I'm baaaack! I know i haven't blogged in months, but i'm ready to be back in action! I don't really know how to explain the past 6 months of my life- except to say that it has been a journey- and like any journey, one with heights of joy and amazement, and depths of heartache. But I have not been alone in the journey; in fact I have the best Companion one could ever hope for, who leads me and is a light to my path. His presence has filled me with joy and hope and comfort. And I have come to know my Companion in a much deeper way the past season. He is so good and so faithful.
I've had to say many goodbyes and have shed many tears, but I am so thankful for God's wisdom and perfect plan. I am loving living at home, back in Washington. I greatly miss those in Maui- like this one:

:) But I feel overwhelmed at God's blessings and gifts here.

So to catch you up and to give you a glimpse of the past chunk of my life, i broke it down month by month:
May:

High School Auction
June:

High School Mission Trip to LA

July:


I got the blessing of seeing Caitlin get married to her sweet Nicholas

August:

Saying goodbye to my girlies


Mom and Dad came to visit!

Mariner's Game for Dad's 61st Birthday

September:

Race Around the Rock Paddleboard Race with my Pops


Hanging out with my best friend

Psalm 18:30
"This God—his way is perfect;
the word of the LORD proves true;
he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him."

My trip home~

Home was absolutely wonderful! It was the quickest trip I've ever had, but absolutely wonderful. I came back refreshed and overwhelmed with thankfulness with how the Lord blessed my time with friends and family. While I was home, I:
-browsed J CREW and Anthropology (my mom and i laugh because i have such "high class" style, but never actually buy anything! Hey a girl can dream can't she!?)
-had Starbucks almost every day :) yep, it's official, my mom and I are addicted!
-talked wil the wee hours of the night with Caitlin- yes, at 23 yrs. old i still greatly delight in sleepovers!
-drove 15 hours to California
-helped KK get ready for her wedding and honeymoon! Being a bridesmaid is the BEST!
-celebrated my best friend get married to the man of her dreams
-got my hair and make up done for the first time ever!
-fell in love with fake eye lashes ;) did you know you can get almost permanent ones!? i may look into that.
-had many heart to hearts with my mama, and rejoiced that the Lord would bless such an amazing woman of the Lord into my life for my mother
-stopped in P-town aka Portland- love that town- however, it was freezing that night! whoohee!
-drove back to Washington
-coffee date with Olga, my sweet sweet friend
-went on a walk with my Papa
-ate Chipotle, Panera and Olive Garden- ah yes, breadsticks how i love you.


Here are some photos from my trip~

Kaelyn!

This Saturday, my beautiful Kaelyn Kraft will become Kaelyn Foster! Kaelyn is one of my best friends- a true answer to prayer that freshman year of college. I would have transferred had it not been for kaelyn's friendship. We played master's tennis together (haha!) and she was my roomate in Israel. Kaelyn has taught me what living in community looks like, how to be vulnerable and open, and the importance of seeking mentors. I started tearying up just looking at these photos...oh buddy! I can't imagine what i'll be like at the wedding.
Kaelyn, I love you with all of my heart. I can't wait to celebrate this day with you and Dominick- what a JOY it is to see God's answers to our prayers for your husband. What a gift! God is ever faithful. YAY!

oh give thanks!

Isn't this so beautiful! ooo! how i long to go back to Santorini one day-

Jill, a woman I dearly look up to, shared with me today how she's reading this book and the author has them write in their journal every moment they're thankful for- as it happens. So, for instance, if she's washing dishes and she looks at the bubbles and how the light reflects them- they're so beautifully crafted by our Lord- she will stop and write down her thanksgiving. She said she is so enjoying slowing down and giving thanks to the Lord for all the "little things". I have been praying that i would have a thankful heart lately. When we have thankful hearts, it helps us rejoice even in times of heartache and struggle. My list for today:
1. Joe Coffee in big yellow mugs
2. a car that has free gas and can drive to the other side of town
3. Jill's encouragement, love- how she rejoices and weeps with Risa and I
4. The ocean breaking on our drive to see jill today.
5. little children's smiles
6. ACAI BOWLS!
7. my friendship with my pastor Craig
8. Sunshine
9. my daily walks with the Lord- there's this new path I found that leads me to the ocean. I am so in love with this walk- the Lord has met me daily as I cry out to him on our walk- and I see all the palm trees, fresh flowers, mountains, paddleboarders, and tourists learning how to surf.
10. Hillsong's cd "Aftermath"

Fun Creations

hair clips are getting popular here in maui! My girls LOVE making them (as do I!!!!) Mackenze and I stayed up til midnight on Tuesday night making these...we laughed, saying we could have stayed up all night!

