Can I Get An Amen??

Sis. White gave me this card for my birthday a couple weeks ago. It's my favorite this year!

The cover:


The inside:



Isn't it great??

Irreplaceable Mom

Happy Mother's Day to all you Moms!


There has only been one lady in my life whom I called "Mom." No matter how much time I spent at my best friend's house, I never called her mother "Mom." Just one lady got that title from me. I don't know why, maybe I knew we wouldn't have as many years together as others.



No one can ever take her place. She's an irreplaceable Mom!

Hundreds of dewdrops to greet the dawn,
Hundreds of bees in the purple clover,
Hundreds of butterflies on the lawn,
But only one mother the wide world over.
~George Cooper

Happy Birthday, Dad!

I've often been called a "Daddy's girl"...


Mom recorded in my baby book: "DaDa is Kathy's first word. This was said on October 16, age 5 1/2 months. The others all said MaMa first! Wonder if she'll be a Daddy's girl?"


But who wouldn't want to be a Daddy's Girl...


When they have such a wonderful Dad!


Happy Birthday, Dad! Hope your day is as wonderful as you. Love you!

Mileage Update - Milestone Week and Squirrel Races

While riding Myka yesterday morning I crossed the 1,000 mile mark for the year! I reached this milestone last year on June 7th and on May 15th in 2009. Looks like I'm headed for a record breaking year!

The funniest thing happened yesterday while I was riding. I always see a lot of birds, squirrels, rabbits, and coyotes while I'm out. As I was coming down the trail, going at a pretty quick pace, four squirrels jumped out on the trail in front of me. It was like they saw me coming and counted down... "Go, see if we can outrun her!" and off they went! Before I could catch them, they all ran back into the bushes.

Totals for Week ending May 7:
Running: 41.84
Cycling: 25.16
Total: 67.00

Year-to-Date:
Running: 564.85
Cycling: 461.73
Total: 1026.58

Inspiration, Take 2

It seems that each new Runner's World magazine I receive brings new inspiration. I found two women in this month's edition that I want to introduce to you.

Kathleen Sebelius, 63, is Health and Human Services Secretary in Washington, D.C. She is also the former governor of Kansas. She has been running for 30 years, and currently runs five days a week. Here are a few quotes from her:

• "I've got guys on the security detail that run with me. Over the course of a year and a half, some of them have had to stop running because of various injuries. I keep teasing them because I'm much older and I'm still running."
• "Running is one of the most natural forms of exercise for kids. They start out running around, and then it becomes a great way to promote a regular routine."
• "As you get older, you don't need to be fast, you just need to keep running."

And now, please meet Gladys Burrill.


Gladys completed December's Honolulu Marathon in 9 hours, 53 minutes, 16 seconds and set a Guinness World Record for the oldest woman to complete the distance. She is 92!!!! She ran her first marathon at age 86, this was her fifth. That means I've got another 39 years before I need to run my first marathon...

And I guess I can't say "Now that I'm 47, I'll need to slow down..."


P.S. May is Physical Fitness and Sports Month. It's already the 6th - what have you done to move more?

Driving My Testimony

I have written before about our faithful 1992 Saturn. About a year and a half ago the odometer quit working at 292,941 miles. So while we don't know exactly how many miles she has, we know it's over 300,000!!


In 1999, our church started the "Millennium Fund" to raise funds for a future building. Our Saturn had about 100,000 miles at that time. Les and I committed to give and I prayed that our car would keep running.

A couple weeks ago we had her in for a tune-up. There were a couple other things that needed to be fixed as well. The total cost was about the same as a single car payment. When we got her back, she was just purring! I called to thank our mechanic (who is a neighbor and overall nice guy) and he said, "Maybe it'll last another 100,000 miles!"

It dawned on me last week - every time we drive that car it is a testament to God's faithfulness. Every time she starts up, it's an answer to prayer. People can't believe we are driving a 19 year old car, but I want to keep on driving her! She's like the widow's cruse of oil and barrel of meal that didn't run out (See I Kings chapter 17.) She's a testimony all her own!

