Sunday, February 27, 2011

The Power of Your Love

The Power of Your Love

The first summer I came to Hawaii with the Christian Youth Ministry Team, Aunty Jingo taught us this song.  At that point,  I was so uncoordinated and unfamiliar with the hula, I struggled to learn the moves to "The Power of Your Love".  Recently our little halau at Molokai Baptist, tweaked the original and started to learn it again.   I am blown away how much easier it was to learn this time even with harder moves thrown in.  After 10 years in Hawaii and dancing hula, I am still working on the coordination and grace but it does get easier.

This morning, Risse, Cendall and I danced.  Louise has an arm in a cast due to a broken finger so she was not able to dance with us but she is the one videoing.  Enjoy!



Saturday, February 26, 2011

Saturday morning Molokai Style

Lately, my Saturday mornings have been used to catch up on rest and housework.  Today, I had a list of things to get done which meant getting up at 8am and hitting the town!  If you have ever been to Molokai, you know that Kaunakakai is the major town on Molokai and if you blink, you will miss it!

So, first stop was the ballfield to catch a couple of tee-ball games.  Several of my little ones are playing tee-ball and since I can't seem to make it to an afternoon game, we decided Saturday morning would work the best!   After catching the tail end of Koda's game, I watched the first part of Keith and Sean's game.  It is super funny because this morning they were on opposing teams.  Sitting in the stands and listening to the parents and family members cheer on their keiki, reminded me of how nice it is to live in a small town.

Next stop, pick up Kripy Kreme doughnuts.  Now the only Krispy Kreme in the islands is on Maui.  They are a hot commodity on this island!  A major fundraiser for island organizations is to sell boxes.  I had made some birthday invitations for a preschool family and as a thank you she gave me a ticket to pick up a box of Krispy Kremes.  Unfortunately I am not a huge fan of the glazed doughnuts.  Partly because I made myself sick in high school by eatting more than half a dozen in one sitting.  The other reason is a co worker and I are in a bit of a challenge to get down to our ideal weights... doughnuts do not help!  My wonderful plan was to take them to a friend's baby shower on Sunday to share as the mother-to-be has been craving Krispy Kreme's her entire pregnancy.  I get home only to find out that she is in Oahu giving birth a month early.  Not to worry, I do have some friends that are willing to eat them for me!  :)

Last stop before heading home was by Friendly Market to pick up some fresh produce for a fruit and veggie tray.  Of course, had to stop and talk story with several friends!  Love the friendliness on the Friendly Isle of Molokai especially on a Saturday morning!

Sunday, February 20, 2011

"Hula baby..."

Molokai is known as the birthplace of hula.  After learning the art of hula for the past 10 years, I always enjoy watching others dance, knowing the time it takes to learn and perfect the dances and then to get the outfits together.  It is very time consuming and such an art!  During certain times of year we have hula festivals but tonight was the annual Moana's Hula Dinner and Show. 
Living on Molokai, there are few big events and even fewer things to do once the sun goes down so when a performance comes around like this it is a must go!  I invited Bri out for a girl's night.  We had a great buffet style dinner with roast beef and chicken, rice, cooked veggies, salad, and fruit topped off by a decadent dessert.  Then we sat back to watch the story unfold through dance.


The dancers, both male and female, ranged in age from keiki (children) all the way up to 90 years of age.  Several of the dancers I knew through church or preschool.  This event helps to sponsor their travels and to provide hula at no cost to our community.

Many of the dances celebrated our culture as well as the culture of the pacific- New Zealand, Tahiti, and Japan.  The costumes were fun and the performances were spectacular!  Well done!


Saturday, February 12, 2011

No Matter What

The past three weeks have been filled with one trial after another.  Thankfully I have realized that it is a spiritual attack and the only way to fight those battles is on your knees.  After Tink's passing, a song on the Wow 2011 really had new meaning to me and it has become my theme song for this year.  The song is "No matter what" by Kerrie Roberts and the lyrics are...

