TODAY'S BLESSINGS

I had a scheduled lunch date with my friend Becky, this afternoon; Holland was planning on getting some stuff done at home this week, so I planned out-of-house things to do so I'd be out of his way.

I was getting ready, when I got got a text from Becky - a new plan was set in motion ;-)

Enhancement  tools.

I overlaid the navy eyeshadow with a line of sparkly turquoise to match my top … and I added some blue mascara, and liked the result: my hazel eyes changed color, to match my top :-)

I like a little flash here and there, in my daily life; today the flash is glitter eyeshadow.

I'm still working my way through my clothes cache: this shirt gets to stay in my closet; and it's perfect for this rainy afternoon spent with a low-key friend :-)

I haven't seen Carl in a while - this will be a lot of fun. Holland would like him - they have the same sense of humor.

I asked Holland if he'd like to join us, but he said he'd stay home and get busy here.

So … off I went :-)

The Country Folks Deli; alley entrance.

My usual booth … I read a chapter or two before Becky and Carl arrived.

Latest Read; plot set in Oregon.

Carl & Becky: I love these two - we've been friends for 25 years. They are like younger siblings to me ;-)

A different type of BLT with fresh cut home fries. YUM!

Convo was good, the food was good … and the friendship added sugar and spice to the atmosphere. Carl is a hoot, and Becky is a sweetie.

I am thankful they are in my life: Elohim is good :-)

When I got back home, Holland had the treadmill working. It hasn't worked in months. Holland knows how much I love to walk, so he dinked around with it while I was gone and fixed the issue; now I can get my mileage in even when the weather is not cooperative.

This entire day has been a blessing from the get-go.

(((THANK YOU, YESHUA!)))

Holland got the treadmill working!

Selah - 'Bless The Broken Road' song:

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPaU7jJvqRc)

1 Thessalonians ~Chapter 1/Thursday Bible Study

Thessalonica: Thessaloni'ca. (θεσσαλονίκη, in classical writers also θεσσαλονικεία and θετταλονίκη); In Paul's time, Thessalonica was a large and important town of Macedonia = a prominent seaport with commercial success, and the Capital of Macedonia with roughly 200,000 in population; visited by Paul on several occasions, and the seat of a Church to which two of his letters were addressed. This prosperous city was located on the Via Ignatia, the main road from Rome to the East, within sight of Mount Olympus, legendary home of the Greek pantheon.

Thessalonica location.

Mount Olympus location.

Mount Olympus, Greece.

Greek pantheon.

Thessalonica has a sizable Jewish population, and the ethical monotheism of Judaism attracted many Gentiles who has become disenchanted with Greek paganism.

Paul had many pleasant memories of the days he spent with the infant Thessalonian Church. Their faith, hope, love, and perseverance  in the face of persecution were exemplary (serving as a pattern, worthy of imitation).

Paul's labor as a spiritual parent to the fledgling church had been richly rewarded, and his affection is visible in every line of his letter to them.

Paul encourages them to excel in their new-found Faith, to increase in their love for one another, and to rejoice, pray, and give thanks always. He closes his letter with instruction regarding the return of the Lord, Whose advent signifies hope and comfort for Believers both living and dead.

Thessalonica survives today under the shortened name Salonika.

***************

1 Thessalonians ~ Chapter 1/Thursday Bible Study

Greetings & Thanksgiving

“From Paul, ^Silvanus, and ^^Timothy, to the Church of the Thessalonians, in Elohim the Father and the *Lord Yeshua Ha’Mashiach. Grace and peace be to you from Elohim and the Lord Yeshua Ha’Mashiach.

We thank **Elohim for all of you at all times and we make mention of you in our prayers. We cannot forget, as we appear before Elohim our Father, how your work came from your faith, how your toil came from your love, and your endurance came from your hope in the ***Lord Jesus Christ.

