At 5 a.m on Friday, David and I along with another couple, Chris and Heather, took off on what we now consider an adventure of a life time. We were so excited, and had no idea what we were getting into. We began our adventure going down a steep incline, what is known as Waipio Valley. Only 4x4s are allowed to tackle this road, and unfortunately, we did not have a vehicle. So using our own two feet, we tumbled down the steep road and walked a mile on a beautiful black sand beach. Then our adventure began. After 8 hours of hiking 9 valleys with the final steep descent into Waimanu, we made it to our beloved vacation spot. But first, let me explain this hiking. I would describe it more like rock climbing in some areas. The beginning was a Z line trail that in less than a mile gained about 2200 ft in elevation. Once we summitted, we then walked in and out of 9 different valleys, 4 of which were pretty extreme. In the back of these valleys we saw waterfalls, streams, coffee trees, jungle, pine trees, you name it, we saw it. In less than 3 hours we had run out of water, that is how much we were sweating. But thankfully, my amazing husband brought iodine tablets and we watched the magic take place after getting water from the waterfalls (if you don't know what iodine tablets and water do, try it as an in home experiementt...its fascinating...and then you wonder...I'm going to drink that stuff?:) The trail was well marked but very narrow, rocky, and slick. We were so blessed to not have rain, because that would have made the trail even more difficult.
Once to our beloved campsite, we set up tents and went to go find our water source. About a 15 min hike took us to our water source a waterfall surrounded by mango and mountain apple trees. This waterfall had a multi-purpose use... drinking water, bathing, coolant, etc. We found it to be truly amazing and were very appreciative of fresh water.
When we got there, David and I cooked up our Mac and Cheese and sat around the fire facing the ocean for a bit...and went to bed. However, we did make a friend. A hunter who set up tent back in the valley, a bit drunk and high, decided he was going to go hunting that night and invited our husbands to join. Chris and David were pretty exhausted and decided to sleep instead, a wise choice, however we were awoken twice in the middle of the night with him, his buddies, and the many dogs running through our camp either with Kailua pig (already cooked pig Hawaiian style) and a fresh killed boar which he poked in Chris guys tent and made a roaring noise...a bit strange to say the least. Saturday, we ended up hiking to another waterfall way back in the valley. There we at the Kailua pig and relaxed. Sunday our husbands felt like true Hawaiians shaking mountain apple trees (then we ducked because it showered mountain apples), throwing rocks to get coconuts, cutting banana trees, and talking about how they were going to kill a pig, which they never did :(
Monday AM, we left super early and started the hike. It took us 6 hours to get to the car, and we were booking it. It still was difficult, and David and I were sure feeling our muscles last night.
We are now officially homeless. Can't call a home our own. We have moved out of our apartment and won't move into our house until July. However, we are blessed to have a house sitting job until June 14. David and the interns leave June 15, which is perfect. It's been so nice to have a big house to relax and retreat...however, here we are at the church hitting the ground running once again...
Keep praying for us. The R and R was good and well needed, but it continues to be busy. God is good, He is faithful, and really its His ministry...we are just mere tools. We have to keep reminding ourselves daily when we fall short. Its all His, it is all about Him!
Love you all.
Kelsey
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
4 day R and R
A little update...busy as usual! But first...
You know when life is overwhelming and you have too many things going on...sometimes you feel like you are drowning. Well I have found that hearing from others what God is doing in their life is such an encouragement and is SO uplifting. As friends and family, would you send us an email telling us what God is doing in YOUR life, so we can Praise Him along with you! My email is kelsey.poole09@yahoo.com and David's email is david.poole09@gmail.com.
Mahalo friends and family!
We are going backpacking with some friends. Chris and Heather, to Waimanu Valley. Leaving Friday at 5am and coming back Monday evening. We won't have any form of electronics with us...so contact us now!
Checklist this week:
Move out of the apartment by Thursday
Dinner Silent Auction Fundraiser Thursday
Colorado...coming soon!
We are still looking for better housing options and transportation options, if you have any ideas or can help in any way, please let us know.
Signing off for a little R and R with my amazing hubby,
Kelsey
You know when life is overwhelming and you have too many things going on...sometimes you feel like you are drowning. Well I have found that hearing from others what God is doing in their life is such an encouragement and is SO uplifting. As friends and family, would you send us an email telling us what God is doing in YOUR life, so we can Praise Him along with you! My email is kelsey.poole09@yahoo.com and David's email is david.poole09@gmail.com.
