Ch-ch-ch-changes...

Just finished teaching Colossians, my last teaching for the New Testament portion of the Honolulu SBS.  I really love our students and staff, this is such a great group of people hungry for the Word of God!

But, the title of this post is changes, so let me address the changes that are taking place in my life.

2 weeks ago a decision was made to keep the Hawaiian Islands SBS in Honolulu for the entirety of the 9 months, rather than return to Kona for the Old Testament.
My commitment to SBS in Kona finishes in August, but I was going to staff the whole school since I'd return to Kona and I have sort of built a life there.  I have great roommates in Kona, I have a car there, and I have really grown to love the land and sea surrounding this part of Hawai'i.
When the decision was made to stay in Honolulu, I felt like God was releasing me from staying in Honolulu.  I haven't had the easiest time here.  Not because of anyone, just how it goes I suppose.  Some places you click and some places you don't.

So, I will finish my commitment to stay in Honolulu until mid-July at the end of the New Testament.  I will be leaving at that time to return to Kona.  But because I won't be staffing SBS in Kona now, this has opened the doors for me to look beyond Kona as well.  I know it will be hard to say aloha (for now) to my roommates and neighbors and friends in Kona, but I believe God is calling me onwards from there.  I'll be there for 1-2 weeks at the end of July to sort out packing up things and saying "see you later."

I still am passionate about teaching the Bible in SBS and want to see Pacific Islanders equipped and sent out into worldwide missions.  With that in mind and in my heart, I am going to attend the North America SBS Conference in Montana in August, and then I will be relocating to YWAM Los Angeles to work with the Chronological School of Biblical Studies for the next 2 years.  I would like to eventually see SBS re-pioneered in the Pacific, but I am not ready at this stage to be a part of that vision.  Los Angeles is a lot more accessible to Washington than Hawai'i, and I feel that is also important.

This isn't a rash decision, but one I've made with much council from my leader here in Honolulu, the director of SBS in Kona, and also my pastor in Washington and friends and family.

But it is a change and I would appreciate your prayers that I would make the next two months here in Honolulu the best they could be, and that God would prepare the way for a smooth transition from here to Los Angeles and everywhere in between.

Thanks so much!

Famiry

I realize I haven't posted much about Honolulu.  I will soon.

But this week I am visiting my family in Washington and being reminded of how much God values family.  I know I'm not one to talk... My parents live in Washington and I live on an island that is really accessible by plane only (unless you have money and time for a cruise.)  That flight is 5 hours if you get a direct flight... which you probably won't.  I realize I'm not the greatest example of living close to family.  But, family is family and when times get tough, what family does is pull together.  So here I am in Washington.

I flew home for a few reasons this May...

First, my brother died on Mother's Day, May 13th, 2007... and that day is still hard for myself and for my parents.  I wanted to be there for my mom.  It has been five years but we still remember and miss our Jeff.

But secondly, my friend's mom is dying from cancer.  This same friend was there for me when my brother died... I just want to live out what I said above: when times get tough, what family does is pull together.  I want to be there for my friend like she was there for me and my parents.

And lastly, my grandmother is also battling cancer and she lives on my parents' property.  She is an amazing woman who has had much influence in my life.  I am happy to be able to take her to her radiation appointments and spend time with her on the drive there and back.  I also helped her with some gardening today.  :)

Sometimes I feel guilty because I'm the person who is always taking "vacations" to go home for one thing or another.  And other times I feel guilty because I'm not home enough.  But I guess it all boils down to family.  God gave me an amazing family in Washington.  He's also given me amazing hanai (kind of like "adopted") family all over the world.  But when times get tough for one of my families, I'm going to do whatever is in my power to get to that family and be there.  Be it skype or in person, God is teaching me to value and be there for my family.

There is much more I want to write.  There are some changes on the horizon for me (in regards to my work with YWAM) but I cannot make them public just yet.  Please keep me in your prayers in the meantime.  This has been a difficult and dark season for me.  But I am starting to see the sun on the horizon and I know I'll get through this.

Looking forward to a sunny and even brighter tomorrow,
Jillian