Magic

Sunday we went and saw CATS at the Wailuku Theatre! It was truly magical:) Lisa, a woman at the church who pretty much runs our high school auction, gave us 7 free tickets! We laughed the whole way through- it was so funny to watch grown men and women act like cats!
Then yesterday, Jake took us upcountry to pick tangerines and oranges! We went to this house and they had an acre with banana, tangerine, orange, avocado and grapefruit trees! AH! I LOVE fruit- i can only dream of living in a home one day with orchards of fruit- so yummy :)

Row Row Row Your Boat

This morning we got to go out on Fairmont's Canoe Rigger- in a word- AMAZING! It was so fun! Since the rowers knew we were local, they took us out farther than usual. We used leaves to wipe down our snorkeling masks and got to free swim in the deep ocean for awhile. If you swam down just 4 feet you could hear the whales singing to one another. It was incredible! One of the guys held up this clear stick, "Hey look. It's a barnical from the whales- it just fell off.......actually, no, it's a part of a jellyfish!"
Me: "Oh no! Did it sting you?" (As he throws it far away)
Him "Yep....k, time to get back in the boat. The larva is stinging!"
It did sting me! It feels like a mosquito bite....we quickly jumped back into the boat. Then we rowed for awhile longer and THREE whales- a mama, baby and the escort (aka guy) came up about 20 feet from our boat! INCREDIBLE! It was so close you could see the texture of its skin. (not skin...what's it called?!) It was majestic really. They cruised for awhile, exhaling out of their blow holes. "Bubba", the hawaiian guy on the boat, answered all my questions about the whales :)
1. They migrate down from Alaska and stay here for about 3-4 months because it's too cold to give birth up north.
2. They get pregnant around Sept and deliver around Feb-March
3. The babies drink the mama's milk- i think he said 140 gallons of milk a day!
4. The guys fight over the women. And they go hard at it- whenever you see tail slaps or breaches from the whales, its most likely the guys trying to win the affections of the girl whales- so they can be chosen to escort them up north. Isn't that so cool!? So yes, the women get to choose which guy.....I love how they vye for their attention.
5. The escort whales protect the mama and baby from sharks and scary water mammals :) What protectors!

March On Beloved, March On

At the beginning of March, a friend showed me Beth Moore's blog, with the entry being "march on". March always seems like a bit of a rougher month- inbetween the holiday hub-ub and summer. I was at a point where I was exhausted and burned out. This entry so encouraged my heart and gave me the theme of March to be "march on". Keep pressing on- keep trucking on!
The past few weeks have brought about some heartache and loss. It's been a rougher season. However, in all the pain, GOD REMAINS FAITHFUL. GOD REMAINS GOOD. How sweet it is to be held in the hands of Aslan. I know that, although I don't understand the circumstance itself, I know God is at work. It's one of those seasons that i don't think I could have "marched on" my own- and i'm so thankful I didn't try- but one where God has carried me. Times of pain are so hard- they're painful- BUT! What sweet moments they are with the Lord. He has drawn me ever close into His loving arms. Truly, God is close to the broken hearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
Psalm 119 has been my life line these past few weeks. I've always loved the word of God, but never has this passage given me so much HOPE. God's word is our HOPE. It revives. strengthens. gives life. gives HOPE.
With God, I know I can keep marching on....even through the mud and rough terrain. Soon He will lead me to the waters of rest.

(Beth Moore's site: www.blog.lproof.org)

On a lighter note, I was shopping in Paia the other day at my favorite boutique and THIS book was on the shelf! It screamed "ALYSSA!" See, here's the deal- I have secretely (and maybe not so secretely) wanted to be a surfer forever! It's my dream to be a surfer- not just talk about it, but actually be good at it. So I have decided that THAT is my goal this summer- learn to surf. And be able to actually go out and do it! I'm diligently reading this book and today I was so engrossed in it, that i jumped when a friend knocked on my door- i totally forgot she was coming over!

