Project 365...Hawai'i Post

So last May/early June we had the incredible opportunity to go to Hawai'i to do a job. Technically, the DH got the opportunity to do a job, I got to tag along. But considering it only cost us my plane ticket and my food, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me to do something of this magnitude this affordably!

We got to stay at a very nice, rather fancy hotel on Waikiki Beach, which is on the island of Oahu near Honolulu and Pearl Harbor. Much to our dismay, we did not get to make it to Pearl Harbor. We decided that would be the thing that would draw us back next time.

[Sidebar: The hotel resort was very nice, but next time I want an open-air bungalow on a virtually uninhabited beach on Kauai! The locals told me that's where I can find "old Hawai'i." Sounds like the place for me!]

So here are just a few selected pics taken from our trip:

This was taken at one of the Luau's we went to. Good times.

One of my favorite things we made a habit of doing was walking along the beach at night. DH snapped this picture while I was putting my sandals back on after said walk. This was the night of the Luau in the above picture.

It fascinates me that clouds like this seem to hover over the island like this.

Sunset on Waikiki Beach

I've never seen so many different types of beautiful flowers. EV.ERY.WHERE.

Sands of Waikiki

Eyes of complete bliss! This was taken at Ted's Bakery, which is apparently a locally famous spot for eating chocolate haupia (coconut pudding) pies.
Oh. My. Word. Watch the video at the end of the post to see more!

Waikiki at night.
Our hotel is on the left with the rainbow on it.

I think this is some kind of ginger blossom.

Flamingos. At the hotel. Yep.
It was almost like a built in zoo at the hotel: parrots, wrens, flamingos, PENGUINS (?!), ducks, etc.

I'm not sure if this is some kind of Bird of Paradise or not. But it's pretty!

This, of course, is the hibiscus, the State Flower of Hawai'i

I could bore you to TEARS with all the sunset pictures I could've put on here.

These trees were AMAZING. See the colors painted on them? That's their natural bark color! Yellows, reds, oranges, and lime greens striped all the way up these towering trees. Just beautiful.

Dole Plantation

Heaven...I'm in heaven...and my heart beats so that I can hardly speak...come on, sing it with me!

Fields and fields of cocoa plants!
This picture makes me teary eyed.
Seriously.

Pineapple Row
World's BEST pineapples. Hands down.

DH on one of the beaches on the North Shore

See that big dark thing just to the left of me? Can you guess what that is?!

It's a Honu...a Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle!
That previous picture was the closest I was allowed to get to her as they are carefully protected animals there. They have volunteers that stay at that beach (a honu feeding and basking area) for 4-hour intervals 24-hours a day.

Surfer on the North Shore.

This is the view from the same beach. Just breathtaking!

Mountains along the central part of the island of Oahu.

Pineapple fields forever....

Learning a hula
at the Polynesian Cultural Center
(which, if you ever get the chance...you MUST go there!)

Our tour guide at the Polynesian Cultural Center was from Tahiti, and she taught us how to make these childhood toys from palm leaves. It's a fish!

This was an Aussie named Bobbie (say it with the Australian accent!)
We met for the first time at the bottom of Diamond Head, so we decided to climb it together. She was visiting Hawai'i from Sydney all by herself!

The view looking back on the trail we were climbing to get to the top of the volcano crater.

There were tunnels to go through...

...and 282 VERY steep steps to climb...

...and an equally steep spiral staircase to climb...

This view is about half way up.

This is from the edge of the crater looking over the town behind.

This is inside the filled-in crater and also the place we started. We're not to the top yet!

THIS is from the top! View of Honolulu.

More of the same, but pulling the zoom back a little...

...and this is the actual view with no zoom from my camera. Absolutely no words.

Closer shot of Waikiki Beach from the top of Diamond Head.

Notice the curvature of the earth in the horizon. Wow.

This is an historic lighthouse at the base of the Diamond Head crater.

As promised, here's a little video of Ted's Bakery. You should watch at least the first minute or two if you'd like a good laugh.



Hope you enjoyed a walk through paradise on earth. I know I did. :-) Thanks again to Sara at Make Music from Your Heart to the Lord for hosting this awesome meme. Go check out what others have been up to! Have a great week! Aloha!

