superhero alert::

What do these things have in common:: a newly developed talent for identifying odors within a 5mile radius- a.k.a 'the super smeller', an unquenchable desire for sleep and a curious disgust with my old friend, coffee?  I know, I know.. you're thinking 'super powers, zombie-like exhaustion and a weakness of kryptonite proportions.. she must have turned into superwoman!'  Although some may consider it even more impressive than invisibility or mind reading, the truth is that I am simply growing another human being.  Yes, it's true!!  I've been waiting to spill those beans for two months but Christmas was the perfect time to tell our families.

family picture #1

#2 - after Derek said 'on three everyone say Bethel's pregnant!'

I am 13 weeks along which means Baby Pearl is 3in long and the size of a peach.  He/she is due to make their grand appearance on July 10!  Derek and I are very excited!  As far as sickness goes, I've been incredibly blessed.  Nauseous, yes.  But actually throwing up, no.  That means Derek hasn't lost his best farm hand!  Even my extreme dislike for coffee picking pales in light of the terrible sickness I know has accompanied many of my friends and family members through pregnancy.  I'd much rather be picking or pruning, our newest task, then the alternate option.  As long as I'm allowed a significant amount of pee breaks and have plenty of snacks on hand, I'm good to go!
Although this Christmas will always be remembered as the one in which we divulged our exciting news, there were many other memorable moments.  Being 'Vanna White' in our church's Christmas version of Family Feud has given my parade wave quite the reputation!  I was able to enjoy the first fig grown on our very own tree!  Card games, coffee (for everyone but the prego!) and cracking jokes resulted in much laughter and even a little coffee spewing!  Christmas Eve was a perfect beach day, concluded with the island's best clam chowder and a candle light service on the beach!  We had fun weaving together different family traditions; my family's cheesy bean dip for movie night, the Pearl family's 'Christmas breakfast'.  A pool party with church family and Derek's excitement at finally getting everything he needs to finish his surf board also rank high on the list!   It was, indeed, a Merry Christmas!

[candle light service!]

Thanks to Skype, we were actually able to see the reactions of many family members as we showed off our brand new ultrasound picture!  The expressions were priceless.  As we talked to close friends throughout the next few days, the giddiness grew.  It's starting to seem real!  Announcing it to church family was very exciting; our baby has about 30 'aunties' and 'uncles' that can't wait to begin the spoiling!  And, now that the cat's out of the bag I don't have to take as much grief for tucking into bed at ridiculously, early hours of the evening.
Knowing we're adding to our family has been the underlying 'unknown' in our decision making the past few months.  Finding out we had a place to live and a possible job for seven months was enormously more significant to us, knowing that seven months was exactly how long we had until our sweet, baby's arrival!  Yes, we'll need to line up other jobs and find a place to live after the seven months.  We're not sure of all the when's, what's or how long we'll end up living here but we can clearly see that God is making a way and, as always, He is an incredible provider.
The best present I got this year was having several family members go along with my wish for them to give my Christmas money to someone that truly needed it.  This came in the form of donations to World Vision, help for sexually exploited girls and a goat sent to a family in India!  Thinking about the difference these gifts could make in the lives of those that desperately needed it is the BEST kind of gift and exactly what I wanted!  This wasn't about me suddenly developing saint-like qualities, far from it!  I love getting presents, just like anyone else, but I really felt God speaking to me about being a blessing to others.  There was nothing I truly 'needed' this year and Christmas was the perfect chance to GIVE!  After all, that's what it's all about... the gift of Jesus Christ!!

[Light of the world, You came down into darkness]

As we draw to the close of this year, I don't want to make a giant list of resolutions that will be thrown to the wayside by mid-March!  I do, however, want to reflect on all the incredible opportunities and adventures of 2012!  I stand in awe at my God and the countless ways He has loved us, provided for us, taught us and walked with us.  I'm married to my best friend and we learn more about 'love' every day.  There's no one else I'd want to be on this journey with.  As I look forward to 2013 I am absolutely ecstatic!  We are beginning a new chapter and I can't wait to see where God will lead us and all that He will teach us.  Derek and I have been abundantly blessed and I'm excited to BE a blessing in this new year, allowing Jesus to live through us!  Plus, we can't WAIT to meet the little munchkin growing inside of me!
That's all I've got, for this year...

