Tis the Season

Its been a little while since I shared my thoughts with you. I don’t have internet at home, so that makes it a bit tricky.

I have had so many ups and downs in the last month or so. The “trying of my faith” I guess.

It started on an up, I read this book by Napoleon Hill at little bit ago called ‘Think & Grow Rich’- a good title for a good book. My boss’s wife Jan told me it changed her life, so I thought that was too good to pass up! I definitely recommend it. I‘m on my way through it for the second time with the ‘action pack’ that I discovered once I got to the end of the book :) The book talks about the power of thought and declaration and making your desires your reality. It is really awesome!

But you know how you can get all pumped up when you read a good book or hear a good message?- you feel like you can overcome anything (which we can) but then reality hits and you forget all that good stuff and get wrapped up in what you see around you. At least that’s how it has been for me. The last few weeks I have been stressing and worrying and trying really hard not to do either of those things. Finally, the moment came when I was able to say to myself (and mean it) “There is nothing I can do but wait, so I am going to enjoy myself in the meantime.” I decided not to put Christmas on hold just because we are maybe moving maybe not, or because we are leaving on Christmas Eve, or because it is more practical to not spend money on a tree. I am celebrating Christmas! This is the first year in Hawaii that Christmas feels like Christmas. There is that lilt in the air that makes everything seem suspenseful and fun, the weather is cooler (it helps that I work in AC), and I get to look forward to family and friends. I decorated at work, decorated at church, decorated at home! There are Christmas parties to go to and plays to perform, and presents to buy!

It comes down to truly trusting that God always has my best interest at heart, and His timing is better than mine, and don’t sweat the small stuff. I am shifting my thoughts to what I can control rather than what I can’t, and I’m enjoying myself along the way.

IRONMAN- not the movie

Every year in October one of the most inspirational events happens in Kona. The Ironman World Championship. 

"Tens-of-thousands of triathletes try to get one of those coveted Ironman spots every year. Only 1,800 succeeded. That means 1,800 "lucky" people get to test themselves on one of the biggest challenges the sports world has to offer ... 2.4-miles of swimming through tough ocean waves,, 112-miles of biking, and a 26.2-mile marathon run over challenging lava-covered terrain." (From ironman website)

For volunteers, one of the main things is working the aid stations. There is food, drinks, and ice stations set up every few miles for athletes to grab what they need as they race. 

After work on Saturday October 10th Aaron and I went to help out at the aid station our church runs. The event starts at 7 am. The best of the best take about 8 hours to complete the race, so those people were long gone by the time we got there at 7pm. But that is where the beauty of it comes in. 

We stood by the edge of the road shouting "Cola! Cola" to the racers as they came by. It is kinda funny to put into words, but seeing these people give everything they've got to complete this thing was cool, but what I really loved was the experience of handing of a cup of coke to them. Almost every cup was a special experience. Okay you can laugh, but seriously. These athletes came running by SMILING!  and thanking us for being there. The looked so grateful to have that cup and to have our cheers of support spurring them on that it made tears prick my eyes. 

And that is just the beginning. The true story really begins at the very end. The very last contestant. The race cut off is at midnight. That is when they stop counting. At our station they still have 5 miles to go, so time is of the essence. 

We had just ushered through the winner of the "Biggest Loser" Tv show. He had a whole crew come ahead of him and tell us exactly what he needed, lots of noise, 3 cups of coke, a bucket of ice over his head etc. We were ready for him. We lined up chanting his name, "Hoover! Hoover! Hoover!" He got ice dumped over his head, a bottle of coke and kept on running. After that everyone was like whew alright almost time to come home. 

Then we hear "Wait there is one more! His name is Jason!" 

So we get ready, we get a chair, get our drinks food, and here he comes out of the darkness, barely moving along. His coach is right at his side. We had a chair because Jason is an amputee. He lost is right hand and his left leg from the knee down. He was exhausted. We gave him everything we had - dumped water over him, gave him food, water and he got up and kept going and so did we. A bunch of us kept going, bringing water and encouragement as he ran. He kept going and going little by little working his way toward the finish line. We stayed with him cheering him on, telling him he could do it, telling him he is an Ironman. For 2 1/2 miles we kept going until the medics stopped us. They checked his pulse and asked him some questions which he answered quickly and correctly, but as he started to run, his body gave out and collapsed. He just couldn't get up. They loaded him up on the stretcher and put him in the medic van. He didn't make it this year. But I think what he did for us was so much better. 

