Seven weeks ago, we were in Kona, partnering with Living Stones Church and Mokuaikaua Church … and if time has wings, they flapped at an unprecedented rate, flying us right into 2025 before I made the time to bring closure to 2024.
I have therefore decided that we’re currently in the 13th month of 2024.
Does anyone else feel like they blinked and Thanksgiving and Christmas ran a footrace to the finish line?
I know that theoretically (and in reality), each day still has 24 hours and each week is comprised of 7 of those 24-hour periods, bur experientially, it sure feels like time has been downsized.
Be that as it may, Nov 12 we flew back to Kona and spent the next 11 days counseling, meeting up with dear friends, and speaking at the Mokuaikaua Church. Each day started with our 5-mile walk at 5:30 am, and a few days we managed to hike, snorkel, or swim. We also spied on the “Beaver Full Moon” at 3 am and we took in as many sunsets as possible. Our time was productive and gratifying and we continue to be so grateful for this opportunity to pour into this community, which has become “Ohana” for us.
Bill and Jeannie Fountain have become dear friends and we were so happy to meet up for lunch on the one day our schedules overlapped.
Bill and Pine Barley (Bill is the lead pastor of Living Stones Church) helped me continue the celebration of my 70th with dinner out and these beautiful handmade (by Pine) plumeria leis (my favorite Hawaiian flower). We love any time we get to spend with these two.
Bob and Debi Cary, who put us up in their Airbnb every time we serve on the island, have also become dear friends and we enjoyed a lunch out with them.
We’ve enjoyed partnering with Christian and Jodi Coetzee for years now. They both serve on the Living Stones staff with their plethora of gifts, and we’re always inspired by time with them.
Mike Field has become one of our dearest friends and we spent a morning with him on his sail canoe.
The one year anniversary of the death of my beloved friend Patty Benes was Nov. 22, and in honor of her, our friend Mike took us out on his sail canoe so I could toss my plumeria lei into the sea. Mike informed me that the string would harm the sea life and offered the alternative of snipping the thread and throwing each flower, one by one, and with each toss, name a beautiful quality of Patty. “This way, we can get to know a bit about Patty while you honor her,” he said. It was so much more meaningful than what I had planned to do and a truly beautiful time.
Kahu David and his wife Kim lead the congregation at Mokuaikaua Church, the oldest church in Kona, and graciously invited us to teach at their Sunday morning service on Nov. 24. We are so thankful for the friendship as well as partnership we have with them.
Linda Bartel Dismukes was in the San Diego State University IVCF group with me when Paul was our staff leader back in 1974–1976. She has faithfully served the Lord through missions for most of her adult life and is now serving with YWAM in Kona. We are so thankful to connect with her each time we’re on the island.
Our final meal of this trip was with Andrew and Jane West, who also serve with Living Stones Church. We love hanging out with these two and their two adult sons and as always, left inspired.
As the sun set on our days in Kona, and we boarded our red-eye back to Fairfax, we left with hearts full of gratitude for the many ways we saw God working in and through us. Each time we’re back, our relationships with many grow deeper and more authentic. What a privilege to link arms with this wonderful community.
We arrived home Monday, the 25th, and the Garcia gang arrived Tuesday for our (sort of) annual Thanksgiving reunion.
Let the party begin!!
Our days were full of talking, playing, laughing, games (indoors and out), eating, playing and watching football, thrifting, jumping (trampoline park), walking, and worshiping together. The five cousins are besties and find endless ways to invent fun, so laughter and noise fill the airwaves and bring smiles to the faces of the older set. We couldn’t be more thankful for these times together.
My sister Laura and her husband David joined us for dinner one night, much to the delight of all.
At the end of a lovely Thanksgiving Day, we were truly filled with gratitude.
The annual football competition was held on Thanksgiving Friday and shockingly, the younger set walked away with the win. Barely.
Gabe and Derek took their girls on a date to see “Wicked” and all reported an exceptional double date.
All too quickly the days ran out and both Lisa and the Garcias boarded planes back to CA. Silence seeped in to the walls that had hosted (mostly) joyful strains for 8 days, left-behind articles were found and tucked away for our next trip west, beds were remade and laundry tended, and order was restored. As nice as it was for this ESFJ personality to have all things “back where they belong,” I’d rather have the happy chaos any day. A quiet well-ordered home doesn’t create the memories of a home filled with the lively interaction of those we love the most.
