Mokihana's Garden

Frequently I wake up in the middle of the night, heart beating fast and afraid, either from a nightmare or worry about things going on in my life.

I love this photo of ‘Ukulele, because she reminds me how, just like her blanket, God covers me with His care. It’s a good thing to remember in when it’s dark and quiet save for the too-rapid heartbeat I can hear pounding in my chest.

‘Ukulele sleeps so peacefully in this photo, and though sometimes it takes me awhile to get back to a place of rest like this, eventually I do, picturing God’s comforting care keeping me safe. I listen to ‘Ukulele purring beside me, hear the doves in my aviary cooing in the darkness, and finally sleep comes once again.

K’den. AFK wen request photos foa da pork chops; we jass had ‘em lass week, but like I wen tell u folks, we love dem so tonite we stay having dem again. (more…)

What is she thinking, this wistful little girl with the skinned knee? She looks lonely. Her eyes speak volumes, her sadness palpable. If she were to talk, what would she say? Would she say that her life was unbearable much of the time? Or would she hide her pain and say everything was fine?

Today, looking back at her, I know that all along God was with her, fulfilling the potential He put in her from the very beginning. He gave her a future and a hope, even though in later years she had wondered where He was and how she could possibly go on. Then she called to Him, and He answered her and let her know in oh, so many ways, how He had been there with her all the time.

Traces of the wistful little girl remain. But in her heart she hears, “I have loved you with an everlasting love. I will never leave you or forsake you.”

Mokihana, age four, in Mānoa Valley.

So at my Wednesday Bible study, we alla time have one Valentine’s Day pa‘ina; u know, jass like in school, everybody brings valentine da kine foa everybody else. I stay from Hawai‘i, yeah, so I like do Hawaiian kine stuffs. (more…)

This morning it was snowing hard! And sticking! I could hardly believe it… snow on Valentine’s Day.
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Tonite Nolemana and I had our favorite kine pork chops. Ho, I stay so ono foa dem; no matta how often I fixum, we neva get tiyad of dem. Oni easy, too! (more…)

Tomorrow I’m driving down to Mt Angel to the Shalom Prayer Center to take a writing class from Nan Phifer. I’m really excited about it, as this is the second class I’ve taken from her. She’s a fabulous instructor and I can’t wait to get there! (more…)

This Flicker came to the suet feeders over and over during our recent snowstorm. I loved taking different shots of this beautiful bird; he kind of looks like he has apple cheeks!

I loved how two images in the verse were appropriate for this photo!
During the past seven months I have frequently felt assailed; by depression, sadness, and even apathy. It has often taken everything I have to cry out to Him, “Give ear to me and hear my prayer”, and through it all He has heard me. I feel His love, sometimes through the kindness of a friend, or a listening ear, or just having someone sit with me while I cry.

The stuff I have done is in bold. Seems like maybe I haven’t been to a whole lot of places. But the places I have been I’ve lived life to the fullest in! Okay, now I’m gonna tag Jenny, Lika, ClareBear and Kikue. (more…)