Hello ya'll,Not sure what the weather is like in your neck of the woods, but it's hot here in Hawaii. We've been blessed with sunshine, blue sky, and picturesque views of our two beautiful volcanos Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. In fact, all you can think about is getting in that cool, crisp, and clear ocean water just to cool off.
David and I have been doing just that, still pursuing our recreational passions of diving and kiteboarding. The pics posted of the fish are recent catches by the one and only Kawika (David) Poole. The kiteboarding pic is a bit old, I've actually been flying my 14meter PINK kite lately. The last time I flew it, it got a big hole in what is called the strut (one of the parts that holds air). But, my Grandma will be so proud of me, I fixed it by sewing it myself...yes, yes I sewed. I'm still discovering many of my talents:)
How's the church and the youth group going? you ask...Well thank's for asking. Things are going well. We had 21 teenagers over at our house last night for a pizza party and a movie. Our house was bursting at the seams, well more like our living room, but cozy and hot as it was, we so much enjoy hanging out with the teens and meeting some of their friends. It's neat to see some of our teens inviting others from school. Church can be an intimidating place, but going over to someone's house for pizza...a whole lot less intimidating and definately more real. Our prayer is that these friends will start noticing a difference and asking our HMC teens questions that can lead to some spiritual conversations and ultimately more people coming to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. (This is our REACH part of the youth group)
We also are busy doing our BUILD part of the youth group called Mana Akua and Fuel. Mana Akua is happening Thursday nights. Our teens have the opportunity to take part in accountability groups, quiet time, and discussion of the Word of God. Then at the very end they have an application time. Currently, they are studying God's heart for the poor and needy and are working together to put on a costume drive so that needy kids in our community can participate in dressing up in events such as Harvest Parties. As much as I don't agree with the Halloween holiday, I do see that it can be used to meet a need and through that share the reason for the giving. Our youth group is trying to team up with a charitable organization called Food for the Keiki (children). From my understanding the organization is not Christian, but it's a great opportunity to get involved and one day help bring charity through a Christian understanding. Fuel is our Sunday service where our teens are studying the history behind some of the New Testament letters. Our hope is to get students in the Word of God where they can be changed and transformed. We can only do so much, it's through God's Word and the power of the Holy Spirit that these students can be eternally changed.
SEND is the last aspect of our youth ministry. We are doing Peer2Peer (training students to mentor peers) with One2One mentoring with church leadership. Six of our older students have given up 12 Saturdays where they are experiencing intense discipleship and challenging application. This is our trial season, and if it goes well we hope to continue this discipleship and sending with other groups of students in the future.
How are you and David you ask?
Well, we are doing well. Anticipating the 10 days apart while David is in Thailand, we are trying to hang out as much as possible. I will say that marriage is amazing, but brings its challenges as well. Hopefully we are just coming out of a season of challenges. We are learning that love and respect is communicated not just through words but through follow thru of promises made, tone of voice, how we speak about one another to others, sacrificing time and energy to bless one another, and supporting each other in dreams and passions. We know that we can't do this marriage selflessly on our own, it's Jesus Christ who has to change our hearts and help us die to ourselves that will make this marriage not only last but be fun and fruitful (not talking about kids here, more using marriage as a ministry....just to clarify, I know what you are thinking. It's not a day that goes by that I don't hear Laura Losada's voice saying, "I want little Poolines"...not happening anytime soon:).
What are you all up to in the next few weeks?
Well besides David going to Thailand, God has blessed me with three weeks of subbing. A definite financial blessing. Although I'll have to put kiteboarding on hold, it's nice to know I have some work ahead so that I can kiteboard, oh and pay the bills too:)
My folks and Trevor are coming over to Hawaii mid October, and we'll be meeting them in Maui for a little 4 day vacation. I'm looking forward to that.
Well that's all for now folks. Write us!
In Love,
Kelsey (and Kawika)
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