Read thru the bible in 24 days- Chronological Plan

As I mentioned before Risa and I are reading through the bible in 24 days chronologically! We wanted to read through the bible in the order that events occured, and let me tell you it's been the COOLEST thing ever- hard, tiring, moving, and incredible. For me it's been so great to take a step back and see the whole story, instead of bits and pieces. I've really seen GOD shine through the pages- I've learned a lot about WHO HE IS and WHO WE ARE- how sinful, corrupt mankind is, nothing is new under the sun, and how JUST, GRACIOUS, RIGHTEOUS, MERCIFUL, COMPASSIONATE, AND CLOSE He is!
A couple of you have asked for the reading plan, so here it is! (I don't have my reading list right in front of me, so i tried to do my best!) Hope you guys are encouraged and as moved by it as I have been~ (also, i couldn't do it in 24 days- more like 30...i have a week to go:)
(this plan is on esv.org/biblereadingplans- but split up for a year)

Day 1: Gen 1-11
Job 1‐42

Day 2: Gen 12-50
Ex 1-35

Day 3: Ex 36-40
Lev 1-27
Num 1-15
Ps 90

Day 4: Num 16‐36
Deut 1‐ 34
Ps 91

Day 5: Joshua 1-24
Judges 1-21
Ruth 1-4

Day 6:1 Sam 1‐20
Ps 11, Ps 59
1 Sam 21‐24
Ps 7, Ps 27, Ps 31, Ps 34, Ps 52
Ps 56, Ps 120, Ps 140‐142
1 Sam 25‐27
Ps 17, Ps 35, Ps 54, Ps 63
1 Sam 28‐31, Ps 18
Ps 121, Ps 123‐125, Ps 128‐130

Day 7: 2 Sam 1‐4
Ps 6, Ps 8‐10, Ps 14, Ps 16, Ps 19,
Ps 21
1 Chr 1‐2
Ps 43‐45, Ps 49, Ps 84‐85, Ps 87
1 Chr 3‐5
Ps 73, Ps 77‐78
1 Chr 6
Ps 81, Ps 88, Ps 92‐93
1 Chr 7‐10
Ps 102‐104

Day 8: 2 Sam 5:1‐10, 1 Chr 11‐12
Ps 133
Ps 106‐107
2 Sam 5:11‐6:23, 1 Chr 13‐16
Ps 1‐2, Ps 15, Ps 22‐24, Ps 47, Ps 68
Ps 89, Ps 96, Ps 100, Ps 101, Ps 105,
Ps 132
2 Sam 7, 1 Chr 17
Ps 25, Ps 29, Ps 33, Ps 36, Ps 39
2 Sam 8‐9, 1 Chr 18
Ps 50, Ps 53, Ps 60, Ps 75
2 Sam 10, 1 Chr 19, Ps 20
Ps 65‐67, Ps 69‐70
2 Sam 11‐12, 1 Chr 20
Ps 32, Ps 51, Ps 86, Ps 122
2 Sam 13‐15

Day 9:Ps 3‐4, Ps 12‐13, Ps 28, Ps 55
2 Sam 16‐18
Ps 26, Ps 40, Ps 58, Ps 61‐62, Ps 64
2 Sam 19‐21
Ps 5, Ps 38, Ps 41‐42
2 Sam 22‐23, Ps 57
Ps 95, Ps 97‐99
2 Sam 24, 1 Chr 21‐22, Ps 30
Ps 108‐110
1 Chr 23‐25
Ps 131, Ps 138‐139, Ps 143‐145
1 Chr 26‐29, Ps 127
Ps 111‐118
1 Kgs 1‐2, Ps 37, Ps 71, Ps 94
Ps 119:1‐88

Day 10: 1 Kgs 3‐4, 2 Chr 1, Ps 72
Ps 119:89‐176
Sng 1‐8
Prov 1‐24
1 Kgs 5‐6, 2 Chr 2‐3
1 Kgs 7, 2 Chr 4
1 Kgs 8, 2 Chr 5
2 Chr 6‐7, Ps 136
Ps 134, Ps 146‐150

Day 11:1 Kgs 9, 2 Chr 8
Prov 25‐29
Eccl 1‐12
1 Kgs 10‐11, 2 Chr 9
Prov 30‐31
1 Kgs 12‐14
2 Chr 10‐12
1 Kgs 15:1‐24, 2 Chr 13‐16
1 Kgs 15:25‐16:34, 2 Chr 17
1 Kgs 17‐19
1 Kgs 20‐21
1 Kgs 22, 2 Chr 18
2 Chr 19‐23

Day 12: Obad 1, Ps 82‐83
2 Kgs 1‐13
2 Chr 24
2 Kgs 14, 2 Chr 25
Jonah 1‐4
2 Kgs 15, 2 Chr 26
Isa 1‐8
Amos 1‐9
2 Chr 27, Isa 9‐12
Mic 1‐7
2 Chr 28, 2 Kgs 16‐17

Day 13: Isa 13‐27
2 Kgs 18:1‐8, 2 Chr 29‐31, Ps 48
Hos 1‐14
Isa 28‐39
Ps 76
Isa 40‐48
2 Kgs 18:9‐19:37, Ps 46, Ps 80, Ps 135
Isa 49‐63