Brethren, we know that Elohim loves you and that He has chosen you. We brought the #Gospel to you, not in mere (this and that, and nothing more; simple, absolute, entire) words, but also with power – with the ****Ruach HaKo’desh and with full conviction (strong belief, state of being sensible), and you know how we conducted (personal behavior, management) ourselves among you for your sakes. And you, in turn, followed our example (a sample, pattern, model, precedent/going before, instance) and the example of the Lord. You not only accepted the Word, but you met persecution (unjust harassment, continued annoyance) in so doing, holding out in the Ruach HaKo’desh with much joy (pleasure, delight, expectation of good).

In that way, you became examples to all ^^^Believers throughout ##Macedonia and ###Greece, but not only that – the story of your faith has gone out in every direction so that people know, and we need not say another word. For people now tell us how we came to you, and how you left your idols and turned to *****Elohei Ha’Elohim and are now serving (to work for and obey) the true and living God. And they tell that you are now awaiting the return from Heaven of His Son, Yeshua, Whom Elohim raised from the dead, Who will deliver us from the coming wrath.” (vv. 1 thru 10)

^Silvanus = also, Silas: Paul’s companion on the second missionary journey, Silas was originally part of the early congregation at Jerusalem. He was one of the party bringing greetings and the decision of the Jerusalem Council to the Christians at Antioch. He returned to Jerusalem, then came back to Antioch in time to join Paul on the second journey. Like Paul, he was a roman citizen which, undoubtedly, saved his life during some of the troubles in the towns in Asia Minor and Macedonia. Silas stayed in Berea for a time, preaching, before joining Paul again in Corinth. Silas was with Paul when the letters were written from Corinth to Thessalonica. It seems, however, that Silas did not stay in Corinth during the year and half that Paul lived there. The next mention in the New Covenant of Silas is in the Book of 1 Peter – where he is described as the man carrying Peter’s letter from Rome to the churches in Asia Minor. Silas was probably associated with Peter after leaving Paul at Corinth. There was no hint of animosity however, between Silas and Paul. Acts 15 thru 18; 2 Corinthians 1:19; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1; & 1 Peter 5:12

^^Timothy = son of the devout Jewish woman, Eunice, and a Greek father, Timothy became a follower of Yeshua Ha’Mashiach when Apostle Paul preached the Gospel in Lystra, Timothy’s hometown. Paul invited the young convert to accompany him on his second missionary journey; and was sent to Thessalonica to strengthen the fellowship there. After another journey with Paul, Timothy was sent to Corinth to straighten out some problems upsetting the fellowship there.

Timothy later looked after Paul during Paul’s imprisonment. Timothy subsequently was asked to go to Ephesus to represent Paul, and received the two letters from Paul that bear Timothy’s Name. Timothy – these letters reveal, was like a son to Paul. The last word in the New Covenant

About this sensitive, sickly, but faithful young helper was that he was imprisoned but finally released. Acts 16:1, 17:14-15, 18:5, 19:22 & 20:4; Romans 16:21; 1 Corinthians 4;17 & 16:10; 2 Corinthians1:1 & 19; Colossians 1:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:1, 3:2, & 6; 2 Thessalonians 1:1; 1 & 2 Timothy; Philemon 1; and Hebrews 13:23.

^^^Believers: worshiper; worshippers.

*Yeshua Ha’Mashiach: is Hebrew for “Jesus the Messiah”; the name Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Yeshua.

**Elohim (Hebrew: אֱלֹהִים, Romanized: Elohim: [(eloˈ(h)im]) is a Hebrew word meaning "Gods – Father, Son, & Holy Spirit". Although the word is plural in form, in the Hebrew Bible it usually refers to a single deity “Behold, the Lord – the Lord is One”, particularly the God of Israel.

***Lord Jesus Christ (in Greek: Kyrios Iēsous Christos) = the most formal title for Jesus (Yeshua). It occurs often in the New Testament letters.

