Category Archives: Obedience

Nelson’s journal 5/5/22  

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Reading Nelson’s statement that he was feeling better at the beginning of last May has been bittersweet for us—because we know now that he wasn’t really getting better. But he was trying to be optimistic, and optimism is usually helpful.

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May 4, 2022 

The sickness is getting better. Every day is better than the last one. I sold my blue Easter Egg Dodge truck last night, ending my love-hate relationship with that thing. What a relief. Again, the verse applies, “The end of a thing is better than its beginning… and patience is better than pride.” Or… finishing is better than starting.

The baby boy is giving us a run for our money most of the day, not napping more than 30 minutes at a stretch, then waking up in full force not really ready for anything but crying and fussing… and eating some, but not enough.

You always wonder what to do as a parent. Mostly you have no idea and only learn that you don’t know what you’re doing or how to do it.

No more sermons to prepare, which is nice. I am glad God called me away from pastoring the church. It was also true there that “the end of a thing is better than its beginning.” I remember the beginning and how hard it was. Actually, it was pretty hard the whole way through in certain ways, but it was good to do it, and also good it’s over, at the same time.

“Accept the way God does things, for who can straighten what he has made crooked? Enjoy prosperity while you can, but when hard times strike, realize that both come from God. Remember that nothing is certain in this life.” (Ecclesiastes 7:13-14)

Nelson’s journal 3/3/22

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Nelson was always on the alert for God’s messages to him, trying to remain open to his ideas, especially those that seem impossible at the time. This applied to everything from career choice, living situation, even filling out tax forms. How does a person make good plans without becoming controlling? In this journal entry, he’s figured it out.

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March 3, 2022 

Isaiah 55…One of the all time greats. God reminding us that his thoughts are not our thoughts nor his ways ours.

I have seen so many times how he leads us in a way and for a reason we could never have guessed, so how can we even plan anything? It’s funny we even try. But we sure do.

Plans are good, but the outcome is always in the hands of the Lord. If I try to honor him and do the right thing, that’s the important part. Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness… that’s what matters, not where we go or what we do.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)

I want to be honest, but not a fool or a sucker. For example, doing taxes takes a skill I don’t really have, but I paid a guy to do it all those years, then realized I’m smart enough to do it. I just don’t like the dirty feeling I get once I’m done.

There’s no way I know to do it without feeling like I have to either screw myself so bad or that I’m somehow cheating. So now I do it somewhere in the middle and try not to feel guilty. Anyway, lots of things have gone that way for me. I used to obsess on them and they ruined my life and became gods.

Now I mostly let things go and leave the results up to the Lord. Maybe it’s a release of control. I think so. People who try to control everything seem so much unhappier than the ones who just focus on living and less on the bottom line.

Working with Tim yesterday was fun, and I enjoy learning about electricity and like the thought of being an expert at something. I’ve always been the jack of all trades, master of none. I’d love to at least be an expert in something. lol.

Maybe God doesn’t care about that, but I would like to try to become a licensed electrician in the State of Hawaii. How hard can it be? Once you learn something, it instantly becomes easy.

Been praying for Ukraine at church and in Kokua Crew. It’s been good. Also, I like how it has eclipsed the whole corona virus thing. That was getting so old. Hard to believe they made such a big deal about that for so long, when it was basically nothing all along. A lesson in what the media can do.

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“The Lord of Hosts has sworn, ’As I have planned, so shall it be’.” (Isaiah 14:24)

Nelson’s journal 2/20/22

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As the baby’s due date comes closer, Nelson and Ann Sophie try having a Sabbath—nothing but rest and worship. But they don’t quite agree on what’s restful. The future of the church is also on his mind, along with preparations for their son, who is due in less than two weeks.

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February 20, 2022

Had a wedding last night up at Little Red. Friends of ours came and said their church was having services just twice a month. Interesting. Let the Mojo go up a little higher and have something like communion or potluck there each time. Definitely something to pray about.

We are trying a real Sabbath today for the first time, where we only do rest and worship on the “day off”. Only Annso and I have a little different interpretation of what rest is I think.

Some of our friends want to have lunch out, and that’s not restful to me at all, but to Annso it is… or maybe it’s worship because it’s ministry. But ministry is our full time job pretty much. Well, it’s good to at least try for it instead of just to throw in the towel.

Thank you Lord for today, for Annso, for Debbie Crady who bought us the Nuna Pipa stroller. People are so nice, and you truly do bless us for having a family and even getting married in the first place.

Please guide our steps today and our time with our friends. Amen.

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“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God.” (James 1:5)