Sneak Peak Saturday

Planting Party at the McElhaney Place!

 

After months of work, we are finally putting our yard back together.  Our first plant order arrived on Wednesday.  Les took Thursday and Friday off and we started digging!

We got these guys planted on Thursday.  We have never done this before, so there was a bit of a learning curve.  15 plants total (the tall palms and Roebelinni were already there.)

 

We also received a shipment of small stones that we are using as ground cover.  We have weed barrier, then the stones will cover it in hopes of preventing an abundance of weeds.

We really got going on Friday.  I planted 7 rose bushes and 3 Tropicannas. Each of these were in 5 gallon buckets, so I got quite a workout.  We want one more rose bush in this area, so I dug an additional hole while I was at it.

While I was planting in the front yard, Les was hauling stones to the back.  

 

The stones are very dusty...

But they look amazing after a quick rinse.

This area is 100% complete now.

The work continues today, we'll take tomorrow off for church and some much needed rest, then we'll be back at it on Monday.  If you're local, feel free to come by and grab a shovel!

30 Years!

Today is our 30th wedding anniversary!  We won't be taking a fancy trip, but we are together and that makes it a great day.  Would you like to take a walk down memory lane with me via photos?  Here are 30 for 30:

Our wedding:

I don't have any of us together on our honeymoon, but here we are on Kauai:

I can't remember all the details from every picture, but here we are through the years:

Friday Fitness

I had a breakthrough this week with my running.  I ran eight miles on the trail!  I've run longer distances this year, but not on the trail.  The last time I ran that far on the trail was April 3, 2018.  That was the day I severely sprained my ankle, which kept me from running for 10 weeks.  That was my most severe injury up to that point.  

 

I've run seven miles on the trail a few times, but had not gone the additional half mile up before turning around.  I finally did it on Wednesday and it was wonderful!  

 

 

I had the entire trail to myself until the final mile.  AND, I did not trip!

I can attribute how great I felt on the run to consistency and the fact that I'm carrying 26 less pounds than I was at the beginning of this year.  I don't know exactly what I weighed in 2018, but I'm guessing I'm 13-15 pounds lighter than I was then.  I know the sprained ankle contributed to my weight gain.

I've also gotten back into my strength training routine.  It fell to the wayside when I had strep throat, then we went on vacation and got our vaccine.  My total inches lost is now up to 27.  26 pounds and 27 inches in 21 weeks.

Next Tuesday is our 30th wedding anniversary.  When I rejoined WW, I told Les, "30 by 30." I wanted to lose 30 pounds by our 30th anniversary.  Honestly, I didn't know if I would even come close.  I will not hit that goal, unless I fast until then, but I am so pleased with where I am.

A Mother in Israel ~ Woman of the Week

Les and I got our second dose of the Moderna COVID vaccine last week.  So many people warned us that the second dose would make us sick and they were right!  We both felt off for a couple of days, the biggest issue for me was a headache.  Having a headache while trying to study and write just doesn't work for me.  We've been fine for several days, but life got busy, so here she is now.

 

Verses:  2 Samuel 20:16-22

Background – parents, husband, children, siblings

We don't know anything about this woman's family or background.  We don't even know her name, but she made a difference.  Her story is found during the reign of King David.  After his son Absalom's rebellion and death, the tribe of Judah brought David back to Jerusalem.  The other tribes, who had followed Absalom, were angry that they were not included in David's return.  2 Samuel 20:1-2 says, "And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel.  So every man of Israel went up from after David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri: but the men of Judah clave unto their king, from Jordan even to Jerusalem."  Joab pursued Sheba, going through the tribes of Israel to find him.  Verse 15 tells us that he was found "in Abel of Bethmaachah, and they cast up a bank against the city, and it stood in the trench: and all the people that were with Joab battered the wall, to throw it down."  It is in the following verse that we first meet this wise woman.

 

Did she reach a place when she needed to reset?  If so, did she?  For good or evil?

