I'm back!

Hello everyone! Well, I am now fully back from my sabbatical leave and I thank God, my family and our church for giving me this time to be away. I felt so welcomed my first Sunday back in the pulpit on September 6th and the observance of the Lord's Supper was wonderfully meaningful for me. Thanks to Earl and Didi Sabate for the beautiful maile lei; I felt so special! I was extremely blessed to know how supportive you were all summer of Pastor Ken Drake's leadership, along with Gail and our four summer interns! Their hardwork and creativity made it possible for me to leave the church in their capable hands. A special Mahalo to Tony and Brenda Pratt and to all of you who worked hard to offer the Welcome Back Picnic for me this past Sunday. Even our first-time guests who stayed for the meal would agree wholeheartedly that Kinoole Baptist Church offers the very best potluck in the world, amen? Amen! I must admit that I was a bit uncomfortable going first in the line and sitting with my wife Karen the entire meal! Somehow it seemed like I should have gotten up and served some water but thank you for allowing me to be the guest of honor! I also appreciated the hearty rendition of "For he's a jolly good fellow!" And to top it off, the cake was exquisite! Great choice!

Besides rest and a renewed spirit, as I met with pastors and other church leaders and visiting in their churches this summer, I am convinced that we must "live and leave a legacy of faith" for the generations coming after us. Psalm 71 & 78 remind us of the vital responsibility to pass the baton of faith to those who come after us. They clearly spell out the mandate from God that this is our time to serve the world and not ourselves. The very next day, we were able to share the love of Christ to the veterans at the Care Home and visit with Calvin Kaya, Jimmy Fujimoto and Mrs Henry Ayabe. What a blessing! We all missed Pastor Alberto Camacho but our prayers are with him and his parents in the Philippines as he spends the next several weeks attending to their special medical needs.

Can you believe that this November will mark sixty-three years that God has planted our church here in Hilo to be a lighthouse of His presence and power? This Sunday, Gail is leading another group through Class 101, an Introduction to Church Membership because everyone here at Kinoole Baptist Church learns to Love God, Love People and Serve. This is more than just a motto; it is our God-given mission! He is waiting on us. Can He count on us to follow Him faithfully as ducklings who follow the mother duck? See you Sunday! Daniel

Hey everyone! You must have thought that I fell off the planet for the past four weeks! No, I returned home to Hilo and tried keeping a low profile to allow Pastor Ken, Gail and the summer interns to lead in my absence. Thank you again for your faithful participation this summer: your attendance, your giving of tithes and offerings and your willingness to follow. Today in my study time, I began meditating on Ephesians 1, especially the words that the Apostle Paul gave in his opening address to the saints at Ephesus. He described them as the "faithful in Christ Jesus" and prayed the blessing of God's grace and peace. I was so blessed by Paul's prayer and I pray this same prayer for you: "I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better." (Ephesians 1:17) I am thankful for your many prayers for me and my family. I enjoyed celebrating my wife's birthday this week and tomorrow will be my son's 18th birthday. Will you remember him in your prayers as he checks in his dorm room at Biola University, and completes the orientation process and officially becomes a student there? He called to tell me that he is enjoying spending some time this evening with Alden and Jamie Arakaki, Jason Peterson and Dave Hashimoto to help him celebrate his birthday. The Lord continues to share significant insights as to how I am to pastor once I return in just twelve days on September 1st. I got to visit with Gail and Ken recently assessing the summer and anticipating my return. Again, thank you for remaining faithful serving our Lord, serving each other and serving the world in which you live. God bless you! Talk to you soon! Pastor Daniel

Final Leg of My Sabbatical Leave

Hey everyone! I am packing my belongings getting ready to make the hour-and-a-half drive to LAX airport. It is 4:30AM California time and I have about an hour before I leave for the airport. It has been an incredible experience to dialogue and "do life together" with Tim and Carolyn for the past two weeks; God has given them a vital relationship as they work with the pastors and churches of the Gold Coast Association to become a biblical community affecting and impacting the Ventura/Camarillo/Simi Valley area of Los Angeles for the Lord and I have seen firsthand the struggle and dilligence of this couple whom I call dear friends. Friendship takes work but it is so very sweet when God joins hearts together in unity and love! This has been an eye-opener to walk with them to see that the ministry of any church goes far beyond the physical borders of their community; it really has the great potential to impact the world if we are willing to trust God and do His will. However the words of the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 6:10-20 ring true here in California as it does in Hilo, Hawaii: "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after your have done everything, to stand. . . . And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should." We are in a spiritual battle for the souls of many and with God's help, we will overcome! Thank you again for all your prayers and your support for me, my family, Gail, Ken and for each other at Kinoole! We are indeed so blessed to have the Lord and each other! I am halfway through my spiritual pilgrimage and I miss you all! Keep on Loving God, Loving People and Serve! I love you more than words can express! See you in September! Daniel

Counting down the days here in Southern California!

