Monday Motivation

I saw this the other day and loved it!

Go chase your dreams and create memories!

Solvang Double Century

Our weekend started with a trip up the coast to the city of Buellton.  Les was signed up to the ride the Solvang Double Century.  He picked up his timing chip on Friday night, was up at 4:00 Saturday morning and on the road by 5:00.  His goal for this 200 mile ride was to be back by 7:00 p.m.  This would be a total of 14 hours.  He was hoping for 12 hours of riding and no more than 2 hours of stops.

I waited until it was light out, then headed out for a run.  We've never stayed in Buellton before.  It's a short four miles from Solvang, so I thought I would run there and back.  After about a mile, I saw Ballard Canyon and decided it looked like a more interesting road.

I was right!  It was a beautiful country road, with rolling hills and abundant farm animals.  The only vehicles were pickup trucks.

I relaxed in our room for a while, all the while following Les on my iPhone.  The route took them north to Morro Bay before turning around.  He checked in via text periodically and I could tell he was having a great day. I spent a few hours in Solvang, wandering in and out of shops, photo-bombing tourists, and keeping myself entertained.

At around 5:00, I saw that Les was getting closer and closer.  I found the route slip and saw that he would be coming down Ballard Canyon before the final mile to the finish line.  I headed out and saw him round the last corner, finishing in 12 hours, 40 minutes and 44 seconds!

Due to some construction, the route had been shortened to 192 miles, of course Les rode an additional 8 to get that 200 mile mark.  Even after hanging around at the finish line for a while, then adding on those 8 miles, he still finished before 7:00 p.m.  He was extremely pleased at how the day went, no flat tires or other mechanical issues, beautiful weather, and great people to ride with!

200 miles with actual rolling time of 12:04

In case you're curious about how many people ride these types of events - there were a total of 347 finishers, 302 men and 45 women.  But the very interesting statistic (at least to me) is that of those 347 riders, 240 were age 50 or older.  There were 14 men who were in the 80+ category!  The largest group was Les' - men ages 50-59 - with 122 participants.

I'm very glad that Les is healthy enough to enjoy these kinds of events.  Our life has always been an adventure because I married an adventurer!

Retirement Service for Elder Vaughn Morton

We had a very busy and fun weekend!  It will take a couple of posts to write about it all, but I want to start at the end...

Last November Elder Morton announced that after 41 years as pastor of Truth Tabernacle he is retiring.  It's not often you hear of someone who has worked at the same job for 41 years!  And pastoring is not an ordinary job. Transition plans have been in the works and Bro. Tim Lackey will be the new pastor.  I am very happy with the new choice - Bro. and Sis. Lackey are a great couple and I know God has more great things in store for Truth Tabernacle.

Sunday night was the retirement service for Elder Morton.  Each speaker had a unique aspect that they spoke about - Elder Morton's love and vision for Fresno and Truth Tabernacle was evident in the entire service.  The church family, Truth Tabernacle Christian school, Donkey Rock Youth Camp, the many branch works, and ministers who are pastoring in other places.  He has poured his life into that place and the lives of so many.  Arriving as a 32 year old, I don't know if anyone ever dreamed he'd stay that long or have such an impact.

The Children's Choir singing

One of Elder Morton's many sayings is "Every man ought to have a pocket knife."  He has given me several pocket knives through the years and I know he's given them to many, many others.  On Sunday night he asked Bro. Steve Marchbanks if he had a pocket knife, he did, and Elder Morton took it and put it in his pocket.  Near the end of the service the church presented a couple of gifts.  One was a plaque with two pocket knives - one made in 1972, the year of his arrival in Fresno and one made in 2014.  While receiving his second gift, Elder Morton asked Bro. Dave Moya if he could borrow his pocket knife.  He added that to the other in his pocket and profoundly stated, "It's not stealing, it's taking!"

Elder Morton is also known to always have his own cordless microphone.  He keeps it handy during service.  One time, many years ago, I was singing a special in Truth Tabernacle.  Behind me I heard Elder Morton say, "Sing it again, sing it again, sing it a thousand times!"  I tried to keep a straight face while "singing it again" less than a thousand times!  The church presented Elder Morton with a special microphone on Sunday night - a golden cordless microphone! 

