Saturday, September 10, 2011
The best thing about New York...
This is probably going to sound cliche. And no, Jodi's not hovering over me to make sure I say the right thing. But, i have to just say, the best thing about New York is being with Jodi. There hasn't been one day where I don't find extreme joy in seeing her after work or being home again together! Surely, The Lord's blessed us in many ways here, but one of his greatest blessing's has been to bring us together. And it could never have been possible without his amazing love & grace!
Thursday, September 8, 2011
A letter home from New York
Hey family and friends,
Just thought I'd send you all a quick hello. Right now Jodi and I are on a bus, heading to DC to spend a few days with her family. It' so new to me that you can just hop on a bus or train and be in completely different city in no time! Prior to NY we were visiting Jodi's other family in Milwaukee, WI for a few days as well. I feel like I'm on an undeserved vacation! Lol.
However, since we've been in New York we've done a tone of commuting around, getting familiar with Manhattan and Brooklyn. Also our fair share of getting lost. Oh my goodness, we even ended up in this "wrong" neighborhood because we were looking for a apartment listed on Craigslist. Not to be stereotypical or judgmental, but you could tell we were out of place. But thank God that it was raining hard and we were the only fools running around the neighborhood. God is good in the way he teaches us a lesson... Lol!
And actually it's been raining quite hard for the past few days. I'm down to my last pair of shoes 'cause the two shoe I wore on Tuesday and Wednesday are soaked! Another lesson (and thank goodness we didn't move in winter) dress for the weather. Never did ever think I'd have to buy rain boots! Sure Hawaii rains, but never did I ever have to commute like we do here, and never did I have to be exposed to the cold for that long (i'd just hop in my car!).
But, through it all we're living it out! And enjoying it!
We still haven't found a apartment yet, but we're still living in Heather and Andy's in-laws place. And they're so kind and gracious to let us stay there. The neighborhood is what they call little Odessa because it's a Russian neighborhood, but it's really a nice community and we feel safe and, now, comfortable with the hour subway commute.
Jodi starts work on Monday. Yay! But, I haven't found work yet, but then again I haven't really looked much because I just want to get a little familiar first and find our own apartment. Jodi and I did however run into the chefs of one of the new restaurants I was in contact with to work at. They just had their grand opening this past week, so I should be able to check them out again this next week. But, I'll need to do more this week and hopefully make some progress with the apartment hunt. It's just so hard not knowing the neighborhoods and the Internet is so unreliable when it comes to honest agents. Maybe if you could help us pray for good direction (a miracle would be good too!) that would be great.
And one last thing, I feel like I may have found us a church! Trinity Grace Church. I listened to one of their recent messages online and it was really good. I know you're all busy, but I'll share the link with you:
http://trinitygracechurch.com/media/current-teaching-series/
If you happen to listen to it, lemme know what you think. We're gonna go to this Sundays service. Hope it works for us.
Well, that's it for now. We send our love to all of you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you!
Love & Blessings,
Mark & Jodi
Just thought I'd send you all a quick hello. Right now Jodi and I are on a bus, heading to DC to spend a few days with her family. It' so new to me that you can just hop on a bus or train and be in completely different city in no time! Prior to NY we were visiting Jodi's other family in Milwaukee, WI for a few days as well. I feel like I'm on an undeserved vacation! Lol.
However, since we've been in New York we've done a tone of commuting around, getting familiar with Manhattan and Brooklyn. Also our fair share of getting lost. Oh my goodness, we even ended up in this "wrong" neighborhood because we were looking for a apartment listed on Craigslist. Not to be stereotypical or judgmental, but you could tell we were out of place. But thank God that it was raining hard and we were the only fools running around the neighborhood. God is good in the way he teaches us a lesson... Lol!
And actually it's been raining quite hard for the past few days. I'm down to my last pair of shoes 'cause the two shoe I wore on Tuesday and Wednesday are soaked! Another lesson (and thank goodness we didn't move in winter) dress for the weather. Never did ever think I'd have to buy rain boots! Sure Hawaii rains, but never did I ever have to commute like we do here, and never did I have to be exposed to the cold for that long (i'd just hop in my car!).
But, through it all we're living it out! And enjoying it!
