#242
Kicking off at Leeward Community College was so exciting! Jessica, the professor there who is the advisor for Cru, was such an encouragement to spend time with; Jamie and I got to spend a good amount of time with a solid student named Joe; we got more than 50 contacts by doing surveys at a table, and many of them told us they were very interested in being a part of Cru; we heard about many students from Cru last year who are now doing a lot of evangelism on campus and have been seeing a lot of students come to Christ. It was just a really encouraging day!
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
Frosh Love
#241
After coaching a student leader at KCC, and then doing a prayer walk around the campus, Natalie and I spent a couple of hours making calls to freshmen to invite them to our first small group (which happened tonight) and to students who did a survey last week who wanted to talk about Jesus. It was a really productive time- I got to set up an appointment with a guy who lived in Japan and wants to talk about Jesus, and I got to invite a bunch of guys out to small group. In the end, our small group had about 13 students show up- it was really fun! We'll see where things go from here, but we felt pretty blessed that kids came out, had fun AND we had a room to meet in, which was up in the air til just before.
After coaching a student leader at KCC, and then doing a prayer walk around the campus, Natalie and I spent a couple of hours making calls to freshmen to invite them to our first small group (which happened tonight) and to students who did a survey last week who wanted to talk about Jesus. It was a really productive time- I got to set up an appointment with a guy who lived in Japan and wants to talk about Jesus, and I got to invite a bunch of guys out to small group. In the end, our small group had about 13 students show up- it was really fun! We'll see where things go from here, but we felt pretty blessed that kids came out, had fun AND we had a room to meet in, which was up in the air til just before.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Community Search
#240
Had a super fun time picking up a transfer student from Texas and taking him to church this morning. I love early services so it was nice to have an excuse to go to 8am at One Love (Jack had to be at work after 1st service). And then finished the day with small group- hadn't been able to attend since end of April, so it was great seeing all those guys again! I'm really hoping I can get plugged in to both church and small group soon...
Had a super fun time picking up a transfer student from Texas and taking him to church this morning. I love early services so it was nice to have an excuse to go to 8am at One Love (Jack had to be at work after 1st service). And then finished the day with small group- hadn't been able to attend since end of April, so it was great seeing all those guys again! I'm really hoping I can get plugged in to both church and small group soon...
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Hula Pie- Doesn't Get Old
#239
It's a good Saturday evening when you get to have a really good, convicting, encouraging Jesus talk with your best friend, have a yummy dinner at a great local diner (Wailana's), and finish with your favorite dessert at your favorite spot in Waikiki (Hula Pie at Duke's in Waiks).
It's a good Saturday evening when you get to have a really good, convicting, encouraging Jesus talk with your best friend, have a yummy dinner at a great local diner (Wailana's), and finish with your favorite dessert at your favorite spot in Waikiki (Hula Pie at Duke's in Waiks).
Friday, August 26, 2011
Stuckish
#238
It's just not an easy task, working as a team of six staff, trying to reach an entire island. Of course, it's a one-step-at-a-time thing and we have to be fully reliant on the Holy Spirit, as this is God's work that we're getting to participate in... but sometimes we just hit these walls of not knowing what to do. We all came into staff meeting feeling a bit like that today, so it was good that our directors had us start by spending a good chunk of time coming before the Lord and laying down our anxieties before Him and re-trusting in Him as a team. May His will be done, and praise Him for letting us be a part of this work that He's doing!
It's just not an easy task, working as a team of six staff, trying to reach an entire island. Of course, it's a one-step-at-a-time thing and we have to be fully reliant on the Holy Spirit, as this is God's work that we're getting to participate in... but sometimes we just hit these walls of not knowing what to do. We all came into staff meeting feeling a bit like that today, so it was good that our directors had us start by spending a good chunk of time coming before the Lord and laying down our anxieties before Him and re-trusting in Him as a team. May His will be done, and praise Him for letting us be a part of this work that He's doing!
Thursday Nights Rock
#237
Got to meet a ton of new students at our first weekly gathering tonight! So fun! And then afterward at Yogurtland (it's a post-meeting tradition for the whole group), Matt Darby and I got to catch up on some deep things God is doing in each of our hearts. Quite refreshing and exciting.
