Trail Running

It's been a long time since I've gone running on our trail, I decided to change that today!  It was a cool 46 degrees when I got up, so I wore long tights and a jacket for the first time in months. At about the 2 mile mark, I started seeing fresh droppings.  Large droppings...

At about the 3 mile mark, I saw the dropper!  I slowly made my way around him, not wanting to frighten him.  He stared me down, but kept munching on his breakfast.

Almost to the turn around.

Coming down, I saw 2 deer.  They quickly ran up the hillside...

There were places that were rocky and sandy - I had to really watch my pace so I wouldn't trip or twist an ankle.  This kind of running uses different muscles because there is more side to side motion, but the peace and quiet of the trail is worth it.  It was a beautiful morning!

You Better Read Your Bible!

Lance is here for a visit, with daily extended bike rides on the agenda. The two Mac brothers decided to go to downtown LA to look for suits yesterday morning after service.  Lance got two suits at Al Weiss, using the "Pastor Noe Trevino discount" ~ two suits for $70 each!

Shopping versus a nap on Sunday afternoon?  Sorry fellas, nap always wins!  I hitched a ride home with the Flores family.  We spent the 30 minute drive catching up since we hadn't seen much of each other this year.  They spent a week on Maui in August and I hadn't gotten the full report.

Snorkeling?  Yes.  Submarine ride?  Yes.  Road to Hana?  Yes.  Sunrise on Haleakala?  Yes.

When we talked about Haleakala, I mentioned that Les road his bike up it earlier this year.  "No way!" both kids exclaimed!  Then Nick cracked me up with this quip:

"You better read your Bible, cause it talks about lying!"

Hahaha!   I had to pull out my phone and show him this picture to prove I wasn't lying!

You can't get much past a nine year old!  I'm guessing that is a phrase he and his sister use on each other often.

Wordless Wednesday ~ Why I'm Smiling

Good reports all around. Here's to another healthy year!

Hey Fresno Peeps!

Look who we had dinner with last night! 

The newly married Mr. and Mrs. Jackson spent their first week on Kauai and are finishing their honeymoon on Oahu.  We arranged to meet them at Duke's and had a wonderful time.

Baptisms!

The baptismal tank at New Life Pentecostal Church has been busy lately! Last night Pastor McGriffin presented certificates to those who have recently been baptized:

 But we weren't done! After service two more went down in Jesus name!

Many of those recently baptized are from the same Bible Study group. They fill up more than an entire pew at church!  Please help us pray for revival in the Hawaiian Islands!

Friday This and That

I had an amazing run this morning. 10 miles up and over Tantalus Mountain. The moon was still up when I headed out.

Just five miles from the concrete jungle of Honolulu, a tropical forest!

On my way home I was listening to the local Christian radio station. They play only local artists on Friday mornings.  The morning host, "Aunty Dawn," is fun to listen to.  They have asked people to write in about their pastors.  Seven year old Emma wrote a sweet letter about her pastor.  One part was really funny:

First, the pastor has to pick out some really nice clothes to wear and fix his hair nice.
Second, he should pray and talk to God.

Aunty Dawn stopped reading at that point.  "I just want to clarify that I think the second point is a little more important than the first!"  The things that kids notice!

I've posted many pictures of sunrises, but last nights sky at sunset was spectacular!

Happy Friday!

{Nearly} Wordless Wednesday - Where I Went

I had my annual mammogram today. Since it is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, they gave me this pink lunch cooler and bottled water.  It didn't make the exam any more fun, but now it's done!

Great is Thy Faithfulness

I watched as the sun reflected on the ocean early this morning. The clouds were magnificent!  Lamentations chapter three came to mind:

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
 

I'm so thankful for daily mercy and compassion!

Aloha!

We are flying back to Oahu this morning.  We have been home for three weeks - our longest stay at home since January!  We've been busy, as usual!

The Not So Fun:

I got sick right after we got home.  I ending up losing my voice completely for two days, then had a lingering cough and runny nose for about 10 days.

Santa Ana winds blew through last weekend.  Our pool was a mess - we came home to one of our small patio tables at the bottom!  It didn't help that our neighbor decided to trim a tree while the winds were howling.  Guess where all the leaves ended up??

Les flew to Philadelphia on Monday for business.  On his way home on Wednesday, he had a connecting flight in Chicago.  He was suppose to get to Los Angeles around 11:30 p.m.  After numerous delays, then a plane change, he finally landed at 3:30 a.m.  It was about 5:00 Thursday morning when he climbed into bed.


The Fun:

Les and I spent a day on the beach bike path, pedaling 32 miles!  It was a gorgeous day and I didn't crash!

We went to Fresno last weekend.  It was our first visit in months and we packed a lot in!  Les rode the Grizzly Century on Saturday.  I got up and ran 6 miles, it was a cool 52 degrees - perfect running weather!  This was my first time on the Fresno-Clovis Rail Trail and I loved it!

