"Cheese!"

So for my post today I am just going to post pictures of all the cool things we've done so far. Enjoy!

Our arrival in Hawaii

Amy, Cleo, and I exploring down by the water!

That would be Koko Crater, and we dominated it!

We used this beach to sneak onto a resort to see...

DOLPHINS!

first day on da beach!

Pretty palm tree

This our new friend Tyler taking his first step in an ocean!

Another great beach day!

Some more lovely scenery for your enjoyment...

As you can see, we are having a great time. Tomorrow we will finally start working, so you can all stop hating me so much. Aloha!

Here are some pictures from the amazing two and a half hour hike Amy and I took today!

Amy on the trail with Koko Crater in the background

Too hot for the beach

getting higher

can't beat that view

Hawaii Kai

it's not a starfish, it's a flower!!!

Crazy, huge waves!

Amy is a mermaid.

Don't fall.

That's all folks.

Sunday School and Sunburns

Today was my first time to actually attend the church I will be working at all summer. There are two services at Hawaii Kai Church. Amy and Dani Beth attended the first one today while I helped out with the pre-schooler's Sunday school class. As many of you know (who know me well at least)I do not always do so well with children. This stems mostly from a few negative encounters with little boys either telling me I stink or I am ugly. Now I know I shouldn't place all the blame for my anxiety concerning children on the views of a six year old who probably picks his nose and wets the bed, but being the sensitive creature that I am it is often little comments and moments of embarrassment I remember that usually keep me from stepping out and trying things. In fact, to be completely honest I have been praying a lot about this idea I've had that I'm not good with kids because I feel they don't like me. Today while working with some adorable little kids, God just gave me an opportunity to experience how amazing children's ministry can be. One little girl named Charlotte was particularly encouraging. At one point she just sat next to me, looked at me with her big brown eyes, and took my hand. It was the sweetest, most reassuring thing to ease my anxiety. God's love in that moment was being ministered to me through a four year old girl! Stopping to realize those I just have to praise God for the little thoughtful ways he reassures and encourages us as we serve. After church Amy, DB, the the youth inter, Tyler, and I went to the North Shore. We layed out on the beach and the we finally got in the water. After a few hours of that we went to eat at a Mexican food restaurant followed by an ice cream shop.
I for got to mention that last night we went to a real Hawaiian luau! There were no grass skirts, tiki torches, or piña coladas. Instead, we experienced a huge group of people enjoying food made by a high school graduate's mother, various live music performances, and friendly conversation among guests.
I'm going to have to cut this short because I'm having trouble keeping my eyes open! Please just continue to pray for Hawaii Kai church and that Amy and I will remain strong in body and spirit as we work this summer! Thank you!

I Stand Amazed.

So it is my second day in Hawaii Kai and already I have so much to report! Yesterday began at 5:00 am with a walk down to the ocean. Amy and I spent about two hours just marveling at the beauty we were getting to experience. At the end of a small path leading from the backyard of our host's home, we found ourselves standing in a small, rocky inlet with the ocean stretched out before us. I have never seen water so blue.
After grabbing some coffee and a delicious acai granola cup from common grounds, Dani Beth took us to see some dolphins at a resort we ventured into from the beach. We stood at the edge of a pond looking thing for about an hour and a half expecting a spectacular show, when in reality we simply watched the trainers run up to the dolphins and throw a fish in their mouth. Still, it was pretty cool.
Later we met up with some of the girls from the Hawaii Kai Church youth group and went to have tea. The tea shop was lovely, and the girls I got to meet and hope to get to know much better this summer are absolutely precious. There is so much diversity between them, but God is working in each one! The rest if our night was spent at DB's house playing silent football and telephone pictionary (so funny!).
This morning I woke up a bit too early again, but not as bad as yesterday. Amy and I met with Dani Beth and her small group. All I can sayis what an amazing group of women! There were new believers who are so beautifully hungry to know as much as they can. I was overwhelmed by the peace and joy of the spirit just to sit and hear what God has been teaching each of them. Being with these ladies this morning showed me that God is here, working and moving on this island! It was such an encouraging time for me.
The day we got here, Amy and I noticed a tall trail going up the side of one of the mountains. We cane to fund out that it is called Koko Crater. It's about a mile and a half to the top and the whole trail is a giant staircase! Being the incredibly (self-proclaimed) athletic women that we are. Amy and I decided to do the Koko crater trail right after bible study.I haven't the words to describe how hard that hike/climb was. At one point we were pretty much parallel to the mountain. Amy's calves were hurting, and I was having a panic attack as I envisions falling backwards to my death, but we made it to the top! Along the way we even had the chance to meet a couple from Texas, a mother with her daughter, and three girls who were best friends. No one knew each other on the trail, but everyone was so kind and curtious towards each other, but that's pretty much how the whole island is. Everyone greets with a hug, and I have yet to meet someone who forgets my name give seconds later (or at all for that matter. There is a social etiquette here that I'm falling in love with. It's a culture of being personable and intentionable...something I think a lot of places I know don't do well.

I'm Leavin On a Jet Plane!

Today is the day! I woke up in Texas this morning, and I'll be in Hawaii by the end of the day...which will actually be tomorrow here...but in Hawaii it will still be today? The time difference is gonna be hard to adjust to, obviously.
For those of you who have no idea what I'm rambling on about...
This summer I will be staying in Hawaii as a student summer missionary. I'll be traveling with my good friend Amy Anderson to Honolulu where we will work with Dani Beth Crosby at Hawaii Kai Church. Getting to this point has been a long, sometimes stressful, process of praying and seeking the Lord's will, but I cannot begin to describe how excited I am to take this journey with Him!
Amy and I will leave today and stay until July 31st, so that will be about two months in a completely new place separated from the familiar by an Ocean! We'll be in paradise, yes, but I'm not fooled for a second into thinking this trip is going to be a total breeze. Of course we will have loads of fun, but the main reason we're going is because we have been called to work and grow. That truly is the most exciting part of it for me; The fact that the Lord spoke and gave me the courage to follow Him to an island in the middle of the ocean tells me that He is at work, and I am so thankful and excited to be a part of whatever he has planned!
Well I have to leave for the airport. Prayers and encouragement will be accepted and greatly appreciated! I'll be blogging as much as possible, so stay tuned!