Mahalo friends and family!
We are going backpacking with some friends. Chris and Heather, to Waimanu Valley. Leaving Friday at 5am and coming back Monday evening. We won't have any form of electronics with us...so contact us now!
Checklist this week:
Move out of the apartment by Thursday
Dinner Silent Auction Fundraiser Thursday
Colorado...coming soon!
We are still looking for better housing options and transportation options, if you have any ideas or can help in any way, please let us know.
Signing off for a little R and R with my amazing hubby,
Kelsey
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010
my hubby is growing up
Ok, so the title may read a little funny, but it's a little shout out to my amazing husband who just celebrated his 23rd birthday! Yes, yes we are young. Art just alluded to us being his grandkids:)
David has many pictures to post. Our exciting news is that the interns, aka Nate and Andrew, arrived Monday night. They are great guys and already are plugging away with our students. In their 4 days of being here they've gone night diving and each caught a fish (my husband also caught a tako, octopus), went and played in the lava (ok with the lava sounds better and is probably a bit more accurate), cleaned and painted our storage room, know almost every student's name in our mana akua group, tried lihi moi (sp?) on dried mango, and participated in our young adult Bible Study. Whew, leave it to the Pooles for a quick intro into the Hawaiian culture. Needless to say, I think they slept in to like noon today, which was much needed, especially with the 6hr jet lag...ok in the future we'll be a bit more gracious. We were just really excited to get their feet wet in Hilo, literally!
Fundraisers, dinners with church members, and family night (hot wings and board games) lay ahead for this weekend.
What an answer to prayer.
Signing out,
David and Kelsey
David has many pictures to post. Our exciting news is that the interns, aka Nate and Andrew, arrived Monday night. They are great guys and already are plugging away with our students. In their 4 days of being here they've gone night diving and each caught a fish (my husband also caught a tako, octopus), went and played in the lava (ok with the lava sounds better and is probably a bit more accurate), cleaned and painted our storage room, know almost every student's name in our mana akua group, tried lihi moi (sp?) on dried mango, and participated in our young adult Bible Study. Whew, leave it to the Pooles for a quick intro into the Hawaiian culture. Needless to say, I think they slept in to like noon today, which was much needed, especially with the 6hr jet lag...ok in the future we'll be a bit more gracious. We were just really excited to get their feet wet in Hilo, literally!
Fundraisers, dinners with church members, and family night (hot wings and board games) lay ahead for this weekend.
What an answer to prayer.
Signing out,
David and Kelsey
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Colorado coming soon
Aloha friends and family,
Happy Mothers Day to all you moms. David and I believe, actually know, that we are truly blessed to have incredible mothers and grandmothers! So thank you moms and grandmas for being incredible, dealing with us in our off days, praying for us continuously, loving us unconditionally.
Well a few updates in our lives. I an article for Susie magazine, and it will be featured in the September issue. For those who don't know, Susie mag is a Christian magazine for teen girls. I did my internship with Susie last Spring (2009). Since then I've done a few "Guy Talk" interviews, and just wrote up an article about "Surfing with Bethany Hamilton" (the gal who lost her arm in a shark attack but still continues to surf). Needless to say, I'm thrilled!
Things are going well with the church. As an answer to prayer, we now have a little more parent involvement when it comes to the task of fundraising. Let me tell you, fundraising here ain't easy. But we keep trusting the Lord for his provision!
As for David and I, come this summer we will be stepping out in faith in a few areas of our lives. A lot of changes are going to be happening in my vocation, which can be scary but I believe these changes will realign me in God's calling in my life. We appreciate your prayers as we "chase the wild goose (Holy Spirit)" in His leading in our lives. It truly makes us trust him more for our needs.
I'll be back in Colorado a month from today (June 6). So, I'd love to see you all. The Hawaii students come out June 16-30. We are looking for help with transportation, host homes/facilities, and food. If you can help in either area we'd greatly appreciate it! Below is a brief schedule of our plans. Again, if you can help on any day (driving, housing, food) please email me kelsey.poole09@yahoo.com
16-Students arrive, tag youth group
17-Tour Colorado Springs
18-Tour Denver, indoor sky diving
19-Homeless ministry downtown C/S
20- NLC church, mini golf, pizza and a movie (Haley's wedding)
21- In the mountains camping
22- In the mountains camping
23- Waliszewski ranch day
24- Desperation Conference
25- Desperation Conference
26- Desperation Conference
27- Denver United Church, chillax day
28- Boating Pueblo resevoir
29- Rock climbing Garden of the gods
30- Leave early in the AM
Aloha ke Akua,
David and Kelsey
Happy Mothers Day to all you moms. David and I believe, actually know, that we are truly blessed to have incredible mothers and grandmothers! So thank you moms and grandmas for being incredible, dealing with us in our off days, praying for us continuously, loving us unconditionally.
