Rejoice!

Press On

My heart has been very heavy the past couple of days. I'm not a stranger to loss or grief, but that doesn't mean I don't hurt.  I think the initial shock of losing Dad is wearing off, along with the pain of his final days, and the reality of my loss is sinking in.

I headed out for a run this morning carrying that heaviness.  I turned on my iPod and tried to outrun it.  About 3 1/2 miles in, I heard this song:

I was down in the valley
Of the shadow of death
Where the passion for life
Drained like blood from my chest
And it took more than my will just to
Take a step
When the compass of hope
Was gone

In a silence so black
That I wished for the blues
Every desperate prayer
Seemed like Heaven refused
And some days I found faith meant just
Tyin' my shoes
And it was all I could do
To press on

Press on me amigo
Press on mon ami
Walk on in the face
Of the mystery
Though the night hides the light
Through the darkness 'til dawn...
Tie your shoes, my dear friend
And press on, come on

On the ocean so lonesome I was not left alone
Had some heavenly friends
When my heart was a stone
And they carried the heartache and
Made it their own
When the currents of sorrow were strong

And one said
"I pray your memories will not drag you down
Not be anchors but treasures
Of the love that you've found"
And His kind words turned hurt into comfort somehow
And a wind in my sails
To press on

So press on me amigo
Press on mon ami
Walk on in the face
Of the mystery
Though the night hides the light
And the journey is long...
Lean on me, my dear friend
And press on

Though the days seem like years...
There may be giants in our fears...
Ah, but they who sow in tears
They shall reap in joy
They shall run and leap for joy!

So press on me amigo
Press on mon ami
Walk on in the face
Of the mystery...
Though the night hides the light
And the journey is long...
Lean on me, my dear friend
And press on me amigo
Press on mon ami
Walk on in the face
Of the mystery
Though the night hides the light
And the journey is long...
Tie your shoes, my dear friend
And press on!

~"Press On" by Billy Sprague

I was thankful that it was still a bit dark out as the tears poured down my face.  I listened to the song a second time with more tears streaming.  I know I'm not alone is this journey.  Dear friends are walking this road as well, others are facing sorrow of a different kind.  All I know to do is tie my shoes and press on.

The Promise

Genesis 9:13 I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.

14 And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud:

15 And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.

I took these pictures from our condo this morning and was reminded of the promises of God.  "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life"  John 3:16.  May your Resurrection weekend be blessed, and remember, every promise God makes will be fulfilled!

Cubs! Cubs! Cubs!

Source

I took a trip to the Honolulu Zoo yesterday and was pleasantly surprised to learn that the lion cubs are now on display.  They were born on December 15th and at three months are so fun to watch!  I regret that I only had my phone with me.  I'll do better next time!  I really lucked out and got to watch them play for about 10 minutes before they tired out and went over a hill to rest.

Mama

All three were so playful!

Hanging out on a limb

The DNA of Apostolic-Pentecostalism

Pastor McGriffin started a new series of Bible studies last week and they have been excellent!  The subject is our spiritual DNA.  It is what makes us who we are.  It has been passed down for generations.  Here are just a few of the notes I jotted down:

The old man is always lurking in the shadows.
We have His DNA, but our carnal DNA wants to take over.  Many people get discouraged and give up the fight when this happens.  It is a never ending battle, but it will be worth the fight!

Holiness reflects His DNA.  
Holiness is more than our outward appearance - much more!  It is our thoughts, our words, the intents of our heart, it is reflected in our calendar (making time each day for prayer.)  We must have holiness in our marriages (pornography is destroying many.)

Holiness is a love issue.
How much you love God is reflected in your holiness.  "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." I John 2:15

The Holy Ghost fell on holiness people.
The great revival that began on Azusa Street in 1906 fell on people who were called "holiness" people.  They had already turned away from the things of the world and were ready for an outpouring of the Spirit.
{I had never heard this!  It makes absolute sense that when the Holy Ghost was poured out in such a mighty way, it would be upon those who were drawing closer to the Lord}

God has always moved close to a people who are moving away from the world.

I'm looking forward to Part III next week!

{Nearly} Wordless Wednesday

I was working on this post for Wednesday, March 6th.  When Dad passed away on the 5th, I just didn't want to post it.  Then I forgot about it!  I keep seeing the pictures on my iPad, so I thought I'd share them.  Better late than never!

Les had to go to Chicago for business. These are some pictures he took during the day yesterday (March 5th) while the storm was raging.

A couple of his Hawaiian co-workers experiencing a little weather shock!

Isn't she lovely?

We finally got a car!  And would you believe it's another Saturn!?!?!  Our original Saturn is almost 21 years old, so we feel pretty good about getting another one.