Hey everyone! I have enjoyed my visit with Tim & Carolyn Logerquist immensely! It is like our special summer of 1983 in Yuma Arizona has continued magically, although we are all 26 years older. They are such a special encouragement to me in a timely way as I am halfway through my sabbatical leave; the wisdom of their years here in Southern California come as a breath of fresh air! As I see the impact of their ministry here, I believe God is showing me what He desires of me as pastor not just of the Kinoole Baptist Church but also as pastor of our city for the next ten years. When we talk about vision, God wants us as His people to flesh out His eternal love, redemption and forgiveness; sometimes we think so narrowly of our Christian influence and the impact for kingdom living we have. What did the Apostle Paul say in Galatians 2:20? "I am crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." thank you so much for praying for me and Karen and Hannah and Jacob; it means a lot to be loved and remembered before the Father! God bless you! Looking forward to my being back Sept. 1st. Daniel

Simi Valley California

Hi, everyone! Reporting from Centerpoint Church in Simi Valley, California, also from the office of the Gold Coast Baptist Association where Tim & Carolyn Logerquist minister. These are wonderful friends from the past, when Karen & I were church planters in Yuma, Arizona in the summer of 1983. We were the only married couple on the team of 8, four went to Phoenix that summer and four went to Yuma, Arizona. Tim was the Director of Missions and our supervisor there. It has been great to renew friendships and I have enjoyed my visit here totally. This past Monday, we got to visit with Matt, Dean of Students at Eternity Bible College where Alden Arakaki and Jason Peterson(Ronald & Lei's grandson) will be second-year ministerial students. He was very gracious to show us the property and we talked for about 30 minutes as to the founder Francis Chan's vision of establishing a solid bible foundation for the students there, preparing them to minister wherever God will lead, whether in vocational ministry or otherwise. It was not fancy but very practical, pouring the money into quality teaching rather than building. I must admit I was very impressed with what I saw--I know that both Alden and Jason are blessed to be here! Simi Valley is quite beautiful, the mountains and valleys are so incredibly a declaration of God's creative hand. If time permits, I will get to see the Ronald Reagan's library here in Simi Valley later this afternoon. The weather has been hot but it has been nice to enjoy air conditioning and staying indoors; however, the weatherman promises cooler temperatures for the next several days. I have enjoyed dialogue with Tim as to how churches in his association address church health, growth and mission and it has been wonderful to listen and share our journey at Kinoole the past seven and fourteen years since Karen and I first came to Kinoole. I have received much affirmation that we are on the right path and need to continue seeking God to fulfill His good work in us. Yesterday I got to talk on the cellphone with our new interim Associational Director of Missions Bill Abbott who came on the field July 1st; I welcomed him to the Big Island where he is busy trying to reconnect with the pastors and churches of the Big Island Baptist Association; I will look forward to spending some time in dialogue with him after I return Sept 1st. I have heard that the three services are going well, and our interns are working hard preaching, teaching, leading, and serving. Thank you for the support you give to Pastor Ken and Gail in my absence; I am blessed to know that you are continuing in faith and service this summer! May God bless each of you richly! I miss you all and are praying that what God is showing me this summer will benefit our church for years to come. Thank you for keeping me and my family in your prayers! I love you! Daniel

