ALOHA

Today is a dreamy kinda Friday....

a no make-up kinda day.....

a storm is coming our way kinda day.....

Last night we were reminiscing about Hawaii.  Hawaii is our special place.  

Actually, Kauai to be specific.

So Aloha, which means peace, compassion and mercy. 

 The islanders used it in greeting and farewells.

My first trip to the islands I was 17 years old and had just graduated high school.  I saved my money and with the help of some graduation money I was on my way to Oahu.  With a lei greeting (the only time I received one) and nothing but island time on my hands from June 20, 1988 to July 7, 1988.  I stayed with a family friend who lived on the Ala Wai Canal.  She met me at the airport and was a gracious hostess.  The first morning I woke up hearing yelling and grunting and more yelling.  Oh my goodness I was up and out of bed really quick.  The Ala Wai Canal is famous for professional rowing practice (canoeing) .  For the remainder of the trip, each morning I woke up to this sound.   I came to appreciate the sound and would sit on the lanai, while planning my day and watch them.  My main modes of transportation were bus and walking.  You can get almost anywhere on the island with their bus system.  I toured the following places in the time I was there.  My hostess  worked for Captain Bob's Catamaran in Kanoehe Bay, that would be a definite must do.  We took a catamaran out in the bay and were serenaded with Hawaiian music, provided a barbeque and my first snorkeling lessons.  We snorkeled around the reef and played volleyball in the sandy shallow waters.  So cool.  We saw such amazing tropical fish and dolphins.  

*July 1, 1988- Toured the island with a coach tour

*Pearl Harbor and USS Arizona Tour

*Snorkeled Hanauma Bay

*Kodak Hula Dance

*Toured Paradise Park

*Aloha Tower

*International MarketPlace

**Waikiki Baptist Church on Sunday

*Pier 7 and the Falls of Clyde

*Luau at the Polynesian Cultural Center 

*Waikiki

*Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center

*Hiked to the top of Diamond Head

*Hit most beaches in Oahu....

June 22, 1988 Jolani Palace

*June 23, 1988 went to see Nunsense in the Manoa Valley Theatre

*Waikiki Aquarium

*Kuhio Mall 

*Waimea Falls Park

*Dole Cannery Square

*Hilo Hattie Fashion Factory

*Zoo(while walking through the park got a surprise from a flyby bird.....)  Had to go back and change.  So big, juicy and gross I gagged...

Hawaii will always be a special place and I am so glad I spent my graduation trip there. 

Fast Forward to August 8, 1992.  George and I honeymooned in Kauai.  Our wedding night we spent in San Francisco and took off early the next morning for our island.  We arrived and picked up our car.  We stayed at the Kiahuna Plantation in Poipu Beach from August 9, 1992 to August 16, 1992.  We were provided a daily fruit/bread basket for breakfast.  

*We drove to the beaches, waterfalls, through quaint little towns

*Enjoyed the sunsets every night

*Took a helicopter tour through the Waimea Canyon-this was a gift from a friend who sang at our wedding.  

*Smith's Tropical Paradise-Fern Grotto tour and luau

*Snorkeling in Poipu-I absolutely love snorkeling as long as the seaslife stay a comfortable distance away.... no nibblers.  So one day I was snorkeling and really into the view and turn my head to the left and there is a 5 ft+ turtle swimming with me, only a few inches from my face.  So I hyperventilate and head up.  He scared me so bad, but it was soooo... cool.  I went back head down and swam with him for about 1/2 hour. 

This island is a honeymooner's dream.   The garden isle.  This was our honeymoon remember so we did what honeymooners do best!
Til next time....ALOHA