God with us!

Christmas is my favorite time of year for countless reasons; the songs, the secrecy of presents, lavish decorations, family coming together and the once-a-year kind of foods!  But, as the Grinch learned, even when you take away all the trappings and feasting, Christmas is about oh-so-much more!
The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Emmanuel [which means 'God with us'] Matthew 1:23
God. With. Us.  How do we even begin to comprehend this?  Every single human being is sinful and wretched from the moment they are born into this fallen world.  We deserve Hell.  The only way we could be redeemed was if God Himself came to earth and paid the price for our sins.  And God so loved the world that HE DID!  God with us!  He sent His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life! [John 3:16!]  He knew exactly what it would take to save us and He said we were worth it!

We've been 'on vacation' this week.  Coffee picking came to a screeching halt after two days when we reached the point where all the remaining cherries had either gone bad or weren't ready to be picked!  I did my best to mask my sheer giddiness at this realization, but I don't think I fooled anyone!  It was perfect timing.  We were able to help set up for the Christmas play at church, get some last minute shopping done and spend an afternoon at the beach!  After putting my family straight to work, relaxing was absolutely lovely and strolling around downtown led to the discovery of an amazing pizza place!  Our cultural experience of the week was a Celtic concert that Dad read about on a poster.  Not quite what we were hoping for; it definitely provided some laughing material.  It also cost Dad his entertainment choosing privileges for awhile!
When we were picking this last week, I couldn't get enough of David Crowder's version of the old hymn, "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing".  The words are incredible!  'Jesus sought me when a stranger, wandering from the fold of God; He, to rescue me from danger, interposed His precious blood.  He sought me!  He rescued me, by sacrificing Himself!!  O to grace how great a debtor daily I'm constrained to be!  And it all started with the birth of a baby, Emmanuel.  God WITH us!
Christmas is a great excuse for parties; a chance to give gifts and wear ugly sweaters.  Beyond that, however, is the celebration of God coming to earth!  Do I truly understand what that means; what He sacrificed for me??  The Author of Life entered this world through a birth canal, just like me!  The Word of God learned how to walk and talk and eat mashed up bananas!  Thinking in those terms is mind boggling.  The King of Kings became a servant, washing the feet of His followers.  Jesus Christ went against every social and religious 'norm'.  His ways seemed backwards and confusing to those waiting for a victorious ruler.  But to those with childlike faith, He was the epitome of love.  He was exactly what the world needed and NEEDS!  And in the end, He WAS that victorious ruler!  Jesus crushed death and the Devil and set me FREE!  That's why I love Christmas!

[our Christmas tree quilt, thanks to Mom!!]

This year's celebrations have been unlike anything else we've known.  It's still a balmy 72 degrees and instead of fur boots or a new ski coat we put a swimming suit or new surf board (wait, Derek.. what!?) on our wish list!  Not wanting to slave away in the kitchen all day, our Christmas menu consists of delicious, yet significantly simpler meals.  We're excited about our tropical celebration plans, but there is something special about turkey, mashed potatoes, and the works.  Last night, however, we had dinner with a couple from church and imagine our surprise upon finding that they had cooked the full, holiday meal for us.. complete with green bean casserole!! YES!  God provides, even the simplest of needs or desires.  He is an amazing God who gave EVERYTHING, His Son, that we might be with Him and know His LOVE.  I'm so excited to celebrate Jesus, today, tomorrow and every day of the year!  Because of His birth, because of the freedom He gives, I have everything to be thankful for- everything to celebrate!!  God is WITH us!  

constant in the chaos

Setting up a 9ft Christmas tree in the church, sipping egg nog and sneaking away to wrap presents has us all in a festive spirit this week.  We also did a little volcano exploring and managed to pull off a camping trip in the rain!  But before all this excitement came a few lessons in coffee picking.  Dad and Mom are starting to catch on to the best techniques and Abe is certainly a trooper, going on four weeks in the fields!  It is nice to have more hands out there; the bags fill up a lot quicker!  Sometimes we pick in silence, everyone in their own zone; other times you can hear our bantering for miles as we reminisce and go back and forth with 'would you rather' questions!

