DISTRIBUTIONS DAY

Ready to slay the day's Dragons.

Today was distributions day … not only at the local Food Bank, where I help, but the things I was hoping the Caring Pregnancy Center would accept …were accepted 😊

Caring Pregnancy Center: http://www.longviewcaringpregnancycenter.com/about-us/

They accepted everything - and were over the moon with the Preemie items.

I was blessed to have Bob in my life; I want to spread his encouragements around ...

Paul Anka – ‘You’re Having My Baby’ song:

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFHWl-ZyRAg)

Opt for adoption over murder; abortion is a self-serving action that destroys on all levels.

It is encouraging to watch – and participate – in growth.

On this issue, I stand apart from my daughter and granddaughters (Azariah is too young to have an opinion on the matter). We will never see eye-to-eye on this topic. My stance on abortion is this: you are either for abortion … or against abortion; stating that you are pro-choice is to be FOR abortion. It’s that plain, and that simple – standing on the fence doesn’t work when it comes to murder of innocents.

ALL LIVES MATTER – that includes the unborn lives.

So, for those brave souls who actually opt to bring life into this world, I want to do what I can to help that choice be a confident and comfortable one.

After leaving the caring Pregnancy Center, I stopped at Dr. Tack’s Office, and gave generously there, too, when I ordered my prescription sunglasses … and was relieved when they said they could use the frames I wanted to use 😊

My coming sunglasses lens’s will be housed in the colorful frames Bob chose for me. HAPPY!

The frames that will be used ...

I had just enough time to grab a quick bite, before getting to the food distribution location on time 😉

I stopped at El Ranchero because I like the food – and I like the owners: two pluses 😊

I really like the look of this retro Coke machine.

I like this colorful, hand-painted, wall mural; my favorite booth.

Coke over pepsi ... yes, please!

I like the designs on these booths.

Super Nachos w-ground beef; Yum-YUM!

It never gets easy to remind people that Bob resides in Heaven, now.

The two hours spent at the Food Band locale went very quickly; and everyone was in a good mood (helpers and receivers); the sunshine was welcome and warmly soothing, and laughter/jokes/sharing flowed smoothly amongst everyone. It was a good day in the neighborhood, today.

I am only one person doing what I can to make life easier and happier for whoever, whenever, doing whatever it takes. I may not be setting the world on fire, but a spark is welcome for those who have need of kindness’s warmth 😉

Distribution of kindness is always rewarding.

When I got home, I started and finished another little 15-inch Angel Baby Blanket (I only have another Boy’s blanket to make before I can mail the box off); and I’ll end my evening by playing a few games of Jewel Quest (addictive game) before turning the lights off, and turning in – the mural at El Ranchero, earlier triggered that competition between the game and myself 😉

Forget-Me-Not crochet stitch; 15-inch Angel baby Blanket.

Jewel Quest Game.

It’s been a busy day, today.

It’s been a rewarding day, today.

I’ll get a good night’s sleep, tonight 😊

SHABBAT ~ The Beauty of Shabbat

For me, the beauty of Shabbat is the outpouring of the love that makes it so special 😊

I love Elohim with all my life, heart, and soul; no competition allowed – hands down, Elohim wins.

I love Yeshua with all my life, heart, and soul (Yeshua is equal to Elohim; they are in fact, One); Yeshua is also, in fact, my Husband 😉

I loved Bob with everything earthly possible; I love Bob still: and while Bob walked this Earth with me 3¼ years ago, and Bob knew I loved him above everyone and everything else on earth … Bob also knew that he stood 2^nd place in line to Yeshua. And Bob was okay with that.

Elohim, Yeshua, and Bob taught me what love is all about.

Elohim, Yeshua, and Bob loved me deeply: and I, in turn, learned to love deeply, too.

I am grateful for their love. That unconditional love grew me up; and carried me through the truly heart-rending times of my life to date.

Celebrating this Shabbat with a Spirit of Gratitude for Elohim's blessings.

Every time I meet with my friends they inquire if I’ve heard from my daughter and grandchildren yet; and my answer is always – “Not yet.” My friends know the whole story (most of them have gone through my heartaches with me over the decades; their hearts hurt with mine).

Since Bob’s graduation to life in the Celestial City beyond the clouds, God has graciously blessed me with friendships (old, and new) that have wrapped their love around me and adopted me into their personal family nucleus.

Today’s Earlier Post – MEMORIES & GOOD FRIENDS: https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2022/04/memories-good-friends.html

I am thankful, & filled with gratitude.

And I am in touch with all of them nearly every day of the week 😊

Monday is about the only free-floating day … and I use that day to do laundry; because laundry is an all-day event 😉 The rest of the stuff like dusting, mopping floors, cleaning the bathroom, ect., can be done after I’ve spent time with my friends because I can portion those things out over the weekdays.

One friend I’ve come to cherish, is my BIL Rick. I’ve only known Rick for about three years. Bob left my life in December of 2018 … and my sister Iris, and her husband Rick, entered my life in February of 2019. That was a true blessing: and I’d been waiting for connection with Iris for 55 years: Elohim was faithful.

On the right side - Iris, Iris's mother, Rick in the back.

Iris’s spirit stepped off Earth in September 2019; but Rick and I remain in contact. The other day, Rick sent me some genealogical information about my bio-father and his siblings – things I did not know.

Full Names of my birth father's siblings ...

A specific kindness to me concerning my mother.

