You Matter

September is National Suicide Prevention Month.  Monday, September 10th was World Suicide Prevention Day.  The statistics regarding suicide are staggering.

According to the Centers for Disease Control: 
Suicide is the 10^th leading cause of death in the US for all ages.
Every day, approximately 123 Americans die by suicide.
There is one death by suicide in the US every 12 minutes.

According to the World Health Organization:
Close to 800,000 people die due to suicide every year, which is one person every 40 seconds. (I did the math on this and it is correct.  I couldn't believe it, but it is.  One person every 40 seconds.)
Suicide occurs throughout the lifespan and is the second leading cause of death among 15-29 year olds globally.
There are indications that for each adult who died of suicide there may have been more than 20 others attempting suicide.

A little over four years ago I wrote about Robin Williams' suicide.  The numbers have grown in those four years.   As I wrote then I really don't understand how a person reaches the point of suicide.  I've never had it so bad that I just wanted to quit living.  I've always had hope for tomorrow because I know a God Who holds tomorrow in His hand.  I'm thankful I don't have to depend on my abilities to make it through each storm.

for KING & COUNTRY sings a song called "Matter."  When someone makes the decision to end it all, is part of their thinking, "I don't matter to anyone?"  I wonder if Robin Williams felt like he didn't matter when he said the above words.  YOU matter.  You may not feel like you matter, friends and family may turn their backs on you, but YOU matter.  If you're hurting today, please find help.  Don't listen to the lies that say you're alone.

"Matter"

All of the dreams that haven't come true
And all of the hurt that happened to you
It matters, I hope you know it matters
You felt the pain of a bitter defeat
Where the weight of the grief is more bitter than sweet
It matters, I'm telling you it matters

To the One Who spoke and set the sun ablaze
To the One Who stopped the storm and walked the waves
To the One Who took the tree so He could say
You matter, I hope you know you matter

I know it's not easy, not saying it's fair
But close as a prayer somebody cares
You're a treasure, I hope you know you're treasured
So hold your head high, wait for the dawn
Keep hanging on, your sadness will turn into laughter
Watch it turn into laughter, yeah

Let the water spill from your eyes
Let it wash the wounds of those lies
Oh, let the water spill from your eyes
All that you are, all that you’ll be
Someone put the beat in your heart so that you’ll see
You matter

To the One Who spoke and set the sun ablaze
To the One Who stopped the storm and walked the waves
To the One Who took the tree so He could say
You matter, I hope you know you matter

You matter, heaven knows you matter
You matter, I hope you know you matter
You matter, heaven knows you matter

If you are a fast reader, it might have taken you two minutes to read this post.  During that time three more suicides occurred.  Those three people mattered.  And so do the next three.  And the three after that. I'm writing from a hurting heart today because someone I knew committed suicide last week.  I hadn't seen her in many years and I don't know what drove her to such an act, but she mattered.

I'll say it again, if you're hurting today, please find help.  You matter to me. You matter to God.  You matter.

Do Something

It was a Tuesday morning, just like this morning.  I got in my car for the 30 minute drive to work and turned on the radio hoping to catch a traffic report.  What I heard instead struck terror.  Because of the three hour time difference, by the time I was tuning in both Twin Towers and the Pentagon had already been hit.  We would later learn that a co-worker was on the plane that hit the Pentagon.

The stories of heroism that came from that day are remarkable.  In spite of an enemy trying to tear us down, Americans rose up to fight.  First responders marched into those towers and headed up, while others were fleeing.

One of the most remarkable stories came from United Airlines flight 93.  It was the fourth plane that was hijacked.  This time the passengers had enough time to fight back.  Their attack caused the plane to go down in an empty field in Pennsylvania, 20 minutes flight time from Washington. The plane still went down and all onboard were killed, but those passengers kept it from hitting any national landmarks or buildings.