Our evenings consist of card games, 'The Grinch' and a random quiz site that can entertain for hours!!  We've inhaled a fair amount of ice cream and our late night bowls of cereal have taught us that one gallon of milk will not last longer than four days!  Having more people in the house means extra laughter, more available dish washers and, thanks to Dad, an endless supply of fruit.  Unfortunately, we're not talking juicy mangos, just all the avocados and guavas he finds on the ground.  We have been blessed with bags full of oranges the last few weeks and it's nice to have more muscle around for some extensive juicing parties.  

[baby banana!!]

We're almost to the point where the remaining cherries are one extreme or the other.  They've either gone bad because we didn't get to them in time or they have yet to ripen.  Translation: our work is far from done, but we can afford to take a day or two off for adventuring reasons.  So, on Thursday we headed for the volcano..

Let me tell you, this trip was wacky from start to finish!  Not a 'bad' wacky, just a significant lack of anything going as planned.  First of all, we've been cramming five people into a truck that barely holds four.  Although this is manageable for the seven minutes it takes to drive to the fields, we knew our cramped positions wouldn't hold up for a two hour road trip.  Thankfully, Abe volunteered to ride in the back with Kai.  Problem solved, except for having to pack all the camping stuff in the back, too!  Let's just say, Abe and the pooch had to get pretty cozy for that trek!!  We arrived at our favorite campsite and it immediately started raining.  Not a downpour, rather an alternating mist/drizzle for the next few hours.  Not easily discouraged, we rigged up a make shift canopy to play cards under!  We soon realized, however, that one of our tarps was a leaky tarp.  And, as we unpacked the truck, it dawned on us that the pump for my parents air mattress had gone AWAL; the extreme, southern winds of the island had snatched it right out of the truck.  Things were looking pretty bleary!  

The rain finally let up and the guys started a fire.  We skewered our cheese brats which, in my opinion, are the only kind of brats worth eating!  Second course had us roasting jumbo marshmallows for s'mores!  The ranger tried to rain on our parade, not too much of a pun intended, by notifying us of the $20,000 fee if Kai wasn't on a leash at all times.  But it takes a lot to phase us!  By the time darkness had taken over we were ready to hike to the lookout point.  The carbon dioxide levels keep anyone from getting too close to the volcano, so the guide books are a little misleading with all the pictures of lava flowing right by you.  We do love to look over the caldera at night, though, with the smoke billowing out in shades of red.   The horizon takes on an ethereal glow, tinting the night sky.  

[Kilauea Caldera]

Heading back to the campsite we were feeling better about the camping situation.  We purchased a new tarp and Dad found a fellow camper with a pump, improving my parents sleeping arrangements significantly!  After some star gazing and story telling, Abe folded his 6 feet 3 inches and a full head of hair into a kid-sized tent and Derek, Kai and I settled into the back of the truck.  All was well until the rain started back up.

We slept in peaceful oblivion for most of the night.  Water leaked in on the sides of our blankets and massive puddles formed on top of the tarps, but we were in dream land.  Dad and Mom were snug as a bug, unaware of the fact that the bottom half of their blanket was soaked and the water had run a nice little zig zag pattern on the mattress, right around their heads!  They say that what you don't know can't hurt you and I suppose it was true in this case!  Poor little brother, on the other hand, became extremely aware of his miniature tent being, in fact, NOT water proof.  He came staggering out the next morning, ringing water from his blanket and cracking his neck.  Oh, and did I mention it was still raining?!  

At this point, the only option was laughter.  Nothing was really funny, but we had to laugh as we packed up the soggy mess and heated water for our oatmeal.  Next stop: COFFEE!!  I can only imagine how we looked, running into this little store sopping wet and rubbing sleep out of our eyes.  But they had what we were after: hot coffee, tea and the most delicious hot chocolate I've ever tasted!!  These beverages enabled us to venture into the volcano park where, although it was still raining, we had a great time!  The caldera takes on a whole different look by day and the steam vents felt even better than usual because of the state we were in, mostly 'wet to the bone'.  A rainforest walk and giant lava tube completed our soggy trip.  Thank goodness for laughter and dry clothes for the ride home.  Abe couldn't ride in the back, so quarters were cramped.  But we broke up the trip with a stop at the Punalu'u Bakery, which had been on our list for quite awhile!!  We were certainly not disappointed and with fresh, lilikoi frosted malasadas in our tummy we returned home in high spirits. 

