounts of Steve's passion for preaching and exalting Christ in his life on Facebook, I wanted to testify of Steve's loving shepherding to his flock. Not many know about this story because it was during the darkest days of my life.
OUR PERSONAL ACCOUNT
It was just a few hours since Lei'ali'i passed away; Mike had not yet arrived from Hawaii. My phone kept ringing through out the morning with one number in particular. Voice mails followed with a repeating message of concern from my Pastor Steve. One message was in true "Steve" form, "Hi Bessie, Steve here. Your pastor in Hawaii is harassing me making sure I'm tending to his flock. So can you call me back." [Background - we were only 2 weeks away from moving to Hawaii to help with a church plant.]
I finally called him back, just so that my phone would stop ringing. He asked that as soon as Mike arrived, he and I need to come over to his house. As we walked into their house, we were greeted with comfort and love. They just allowed us to cry and expected nothing more. Steve then asked about funeral arrangements; I simply replied, "We don't know what to do; where to begin." As soon as I finished my sentence, Steve sat up and said, "Let's go." He and his wife drove us to the funeral parlor where we meet with the Director. By the time I knew what happened, all the funeral arrangements were made. Little did I know at that time, Steve and Karen were on vacation.
It warms my heart, even after 3 years, to think that Steve and Karen took time out of their vacation to come along side us and shepherd us thru that dark trial in our lives.
HIS MEMORIAL SERVICE
Less than a week after we found out of Steve's passing, several from the church-plant team flew back to CA to attend his memorial service. Many attended, approx. 2000 came with many more watching thru a live steam on the internet - from all over the world. Pastor Steve's successor, Phil Foley gave a powerful and accurate testimony of the life of Steve, accurately naming him 'the shepherd of shepherds' for Steve's desire was to train up pastors/shepherds to exalt and proclaim Christ all over the world.
The memorial lasted for more than several hours, with worship and testimony to encourage the faint of heart and the mourning. Two things that spoke to me during this time, both were quotes from Steve:
"To live is Christ, to die is more Christ" and "Believe in God in the unbelievable things."
As many gave accounts of Steve's passion for preaching and exalting Christ in his life on Facebook, I wanted to testify of Steve's loving shepherding to his flock. Not many know about this story because it was during the darkest days of my life.
OUR PERSONAL ACCOUNT
It was just a few hours since Lei'ali'i passed away; Mike had not yet arrived from Hawaii. My phone kept ringing through out the morning with one number in particular. Voice mails followed with a repeating message of concern from my Pastor Steve. One message was in true "Steve" form, "Hi Bessie, Steve here. Your pastor in Hawaii is harassing me making sure I'm tending to his flock. So can you call me back." [Background - we were only 2 weeks away from moving to Hawaii to help with a church plant.]
I finally called him back, just so that my phone would stop ringing. He asked that as soon as Mike arrived, he and I need to come over to his house. As we walked into their house, we were greeted with comfort and love. They just allowed us to cry and expected nothing more. Steve then asked about funeral arrangements; I simply replied, "We don't know what to do; where to begin." As soon as I finished my sentence, Steve sat up and said, "Let's go." He and his wife drove us to the funeral parlor where we meet with the Director. By the time I knew what happened, all the funeral arrangements were made. Little did I know at that time, Steve and Karen were on vacation.
It warms my heart, even after 3 years, to think that Steve and Karen took time out of their vacation to come along side us and shepherd us thru that dark trial in our lives.
HIS MEMORIAL SERVICE
Less than a week after we found out of Steve's passing, several from the church-plant team flew back to CA to attend his memorial service. Many attended, approx. 2000 came with many more watching thru a live steam on the internet - from all over the world. Pastor Steve's successor, Phil Foley gave a powerful and accurate testimony of the life of Steve, accurately naming him 'the shepherd of shepherds' for Steve's desire was to train up pastors/shepherds to exalt and proclaim Christ all over the world.
The memorial lasted for more than several hours, with worship and testimony to encourage the faint of heart and the mourning. Two things that spoke to me during this time, both were quotes from Steve:
"To live is Christ, to die is more Christ" and "Believe in God in the unbelievable things."
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Sometimes God has a way of slowing us down
Yes, God has a way of slowing me down. 2 weeks ago, to this day, I was walking from my office to our headquarters for a meeting. I came to a pathway amidst some beautiful palm trees and indigenous plants; looking down I noticed plenty tree nuts. I thought to myself to be careful before I slip on one of them. As soon as I finished my thought, I caught one under my left foot, slipped and fell. Unbeknownst to me, I had broken my foot.
I was able to walk to my meeting, thinking I had just sprained my ankle. After 2 hours, it was clear to me that it was more than a sprain. Fortunately, my boss, who was attending another meeting at our headquarters, was able to give me a ride back to my office where Mike picked me up and drove me to the hospital.