Tom Burnett was one of the passengers on flight 93.  He made four phone calls to his wife - you can read the full transcript here.  Three times Tom told his wife, "we have to do something."  The last part of their final conversation went like this:

Tom: Deena! If they’re going to crash this plane into the ground, we’re going to have do something!
Deena: What about the authorities?
Tom: We can’t wait for the authorities. I don’t know what they could do anyway.
It’s up to us. I think we can do it.
Deena: What do you want me to do?
Tom: Pray, Deena, just pray.
Deena: (after a long pause) I love you.
Tom: Don’t worry, we’re going to do something.
He hung up

There's an old story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody. There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry about that, because it was Everybody’s job. Everybody thought Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn’t do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have.

"Do Something" by Matthew West

I woke up this morning
Saw a world full of trouble now
Thought, how’d we ever get so far down
How’s it ever gonna turn around
So I turned my eyes to Heaven
I thought, “God, why don’t You do something?”
Well, I just couldn’t bear the thought of
People living in poverty
Children sold into slavery
The thought disgusted me
So, I shook my fist at Heaven
Said, “God, why don’t You do something?”
He said, “I did, I created you”

If not us, then who
If not me and you
Right now, it’s time for us to do something
If not now, then when
Will we see an end
To all this pain
It’s not enough to do nothing
It’s time for us to do something

I’m so tired of talking
About how we are God’s hands and feet
But it’s easier to say than to be
Live like angels of apathy who tell ourselves
It’s alright, “somebody else will do something”
Well, I don’t know about you
But I’m sick and tired of life with no desire
I don’t want a flame, I want a fire
I wanna be the one who stands up and says,
“I’m gonna do something”

We are the salt of the earth
We are a city on a hill (shine shine, shine shine)
But we’re never gonna change the world
By standing still
No we won’t stand still
No we won’t stand still
No we won’t stand still

If not us, then who
If not me and you
Right now, it’s time for us to do something
If not now, then when
Will we see an end
To all this pain
It’s not enough to do nothing
It’s time for us to do something

We don't have to look far to see a need.  I know it can be scary to step out of our comfort zone to do something.  The outcome may not be what we hope for, but for today will you at least try to do something?

The Bike to Rider Ratio

I came into the garage this morning after my run and this is what I saw:

You may not be able to tell, but there are five bikes!  Les was out on a ride, so one was actually missing.  The bike to rider ratio in our household is 3 to 1.  My bike:rider ratio is actually 2:1, while Les' bike:rider ratio is 4:1.

One more and we'll have to sell one of our cars to make room.  We might need an intervention.

Happy Birthday to My One and Only!

This guy...

turned 26 the day after I met him...

he is an adventurer...

Corporate VP...

explorer...

cool bass player...

singer...

trumpeter...

cross country cyclist...

who has the occasional crash...
 

and is currently working on a Sunday school lesson that I'm sure will be outstanding!

Happy birthday to the best!  I love you!

Happy Left Handers Day!

You know there's a day for everything, right... er, correct?  Well today is Left Handers Day.  As a lefty, I've learned to do some things with my right hand by necessity (I've never owned left handed scissors) and some things I was taught to do right handed (my right handed brothers taught me how to hold a baseball bat.)  Just about everything else I do left handed.

Approximately 10% of the population is left handed.  There are many lists of famous left handers.  Benjamin Franklin, Albert Einstein, Michelangelo, Ronald Reagan, and Beethoven were all lefties.

I come by my left handedness honestly.  Mom was a lefty.  She had beautiful hand writing and taught me how to place my paper at a diagonal to avoid smearing.

Grandma Luella, Mom's mom, also was a lefty.  She is obviously the one who taught Mom how to turn the paper to avoid smearing!

And we have a fourth generation lefty - my niece, Krysten!  At family meals we try to sit next to each other so we aren't constantly banging elbows.

I'm sure there are advantages and disadvantages to which ever hand is dominate, but it's pretty cool being able to hold Les' left hand with my right hand and we both have are strong hands free!