A Closer Look at Pslam 23

Last Sunday in Sunday School, our teacher asked us to all come in close, sit toward the front and middle because, not if, but when he would get choked up, we may not hear him clearly.

Let's just say he knows himself pretty well.

Clearly the Lord of heaven and earth moved in his life in one of those humbling, teachable, yet worshipful moments. I hope you've experienced one of those with our God, because if you haven't, you should position yourself so into His Word that He answers with one of these moments.

But the moments aren't meant to last forever. They offer a glimpse, as our Sunday School teacher reminded us, a glimpse at the valley from which we just came, and a glimpse into the future valley that is sure to come.

During his preparation time over last week, our teacher briefly described his study time over Psalm 23. He said his first reaction to having to prepare a lesson on possibly the most famous Psalm was a complete blank. I mean, seriously, what do you do? How do you shed a new light on something so familiar?

So he did what any student of God's Word should do...he asked the Author Himself for divine revelation. He believed that God was leading him to take the six verses of Psalm 23 and look up in a Strong's Concordance every singe word except the articles. I wanted to share with you what came from that prayer:

My Shepherd
Psalm 23:1 – 6 (Paraphrased)

1) My Master is the Lord God. He is my tireless Defender, my active Provider and my ever alert and attentive Companion, a true Shepherd. Knowing this I must be content, because He proves faithful in providing my every need.

2) He makes provisions for me to rest at ease with a clean conscience. His forgiving grace allows me to experience complete relaxation, and as I lay down to sleep, the inner peace that is available, if choose to follow Him, can transform a bed of hard ground into a soft mat of fresh green grass.

As I live each day, my Master…my Shepherd, is there with me, leading me to press on in spite of my fears…in spite of the storms that may rage against me. Knowing what’s best for me, my Shepherd will lead me into the midst of my deepest fears. In the middle of it all, as the flood waters rise and relentlessly ravage the landscape, threatening my own life and sweeping away all other living things caught in its rushing torrent, I hear something…yes…it’s my Shepherd’s voice… calling out to me, reminding me that He is my tireless Defender, my active Provider and my ever alert and attentive Companion.

What will I do? Will I believe Him…or doubt…and let the storms’ fury swallow me alive. I believe my Shepherd…and suddenly the noise…the chaos…the anxiety…and the fears lose their grip on me. Though the storm may still rage, I am at peace in the watchful care of my Shepherd…and the floods…the raging river that threatened only moments before is now, but a peaceful, quiet stream.

3) My Shepherd has rescued me…my weak faith and wavering trust in Him has been strengthened. My heart and soul are completely refreshed. He has once again proven that I can and must trust Him. My Shepherd is teaching me the path I must follow if I am to live a life that will honor and glorify His name.

4) There are other times in life…when all is right and in perfect balance…that I am suddenly forced off the mountain top…down the steep slope of the back side of the mountain. I fight to regain balance, but lose my footing, causing me to tumble downward into a deep…dark…valley.

In this pit there is no visible sign of hope. All that seems to be present is the oppressive darkness of the enemy…a heavy…hovering…shadow of eternal calamity. As helplessness and hopelessness begin to stake their claim in my mind and soul…I hear something…it’s a voice…a familiar voice…whispering familiar words…I am your tireless Defender…your active Provider…your ever alert and attentive Companion.

It’s my Shepherd! He has found me! I am saved! I will refuse to live in fear and defeat…my Shepherd is right here beside me. I feel His rod lifting me up and correcting my path…the same rod He used in my defense against the enemy…the same rod He has used to draw me back to Him in times past. How is it…why is it…that I would ever lean on my own understanding…trust in my own judgment? Oh…what comfort my Shepherd’s staff brings!

5) Again, I have been rescued by Him. He has physically restored and sustained me as the enemy watches in defeat…unable to approach me. Now my Shepherd tends to my wounded heart and soul. He anoints me with the oil of restoration. I am overwhelmed with joy…this oil has removed my guilt and shame…the guilt and shame that came when I turned my back on my Shepherd…chose my own path…and fell into the snare of the enemy.

