Grace
Sunday, July 08, 2007
After three weeks of trying to write a newsletter, I have been praying for a topic, song, or experience to write on and nothing has transpired. Every time I sit down to write, I get a few thoughts down on paper and then it ends. They don’t seem to connect. Well tonight I was sitting at my computer emailing some friends when the phone rang. A precious friend was on the other end and after talking with her for about half an hour, I had to type up what was on my heart. God’s grace – so here goes…
Grace- We would all recognize the song Amazing Grace but do we really see how absolutely amazing God’s grace to us really is. John Bradford said the infamous quote of “There but by the grace of God, go I”. God has been really teaching me about His grace and how left to my own thoughts and actions, I deserve nothing better than hell. But only by God’s grace do I get to spend eternity in heaven because of nothing I have done but of what Jesus Christ has done for me. More than twenty years ago, I accepted Christ as my Savior at a vacation bible school but it wasn’t until years later at a friend’s funeral that I also made Christ Lord of my life. I surrendered my ALL to Him. Everyone serves some kind of master whether it be money, what people think, themselves, worry, society, etc. but the only master that is fair and just is the Lord Jesus Christ.
Even with Christ in my heart and life, I still make choices that go against what God’s word says. That is where God’s grace plays a huge role. Because of those choices, I have to live with the consequences but they don’t affect where I will spend eternity. The grace that God offers has taught me so much about His gentleman-like characteristics. How easily I stumble, but the hand of God is always there to help me back on my feet. My dad and I used to sing a Twila Paris song when I was little called “The Warrior is a Child”. Even as hard as the battle is, and as tired as the warrior gets from fighting, God is always there to wipe away the tears and lend a hand.
I can honestly say that this summer has been too short and tiring. I chose to watch children six out of the seven weeks of summer vacation. So I have had between 5 – 10 children, ages 3 to 8 years old, on a daily basis from 6:30am to 4:30pm all by myself while trying to get work done in my office for the upcoming preschool year. I have come home in the evenings with little energy to do things around the house but still needing to get things done. Friends and former students have also desired a piece of my time, so between three Bible Studies per week, bread runs, and trips to the movies at night, I am living like I am on summer break but still having to get up at 5:45am every morning. Again only by the grace of God have I been able to build friendships, help parents out, and spend some time having fun. God has truly blessed me with some absolutely amazing friends this summer who have taught me what it looks like to be authentic and captivating.
So with all that said, I sit here tonight amazed by God’s grace- that it is not by my strength but by His. God chooses to use us even when we feel unusable. God delights in our hearts that are filled with worship to Him. And we are truly beautiful in His sight because He created us with that beauty.
As I close out this letter… I apologize that it has taken me so long to write. I desire to know what is going on in each of your lives. If you have prayer concerns or just want to chat feel free to email me back or call. I am also on facebook (finally) and myspace. Just use my email address!!!!
Much love and God’s blessings,
Angela
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Saturday, March 31, 2007
A thankful heart
A Thankful Heart
Written- March 26th, 2007
What can I give to You who has given me everything?
After spending 10 days in Haiti, I have truly realized how blessed I am for all the things God has given me.
How often do I take for granted a warm place to sleep when people here sleep in the dirt?
How often do I take for granted my education when families here have to choose one of their children to go to school while the others work?
How often do I take for granted the value of life when parents are willing to give up their child to a stranger?
How often do I take for granted my safety when the police here take a car to get money?
How often do I take for granted my regular paycheck when the average worker in Haiti makes $2 US a day?
This trip has truly opened my eyes to see that I take a lot of things for granted. God has blessed us with so much and all He desires from us is our heart to serve Him.
Seven members of Molokai Baptist Church flew out of Honolulu airport on March 20th to Port Au Prince, Haiti. When we arrived, Chris and Kelli Lieb met us and took us up to Baptist Haiti Mission, which would be our home for the next ten days.
Downtown was very hot and dry but as we made our way up the mountain the weather got cooler and wetter. One of the first major differences that we noticed as we made our way up to BHM was the driving. In Haiti there are no traffic rules- no speed limits, no right of ways! Ultimately it is a big game of chicken!
While at Baptist Haiti Mission, Charline and I painted, cleaned, helped out at the hospital in the maternity ward, and got to go on a home visit to meet Charline’s sponsored child. The guys- Randy, Clinton, Colton, Kevin, and Kawika- worked on the health clinic, wiring, construction, and got to go on an adventure to Maissade to preach at one of the churches in the province.
We also had a great opportunity to encourage the Lieb and Baker families while we were there. The Lieb family lived on Molokai for five years prior to moving to Haiti. It was great to spend time with Chris and Kelli and their five children. We even had Hawaiian night where Kelli made huli-huli chicken, rice, and musibi.
