Fairest Lord Jesus

Today for Sunday School we has a hymn sing.
I remember this hymn from when I was young,
and didn't even know WHO Jesus was.
It always made such an impression on me,
that One could be so honored and revered.

This Jesus, creator and higher than the creation.

1. Fairest Lord Jesus, ruler of all nature,
O thou of God and man the Son,
Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor,
thou, my soul's glory, joy, and crown.

2. Fair are the meadows, fairer still the woodlands,
robed in the blooming garb of spring:
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer
who makes the woeful heart to sing.

3. Fair is the sunshine, fairer still the moonlight,
and all the twinkling starry host:
Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer
than all the angels heaven can boast.

4. Beautiful Savior!  Lord of all the nations!
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor, praise, adoration,
now and forevermore be thine.

More Goodbye Maui Memories

Julianne and cousin Andrew on Trilogy Cruise

Oh yes, we zip lined

Best ride in Town!

Swimming and snorkeling filled our days

Goodbye Maui

Sights and sounds of Maui - I love you
I actually managed to get into an Ekolu concert for free - which was a good thing since my friend and I got a $40 parking ticket same day!
I love seeing how our children have changed - we always go with our cousin Adam to take the kids pictures at Sears - with Hawaiian shirts from Sears.



Family reunion at the beach - family growing and changing each visit
Food IS a big part of visiting Maui - and Guri Guri a definite highlight - here with Grandpa and Grandma Tolentino, and Da Nolans (Joseph's sister and family)
I actually did a killer Zip Line this time - 8 stations long and boy was that FUN!
The church where we got married is undergoing major renovations - but was fun to drive toA beautiful evening cruise on the Trilogy
Simply lovely - just watching the kids have fun in the sun..hours and hours at the beach

Do I HAVE to go home?

Ama (Grandfather in Filipino)

Ama and Auntie Sayong - brother and sister. Ama is now 90 years old, but healthy. he says he feels more weak lately.


When Ama lived in the Philippines, his wife died, leaving him to care for 2 daughters, ages 3 years old and 7 months old. His sister took one in, and his wife's sister took the other. Ama came to Maui to work for a better life - and to bring his family here. After many years, he was able to sponsor his first daughter and her 2 children to come (Joseph and Agnes). Joseph was 3 years old then, and his mom enrolled him in a Christian preschool near their home.

Ama was like a father to Joseph.

This man lived his entire life for others. As we said goodbye to him, he got tears in his eyes and said (in broken English) "I am so so happy to see my grandchildren and great grandchildren. I have been so blessed by God. Next time you come, I may not be here as I am old already. But I am so happy in my heart to see you". I shed a few extra tears at 2 things: 1)That Ama lived an entirely unselfish life for the pure benefit to others and 2) that Ama thanks God for all the goodness that he has enjoyed in his 90 years.

Lil' Piece of History

When I was pregnant with Jason, living in Hawaii, I found out I had to be on strict bed rest from the third month until delivery.

So, we moved in with Joseph's grandfather, who only had 2 other people living in his house at the time.

I hung out on the couch in the living room each day, just waiting while Jason incubated.

As time went on, Joseph's Auntie and Uncle from the Philippines moved here, homesteading with the grandfather. Unbeknown to us, they were in process of bringing over their six from the Philippines to start a new life in Hawaii.

By the time Jason was born, and we moved out of the house, there were 16 people living there! It was great!

Today, they cousins are all married and having their own children.

We are missing Jordan in this picture, as he was at work.

I will post the "before" picture later - of when Jason was a baby.