it's one lovely island.

"the only thing that really qualifies anyone for anything is whether or not they love Jesus."

i was listening to a speaker today at orientation, and that sentence jumped out at me.
i'm not worthy of Jesus' love, but He loves me anyway.
i don't feel qualified to be one that Jesus uses,
but because i'm willing to be used, He will use me.
because i love Him, He can use me.

we worshipped in the prayer room this morning.
it was so amazing.
i feel certain that i'm supposed to be here.
i can't explain it, but i know.

here are a few photos to show you what i'm seeing. :)

these are the flags of the nations. it's beautiful, eh?

i'm absolutely loving the palm trees.
i had never seen one in real life before yesterday, so getting to touch them and take photos of them is super cool. :)

for part of orientation, they had a group called Island Breeze (or something like that) perform a traditional Haka dance. it was quite interesting. (it  reminded me of the one time my sisters and i watched a rugby game, and they started out with the Haka).

the view from my dorm. the ocean is behind the trees... :)

some more photos from the plaza of the nations.


this campus is beautiful.
the PhotogenX leaders are amazing.
the people are nice.

someone told us all that we're crazy.
we left our homes and families and flew to a rock in the middle of nowhere
because God called us.
i think he's right, i am crazy.
crazy about Jesus! :)
i'm so excited to see what God is going to do in the next 3 months here in Kona.
i'll try to keep y'all updated as much as i can! :)
~Valerie