For me personally, there is no one outside my family who has influenced me more.  My pastor for 19 years and my boss for 10 of those years, his fingerprints will always be on my life.  So many lessons... so much love and laughter and growth.  The notes that would show up on my calendar - "KF - have a good day!"  "KF - you're doing a good job!"  Or just a smiley face and his signature, letting me know he'd been by when I wasn't there.

As his son, Bro. Nathan Morton said, we all have stories.  "Remember the time..."  So many started rolling through my mind on Sunday night. As my boss during my "critical decade" (age 16-26) Elder Morton helped me plant my feet firmly.  He taught me the importance of daily prayer by praying at the church daily.  Do a good job the first time.  If a leader is on time, they are late!  Don't leave lights on when the room is empty.  Be a good steward.  Laugh often.  Love people, even when they hurt you.  Trust God for His best and know the blessings of God will overtake you.

I'm so thankful for this wonderful man of God in my life.  I pray that he will have many more years to bless other churches with his ministry.

Happy Birthday!

Twenty seven years ago your combined weight was less than seven pounds, but you filled the hearts and arms of our entire family!

Happy birthday to the world's best nieces!  Love you to the moon and back!
Aunt Kathy

P.S.  We really need to get some new pictures together.

St. Paddy's Day Humor

I have to share my favorite Irish blessing... or curse, depending on how you look at it!

May those that love us, love us;
And those that don't love us, may God turn their hearts:
If He can't turn their hearts, may He turn their ankles,
So we'll know them by their limping.

Happy Pi Day!

The number with no ending...

Just a little humor for the numbers geeks!

Make my slice cherry!

The Cost of Complaining

The past few days my Bible reading has been in the book of Numbers.  God takes complaining very seriously:

In chapter 11, verse 1 "And when the people complained, it displeased the Lord: and the Lord heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the Lord burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp."  Just three verses later ~ "And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?   We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick:  But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes."  Verses 11-14, Moses has grown weary of the whining and finally says in verse 14, "I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me."  At the end of the chapter, the Lord sent quail in abundance.  "And while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of the Lord was kindled against the people, and the Lord smote the people with a very great plague."

In chapter 12 we find Aaron and Miriam complaining about Moses. "Hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us?"   And the Lord heard it.  "Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth." God dealt with Aaron and Miriam, sending leprosy on Miriam, causing her to spend seven days outside the camp.

In chapter 13 Moses sent out the 12 spies.  Caleb and Joshua did their best to encourage the people to go forth and conquer, but "the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.  And they brought up an evil report of the land."  The Lord slew the ten spies that brought the evil report.

In chapter 14, the entire nation wept and " murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness!"  God is ready to kill the entire nation, but Moses intercedes. It is then that they are told they will not enter into the promise land, but wander in the wilderness for 40 years and die there.

In chapter 16, Korah, Dathan, and Abiram with 250 men "gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the Lord?"  The ground opened up and Korah and his companions and their families "went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them."   "And there came out a fire from the Lord, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense."  Verse 41 tells us, "But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the Lord."  A plague was sent that killed 14,700.

I have read all of these stories in recent days and this is just a small sampling of what Moses endured.  Some people never learn!  Over and over the people murmured and were punished.  I wonder, would I have survived these murmurings?  Would I have been slain by a plague, swallowed up by the earth, or consumed with fire?  It's a sobering thought.  I want my heart to be right with God and my pastor and those in leadership.  God didn't take it lightly thousands of years ago, I don't believe He takes it lightly today.

Complaining, murmuring, and criticizing are highly contagious.  Korah didn't get swallowed up alone.  I wonder how many days and how many people he talked to before he had gathered 250 men and his courage to confront Moses.  This is a powerful saying:

  

"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer."  Psalm 19:14

New Favorite iPhone App!

