"Laura's passion and style for hula praise is very captivating. The movements and the intensity of her art draws the audience to the most important person in her life...the Lord Jesus Christ. Her love and commitment to her Lord translates in a faithful and disciplined approach to her students and she not only teaches them the dance of worship ... she disciples them into a life of submission to their Savior and Lord. My wife and I fully endorse and recommend her ministry!"

Pastor Sam Quema, One Family, San Jose, CA

"One Heart” Hula Praise is not just a dance group but an offering of self and talents in worship. As the team ministers to God in graceful expressions of their music and dances, they also bring the heart of Jesus to the audience, passing on and sharing the comfort they receive in serving.

Every dance offering they do conveys the message of hope and true love found only in the friendship with God in Jesus Christ. Together with Living Hope family we’re all so privileged and blessed being inspired and being drawn closer to the Father as One Heart ministers through their numbers on every gathering they grace us with their presence. Gratefully, we truly rejoice in the Lord for One Heart. Thank you Laura and team! All the more be blessed and increase in Christ. " 

          Pastor Nelson Dizon, Living Hope, Newark, CA

"Thank you so much to you and your ladies for gracing our School of Leaders meeting with your wonderful praising and worshiping God thru your gift of dancing.  We were honored by your presence and definitely brought us joy to our community.  God bless you and your Hula Ministry."

Cora P. on behalf of the School of Leaders Committee, Oakland, CA

"Out of the darkness of my dad's passing came a light so clear and bright that it fills my heart and my soul with peace. Soon after God called my dad home, I found Laura. After our brief emails and finally meeting her in person it was as if I've known her for a long time and we had just come back together again. Maybe it's her island "ohana" attitude that makes you feel so at home the way she does.

She has formed a faith family of amazing women all glorifying God in their own wonderful ways. We pray, we talk, we listen, we dance, we laugh, we love, together as one heart. I believe that God sent me on the path that led to the Hula Ministry. Dancing to praise God is the light and joy that I've been so blessed to experience. I'm at peace as I listen to the thoughtful lyrics that accompany our beautiful hula dances that Laura creates.

Of One Heart will forever be in my life here on Earth and remain in my heart when I am called to return home to be with God. Thank you Laura for inspiring me to seek God's love, to speak God's words, and to glorify his name."

Helen N.B., San Jose, CA

 "My first experience with the One Heart ministry was at a women's retreat luncheon.  The women danced to the song, A Pure Heart.  I felt the moving of the Holy Spirit and I was a mass of tears throughout the dance.  I never knew that dance in the church was a possibility.  I was saved at the age of 17 and I was a dancer.  I wanted to pursue dancing but my Pastor told me I could not dance and serve God.  So I gave up dance for God.  So to see these women dancing under the power of the Holy Spirit was amazing.  I felt God smiling down on me and letting me know that he honored the fact that I gave up my ambition for him.  

I don't believe it was a coincidence that I just happened to be sitting at the same table as Laura, the dance leader.  Crying I told her how moved and blessed I was by the dance.  On the spot she invited me to their practice.  I know it was God because Laura did not know me.  Well I went and my life has never been the same.  Through the One Heart Dance ministry I learned how to really worship God with everything in me. Laura put the emphasis on worshiping and living a life that honors God and not on performing dances.  I also formed bonds with the women in the ministry that will last forever.  We came together and supported one another through prayer, fellowship, and dance."

Pat G., Daly City, CA

" Many years ago I took my first trip to Hawai’i, imagining how I would bask in the sun, sand, surf and be a typical tourist experiencing everything island.  What I didn’t expect was falling in love with the people, the culture and living “Aloha”.  I gained a fascination for the hula and knew one day I too, can look and dance like the beautiful women I saw on stage.  I struggled, however, with the image of the commercial hula and my faith and just figured it wasn’t something appropriate, especially for me.

This past summer, my sister-in law invited me to One Heart’s Hula Praise workshop, not thinking of the term hula praise at all and just thought “cool, I’ll just watch them dance”.  With a season of holding a heavy heart, I pulled into the parking lot of Living Hope and seemed to have an overwhelming feeling of anxiety but walked in trying to be calm, especially because I was late.  Again, not connecting the words hula praise, I sat thinking “when will the dancers be here”.