Of course this one has lived on Hawaii for quite a few years.  The sun, rain, and salt air really wear the cars out around here.  Our '92 model has lived in the garage, this '02 model has not.  We have no rips or tears in our interior...  this one is pretty worn out!!

A couple from New Life had loaned us one of their cars so we could get around and do some car shopping (thanks Bro. and Sis. Hicks!)  We checked out one car on Saturday that ended up being a lemon.  We got up Sunday morning and drove 34 miles to the town of Waianae. Les test drove it and said it felt just like it should.  The engine seemed fine, tires are good, registration and safety are up to date, and it was within our budget.  SOLD!

We decided  to drop the Hicks' car off at the church, since the church is between Waianae and our condo.  Les drove the Hicks' car and I drove our "new" Saturn.  After about 5 minutes, it started making a horrible sound!  My heart sunk.  Had we been ripped off completely??  I began to pray:

Lord, You kept our other Saturn running for over 20 years.  I know You can take care of this one, too.  You know what's wrong and I'm asking You to fix it by the time we get to the church.  And please bless that young couple, even if they did try to rip us off, if they needed the money that desperately, bless them anyway.

My heart rate returned to normal, while the car kept making the huge racket.  When we got to the church, I turned off the engine and the sound was still there!  Okay, so it's not the engine, what is it?  I walked around the car (Les was pulling stuff out of the other car) and finally found the noise.  It was the automatic locks.  The lock on the back door, passenger side, was stuck and kept trying to get unstuck!  If I held the "lock" button, the noise stopped.  Les found  if we push the lock and unlock at the same time, that made the sound quit.  Whew!!  So now we have wheels! 

Hawaii District Ladies Conference 2013

I was privileged to be able to attend the HI-DLC this past Thursday through Saturday.  Held at the Doubletree Ala Moana, it was less than a half mile from our condo, so I got to attend all the services and still sleep in my own bed!

Sis. McGriffin greeting the ladies

It started off with a banquet on Thursday night.  The theme for the conference was "Fitly Framed" and they asked each lady to make their own frames (glasses) with prizes for the most creative, most fancy, most outrageous and most unique.  There was a lot of creativity in the room!  I was too busy laughing and getting to know people to take many pictures.

Ladies of New Life Pentecostal:

Sis McGriffin, Sis. Calhoun, Sis. Gallimore, and Sis. Monica

I spent a lot of time with my glasses OFF - they made it very difficult to breathe!

The winners!

Most Creative, Most Outrageous, Most Unique & Most Fancy

My glasses were made of a puzzle - I asked myself what gets framed and a puzzle is what I came up with!  99 Cents Only Store special.  The puzzle was of the USA, so I made sure to include California, Hawaii and Tennessee as part of my frame.

Services Friday morning, Friday night and Saturday morning were outstanding.  JUST WHAT I NEEDED.  The presence of the Lord was so beautiful, each speaker was anointed.

Ladies President - Sis. Debbie Sanders

Our guest speaker was Sis. Linda Gleason from Oregon.  Of course I was thrilled when I saw that she was the speaker - we met years ago when we were both involved in Bible Quizzing.  Les did a quizzing seminar in Oregon in about 1994.  Sis. Gleason said she could not figure out who I was!  It's a bit different looking at someone at the scorekeeper's table at a quiz tournament, then seeing them in a room full of ladies in Hawaii!  It was wonderful getting caught up with her and hearing how her children are all now grown and living strong in the Lord.  She just became a grandmother for the first time and she was pretty excited about that!

Sis. Linda Gleason

As a newcomer to the islands, it was great to meet so many wonderful ladies.  They are all so friendly!  There is such a spirit of unity. I came home refreshed and strengthened, bubbling over to Les about the fabulous time I had!

Great Car for Sale, Yo!

We are still looking for a car so I spent a bunch of time on Craigslist yesterday combing through recent additions. Here are some of my favorite descriptions {my thoughts in italics.} I appreciate the honesty and tongue-in-cheek humor.

Cons: The Convertable Top is ripped. Doesn't leak since I put duck tape on it! :)

No interior

Here's the deal: The transmission just failed yesterday and needs to be rebuilt or replaced. I don't have time do deal with this, so if you're a mechanic and want a solid, cheap ride, this might be perfect for you.

Both driver and passenger door handle are broken on the inside still can open from the outside {You can get in, but you can never get out!!}

This is the perfect beach car. You can park it anywhere and not have to worry about people wanting to break in!

The car comes with my awesome Hawaiian Print Seat covers {Major bonus!!}

I would like to see the car go to a college kid looking for a cheap ride, or a hippie, or just anyone looking to be more environmentally friendly with their automobile choice.

Car starts but not driveable.

Let my brother use my car and he blew the head gasket {blame it on your brother!}

Please NO SCAMMERS, or PAYPAL, I know who you are. Everyone of you scammers have the same stupid/sad/pathetic story.

