Ohana=family

I met my second adopted Ohana as I was waiting for my flight to Maui on Monday.
Linda, her mom, niece, second niece and her son were all flying over to Maui in the 10-seater jet with me.

I quickly found out Linda is a believer. At this point in my journey, when I'm talking to someone and they say they are a believer, I'm no longer surprised. It's more like, score another one for God! He has faithfully been supplying me with Christian community everywhere I go!

Linda very graciously asked me if I would like to spend some time with her and her family while they were in town for 3 days. I told her I would probably spend my first day getting situated in my hostel and get my bearings on the town and then I would call her the next day. That worked perfectly for them.

On a side note, there are several roosters crowing in the distance-oh Maui! :D

I did as I had told Linda I would do; checked into my hostel, checked out the town, but then got to do one other unexpected thing...play a ukelele. There is a shop that sells only ukeleles called Mele Ukelele. The store is locally owned and Papa Peter insisted on giving me an impromptu ukelele lesson free of charge! So so special! I'm going to have to invest in a ukelele!

So, I called Linda, today, and she asked me to come on out to Kihei and spend the day at the beach with her family.

I got to stop by Mana Kai Maui, on my way out to meet Linda, and take some pictures and a video for Lisa and Terri, remembering Violet, their sweet Momma, and the time they got to spend in Maui. God totally set that one up!

The beach at Kihei was lovely as was my company. I got to play in the ocean like I did as a little kid for the first time since I've been in Hawaii! I just felt completely relaxed and at home. Sand in your underwear=a day well spent!

After spending something like 5 hours at the beach, Linda invited me to go out to dinner with the whole family. When 5 year old, Isaiah, heard I was coming with them, he exclaimed, "Awesome!" What a melt my heart moment :)

We waited an hour and 15 minutes to eat at the Mexican restaurant right down the street but it was so worth it! My heart was so light and happy as I looked at the faces of all of the people around the table. I had been adopted as part of their family and they had hardly known me for a day!

After dinner, I walked with the ladies and little man back to their condo. When I stepped through their door, Isaiah came right up to me and asked, "Are you going to stay and watch Rango with us?" How could I say no to that? I had just been crying out to God the night before, telling Him how lonely I felt. God truly answers prayers!

My ckeeks are pink, my tummy is content, my heart is light, and my eyes are heavy.

Father, thank You for this day and for the family you are surrounding me with here in paradise.