maui, bagpipes, and tulips.

welp(is a word), ever flown 4000+ miles for less than 5 days? i have now.

going back to maui was a huge blessing. i went back for a few days to say goodbye and mourn the loss of a good friend. the services were wonderful, the memorial was 3 hours but felt like 30 minutes (can be seen here in its entirety http://www.hopechapelmaui.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=536&Itemid=694 , click on the little button that says on demand... its in there), and the saturday morning spreading of the ashes was not only fun but a great way to say a final aloha among friends, surfboards, and orchids. i thought i didnt have any tears left in the well, but when amazing grace on the bagpipes is played followed by a haka by men i both love and admire, it seems i found a few more.

I also had an opportunity to teach in service on friday night, which was fun. i love teaching the word. I only hope that those who heard were encouraged to keep on with the vision and mission of hope chapel in this time of transition and change that i feel is only beginning. we shall see...

it was a blessing being on maui, to be sure, however, the message my prophet friend gave me and i seem to agree with is "dont look back." often times even when i have been there, i still wonder if the grass is greener on the other side, and much like the message i taught, i need to keep on keeping on. i was given a vision and mission for my future, and i want to go to school. i want to learn all i can so that i can be the most effective teacher i can be. so here i am, soaking in the blessing of the lord in wheaton illinois, among budding trees, bright green broad leafed trees, and tulips aplenty. spring is beautiful.

now lets hope i still have a job here.