First impressions: YWAM, University of the Nations

Thursday night, Mom and Dad took us to University of Nations Thursday night worship service. This was Jonathan and my first time to be on campus, so we were pretty excited to see up close where we will be living for the next 3 months. Currently, they have a DTS undergoing called Awaken, so the campus is very much being used and full of happy campers. From what I understand though, when school starts for us at the end of September there are going to be about double or triple the amount of students that we saw that night.

As far as first impressions go, I've never seen a body of young people so EXCITED to praise and love Jesus as what I witnessed that evening. For just a routine weeknight service, the worship leaders and those in the congregation were sincerely putting their whole heart into this time of praise.

Thursday night worship in the outdoor "Ohana Court"

I was so blessed and overwhelmed with the thought that I get to be a part of this community.

After service was over that evening, Jonathan and I actually got to meet some of the staff on our Community Transformation Team. They'll be heading up the DTS we are on. Super sweet people and I'm looking forward to getting to know them better in the near future.

Being the new kids on the block, I had this amazing sense of peace that we are exactly where God wants us to be. Our God is so faithful! One more month!

Sea Treasures

On my father's recommendation, Jonathan and I have arrived in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii a month ahead of when our Discipleship Training School starts. This way we would have time to become familiar with the island and most importantly get rested up for the intense schedule that school will bring. One of the staff leaders just posted an entry on the Community Transformations Blog describing What a Day in DTS is like (for those that are curious)... So we are just bumming along with my newly-turned-Hawaiian parents on their daily outings to the incredible beauties this island has to offer.

Kua Bay

"Wana" (pronouced va-nah) skeletons. Otherwise known as sea urchins

A foot long live conch we found. Not to worry, we put it back in its home :)

The water is insanely clear here, and I've snorkeled lots in Florida.  The fish are so beautiful as well. Here are a few pictures of fish we see a lot of while we snorkel. No underwater camera=pictures I found online. Either way, you'll get a little taste of what we see :)

Lagoon or Picasso Triggerfish
http://www.vetspace.ir/images/60647162298434215608.jpg

Cornetfish
http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/basch/uhnpscesu/htms/kahofish/images/fistular/fisxcommersoni7i.jpg

porcupine puffer fish
http://www.divephotoguide.com/images/photos/b/10417_1320888244_4.jpg

Trumpetfish
http://uss-trumpetfish-ss425.org/resources/REAL+TRUMPETFISH.jpg

Green Sea Turtle
http://www.seaturtlenet.com/wp-content/gallery/the-green-sea-turtle/The%20Green%20Sea%20Turtle%202.jpg

Angelfish
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/14/Threadfin_Butterflyfish.jpg

Whitemouth Moray Eel
http://reefguide.org/pix/thumb2/whitemouthmoray5.jpg

Hope you enjoyed seeing a little different side of God's creation. This is why I love being underwater so much. Everything is alive and so fascinating to watch. Every trip to the ocean brings a new wonder to relish.

A Compassionate God

The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. ~Psalm 145:8 (NIV)

This verse was going through my mind on our trip to Kona. Let me tell you about how God showed us how much He absolutely loves us and wants to provided for our needs.

Starting on our last full day in Arizona, Jonathan mentioned that he really wasn't feeing 100% and was filling up on Airborne (my father's influence is evident here). By noon he was sitting outside in 100 degree F weather shivering. He finally went to lie down and slept for the remainder of the day. I checked his temperature, and by nightfall it had hit 102. I was doing my best to keep him hydrated, but it was all he could do to sip little swallows of juice and water while the clock was ticking closer to us leaving at 4am for the airport the next morning. I finished packing for both of us, and finally went to sleep a few hours before we needed to leave. At 3am, the alarm frantically alerted me to the hour as we dragged our bodies out of bed. My poor husband was so weak as he tried to gather his things and head out the door. I knew it was going to be a loooongggg day.

An action shot of our luggage being towed.

