Our Weekend

Evan had testing for his next belt...
I am so impressed, he missed 3 weeks and still learned all his moves,
he loves sparring,

he did it-he's a green belt now, 9 more testing cycles and hopefully he'll be a black belt.
Saturday night was piano recital,
I never hear Owen practice so we were pretty shocked to find he could actually play and even more impressed to hear the song he played,
we are so proud of you Evan,
Evan was so happy he got to put on some real army gear,
hanging out-what better use for a motorcycle and stroller,
the kids were so excited about this beautiful, huge, green dragonfly they found in our garage.

Bible Study

Overcoming original sin requires that we accept God's gracious gift of His Son, who overcame sin's powerful hold over people (we can't be baptized out of original sin). Overcoming sin in our daily lives requires daily relying on the Holy Spirit's power, continually turning our backs on the temptation to rebel against God.

In a world flooded with colorful and exciting options, Jesus Christ as THE only way to connect to God seems limited, especially when the world teaches you can be your own God or God is a relative concept. People fall prey to the world overflowing with delectable options when the only way to enjoy true spiritual freedom is though committing to accept the pure daily bread God provides.

This is about a journey to your promise land...which can mean a wilderness experience...here are some lessons learned on the way to the promise land...

• don't be addicted to the "perks" of sin
• don't have trouble adapting to the simplicity of manna
• if you long for the sin you had-your journey out may last 40 years
• get rid of things that stand in the way between you and God
• holding on to sin can keep you from moving out of the wilderness
• God chose the wilderness for you because you aren't ready for the promise land
• the wilderness reveals your true heart
• facing your weaknesses can bring out the worst in you
• the bondage (sin) you know can be more comfortable compared to the wilderness (unknown)
• you are too scared to step out and trust God in the wilderness
• when the wilderness got tough the weak sinned and the strong turned to God
• are you learning what God wants you to learn while you travel through the wilderness
• you can get something out of the wilderness-it's not all bad
• God will reveal Himself
• this is healing-look for the oases
• look for the unexpected-not what you expect
• God will provide
• God IS the provision
• let God be all you need
• is it not a barrier but a lesson, preparation, blessing-you are there for a purpose
• let the Lord be enough
• what seems like a minor disobedience to you is unbelief in God's ability to Him
• sin in the wilderness keeps us from the fullness of freedom that Jesus offers
• don't be satisfied in just looking at "milk and honey"
• cling to unbelief and you'll miss out on the promise land
• a trek in the wilderness requires giving some things up
• keep moving forward! it requires faith, obedience, trust...
• don't give weight to your fears
• your Canaan is about being with Jesus-He is our promise land, His kingdom-not things of this world
• live out your faith

Thankful Thursday

getting to smell these little beauties

seeing Egypt before it got crazy

being able to travel with my family

playing in the snow & winter in Maryland

hanging out with my parents

the people I went to Israel with

a whole day of thunderstorms

sweet neighbors-Aloha & Noa

great biblical teachers

Amazing Devotional

Before you accept Jesus as your personal Lord and savior you are of the flesh, you are not filled with divine life. The flesh is crucified on the cross and must be circumcised. Galatians 2:20, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave His life for me."

When you surrender to crucifixion you are resurrected in Him. "For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be done away with , that we should no longer be slaves to sin because anyone who has died has been freed from sin." Romans 6:6-7

Now you have been given a new nature-the life of Christ. Jesus dwells within you in His spirit form. The more you know God's truth the more you desire to know.

The Tabernacle:

Did you know every bit of the tabernacle is a metaphor for our relationship with God.

The courtyard had one entrance and we can only get to God one way-through Jesus. The courtyard is your body-the first thing you encounter is the altar of sacrifice or cross. Jesus paid the price for every one of your sins at the cross. The cross is your altar where Jesus calls you to place yourself as a living sacrifice. Next is the bronze laver-the place of cleansing. The bronze reflects the truth of yourself, when you look into the Word of God you will be changed-washed clean.

Next leave the outer court-you are not your own, you belong to God, and enter the Holy Place. The beauty of the tabernacle is hidden to those on the outside, the slender must be experienced from the inside. Those who don't have a genuine relationship with Jesus don't desire Him. The lampstand is the only light which is understanding causing you to see and know in a way only those who those in a relationship with Jesus can. The light is fueled by olive oil which is a picture of the Holy Spirit that fuels and energizes you. As the lamp had to be filled everyday you must also be continually filled by the Spirit. The table with the Bread of Presence is your will-is the food from God, manna, enough for you or do you seek food from others rather than God's presence. Surrender your will to Him. The altar of incense is the place of intercession and where to surrender your emotions-pray according to God's will. Come before the veil that conceals the Holy of Holies. Jesus opened that veil so we may stand in the presence of God. Jesus can now dwell within our soul.

Come before the throne as a complete offering-a living sacrifice holding nothing of yourself back.

What happens when...

Erik goes for walk with a camera...

...they were out all day.

Amazing Devotional

Have you ever though about how detailed and exactly timed the arrest, trial, crucifixion, burial and resurrection of Jesus was? God gave an elaborate and explicit picture of the timing when he established the feasts in the Old Covenant. Jesus had to be on the cross and have died by sundown on Passover because He is the Pascal Lamb. It had to occur exactly by twilight on the 14th day of the month of Nisan. He had to be in the tomb before 6 pm because He is the whole burnt offering sacrifice for the nation. He has to be there three days and three nights because this was prophesied by Jonah. He had to be resurrected on the third day, the day following the Sabbath, the Feast of Firstfruits because He is the Firstfruits of the Spirit. He had to be resurrected after sunset and before sunrise. Every detail was laid out in the beginning of time and He did not deviate from it at all.

Back in Hawaii

Life with Owen: "Evan opens his mouth more than he closes it."
Owen to his dad: "I wish I was a genius and smarter than my teacher's husband."
Heading out to Erica's horse lessons,
it's so beautiful out here,






there is a really really funny story behind this, you'd have to know Evan and how at times conversations can get really confusing with him-in one of those moments Erik covered his head with foil because he was starting to get affected,
Evan made up a game with all sorts of different artillery, different pieces moved based on the roll of the dice and could shoot only certain distances, here they are playing,
this is one of those local places that make their own food and has "da mos ono bread puddin' evah,"
Erica found a little egg,
this interesting looking gecko was part of our catch and release program,
T&T boys.