We still haven't found a apartment yet, but we're still living in Heather and Andy's in-laws place. And they're so kind and gracious to let us stay there. The neighborhood is what they call little Odessa because it's a Russian neighborhood, but it's really a nice community and we feel safe and, now, comfortable with the hour subway commute.
Jodi starts work on Monday. Yay! But, I haven't found work yet, but then again I haven't really looked much because I just want to get a little familiar first and find our own apartment. Jodi and I did however run into the chefs of one of the new restaurants I was in contact with to work at. They just had their grand opening this past week, so I should be able to check them out again this next week. But, I'll need to do more this week and hopefully make some progress with the apartment hunt. It's just so hard not knowing the neighborhoods and the Internet is so unreliable when it comes to honest agents. Maybe if you could help us pray for good direction (a miracle would be good too!) that would be great.
And one last thing, I feel like I may have found us a church! Trinity Grace Church. I listened to one of their recent messages online and it was really good. I know you're all busy, but I'll share the link with you:
http://trinitygracechurch.com/media/current-teaching-series/
If you happen to listen to it, lemme know what you think. We're gonna go to this Sundays service. Hope it works for us.
Well, that's it for now. We send our love to all of you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you!
Love & Blessings,
Mark & Jodi
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Amazing
I know that if I just don't start writing I'll always have an excuse to not start. There's so much that has happened since my last blog entry. I have some writings from school that I'd eventually like to post, but for now I just need to start posting. Otherwise, years will go by and a rush of events, experiences and thoughts will just slip on by.
2010 has got to be the most amazing year in my life thus far. On April 17th I got bapatized by by Pastor Dale Vallejo-Sanderson of Wellspring Covenent Church. On May 13th I gratuated from culinary school from Kapiolani Community College. And on July 4th Jodi and I got married at the Foster Botanical Gardens with an awesome reception at the Pacific Aviation Museum on Ford Island. Three HUGE events in 2010 and we're just past the half way point.
It's amazing to me. I'm so thankful and humbled for all that God has done in my life. These past few months has been a harvesting of God's love and grace for me. Since starting culinary school my renewed relationship with God has produced a renewed life - a degree, a career, a vision, pasision, new love, and an amazing wife.
So what's next... Plans for New York are in the making. Why New York? About a year ago I believe God called me and Jodi to New York. Since then I've been excited, but I still questioned why and how? Do I go to Culinary Institute o America? Do I go and work in the city? And how? With what money? As of now I still have a little bit of that anxiety and fear. But, I have total faith in my Lord that he will direct out path and place each step ahead of us as the time is right. "Faith the size of a mustard seed..." is all Jesus asks us. Not a.... Lychee seed, peach seed, or a avocado seed. Just a mustard seed, and anything is possible. My life's events this year may seem like normal events to most people. But at one point I didn't see it possible! But my faith in Jesus Christ has lead me, and is leading me into amazing directions!
2010 has got to be the most amazing year in my life thus far. On April 17th I got bapatized by by Pastor Dale Vallejo-Sanderson of Wellspring Covenent Church. On May 13th I gratuated from culinary school from Kapiolani Community College. And on July 4th Jodi and I got married at the Foster Botanical Gardens with an awesome reception at the Pacific Aviation Museum on Ford Island. Three HUGE events in 2010 and we're just past the half way point.
It's amazing to me. I'm so thankful and humbled for all that God has done in my life. These past few months has been a harvesting of God's love and grace for me. Since starting culinary school my renewed relationship with God has produced a renewed life - a degree, a career, a vision, pasision, new love, and an amazing wife.
So what's next... Plans for New York are in the making. Why New York? About a year ago I believe God called me and Jodi to New York. Since then I've been excited, but I still questioned why and how? Do I go to Culinary Institute o America? Do I go and work in the city? And how? With what money? As of now I still have a little bit of that anxiety and fear. But, I have total faith in my Lord that he will direct out path and place each step ahead of us as the time is right. "Faith the size of a mustard seed..." is all Jesus asks us. Not a.... Lychee seed, peach seed, or a avocado seed. Just a mustard seed, and anything is possible. My life's events this year may seem like normal events to most people. But at one point I didn't see it possible! But my faith in Jesus Christ has lead me, and is leading me into amazing directions!
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