Got to meet a ton of new students at our first weekly gathering tonight! So fun! And then afterward at Yogurtland (it's a post-meeting tradition for the whole group), Matt Darby and I got to catch up on some deep things God is doing in each of our hearts. Quite refreshing and exciting.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Mid-Week Struggs
#236
Met some more great students today and had a fun time having some sit-down one-on-one with a couple of guys who just started at UH, but MAN... they do not call Wednesdays "hump day" for no reason. It was haaaaard to get through. Something about that middle of the week, last-weekend-was-a-few-days-ago-and-this-weekend-is-a-few-days-away thing.
Again, it's a great thing that I love my job! Otherwise Wednesdays would just suck.
Met some more great students today and had a fun time having some sit-down one-on-one with a couple of guys who just started at UH, but MAN... they do not call Wednesdays "hump day" for no reason. It was haaaaard to get through. Something about that middle of the week, last-weekend-was-a-few-days-ago-and-this-weekend-is-a-few-days-away thing.
Again, it's a great thing that I love my job! Otherwise Wednesdays would just suck.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Why We Do What We Do
#235
Day 2 was another fun and exciting (though very tiring) day, but the highlight definitely had to be Karisa and Josh coming back to the table from going out to talk to people about Jesus and telling us that we had a new brother in Christ! Brandon, who had never had any sort of spiritual background and had never heard the gospel, put his faith in Christ AS Karisa and Josh were sharing the Good News with him. Praise God for letting us see our first bit of tangible fruit this school year, and praise Him for bringing another soul into the Kingdom! Pray for Brandon :)
Day 2 was another fun and exciting (though very tiring) day, but the highlight definitely had to be Karisa and Josh coming back to the table from going out to talk to people about Jesus and telling us that we had a new brother in Christ! Brandon, who had never had any sort of spiritual background and had never heard the gospel, put his faith in Christ AS Karisa and Josh were sharing the Good News with him. Praise God for letting us see our first bit of tangible fruit this school year, and praise Him for bringing another soul into the Kingdom! Pray for Brandon :)
Monday, August 22, 2011
First Days Are So Fun!
#234
SUCH a fun first day on campus today. I was exhausted and totally hit a wall in the afternoon, but I got to meet so many students today, most of whom don't know Jesus yet, and our team got a good hundred+ surveys filled out, so we're off to a great start, by the grace of God. Really looking forward to meeting up with these students and getting to know them/hear their stories/hopefully share the hope of Christ with them.
AND I got a good few hours hanging out with Jamie for the first time in a while. I'd missed my Project co-director! :)
SUCH a fun first day on campus today. I was exhausted and totally hit a wall in the afternoon, but I got to meet so many students today, most of whom don't know Jesus yet, and our team got a good hundred+ surveys filled out, so we're off to a great start, by the grace of God. Really looking forward to meeting up with these students and getting to know them/hear their stories/hopefully share the hope of Christ with them.
AND I got a good few hours hanging out with Jamie for the first time in a while. I'd missed my Project co-director! :)
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Moved In!
#233
Yaaaay! As of this afternoon, I'm moved into my own place. I loved getting to spend time with my AGO bro Justin while I spent the last 11 days on his floor/couch, but it feels good to have a place to come home to that's meant for me. Thank You, Lord, for providing!
However, right now I'm feeling DRAINED. Compleeeeetely exhausted after last week. NOT feeling physically ready to start on campus tomorrow. Guess I'm gonna have to go entirely on God's strength! Haha. Here we go!
Yaaaay! As of this afternoon, I'm moved into my own place. I loved getting to spend time with my AGO bro Justin while I spent the last 11 days on his floor/couch, but it feels good to have a place to come home to that's meant for me. Thank You, Lord, for providing!
However, right now I'm feeling DRAINED. Compleeeeetely exhausted after last week. NOT feeling physically ready to start on campus tomorrow. Guess I'm gonna have to go entirely on God's strength! Haha. Here we go!
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Ready For Tomorrow
#232
Our Core overnighter is done. Lots of excitement as the students left feeling much more prepared to start another year of bringing God's Kingdom to their campuses.
