Blogging From Paradise!

     Yes, it's true. My daughter Jenni and son-in-law, Johnny gave me the best birthday gift ever ... their frequent flyer miles! I left for the San Jose airport at the butt-crack-of-dawn on Wednesday morning and arrived in Hawaii at noon. My suitcase was filled with lots of wheat free/gluten free flours, pastas and treats which are *very* expensive and hard to find in Hawaii. Check out the treasures Jenni had waiting for me below (she's an uhhhhmazing hostess) as well as the loot I crammed into my suitcase. Jenni was beyond excited and could not wait to dig into the cereal mix from Gma! 

     Another birthday treasure I received was from Josh & Shannon who gave me with two hideous ceramic frogs and suggested I take them along. Jenni and Johnny were quite perplexed when I brought them out of my carry-on bag but played along and graciously took a photo with Josh & Shannon Frog.

     Since arriving, Jenni and I have enjoyed trips to the YWM campus, exercise, shopping, and she has  taken me to a *different beach each day* (Johnny had to work). The weather was overcast the first two days but today was glorious! It's been so relaxing and deeeeelightful. Tonight was the Welcome Luau Dinner for the new students. The outside courtyard was filled with an excitement for Jesus like I have never seen before! I wish that everyone who supports Jenni & Johnny financially could experience what I did tonight. It affirms they are right where they are supposed to be and your money is being used for Kingdom causes. So many students from all over the world, on fire and ready to change the world. I was *so* blown away with all that was going on around me that I forgot to take a photo! However, Johnny did take one of me and Jenni just after we scarfed our luau dinner (@ the YWAM campus).

     The second day I was here, Jenni & Johnny needed to go to a meeting so Johnny set me up with a moped. He gave me a few instructions, rode with me for a quick loop around the campus and then set me free! I drove around the campus by myself for about 5 minutes to get the hang of it, then I was off-n-running. I went into town and found a yummy yogurt shop (similar to Yogurtland in SJ). It started sprinkling and so I decided I should head back to the YWAM campus to meet J&J. For all of you who are wondering, I *did* wear a lovely white helmet the entire time I was riding the moped ... just didn't have it on while Johnny was teaching me.

     As many of you know, J & J are living with a family (the Byrd's) who are absolutely wonderful and amazingly laid back. The Byrd's have 3 kids (Asher - 6, Hadassah - 3, Rhema - 1 1/2) who are so much fun to be around. Sometimes Jenni french braids Hadassah's gorgeous blonde hair. Jenni has been telling her that I am the best french-braider ever ... and maybe when I arrived ... I would french-braid her hair. You know how happy that made me? It's been SOOO long since I have done it that I was a little nervous I might have forgotten how, but thankfully, it all came back to me. Here are a few pics of what my brother used to refer to as the "rope-a-dope" hairstyle (which used to be Jenni's favorite). I guess it reminded him of a rope? Who knows. LOL.

     I'm looking forward to spending the next few days with Johnny & Jenni. We get to visit another new beach tomorrow. Yes. Yes. Yes. I really don't mind blogging from Paradise, not one little bit. TTFN.