Due to traveling with SO MUCH JUNK  many valuables, we had to repack our bags when we got to the airport to distribute 6 pounds of extra weight. It was like Nip and Tuck for our baggage in front of the whole airline. But God placed an extremely kind airline associate to work with my NyQuil-drunk husband and I with our blimpish bags. He was able to help us get all 6 pieces of luggage headed to our final destination  leaving us with our (much more manageable) smaller carry-on pieces. Our first flight was 6 hours. Not horrible, but not thrilling either. I got up to stretch my legs on the plane and decided to walk the length of the cabin. When I got to the back, I noticed several empty rows of seats...odd, I thought to myself. I then asked the flight attendant if they were taken. "No, they are not, but they are for any kind of medical emergency." Oh, perfect! I then asked him if my husband could stretch out on a row, and he was so kind about Jonathan being back there. I suppose God booked those seats for him. At this point, he still had a fever of 102. 

When we landed at 11am, I texted my mom to let her know our status, and she suggested that I ask about getting an earlier flight. We were scheduled to leave Honolulu at 4pm, which meant we were so close, yet so. far. away. and my dear husband was only getting more exhausted. I began silently pleading with God to make a way home sooner. As soon as we got off the plane, I asked the flight attendant if there was any way we could get an earlier flight home. Her response; fully booked and impossible if we've checked luggage. Rats. But I wasn't ready to give up. I hit the next available Hawaiian Air representative and asked again. Same story. So we found an empty plot of carpet where Jonathan could lay down and he settled in for a long summer's nap. I went running around looking for more meds and fluids for him, and when I returned he asked if I heard the announcement. What announcement? They had opened up two seats for standby for the next flight to Kona. I was all over that, you better believe it. 

"Hi, it's me again...my husband said he heard something about standby opening up?"

The guy remembered the information I had given him last time and asked for my boarding tickets. He didn't say anything to me for a few minutes as he furiously typed and then began printing off a whole bunch of tickets. Finally, he tore 2 off and handed them to me with the previous tickets. "Go to gate 56 right now, but remember...it's only for standby."

That was all I needed. I had full faith that God was making a way for my husband to get home earlier and rest. But, we weren't there yet...

We gathered our things together and headed to the right gate. I've never been standby before, so i checked in with the flight attendants at the gate to let them know we were waiting. 30 minutes crawled by as we watched all the passengers load onto the plane. They were almost done when they made this announcement," If there is any single passenger that would like to depart earlier than scheduled, please come to the front desk where we can issue you a ticket." I asked Jonathan if would mind traveling alone, and got a mumbled, "Sure, I'll do it." So I walked up to the desk and told them our situation and mentioned that I had 2 standby tickets, but if we were going to make it we would be willing for Jonathan to go ahead just so he could home and rest. I flight attendant was very gracious and told the lady taking tickets that we had 2 standby but were willing to split. She looked down at her computer screen and smiled at us saying, "That's ok! They made the list!" I was seriously about to cry when she sad that.

God was letting us go home 5 hours earlier than scheduled!

As we walked onto the plane to find our seats we discovered that we were right behind first class with even more leg room than they had, a very nice discovery for my 6'4" husband. 45 minutes later mom and dad were greeting us with hugs and leis.

Our luggage arrived on the flight we were originally scheduled for and everything was still intact.

We serve a such a compassionate God. So many little things throughout the this potentially stressful day that God beautifully worked out for us.

So tired...but even more thankful.

First Stop: Arizona!

Our trip began in sweaty humid south Florida, and has taken us to baked dry Arizona.

 

I'm a girl that is used to traveling with a minimal amount of things as to avoid the shoulder ache that accompanies heavy, overloaded luggage. But this time, we were packed to the MAX.

I was so thankful to the curbside Baggage guy that overlooked our 2lb overage on ALL our bags and made sure he got a good tip :)

Our flights were pretty smooth, besides the turbulence that wouldn't let up the entire leg from Atlanta to Phoenix. *har har* Some interesting things to note: Our first seat buddy was an auto theft detective of 17 years on his way to a convention. He had a few interesting anecdotes from working in that field and how kids get involved with taking cars for fun and how the stakes only get higher as they age. On the second leg, the lady sitting next to us was on her way to interview a 29 year old woman for a job as an Episcopalian Priest(ess?). I've never considered how that whole process works (*ring ring* Hello, I have been training as a priestess and would like an interview. Tomorrow? Sure I'll pick you up from the airport!).. weird....

Grandma and Grandpa were waiting for us as we walked through the point of no return in the Phoenix airport. It was sooo good to see them, since it has been since our wedding the last time we were together. 

Next stop was to Subway for some fresh eats, where I literally scarfed my sandwich down. From there we headed to my Uncle Dave's apartment for the fun to really begin!

