Lava-Lava and heavenly crowns!

Let me tell you about the Lava-Lava. It’s the traditional dress for the women of the outer islands, and it’s the only skirt they ever wear. The used to be made out of coconut leaves originally and some are still! but now the people use mainly string. The come in all the colours you could imagine and I have never seen the same! The women here weave them in a very long process out of single strings of thread. It is incredible to watch them do it and I don’t think I could ever learn how to do it because it looks so complicated esp with all the different patterns and colours. Sometimes more then 3 women work on one Lava-Lava and they take there turns. Since we arrived here 6 month ago I received 5 of these beautiful skirts and they are so meaningful to me. Every Lava Lava a different story, a different giver! When you see how dedicated they work on these and how they sit for hours it is quiet an honor to receive one of those. It comes with so much love!

Another thing I wanted to tell you about is the Lei. It’s a flower wreath that is given to show Appreciation, Respect, Love and Thankfullness. Lance gets them on almost every flight to the outer islands and we have received many different ones since we arrived here. Everyone looks different and there is so many different flowers they use for it. Some are simpler (meaning I could still never do it) and others are incredible and require a long work process. Some smell like herbs and others have a wonderful, sweet scent of flowers. They are so stunning and make you feel like royalty. It is sad that they usually last only for one day but in a way that also makes them so special because you know, they went through all this hazzle of picking the flowers and carefully tying them into the wreath for you to wear it for such a short time. And it also reminds me of how fleeting this live is and how everything passes away but one day we will receive our crowns from our heavenly father!

1) The Imperishable Crown – (1 Corinthians 9:24-25) “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate [disciplined] in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown” (NKJV). All things on this earth are subject to decay and will perish. Jesus urges us to not store our treasures on earth “where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19). This is analogous to what Paul was saying about that wreath of leaves that was soon to turn brittle and fall apart. But not so the heavenly crown; faithful endurance wins a heavenly reward which is “an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:3-5).

2) The Crown of Rejoicing – (1 Thessalonians 2:19) “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?” The apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 4:4 to “rejoice always in the Lord” for all the bountiful blessings our gracious God has showered upon us. As Christians we have more in this life to rejoice about than anyone else. Luke tells us there is rejoicing even now in heaven (Luke 15:7). The crown of rejoicing will be our reward where “God will wipe away every tear . . . there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4).

3) The Crown of Righteousness – (2 Timothy 4:8) “Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” We inherit this crown through the righteousness of Christ which is what gives us a right to it, and without which it cannot be obtained. Because it is obtained and possessed in a righteous way, and not by force and deceit as earthly crowns sometimes are, it is an everlasting crown, promised to all who love the Lord and eagerly wait for His return. Through our enduring the discouragements, persecutions, sufferings, or even death, we know assuredly our reward is with Christ in eternity (Philippians 3:20). This crown is not for those who depend upon their own sense of righteousness or of their own works. Such an attitude breeds only arrogance and pride, not a longing, a fervent desire to be with the Lord. 

4) The Crown of Glory – (1 Peter 5:4) “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.” Though Peter is addressing the elders, we must also remember that the crown will be awarded to all those who long for or love His appearing. This word “glory” is an interesting word referring to the very nature of God and His actions. It entails His great splendor and brightness. Recall Stephen who, while being stoned to death, was able to look into the heavens and see the glory of God (Acts 7:55-56). This word also means that the praise and honor we bestow to God alone is due Him because of who He is (Isaiah 42:8, 48:11; Galatians 1:5). It also recognizes that believers are incredibly blessed to enter into the kingdom, into the very likeness of Christ Himself. For as Paul so eloquently put it, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18 NKJV).

5) The Crown of Life – (Revelation 2:10) “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” This crown is for all believers, but is especially dear to those who endure sufferings, who bravely confront persecution for Jesus, even to the point of death. In Scripture the word “life” is often used to show a relationship that is right with God. It was Jesus who said, “I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). Just as things such as air, food, and water are vital for our physical lives, Jesus provides us what is required for our spiritual lives. He is the One who provides “living water.” He is the “bread of life” (John 4:10, 6:35). We know that our earthly lives will end. But we have the amazing promise that comes only to those who come to God through Jesus: “And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life” (1 John 2:25).

Quack Quack!

A few weeks ago we had the chance to get some duck babies which was a big deal for our family, and especially for Liam. As most of you know Liam had a stuffed animal duck since he was a little baby and even though he is hardly attached to it anymore (good because he is almost 7 and he has given it away to Luis as a Birthday gift) he still really loves it. Its been on so many journeys and has seen so many countries and hotel rooms with us that it really has become like a family member over the years. It even has had several surgerys performed by Oma. BUT NOW! This boy used some of his own money to buy two real ducks. There names are flappy shine and quick wing and it is the greatest joy to see how they ducks have bonded and follow the kids around everywhere.