'Gasa-Gasa' to Slow Flow

We use a Japanese slang here in Hawaii, gasa gasa. Usually, it is said of a child who can't keep still. Sometimes, in someone who tries to do much. I guess it could mean overactive and rushing.

Well, all the above would completely describe me from childhood until about 8 years ago. My health changed and my lifestyle was forced to 'slow flow'.

My family regularly hears me say ~ slow down and breathe, be mindful, close your eyes and stop for a minute.

I am now so into encouraging everyone to pause and breathe deeply. Only because as I practice the slowing to pause, I realize its total goodness. Seeing what I might not have if on the move. Taking notice of things and people around me. In the mindfulness, moments are thoroughly processed and gratitude celebrated.

It is so relaxing and refreshing there. We are worth that goodness.

First my body was forced to. But as I settled into the forced rest with Jesus, I learned a new rhythm. My mind was eased. My soul soothed.

This journey has become and adventure with God. The treasures discovered are joys and wonders in my everydayness. I truly pray the same and more for you.

Hugs from Hawaii,
Jeri


Thursdays are for coffee and jamming with Bonnie.

Never Alone on this Journey

My Jesus Calling devotional says that we are each on God's unique path for us. Our journey. There are so many treasures we discover on our adventure. Joys, wonders, and companionship too.  

We can take comfort and celebrate His constant companionship and of the ones He chooses to be with us as we travel. Even the people we meet in the line at the coffee shop, grocery store, and in the bookstore aisle.

Next time it gets long and hard, let's pause and ask Him to remind us of the treasures. These are the times to pull out our gratitude list and maybe even say them out loud.

We are never alone. 

Hugs from Hawaii,

Jeri

Deuteronomy 31:6 ~ “Be strong. Take courage. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He’s right there with you. He won’t let you down; he won’t leave you.”

Psalm 16:3 ~ And these God-chosen lives all around—
    what splendid friends they make!

One day later, but usually on Thursdays I Join Barista Bonnie where she brews up shots of faith. Come share a cup.

Where I Belong ~ PhotoJournal {video}

The day before Thanksgiving I was diagnosed with Thalassemia Alpha (a blood disorder). A firm diagnosis after 7 years of not knowing.

The past few months have been a mix of emotions and thoughts. Slowly, praise and gratitude resonate for the answers that now explain lifelong symptoms.

We have navigated very choppy waters in our ocean of life changes.

This month, I can feel God anchoring me into my new normal.
My word to help me navigate smoothly is {be}:: Be in response to God for my moments needs.

I can now joyfully invite you, to join with me, in celebrating the life I can live. I pray you begin to celebrate yours as well.

Psalm 118:24 speaks to me that God has made this day too. Joys or chaos. So let us find something/someone to celebrate!


Hugs from Hawaii, 

Jeri

Music by Jenny Simmons - Where I belong

On Thursdays I Join Barista Bonnie where she brews up shots of faith. Come share a cup.

You're Beautiful

The women who are my friends and family want to tell you how beautiful you are. I want you to know it's true! 

It shows in how you do what you do. It shines through all you share. It resonates through your words. You sure are beautiful.

We are mothers, wives, sisters, daughters. Homemakers photographers, teachers, writers, students. 

Some of us have it all together. Some of us are a chaotic mess. In it all, we are beautiful just as we are.

We want to encourage you today to begin embracing your beauty...

You're beautiful. 

Yes, You.  

Just as you are. 

We celebrate You. Every part. 

You're beautiful. 

Wonderful, Beautiful You

A huge thank you to the beautiful women in my life who shared their beauty:

My Family:

Sheana

Moani 

Courtney

Annette 

Darlene 

My Photography Community Friends:

Kelly I.

Nicki L.

Laura B.

Andrea Moffatt

Barbara Paulsen

Holly Clark

Hillary H.

Elke S.

Hugs from Hawaii,

Jeri

You're invited to join me, my sweet friend and life coach Holley

and a few other ladies for coffee every Wednesday.

On Thursdays I Join Barista Bonnie where she

brews up shots of faith. Come share a cup.

It's Time

No matter what spend time in His presence and His Word

His compassion in my weakness ~

Embracing my fragility. Wow. That one absolutely floored me. I poured out to Jesus about needing His strength to let Him take me through the long journey of healing. Actually, I was way too upset and groaning about why it was taking so long *sheepish grin*. The next day, my Jesus Calling devotional spoke life words on it all. 

Life words for what’s ahead ~

It read on with words that reached way down inside me and warmed me to tears. Words like weak, weary, rest, snugly. Then I reached the part about being ‘gifted with fragility’ as a ‘sacred treasure’ that’s “delicate and yet glowing with brilliant light”. It encouraged me not to ‘disguise or deny my weakness’. It said embracing my fragility allowed God to bless me richly through it.

