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.

Tracing My Family Tree

There is something you may not know about me. Especially if you look at a picture of me. Blond hair, blue eyes, fair skin... But I am Italian!



Last year Dad received a very large book from one of our distant cousins. She did an amazing job researching our family tree - all the way back to the 1400s in Italy! I am the 16th generation from Jacopo di Genova (or Jacob of Genoa). This is the same time frame and region of Italy from which Christopher Columbus hailed.


The other day I Googled old Jacopo and found more relatives! This link will take you to Family Tree Maker, starting with Jacopo. I'll save you the process of clicking through each generation, here are the ones that are directly up my family tree:

1. JACOPO DI GENOVA was born Abt. 1430 in Italy, and died Unknown. He married LENORA DI MEDICI Abt. 1460 in Florence, Italy, daughter of LORENZO DE MEDICI. She was born Abt. 1435 in Florence, Italy, and died Unknown.

Hmm... maybe I'm not so Italian after all. Generation two took a wife from Spain...


2. RICARDO DI GENOVA (JACOPO) was born Abt. 1465 in Italy, and died Unknown. He married DONA CID-RUY-DIAZ Abt. 1490 in Villia Moros, Spain. She was born Abt. 1465 in Villia Moros, Spain, and died Unknown.

3. GIOUANNA DI GENOVA (RICARDO, JACOPO) was born Abt. 1495 in Italy, and died Unknown. He married MARGARITA MARONI CAMPOLO Abt. 1550 in Italy. She was born Abt. 1530 in Italy, and died Unknown.

For unknown reasons, sometime during the third generation the family moved to England and changed the name from Di Genova to Gannaway.


4. JOHN GANNAWAY (GIOUANNA DI GENOVA, RICARDO, JACOPO) was born Abt. 1560 in London, England, and died Unknown. He married LUCY HENSINGHAM Abt. 1580 in London, England. She was born Abt. 1560 in London, England, and died Unknown.

5. ROBERT GANNAWAY (JOHN, GIOUANNA DI GENOVA, RICARDO, JACOPO) was born Abt. 1590 in London, England, and died Unknown. He married SALLIE PADGET Abt. 1610 in London, England. She was born Abt. 1590 in London, England, and died Unknown.

Generation #6 further mixed things up, by marrying Hilda from Holland...


6. EDWARD GANNAWAY (ROBERT, JOHN, GIOUANNA DI GENOVA, RICARDO, JACOPO) was born Abt. 1620 in England, and died Unknown. He married HILDA VAN CAMPEN Abt. 1640. She was born 1620 in Rotterdam, Holland, and died Unknown.

Then there was Henrietta from France...



7. MARMADUKE GANNAWAY (EDWARD, ROBERT, JOHN, GIOUANNA DI GENOVA, RICARDO, JACOPO) was born 1650 in England, and died Unknown. He married HENRIETTA CAMPMARTIN Abt. 1665 in ?. She was born Abt. 1641 in Toulose, France, and died Unknown.

The eighth generation found us moving to America! John Gannaway was born in England, but died in Virginia.

8. JOHN GANNAWAY, SR. (MARMADUKE, EDWARD, ROBERT, JOHN, GIOUANNA DI GENOVA, RICARDO, JACOPO) was born 1667 in Bath, England, and died 1738 in Buckingham Co., Virginia. He married ZADIA LARRIATEGUI January 15, 1702/03 in Buckingham Co., Virginia, daughter of PABLO LARRIATEGUI and LUCIA OREAMUNDO. She was born Abt. 1685 in Villia Moros, Spain, and died Unknown.

After coming to America, we added Mary from Scotland...


9. JOHN GANNAWAY, JR. (JOHN, MARMADUKE, EDWARD, ROBERT, JOHN, GIOUANNA DI GENOVA, RICARDO, JACOPO) was born August 02, 1720 in King William Co., Virginia, and died Abt. February 1771 in Buckingham Co., Virginia. He married MARY MCGREGOR (MACGREGOR) 1746 in Aberdeen, Scotland. She was born 1726 in Aberdeen, Scotland, and died Unknown.