After an amazing family trip to S. Korea for 10 months.  Actually, my husband was stationed at Osan for 12 months, and we tagged along.  We were ready to see the islands again.  So with 5 children in tow, we took an adventure.  My husband hopped before us to Oahu.  He got the car and was ready for us.  I got the great task of herding 5 children through Seoul and flying with them, my oldest daughter and youngest twin were the biggest helps in occupying the younger two.  Any flight I take now will be nothing compared to that one.  So we stayed 8 days at Camp Bellows in the cottages(with an ocean view)  The cottage had 2 rooms.  The children shared a room.  The trip was amazing.  We snorkeled, beached, boogie boarded, beached, toured the island a bit.  With 5 children ranging from 4 to 14 this was an incredible experience.  The oldest daughter and I attended the Polynesian Cultural Center Luau.  Snorkeling was fun at Hanauma Bay.  The girls were so scared of the fish they did not even put their masks on.    The boys loved boogie boarding and hanging out in the sand.  The oldest twin stayed in the sun too long one day and was as red as a lobster.  So no sun and aloe for the rest of the trip.  He cried when he laid down at night, the bed would have sand in it.  He was hurting so bad and I felt so sorry for him.  We learned about sunburns the hard way, huh?  
Til next time...ALOHA

The next trip to Kauai was February 20-27, 2002.  Can you believe it has been 10 years?  I hope it has not changed.  The flight took 5 1/2 hours and was a straight flight to Lihue, Kauai.   We arrived at 1:00pm and went directly to pick up the car.  We were really hungry and stopped at Pizza Hut in Lihue, Kauai.  Then we went to check inn to our room at Kiahuna Plantation.  We walked through the beautiful garden and on the beach.  We watched the sunset from the Sheraton then walked across the street to the Poipu Shopping Center.   Day 2, we had a continental breakfast then set out to see Wailua Falls and Lydgate Park.  We suntanned and walked up the Wailua River and saw coco Palms (where Elvis Presley stayed).  It had been hit pretty hard by Hurricane Iniki and never remodeled.  It is pretty tore up.  Then we drove to Opaekea Falls and the Wailua River overlook.  We came back to room and relaxed.   Then went out to BK for dinner, Spouting Horn to watch the sunset.  At Spouting Horn there is said to be a dragon stuck under the lava rock and you can here him breathe and snort.  Day 3, We started off by walking Poipu Beach, and saw some cool breaks on the rocks, saw some turtles.  We drove around the west coast through the Hanapepe, coffee fields, sugar plantations, and saw the salt fields.  In Hanapepe we visited the Swinging Bridge, it was pretty old and scary to walk across.  Then we headed up to Waimea Canyon and all the way to Kokee State Park and overlooked the NaPali Coast.  We got car sick on the return trip down the hill.  We went to Barking Sands Pacific Coast Missile Range.  We bought some food and ate dinner on the beach and watched the sunsel on the best beach on Kauai.  We watched whales through a telescope.  The sunset behind Nihua island.  Very cool.   Day 4 We went golfing, we completed 9 holes and the course was right on the ocean.  Very beautiful.   Then came back to the room to relax and enjoy the beach.  Then drove to Koloa and had an ice cream and read about the history of the sugar plantation.  We came back to our beach and sat under the stars on the beach.  Very clear night and no wind.  Day 5, We went to church at Koloa Church then drove up the east coat to Kee Beach.  Beautiful Na Pali Coast.  We sat on the beach, hiked up the Na Pali Coast and relaxed on the beach.  We drove slowly back and visited other beaches, the lighthouse and watching the sea birds come in for breeding.  We enjoyed a Luau at the Hyatt.  Very nice!  Good Kalua pig and free Mai Tai's.  It started raining and got very windy. Day 6, took a drive to Kapaa then came back to room and laid on the beach.  We had dinner in the room, then watched the sunset.  Day 7, We hung out all day on the beach, snorkeled, boogie boarded and watched the sunset, then kicked back with our sunburns.  Day 8, Time to go back.  Went to beach then checked out of our room.  Til next time.... ALOHA

The next trip was October 5-12, 2007.  We were using the excuse that our youngest twin son's college team, Utah State University was in Oahu to play University of   Hawaii.  I journaled this trip and it was on the calendar.... A pretty big trip for my older children and us.  We arrived in Oahu and picked up our car, we drove to Waimea Audobon Gardens and walked up to the falls through the gardens.  We checked into Hale Koa...such beautiful property.  We met our football player for dinner on Waikiki and then went back to the hotel for a nap.  We knew the football player was a night owl and we aren't so a nap was in order.  We were asleep for a little over an hour when Pearl Harbor started (only in 2007)  Someone was bombing us.  We woke up and scrambled to find out what was going on.... What is it with the islands and noise?  It was fireworks from the hotel next door, but wow were we shaking from the startling wake up.  Then we laughed and laughed.   We went out to meet our football player on Waikiki Beach and sat on the beach with he and his friends.  

