Learning to Listen

Our revival has been so good! Bro. Ballew has preached right to us and God is moving in a great way. We had a beautiful touch of the Holy Ghost last night. People just lingered in His presence. So beautiful.

It seems Bro. Ballew has been on a theme (or maybe God has a theme for us?) He has been preaching about making our minds up to live for God. Over and over, he has said you can make it to heaven if your mind is made up.

Saturday night he talked about choices that can destroy us. One of the examples he gave was of a young lady who would not listen when her pastor warned her about a young man she was dating. She was "in love" so how could her pastor know anything? Against his counsel, she married this man. One month later, her husband left her. Tragedy that could have been avoided!

I couldn't help but recall times in my life when I was in a similar situation. Single, in my 20s, hoping to find "the one." More than once my pastor, Elder Morton, said "No." Sitting there in service Saturday night, I was SO thankful that I listened! It wasn't easy. I hurt for a time, but I had temporary heartache not a lifetime of regret. I had temporary pain instead of deep scars.

I am so thankful! So thankful for a man of God who loved me enough to give godly counsel, even when it hurt. And I'm so glad I listened!

This N That

I updated my miles for the year on Miles of Miles. I finished February with a 10+ mile run this morning, bringing my total to 243.51 for the month and 480.47 for the year.

We did not get the predicted snowfall. About an inch of rain, but it's been bright and sunny since yesterday morning. There was a little snow in Burbank when we got to church Saturday night, but it was gone by yesterday morning. Thus endeth the So Cal Snowstorm of 2011!

I have a more lengthy post on my mind, look for it later today!

Mileage Update

I had such a great week! The weather has been wonderful - high 30s each morning, no wind. I did have to cut my ride short yesterday morning because it started raining. I ride and run because I enjoy it and for my health. Crashing on a muddy trail would neither be enjoyable or good for my health, so I headed back home!

My Runner's World quote for this week:

I like to say, and I truly believe, that every run brings new experiences. You just don't know what they might be until you actually do the run. That's one of my major reasons for pushing out the front door as often as I do—the adventure of it all.
Amby Burfoot, Editor at Large, Runner's World

Totals for Week ending February 26:
Running: 43.61
Cycling: 32.00
Total: 75.61 - this is my highest mileage week ever!

Year-to-Date:
Running: 278.10
Cycling: 184.98
Total: 463.08

Weekend Forecast

Friday

2/25/2011

Hi: 56°

A slight chance of rain in the morning...then rain likely in the afternoon. Highs in the 50s. Southwest winds 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 70 percent.

Lo: 42°

Rain...heavy at times. Snow level lowering to 2000 to 2500 feet by morning. Lows in the upper 30s to mid 40s. Southwest winds 15 to 25 mph.

Saturday

2/26/2011

Hi: 43°

Numerous showers with a slight chance of thunderstorms in the morning...then scattered showers with a slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Breezy. Snow level 1000 to 1500 feet. Little or no snow accumulation expected. Highs in the upper 30s and 40s. West winds 15 to 25 mph. Chance of precipitation 60 percent.

Lo: 28°

Mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of showers in the evening...becoming partly cloudy after midnight. Breezy. Snow level 1500 to 2000 feet. Lows in the upper 20s to mid 30s. West winds 15 to 25 mph.

In case you're wondering, the elevation of our home is 1150 feet. Could we really get snow here?? Expect pictures if we do!!

When Bitterness and Ambition Intersect

We started revival with Bro. Greg Ballew this week and it has been so good. Tuesday night he preached from 2 Samuel chapter 16 about David, Absalom, and Ahithophel. It wasn't the point of his message, but he made a statement that I have been chewing on since. He said it is a dangerous thing when bitterness and ambition intersect.

Bitterness destroys the one who is bitter. Ahithophel was known to give counsel to both David and Absalom. 2 Samuel 16:23 says, "And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had enquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom." But Ahithopel was also the grandfather of Bathsheba, the one with whom David had an affair. Bitterness towards David was in the heart of Ahithophel and he used it when speaking to Absalom.