Right now, I'm just ready to enjoy a full day off before we start on Monday. Although I don't know how "off" it'll feel since I'll be moving into my new place haha
Our Core overnighter is done. Lots of excitement as the students left feeling much more prepared to start another year of bringing God's Kingdom to their campuses.
Right now, I'm just ready to enjoy a full day off before we start on Monday. Although I don't know how "off" it'll feel since I'll be moving into my new place haha
Friday, August 19, 2011
Mission: Oahu
#231
Tonight we started our student leadership overnighter. Man... I didn't think I'd get this excited to see everyone. It's so sweet to be in a room with 12 students committed to, and excited about, reaching this island for Christ. God has brought this movement quite along way since a year ago, and I'm so pumped to see how God's gonna use these young servants of His to make an impact on the campuses of O'ahu!
Tonight we started our student leadership overnighter. Man... I didn't think I'd get this excited to see everyone. It's so sweet to be in a room with 12 students committed to, and excited about, reaching this island for Christ. God has brought this movement quite along way since a year ago, and I'm so pumped to see how God's gonna use these young servants of His to make an impact on the campuses of O'ahu!
Done
#230
STAFF PLANNING IS DONE! Woot! And God has totally led us the entire time. I'm so excited to see what He does in and through us this coming year. :)
STAFF PLANNING IS DONE! Woot! And God has totally led us the entire time. I'm so excited to see what He does in and through us this coming year. :)
Thursday, August 18, 2011
God Loves Community Colleges
#229
Oh man... today's meetings were hard to get through. We're all pretty tired by now, and it was a FULL day of figuring out some really tricky stuff. But it was also an exciting day, as we figured out who is going to which community college campuses, and what ministry at CCs is going to look like. I LOVE my times at CCs, so it was fun to find out that I'll be back at KCC and LCC this coming year.
Oh man... today's meetings were hard to get through. We're all pretty tired by now, and it was a FULL day of figuring out some really tricky stuff. But it was also an exciting day, as we figured out who is going to which community college campuses, and what ministry at CCs is going to look like. I LOVE my times at CCs, so it was fun to find out that I'll be back at KCC and LCC this coming year.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Spirit-Ledness
#228
Our first full day of hardcore planning for this upcoming semester was exhausting. We had to make some huge changes and the discussions around those changes were pretty intense. It's a good thing we started the day off with a devotional about being led by the Holy Spirit, and how the things of God are only understood by the Spirit. The discussion came from an excerpt from the book "Life in the Spirit" by AW Tozer, which I'm currently reading. It's REALLY good so far- I highly recommend it! Such a clear, concise, biblical overview of who the Holy Spirit is and how we are to relate to Him.
Our first full day of hardcore planning for this upcoming semester was exhausting. We had to make some huge changes and the discussions around those changes were pretty intense. It's a good thing we started the day off with a devotional about being led by the Holy Spirit, and how the things of God are only understood by the Spirit. The discussion came from an excerpt from the book "Life in the Spirit" by AW Tozer, which I'm currently reading. It's REALLY good so far- I highly recommend it! Such a clear, concise, biblical overview of who the Holy Spirit is and how we are to relate to Him.
Provider
#227
Praise God! Today, Natalie saw her last $165 in monthly support that she needed to reach 100% come in! And then an hour or two later, I confirmed with a place that I'll be moving in! So the Lord sweetly provided for Natalie with ministry support, and He richly provided for me with housing!!
Praise God! Today, Natalie saw her last $165 in monthly support that she needed to reach 100% come in! And then an hour or two later, I confirmed with a place that I'll be moving in! So the Lord sweetly provided for Natalie with ministry support, and He richly provided for me with housing!!
Monday, August 15, 2011
"When two or more..."
#226
Four of us on the staff team got together this evening to pray together to prepare for the new year of ministry at UH, since we begin with staff planning tomorrow. What a sweet way to spend time together- coming before the Lord in surrender and in acknowledgment of our total dependence on Him. I'm SO excited for what He has in store for me, our staff team, our Cru students, UH/KCC/LCC/WCC as a whole, Hawaii, the world...!! May it all be by His strength, for His glory.