Last Leg of the Southern California portion of my sabbatical leave

Hi, everyone! I am in the City of Camarillo public library typing this afternoon's blog; I arrived in Ventura County early yesterday afternoon in ample time for my 2PM scheduled appointment with Pastor Tracy Cook of Grace Baptist Church. I did not realize until today that he is "Dr. Tracy Cook" having earned a Doctor of Ministry degree; in talking with him yesterday, he introduced me to several of his church members as spending this summer "working on my DMin degree" and I quickly corrected him because I have determined that the rigorous discipline of earning a DMin degree is beyond what I believe God desires of me. However, I called him earlier today to ask if I had inadvertingly offended him; I am not in any way diminishing the hard work of many others who have earned their DMin degree, mindful of Pastor Alan Tamashiro of Puna Baptist Church who is presently working on that degree. After the interview, he invited me to join his family and invited guests for dinner and what a treat after earting a week of frozen dinners, pizzas, ramen, ham sandwiches, etc: the dinner consisted of smoked chicken, tri-tip steak, ranch-style beans, garlic toast AND blackberry pie ala mode---Wonderful! Then I drove to the Logerquists, visited with them for the rest of the evening and slept well in their daughter's former bedroom(she got married last summer and now make her home w/her husband in Florida). Today I have enjoyed spending the day with Tim at his office in Simi Valley and will enjoy a quiet dinner with him and his wife Carolyn later this evening. I am a bit tired from my drive from Canyon Lake yesterday and have enjoyed just relaxing; I will resume my studies tomorrow through the weekend and enjoy attending church w/the Logerquists on Sunday. Praying for you all! Thanks again for your many prayers! Daniel

Hi, everyone! Well, this is my last day in Canyon Lake; I have certainly enjoyed my stay, had lunch with Ken and his mother Jane yesterday. I have been so blessed with their great hospitality, staying at their home here, just 20-30 minutes south of Riverside. I'll be making the long drive to Ventura County for my last leg of my Southern California portion of the sabbatical. I've been advised to leave early to make the 140 miles to Ventura, so I plan to leave by 9AM to make my 2PM appointment with Pastor Tracy Cook of Grace Church and then make connections with Tim Logerquist later that afternoon. Karen has gone back to work this week and I appreciate your prayers for her, Hannah & Jacob as they make the adjustments being back in Hilo. Jacob is at camp this week and next week and Hannah is continuing her intership with Ken and Gail; I am encouraged by the numbers of our third service, trusting that God will guide us beyond the summer trial period. It appears that God has placed our "Love God, Love People and Serve" process heavy on my heart and one of the keys that he is showing me that the intimacy or depth of our relationship with God and with one another is essential for our mission to make disciples. I have felt and been encouraged by your prayers! thank you again for this time away! I love and miss you all! Daniel

Hi, everyone! Since my family returned to Hilo on July 2, I've been enjoying the quiet(almost too quiet!) here in Canyon Lake. I am grateful to Ken Harada and his parents for allowing us to enjoy their wonderful vacation cottage here(it is just about 30 minutes past riverside) and although there were 600-700 people on July 4th for the fireworks display on the lake, here it is Monday morning(almost 12NOON already) and it seems like life is back to normal here. I've been catching up on emails, facebook entries(it appears that one of my best buddies Calvin Miyahira is now a grandpa, his son and daughter-in-law giving birth to their first child recently. Imagine, a Fourth of July baby! What a blessing! Karen has gone back to work today, Hannah is interning at the church and Jacob is enjoying summer camp for his alma mater at Christian Liberty for the next two weeks. I'll be leaving for Ventura county to meet with Tim Logerquist and the several appointments that he has helped to set up. It has been restful, I've been trying to eat healthy for the past week, swimming in the pool every morning and reading, praying & reflecting on what God wants to do through my life, especially when I return to Kinoole on Sept. 1st. I've been told the Sunday services are going well with Pastor Ken and Gail's leadership, along with the summer interns. Again, thanks for your prayers! Talk to you soon! Daniel

