Following Directions

We had guests staying in our condo while we were on the mainland.  They had a wonderful time with just one complaint.  "The air conditioner didn't work!  It was so warm in the room!"

Anyone see the problem?

Hawaiian Adventure, Part 4

After two wonderful weeks at home, we have just landed in Hawaii. This will be our fourth trip on our six month adventure. We are almost to the half way point!

Our modes of transportation were numerous today. We drove our car to the Metrolink station. We boarded the Metrolink and rode to Union Station. At Union we transferred to the Flyaway Bus that took us to LAX. Our 5+ hour flight just landed and now we are heading to our shuttle! I guess we could have added a boat ride in the mix...

Five Decades

I'm close to wrapping up my fifth decade on this earth.  Today I celebrate my 49th birthday and I'm really excited about turning 50 next year!  I know that sounds a little crazy, but my life is good. I don't dread the future because I know the One Who has walked with me the entire way. 

Join me on a little walk down memory lane today.  My first decade looked like this:

Decade number Two, ages 10-19:

 

Decade number Three, ages 20-29:

 

Decade number Four, ages 30-39:

Decade number Five, ages 40-49:

My Sweetheart

Yesterday afternoon I was meeting with Tiffany.  She and Jacob are getting married on September 21st and I'm helping her with her wedding planning.  After we had gone through lots and lots of details, I pulled out our wedding album and showed her our pictures.  Out of the blue, Les comes from his office and holds out a picture:

"Now this is a beautiful bride right here!"

Nearly 22 years later, he can still melt my heart!  And, I must add, that is a very handsome groom!

Call Her Blessed

A few weeks ago Sis. McGriffin asked me if I would sing on Mother's Day.  I started looking for a new song and finally found one!  This is too beautiful not to share.  You can listen to it here and also buy the performance track if you're interested.  I have a lead sheet in the original key of C (or I can transpose it to a different key in OnSong) and I'd be happy to email to anyone who wants it.

Call Her Blessed

You knew me in my mother's womb, spoke my name before time
You placed me in my mother's arms knowing I would be fine
She saw my first step, she heard my first word
I'm fearfully and wonderfully made

As I grew she taught me to follow You
Showed me how to love the way You do
Every time I fell she was there to pick me up
She held me close and then she let me go

Bless the one who gave me life
Bless the one who held me in her arms
Bless the one who told me that Jesus loves me so
You have heard her prayers, You have seen her tears
We rise and call her blessed

A mother's love is precious, so faithful and pure
With tenderness she blesses much more than we deserve
When I look into her eyes I begin to realize
What a wonder her love has been to me

Her faith lives on in us
We are walking miracles because she followed You

Bless the one who gave me life
Bless the one who held me in her arms
Bless the one who told me that Jesus loves me so
You have heard her prayers, You have seen her tears
We rise and call her blessed, we rise and call her blessed

~ Words and music by Stacey Noll

Happy Birthday, Kim!

My dear sister will celebrate the 25th anniversary of her 29th birthday today!

I love you, Kim!  Hope your day is wonderful!

Break Every Chain

We had an incredible service last night at Victory Tabernacle!  It started in choir practice.  We learned a new song and the choir came ready.  We were expecting a move of God.  I had to ask myself, "Why don't I come expecting God to move in every service??"

The song was so simple, but so powerful.  There is power in the name of Jesus.  I can't think of words that are more powerful than that!  We added cardboard testimonies to the song and the combination was dynamic!  I think we sang for about 45 minutes (I have the sore throat to prove it!) as the power of God swept into the house and chains were broken!  I have no idea how many chains came off last night, but I know there were many.  And ten year old, Kay, received the Holy Ghost for the first time!

There is power in the name of Jesus
There is power in the name of Jesus
There is power in the name of Jesus

To break every chain
Break every chain
Break every chain

There's an army rising up
There's an army rising up
There's an army rising up

To Break every chain
Break every chain
Break every chain

I hear the chains falling
I hear the chains falling
I hear the chains falling
I hear the chains falling

Friday Foodie

It is great to be home and have a crock pot!  I found this recipe on Plain Chicken and it was super easy and delicious!

