hace calor en septiembre!

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)

back from Colorado

Hello all! Just a quick update, I'll write more later.
I just came back from a 5 day trip to Colorado! The reason I went was to mow my parent's acreage, however after the 6 hours of mowing most days, I was able to surprise my two Grandmas, surprise my HS bf Kelsey Travis, and catch up with family and friends! I was so spoiled to see my niece who will be celebrating 8 weeks of life the 16th of this month, Bella...what a treat! She is SO cute, and the best, most content baby I have ever seen. I know Christina and Pablo are blessed parents! It was fun watching my dad be Grandpa Bob (or however that works:).

David is going to Thailand in two weeks. They are leaving the 28th of September and coming back Oct 8. If you can keep him in your prayers:
Safety
Finances
Contacts with the missionaries; possible mission trip for summer 2011
Learning the culture, housing, transportation, food to bring students
Connection with the men going on the trip
Rest
Clarity from God about many life issues
Re fueling from the Holy Spirit
And for us (Lisa and I ) who will be running the youth group while he is gone:)

Thanks...I'll be posting more next week...but just wanted to give you a quick update.

RETREAT

Just got done with a Labor Day retreat! We had 22 students and 3-5 leaders (depending on the day). The kids experienced team building, surf lessons, sand castle contests, camping at Volcano, communion, hiking and jumping off towers into the ocean. It was a lot of fun, and a great way for the kids to hang out for 3 days. However, I was talking with one of the girls as she was about to go home and she mentioned that retreats are great, but it's getting back into "real life", that's hard. She seems to get spiritually "high" and then anticipates the great fall at the end. Can you relate to her?

A few days ago, I was having a phone conversation with a friend, Ali Lantz. I was explaining this situation of students getting "spiritually on fire" at retreats, camps, trips, etc. and then just crashing hard once they get back into real life. She shared that retreats, camps, trips are all opportunities to gain new perspectives on life. These opportunities do not signify growth, but opportunities for perspective changes. It's the "real life" and what you do in the day to day routine that signifies spiritual growth and change.  Hmmm food for thought.

kiteboarding pics, blog below

Aloha once again from the Big Island of Hawaii. I'll preface this blog by first stating that David and I do work believe it or not, however, often I feel that you may get this idea that we play all day:) Now that that has been said, I get to describe my new play toys...a kite and a board.

Once a week for about 5 weeks I've been going to the other side of the island and learning to kiteboard. This task requires learning to fly kites anywhere from 6 meters to 13 meters depending on the wind. These pictures show me flying my own 11 meter kite...pretty cool, huh? Flying these kites can be difficult, and after suffering some pretty crazy but purposeful and graceful face-plants (haha, just kidding, they were pretty rough), crashing my instructors kite on the beach, and multiple water crashes, I now can say I am finally getting it and can keep my kite in the air. The next step is to learn to put your board on your feet while flying this kite 40 feet up in the air. One would assume that putting a board on your feel while flying a kite would be a simple task, but imagine with me splashing, twisting, flailing of arms, grunts of frustration, and sighs of occasional defeat and you have me doing such a task. However, I'm starting to get it. Now I'm learning to put the two together...flying the kite and riding the board. It is such a thrill and adrenaline rush, that I will dream about kiteboarding for days. It's been such a neat hobby to learn, and I feel that God has blessed me by providing a pretty neat kiteboarding community and a very supportive husband.

David is learning to launch and land the kites, and when he's not doing that he is improving in his own hobby of spearfishing and diving. David is improving, and now catches at least one fish each time he goes. I'm really impressed that he is learning all the Hawaiian names of the fish and can pinpoint them in the water. We had a friend from college come visit this past weekend, Laura Miller. David took her out snorkeling and talked her through all the different type of creatures one can see when looking through a mask. We are trying to save some money to buy him a speargun so he can advance his diving.

David is also looking at the opportunity to go to Thailand this October. I hope we'll know for sure by this Sunday, but if you can keep that in your prayers (if God is truly calling him there, finances, opportunities to share Jesus, and safety). I truly hope it works out for him to go!

Thank you all for your prayers about work. I worked 4/5 days this week, and it's been a huge blessing. I'm really enjoying the challenge of working with different clients and meeting new people. Each day brings something different, and I'm finding that has been really good for me.

Starting next week our lives will be getting a bit busier. We'll be starting our weekly student group on Thursday nights, Mana Akua. And we have a retreat over Labor Day, which I'm a bit nervous about...but I know God will work out the details!

Something God is working in me is the passage in Exodus 14:14 where God tells Moses as the Egyptians were coming upon them just as they had been free to leave the land of Egypt, "The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still". May that be an encouragement to you this week, as it has been to me.

You all have been silent lately. Thanks Tim Arnold for sending us an email:)...we so appreciate hearing from you all!!