Day 14: Isa 64‐66
2 Kgs 20‐21
2 Chr 32‐33
Nahum 1‐3
2 Kgs 22‐23, 2 Chr 34‐35
Zeph 1‐3
Jer 1‐31

Day 15:Jer 32‐40
Ps 74, Ps 79
2 Kgs 24‐25, 2 Chr 36
Hab 1‐3
Jer 41‐52
Lam 1-5
Ezek 1‐17

Day 16:Ezek 18‐48
Joel 1‐3
Dan 1‐6

Day 17:Dan 7‐12
Ezra 1‐6
Ps 137
Hag 1‐2
Zech 1‐14
Est 1‐10
Ezra 7‐10
Neh 1‐13
Ps 126
Mal 1‐4

Day 18: Luke 1, John 1:1‐14
Matt 1, Luke 2:1‐38
Matt 2, Luke 2:39‐52
Matt 3, Mark 1, Luke 3
Matt 4, Luke 4‐5, John 1:15‐51
John 2‐4
Mark 2
John 5
Matt 12:1‐21, Mark 3, Luke 6
Matt 5‐7
Matt 8:1‐13, Luke 7
Matt 11
Matt 12:22‐50, Luke 11
Matt 13, Luke 8
Matt 8:14‐34, Mark 4‐5

Day 19: Matt 9‐10
Matt 14, Mark 6, Luke 9:1‐17
John 6
Matt 15, Mark 7
Matt 16, Mark 8, Luke 9:18‐27
Matt 17, Mark 9, Luke 9:28‐62
Matt 18
John 7‐8
John 9:1‐10:21
Luke 10‐11, John 10:22‐42
Luke 12‐15
Luke 16‐17:10, John 11
Luke 17:11‐18:14
Matt 19, Mark 10

Day 20: Matt 20‐21
Luke 18:15‐19:48
Mark 11, John 12
Matt 22, Mark 12
Matt 23, Luke 20‐21
Mark 13
Matt 24
Matt 25
Matt 26, Mark 14
Luke 22, John 13
John 14‐17
Matt 27, Mark 15
Luke 23, John 18‐19
Matt 28, Mark 16
Luke 24, John 20‐21

Day 21: Acts 1‐14
Jas 1‐5
Acts 15‐16
Gal 1‐6
Acts 17‐18:18
1 Thes 1‐5, 2 Thes 1‐3
Acts 18:19‐19:41
1 Cor 1‐8

Day 22: 1 Cor 9‐16
2 Cor 1‐13
Acts 20:1‐3, Rom 1‐3
Rom 4‐16
Acts 20:4‐23:35
Acts 24‐26
Acts 27‐28
Col 1‐4, Phm 1

Day 23: Eph 1‐6
Phil 1‐4
1 Tim 1‐6
Titus 1‐3
1 Pet 1‐5
Heb 1‐13

Day 24: 2 Tim 1‐4
2 Pet 1‐3, Jude 1
1 Jn 1‐5
2 Jn 1, 3 Jn 1
Rev 1‐22

Love & Whales

The winning pizza!

I love my roomates <3

Jena putting her head in the water, trying to hear the whales sing!

This past week has been epic! We had our Valentine's Day party for the Furnace last Thursday. The kids had a pizza making contest & we played "name that love song". Jeremiah and I taught on Love, especially with regards to having purity in relationships. I loved teaching with someone else- to play off one of another and touch on things that one of us may have left out. As I studied and looked up passages on purity and love, I was really encouraged and challenged to be pure in my own life- am I honoring those around me? Am I all about their good and their best interest, or do I look to myself? (We based our talk out of Romans 12-14)

Then on friday, Brandon took Risa, Jena and i out on the Trilogy for a whale watch- so fun! We shared our hearts and our dreams for next year over Panda and melona bars ;)

Valentine's Day itself was amazing- I'm waiting for a photo to come through and then i will give you the whole story ;)

BUT! Wednesday morning Dave Case took us 4 girls out on his zodiac to whale watch- let me tell you! I have never been so close to whales before. They are so GINORMOUS and majestic. I loved hearing them sing to one another while the motor was turned off, and seeing them jump out of the water doing flips! We learned on our Trilogy tour that their tales are called "flukes" and their muscle in the middle of their back is called a "coddle pa-dunkle" which is the strongest muscle in the whole animal kingdom- amazing! (also extremely fun to say :)

Risa and I are still trucking through our 24 day reading through the bible plan....it's so much reading and yet so amazing to see God's amazing love, grace and mercy. Who am I that He would choose me and show such grace and tender love?