A couple months ago Les and I were talking about being able to track each other via our phones.  If he was out riding or I was out running, it would be nice to know where the other was.  Many times while on Hawaii, Les would send me text messages that said, "I am here" with a map that looked like this:

The blue dot was where he was at the time.

Those were good, but there were a lot of miles between blue dots and text messages.  A quick search in the app store found "Find Friends."  After adding Les as my friend, he did the same and we were connected.

Here he is out on a bike ride.  I can check on his progress during a long ride and know he's moving along.

The blue dot is me - driving to meet Les.

And here he is yesterday - a layover in the Atlanta airport before heading on to Providence, RI.

I think my Mom would have loved this!  She never went to sleep until all her chicks were safely tucked in.  It's a nice way to know where someone is, especially when they are driving, so they can keep their hands on the wheel!

Do you have a new favorite app?

Painful

The time change this weekend hurt more than usual!  I set the alarm for 5:30 on Sunday morning so Les could get up and finish his Sunday school lesson (which was PHENOMENAL!) and we slept right through it.  We woke on our own at 6:30.

This morning Les had a 6:30 flight from LAX.  Our alarm went off, and we heard it, at 3:30.  I didn't go back to sleep.  I kissed Les goodbye, stayed in bed until about 5:00 and finally gave up and went for a run.

Morning birds are not singing when it's still dark at 7:00!!

I know it's sunny in the evenings, but I really miss the morning sunshine!  Is the tradeoff worth it to you?

Friday Foodie

I broke Rule #1 when I went grocery shopping on Monday - I was HUNGRY!  You're not suppose to go grocery shopping when hungry, because things end up in your cart that shouldn't!  As I was browsing the aisles of Target, I saw a mix for red beans and rice.  I remembered the incredible red beans and rice I had in Atlanta last year and suddenly had to have some!   The red beans and rice mix didn't look that great, so I made up my own.

Kathy's Red Beans and Rice

1 box Jambalaya mix (seasonings are very similar to what is in red beans and rice)
1 can red beans
3 smoked turkey sausage
Cajun seasoning to taste

I forgot to take a picture of the crock pot, this was last night when we had leftovers.

1.  Slice sausage and lightly brown in skillet.
2.  Prepare Jambalaya per package instructions, cook for 5-8 minutes.
3.  Pour Jambalaya, sausage and beans in crockpot.  Cook on low for several hours, add water if needed.  Taste and add more seasoning if desired.

Of course, everyone knows that you must have Hush Puppies with red beans and rice!

1/2 cup egg substitute
3/4 cup Marie Calendar's corn muffin mix.
Minced onion, salt, pepper to taste
Oil for frying

1.   Mix egg substitute, muffin mix and seasonings.

2.  Heat oil over high heat - oil should be hot!  Drop mix in by spoonfuls.  Fry until golden brown, flip over and fry on other side.  This goes quickly.  About half the mix will fill the skillet.

3.  Using slotted spoon, remove from pan to paper towel lined bowl.  Salt lightly if desired.

Dip hush puppy in red beans and rice, and enjoy!

This was such a good meal!  I added Cajun seasoning twice while it was cooking and it was spicy, but that's the point of red beans and rice!!   It's a good idea to have a tall glass of ice tea on hand and some ice cream to cool your tongue when you're finished.

Nutritional info:  RB&R:  250 calories / 3.4 g fat / 37.8 g carbohydrates / 5.5 g fiber / 12.4 g protein /6 WW PointsPlus / makes 6 servings

Hugh puppies:  35 calories per hush puppy / 0.6 g fat / 5.5 g carbohydrates / 0.0 g fiber / 1.8 g protein / 1 WW PointsPlus each /makes approximately 16 servings

Coming Up for Air

I can't believe I haven't blogged since last Friday.  It's been a crazy week!  We met with a tax preparer this morning.  Living in paradise for a year had some mighty expensive implications.

We are also in revival with a special emphasis on reaching out to souls.  Our goal is to connect with others, not just invite them to church.  As a part of this we are having a drama in a couple of weeks and I have a new choir song to learn and teach!

