Travels of the Heart

Happy Saturday! I have some news to share as everyone begins to wrap up the month of July. As you probably know, Mark accepted a position as project manager for a company here on the island. He's wading through training currently. Inter-island travel, dedicated 40 hours, and mandatory vacation time each year are just a few of the perks. 

We decided to enroll the kids in a private school rather than continue to homeschool. It will be a big change but they've always greeted challenges head on and we know they will do well. This school is part of the church we are attending, so the kids have already had the opportunity to meet much of the staff and some of the other students.

Along with the kids' school news, I have accepted a position at the school as well. I will be working some in their preschool room and also as an office assistant. I joked with the principal that it has been 11 years since I sat behind a desk, but I'm sure the learning curve isn't terrible. We'll all be home together for weeknight dinners and weekend trips and homework and activities and last minute projects and study sessions, lol. 

While change is sometimes hard, other times it is quite easy. Here's to navigating new waters!!!

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11

Paper Bag Princess

Today I come sharing a post with no fancy scripture or beautiful song. This post is about a moment in which my heart was so happy, it almost leaped out of my chest.

Yesterday at Honolulu First Church of the Nazarene, we attended a program to teach us about the Nazarene faith. I knew from previous experiences that the Nazarene ideals and the Methodist are very similar but I didn't know to what extent. I felt that if we were going to become regular attendees to this church, that we should be aware of the many facets that make up this particular religion. 

On the way to church, Irelynn told me that she really wanted to start making blessing bags again. Now a blessing bag is really just a care package that she came up with to help the homeless in our Oklahoma community. She put together a small, non-perishable meal and a card from our church and had them ready for when we happened across such a fellow.

So we began a discussion about what she could do, how she could best use resources available to her and how she could be serve this community. The children attended the program with me because I believe they are old enough to share in this decision. They were both attentive and active participants. One question Irelynn asked in particular makes me think much on her future. She asked if it was considered missionary work if you reached out to your local community. She said she would like to learn different languages to be able to share the word with people here that may not have access to it. 

After the program ended for the day, I suggested that she speak with the preacher about her idea for the blessing bags. Pastor Randy seems very much to be a person with a heart for missions. Not surprisingly, he loved the idea and even gave Irelynn another gentleman who has been nudging the pastor about restarting a similar activity that the church once took part in. She was so filled with joy that it filled me up as well.

The message in service that day was about the story of the paper bag princess and the Apostle Paul. Sometimes, the heroes we have in the world don't come dressed as such. They are the ordinary everyday that have such extraordinary love, compassion and drive in their hearts that it must be shared. And then, in the story of Paul, we are reminded that our work is nothing more than to give back the gift of love we were first given and to share it.

My little paper bag princess has great big things in her future and I can't wait to watch them unfold.