Our Trip to Hana

Jacob and I took the day and went up to Hana, which is about 2 hours from our home. We both love going up there because it is so lush and green everywhere. There is a hike that we enjoy as well that takes you along waterfalls, through a bamboo forrest, and at the end of it all is a beautiful 300 foot waterfall. We are so blessed to live in such a amazing place, I put together a video of our trip and I hope you enjoy!

Love is in the air

This past weekend I was able to fly back to Oregon for my friend Kristianna's wedding in Silverton. I met Kristianna when she came out to Maui for Bible college a few years ago. We bonded instantly and I feel like we have know each other forever. I was very honored to be in her wedding and to be able to share her special day with her. Her husband's name is Ryan and I had never met him before this trip and so it was so nice to finally see the man who had stolen her heart. The man who we had spent countless phone calls talking about and who I had prayed for as well. The two of them are such a beautiful couple and I know that the Lord is going to do a great work in their life and marriage. Also while I was over in Oregon my parents made a trip up to see me for a day. I had not seen them in about 9 months and though our time was short it was very sweet. I wish I could have spent more time with them but just being able to sit and talk face to face was such a blessing to me. We laughed about old times, talked about what the Lord was doing in mine and Jacob's life now, and mostly just enjoyed being together. Overall it was a wonderful trip spending time with my girlfriends and parents, but its good to be back home!

A Familar Face

This past week my cousin Nicole, her husband Tony and baby Solomon came to Maui for a vacation with Tony's family and I was able to spend time with them. It was so wonderful to see a familar face, not only is Nicole my cousin but she is a close friend. When we were children of course we spent time together. I can remember many camping trips with her, sleep overs, and countless times at Grandmas home. We are family but as we grew into young adults our friendship became deeper. We understood each other, we made each other laugh, we were able to share our hearts and dreams. For all of you who know Nicole she is not only stunning outwardly but her spirit is just as beautiful. I am so thankful to have her in my life, and when I think of her I smile. So you can imagine how excited I was when I found out Tony and her were coming out to Maui. Nicole has the sweetest little boy ever named Solomon. He is a year and a half and is already a ladies man. Nicole is also six months pregnant with a baby girl. I can't wait to meet the little girl when she comes and how loved she will be. When I saw Nicole for the first time when they arrived I cried because seeing her pregnant filled me with such joy. My cousin, my friend, is now a wonderful wife and mother and I am so proud of her. Being with her was a breath of fresh air and as you can imagine we had a lot of catching up to do and just enjoyed being with each other again face to face. I can say that maui is our home but I do miss my family and friends often. Its hard to be away from the people you love and who love you. I know the Lord has a special plan for Jacob and I and that He wants to use us over here on Maui, but it was so nice to see a familar face.

Our 3rd Wedding Anniversary!

On June 1st, 2010 Jacob and I celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary at a beautiful Wailea Resort. We both can not believe how fast 3 years has gone by. Our journey together started in 2005 were we meet at Calvary Chapel Bible College South Maui. Jacob had just got out of the U.S Navy were he served for four years proudly. I had just graduated high school and was looking to start life as an adult. Our life growing up could not have been more different. We both laugh because we never even imagined ourselves with someone like each other, but the Lord knew not what we wanted but what we needed. We are the perfect match for each other and we thank the Lord everyday for allowing our paths to cross. Our marriage has continued to grow and our love for each other is more than yesterday. Praise be to the Lord who has remained our center and our foundation, for without him we are nothing. We are looking forward to this next year and what the Lord may bring.

