Where has the time gone?

I just realized that I should let you know (b/c some of you don't)...

I'm 13 weeks pregnant with Kid #2! (well, actually #3 counting Little Gary) Lots of mixed emotions surrounded the first couple of months after finding out - for various reasons - but I've been very grateful ever since we found out. Getting pregnant and staying pregnant is something that I think many people take for granted because they don't realize what kinds of challenges some women face in order to conceive and to carry the pregnancy to term. So I see this child, and every child I have, as a gift...another opportunity to stretch my heart (as Jaymee says) and teach me how to love more deeply than I did before.

Meleana is growing very well and very quickly! She is now starting to walk on her own, though she does not yet have the agility and balance to prefer moving upright as opposed to crawling. It's so cute to watch her hobble across the living room with her arms stretched out in front of her, grinning from ear to ear. She is also very affectionate - like her dad - always giving me kisses, and kissing all of her stuffed animals. Ati Leilani is her favorite playmate, though she is getting more and more and more comfortable with JJ and Jacob. She loves to tug on Jacob and follow JJ around wherever he goes. It's great seeing the kids together...I can't wait for her to have a sibling so she'll have someone to play with at home, too.

Work has been busy lately, but I'm holding up pretty well so far. My classes have been going well, and my students are super-involved in our discussions, which is always nice. There's so much about our faith to share with them, and it's pretty amazing to see them want to grow and pass on the knowledge they gain at SJS. I'm also enjoying my Literature and English classes because I feel like I have a better handle on the curriculum and can do a whole lot more integration than I have in the past. There are some days where I don't quite get a minute to myself, but I must say that I'm having tons of fun doing what I do. There's so much that I learn from the kids and their parents every year, and I always appreciate being a part of their lives in such a special way.

So that's my update so far. Other than hooking up with Lyn-lyn and company to perform at Oktoberfest, there isn't much more going on with us. The weekly hula practices are great catch-up time for me and my sisters...definitely good for us since we don't see each other as often as we would like. We'll move back someday...someday...right, God? =)

Catch up!

Long time no blog...

Started school on 8/27...great class...awesome first few weeks of school...lots to do but trying to pace myself better this year. Third year at SJS is so much more comfortable...finally feeling "settled" and daring enough to try even more new ideas. It's pretty exciting. This is what my third year at St. Paul felt like, and I really did enjoy the experience of not having to acclimate so much...just growing my roots deeper in a place that encouraged me to share the Faith.

Then there was SCRC...SO NICE to be there...saw coworkers, old friends, people who had walked with me over the years...met a wonderful Carmelite Sister - Sr. Catherine Marie - who was a Candidate when I was discerning...met and intro'ed Charles Whitehead (who I only knew from all the articles I read as Servant Leader)...visited Jesus in the Adoration Chapel...always calling me closer...remembering what He gave me through the Charismatic Renewal...thanking Him for those who keep it very much alive.

Facebook...finally joined after Jenn's coaxing and I'm so glad I did. Reconnecting with high school friends who I never thought I'd see again...Katie, Anahita, Angela...it's crazy to realize how fast we've all grown up after graduation 14 years ago. Found out Katie lives not too far from us and Anahita has a baby, too! Can't wait to see them again. And it dawned on me that when I was younger, my group of friends was so incredibly diverse - different ethnicities and religions, different experiences and interests - but we loved each other because we were friends. It's something I do appreciate about going to a public school...developing that respect for differences...drawing upon our shared humanity that bound our friendships together. A microcosm of the world in a way...

LSS...praying for another outpouring of the Holy Spirit...asking again for conversion...sharing with Chentel that the gifts need to be nurtured in an environment that encourages their use...otherwise when God calls you, you tend to be more hesitant...wondering if it's something you "should still be doing"...healing, prophecying, interceding...when once I knew the kind of community the early Church had been...seeing miracles happen...watching hungry souls being fed. There is a reason why I was brought to that group...there is a reason why we all were...He wants us to understand the Church for what and who She truly is...in all her fullness...with all His power...strengthened by the Sacraments...grounded in the Word and Sacred Tradition...and flourishing when Her members are empowered by the Spirit to do as Jesus did, to love as Jesus loved, to serve as Jesus served. No, it isn't about the feelings anymore. It's about what I know and believe to be true based on the promise of Christ to send His Advocate...as the Apostles were called forth in the Upper Room...it's about continuing mission of the Christian Church in the New Testament.

Yes, life happens and it is quite busy...but each day is an offering to Him and I want to live it as such. Praying, Lord...please help me plan my days that I might go and bear fruit that will last (Jn 15:16). Amen.