Well a few updates in our lives. I an article for Susie magazine, and it will be featured in the September issue. For those who don't know, Susie mag is a Christian magazine for teen girls. I did my internship with Susie last Spring (2009). Since then I've done a few "Guy Talk" interviews, and just wrote up an article about "Surfing with Bethany Hamilton" (the gal who lost her arm in a shark attack but still continues to surf). Needless to say, I'm thrilled!
Things are going well with the church. As an answer to prayer, we now have a little more parent involvement when it comes to the task of fundraising. Let me tell you, fundraising here ain't easy. But we keep trusting the Lord for his provision!
As for David and I, come this summer we will be stepping out in faith in a few areas of our lives. A lot of changes are going to be happening in my vocation, which can be scary but I believe these changes will realign me in God's calling in my life. We appreciate your prayers as we "chase the wild goose (Holy Spirit)" in His leading in our lives. It truly makes us trust him more for our needs.
I'll be back in Colorado a month from today (June 6). So, I'd love to see you all. The Hawaii students come out June 16-30. We are looking for help with transportation, host homes/facilities, and food. If you can help in either area we'd greatly appreciate it! Below is a brief schedule of our plans. Again, if you can help on any day (driving, housing, food) please email me kelsey.poole09@yahoo.com
16-Students arrive, tag youth group
17-Tour Colorado Springs
18-Tour Denver, indoor sky diving
19-Homeless ministry downtown C/S
20- NLC church, mini golf, pizza and a movie (Haley's wedding)
21- In the mountains camping
22- In the mountains camping
23- Waliszewski ranch day
24- Desperation Conference
25- Desperation Conference
26- Desperation Conference
27- Denver United Church, chillax day
28- Boating Pueblo resevoir
29- Rock climbing Garden of the gods
30- Leave early in the AM
Aloha ke Akua,
David and Kelsey
Friday, April 23, 2010
10 reasons to come to hawaii
10. Visit beautiful waterfalls and swim in clear crisp mountain pools
9. Step onto black, white, and/or green sand beaches and wiggle your toes in the sand
8. Partake in the Hilo farmers market, it feels like you've stepped into another country. Fresh fruits and veggies, and other things that I can't begin to describe...some very interesting food out there
7. Look at an active volcano, beautiful at sunset
6. See some beautiful underwater territory, multicolor fish and coral.
5. See honus (turtles) everywhere you go, aw the life of a turtle
4. Experience true aloha from many of the peoples. A lot of cultures represented in Hawaii
3. Read a book in the island breezes, and in Nov-March watch for some whales
2. Go through mountain passes, and experience chilling weather (30-40 degrees) near the volcano. When there's snow, one can go snowboarding
1. Visit Kelsey and David who are missing their family and friends but absolutely love the opportunity to live here on the beautiful Big Island that God created!
Kelsey update:
Whew, where do I begin. I'm still working for my same client, although the job is becoming a bit exhausting. I'm putting in about 34 hours of work at this agency, and then many hours of volunteer work for the church. At the end of the day/week, I'm pooped! But David and I believe that this is the season to work, and work hard. Thursday and Friday afternoons I've begun 2 different Bible studies. Right now only 1-2 girls are attending, but I believe if more are to come God will lay it on their hearts to come. If not, I'm enjoying getting to know these girl's hearts and passions.
Fundraising seems to be our lives at the moment. Because David has so much on his plate, and learning to be an administrator as well as Pastor, I decided to take over the fundraising efforts. In our efforts we are trying to raise 10,000 dollars in the month of May. Any donation, group fundraising effort, and individual fundraising effort will be calculated. If our student can raise 10,000 in the month of May, 1000 dollars will be thrown into the pot that will be for a special surprise once they are in Colorado. Also, David has agreed to the fate of his hair (color, style, cut). If they can reach the goal, the student will take the first Sunday in June to give David a total makeover which he will keep up until the trip. For Haley's wedding, we do need David looking somewhat presentable. I'm not sure she'll want a clown showing up in her family wedding pictures. What a memory!