Cycling, Santa Barbara Style

You've probably noticed I've been talking about Santa Barbara quite a bit lately. Les is working there now. It's 75 miles one way, but his boss is kindly paying for him to spend the night in a hotel whenever he wishes. He really likes the job and we're thankful for that! Les can also work from home part of the time, but he needs to be in the office most days to get to know everyone and how the company works.

I've tagged along when my schedule has allowed. We enjoy the drive together - it doesn't seem long when the company is so good! We get to see the ocean for about 30 miles of the drive and that makes me very happy.


I enjoy being in Santa Barbara. The shops are interesting. There are cool cafes on every other corner. And I can always find a bench to read or people watch! Oh the people! They are so fascinating. Every type - from business people to vacationing families to college students to homeless people.


What you also see is a lot of bicycles! They are every where. Every type from fancy carbon fiber to mountain bikes to beach cruisers. Just as there are a variety of bikes, there are just as many types of riders. We were walking down State Street on Thursday night and I said, "Something's wrong with that guy's helmet." Les said, "I think it's on backwards!" And sure enough, it was!

Last Friday, I spent about 10 minutes sitting on a bench on State Street, iPhone in hand. Here are some of the riders I saw:

Fully kitted out in matching spandex, a "serious" cyclist with a helmet and clip in shoes...


He was behind this fellow in jeans and baseball cap!


Wearing a backpack, was she a college student between classes or a tourist?


It's not uncommon to see restaurant workers in their uniforms on their way to work...


I think this is the only one who even looked my way as I was snapping pictures!


A mix between casual (jeans) and serious (helmet)...


Checking his cell phone...


You can't see it, but there is a basket on the front of this one. I've seen baskets with all kinds of stuff in them!


This was one of my favorites! This lady was just smiling away as she pedaled up State Street in her high heeled sandals!!


I then made my way down to the beach and watched the riders on the bike path:


It's more fun when we all ride together...


Flip flops and a straw hat? Sure, why not!


If you're ever in Santa Barbara without a bike, don't worry! You can rent one of many varieties...

Thoughts on Osama bin Laden and 9/11

I've had a little over a day to think about what took place on Sunday in Pakistan. More than anything, the death of Osama bin Laden brought back what occurred on September 11, 2001. I heard military personnel on the radio yesterday - servicemen and women who have fought, who have lost friends and comrades. I heard a man who worked at Ground Zero after the attacks - he made me cry.

I still remember getting in my car that Tuesday morning and heading to work at Amgen. Both towers had already been hit at that time, along with the Pentagon. Living so close to Los Angeles, we wondered if a plane was also headed our way.


Very little work got done that morning. We just kept looking at each other in shock, then returning to our computers to read the latest updates and look at the latest horrifying pictures. As the day progressed, word spread that an Amgen Clinical Development team had been in Washington, D.C. The team was there for meetings with the FDA regarding approval for a new drug. Later in the day, team members checked in, reporting they were okay, but stranded in D.C. for the time being. They had been scheduled for a Tuesday afternoon flight. Then we got word that Dora Menchaca, the team leader, had changed her flight to Tuesday morning. She was on American flight 77 that flew into the Pentagon.

I remember the first time Les and I flew after 9/11. It was about six weeks later. I was not real comfortable with the idea, but looking back it was probably the safest time to fly. I turned to the book of Psalms and let God's word bring comfort.

Nearly a decade later, the mastermind of the attacks has now been captured, killed, and buried at sea. Does that mean the war against terrorism is over? Certainly not. He was one of many who would love to destroy America.

The question I began asking myself was "Does the death of Osama bin Laden change anything for me personally?" I have great respect and admiration for our military personnel. Navy SEALS fascinate me. But my peace of mind and safety does not lie within their control. My answer is this:

My Hope is Built on Nothing Less
by Edward Mote, 1797-1874

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.
On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.
On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.
On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

What Kind of Shopper Are You?

