Hawaii: Day 10; Diamond Head & New Life

This has been my last full day in Hawaii and it is now coming to a close. I dudn't think I would be as sad as I am to see it end, but I know it's my time to go home. I have learned so much about myself here and now it's time to go home and really apply it.

So today's first event was climbing Diamond head, and I should start by saying that there is a story behind this. Ever sense I got here, Sarah has been talking about Diamond Head, it was supposed to be a brutal climb but worth it for the view from the top. I myself love being outside and hiking and what not. So the whole trip I'm kind of waiting to do it, and it was even a topic of conversation when Sis. Tammy had picked me up on Wednesday night for church. Sis. Tammy had described her journey to the top as almost spiritual, once she got down God really opened her eyes to some things. Today I took that same journey.

Starting up the mountain was difficult, there was stony and uneven ground, sometimes you couldn't see exactly where you were going, sometimes people were moving ahead of you or falling behind, and sometimes it was a very steep climb, and I found this all to be very spiritual. I felt like I could really apply the whole climb to my walk with God, and so I did. I had a conversation with God, throughout the whole climb. It was almost like every step I was overcoming something in my life that had been haunting me. And when I finally finally got to the top, it was worth the climb. Going up I felt like I could die, coming down I felt like I could skip. The view put you in awe, my thought was, "God, you do good work." It was a moving experience, and physically challenging. I am really glad I did it.

After Diamond Head I went to church with Ryan at New Life Church in O'ahu. The service was absolutely incredible. The preacher really spoke a word into my life. It was everything I had needed, everything I was waiting for, and more. I really felt like after that service, I was changed. And when I went outside the sun was setting, and it was the first full sunset that I had seen sense I have been here and I felt like it was just for me.

When church was over, Ryan, Tony, Excel, Noe, Bryant, Kevin, Aricka, Denise, and I all went out to eat at pizza hut. It was another opportunity to get to know these people, who are all so sweet and humble.  I've known them less than a week but they already feel like family the way the are just so welcoming. I will never forget these people or what God has done for me on this trip.

So on my last night here in Hawaii, the plan has always been to look over my previous posts and really reflect on what God has done. I just finished doing so and it really is amazing to see where God has brought me from. I think this vacation was exactly what I have needed. God is really directing my life in a new way. I feel myself growing up, and coming out of my shell even more. I've grown as a person here. I feel refreshed, restored, happy, and optomistic and all I can do is thank God for this imense blessing he's given me.

If God be for me, who can stand against me?