womens roles and sniffing the air

• Just finished reading 'A Candle in the Darkness' by Lynn Austin.....it started a bit slow but was worth the read- It was actually a really good read!
• Our Associate Pastor taught on women's roles (in the church) this past Sunday.....a touchy subject now a days- She hit the nail on the head..........just kidding our pastor is a man (all of the pastors at my church are men).....HE hit the nail on the head- Really appreciated that he kept to what the Bible say's and did not sway the Bible to meet 'socially' acceptable.  Thank you for the sermon Pastor K (he doesn't read this blog but it seems respectful to thank him anyway- It's got to be a tough job standing up in front of hundreds of people communicating God's Word especially when the subject matter is one that is touchy)
• The missing plane............every morning when I wake up I ask Matt (who is a news watcher) whether the plane has been found......my heart aches for the families- and because it has not been confirmed by way of actually finding the plane, my heart aches for the people on board the plane..... I have found myself praying for both of them them multiple times a day....
• Tomorrow is my precious mom's birthday- she will be 66..........My mom is the most compassionate, genuine, loving person I know.  I love you mom and appreciate you so much-
• Banana Boats Hawaiian Tropic Sunscreen smells really good- Like coconut....I got it for our trip to Hawaii.  I found myself sniffing the air trying to determine what smelled so good- I even went as far as asking a girl standing by me what smelled so good....she said it was her tanning spray- I sniffed a bit more and realized it was not her at all but instead it was me!! I smelled DIVINE.....I didn't tell her though- but instead thanked her....I really was thankful- she caused me to smell myself and realize just how great the lotion smelled :)
• Last one and on the subject of tanning...........I spray tanned before going to Hawaii.......Salt Water and sand mixed with spray tan is a disaster...My feet and legs were orange and white- It was fine when they were an all over orange (from the spray tan) but once the salt water and sand started washing off the spray tan (in random spots) it was not good!
• OK this really is the last one....I spray tanned just before Ryan was born (I also had a pedicure) I didn't want to stare at my own white legs and ugly toes when I was pushing- When my water broke with Ryan it took off all the spray tan in lines running down my leg.......serves my vanity right that I had to stare at the washed off spots of tanning cream the whole time I was pushing- Thank goodness the water did not chip off my polish- I don't know that I could have handled that 'ummm....excuse me doctor- could you please give me something to stop this labor....I need to repaint my toes.......'            hee hee hee hee hee hee hee hee!!!!!!

It's 10- Bed Time for this 38 year old!

Misc. Hawaii Pics

Saying Goodbye to Elle's.............Thank you pops and mom



my boys are all gangsta'

seeing the island with a backdrop of my black and white dress



Buddy (L) and Pono (R)

 

:)

Humidity + My Hair = DISASTER/FRIZZY MESS

 

Was able to go with my friend Julie as she tried on Wedding Dresses

Poipu (Kauai)

Surfs Up!! (Isaiah's dad Eli on the Left)

here comes trouble :) :)

Kewala'i Church (Maui)



Our Friend Mary holding her newest grandson Manoah

 

This is what kind of pictures I get when my boys take the camera

Nice Selfie Ryno....cool shirt dude :(-

ten randoms from a flight with me

(I wrote this post yesterday while flying from Maui to Oakland, California- we had a great flight, a long drive home from Oakland last night- in our car, which did not get stolen :) and I have spent the morning cuddling with Ellie...tis good to be home!!)
 

·         Every time I fly I will write in the margin of my Bible, usually after getting comfortable in my seat (but sometimes after takeoff).  I flip to Psalm 91 and write the date, where I am flying out of, and where my destination is (we are flying from Maui to Oakland California as I type this blog post- in the margin of Psalm 91 I wrote 3/27/14 OGG to OAK).  I do this because each time I am able to fly I am reminded of the incredible healing the Lord did in my life in 2005.  I was unable to fly because of an anxiety disorder (terrified to fly is an understatement) and in 2005 the Lord delivered me from it and I will forever be grateful…..

·         I choose Psalm 91 as my ‘go to’ place to write my flying destinations because it is, in my opinion, one of the most comforting chapters in the Bible if one is struggling…..It talks about the Lord being our refuge and strength…our protector- When I first started flying, after being healed from anxiety, I would struggle with being really nervous still when I would fly- I would read it (Ps. 91) and feel an incredible amount of peace and comfort....I don't feel as nervous now to fly BUT I still love reading Psalm 91....God's peace that passes all understanding never ceases to astound me....