As Laura began to minister her dance to “I love you Lord”, everything stopped in my world and I could do nothing but fight back the tears that were sure to embarrass me if anyone saw.  Was this the dance I had always hoped for?  Praise God!  Through her graceful movements and her confirmation that it’s not about how you look when dancing, but how you dance for His glory, my heart was stirred and tears began to flow.  I was at peace, finally.

I’m so thankful and feel so blessed to be on this dance ministry journey with Laura and the beautiful ladies of One Heart – mahalo plenty sista Laura! "

Marie G., Morgan Hill, CA

"So many years back, my wonderful and anointed big sis introduced Hula Praise in our church (Community Assembly of God).  She called many girls to join; people who I knew could dance and people who I knew couldn’t dance.  I was so proud and told myself “I can dance, she’ll call me to join” so I waited.  But she never asked me.  I was so jealous because I wanted to show people I can do that too.   Because she is my big sis I felt right about opening up about my resentment and so I finally asked her why she never asked me? She said she was waiting on the Lord’s time and not ours.  She said I was dealing with a lot of stuff.  But before I asked her, I told her that this would be the first and only time I’d ask her just so I wouldn’t hold any grudges towards her.   So I patiently waited for God’s timing.   Finally that special day came (6 months later) and when I least expected it.   I was in tears.  I learned then that God’s timing is perfect.  He called me when I knew I was fully humble and ready.

Now comes to the ministry – I was trained how to let God be the center of everything.  I let God use me, made myself available and He will pour His anointing each time and the glory will be His and only His.  Not how gracefully I danced, not how beautifully I made myself look (because we were also not allowed to wear flashy jewelry so we wouldn’t distract people with them) but because we praised with pure hearts.

This lesson continues to be my practice to this day.  I praise God to magnify His name and not to perform or please anyone.  Our Of One Heart taught me how to think more of Him and less of me.  Most importantly, to have a pure loving and clean heart at all times.  To God be the glory.  Thank you so much Ate Laura you’re such a blessing to me in more ways than one."

Yvette N., Daly City, CA

"When I moved to the Bay Area a few years ago, I didn’t know a soul; I had no friends or family nearby, which at times could feel a little lonely.  Fortunately, one day Laura noticed me at church reached out to me. She invited me to join her hula ministry at the church, Of One Heart. 

I wasn’t sure what to expect since I have no formal dance training -- all I had was a desire for fellowship and a desire to commune with God.  Not only did Of One Heart provide both those opportunities, but it also gave me a lasting friendship with Laura.   

Dancing with Of One Heart gave me an opportunity to worship God and to express myself as I never had before.  I’m typically very shy and hate to perform in front of people, but the women were so kind and welcoming that I didn’t feel self-conscious, embarrassed, or out of place.  It felt like being with family when I was with them.  Even now, I consider Laura to be my aunt!

I’ve since moved away from the Bay Area, and sadly I have not found another worship or fellowship opportunity like that of Of One Heart.  It really was a special experience that I hold dear and that I think of fondly.   For me, it was the perfect environment for me to open my heart to God, and to open my heart to the amazing women in that group."

Rachel S., Seattle, WA

"Why can't we be forever young and full of innocent bliss? Happy-go-lucky girls, who grow up to be women filled with self-doubt and feelings of inadequacy.  Because by the world's standards, we are never good enough.  I believed in that lie! Even though outwardly I seemed full of confidence, inwardly, I felt fearful and inadequate, and so guilt and shame were part of the mix.  Sigh...being a Christian from an early age, I should have known better.  Thankfully, through God's amazing grace, He turned my ashes into beauty.

Being a part of One Heart Hula Praise is an answer to prayer--learning to praise God through hula dances beautifully choreographed by Laura has brought my spirit closer to God's Spirit. "Performing" for our Lord's glory has helped me to overcome my feelings of indequacy and to truly focus on His love for me.  My heart rejoices, "being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you, will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6) I give thanks for all that He has done and for all that He is about to do!"

Susan R., Foster City, CA