Anyone else left handed?

Treasured Times

Victory Tabernacle was blessed this weekend with a special guest - Elder Vaughn Morton.  He preached our Jubilee service (combined service with our three daughter churches) on Saturday and was with us in service on Sunday.  Les and I were also blessed to go to lunch with Pastor and Sister White and Elder Morton yesterday.

I've written many times about the impact Elder Morton has had on my life.  My pastor for 19 years and my boss for 10 of those years.  His preaching has inspired and convicted.  His teaching laid a foundation that I still rely on today.

Elder Morton preached a message last night that I have heard countless times.  He told me he preached it before becoming pastor in Fresno, so I'm sure I heard it for the first time before I was 10.  It is one that has helped me so many times.  As soon as he read his text I told Les the title, "Forgive Yourself."  This beautiful concept is one that we all need to learn and embrace.  A victorious Christian life happens when we really understand the forgiveness of God and the power of the blood.

The key verse is 1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  We just have to do one thing and God does four!  When we confess our sins, God:

1. is faithful
2. is just
3. forgives our sins
4. cleanses us from all unrighteousness

It's the best four to one exchange around.  There's nothing more for us to do.  We don't have to pay any penance.  Where many people go wrong is when they go back to the cemetery of their past.  We will never forget all our sins, but we can know they when they are forgiven God has forgotten them.  Since He forgives us, we need to forgive ourselves.  We closed the book on the past last night.

After service, Elder Morton had his book "The Road Called Life," available.  Pastor White asked me to sell them.  While I was sitting on the pew with the books, Elder Morton sat and visited for a while.  He also gave me a beautiful new pocket knife, because "every lady ought to have a pocket knife!"

I'm so thankful for this special man in my life.  A hug, an "I love you," and "I'll see you in the rapture," and he was off to his next destination!

Ten Year Blog Anniversary

Ten years ago this week I dipped my toe into the world of blogging.  My first post was published on July 22nd, but the post that has been the heart of McMoments and Memories was my third post, published on July 24, 2008.  Mom's Bible has been a constant here in my part of the world wide web.   The entire post was short and simple:

As I mentioned in the previous post, I will be sharing thoughts from Mom's Bible. I'm sure many of the thoughts are not original, most likely they are things she heard during the preaching because she always took her Bible to church. (And that's a thought for another post!)

She received this particular Bible for her 47th birthday, January 1, 1987, and it was the final Bible she carried. This contains her thoughts during an eight year battle with cancer and the loss of her youngest son, Rod. While that was obviously the most difficult time in her life, the notes and thoughts are constantly positive and uplifting.

So... if you see a note or thought labeled "Mom's Bible" that is exactly where it came from. And if the thought was originally yours, thank you for sharing it with her, because I'm sure if she wrote it down it was an encouragement to her.

One who uses the Bible as his guide , never loses his sense of direction.
- Mom's Bible

Mom's example of writing down notes and thoughts that were positive and uplifting is something I strive for.  I love sharing the adventures that Les and I have been on, but it's when I sit down with a thought or a scripture that's been tugging on my spirit that I feel like this blog is worth maintaining.  Just this week I shared a post with a friend - it was something I had written over five years ago, but it was right for her this week.

And here I am ten years later, still writing and still hoping that I can brighten someone's day or give the encouragement they need...

You Led Me to Believe

Sweet Comfort Band was a Christian band that was popular in the 70s and early 80s.  I've got some of their songs on my phone and was listening to them yesterday while I was out running.  One song in particular has stayed on my mind.  "You Led Me to Believe" has some sobering words about someone who walked away from the faith.

I've thought about this song a lot lately and I am filled was thanks for those who led me to believe.  I'm also so grateful that the ones who led me to believe have kept the faith.  My mom, pastors, Sunday school teachers, youth leaders.  I can't think of a single one who walked away.

