Grand Wailea Hotel December 2, 2006
Today I spent part of the day at the Grand Wailea Hotel taking pictures. Thomas Kinkade spends time here painting. He has painted pictures of many scenes around the Grand Wailea Hotel.
Sunset on Maui
Today I was thinking about the beautiful sunsets that we have seen here on Maui. Each evening the sky explodes with color, splashing the sand and sea with beauty. As I sat on the sand I thought of verses from Psalm 139. Oh LORD, you say that You are always thinking of me! Look at the sand on the beach– if I could count the grains of sand… Your thoughts would outnumber the grains of sand.You know me inside and out,my thoughts, my words, my conversations.You know my each and every movement. LORD, nothing, no nothing is hidden from you. I can never be out of Your presence, whether flying here through the heavens, scuba diving in the depths of Molokini crater, or settling here on the far side of the sea… even here You guide me and your right hand holds me fast. As the sun sets, I remember that all of the days of my life are already ordained and are written in Your Book….even before ONE of them came to be!Nothing is hidden from You Oh LORD!
A Maui Sunset November 28, 2006
Every evening at sunset we have a ritual of going to the beach to watch the beautiful sunsets . We went to a restaurant one night that is named after the Hawaiian state fish. Get this- the name of the fish is the Humuhumunukunukuapua’a -Got it? Now say that three times fast! 
Just a Withered Leaf November 17, 2006
This poem was inspired by the verses in Jeremiah 17:7-8 . The verses speak of how those who TRUST in the Lord are like a tree planted by a stream and even in a time of drought, the leaves stay green and the tree produces fruit. This poem is about a life that once did not trust in the Lord, or His promises, but now is TURNING back to God, soaking up His promises and no longer is a withered leaf but is vibrant, green and strong!
Just a withered leaf. …hanging by a thread
Winds of adversity…. shake it to and fro
Just a withered leaf…. needing God’s great touch
Longing for these precious words-
For YOU, I Believe and pray
Just a withered leaf … but hiding in God’s plan
Lies much more than we ever, could see as a man
Just a withered leaf … shaking from the pain
God says peace be still… I will send the rain
Just a withered leaf… soaking up his Word
feasting on each verse… as God is being heard
Just a withered leaf… now softening in the rain
God’s grace is pouring out… Melting all the pain
Just a withered leaf… But now I see a change
God is slowly working… a life to re-arrange
Just a withered leaf … battered from the storm
A heart re-awakening… new , as freshly born
Just a withered leaf… planted by the stream
soaking up His promises… finally turning green
Just a withered leaf … hopeless once and lost
Now in fullness see… Beauty thru the cross
Now this withered leaf… is healthy , vibrant, strong
Singing now His praises… Playing out His song
Written by J. Williams/ Inspired by Jeremiah 17:7-8
A Dream Come True! October 24, 2006
“It was a dream come true!” says Dennis Williams about his recent opportunity to drive a NASCAR racecar. Last week, he and his good friend Steve Carson, spent a day at the California Speedway in Ontario, California. While partaking in the Championship Adventure series, they had the chance to drive in three separate sessions, reaching speeds of up to 155 - 160 mph. Dennis and Steve were the two fastest guys on the track. The cars were actual NASCAR high performance racecars. When asked what the highlight of his day was, Dennis said: ” I will never forget when I first got in my car, the # 1 car, turned on the ignition switch and hit the start button. The sound of that engine rumbling was unforgettable!
First we had to crawl through the window, then we were belted in with a 5 point harness. Next they gave us intructions regarding the fire supression system—NO Dennis- Do NOT push that RED button!! The car had a four speed manual transmission with about 500 HP.We were fitted with a full face helmet and a neckbrace along with a radio. The instructors talked to him all along the way as he made his way around the 2 mile super high speed race course.
The owner and staff at DriveTech racing school could not have done any better. They had excellent customer service and unparalled training.
To share this once in a lifetime moment with my friend Steve, was incredible. It is a memory I will have all of my life.
To view some great pictures of their adventure, follow the link to Steve Carson’s website.
Five Minute Lasagna ! October 13, 2006
Five Minute Lasagna
Serves 6 (This sounds yummy- but I have not yet tried it…let me know if you do!)
No kidding—this takes just five minutes to put together!
1 (26 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce (your favorite)
1 (30 ounce) bag frozen large cheese ravioli, unthawed
1 (10 ounce) package frozen spinach, thawed and drained (optional)
1 (8 ounce) package mozzarella, shredded
1/2 cup Romano cheese, grated
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Lightly grease a 13-x-9-inch baking dish and spoon in about 1/3 of the
sauce. Arrange 12 of the raviolis on top; then evenly lay all the
spinach over the top of the raviolis. Top that with half of each
cheese. Now cover with another layer of raviolis, the remaining sauce
and the remaining cheese. Tent with foil (don’t let cheese touch the
foil or it will stick) and bake 25 minutes; then uncover it and bake
for 5 to 10 minutes more until bubbly. ( Recipe by Leanne Ely)
Quote of the Day October 11, 2006
Quote to Ponder
Faith is the heroic effort of your life, you fling yourself in reckless confidence on God. God has ventured all in Jesus Christ to save us, now He wants us to venture our all in abandoned confidence in Him.
–Oswald Chambers
Calm my Anxious Heart October 10, 2006
“Women worry alot. We worry about our children. our friends, our careers, our families, our finances, the list could go on and on. Yes, we want to be content and trust God with our worries, but it’s a struggle to let go and free ourselves from the burden of anxiety. With (this book),” Calm my Anxious Heart”, you can let go of your anxiety and experience the contentment that comes from trusting God. ” From Calm my Anxious Heart, by Linda Dillow.
This semester we will be going through this book. I hope you will come and join us as we discuss each chapter together.
