And - a Recap . . .

. . .  to commemorate that there truly is a season for everything.

Goodbye Lovely Lahaina

This Bed and Breakfast has been the perfect place for just the two of us . . .

close enough to Front Street to walk the boardwalk 

or the beach . . .

I could not get enough of this beauty 

and sharing it with the one who has stood by me

loved me

fought with me

forgiven me

encouraged me

challenged me

and spoiled me

We watched the sailboats

and then did more than just watch.

Evenings we walked along the busy little main street with restaurants lined up
on one side to face the sunset . . .
art galleries, souvenir or beachwear shops and ABC stores
on the other side.

I had a fascination for the trees taking up a city block

or taking up room in the middle of a restaurant 

or shopping mall.

I loved the sounds of musicians' voices wafting through open windows and

 following us down the street,

enjoying ice cream as we watched the waves come crashing in,

the rhythm of which has really hit me this time,

We've had time to celebrate, reflect and talk about this stage in our life

realizing that, unlike the endless ebb and flow of the ocean,

life will eventually change  for us . . . 

causing us to realize even more our need to 

look to the One Who does not change. 

Blessed be His Name,

the Alpha and Omega,

the beginning and the end.

The Anniversary and Birthday Dinner

On the actual day and last dinner we dressed up and  all boarded the city bus -

to enjoy dinner at Leilani's on the Beach - the perfect place to watch the sunset!

It was also  Kristal's birthday - born on our fifth anniversary. 

 The server who took the previous photo, had his back to this view . . . 

one we, as adults, enjoyed from where we sat,

willing the night to go slow.

And I'll end this time with a verse that expresses my sentiments better than I can . . .

"Who am I, Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?

2. Samuel 7:18

Thank you for celebrating with us!

. . . 

After Goodbye Thoughts

As I'm witting, the kids have all headed to the airport leaving us on our own for a few days at a small Bed and Breakfast in downtown Lahaina where we now have time  to look back on the past week and continue to enjoy the moments as we remember  them.
It has been so good to enjoy a summer holiday kind of beach time, coffee times, host each other, celebrate Thanksgiving and even a bit if Christmas - packing a year's worth of family time into one week.

On Friday Kristal and Shaun made their  delicious signature Mexican fajitas with all the trimmings!

Saturday morning, true to some of our traditions, we made waffles with vanilla custard. I lost count of how many came out of the brand new waffle iron.

When the kids finished their waffles, they made bracelets.

And when the adults finished, some Christmas gifts came out! The kids do a drawing of names  between them as families, and it was decided they wanted to see the gift opening.

And it was pool time again!

 A moment of sitting still - which had to be documented!

For the most part we had beautiful weather but

even when the raindrops came they always left behind

their beautiful reminder of God's promises
kept for every generation.
What more can we ask?
 

 

40 Years Today

"May your unfailing love be with us, LORD, even as we put our hope in you."

Psalm 33:22

This was our prayer on our wedding day

 October 18, 1975

Unfailing love is what He's given

through the good and the hard

for richer for poorer

in sickness an health -

He has been faithful!

Our hearts rejoice in Him!

A few More Days of Highlights

Tuesday night from the Hula Grill

Wednesday night Chris and Julene hosted an Indonesian dinner

of opor ayam -  a chicken dish cooked with Indonesian spices and coconut milk

served over rice.

For dessert they served pandan bread with ice cream -

 a pound cake colored with food coloring from a leaf..

The main decision each day is  when to go to the beach . . .

or the pool!

Thursday we had a girls' trip to Target - 

with this view on the way back.

We met up with the dads and kids at

Cheeseburger in Paradise

and ended off with ice cream on the waterfront,

 tucking away a  few more days of wonderful memories..

.