Tommy -toes

I was so excited to see this when I went outside this morning:
Our tomato plants have been producing tomatoes for awhile now, but this is the first red tomato we have had! I am so excited!! For as much weeding as I did as a kid, I am unbelievably fond of gardening. Note, I did not say I was good at it, just fond of it! :) It reminds me of summers spent at my grandparents and canning with my mom and Granny. When it was time to harvest corn, it was a family affair - everyone was involved and had a job to do. Those summer memories are so precious to me - spending all that time with people that I love. It may seem silly but this little red tomato makes me feel a little closer to those I am so far away from.

Country Fair

A few weeks ago, the local country station was advertising for the Ohana Country Fair. I searched high and low online for more information but the only thing I could find referencing the fair was a sidebar advertisement on 97.5's website. That should have been my first clue that the event I pictured in my head would be nothing like what we would find when we got there. Joe and I hopped in the car for the 36 mile trip and arrived at the "fair." There were about ten antique cars there, they were so cool! I love antique cars - guess I get that from my dad!
A few tents with some kettlecorn and kalua pig (odd combination, I know) were set up. Several women competed in what looked like steer daubing except they were grabbing for flags pinned to the steers - it reminded me of flag football!

We saw all there was to see and weren't there long as Joe was hankering for a piece of pie from Ted's bakery. Although it wasn't what we expected, it was still a fun time and I'm glad we went!

Lion Chasers

I saw this on another blog and just had to share, especially after all I learned at the E&I conference this past weekend.

Lion Chasers Manifesto - Mark Batterson

Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death. Grab life by the mane. Set God-sized goals. Pursue God-ordained passions. Go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention. Keep asking questions. Keep making mistakes. Keep seeking God. Stop pointing out problems and become part of the solution. Stop repeating the past and start creating the future. Stop playing it safe and start taking risks. Expand your horizons. Accumulate experiences. Consider the lilies. Enjoy the journey. Find every excuse you can to celebrate everything you can. Live like today is the first day and last day of your life. Don't let what's wrong with you keep you from worshiping what's right with God. Burn sinful bridges. Blaze a new trail. Criticize by creating. Worry less about what people think and more about what God thinks. Don't try to be who you're not. Be yourself. Laugh at yourself. Quit holding out. Quit holding back. Quit running away.

Chase the lion.

Bruddah

My brother is one of the coolest people I know. He's the type of person that can walk into a bank and make friends with someone in line- like get their phone number type of friend. He's outgoing and fun to be around, he's big on helping other people and he's a super-passionate person. He loves life and lives every moment to the fullest. He is one of my favorite people, I love being around him, he cracks me up!
AND
today is his
Birthday!!
I love you so much, I hope you have a wonderful birthday, John!! I'm so proud of you and who you have become!

The best is yet to come

This weekend, was the Equip and Inspire conference at our church - the theme was "No Limits" and what it would look like to live it out. It was an amazing time of worship and we were able to participate in breakout sessions and amazing sermons. I learned so much and took so many notes, I felt like I was back in college again! I may post more about the other sermons later this week but yesterday, we heard an amazing sermon by Sebastian Buffa. Here are a few of my notes and if you want to check it out, you can find it on HCWO's archive, here. I strongly encourage you to listen to it, if you can.

The best is yet to come - Sebastian Buffa - Hope Chapel West Oahu 10/10/10

1) Hebrews 10:1-9

a) Explains why the law can’t accomplish/perfect us

b) Jesus Christ dying on the cross makes us acceptable to be in the presence of God

c) Vs 9: He removes the first to establish the second

i) With God the best is yet to come, it is saved for last

ii) The first is just a shadow of what God does in the second

2) Ephesians 3:20

a) God’s immeasurably more doesn’t begin until we reach our limit

i) It begins where we end

3) John 2:9

a) Jesus’ first miracle turned water into wine. The best was saved for last because Jesus was involved.

4) Philippians 1:6

a) The awesome things God started, He will perfect it until Jesus comes

5) God wants to encounter you in such a way that it can’t be reversed

a) The best is ahead of you NOT behind you

i) You have not yet reached the capacity of what God can do:

(1) In you : He is more concerned with who you are becoming then what you are doing

(2) With you: With God, you are limitless

(3) For you: Good fathers love to bless kids for no other reason then to bless – God is the best father

ii) The season you are in now is a shadow of what God has in store for you

6) How do we live as if the best is yet to come?

a) Live as if only God is watching

i) When you perform to impress others, there is pressure, not the case with God, with Him you will not fail

b) Live in the moment, not for it

c) Live as if you’ve never been disappointed

i) Pain, mistakes and failures all teach us valuable lessons but disappointment teaches us nothing, it only tells us not to get our hopes up

ii) The person who has never been disappointed will try anything

iii) Disappointment can’t coexist with God and His promise

iv) What would you try if you’ve never been disappointed?