Goodbye Kauai

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him. Fear the Lord, you His holy people, for those who fear Him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.”— Psalms 34

This verse has been a perfect reflection of this season. The Lord has truly been my Good Shepherd.

The last week and a half has been such a sweet time—full of encouragement, prayer, and the bittersweet preparation for goodbyes. But it’s not all sad, as I’m heading to California to spend a week with these goons, working alongside the church we’ve been partnering with. Still, saying goodbye to the beautiful island of Kauai and to some friends who won’t be joining us in California (heading straight home instead) has definitely given me a lot to think about.

Last week was our final “normal” week of teaching, working, coffee runs, beach days, and movie nights. And then, these last couple of days have been consumed with cleaning... and more cleaning. But honestly, it’s been strangely satisfying. There’s something so rewarding about knowing every baseboard and corner of the house is sparkling clean, ready for the next residents to be blessed by it.

Here are a few highlights from the week:

One of them was visiting a new beach called “Secrets” (it’s actually a nude beach on one side, but don’t worry, we stayed on the other side 😅). The waves were insane—like 25-foot waves crashing on the rocks. We sat there just watching in awe.

Later that week, we tried to get in one last surf session, only to find Hanalei had decided to be a lake that day instead of a beach. So, we ended up at Kauai Juice, where we tried their infamous matcha. I have to say, it was hands down the best matcha I’ve ever had! Afterward, we spent the day at Pine Trees, surfing and playing volleyball. That evening, we enjoyed the most delicious dinner: roasted carrots on whipped feta, garlic bread, smashed baked potatoes, and steak. We ended the night with a bonfire in the backyard and some powerful words of encouragement from Cal and Noah.

On Saturday, I had one of the most inspiring conversations with one of the coolest people I’ve met here. Nina and I were at the Kids House, helping with a group from the local church. The kids hadn’t come back from the beach yet, so we ended up chatting with some of the leaders. That’s when I got to talk to Sarah Hill—a bit of a local celebrity here for the incredible impact she’s had on the youth of Kauai. Sarah came to the island at 19 on a word from the Lord and founded the first youth ministry on the North Shore. She even served as Bethany Hamilton’s youth pastor! She shared about her journey with God and how He’s calling her to move on after over 20 years of deep-rooted ministry here. Hearing her zeal for the Lord and her willingness to listen to His calling was deeply encouraging. I really admire her walk with God.

The next day was church followed by a beach day in Kapaa.

On Monday evening, after a full day of cleaning, we gathered around the TV to play Quote Kahoot. Annie had compiled a quiz full of funny and out-of-pocket quotes from our time together. We laughed so hard, and I even ended up in second place! It was such a fun way to relive the moments we’d shared.

And then... today. Our very last day. How do you even process this? Do I even feel it yet? There’s so much swirling in my mind and heart. It’s hard to think about leaving.

BUT GOD is so gracious to give us these seasons of highs and seasons of lows so that we can truly experience His goodness and cling to His hope. This season has been a mountaintop moment. I’ve learned so much, witnessed the beauty of His creation in its purest form, formed new friendships, and most importantly, I’ve experienced God revealing Himself to me over and over again.

He has shown me the healing power He’s had in my life and my family’s life. He has made it clear what’s next (I’m headed to North Carolina for the summer!). And He’s revealed areas in my heart where I haven’t fully trusted Him, yet still, He loves me completely.

As I reflect on this season, the words of Great Is by Elevation Worship come to mind:

“When I look back over my life

And I think how good You have been,

My soul sings, ‘Great is,

Great is Your faithfulness.’

When I get Your love on my mind,

I get grateful all over again,

My soul sings, ‘Great is,

Great is Your faithfulness.’”

Thank You, Jesus, for every moment here.

Picturesssss>>>