Be True to You

He reminded me about His constant tugs in the past to listen and obey in what was coming. Now, it’s time. Time to write differently in words and timing. Time to live differently as I embrace life changes.

Trust and Obey ~

There will be times when words are pouring on to the page and other times when it may be few. Sometimes with just photos. To welcome the times of writing and times of complete silence. 

I’m a planner. How is this even going to work? Well, I get it now. These months of time off have helped tremendously. I’ll write when He asks and be silent when He asks. No schedule. Just obedience and trust. Remembering the words and photos I’ll share really are His to begin with. Gifts to me and you. Gifts to share.

Best pillow ever. Both of us healing.

New Normal ~

So much has changed in the past few months. Taking time off. My health challenges, healing that requires more rest than I’m used to. The kids moving in and all the adjustments that come with it. My life coach, Holley Gerth, calls it the new normal. I like that. She’s been helping me work through my dreams, my everyday challenges, and shown me I am more than I think. Jesus is why. 

After talking with Holley, I've decided to begin sharing more on what we're coaching through in future posts :-)

I can’t wait to take you along on my new normal and all of our ups and downs. I’m completely afraid, but ready to be as transparent about my daily challenges in health and lifestyle as God leads me to share with you.

Okay, I'm crazy and freaked out scared. Yet, I know it’s all good. New normal in family, everydayness, writing and photography...wow! Yikes!

Fun Stuff  in Living Life now~ 

I've been taking more photography classes online. Love it! I've also become a Certified 

Biblical Life Coach. Holley has helped me so much in the past 10 months, I wanted to pass it on through my photos and writing. We initially started out with me writing a book and it led to all we've been working through. 

David took off a week to let me recover

Prayer Request ~

Can I ask you to keep me in prayer for listening and obedience? And to pray for all the new normal in my life and that of my family too? To see Him in it all. Thank You so much.

My Prayer ~ Jesus, I’m afraid. It’s kinda freaky to step into all this new. It’s shaken me up. It’s good and hard. Parts of my heart just don’t want to move forward. Other parts of me can’t wait to get going. And fragility, whoa. I need you. I really, really need to know you are with me. For the ones reading these words, I pray you help them to trust and obey in what’s ahead too. Bless them with people in their lives to encourage and keep accountable. Amen.

Soul Refreshment:

Isaiah 42:3-4 ~ 

He won't brush aside the bruised and the hurt
   and he won't disregard the small and insignificant,
   but he'll steadily and firmly set things right.

He won't tire out and quit. He won't be stopped 

   until he's finished his work—to set things right on earth.

From Shadow's pool day. Living life on the "well" days

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As always, if you've silently popped in, thanks for being here and sharing in my every day.

Where I'm hanging out ~ 

Join us on Instagram (@jeri_taira) and Flickr as I'm active there for photography classes & everydayness. If you don't have instagram you can visit my page on Ink361, David's IG page is here.

They both want his bagel

Waking up to this

Out front at days end

Linking up with Bonnie today

The Ache to Trust

Distrust. That's a tough state to be in. The condition of distrust with worry, doubt, and even fear. I'm sure there could so many more emotions and states of mind attached to it. It's not a healthy place to be, but there's no rushing the healing of trust.


The ache to trust again. The ache to just be comfortable and at rest in trust. The ache to enjoy life in trusting the ones who are now part of our every day.


Abandonment -- Ache to trust the ones who presently love and support us to stay -- or-- come back if they have to leave for a length of time.


Loss -- Ache to trust in the love and companionship of the ones who remain -- and -- enjoy what they share in relationship.


Deceit -- Ache to trust for honesty, loyalty and dedication from the ones who here and now have never deceived.

I've found a way through all of this. Though there surely are many. 

At His feet, Jesus is helping me through with forgiveness. 

It's a a powerful word. Forgiveness is filled with power, love, and grace. It's a word of grace and beauty as it gently washes away anger, resentment, and bitterness. It warmly restores strength of heart, soul health, and spirit flight. 


Forgiveness relieves the ache to trust at the pace God has set for me. It continues to nurture trust after long ago child abuse, divorce, and continuous death of the only ones who would support my God-sized dreams. 


The gift and grace of new ones who bring safety, belonging, acceptance, and unconditional love. These along with forgiveness nurture my ache to trust year after year. 


The result of taking my ache to trust to Jesus in prayer is growing in joyfulness, hopefulness, and belief.


This was my simple prayer those years ago and I continue to whisper it again and again. Inspired by Mark 9:24: "Jesus, help me to trust again. Help me to heal from the past so I can trust again. I don't want to miss out on the love now."


With You in Mind:
I pray that prayer for you too who aches to trust again. Healing comes as you sit as His feet and openly talk about the distrust with Jesus. He truly wants you to. It's not ugly to Him at all. He'll bring people to help you through as you ask Him too.


