|
We can't move somewhere we've never been!
It was August 7th, the day I came across Hale
Maluhia Country Inn, a bed and breakfast for sale in Kona. It was my turn now to say to Jim "Honey, come look at what
I found!". The intrigue was the amount of rooms this place had and the statement from the owner that he was willing
to do a percentage of 'seller financing'. Jim was immediately taken with the Inn as he saw it on it's website.
We both agreed that it looked like it needed a lot of work and updating, but the overall look was interesting.
As days passed and we started to communicate with the owner it became obvious that there was something more than an ordinary
connection. Well, one obvious connection was that he and his wife loved the Lord and wanted to move on from the Inn and start
a new ministry, which delighted us and made the whole picture seem more 'God like'.
I had already begun searching for a loan package that might work in our situation, so most
days I made some sort of contact with at least one loan person. I knew we needed to find someone who knew someone who knew
someone who would be interested in our bed and breakfast ideas. In the course of many phone conversations, I found
two possible loan brokers, one who knew someone that may be interested. So needless to say, it seemed like everything was
continuing to move us forward to somewhere we had never been, Hawaii.
It was nearing the end of August now and the unemployment money was not even
close to paying everything, considering it only amounted to twenty-five percent of Jim's previous salary.
We knew the Lord was in control so we continued to pray daily and trust that the plan would unfold before us. Because the
money was limited and going out way too fast, a trip to Hawaii seemed, well, stupid. I knew in my heart that it was the next
step in the plan, but talking with Jim about spending our last money to go to Hawaii was frustrating. He is a very logical
thinker and was still all stressed out from his previous work. He just could not see past the dollars, or lack of, and so
going to Hawaii was like taking a step that would send us over the perpetual cliff. I insisted that it was the right thing
to do, now was the time, and we needed to take the steps in faith, not sight or logic.
It was a Sunday nite late and I had gone to bed, Jim was still downstairs so I was enjoying the center of
the bed all to myself. I was laying on my tummy basking in the presense of the Lord. I knew He had a great plan for us and
my mind drifted to the Inn. I found myself on the grassy area by the lanai sitting in a low lawn chair and around me were
about seven others also sitting in low lawn chairs, we were in a circle. In the center of the circle was fire, flames were
burning strong but I could not see where the fire came from, we were all completely saturated in the presense of
the Lord. I was enjoying the moment when God in all His majesty came into our bedroom. I was still laying on my tummy and
I felt 'the presense', it was as if He filled the entire room above me like a giant mattress lay over me without the discomfort.
As soon as I realized what was happening, that the Lord was visiting me, "wow" came out of my
mouth and I said it over and over. Very slowly the covering got smaller and smaller with no less of the intensity
and directly came into my entire body. I layed there in complete awe, and all I could say was "wow". When all subsided
it came to my mind to get up and share with Jim, so I asked the Lord "it that all? can I get up and share with Jim",
even then I laughed at my question "is that all?". I knew I could go share so I got up,
it was very surreal and I felt as though I was floating, bearly touching the stairs as I flew down them. I went downstairs
and found Jim in the office, he was bundled up in his easy chair reading the Bible. I went to him and stood there
still in awe, "something just happened" I said "but I have to go to the bathroom first!". We
both laughed and I ran. When I came back I sat right in front of him close as could be and this is what flowed out of my mouth:
"This is Gods project, His property and His doing. We are never going to have to worry about vacancies or money. We will
have success and God is going to use us to do His purposes. Many wonderful things are going to happen there and many people
are going to be blessed and touched." The presense of the Lord was there as I shared and I could visibly see that Jim
was also touched. We talked for quite awhile about what was said and Gods visitation. It was a special
moment in our lives and we knew it was for a reason.
It took over a week and a lot of intense
prayer but Jim finally said "yes, let's go". I didn't feel the wave of happiness like I thought
I would, but none the less, I was greatly relieved and knew that the Lord's timing is important to things working out via
His plan. Hawaiian Airlines seemed the best place to go for tickets, so I went online and took a look. With the best prices
from Sacramento I booked our flight for two, September 9, 2008 . With money limited we could not afford to take Katie or Jason so we were going, just the two of us. I had communicated
with the Bed and Breakfast owner so all plans were set. After we were all set to go with plane tickets paid for and arrangements
made, the BnB owner notified us that he was charging us the usual room rate for our stay, less a 20% discount. OMG! (gosh)
I thought, you have got to be kidding me! Jim was not so surprised and said the owner had the right to do that, but I did
not like it just the same. See, I thought he would host us for free, silly me!!! After all, we were spending a lot of money
to get there and check out the place, I just did not understand.
We packed for a nine day trip to the Big
Island of Hawaii, with summer clothes and sandals. I really wanted to feel the over-the-top exitement that one should feel
getting ready for a 'vacation to Hawaii', but somehow it did not feel like a vacation. Instead, it felt like a life changing
event that you did not know the outcome of, which of course, we did not.
The day was finally here, September 9th,
2008. We got up ready to go and said our farewells to everyone. And off we went...I quickly got settled on the plane and was
inspired to write a poem. I was sitting there thinking about the journey we were on and without effort words flowed "What Is A Journey?" Written
September 9, 08 on Hawaiian Airlines to Hawaii from Sacramento
By MaryAnn Pryor What is a Journey? What is a Journey without adventure
without culture and sometimes shock. What
is a Journey that does not bring change
that does not seem strange, at some point or another. What is a Journey that does not offer fun
with or without sun... What is a Journey
that does not take sacrifice
that does not give some sort of spice. What is a Journey that does not make you smile
even in the deepest trial. What is Your Journey? is it full of everything?
that will tell a story you can bring. Life would not be so wonderful if -
there was nothing to compare it
to. Love your Journey...
because with God all things are possible! The
flight was smooth and our transfer in Honolulu was full of ooohhhs and awes over the tropical foliage. Late in the afternoon
we landed in Kona, it felt good to arrive at our destination and get off the plane. Wow! we were here!
| |
|
|
| Landed safe! in the desert? |
|
| |
|