10. WILLIAM GANNAWAY (JOHN, JOHN, MARMADUKE, EDWARD, ROBERT, JOHN, GIOUANNA DI GENOVA, RICARDO, JACOPO) was born April 26, 1747 in Buckingham Co., Virginia, and died 1800 in Wythe Co., Virginia. He married ELIZABETH WRGHT Bet. 1726 - 1791 in Cumberland Co., Virginia, daughter of JOHN WRGHT and ///. She was born Bet. 1733 - 1759, and died 1835 in Wythe Co., Virginia.


11. GREGORY GANNAWAY (JOHN, JOHN, MARMADUKE, EDWARD, ROBERT, JOHN, GIOUANNA DI GENOVA, RICARDO, JACOPO) was born December 1753 in Buckingham Co., Virginia, and died August 24, 1804 in Wythe Co., Virginia. He married RHODA ROBERTSON September 22, 1779 in Cumberland Co., Virginia. She was born March 22, 1761 in Buckingham Co., Virginia, and died August 12, 1852 in St. Charles, Missouri.

It is here that our family tree goes down a different branch from the one on the website. Two generations later we find Great Grandpa George - generation 13, Grandma Ruby was generation 14, Dad is generation 15 and my siblings and I are generation 16.

(Great Grandpa George, Grandma Ruby, Dad and Kim)

I find this so fascinating! I guess I'm not that Italian, but it is cool to see how far back we can trace our roots. And guess what? One of the stops on our cruise is Savona Italy... less than 25 miles from Genoa! We've booked an excursion to Genoa... maybe I'll meet some long lost cousins!

Do you know your family history?

Still Rejoicing!

It was a beautiful Resurrection weekend. I hope yours was just as glorious!

Les preached for our Spanish service on Saturday night - he talked about "Living Between Death and Life." He talked about what the Saturday before Jesus' resurrection must have been like for the disciples. We know the rest of the story, but they didn't. It's the same in our lives when we're going through a trial. But God is going to bring life back to us.

Les also taught our adult Sunday school class yesterday morning. He talked about the many witnesses to Jesus' resurrection. More than 500 people saw Jesus alive in the days before His ascension. If Jesus had not risen, Christianity would be a hoax. But He DID rise and I'm so glad!

Pastor White had been out of town last week. He was suppose to fly home on Saturday. His flight was out of St. Louis, Missouri. You've probably heard there was a powerful tornado that ripped through St. Louis. The airport was hit, so it had to be closed. Pastor White drove to Little Rock, Arkansas to get a flight home, but did not arrive until during our morning service. We were just glad he made it home safely!

Due to Pastor White's travel woes, he asked Bro. Josh Mayes to preach on Sunday morning. He did a great job! He reminded us that before there is a resurrection, there has to be a death. Each of us must die to our carnal nature before the hope of new life can spring up.

We finally got to hear our Pastor preach last night! It was excellent as always. If we didn't know better, it seemed he listened to the CD of Les' Sunday morning lesson. He gave some of the same examples of people seeing Jesus after His resurrection. There are those who would question the resurrection of Jesus, and those same people will question the rest of God's word. Since Jesus did rise, just like He said He would, we must believe every word that came from His mouth.

In the midst of all this wonderful preaching, we had one burial. Joseph Ramirez was baptized in Jesus name on Sunday morning. It was a special treat to see him go down in water in that wonderful name of Jesus!

He IS Risen!!!

We sing about Christmas being the "Most Wonderful Time of the Year" and Disneyland claims to be the "Happiest Place on Earth." But NOTHING compares to Resurrection Day! Yes, on Christmas a special baby was born, but if He had just lived and died, our lives would be the same. Oh, but He lived, He died, and He Arose!!! Can you imagine the joy at the tomb that morning?


Matthew 28

5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.
8 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.

Rejoice today!

Happy Birthday, Kim!

To my favorite sister...


Happy 29th Birthday...


for the 23rd time...


Love you!!

Mileage Update

I had a fun week of riding this week! I wanted to see how many consecutive days I could ride. It started with a "June Gloom" Monday - we had a very heavy marine layer. It was so wet water was dripping off my helmet as I was riding. And I was loving it! I rode four days in a row, took Friday off and rode again today.

Anyone will tell you the secret to staying active is finding an activity you enjoy. As Les and I were making our way down the trail on Thursday morning, mud was flying everywhere. I got hit on the chin with a big mud clod and was laughing the entire time. I believe I have found that enjoyable activity!

