Tsunami Adventure

Finally, we are home safe and sound. After watching the news from Japan about the earthquake and tsunami they experienced, we’re so thankful and grateful to God for watching over and protecting Hawaii. Please continue to pray for the people of Japan. What a devastating series of events and long road to recovery they have ahead of them.

My minivan conveniently broke down Wednesday evening and was still in the repair shop when the tsunami warnings went off last night. Having no other alternative, we crammed all seven of us—and the dog—into Gregg’s tiny car. It was already past 10pm, when we left our home in search of higher ground.

After stopping at Wal-Mart for emergency supplies (Oreos, beef jerky, Cheezits, Spaghetti O’s and a toothbrush), we pulled up to our friend’s house around midnight. 

Thanks to our dear friends, Darrin and Jo, for opening up their home to seven stranded people, their dog and all of the stuff each person brought because they were determined they could never live without it.

Parenting Beyond Your Capacity

Last night, Gregg and I began a small group for parents. We’re reading and discussing a new book called, Parenting Beyond Your Capacity by Reggie Joiner and Carey Nieuwhof. It was a great turnout: 20 adults and 12 children!

I don’t know about you, but I’ve often felt as if the immense job and responsibility of parenthood stretches me beyond my limit. The job requires far beyond my capacity to give.

A couple of months ago, I was painfully reminded of how ill-equipped and incapable I am as a parent and how dependent I am on God and others for help, wisdom and encouragement.

About 6am one morning, Gregg and I were awoken from our sleep by the sound of someone knocking loudly on our front door. Gregg pulled himself out of bed to go to the door to see who was disturbing us so early in the morning. It was our 14-year-old daughter, Rebecca, covered in a blanket, looking disheveled. When Gregg opened the door and Becca announced, “Thanks a lot, you locked me out of the house last night and I had to sleep in the car!” We thought she had gone to sleep, but apparently she had gone outside to look at the stars before heading to bed.

Thankfully, I’m slowly learning and realizing something which we discussed at length last night: God isn’t holding up a perfect picture of a perfect family; He’s writing a bigger story.

I find that very refreshing. God doesn't have this unattainable standard for me. He wants to, and is more that able to use my family just the way we are. Here are just a few of my book notes from last night’s group:

• It seems like God is more interested in using broken people that He is in creating a better picture.
• If you were to invite God into your less-than-ideal story and learn to cooperate with whatever He wants to do in your life, the dynamic of your family could radically change.
• What if our purpose as parents is to illuminate the bigger story, to influence the next generation to experience God in a more genuine way.
• The family exists, even in its imperfection, to display the heart of God to every generation.

It's not to late to join! Call the church office to register. 

Great to Be Home!

I just returned from a wonderful week in Nashville. It was an incredible time of seeing old friends and making many new ones. The retreat of which I was a part inspired and encouraged me to continue to press on in my role as a pastor’s wife and church planter.

I don’t leave town often…rarely alone. The last time I did was over three years ago. While I was away, Gregg conveniently lost two of our children at a water park. (In his defense, the boys were standing in a long line and Gregg ran to the car to get something. While he was gone, lightning struck and they closed the park and evacuated everyone.)

Upon handing Gregg the children’s sports and school schedule before leaving he commented, “It will be a miracle if I don’t lose someone, somewhere.” Comforting.

Thankfully after this trip, all of our children are accounted for. The only casualty seems to be a bird that Jessie found and hoped to nurse back to health. The dog discovered it this morning in the backyard. 


I just found out why all of my children smell. Jessie says they didn't take baths all week. Great to be home. 


Editor's comment: Gregg adamantly just assured me that all of the children were thoroughly bathed while I was away. 

Watch Out for that Tree!

I have fond childhood memories of watching the cartoon, George of the Jungle. I can even remember the opening song, George, George, George of the jungle, strong as he can be. George! Watch out for that tree!

Just picked up Justin from the Health Room at school. Apparently, during recess he ran full speed into a tree. Thankfully, he’s all right. He has a nice red bump on the right side of his face and a small headache.

I couldn’t help but ask him, “How did you manage to run into a tree?” It’s not like they’re very hard to miss, right? Justin’s response, “I wasn’t watching where I was going.”

Justin’s response made me consider the series Gregg has been doing at church over the last several weeks, How to Wreck Your Life. No one sets out with determination to wreck their life and yet, it happens. We make little choices and take small steps in the wrong direction. Gradually, over time we find ourselves crashing head first into a tree.

The prophet Haggai strongly warned the Jewish people as he saw their lives and priorities straying from God and the purpose for which He created them. Haggai said, “Give careful thought to your ways.” Haggai 1:5,7) 

In my own words, “Watch out for that tree!”

