Blessings

Workers who tend a fig tree are allowed to eat its fruit. In the same way, workers who protect their employer's interests will be rewarded. Proverbs 27:18 (NLT)


El que cuida de la higuera comerá de sus higos, y el que vela por su amo recibirá honores. Proverbios 27:18 (NVI)


هر‌که درخت انجیر را نگاه دارد میوه‌اش راخواهد خورد، و هر‌که آقای خود را ملازمت

Yesterday, I was amazed at the end of the day as my roommates and I underwent a thorough cleaning of our space in preparation for the inspection today. I had told them at dinner time that I was feeling especially tired and may head for bed early after we did our cleaning. They responded with such kindness and offered to help me with my job. This verse that I read today reminded me of the interests that my roommates protected in me to do what I could do. They aren't the workers, and me the employer, but the concept of needing to work together brings forth a deliberate choice on one's part. I am thankful for the young ladies that live with me and am constantly blown away by how much they show me kindness. It is every day that I stand amazed at how much is given to me, showered on me, and communicates an invitation to the banqueting table.' The word says that it is more blessed to give than to receive, so I am asking for my eyes to be peeled back that I may see how I can bless, love, protect, inspire, and be compassionate to today. I want to be better at loving, to not love many, but to love well those in my life right now. I cannot do this alone.

I went running today with a new friend named Taylor and she inspired me to thank God for 10 things every morning...sometimes it can be a challenge, but today I found it to truly be a joy because I am realizing how blessed I am.

Thanks for reading!
post script: on a side note: the fig trees here are producing fruit~

My Papaya Mini-Adventure

As I write, I am looking into the distance and the setting sun is casting a kind and warm glow and touching everything in sight. Not only is the view stunningly beautiful, but I hear these words resounding from the Ohana (family) court where a few hundred people are having a spontaneous time of worshiping the King of Kings...

"I'll give you what you paid for, Here I am, Here I am."

It is as if the Father is saying:
'I'll let you enjoy me! Listen to my song over you, listen to the melody that I sing.'

The weight of the responsibility of one of the hardest weeks I will have while I am here academically had just finished and I am feeling so happy about it. :) The book of Genesis truly packed a punch of not only learning about the history of the nation of Israel, but it was a good time to reflect on the true definition of redemption. There were times of nitty gritty details I felt I'd be lost in, but there were also times of digging in and discovering life giving message of God's love.

My days here are mostly filled with studying and carrying out my responsibilities in class and work duties, but today was a lovely refresher. It was a time for catching up, and preparation for the next assignment ahead, I even scheduled in an adventure.

The adventure I had planned for didn't work out for today, but will in the future, I will assure you....Tonight's adventure hinged at the end of my sweet time with my friend Crystal who meets with me to check in and be a support once a week.

I suggested we could go try to get a papaya down from a tree I had passed on campus previous in the day...so we did. It was a challenge to reach with an awkwardly shaped stub of a plumeria branch. We ended up finding a real fruit cutter and got not just one but two!! Which inspired us to continue looking in the surrounding trees throughout the campus. Success...we came away with five beauties, one of which we had to eat right away like we were in the wilderness wandering or something and hadn't eaten in days. The taste was perfectly sweet and was sufficient to cover up the horrid taste of the aloe vera plant gel we had just eaten. Oh man! that was such a bitter taste, but the papaya was wonderful. I did eat a few seeds though, I hope I will be ok.

Now the sun has gone down fully and the music continues with loud clapping, laughter, joy, and singing to the rhythm. This place is alive and thriving, bursting and bubbling over with life in every way. Time to rest my eyeballs so I may wake with gusto for a new week of learning about the Exodus, among many other things.

Thanks for reading! It was nice to share some time.

One Campaign Flash Mob

Hey All!

I am going to write more about life here in Kona soon...but until then...enjoy this video. In my last post I had alluded to the fact that the Fourth of July was very exciting and that I would write more about it soon. I was able to participate in a real Flash Mob in my hometown, Longview, Washington with a group of friends. There were about 70 of us in all and just had a blast dancing to "Firework" by Katy Perry. Enjoy!

Youtube: The One Campaign Flash Mob- Longview, WA

I will write more very soon!