Beautiful Sabbath.

Today was such an amazing day. I have needed a day like today for awhile now and it came. Everything was beautiful about today. The weather was wonderful, lessons in church spoke right to my heart and mind, dinner was fantastic, and I ended the night with a slice of gluten free cake for Ali's birthday.

It was an all around perfect day:

A quote was read in church today that really stuck. I have been faced with some big decisions in life lately that are constantly on my mind and after hearing this quote, it gives me a renewed sense of strength and focus:

"I am part of the Fellowship of the Unashamed.

The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line.

The decision has been made. I am a disciple of Christ.

I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.

My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future secure.

I am finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, chintzy giving, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity.

I now live by presence, lean by faith, love by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.

My pace is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my Guide is reliable, my mission clear.

I cannot be bought, compromised, deterred, lured away, turned back, diluted, or delayed.

I will not flinch in the fact of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won't give up, back up, let up, or shut up until I have preached up, prayed up, paid up, stored up, and stayed up for the cause of Christ.

I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.

I must go until he returns, give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes.

And when He comes to get His own, He will have no problem recognizing me.

My colors will be clear."

Romans 1:16

"For I am no ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth. "

I am continually amazed at the amount of happiness that seems to fill my life. I have never before felt such love and peace than I do right now. Life is truly beautiful. Decisions are hard but made with the right authority and the right mind frame and the right intent of heart, they will yield happiness and success. I am living proof of that. I am so grateful for the opportunities I have had in my life and the blessings I continue to receive on a daily basis. To say I am merely "lucky" is a shortfall of how I truly feel. It's got little to do with luck and everything to do with blessings from above.

Life isn't perfect. There are obstacles. There is plenty of heart ache. But through it all, we find ourselves stronger, more capable for our next battle, and a better you.

Class or Sunrise?

SUNRISE. As I came down my drive way this morning, I could see the colors of the sky literally beginning to burn to my left. The road to school was on my right. I had ten minutes before class started. I hesitated for a good twenty seconds and then hauled left to the end of Laie Point. Do I regret missing a quiz? No. Do I regret being late for class? No.

And here is why:

So after class was over, the sky was a clear clear blue. I drove back by

the same row of palms and snapped a picture. It's crazy

the difference a few hours can make!

MLK Day.

For the first time in sooooooo long, I had the day off from school, work, and tour guiding!

(haha).

It was GLORIOUS. Best part is, I didn't even realize it until the night before! So what did I do? Spent the whole day at the BEACH! Gosh, it was amazing. Half the day at Keikis and the other half at Hukilau beach.

I know I say this a lot but I am so in love with my life right now. I just wake up every morning and can't believe how lucky I am to be here. I am truly blessed!!!

Life is beautiful!

Reel big fish.

My friends boyfriend was out in his kayak bringing in his nets that he had set out the night before to see what fish he had caught. Well, he got out there and started brining in his nets and found this "fish":

Needless to say he was freaked out. But he had to get the net off the shark because they can get caught up bad and it can kill them. So he got the net off and dragged him back out in to the water. It was quite an experience, that is for sure!!! Only in Hawaii :)

My Moo is home!

Mari got home (to Hawaii) from home (in Michigan)!!!!!!

New year. New home. New bed. New view. Renewed Zest for life!

I got all moved in to the new place this weekend! I just need a magic wand to put all my stuff away. Or fairies? Anything! I am super stoked to live here, excited to life with my friend Irene, and SO lucky to have such an amazing view! Yes, the blue is ocean :) I am afraid after living here I will never ever want to leave. I am so blessed!!!

Fall term results are in:

I have been stressing over grades. I was hoping and praying for ATLEAST a D+ in the class that nearly killed me all semester. (statistics.) I was stressed about physiology, concerned about music, and had no idea about some of the other ones. Maybe I am just a worrier...no, I am just worrier. After receiving my grades, I know that all my hard work and stressing (and worrying) has paid off and, while they aren't perfect by any mean, they are grades that THIS student is proud of!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!