Confirmation

Before I can post a bunch of fun pics, I wanted to update about the events that have unfolded here. My sweet friend Julie I told you about invited us to have Easter brunch with her and her friend V (who has a hubby in the military and was out of town for Easter). Julie's parents were out of town, so all three of us coordinated Easter dinner over email to eat and swim at Julie's parent's house (calling her V for protection)
The Saturday night before Easter, Julie comes over frantic because she just received word V's oldest son had committed suicide. 20 min later, we have Julie's two kids and V's 4 other kids in our home and Beau is mass producing macaroni and cheese. Since then, we have been helping Julie as much as possible so she can support V.
Needless to say, Beau and I have walked the road of grief and walked the road of grief with several friends over the past two years. The Lord has prepared us for this in so many ways, more than I imagined. I was able to think clearly about initial course of action when V and Julie couldn't, help cook and clean for Easter to keep things normal for the kids, help with the kids, set up a care calendar for food and childcare for V, lead them to websites and other places for dealing with grief, encourage Julie and offer things that worked for us before,...the list goes on and on.
Let me say, scripture is clear God doesn't need me. He will provide and protect these families on His own. Having said that, He is faithful to use the comfort He has given us to comfort others. God has confirmed being here was the best thing for us as a family. He provided the means to get here, people to use our cars and home, an amazing neighbor who I have spent every day with like we have known each other forever, an amazing group of women to take over the women's ministry back home, and now a ministry opportunity I never saw coming. Sometimes we have in our minds what missions look like....I didn't realize so much until now that missions can sometimes be what you already know. Seriously, Hawaii is behind the times technology wise in everything. They use VHS tapes still...enough said. So setting up a care calendar to help the church ladies help V instead of bombarding her is ministry to them. Cleaning and caring for children, ministry. We have prayed the Lord would use us here...He is faithful.
I could write a ton more on all this...but there are children to be tended to. Pray for V and Julie. V has a lot of children. Pray for their grief management and that their child-like minds could understand God as their comforter and big brother. The service is tuesday, may 3rd.
Thanks. Aloha (means good-bye, hello, love, or whatever you want it to in Hawaiian)