Things in my life that make me smile

I was trying to decide what to share today and looking at some photos of my life. They made me smile to think of all the amazing friends I have and that we get to do life together. I can really say I love my life. I have a wonderful home with an ocean view and great housemates. Sure there are hard days and not every day is full of excitement. But I work with people everyday who inspire me and although I have far to many emails I know what we do is changing lives! 

So I thought I would introduce you to some of the people around me and share some photos of my everyday life!

Sun shining throughHouse & Home

This is the view from our lanai (back porch) ... our house has been a wonderful place to relax, celebrate, build community, laugh and cook! We've been here since Jan last year. I live with Anna & Ashley - they are amazing girls. Anna runs the UofN preschool and Ash works with a counseling ministry on base - but she's in Switzerland right now ... I secretly hope she is skipping over mountains and wearing dresses made of curtains!! God threw us together and we've become a happy little family!

Ryan, fire, tent = campingOcean view from the tent

Camping & LOST 

A couple of weekends ago I went camping with 3 of my closest friends. Ryan & Kara are a young couple who work with DTS - we also watch LOST together. Andrew also works with DTS - he was supposed to be watching LOST with us but struggled with the commitment, but we love him anyway ;)

Camping was a blast, ocean side, blacksand beach, campfire, smores, a tent with no pegs, turtles on the beach and amazing sunrise.

Sunday roastEli Dutton

 Sunday Roast & the Duttons

On Easter Sunday I cooked whisky-flamed roast beef and yorkshire pudding. The Dutton family joined us. They are an amazing family - Faith & Andrew, with 3 high-energy kids: Emily, Michael & Eli. I am Andrew's assistant, Faith's friend and 'aunty' to the munchkins! I love serving alongside them all. Faith & Andrew are a riot in the best possible way, they've seen me laugh and cry, and still believe in me!!

Cedar & Acacia

The cutest twins in town

Another of my favourite families in Kona are the Bardwells. Natalie and Jeremy and their adorable twin daughters, Cedar & Acacia. The whole family is on the move next month to Harrisburg, PA to pioneer a new DTS under the Fire & Fragrance ministry here in Kona. They have been true sweet friends. I look after their girls, drink tea with Natalie and Jeremy makes me laugh. I'm actually in denial that they are in fact leaving. The girls are potty training, love to read and love shoes ... they are very smart!

 

Late night emergency room

My friends Steve & Diane Schallert and I forged our friendship in the jungles of Panama, but Diane felt we needed more unique memories together. So I got a call at 1.30am one night and off we went to the emergency room - Diane had acute back pain. We spent a couple of hours bemused in the ER, by ukulele playing doctors. The Schallerts are a creative couple and are both incredible photographers. They work with photogenX - a ministry here in Kona that uses photography to engage in issues of injustice. Steve is an anointed worship leader with full sleeve tattoos and Diane is creative and crafty.

Friends that make me smile: Melissa, Andrew, Ryan, Ashley & Anna