6) Hear me well, because this I know to be true. If…even in rebellion…I turn from my Shepherd and choose to stray…He will engage in relentless pursuit, with the hostile intention of taking the enemy down…if only I will turn my face and my heart toward my Him. His healing favor runs after me. He chases me so He can be there when I surrender in humility. When I do so, He will stoop down in loving kindness and restore my wayward heart. He has proven Himself faithful…over and over…and has promised that He will do this as long as I live. Because He is Faithful and True…I will commit to return to and remain in the presence of my Shepherd…willing to follow Him forever.

A Meme Without a Theme...Random Dozen No. Cinco

Welcome to this week's Random Dozen! Lid's posted some great questions, so come along!

1. On an average, how often do you splurge and buy something for yourself?

Very, very rarely. Like I couldn't even put a pattern to it.

2. Are you more like Hall or Oates? Just kidding. Real question: What is the last creative project you began/finished? Feel free to post a pic of it.

Lil'bit's fifth birthday cake...a Wow! Wow! Wubbzy cake! If you don't have a preschooler at home and you have NO idea who Wubbzy is, that's okay. Believe me, I wouldn't either if I didn't have my little man watching him.


3. OK, Goldie Locks, do you consider your house too big, too little or juuuust right?

I would love it if we could expand this house juuuuust a bit. DH has some great ideas; we're just getting into position for it. :-)

4. What is your favorite outdoor chore?

Gathering vegetables from the garden (when we have one); otherwise, trimming the hedges. I feel like a sculptor.

5. If you knew that cigarette smoking was not bad for your health but would be a weight loss tool, would you use it? Why or why not?

No, it STINKS.

6. On a road trip, would you rather drive or ride?

For some reason, I want to put the lyrics to "Born to be Wild" here.

I'd much rather ride.

Although one of my favorite road trips was one where I drove my MIL and chil'ren up to Tennessee to see the mountains between here and there. The goal: to hit FIVE states in ONE day (Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, N. & S. Carolina).

The reason it was so fun was actually because I was driving, because the way my MIL copes with fear and nervousness is to make herself (and me) laugh! Now, before you get all "oooo, Chel's a bad driver" on me, it wasn't my driving that was turning her into a stand-up comic, it was the seemingly 1,000 ft. drop off the side of the mountain road that didn't even have a shoulder as a buffer, let alone a guard rail!

Although, one time we did see a guard rail that was literally a zig-zag, and to the right, and down, of us was a very far away dam. She had me laughing so hard I had to stop the car in the middle of the road! Good times.

But that was the only exception to the I'd-rather-ride answer.

7. What do you consider a trivial pursuit?

Material things.

8. This weekend, we downloaded the movie "Duplicity" with Julia Roberts and Clive Owen. Within 5 minutes, I was bored and annoyed, but I kept watching 5-10 minutes at a time hoping it would get better between small chores. I finally gave up and Jorge watched it alone, and then regretted wasting that time because he disliked it intensely, too. So ... how long do you watch a movie or read a book before giving up on it?

Unless a movie is vile in some way, I will usually stick with it to the bitter end. I don't want to offer my opinion about a movie if I didn't tolerate the whole thing (because if it's bad, I feel responsible to warn others about it). However, if I feel like I need to go get a shower because I can't deal with the grime the movie leaves me with, then I will turn it off waaaayyyy before then.

As for a book, I love reading, but my TIME for reading is at a premium, so if it doesn't hold my attention, I'll quickly move on to something where I feel like I get more bang for my buck, so to speak.

9. Is there a song that you really love but are embarrassed to admit because it's not cool or it's racy or because it's by Hall and Oates?

I honestly can't think of anything that I love but I'm embarrassed to admit. Oh wait, I still love the Monkees songs. I was part of that second generation of teeny-boppers in the 80's who were in love with 40+ year olds who were in their 20's...20 years prior. Mine is a sick generation. But if I'm honest, I still love those shows, and consequently, those songs.