Hi everyone! Well, I just got my family off to the airport, got word from Karen that they are on the plane leaving and so 5 1/2 hours today, they will be back in Honolulu, then to Hilo and back to the Tomita homestead. Alden and Jamie have commented that our cat Daisy has not warmed up to them while we have been away(realistically, we have had Daisy for almost eight years and she still has not warmed up to us either so we tell everyone who housesits for us that they should not expect much when it comes to being friends with Daisy--of course, everyone except Layne because for some strange reason, Daisy loves Layne and sits on his lap, comes to him day and night, etc.) Although we haven't talked much with Alden and Jamie, Karen has talked to them several times and each time, they have not mentioned Mie, our rabbit. Maybe we will find that he passed on to that Rabbit haven in the sky or because he is so gutsy, he will outlive us all! Last night, we drove in to Los Angeles and stayed at the Marriott Courtyard for the night(actually only seven hours until my family had to catch their flight). We were reminded that if we drove the 2 hours to Los Angeles from Canyon Lake, we may take anywhere from 3 1/2 to 4 hours, barring any traffic accidents. so we took their advice and decided to drive in and stay overnight one block from the airport and got an incredible rate from Priceline.com. This hotel is quite nice and offered the Tomitas everything that we needed for the night. Praise the Lord for His provision! Since the hotel offers complimentary internet service, I decided to return and spend the two hours to catch up on blogging, email, mapquest for my visit next week to Tim Logerquist, Steve Pope, Tracy Cook and others that I will interview with: my quest is to discover what theses pastors know to develop their congregations into spiritually and relationally healthy churches, the same purpose to which Gail and I have committed ourselves here at Kinoole. It has been wonderfully challenging the past several weeks but now the hard work begins, to utilize the time alone(beginning today) to hear from God. The scripture that comes to mind today is from Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.14 I will be found by you," declares the LORD. . ." It is my heart's desire to find out for myself God's plans for Kinoole because this is still His church and we are and will always be His people. Amen? Amen and Amen! thanks again for all your prayers, especially my driving here in California, people are crazy or perhaps I am slow, used to Hilo driving. Take care, everyone! I love you all! Daniel

Hi everyone! Karen and I spent two incredible days in Yosemite National Park which is located east of Sunnyvale where we stayed with my sister Louise and husband Wayne. The awesomeness of God's creation, the beauty and vastness of His creativity overwhelmed us totally! It was exhausting, especially for this out-of-shape pastor but it brought back rich memories of when Karen and I got to visit Yellowstone National Park while still in seminary(way back in the summer of 1983--wow its been ages, almost a lifetime ago!) We got to see the huge redwoods which date back to 3000 years ago or that is what scientists estimate and got to enjoy the evening with Greg Sumii. Discussed with him church health, the discipleship process that the Vision Community is helping Gail and I to refine and implement and appreciated his insights. It seems that his church at Northwest church is also going through transition and although we are similar, we are worlds apart in terms of size(they average 1800 attendees on any given Sunday morning with 3 service times: 8:00AM, 9:30AM, 11AM. Karen and I are making plans to attend their 9:30AM service. They are also having a 11AM Vacation Bible School "Fundago" coincidentally with their 11AM service with the fun activities of the VBS week just concluded and they will have a 12NOON Fun Day, complete with bouncing castle, hot dogs, balloons, etc. We will try to take some pictures and post them for you to see. Although we have done much, we are also enjoying the time away from Hannah and Jacob; we will see them tomorrow in Los Angeles. Thanks again for your prayers and support! We love you all in the Lord! Daniel

Pictures of our trip to Seattle and Victoria.

Hi everyone! Well, it's been a whirlwind of a trip visiting with Joe & Ila; they have been incredible hosts and we surely enjoyed our time in Yakima. Victoria was nice but incredibly expensive; I did not fully appreciate the USA until I was in a foreign country and although everyone spoke English there, you still could sense the "foreigness" of the area. We enjoyed driving down to Multnomah Falls in Oregon on Monday, watched kite-boarding in Hood River and saw the beauty of the foothills of Washington State. Flew out of Seattle yesterday, left Jacob with his friends for the rest of the week, Hannah is now with the Kibach students at DC/LA and we have enjoyed being with my sister Louise and husband Wayne. Tomorrow we drive to visit Yosemite National Park and then will spend the weekend with Greg and Yolanda Sumii. In the midst of the busyness, I ahve enjoyed spending time w/our Lord, praying and enjoying the incredible peace He gives. Praying for you all, especially for Ken & Denise, Jacque, Layne, Aldie, Karl; thanks for your prayers, we have felt the power of God's answer to your prayers! God bless you! Daniel