My grandparents and youngest cousin, Colton

Colton was sure to show off his mad racing skills on the green there. Pretty impressive for a 4 year old, I do say. ;)

Us, Colton, Uncle Dave, and Gramps

The 1.5 hr trip from the airport to my grandparents house in Tonto Basin is truly a gorgeous route. The landscape offers a wide visual palette, great stacks of deep red rock like this one below, or cacti prickled hills. 

We so happened to be traveling just before sunset, and so were able to enjoy a beautiful sky as well.

Here are few sights I enjoyed.

We took off for the Grand Canyon around 8am and had a 4 hr. drive before we would arrive.

It was the perfect time to catch up on our lives, and talk about the wonderful ways God has been blessing us. I am so appreciative of the gracious grandparents I have, and I so enjoyed being able to just be with them.

Pit stops always included picture taking of the local flora.

Finally, we made it! Truly, it didn't seem like such a long trip, but then...I wasn't the one driving :)

They say the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step, but my grandpa said that a fall of one thousand feet begins with one trip. If only everyone could experience my dear grandpa's humor... :)

I am SOO glad we got to see this wonder of God's creation. Truly is it majestic, and there's no way to experience the awe of this Grand Canyon until you are standing on the precipice overlooking those rusty chasms.

Jonathan and I got a little daring and actually got to climb on top of the ledge you see off to the right. Pretty amazing view, I must say.

Back on the Sheehan "ranch" we got to enjoy the peace a desert life can bring. Here are a few pictures from my grandma's butterfly garden. She's always been a outstanding gardener, as I can remember all the walks I used to take with her as a child through her garden, a fascinating place for a little girl.

And the heat. Oh yes, it was definitely 100* in the shade, but to a Floridian... this wasn't so bad since there wasn't any humidity.

It was so awesome to spend time with these two guys as time and distance have really crept in between our lives. Colton is absolutely a joy and so much fun to be with. I couldn't ask for a better family!

There's nothing better than to be surrounded by people who have to love you, but choose to do it of their own accord instead. Grandma and Grandpa, we SO enjoyed our time with you! Thank you for being such wonderful hosts!

Coming up: Our ingression unto the Hawaiian Islands!

Fun times in the end times

Saying goodbye is never an easy thing to do, but coming together for a good time always holds promise. As we've prepared to leave Hobe Sound, FL we've been able to round up our "Florida family" for some greatly cherished times of fellowship.

Here we were at a ballgame for a friend's birthday. We sure enjoyed ourselves watching the local Jupiter Hammerheads beat the Daytona Cubs.

Momma and her son!

 Jonathan's mom, Theresa, came to visit from Kansas to spend some time with us before we head off into the great unknown of missions work. :) She was with us for just 3 short days, but it was so nice to see her again. 

 We caught a beautiful sunset at the beach with her one night. God really shows us his love in so many lovely ways.

I was able to have my girlfriends over for a girls night. Jonathan was the perfect husband in obliging me the house for the night. We stayed up all night giggling and doing all the typical girls' sleepover stuff.

On a Saturday night, we met our friends at the local Mexican eatery "Rancho Chico" for some super yummy Mexican chow. The evening was full of laughs and good times.

Some of wonderful ladies in my life. They each hold such a special place in my heart.

Beth and Brian Wardlaw. What a wonderful couple and blessing in our lives.

Brian (in the back), Caleb, and my hunny :)

Keri Lyn and I with Cilla's bag, an entity unto its own :)

Keri and Janice. Janice and I graduated together. She is my best advocate and advise giver in all things pertaining education. She is starting her first full time teaching position as a kindergarten teacher.

Yay! Us!

A better pic of Brian aaannd then Caleb.

Kaylyn, Rachel, and Cilla. These ladies have helped me grow so much in my walk with Jesus. They are always so encouraging.

And last group pic: Brian and Jonathan's best man Kyle.

We ended the evening at a friend's house with a classic game of Bananagrams! and a movie.

Ol' Snoozie Q, Erica, here :) Always the life of the party ;)

Pre-game warm up!

Good times =)

Many of our friends have left on a missions trip to London and won't be returning until after we leave, so it was perfect that we were able to squeeze this last little shindig before the dispersing of our SoFlo homies..ah ha. But seriously, it still hasn't officially hit me that we're leaving here in...13... days.. whoa