Pressing Pause

 

After a nearly four month absence, I thought I'd just post a quick update.  2025 has been a busy year with many trips to Tennessee.  We're focusing on family and I'm not focusing on blogging.  There are days when I think about writing, but the urge goes away pretty quickly, so for now I'm pressing pause on blogging.

 

 

I won't be deleting my blog, there are too many things here that I look at, especially recipes! I have enjoyed blogging about family, friends, and trips.  My study of women of the Bible is one of my favorite things.

 

 

The pictures here are from a little getaway we took to Fall Creek Falls State Park in Tennessee.  We celebrated our 34th anniversary there at the end of May.

Aloha for now!

The Ear, The Thumb, and the Big Toe

My Bible reading this morning included Leviticus chapter 14.  This chapter deals with being cleansed of leprosy.  What caught my attention was verse 14, "And the priest shall take some of the blood of the trespass offering, and the priest shall put it upon the tip of the right ear of him that is to be cleansed, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot:"  I've heard this before!

 

Pastor McGriffin taught a Bible study in Hawaii about this.  His text came from Exodus 29:19-20, "And thou shalt take the other ram; and Aaron and his sons shall put their hands upon the head of the ram. Then shalt thou kill the ram, and take of his blood, and put it upon the tip of the right ear of Aaron, and upon the tip of the right ear of his sons, and upon the thumb of their right hand, and upon the great toe of their right foot, and sprinkle the blood upon the altar round about." 

 

The context is different - Exodus is talking about anointing Aaron and his sons for the priesthood, Leviticus is talking about cleaning from leprosy.  Leprosy is commonly a picture of sin, so it was the blood that was applied to cover and recover from sin.  This command is given once regarding the priesthood, but four times regarding leprosy!  I'm so thankful that we can be covered by the blood of the perfect Lamb of God.  Here is the significance of each area that is covered by blood:

 

The Ear

Hebrews 2:1 says, "Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip."  Our hearing needs a blood covering.  There are many voices in the world that can lead us astray.  What we hear affects our actions.  Hearing God's Word will bring our thinking back in line.

The Thumb

Psalm 18:34 says, "He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms."  Most animals were not created with opposable thumbs. Mankind and the great apes are rare in this ability.  The thumb allows our hands to do three things: grasp, push, and pull.  When our thumb is covered by the Blood, we have a better grasp on the issues of life, we can push away those things that are harmful to us, and we can pull towards us the things that are beneficial.  2 Corinthians 10:4 says, "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;"

The Big Toe

Proverbs 2:20 says, "That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous." When someone loses their big toe they have a difficult time walking.  Our big toe helps us balance and walk in the right path.  When our balance is off, we stumble and veer from the path of righteousness.

Leviticus 17:11 says, "For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul."  The things God put into place in the Bible were never "just because."  He always had a reason for what He did.

Happy Birthday to My Hero!

My dear brother, Rod, would have turned 62 today.  I've written about him so many times.  He is still greatly missed!  This is my original post from September 22, 2008. 

Rodney coaxes her, she is practically his shadow. These two are really close, in every way."
- From My Baby book

The last few days I've been thinking of how we react to unexpected tragedies or difficulties. Whether it be the Metrolink crash or Hurricane Ike, the same response occurs. After the initial shock, the media starts reporting on how it could have been avoided or who was at fault. We humans have a hard time accepting that bad things happen, even to good people.

Going on a school field trip in a wheelchair

As I was thinking through a post on this subject, I kept thinking of Rod.

Valley Children's Hospital in Fresno some times felt like our second home.

 

 

 Rodney Dean Fultz was born on March 5, 1963, just 13 months before I came along. Within the first year of his life, it was discovered that Rod was a hemophiliac or a "bleeder" as he was commonly called. In spite of many, many difficulties and hospitalizations, Rod was an overcomer. I think God gave him an extra dose of grit in place of the clotting factor found in most humans!

What a brother he was! He had an incredible wit. You never got the last word with Rod. He had a comeback for anything you threw his way. I know, because this was the source of many fights between the two of us! As we got older, he knew when he was about to push me over the edge and would say something that would just crack me up.