Hi everyone! Got in to Seattle late Sunday nite, enjoyed staying at the Doubletree hotel just down the street from the airport--Joe and Ila Hoptowit picked us up yesterday and we've enjoyed being together, ate a great seafood dinner at a popular Seattle fish place called Ivars. I enjoyed eating fish & chips and a bowl of their world-famous clam chowder; it was great! I told Joe that he was a man after my own heart, to begin our time together eating! We drive to Port Angeles today to catch the ferry into Canada early tomorrow; pray for us that our time together will be blessed! We love you all and pray for you as well! Have a great day! Daniel

Hi everyone! Praying that your day goes well! As I reflect on the demands of my day, to prepare for our trip and to get the house ready for Alden and Jamie, God reminded me of Jesus’ busy schedule early on in his public ministry. As recorded in Mark 1 & 2, the gospel begins with the record of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness, followed by John the Baptist’s imprisonment and Jesus’ calling his disciples. It also records his early ministry around the sea of Galilee, in Capernaum where Jesus taught in the synagogue and his popularity grew to enormous proportions. Remember what took place in the home of Simon Peter and his brother Andrew? James and John, the sons of Zebedee were there as well, as was also Simon Peter’s mother-in-law, sick in bed with a fever. This reference by John Mark, who collaborated with Simon Peter, validates the fact that Simon Peter was married, and that Simon Peter’s brother Andrew, Simon’s wife and mother-in-law lived with them. Knowing that Simon Peter was willing to leave his family to follow Jesus would seem rather foolish or irresponsible, but I think that it also speaks volumes to the devotion that he had towards Jesus. You know the rest of the story: Jesus heals Simon’s mother-in-law, she feeds them and then the whole village comes with the sick and Jesus probably spends the rest of the evening and later hours in the night healing those who were sick. Obviously, a great miracle of healing took place and Jesus could have slept in. Who would have faulted Him? But our Lord does what he habitually does every morning(as recorded in Mark 1:35) “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” He probably only got a few hours sleep but the Father compelled His Son to spend time together, perhaps to go over the events of the previous day and to remind His Son: “Son, all your life, if you let people impose their agenda on you, you will do many good things, wonderful things, you will develop a good reputation and people will like you, invite you to parties, have a good time, make lots of friends and be popular. HOWEVER, remember why you were sent, why you left heaven’s glory to live among men. Sure enough, when Simon Peter discovered Jesus gone from his house, he went looking and found Jesus alone praying. "Everyone is looking for you!" We have your daily schedule mapped out for the next several months and we think that we should also go to the big city of Jerusalem next year and really wow the crowds! What do you think, Jesus? Are you up for this? And because Jesus spent time in prayer, reflection and recommitment to the will of the Father, in verse 38, Mark records Jesus’ reply: "Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come." May we also listen to the Father and hear His heart.
Our church has a great opportunity this summer with Pastor Ken and Gail and our four summer interns and we can be busy doing lots of activities. However, we should regularly go to the Father for His instructions and be about the “Father’s business”. One of the most neglected and most difficult ministry we have at Kinoole is the ministry of prayer. Why? Because the results is totally left up to God’s timetable and not man’s. It requires faith, not in the visible, but in the invisible work of the Holy Spirit. It also requires humility and diligence because as James, the stepbrother of Jesus reminds us in James 4:2-3: “You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures." But Jesus also declares His church shall be a house of prayer. I have commissioned Wally Dyer and Didi Sabate to continue praying on Thursday afternoons from 1PM-2PM, not a time of convenience or something with great fanfare BUT essential to the spiritual health and vitality of Kinoole Baptist Church. I am committed to pray for one hour each week for our church; please, will you do the same? Have a good day, everyone!

Hi Everyone! Not quite sure who's getting this but our time is counting down(T-4, leave on Sunday) Wanted to share a beautiful reminder that went hand in hand with Ken's message on Sunday where the source of love is God and we are so deeply loved! Laura shared this story and at the end of the story she wrote: "Share this with a friend---I did!" And so I wanted to do the same: here goes:

