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!