I know that is not always the case.  I know of pastors and pastor's wives who have thrown it all away.  Parents and spouses who have left.  It's painful, more than I can adequately express.

If you're thinking about walking about from what you know is true, Stop.  Think about it.  Pray about it.  And stop.  Don't go.  Don't throw it all away.  It's not just about you.  There's a lot at stake.

If you've watched the one who led you to believe walk away, don't let that turn you away.  Don't turn one tragedy in to two.  Hold on to the One you were led to, not the one who led you there.  Keep holding on to all the thing you know are true.

You Led Me to Believe

You had the starring role that I wished I could play
So I learned every line that you were known to say
I stood in the shadows when the spotlight hit your face
But I never dreamed you'd throw it all away
After You'd take the stage you could do no wrong
And I was the first to cheer when you would start the song
I hid by the curtain and I softly sang along
But I never dreamed you'd throw it all away

You led me to believe
And I followed everything you'd say and do
You led me to believe
You've changed your way of thinking now
But I know what is true
And I will keep on holding on to all the things
You led me to believe

You were the guiding light for all who passed your way
The neighborhood Superman who always saved the day
You were the model, I was the clay
But I never dreamed you would throw it all away

You led me to believe
And I followed everything you'd say and do
You led me to believe
You've changed your way of thinking now
But I know what is true
And I will keep on holding on to all the things
You led me to believe

Now I miss you everyday and it cuts me to the bone
You have gone so far away and I must stand alone
I kept the things you taught to me and I found them to be true
I only wish that you believed them, too

You led me to believe
And I followed everything you'd say and do
You led me to believe
You've changed your way of thinking now
But I know what is true
And I will keep on holding on to all the things
You led me to believe

Kings of Judah and Israel

I am currently in the book of 2 Kings in my daily Bible reading.  It can be confusing reading about the different kings.  Some names are similar, while others are identical.  Reigns overlap.  Many kings are identified by their parents.  I found this chart to be helpful:

Over and over the Bible says, "he wrought evil in the sight of the Lord" and "followed the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which made Israel to sin."  Of 42 kings, 11 were counted righteous over the course of 464 years.

We celebrated the birthday of our country this week.  242 years since we declared our independence.  I wonder what a chart of our presidents would look like.  Of 45 presidents, how many could be counted righteous?  There will never be a perfect ruler, but we need to pray for our divided nation.   No matter who rules, we as individuals still have the choice to do that which is right in the sight of God.

I'm Really Curious

I am a reader.  My morning starts with daily Bible reading, but I also read books of all types. I've blogged about many books through the years - from Evicting Jezebel to Long Way Gone to Two Are Better and Hawaii's Story by Hawaii's Queen.  I like books that make me think.  I like non fiction like Quiet Strength by Tony Dungy and missionary stories like Box 44, Monrovia.  I also enjoy historical or Biblical fiction like Isle of Shadows and the A.D. Chronicles.  I've read classics such as The Count of Monte Cristo and Jane Eyre.

Sometimes I just want to read for pleasure.  I'll pick up a freebie for my Kindle with no plans of expanding my brain!  I started one such read Sunday afternoon.  It started with a scene I have read many times before:  the bride walking down the aisle, her father giving her away, and the groom bolting from the room.  I've read many variations of this scene - from the bride climbing out the window of the bridal dressing room to the groom not showing up at the church.  Sometimes the story ends with the couple finally getting married, other times they marry someone else.

As I read the scene I stopped and asked Les, "Have you ever seen this happen in real life?"  We both agreed that we had not.  I've known people who got engaged and called it off, but I have never actually arrived for the ceremony to find that one of the key players decided not to show up.  I attended my first wedding (my Dad's youngest sister) when I was about two and have been to numerous weddings since, but I've never seen either party left standing at the altar.

So, I'm really curious.  Have you ever seen this happen?  Do you know anyone who on the day of their wedding just couldn't go through with it?  This is not a scientific poll, I'm just really curious!  Feel free to share the story but change the names to protect the innocent (and guilty!)