·         Hawaiian and Alaska are my 2 personal favorite airlines to fly- Hawaiian because the seats are bigger (this was confirmed by an airline stewardess when I asked), they serve you free food, and they use coconut soap in their bathrooms- really, what’s not to love about those 3 things J  Alaska serves free Jones Soda and has a classy feel-

·         Our Ticket total for all 4 of us (E,R, M, and I) to fly from Oakland to Maui and then jumping on an inner island flight to Kauai that same day….. Then 5 days later from Kauai to Maui…. then 4 days later  from Maui back to Oakland was just under $1100 round trip…...  In Jan. Hawaiian ran a special ($188 one way)- I had enough Hawaiian Miles for all 4 of us to get to Hawaii on miles one way (17,500 one way each) and paid just under $800 for the one way tickets home.  Because we wanted to visit 2 Islands (Maui and Kauai) we needed Inner Island Flights- I had enough  miles left over to purchase a one way ticket (7500 miles) from Maui to Kauai for all 4 of us- Hawaiian also ran a special in Jan. on Inner Island Flights- $74 each one way- so for a little under $300 we made our inner island flight….the downfall was we needed to travel by car five and a half hours away to Oakland from our home town…

·         Speaking of Oakland……If given a choice, we will NEVER fly out of Oakland again….if your home town is Oakland, I am sure there are amazing areas (that we missed) in the town....should have listened to all those that said ‘are you sure you want to fly out of Oakland….it really is not a safe city’  WORD!

·         We did the park and fly package at the hotel we stayed at in Oakland- my 2005 Honda Accord is sitting at the Hotel- the one that made 3 stars but still has graffiti and barb wire surrounding their parking lot- I’ve told Matt several times on our trip….’Wonder if our car will still be there when we go to pick it up’….to which he replies in a completely honest tone….’I don’t know?’

·         It is 6:20 p.m. Mainland time (3:20 Hawaiian time) we took off from Maui about 12:10 we are set to land in 1 hr 15 minutes (7:35)

·         Our Flight over to Maui took almost 6 hours (Headwind)

·         Our Flight back to Oakland from Maui is supposed to take 4 hrs. 19 minutes (Hallelujah for tailwind)

·         The boys and I are so excited to see Ellie- She stayed with my parents this week while we were gone.  Just before I left, I asked Ellie what she wanted as a ‘prize’ when I got home….she loves wearing my rings and quickly answered ‘I want a ring’…….I wasn’t sure what type of ring she wanted because along with wearing rings on her fingers she will also wear my toe ring around.  ‘TOE RING’ was her enthusiastic response………I have a toe ring, Havaianas size 6 with the strap in the back, an adorable Hawaiian dress, 2 more pair of adorable flip flops, 2 necklaces, and a bracelet to give her when we get home…..This does not include the gifts the boys got her…………We love our Elle’s!!

Hope you are all having a great Thrus.- Thank you for spending some time with me 35,000 feet in the air thousands of miles out in the Pacific!

My view as I type this blog post

 

Aren't they CUTE!!!

 

mahalo nui loa for the amazing adventure Eli Ben

In just a little over 2 months Matt and I will watch our Eli walk across the stage....dressed in cap and gown....to get his high school diploma.

A few weeks back, Eli and I sat and went through his box of graduation stuff'.  Things like his graduation announcement, thank you cards, and fancy return address labels were in the box....all the items pointing to the end of a 12 year long school season....12 years of September starts and June endings- many of those years this mama brought my baby to school, praying with him on the way...for several of those years his daddy was able to do the same. 

It's interesting the tears Matt and I have both cried over the past 6 months- Since I read him the blog post I wrote on the first day of Eli's senior year....I choked my way though the post, reading it out loud to Matt and was surprised to look up and see his tears.  We didn't need to ask why the other was crying- we looked at each other and just knew....

Life is telling us it's time....
Time to Cheer more than coach
Time to step back and watch
Time to hold our arms wide open
Time to let our Eli go

'Whatcaha want to do for your last Spring Break as a high schooler Eli?'  Was the question both Matt and I posed to him back mid January......

The last spring break where we could demand he come with us on a family vacation was the big joke around our house.....work, college, just everyday Eli's life will be his priority come this June....

'I want to go back to Hawaii' was Eli's consistent response......
'I want to see all of our friend's on Kauai and go visit the ranch' (we were caretakers on a ranch in Kauai for 2 years) 

Mahalo nui loa for the amazing trip Eli Ben-
We have spent the past week visiting with our Hawaiian family........friends that became part of our Ohana during our 2 years on the island of Kauai.....We were able to visit the ranch we used to live at and reminisce about the memories we made while caretaking......we've hung out at the beach, boogie boarded, body boarded, gotten sunburned.....we've laughed....we've annoyed each other.....we've appreciated being together

Mahalo nui loa for the amazing adventure Eli Ben-
it's been an amazing adventure over the past almost 18 years sweetie
daddy and I have loved raising you
we've loved watching God take you from our baby to our boy and then to our young man
we look forward to watching you mature into to the man God has called you to be....watching His story unfold in your life as daddy and I let you go and watch you fly.

