Fort Wardon

Almost a full week has passed since we moved to Discovery Bay.  It is hard to believe how easy one can adapt to new situations.  We have already gotten into a routine and have managed to survive the small but cozy accommodations.  Malia and Makai enjoyed their first week of school and have both made new friends.  We joined the C.L.A.N. and spent a good deal of time their yesterday…haha, not the kind of clan that may be crossing your minds! The C.L.A.N. around these parts is an acronym for Cooperative Libraries Automated Network!  We are excited at the endless possibilities of entertainment now available for free at our fingertips!  Makai spent a good half an hour at the reference desk finding books on the Titanic (he now considers himself an expert on the subject).  We have made it to the beach everyday, to Safeway 5 out of 6 days, have found all the “cool” free wi-fi cafes in three neighboring cities and been to Fort Worden three times.  I guess these are the kinds of things folks in small towns do for enjoyment.  No more fast- paced city life for the Waits.  Gone for now are the days of Starbucks on every street corner, several selections of fast food within a mile, and the ability to drive on gas fumes for a bit because you know there is another gas station just up the street!  We have slowed down….for now at least….can’t make any promises to stay slow after we return to Puyallup!

Malia & Makai

Many people have asked us how the kids are handling all this change…..When our family began this journey we all sat around our dinner table and discussed our thoughts.  We prayed about it and we sought out council.  From the beginning, Malia and Makai have had more of “charge-on” attitude than we have even had.  God has reminded us over and over again that our children are a product of David and me and will reflect our own attitude about this situation.  He has also reminded us that His timing is perfect and that He would not have called us to this place in life without also taking care of our children.  Still, David and I have both been surprised at their resiliency and their ability to mold to their situations.  God has His hand in their lives and it has been a testimony to both David and I to watch them grow.  A couple scenarios to share:

1) Not long ago David, Malia and Makai passed by a lottery sign on the side of the road and each discussed what they would do with the money if they won.  The responses ranged from buying a house or favorite car to being able to go on the mission field without fund raising!  Makai responded differently when he said “I would give half to the church and the other half to missions, God would take care of the rest”.

2) Yesterday, Malia and I chose to help do the dishes for everyone at dinner.  Earlier in the day I had been reading Loren Cunningham’s book (founder of YWAM) and wondering at His ability to hear the voice of God in sync with others.  That evening (as cheesy as this might sound) I felt the Lord telling me to do the dishes.  Malia slid up next to me and eagerly began scrubbing plates.  Even as adults were telling her they could wash their own dish she insisted that she would do it. After the dishes were washed Malia and I walked to view Discovery Bay at dusk and she turned and said to me, “You know what mom?  I heard the voice of God telling me to do the dishes tonight”.

We marvel at how much closer they are to God than we were at their age.  Malia and Makai are doing great.  They are learning godly principles and how to be directed by His voice.  While this journey has taken sacrifice, it will have all been worth it to see our children’s live be directed by God and to see them love Jesus with their entire being.