Referring to church: "What's the point if you won't let it change you" Jake from To Save a Life

"What's the point if you won't let it change you" is the quote that has been consistently running through my brain. This past Friday we had about 20 teens over at our house for a movie night and fellowship. 'To Save a Life' was the movie of the night, a fairly decently filmed Christian teen movie addressing some hard issues of suicide, depression, cutting, divorce, pregnancy, abortion, and relationships. The main character Jake shows up to youth group as the youth pastor is talking about judgement. The youth pastor claims that in a survey, church was people's least favorite places because they feel judged. For the application part of the sermon, the pastor had the students take 30 seconds to think about who they may have judged in the past week. In that 30 seconds, most of the students were too distracted with different things to even give the youth pastor the time of day. Jake, a HS senior who is just beginning to try out this whole youth group thing, is disgusted with the lack of attention of the 'church' kids are giving to the youth pastor because just seconds ago his girlfriend walked out of the room because she too felt "judged". Jake, taking matters into his own hands, stands up and addresses his peers about their lack of conviction. He ends his monologue with a quote that has been with me to this day, "People are killing themselves and you (the youth group) are chugging soda through a sock (youth group game), what's the point of all this if you won't let it change you". For my church going friends, my challenge to you is just that...why play the Christian game (go to church, say the prayer, read the Bible) if you won't let it change you?
Your thoughts to that are greatly appreciated
kelsey.poole09@yahoo.com

So anyhoo...to David and I. I subbed last week for my agency as well as for the local Christian school. I was able to teach Junior High English and Bible, and HS girl Bible...I loved it! Unfortunately the pay is minimal, but meeting the teens...priceless:) David is feeling more excited about the up and coming plans for Sonlife. I believe God has some cool things planned this year.

Praises:
Just getting to live life with some of our teens on a consistent basis.
Building relationships in the church family (David and I babysat for a 4th grader and his baby sister on Saturday so a couple could get away and have some time to themselves, we loved that)
Work last week for me!! (I need it to pay the bills)
Kiteboarding...following a dream of mine

Prayer requests
Sending David to Thailand in October for missions/international experience (maybe bring the kids there for the summer) need the funds!!
Kiteboarding friends (love them and show them the love of Christ)
Need more work (at least 3 more jobs by the end of the month)


Would love to hear how the outside world is. Please email us...

Mahalo,

David and Kelsey

i had a cool title, now I forgot it

It's back to work for David and I, well I guess David has been working but his work this summer has been hanging out with students up on top of Volcanos and at sandy beaches...I have a hard time considering that work:) This has been my first week back to work. For those of you who don't know, I chose to sub this Fall. Although the pay is inconsistent, I felt that was what God wanted me to do. Thankfully, he's been providing. Monday and Tuesday I subbed for 2 different clients. It has been absolutely exhausting, but I'm so thankful for the work. Tomorrow I'm trying out our Big Island bus system at 5 am to go kiteboarding on the other side of the island...we'll see how that goes. I have David on call to pick me up if I get stranded. And Thursday and Friday I sub for junior high and high school at a local Christian school, I'm so excited for that one.

David has been working diligently on developing curriculum and programs for this coming Fall. I'm excited for the things that God has in store for us and these students. Bring it on!!

Thanks for all the bday wishes. I had a very chill bday. After church we came home and relaxed all afternoon. In the evening we had some great friends over for dinner and a movie. Aww...what a life!  David gave me an incredible foot rub as we watched Covert Affairs on the computer (interesting show btw).

Prayer Requests:
Direction, especially in my life
Sub-opportunites for me
David (has had a continuous sinus thing going on, and chooses not to go see a doctor)
The youth ministry (I believe God will lead you in how to pray for that) we need ALOT of prayer!
Kiteboarding (going on lesson 3, but most importantly I want to see the Big Island kiteboarders kiting for Jesus)
Finances to get to Colorado for Christmas
And as always, divine appointments and anointed conversations.

Please email us your prayer requests:
kelsey.poole09@yahoo.com
david.poole09@gmail.com

Thank you friends and family,
Love you all,
Kelsey

empty nesters

Greetings!

What are David and Kelsey up to now a days (I'm sure this is running through your mind since you decided to check out our blog)? Well, that's a great question, I'm so glad you asked.

We are officially empty nesters at the age of 23 (I'll go ahead and say it since my bday is August8:). Our two interns for the summer left on Tuesday. It was sad to see them go, they had been with us since May 10, and truly became part of the family. The students were really sad to see them go as well, they did such a great job connecting and building relationships. As David and I were driving back from the airport, I started to think how grateful I was that ministry isn't dependent on an individual. Ministry is all about Jesus. People come and go, but if ministry is done biblically, then no matter whose in a particular ministry, all of the focus is on Jesus. Yeah, sure, it is ok to miss people when they go, but ministry has to be all about Jesus. Never about the person. Paul picks this point up in 1 Corinthians 1:12 "I follow Paul" another says "I follow Apollos", and another says, "I follow Cephas", and still another says, "I follow Christ". Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul?... No matter where you are at, I encourage you to keep focused on Jesus. Pastors/leaders will leave, they will fall, they will fail, but when ministry is about who it should be about, then all get blessed! Unsure of what the new season entails, David and I are excited to uncover what God has in store for all of us at HMC.

Couple of newz pieces (shout outs):

David and I are officially an aunt and uncle to Bella Cosette Bonacic. Congrats Pablo and Christina!

My dad's bday is this Saturday!

David and I are about to celebrate our one year anniversary (august 1). Maybe we won't be considered the newly weds anymore? We are finally taking a little vacation around the island August 2-6! Finally!!

Well, school has started or is starting next week for our students. That means we have been trying to do a lot with them. Friday and Saturday of last week I spent with a bunch of girls at the Harris Farm. Tony (dad) and Lyndsey (daughter) planned a whole getaway for the girls. We played with baby animals (horse, goat, cow), went to the beach, and went and explored a lava tube. It was such a great time of fellowship and bible study. David and the guys went night diving, and hung out around the house until Sat night where they joined us for food, worship, and games. Yesterday (Wednesday), we went to Kapoho tide pools with some students. It is probably the best place to snorkel and hang out in the water. Needless to say, I'm a bit burned and hurting this morning.

Well, more adventures to come. Please continue to pray for us and send us an email in how we can pray for you.

David and Kelsey