The word “Lord” has a wide range of uses; it can be a simple respectful “Sir” or a more formal, “Master.” But the New Testament also uses “Lord” of God. The word “Christ” is the anglicized form of the Greek word meaning “anointed one” or “Messiah.” “Lord Jesus Christ” reminds us that Jesus is both the promised Messiah and our God.

Christ (from the Hebrew word, Ha’Mashiach ישוע המשיח & the Greek word, Christos/khris-tos) = The Anointed, Yeshua the Messiah, in both languages.

****Ruach HaKo’desh: In Hebrew, the Holy Spirit (רוח הקודש, Roo-ahk hah-Koh-desh) refers to the divine force, quality, and influence (aka, power) of God.

The Holy Spirit (Luke 3:16 & 11:13; 1 Corinthians 6:9; Ephesians 1:13 & 4:30; 1 Thessalonians 4:8; Titus 3:5; and Jude 1:20), is referred to more than 90 times in the Brit Chadashah.

*****Elohei Ha’Elohim (Hebrew word: אֱלֹהֵי הָאֱלֹהִים) = God of gods; above all gods.

#Gospel = teaching or revelation of Christ.

##Macedonia: Macedonia has a long, rich history dating back to biblical times. In fact, Macedonia is mentioned at least 23 times in seven books of the Holy Bible. The Macedonian region, located in south-central Balkans, is comprised of northern Greece, southwestern Bulgaria, and the independent Republic of North Macedonia.

###Greece: What was Greece called in biblical times? Also serving as the Hebrew name for Greece or Greeks in general, יָוָן Yavan or Yāwān has long been considered cognate with the name of the eastern Greeks, the Ionians (Greek Ἴωνες Iōnes, Homeric Greek Ἰάονες Iáones; Mycenaean Greek *Ιαϝονες Iawones).

**Colossians 3 & 4: https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2023/01/colossians-chapters-3-bible-study.html

LIVING PRAYERS

One Month Wedding Anniversary: (https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2023/02/one-month-wedding-anniversary.html)

I needed to go into town to the Bank to reorder more checks - I am down to my last batch; so I said to Holland that this would be a good time to go in with me and have his name added to my account. He has been reluctant to do this, but I explained how important it is that his name also be on my account. He finally agreed, so off we went. Next week sometime, it will be my turn to be added to his accounts.

We needed to go the DMV and get our Driver's Licenses updated, too. That was scheduled in.

I hoped we had everything we needed, as we left the carport - but I was pretty sure someone, somewhere, would burst that hopeful balloon.

We're a month and a half delayed in this process due to one reason or another, but the timing was right for today, so we tackled it- we'd get in, get it done, and get back home before noon so Holland could get back to work running a product down to ship to Europe ;-)

And miracles of miracles ... HOLLAND LET ME TAKE HIS PICTURE!

Holland & Me.

I explained to him the other day how important pictures are to me. I'm glad he's becoming agreeable. He says he looks retarded in pictures. That is not true, and I want him to become comfortable and allow the camera to become his friend, so I said to him after seeing a picture of his mother about a week ago while we were at his SIL's house: "Do you think your mother looked retarded in that picture, in Lana's house?" He, of course, said: "No." I replied, "Neither do I. You have your mother's face, Holland. She was a pretty woman. You are a handsome man. You would take good pictures if you'd just relax."

He is learning to relax; and I am happy with the results :-)

Getting legalities of Name & Address Changes in place ...

We talked all the way into town. We talked about different things.

Unintentional Hurt:

(https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2023/02/unintentional-hurt.html)

We laughed.

We held hands.

We were enjoying each other.

When Holland parked the Highlander in the Bank's parking lot, he squeezed my fingers, smiled, and said, "A happy wife is a happy life. I love you, Baby." And I smiled, too, and said: "Yep. You understood the concept before, but now you are beginning to understand the reality." And we both laughed.

It is an old joke with a bite of truth in it - and Holland knows that I also believe in meeting him halfway so he is also happy :-)

We will be spending the rest of our life together. We've got to meet each other in the middle.