Four of us on the staff team got together this evening to pray together to prepare for the new year of ministry at UH, since we begin with staff planning tomorrow. What a sweet way to spend time together- coming before the Lord in surrender and in acknowledgment of our total dependence on Him. I'm SO excited for what He has in store for me, our staff team, our Cru students, UH/KCC/LCC/WCC as a whole, Hawaii, the world...!! May it all be by His strength, for His glory.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Mother Knows Best
#225
My mom and I had a good phone chat today. She had some concerns about my walk with the Lord, and was kinda calling me out on things/asking about things. A lot of it was just misunderstanding, but there was definitely truth in stuff she brought up. I feel so blessed to have a mom who cares about, and is proactively involved in, my spiritual life. Thank You, Lord, for that blessing! :)
My mom and I had a good phone chat today. She had some concerns about my walk with the Lord, and was kinda calling me out on things/asking about things. A lot of it was just misunderstanding, but there was definitely truth in stuff she brought up. I feel so blessed to have a mom who cares about, and is proactively involved in, my spiritual life. Thank You, Lord, for that blessing! :)
Heroes
#224
Ron Netsu is so encouraging... He's a professor in Japan who invited our Project team into his classroom to help the Japanese students with their English, and to have spiritual conversations with them. As a result, a good dozen or so students got to hear the gospel and a handful came to Christ! But Ron lives missionally wherever he goes! He shares Jesus with the men at the onsen he relaxes at, he has taught at many Japanese universities and tells many of his students about God, and here in Hawaii, where he spends his summers, he spends a solid month at a nursing home, just living with the elderly folks and holding prayer and healing meetings and sharing the gospel with the residents! So it was such an encouragement to spend some time with him at the home today, seeing him in action, loving the men and women he meets there.
Ron Netsu is so encouraging... He's a professor in Japan who invited our Project team into his classroom to help the Japanese students with their English, and to have spiritual conversations with them. As a result, a good dozen or so students got to hear the gospel and a handful came to Christ! But Ron lives missionally wherever he goes! He shares Jesus with the men at the onsen he relaxes at, he has taught at many Japanese universities and tells many of his students about God, and here in Hawaii, where he spends his summers, he spends a solid month at a nursing home, just living with the elderly folks and holding prayer and healing meetings and sharing the gospel with the residents! So it was such an encouragement to spend some time with him at the home today, seeing him in action, loving the men and women he meets there.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Welcome, Ryan!
#223
Ryan Ellis, the new Hawaii Cru intern, got in today so I got to pick him up. And we've spent pretty much the ENTIRE day at the Sbux at Kahala mall, apt hunting on craiglist. It's all becoming so real. I'm back in Hawaii and the school year starts again soon!
Side note- got to have dinner with some of our Project kids from Hawaii, and even Debbie who's visiting right now! Ryan's visiting in Hawaii too but I haven't seen him yet.
Ryan Ellis, the new Hawaii Cru intern, got in today so I got to pick him up. And we've spent pretty much the ENTIRE day at the Sbux at Kahala mall, apt hunting on craiglist. It's all becoming so real. I'm back in Hawaii and the school year starts again soon!
Side note- got to have dinner with some of our Project kids from Hawaii, and even Debbie who's visiting right now! Ryan's visiting in Hawaii too but I haven't seen him yet.
I Missed Nemo
#222
Staying on Grubbs' floor, which is great cuz I get to spend a few days with him before he goes off and gets married!! Today was a chill day of apartment hunting. Nothing so far... But it's good to slowly be settling back into being in Hawaii. And it's GREAT having a car again! :) Thank You, Lord, for provision- current and future!
Staying on Grubbs' floor, which is great cuz I get to spend a few days with him before he goes off and gets married!! Today was a chill day of apartment hunting. Nothing so far... But it's good to slowly be settling back into being in Hawaii. And it's GREAT having a car again! :) Thank You, Lord, for provision- current and future!
Hasta Luego, California
#221
Gin woke me up early to say bye since she was headed to work. Sad that I won't see her til Novemberish probably. And sad that Umi went off to church camp on Sunday so I won't see her for a while either (but I am happy that she's at church camp!). Got breakfast with Pfaff who spent the night, then grabbed lunch with my dad and then he dropped me off at the airport. I probably would've been mopier about not being in CA once I landed had it not been for Matt Darby coming to pick me up! So good to see him!
