Recap of the BEST WEEK EVER

A made the most profound statement in regards to our vaca last week:

"We're terrible travelers, and GREAT vacationers."

Case in point our tumultuous departure. If you live near LAX the "rules" that they set regarding the time of check in don't really apply to you. We all know that it is quite unnecessary to be there three hours before your plane is scheduled for take off.In fact, A and I have found that one hour and fifteen is usually the optimal arrival time needed in order to ensure check in (for all those who are lame-o and don't print online), bag check, security check, bathroom stop, and starbucks run.

What we didn't take into account for this trip was the inefficiency from our airline carrier, DELTA.

Now, I will not make this into a huge rant about the terrible service, inefficiency, outdated computer systems, rude personnel, and overall worst-airline-we-have-ever-traveled-on type of post, however I will say that when I turn around after pleading with the Delta lady (who was struggling with the power trip associated with the short person syndrome) to allow us to get to the security check since our plane had boarded ten minutes prior and they were shutting the gate, and then after her rude response turn and see my sister begin to cry... Well, I will say this - I am the younger and more (if not most) protective sister you will ever know and my inner fury knew no bounds. After being cleared by a gentle TSA man, A and I huffed it to the end of the entire terminal to barely make the closing door. Sweaty, crying (A),and infuriated (me) we took a deep breath and prayed our vaca would be much much sweeter.

With that said, I can honestly say that this was hands down, by far, the best vacation I have ever been on. Not only was Kauai relaxed, under-developed, completely friendly, beautiful, and removed, but t also had the three components that made our trip what we have dubbed "The Trip of a Lifetime":

1. Our Accommodations
A and I stayed at the Princeville Westin Ocean Resort Vacation Villa Hotel. I didn't quite know how good it was going to be when I booked it from Costco, but man did we score. Absolutely the most amazing five star ISLAND GEM I have ever experienced. Not only did we walk into a stone floor, granite countertops, full kitchen, two shower head shower, jet soaking tub, plush living room, complete with glass utensils and a normal sized fridge, dish washer, and washer and dryer, the softest two bath robes you can even dream about, and a complimentary umbrella in case of rain - but the grounds (two of the top rated golf courses in the world), restaurants, and staff were all five star. It made coming home after a day on the island a pleasure.

I am a self-diagnosed germophobe and not having to worry about wearing shoes in the hotel room or in the shower or stressing about the nasty comforter on the bed, etc. was so...freeing. A and I were relaxed and so so happy.

2. The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook
Our great friend Shin offered his rad Kauai guidebook when he heard we were headed there. We didn't realize how crucial this would be to our vacation success. There was no way that we would have experienced Java Kai, our Kayak/Hike/Zipline extraordinare tour, Ocean snorkeling trip, Hanalei, Anahole, Kapa'a, and every dive restaurant that we read was a real gem. Thank you Shin!

3. My Traveling Companion
I've said it before, but I'll say it again - there is no one greater to travel with than A. Maybe it's because we're sisters, but I think it's mostly because we're our mother's daughters. We are like-minded when it comes to what it means to relax, what makes it enjoyable, how much we're willing to spend, and how much we're willing to exert physically. She's truly just the best person in the world to go to the best place in the world with. I was the driver and she was the navigator - and it could not have been a better relationship. On top of that, she's the only one I can share a bed with and still be completely comfy. :) Love you A - thanks for the best week ever.

The mosquito bites, dealing with an early checkout, time crunching with Alamo, and rushing to and from the airport were nil...I can't even complain about it because anything negative was totally overshadowed by the awesomeness of our trip. It was so good, I'll even throw our rough start in there as well.

BEST WEEK EVER.

Just A Little Bit of Heaven

A and I are in Kauai having the time of our lives. When we return home I'll post more, but for now here's a few pics to wet your appetite.
The beach view of Waimea Canyon. A much better perspective than the mosquito infested walking, riding view. :)

On the way to a snorkeling adventure on the Na PAli Coast our Captain pulled the boat into a small tunnel. It was crazy!

A and I trying to not appear nervous before we zipline across an entire forest. yikers!

The sunset one night off of the Princeville Golf Course where we stayed. Uncapturable really.

The view from the short hike down to Secret Beach.

Gone Fish'in!

This past weekend I packed up and packed in with Josh's family for a last ditch summer fishing expedition.

Apparently the best smoked bacon sandwich restaurant in Bishop. :)


Look how close the deer got!


Pontoon on Gull Lake




Josh won the biggest catch of the week. :)






Love him.

Camp

This past week we served in the Middle High program for the PCJC Family Summer Camp. Meliss, A, and I have been working MH for quite a few years now, but this year was exceptional...exceptionally hard. So fitting that our theme was "SHINE".

To give you an idea of what we experienced - We began with 65 kids and 24 staff, and by the time the (Kev deemed) "Shine-flu" had swept through us, we had 30 kids and 12 staff. The epidemic of sickness was overwhelming.

But from the massive waves of fallen peeps, I saw amazingness Shine through the darkness. I saw Shin Furukawa fight through his sickness and step up to lead the games, run the cabin times, wash and fold tshirts, make two batches of spam musubi in one night, and take the mic when no one was there to do it. Amy Ige, who already had a challenging cabin - take on a few extras after other cabin leaders were sent home with the flu, and without one word of complaining. We lost our AV girl and two guys who just came up to camp for a Friday visit, Charlie and Kei, offered to run the entire AV techie stuff...knowing there was a chance they might get sick by being around the MH program. Melissa and Aimee, for being the best moms who aren't actually moms. I don't think there was one sick child who didn't feel loved and cared for by them. Tonya for her amazing "deanness" and Scott for stepping in as a cabin leader on Thursday, caring for Yuki, and for the devotional of the week-calling on people to Shine for one another as we lost staff person after staff person. Katsuya Omine, for after being woken up on Thursday morning and being asked to speak on the fly for the last two messages (since we lost our speaker), and with no hesitation saying YES...and for the record, his last message on Shining in the Darkness reverberates in my heart even today. Shine on Kats. For Reg, Andy, and Dr. Mark for paying to take care of every sick person around the clock from Wednesday till Saturday. Josh Komata, for his tender heart at not wanting to leave because he was sick. Mrs. Koshimizu, who offered to give us her humidifier every time she ran into me. for Noah, who exceeded my expectation with his servant's heart and amazing devotion to his kids. Robbie and Daniel, for splitting up and taking on the "lost boys". Grace Mendoza for fighting through the stomach pain and for committing to the girls who were still well. Ervin, for being asked to come to camp to lead worship, but for not only rockin the sets but also learning every kids name, being our official photographer, stepping in to lead small groups, eating with kids at meal times, cleaning up on the last night, and honestly just being the most amazing servant ever. Megan Yumori, for holding off the Shine Flu until the last day. To Shawn Arata, not that he dealt with the sickenss at all, but for taking on Daniel, Ray, and Yuji - that in itself was incredible. And to my Pat, for feeling sick and still taking care of unloading the buses, making sure people got home, transferring boxes into church, and for being so awesomely in control that Melis and I felt it was okay to run to urgent care for some meds. And to everyone else who did something that I didn't even know about.

I saw a tenacity and a heart to serve God's people that I didn't know existed. I am humbled by these people and so blessed to serve alongside such warriors, who shined so brightly in the darkness that there was light.

Shine On.