Kindergarten class picture with a black eye!

 

Hearing him sing was a powerful experience. The second verse of "I'm Just Warming Up" with the words "all my pain and sorrow, up there I will forget", could not have been sung with more power or passion by anyone else.

If anyone had the "right" to question his circumstances or try to find someone to blame, it was Rod. But I can still hear him, not many months before his death, as we spoke about all he had been through in his life. He said, "Kathy, whenever I'm tempted to question or feel sorry for myself, I just read the book of Job. I can't complain."

One of many Easter dramas he performed in.

 

One definition of shadow is an inseparable companion or follower. Rod's example of facing life's difficulties is one I want to follow. I knew even as a baby, he was someone I wanted to "shadow".

To my friends who knew Rod, I hope you enjoy this photo walk down memory lane as much as I did! And whenever I hear "Jingle Bell Rock" I remember the Christmas when Rod and I entertained the family, he with his "crutch guitar" and me with some fancy moves!!

So much love and laughter in this shot!

God gave him music so he could pray without words.

Friday Favorite

I forgot one picture in my post yesterday.  It's one that I snapped during Sunday school in church in Cookeville.  My sweet 92 year old father-in-law taking notes!  I love that he is still plugged in to what is being taught at church.

 

 When was the last time you took notes in church?

Six Week Check In

 

It's really a good thing I don't get paid for my blogging.  I'd be broke right now!  My last post was about the fires here in California.  We were not personally affected and I'm very thankful for that.  January ended with a trip to Hawaii so Les could do in-person performance reviews.  It's always good to be back!

 

We were home less than 24 hours when Les was headed back to the airport.  He had a work meeting in Miami.  Three days later he flew from Miami to Tennessee and I flew from Burbank to Tennessee to join him.  This will be a more common theme for us.  As Les' dad ages we want to spend more time with him.  He is doing really well, but at 92 we know that time is precious.

 

We spent 12 days there and it was SO cold!  I under-packed and had to resort to lots of layers!  I did manage to get out and run one morning, but more days than not it was raining.

 

We got a light dusting of snow one of the Sunday mornings. 

 

It is good to be back home where I am able to thaw out.  Unfortunately, I brought a cold home with me.  I'm finally feeling better and now we're looking at the first of March in just a few days!

Southern California Fires

 

 

I'm sure you are aware of the fires here in Southern California.  The devastation is widespread and heart breaking.  We are not in danger at this time, but still under a wind and fire advisory through tomorrow.  Les took these pictures while on a bike ride this morning.  The Palisades Fire is about 25 miles from us as the crow flies

 

We were at the church Tuesday night for prayer and there were multiple trees down in our parking lot.  At least one car was damaged.  Driving home that night was probably one of the scariest ever, the wind was rocking us.

 

If you're looking for a way to help, a local LA restaurant, Calico Fish House, is about 30 miles south of the Palisades Fire.  They are allowing people to park/camp in their parking lot, providing free meals and collecting supplies. They are taking shipments directly from Amazon, Walmart, etc.  16600 Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach, CA 92649.  There is also a local veterinarian who has taken in over 40 animals and Calico Fish House is sending supplies to her as well.

Please help us pray for rain and calm!

After This Manner, Pray

 

We are currently in our annual week of prayer and fasting at Victory Tabernacle.  It's the best way to start a new year!  Our first prayer meeting was last Friday night and I have been starting each prayer time with Matthew 6, verses 9-10:

9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

 

This is well known as the Lord's prayer.  I am not quoting these verses, but following the pattern.  "This prayer is not a strict form, but a pattern of prayer, and a directory to it, both as to brevity, order, and matter." (John Gill's Exposition of the Bible)  I timed myself reading these five verses very slowly and it took less than 30 seconds, so that is not at all what I'm suggesting. I use it as a pattern to direct my mind when I first start praying.  So if you're having trouble getting started in prayer here is my manner of praying:

Our Father which art in heaven, 

Before I start asking for things, the first thing I do is approach God, I acknowledging His authority in my life.  I thank Him for being a great Father to me.

 

Hallowed be thy name. 

I love the name that is above all names - Jesus!  I spend time praising and magnifying His great name.

