My First Love

Reminded today of how often I fail in my relationship with Christ and in my sin, yet, He still loves me and pursues after my heart! I got to spend the day cleaning my house, relaxing a little bit, and just resting which was much needed! Throughout the afternoon, as I spent my quiet time with Jesus, I was reminded of how much I am loved. That in my sin, I feel so unworthy of even praying and asking God for things - the question of why would He want to  listen to someone who constantly chooses the world and flesh over what's right. My heart was convicted that it doesn't matter, that God does listen and He gives me so much grace that I don't deserve any of it. That all He wants is for me to be reminded of the sacrifice that He has shown me on the cross, all out of love -- to be reminded of that and to know that in my darkest moments He loves me with an unconditional love, that He is my first love. Tonight, I am grateful that I am forgiven and the price was paid when He chose to pay for my sins with His life on the cross.

"The essential tasks of life are to set our loves in order"

Tonight, at the last weekly meeting of this summer, I was blown away by everything that  happened. First, Chris got to share her testimony of God's faithfulness and love in her life. Being able to see her step up and out of faith to share her story of redemption with 40ish students was amazing. It has been such a blessing to see her story touch the lives of many around her this summer. I can never hear enough times the unique story that God has known and I am eternally grateful that He has never given up on her and because of that, our stories have intersected. Then, Pang (one of our student project directors) gave a short talk on the book of Ruth and in her own spunky, amazing way explained Ruth's story in a way that was easy to follow, yet spoke much again about the way that God loves His people. As I was able to listen to her share, I am at a lost for words for this girl's heart and maturity! I am so blessed to have gotten to know Pang and I smile because I have seen her grow and really build confidence in herself since the first time we met this summer. I am so excited for her ministry back at home and am excited to see her take the steps of faith to launching an EPIC movement on campus! She has impacted this project in so many amazing ways and I thank God for her! Lastly, some of our Kapi'olani Community College (KCC) group met a group of really cool local students (Jon Jon, Roger, Maimiti, Nadine, Jodie, and Brittany) and have been investing a lot of time into them. They have been able to build relationships with them and because of that I've had the privilege to meet them and hang out with them. We've been really praying for them, especially as my heart is to launch a bible study and movement at KCC this Fall with the potential that some of these students could be key leaders. They have been hanging out with the KCC team throughout the summer and tonight, most of their group came out again and it was short but sweet to get into some good conversations with them. I am looking forward to more times with them and continue praying that they would really know and understand God's heart for them. That they would really want to commit to being part of our movement and really align themselves with our heart for this place! I am excited to see what this Fall holds especially with this group of students!!! 

             Chris                    Pang

Maimiti, Roger, Jon Jon, Chris, Jodie, Brittany, Sarah
Nadine (KCC Group)