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Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Currently... Thankful!

I love reading everyone's 30 days of Thankfulness. And since doing a daily post is not possible for this mama, I thought I'd throw them into one post. I could post hundreds of things that I am thankful for, but I'll stick to 30 because I don't wanna bore anyone:)

  1. the hand full of people who actually read this blog
  2. the way my hubs leads our family so well
  3. new friends from all over the world
  4. old friends that we miss like crazy
  5. family who love and support us
  6. wifi
  7. the staff at YWAM that love & encourage us
  8. teachers who speak biblical truth to our kids
  9. Target
  10. Starbucks in Target:)
  11. Adoption
  12. friends who say "Yes" to God
  13. beautiful Hawaiian sunsets
  14. little girls with freckles
  15. the gift of Down Syndrome
  16. amazing books by missionaries {I want them ALL}
  17. amazon.com
  18. teenagers who make me laugh
  19. a roof over my head
  20. friends that let us borrow their cars
  21. washable markers {don't ask}
  22. laundry rooms with 2 washers & 2 dryers
  23. essential oils {they're amazing}
  24. Kahakai Elementary
  25. Ms. O {C + L's teacher}
  26. clean water that taste good from the tap
  27. my bible, journal & good pens
  28. amazing worship music
  29. Charlie's service dog Toby
  30. the Joy that only God can give me
I will give you thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart…I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.     ~Psalm 138:1-2

Sunday, November 23, 2014

Happy Heavenly Birthday Pop!

A year ago today we traveled with the Harper Family to Cleveland Ohio to surprise Sid's dad for his birthday. It seems like it was just yesterday. We made some amazing memories on that trip and we are so thankful that we were all able to be together with Pop for his last earthly birthday & Thanksgiving. It was such a special time and we will all forever keep those memories in our hearts.


Today I am forever thankful for all the things I learned from this mighty man of God. Johnnie was such an inspiration to me. He showed me what it means to be intentional with every person you meet, to love every person unconditionally and to laugh, and laugh and laugh. As God continues to take our family on a new journey, I now sit back and watch my husband walking around meeting new people, making new friends and inspiring others to live life to the fullest. He is truly amazing with people and every day I learn more about what it really means to love people like Jesus loves them. I am beyond thankful for the incredible example that my Father-in-law was to my husband and to my children. Because of his great love and because he led his family by example his legacy will live on for generations. I miss you Johnnie more than words can express and can not wait to hug your neck again one day.

"Nothing great was every accomplished without enthusiasm." 
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

...in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us. ~Titus 2:7-8

Saturday, November 15, 2014

Currently... Updating. It's been a while:)

Our plan was to post weekly updates. Ha! We had no idea our days would be so packed and staying on top of that has been difficult. Here are little bits and pieces of some of the incredible things we've learned, heard and seen over the past few weeks. We just completed week 7 of the lecture phase and have 5 weeks left before we depart with our team to Northern Uganda for 10 weeks of outreach. Every week has been so good and we have learned so much more about the Character & Nature of God, Identity in Christ, Hearing God's voice and Lordship of Christ. We are so thankful for your continued prayers.

We are still in need of monthly partners. If you'd like to partner with us at any amount. Click on the DONATE button and join our team!

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So Proud of ALL of these kids!

Currently...

appreciating ~ all that God is teaching us here

watching ~ kids hearts transforming

reading ~ Imprisoned in Iran by Dan Baumann {everyone should hear him speak}

laughing ~  at Levi laughing at himself

eating ~ chicken A LOT!

attempting ~ to squeeze a lot of stuff in every day


dreaming ~ God Size DREAMS

planning ~ for our future, but letting God lead the way

wondering ~ what Thanksgiving in Hawaii & Christmas is going to look like

brainstorming ~  creative ways to repack for Uganda

wearing ~  the same clothes over and over

preparing ~ our hearts to leave new friends


continuing ~ Doing the laundry!!

making ~ friends from everywhere

remembering ~ how much I love Fall & Missing it

getting ~ Stoked about heading to Uganda--5 weeks!

studying ~ the word

loving ~  my hubs ALOTTT

wishing ~ that God would turn on the AC in Kona

listening ~ to Bethel's YOU MAKE BRAVE album

enjoying ~ My new ROCK STAR STATUS BABY!!!

hoping ~ to find a bargain on rain jackets x10

missing ~ Tex-Mex, Chick-fil-a & sweet tea

praying ~ for peace in South Sudan

knowing ~ that God is in control

Some of my favorite quotes & points that stood out to me the past few weeks:

  • The Gospel is Freedom. Freedom is the Gospel
  • We should go against anything that get's between us & LOVE.
  • Do you have enough faith to walk around the walls of Jericho for 7 days?
  • Stop looking at sin and look at Him
  • The ALL of your surrender will be the measure of your experience of the ALL of Jesus!
  • LORDSHIP of Christ is knowing Jesus, having a heart like HIs, Acknowledging & hating sin, taking up the cross, denying self, and following Him
  • At the end of the day have I displayed God's character or just mine?
  • We spend so much time trying to pay the bill, but Jesus already paid the bill

And of course some pictures of class time, worship time & play time...

Darlene Cunningham co-founder of YWAM sharing her heart


Darlene shared so many incredible stories of making how we must make ourselves available & let God do the rest. So many things stood out in her teaching. Here's a few that really encourage and spoke to me personally:

  • We do the possible expecting God to do the impossible.
  • The amount of effort you make is the amount of miracle you'll receive.
  • The safest place for your kids is for YOU to be in the will of God.
  • Do you have a better plan for your kids than God?
  • Your brokenness gives you a greater capacity to LOVE God.
  • Perseverance leads to Faith.
Loren Cunningham co-founder of YWAM sharing God's story

And this man I could listen to his stories for hours...

  • God is on a mission of Restoration
  • Our goal is to be disciple makers
  • Be careful with the short-term. Live for the LONG-term
Placing our feet in ALL Nations and praying for the World 

This is by far one of the coolest things I've ever been a part of. We spent an hour prayer walking over all the nations. Such an amazing time.
Levi worshipping
Mark Nelson ~ Bringin' It at FREEDOM Week!
Super cool Bayan Tree! We had to climb it.
A few crazies jumping off a 40ft cliff
These two cuties at black sand beach 
At Queen's Bath practicing snorkeling 
Every day God paints the sky

"Faith is trusting God's character when life has given you a reason not" ~ Corrie Ten Boom

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Happy 15th Birthday Bay~Bay

Happy Birthday to this beautiful girl!

Baylie Grace Harper you make life a little sweeter around here. We love your compassionate heart, your love for others, your servant heart, and optimistic spirit. Thank you for keeping things in perspective, stepping in to help when Mama needs it, and for being such a good role model to your brothers and sisters. We love seeing how God is growing you everyday & you make us SO proud! Love you to the moon and back!

HAPPY 15th Birthday Bay-Bay!!!

Loving
Crazy!
Beautiful
Adventurous 
Friend
Inspiring
Compassionate
Sister

"I pray that my children may grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." ~ 2 Peter 3:18