I've got some posts brewing, but not the brain power or time to complete them.  I'll have a Friday Foodie tomorrow!

Friday Foodie

Les has always been a big fan of Indian food, while I do not like curry at all!  In our condo building on Oahu there was an Indian restaurant named Monsoon India.  Les really wanted to try it.  I finally searched through their menu and found an item that did not have curry in its description and we went.  And I'm so glad!  Chicken Tikka Masala is described as “Tandoori-roasted chicken cooked in tomato and cream-based sauce with a blend of herbs and spices.”  It was fabulous!  Les got a curry dish and we shared a basket of naan.  After our second visit, I added Chicken Tikka Masala to my "must try this at home list."

I searched the internet for recipes and quickly realized that tikka masala sauce has quite the lengthy ingredient list!  I wasn't sure if I could get everything at my local Target (where I do all my grocery shopping.)  Somewhere in my searching an ad for Patak's Tikka Masala sauce at World Market popped up.  Hmm... perhaps this would be a partially homemade dish!  I used a recipe from the Pioneer Woman for preparing my chicken, then put the chicken and the sauce in my crock pot!

Kathy's Chicken Tikka Masala

Ingredients:
2 chicken breasts
Sea salt, cummin, coriander
6 oz. plain Greek yogurt
2-11.8 oz. jars Archer Farms Tikka Masala Sauce

Season chicken breasts with salt, coriander and cumin. Then coat the chicken breasts completely with the plain yogurt. Set the chicken on a metal cooling rack over a foil-lined baking sheet and place it about 10-12 inches below a broiler for 5-7 minutes per side. Watch carefully so as not to totally char the chicken. It should have slightly blackened edges. Remove from oven.

Pour both jars of sauce in crock pot.  Fill jars about 1/3 with water, shake well, and add to crock pot.  This way no sauce is wasted!  The jar said three servings per jar, but we like a lot of sauce so I knew we needed more.

Cut chicken into bike size pieces and add to sauce.  Cook on low for 1-2 hours, then turn to "Keep Warm" until dinner time.  Enjoy the smells wafting through your house.  Open the lid occasionally for additional enjoyment, upping the anticipation factor.

 

I served this with basmati rice and naan (both also found at Target!)  This was a hit!  The sauce was labeled mild, and it was just right.  There was another brand that was labeled medium and I might mix a jar of each next time for a little more kick.  I like spicy food, but don't want it so spicy that I can't enjoy the flavors.  The chicken was very moist.  The entire dish was delicious two days later as leftovers!

Nutritional information (for chicken and sauce):  255 calories / 4.5 g fat / 29 g carbohydrates / 4.5 g fiber / 21 g protein / 6 WW PointsPlus.  Makes 4 servings.

Hold the Lettuce!

BC comics was really cute this morning:

This is not an attack on vegetarians, but it's a good reminder for those times when we think ordering a salad is the healthy choice.  Here are some interesting stats from Islands Restaurant (taken from the nutritional information on their website, I calculated the WW Points Plus):
 
Northshore Tacos
720 calories/38 g fat /55 g carbs/4 g protein/19 WW PP

Kaanapali Kobb Salad
1190 calories/90 g fat /20 g carbs/75 g protein/31 WW PP

Big Wave burger w/Cheese
1040 calories/27 g fat /66 g carbs/43 g protein/28 WW PP

Ninety grams of fat in a salad?!?  Pass the burger, please!!

Continuous Effort

 Today's Runner's World quote of the day is awesome!

Anything we accomplish is going to come from continuous effort. The IQ of a genius doesn't guarantee success.  Knowing and doing are two different things.  Whether it's Bible reading, soul winning, prayer time, weight loss, exercise, building a business, graduating from college - we will never know our potential without continuous effort.

A college athlete who wasn't considered a "natural" but had a very successful career once said, "Hard work beats talent when talent won't work hard."  We've all met them - the gifted, the naturals who never reach their potential.  They're content to do only what comes naturally and easy, never pushing themselves to be amazing or outstanding.  We've also seen the "average" ones who go on to become great, because of continuous effort.