If you want to find out more info on where we worked you can check out the Baptist Haiti Mission website at bhm.org. Thank you for your thoughts, prayers, and support.
Much love and God’s blessings,
Angela
Written- March 26th, 2007
What can I give to You who has given me everything?
After spending 10 days in Haiti, I have truly realized how blessed I am for all the things God has given me.
How often do I take for granted a warm place to sleep when people here sleep in the dirt?
How often do I take for granted my education when families here have to choose one of their children to go to school while the others work?
How often do I take for granted the value of life when parents are willing to give up their child to a stranger?
How often do I take for granted my safety when the police here take a car to get money?
How often do I take for granted my regular paycheck when the average worker in Haiti makes $2 US a day?
This trip has truly opened my eyes to see that I take a lot of things for granted. God has blessed us with so much and all He desires from us is our heart to serve Him.
Seven members of Molokai Baptist Church flew out of Honolulu airport on March 20th to Port Au Prince, Haiti. When we arrived, Chris and Kelli Lieb met us and took us up to Baptist Haiti Mission, which would be our home for the next ten days.
Downtown was very hot and dry but as we made our way up the mountain the weather got cooler and wetter. One of the first major differences that we noticed as we made our way up to BHM was the driving. In Haiti there are no traffic rules- no speed limits, no right of ways! Ultimately it is a big game of chicken!
While at Baptist Haiti Mission, Charline and I painted, cleaned, helped out at the hospital in the maternity ward, and got to go on a home visit to meet Charline’s sponsored child. The guys- Randy, Clinton, Colton, Kevin, and Kawika- worked on the health clinic, wiring, construction, and got to go on an adventure to Maissade to preach at one of the churches in the province.
We also had a great opportunity to encourage the Lieb and Baker families while we were there. The Lieb family lived on Molokai for five years prior to moving to Haiti. It was great to spend time with Chris and Kelli and their five children. We even had Hawaiian night where Kelli made huli-huli chicken, rice, and musibi.
If you want to find out more info on where we worked you can check out the Baptist Haiti Mission website at bhm.org. Thank you for your thoughts, prayers, and support.
Much love and God’s blessings,
Angela
Friday, February 23, 2007
Nothing Else
February 23, 2007
As I was driving home tonight from our parenting class “Essentials in Discipline”, my heart was very heavy from all of the things going on at the moment. I was listening to Chris Tomlin’s CD “Restored” and this song came on.
Nothing Else I Need lyrics
When I think of all I've seen nothing
Compares to what you give
And to drink of what you bring you quench
The thirst for me to live
I am satisfied by what tenderness you've
Shown to me and I empty all that I am
And you fill my life you're everything to me
There's nothing else I need anymore
And I know you are everything to me and
There's nothing else I need anymore
I have tasted and I know this fire birthed
Inside will only grow and I've sought all that
This world tried to offer me and it lead me
To your feet and I empty all that I am
And you fill my life you're everything to me
There's nothing else I need anymore
And I know you are everything to me and
There's nothing else I need anymore
I will lay down all my needs and you will
Come and make them new
To make you my only desire my desire
And you fill my life you're everything to me
And you fill my life you're everything to me
There's nothing else I need anymore
And I know you are everything to me and
There's nothing else I need anymore...
There's nothing else I need...
The words of the song really touched my heart and got me thinking… Is there anything else in this life that I need more than what God has already given me? If I answered it truthfully, my answer would have to be “No, there is nothing else that I need except for more of God.” Of all of the things I have seen and done, nothing compares to the sacrifice Christ made for me.
Once I got my focus back in the right spot, things looked a lot brighter. It is not about me, and the things I have to do, but what God has done! So many times, I have my own agenda of things I think need to be done, but when I compare it to what God’s Word tells me to do, it doesn’t match up. Again it is a daily task to lay down all of my needs, knowing that God will make them new so that my desire matches up with His.
I especially like the line that says “I’ve sought all that this world tried to offer me and it lead me to Your feet and I empty all that I am”. I have tried to run my life by the world’s standards and you know what “IT’S JUNK!” The world keeps you longing for more- more money, more things to do, more friends, more drugs, more alcohol, more of everything except for the one thing that will truly never leave your nor forsake you. Just like the woman at the well, who wanted more of what the world had to offer but she wasn’t satisfied. Jesus gave her the living water so she would never thirst again!!! He is truly the only thing you will ever need! Is Jesus everything to you?
One of my co-workers mentioned to me that she had a book I might be interested in reading. Then she joked “in all my spare time”. That statement got me thinking, if something is a priority, you will have time for it. Think about it… if you really want to do something then you are going to find a way to do it, even if it means cutting a prior commitment. This convicted me because how many times do I say the bad “B” word (you know B-U-S-Y) when really I just don’t want to do it. So my new challenge is not to use the “B” word when I am asked to do something but to truly pray about it and see where the Lord leads. Most of the time it is pretty clear whether I am to do it or not. If I am to do it then it gets put in my planner and if not I can honestly say I am not able to do it and suggest an alternative idea.
