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.