10. On a scale of 1-10 (10 = extremely) how spontaneous are you?

I'm gonna give myself a 5; I'm fairly predictable, but there was the time that DH called from work and said he had to deliver a piece of equipment to a plant in Ohio and he was leaving in an hour...and I had all three boys and myself packed and ready to go with him!

11. Are you a food and/or beverage snob?

The only food I'm kind of a snob about is homemade desserts as opposed to store-bought desserts. I guess that's kind of snobby.

12. Who/What are you trying to control in your life?

DH and I are both trying to (and we will succeed!) take control of our budget and money...we are currently going through the "Financial Peace" program by Dave Ramsey at our church. It is most empowering and motivating, to say the least! It's all about making your money work for you. I am excited to see the effect of "making our money behave." :-)

Well there you have it! Hope you enjoyed another week of the Random Dozen...stop by Linda's 2nd Cup for dozens more!

Project 365...Epic Post

Sara at Make Music from Your Heart to the Lord has been faithfully hosting this Project 365 (a picture from every day) since January 1 of this year. Many people have been faithfully posting every Sunday a picture of each day from the previous week in an attempt to photographically journal the entire year. Some people, not so faithfully. I would be in this category. However, I have been taking some photos and keeping them, so I think I'll separate the summer months out over a couple of Project 365 posts until I get caught up. We'll start with May and June.


May:

This slays me.
He's actually fallen asleep like that!
I couldn't believe my eyes when I walked outside.

These are some beautiful flowers a couple of my co-op students gave me as an end of the year teacher's gift. The smell literally permeated my whole kitchen for days.

We got Daddy an ice cream maker for Father's Day (and gave it to him early!) This brilliant piece of machinery came with a hand crank along with a motor. Daddy didn't tell the boys it came with a motor at first. :-)

Monkey see, monkey do.



Daddy hung a rope from a tree this month.
This is the best swing...like ever.

He was scared to get on it at first; now you can't get him off of it!

This is a tiny bird's nest the boys spotted in our bushes.

This picture reminds me of the poem about the kids' hand prints on the walls, and I can stress about keeping them clean, or I can enjoy having them at home while I have them.

Lil'bit got loaded up in his daddy's "slippers" as he calls them.
We had these out while getting ready for the trip to Hawai'i.

Speaking of Hawai'i, I think I will actually post a whole Project 365 of just Hawai'i pictures next week. Definitely the highlight of our summer.
This one was taken the evening of the luau at our hotel.

June:

Brown Eyes and the abandoned cocoon he found outside. I was impressed that
he knew what it was when he saw it!

Beautiful Plumeria in bloom. These small trees (which grow very abundantly large in Hawai'i) came from clippings that DH's grandparents brought back in the 70's. All of the grandchildren got clippings from their parents' clippings to grow our own trees.

Lil'Bit swangin'.

Still swangin'.

Tired of swangin'.

Come back next week to see SOME pics of our Hawai'i trip...don't worry, I won't post them all. I don't think Blogger could handle it. Thanks, Sara, for putting up with the renegade of the Project!

Please: Prayer in Action for the Philippines

I have a new blogging friend, so to speak. We've only "conversed" a few times in recent weeks, but she is a young Filipino, in her early 20's, a university student. She's bright, seems to me to be very authentic and honest about her feelings and beliefs on her blogs, and I appreciate that about her. She's learning to find her voice out there in the world, and at such a young age, I admire that in her.

Her name is Jenny, and her blog is Oh, By the Way. She lives in the Philippines. She left me a comment today that said this:

"hi ms Chel,

I was thinking if you could somehow raise an awareness over what has happened in o[u]r country. Uhm, i know it's a big favor to ask but we really need your help. who knows, someone with a good heart will donate. the damaged in our country is beyond repair with just us..thank you so much for the time:)"

Realizing that Blogger is going to miss a few things in translation, you get the idea. So I started doing a little research.

It's not hard to find articles and videos on what's going on there. Three days ago, on September 27, 2009, these small islands were struck by a typhoon (basically a hurricane) called Ondoy.




In her most recent post about the typhoon, Jenny said:

I am imploring to those people who have the capacity to spread the word that Philippines is really in need of your help, be it financially and in prayers. This country needs more than just healing. The people who were affected by the calamity need to feel that they are loved.