There is nothing that compares to seeing someone face an obstacle like that. We all love those stories of people overcoming because it reminds us that there is hope for us too. Jason will be an inspiration to each of us that ran for years to come because of the purpose and dedication that he showed. He never quit. He kept going until his body gave out on him. But his mind never stopped. 

I think that is one of the beautiful things about humanity, what we can give each other. Giving is rarely one way. I give a cup of coke, they give me a smile. We both get something meaningful. I give a couple miles of running (in flip flops I might add) and he gives inspiration and joy. It is true that the more you give the more you receive. 

What I have learned...

I have been feeling reflective lately. I can tell I am leaving one season and moving onto the next. It feels like for the past couple years I have been living in the first part of Cinderella- hard work. rough living conditions, and an evil boss. Fortunately even Cinderella had friends that loved her and she could look out her window and dream. 

The last two years have been tough. We gave up all security- Our home, our friends, our jobs, our family, our church, our cars- everything. We came to Hawaii to pursue a dream. To choose our destiny. We came with 2 bags each and no where to live. We came because we knew this was for us. For 2 years we lived off one small income, in one very small apartment, worked at a job I didn't like and on and on. There were many times I desperately wanted to pack up and fly home. There were times I just didn't know how to be happy. But I learned. I learned how to be strong, how to be happy, how to sacrifice. We kept believing and we kept dreaming. 

And now we are leaving that season behind us. Somehow, someway. I can't see all the pieces. I don't know how, but it is a new season for us. We are coming to the fairy tale part. Things are changing. We are connected, we are seen for who we are, we are doing things we love. We still don't have any of the things that usually represent success, but what we do have is Faith. We know God will provide for all our needs. We know that we can love each other and support each other through hard times. 

I am grateful for that. I am grateful for the journey. I am grateful because we did it, because I am stronger now than I was 2 1/2 years ago. If we had stayed in our comfortable bubble I wouldn't know what I know now. Maybe I would worry about the economy, or if we can make it, or maybe I would think it really matters what I own, or where I live. Dreams mean sacrifice. Sacrifice means everything.

From the "One Minute Millionaire"

..."you get to decide whether these facts make you a victim or a victor. And right now you are acting like a victim. "

"But I AM a victim!"

"Missy everyone of us is a victim of something, but some people don't act like victims. I have a friend who's a quadriplegic. Do you know what he does for a living? He draws cartoons with a pen he holds between his teeth.

...My friend is not a victim, he is a victor. A victim blames, a victor learns."

What I have learned:

-That being with the people you love is more valuable than anything

-That I need to be consistent with money- take care of what needs done

-It is okay to wait for things I want

-I am strong. I can live in difficult circumstances and be happy.

-God is my source. My strength, my provider, my protector.

8 Years!

8 Years! I have really been looking forward to this anniversary. 8 years on the 8th. 8 is my favorite number... on top of that it is the first time we have gotten more that one day off together in months- and 3 days at that! It worked out that Labor Day weekend was the same as our anniversary. I normally have Sundays and Tuesdays off, so with Monday being a holiday= 3 days! The weekend started pretty normal except that everything seemed a lot more fun since I knew we were on vacation and best of all I didn't know the plans. I love surprises! Sunday night Aaron said we needed to get our rest because we had a full day ahead of us. So Monday morning we got up and Aaron told me what to wear and what to pack. We went for breakfast at McDonald's then to Borders where he told me to pick out any book (eeee!) Then we hit the road. We went up to Hawi, a little town on the very top of the island. My favorite outlet store is supposed to be there, but we discovered when we got there it had closed down.  :( But no matter, we went for lunch at the best sandwich shop EVER (I normally don't even like sandwiches) 

and then browsed the other shops.

 I got a really cool pair of earrings. Then we got in the car and Aaron said I got to choose my adventure. He had 2 hiking options planned. I chose the Waipio Valley rim. So we headed off. It was a bit of a guessing game because the guide book doesn't actually tell you how to get there. We found our own way though. It was awesome. On our way back it started down-pouring!  Brrr! We got back to the car wet and muddy and tired- meaning the hike was great. 

I didn't know where we were going next, but I rode along contentedly until we arrived at the Hapuna Prince Hotel - a beautiful hotel next to one of the best beaches on the island!! When we checked we got an upgrade to a partial ocean view room. 