Repost: Friday Foodie

I was asked to bring something for our church's coffee cafe this Sunday.  I wanted to do something a little more than cookies but nothing that required a fork or spoon.  Chocolate-Peanut Butter Bars to the rescue!  Originally posted in 2009.

If you're my age (or older) you may remember an ad campaign for Reese's Peanut Butter Cups in the 1970s. Two people are walking down the street, one eating a chocolate bar, the other scooping peanut butter out of a jar. They bump into each other and their snacks collide. This is followed by the famous exchange:

You got peanut butter on my chocolate!
No, you got chocolate in my peanut butter!

Of course when they try the combo they are pleasantly surprised.


I've always been a peanut butter-chocolate fan and this week just had to have some! I just happened to have a Betty Crocker peanut butter cookie mix (how convenient) and the back of the package had a recipe for Chocolate-Peanut Butter Bars. So I put chocolate on my peanut butter!


Heat oven to 350. Spray bottom only of 13x9 inch pan with cooking spray.
Make cookie dough as directed. Press in pan.
Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until edges are light golden brown. Cool 5 minutes.
In small microwaveable bowl, microwave 2 cups chocolate chips on high 1 to 1 1/2 minutes or until chips can be stirred smooth. Spread over bars.
Refrigerate about 30 minutes or until chocolate is set.
Cut into bars. Makes 24. The package said makes 24, I got 30 good size pieces of out it. Believe me, these are really sweet, so a small piece is plenty... or you can go back for seconds!

Cute Dresses on Amazon

I might have a little problem.  I've been doing some dress shopping on Amazon.  With Amazon Prime you get free shipping and free returns.  It's that free returns that makes me click "Add to Cart" without too much fear!  So far, I've kept everything I've ordered.  They've all been lightweight knit.  I have ordered a size up because I don't like anything to be tight.  Big bonus - they were all under $20!

I started with this black one:

I have this one in green and navy.  The solids go with so many sweaters, jackets and sleeveless tops I already had in my closet.  I'm 5'2" so this is longer on me than shown on the model.

This striped one is super comfortable!   They have a couple red, white and blue ones that would be cute for a 4th of July gathering.

This floral is very similar to the navy and green.

Finally, this plaid one.  I think it's my favorite!  I've gotten tons of compliments when I've worn it and it is SO comfortable!  I think the picture is a little misleading - the pockets are in the seam and don't show at all. 

Are you an Amazon Prime member?  Any great finds lately?

Good Eats and Signs

When we honeymooned in 1991 there was no internet.  No smart phones.  No Google, Yelp or TripAdvisor.  We planned things the old fashion way with maps and a Frommer's Guide.  While I was doing the majority of the wedding planning, Les was doing the honeymoon planning.  One of his best finds was Brick Oven Pizza in Kalaheo.

We have been back to Brick Oven Pizza on each trip we've made to Kauai.  It's not too far from Waimea Canyon so we stopped there on our way home.  The pizza was just as ONO (delicious) as we remembered.  Their whole wheat dough is the best we've ever had - you can really taste the difference.

One blurry picture before we dug in!

These two pictures are so us!  The first one is Les doing his usual - blowing the straw wrapper at me.  The second one is me with the straw wrapper on my shoulder.

I didn't take a lot of food pictures, but this papaya bowl was amazing!

And coffee, so much coffee!

We saw this sign in a store window one day.  Les said, "Go in there!" and this was the result.

It was election time in Hawaii.  Who wouldn't want to vote for Aunty Shirley??

Waimea Canyon

Often called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, Waimea Canyon is just stunning.

Mr. Lookout in 1991:

Mr. Lookout 2018:

One of the world's rainiest places:

Trying to recreate a honeymoon shot...

The angle wasn't quite the same, and we've changed a bit in the past 27 years, but I'm still in love with this guy!