It's An Emergency!!!

School started this week. Summer’s officially over for our family.

This morning after my morning round of drop offs, I returned home to find that I had missed several calls from Brandon, along with a text that read, “It’s an emergency!”

Needless to say, I was a little worried. This was Brandon’s second day at middle school. A big school. 6th grade. I saw Diary of a Wimpy Kid! What could’ve possibly happened in the 20 minutes since I had last seen him?

I tried calling and texting, but Brandon”s phone went straight to voice mail. Finally, I went to the school to find out what was wrong. Thankfully, Brandon was all right. He thought he had left his schedule at home and with different classes all over campus, he was nervous about getting lost. He had found it buried in his binder.

Yet, even with schedule and campus map in hand, when I picked Brandon up from school, he confessed that he got lost three times! In fact, Brandon sat in one class for the entire hour before he realized that he had attended the wrong class!

But, he assured me that’s nothing for me to be concerned about because his friend got so lost that he was in an “off limits” area.

Hopefully, Brandon will find his way around tomorrow. Although I told him not to text me, “It’s an emergency!” without any details. 

One Month Later

Thank you for your continued show of concern and prayers for Gregg.

It’s been almost one month since Gregg took that 10-foot fall while climbing at Makapu’u. Today, he had a follow-up visit with a maxillofacial doctor (skull and face specialist) to see how his recovery is coming along.

The doctor said that it will take about three months for the bones in his face to heal. Until then, he needs to avoid all contact sports. His wrist is still causing him pain and restricted movement, but seems to be gradually getting better. 

Gregg is still experiencing numbness on the left side of his face. The doctor called this partial paralysis and said that it may dissipate over the course of six months; however, he indicated that there were no guarantees and damage may be permanent. Please pray for complete recovery of his facial muscles and movement.

Gregg sees a dermatologist in a couple of weeks about the scarring on his face. Pray for the scarring to fade. The more he stays out of the sun, the better chance the scars will have to heal and fade. (But it’s summer and we live in Hawaii!)

He also still needs to follow-up with an orthodontist to determine what needs to be done to rectify the movement of his teeth and jaw. The doctor said it looks all right, but should be checked by a dentist.

Thank you for your prayers, love, support and encouragement. We’re thankful to have you in our lives!

Airport Security

Well, we made it! After seven cities and many miles, we arrived back in Hawaii. It was a great trip, but it’s always good to come home.

The real miracle was that we actually were able to get all of the stuff that we acquired along the way back with us. It took an extra suitcase, but we managed to squeeze it all in. (What can I say, Bath and Body Works was having a great sale).

After packing all of the children’s scooters, helmets, stuffed animals, I reminded the boys to pack the weapons they bought in their suitcases and not to carry them in their backpacks. Spending time in Tahoe, they had picked up a variety of weapons at “boy heaven”, Sheels—air soft guns, nunchucks, ammunition pellets, a pocketknife. Even though all of them were carefully packed, we still managed to be stopped twice by airport security.

Apparently, light sabers are no longer allowed in your carry on items. Neither are rubber pirate daggers. In fact, rubber pirate daggers have the ability to make the entire airport security staff quite anxious. 

Pinocchio and a Lesson in Forgiveness

Last week, during our trip to Southern California, we took the children to Disneyland. It was a great time experiencing Disney Joy through the eyes of our children. Our last trip was three years ago to Disney World in Orlando. Here's a blog I wrote following our Orlando trip three years ago: 


After six long years, Brandon has finally forgiven Pinocchio. You're probably wondering, “What heinous act could Pinocchio possibly have committed to produce SIX years of hostility in Brandon?”

During a trip to Disneyland many years ago, Pinocchio took Brandon’s blankie. No, he didn’t steal it. There was nothing malicious about it. Pinocchio simply borrowed it, admired it, cuddled with it for a few seconds and returned it. However, to three-year-old Brandon, Pinocchio broke the cardinal toddler rule: Never touch the blanket of a three-year-old! This was a direct infringement on his personal space and property and for six years he was resolute in his determination to not let it go.

This summer, while on our trip to Disney World, Brandon decided that in was about time to end his six-year feud with the wooden boy and forgive Pinocchio. Wouldn’t you know that amidst the thousands of people at the Magic Kingdom, amidst all of the characters to meet, Pinocchio was the first saw upon entering the park. After waiting patiently in line, Brandon said his peace to Pinocchio, hugged him and made amends. 

