Heart for the House

After an very good sermon on "Growing Pains" and becoming involved, engaged in serving--not volunteering, Pastor Mike let us know that the shopping center people were not interested in talking to HCWO about purchasing the property.  We were encouraged to pray for another space--10 to 15 acres of blank space for our future home.  Yes we have outgrown our church in three years and God has been with us.  From Kapolei, Pearl City, & Mililani...  They had hoped for something to happen at Koa Ridge a long time ago.  I feel like I need to believe again for Koa Ridge.  It's right across of Kipapa Gulch outside my window.  Today & every day, I shall pray for what God has for us wherever it is.  I also pray for a large kitchen, dining facility, preschool, gymnasium, senior center... I had been a dreamer before and I am again.  Hoping for whatever God wants to do with us as we seek His plan & will.  Who will He touch?  It will be another incredible journey.

Toby & Alison's Wedding June 30, 2012

We were honored to be invited to Toby & Alison's Wedding last Saturday.  It was a perfect day at the Kahala Hotel.  Our own Kordell officiated and did an awesome job--a chip off the old block.  We stood and watched from the back--limited seating at these outdoor affairs.  Spotted Hotch in the only shady seat from the shadow of a coconut tree.  Those Kekoas know how to make the best of ANY situation.


Everything was lovely.  Mandy came from the Big Island but left baby Naia at home.  Darlene was gracious as mother of the groom.  Toby was having the time of his life and laughed a lot.  He looked so much like Loren.  Alison is from Mililani and also involved in Sports Medicine at Campbell--Toby at Waianae.

The food was delicious--some different choices--warm salad dressing--no chicken.  Desserts tasty.  We took pictures in the photo booth.  Sat with Arlene & Arnold, Hotch, Kordell & his friend.

We were the only ones who brought a gift.  I had made a lined square of fabric to tie--furoshiki style and my honey had to carry it around near the beach and back to the reception area.  When we got to the gift table the wrap was falling apart so I had to fix it.  There were no other gifts on the large table.  It was a lovely day with old friends and new.  Congratulations.

July 5, 2012 My parents 73rd anniversary

On this day in 1939, Margaret Tomasa Galang married James Yoshio Higa. Mom never shared the details of their wedding day but as a result of their union, they had us five kids. We all got married and had a total of seventeen kids between us. Generation 4 is probably up to about 30--need to count again (will let you know), and Gen 5 has three--all from Joshuana--great grandchildren for mom--wow!

So I had a busy day at work but also got a lot accomplished & got to come home a little early--no lunch.

It's amazing what a couple hours can do. We have recently spent many date night Fridays at Down to Earth splitting a Mock Chicken Wrap with sides of chips & salsa for each of us. We love the taste & I was surprised to find the recipe online. After cleaning up the kitchen I started first with preparing the tofu, baking & cooling it off in the refrigerator. Also made some griddle cakes on the panini maker--it should have been set on griddle but I had it on grill. Clifford liked it a lot along with the salad. Topped it with crunchies, oh YUM! After dinner, I made a batch of Lemon Blueberry Scones. YUM YUM!

I love my kitchen! It is my dream kitchen & I am finally able to enjoy it. It's exciting for me to want to wash my dishes & keep the counters clean. Before I knew I should keep up with the sink but I didn't want to, yet. Now there is a difference. YAY! I've been waiting a long time for this.

It's been a great day! Little by little, I'm getting there. Thank you, Lord.

God is Good

Where do I begin? It's been a wonderful week. I'm seeing God's hand in things every day. Here's just one example: Clifford wanted to clean out some things in the attic (things that have been there for 20-28 years). Found old patterns, suitcases, bags of clothes, fabric, Chocolates by You paperwork... One of the suitcases felt heavy so he suggested I check it. Opened it to find a few books, magazines, patterns & two copies of Delight in My Kitchen Cookbook I had done for Wahiawa Christian Women's Club in 1980. Picked out some of the magazines & cookbooks to look over later. My copy is browned and well worn and have you ever had a banana sit & rot & get juicy? My cookbook had sat in that unattended banana juice and the smell lingers.

Got an e-mail from Mary Beth Lindeman (Nancy Kekoa's younger sister) and she shared that today would be her mom's 100th birthday. I replied and told her how our family celebrated my mom's & sister Margot's birthdays by cooking foods they made, talk about the things they said & treasured things that they left behind. Also mentioned Vincent Price's Prune Honey Nut Bread a recipe that Nancy had submitted for the cookbook that her Aunt Barb Haskins had given to her. I just made a double batch for us a couple of weeks ago and it was ever so yummy.