Rick did not have to do this. My bio-father was not kind in any way, shape, or form to my sister Iris: and I am sure there was bitterness towards my mother. But I loved Iris as soon as I was aware of her existence (I learned about my sister when I was 10 yo, by overhearing the adults talking). And Rick is motivated by that love to connect as ‘family’ – we both loved Iris. And Rick is being kind to me as family members should be.

Familial kindness just for the sake of familial binding is a new experience for me.

Bob was the only person in my entire life, who ever truly loved me, just because I suck air.

But over these past three years of Solo Loboing, and allowing myself time and space needed for my heart to heal, Elohim has created a ‘community family’ for me; by surrounding me by old friends, sending me new friends, and forging strong Church ties, as well. “Family” in a Christian’s life doesn’t always include natural DNA: Yeshua taught that the Church is our Family (Matthew 12:46 & 50), and that a friend sticks closer than a brother (or sister, mother, daughter, ect.,).

Another 'family' branch - and one I admit I was reluctant to renew. But Elohim had other plans ...

Imperials – ‘Cast Your Bread Upon the Waters’ song:

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-g7DTw3row0)

2 CORINTHIANS ~ Chapter 8/Thursday Bible Study Post:

(https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2022/04/2-corinthians-chapter-8thursday-bible.html) 

Life teaches that people, even Christian people, will be fickle and faithless: it’s human nature that people give into … people will get hurt, and people will continue to hurt people; but Yeshua will always be a true and faithful Friend 😊

Selah – ‘Oh The Deep, Deep, Love of Jesus’ song:

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3B605gdrqmk)

I am thankful, & filled with gratitude.

Yeshua has anointed my head with joy; laugh-lines are the result ;-)

I am thankful also that Elohim has specifically set 24 hours aside to rest our bodies and spirit – and to refresh our souls with His great outpouring of love towards those of us who are called out of the world’s chaos, and given kinship status with His Son, Yeshua, Who is also the Bridegroom of The Church (His Bride).

That rest – that love … is the beauty of Shabbat.

Joshua Aaron – Hu Yavo (hoo-YA-voh) – ‘He Will Come’ song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Utmqvg2qtDw 

As Shabbat unfolds, I get my Gratitude’s List out, and give Ehad Eloheinu praise for all that He has done for me 😊

The wine I selected for this Shabbat is a wine I saw in Albertson’s last time I was there – it is a combination of red wine and chocolate: a dream wine for women 😉

Perfect ending for a pretty perfect day 😊

Selah – ‘You Are My Hiding Place’ song:

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iukRJ9Wnr6A)

IN FOR A PENNY~IN FOR A POUND …

Today was my day at a local Food Bank. I enjoy this time, so noting that the weather was favorable today: the treeline out Coal Creek was clear of snow; as was the Longview Heights area – towards the Columbia Heights area ...

I ‘went for it’ 😉

The coffee was warm, and tasty.

I look forward to my afternoon time in Kelso.

The radio station was playing decent music 😊

And the weather was favorable … until I turned onto Nevada Drive, towards West Side Highway: suddenly, the sunshine morphed into a driving rain/sleet/snowflakes combo. But I was halfway to my destination: I was “in for a penny, and in for a pound” – the drive really wasn’t that treacherous, and I was praying that the worst of it would hold off until I got back home 😉

Going into Kelso, this afternoon - if there's no reason not to do it ... I'm doing it ;-)

Snow patches along Laurel Road.

View from S. Nevada Drive.

Snow draped Lone Oak hillside from Nevada Drive; I planned to drive that road back home, 2 hours from now – so I scoped it out 😉

By the time I reached my destination; snowflakes as big as dimes riding on a driving rain, were falling at a windswept angle. I prayed harder that my return trip would not be too dicey.

The two hours passed quickly with jokes, laughter, and remarks of “this is nutty! It was 75-degrees just 4 days ago!” from everyone: workers, and customers. And it is true.

Afterwards, I did drive home over Lone Oak Road – it’s quite a bit higher in elevation than Westside Highway (and Ocean Beach Highway), and I was curious as to how much snow actually fell in those hills.

It was obvious that a significant amount of snow had fallen the day before … there was snowy evidence, as well as storm damage debris (downed wiring along the roadside, cleanup where trees and tree limbs had fallen across the road, and wind-tossed branches littering both sides of the roadway); but the drive along the route was relatively dry road and easy passage. I was thankful.

Lone Oak Road.

9 minutes to home.

Top of Lone Oak Road; road ice-free, though littered with tree-breakage debris.

The only storm damage, here at home: I put it in a cup of water, on the kitchen window sill 😉

All that was missing weather-wise this afternoon, was a tornado touch-down.

There was no weather-related tornado touchdown … but there was a cyber-related tornado that had been dropped into my Blogger email.

I dealt with it – and God willing – that tempest will lose its steam and fade away.

It’s ridiculous and I’m tired of it continually showing up. I'm dealing with a lot right now ☹ – I don't need to be dealing with a crazy woman.

CRAZY INTERNET ‘grammy’ BULLY~W.T.H.: https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2022/04/crazy-internet-grammy-bullywth.html

I am also missing my husband (April is the month Bob and I became a couple), and my little grandson (April is the month we found out he would be born in June): so, I redirected my thoughts, and got busy coating the soles of the final three pairs of slippers 😉

Last 3 pairs of slipper soles to be coated, and set to 'cure'.