The next day we walked down Waikiki Strip, met our football player at his hotel, napped, drove to Hilo Hattie's and onto the Aloha Stadium for the game.  After the game we met with the football player at his hotel.  Somewhere in this trip we took our oldest daughter, oldest twin and his girlfriend(now his bride) on Captain Bob's Catamaran cruise and a day out.  I am not quite sure when we snuck this in, but I know we did.  
Til next time.... ALOHA

Then my husband and I flew to Kauai and stayed at Barking Sands Naval Base Cottages.  The first morning we woke up to screaming and screeching.  Not knowing what was going on, we scrambled to check it out.  It just happens, the trees behind the cottage are home to the loudest flock of birds anywhere.  So each morning we were greeted by the screeching birds of paradise.  Ear plugs help some.  We alternated days to plan events.    We really like it here!  Despite the screeching birds.  We shopped for food, went to the beach, swam, and enjoyed the sunset on the beach.  We decided to alternate choosing the events for the day.  So I started Monday.....actually, I should have let you guess? 

Monday, we drove to Waimea Canyon, took a picnic lunch up the canyon, hiked for 3 hours toward Alakai Swamp.  Awesome Rainforest, rained most of the hike, beach, swim, sun, and chill. 

Tuesday I rented snorkel gear and boogie board on base.  I got to the beach ready for some snorkeling and the first big wave carried away all of my snorkel gear in my hands. GONE.  The boogie board was wrapped to my wrist, thank goodness, however, it was beating me up.  Oh, did I tell you how graceful I am at times?  So I ended up going to the rental place and telling them I lost all the gear and they gave me new gear ***free***  I think they felt sorry for me and my less than gracefulness.  Anyway, I got to snorkel all day.  We went to dinner out at Shenanigan's on base.  

Wednesday we went to Wailua Falls, Opakee Falls, Wailua Fern Grotto Boat Ride, Lydgate Park (snorkeling), Poipu Beach (snorkeling), Kiahuna Plantation, Walmart, Shenanigan's for dinner and whale watching.  

Thursday we toured the coffee company, visited spouting horn, beach, sun and chill.  

We walked the beach each day - a 17 mile beach at Barking Sands.

Friday we went home....such mixed emotions***I miss my kids and love the islands***

Refreshed and ready!
Til next time.... ALOHA
 

Next month we will be going to Kauai again.  This time we rented a house and have 7 of us.  My husband and I, the oldest twin and his wife, the youngest daughter and her boyfriend and BFF (our third daughter).  Cannot wait!  Tickets bought, house rented, food list made, talking over events for the trip....  Sooooo..... excited!

Aloha...

Adoration

The meaning of adoration is respect, reverence, strong admiration or devotion in a certain person, place, or thing. The term comes from the Latin adōrātiō, meaning "to give homage or worship  to someone or something".  I have a prayer journal and on that journal the praises outweigh the needs.  We taught our children to prayer journal as children, we always kept a journal with prayer needs and praises.  When my children were young we used to also practice telling each other good things about the others.  We would start with one and they would share their adoration with each other.  My husband and I practice this today.  We will share randomly our adoration of each other using words or phrases that explain his respect, strong admiration or devotion.  These words carry so much power in them.  They can fill you up again and give you the encouragement you need.  I do not think I practice this enough with others in my life.  I would much rather serve them by doing something for them.  God calls us to encourage and lift each other up.  When He created us He intended for us to walk with Him through our lives, sharing everything, loving Him, and trusting Him for our needs.  When I am hiking or out in nature it is so easy to see Him for His creation is all around me.   I think our adoration must start with God.  Some days the routine keeps me so busy I do not Adore Him enough.   We talked about adoration/praise on Monday at small group and how to start this.  My praise is meditating on Him and allowing His love and worship in me to flow right back to Him. 

