Paradise Paused

I've been here before - in the middle of suitcases, packing boxes, and the "things" in my life that have to be categorized. Pack for California. Pack for storage. Pack for shipping. Give away. Throw away. It's always kind of interesting how the ones who don't have any personal or financial investment are the first to say "Let it all gooooo!!!" But while I am faced with the cold reality of paring down once again (the 5th time since August, 2009), it is still pretty brutal. Don and I were laughing about how there has been this slow cutting away of my once extensive wardrobe: Alejo Lane, San Diego: large walk-in closet in which I had two thirds, plus overflow into the guest room closet -> Kualapa Place, Maui: large walk-in closet shared with my husband, no overflow -> Front Street, Maui: good sized wall closet, not shared with my spouse (he had the second room closet) but with the landlord's random...stuff -> Ka'anapali Shores, Maui: a little vacation condo closet (who needs lots of clothes on vacation in Maui!?!?) in the one bedroom and a tinier one in the entry hall, that we both have to squeeze into -> Golden Village RV Park, Hemet, CA: a small closet in a motorhome that we both share. Yes, I have been paring down - culling the herd, as it were. I dunno. Feels kinda like getting a leg amputated one toe at a time. You think I exaggerate - but I reeeeeeally had some nice clothes...

Packing this place is such a nuisance - besides breaking my heart. I am packing up spices and my clay cookers and knives that we just recently found in storage. Now, the spices and cookers go back into storage, but the knives go back to Cali with me. Don't think I'll take them as carry-on. I got some very cool pots, pans, and plastic bowls from our church's yard sale a couple of months ago, and now they are gone from me until we get back here. Same with artwork. I was supposed to have a painting ready for a silent auction in May, but it just didn't happen, so I spiffed up one of my existing ones and sent it on its way. My paints and brushes are going to So Cal, too. But not all. And not the varnishes. Sheesh. See what I mean!?!?!?

But, in the midst of the chaos and nuisance and packing, are two people who are aching like all get out. We don't want to leave this place without knowing the EXACT date we will return. It's all in God's personal datebook, and He won't give us so much as a peek! But we know that this is where we belong, and we will work very hard to get back here again. Soon.

"Paradise" is such a common description of Hawaii, and it is apt in so many ways. The weather. the water, the laid back lifestyle all are a part of the mystique. But for us, paradise is is found in the people that make up our lives here. Oh, of course, the sun and the sand and the waves and the whales are all amazing to the nth degree! But what is breaking our hearts is leaving the souls that have stolen our hearts and have become our island family. There is Young at the coffee shop near where we lived at first (and would dearly love to live again!), and he immediately extended his hand in welcome and friendship. Given that he is the same age as Kyle, we have grown quite fond of him. The there's the couple who own the brokerage that Don works for, Lee and Barbara Potts with Aloha Realty (yes, shameless plug!). They have been encouraging and supportive of Don - especially with all the drama in his real estate stuff. They are truly wonderful people.

But by far, without contest, are the people of Calvary Chapel Westside. I know I have spoken of them before, but I didn't know I was going to have to say good-bye to them - even for a season. Every Sunday service, bible study, women's study, prayer service begins with worship - a time of raising our voices to the Lord in song. The three guys I remember from our first visit in 2005 - and now, of course, I know their names - Jason with his guitar and vocals is the worship leader, David plays congas and sings as well, and Cary (Kerry!?!? Care-eee?!!?!?) is the tall, quiet dude, who says barely a word, but shouts his praise to God with his awesome guitar playing. I now know that there might be Juli on keyboard and vocals, Glenn, with ukulele or guitar, Mark, Mike, or Richard on drums, Kyle with ukulele, and when she is in town, the pastor's daughter, Nicole, lifting her sweet soprano to the Lord. I love worship, and I can fool myself into thinking I sound much better than I do. But I am blessed blessed blessed by their offering.

We are also part of the early morning set-up at the park where we hold our 10:30 service. The chair-meister is Ron, who lines up the porta-pulpit and the first chair by lining up with certain trees. If he isn't there, the chairs seem to be in a free form that might be more conducive to a beach fire sing rather than church. And the Sunday school and its teachers - too wonderful. The bookstore folks - hardworking and loving. And then there's Pamela, the dedicated bookkeeper. This is what she has a her business, but she does it for our church for free. The people of this tiny and mighty church own a very big piece of our hearts. If I were to try to name all those who mean so much, I would both take up too much room and forget someone in the process. So I won't try.

But the heart of this little church - after Jesus, of course - are Pastor Steve and his beautiful bride, Kim. To say we love them is feint praise. They carry their passionate love for Christ out to the community and to their little church congregation with such generosity of spirit and tireless energy - or at least that's their attitude. I have no doubt that they face discouragement and weariness, but that never, ever stops them from doing what they do. Steve is an anointed teacher of the Word, yet has a very broad goofy streak. Kim is a gentle spirit, who stands by her husband's side and administrates much of the operations of CCW, plus teaches keiki and the women, runs the bookstore, and fills all the "pukas" (holes) that are left when there is no one to do a job. But as sweet, and gentle spirit as she is, she also has a healthy amount of SASS! Leaving them is breaking our hearts - because so many have left them before.

We're almost done packing. We are eager to see our kids and grandkids, of course. But...well, if you don't know by now...

So, now a note to our mainland friends and family: we are eager to see you, and your love is such a comfort to us, but please resist the temptation to say we are returning "home". First, our true home is not of this world, but with the Lord in Eternity. Second, our home has become this island. We live and breathe with an ease we never have before. But we love you and cherish each relationship - distance will not change that!

To our friends and church family here on Maui: we love you and you are so important to us, but please resist the temptation to be like Job's friends and think that we MUST have done something to bring this on. I have been guilty of this sooooo many times, I shudder to say. But we did all that we could. I won't detail the efforts, but suffice to say, and given all the people praying for us (or at least saying they were...... KIDDING!!!), God's voice came through loud and clear. We have to leave - for a time. Continue to pray for us, and know that we will be praying for you daily. There will also never be a Sunday morning when we don't think about the park setup or later Sunday morning and Wednesday evening when we aren't thinking of the worship being sung or the message being preached. Every Tuesday morning, we will pray with the Tuesday morning group. Every Tuesday evening, Don will think about the teaching to the men, and I will think about Kim and her women's study. And on the first Sunday of the month, we will be thinking about the food and fellowship being shared at the potluck offered by the BEST COOKS IN CHURCHDOM!! We love you with all our hearts, and cannot wait to return to you!

Only two more nights here. Don and I are going down to sit on the beach for our second-to-the-last time - this time. We sit in beach chairs and let the water come and wash over our feet, while we watch the stars and the moonlight over the waves. We pray and praise God for His artistry. We also marvel at doing this all year round!

So maybe it is paradise. And now we hit pause.