I’m running back to Your promises one more time
Lord that’s all I can hold on to
I gotta say this has taken me by surprise, but nothing surprises You
Before a heartache can ever touch my life
It has to go through Your hands
And even though I keep asking why, I keep asking why


No matter what, I’m gonna love You
No matter what I’m gonna need You
I know You can find a way to keep me from the pain
But if not, if not, I’ll trust You no matter what, no matter what


When I’m stuck in this nothingness by myself
I’m just sitting in silence
There’s no way I can make it without Your help, I won’t even try it
I know You have Your reasons for everything so I will keep believing
Whatever I might be feeling, God You are my hope
And You will be my strength

Anything I don’t have You can give it to me, but it’s OK if You don’t
I’m not here for those things
The touch of Your love is enough on its own
No matter what I still love You and I’m gonna need You


No matter what I’m gonna love You, no matter what I’m gonna need You
I know You can find a way to keep me from the pain
But if not, if not, I’ll trust You
I know You can find a way to keep me from the pain
But if not, but if not, I’ll trust You
No matter what
No matter no matter what
No matter no matter what
No matter no matter what


The lyrics that really stuck out to me is the lines that said... "I gotta say this has taken me by surprise, but nothing surprises You, Before a heartache can ever touch my life It has to go through Your hands."  Knowing that I serve a sovereign God that allows nothing to happen that is out of His control has brought great comfort.  God allows things to happen to grow us to image Him more.  He doesn't cause things to happen but he does allow certain things that we deem as less than fun. 

After being sick for the past three week, I can truly say that my strength and joy has been from God and God alone.   It started with a head cold that turned into a sinus infections that led to tonsillitus and then an eye infection.  My body is worn down and my immune system is shot.  Looking back I truly see how the hand of God has carried me through the past few weeks when I didn't want to get out of bed.  The joy of the Lord has truly been my strength. 

I am not sure what 2011 is going to hold but I do know that No matter what I am gonna love him ... no matter what I'm gonna need Him!

No matter What by Kerrie Roberts

In memory of Tinkerbean

On January 23rd, a precious pet left this earth.  Even as I write this several weeks after the fact my eyes are full of tears and my heart is filled with sorrow.



Tinkerbean (along with 4 siblings) were rescued at approximately 2 weeks old after their mother was mauled by a dog.  All five kittens spent the weekend in my bathtub being dropper fed every two hours and bathed to stay clean.  The following Sunday, they were adopted out... everyone except Tink because at that time he had an eye infection.  This was August 25th, 2006.

Over the past 4 and a half years, there have been a lot of fun memories with this little furball as he captured the heart of everyone that he met.  He didn't realize he was a cat as he loved water, knew how to fetch, and would bark out the front window at the neighbor's dog.  He would greet you at the door by rubbing up against your legs and lick you in the face once you sat down.  During naps, he would curl up on top of my head and purr himself to sleep.  He loved to play and be the center of attention.  Looking back, yes it was a very short life but well lived. 

His last few days were filled with pain after being stung by a scorpion and loss of body functions... he wasn't eating, drinking, or using the bathroom.  All day Saturday, I could just tell he was in pain but he was still trying to be the snuggly kitty.  But on Sunday, January 23rd, I woke up at 7am and all he could do was wag the tip of his tail and look at me with a weak 'meow'.  He couldn't move and when he tried he couldn't even get his paws to the floor.  It was so heartbreaking.  I picked him up and brought him back to my bed where he snuggled until he gasped his last breath.  Tink died in my arms at 10:15am.  The hardest part was I couldn't get ahold of anyone... everyone was at church or not picking up their phone.  I had to bury Tink by myself but that was probably the best as I truly know that God carried me through what I didn't think I had the strength to do.  Tink is now buried in the back yard with a very simple funeral filled with more tears than words. 

Even three weeks after, I thought I could write this but I have sat here struggling for composure to see the computer screen.  It has truly been a difficult trial but God has truly been faithful to be my strength and joy through it all.  You don't know God in certain ways until you go through something that is beyond what you can do.

I have also realized that pets are the closet thing that we get to unconditional love on this earth.  Tink was not just an animal... he was a friend and a companion.  He will be sorely missed.  As one of the sympathy cards said, "Pets touch our lives in their own special ways and remain forever in the warmest corners of our heart".

Love you, my dear Tinkerbean!