ELOHIM……meaning “God”, a reference to God’s power and might.
ADONAI……meaning “Lord”, a reference to the Lordship of God.
JEHOVAH–YAHWEH…..a reference to God’s divine salvation.
JEHOVAH-MACCADDESHEM…….meaning “The Lord thy sanctifier”
JEHOVAH-ROHI……meaning “The Lord my shepherd”
JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH…meaning “The Lord who is present”
JEHOVAH-RAPHA…meaning “The Lord our healer”
JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU…meaning “The Lord our righteousness”
JEHOVAH-JIREH………meaning “The Lord will provide”
JEHOVAH-NISSI……meaning “The Lord our banner”
JEHOVAH-SHALOM…meaning “The Lord is peace”
JEHOVAH-SABBAOTH……meaning “The Lord of Hosts”
EL-ELYON…………..meaning “The most high God”
EL-ROI…meaning “The strong one who sees”
EL-SHADDAI…meaning “The God of the mountains or God Almighty”
EL-OLAM……………meaning “The everlasting God”

LOVE.........JOY...........PEACE.........PATIENT...........KIND...........GENTLE.........FAITHFUL......GOOD.........
SELF-CONTROL........HEALER.........GREAT PHYSICIAN......LORD OF LORDS............KING OF KINGS.........ALMIGHTY...........COUNSELOR......KING.........LORD...CREATOR........WORD.......
MAJESTIC.....GLORY..........MERCY...........GRACE........FORGIVER.......PERFECT..........ADONAI......
LORD OF ALL.......RIGHTEOUS......OMNISCIENT........OMNIPOTENT.......ALL-KNOWING....
ABBA…ADVOCATE.....ALMIGHTY……ALPHA…AMEN…………ANCIENT OF DAYS………ANOINTED ONE……APOSTLE…………… LORD…………AUTHOR OF LIFE………AUTHOR OF OUR FAITH……BEGINNING………………
BLESSED & HOLY RULER…BREAD ……………BREAD OF LIFE.....BRIDEGROOM…………BRIGHT MORNING STAR… SHEPHERD………CHOSEN ONE.....CHRIST…………… GOD… LORD…………SON OF LIVING GOD....COMFORTER…………COMMANDER………
CONSUMING FIRE……………CORNERSTONE……………………COUNSELOR…………CREATOR………………DELIVERER……………DOOR………END....
ETERNAL ....EVERLASTING FATHER………………FAITHFUL & TRUE……………………
FAITHFUL WITNESS………FATHER…………………FIRSTBORN....
FIRSTFRUITS………FOUNDATION…FRIEND ....GENTLE WHISPER………………
GLORY....GOD ALMIGHTY……GOD OVER ALL………GOD WHO SEES ME......
GREAT HIGH PRIEST………GUIDE……HEAD OF THE BODY……………HEAD OF THE CHURCH……………HEIR ....HIGH PRIEST…………FOREVER……HOLY ONE…………………HOLY SPIRIT………HOPE……………………HORN OF SALVATION…………I AM……………IMAGE OF GOD…IMAGE OF HIS PERSON……………IMMANUEL……………
JEHOVAH………JESUS…………………JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD……………JUDGE……KING……………………… ETERNAL……………………KING OF KINGS…………………KING OF THE AGES…LAMB OF GOD…LEADER…LIFE…LIGHT OF THE WORLD…………LIKE AN EAGLE....LION....LIVING STONE....LIVING WATER....LORD…LORD GOD ALMIGHTY…………LORD JESUS CHRIST………………LORD OF ALL………LORD OF GLORY ………………LORD OF LORDS………………LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS………….LOVE…………………MASTER………MEDIATOR……………………MERCIFUL GOD…………MESSIAH…MIGHTY GOD……………………MIGHTY ONE…………………………NAZARENE………
OFFSPRING OF DAVID……………OMEGA……ONLY BEGOTTEN SON…………………OUR PASSOVER LAMB……………OUR PEACE…………POTTER……………POWER OF GOD…………………PRINCE OF PEACE......PROPHET……………………PURIFIER…………………RABBONI (TEACHER)…RADIANCE OF GOD’S GLORY……………REDEEMER……………………REFINER’S FIRE…………RESURRECTION………………RIGHTEOUS ONE....ROCK………………………
ROSE OF SHARON……………RULER OVER KINGS OF EARTH…………
RULER OVER ISRAEL…………SAVIOR……SHIELD……………………
SON OF MAN……………………SPIRIT OF GOD…………STONE……………
TEACHER…………………TRUE LIGHT………TRUE WITNESS……TRUTH…………………VINE………………WAY…………………WISDOM ....WONDERFUL…WORD.....