Totals for Week ending April 23:
Running: 4.20
Cycling: 58.61
Total: 62.81

Year-to-Date:
Running: 475.10
Cycling: 414.29
Total: 889.39

How active have you been lately?

Celebrating Five Years

This month I celebrated five years at my goal weight with Weight Watchers!

This is my second go round. I first joined WW in September 1997, lost 30 pounds and reached my goal weight in February 1998. After I became a Lifetime member, I quit going to all meetings. I would weigh in once a month and that was it. In time, I quit weighing in all together. The first five pounds came on slowly and then, before I knew what hit me, I had gained it ALL back!

Fast forward to October 2005. I knew I needed to get the weight off, but I just couldn't seem to do it on my own. Les had a business trip in Chicago and I traveled along. While he was in meetings, I was enjoying the shops of Chicago. I didn't buy a thing because I was disgusted with my weight and was not going to buy expensive clothes in sizes I did not want to be.


On our flight home, I told Les, "I'm going back to Weight Watchers." And I did! The very next Friday. From October 2005 to April 2006, I slowly lost the weight and returned to my "free" Lifetime membership. The big difference this time? I KNEW I needed to keep going to meetings. I had learned how to lose weight, but keeping it off was a different story.

So here I am, five years later, still going to meetings, still tracking what I eat, and happily still maintaining my weight loss. No, I'm not perfect, but I try to practice "shame off me" when it comes to my eating as well!

Easter Joy

I'll have a more serious post on Sunday. But I thought I'd share a few Easter pictures today.

Ryan, with a bunny just his size...


Twin bunnies. One is joyful, one is not so sure...


Rod LOVED being in the Easter drama and he was excellent at whatever role he was given! He was in the Easter drama in April 1994 less than 3 months before he passed away.


And look at this crew! Easter 1971. There are so many things about this picture that make me smile. We are ready for Sunday school. Check out the ringlets...the matching dresses...Rod's suit and Rick's lack thereof. Look at me with my white purse, Easter basket and an egg! And I'm sure if the shot was full body you would have seen a scrape or two on my knobby knees!


What's your favorite Easter memory?

Shame, Shame, Shame

Through the years I have purchased the Sisterchicks series by Robin Jones Gunn. "Sisterchicks on the Loose," "Sisterchicks in Sombreros," "Sisterchicks do the Hula" and many others. They are fun reading, but usually have a little more to them than you would expect at first glance. The definition of a Sisterchick is : n.: a friend who shares the deepest wonders of your heart, loves you like a sister, and provides a reality check when you’re being a brat.


With our upcoming trip, I decided to reread "Sisterchicks in Gondolas." This book is about two sisters-in-law on a trip to Venice. I won't spoil it for you if you want to read it, but here's what the back cover says:

Jenna and Sue have been sisters-in-law for nearly thirty years but inseparable friends for only the last five. When Jenna is invited to a week’s stay at a fifteenth century restored palace on a quiet canal in Venice , Sue is her travel companion of choice. The catch? They must cook for a group that is staying at the palace for a retreat. It’s the first time Sue has been this far from home, and both women are coming out of a valley season of life where they operated each day in long shadows of fear. Entering into the lilting gondola-paced Italian lifestyle and discovering corners of Venice most tourists never see, they welcome a new time of refreshing. And over boiling pots of pasta, they dare each other to dream again.

During one heartfelt conversation, Sue apologizes to Jenna and Jenna utters three simple but profound words, "Shame OFF you."

I think women, especially moms, need that message. We can be so hard on ourselves. If our house isn't spotless, with magazine perfect meals on the table, not a single speck of dust in sight, we start feeling like failures. I've read blogs by young mothers who confess to all the things they aren't perfect at. I want to say, "Shame off you."

I'm not talking about being lazy and sitting around eating chocolate covered cherries all day while your children run around like hooligans and your husband searches for clean socks. I'm talking about the times when LIFE happens. A sick child takes precedence over a clean kitchen - I can't tell you how many times Mom stopped whatever she was doing to take care of Rod. A single phone call can change the course of your week. When you rush out the door to the hospital or funeral home, no one is looking under the bed for dust bunnies.