We first read of some women in the Bible just as they hit the point of reset.  That is the case with this wise mother in Israel.  While her city was under attack, she didn't run and hide, but she marched forward.  In verse 19 she cried out to Joab and once she had his attention she said, "I am one of them that are peaceable and faithful in Israel: thou seekest to destroy a city and a mother in Israel: why wilt thou swallow up the inheritance of the LORD? "

John Gill's Exposition of the Bible said,

"Her meaning is, that she was of a city which consisted of peaceable and faithful men, that were peaceable among themselves, and faithful to their king, who never were concerned in any insurrection or rebellion, not in the late one under Absalom:"

After Joab explains his mission in verse 21, "deliver him only, and I will depart from the city. And the woman said unto Joab, Behold, his head shall be thrown to thee over the wall."  There was no hesitation on her part.  "She knew the fright the inhabitants of the city were in, and how disposed they were to do anything to save their city; she knew what influence she had among them, and how weak Sheba's party was, and therefore could assure Joab that this should be done."  (John Gill)

I love what verse 22 says, "Then the woman went unto all the people in her wisdom."  "Made so wise a speech to them, and represented things in such a light, and so prudently conducted, that they unanimously agreed to her motion"  (John Gill)

What is she most known for? Victories? Defeats?  How can I be like her?  How can I avoid being like her?

This story could have had a very different ending had this wise woman kept silent.  She spoke up to Joab and she spoke up to the people.  She prevented much bloodshed by keeping calm and facing Joab.  "This wise woman, by her intervention, saved many lives, and reminds us of the value of presence of mind in a great crisis." (A Devotional Commentary by F. B. Meyer, B.A.)

Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible said,

"Her treaty with Joab, and her capitulation with him, by which he is engaged to raise the siege, upon condition that Sheba be delivered up. It seems, none of all the men of Abel, none of the elders or magistrates, offered to treat with Joab, no, not when they were reduced to the last extremity. They were stupid and unconcerned for the public safety, or they stood in awe of Sheba, or they despaired of gaining any good terms with Joab, or they had not sense enough to manage the treaty. But this one woman and her wisdom saved the city."

One Woman Can Change the World

My Bible plan last week was a seven day plan called, "One Woman Can Change the World."  I thought it was fitting since I had just read "women can make changes happen" in Mom's Bible.  I finished it yesterday and thought the devotional was exceptional.  It was called, "You Are Never Not Worthy Enough to Begin."  I just wanted to share a few highlights:

God is there to remind us that His timeline always trumps ours. In His chronology, there’s no too young, too old, too lacking. In His design, our design is perfected—no matter our geography, address, heritage, big plans, or failed attempts.  His story within us is filled with plot twists and mystery and comedy and suspense—and it’s deeper and higher and wider than any page could hold. 

You don’t have to have all the pieces in place to lead and serve well.

Your story can—and will—change. Allow it to do its work. You are uniquely gifted as a woman to lead creatively. Allow that creativity to rise within you.

Leadership opportunities may be for a season or a lifetime. Both are equal in their power. Embrace the disruptions, and watch God add to your days. You are most beautiful when you bend.

Your purpose will be strengthened by both joy and pain, both success and failure. Embrace it all. You are never too old—or too young—to begin.

One woman can change the world, and God says, “That woman is you.” 

As I read this, I thought about how much my story has changed.  When Les started his current job, our life was really shaken up.  I wrote about it extensively in a number of posts ~ A New Adventure, The Peace of God that Covers and What is the Will of God?  Here is a little bit from A New Adventure:

We spent much time in prayer about this decision and asked God to close the door if it was not His will. Well… this is the only door that opened. His first day of work is tomorrow, January 21st, one day shy of three months without a job.

In some ways, this might seem like a fun adventure, and it is.  In other ways, it’s a bit scary leaving the comforts of home, including our home church. Being even farther from our families is not ideal, but we truly feel that this is God’s will for us.  I felt in prayer that God has a plan that we just can’t see.  I have prayed that this will be a time of growth for us.  That we will be a blessing to the church we will be attending.