Wow!  I serve an amazing God.  Adoration of the Creator will lead to the adoration of others in our lives and will become easier every day.  

First Love or Last Love

 

In honor of Love month and Valentine's Day

My first serious crush... I was 15 1/2 and met a guy in my class.  Oh, my goodness!

It was in the time of Top Gun and Tom Cruise and let's just say Maverick had nothing on my guy.  I had gone out with friends and tried to have relationships with guys in the past.  But this one, he just took my heart with him everywhere.  He loved camping, hiking, river days, school, writing, talking.  We became best friends.  I would spend every spare minute with him.  We both worked after school and weekends at busy restaurants and our time was limited.  I thought about him all the time and even dreamed of a future with him.  I had been under the impression that I would marry a man who love Jesus Christ as much as I did, though.  Hmmm..  My guy was anything, but in love with my Jesus.  We dated for about two years and even started planning our future together.  I joined the Air Force in July, 1988 after three weeks in Oahu and one week with him at his Dad's home in Redondo Beach.  He joined the Air Force in October, 1988.  We got stationed in Missouri and Alaska.  Then all the dreams we had together, slowly unraveled.  We grew up and apart and found our differences were just too different.  Especially, our beliefs.

Then a few short years later... I was hooked up with my husband now at a Monday Night Football game on September 30, 1991.  He had three children and I had one and we connected.  We had both loved and lost and were carrying around deep wounds from our past.  Some of those wounds still open and bleeding and some scarred up.   We knew would have to work on this relationship.  So we became good friends and started on our path to building "us".   We talked about the future and my guy was learning to love the Lord each day.  He accepted Jesus Christ as His Lord and Savior and was baptized.  Typical of my guy he started saying well, let's get married and flippantly ask me to marry him.  I had to lay down the law that a ring and proper proposal would be in order.  So on Valentine's Day 1992, we attended a Sweetheart Banquet at the Church and it was snowing afterward.  We stopped off in Nevada City and in front of, what used to be, Cirinos my man proposed. (Yes! on his knee in the middle of the sidewalk, with snow flurrying around us).  He can be so romantic, still.  We were married in August. 1992.  We cherished our weekend getaways.  When we were alone, we would honeymoon - always and talk about US.  We would sometimes have tough decisions to work through and always came home refreshed for the children.  We are and always have been so grateful that my parents never said no to watching the grandchildren.  They would take one or all  five eventually.  They absolutely loved having them and have helped us raise incredible adults.  My children were so blessed to have them in their lives as well.
Through the 22 years of marriage we have grown in so many ways.  God united us and we will not be separated.  Through the storms of life, we grow in Him and in our relationship. 
We can complete each others sentences and know inner thoughts.
 Just a touch sends sparks through me today and a kiss, mmmmm......
Thinking forward..
Looking at the relationships my children have and have in their lives. 
I see strength in them to make love last at all cost.   There is no giving up.
No matter what past relationships have brought, forgive and forget.
 There is compromise every day.

 

To my guy-

I may not be your first kiss, first love or first anything! But as long as I am your last kiss, last love and last anything

Books I am currently reading.. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, Killing Lincoln by Bill O'Reilly, Jefferson Davis and his Generals by Steven E. Woodworth, The Faiths of our Fathers by Alf J. Mapp, Jr, and I just finished There is a Flying Squirrel in My Coffee by Bill Goss.  (I loved reading this book and have attached the picture for anyone interested.) 

Movies/Shows:  Best of Travel-Hawaii, Best of Travel-The Pacific Northwest, Julie and Julia.

 forever....That's all that matters.