Thanks for letting me share what the Lord has been teaching me. Sorry it has been so long since the last time I wrote. I appreciate your thoughts, prayers, notes, and emails.
Here are a few more things to lift up in prayer!
PRAYER REQUESTS
q HAITI- I am coordinating a group of seven church members to Haiti. We leave on March 20th to work with the Baptist Haiti Mission for 10 days. Please be praying for health and safety for the team and for passports to come in! Also be praying for the finances to be raised… we are still in need of about $9,000 and we leave in less than a month. If you would like to give, please email me back.
q PRESCHOOL- We had our annual preschool inspection yesterday. Praise that everything went smoothly. Please be praying for the family situations of my class. Between drugs, alcohol, and abuse…some of my kids have seen and heard more in their 3 or 4 years than most of us will ever experience.
q HEALTH- Working with 20 preschoolers, it is inevitable that I get sick at least a couple times a year. Please pray that this cough will go away. It came after the head cold and has lingered for two weeks. My doctor says nothing will make it go away but my God is the great physician.
Please email me back with any prayer requests you may have!
Much love and God’s blessings,
Angela
As I was driving home tonight from our parenting class “Essentials in Discipline”, my heart was very heavy from all of the things going on at the moment. I was listening to Chris Tomlin’s CD “Restored” and this song came on.
Nothing Else I Need lyrics
When I think of all I've seen nothing
Compares to what you give
And to drink of what you bring you quench
The thirst for me to live
I am satisfied by what tenderness you've
Shown to me and I empty all that I am
And you fill my life you're everything to me
There's nothing else I need anymore
And I know you are everything to me and
There's nothing else I need anymore
I have tasted and I know this fire birthed
Inside will only grow and I've sought all that
This world tried to offer me and it lead me
To your feet and I empty all that I am
And you fill my life you're everything to me
There's nothing else I need anymore
And I know you are everything to me and
There's nothing else I need anymore
I will lay down all my needs and you will
Come and make them new
To make you my only desire my desire
And you fill my life you're everything to me
And you fill my life you're everything to me
There's nothing else I need anymore
And I know you are everything to me and
There's nothing else I need anymore...
There's nothing else I need...
The words of the song really touched my heart and got me thinking… Is there anything else in this life that I need more than what God has already given me? If I answered it truthfully, my answer would have to be “No, there is nothing else that I need except for more of God.” Of all of the things I have seen and done, nothing compares to the sacrifice Christ made for me.
Once I got my focus back in the right spot, things looked a lot brighter. It is not about me, and the things I have to do, but what God has done! So many times, I have my own agenda of things I think need to be done, but when I compare it to what God’s Word tells me to do, it doesn’t match up. Again it is a daily task to lay down all of my needs, knowing that God will make them new so that my desire matches up with His.
I especially like the line that says “I’ve sought all that this world tried to offer me and it lead me to Your feet and I empty all that I am”. I have tried to run my life by the world’s standards and you know what “IT’S JUNK!” The world keeps you longing for more- more money, more things to do, more friends, more drugs, more alcohol, more of everything except for the one thing that will truly never leave your nor forsake you. Just like the woman at the well, who wanted more of what the world had to offer but she wasn’t satisfied. Jesus gave her the living water so she would never thirst again!!! He is truly the only thing you will ever need! Is Jesus everything to you?
One of my co-workers mentioned to me that she had a book I might be interested in reading. Then she joked “in all my spare time”. That statement got me thinking, if something is a priority, you will have time for it. Think about it… if you really want to do something then you are going to find a way to do it, even if it means cutting a prior commitment. This convicted me because how many times do I say the bad “B” word (you know B-U-S-Y) when really I just don’t want to do it. So my new challenge is not to use the “B” word when I am asked to do something but to truly pray about it and see where the Lord leads. Most of the time it is pretty clear whether I am to do it or not. If I am to do it then it gets put in my planner and if not I can honestly say I am not able to do it and suggest an alternative idea.
Thanks for letting me share what the Lord has been teaching me. Sorry it has been so long since the last time I wrote. I appreciate your thoughts, prayers, notes, and emails.
Here are a few more things to lift up in prayer!