Selfish ambition causes one to stop at nothing to get to the top. Absalom was the ambitious one. He wanted to be king of Israel. 2 Samuel 15 tells of Absalom stealing the hearts of the people of Israel. He worked towards the goal of becoming king for forty years.

The end of the story for the ambition of Absalom and the bitterness of Ahithophel was tragedy. Absalom was killed in battle and Ahithophel hung himself.

How different the story would have been if Absalom and Ahithophel could have read Paul's words to the Ephesians: "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

Precious Moment #02162001

Ten years ago this month, God blessed Les and me to be able to move into our current house. We had lived in the townhouse that Les bought before we met, but definitely wanted more space. I do not take it for granted that we were able to buy our house just before the housing market took off. Only God could have done it like that - it's beautiful the way it all unfolded!


Here's what it looked like when we moved in....


If you were following along in 2009, you know we completely redid the exterior to look like this:


It's a wonderful place to put your feet up and enjoy a toasty fire...


Of course, we've also had this kind of fire...


Our faithful Saturn moved in with us and shares the garage with numerous bicycles...


My favorite room is our living room. Les did this:



He designed and installed all the white woodwork and lighting. He's amazing!

Looking for Goat #3

At a high school in Montana, a group of students played a prank - they let three goats loose in the school.



But, before turning them loose, they painted numbers on the sides of the goats: 1, 2, and 4.

School administrators spent most of the day looking... for Number 3.

So Pretty

We saw a rare sight this morning on the way to church - snow on nearby mountains! It's so pretty... especially since I don't live in it.

Mileage Update

I had a very interesting activity week. Rain was in the forecast several times - it came, but never when forecasted... so I ran and rode when I could. I had an exceptional week of riding - three rides!! Yay me!

Totals for Week ending February 19:
Running: 16.34
Cycling: 45.97
Total: 62.31

Year-to-Date:
Running: 234.48
Cycling: 152.99
Total: 387.47

Precious Moments

I have a small collection of Precious Moments figurines. Most are gifts, many received while I was still single. I have about two dozen, but I don't consider myself a collector - I didn't keep the boxes and I don't plan on selling them someday to make a killing. Here are some of my favorites:

The Spirit is Willing but the Flesh is Weak:

This is so me, curlers in my hair and chocolate in my hands!

We're In It Together:


Waddle I Do Without You:



August:

Les bought this for me after he saw our family home movies. There was one film of me, when I was about two, enjoying our two foot deep pool! I've always loved swimming. It is also fitting that Les' birthday and the day we met are both in August.

While I enjoy looking at my figurines, my life has been full of real precious moments. Too numerous to count. This year, Les and I will celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary. It hardly seems possible! Our life has been filled with precious moments. Please indulge me this year, I will probably post even more memories than ever!

Here are three favorites:

August 1989, when we met at Senior Camp...


November 4, 1990, the day after we became engaged...


May 25, 1991 - Our Wedding Day!


I'm still completely in love with this man!

I Must Have Been Smiling

Because there was mud on my teeth!


It was a perfect morning for a bike ride. It was a cool 37 degrees when I got up. We got just over half an inch of rain yesterday, so the trail was nicely packed. And MUDDY!!!! I even had mud in my hair by the time I got home. But I loved it!!


Hope you're smiling today, even if you do get a little mud on your teeth.

Latest Quiz Results

When we picked Lance up Saturday night, he had flown from Indiana after coaching Hannah and her teammate, Colin at a quiz tournament. It's takes committed quizzers, coaches and parents to make Bible Quizzing work! Lance wrote a quick report after his arrival:

We had another quiz tournament this past weekend. 7 teams in our division, all from Indiana.

Hannah quizzed on a two-person team with Colin. We won the tournament with Colin averaging 77 and Hannah averaging 76.

In the championship game, Colin quizzed out with 6 correct on question #9 - leaving Hannah needing to get 2 more to seal the win. Hannah got #11 and #13 to lock the quiz, then got #14 for good measure.