Daily Grind... And I'm Not Talking Coffee

I was thinking about daily routines in my life and how they have changed over the last 25 years.  I have always been a jump out of bed and get right into the day kind of person.  Well, that is until a few years ago.  Now I sloth around for about 30 min. and then slowly greet the day.  I do not need long to get ready, but be prepared for a semi-damp hair look and no make-up (if I need it I will apply while driving).  When I was in high school I was up and to school straight away.  I remember sitting at the bus stop reading, which was almost a mile walk, or sitting in my car reading, once I got my car and license.  Which by tradition in our family was on my 16th birthday.  I worked at Burger King, babysat and at the Willo restaurant.  I was not athletic, though I was song leader(cheer-dancer),  water-ski club, manager of the softball team for 2 years, and kept score for the team.  I also kept score for baseball and softball teams in the area.   In my spare time I attended church and youth functions at the church.  My routine was pretty much the same throughout high school. 
After high school, I joined the United States Air Force and for the first time in my life I exercised daily, worked from 7am-4pm, attended college classes, church Bible Studies and events, and kept score for the intramural softball teams.  In my spare time I visited my family in southern Missouri and toured the state.   I loved camping and travelling throughout the mid-west. 
I got stationed at Beale AFB after 3 years in the service and met my husband.  My routine changed yet again.  I no longer had an eight hour a day job and lots of time to go to school or work-out.  Walking became my primary source of exercise.   With kids in school and for 9 years having a preschooler/toddler infant in my home, my routine was not boring.  A typical day in 1998....My husband left for work before the events of the day really unfolded.  I would wake the oldest up first, she is 13 and a "girlie-girl" and always has been.  It would take her a bit to get ready for the day.  Because she was awake, her sister would be awake also.  They shared a room.  Next I would put snacks together for school and by then the youngest son would be awake and ready for mommy attention.  He would be the one who could not occupy himself .  When he was awake you were on the job.  So I diligently get him focused on a task or playing.  Then wake the twins up.  They are all then getting ready(kinda) for the day.  It is a school day.  We eat breakfast together each morning.  I loved making big breakfasts for the kids to get their day started right.  Backpacks are packed from the night before and hanging by the back door, snacks packed (with love/encouragement notes for them).  
The oldest walks a block to the bus stop at 7:45am.  She attends Jr High in Wheatland, about 8 mi. away.  Unless she has a doctor appointment, she rides the bus everyday.  The rest of us have 15 min. to finish getting ready.  The twins attend Far West Middle School and the youngest attends Lone Tree School.  We walk most days, unless it is pouring rain  or one of the children have a doctor appointment.  We walk the 3 blocks to the school and drop the twins off first.  They like to be to school early to get the early recess time.  Then I walk the youngest son to his school and play on the playground until the bell rings.  Rachel is 3 and in a play group 3 days a week for the morning.  Four moms alternate days to watch the group and do various activities with them.  During her time there I work in the boys' classes and attend Bible Study.  I grade papers for the older boys' teacher and do lunch duty at the school.  It gives me a connection with them during the day.  (I end up working at their schools until they are all in high school) 
I pick the preschooler up at lunch.  We head home for a couple hours of lunch, nap, and house work.  I usually  prepared dinner then, because our evenings get crazy. 
We walk back to school to pick up the youngest son after school.  He and I do homework and play until the twins get home.  He is usually done with homework by then.  The twins play outside for a couple hours.  During sports season, which was almost always we have practice right after school.  All of us attend practice.  I do homework with the older three after dinner in the evening.   Once my husband gets home-he had an extra job of cleaning professional offices for some extra money-we spend time together as a family.  Some evenings we would attend church or I cleaned houses for people who were PCS-ing (or moving bases), for some extra money.  Those were late nights for me. 
Now my pace is slower.  I slowly wake up to a really quiet house, my husband has already left for the day.  I spend some time with God, and my blog.  Then off to get ready for work, I work out during the day, attend church functions in the evening, and spend time praying for my family. 
No matter what my routine has been God and family come first. 

Roots

It was a burn day yesterday and yes I burned.  I love burning our collections of fallen limbs, brush and roots. With five acres we always seem to have quite the collection of piles around the property. 

I was walking around the property kicking over the manzanita roots that had been in the ground for at least three years.  The soil was just soft enough to wriggle them out.  

The Miriam Websters definition of root pertaining to roots of a plant/tree:  usually underground part of a seed plant body that originates usually from the hypocotyl, functions as an organ of absorption, aeration, and food storage or as a means of anchorage and support, and differs from a stem especially in lacking nodes, buds, and leaves.