A beautiful Sunday

This past Sunday was Easter and what a beautiful day it was. Many people gave their lives to the Lord and were baptized. We had a BBQ after the service and the kids did a easter egg hunt, I love seeing all the little girls in their pretty dresses. On the Friday before Easter, which is good Friday, Jacob taught. The service was that night and a lot of people came which was great. Jacob spoke on the Cross in a powerful way and the Lord really used him to share to the people who attended. I wish our friends and family could ear him speak all the time, he truly has the Lord's anointing on him. Overall it was a great weekend, to God be the Glory! We are so thankful for the sacrifice He made on Calvary, dieing for our sins so that we might be saved. "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." 2 Corinthians 5:21

Making our house a home

Jacob and I finally finished getting all of our decor up in our house and it feels so good to have our things surround us. Now our house is a home and we both love walking through the front door. Tonight we are having our first dinner party and are excited to host three of our good friends. I will be making lasagna which is a recipe from my mom along with a great salad and bread. We love hosting get togethers and now that we are settled we plan on having friends over at least once a month. I will be learning how to BBQ and marinate soon and jacob is looking forward to that. I have always enjoyed cooking and though I still have a lot to learn I look forward to having new recipes under my belt.

Life back on Maui

Since we moved back just a few months ago the Lord has blessed us both with work on the island. I am working as a subcontractor for a lady who has her own business cleaning high end condos in Wailea. I work on average 5-6 days a week and anywhere from 4-8 hrs a day. The condos are high end and have beautiful ocean views. I have my own business license so I am able to get my own accounts in the future if I desire. I have always enjoyed cleaning, not so much when I was younger as my parents can tell you, but I do now. I also like that my hours are great and I don't have to work nights or Sunday. Overall I enjoy my job and I am very thankful to have work. When I am not cleaning I am able to do some photography on the side. This weekend I am going to be doing some engagement photos for some friends of ours who will be married in June. Photography is such a passion of mine and I hope someday to do it full time.

Jacob has a lot on his plate since we got back. He is in his second semester of college going full time to get his BA in Biblical Studies and Education. He also is teaching a class at the Bible College here on Maui once a week. He is also leading the young couples group for the church, we meet twice a month. Last but not least he has been working with a close friend helping him renovate one of his houses. Since we have been back Jacob has been asked by our Pastor Dominic Done to teach twice on a Wednesday night service. For those who have not heard my husband teach he is truly amazing. He speaks with passion and conviction and everyone who hears always enjoys his teachings. If you would like to listen just go to our Church's website at
www.calvarymaui.com under recent teaching you'll see guest speaker and just look for his name. I know that the Lord has great plans for him and already he is being used for the Lord's Glory.

From Colorado back to Maui

As you all know Jacob and I moved to Colorado Springs in June of 2009. Jacob was asked to come out and be apart of Rocky Mountain Calvary. He was the overseer of "The Refuge" a community center opend by the church, which focused on the youth in the community who were not saved or going to church. Each night children from age 5-18 would come and skate, ride bikes, and play games. Jacob and his team of leaders were able to minister to these children and simply befriend them. Each night at least one child was saved and many lives were changed. Over the course of our time there in the Springs Jacob was able to come into contact with more than 500 children, many of whom gave their life to the Lord. We were so blessed to be apart of that new ministry and to meet new friends. The Lord did a work not only in those children's lives but also in our lives.

After just 6 months in Colorado Springs the Lord closed the door to that ministry and the community center building was sold. We felt as a couple that the Lord was strongly calling us back to Maui. After months of prayer we made the move back to Maui in January 2010.

We have been here in Maui for over a couple of months and we couldn't be happier. Maui is our home and where our heart is. We know that the Lord has placed a calling on us to be apart of this church out here and to be apart of this community on this little island. We were so blessed that friends welcomed us back and they all said "Its about time, we have been praying you would return". Jacob had devoted 4 years working at Calvary Chapel South Maui as the Dean of the Bible college and it brought joy to us knowing that we were loved and missed.

1 Samuel 12:24 says, "Only fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you." The Lord has provide for us our whole life and we can see His hand upon us. We are so thankful to have such a wonderful family who realize the call the Lord has placed on our life. Both our families have been so loving and supportive and we are truly thankful. We know its not easy being so far away but this is where the Lord has us and we choose to serve Him.

The photo is of Jacob and I standing in front of our little casa!