HOPEful girl

      Yay, I survived the holidays!   I think I can sum up my 2015 with these two words, transition and transformation.       As I transitioned into a beautiful new home, I was also transformed by making a big decision for my life.  At the beginning of the year when I first arrived to Hawaii, I was blessed to receive a special message on that first Sunday here on the island.   As I listened to the sermon at the crosswalk church with no walls at the lagoon, I was challenged.   I was challenged to be a Christ follower and really ask myself how I was going to be a disciple of Jesus that year.  With that message, I received this image which turned out to be more of a vision or foreshadowing of what would happen to me six months later.          July 12, 2015 was the day I took that  1,048 step hike up Koko head trail and it changed my life in a significant way.  Notice the picture be...

As I was reflecting this past Thanksgiving, I realized I have much to be thankful for this year.  I was a highly functioning alcoholic.  I never had a DUI,  thank God, nor was I ever in trouble with the law. I never required a drink to get me going in the morning and my body never had to suffer any real physical withdrawals if I was ever without it for a time. And it never ever,  affected my work.    Actually, more often than not, among addicts who happen to have professional careers,  it's the workplace that's the last to suffer.   Sure there were times when my close friends may have noticed I went a little overboard at parties or get togethers, but that was just me having fun or an isolated occurrence from having a rough week.  It wasn't like I had a real problem.  Nope, I held it together pretty well.   Not a lot of people knew I had this problem or could even tell. I was such a great player that I even fooled myself...

  After living here for 10 months,  I've come to experience the trade winds as a natural occurrence of island living.  The trade winds here in Hawaii blow from the northeast to the southwest over  the Pacific and through the Hawaiian islands.  If it weren't for these winds,  the islands would be  hot,  muggy and very uncomfortable.  These winds are responsible for the pleasant island weather and beautiful vegetation.  They are also what brought the early European settlers.    I met these winds head on this past Saturday during my long distance run which made for a very challenging run. Sure, I've ran in the wind before.   Where I come from, they are called the Santa Anas, only those are very hot and dry.   They both can be very strong and unpredictable.  So how do I run in this wind anyway?  Well, there are two approaches I can take.    I can start pumping my arms harder and lengthening my s...

  Well, I finally decided to do it.   I signed up to run the LA Marathon.  I knew this day would come sooner or later and I think the stars have finally aligned to where this is my time.   This was always a to do on my bucket list.  Why run a marathon?  I've always loved running and this is a challenge that just has to be accepted.  But now it means so much more.  When I ran my first half-marathon, I ran to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma society.  Since this is my first marathon I really felt called to do so for a good cause again. And this time its personal! I've chose to run for Runwell charity.   Runwell is a 501©(3) non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring individuals around the world to lead healthy, active lifestyles.  It encourages anyone involved with drug or alcohol addictions, from chemical dependents to their friends and families, to get involved in sports.  Runwell believes partnering sports ...

Here I am.  I made it!  What have I learned from this 40 day journey?  I think  I learned what it was like to spend more time in God's word and prayer.  I learned how to be grateful and appreciate those around me especially to what's true and authentic. Its been interesting to say the least.  Some days I just didn't feel like writing or communicating.   I was too tired, or discouraged.   Some days I couldn't think of what or how I'd come up with anything to say, but then at the very moment, God just speaks to me and gives  me the words.  Amazing how He does that!   In case you're wondering, I used a forty day devotional from my 'you version' bible app to lead me.  So instead of me   taking a Bible verse to fit what I wanted to say, I'd have to reflect and meditate on the reading that was given to me that day and  how I'd apply that to my life and post for that day.   I was taking the Holy Spirit's leadi...

  Today, I just finished reading the book, the Martian  and tonight I also watched the movie Unbroken, (another book I also read).  One story is science fiction,  the other based on a true story.  Both are  amazing stories about survival,  resilience and hope.   I can't help but wonder when I hear these types of stories, what I would do in that situation?  Would I be able to use the knowledge God gave me to survive an isolated, harsh environment like Marc Whatney did on Mars? Could I persevere with strength and hope like Lou Zamperini did stranded in the middle of the ocean then later tortured as a prisoner of war?  We all have our own life journeys.  We are put in a difficult situation at one point or another.  They all might not be as dramatic, but they all have some way of changing us.   You never know what you are capable of until you go through it. God has a way of using these difficult times to change or sha...

  When I was in college walking across the campus one day, I remember a girl approaching me asking, 'Are you saved?'  I first thought, what kind of a question is that?  Am I saved?  Well, that is a personal question I think that should be just between me and God.  But in fact, I wasn't sure  what she meant by that question, 'saved?'  I just got the sense that she was out for something else other than a true friendship.   I mean, why would someone be nice to a total stranger and just randomly ask that question? What was she selling?  Was this some secret society? That is why I am turned off and not on board with this type of street evangelism, but that is a topic for another day.   Now going back to that question, of course now I know the answer and I can confidently and loudly shout, 'Why, YES, I AM SAVED!'  Thank you Jesus.  But it took me a long and actually strange way for me to get to that point. That's another story f...