Some roots are so shallow and I often wonder how they are holding up the trees at all.  Then the winds come and down go the trees.  How does a huge tree just fall down? 

Roots definition as pertaining to origin:  something that is an origin or source

 (as of a condition or quality)

 

one or more progenitors of a group of descendants —usually used in plural

 

an underlying support :  basis

 

the essential core :  heart —often used in the phrase at root

 

close relationship with an environment : 

 

So in tying these definitions with the plant definition....usually underground part of a seed plant body that originates usually from the hypocotyl, functions as an organ of absorption, aeration, and food storage or as a means of anchorage and support, and differs from a stem especially in lacking nodes, buds, and leaves.

 

It is essential to have a  strong support system or underlying support for all healthy, living, objects.

 

A little while back I decided to investigate my roots.  Some members of my family have researched and provided me with family trees, but none gave detailed information about their lives. 

I found many documents about my family and traced back to a simpler time. 

A time without electronics, automobiles, and the modern conveniences we now enjoy. 

However, I found the same human struggles as we still face. 

The struggle with our sin nature and God's desire for fellowship with us. 

Some of the decisions made in the past effected many generations to come.  Good or Bad.

In the Bible Paul calls us not only to walk in Christ, but to be rooted in him. So if you follow Christ, you are not only on the move with Christ, but firmly grounded in Christ.

 "Rooted" is a perfect passive participle which means that we are rooted in the past and that this rooting has present effects. It is from our roots in Christ that we draw the life-giving juices that flow through us enabling us to bear fruit for him today and forever.

I am not a  gardener, but I know that a plant is only as good as its roots. Although they are unseen, they are essential and so is Jesus! The reason so many apparent Christians wither and die soon after they profess their faith is that they have been stuck like cut flowers into the church's pot. You find them in the bud vases of a popular preacher, or the floral arrangement of a religious peer group. But they have no roots in Christ. And consequently, they have no staying power. They wilt like last month's corsage.

Where are your roots? If they are in a religious experience however exciting, if they are in a group relationship however warm, if they are in family tradition however strong, if they are in professional achievement however successful, if they are in anything other than Jesus Christ, your spiritual life juices will eventually dry up and you will die.

If you are rooted in Christ, then you will grow in him. You will draw constantly on his sustaining power.

  His love has no limit; His grace has no measure;
       His power has no boundary known unto men.
  For out of his infinite riches in Jesus
       He giveth and giveth and giveth again. (Annie Johnson Flint)

A city dweller moved to the country and bought a milk cow. Soon, however, the cow went dry. He complained to a neighboring farmer, "I just don't understand it. I was as kind and considerate to that cow as I knew how to be. If I didn't need any milk, I didn't milk her. If I needed only a quart, I took only a quart."

The neighbor tried to explain that the only way to keep milk flowing is not to take as little as possible, but to take as much as possible. That is also true of your life in Christ. The only way to grow in Christ is to receive from him all he has to give.

 

Since you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, grow in your walk in him, rooted and built up in him, established in your faith and overflowing with thanksgiving. That's the life!

 

Oh, how I am convicted today to root my life in Him, establish a greater faith and overflow with gratefulness.  I want His life to flow through me abundantly. 

 

Some of the text borrowed from and other resources available at:  http://www.christians.org/grow/grow09.html

Faith Test

From He Still Moves Stones by Max Lucado

When it comes to the major-league difficulties like death, disease, sin, and disaster--you know that God cares.

But what about the smaller things?  What about grouchy bosses or flat tires or lost dogs?  What about broken dishes, late flights, toothaches, or a crashed hard disk?  Do these matter to God?

I mean, he's got a universe to run.  He's got the planets to keep balanced and presidents and kings to watch over.  He's got wars to worry with and famines to fix.   Who am I to tell him about my ingrown toenail?

