DISCIPLINE

"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." - Hebrews 12:11

The New Year is here and I have not made any resolutions. A friend of mine worded it best, "No resolutions for me, just goals to continue."  Resolutions are easily broken and only bring self-condemnation, which is something I can do without.

 

This year my goal is to continue is becoming more disciplined in reading and studying God's word, and being consistent with exercise, both of which are vital to my health.

The scripture above is an encouragement to me. First, it brings truth to my soul, and truth brings inner strength. Second, it teaches me that discipline is something that doesn't just happen, you have to be "trained by it" which means to me this is a process which will involve hard work.......and yes, I find that encouraging.

A marathon runner didn't just start our running 26 miles, he had to train, hard!

A baseball pitcher didn't just "happen" to be a pitcher, he too had to train for it, and so on and so on.

I want to reap the "harvest of righteousness and peace" - the fruit that comes from being trained to be disciplined.

What is goal are you continuing this year? What is your motivation?

September Trip to Southern California - Part 4

So sorry, you all, for not posting sooner. I guess I may have left some of you hanging.

This next series of pictures are from our hiking trip across Santa Cruz Island to "Smuggler's Cove". 

This particular day was a really special day to me. It was just Kimm and I for the miles we hiked, both ways...I don't think we passed anyone on the way over, or on the way back. We did run into people when we got to our destinations, but the perfectly quiet time just two sisters together was special. We laughed and laughed, like we usually do when we are together, but we also had some beautiful, deep conversations....the kind that bind souls together.

First peek at Smuggler's Cove...I was SO excited!

Anacapa Island (one of the 5 islands that make up the Channel Islands) in the distance.

Parting glance............it was just SO beautiful.

 

Hiking "u-p" from Smuggler's Cove.

Bye, bye, Smuggler's Cove.

Looking back from where we'd been.

These past 3 pictures are of a mile + of a "killer" hill we had to hike....(these pictures don't even do it justice) it didn't seem that bad when we were going down...of course, isn't that how it usually is?

Almost back to Scorpian Cove.

  

I hope you got an idea of what a beautiful day this was. The other really neat thing is that during this hike, is that the "only" thing we could hear was the breeze, occasional birds, and each other laughing. I'll tell you it is "priceless" to not have the intrusiveness of life on the mainland.

Stay tuned for the conclusion of my September Trip to Southern California....

September Trip to Southern California - Part 3

Kimm being silly - we had a shot of Tequila to toast her deceased husband, Bob (this particular day marked 2 yr of his passing) and she could not resist the "lime face"!

The above and the following reflect the fact that we found out the "hard" way that the stove she brought didn't fit the fuel....we were going to check that the night before but it got late and she was "positive" it would be fine....geesh, and we knew better too, especially after growing up with a father in Olympic Mountain Rescue.

 

This is the woman I shared a tent with....she never ceases to crack me up.

To be continued........

September Trip to Southern California - Part 2

Our camp.

One of the many little foxes on Santa Cruz Island.

Our "pantry". Each campsite has one of these lockers used to store "camper's" food stuff so that the little foxes and other varmits cannot get into things.

Part of the 5 mile hike we took after we got our camp set up. This part of the trail leads down to the backside of the campground area.

This is on the beginning uphill stretch at the start of our hike. Little Sister :)

Looking back from where we started. Anywhere we hiked we had to start out by going "up", and up and up! I am SO glad that I got in shape for this trip.

Up on the flat. We stopped and Kimm said, "Shhh, listen. Do you hear that? Nothing..." It is hard to believe that there are folks in this world that have never gotten to experience such a wonderful thing. 

Sister.

The above picture and the ones that follow are shots from our hike.

Looking back at "Scorpion Cove", the place where the skipper dropped us off.

To be continued.............

September Trip to Southern California

I cannot believe that it has almost been a month since my trip to visit my little sister Kimm...my how time flies.

I know that many of my friends have been anxiously awaiting for me to post pictures. Since there are so many I will probably do this in two posts. 

A southern flower on my walk along the beach on the way to town while Kimm was at work.

Teryaki Salmon Salad - I craved this salad from the minute I knew I was headed to Kimm's. Anacapa Brewing Co. is one of my favorite restaurants in Ventura. Mixed greens, mandarin oranges, avacado, lightly fried wonton strips, salmon fillet that has been grilled with a light brushing of teryaki sauce, and an Asian vinigrette. My mouth is watering as I write this...I think that I am seriously going to have to give a hand at trying to duplicate this for home.

Kimm's  apartment building. She has the sweetest, most quaint place ever. When I walked into it I was taken back in time to my "Nana's" place. The kitchen had the same little cutout door under the sink, and the cabinets were high just like Nana's were. There was a washroom off the kitchen just like hers, and again in the bathroom there was a similar arch over the tub/shower that Nana had in hers. I could see why when Kimm found this place that she called me and begged me to pray that she'd be approved to get it. It felt like a long lost friend.

The skipper really does stop for whales and dolphins so that the passengers can watch these wonders of nature and take photographs. On the way back to the mainland he stopped for a humpback whale and her baby and we watched them for 15 minutes...it was awesome.

Heading out of the harbor we passed this bouy with seals warming themselves.

Goodbye Mainland, see you in a few days.

 First glimpse of Santa Cruz Island of the Channel Island National Park.

Approaching the dock at Scorpian Cove.

.....to be continued.....