We cleaned up, dressed up and went to dinner. Yum! From there we went down to the beach and relaxed in the lawn chairs listening to the waves and star gazing. Sigh. 

I had mentioned to Aaron months before that my idea of a perfect day would be to go on a hike then stay at a nice hotel, he remembered and gave it to me!

The next day we chilled by the pool till we had to check out then we headed off to do whatever we felt like. We bought me a canvas, (yeah! my first one in forever) then went to some shops in the resort area and drove around some neighborhoods. That night we went to dinner by the ocean and had a beautiful sunset. It was a great weekend. I was super sad to have it end...I'm already looking forward to next year. 

The Journey

Lately I have been feeling really good about life and faith and proclaiming God's goodness and promises for my life. For about 6 weeks I have been declaring every morning the promises that have been spoken to Aaron and I. It has been awesome! I declare that there are new opportunities that are opening up. Divine opportunities, that there isn't going to be any pushing or pulling involved. That this is gonna be a new season for us. And guess what? It is happening!

Firstly, most of you heard, I walked right into an awesome job that has been a huge blessing and a lot of fun. I seriously feel like it just keeps getting better. More and more opportunities are opening up for me there. I love it! 

Then, all the pilots at Aaron's job got a $2 raise on their flight time and there are all kinds of unexpected, exciting opportunities opening up for him as well.  

I have also been declaring that we only had 40% of what God wants us to receive, that He has 60% more for us to receive. 

At my 90 day review, I got $1 an hour raise. I am making 60% more now than I was making at my last job 6 months ago! And Aaron is making 100% more! HA HA!! How cool is that? 

I have been declaring that we are blessed and that the dreams of our hearts are coming to pass. Aaron's new position is totally a fulfillment of a dream, and now I am working at a job that is bringing me closer to my passions and I believe it will continue to open up new doors for me. It has been awesome! 

Then my car broke down.

I know that it is not as big of a deal as it feels like, which is frustrating in itself- but it is just one of those things that lands on top of other things and makes it feel like too much to handle. Our anniversary is coming up next Tuesday and I don't want a broken car to get in the way of our time together. Because of this I was not feeling positive this morning but I read my declarations anyway. I could barely say them aloud. 

But after some time with my hubby, sunshine and a friend doing my hair I am feeling positive again. I remembered something that struck me last night as I was watching the Discovery Channel. It was about the amazing journeys that the animals go through- the salmon, the whales, the elephants. They kept emphasizing how difficult it was and how the animals were faced with really difficult circumstances. What really stood out to me was the whales. The mother, when she is nursing, doesn't eat for about 6 months as she travels with her baby. She looses a third of her weight, she is literally starving. But what really struck me is that she is made for that! Yes, she may be starving but it isn't going to kill her, she is designed to travel for that long without food. And at the end of her journey when she arrives in Alaska, there will be an abundance of food for her to eat. It made me think of us as humans. If God designed the animals to be able to endure those kind of situations than of course He has designed us for that as well. We may feel like we are starving (and believe me I do) but we aren't. I am designed for whatever circumstances I have to go through. And, there is always blessing at the end of the journey. Not just the end of our lives, but this segment. The whales do the same trip over and over and at the end of each segment there is something good. We can look forward to the same. I am not going to loose hope. I am going to keep declaring and keep looking forward to the good things that each day brings. 

It begins...

Well, after much thought and deliberation I have decided to start a blog. (Thank you Kymmy) It seems like somewhat of a fad, but since I like fads, I'm gonna go with it. Not only that, I live in the most isolated body of land in the world, so it might be a good idea to have some kinda connection with the rest of the country. 

Just so you know what to expect...you should be prepared for great moments of revelation, deep transformation and laugh of loud humor. Okay, Just Kidding! I'm not very funny but I am deep so if you want to read this, just be aware. I don't take anything lightly. Okay, that might be a little extreme...but seriously... I do want the opportunity to share some of the valuable things I have been learning over time and especially the last couple years. As you know, if you know me, we have taken the biggest leap of faith in our lives and everyday presents new opportunities to grow and new choices to make. I have asked God to be a great woman of faith and He has faithfully obliged in teaching me. :) 

Join me on the journey...

 

“When you get to the end of all the light you know and it's time to step into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing that one of two things shall happen: either you will be given something solid to stand on, or you will be taught how to fly.”