I find myself on the internet less and less.
I find interest in the entertainment word diminishing more and more in my life.
BUT, joy and contentment are ever increasing.

My church's goals are: Loving God, Loving Others, and Making Disciples.
These goals have become mine over the years and are more so now than before.

Each season is unlike the one before, and yet this one could not be if the previous one had not been.

"According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it" 1 Cor. 3:10

It's still summer-like on Kauai, I hear the mainland is beginning to cool?
The thought of being cold, wrapped in layers of clothing, and snuggled in blankets excites me!  Ok, I have news for you, I'll be in California for Thanksgiving week!

A few more from Maui last month...






A few from this semester thus far.


Camped on the west side under the stars and a full moon!

Chick day to north shore.







I love them so much(Marilyn and Marisa)!

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The summer is coming to a close.  It's been one of the busiest summers I've experienced thus far in my 21 years of life, but don't be fooled by the word 'busy'.  It's been one of the best summers I've experienced.  It's nice not trying to make something great (though that can be fun too), but when something just "is".  I've realized, over the past few years, that those are the most precious memories.
   All of the girls are parting ways: Cassie back to Northern California, Sayer to Colorado, Marisa and Colleen to Murrieta, and I will remain here, as the Lord has called me to say (and I am overjoyed to stay).  Because we probably won't all be together again, we decided to have a "chick day" to the west side.  WEST SIDE YO!  We didn't have a specific plan, we didn't have a specific time limit, and therefore anything was game!  We ended up going as far west as possible, to Polihale State beach.  I am in love with driving to “the end of the road,” any road.  We swam, floated, ran, slept, read, talked, laughed, and explored.  The best part for me was just simply "being."  Fully enjoying the place (it was beautiful, and perfect), the girls(they are each so unique and inspiring, they have become like family, and I love them dearly), and remembering the presence of God(which is always).
Here Are some photos:

Kauai Tree Tunnel

Puka Dogs are the best and I don't even like hot dogs.  My favorite is the:Veggie dog, mile garlic sauce, and papaya relish. Also, I can't forget to mention the BEST lemonade of my life!
 

The west side looks similar to California sometimes.
 

The end of the road takes you here.
 

Don't forget to stay hydrated!
 

Colleen, Me, Sayer,and Cassie

 

Sayer looks like a sunflower! "Want to go watch the Sunflower?" (I mean sunset?)

Saying goodbye to Polihale.

 

Four girls, in four dresses, broke down on the side of the road.  (Which, ended up being the icing on the cake!)
 

David came to save the day!  He declared our probably a broken axle.
 

While we were waiting for the tow truck, an old man stopped by and gave us the BEST mangoes I've ever tasted.

 

 

 

 

 

Sayer filling out paper work.
 

I like fields, they remind me of home (California home).
 

Cassie and I are tight (and roommates)!  We probably have some of the most fun possible goofing off!
 

Tow Truck pulling Sayer's car back to the East side.

   I have so much more I can say.  This summer, this life, contains so much.  Maybe we sit down sometime, have a cup of tea sometime, and talk about the adventure and blessings of life, and how our God agapes us so.

"Of all vain ways of spending time perhaps the vainest is to wonder over might-bes, as one of the saddest is to dwell on might-have-beens." -Amy Carmichael

.....
P.S.  Please pray for me as I prepare for the upcoming semester.
"Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority.  Let no one despise you."  -Titus 2:15

   I’m sitting in my tent.  Most of the windows are rolled down and yet the breeze is still having trouble making its way through them.  The heat is not unbearable though, because today is not as hot as others have been.  I’m listening to Bond, which is kind of a modern classical-style of music.  A cello, viola, and two violins make for a dramatic sound and create what seems like even more of reality in the moment.  We are truly blessed to be able to enjoy music and better yet, to play it…and even better still, to offer it up to God as a response.  There is something about creating music (or anything really), for the sole purpose of glorifying God.  I think that in those moments, where the gift puts a work together as an expression of the soul and then is played as a response to a situation, person, or truth, then the work has a sense of completion and when played for God, fulfillment.  I have even sensed this completion when playing a worship song, in which the words, though maybe written by another, are a true expression of my own heart toward our Creator.  But I think that the music itself (or the painting, dance, poem, etc) has a lot to do with the sense of truly expressing oneself more fully, the completion, because there are some things which our flesh cannot capture with merely words and yet we long to express.  I should now include a quote by Dorothy Sayers in which she says, “The mind is not the sum of its works, though it includes them all” (Mind of the Maker, p.56).