Will you sit at His feet today and openly talk (pray) about the distrust your past has brought? Let Him grow a desire in you to trust again. He will heal the ache.


Can I pray for you? I'll pray even if you quietly slipped in to slip out. If you like, send a private message via email or message on facebook.


Soul Refreshment:


Mark 9:24 ~ "... help me with my doubts!"

I'm joining Bonnie for a discussion on Trust

And Lisa-Jo for a 5-minute adventure 

no editing.

Okay, I took about 7 minutes to write ;-)

Linger in His Embrace ~ I Am, Who I Am

It brought so many memories of my past with Jesus. Bonnie's topic of 'What Attracts You to Jesus' had me thinking through so much since last week. The one part of Him that is constant is the first thing that ever really drew me to His heart...


I can be who I am with Him. Crazy, messed up, frustrated, sometimes jealous and envious. He works it all out with me. The amount I can love, the time I can give, the hope, joy, and faith in me, is all enough for Him. 


Linger in His embrace. I love to linger here with Him. I don't have to measure up to anyone else. He embraces me right here and allows me space to become. No dressing up. No fancy words. No make-up...lol. It's so restful here.

Some History: 


High School was a world of pressure. To fit in. Dressing, acting, doing, all as only acceptable to the peers. The talents and skills had to excel in order to be admired. One wrong move and you become despised. One day everyone could totally like you and the next, ignored. I lose breath just thinking about it. I did have many good times and friends too.


Motherhood was a world of the latest parenting magazine tips. How many home cooked meals versus take out. Who's children are best behaved. You could be exhausted, but don't dare look it. The mom who was on top of it all, level-headed, and pleasant despite it all wore the halo. When I found my niche, the comfort in my own skin let me be the mom they truly needed.


When I became a Christian, I thought that was all over. I was wrong. First, let me say that I was just exposed to my own experience. It doesn't mean every Christian or church is this way. My experience combined all of high school and motherhood in one. You not only had to have it altogether, but you had to serve tirelessly to be right in their eyes. I finally gave it all up and did my best for Him with what I already had.


Let's Move on: Moving through the ugly, let's just talk beautiful truth. 


Jesus never asked us to be perfect or expect perfection of others ~ His love completes me and perfects me as I love others where they are,  from where I am. 


Nor, does he ask us to exhaust ourselves ~ He himself often rested well to refresh for the next time of serving. He invites us to real rest in His company.


He never said we should work hard to become like Him ~ He wants to be who He is in and through us via the unique gifts, skills, and personality He's instilled in us.


Jesus' unconditional love for me is what attracted me to Him. He welcomed me to be who I was. He continues to welcome me to be who I am right where I'm at. I'm constantly drawn to be with Him knowing this. My imperfections, failures, wrong words, never changes how much He loves me. 


Soul Refreshment:


Galatians 6:14-16 ~ 
For my part, I am going to boast about nothing but the Cross of our Master, Jesus Christ. Because of that Cross, I have been crucified in relation to the world, set free from the stifling atmosphere of pleasing others and fitting into the little patterns that they dictate. 


Can't you see the central issue in all this? It is not what you and I do—submit to circumcision, reject circumcision. It is what God is doing, and he is creating something totally new, a free life! All who walk by this standard are the true Israel of God—his chosen people. Peace and mercy on them!


Your turn, my turn:


I invite you to a time of lingering with Him just as you are. In the good, bad, in-between of all you are. I'll be doing the same. 


He welcomes and accepts us best right here...and...You'll find yourself more drawn to be with Him because He does.

With His Help ~ Vulnerable

The whole family --
God's grace alone makes us a whole and complete family - love, joy, and wonder for sure.
Here is where I'm safe to be just who and how I truly am.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I struggle with how vulnerable I should allow myself to be. Too many past experiences of betrayal, defamation, dare I say it - backstabbing. Harsh words for me to write here today. I'd rather write about beauty, joys, and wonders. You know what? Even in that past I've found just those three things among a few other sweet treasures.


What's the cost when we stand bare in the wide open space of community? What comes after we take a brave step to share a part of our soul? What words will be spoken when we share our hopes and dreams?


The hope is almost always to be welcomed, accepted, understood, and supported. In all of this we long to be loved unconditionally. 


Reality takes it toll with sticks, stones, and sometimes cruelty. Guess what? It also surprises with gifts of cheers for keeping on. It soothes and comforts with the unwrapping of consolation and shared tears. It nourishes when it surrounds us with the beauty of those who accept, love, and support us. The best part is when our imperfections are welcomed. What a treasure to find them.