Diamond Rio - 'Meet Me In The MIddle:

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

Once inside, we were ushered into a cubby room to get the process underway. It didn't go as smoothly as anticipated. We were told we needed to go to the DMV (which we had planned to do after the Bank) and come back with our updated licenses - mine with a Name Change, Holland's with Change Of Address; Holland also needed proof he was living with me (was that talking head serious???)

For Pete's sake :-(

So we backtracked back home and grabbed a bill with his name on it ... raced across town and into Kelso to get that documentation; and wasn't sure we'd be able to get back to the Bank before the doors closed. The DMV gets pretty busy after 'noon.

We got there before noon, got our tickets, was called forward in turbo time ... and was told we needed to show our Marriage License: the {real} one, not a photo copy.

UGH!

I knew someone would tell us we didn't have the required stuff needed.

So, back home we drove to retrieve that.

Everyone was determined to make this process as difficult as possible.

I was starting to stress a bit.

We'd been running back and forth, trying to make the legal beagles happy; we'd been burning up the road for hours with nothing to show for it but a burning of fuel >;-(

Holland had things that needed to get done at home, too; and the crazy people covering their asses (the asinine legalities are for them - not us) were making our day frazzled.

Holland took it all in stride: "Just relax, Baby. Nothing happens except God allows it to happen. Look at it this way - you're out of the house. You're taking a drive. We're spending time together. We're talking things over." And he squeezed my hand with every point he was making ;-)

I said, "I know. But you have that thing that needs to get done, and this running back and forth is eating time up."

He said, "This is important, too. I love you."

And I managed to snag another video of my handsome man without hearing him snarl about that :-)

Holland brings a calmness into every situation.

On our third trip back and forth over Industrial Way, Holland said, "It's okay, Baby. Think of it this way ... you're getting a 150-mile drive today without even leaving Longview; we're making a loop drive through Cowlitz County."

I had to laugh because it was true; absurdly true, but truth just the same.

But, in all honesty, if I had to get a 150-mile drive today, I'd rather have left Longview altogether ;-)

However, Elohim had other plans. And my handsome husband and I spent the day together :-)

Everything did eventually get done: Holland was added to my Bank Account - which is now OUR account. Our Licenses were updated: $40 was forked out for the updates (I had already paid $50+ in December '22 to renew the darned thing!).

Driver's Lc Name Change

Bank Name Change

And we are back on track with each other - that's the main thing.

Holland will do his work thing tomorrow while I'm spending time with Chrystal.

I sure hope March (tomorrow) comes in like a lamb because I'm really tired of dealing with the lion ;-)

TAKE ME TO THE OTHER SIDE

I woke up this morning to my big, tall, man bringing me a cup of hot coffee. He spoils me rotten :-)

Holland will be busy most of the week tracking down a product to ship to Europe ... so, I need something to do: boredom bores me. When I get bored I get antsy; antsy makes me edgy. Nobody wants to be around me when I get edgy - including me.

I reached for my phone and started setting things in motion to skip the hovering boredom ;-)

A good time with good friends would take me to the other side.

Text to Becky; we had to cancel our last lunch date because I had a shingles outbreak.

Text to Chrystal; we haven't had lunch chit-chat, in a few weeks.

Text to Ramona; I haven't spent face-to-face-time with her since October!

I had to drive downtown to the Bank, so I decided to grab a few groceries while down there. I had a list of maybe 10 items. After that, I'd go over to Kelso to track down an address Holland and I plan to visit this weekend; then I'd drive home the long way over Columbia Heights and down over Lone Oak. I'd be out of the house, I'd be busy with "wifey stuff" for about an hour, and I'd enjoy and nice backroad drive home.

Since I was going to be out-of-house for a bit, I put some makeup on:

All Greens today ...

'Cypress' for lid accent.

'Auburn' Brow Gel; 'Deep Green' Mascara; & 'Coal Ardent' liquid Blush; L'Oreal 'Nu Confident' lipstick & 'Coral Crave' Babylips lip gloss.

