Spring is in the air...literally (ref to kiteboarding)

These pictures are from our spring break adventures. We were treated to a night in a beautiful hotel called the Hapuna Prince (see pics above) that was right on the beach: a beach we do regularly attend, just not as hotel guests. It was quite amusing pulling into this grande hotel in our little beach-mobile that rattles, it drew quite the looks from the valet parking attendants, but it led to some good family laughs. Just picture the modern day Beverly Hillbillies but just in Kona, Hawaii. The other family laugh we had was when we dropped my folks off at the "airport" to catch a Pacific Wings flight to Maui so they could celebrate their 32nd anniversary that was on March 17. Although my dad got a great deal on tickets ($33 each way) little did he know how tiny of a plane they would be flying. Let me just say that the pilot was also the front desk check in person, gate attendant, baggage handler, flight attendant, and again pilot (with a question mark) who looked like he was about Trevor's age. Good deal or not, we were a little unsure if they would even make it to Maui (to get to the "gate" they had to tromp through some bushes...that's how nervous we were). But many laughs later, we can happily report they are enjoying their time on the beautiful sandy beaches of Maui.

It was great to have family here, even for a short time. My folks were able to cheer us to the finish line of my fourth half marathon in less than 2 years (David's 3rd). Although, after mile 8, I struggled with knee issues which I will be getting checked out. Just hours before, my folks were able to see me attempt to kiteboard. In the past week, I've been able to go out 4 times. Practice makes perfect, and I am starting to ride (although yesterday, during low tide, I did smash into a reef and am suffering from minor cuts and bruises). Unfortunately no whale watching due to high winds up to 69mph gusts.

Well, we did get word that we will have the opportunity to rent a house on the West side. However, because it's the west side, it is out of our price range. It's a very beautiful home with stunning ocean views. We are looking to do some work on it in exchange for rent, however our hope is to find a Christian person or couple who would consider being our house-mates and could also do work in exchange for rent. Our two options are: 1) having a person or couple to rent a room for $600 keeping the 3rd bedroom open for visitors/guests or 2) getting two people to rent the 2 other bedrooms at $300/month. The community part would be the living area and kitchen...everything else is private, and being on that side most likely you'll be spending your time working or at the beach:) So if God is tugging on your heart about Hawaii...keep us in mind.

Well more pics are to come. Please continue to keep us in your prayers as a lot of decisions are approaching. Change is the adventure, our desire is to know His desire!

Love,
Kelsey

PS. The title above is reference to kiteboarding. Spring and summer are the best times to kiteboard because the winds are what they called thermals. It's an exciting time for those of us who chase the wind on the big island.

Post tsunami...it seems to be a yearly thing...

In case you can't read this pizza, I surprised David with a delivery from Pizza Hut that was a pep pizza that spelled out I love you with the pepperoni s.

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging..." Psalm 46: 1-3

Well the good news is, God is still God despite such a horrific event as the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. And in fact, horrific events point to the fact that Jesus is coming...soon! So my encouragement is this: Press into Him and allow Him to become your refuge and strength, no matter what situation you are facing.

Well, as I alluded to in the last blog, David has a job. He is officially a "rent-a-cop" (as he came home saying). But really, he is a security guard and works 3 12 hour graveyard shifts (6pm-6am). I know many of us would find that shift to be that of torture, but my husband, being the night owl that he is, seems to be doing well, so far. Because he watches vacant buildings (now you are really confused...) he is allowed to read. Going back to the job description, he patrols around these vacant buildings every so often so nothing out of the ordinary happens (vandalism, mischief, loitering, etc.). Despite a long and treacherous 12 hours, David is attempting to learn Spanish and has read a book a night. In fact, there was one book called UNBROKEN which he spent his whole shift reading. And when I got up that morning, I found him on the couch still reading that same book. You know it must be a good book when one is still reading after a 12 hour night shift. It has the Poole stamp of approval.

As for me, I have no such thing as a routine/schedule any more. Some days I'm in Kona working the boat (which my day begins at 4am), and some days I'm working in the schools, and some days I have off because either bad weather or no student...so each day has me guessing. It's definitely out of my comfort zone, since I'm one that thrives off of a routine.

As for our lives, we have no idea what the future holds. We are planning on staying in Hawaii through the summer- Lord-willing, but have no idea what's after that. Our hearts are to stay here for a little longer, but as always we are holding our desires loosely as we seek His will for our lives. Needless to say, I do feel stuck and direction-less, but hope that all changes quickly.

We are looking forward to my folks coming out here Saturday for their 5th visit since we've been here (I believe you can call this their second home:). I'm hoping to take them whale watching on Monday. And they'll be here to either cheer us on to the finish line or scraping us off the pavement as we look to complete the Hilo half-marathon this Sunday. Your prayers are appreciated.

Well, today is one of those days off, better go find something to do:)

Love and for those on the mainland (miss you),

Kelsey

Tsunami!

Thanks for the phone calls, emails and facebook messages. We are fine. Tsunami sirens started going off around 11:00 last night. We are out of the tsunami zone, but barely. There was no knock on the door to evacuate, so I figured we'd be fine. David was actually at work...yes...work...he is a security guard and works nights...and was much closer to the beach than me. They didn't send him home, so I figured the wave wasn't going to be as big as they thought. It did some damage to the west side of the islands. I was actually looking at some facebook pictures from the Kona area, and the damage is more significant than thought. I guess Bubba Gump's furniture was seen floating and the Alii Dr. looked a bit disrupted.
Let's all be praying for those in Japan. What a catastrophe!

Update more later!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=91Wh0_yNJhc  to see what it looked like in Kona.

Love,
Kelsey

We love the water...Living Water...we want more

Well as you can tell from the pictures. We have been spending a lot of time on boats. I continue to whale watch and David, today, went on a fishing expedition with some friends. In fact, one of those friends goes by the name, Andrew Staal, and is currently visiting us from Mishawaka, Indiana. He was one of our interns this past summer, and it's been such a joy having him back. Oh, and by the way they caught 2 fish called Ahi or a type of Tuna and their estimated weight is a little less than 20 lbs each. Pretty proud of the boys bringing home the dinner:) As I type this, David's out cutting Ahi steaks. So guess what you have to look forward to Mom and Dad when you all come out here in a couple weeks?:) Poke! (it's a hawaiian dish that is made up of raw chunks of Ahi mixed with soy sauce and garlic/ or other types of seasoning...mmmm...I know your tummy is growling as you read this...haha).

Any news on a job for David, you ask? The answer is unfortunately "no". We need your prayers as he continues this job hunt. It is a scary time for us, but I have to know that God is in control. I continue to work 2 jobs...which I consider a blessing.

I believe God gave me Romans 4:20-21 this week. God is faithful and powerful to stay true to all His promises. Would you believe that with me?

Well, got to get up SUPER early to go whale watching...
Send us a letter, email, anything...we miss hearing from you all, and really truly would love to hear some encouraging words in a discouraging time.

Love you all,
Kelsey