As a child of God and a member of the Body of Christ, that last sentence hit me right between the eyes. You know, I may not have much, but I do "have the capacity to spread the word." Many of you do, too.

If you can donate, it is much needed and I'm sure appreciated. But even if you can't donate, can you spread the word? Nothing shows love like genuine concern. I know I would love nothing more than for this young Filipino lady and the people of her country to be able to feel the love of Christ during such a terrible disaster.

Wouldn't that be just like our God to take a horrific nightmare and turn it into a conduit for His love to pour out over them?

Click here to read more and donate to Samaritan's Purse.

Click here to read more and donate to the Philippine National Red Cross.

One last thing, and I've saved the best for last: will you pray? Will you pray a true, heart-felt petition to God for His mercy and grace and provision to be sent quickly to those in the Philippines...and in Indonesia and the islands of Samoa while we're at it?

Our planet is experiencing the birth pangs Scripture speaks of (see Matthew 24:3-8), which means we don't know how long these people have to hear the Truth and receive it.

The time is now.

Meme Without A Theme--Randome Dozen [Quatre]

1. Tell me the absolute best way to watch a movie.

In my own home, snuggled under a soft blanket with my honey and the lights down low. Oh, and a side of hot tea or coffee and a salty/sweet snack to go with it.

2. Do you ever think about your own funeral? If so, do you have specific ideas about how you would like it to be?

I can't say I've ever really thought about it in the "preferences" kind of way. The only thing I've ever said to DH was that I wanted a godly man to lead it and give a tender, but clear, presentation of the Gospel. It would be some celebration if someone came to know Christ after going to my funeral!

3. Are you more of a giver or a taker?

When it comes to service, I'm more of a giver, for sure. But when it comes to gifts or material surprises, not so much. I think I'm just so surrounded by gift-givers (my mom, Chel, and my DH to just name a few...) that, compared with them, I am more of taker. I have to tell you though, that I don't even like writing that.

4. Vacations: planned activities and schedules, or play it by ear?

A little of both; I find that if I schedule too much, I end up frustrated because it doesn't all happen. But if I schedule just a few "important" things, then it's much more attainable and there is still plenty of free time to do whatever comes up. But I know if we don't plan anything, too much time will be wasted trying to find something to do, or we'll miss something great because we didn't do a little research first.

5. What is one often overlooked item in your home that needs to be cleaned regularly?

The corners of the rooms...some little turd spiders get in there and make these tiny cobwebs every time I turn around. Ticks me off.

6. Name a cause that means a lot to you.

This one was actually kind of tough for me because I don't serve a particular "cause" as in organization. I understand what the question is asking, but I'm not sure how to put into words what I'm thinking. So I think I'll put it this way: Reaching around the world with the Gospel is becoming something recently that means a lot to me. God has been showing me lots of areas where He is working and how I really could be involved in things that I never dreamed before. It's not that I didn't care before, but I was ill-informed. It's never been a priority for me, but it's starting to rise to the top.

Another thing that has drawn from my heartstrings has been helping other women grow in the Lord. It absolutely breaks my heart to see my sisters staggering in their walk and I so want to come alongside and help them gain strong footing again. My desire is that we would all walk in the one and only path that God has set before each of us. I know I need help in that area, so I want to do the same for those God brings into my life.

7. Do you eat a regular old peanut butter jelly sandwich, or do you customize it? And by the way, jelly or no jelly?

Well now, it wouldn't BE a peanut butter and jelly sandwich without the jelly, now would it Lid? Um, gotta have the jelly. Grape or apple are our faves. I do not usually customize it, because you just can't perfect a classic. But sometimes I put Cheetos inside, just because.

8. If we were having a conversation in person, how would I know if you were nervous?

I had to ask DH this question of myself, because I really don't know. Much to my surprise, he said he didn't know either! The only thing I can think of is that my voice shakes, but people tell me they can't hear it. Don't ask me how they can't, because it sounds like Poe's tell-tale heart to me.

