10 years already

10 years ago today, my Granny (Mom's mom) died from cancer.

I had just started my freshman year in high school, and my dad picked up my brother and I from school that day, which was odd. He explained that Mom was taking care of things because Granny had passed that morning. I didn't cry that day, and didn't cry much back then except for the funeral, but I certainly have grieved more as I've grown older.

She had a hard life. Her dad was an alcoholic and left their family when she was young. (Mom's a whiz at details, so Mom, feel free to correct me via comment if you want :) Her mom, Mother Roed, had to go back to work at that time, so Granny started caring for her younger brother, Jack, and basically running the house at age 11, according to Mother Roed's very particular ways, of course.

Granny married Papa Choo Choo (story on that name later!) on October 22, 1955, and had my Mom, Jackie, and Steve together. They lived at 6522 Tillamook, in Westminster, CA, from 1956 until they died. That house was always where we had family gatherings on holidays and birthdays, and where we'd all "surprisingly" end up when it was taco or hash burrito night. Granny always wrote out the month's dinner menu on the fridge, so as soon as I could read, I figured out when to "need" a trip to Granny's house for dinner :)

Granny and Papa didn't have the easiest marriage, but they stuck it out and truly loved their family. Not necessarily in an overtly physical way, but through their advice and willingness to help whenever anyone needed it. Incredibly giving, also.

Granny was a fantastic cook. The kitchen was her domain, and you never wanted to get in her way while she was cooking, but oh my, you wanted to be around when it was all done.

She loved the Lakers, and always wanted to go to Hawaii. Both things I've done, and think she would've loved it.

I regret being so ashamed of her when I was younger, and I wish I could have the chance to apologize and return how much she loved me. I miss her most when I need cooking or cleaning advice, or when I go to weddings and realize she won't have a special spot on the pew or be the first down the aisle, or when it's time for a holiday dinner.

I also regret getting so frustrated with my mom for being so sad for so long after she died. I didn't understand why back then, but now when I think of losing my parents so early in life like she did, I feel heartbroken. So Mom, I'm sorry, and I wish I could be with you today to go put flowers on Granny's grave. I love you, and I'm so glad you are like her in a lot of ways, and remember lots of details about her.

Answers to prayer!

After 3 weeks of frustration with several internet companies here, I am so happy to say I have internet at home!! What a blessing, and an ease to adjusting here. This is still phase 1 of the internet process- meaning this is the most basic internet connection, but I have to start here and work my way up to faster speeds. It's bizarro, I know, but some is better than none for now! Certainly the blessing of today. :)

Another answer to prayer: our intern group is complete!! Our female high school intern, Lauren, arrived Thursday, and she completes our girls' apartment perfectly. She's from Seattle, and was a graphic designer for Starbucks corporate office. Beautiful heart for serving the Lord and high school kids. David, our new junior high intern, was accepted last night into our program, and he completes the guys'  apartment, for a grand total of 10 interns! He has gone to Hope Chapel most of his life, and has volunteered with the junior high group for many years already. I look forward to getting to know these guys better as the weeks roll on!

I got a new Bible on Friday! After 6 years of a falling-apart, marked up, went-with-me-everywhere Bible given to me at my high school graduation, I finally picked one at the bookstore I work at. It's red and has my name on it, NLT version. Yep, it's weird to read out of a new Bible, but it was long past due. Old blacky will still be around, but enjoying retirement.

Yesterday (Saturday) we went to a leadership summit in a a town about an hour away, and Greg Laurie was the speaker. I've heard him speak at his Harvest Crusade at Anaheim stadium a few times, but never this close and personal. What a humble testimony he has, and what a humble gift he has for continuing the Lord's work, even after 40 years. He's a great speaker, and I enjoyed his message about how to raise up leaders for this generation's church. The church we met at was an old golf cart garage/barn thing on a fancy golf course. Looks like half a barn, with the back open to the driving range. And this has been the church's meeting place for 31 years! Blew me away to see yet another thing that is nothing like what I think it will be.

After the leadership summit, we played 9 holes on the golf putting course across the street. Very ritzy golf course over looking the ocean, and all for free! It's the city's community center. I guess that's what people expect when they pay millions of dollars for their homes there.

As I close, I want to wish my parents a very happy 34th anniversary today. Thanks for your continuing example of commitment in a world where this is seldom found. Love you guys.

Long-Awaited Pictures!

Waiting to fly from LAX to OGG!

I thought this was my plane, but it wasn't. Still a cool picture, and you get the idea. :)

Upgrade to first class!!!

I received many leis like this in my 1st week. All hand-made.

First Maui sunset, at the beach that's a 10-minute walk from my house.

More of the 1st sunset.

Waiting for the sun to rise at the summit of Haleakala- 11,000 ft up, on the mountain that means "house of the sun."

Totally worth getting up at 2:30am! Loved being able to see the blanket of clouds below.

The 2 Joannas enjoying the sunrise- she goes by Jo. She's never known another Joanna, and I haven't had another one in my class since kindergarten!

My roommates so far- Rachel is in the middle, and we are in the same room. LOTS of late-night, or all the time, laughter with her! Marissa is on the end- love her Wisconsin accent and artistic talents.

Another Maui Sunset, this time at a beach called White Rock. This little dog trying to eat the sand crabs brought me so much joy because he reminded me of the Akers' dog, Kerbey, back in Abilene!

