Thursday, December 31, 2009

Snap, Crackle, KABOOM!

While we were waiting in line for fireworks this afternoon, Gregg's dad reminded us of our favorite fireworks story. Gregg was a young boy and his dad had continuously warned him NOT to go near the box of fireworks with his lit punk. 


As a young curious boy, Gregg did just the opposite. Too excited to see a box of explosives within just a few feet of him, he inched closer and closer. His punk ignited the entire box of fireworks. Everything went up in flames. 


Fast forward 35 years. . . Gregg now has three boys of his own, two daughters and a nephew over for New Year's Eve. (In Hawaii, New Year's Eve is like 4th of July--times 10!)


Something fishy is going on in the driveway. The children all look incredibly suspicious. I call  to the curious one and ask what's going on. "Nothing. . . really, Mom." 


I don't buy it. "Please come inside, son. What are you really doing?"


"We haven't done anything. . . yet." His hands are holding a bunch of shredded up paper. 


"What are you planning to do with the shredded paper?" (They were supposed to be outside throwing their poppers around.)


"We've been taking the powder out of the poppers to stick inside all of the shredded paper to make an EXTRA BIG ONE!"


Please pray that I make it through the night without a trip to the ER.

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Nerf Wars

This Christmas, I made the mistake decision to buy the children nerf guns. Consequently, my home has been transformed into an ongoing "war zone" for the past four days (and believe me, it looks like it). To make the experience even more fun, Gregg bought the mega-pack of darts at Wal Mart that come with artillery belts. 


Just when I think I've found a safe place to read and drink my coffee, I find myself in the midst of an intense nerf battle with foam bullets grazing my head. Furniture has been moved to pose as "bunkers" and piles of laundry have been used as ditches. 


So much fun to watch and thankful to have these moments to pause and play. Ah, but reparations must begin soon. Gregg's mom and dad arrive in just a few hours. Need to get cleaning. 

Sunday, December 27, 2009

When the Time was Right

Having to wait for something that you desire so badly can be a difficult thing. And I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not as good at waiting as I’d like to be.


I thrive on being productive and to wait. . . well, let’s just say, that’s difficult because it seems so unproductive.


It’s a lesson I’m continuing to learn. Maybe that’s why this scripture has been helpful to me.


“When the time was right, God sent his Son. . . “ (Galatians 4:4)


God didn’t rush or shortcut his plan. He was patient for the perfect time to bring forth his perfect plan. And as I and grow in my trust in God, I’m learning that He will do the same in my life as well. 

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Christmas Services

This morning, our Grace Bible Honolulu 'ohana celebrated Christmas together. We had lots of music, lots of food and a great time. 


Gregg talked about The Gift of a Savior. Jesus is our savior! We can now approach God, not because of what we have or haven't done, but because of what God did for us through his Son, Jesus!


Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10,11)


I'm so thankful that I don't have to journey through life alone, but have others with whom to walk. I've linked the photos and hope you enjoy them. 


http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=131658&id=85054433235&ref=mf


Mele Kalikimaka!

Saturday, December 19, 2009

A Gift


For the most part, the “external conditions” of my life are rarely peaceful. I don’t wake up to a quiet, serene home; I don’t have butler to cook my breakfast or bring me my morning coffee. Neither do I awake to the soothing sounds of waves crashing against the seashore, or to the view of the majestic snow covered mountains.

No, my days are probably a lot like yours—filled with appointments, commitments, carpools, sporting events and children needing love and attention.

While most of us don’t have the opportunity to ease into our day, but are instead, thrust into it, it doesn’t mean that our lives should be absent of peace. Yet, why does it so often seem elusive in our lives?

I think the answer lies where we look for peace.

Several years ago, I read a story about two artists who were asked to paint pictures of peace as they understood it. The first, painted a quiet lake, far back in the mountains. The other painted a raging waterfall, which had a tree hanging over it with a bird nesting on one of the branches.

The first picture, although relaxing, doesn’t as accurately represent peace as the second one. True peace is that which is present in the midst of difficulty. True peace in our lives, is not the result of the absence of conflict, but being able to find peace in the midst of challenging times. It’s an inner peace that’s not determined by our external circumstances.