 

p.s. My mom and pops were so gracious in watching our Ellie for the week......everyday I would ask her 'Elle's are you ready for mommy to come get you?' to which she would reply 'NO!!! I stay with nana!!!.........My parents are the best!

Shaka Sunsets and Family Moments

So, I'm all 'Let's go see the sunset...'
I knew it was going to be a problem as soon as I took out my camera....
They giggled the whole time as I was like 'enough already!'
Then we all busted up laughing......
This, my friends, is a typical family moment for us

I LOVE MY FAMILY :)

Shaka!!

5.5 Down wind....

Five and a half hours being down wind from these two....If your the mom of teen boys you know exactly what I'm talking about.

I will sit upwind on the way home (and give the people down wind apologetic looks when we land)

 

I LOVE MY BOYS!!!

 

p.s. Molly C. this blog post is dedicated to you!

 

The Choice

In Jan. of 2013 I wrote the following words in the blog post titled Flipping It Around For Second Chances: (Click link to read post)

'God allowed a certain season to come into my life that seemed overwhelming- To be quite honest, I could not believe the intense feelings of anger that started washing over me shortly after this season started.  In my mind it was supposed to be a season of 'dreams come true'!  I thought I had prepared my heart in a Godly sacrificial way for the season and just needed to sit back and reap the fruit of my Godly preparation and obedience.

I had done no such thing but instead had prepared my heart in 'Stephanie's Ideal Land'.......
I was looking to 'receive' in 'my way' and felt entitled to my expectations- Nobody could tell me different'.

God has used the eye opening conversation I had with my dad that January day to set a foundation for a view change.  My view that used to have reflective glasses on that just showed 'me' was stripped away and a bigger picture was before me.........

The biggest realization was that life, while it includes me, is ultimately not even about me....
For the 'what makes me happy' motivated society that I had taken a drivers seat in this was a pretty devastating thought- It was depressing, at first, to realize that my happiness (or at least the pursuit of) was not going to make me happy at all but instead make me miserable in my own self absorption.

When the Lord allowed the stripping away of those self reflective glasses, I was left with the amazing gift of seeing the world through a different perspective...through 'THEE' not 'Me'.  I was not in the drivers seat any longer, choosing the road based on happiness but instead a passenger whose driver choose the road based on salvation.....my salvation and the salvation for all who would believe (John 3:16)
It was really overwhelming at first too- I saw so many areas in my life that I have failed in............so many situations that I had chosen my happiness at an unhealthy cost instead of God's way... Along with the overwhelming realization of failure was God's unshakable love (Jer 31:3) and truth that there is no condemnation in Him (Rom 8:1)- He did not allow my eyes to be opened so that shame and guilt over the past would rule in my life but instead for restoration, healing, and ultimately a closer walk with Him.

The choice is mine every second of every day-
will I make it all about me- what makes me happy....Will I chose the drivers seat
or will I say 'Lord Jesus it is all about Thee'....Thy road and Thy will....choosing to be a passenger

'Heavenly Father thank you for the gift of sight- A sight that looks beyond self to you...the ultimate giver of happiness- I love you Lord Jesus'

'I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.' (Isaiah 48:17)

'

  

This and That is SO NICE!

A little of this and a little of that- kinda what life's a lot about...

• Thanks to my Ryan, I had a pedicure today- The gift certificate was from Christmas of 12'- It's the first pedi I've had in almost 3 years....it was SO NICE- Thank you Ry!
• Ellie is completely potty trained- She started potty training herself right at New Years and finished up last week- we are starting our second week diaper free (even at night).......This, my friends, is SO NICE!
• Eli had to write a paper about honesty for school- He didn't know I read it (he saved it in documents and I came across it)....This is verbatim:  'My belief in honesty was formed at a young age. When I would get into trouble by my parents I would try to lie to get out of whatever was going on. This idea was quickly shut down, and I would be disciplined. My parents would always tell me if I was honest I wouldn’t be in so much trouble. This is how I learned that being honest is the best way to do things.'   As a parent, you don't always know how much of what you try to instill in your children 'sticks'- It's SO NICE when you get glimpses
• We had Costco pizza for dinner tonight- the meat combo one.....It is SO NICE that no prep and virtually no clean up is involved.  From the freezer to the oven- left overs into a zip lock- paper plates to serve.......wouldn't want to do this every night (I love cooking for my family) but once a week is divine

Happy Friday!

hee hee hee hee hee................