Next tourney is this weekend in Missouri. Should be some stiff competition with teams from MO, AR, and WI.

Good job, Hannah and Colin! Looking forward to more great results!

Observations at LAX

My brother-in-law, Lance, is here visiting this week. He's come to thaw out after a horrible Indiana winter. When we picked him up at LAX on Saturday night, we were a little early and got to watch a plane full of people de-board. I love people watching, don't you? Let me tell you about a few of the folks we saw:

There was a three-man band. All guitarists. I assume they're hoping to make it big in California.

There was the lady with about four suitcases, trying to pull them all together.

There were numerous reunions. Sweethearts, friends, and families.

There was the "germ spewer." When I said that, Les said, "What?" Germ spewer: n. a young child, sitting in a stroller, coughing and sneezing, spewing germs everywhere.

Germ spewer's dad figured out how to not pay any luggage fees. He wore all his clothes! I watched as he pulled his jacket off. He had a sweatshirt tied around his waist, with a short sleeve t-shirt over a long sleeve shirt. "Can't charge me for my luggage - I'm wearing it all!"

There was an abundance of muffin tops. And can I just tell you, the "second-skin-showing-everything-from-my-belly-button-to-my-back-fat" top is not a good look on anyone. I mean, really! Don't the stores sell larger sizes anymore? Oh, denial, you are not pretty. It really is okay to leave a little something to the imagination.

I'm sure there were others that I can't recall right now. But it was a great way to amuse ourselves as we waited.

Happy Birthday, Claire!!

Our sweet niece, Claire, turns 13 today!!


It hardly seems possible...


Until you see the look of joy as she opens a new purse!!


As a teenager you are at the last stage in your life when you will be happy to hear that the phone is for you. ~Fran Lebowitz


Little girls are precious gifts wrapped in love serene. Their dresses tied with sashes and futures tied with dreams.


Adolescence is a period of rapid changes. Between the ages of 12 and 17, for example, a parent ages as much as 20 years. ~Author Unknown


How beautiful is youth! How bright it gleams with its illusions, aspirations, dreams!
-- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow


I am every emotion times ten, I conform yet I'm rebellious, always obeying but somehow still an outlaw, always talking but never heard, I am a teenager.
-- Author Unknown


I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels.
-- Maya Angelou


Happy Birthday, Sweet Claire!! We love and miss you very, very much!
Uncle Les and Aunt Kathy

Mileage Update

Before I give you this week's miles, I make a pledge. I will STOP complaining about the wind. I will STOP whining and just run or ride or sleep in! Why am I making this pledge? Because I do not live in Wahpeton, North Dakota. This is the town that Les lived in as a little boy. Here is the weather from Thursday:


25 MPH wind gusts? Piece of cake!!

Due to the conditions I am no longer complaining about, I did not ride my bike a single time this week. But I still had a great week of running! One of these weeks I'm going to try riding everyday...

Totals for Week ending February 12:
Running: 53.19
Cycling: 0.00
Total: 53.19

Year-to-Date:
Running: 218.14
Cycling: 107.02
Total: 325.16

This is ME!!!

Today's Runner's World Quote of the Day:

We runners are all a little nutty, but we're good people who just want to enjoy our healthy, primitive challenge. Others may not understand running, but we do, and we cherish it. That's our only message.
~ John J. Kelley, Olympic marathoner

Yep! That's me! I'm a little nutty, but a good person! Running 10 miles in the wind will definitely make people think you're nutty, but it's a healthy challenge I enjoy.

Happy Anniversary

The Kendrick Clan's Scrapbook is celebrating their first blogiversary! Oops! Make that their second anniversary! Time flies when you're having fun!!

Join in the celebration and you are entered to win a package of Gold Canyon Car Scents. I've never used Gold Canyon's brand, but I love using car fresheners in closets (especially the one where I keep my running shoes!)