Major engine noise the last time driven.

Owned by an elderly lady before me {and she only drove it to church, right?}

Blew the engine back in 93 and never ran her since...She's been sitting on the side of my house rusting away. It's time to stop fooling myself and give her to a home that will care for her.

$1800/firm. No more no less. {So if I offered $2500 you wouldn't take it?}

No key, starts with screw driver.

Just needs a little TLC and possibly a new transmission. {my favorite!}

Happy Birthday!

Twice as much to love, two blessings from above. ~Author Unknown

It's double the giggles and double the grins, and double the trouble if you're blessed with twins. ~Author Unknown

There's two to wash, two to dry;
There's two who argue, two who cry....
There's two to kiss, two to hug;
And best of all, there's two to love!
~Author Unknown

Sisters annoy, interfere, criticize. Indulge in monumental sulks, in huffs, in snide remarks. Borrow. Break. Monopolize the bathroom. Are always underfoot. But if catastrophe should strike, sisters are there. Defending you against all comers.

Dad's Trains

There were several memories shared of Dad's love for trains at his service last week. These are just a few of the many trains he built throughout years. He built a track that was tall enough that he could stand and work on the trains.  Unfortunately, when his back problems began, his train building came to a halt.

I learned from one of his "train buddies" that Dad was one of the original customers of Tom's Trains in Fresno. It opened in 1968, when I was only four years old so Tom's has always been part of my life. I remember many Saturdays Dad saying, "I'm going to Tom's for a magazine." He often would be gone for several hours!

Dad loved the actual building and painting part. Often Tom would recommend Dad to others who would pay him to paint for them. This allowed him to buy trains of his own without cutting into the family budget.

Even as a child I knew these weren't toys... at least not toys children could play with! 

Blessed Be Your Name

We were back at New Life Pentecostal last night. We were saddened to learn that while we were gone, Pastor McGriffin was going through the same valley I was. His father passed away on March 8th. They were already on the mainland and had spent some time with him, but their stay was extended. This was the first time he had been in church in two weeks and he was ready. As service started, Les said "When you think you're alone in the valley, someone else is walking alone in the valley, too."

As service started, I put my heart into the singing and praise.  I needed church!  It was either the third or fourth song when we started singing "Blessed Be Your Name."  This song ministered to me so much!

Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name

Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name

I've walked through the wilderness lately, but I can still say "blessed be Your name!"

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

The name of the Lord is truly glorious! I began giving Him the praise He is so worthy of and my heart got lighter!

Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

My road has been marked with pain recently, but His name is stilled blessed.

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name

As we sang that final part, I knew that it was my choice.  Job said, "the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."  Everything Job had was gone, but he chose to say "blessed be the name of the Lord."  I did the same.  I sang from the bottom of my heart, "Blessed be Your name!" with tears streaming down my face.  There truly is victory in praise! Weeping does endure for a night, but JOY comes in the morning!

Pastor McGriffin preached "Keep Standing, Because Falling is Overrated."  It was an excellent message.  So much is said about restoration when we fall, but it really is better to keep standing.  Sure, you can get back up, but I know from experience that each time you fall there is pain to go along with it.  If you're up, stay there.  If you're down, get back up and start standing!

We came home and I had my best night's sleep in a couple weeks.  I know the pain of losing my Dad is far from over, I'll always miss him, but I received such a healing touch last night.  I know God is answering the many prayers that have been prayed for me by so many!  Blessed be the name of the Lord!

Settling Back In

We are on our second day back on Oahu.  I really like it here!  I think the pace is exactly what I need after the past two weeks.

I met Les when he got off work last night and we ate a Angelo Pietro.  This is an Italian/Japanese restaurant.  Les had been once before and we were not disappointed last night.  Afterwards we headed over to Don Q's and loaded up on groceries, including this avocado:

I read in the Hawaiian Airlines magazine that Hawaiian avocados are much larger and tastier than California or Mexico grown.  I have not cut into it yet, but it is definitely larger!  Here it is next to a pineapple:

 

This morning I went to AMFM (Ala Moana Farmer's Market.)  I got there about 8:30 and was really pleased with the selection.  It's definitely worth it to get there early.  Corn, tomatoes, Lilikoi bread, and macadamia nut sticky buns made it in my bag.

This week's haul

We will be here for four weeks this time and are praying that we will be able to purchase a car while we are here.  I still plan to walk to Don Q's and the mall, but having something to drive to church and around the island is something we would really like.

Packing Again

It feels like we've been back in California for months and that I've lived a lifetime, but it's only been two weeks.  We're heading back to Oahu this evening.  During our stay here, Les slept in five different beds (3 hotel rooms and 2 homes!)  We're ready to settle in somewhere and stay a while!

Now where did I put those condo keys??

Wordless Wednesday ~ Robert Lee Fultz, 1938-2013