Never a Dull Moment

There's just never a dull moment around here- Between the cows, horses, and riding the fields (on 4-wheelers) to check fences there is always lots going on.  Late last week, we had quite a bit of rain- Ryan was out in one of the cow fields riding when we got the call.....'I need a pull cause I'm stuck'....I grabbed my camera as Matt and I headed out the door to help.

Stuck.....

If this picture could speak you would hear Matt saying 'QUIT taking pictures and come over here and sit on the front of this 4-wheeler!!' (He said my weight helps pull the other one)

Finally Unstuck :)

My handsome Ryan....Mama loves you Ryno Chase!

A Prayer for Malina

Back in January I ended a blog post with the following prayer request:

'My last sentence carry's 3000 miles across the Pacific to the oncology ward in one of Oahu's finest hospitals..............Malina WE ARE PRAYING- May you feel God's presence wrapped around you and your family and may your healing come quickly- Praise God for the news you received today (that her Leukemia went into remission).  For my prayer partner buddies please join in praying for Malina as she overcomes Leukemia.'

As most of you know, my family and I were able to live in Hawaii for a couple of years (09'-11').  We lived on the island of Kauai where my husband Matt was the manager of a recreation ranch (the ranch was a vacation destination for family and extended family).  During our stay on Kauai, Ryan met his friend Isaiah at school- when they started spending more time together we were able to meet Isaiah's family and extended family.  Both Isaiah's family and extended family were so gracious to our family- inviting us over to family gatherings and BBQ's.  When you have moved to a new state, feeling a bit homesick, and trying to meet new people these types of gestures go A LONG WAY!  Isaiah's dad is named Eli (we call him big Eli when we are referring to him at our house- not because he is physically big but because he is older than our Eli- it get's confusing when you have 2 same named people- distinguishing is a must).  Eli's little  sister is named Malina- Malina is part of Eli's extended family that we were able to spend time with while we were on Kauai.

Just after New Years I received a text from my friend Dionne.  Antone and Dionne were the first friends we made after moving to Kauai- I met Dionne at church.  Dionne's brother Kimo had recently moved from California to Kauai- After moving, Kimo met Malina....those 4 period marks between the a and t represent Kimo and Malina starting to date, having their daughter Mahiehie, and then recently getting married.

Just for confusions sake:
Big Eli is Malina's brother
Dionne is Kimo's sister
Eli's son Isaiah and our Ryan became friends at school- Malina is Isaiah's aunt
My family started hanging out with Isaiah's family and extended family because of the boys friendship
Dionne and I met at church and became friends
We met Malina through spending time with Big Eli (Julie- Eli's wife....well...almost wife...smile) and Eli's extended family
Kimo and Malina met fell in love and got married
Kimo and Malina would be at the extended family get togethers that we would go to....
This is how my family met Kimo and Malina- It really is a small world :)

Dionnes text was asking for prayer for (her sister in law) Malina- She was very sick, had been medivaced from a hospital on Kauai to Straub Hospital in Honolulu....the diagnosis was Acute Myeloid Leukemia type M4.

The local paper on Kauai picked up Malina's story and explains even further what Malina has gone through since getting her diagnosis- Click HERE to read.

In the last couple of weeks, Malina was released from Straub so that she could fly to Stanford to receive a bone marrow transplant.  Malina's brother Alika was found to be her perfect match. 

Malina's facebook update page said this today:

Today Malina begins her preliminary appointments before her actual transplant. Today she will have her pulmonary function test, echocardiogram to check her heart and another bone marrow biopsy. Please keep her in your prayers for favorabl...e results and comfort during the biopsy. Biopsies are extremely painful and each one has been increasingly more painful for her. Malina continues to show an amazingly positive attitude in everything she does. Her smile shines daily. Kimo is there every step of the way. And Alika will stay with them until they complete his stem cell collection. Actual transplant will be March 27th.

I would ask that when you think of it, you lift Malina up in prayer- She's a young mama, she's newly married, she's strong and incredibly courageous.  Praying for Kimo as he stands by his wife's side and for Alika as he is privileged to be Malina's donor.  Also praying for Mahiehie.....

God Bless you and we are praying!!

 

 

'Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.' Joshua 1:9



Malina you are STUNNING!

Malina, Mahiehie, and Kimo

Beautiful!

Malina and her brother Alika

This pic is of Isaiah and Ryan- Isaiah and his family spent this past Thanksgiving with us here in Oregon.