   Now, to change the subject let me briefly summarize my summer thus far and the ministries I am most humbled and overjoyed to be a part of.  After last spring’s semester finished, I jumped head on into a change of schedule and actually found myself busier than I was over the school semester.  I began working at a small but popular Shave Ice stand on the North Shore of the Island.  Shave Ice Paradise is the name of the stand and might I mention, is a famous spot to get Hawaiian shave ice.  If you haven’t noticed, I keep typing “SHAVE” instead of “SHAVED” ice, I don’t have much to say other than that is the correct Hawaiian way.  The locals use a lot of slang, you’ve probable heard it referred to as Pidgin. 
   Though I’m working a job, my primary reason for being on Kauai is not to earn money.  I am here to be used by God in whatever way He so finds me fit to be used.  I am working at the Bible College Camp overseeing the female interns who are here for the summer.  The best description I can give for this position is that I’m pretty much doing the same things I was doing as Dean of Women over the school semesters, just a bit more relaxed.  But where I find my true calling and most fulfilling joy is not in logistics of my job (though those parts are necessary and important), but in building relationships with the girls, being a friend, counseling, praying, etc.  Pretty much, I am available to them however they need me to be.  There are several young ladies whom God has especially laid on my heart to minister to and love.  One is 14 and the other 20 years old.  I know that one of the reasons I am on Kauai this summer is to disciple these specific girls in different areas of life, and so far it’s been fantastic.  I can’t explain how God has so filled me with love for these girls.  Love does not mean that you allow someone to compromise in areas of their lives, so in all the fun I have with the girls, there is also the aspect of keeping them accountable, not to me but to God.

   There is so much more I can say but I’ll end with saying that I have no desire to be anywhere else until December because I know that this is where I am supposed to be until at least that point in time.  I do not know for sure if the Lord will have me remain past December, I feel like He is preparing me for something else soon, but I do not know His timing.  Until He leads, I will continue to live and serve here on Kauai, learning what it means to fulfill one’s ministry.

 "And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God.  For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.  And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” -1 Corinthians 2:1-5

 A few Summer Highlights:
-The 40 minute drive to work which includes, prayer, music, and talking to myself out loud.

-Meeting people from all over the world who are visiting the Island.

-Priscilla, an awesome friend whom I can fellowship with and sleep in bamboo forests with.

-Cold Showers on hot days.

-Not feeling lazy, though having times for relaxing.

-Studying the book of Ruth and soon Esther.

-Memorizing passages of scripture.

-Reading: Fit for the Master’s Use (F.B. Myers), Man Alive (G.K. Chesterton), Till We Have Faces and Prince Caspian (C.S. Lewis)….more to come.

-Driving to the beach for a dip in the water when I get too hot.  I’m off to do that now actually…

Goodbye

 I hope all is well.

 -Amanda

It's great!

Kintaro's evening.  Zack's farewell party in early March.
Me, Christina, Zack, Dave, Chris, Jon Michael

Tasty.

Escargot tasting!  It was actually pretty good.

Green Tea icecream

Beach in Kapaa

My friends Alana and Alaya

Zane doing h.w.

The hallman's Bunny.  So cute!

My discipleship group.  Sayer, Brittany, and Livie.  I'm so glad they are staying over the summer!

4 on a bike under the church tent

Cleaning my car mats.

Josh McIntire

Chris
 
Lucas

Christina and Me

Marilyn, Cassie, and Me!

Steve, taking the vacuum for a walk?

Frisbee game

Paul Stevens

Karlie and Courtney

Marilyn

Here is a happy Birthday shout out to an old friend!
HAPPY 21 BIRTHDAY JOSHUA NEUMANN!