Chile Colorado Burritos {Slow Cooker}
1 lb stew meat
2 cans enchilada sauce
flour tortillas
shredded cheese

Place stew meat in 6-quart slow cooker. Cover with enchilada sauce. Cook on low for 8 hours. (Mine cooked much quicker than 8 hours, after about 4 hours, I turned it to "keep warm")

Shred beef. On an oven-proof plate, lay out a tortilla. Top tortilla with about 1/3 cup of the meat and some shredded cheese. Roll up into a burrito. Pour some enchilada sauce from the crock pot over the burrito to cover it. Sprinkle with shredded cheese. Broil until cheese is bubbly, about 2-4 minutes.

Two ingredients, one crock pot, one very happy hubby!

There's No Place Like Home

We flew home on Friday night, arriving in Los Angeles at about 6:30 Saturday morning.  I have been going non-stop since!  So many things to take care of.  The last time we were home, we weren't really home, since I spent 11 of the 14 days in Fresno.  It's been almost two months since I was here for an extended amount of time.

It was so good to be in church on Sunday!  I have missed everyone very much.  We'll be here until April 29th, so I'll have time to talk to everyone this time.  There's choir on Sunday and a baby shower next week!

Les is flying to Nashville today.  Lance will be picking him up and they will be making their way to Ellijay, Georgia for their annual Georgia Cycling Boot Camp!  I don't know how many cyclists will be there this year, but I'm sure a great time will be had by all. 

And I'm going to be here, in my ruby red slippers, enjoying being home!

The Answer

A tragic event occurred at today's Boston Marathon.  Two bombs exploded as runners were crossing the finish line, hitting runners and spectators.  Two were killed.  Hospitals reported at least 110 people being treated, at least eight of them in critical condition and 14 in serious condition. At least eight of the patients are children.  Federal authorities are classifying the bombings as a terrorist attack, but it's not clear whether the origin was domestic or foreign, a federal law enforcement official with knowledge of the investigation said.  (source)

This makes me heartsick.  My thoughts and prayers are with those in Boston.  I've read a number of running blogs sharing the same sentiment.  I've crossed the finish line of two marathons - both times I was wearing the hugest smile and the feeling of accomplishment was amazing.  I cannot imagine the terror that was felt.  There are many questions - who? why?  One blogger asked, "How do I explain this to my kids?"

As I was thinking about this, the answer came.  It was one I thought after the Sandy Hook Elementary School killings in December. It is a one word answer:

SIN

The very first human being who was born became a murderer.  God created Adam and Eve, but after the Fall, Cain was born.  He killed Able, his only brother.  Genesis chapter four records the second murder, just a few generations removed from Cain, Lamech also killed a man.  And the stage was set.  Read your Bible - the sixth chapter of Genesis tells us "And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually."  Chapter 13 says, "the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly."

SIN. It tears families apart.  It causes young men to murder their brothers.  It brings destruction.  It causes nation to rise against nation.  We live in a sinful world.  It's not going to get better.  I know each time these things happened we are shocked, but we shouldn't be.  Jesus said in John 3:19: "men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil."  But that same chapter gives us hope!  "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.  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."

So the next time you read of a tragic event (and there will be a next time) remember the reason is sin, but the remedy is Jesus.

Friday Foodie

I haven't tried any new recipes lately - I'm just making old standbys.  But I had to share the desserts we have had recently.  Out of this world deliciousness!

Last Friday night we went to Angelo Pietro to carbo load - I ran a half marathon last Saturday morning - so pasta and pizza it was!  Their pastas are wonderful.  You basically create your own by choosing your sauce, meat and veggies.  Then our waiter brought out the dessert menu...

Hot Haupia Sundae with Minted Tropical Fruit Salsa.
Described this way:  Hot haupia sauce drizzled over vanilla bean ice cream, resting in our own fresh tropical fruit salsa.