9. Do you have an elaborate bedtime routine, or just the basics of toothbrushing and jammies?

I almost said, "Brushing? I'm supposed to brush before bed?" But since you all don't know me in person, I didn't want you to think I'm gross.

So it depends on how 5-9 pm goes. If it's 9:00 and I've just now tucked the boys in bed and my kitchen is still a mess, then basics is all I get by the time I finish it all. But if the boys are tucked in at 8:30 and I cleaned the kitchen and made DH's lunch before that, then I will take more care...meaning actually washing my face instead of just wiping the contact solution off of it, flossing before I brush, and rubbing lotion on my feet and arms.

10. Have you ever regretted something you wrote on your blog?

Not yet. Well, maybe the toothbrushing thing.

11. Has anyone ever told you that you look like a famous person or celebrity? Did you agree?

I have been told more than once that I look like Michelle Pfieffer, but I don't see it. Now that I've done a search for her pictures, maybe I should ask which one I most resemble?

12. If you were going to dedicate a song to a loved one or friend, what would the song be and to whom would it be dedicated?

Hmmmm....I am listening to Michael Buble's "The Best is Yet to Come" on the Pandora Radio website right now, so I think I'll dedicate that to my sweet Darlin' Husband. Awwww....

I hope you enjoyed stopping by...be sure and say hello to my good friend Lidna at 2nd Cup and see what all the other participants said to these rock-your-world questions!

Meme Without a Theme: Random Dozen Thres

1. Which is worse: a long, boring meeting or standing in a return/exchange line after Christmas? A long, boring meeting is definitely worse. At least in a long line I can find someone to talk to...and I usually do.

2. Except for maybe Rosie O'Donnell or Ann Coulter, nobody likes confrontation, yet we all have to deal with it. When you feel cornered and defensive, do you "bite back" or become passive aggressive? Ordinarily I start out passive aggressive...but there will usually come a time when I've had enough, and it ain't perty.

3. Do you know anything about your genealogical background? (What country, culture, ties to prominent historical figures, or other stuff.) This isn't something I would normally brag on, but I have a distant relative who, during the 1930's, was a member of the mob in New York. Yeah, shining, isn't it? Apparently he was locked up for "fixing" horse races and money laundering. His name? Rocco Pollotti. Doesn't that just sound mobsta?

4. What is the quickest way a person can endear him/herself to you? Direct eye contact in conversation.

5. Cake, pie, cookies, or ice cream? (Note there is no "all of the above" option. You must choose one. Feel free to elaborate on flavor or memories tied to this dessert.) If you'd like, you can share a recipe, but you certainly don't have to. Warm chocolate cinnamon sheet cake. It's a family favorite. I like the fact that it's a sheet cake not because it's easier than a stacked cake, but because I pour the warm frosting over the hot cake and then I get to visit heaven for a bit.

6. Females: Do you regularly change your handbag to coordinate with your outfit? I have just started doing this in the last few years. Prior to that, I pretty much had a purse and wore the snot out of it. Now I love to have variety to choose from!

7. Are you task-oriented or relationship-oriented? I think I'm more task-oriented. Relationships are very important to me, so much so that if I have an opportunity to visit with someone I'll skip whatever needs to be done for as long as needed. However, because I know this about myself, I also have the tendency to put off the opportunities because of something I know I "have" to get done. I have to be careful on both ends. Is that normal? Am I confused?

8. IHOP, Bob Evans or Cracker Barrel? Cracker Barrel...all...the...way.

9. Have you ever left a movie in progress in a theater? Why? No. I am so selective about what movies I watch that if I'm going to pay MONEY to watch it, I know enough about it to know I won't leave.

10. What is one area of life in which you would like to develop more discipline or organization? I really miss working out. Once I get out the routine of it, it's SO HARD to get back in it again. I already get up so early, so I don't know where I'm going to cram it in, but I want to.

11. Was middle school fun or painful? Middle school was fun for me...more fun than high school. I met all new friends during those years.

12. What is your favorite Fall beverage? A hot cup of coffee with a touch of cinnamon brewed in it. Yum....!

There's another week of the Random Dozen...go see Lidna at 2nd Cup to check out more fun responses!