The truth that accompanied me throughout this week was that God is the same no matter what may be going on in my life.  No matter if things are mundane or chaotic; rain or sunshine.  Whether we're -picking our 9000th pound of coffee or sending presents to those we won't spend Christmas with.  Jesus is the constant in a world of variables.  He is laughter when things don't go according to plan and He is peace amidst all the unknown.  'Jesus Christ is the SAME yesterday and today and forever.' Hebrews 13:89 

stronger than I imagined..

Last week was exactly what we needed... a giant helping of 'different'.  While coffee picking may not be the hardest line of work, the monotony was threatening to overwhelm.  Derek summed it up pretty well by telling someone that 'the natives are getting restless!'  And, of course, I had to take it a step further by declaring that THIS native was about to lose her mind!  All joking aside, God knew we just needed a change of scenery and I'm very thankful for the way He works everything out.
Derek had a landscaping job to do on Monday and Tuesday.  This was a welcome change for several reasons.  Landscaping pays a LOT quicker than coffee, and by that I mean receiving a check the same week vs. the coffee check we've been waiting a month and a half for!  A day in town gave Abe and I a chance to run errands, take Kai to the dog beach for frolicking and discover an awesome, little coffee shop.  Derek's day included a lot more sweat and dirt and being within walking distance of the waves was almost the death of him!  He was prepared the next day, though; with his surfboard in the truck he headed straight down to the water after work!
That second day of Derek's shoveling adventures wasn't quite as leisurely for Abe and I as the first.  Derek dropped us off at the land early in the morning so we could get caught up on weed wacking.  Unfortunately, the wackers BOTH had a melt down after the first hour!  I did my best impression of a mechanic and actually managed to get mine apart!  But, alas, Japanese YouTube videos can only get a girl so far.  'I think he said to unscrew this part??!'  Abe made a little progress on them, but they still weren't up and running.  I know this may seem unbelievable but, at this point, we actually decided to pick coffee!  Only problem: we realized we didn't have picking baskets or any bags!  So, we walked home.  Not kidding!  In full work garb, in the heat of the day, we decided a 5 mile walk was our best bet!!  Needless to say, we both took a cold shower and a coma nap upon our return to the apartment!  I am thankful even for this trek, though; for anything out of the ordinary.
Wednesday was a picking day, but at the other farm we've been working at so it still qualifies as 'different'.  This was our fifth round there and the whole acre was picked in just three hours.  Plus, we headed home that day with arms full of the juiciest oranges on the island.. a pay day all of its own!!  And did I mention it was sample day at Costco??  Best.Day.Ever!
The next two days had massive potential for disappointment.  Two families had agreed to pick coffee for us and we had been anxiously awaiting their arrival.  Thinking about the progress that seven or eight pickers could make had us all giddy!  Unfortunately, this turned out to be another no-show.  This didn't get our spirits down, though!  It might have helped that we switched up our usual ham and cheese sandwich routine; who knew tuna salad could be so tasty?!  But, I'm convinced the real reason for our unexplainable cheerfulness lies a bit deeper.  I'm reading through Isaiah and every time I opened my Bible this week I came across something along these lines...

Do you not know?  Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, 
they will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:28-31

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; 
the flames will not set you ablaze.
For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.  Isaiah 43:2-3

These verses began refueling me and I was reminded of Who it is that renews and sustains me!  I also realized that He doesn't say I won't have to go through the waters or the fires of life; He simply promises to be WITH me.  And that's a promise I can live with!  A promise that will continue to carry me through the fields and fill me with joy!
There was plenty of laughter throughout the week.  My funny bone was especially tickled on one occasion; driving home from town we saw a Santa look-alike (fluffy, white beard and ALL!) driving a truck full of coal!!  Not sure why, but this had me laughing for quite some time!!  We also started up a new tradition: Grilloha Friday!  An end of the week celebration paired with our craving for cheeseburgers, morphed into a weekly grill night!!  The arrival of my parents on Saturday afternoon, was the best kind of cherry on top of our week.  There has been much laughter, catching up and plans for exploring the island, after a bit more coffee picking, of course!  Dad and Mom were so excited to finally meet all the wonderful people in our church family here; Sunday was a wonderful day!
What an awesome God we serve.  I am extremely thankful for all the ways He reminds me of His love and faithfulness.  Even when I am weak, He is my strength.  When I think I've reached my 'end' He carries me and then sets me back on my feet to realize that in Him I am stronger than I could ever imagine!