I don't think this will ever get old; it's a new sight every night.

My primary desk space, relatively clean. My window view consists of Mount Haleakala to the left, and the ocean to my right. My secondary desk space is adjacent to my boss' office. 

West wing of our church campus. Bottom corner is the bookstore where I work T/Th, and the window at the top of the stairs is my desk window. Bottom floor of this wing is the bookstore, industrial kitchen, and maintenance garage. Top floor is offices.

Children's playground south of our building. The clouds over Haleakala look like this everyday, but it NEVER rains here! So deceptive.

Courtyard in the central area of our campus. Lots of fellowship happens here! Children's wing (East wing) is in the background. Our children's program is unbelievable. Recognized world-wide by various churches and organizations. 

Front view of our campus. Lots of beautiful trees and well-kept grounds.

Our auditorium where our 3 weekend services are held. Top of the line lighting and sound systems, that rival most large performing arts centers. Makes for incredible worship settings!

More pictures to come as I attain home internet. :)

Job Description

I've had some questions about what I actually do here.  I will do my best to describe it concisely!

Basically, my job is to help people get connected/involved with the church by forming relationships with them. I have some office hours to help my boss with administrative stuff, and a few weekly meetings with church staff, but beyond that my schedule is open for meeting with people. One-on-one, small groups, large groups, at home, at church, at Starbucks, at the beach... wherever, whenever.  While I agree with my boss that I am gifted for doing this, the mix of an unstructured schedule and not knowing many people yet is highly anxiety-producing. Boss Jason keeps saying, "It'll come with time." I appreciate his generosity of grace towards me; I need to do the same for myself!

I help plan church-wide events for my boss, like the beach baptisms, church anniversary party, graduations for his School of the Bible, and other things that come up. This involves recruiting volunteers, ordering/picking up food, organizing the flow and theme of the event, etc.

I also support the young adult ministry by attending a small group, eventually hosting one of my own, coordinating/brainstorming events, and being a female resource when needed (only guys as leaders in that ministry this year).

I am responsible for 7 hours of green time by volunteering in the bookstore on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Yep, it's a busy schedule, but it's good so far! The extern for my position, Christie, stayed these first 2 weeks to help me learn the ropes and adjust to how things are done. Very thankful for her!

Keep asking questions- thanks Cathie! :)

A weekend review

Saturday we woke up at 2:30am to drive up Haleakala ("house of the sun") to watch the sunrise. TOTALLY worth the 2-hour winding drive in an old 15-passenger van. After a long nap, our intern family took a picnic dinner to White Rock (a beach next to the resorts in the next town- Wailea) to watch the sunset and have some worship time to encourage our group to bond. It was great, and much needed.

Sunday was church- had a good time meeting people and got to invite them to some events happening this week. Helped me feel a little more successful in my job description. That night a new girl to the church, Mika, invited me to dinner in Lahaina- the typical tourist trap city on Maui. Worth seeing at night, and the hour-long wait for Thai dinner at Star Noodle, but wouldn't want to go there during peak tourist season.

Monday was our Labor Day baptism service at the beach. We have a baptism service on President's Day, Memorial Day, and Labor Day. We had 10 children and 30 adults get baptized, and served about 300 for lunch. And that's the smallest of our baptism services. Worked 6am-3pm to get all the tents, grills, food, tables, and sound equipment down to the beach, set it up, have the event, and break it down. Made for a long day in the sun, but I didn't get burned (!) and it was beautiful out there.

The interns have today (Tuesday) off, since we worked on actual Labor Day. So far I've made several phone calls (trying to get health insurance switched to here), registered at the apartment office/tried to get home internet, and done some more on conquering the ever-growing to-do list.

Hope you guys had a great holiday weekend, too. Please be patient with wanting pictures- I figured out how to post them, but it takes FOREVER and without home internet, it is quite a challenge. I will make it worth the wait though :)

From last Friday

Ok Lord, I’m here now. Trying to “just be” in this place instead of feel anxious about getting going in my new job- because wanting to hurry up and feel successful in my new job is purely selfish, anxiety-producing, and not joyful. Clearly not a feeling from You.

I keep hearing that prayer is not meant to change God’s point of view so much as it changes the asker’s heart.  And this verse keeps coming to my attention from Philippians 4:6-7- “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Both of these phrases are posted in my cubicle at work, in hopes of dispelling my doubts about the usefulness of prayer. Again, trying to just say, “Ok,” and be obedient.

I started reading Francis Chan’s book “Crazy Love” this week. I haven’t read it yet because I’m a slow reader and when something’s as trendy as this book was, I can’t keep up. I like to absorb as much as possible the first time around. However, I already know I want to read this one again. I’m only 4 chapters into it, and it’s great so far. If you’ve read it already, let me know what you think.

Blessing: Thursday I volunteered in the bookstore again. As I was restocking the café, Carissa was helping a customer at the register. He bought 2 bibles and a few other items. I didn’t catch what he said, but I looked back and saw them praying at the counter. I asked Carissa about it later, and she said she tries to pray of each bible sold. She asked the customer whom the bibles were for, and she prayed specific prayers for them. One for his wife, and the other for his coworker who just lost his dad. He wanted to help them both through difficult times by using the gospel. Wow. What a blessing to pray for him in that moment, and to have witnessed it. Looking forward to my register training soon!