Gin woke me up early to say bye since she was headed to work. Sad that I won't see her til Novemberish probably. And sad that Umi went off to church camp on Sunday so I won't see her for a while either (but I am happy that she's at church camp!). Got breakfast with Pfaff who spent the night, then grabbed lunch with my dad and then he dropped me off at the airport. I probably would've been mopier about not being in CA once I landed had it not been for Matt Darby coming to pick me up! So good to see him!
People I Miss
#220
My last full day in CA... I spent it well! Packing wasn't the most fun, but I had a DELICIOUS lunch with my mom, sister, aunt, and cousin at Fleming's, then got to see Heather, hung out with my friend Mitch, and got to spend an hour in the roof-top jacuzzi of Mosaic apartments with my little bro Jonathan and two other AGOs. Then Matt Pfaff came over and kept me company while I packed. I love my friends so much- Lord, You've truly blessed me with amazing community.
My last full day in CA... I spent it well! Packing wasn't the most fun, but I had a DELICIOUS lunch with my mom, sister, aunt, and cousin at Fleming's, then got to see Heather, hung out with my friend Mitch, and got to spend an hour in the roof-top jacuzzi of Mosaic apartments with my little bro Jonathan and two other AGOs. Then Matt Pfaff came over and kept me company while I packed. I love my friends so much- Lord, You've truly blessed me with amazing community.
You Can't Stop the Beat!
#219
More getting ready for HI, and then finished the day with an evening at the Hollywood Bowl (one of my favorite places in the world) watching Hairspray (my favorite musical haha) with a friend. It was super fun!
More getting ready for HI, and then finished the day with an evening at the Hollywood Bowl (one of my favorite places in the world) watching Hairspray (my favorite musical haha) with a friend. It was super fun!
Mr. and Mrs. Nerfie
#218
The first Mu is now married! Almost 5 years after I started as pledgemaster, Mark Harrison, of the class to which I was pledgemaster, has gotten married! Man, if that doesn't make me feel old...
So happy for Nicole and him. And it was such a fun wedding of seeing tons of good friends- and the best part was the live mariachi band! I'm SO having that at mine, if I get married.
The one thing though- I left the wedding kinda sad because I had such a sweet time with all my friends that I hadn't connected with in a while, and it made me realize how much I miss living in California and having those people around me. Choosing joy and gratitude, as there's much be joyful and grateful about.
The first Mu is now married! Almost 5 years after I started as pledgemaster, Mark Harrison, of the class to which I was pledgemaster, has gotten married! Man, if that doesn't make me feel old...
So happy for Nicole and him. And it was such a fun wedding of seeing tons of good friends- and the best part was the live mariachi band! I'm SO having that at mine, if I get married.
The one thing though- I left the wedding kinda sad because I had such a sweet time with all my friends that I hadn't connected with in a while, and it made me realize how much I miss living in California and having those people around me. Choosing joy and gratitude, as there's much be joyful and grateful about.
Aaaand BACK
#217
It took me a while to get going with anything since I got back at 4:30am. But right back to admin work I went! The return to Hawaii is on Tuesday so there's much to do!
It took me a while to get going with anything since I got back at 4:30am. But right back to admin work I went! The return to Hawaii is on Tuesday so there's much to do!
Ridiculously Long Day
#216
Twas a long day of travel back to LA, but a very pleasant time too, spent as family. And then in CA, we got to rescue a friend of my dad's who got stranded on a freeway interchange. Scary stuff. But I didn't get home til 4:30am. TIIIIIRED.
Twas a long day of travel back to LA, but a very pleasant time too, spent as family. And then in CA, we got to rescue a friend of my dad's who got stranded on a freeway interchange. Scary stuff. But I didn't get home til 4:30am. TIIIIIRED.
