LOVE

Wow... where to start. I'm back after a week or so of not keeping up with this blog and I feel like so much has happened. Debriefing with our team went really well and it was a great way to close out the summer. Sunday the 8th was our official end date of project and I shuttled 4 trips to the Honolulu Airport throughout the duration of the day. It was an emotional day and as I was saying bye to groups of students leaving, the reality that summer was ending finally hit. I got really sad and every trip to the airport only got harder. That afternoon, before the last trip to the airport, a bunch of the students who were staying longer came over to my house and we fit about 15 or so of us. It was definitely crowded but so much fun to be together even post project! The last trip was definitely one of the hardest especially as I had to say goodbye to one of our students Elbert from George Mason! This summer he unofficially became my "son" and I his "mother." I have seen him grow and take steps of faith and his desire to really follow after Jesus. The reality that he and I are probably the furthest away made saying bye even harder but I know that I'll see him at West Coast EPIC Conference... right "son"? :)

Me and my "son" LB

That night, a group of them stayed over night and we slept like sardines but again, it was super fun! It was just an amazing time of hanging out and spending time together after project! Here's a run down of the week:
   Monday - Daniel & Rebecca (UCI) left in the morning and then I came back and spent the rest of the morning just resting. We then went to lunch at Costco and then made another airport run for Addy (UCI). Came back and then had dinner at Rainbow Drive Inn and then made the last airport run with Kentaro & Aaron (UCI).
   Tuesday - Headed out to North Shore with some of the USC students. ATE way too much (Foodland, Giovanni's Shrimp truck, Ted's Bakery) and then went to the beach for a little bit to see the turtles! It was an awesome time to just hang out and again rest and relax! That night, had dinner at Phuket Thai for Sarah's birthday and then airport run one more time for Grace & Annalynn (SLO) :( Then we went to watch Inception and then headed home.
   Wednesday - We headed out to Makapu'u Tide Pools and we hiked up a mountain and then down a bunch of rocks to get to the tide pools! It was super fun and for me, an amazing place to be as I got to just sit and watch the waves. I was in awe of the beauty and yet, the strength and power of the waves and simply reminded of God's majesty! He is definitely an awesome God and His creation is such a reminder of who He is! After that, we came back and got ready to make one more airport run. Cassie (Santa Barbara CC), who was a part of my discipleship group this summer was leaving and again, just a hard time of having to say goodbye again. She has been such a blessing this summer and continually amazes me in her maturity and love for people and Jesus!!! I was sad to say bye but have so much hope for her and know that we will stay in touch! At this point, most of the team has left BUT I got to spend a few more days with Chris and Mel!

Sitting in the midst of God's creation

Cassie and I <3

   Thursday - During the day, I have no recollection of what we did & it's going to bother me! :( But, we went to hang out with Jazmine again from KCC at Coffee Talk that evening. There was an open mic night there so decided to go and hang out with her and watch her. It was definitely just chill and a good relaxing time!
   Friday - We woke up late and then headed out to Shark's Cove to go snorkeling! It was super fun and we swam out pretty far. Lots of fish and definitely an adventure... Rule of thumb: When snokeling, make sure to follow the BUDDY SYSTEM (right Chris? =]) Fun story -- as we swam out to look for Chris, we couldn't find her. We decided to swim back to see if she went back to shore and as I was swimming back, in the whole entirety of the big, blue ocean, what do I happen to find: Chris' chapstick (yes, chapstick while swimming)!!! It was pretty amazing! Afterwards, we just headed back and then ended up going to the Spitting Caves to star gaze! Again, was reminded of how big God is and yet, He is so intimate! It was beautiful seeing stars fall and just being able to lie out underneath the stars! We ended staying up til 6am talking, hanging out, and of course, watching Hanson videos!!! :)
   Saturday - Swapmeet with Chris and then ran some errands and headed back to the house. We got ready and headed out to Ke'iki Beach (secret beach) and met some of the USC peeps there to watch the sunset. Afterwards, was supposed to head out to the long awaited Veggie Fest in Chinatown but Chris and I couldn't find it. =( We did what we could with that night and it ended up being really fun - drove up and down a road for buses only 4 times (not knowing it was only for buses), took some video footage, headed out to Waikiki to "people" watch, and then just headed home to hang out. All to say, it was an unforgettable evening!!!
   Sunday - Went to church at One Love!!! :) Afterwards, headed over to Cherisse's house to meet up with her and some friends. We headed out to Chinaman's Hat and swam out to the island and then hiked all the way to the tip of the hat! It was super fun and probably one of the BEST things I've done since being in Hawaii all these years! We swam around to the back side and found a little beach and a small cave which we named "Mermaid's Cove"! Then we swam all the way back and headed home to get ready. Chris and I spent our last night together going down to Waikiki! We had dinner at Cheesecake Factory and just hung out and spent some good quality time together!!! 

Amazing Day @ Chinaman's Hat

secret cave we call "Mermaid's Cove"

   Today - Chris' flight was this afternoon... :( We ran some last minute errands and then headed out to the airport... it was definitely one of the hardest goodbyes ever after having spent so much time with one of my best friends this summer, it was again an emotionally draining goodbye. I came home and just reflected on what this summer has meant and having to say goodbye to so many people. I came home just really sad and decided to try and take a nap UNTIL I got a text message that said "I missed my flight. The next one isn't until 9:30 and it's standby :(" I felt really, really bad but went back to the airport to pick her back up and got to spend an extra 6 hours with Chris! Cheee! :) We ran some more errands and then took a drive out to Hanauma, Blowhole, Sandys, and Waimanalo - took some more pictures and then came home to hang out. We stopped by the dog park for Mochi on the way out and then headed out to the airport again. I was definitely sad to have to say goodbye again BUT it was such a needed BLESSING to get the extra time together and to just reflect and be encouraged! I miss her a lot already and to just see how my summer has been so impacted by her being here but more how my life has been changed by the experiences and growth in our friendship through being together this summer! 


So... that's the scoop! As for the title of this blog entry... one thing I am walking away with this summer is LOVE - what it means to BE LOVED and to let people in to do that. Even as I am reading TruFaced right now for our staff, I am reminded that "needs give us the capacity to be loved and to feel loved" (not a weakness) AND "in God's world, receiving love comes before giving love." It took people who truly love me to speak truth into my life and to be able to bless me! I am overwhelmed by this little word, yet the immense meaning it has and still I am in this process of learning how to receive love openly but in that, I am reminded of what the Bible says:

"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." ~ I Corinthians 13:4-7

"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love." ~ I John 4:18

I am thankful.

Please pray for this week as we start our staff meetings for Cru! I am super excited to do what I do and again reminded tonight of the blessing it is to share Jesus with people who don't know him each and everyday. To help them experience the fullness and LOVE of Jesus!