I have a little birthday money to spend, so I thought it would be fun to take this quiz to see what kind of shopper I am. (Just Google "What kind of shopper are you quiz" and you'll find quite a few to choose from.) It pegged me perfectly!!

You Are a Discount Shopper

You love to get things as cheaply as possible. You live for sales. It's partially because you like to save money, but it's also because you like the thrill of finding a fabulous deal.

Of all the types, you tend to shop frequently but rarely buy. You keep an eye on prices. Brand names are not that important to you. You know how to have style without collecting designer tags.


The results from another quiz said: "You are the antithesis of all fashionistas. You want the next best bargain and don't mind going far to get it. Your attitude is: why should I spend more than needed for what I wear?"


Yet another said, "When you go shopping, you plan on buying 2 or 3 things, but not come home with 6 bags. You know you'll buy something but you're not on a spree. Also, you try to spend your money wisely instead of just going all out!"


And the final one said: Bargain Hunter. Ever found yourself trailing your friends around every shop in the mall before you buy a single item? What a Bargain Hunter wants is not important, how much it costs takes priority. Some people look at colors, some people look at cuts...you look at labels...in particular price labels. You're likely to only part with your money in stores with SALE signs.


So... what kind of shopper are you?

Be A Help

The Pioneer Woman does more giveaways than any other blogger I know. Not that I personally know PW... but, she's doing something fantastic this week and everyone wins.

This week she is giving away four (4) $500 donations to the charity of the winners’ choice in an effort to help those devastated by the tornadoes in the South. In addition, she is giving a quarter to charity for every person who leaves a comment (as of 9:56 pm she has 1148 comments, that's $287 already.) This will cost you about 30 seconds, so please go do it.

Click here and feel good about it.

Be A Winner

My blogging buddy, Cylinda, is having a giveaway on her blog. Raise your hand if you enter blog giveaways. Now raise your hand if you've never won any...


Yes, that's me! I enter blog giveaways on a regular basis. I mean, who can resist free stuff, right? But I've yet to win a thing!

So here's where you can help me out. Go to Cylinda's blog. Enter yourself for her $50 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway and tell her that Kathy McElhaney sent you. That gets me another entry. Pretty cool, huh? Then, repost it on YOUR blog and get your friends to do the same. Starting to sound a bit like a pyramid scheme, isn't it??


Now after you've entered the giveway, stay at Cylinda's blog a while. She's a great writer. She'll have you laughing hysterically one minute and saying, "oh, Lord, I need to work on that" in the next. You'll love her girls and her passion for missionary kids. And you just might win an Amazon gift card in the process.

Mileage Update

I turned 47 on Wednesday, so I thought the appropriate activity would be to sleep in! Les then took me out to breakfast and that is the most distance I covered the entire day. I enjoyed it immensely. I did, however, make up for it the last three days. Thursday we rode to the base of the final climb of Las Llayas (a little over 12 miles), then headed to Santa Barbara. I walked all over Santa Barbara on Thursday. Friday morning I got up and ran 8 miles in Santa Barbara and did a bunch more walking. We came home last night and I got up and ran 9.19 miles today in lovely wind with gusts of 35 mph. Not bad for a little old lady such as I!

Totals for Week ending April 30:
Running: 47.92
Cycling: 22.27
Total: 70.19

And we've completed another month! This is my lowest month to date. A week of sickness really threw me off!

April Totals
Running: 83.67
Cycling: 121.16
Total: 204.83

Year-to-Date:
Running: 523.02
Cycling: 436.56
Total: 959.58

Overtaken By Blessings

After yesterday's post, I couldn't stop thinking about how blessed I am. God has been SO good to me! I feel so unworthy of His goodness. Yes, I've walked through dark times, but God has always been with me.

I remember a time when I was single. I was trying to keep my chin up, but I wasn't sure where my life was headed. Elder Morton talked to me. I'll never forget his words of encouragement that ended with "the blessings of God are going to overtake you." All of that has come to pass.

