Type, delete, paste, type, delete, delete, delete. That seems to be my pattern as I try to give tribute to the characters of the memories I want to tell you about. How can I do justice to so many of my greatest friends that have left, that have been called to step into the next chapter but have left me blessed forever. The truth is I can't. No words can fully describe to anyone how much they have all changed me. If I tried, I would mess it up. You would finish reading believing one man was better than the other or maybe that "she" was a little odd. Well let me tell you they all are odd and they all are better than the other in some way, in some form and in some amazing story you would have known that. I am grateful for the season God gave me with those that surround me. The best lesson I have learned at Surfing The Nations is not to become numb to those goodbyes, but to thrive in the change that is before you. Do not simply survive but thrive as change is only inevitable and it is for a reason.
I will not attempt the daunting task of replaying all that has happened since August. That would simply leave you confused, overwhelmed and lost between the spaces of how and why. I can leave all that confusion by saying it all is because of the grace and miracles God allows us to be a part of and it is all to further His Kingdom and to continue to live a life of adventure and creativity.
In regards to the story of Surfing The Nations, in respect to the amazing organization I work for. The "as of late" report is nothing less than a Cinderella story. We now are proud owners and occupiers of the Texas Club (strip joint), now redeemed and on it's way to restoration with prayers of a family friendly business to join the team. So after bleaching the walls, scrubbing the floors and watching the ugly step sisters continue to go to the ball. Seeing the enemy win over lives and take resident in the buildings, it was our time to shine. The glass slipper had finally found it's way to our feet and due to the decades of prayers and selfless service of the those in the community we were able to be apart of seeing The Top Hat Bar (longest running bar in Oahu), The Market 88 (drug trafficking Mecca) , Divine Pleasures (porn shop) and Club Texas (strip joint) close it's doors and the Lord take ownership once again. From the brothel house tucked behind the buildings to the illegal trafficking that happened day in and day out it is now a house of the Lord and a refuge for the hurting.
Mere weeks before the Christmas season was hitting in full, I was in a complete whirl wind of what to do next. The majority of my close friends were leaving Surfing The Nations, my brother just found out they we expecting and with all honestly my soul was weary. I didn't want to be here alone, I want nothing more than to be more a part of my niece and nephews lives and I wasn't sure if I could endure much longer. I was seeking, knocking, screaming for an answer and it was a humbling call back to prayer when the peace that surpasses all understanding washed over me as intense as any Pacific Northwest coastal storm. To be comforted in knowing that my talents are required to be used and multiplied and my calling is like no one beside me. To be comforted in knowing God will always provide in ways of finances, family and friends. And to know that when we come to our ropes end it is our Savior that is always there with the strength we need. All truths I previously knew but in no honest reality of how to live them.
While I was home for Christmas I was focused on raising finances for the next season, spending time with my family and honoring my supporters. I flew back to Oregon knowing that upon my return it would never look the same. That was a hard to stomach but it wasn't that understanding that fueled me it was the excitement that I had expectant of an amazing new year of what ever God had for me. While I was home I was honored to spend time with a family that planted one of the largest seeds of compassion and lifestyle ministry deep into my soul. The Riley family invested in me, mentored me through some of the hardest choices I have ever made and created some of the best memories I have from those years that shape us all so much - college. I was re-united with my roommates, had countless coffee dates with friends and even got to see my 6th grade science teacher who little to her knowledge is a big part of my creative impulse moments. All of these amazing memories in just two short weeks reminded me that leaving them too once hurt as it does now with Timmy, Kyle, Renee, Kelly and so many more. I remember crying leaving the Riley family simply for the summer. I remember first meeting Heather and moving in with Kelli, I remember playing a lead role in Mrs. Thorsen's theater class and I remember how hard it was to leave them all. But if I hadn't, if I would have just stayed - I would have never been able to share with you the story of Surfing The Nations, I would never have been able to be shaped into the woman of God I am today, the leader I have been raised to be and the servant of so many. If I had never left and done the unknown, my life would be stagnent and I would have missed it. I would have missed out on the call upon my life.
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