I’ve thought more than once – why would God wants us to go here?  We are so involved at Victory Tabernacle.  How can this be God’s plan? But I also realized we are very comfortable where we are and maybe we just need a little shaking up. 

 

More than eight years later, I can clearly see God's hand in it all.  One change that came about because of our extensive traveling was me stepping down as choir director.  That role was one I had for a season.  I haven't, and never will, turned my back on our music department.  My love for music is definitely for a lifetime.  My role has just changed and I'm completely happy with that.

Don't be afraid of change.  God prepares each of us.  He equips us and I truly believe we can do more, with His help, that we can ever imagine!

Woman of the Week ~ A Mother in Israel

As I've done on Mother's Day for several years now, I took my Mom's Bible to church with me yesterday.  It's a small way of remembering her that brings me comfort.  There were a few items tucked in the front cover that I didn't want to lose, so I pulled them out.  I then flipped through her Bible and found a bookmark.  The page had verses marked and in Mom's beautiful handwriting, "women can make changes happen."  Well, that caught my attention!  I have studied, and blogged about, over 40 women but never this one!  She is one of the nameless women in the Bible, but she definitely made changes happen.  Look for her story on Friday.

Verses:  2 Samuel 20:16-22

Background – parents, husband, children, siblings

What is she most known for?

Victories? Defeats?

How can I be like her?

How can I avoid being like her?

Did she reach a place when she needed to reset?  If so, did she?  For good or evil?

Friday Foodie Hilton Head Island Style

As I mentioned yesterday, we didn't eat out at lot on our vacation, but when we did we made it count!  We had one forgettable meal - dinner our first night in Charleston.  We were starving after a long day of travel and most restaurants had an hour or more wait.  We made up for the less than stellar meal by finding Off Track Ice Cream!  The key lime pie ice cream, with chunks of graham cracker crust mixed in was excellent.

Monday night in Hilton Head we went to the Mixx on Main.  I was in the mood for Mexican food.  I know, we were in the South, but I can't go many days without it!  We split the fajita trio - chicken, steak and shrimp.  These were the best fajitas I have ever had!  Sadly, they didn't have anything for dessert, but we made up for it by buying a piece of carrot cake at the grocery store that was surprisingly delicious.

 

I turned 57 on Tuesday and I told Les he needed to decide where we would eat.  As always, he did an outstanding job.  We ate at Frankie Bones.  I had Filet Mignon and Les had ribs.  Both meals were amazing!

 

Because it was my birthday, I also splurged on dessert.  This is Butterfinger Crunch Cake.  "Get in my mouth!"

SOOOO good!!

We ate it all!

About a week or so before our trip, Les mentioned beignets.  I quickly Googled "beignets Hilton Head" and found Kenny B's French Quarter Cafe.  They not only had beignets, they also had Muffalettas.  This is a New Orleans specialty that we wanted to try when we were there in 2019 but didn't get to.  Kenny B's was about 10 miles from our condo, so we decided to ride our bikes there on Thursday.

We split the Muffaletta and it was delicious!

We also split an order of beignets that were as good as any you can find in New Orleans!  Kenny, the owner, is not from South Carolina or New Orleans, he's actually from Ohio, but he got the New Orleans food right!

The only right way to eat a beignet is to just go ahead and take a big bite!

 Powdered sugar on your face is a must!

After thoroughly enjoying our lunch, we pedaled our way home.  We were glad for easy, flat roads!

On our final night I told Les that I wanted ice cream.  Once again, I searched Google and found Gr8 Bites just a few miles away.  Their ice cream was outstanding and it's probably a good thing we didn't find it until our last night.

Our last meal took place in Charleston at Jim N Nick's.  We both had their classic pulled pork, you just can't go wrong with barbecue in the South!

You may be wondering how all these delightful meals affected by weight loss goals.  We got home late Saturday night and I stepped on the scale Monday morning.  I'm happy to report that my weight was exactly the same!  You don't have to give up enjoying life to lose weight.  Today was my "official" weigh in day and I was down another pound for a total of 25 pounds now.