Pastor White's Bible study last night was about Christian money management. He read Malachi chapter 3, verses 8 through 12. I am a recipient of God's promise to open the windows of heaven. He is faithful!

With all those thoughts floating through my mind, I read Bro. Ballestero's post "Out of Context, But Still the Truth." He used part of Psalm 91:6 "the destruction that wasteth at noonday." He compared noonday with midlife and the destruction to that of a midlife crisis. I'd like to take the verse of our context as well and compare noonday to times of blessings.

We've all seen people who turn to God in times of crisis. During the darkness of trials they cry out to Him. The loss of a loved one. Financial distress. The destruction of a marriage. When their life is at its bleakest, they turn to God. Of course, God is loving and reaches down to them at that time.

In Luke chapter 12 Jesus gives us a warning about a man who is living at noonday:

15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

While I am basking in God's noonday blessings, I never want to forget that those blessings come from Him. I cannot be at ease in His kingdom. I've got to keep giving back of my time and finances. He has been faithful. I owe a debt I cannot pay. Calvary was enough, but He has done so much more. So I just want to say to God be the Glory!

How can I say thanks for the things You have done for me?
Things so undeserved yet You gave to prove Your love for me
The voices of a million angels could not express my gratitude
All that I am, and ever hope to be I owe it all to Thee

To God be the glory, to God be the glory
To God be the glory for the things He has done
With His blood he has saved me
With His power he has raised me
To God be the glory for the things He has done!

Just let me live my life and let it be pleasing Lord to Thee
And if I gain any praise, let it go to Calvary
With His blood he has saved me
With His power he has raised me
To God be the glory for the things He has done!

~Andrae Crouch

Precious Moment #04291991

20 years ago today, I turned 27 and celebrated my final birthday as a single girl. It was exactly four weeks before our wedding day and I was ready to get on with my new life. My birthday was on a Saturday, so Les came for the weekend. He had to go home Sunday afternoon, but I knew our times of separation were coming to an end.

On Monday morning, I made my way to the church. I prayed, then was sitting in my office for a few minutes. I was on the schedule that morning to give the thought during chapel at the Christian school, so I knew I would be heading across the courtyard in a few minutes. My "thoughts" for the past few months hadn't been very spiritual, many times the students would ask for a "Les update" and that's what they got! I was in the second graduating class of the school and had been the school secretary for about eight years, so it was with a little sadness that I preparing for my last time.

Before I made it out of my office, Elder Morton came in. "Are you going to chapel?" he asked. "Yes." "No, I don't want you to go today. A bunch of kids are in trouble and I've got to go take care of business." I knew what that meant, so I said okay.

Elder Morton stepped away from my office, but after about 15 steps he came back. "I changed my mind, you need to go one last time. Don't want you to forget how things were."

We walked together, across the courtyard and into the back door of the school chapel. There I was met by a huge sign:


And the entire student body and staff holding balloons and singing to me!! I was completely unsuspecting!


The students were then seated and Elder Morton said some kind words about my 10 years on the church staff.


He then directed me to the platform to open a very large gift...


"This is something you can use around your house," he said. He then handed me his pocket knife to open it a little more quickly...


Much to my COMPLETE and UTTER SURPRISE, my future husband jumped out of the box!!! I was shocked!! He was suppose to be at work in Southern California. But there he was!! He never went home that Sunday - he went to church in Hanford, then came back to Fresno and spent the night at Elder Morton's (this was not the first or last time those two schemed together!)


And I was told that I used great control in not throwing my arms around him in front of the entire school!!


Then it was Les' turn to give a "Kathy update"...


As the music began, the students filed by one by one, each handing me a balloon....


The line seemed endless and I could not stop smiling...


And in each balloon was a dollar! What fun we had popping those balloons!!!


What a great send-off they gave me. I felt so loved by so many. Les and I spent the rest of the morning together - we got our marriage license that day! This is definitely one of my favorite Precious Moments.