God is my reality. So of whom shall I be afraid. Yet, I am. Then again, God is my reality. So, with his help we can stand in the wide open, yet not alone. Community surrounds us. Even if with only one other person, there we stand together. There's nothing we can't do when we have that and being vulnerable isn't as scary. An amazing treasure that He is with us too. Woohoo!


The first step is to know who we are. Let God show us who we really are and let go of who everyone else says we are or should be. Next, let God show us "how" we are to be. Not influenced by comparison, but motivated by His gifts, talents, and skills in us.  Then, live out who we are and how we are to be out of love for Jesus. Let go of the people pleasing and applause. God has a circle of chosen lives to surround us and love us in all our vulnerability. Of course, we then give it all to others allowing them to be safely vulnerable as well.


With His Help: 
~ May we surround ourselves with ones who's company makes us feel fuller 
    when we leave.
~ May we be who we truly are to find the one's who accept us right where 
    we're at.
~ May the beauty and wonder of that kind of love be our motivation for 
   vulnerability. Even as we overcome the fear to be so.
~ My we never fail to give freely what is given to us .


My current season has me desiring a steady flow of encouragement and tenderness. What are you needing in your season? 


Soul Food:


Psalm 18:16-19 ~
But me he caught—reached all the way from sky to sea; he pulled me out Of that ocean of hate, that enemy chaos, the void in which I was drowning. They hit me when I was down, but God stuck by me. He stood me up on a wide-open field; I stood there saved—surprised to be loved!


Ecclesiastes 4:12 ~

Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Psalm 119:41-48 ~

    Let your love, God, shape my life 

      with salvation, exactly as you promised; 

   Then I'll be able to stand up to mockery 

      because I trusted your Word. 

   Don't ever deprive me of truth, not ever— 

      your commandments are what I depend on. 

   Oh, I'll guard with my life what you've revealed to me, 

      guard it now, guard it ever; 

   And I'll stride freely through wide open spaces
      as I look for your truth and your wisdom;
   Then I'll tell the world what I find,
      speak out boldly in public, unembarrassed.
   I cherish your commandments—oh, how I love them!—
      relishing every fragment of your counsel.

Notes To the Ones...

To the ones who teach me love in belonging in the way you accept me into your lives. 


I should have no longer been received by you as our ties were seemingly severed. Yet, you continued to call me family. You light up when I walk in. Your smile, from ear to ear, hugely and definitely love. You hug like you haven't seen me in a long time, every time. 


Your heart unwrapped the depth and wideness of  how God wants us to belong. You teach me to make space in my heart for others who were not my family either and they became so. Wouldn't you know they brought more love with them.


To the ones who teach me love in forgiveness and helped set me free from that prison of bitterness. 


I didn't deserve that you would set me free of all I said to hurt you. All I did that put fear in your heart. How you felt unprotected, alone, and rejected by who I used to be. Your heart of forgiveness and reconciliation restores me. You unwrap love in God's grace and mercy in me and through me. 


You teach me to forgive and even understand that reconciliation may not always be possible. But, I thank God for us it is. I'm learning to give forgiveness freely and often.


To the ones who teach me to soar through your selfless life-words.


You write to encourage me in my interests and dreams. Your spoken words inspire me to stay true to who God has made me. 


I often compare myself, my God gifts and God dreams to others. You gently tell me what you see in me. You remind me that all I do is uniquely tailored by God. You tenderly keep me grounded on my adventures. 


You revel in the small and big wonders I discover. You celebrate in the simple and amazing joys I find. You unwrap the true meaning of being God's masterpiece by your transparency and solid counsel. 


To you who let me be imperfect in my frustrations, chaos, and in the "not-so-awesome" choices I might make. 


You set me free from pressure and expectations that are not from God. Instead, you unwrap the beauty of who He is in and through my struggles, challenges, downfalls, and outright sin.


You have unwrapped love in Jesus as my Redeemer, Savior, Friend, and lover of my soul...Just as I am. 


All of you have given me the gift becoming. All of you allow me to process and progress at my own pace. All of you give and teach me true love.


To the ones who are strangers in my everyday. You smile or nod. You might even say hello. You hold open the store doors for me. You pick up the napkin I dropped. You genuinely compliment me on my family, self, or an item you like. You write to tell me wonderful things and yet I have never met you. I watch you help someone else you don't know. I see you let another go ahead of you. 


You unwrap the mystery of love in how we don't know each other and yet you reach out and fill my heart in the everyday.  I learn to share that kind of love with others because of you. 




Soul Food:

Ephesians 3:16-19 ~ 

I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—

     not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—

that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. 

    

And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, 

you'll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus 

    the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. 

Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! 

    Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! 

Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.

1 John 4:16-18 ~ 

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.   God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 


This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. 


There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.


With You in Mind: 


~ May you find ways to unwrap love by the example of others in your lives.
~ May you discover love in unique ways.