napo'o 'ana o ka la

Okay firstly why is the word "sunset" so long in Hawaiian??? Bahaha.

Greetings from Kaua'i. :)
It's already our fourth day here. I'm really enjoying this island. It's known to be the "Garden Island" and I definitely see why they call it that. Everywhere I look is mountains of endless green. The island is draped in vast valleys, sharp mountain spires, tropical rainforests, rivers and waterfalls. And then there's the beautiful ocean right in the middle of it. I don't think I've been in a place so calming and scenic.

Today we visited Calvary Chapel in the village about thirty minutes away. It was a different feeling entering in as visitors instead of regular attendees but it was a good experience nonetheless. It didn't help much that we were the only Asians in the small building. We totally stood out.. In the beginning of the service the pastor called a graduating senior to the front so the whole church could pray for her. She was to go to college in Pennsylvania within the next few weeks. In his prayer he said, "God, please be with her and guide her in the States as it is so loud and foreign especially to us here in Kauai." I heard that and I was a little thrown off. In my mind I was thinking, "The States is where real life is at!! That's where she'll gain the true college experience!" And then it hit me that life is extremely different here in Kauai and from what I'm used to. It's louder, busier, and more complicated back in the States. There's so much to attend to, places to go, things to see (on a phone...) that it's easy to get consumed in everything. The pastor's prayer spoke loud to me and I started to really care for this girl I didn't even know. It made me realize that whether I'm back in the States or here in Kauai, how important it is to find time in the craziness of day to be in the stillness of the Lord's presence and know that he is our God and that is He is so so so good. :)

Afterwards we visited a few waterfalls and then got some yummy shaved ice. :) 

Next to us is a crazy waterfall and below us is a really wide river...!

my favorite HAWAIIAN SHAVED ICE :D 

It's so nice waking up to this every morning :)

Aloha kakou <3 

Already August

Bonjour! It's been one month since I've last written! It's been a one-derful month. Hah get it...

Summer break has officially started for me. Finally finished my summer classes and now finding time to update my neglected blog. It feels so good to be at home with my family. I didn't realize how much I missed them all.. especially my litto baby Ollie. Lately I've been having a lot of fun spending time with myself. Wow that sounds so sad...... But I didn't know I could have so much fun by myself. Yay for invisible friends. :') Anyways, I've been engaging in some of my favorite pastimes like cooking, painting, scrapbooking, running, and spending time with the family. Lately I've been really into making popsicles. It's so perfect for the summer. I didn't have a real popsicle maker so I had to create my own. I found some mini paper/plastic cups and craft popsicle sticks and whipped up fudge and fruity pops. It turned out better than I thought. Thankfully my dad just bought me a real popsicle maker from Amazon. Hehe yay for new TOYS! Going to make orange creamsicles next. :)

On a different note, I've been learning a lot about myself. I still feel like high school was not too long ago, and that I still need to sign consent forms for everything. But I'm nearly a college graduate now... The other day I visited the public library nearby my house with my sister to pick up her summer reading books for her English class. I came across a few elementary school students who were in line for the summer events program. I used to go to these when I was there age, so out of curiosity I asked what program they were going to. They responded that it was a puppet show/story reading time. Then in response to her friend's call, she said, "Hold on! I'm talkin' to adults over here!" ...

Adults?
Since when?

It was strange hearing someone refer to me as an adult. I mean Seriously?!? I know, I am still so young and have so much yet to learn, but that's exactly the point! There I was standing in the midst of 3rd and 4th graders. When did I grow up so quickly? I remember saying, "I can't wait till I drive!" or "I can't wait till I'm in college!" But now I've reached a point where I can't really say those things anymore. It's more like, "I can't wait until I find a full-time job" or "I can't wait till I get married and have kids."
It was definitely a bittersweet encounter. "Bitter" in the sense that I still feel young and trapped in an aging body, and I wish I can just stay in a certain phase of my life for a longer period of time until I can dictate when to move on to the next. Yet "sweet" in the sense that it made me realize that God has provided me with so much. And how far God has brought me and how faithful God he has been to me. Where would I be without Him? And where will I be if I don't cling to him? Definitely not in the right place. I need him more than ever. It is so amazing to have a personal relationship with my Savior. In Him I can place all my comfort and hope and He is my refuge. I can trust He will be there for me- loving me and constantly pursuing after me. A hymn that has spoke loudly to me these days: "Nothing in my hands I bring; Simply to thy cross I cling." 

=)

Recently went on our high school summer "DIVE" retreat. Such blessed weekend. God never ceases to amaze me. I was reminded of how thankful I am to be a part of this community. God is good!

My army of beautiful minions. I love them. On to our 3rd year together. <3 

Context of this picture: P.Steve was touching the uneaten food and all 70 high schoolers were like "Ewwww!" 

WC staff. :) Privilege to serve with them.l #bestpeople

I think we have a picture exactly like this for the last 3 years we've served together. Such a precious friend and sister. Thank you for loving me. <3 I love you miyoung! 

Wow. It's been past 20 minutes so I should probably go do something more productive like comb Ollie's hair, eat some carrots, or hang out by myself again. Hehehe. Good night!! <33