I am he, I am he who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you; 
I will sustain you and I will rescue you. Isaiah 46:4

He 'pitched his tent' among us!

At the risk of sounding overly dramatic or, as the guys would put it, 'a little bit of a Judy', this week had me feeling exhaustion that I'd never before known.  Ex·haust·ed: 1. Drained of one's physical or mental resources; very tired.  2. Completely used up.  Wednesday found all three of us at an all time low.  Not the greatest mental motivator but I found myself pondering every activity I'd prefer over picking more coffee... the list included eating green slime and walking across a bed of nails!  (Told you my dramatic side might flare up!!)

-FIG!-

Here's where it get's crazy: after eating our turkey sandwiches, Derek voiced what we were all thinking, 'None of us wants to be here... So, let's leave!'  And we all applauded, or at least thought about it!!  But, while scheming what to do if we did leave, all three of us came up blank!  Looking back, of course, I can think of about 300 perfectly, lovely options.  In that moment, however, and in such a funk, nothing came to mind!  We've been picking coffee since August.  Granted, we only had to pick a few times that first month.  But if it only takes 21 days to form a habit; four months is more than sufficient for falling into a rut and forgetting how to do anything but pick and sleep.  My poor brother, thinking he was in for the adventure of his life, arrives to find our inspiration at an all-time low and our bed time at an all-time early!
Disclaimer: I understand that people all over the world work jobs that they hate, day in and day out, because that's what they have to do.  I realize that being 'self-employed' and working outside makes this particular line of work very attractive to a large majority of people stuck in an office.  I also know that I shouldn't complain and I'm very aware of this being 'just a season'; I remind myself of that fact daily!  But, this blog is for the recording of my raw, unedited feelings.  And, I promise, if you bear with me, this post just might shape up to be more than a whiny, diary entry.

[decorating at the apartment!]

Thursday night Bible study focused on John 1:14 and the incredible fact that God became flesh and, as the Greek translation says, 'pitched his tent among us'!  We talked about all that Jesus went through and beyond the what, the WHY.  'Born in a stable and placed in a manger, because there was no room for them in the Inn.'  This is all very quaint and lovely in the nativity scenes but, let's be real, no barn or stable I've ever been in smells or looks like a great place to birth a child.  And a manger is actually the feeding trough for animals, not the cozy, freshly sterilized bassinet we'd like to picture!  I'm not saying this to take away from the Christmas story but to make it that much more breath taking.  The Maker of the universe became a tiny, human baby and made His grand entrance to earth, not in a palace, but in the lowest and humblest of ways.  And that was just the beginning.  He lived among the poorest of people.  He walked along dirty, dusty roads with dirty, dusty people.  Jesus, God in the flesh, got sweaty and sore and was exhausted.  The Star Breather was whipped and spit on and nailed to a cross, dying the most gruesome of deaths.
And He did it all for me.  For you.  All for love!  Lest I somehow think I'm facing anything 'beyond Him', He went through it all, was tempted in every way (but did not sin!) and He conquered!!  He rose from the dead, victorious over Satan and the curse holding us captive.  And now, no matter what I face, He says, 'Daughter, I get it!  I love you!  Walk in the grace I died to give you, let ME be your strength!'  Hebrews 4:14-16 'Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are- yet He did not sin.  Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.'

~sunrise from the top of Mauna Kea~

We watched 'The Nativity' with the youth at church this weekend, and what I used to think of as a slightly cheesy flick had me awe-struck with tears in my eyes!  I want to dive so much deeper into this, especially as Christmas draws near!  But, for this week, the truth I needed to be reminded of so desperately was God's nearness.  Anything I'll ever walk through in this life, any overwhelming feelings of exhaustion or the internal debate as to whether I can go on or not- He can relate to and will walk through it with me!!  This brings me to my knees.. and if not to the end of my whininess, at least to the end of my feeling hope-less.  There is light at the end of this picking tunnel.  And there is grace, abundant grace, for my very confident taking, all because of the extraordinary sacrifice of my Savior!