PRAYER REQUESTS
q HAITI- I am coordinating a group of seven church members to Haiti. We leave on March 20th to work with the Baptist Haiti Mission for 10 days. Please be praying for health and safety for the team and for passports to come in! Also be praying for the finances to be raised… we are still in need of about $9,000 and we leave in less than a month. If you would like to give, please email me back.
q PRESCHOOL- We had our annual preschool inspection yesterday. Praise that everything went smoothly. Please be praying for the family situations of my class. Between drugs, alcohol, and abuse…some of my kids have seen and heard more in their 3 or 4 years than most of us will ever experience.
q HEALTH- Working with 20 preschoolers, it is inevitable that I get sick at least a couple times a year. Please pray that this cough will go away. It came after the head cold and has lingered for two weeks. My doctor says nothing will make it go away but my God is the great physician.
Please email me back with any prayer requests you may have!
Much love and God’s blessings,
Angela
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
A strange way to save the world
Aloha and Mele Kalikimaka-
It is December 13th at 9:30pm. I am sitting here with a purring cat on my lap trying to get some computer work done so I thought I would send out a quick email.
Tonight was our annual preschool Christmas play. Trying to get 20 children that are 3 and 4 years old to perform with singing, dancing, and signing for half an hour is quite a feat! And as usual the children were adorable and did a great job. The program title was "A Strange way to Save the World!". I will try to post pictures eventually. After tonight I have let out a quick sigh of relief because everything dealing with the program is pau and now I can concentrate in packing and cleaning up before I leave Friday afternoon!
Yes I am headed to the mainland for two and a half weeks for the holidays to visit family and friends. I fly in to NC Saturday (the 16th) and then driving to TX for a week on Monday. Headed back to NC on the 24th and leave for Oahu January 3rd. I will be in Oahu for a teaching conference the 4th - 6th and then headed back to Molokai on the 6th. If at any point you are in the area of Elon (or Waco, TX) I would love to meet up with you. Call my parents house or send me back a quick email with your phone number and when you are available.
May the Lord bless you with an awesome Christmas and a hauole makahiki hou!! (HAPPY NEW YEAR!)
Much love and God's blessings,
Angela
It is December 13th at 9:30pm. I am sitting here with a purring cat on my lap trying to get some computer work done so I thought I would send out a quick email.
Tonight was our annual preschool Christmas play. Trying to get 20 children that are 3 and 4 years old to perform with singing, dancing, and signing for half an hour is quite a feat! And as usual the children were adorable and did a great job. The program title was "A Strange way to Save the World!". I will try to post pictures eventually. After tonight I have let out a quick sigh of relief because everything dealing with the program is pau and now I can concentrate in packing and cleaning up before I leave Friday afternoon!
Yes I am headed to the mainland for two and a half weeks for the holidays to visit family and friends. I fly in to NC Saturday (the 16th) and then driving to TX for a week on Monday. Headed back to NC on the 24th and leave for Oahu January 3rd. I will be in Oahu for a teaching conference the 4th - 6th and then headed back to Molokai on the 6th. If at any point you are in the area of Elon (or Waco, TX) I would love to meet up with you. Call my parents house or send me back a quick email with your phone number and when you are available.
May the Lord bless you with an awesome Christmas and a hauole makahiki hou!! (HAPPY NEW YEAR!)
Much love and God's blessings,
Angela
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Earthquake
Aloha family and friends-
What an odd morning it has been! I awoke to my entire house shaking, windows clattering, and pictures falling off of the cabinet. Oddly enough we had an earthquake and after shocks this morning. The first quaking lasted between 30 and 45 seconds, which doesn’t sound that long until the ground under your feet is moving and you can’t do a thing about it. After that we had a few minor tremors. FYI- It had a 6.5 magnitude and an epicenter between Big Island and Maui. Thankfully there was no major damage at least on Molokai. On the other islands, there were power outages, rockslides, and some structural damage.
Here I am prepared for the tropical storm that was supposed to hit the islands this morning but totally surprised by the movement of the land under my feet. We were just talking on Thursday night in our Bible study on the book of Revelation, how the whole earth is groaning for the Lord to come back (Romans 8:22). God made this earth and it is crying out for his return. His return will happen and it looks soon.
In Matthew 24:6 and 7, Jesus is talking to his disciples about the signs of the end of the age and he says “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.” Sound familiar- just listen to the 6 o’clock news and you will see these things taking place.
Now I am not writing these things to scare you but to show you that there is hope. Jesus is coming back soon to take his children to heaven. Are you ready? If not, talk to Him, tell Him you are a sinner and you need His forgiveness. He died on the cross to pay for your sins and mine. He conquered death and the grave by rising from the dead. He wants us to choose Him for eternal life. We can’t do it in our own strength. It is all Him.
One of the songs we sang in church this morning was Not to Us by Chris Tomlin.