God offers us the gift of peace through his Son, Jesus. It’s a gift that we experience as we learn to  enjoy each day, accepting what cannot be changed instead of worrying about it, trusting in God’s loving care and wisdom, and surrendering to his purpose and plan for your life.

I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. (John14:27 TLB)

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Zucchini Bread

Okay, so this isn't actually a meal, but it sure is good!

3 eggs
2 c. sugar
1 c. oil
1 tsp. vanilla
1 ½ tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder
2 c. grated zucchini
3 c. flour
1 c. chopped walnuts

Beat eggs until foamy. Add sugar, oil, vanilla, cinnamon, salt, baking soda and baking powder. Then add zucchini and flour. Fold in nuts.

Turn batter into greased 9x5 inch loaf pan. Bake 1 hour 20 minutes at 350. (If using 3 smaller pans, check at 1 hour. 

Saturday, December 12, 2009

A Football in a Palm Tree


Yesterday, I met a friend at the park so our girls could play. Because it was a furlough day, the boys came along to play football.

While heading to the field, Brandon grabbed Jordan’s football and began throwing it in the air to try and knock some coconuts off of a palm tree. The ball never came down, nesting firmly on one of the fronds.

So Brandon decided to throw a water bottle up to knock it out. Guess what? The water bottle didn’t come down.

So Brandon got another water bottle and threw it into the palm tree. THAT water bottle didn’t come down either!

Then another boy came walking by with a bucket of tennis balls. After losing two of his tennis balls to the tree he gave up and headed to the courts.

Next, Brandon got my umbrella and attempted to javelin the football out of the tree. CAN YOU GUESS WHAT HAPPENED?

My UMBRELLA got stuck up there too!

By now, Brandon had spent about an hour wrestling with this tree. He had tried “Bear Grylls-ing” his way up the tree; he and his brothers had attempted a human pyramid to reach the numerous items that are stuck.

Finally, a parks and rec. man came to Brandon’s aid with a basketball. He didn’t lose his ball to the tree but gave up, telling Brandon, “That’s not comin’ down, dawg.”

Later that afternoon, my friend went home and got her mango picker. (A mango picker is a long pole with a metal hook on the end).

Guess what? She was able to recover the football!

For the past day, I’ve been trying to rewrite The Twelve Days of Christmas to go along with my mini-adventure. 3 Brenes boys, 2 water bottles, and a football in a palm tree. J

Friday, December 11, 2009

My Daily Challenge: Chicken Taquitos


My children enjoy these chicken taquitos. They’re much better than the frozen ones. I adapted this recipe from a Rachel Ray version.

1 rotisserie chicken, shredded.
1 4 oz. can of chopped green chiles
2 handfuls of pre-shredded cheese, 4-cheese Mexican blend. (I just get the big bag at Costco.)
1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. oregano
About 12 soft taco flour tortillas

In a big bowl, combine the shredded chicken, green chiles, cheese, cumin and oregano.

Heat a little bit of oil in a pan and lightly warm and soften each torilla. (It only takes a about a minute on each side.)

Place a thick row of the shredded chicken mixture in the middle of each tortilla and roll them up. Bake them on a cookie sheet at 350 until they’re lightly brown and crisp (about 20 minutes).

I serve them with salsa, sour cream and guacamole. Enjoy!

Monday, December 7, 2009

The Meaning of Life According to Jojo

This morning, Gregg asked our 6-year-old, Jordan, what he thought was the meaning of life. Without hesitation, Jordan shot back, “To spend time with each other.”

Not bad for a 6-year-old. Something so simple, yet so easy to miss and overlook. Sometimes it takes children to remind us of the things that are truly important. We can invest so much time in the urgent needs, tasks and responsibilities that we push aside the things that should matter the most: our love for God and people.

Amidst the activity of this season, I hope you are able to pause and reflect on God’s amazing love for you revealed through the gift of his Son, Jesus. And as well, to make the time to enjoy those special people God has placed in your life.

Gotta go. Going to take the two little ones to ride the Christmas train at Ala Moana.