Well, let me tell you who you are.  In fact, let me proclaim who you are:

You are an heir of God and co-heir with Christ.
You are eternal, like an angel. 
You have a crown that will last forever.
You are a holy priest, a treasured possession.
You were chosen before the creation of the world.  You are destined for "praise, fame, and honor, and you will be a holy people to the Lord your God"
But more than any of the above--more significant than any title or position--is the simple fact that you are God's child.  "The Father has loved us so much that we are called children of God.  And we really are His children."  1 John 3:1
I love that last phrase! "We really are His children."  It's as if John knew some of us would shake our heads and say,"Naw not me.  Mother Teresa, maybe.  Billy Graham, all right.  But not me."  If those are your feelings, John added that phrase for you. 
We really are his children.
As a result, if something is important to you, it's important to God... so go ahead.  Tell God what hurts.  Talk to him.  He won't turn you away.  He won't think it's silly.  "For our high priest is able to understand our weaknesses.  When He lived on earth, He was tempted in every way that we are, but He did not sin.  Let us, then, feel very sure that we can come before God's throne where there is grace"  Heb. 4:15-16  Does God care about the little things in our lives?  You better believe it.  If it matters to you, it matters to Him. 

Happy Birthday Twins

 

To the twins!  

Wishing you the happiest of days! 

Glad you get to spend the day together.

 

Now 27 years old. 

 I met the twins when they were 3 1/2 years old and they were so energetic.  They were going, going from morning 'til night. 

And always one twin one direction, one twin the other direction.

My husband put up a fence in the backyard to contain them a little bit.  The older twin just climbed the tree and up and over the fence.  They were born on Beale AFB and started kindergarten on Beale AFB.  There were only two kindergarten teachers, so we had to select which twin got which teacher.  We chose the younger teacher for the older twin, knowing she might have a bit more energy than the other, older teacher.  They both excelled in school.  They loved recess and sports.  They both would grab a ball and head out to meet each other on recess.  Looking at each other one would drop their ball and run off to play.  I worked in their classes a few days a week and just loved being part of their learning.  We always had park/play time then homework after school.  Sometimes the "negotiator", oh come on we all have one, the older twin would want more time outside and negotiate homework schedules.  I was big on schedules, however, I also loved our outside time.  Our yard was the best on base.  We had a fence for the youngest boy, and it backed up to the wildlife preserve.  We would play all sports in our yard or hike to the playground, which was also really close to our home.  We had a swingset, slide and sandbox.  The neighbors all congregated at our yard for play.  The kids loved it. 

As the twins went through school sports became a common thread for them.  They started with flag football and basketball at 5, and continued until they made the minors in baseball at 8.  Then they ended up 3 sport kids through their elementary years. 

Still excelling in school! 

They attended church as a family and  Sunday School was a regular event.  When they were 7 they accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and were baptized.

 

We moved to S. Korea in 1998, the twins were 10 I homeschooled them and they were so smart.  The youngest twin learned to play guitar.  They both played soccer, for the first time and did very well.  They could not wait to get back and play football.  We toured S. Korea together during the day.  We went to Seoul and then to the beach in the south.  We visited the Independence Hall and learned about the history of Korea.(I enjoyed this more than they did, of course).  We hiked around fortressed cities, and into the mountains.  From our apartment, which was 700 sq. ft.  we could hike to the hill above Pyongtaek.  We walked and walked, rode buses and subways.  What a fun time. 

By 1999 we were stationed back at Beale AFB and bought a house in Penn Valley.  The twins started 6th grade at Ready Springs School and did all sports, football, basketball, volleyball, baseball.  They also excelled in school. 

After graduating 8th grade they attended Nevada Union High School.  I was so proud.  I had graduated there in 1988 and though my high school career and theirs would look incredibly different, I was still so proud.  Some of the same teachers that taught me were still there.  (My parents had also graduated from Nevada Union High School in 1969)  I was a nerd in high school, always in the library....oh I still am a nerd and in the library.  I embrace that.  The twins were very athletic.  Football, Baseball, the youngest was Basketball and the oldest was Wrestling.  Wow!  They were busy.   As soon as they turned 16, they bought themselves cars and got their driver's licenses.  They were ready and so was I.  We lived 17 minutes from the school. 

They excelled in school. 

They both went on to college and graduated.

Very smart, very tech savvy, very loving, very compassionate men they have turned into.  I love you both with an unconditional love, you will not understand until you have one of your own.

The following is so true!

 

 

 

So true! 

 

Happy Birthday to my twins!!!  I love you both.