We have been in the routine of daily life here on Oahu. School days, volleyball and basketball, homework, dinner, bedtime. But mixed in is the beauty that surrounds us, new friendships, and abundant family time. The social commitments are little to none which allows for the late afternoons to be free to walk the beach, read a book, or swim in the pool. The kids can play outside--shooting hoops, riding the skateboard, roaming the street with our little neighborhood friend, and just be. That also means that the "togetherness" brings about bickering, noise, and irritable attitudes. But I believe it's a gift--to have the time, the close quarters, the lack of "outlets"--to work out conflicts, cultivate respect and build a closer family. At least that’s what I tell myself. I know that God is present and desires for us to draw closer to Him in the good and the hard.
My aunt and uncle, Bunny and Wes, were able to experience some of our normal routine as they came for a visit from Atlanta. What a time we had! It was so nice to have guests that brought new conversation and abundant laughter! We showed them our favorite places and they lived in our day-to-day rhythm. They also went out on their own and explored the island. We are so grateful that they made the long trip to see us... and look forward to our other family members coming in for the holidays!
We’ve had some fun times over the last few weeks— Lawson making the varsity basketball team, Halloween, Luke’s 7th birthday (or should I say Kai?), pet sitting a baby tortoise, watching our first professional surf competition, Ohana Day at school, my Juice Plus vendor table there, Lilly performing in the talent show, and being part of our friends’ fini flight and retirement from the Air Force.
On that note, we were in a decision-making period for a couple of weeks---do we stay in Hawaii and finish out the school year or do we head back to Virginia in January as planned? The details and factors we were considering were varied and wide. I won't go into them, but we made lists, had conversations and really processed what both sides of the coin would look like. No matter what type of decision you are making, whether big or small, it can be a burden until a decision is actually made. I believe that with prayer and consideration for God's ultimate desire for our family, He gives peace--deep, inner, soul peace that "transcends understanding"--when His best is discovered. Cabell and I both feel peaceful about coming home in January and we are thankful to have the burden of that decision gone. We can focus on our last 2 months with intention, purpose, freedom and fun. Praise God!
Though we cannot bring the weather back with us, the Pacific Ocean, or the Ko'olau Mountains, there are many aspects of this experience that we, with intention, can bring back to Richmond. So we have to ask ourselves: what do we want for our family?
• slower pace of life
• control of our schedules
• boundaries with work
• boundaries with technology use and time
• getting outside more
• having family time—having fun and having meaningful conversations
• • • • • • • • • • • • •
I find Emily P. Freeman's podcast,
The Next Right Thing, so helpful and encouraging. It is a podcast all about making decisions. She is so helpful in her wisdom and practical steps in determining just what your next right thing is...to ultimately give guidance in decision-making. In her podcast #101: Reading Your Headlines, Emily asks us to consider what it’s like to read the headlines of our own lives. To have an awareness of what our souls are longing for. She points out, "Your desire is an important headline to know because what you want will shape your next right thing for better or for worse, so knowing and naming what you want in the presence of God is actually a gift because you can either move forward towards it in love or you can let it go with both eyes open. But denying desire to avoid seeming selfish or grabby, that's a false humility and it has to stop. Because like I said, what you want is what you want whether you admit it or not. Knowing what you want is not the same thing as getting what you want or demanding what you want. Desire is a gift when we open it in the presence of God. What happens as a result of that? That's not my business, but knowing it, confessing, admitting it? That's an important part of paying attention to my own life."
Pay attention, friends. Be honest with yourselves. What do you want? What are the deep desires in your heart? May we be brave enough to think bigger and deeper. God has made us each uniquely, for a purpose, and with Him, we have the ability to do great things. “Desire is a gift when we open it in the presence of God.”
XOXO Molly