 

Thy kingdom come, 

I want God's kingdom to increase.  I want our church collectively, and me personally, to have an impact on the lives around us.

 

Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

It is here that I start praying for my needs and the needs of others.  Situations that need God's direction.  I want to follow His plan in every area of my life.

Give us this day our daily bread. 

We are so often consumed with the future, that we forget that God has enough for every day.  If I have my daily bread TODAY, I can trust that God will provide for tomorrow and for all my tomorrows.
 

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 

I examine my heart for sins and faults.  I also examine my heart towards others. Has someone hurt me?  Have I forgiven them?  I can't expect God to forgive me if I don't do the same.

 

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: 

It is interesting that Jesus said after we pray for forgiveness to pray for deliverance from evil.  We're always going to face temptation, but we can trust that He will deliver us.

 

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. 

This is a mouthful!  This is a declaration, a belief in God's kingdom and power and glory.

 

Amen.

So be it.  "The word itself implies a confident resting of the soul in God, with the fullest assurance that all these petitions shall be fulfilled to every one who prays according to the directions given before by our blessed Lord."  (Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible)

Each of these steps take a different amount of time each time I pray.  Some days there are more needs to pray for than others.  Other times, needs come to mind later in my prayer so I redirect my thoughts that way.  I guess I should have called this a recipe, because just like my recipe for spaghetti sauce is never the same, my recipe for prayer is never the same.  But I keep doing!

2025

 

It's the second day of a new year.  I meant to post something yesterday, but spent the day taking Christmas down instead!  It's a lot of work, both putting it up and taking it down, but I love how my house looks for the holidays.  I also love how clean it seems after everything is put away.

Goals?  Resolutions?  Plans for 2025?  

I'm a bit blank on these right now:

I finished reading my Bible for the year on Tuesday and started a new plan on Wednesday.  I got behind a couple of times last year - both times when we were out of the country.  I was able to catch up within a week and now I'm back in Genesis!  It never gets old.

I've got to drop some weight - pounds that have slowly snuck back on in the past two years.  I know what to do - track, track, track what I eat!  Too much sugar and not enough water need to change. I won't eliminate sugar completely, I just need to cut back a lot.

 

OUCH!

I've started the year with a run many times, but this year I kicked my year off with a bike ride!  It was a chilly one - about 43 degrees the entire time.  It was a gorgeous first day of the year and hit about 70 mid afternoon.  I'm looking at blue skies as I work on this post.

I looked back and realized that I never wrote about our vehicle change in 2024.  We started the year with three cars - our faithful 1992 Saturn and our 2006 Porsche Cayenne here in California.  We also had a 2008 Saturn Aura in Hawaii.  When we went to Hawaii in March, we cleared out everything and gave our car away.  Over the summer, our other Saturn started giving us trouble.  It died while at a stop light when Les was driving it a couple of times.  The second time, it wouldn't start at all so we had it towed to our mechanic.  The cost for repairs along with money we have spent the last two years, finally pushed us over the edge and we chose to donate it to charity instead.  It served us so well for over 32 years, but it was time to let it go.

 

Now we only have one car!  It's been four months and we've made it work.  Since Les works from home, it's hasn't been too challenging.  I've been forced to think ahead if I need anything on Saturday because that's usually when Les will take the car to meet friends for a bike ride.  Other than that, we're content to just have one car for now.

I'm very thankful that we were both healthy in 2024, minor colds/flu were all we dealt with.  Les continues to enjoy his job. We're anxiously awaiting the day when we can break ground on our new church property!  We're believing 2025 will be the year when things really change for Victory Tabernacle.  We are bursting at the seams and are so excited for this next stage.

Happy New Year and may this be your best year yet!

Friday Foodie ~ Christmas Breakfast

 

We had a wonderful Christmas at home this year, just the two of us.  Don't feel sorry for us - we love having the day to ourselves!  It's mellow and always begins with an amazing breakfast.  This year, I reached way back to my childhood and decided I wanted to make Chocolate Rolls.  This was Mom's take on cinnamon rolls, but since it was Mom, chocolate had to be involved!  I'm pretty sure she used Bisquick, because it was a quick and easy way to make something special for our family of six.