The cross before me the world behind
no turning back
raise the banner high
it's not for me
it's all for YOU
let the heavens shake and split the sky
let the people clap their hands and cry
it's not for us
it's all for YOU
CHORUS:
not to us but to YOUR name be the glory
not to us but to YOUR name be the glory
our hearts unfold before YOUR throne
the only place for those who know
it's not for us
it's all for YOU
send YOUR holy fire on this offering
let our worship burn for the world to see
it's not for us
it's all for YOU
for YOU
CHORUS
the earth is shaking
the mountains shouting
it's all for YOU
the waves are crashing
the sun is raging
it's all for YOU
the universe is spinning and singing
it's all for YOU
YOUR children dancing
dancing
dancing
it's all for YOU it's all for YOU my all for YOU my all for YOU
This song really pointed out that it is ALL for God. I especially like the verse that says…
“the earth is shaking
the mountains shouting
it's all for YOU
the waves are crashing
the sun is raging
it's all for YOU”
…not just because of what happened this morning but God is calling out to us all through creation. I went to the beach yesterday with Candace and the waves were pounding. We were out past the break swimming. There was one point when we turned around and there was a wave behind us that was towering over our heads by about 8 feet. We cruised over the wave landing safely on the other side and waited till the set died down before we made our way to shore. It was an amazing thrill! But again it is not for us but for His glory!!!
I think of each of you often and pray that I will see all of you in Heaven one day whether we die to get there or the Lord comes back first. What a glorious day that will be!! There are some of you that I won’t see again on this earth but God allowed our paths to cross and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I will stand with you in Heaven. If you have any questions about joining us in Heaven, email me or call me. I love you all and look forward to hearing from you soon!
Much love and God’s blessings,
Angela
What an odd morning it has been! I awoke to my entire house shaking, windows clattering, and pictures falling off of the cabinet. Oddly enough we had an earthquake and after shocks this morning. The first quaking lasted between 30 and 45 seconds, which doesn’t sound that long until the ground under your feet is moving and you can’t do a thing about it. After that we had a few minor tremors. FYI- It had a 6.5 magnitude and an epicenter between Big Island and Maui. Thankfully there was no major damage at least on Molokai. On the other islands, there were power outages, rockslides, and some structural damage.
Here I am prepared for the tropical storm that was supposed to hit the islands this morning but totally surprised by the movement of the land under my feet. We were just talking on Thursday night in our Bible study on the book of Revelation, how the whole earth is groaning for the Lord to come back (Romans 8:22). God made this earth and it is crying out for his return. His return will happen and it looks soon.
In Matthew 24:6 and 7, Jesus is talking to his disciples about the signs of the end of the age and he says “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.” Sound familiar- just listen to the 6 o’clock news and you will see these things taking place.
Now I am not writing these things to scare you but to show you that there is hope. Jesus is coming back soon to take his children to heaven. Are you ready? If not, talk to Him, tell Him you are a sinner and you need His forgiveness. He died on the cross to pay for your sins and mine. He conquered death and the grave by rising from the dead. He wants us to choose Him for eternal life. We can’t do it in our own strength. It is all Him.
One of the songs we sang in church this morning was Not to Us by Chris Tomlin.
The cross before me the world behind
no turning back
raise the banner high
it's not for me
it's all for YOU
let the heavens shake and split the sky
let the people clap their hands and cry
it's not for us
it's all for YOU
CHORUS:
not to us but to YOUR name be the glory
not to us but to YOUR name be the glory
our hearts unfold before YOUR throne
the only place for those who know
it's not for us
it's all for YOU
send YOUR holy fire on this offering
let our worship burn for the world to see
it's not for us
it's all for YOU
for YOU
CHORUS
the earth is shaking
the mountains shouting
it's all for YOU
the waves are crashing
the sun is raging
it's all for YOU
the universe is spinning and singing
it's all for YOU
YOUR children dancing
dancing
dancing
it's all for YOU it's all for YOU my all for YOU my all for YOU
This song really pointed out that it is ALL for God. I especially like the verse that says…
“the earth is shaking
the mountains shouting
it's all for YOU
the waves are crashing
the sun is raging
it's all for YOU”
…not just because of what happened this morning but God is calling out to us all through creation. I went to the beach yesterday with Candace and the waves were pounding. We were out past the break swimming. There was one point when we turned around and there was a wave behind us that was towering over our heads by about 8 feet. We cruised over the wave landing safely on the other side and waited till the set died down before we made our way to shore. It was an amazing thrill! But again it is not for us but for His glory!!!
I think of each of you often and pray that I will see all of you in Heaven one day whether we die to get there or the Lord comes back first. What a glorious day that will be!! There are some of you that I won’t see again on this earth but God allowed our paths to cross and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I will stand with you in Heaven. If you have any questions about joining us in Heaven, email me or call me. I love you all and look forward to hearing from you soon!
Much love and God’s blessings,
Angela
Sunday, October 1, 2006
Changed by His love
Aloha friends and family-
Wow, what an awesome day/weekend it has been! But… before I go into the events of today, I have to say I typed up a different newsletter a few days ago to send out over email. This was requested of me by a friend but when I went to send it my email would only allow me to send it to just her. The following email God laid on my heart today and I thought I would share. So… this is going to be sent out to everyone even if I have to snail mail it because I want to brag on the awesomeness of my God. So here goes…
Today started off like any other Sunday morning. My alarm went off at eight o’clock am, I rolled over, and reset it for 8:45am! (Normally Sunday mornings are the only opportunity I have to sleep in so I have figured out the latest I can sleep and still make it to church on time!) Any way before my alarm could go off for a second time, the phone rang. It was a potential preschool parent telling me that she wasn’t going to be at church today for our scheduled meeting because her son was sick. Once we hung up, I started praying that God would make today special. All of my close friends are off island and I didn’t have any plans all day, so I gave the Lord my day and boy did He make it memorable!!
As I made my way into church, I was talking with some friends sharing the news of Sybil (my coworker and friend) having her baby yesterday and the preschool winning fourth place and $200 in the Aloha Week Parade Float competition yesterday. When we came together to open our church service with praise and worship, each song seemed to just open my heart up more and more. By the third song, I was on my knees before God. The words of the song were…
Majesty (Here I Am) by Delirious
Here I am humbled by your Majesty
Covered by your grace so free
Here I am, knowing I'm a sinful man
Covered by the blood of the Lamb
Now I've found the greatest love of all is mine
Since you laid down your life
The greatest sacrifice
Majesty, Majesty
Your grace has found me just as I am
Empty handed, but alive in your hands
Majesty, Majesty
Forever I am changed by your love
In the presence of your Majesty
Here I am humbled by the love that you give
Forgiven so that I can forgive
Here I stand, knowing that I'm your desire
Sanctified by glory and fire
Now I've found the greatest love of all is mine
Since you laid down your life
The greatest sacrifice
Boy, was I humbled! The wretched sinner that I am, God still chooses to bless me with precious gifts like the birth of a friend’s baby and winning a prize for our float.
God didn’t tell me… ‘In order to be my child, you have to clean up your act.’ No! In fact, His loving hand picked me up right where I was and He loved me! He loved me enough to die for me. That has changed me forever- Not only do I get to spend eternity praising my precious Savior in Heaven but I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that nothing I do will change God’s love for me.
That is such a humbling thought that He loves me even when I do things that He has specifically told me not to do like “Do not worship other gods” and I turn around saying “I am doing this today.” By me planning my day without asking God what He wants me to do, I am worshipping me and making an idol out of my time. God totally blew me away today by reminding me that when He is included first in the day, the day goes so much smoother and I get blessed in return.
So after an awesome message through song, we watched a slideshow of our high school students at “See You at the Pole”. On our small island, 43 students showed up and prayed for their school, families, friends, island, state, and nation. Seeing all of those young people bowing their heads, standing in the gap for the place where they live. It was powerful!! God convicted my heart that I don’t pray enough!
All of the “lessons” took place before Pastor Randy even started his prepared message. God was about to teach me a couple of other very important lessons. Remember when I said I didn’t have any plans for the day, God had plans already set up for me. We had an island wide prayer meeting scheduled for 3 o’clock (that I had forgotten about) and then a preschool family invited me up for dinner.
At 3, I went down to New Hope Retreat Center for ‘United in Prayer’ for a time of youth led worship. Then we broke into teams and went to all of the different schools on Molokai walking and praying around the school building for the students, faculty, staff, and administrators. I chose to pray at Akaula with Pastor David and Shirley Nanod. What a blessing it was for me to spend time and pray with this couple who love the Lord and this island!
Aunty Shirley and I worked together last year and became friends and prayer partners. So she encouraged me with the work at preschool and we prayed for the children and their families. We also got to catch up on what was going on in one another’s life. When I got back in my car to leave I felt like I could have floated home… Such a feeling of peace and excitement for what the Lord is doing in this place.
I headed up to the Go’s for dinner and was treated to a wonderful home cooked dinner of porkchops, salad, and noodles. We talked story for almost four hours but it was such a blessing to finish up my day fellowshipping with friends.
By now it is after midnight, I am very thankful I am on fall break, so I don’t have school tomorrow. I love each one of you so much and pray that each of you will experience the greatest sacrifice when Jesus laid down His life for you. May you be changed by His love, too!!!