Unfortunately, my house isn't going to get cleaned today without major, continuous effort!  But I know it has the potential to look and smell really good when it's clean, so it will be worth the effort!

I Don't Think So!

I heard something the other day that I didn't agree with.  The person said, "There are times when I just don't know if I can make it."  In my nearly 50 years of life, I have never thought that.  Yes, life has been hard at times.  I've been through trials and tests.  I've had grief and trouble.  But I have never thought, "I don't think I can make it."  On my own strength, I know I can't make it, but through the power of the Holy Ghost and the blood of Jesus, I've always know I CAN make it!  I've had so many examples of victorious Christians, I know if they can, I can!

It all comes back to the Battle of the Mind.  What we think is what we will do and become.  When we win that battle, everything else falls into place.  Here are some other things I don't think:

All Men Cheat On the Wives - I heard this from a co-worker many years ago.  I don't think so!  My parents were married for 40 years and my Dad didn't cheat on my Mom.  We've been married for nearly 23 years and no cheating has taken place and I pray to God that it never does.  I know it happens and I'm so sorry if it has happened to you.  But it does not happen to everyone.  I stay away from books, even Christian fiction, that the main storyline is that of an affair.  I don't want to fill my mind with the hows and whys, that will just put doubts in my mind.

All Teenagers Go Through a Rebellious Stage - someone once told me "all college students experiment with drugs and alcohol."  I don't think so!  I know many who have not.  Not all teenagers are pushing at the "restraints" of godly living.  Some are wise enough to know there is safety in staying with the ninety and nine.  I never tried drugs or alcohol and I never wanted to!  Les lived in a college dorm for four years and lived for God the entire time.

My Parents Divorced, so I'll Probably Get Divorced - a close friend told me this when we were teenagers.  I don't think so!  The choices of our parents affect us, but we do not have to follow that same path.  God created marriage and HE wants your marriage to last.

My Parents/Grandparents Had  Cancer/Heart Disease/Fill In the Blank, So I Will Too - I don't think so!  For years we thought every disease was hereditary.  Many are, but many studies show obesity as the cause.  What we inherit is grandma's cookbook and grandpa's sweet tooth!  We inherit habits and lifestyles.  I may be diagnosed with some fatal disease next month, but it won't because I haven't taken care of myself.  I'm not sitting in fear wondering when the ax is going to fall, I'm keeping my family's good habits and working hard to keep the bad ones in the past.

As An Apostolic Lady, I Can't Exercise/Be Active/Have Fun and Be Modest - I don't think so!  Mankind (and that includes ladies) has always been active.  Ruth gleaned in the fields of Boaz and remained modest.  I know ladies who hike, bike, golf, ride horses, run, and kayak and all of them remain modest!

In Matthew 19:26, Jesus said, "With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible."  When you think "I can't make it" what you are really thinking is "the blood of Jesus is not powerful enough to help me overcome this situation."  Say it with me:  I don't think so!

What Are You Thinking?

Whether you believe you can or believe you can't, you're probably right. 
~ Henry Ford

We've made it through the mid-point of February.  The time when many New Years resolutions, plans, and goals fall by the wayside.  I'm happy to say I'm still on pace with my daily Bible reading!  I have finished Genesis, Exodus, and Matthew and read parts of Psalms and Proverbs.  I'm plowing through Leviticus with all the sacrifices (not recommended for breakfast reading!) and I'm holding the course.  (FYI - I'm posting this to hold myself accountable, not to brag.)

It's not too late to catch up with whatever you had planned.  Unless, of course, you think you can't.

In Sickness...

Happy Valentine's Day!  You are loved - single, married, divorced, widowed - it doesn't matter, you are loved.

Les and I are having a really exciting Valentine's Week.  I came down with a cold over the weekend and shared it with him.  I'm heading to the store for more Kleenex and cold medicine.  How's that for romantic?  True love is real, not what Hollywood wants you to think it is.

Our "I love yous" are a little nasally these days, but they are no less sincere!