Giving 100 Percent

My latest issue of Runner's World magazine had an interesting article about the Chicago Marathon. Sammy Wanjiru was the winner in 2009, but as the 2010 race drew near his participation was in doubt. His two previous events had finished with three horrible letters - DNF (did not finish). Rumors and doubts were plenty, but as the gun went off Wanjiru was there. At the halfway point, he was in the front group, on course-record pace. By mile 23, it became a two-man race. With half a mile to go, he pulled away to the win with an overall time of 2:06:24, less than a minute slower than last years race. The sentence that stuck out to me was this:

He proved that even when you are not at 100 percent, you can still give 100 percent of what you have.

I really like that!! When you really think about it, how many days are you at 100 percent? You feel great, you're wide awake, full of energy, excited, pumped to face the day - feeling 100 percent! More days than not, life gets in the way, troubles come, sickness hits and feeling 100 percent is a distant memory. But we can still give 100 percent of what we have!

In my lifetime there is no greater example of that than my brother, Rod. I remember him singing many times, but I will never forget the time he sang sitting down. He had been very sick, his body weakened by disease. But there he was singing "I'm Gonna Lift My Voice Like a Trumpet", belting it out for all he was worth! He had few days in his lifetime that he would say he felt 100 percent, but over and over I saw him giving 100 percent of what he had.

2 Corinthians 9:7 tells us that "God loveth a cheerful giver." That is not just talking about money! The following verse says, "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work." So cheerfully give in every good work, even when you're not at 100 percent!

It's the Middle of the Week...

so it must be WINDsday!


Our weather pattern has been the same for the past four or five weeks. Calm and sunny on Sunday and Monday, winds picking up on Tuesday, wind advisory on Wednesday, winds diminishing on Thursday, calm and sunny on Friday and Saturday! Lather, rinse, repeat!

I was determined to run this morning, regardless of the wind. Despite gusts of 25-30 mph, I ran 10 miles! There were a few times that I was flying as the wind was to my back, while other times it was a cross wind or head wind. I just keep saying, "This WILL make me stronger!"

Public Service Announcement

It's time for my annual Valentine's Day helpful hints...


I realize the majority of my readers are female, but just in case there are any men reading, I thought I'd help you out. Valentine's Day is next Monday! Do Not Forget!! Do Something! Buy a Gift! Get a Card! Send Flowers!I personally LOVE getting flowers. I know, they are just going to die. I normally am very logical about this kind of stuff, but when it comes to flowers, I am mush.


Going out to eat works well, too. Anytime I don't have to do dishes, I'm happy! Unless you're going to the golden arches, reservations will be needed.



Candy MIGHT be acceptable. Know your woman...



Any kind of exercise equipment (unless requested) is NOT an appropriate gift - for any occasion.


Cleaning equipment or supplies are also not gifts, they indicate work. NOT exactly heart warming, Romeo!

Give me some help readers - we have a few days... Do you have any memorable stories to share? Any other helpful hints?

And ladies, love goes both ways, so do something special for your man, okay? And to my single friends - do something special for a friend or a child or feel free to pamper yourself!

Super Sunday!

We had a super day yesterday and it had nothing to do with football! We had a great day at church - no place I'd rather be!

Yesterday morning Les was on the schedule to preach and he preached about "The Father of Light." He read James 1:17 "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." One illustration he gave was about a Hollywood production. When you look straight at their buildings, they look like the real thing, but when you turn around to the other side, it is just a facade. It's not that way with the Father of Light! No matter which way you turn, He is the same!

After a quick lunch and a short nap, we headed north - up and over the Grapevine. Les was asked to preach for Bro. Mantooth in Lamont. There was a beautiful spirit of worship in the service. Les preached about "Undivided Loyalties." He spoke about King Asa in 2 Chronicles. Of course 2 Chronicles 16:9 is a very special verse to us - it is the verse that was used in prophecy the day that Les was healed of Muscular Dystrophy - "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him." You can read his full testimony here. I have heard it many, many times and each time I am so thankful for God's healing power.