It’s funny how momentary interactions, like Brandon’s incident with Pinocchio many years ago, have the potential to produce such hurt and hostility within us. God gives us a choice as to how we will respond to them. In reflecting on this little incident, this is what I learned:

In the Bible there is a man named Lamech, who in Genesis 4:23-24, vows vengeance seventy-seven times on all who dare to offend him. With every grudge, with every grievance, Lamech chose to get even.

In Matthew 18:21-22, Jesus offers us a different way to choose to live. He tells his disciples to extend forgiveness seventy-seven times. Throughout the Bible, Jesus continually seeks after the restoration and reconciliation of relationships. Firstly, the restoration of man’s relationship with God; then, whenever possible, the restoration of our relationships with one another.

I want my life to resemble the way of Jesus, not the lifestyle of Lamech. 

Fight for Your Family

Little behind on my blogs. A couple of weeks ago, Gregg concluded our Parenthood series with a message entitled Fight for Your Family.

I realize that I’m a little biased, but I think it was one of the most powerful messages he’s given. You can listen to it here.

As a parent, I want God and His love to be real to my children. Yet, there are times when the task is so difficult that the temptation is to give up.  

We spend a lot of time fighting for their health and protection, but how much energy do we truly expend in fighting for their spiritual development?

God’s presence and power needs to be at work in our lives before we can expect our children to experience His presence and power at work in their lives. 

In Nehemiah 4, when the Israelites became discouraged while building the wall around Jerusalem, Nehemiah made a strategic decision.

Therefore I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears and bows. After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.” Nehemiah 4:13-14

Nehemiah posted them by families. By doing this, the Israelites were continuously reminded about what they were fighting for. If they became discouraged and gave up, they stood to not only lose a generation, but their very own sons and daughters as well.

Don’t ever give up in the fight for your family. Your children need to know that they’re worth fighting for.

Five Days Later

As many of you know, last Saturday Gregg fell over 10 feet in a climbing accident.

Thank you so much for all of the calls, texts and emails expressing your love and concern. We’re so blessed and very thankful for the outpouring of prayers and support you all have shown to our family.

Gregg is doing incredibly well considering the magnitude of the accident. The doctors okayed his travel to the mainland; so we proceeded with our travel plans and are taking one day at a time. He still looks banged up, but so much better than the last picture I posted. It’s amazing how God created the body to heal so quickly.

The fractures on his eye and wrist are still causing pain and will require some visits to an orthopedic doctor when we return. He’s also experiencing a little discomfort in his left knee that was pretty banged up in the fall.

When Gregg hit the ground, he landed on the left side of his head, causing his face to shift about 2mm. He’s started having some jaw and sinus problems and noticed that his teeth have shifted. Planning to follow up with all of this when we return, but for now…rest.

The Fall

Yesterday, Gregg and Rebecca went on their first rock climbing expedition to Makapu’u. I must admit, I was a little apprehensive.

A couple of hours after they left, I received a phone call from Becca…the kind you never want to get. Here’s what happened.

Their group of six had hiked to the top of the climb to map out their route and secure all of the lines. Heading down to the base, Gregg had just finished securing a line when he stepped on some loose rocks that gave way.

Starting to slide, he managed to stay on his feet, swerving to avoid carrying Barry over the edge with him. Gaining speed and not knowing what was below him, upon hitting the edge, Gregg jumped. (I know what you’re thinking right now, so go ahead and say it, “Your husband’s a STUD!”)

Somehow, he was able to land feet-first on a rock about three feet below. Unable to stop because of his forward momentum, he kept going, this time falling head first off of the rock for about another ten feet or so until He crashed into another large rock. 

Thankfully, Gregg never lost consciousness and remained fairly coherent throughout the day. The total damage: fractured eye socket, fractured wrist, lots of lacerations and bruising. The doctors said that the impact from the fall shifted his face 2mm. They said this shouldn’t cause long-term difficulty; however, this morning Gregg mentioned that his jaw felt out of place and he feels like a truck ran over him.

Please pray for a quick recovery. We leave for the mainland tomorrow morning and not sure how the travel will affect him.  All for now.

Hair Drama, Part Two

I managed to keep Becca away from bleach and hair dye for 24 hours then took her to see Carla at the hair salon.

Carla said, “Wow, it’s really black!” She gave us two options.

Option 1: She could add brown highlights to soften and balance the black.

Option 2: She could completely strip out the black and recolor it.

Becca chose the latter and within an hour she had beautiful dark brown hair.

I asked Becca what she learned from her experience. Here’s what she said.

Becca said that she’s grateful because it could have been a lot worse. She went on to explain that one kid at school put something in another kid’s hair and now it’s orange. Yikes!

Becca also said that this was a lesson in patience. She should’ve waited to get color her hair colored properly, but in her impulsive desire to get it done, she did it herself. Then she added, I still don’t think I’ve quite learned that lesson yet. Oh no!

Hair Drama

Last weekend, Becca  asked me if I could make an appointment for her to get her bangs trimmed before our vacation. Shortly after her request, Becca emerged from the bathroom declaring that she had cut her own bangs.

The next day, trying to fix what she’d done the previous day, she cut them again. (You see where this is going, don’t you.) After her third attempt (and significantly shorter bangs), she asked about that bang appointment again.

But it didn’t stop there. Ooohhh, I wish it had stopped there.

Becca decided to dye her hair. She picked black. I asked her, “Are you sure that you want black?”

Becca replies with the usual “Yes, mom I’m sure (with the teenage I-know-what-I’m-doing tone). Her reasoning was that it really wouldn’t look black…just dark brown, and that’s what she wants.

Well, it looked black.

Here we are again at Longs looking for hair color. Becca seems to think that if she re-colors her hair light brown this time, the light brown will mix with the black and morph into the dark brown she was wanting.

Well, it still looks black.

Now Becca’s on the internet doing some research. Apparently, a mixture of lemon juice and some other ingredients could have a bleach-like effect on her hair.

Time to call in the professionals. Tonight, I called, Carla, my hairdresser. “Hi Carla. It’s Kris. Becca cut her bangs and dyed her hair black. What should we do?”

Carla strongly recommended that Becca NOT do anything else to her hair. Any bleach-like agent would turn her hair ORANGE, not the desired DARK BROWN.

Time to hide the lemon juice. Tomorrow, we go for a free consultation, which according to Carla, could cost as much as $150 to fix!

Good thing Becca’s been saving her money for our upcoming vacation.

Part two tomorrow…

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

Now God

This Sunday, we will continue our series Choosing to Cheat with part Two: Now God. Here’s a sneak peak:

In the Old Testament, a man named Daniel faced a dilemma. Daniel had to decide who he was going to be loyal to—his Heavenly Father or his earthly king. He couldn’t have it both ways. He had to choose whom he was going to cheat. 

Every day we make choices as to how we’ll use our time and prioritize our lives. We often face a dilemma similar to Daniel’s. Who’s going to be our priority? Who are we going to cheat?

God takes full responsibility for the life that is wholly devoted to him. If we choose to reallocate our limited time according to God's priorities, we actually make space for God to intervene in our life in an exciting way.

Daniel had a “now God” moment when he did this and proposed a test. Daniel specifically identified what he desired to see changed regarding what was expected of him at work. He presented his plan to his boss and listened to the objections from his supervisor. Then Daniel asked his boss to test him in it for ten days.

There would not have been a “now God” moment for Daniel, if he had not made the decision to step out and trust God.  When you decide to order your life, family and marriage the way that God desires, you have no idea what God is capable and willing to do in the arena of your career.

To follow the series, you can download the full messages here.

But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Now God had caused the official to show favor and sympathy to Daniel,… (Daniel 1:8-9)

Mom, I Think I Flushed My Wallet Down the Toilet

This afternoon, Jordan came running to me with a worried look on his face. “Mom,” he said in a slight panic, “I think I accidentally flushed my wallet down the toilet.”

Now for most 6-year-old boys, the spare change they’ve collected throughout the weeks wouldn’t have amounted to much. But Jordan has learned the value of a dollar at an early age and has somehow managed to squirrel away $115! All from a $1/week allowance!

So when Jordan said he “thinks” he “accidentally” flushed his $115 down the toilet, it sent us into search and rescue mode.

Thankfully, we found Jordan’s wallet on the bathroom floor. There are a lot of unanswered questions to today’s drama, and I still don't know all of the "why's" and "how's". But afterwards Jordan made the comment, “I think I have short-term memory loss.” 

Choosing to Cheat

In our culture, I think it’s pretty safe to say that work and family make up the two most significant and time-consuming arenas of our lives. It can be a struggle to juggle the demands of maintaining a career and a family. Success or failure in either category directly impacts and affects our lives.

The problem we encounter, is the reality that there is just not enough time to get everything done. We can’t do everything. Someone is going to get cheated. Worse yet, somebody is going to feel cheated.

This Sunday, we will begin a new series, Choosing to Cheat: Who Wins When Work and Family Collide? For those of us who wrestle with this ongoing tension, it’s going to be an honest look at the reality that although we will need to cheat somewhere with our time, we must make a decision not to cheat our family and the people who matter the most to us.