O, God, you are magnificent!
You, alone, are the Master Creator!
The waves in the ocean pound out praises to You as they roll onto the shore!

The flowers send out their alluring fragrance…
Reminding all who wander by to stop and breathe it in.


The wind blows all of Your creation-
The palms dance against the bluest of skies.
The clouds gather to offer shade-
As the birds sing out of Your glory.

The flowers wear their most beautiful shades of color to delight our eyes.


Only You, O God, could cause such beauty, and peace, and contentment to reside in this one place.

The fruits of the trees outdo each other
as they produce crop after crop of delicious offerings:
Pineapple, papaya, mango, banana, coconut.
What a delicious feast You set for us!

The fish in the ocean:
The mahi-mahi, the ahi, the opaka- so sweet to the taste.
A most generous gift from you.

The sky above it all pulls out its most awesome colors…
It paints with blues and oranges, and yellows, and pinks, and blackest of all blacks.
It covers this beautiful island with its canopy of beauty.
It shouts to all the greatness of our God.


This mere observer and partaker is humbled and awed…and so very grateful.

Tonja Owens…10/16/08

Pictures made in Maui, Hawaii…October, 2008.

I am so thankful to all of you who said extra prayers for Alex while we were away. He did very well. And actually he was able to be up a little and spend time with both his brothers. He enjoyed this tremendously! And, friends, that has not happened in months and months. So, thank you for praying. And, thank-you, God!

His Granny cooked for him (which he always loves) and Pop delivered. How blessed I am to have my parents close by and so willing and happy to pitch in and help. They are such an important part of my boy’s life, and a source of much wisdom and support. Thank-you, God!

Adam and Suzanne and Ian all made sure Alex had all that he needed and wanted. Do you know what a load that is off of this Mom’s heart? To know that Alex has a support team willing to do all that is necessary when I am not here. That also includes his Aunt Joy and Uncle Tommy, his cousins, and other friends. We are so blessed.

His pain level continues to be quite high, and he is not able to be up much at all. So, even if he can sit up and watch a movie with his brothers or his dad is considered a big event.

God has Alex in His hands, and He alone holds the answers to this horrible illness. I have complete faith that in His time, He will lead us to the help we need. And our part in that is to keep searching…and we will. God is good and ever present…even in the hard times. His grace and goodness allow us to go through each day. We praise Him and thank Him for what He will do…in His time. Soon, Lord, soon.

“Because of God’s great love, we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23