Much love and God’s blessings,
Angela
Wow, what an awesome day/weekend it has been! But… before I go into the events of today, I have to say I typed up a different newsletter a few days ago to send out over email. This was requested of me by a friend but when I went to send it my email would only allow me to send it to just her. The following email God laid on my heart today and I thought I would share. So… this is going to be sent out to everyone even if I have to snail mail it because I want to brag on the awesomeness of my God. So here goes…
Today started off like any other Sunday morning. My alarm went off at eight o’clock am, I rolled over, and reset it for 8:45am! (Normally Sunday mornings are the only opportunity I have to sleep in so I have figured out the latest I can sleep and still make it to church on time!) Any way before my alarm could go off for a second time, the phone rang. It was a potential preschool parent telling me that she wasn’t going to be at church today for our scheduled meeting because her son was sick. Once we hung up, I started praying that God would make today special. All of my close friends are off island and I didn’t have any plans all day, so I gave the Lord my day and boy did He make it memorable!!
As I made my way into church, I was talking with some friends sharing the news of Sybil (my coworker and friend) having her baby yesterday and the preschool winning fourth place and $200 in the Aloha Week Parade Float competition yesterday. When we came together to open our church service with praise and worship, each song seemed to just open my heart up more and more. By the third song, I was on my knees before God. The words of the song were…
Majesty (Here I Am) by Delirious
Here I am humbled by your Majesty
Covered by your grace so free
Here I am, knowing I'm a sinful man
Covered by the blood of the Lamb
Now I've found the greatest love of all is mine
Since you laid down your life
The greatest sacrifice
Majesty, Majesty
Your grace has found me just as I am
Empty handed, but alive in your hands
Majesty, Majesty
Forever I am changed by your love
In the presence of your Majesty
Here I am humbled by the love that you give
Forgiven so that I can forgive
Here I stand, knowing that I'm your desire
Sanctified by glory and fire
Now I've found the greatest love of all is mine
Since you laid down your life
The greatest sacrifice
Boy, was I humbled! The wretched sinner that I am, God still chooses to bless me with precious gifts like the birth of a friend’s baby and winning a prize for our float.
God didn’t tell me… ‘In order to be my child, you have to clean up your act.’ No! In fact, His loving hand picked me up right where I was and He loved me! He loved me enough to die for me. That has changed me forever- Not only do I get to spend eternity praising my precious Savior in Heaven but I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that nothing I do will change God’s love for me.
That is such a humbling thought that He loves me even when I do things that He has specifically told me not to do like “Do not worship other gods” and I turn around saying “I am doing this today.” By me planning my day without asking God what He wants me to do, I am worshipping me and making an idol out of my time. God totally blew me away today by reminding me that when He is included first in the day, the day goes so much smoother and I get blessed in return.
So after an awesome message through song, we watched a slideshow of our high school students at “See You at the Pole”. On our small island, 43 students showed up and prayed for their school, families, friends, island, state, and nation. Seeing all of those young people bowing their heads, standing in the gap for the place where they live. It was powerful!! God convicted my heart that I don’t pray enough!
All of the “lessons” took place before Pastor Randy even started his prepared message. God was about to teach me a couple of other very important lessons. Remember when I said I didn’t have any plans for the day, God had plans already set up for me. We had an island wide prayer meeting scheduled for 3 o’clock (that I had forgotten about) and then a preschool family invited me up for dinner.
At 3, I went down to New Hope Retreat Center for ‘United in Prayer’ for a time of youth led worship. Then we broke into teams and went to all of the different schools on Molokai walking and praying around the school building for the students, faculty, staff, and administrators. I chose to pray at Akaula with Pastor David and Shirley Nanod. What a blessing it was for me to spend time and pray with this couple who love the Lord and this island!
Aunty Shirley and I worked together last year and became friends and prayer partners. So she encouraged me with the work at preschool and we prayed for the children and their families. We also got to catch up on what was going on in one another’s life. When I got back in my car to leave I felt like I could have floated home… Such a feeling of peace and excitement for what the Lord is doing in this place.
I headed up to the Go’s for dinner and was treated to a wonderful home cooked dinner of porkchops, salad, and noodles. We talked story for almost four hours but it was such a blessing to finish up my day fellowshipping with friends.
By now it is after midnight, I am very thankful I am on fall break, so I don’t have school tomorrow. I love each one of you so much and pray that each of you will experience the greatest sacrifice when Jesus laid down His life for you. May you be changed by His love, too!!!
Much love and God’s blessings,
Angela
Friday, July 14, 2006
Red, hot, boiling lava
Written July 7th, 2006
Here I sit in the middle of a lava field watching hot magma flowing into the water of the Pacific Ocean. The steam from the collision of hot versus cold shoots up into the air and the trade winds carry it out to sea!!! What a magnificent sight! As night approaches, I can now see not only where the hot lava meets the sea but also the path down the side of the mountain.
Well if you haven’t guessed yet, I am at volcano national park in Hilo. My parents are out visiting. I met them at the airport on Monday and we flew to Big Island together. We have driven all over this island and have seen almost every part imaginable. I have gotten carsick and I have gotten soaked because I didn’t bring a raincoat!! Word to the wise: when visiting Hilo, bring a raincoat!