Since I had broken my foot during work and at work, I was put on workman's comp and modified duty/hours. By God's blessing, I have been able to work from home. It's been nice not having to change out of my pajamas to work and especially battle thru the infamous Hawaiian traffic for the past couple of weeks, and still be able to complete the tasks required for my job but there are still some matters that need my presence at the airport. So after consulting my doctor, he's allowing me to return back to work, physically, but still under modified hours. 5 hours a day is my limit which is a blessing as I am able to dodge traffic for a little while longer.
Oh and my foot..it's healing quite nicely. Doctor was surprise on how fast I'm healing. Although my foot is still slightly swollen and I'm sure I have some black or blue suits that can coordinate with the discoloration.
So in preparation for my first day back to work tomorrow, I must bid a fond aloha and get to sleep!
I was able to walk to my meeting, thinking I had just sprained my ankle. After 2 hours, it was clear to me that it was more than a sprain. Fortunately, my boss, who was attending another meeting at our headquarters, was able to give me a ride back to my office where Mike picked me up and drove me to the hospital.
Since I had broken my foot during work and at work, I was put on workman's comp and modified duty/hours. By God's blessing, I have been able to work from home. It's been nice not having to change out of my pajamas to work and especially battle thru the infamous Hawaiian traffic for the past couple of weeks, and still be able to complete the tasks required for my job but there are still some matters that need my presence at the airport. So after consulting my doctor, he's allowing me to return back to work, physically, but still under modified hours. 5 hours a day is my limit which is a blessing as I am able to dodge traffic for a little while longer.
Oh and my foot..it's healing quite nicely. Doctor was surprise on how fast I'm healing. Although my foot is still slightly swollen and I'm sure I have some black or blue suits that can coordinate with the discoloration.
So in preparation for my first day back to work tomorrow, I must bid a fond aloha and get to sleep!
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Instead of Resolutions, Why Not a Bucket Instead
Let me start by saying, "Happy New Year" or in Hawaii, we say "Hau’oli Makahiki Hou" (pronounced how-oh-lay
ma-ka-hee-key ho).
1. Swim with Dolphins: this one, my hubby's not to happy with it because he's not very fond of animals bigger than him and to swim with them... but this has got to be one of my life-long hope-to-dos. What's really interesting is that we have a brother on the Leeward side of the island who ministers thru SUP (Stand Up Paddle); whenever he gets a free day, he sets up his multiple boards and let's people enjoy them charge-free. He saw my list and said that he can help me with this as he has swam with wild dolphins while paddling out. 
2. Hike up Koko Head: Can you believe, been here for 3 years and I've yet to do a hike...Well, recently I've been wanting to go hiking and I thought to put this on my list. Koko head is a steep climb on old railroad tracks. Located in beautiful Hawaii Kai area, the view must be amazing up on top. 
3. Run a race: I'm not a runner, nor do I even pretend to be but I thought to myself...why not? I live in one of the most beautiful places in the world, not to mention the most fit and active place according to one survey. Oh and did I mention, I've already signed up for the Great Aloha Run on Feb. 18th! Time to buy me some running shoes!!
4. Take up sewing and sew me a top/dress: My parents bought me a sewing machine years ago and I've only had the pleasure of using it a couple of times. And since we've move to Hawaii, I've not had the time to even unpack it from it's moving box. Fortunately my husband found it among our multitudes of yet-to-be-unpacked boxes. I can easy look up sewing tutorials on youtube or what-not, but a dear sister has graciously offered to teach me and my daughter.
5. Take up surfing again: my board has not touch a wave, so much as even a water drop. Time to hang 10!
6. Memorize Psalms 119 - this chapter is one of my favorites in Psalms but also has the most verses - 176 to be exact. I've never attempted to memorize a whole chapter; this will be my first. Looking forward to this particular endeavor.
7. Start playing the flute again: I started playing the flute in 4th grade, but ever since I got married (14 years ago) I haven't played it since. Matter-of-fact, I thought I had lost my flute with all the moving we've done. Recently my mom mentioned that they had my flute safety kept in their house. Yay! My flute and I are finally reunited!
8. Cameo on Hawaii 50/ Last Resort: had the pleasure of being in 2 episodes on Hawaii 50 - hopefully I can get on more :)
9. Learn Japanese: Living in Hawaii, not to mention working at an airline, I'm exposed to many cultures and tourism from Japan is year-round. Just trying to find an inexpensive way to learn the language.
10. Visit a Foreign Country: Working at an airline I have great flying benefits; last year we were able to visit Australia. This year, skies the limit (pun intended).
11. Run Palahia St non-stop: If you've ever visited us, you know this street is long and hilly. My husband has tackled this street and can run it non-stop twice over. As I mentioned, I 'm not a runner but inspired to join my husband in his daily run.
13. Take a flight on Hawaiian's first plane named Bellanca: Date is set, Saturday Jan 26th we're taking a trip around the island on Hawaiian's first plane. Not too thrilled with this one as the plane is only a single-engine plane but a great opportunity to see our island.
14. Top-Secret Project (will reveal if accomplished)
My intent is to document my checklist - can't wait to share with you my adventures :)
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