Meet: my popz.

So here is my dad wearing a stunning safari hat at Disney World, which was our first family summer vacation to Florida. I grew up with his annoying kisses on my cheeks and his endless declaration of love for me. I thought that would be the extent to our father-daughter relationship. I grew up not really seeing him for much of the day because of his working schedule. I regretted all those lost times we could have had used to build on our relationship. I grew more and more jealous when I saw my girl friends and their fathers playing together or going on dates because I didn't have that. I couldn't. I was bitter because I thought my dad didn't love me as much or enough to skip work for me. However, as I grew older, I got to see the depth of his love and care more. His love came through his hard work and sacrifice for the family. His love runs deeper than what I imagined a father-daughter relationship to be. It's more than the physical, tangible things that he can do for me, but the thought behind his work that touches my heart every time. Then I come to see a very small glimpse of what our Father's love can be. How much more His love runs if I think my own earthly dad's love is so much.

Happy Father's Day to the best, high quality men in my life: my dad, uncle, & aloha uncle. Have a good one guys! Hugs and kisses all around!

Meet: my kids.

(minus Jane, she's a whole other story)

Not my kids, but my Sunday school children. I first met them winter semester of my freshmen year. It's already coming close to 2 years since I've known them. I remember waking up every Sunday at 8am to set up for Building Blocks, that's what our church's children ministry is called, at Angell Hall Auditorium D. Mind you, this was still during the school year when midterms and papers were going on. But looking back, it was all worth the trouble, or should I say the blessing, to serve with these angel-brats. The beginning stages of me serving in this ministry team was hard. The kids tired me out too early in the morning and exhausted every ounce of fuel I had left in me needed for the service after Building Blocks- I passed out a lot during the sermon. It's extraordinary to observe and witness the growth in their lives. Not only the evident physical growth, but being able to walk along with them as they grow in their own spiritual walk with Christ. It's amazing. Through them, I've come to understand and never underestimate the extent of their knowledge in things in general, but more importantly their ability to comprehend our Lord. Being able to see them praise without any reservations and the rare stretching of their hands in worship to the Lord brings me to a silent awe. I'm coming to a clearer realization of why God wants us to draw close to Him with such a childlike faith.