My White Christmas in Maui...

Surprisingly enough, we are definitely bombarded with that blasted white stuff here in Maui... Feet upon feet of it. That darn sand can become such a nuisance sometimes... I tell you what. HAHA. ONLY KIDDING!!! Hopefully you all can find it in your hearts to forgive me and continue reading this blog entry. ;)
So yes, I will be spending my Christmas here in Hawaii this year. I'm not expecting ANY sympathy at all... from anyone. haha. Regardless of the fact that my feet are staying planted on a beautiful island...my heart will definitely be back with all of you on the East coast... It's not quite the same not being with my family and friends back home that I love so dearly. --And honestly - it's not the same without the snow! (I'm definitely missing the skiing and snowmobiling and all that fun stuff!) Plus.. it is so hard to listen to Christmas music here when they are singing "let it snow, let it snow, let it snowwww!" haha...how silly! :)

Currently, there are only 6 staff members remaining here on base and will spend the duration of our break here (The office re-opens on the 28th of December). We are trying to make it as enjoyable as possible by planning different events and activities to prevent us all from missing home too much during this time. So far, I really haven't experienced much of a break at all... actually my workload has significantly increased. With so many of the staff who have gone home for break, it has left several positions unattended that still require attention. That's where I come in. hehe. I really don't mind though... the days sure are flying by as I am keeping myself occupied with different duties, floating from desk to desk. There are several things that need to be taken care of before this next group of students begin to arrive on January 6th. God has been so good in preparation for this next school by spontaneously providing new school leaders and staff after the intended school leader was not issued a Visa to enter back into the US from Thailand. I always had a peace about the situation, knowing that God would come through as we were faithful to pray about these issues.

If you could please be in prayer for this upcoming school as we have all rookies filling these school staffing positions! (Grace, wisdom, and full dependance on the Lord) Also, because I am responsible for placing staff in all the positions, I am currently in a slight bind, trying to fill a few voids that have currently been opened by exiting staff members. (Prayers for wisdom and insight from the Lord would be great!)

I hope and pray that all of you are enjoying your Christmas season and that you are experiencing the presence and the love of God more than ever -- He is the reason we celebrate! :)

Merry Christmas (Mele Kalikimaka!) and Happy New Year (Hau'oli Makahiki Hou)!!!!

I just had to throw in the Hawaiian lingo for you all.) ;)

Constant Transition

It is so hard to believe, but just as one school has recently returned from their outreach two weeks ago, this current school is getting ready to head to Asia this Friday! We are commissioning out 3 different teams (Nepal/Bangladesh, Indonesia and C) in great expectation that the Lord is going to use each and every one of them to touch lives and further His kingdom!

I will be posting team reports and prayer points as I receive updates from the nations! :) Until then, it would be great if you could pray that the Lord would be preparing hearts to receive the good news that these groups of young people are bringing to them! Also, prayers for team unity and fruitful ministry would be very helpful! Thank you!

On a more personal note, to update you on the current happenings in my life... :) Hmmm... so lately I have been keep quite busy preparing for the upcoming quarter - trying to place all of the staff in department positions, making sure everything is covered. It is very challenging here at our base, since we are all so young, the turnover rate is pretty rapid. We are constantly moving onto something new - which is great and exciting... However, it presents the constant challenge to my position of trying to find staff who are able to fill higher leadership positions when most of the staff here are all new to the base. The Lord is so faithful and always takes care of us and fills the voids of our inadequacies! There is no way our base would still be running if it wasn't for the Lord's provision and His grace in our areas where we are lacking skills, resources and experience. I have been soaking these issues in prayer and because of this, I have been able to be at peace and have complete trust in the Lord. He has NEVER given me a reason not to trust Him, there is no reason not to, no matter how big or small the issue is!!! :)

Starting this week, most of the staff here are going to be heading home for Christmas break. I will be one of 6 people to be staying here on the base for the break. I'm sure it is going to be a time filled with bittersweet feelings. I will finally have the opportunity to catch up and work ahead on a few projects that I have calling my name! I am bummed at the fact that I won't have the chance to sit down and visit and catch up with all of you during this time off. However, I am at peace because I know this is where the Lord has me for now, even if these fleshly feelings rise up inside of me, making me feel anxious and craving a change. I trust Him, I really do. He has promised good things to be and I know He will fulfill these promises in His time, which I am always thankful for His impeccable timing that I could not have EVER arranged any better! :)

"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity on the hearts of men, yet they cannot fathom what He has done from beginning to end."

-Ecclesiates 3:11

(Out of the chapter titled: A Time for Everything)

Thank you again for your prayers, love and support. Please feel free to email me with requests of how I can be praying for you as well! God bless!