It was amazing!  The haupia (coconut) sauce was similar in texture to hot fudge.  The fruit salsa was delicious.  Les and I said over and over, "I've never had anything like it!" I'm pretty sure I burned enough calories on Saturday (1,292) to make up for this wonderful indulgence!

Last night we went to Stage Restaurant.  Les got a tip from a co-worker - every year on their anniversary they offer 50% off all items on the menu for about two weeks!  Since we are flying home tonight, we made last night our "date night" for the week.  After amazing pork and fish, we ordered the... 

Very Decadent Cake
It is described as Chocolate Ganache, Brown Butter Popcorn Ice Cream, Nutella Powder, Fleur de Sel Caramel. (Sorry no photo, we turned our phones off during our date last night.)

Brown Butter Popcorn Ice Cream?  Our amazing waiter, Sean, told us that the chef makes his own Vanilla Bean ice cream, then pops several pans of popcorn to add in.  He then strains the ice cream to remove the popcorn, leaving the delicious flavor.  Ever had a buttered popcorn Jelly Belly?  It's that in ice cream form - about 100 times better!  It's a good thing I got up and ran 10 miles this morning!

What's your latest great food find?

You Don't See This in California!

Island living at its finest!

The DNA of Apostolic Pentecostalism Part IV

I took lots of notes last night. It was another great Bible study. Les and I were talking to Pastor McGriffin after Saturday night prayer, he said he is enjoying teaching these series as much as we are enjoying hearing it!

The spirit of excessive tolerance that is in the world today is coming in to the church.
Romans 6:1-2 says "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?"
Many say we are living under grace, but God forbids that we continue in sin. Many want to live another way and claim the DNA of Apostolic Pentecostalism.

The DNA of Apostolic Pentecostalism is, and has always been, separation from the world!

Abstaining from the very appearance of evil predates Pentecost.
The first five books of the Bible tells us what God likes and dislikes. 

The modern theology of "God will accept you as you are" only works for the sinner!
You don't need to get good to get God, but you need to change when God comes into your life.

God does care how we act.
Don't believe it? Read Acts chapter 5. Ananias and Saphira were part of the original church, not some wanna be! God did not accept them, because they knew better. They lied with their lips, heart, actions and mind.

When godly conviction is present, you've got to make a change.
Now is the time. Job 33:14 says, "For God speaketh once, yea twice"  God is not obligated to keep speaking.  If He has spoken once or twice, you can't expect Him to speak again.  Yes, grace will cause Him to speak many times, but don't take it for granted that He will continue speaking to you.

Your BODY is the temple of the Holy Ghost.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?  For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."
Because your body is the temple, it does matter how you dress.

Many will say, "This sounds like legalism!"
Guess who the first legalist was? God! There was a restriction in the garden. The first church had 2 people (Adam and Eve) and it had restrictions on it. God said don't touch it.
Put distance between you and the unclean thing or it will allure and entice you.

Parents learn to say "No" to your children.
Live your life consistently. Be the same at home as you are at church. Then when you tell your child "Yes" they will know it is safe.

Some say we are living in bondage.
Under grace, we don't need the Law, they say. But grace takes the Law to another level.
Matthew 5:27-28 says, "Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:  But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart."
Jesus continues in that same chapter, "And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.  Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.  Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;" (vs 40-44)
Grace requires that we do more, not less, than the Law.

Pentecostalism hasn't always been popular.
It didn't use to be cool to shout and dance and speak in tongues.  Now many churches have this kind of worship.  They've adopted what they like about who we are, but have excluded what makes us different.  We are holiness people.

We go home this week.  I'm looking forward to hearing Pastor White, but I have been tremendously blessed and fed by the teaching and preaching of Pastor McGriffin.  He said he knows this kind of teaching isn't popular, many say he is behind the times, all I can say is "Thank God for men of God who still preach the truth!"

P.S.  I thought this post by Bro. Ballestero was outstanding - They're Everywhere!!

