Christmas 2006 Rachel, Chris and Noah’s great adventure….

Aloha family and friends!
…we’ve moved….to HAWAII!

We are still trying to comprehend our wonderful, crazy, anxiety-producing and spirit-filled year. Here is what has happened:

First, Noah Julian Schwab was born July 13, 2006 over a very hot weekend in Neenah, WI. Yes, the Julian part is in honor of Chris’s godfather, Julian Stein. Noah is the Biblical part! (Would you expect anything less from two pastors as parents?) It is hard to believe that he is in his fifth month of life on this earth – and he is fabulous! It is amazing to watch him grow and change before our very eyes. Our families are proud and excited about their new grandson, nephew, cousin! We want to thank everyone who gave us gifts, meals, cards, phone calls and prayers and visits that kept us sane, fed and feeling whole.

After two years of actively searching nationwide for a new position as a pastor, Chris received a call – a phone call - around the time Noah was born to come and see about a church on the island of Kauai, Hawaii. Chris said – why not? After much deliberation and sleepless nights (or was that because of Noah!?) we decided that we could not just have ONE adventure (i.e. a new baby), but we must have another great adventure – in a completely new location! We did not make this decision lightly and ask for your continued thoughts and prayers as we live into this new life and cultural experience! It is difficult being so far away from all you but we knew that this was not an opportunity we wanted to let pass us by! Chris is now the permanent pastor (Kahu) at the First Hawaiian Church in the town of Kapa‘a. It is a church affiliated with the United Church of Christ of approximately 120 members strong. The ethnic makeup of the church is predominately Hawaiian. It is still hard to believe we live here—lots of different subcultures (surfers, new-agers, etc.) and ethnicities (Hawaiian, Japanese, Filipino, etc.). Chris’ drive to work includes a view of mountains, ocean, the spectacular Opeaka‘a Falls, and miles of curving roads. If you are ever in the neighborhood, please stop in and visit with us!

As for Rachel, she is enjoying being “just a mom” and exploring the possibilities that Kauai has to offer. Rachel will be working as a pastor in time on the island. There are twelve United Church of Christ churches on Kauai– and Chris and Rachel will be serving at two of them – what a deal! The people here are welcoming and hospitable and we truly feel as if we are part of the family. Rachel misses having the day-to-day contact with co-workers, but enjoys receiving all of your emails, calls, cards, etc.

This year, Christmas in Hawaii will include just the three of us, as we still are waiting for our cats to arrive after they have completed their quarantine back in Wisconsin – they should be joining us in the new year. We wish you all a wonder-filled holiday – enjoy your time with friends and family! Aloha a hui hou (Goodbye until we meet again)!

Our contact info:
Home Phone: 808-822-4070
Email: noah_and_3_cats@hotmail.com
Address: P.O. Box 902
Kapa‘a, Kauai, HI 96746