Holland likes this sweater - it gets to stay in my sweater cache ;-)

The Who - 'You Better You Bet' song:

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqPlb5PLBvg)

As I was leaving, Holland said, "Hey - you got makeup on." Poor guy hasn't seen me wearing any makeup for a while ... he's probably wondering where his flashy flamingo went ;-)

I said, "Yep - I'll be out and about today; gotta have my face in place. I didn't get fancy with my hair though because the weather is too unpredictable for that." There's no sense getting fancy with the hair if you have to suddenly flip you jacket hood up and ruin it all in a split second.

There wasn't much I could do about Mother Nature's tempestuous indecisions, but dabbling in the war paint chest would get me to the other side as far as fighting the gray cloud gloominess.

Tall Man Movie, 1955 with Clark Gable & Jane Russell: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nas8Y1IW_Tk

The Moody Blues - 'The Story In Your Eyes' song: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9Zr440nXe8)

Things are getting back to {normal} in other ways, too. I'm back to doing "wifey things" I haven't done in the past four years: grocery shopping for two, is one of them.

And Holland is right about the simple application of war paint. I do feel more ready to meet the world when I wear makeup ... it gets me to the other side; it's a psychological boost. He has had sisters, and he has been around SIL's - he knows this ;-)

Grabbed a flavored coffee  at Mr. Bill's on the way downtown.

That said ... I did get a bit of sticker shock when the grocery tab was rung up. Reminding myself that the grocery bill used to be that high when  I was shopping for three, five years ago - and the politically angled covid nonsense that drove prices up for everything in the four years following, helped ease the pain of forking the moolah over.

Add to that reality check the fact that Holland has been doing the grocery shopping every week since we got back from Reno, helped my startled senses get over the shock - and to the other side.

Grocery sticker shock ...

Jane Russell - 'Tall Man' song:

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhOd3iW8Mdw)

'Normal' is back in my life, thanks to my tall man.

There was dicey road conditions along the backroad home, but it was pretty much gone by the time I passed Elk Ridge Road, so getting over the hill to the other side went pretty smoothly.

Columbia Heights road still has quite a bit of ice, snow, and slush along the route.

As I was turning onto Coal Creek Road from Old Pacific Highway, I song came on that made me laugh out loud - the song sorta {fit} the marital adjustments of late.

Aerosmith - 'The Other Side' song: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTcf10qeiCE)

Neither Holland or I have had people in our lives on a steady 24/7/354 basis, for years. Generally speaking, having even {close} friends in either of our lives has been spotty.

We both like our 'alone time' while sharing our lives; a week's span (or more, sometimes) away from friends works for us - that does not work in a marriage.

Holland and I have weathered overwhelming situations since the start of December 2022 - it has been one overwhelming situation after another, and those things have taken a toll on the developing US. Thankfully, the gray clouds are dissipating (weather-wise as well as life situations), and we understand what we're dealing with. There was the ridiculous nonsense jeannie paulson spitefully stirred up at Oak Point (still dealing with the fallout of that stressful mess). Holland had to put his dog down while in the midst of moving from Oak Point (very stressful situation; all the way around). Getting married in the midst of an incoming winter storm was hectic (kinda dampened the excitement, though we did enjoy ourselves on the way back home). Three weekly in-home gatherings ate up time we really couldn't spare (we had to drop those for the time being). Legalizing legalities keeps getting side-lined (scheduling issues, as well as unwanted infringing issues). Winter ailments just lingered on and on and on, revealing another side of both personalities (I hope we are finally in the end game of that). The melding of two solitary lives into a busy, lively L.I.F.E. together, has not been easy. Thankfully, our health is returning and Spring is arriving; we will be able to enjoy sunny days again (literally and figuratively): sunshine in any form soothes body and soul.

Remarriage is an adjustment for both of us as we move into our 'new normal'.

But we know Elohim is in the details: there is no doubt in either of our minds that we'll make it to the other side once the adjustments get worked out.