She replied back and had no recollection of the bread recipe but found it on the internet. I am so amazed at how God brings things and people together at the right time. Gonna send one of the cookbooks to her as a birthday gift in honor of Venita Jayne--found her hardtack recipe on page 90. As one thought reminds me of another--the open houses/potlucks that we had at Wahiawa Church of the Nazarene while Hotch & Nancy were there have permanently shaped who I am and still becoming. They were my example of husband & wife, parents, friends, mentors, nurturers, Christians, servants. What a joy to see the Kekoa kids serving the Lord at New Hope, Kamehameha School, grandchildren singing and being such magnets for the Lord.

New Year, New Challenges, New Hopes, New Joys

It's my first day of vacation--Arise Conference at church next week Thursday to Saturday, and the 21-day fast begins on Monday, January 9, 2012. Enjoyed hearing the talk/demo from the Blonde Vegetarian. Went to Down to Earth and got my brown rice syrup (sweetener) & Braggs Amino Acids (soy sauce substitute), sesame bread, pita bread & 100% fruit wild blueberry jelly & raw pumpkin seeds.

Our Threads of Hope Ministry will have a booth at the 2nd Annual Arise Conference and we will feature "Dress a Girl Around the World". I'm busy making the flyers, hang tags, invitations and commitment cards and the banner for our table. Finished a dress today and one yesterday. Yay! Think I'll put together a Smilebox on how to sew "chiyo's easy no elastic dress".

New Beginnings--2011

Happy Girls' Day!!! I made Custard Mochi with coconut & black sesame seeds. Took some to work for my girls. Lovely day. Engaged in several neat conversations with customers & Kathy & Teresa.

It's been an incredible year so far. It actually started last year. Our 40th anniversary and my 60th birthday in the year of the tiger.

Our Arise Conference was Friday, Jan 14 & 15. Lisa & John Bevere challenged us to be Lionesses, protectors. WOW! 900 women. Energy. Edgy.

Our Awakening Fast which was originally announced as a 14-day fast was changed to 21 days. It began on Monday, January 17. Having done the fast twice before, I had looked forward to it. Making a pot of vegetable soup every week proved to be a good thing that was an easy meal. Smoothies, stir fry, roasted veggies--especially potatoes were our mainstay. I didn't miss meat as much as I missed sugar.

Grateful Day

Goodness, it's been a long time since I've blogged. Today was a special day at work. It was the last day of our 12-week Mililani WalMart Remodel. I was one of the supervisors from our store to train & help new temporary associates set up modulars, build counters--whatever we were told to do by the store planners. We had a few challenges but everything worked out. Many were hired as permanent associates. Today was our Grand Re-Opening. The kahus did a fine blessing at the front door. I went back to my new Celebration department & straightened up, filled, ordered. As I was at the computer in the back, the kahu was busy with his ti leaf, sprinkling & blessing doorways & people. I thanked them for coming. We had a nice conversation & he gave me his card. He asked me if I had a Hawaiian name & I said no so he said he would give me one--Minoaka. Sounds Indian or Japanese but it means smile. Wow! How neat. It never occurred to me that I wanted a Hawaiian name but it's exciting to be given one.

At lunch time, five of us gathered at the Ginger House to have lunch. Lani & I ordered & were going to pay for the group. She ordered Shrimp Fried Rice, their Hong Kong style Crispy Chicken & Beef Bittermelon & I ordered my favorites Honey Walnut Shrimp, Deep Fried Tofu (love the sauce), & Beef Chow funn. Delish!!! Lani didn't get the bill fast enough & Brian paid for our lunch. After that we all piled into my car & brought them home & I let them pick mangoes to take home. They loved that. Mangoes were meant to be shared & they are a blessing.

Back at work, my partner & I had been concerned about corporates direction that dictated that multiple departments would be falling under a single department manager. We were the last pair that shared departments. The stationery & souvenir departments were merging with ours & that dept mgr was going to be also on the remodel team to be the Instock Guarantor. So my partner Nelia was to handle all without me or Lani. She did well until Back to School. You must know that for that season, there is sent to us seven containers of merchandise which is a whole lot of stuff! We've sold thru four & have three more to go. She's been anxious--it's all new to her & this other thing hanging over her head. So we had good news today that the dept mgr reduction to one has been lifted & we can continue as a team. The other factor in this whole thing is that they have placed souvenirs next to McDonald's, Fabric & Sewing in the other back corner, crafts spread in the middle of the store with office supplies & Celebrations across of the check outs with the greeting cards & magazines plus the Seasonal Back to School near the entrance where food was. We cover a lot of ground in a day.

It's all good now. Clifford got his fisheye lens & took some silly pictures of his face but got a pretty one of a rainbow--one of my favorite things--alisa got that from me. I am always amazed when I see a rainbow--I take it personally--just for me! It reminds me that God is Faithful. Sometimes we get all worked up about stuff when we just need to trust Him. Thank you Lord for being patient with me.