I attended Ladies Day at Truth Tabernacle.  Bro. and Sis. Tim Lackey did an excellent job.  I also got to see lots of friends!

I then had dinner with Kim and her girls.  We followed up with dessert at her house, where we practiced our Halloween faces.  My nieces are pretty even when they're trying not to be.

It rained here on Wednesday.  We really, really need it!  We got a little rain in Simi Valley, but unfortunately a mudslide closed Interstate 5 and church was cancelled on Wednesday night.  I was sad to miss a Bible Study by Pastor White and missed telling everyone goodbye until next time!

While Les was in Pennsylvania, he sent me a text that said, "I'm in Hershey, PA!  Do you need chocolate?"  He knows me well! I always need chocolate...

I saw a road runner and a coyote in my backyard - just not together!  And watched deer walking on the hill behind our house. The fun outweighed the not so fun!

Faith and Humor

Fifteen years ago today my Mom took her last earthly breath.  How I have missed her!  She wasn't just my Mom, but a dear friend.

For those who don't know American Sign Language - the "I Love You" sign

When I think of her, I think about her faith.  Her trust that God was going to take care of her, no matter the circumstances.  I'm reminded of it often when I pick up her Bible.  The pages are covered with reminders to trust an unfailing God.

As with most women, her cancer battle included hair loss.  I was still living at home when it was coming out by the handfuls.  It hurt emotionally, but then she'd put on a hat and a smile, ready to face the world.

"Another Bad Hair Day"

I'm so thankful for the example of faithfulness she left.  She was faithful to her family, her church, and her God.  

 

What a day that will be when we are all gathered home!  I'm ready for that reunion!

A Splash of Fall

I woke up to a chill in the air this morning...

49 Outside, 63 Inside

So I knew it was time to pull out a few decorations...

 

We fly back to Hawaii on Friday, so I'm going to enjoy Fall while I can!

Wild Weekend Weather Ahead!

The first weekend of October is bringing crazy weather across the nation:

A foot of snow had fallen in western South Dakota's scenic Black Hills by early Friday, thanks to a storm gaining strength as it slowly moves east from Colorado and Wyoming. Blizzard conditions were expected, with as much as 3 feet of snow and wind gusts of between 50 and 70 mph.

Tropical Storm Karen is headed toward the Gulf Coast this weekend.  Late Thursday, Karen had winds of 65 mph. It was located about 400 miles south of the mouth of the Mississippi River and moving north-northwest at 12 mph.  Rainfall totals of from 4 to 8 inches can be expected to the east of where the storm makes landfall.

Red flag warnings went into effect Thursday evening for parts of Southern California as fire crews prepare for hot, dry and windy conditions into the weekend.  Wind speeds will average 30 to 40 mph at times, with gusts up to 60 mph along ridgelines and canyons.

I ran in the crazy wind this morning - dust and debris was flying, a tree was down, and no matter which way I turned the wind was there!  Stay safe and dry (but not too dry) wherever you are this weekend!

Throwback Thursday

55 years ago today, these two became husband and wife...

The weathered the storms of life together...

Rejoiced when grandkids came...

And celebrated when their youngest finally got married!

  I'm thankful for them and miss them both so much!

Jumping on My Pink Soapbox!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.  I haven't been in any stores yet this month (it's only the second!) but I'm sure there are an abundance of pink items for sale.  Manolo Blahnik has a pink satin, Swarovski encrusted buckle, 4 inch heel for a mere $990.  20% of the proceeds will go to the Breast Cancer Alliance.  

This is a startling number:

The National Football League has their "Crucial Catch" campaign, with players wearing bits of pink on their shoes and jerseys.  The NFL, in partnership with the American Cancer Society, is focused on the importance of annual screenings, especially for women who are 40 and older.

Will buying pink M&Ms and Hershey kisses bring about a cure for cancer?  No, but the more awareness, the more women will be screened early and hopefully avoid long term damage to their health.

I don't remember my Mom ever wearing a pink ribbon!  Her battle lasted eight years and I have often wondered if early detection could have changed our lives.  She had her first mammogram at age 50, which was the recommended age at that time.  Cancer was already present, a lump that could not have been detected with a self exam.  If she had started getting mammograms at age 40, would it have been found two or three years earlier?  We will never know. 

My annual mammogram is in a couple of weeks.  When is yours???

Happy October!

We are in the final quarter of 2013 - it's been a whirlwind year and I don't think it's going to slow down now!  We're heading into the danger zone known as the holidays for those who are watching their weight.  But don't get too discouraged...

My voice still isn't completely back!  I could only whisper for 48 hours and now it's slowly improving.  I have a bunch of posts bouncing around in my head, but haven't had the mental energy to get them written up.  What's new in your world?