Last month Art and I were able to take our vacation in Maui, Hawai.  The condo we stayed in was on the 12th floor in our favorite complex in Kahana which is located right on the beach with ocean front views from both the living room and bedroom! 

We have a little routine when we arrive in Maui, we stop and pick up a few things at the store to hold us over for a few days so we could just REST! Needless to say I really needed some rest this time because I had been functioning on overload for quite a while!

Our first weekend we decided to visit some old friends and headed over to the swap meet where “Maui Tacos” is located, but to our surprise they were no longer there due to Covid.  So we then headed out to see Guy & Lorraine at “Lorraine’s Shaved Ice” stand in Kahakuloa.  It takes us a while to get there because it’s around the island.  When we arrived Lorraine was sitting in her usual spot on a picnic table, I got out, walked up to her and said “hi Lorraine do you remember me?”  Tears filled my eyes when she said yes, of course I do!  It had been 3 yrs since we last visited. 

Lorraine made Art a cappuccino and brought me her famous banana bread.  We sat and talked and shared stories about our journey and cried together.  Art then asked if he could pray for her and her husband Guy.  Before we left Guy came out and chatted a bit and took some pictures with us.  These are the special moments we look forward to when vacationing in Hawaii, we just love to make new friends, reconnect with old ones and rest!

Sunday we looked forward to attending a Mission Church we had visited some years back.  It had changed and now there was a Filipino Church there.  The people were very friendly and we enjoyed worshiping with them!  Afterwards went to have breakfast but Art didn’t eat much and I didn’t think much about it.   On Monday we took a walk on the beach and sat in the sun for a while, then went over to the pool to cool off, needless to say I got sunburned!

But from one day to the next things drastically changed and Art started to feel sick and nauseated.  Restless days and nights followed and he wasn’t getting any better!  We called his hospice nurse and she ordered some medication which didn’t help either.  Hospice from Hawaii also called and offered their services.

Now it was Thursday and we were all packed and ready to go but Art was in no condition to fly!   I had to make a decision so I made a few phone calls and extended our stay at the condo 2 days, extended the car rental and scheduled the next nonstop flight out.   I was hoping and praying that this would help Art feel better so we could get him back home, but he didn’t improve!

“The sun rises and the sun sets; And hurries to the place where it rises again.”

Ecclesiastes 1:5 AMP

This scripture became real to me as I sat out on the lanai for the next 2 days watching the beautiful sunsets and praying.  I thought to myself  “how could I be here in Paradise looking at this beautiful view and experiencing hell at the same time?” It was torment!

But as I was praying and asking God to just give me something to hold on to, this white bird flew up to the lanai and sat and looked over at me!  I took a quick pic & video before it flew off and said “thank you Father” cause I know You are here!

Saturday morning before it was time to leave I was praying on the lanai again and feeling overwhelmed about what the day was going to entail, because now I was going to have to manage everything by myself! (gas up car- return car- agriculture bag check- get tickets- check in bags- go through TSA long lines- get to the gate and wait 3 hrs till we fly out!), all this with Art in a wheelchair, 4 carry-ons and 2 big suitcases!

But once again the Lord faithfully spoke to me and gave me this scripture, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  I said, “ok God” and do you know that He provided someone to help me every step of the way, I just wanted to cry!  God is so good!!

We are home now but Art is feeling tired and with little appetite.  What next?   Where do we go from here?   I don’t have those answers but I’m learning to take it day by day!

Life goes on for all of us and we don’t know what each day will bring, but one thing I do know is that my trust must continue to be in God who holds me in the palm of His hand.

“Every home has a story,” and this is mine!  Please continue to pray for my family..