Did you know this about THE BUZZARD: If you put a buzzard in a pen that is 6 feet by 8 feet and is entirely open at the top, the bird, in spite of its ability to fly, will be an absolute prisoner. The reason is that a buzzard always begins a flight from the ground with a run of 10 to 12 feet. Without space to run, as is its habit, it will not even attempt to fly, but will remain a prisoner for life in a small jail with no top. Or consider another of God's creatures THE BAT: The ordinary bat that flies around at night, a remarkable nimble creature in the air, cannot take off from a level place. If it is placed on the floor or flat ground, all it can do is shuffle about helplessly and, no doubt, painfully, until it reaches some slight elevation from which it can throw itself into the air. Then, at once, it takes off like a flash. How about the majestic BUMBLEBEE: A bumblebee, if dropped into an open tumbler, will be there until it dies, unless it is taken out.. It never sees the means of escape at the top, but persists in trying to find some way out through the sides near the bottom. It will seek a way where none exists, until it completely destroys itself.
But consider that God's greatest creation is PEOPLE: In many ways, we are like the buzzard, the bat, and the bumblebee. We struggle about with all our problems and frustrations, never realizing that all we have to do is look up! That's the answer, the escape route and the solution to any problem! Just look up. Sorrow looks back, Worry looks around, but Faith looks up! Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly and trust in our Creator who loves us.
SEND THIS TO A FRIEND .... I did. IN GOD WE TRUST(who coined this phrase Abraham Lincoln?) How about the prophet Isaiah 40:28-31 "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Have a great week everyone and pray for your pastor! He really needs your prayers!

Countdown is 4 days to travel to Seattle/Vancouver Island/Yakima; trying to get it all done before we leave. My son Jacob leaves tomorrow and we will meet up with him Monday morning when the Hoptowits pick us up. First up on the agenda is to tour the sights of Seattle. Looking forward to it; will have pictures for you

Today's thought: From Psalm 10: God always hears "the desire of the afflicted" and encourages us to keep the faith as He protects and upholds us by His mighty right hand. Thank you, Lord! Great is thy faithfulness!

WEEK 1 OF PASTOR'S SABBATICAL LEAVE

Today marks the first week of my sabbatical leave. It has been a whirlwind of activity, primarily because of my family's focus of my son Jacob's graduation from Christian Liberty Academy. He graduated last Saturday, May 30th, 2009 and it was a special day, to say the least! Both his grandmothers were present, my mom and Karen's mom and stepdad were here to celebrate the joyous occassion. I must admit that the venue at New Hope Christian Fellowship was most enjoyable due to their air conditioned auditorium--it was quite comfortable! We had barely enough time after the sweet fellowship to prepare for Jacob's grad party at our church later that evening. I was quite impressed by the incredible work of the Junior class and their families to decorate the New Hope fellowship hall and serve the 17 Senior graduates and their families to a wonderful pupu lunch. It was more than just appetizers but almost a full meal served by willing servants. The food and the service was unbelievable! Thank you CLA Juniors! May your graduation be just as memorable next year as you made it for us this year! A special thanks also to the dedicated faculty of Christian Liberty; what more can be said as to the high commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ and to every student. It was so evident that the love of Christ permeated every aspect of the graduation ceremony.

I must say that the joy began at 2:30AM that morning when my mom and I got up to make makesushi for Jacob's grad party. In all, I believe we rolled 25 rolls of sushi and the highlight of that memory was my "messup" on the very first roll where I forgot to put a sheet of nori on the su or bamboo wrapping device. My mom is quite proficient in making sushi where she has provided our family numerous times and special occassions with her tasty sushi. Later that morning, around 4:30AM, Karen's mom woke up to help roll several of the sushi so she could see how it was done. Several of the rolls were not wrapped properly where the rice spilled over but no worry, we just ate those and kept the good ones for the party, which everyone seemed to enjoy. I'll share more about that later on.

Our church also sponsored a graduates luncheon where 7 graduates were honored, given their cross pens and listened to their plans for the summer and fall. We were quite proud of each of them: 5 high school and 2 college graduates were honored: Hilo High: Joseph Davis and Jon Miyazono(who did not attend the luncheon); Waiakea High: Colby Miyose; Christian Liberty Academy: Jacob Tomita & Justin Pang; University of Hawaii at Hilo: Karl Sunagawa; and California Baptist University: Jamie Drake. Well, I need to get ready to attend the 10:30AM worship service at Kinoole Baptist Church.I had two major goals this past week: 1) to start walking every morning(happened only 3 of the 7 days) and to have my quiet time with the Lord(happened 4 days, hope to do better this week). Pray for me, everyone! More later on today about Alden and Jamie's wedding, how the Tomitas helped this fine couple start their married life with the Lord and with family and friends surrounding and supporting them.