There is a recipe for cinnamon rolls on the back of the Bisquick box, but I wanted to make yeast based rolls.  I looked at dozens of recipes and decided on Easy Cinnamon Rolls from Scratch from Sally's Baking Addiction.  She has a "do not republish" policy on her blog, so I won't put the recipe here.  But go to her site because the recipe is simple and SO good!

 

I followed the recipe until it was time to make the filling, then I used cocoa powder instead of cinnamon.  That's the only thing I changed!  I did the first four steps on Christmas Eve, then put the rolls in the refrigerator.  When I got up on Christmas morning, I pulled them out and let them rise for about an hour.  At that time, I decided to move them to a larger baking pan and I'm so glad I did.

 

I didn't make the frosting in the original recipe.  I had a little bit of Pillsbury cream cheese frosting and just added some chocolate syrup to it.

I sent pictures to my siblings and nieces and they all wanted some!  My brother said it brought back a lot of childhood memories of one of his favorite sweet treats.  Mom set a high bar, but I think I might have reached it with these!

Our Christmas Date

For many years now, Les and I have gone on a special Christmas date.  This includes a very nice meal and live music.  Last night we went to the Alex Theatre in Glendale and saw the Angeles Chorale with the Burbank Philharmonic.  I'll get back to that, but first our dinner!

 

After booking our concert tickets, I started looking for two things.  Places to park and places to eat!  The Orange Street parking structure was one block from the theater and parking was $1 for four hours with validation.  We ended up parked there for about five hours, but were only charged $1.  That is a steal!  

 

There are restaurants of every cuisine imaginable within walking distance, so it was just a matter of choosing.  We decided on Raffi's Place for Persian food and it was fantastic!  We ordered two different kinds of beef kabobs.  The dinners came with basmati rice, but we chose to upgrade to Persian rices. We ordered half and half - mine were Albaloo Polo (with cherries) and Sabzee Polo (with fresh herbs.) Les got the Albaloo and Zereshk Polo (mixed with barberries.)  As you can see, the portions were HUGE!  But that's okay, we have plenty of leftovers to tide us over until Christmas!

After dinner, we walked back to the car to store our leftovers, then on to the theater.  Actually, it's spelled "theatre" which I guess makes it a little fancier!  While we waited for the doors to open, we explored the lobby and found lots of history on the Alex.  It was built in 1925 during the days of silent films.  They had a resident organist who was known to expertly improvise on films he had never seen.

The concert was "Holiday in Harmony - Handel's Messiah and More!"  The first half was all music from Handel's Messiah.  I have heard about Handel's Messiah but never sat down and listened to the entire composition.  Hearing it live was extremely moving.  The singers and musicians were flawless, but the words touched my soul.  As one who has studied the Bible, I recognized numerous passages.  (This page lists each act and what scriptures it is based upon.)

The entire Messiah is over two hours with three distinct parts.  Part I focuses on the Old Testament prophecies of Christ and the rejoicing of angels as told in the Book of Luke. Part II centers around Christ’s passion, crucifixion, and resurrection, culminating with the Hallelujah Chorus (books of Isaiah, Psalm, Hebrews, Romans, and Revelation). And Part III is a reflective commentary with text coming largely from First Corinthians.  Most Christmas performances use pieces from Part I and conclude with the Hallelujah Chorus, which is what we experienced last night.  "For Unto Us a Child Is Born" was both beautiful and powerful.  

After intermission we were treated to more singing and music.  This included a bell choir, something else I had never seen live.  Because the choir and orchestra were both local, many in the audience had friends or family members performing.  We were out way past our bedtime, but it was worth it.  It was a fantastic night!

December Skies

There are lights and decorations everywhere you look this time of year.  But look up, the skies are amazing!  Here are some that  I've seen this month while out running, walking and cycling.  Tuesday, December 3rd:

 

Thursday, December 12th:

Saturday, December 14th.  I was riding my bike when I saw this and had to stop for pictures!

This morning, the moon was still almost full.  It was stunning when we were driving to church last night and still spectacular this morning!

And more color as the sun started rising this morning: