Back to School

I wasn't going to brag, but I changed my mind. I am taking a theology class at church, Pastor Bruce calls it Theology 301. We just had our midterm exam and I scored a 95%. Not only was it the highest grade in the class, I am told it's the highest score anyone has ever had on a Theology 301 midterm. It's probably stupid idea to trash talk about my high score. (this is God's word, not a volleyball game) But I'm not used to being the smart kid in the class so I'm gonna enjoy this victory by hanging the test on the fridge and posting a photo online for those of you who don't spend much time looking at my refrigerator.

Shocked!

I'm shocked that my Jeep is broken again. I have broken three rear shocks in three months. Trust me, it's not my driving, it's these crappy Skyjacker shock absorbers. I'm no mechanic, but I know the problem lies in that little hole you see down at the bottom of the shock. The nut that sticks out of that hole likes to break off, then the oil drains out of the shock and it's worthless. You can push down on my back bumper and practically dribble the back end of my Jeep like a basketball. Looks like I'll be riding my bike to work tomorrow.

Pretty Music

Sorry for the lack of updates on the blog, I've just been too dang busy to mess with it. This photo is from last weekend. Sonicflood played the YWAM Kona campus, it was a great time of worship, and it felt like half the town was down there. I have to admit, I don't have the whole Christian concert thing figured out yet. Is it a concert or a church service? I'm all about expressive behavior and loud music at church. But in a concert setting, I am more apt to focus on the music and the guys on stage, at church it's all about Jesus. So I guess the atmosphere confused me. Maybe I've just been to too many Metallica concerts and I am more used to the crowd yelling "Die! Die! Die!" than "Praise Jesus!" There were definite benefits to the Christian venue: I could rest assured that guy face down on the floor next to me was not passed out or puking on my slippers, he was simply worshiping the Lord.

Johnny Lang

Another good time was had at the Johnny Lang concert the next night at the brew pub. Every musician on that stage was phenomenal. These incredible performers would take off on a song and jam. They really took it to the next level, way beyond the realm of the simple organized sound and silence that makes up most music. The show was top notch!

Kalua Pua`a

My timing was perfect. On a lunchtime stroll, I happened upon two men unloading the pigs for the Island Breeze luau. One of them was a 160 pounder, I didn't check the tags on the rest of them. It's kalua pig tonight!

A Super Day (that's just for you, Brian)

I watched Superbowl XLI with Joe, a tried and true Bears fan and an authentic Midwestern American. It's too bad Da Bears lost, but watching the game still made me feel like a patriot. From the opening of the Star Spangled Banner to the Bears returning the kickoff for a touchdown, to the outrageous commercials, I was thrilled to take part in this uniquely American tradition. I drank fresh American Kona Brew, wore an old Walter Payton jersey that was made in USA, and when I watched a commercial featuring several Chevy vehicles being driven across this great nation my heart welled up with pride that I also drive an American car. There's something special about the Super Bowl, it's so much more than a football game.

A Beautiful Day at Kailua Bay




The moon rises over Hualalai Tuesday afternoon. A storm brought wind that blew the clouds away from the mountain. We've had funky weather all week. Rain, wind, clouds, unusually clear skies, weird rainbows, big surf and beautiful sunsets.

Today's sunset:

What a Glorious Day

I had a little time between church and a BBQ last Sunday. I intended to wash some clothes and make it possible to safely walk through my bedroom. But the beautiful weather forced me to make different plans. The sky was blue and the mountains and horizon were crisp and clear. I hung out by the ocean at Honokohau, then I drove up to Kaloko to get a view from the 5,000 foot level of Hualalai. Hualalai means obstruction in Hawaiian. The mountain can be obstructed by clouds for months at a time, sometimes I forget it's even there.

Sunday was also special because I became of member of Grace Community Church. I've been going there for the past year or more and I love it so much! There are tons of really awesome people who have accepted me into their family, and they have found ways for me to participate and serve at the church. It's pretty exciting!