Week 7!

 

   While trying to get the last blog published, I totally forgot to add my God moment on Sunday.

Saturday night I was down on myself and just questioned everything. Was I supposed to be doing something more? Why wasn’t my life exactly what I wanted? How long do I have to wait to feel content? All these questions of doubt flooded my head. I just ignored them because that’s what I usually do. I know it’s not healthy but it’s the way I cope when I have things to get done. 

      So on my way to work on Sunday I was admiring the beautiful sunset and I knew in my heart, that it was God’s valentine to me. It was a visible sign of His love for me. Then I turned the radio on and a song came on that hit me like a ton of bricks. When I was first contemplating taking the traveling plunge in August, the Christian song “Breathe” was played at a retreat that I was attending virtually. God spoke to me through the lyrics and gave me peace and confidence in my decision to go. Thus hearing it when I was having doubts and questions about my future, was just what I needed. I know I’m blessed beyond measure but the devil loves getting in my ear and my human side wants to listen to all the doubt he plants. Some days it’s harder than others to just be patient with God’s timing. I love the life I’m living but I’m also anxious in what comes next. This lent I’m going to make it my goal to just breathe. Here’s a link to the song. We all need to make time to breathe in this hectic world we are living. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hnjeMwxFuBA

 

Monday:

     I got the night off so jill and I were able to go on an adventure! I originally said we would go to the “baby tide pool”, literally what they were called on google, but we had time and she was up for the challenge. She’s wonderful and all but if she doesn’t put sunscreen on before our next outing I may just leave her home. (Jill do you hear that?) I love the tide pools because it’s not something you can find everywhere. It’s a natural pool that you can sit and be lazy in. After 3 nights in a row, lazy was my cup of tea. While we were relaxing I looked out and saw a spout of water. A whale was swimming by! Ahhhhhhh!!!! I was dying! It is whale season right now but I haven’t seen any until today. After the tide started coming in we decided to go up towards the lighthouse. As I stopped to wait for jill I looked out and saw more spouts of water. In the distance I could see big waves and a whale tale slapping the water. I am not kidding you, I even saw one jump out of the water! It was far away but never in a million years would I have thought that I would experience something like that. 

Tuesday

I started the day with a hike up Koko head. I was dehydrated so it wasn’t my smartest decision to go with little sleep and little water. Well you live and you learn. As jill was working from home, I went to the beach with a day travel nurse named Josh. He introduced me to some of his friends so that I could have more people to hang out with. We just hung out all morning at Queen’s beach, before I had to go home and nap for work. The water in Hawaii is crystal clear so snorkeling is a dream. I love all the colorful fish that can be found! No sea turtles yet but I hope to find them soon.

Wednesday- eat, sleep and work. 

Thursday-

  Jill and I decided to take a trip to Makua beach after she got off work. The beach was on the west side of the island and more of a local place. I loved it! The mountains on each side were breath taking. I’m all for being away from the hustle and bustle of city life. We had a great time jumping into the waves, but also being pummeled by them. I wish videos would work because Jill cracked me up. We stayed for sunset, but it was too cloudy to really see anything. Maybe next time! 

Friday- Sleep and work and obviously eat

Saturday-

    Today is Luau day!!! I am so excited to go even though it won’t be the same because of COVID. I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to wear so I had to do a fashion show for Jill. After countless outfit changes I decided to try one more. It wasn’t anything crazy but the skirt was actually one of my Nana’s. Jill, not knowing this, said “that one is perfect.” I actually teared up because I thought so too. She was the reason I felt at home in an ICU. Every year she would end up in the Nebraska Med ICU the Tuesday after thanksgiving. It was like clockwork. Those nurses knew her well and they were always there for my family during her stays. My nana wasn’t able to go many places because of her health, so having a piece of her in Hawaii was important to me. I know those that have passed on are always with us, in our hearts but sometimes it’s nice to have something tangible that connects us to them. Anyways I’m going to stop there before I start tearing up.

     Since it was only a soft opening, not all the villages at the Polynesian culture center were open. We did though get to go on a canoe ride and learn about the history of the villages. We also watched a man climb a coconut tree and wove toys out of palms, all before the luau. I truly was a glutton but I had to try everything! It was a served buffet, and let me tell you, nothing disappointed. Dinner was accompanied by song and dance from the era of the last queen of Hawaii. The way they speak of family here, reminds me of my family. We would fit in great here, now I just need to convince everyone to come down! 

     After dinner there was another show in the amphitheater. It went through the story of “Ha, the breath of life” and the different Polynesian cultures. Going through their history I understood why they took to Christianity so well. Their “Ha” was a child born to a couple that had to flee the homeland in fear of persecution. Ha, was also known as “the breath of life”. The stories of their ancestors had many connections and nuances that are present in Christianity. God really took my breath away with the realization. He gave me a glimpse of the hope and the wonder that these people would have received with the first Christian missionaries. St Damian and St Marriane brought not only physical healing to the people on the islands but also spiritual. The Polynesian culture is so rich with tradition and history and I would love to know more about it. I’m going to try to find a local charity and outreach, so that I may learn more about the people I serve. Anyway, if you’re ever in Oahu, the Polynesian culture center is a must see!  

Sunday- 

   Well today’s the day! We are going to snorkel in open water with the sharks! My grandma tried to talk me out of it but my mind was set and the money was paid. You’re hearing from me now, so obviously I made it through it. I wish I could tell you I wasn’t scared but when the Galapagos sharks were swimming under and near me for the first time, I about pooped myself. Once the instructor said it was all okay I was fine. My fight or flight kicked in for a second and my adrenaline started to go. Being an ICU nurse my instinct is to fight. I was ready for whatever those sharks had in store. Thankfully it didn’t come down to that. It was an experience I will never forget and I actually would do it again. Swimming with them, in their dominion was intimidating but it also put me in awe. I feel that “awe” is my main reaction to everything I experience here.