Les concluded his message explaining what the word "strong" means. It is one of the broadest words used in scripture. It means to strengthen, to restore, to encourage, to sustain, to make bold, to support, to repair, to make firm, to prevail. In other words, God will be whatever we need Him to be!

The icing on the cake of our super day occurred during the altar service. A brand new, first time visitor came to the altar and was touched beautifully by the Spirit of God. Her hunger was so evident and the Lord showed Himself strong on her behalf! We told the Mantooths we want to know when she gets the Holy Ghost - I'm sure it's going to happen soon!

Mileage Update

This was one of my worst weeks of activity in a long time! I just didn't feel good physically and had to drag myself out of bed more times than not. And have I mentioned we've been having Santa Ana winds? I am as tired of them as my friends across the country are tired of snow! Plus I only rode Myka ONE time!!

Totals for Week ending February 5:
Running: 31.19
Cycling: 10.00
Total: 41.19

Year-to-Date:
Running: 164.95
Cycling: 107.02
Total: 271.97

I decided to create a new page to track my mileage for this year. Tracking is a little more complicated with the addition of riding and takes up too much space on my sidebar. So check out Miles of Miles for weekly updates, year-to-date, and monthly totals.

Tomorrow starts a new week!

Are You Kidding Me?!?

I received this in the mail this week:



People I am 46!! That is NOT retirement age! Should I start eating dinner at 4:00 so I can get the senior discount?

I'm Not Kidding!

I know I talk and talk about Santa Ana winds. You may even think I've over exaggerated a bit. So don't take my word for it. Believe the LATimes!

Strong winds on San Bernardino County freeways caused five big rigs to overturn in less than three hours Wednesday, the California Highway Patrol said.

Lanes on the southbound 15 Freeway at the 10 Freeway connector in Rancho Cucamonga were closed for 4 1/2 hours while authorities cleaned up a fuel spill from the first accident at 4:15 a.m.

Authorities said the 58-mph winds in the area were the strongest San Bernardino County has experienced in eight months.

Two more rigs overturned shortly after 6 a.m. in the same area, but on the northbound 15 Freeway at the 10 Freeway connector, said CHP spokeswoman Jaci Parent.

A fourth rig turned over half an hour later on the 10 Freeway near the Etiwanda exit in Rancho Cucamonga, Parent said.

The fifth incident occurred at 7 a.m. on the eastbound 60 Freeway near the northbound 15 Freeway connector near the border of Rancho Cucamonga and Riverside, Parent said.

This makes me so thankful that Dad is retired! The last couple of years he worked, he drove a big rig from Tulare to LaMirada five nights a week. It's not snow and ice, but it sure is causing problems around here.

Per Punxsutawney Phil

Today is Groundhog Day and according to Punxsutawney Phil, Spring is coming! Here are excerpts from an article in the LA Times:

As a huge winter storm paralyzed much of the United States with snow, ice and freezing rain, America's most famous groundhog predicted on Wednesday that spring isn't far away.

Punxsutawney Phil emerged from a tree stump at dawn and, unusually, did not see his shadow.

Phil last made a prediction of an early spring in 2007 and foretells an early end to winter on average only once every 10 years, said Mike Johnston, vice president of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club's Inner Circle, or board of directors.


"It's very unusual," he said.

Johnston said the latest prognostication will be entirely accurate, and does not reflect any desire on Phil's part to cheer up Americans who are suffering through a grueling winter.

"There is no question that Phil is capable of feeling empathy," Johnston said in an interview. "But he is absolutely incapable of error."

The rodent's predictions are "not burdened by being site-specific" and so can be sure to predict an early spring in some part of the world, Johnston added.


According to Wikipedia: Of the 115 predictions on record so far, Punxsutawney Phil has predicted an early spring 15 times (13%). As to his accuracy, according to the StormFax Weather Almanac and records kept since 1887, Phil's predictions have been correct just 39% of the time.

Let's hope he's right this time!