Meandering in Maui

		Well, We’ve been here for over 3 weeks now.   Miles Visa has cleared and Dion’s’ should clear next week.  If not for the Indonesian Govt. closing down the entire past week for Ramadan her visa might have cleared this week.  It will take  up to 2 weeks for MAF to process us once they  have both our Visas.  It seems we have 3 weeks  to go.    In the picture to the left we are half way down from Mt. Haleakala at Sunset.  We have seen so many truly awesome sunsets while we have been here.  The north western MT on Maui and part of  the Isthmus between North and South Maui are behind us.  Both of these mountains are usually shrouded in clouds.
My Cousin Rhonda and her husband, Lance, in front of their home is the next picture to the right.  I hadn’t seen Rhonda since I was 8 years old.  It has been great to get to know them.  They have been a great resource for telling us of things to do for free and inexpensively.  They have lived here for over 40years.  What a great gift of family they are since we are so far from family and friends.              This is a new experience for us.  God is stretching us to understand that we have family and friends everywhere.    We have been attending Hope Chapel Maui since we got here.  Dion is volunteering at the church office two – three days a week.  We started attending an Ohana group (Home Bible Study).  The family of God has opened their arms to us.  You too can be welcomed into the family of God if you open your hearts to God, and get involved in a local family / church.
			This was taken during a sunset cruise  by our waiter.  We have been snorkeling,  walking on the beach, spending time in God’s word, and prayer both alone and  together.  It is so refreshing to have all the time in the world to spend together with each other as well as the one who loves us  most and best, Jesus Christ!         We are learning more and more about each other and learning new communication tools.  We have never spent this much ti me together in all of our 35 married years.    What a joy to rediscover each other and find that we truly do like each other.
We couldn’t resist this shot of Miles in front of the Bubba Gump restraint in Lahaina.   It is a photo op which includes Forrest Gump’s suitcase, shoes, socks and the ever popular “Box of Chocolates” which is what our life is like right now.  You never know what you’re going to get.       It has been hot and muggy here but the breeze that picks up in the afternoon is delicious.  Staying in the pool or the ocean helps to keep us cool.  Seeing sea turtles, having picnics are the things that make it interesting.  When we were on Haleakala at Poli Polli state park for a picnic it was so cold we almost needed a jacket, which of course we didn’t bring since it was over 90 degrees when we left the house.  We are hoping that this will be a good half way point to get acclimated to the heat and humidity of Indonesia.
	The pictures to the left were taken from the Iao Valley.  The airport is in the background which shows that it is not far from civilization.  The jutting rock to the right is called the needle.  It is where Maui warriors stood as look out during an especially fierce battle between the Mauians and King Kamehameha and his warriors before the islands were united.