Moms and Sisters Need Friends Too
#215
Last full day here- again spent relaxing. And was the nicest day, weather-wise, too. Spectacular colors in the water, gorgeous blue skies, ugh... Umi made a good friend too, and my mom became friends with the parents. I love that, cuz my mom, in all her busy-ness, rarely gets to have much of a social life. And it was extra cool cuz it turns out the dad is a believer and got really excited when my mom told him about what I do for a job. :)
Last full day here- again spent relaxing. And was the nicest day, weather-wise, too. Spectacular colors in the water, gorgeous blue skies, ugh... Umi made a good friend too, and my mom became friends with the parents. I love that, cuz my mom, in all her busy-ness, rarely gets to have much of a social life. And it was extra cool cuz it turns out the dad is a believer and got really excited when my mom told him about what I do for a job. :)
"Voulez-vous connaitre Dieu personellement?"
#214
I decided to go on my own to Chichen Itza today. My mom was tired and Gin and Umi weren't interested. But oh my! It was AMAZING. The history is FASCINATING, the sights are spectacular, I had the best time. I had to be in the lobby at 7am to get on the bus and didn't get dropped off til 730pm so it was a LOOOOONG and tiring, sweltering day, but it was so worth it. And the best part was that, because I was alone, I got to meet a lot of people, including a Nigerian family from Paris who totally adopted me for the afternoon- we became good friends, speaking French together the whole time. Boy did it make me miss France! I've been feeling for a while that the Lord has plans for me to use French in ministry at some point (I've had opportunities to use my other 3 languages in ministry already), and the hours spent with this family made me really hope it's soon!
I decided to go on my own to Chichen Itza today. My mom was tired and Gin and Umi weren't interested. But oh my! It was AMAZING. The history is FASCINATING, the sights are spectacular, I had the best time. I had to be in the lobby at 7am to get on the bus and didn't get dropped off til 730pm so it was a LOOOOONG and tiring, sweltering day, but it was so worth it. And the best part was that, because I was alone, I got to meet a lot of people, including a Nigerian family from Paris who totally adopted me for the afternoon- we became good friends, speaking French together the whole time. Boy did it make me miss France! I've been feeling for a while that the Lord has plans for me to use French in ministry at some point (I've had opportunities to use my other 3 languages in ministry already), and the hours spent with this family made me really hope it's soon!
Mom Needs Rest
#213
My mom and I were thinking about going on an excursion to the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza, but, again, we decided against it. But it's been sweet because my mom has just been having the time of her life, relaxing all day at the hotel.
My mom and I were thinking about going on an excursion to the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza, but, again, we decided against it. But it's been sweet because my mom has just been having the time of her life, relaxing all day at the hotel.
Finding Nemo
#212
Umi, Gin and I went on a snorkeling excursion today. It was INCREDIBLE. God's creation is just mind-blowing. I've been snorkeling many times but every time, the detail and creativity of everything I see is just astounding. What an artist He is...
Umi, Gin and I went on a snorkeling excursion today. It was INCREDIBLE. God's creation is just mind-blowing. I've been snorkeling many times but every time, the detail and creativity of everything I see is just astounding. What an artist He is...
Mexican Food... in MEXICO?! (Oh wait... that's not weird)
#211
We were gonna go on a snorkeling excursion or something today, but opted for another day of relaxation. WIN. Ended with some of the best Mexican food I've ever had- the restaurant was suggested by an American family we met in the pool :)
We were gonna go on a snorkeling excursion or something today, but opted for another day of relaxation. WIN. Ended with some of the best Mexican food I've ever had- the restaurant was suggested by an American family we met in the pool :)
Japanese Food... in MEXICO?!
#210
Day 1 Cancun- lots of catching up on rest! Haha. Seriously- we chilled ALL day. And ended the day with a surprisingly delicious Japanese dinner. MMMM.
Day 1 Cancun- lots of catching up on rest! Haha. Seriously- we chilled ALL day. And ended the day with a surprisingly delicious Japanese dinner. MMMM.
Vaca!!!!
#209
Aaaaaand back on a plane. Well, two planes, actually. But this time, it's for vacation. SO excited to have a week of relaxation with my mom and sisters. I really do miss them and I think they miss me a lot too, so it'll be nice to have some good, quality time without cell phones and laptops distracting us :) Lord, bless our time together as family.
Aaaaaand back on a plane. Well, two planes, actually. But this time, it's for vacation. SO excited to have a week of relaxation with my mom and sisters. I really do miss them and I think they miss me a lot too, so it'll be nice to have some good, quality time without cell phones and laptops distracting us :) Lord, bless our time together as family.
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