The longer I sit here writing the darker the sky is getting and the brighter the red of the lava shows which reminds me of God!! How so you may ask??? Just like the lava, God is always flowing through our lives creating a new landscape. When dark times approach, God should shine even more brightly. We should fade into the backdrop and the only thing that others see should be God through us.
Written and Sent July 14, 2006
After I wrote that last line in my journal, it was really too dark to see anymore! Mom, dad, and I hiked the three or so miles from the lava flow to our car parked on the side of the road. On our way back, I stopped to wait on mom and dad. Several people passed and I thought I recognized Dr. Nichol with his wife and daughter, Alanna. So I called, “Alanna” and she turned hearing her name. Sure enough, it was them! I go to church with this family on Molokai and he is my doctor. We talked while we walked back! “It’s a small world” became our theme song on our drive back to our hotel.
We left Big Island on Saturday afternoon and made it into Molokai that evening. Even though it is only a stone throw away, it takes several hours to travel between islands. To give you some idea… we arrived at Hilo airport at 2 for a 3:05 flight, flew 47 minutes to Oahu where we had to check in for our flight to Molokai that didn’t leave until 5:50. The flight to Molokai is only 20 minutes so we arrived at a little after six got our luggage and loaded into my jeep. We got to my house at 6:30!!
In the past week, mom, dad, and I have gone to the beach 3 times, been to the bog, worked up at school, and seen the sunset from the wharf. My parents have blessed me by doing electrical work, plumbing, gardening, cleaning, and organizing since they have been here. My car has had its oil, oil filter, air filter, and brake pads changed, tires rotated, and the underneath side greased!! I have definitely been blessed with parents who enjoy serving!!! I don’t know who is getting a better vacation!!
This is going to be the last email newsletter for the summer!! Mom and dad leave Tuesday the 18th. I have preschool parent orientation that night. Teacher meetings will be the rest of the week. School starts July 24th (my birthday)!! So far I have 17 children enrolled! It will definitely be an adventure this year. Please be praying!
I hope all is well with you. I would love to hear from you.
Much love and God’s blessings,
Angela
Here I sit in the middle of a lava field watching hot magma flowing into the water of the Pacific Ocean. The steam from the collision of hot versus cold shoots up into the air and the trade winds carry it out to sea!!! What a magnificent sight! As night approaches, I can now see not only where the hot lava meets the sea but also the path down the side of the mountain.
Well if you haven’t guessed yet, I am at volcano national park in Hilo. My parents are out visiting. I met them at the airport on Monday and we flew to Big Island together. We have driven all over this island and have seen almost every part imaginable. I have gotten carsick and I have gotten soaked because I didn’t bring a raincoat!! Word to the wise: when visiting Hilo, bring a raincoat!
The longer I sit here writing the darker the sky is getting and the brighter the red of the lava shows which reminds me of God!! How so you may ask??? Just like the lava, God is always flowing through our lives creating a new landscape. When dark times approach, God should shine even more brightly. We should fade into the backdrop and the only thing that others see should be God through us.
Written and Sent July 14, 2006
After I wrote that last line in my journal, it was really too dark to see anymore! Mom, dad, and I hiked the three or so miles from the lava flow to our car parked on the side of the road. On our way back, I stopped to wait on mom and dad. Several people passed and I thought I recognized Dr. Nichol with his wife and daughter, Alanna. So I called, “Alanna” and she turned hearing her name. Sure enough, it was them! I go to church with this family on Molokai and he is my doctor. We talked while we walked back! “It’s a small world” became our theme song on our drive back to our hotel.
We left Big Island on Saturday afternoon and made it into Molokai that evening. Even though it is only a stone throw away, it takes several hours to travel between islands. To give you some idea… we arrived at Hilo airport at 2 for a 3:05 flight, flew 47 minutes to Oahu where we had to check in for our flight to Molokai that didn’t leave until 5:50. The flight to Molokai is only 20 minutes so we arrived at a little after six got our luggage and loaded into my jeep. We got to my house at 6:30!!
In the past week, mom, dad, and I have gone to the beach 3 times, been to the bog, worked up at school, and seen the sunset from the wharf. My parents have blessed me by doing electrical work, plumbing, gardening, cleaning, and organizing since they have been here. My car has had its oil, oil filter, air filter, and brake pads changed, tires rotated, and the underneath side greased!! I have definitely been blessed with parents who enjoy serving!!! I don’t know who is getting a better vacation!!
This is going to be the last email newsletter for the summer!! Mom and dad leave Tuesday the 18th. I have preschool parent orientation that night. Teacher meetings will be the rest of the week. School starts July 24th (my birthday)!! So far I have 17 children enrolled! It will definitely be an adventure this year. Please be praying!
I hope all is well with you. I would love to hear from you.
Much love and God’s blessings,
Angela
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