"Love Feast"

Friday our wonderful staff threw us a beautiful banquet to celebrate the end of lecture phase and the beginning of outreach adventures! The food was amazing, decorations lovely, and the people just glowing. We got a little dressed up and had a great evening under a white tent overlooking the ocean, with a perfect orange sunset melting into the horizon.

Celebrating is so important. Let's try not to let even the little victories in life scoot by us without acknowledgement, frozen yogurt, or at least a high five! We did it! And we CELEBRATED!

My new friends are dear to me, and I can't wait to see them all return after life-changing travels in a few months. I can't wait to sit down and hear stories of miracles and the love of God changing people. I can't wait to see who's dating, who cut their hair short, and who let their beard grow crazy long! I can't wait to hear about children being rescued and adults being set free from bondage. I can't wait to cheer with excitement over these young adults, who are brave enough to think they can make a difference. Because they will. A big difference. And I can't wait!

Spring break!

My parents came for Spring Break!

Did you hear that? My PARENTS CAME HERE! To see it with their own eyes. Well, mostly to see US with their own eyes:) 3 months was a pretty long time.

I didn't take my normal crazy amount of photos because we were having the most fun ever! We were busy. It was so comforting to let somebody from the outside "in" on our life here. It's hard to really explain something like this.

Raegan was beside herself all week with sheer excitement. Anabelle followed suit, and showed off all of her tricks! We were a puddle of tears on goodbye-day, but it was worth it. Love you and miss you already.

...all crammed in the backseat of the car on the last night! This was utterly hilarious to my girls. Come visit us again soon!!

Finishing strong!

It's time for another post, and I don't even know where to begin! Life moves quickly here. Not to mention a Tsunami thrown in the mix! Next week my parents arrive for spring break, and we are all giddy with excitement. It'll be amazing to show them the ins and outs of what we've been up to for the last 3 months. Lecture phase is coming to a quick close, and we are preparing for an incredible outreach trip! We have two main locations of focus- Texas and Hawaii! We're traveling with another family and two incredible young gals, and will be working together to make an impact around the Houston and Galviston areas as well as locally, here on the big island! More details to come, I promise. In the meantime, we are working on finishing strong!!

We have been focusing, among many other things, on our health since we arrived here. Jordan has lost a whopping 20 pounds! Wow! We are eating as healthy as we can, exercising, and sweating constantly (unintentionally... it's just so darn hot here.) I've started working out with an amazing gal who goes by Lu. She is a crossfit trainer at home, but left her gym to come join YWAM! The work outs are crazy, but pretty short, and the other gals are as encouraging as can be- so I'm excited to go. That's a big deal. I even bought a pair or cute shorts. Pink ones. Oh yeah.

The girls continue to thrive. They each have so many friends, and know lots of people on campus. It's so fun to walk around and listen to Raegan, "Hi John! Hey Grace! Shiloh, what'cha doing? Hi Ezekiel!" She is a confident, loving little lady with an amazing heart for others. Anabelle also has her favorites, and is so content to spend time in the arms of others, not just mom, which makes our snuggle time that much more special! My girls are flexible, thankful, and tan! We have learned to sleep in one room, with no privacy, and have grown much closer together. Sisters have become friends, and they share a mutual affection toward one another that is perfect and precious.

It's been a crazy 3 months.

Our life has been flipped upside down.

What's next!?

Tsunami

Last night I wrote:

Our phones have no service, but as we turn in for the night, I wanted to make sure that all of my friends and family know WE ARE SAFE. The University of the Nations is a tsunami safety zone, and our leaders have informed us that we are absolutely safe on the top of this hill, with our door locked and kids fast asleep :)

People who live down on the water in Kona are being evacuated right now, and the gymnasium up here on our campus will be opened to these community members as a safe place to be tonight. News reports say if it hits, it'll be around 3am.

We are not afraid, and have been reassured of our safety. So we have been praying for the islands as well as Japan. Lord, please stop the wave from hitting!

The Update:

Starting at around 9:30pm, we were up hourly last night, listening to the loud Tsunami Siren warning blasts. (I have to admit, although I knew we were safe, the sound was a bit scary) Our phones had no service, so we used the internet to keep updated. Our school leaders updated our school's website with information, and our building manager came to our door to explain the protocol. We were to stay in our room, and not leave the campus. (No problem!) The city was evacuated to high ground, and the University of Nations took in quite a few people with sleeping bags for the night. The waves swelled up over Alii Drive, down by the water, where we often spend time walking or visiting our favorite coffee shop. Some businesses down there will have lots of damage to repair, but as far as I know, it's all pretty minor considering the source of these huge waves.

We prayed last night each time we were awaken by the sirens, that the tsunami would not hit, and if it did, that the damage would be minimal. Thank you Lord! We also continue to pray for Japan and the complete devastation there. The few friends we have there are safe, but we know many others have lost everything.

So, we are very tired today, but will not complain.

In a state of gratitude.

Love to you all!

Party time!

So many of our new friends and a few old friends came to celebrate Anabelle last night! We had a pink polka-dotted party in the park.

Raegan and Rachel helped me blow up tons of balloons inside.

I decorated with the letters I made for Raegan's first birthday!

It was too breezy to hang them, so we pinned them to the picnic table...

We wrapped the palm trees with pink crepe paper and balloons!

Mama and the beautiful birthday girl just as the guests were arriving~

We are so blessed to be surrounded by such a fun community. And even more people showed up after we took the picture! I was blown away by how people showered our children with love. Anabelle even received gifts- a few new outfits and fun toys! I did not expect that at all! What a treasured memory.

Cake time!

Anabelle was really polite. Even after she finally realized that the sugary cake was all hers, she sat there and politely ate an entire piece for almost an hour. She was so demure!

We ended the night with a nice "mini bath" and a super duper good shampoo! She had frosting everywhere and cake chunks in her hair! Such a joyful day.

Turning ONE!

Before the sun was even up, Raegan woke up singing. She knew it was Anabelle's birthday and was ready to celebrate. It was really sweet actually, how Raegan took charge of the morning and led us all in "Happy Birthday" and then present unwrapping. Anabelle has been a true gift to our family. Every time I remember her birth I tear up at what a precious and peace-filled day that was, exactly one year ago- click here to read Anabelle's birth story.

Raegan singing to her sweet sister~

"Happy birthday to...

...YOuuuuuu!"

Let me at 'em!!

Raegan "helping" open the gift she picked out for her little sis.

Anabelle playing with her old school Fischer Price milk wagon!

My joyful ONE year old!

stay tuned for party highlights tomorrow night.

February in Photos!

What a crazy February! For literally half of this month, we were in our room sick. After Raegan caught the flu and was out for a week, we thought we were in the clear and even enjoyed a fun Saturday outside at the beach, only to get sick that night and spend the next week in bed ourselves. A solid 2 weeks at "home" turned out to be kind of a good thing: lots of snuggle time with our kiddos and needed rest. Just call me the Clorox Queen.

Sickness aside, we've had a great month. Our wedding anniversary and Valentine's Day were super fun! We are especially loving the speakers in class this week- an amazing couple who've traveled the world and are sharing their heart and what they're doing regarding major injustices in the world. Heavy topics, but there is hope. We have enjoyed a few really fun rain storms, played with lots of friends and even received fun mail from back home! Thanks for the Valentine's! Here's the month in photos...

Dance party in the rain!

Princess power!

Fun at the "Ark Park"

A special Saturday with friends, playing at a hotel pool and beach!

Matching sisters, riding in style around campus.

Thanks Gramma Tracey for the cute new outfits!