So the next time you're beating yourself up because of your shortcomings, take a lesson from Sue and Jenna. Later in the book, the phrase is repeated with another, "Shame off you and Grace on you." Extend the same grace to yourself that you willingly extend to others.

Inspiration Update

The Boston Marathon happened yesterday. Clarence Hartley finished it in 4 hours, 26 minutes and 25 seconds. Remember Clarence? He's 81 and the oldest runner in this year's Boston Marathon. He was first in his age division. 20,185th overall out of 24,338 entrants. So he pass several thousand runners younger than him just as he predicted! Absolutely amazing.


The men's elite winner, Geoffrey Mutai of Kenya, established a new marathon record, crossing the finish line in 2:03:02. Geoffrey is 29 years old, he ran at 4 minutes, 42 seconds a mile! That is FAST! Clarence, at 81, ran his marathon at a 10 minute, 10 second per mile pace. That is also FAST!!

Precious Moment #03301991

Les and I have been all over the country in our years together. We've been in beautiful settings. Watched gorgeous sunsets. Hiked, biked, and kayaked our way through many adventures. But there is one memory that makes us both laugh every time we talk about it!

It was March, 1991. We were engaged. Les came to Fresno for a visit. Because it was March, Truth Tabernacle was in the middle of our Easter outreach. You Fresnans know what I'm talking about! So what did we do that Saturday when Les came for a visit? We went on outreach together!

Les and I knocked doors, inviting people to church. We came to one door where the mom did not speak any English. Her son, who appeared to be about seven, became our translator. "The bus will pick you up and take you to church on Easter Sunday."

A huge smile brightened the mother's face. She nodded enthusiastically and said in her heavy Spanish accent "Oh, Easter Bunny!"

Something got a little lost in the translation, but all Les has to say to me is "Easter Bunny!" and we both laugh at the shared memory.

Palm Sunday

Matthew 21

1 And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,
2 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me.
3 And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.
4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,
5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.
6 And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them,
7 And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon.
8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.
9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.
10 And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?
11 And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.

It's been more then 2000 years since Jesus made his triumphal entry into Jerusalem. But He is still worthy of praise! Blessed is HE who comes in the name of the Lord! Will you praise Him today?

Mileage Update

I had a better week this week. Not great, but better than last week!

Totals for Week ending April 16:
Running: 27.56
Cycling: 20.08
Total: 47.64

Year-to-Date:
Running: 470.90
Cycling: 355.67
Total: 826.57

Cruise Dining Tip

You may have noticed a cruise ship at the top of my blog. Les and I will be celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary next month and are taking a cruise in the Mediterranean! We are super excited. Neither of us has ever been to Europe and the stops are places we've always wanted to see (Rome, Venice, Pompeii and others).


This morning while I was out running, I was thinking about our upcoming trip and about my weight. I've read about gaining weight while cruising - anywhere from 1 to 2 pounds A DAY! Our cruise is 12 days, so go ahead and do the math and you'll see why I was thinking about it!


The true challenge is in the abundance of food. It's everywhere! Buffets. Dining Rooms. Casual Dining. Endless frozen yogurt. FREE Room Service. That's when today's profound thought of the day came to me:

Just because you're eating at an all-you-can-eat buffet, doesn't mean you need to Eat-It-All!

It's funny how we treat all-you-can-eat. Think about it. Do you eat everything you bought at the grocery store on the same day you bought it? Of course not! It's there. It's yours to eat, but you don't eat it all at once. But walk into an all-you-can-eat restaurant and all self control goes out the door!

I'm really writing this for me. Check back with me in early June and I'll let you know how it went!

When Staying at the Lemon Tree Inn...

Expect a lemon tree outside your room!


Les is working in Santa Barbara part of the time right now. He was there Monday and Tuesday and I got to go, too. This was the view from our back patio door.

Smells I Love

Mary at Classic Mary Moments (http://classicmarymoments.blogspot.com/) tagged me to play this game. Hmm... So what are my favorite smells?

The smells that are distinctly Hawaii... The Ocean...



Flowers...



Fresh Banana Nut Bread...



Away from Hawaii A baby after her bath...



Pumpkin Spice Lattes...



Flowers from my sweetheart...



The air after the rain...



Fresh baked cookies...



And finally, Pizza from Popolo's in Fresno!




What do you love to smell?