The home across the street

It's been a busy month.  Never move around the holidays!
The end
of this month's blog.
So after much deliberation , searching near and far across the island, ok well maybe not across the WHOLE island but across a few cities, searching homes, we finally decided to move into a rental RIGHT across the street from where we already are.  Not exactly the move across the ocean like we did 3 years ago, so it was bit easier and grateful to be settled for now.
This move found me reflecting since its  been 3 years since we moved from California, reflecting on the times I spent in this first residence in Hawaii.  I was such a different person then.  That home was definitely a place of transition.    Its  easy to latch on to things or places where we make memories mistaking them for a part of who we are.  But its important to remember that's  just  what they are, just things or places and not who we really are.   These things will fade away (1 Corinthians 7:31).  Yet it is our very core soul that grows on, in spite of what's going on in this world around us, getting ready for God has in store for us next. 
In all the places and homes I've lived, this new place will be the first place I've lived where alcohol will never cross the threshold. 

I recently received a Christmas card in the mail from some old friends with a 'holiday letter' included.   Although, its always been my first reaction to roll my eyes at these lengthy monologues about everything someone else got to do this past year that I didn't , it was actually nice this time to touch base and see what my friends have been up to.
So I decided to write a portion of this month's blog in holiday letter fashion.
What have the Brunkens been up to in 2017?
Let's start with our youngest,  Micah.   He turned 6 this year, started first grade.  He reads and spells everything in sight.  His hobbies include legos , mine craft and sonic. He is looking forward to starting swim lessons and playing flag foot ball next year.
Nathan turned 11 and started 6th grade this year at Hanalani private school. He is thriving there and won Hanalani 'royal' (student) of the month for the virtue of gratefulness.   He enjoys music and loves reading historical fiction.
After a year of fundraising, Andrew,  now 14 enjoyed his 8th grade trip to Washington D.C in May.  He started high school at Hanalani, just completed his first high school basketball season in J.V. and even made it on the varsity team!  so off to more games and practices we go.   He continues to be a prayer warrior and a blessing to those around him.  
Most of my husband, Daniel's year was dedicated to the completion of the Honolulu police academy.  Unfortunately, a previous injury prevented him from moving forward in the 24th week.   Despite, this we are all super proud of how far he came in the academy.  We know that God has great plans for him whether its in law enforcement or otherwise.  For now,  he remains employed at the job he does best,  the manager of Brunken zoo household, aka superdad.  
And me, I will be working for Hawaii Permanente Medical Group at the Kapolei clinic for 3 years now, and that makes 6 years total working for Kaiser if I include my time at Orange County.   I enjoy serving my patient panel that includes the Kapolei and Leeward communities.  My marathon fun was put on hold this year, but I was still able to put in a few fun runs:  Aloha run in February where I volunteered  as a medic, Hapualua half-marathon in April, my traditional pineapple run in May, and the inaugural Koolina resort 10 K in September.  I had a couple new adventures in the swim race category  as I attempted my first open ocean swim in the North Shore series completing a 1.9 mile swim for my first time.  After that, the Duke's mile swim a month later was a breeze.  And I completed my first run/swim race earlier this month hoping to someday do a triathlon.  The most exciting event and my biggest passion was being a part of the dream team to launch Celebrate Recovery at my Freedom church in Ewa Beach.  This biblically based 12 step program  meets on Friday nights at seven p.m.   The only traveling I did this year was in May to go back home in southern Cal to see my nephew graduate. I was also blessed on this visit to be able to take my mom to her last appointment at City of Hope in order to remove her port a Cath (the venous route for chemo meds) , signifying the end of her cancer treatment and full recovery from Hodgkin's lymphoma.   Praise God!   We hosted a few  friends and family visiting us this year and hope to welcome some new visitors in 2018.  We also hope to do a little more traveling.

  For now we will enjoy setting into our new home across the street, and watching our boys grow,  learning to enjoy the present for the gift that it is because it goes by so fast.
There is much to celebrate this year as we celebrate the birth of our Christ.   I pray that He will also be born again into your hearts accepting the love God has for us as His children.    I pray that you will be like my  excited kids on Christmas morning as the new year unfolds, receiving the gifts He has in store for you.  I pray that your eyes will be opened to the love of God especially the place in front of you,  even if its right across the street. 
Thank you for allowing me to share. 
-Hopeful girl celebrating a sober 2017, HOPEful for another sober 2018!