Sunday Houses

In rural Texas, during the mid to late 1800s, farmers would build a small home in town called a Sunday House.  They would live on their farms during the week, then come to town on Saturday to do their shopping.  They would spend the night in their Sunday House so they could attend church the following day before returning to their farms for another week.  Often the towns provided farmers with a small plot of land so they could build their Sunday House.

We often talk about making room for Jesus at Christmas time.  There was no room for him in the inn.  But these people made room - they made houses!  The focus of the house was Sunday.  They made sure their farms were taken care of during the week, their shopping was done on Saturday, so Sunday could truly be a day for Him.

It's not uncommon to see multiple soccer games being played on Sunday morning in fields around Los Angeles.  Many marathons are scheduled for Sundays.  Grocery stores are packed on Sundays.  Our modern society has filled Sundays with everything but making room for Jesus. 

"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."  Hebrews 10:25

 We may not have actual buildings, but we can have a Sunday House in our heart!

"I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord."  Psalm 122:1

His Scars

We had a beautiful service last night.  Pastor McGriffin preached about "His Scars."  He talked about the fact that Jesus had scars from His crucifixion.  Scars mean healing has taken place.  Jesus was healed in just three days.  He chose to keep the scars, He could have erased them, but He kept them.

We all have wounds in our lives.  Some of those wounds have become scars because healing has taken place.  When someone is wounded they don't want anyone to touch the spot that is hurt.  When healing has taken place, the scar is only a reminder of past pain.

We gathered at the front for prayer and I thought honestly about where am I after the past few weeks.  I know many don't even start healing for months and even years, but I feel healed.  God has done an amazing work of healing in my life in the past few weeks.  It started with our first Sunday back in Hawaii, singing "Blessed Be Your Name."  More healing came during Hawaii Ladies Conference.  More still came while out running. 

While walking to the car, I said to Les, "I'm amazed at how quickly healing has come."  Les said, "Well that's what God does."  He surely has!  I will always miss my Dad, but it's a scar now, not an open, gaping wound.  God knew I need to be in a place of quietness.  A place where I could focus on receiving and not doing and giving. I'm so thankful, because of His scars, I am healed.

Isaiah 53:4-5 "Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."

Fun with Wordle

I found a link to Wordle on a running blog that I read (she lives on Maui, so we're practically neighbors!)  I decided to give it a try.  It took words from my blog since the first of the year.  Do you see the common threads?

Let me know if you try this with your own blog!

Sea Life Park

I came home from Don Quijote's on Monday morning and found this notice slipped under our door:

The water is going to be off in your condo from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

I decided there was no way I was going to sit around our condo with no water for the day, so I headed out for a new adventure.  Unfortunately, Les had to work, so it wasn't as fun as it could have been, but I still had a good time.  Destination:  Sea Life Park.

I really didn't know what to expect, but this ended up being a great place.

Giant sea turtles. These beauties are between 70 and 80 years old.  I met one of their keepers, she is an intern, hoping to get in to Moorpark College's Exotic Animal Training program (Moorpark is the community right next to Simi Valley, in fact that is where I went for 2 semesters of Class Piano!)

The female turtles have pink letters on their shells and the males have blue. I asked if these turtles lay eggs and found that some eggs were recently discovered.  When the babies hatch, they are taken out to sea within 48 hours so they can live in the wild. 

The sea lions know when it's feeding time.  They each had their own "door" to receive fish!

There was a sea lion show.  A "beauty pageant" with one contestant - there was only one sea lion playing both parts!  She sang "Who Let the Dogs Out" with perfect timing on the barking, acted out a scene from Mission Impossible and danced some ballet moves from Swan Lake.  Quite talented!

There were quite a few interactive activities that would be great for families with children.  Along with feeding the sea lions, there was food for purchase to feed the turtles.  These people were swimming with sharks:

 

 

 

These folks got to swim with dolphins:

The penguins were out on a walk with their keepers:

There was a dolphin show that was very entertaining:

And this girl enjoyed a beautiful day,

incredible scenery

and a strawberry/banana shave ice!