We are moving into a house in July. We are moving out of our apartments at the end of May, housesitting and Colorado for June, and come back and move in July. And get this, we are moving into the old youth pastor's old house. This house apparently has a youth ministry annointing or something. We have this house until December, and after that, who knows?
David update:
David is being stretched in many ways. His gifting and passion is studying and teaching God's Word, but he is realizing that youth ministry requires event planning and administrative skills. He is developing those very quickly at a forced rate.
We are both excited for the vision this summer. Our hope is that is won't be so programatic, but relational and intentional, meeting the students where they are at and going from there.
We are working on putting into place guidelines (rules) that are biblically based and can be a standard keeping student's behavior accountable. Please pray for David as he puts this together.
Well, I wish I could say something humorous. We seem to be burning the midnight oil, and I'm wiped out. Thankfully in July, I should be working with a new client in a school setting, more down my alley. David, is praying for more leaders. He seems to be wearing many different hats as the youth pastor, and we are praying for more people who have a heart for youth ministry to step in and use their gifting and calling to impact the live's of these Hilo students.
More to add later...
Exhausted,
Kelsey (and David)
9. Step onto black, white, and/or green sand beaches and wiggle your toes in the sand
8. Partake in the Hilo farmers market, it feels like you've stepped into another country. Fresh fruits and veggies, and other things that I can't begin to describe...some very interesting food out there
7. Look at an active volcano, beautiful at sunset
6. See some beautiful underwater territory, multicolor fish and coral.
5. See honus (turtles) everywhere you go, aw the life of a turtle
4. Experience true aloha from many of the peoples. A lot of cultures represented in Hawaii
3. Read a book in the island breezes, and in Nov-March watch for some whales
2. Go through mountain passes, and experience chilling weather (30-40 degrees) near the volcano. When there's snow, one can go snowboarding
1. Visit Kelsey and David who are missing their family and friends but absolutely love the opportunity to live here on the beautiful Big Island that God created!
Kelsey update:
Whew, where do I begin. I'm still working for my same client, although the job is becoming a bit exhausting. I'm putting in about 34 hours of work at this agency, and then many hours of volunteer work for the church. At the end of the day/week, I'm pooped! But David and I believe that this is the season to work, and work hard. Thursday and Friday afternoons I've begun 2 different Bible studies. Right now only 1-2 girls are attending, but I believe if more are to come God will lay it on their hearts to come. If not, I'm enjoying getting to know these girl's hearts and passions.
Fundraising seems to be our lives at the moment. Because David has so much on his plate, and learning to be an administrator as well as Pastor, I decided to take over the fundraising efforts. In our efforts we are trying to raise 10,000 dollars in the month of May. Any donation, group fundraising effort, and individual fundraising effort will be calculated. If our student can raise 10,000 in the month of May, 1000 dollars will be thrown into the pot that will be for a special surprise once they are in Colorado. Also, David has agreed to the fate of his hair (color, style, cut). If they can reach the goal, the student will take the first Sunday in June to give David a total makeover which he will keep up until the trip. For Haley's wedding, we do need David looking somewhat presentable. I'm not sure she'll want a clown showing up in her family wedding pictures. What a memory!
We are moving into a house in July. We are moving out of our apartments at the end of May, housesitting and Colorado for June, and come back and move in July. And get this, we are moving into the old youth pastor's old house. This house apparently has a youth ministry annointing or something. We have this house until December, and after that, who knows?
David update:
David is being stretched in many ways. His gifting and passion is studying and teaching God's Word, but he is realizing that youth ministry requires event planning and administrative skills. He is developing those very quickly at a forced rate.
We are both excited for the vision this summer. Our hope is that is won't be so programatic, but relational and intentional, meeting the students where they are at and going from there.
We are working on putting into place guidelines (rules) that are biblically based and can be a standard keeping student's behavior accountable. Please pray for David as he puts this together.
Well, I wish I could say something humorous. We seem to be burning the midnight oil, and I'm wiped out. Thankfully in July, I should be working with a new client in a school setting, more down my alley. David, is praying for more leaders. He seems to be wearing many different hats as the youth pastor, and we are praying for more people who have a heart for youth ministry to step in and use their gifting and calling to impact the live's of these Hilo students.
More to add later...
Exhausted,
Kelsey (and David)
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