And it was good...

Just one last photo of our trip this past summer. What a great adventure David planned for us. ALL four of our kids could be with us. Such a great trip with many adventures. This last major adventure was a Whale Watch Cruise out of Bar Harbor, Maine. It was AMAZING! LOVED the time on the boat, actually saw whales, and a seal, and puffins, and more. Felt badly for MMH who had a bit of a sea sick episode, and for WeeOne who was FREEZING (it pays to listen to Mama!), but even so we loved it.

Did laugh at the naturalist who explained that whales evolved from hippos. That got David going. I think, according to Genesis 1, that God created all living things, EACH after IT'S OWN KIND... 'nuf said.

²⁰ Then God said, “Let the waters teem with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of the heavens.” ²¹ God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarmed after their kind, and every winged bird after its kind; and God saw that it was good. ²² God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” ²³ There was evening and there was morning, a fifth day.

²⁴ Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures after their kind: cattle and creeping things and beasts of the earth after their kind”; and it was so. ²⁵ God made the beasts of the earth after their kind, and the cattle aftertheir kind, and everything that creeps on the ground after its kind; and God saw that it was good. 

Genesis 1: 20-24

We've been studying Genesis in Sunday School. It appears that the majority of arguments that are posed about Christianity are cited to be related to the first 11 chapters of Genesis. So, our teacher is having us study these chapters and see what we think, and find what the Bible really says. David came up with what I believe was the best answer, when confronted with questions such as, "When was the earth created?", "How long did it take to create the earth?" and other such questions it is safe to point the questioner back to Genesis 1:1. (Also, after each bit of creating God saw that it was good. That means He creates good things. Seems simple, but as you think about it this takes on new meaning.)

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

That's really the crux of the answer. All the other details are not important. Truly they aren't. What IS important is to recognize WHO created all things. Once that's recognized you can move forward from there. Anyway, that's what hit us as important in chapter 1.

Meanwhile I hope you enjoy the family photo. And hearing about all the sea creatures and flying creatures we saw. And, if you have questions about Christianity, creation or the Bible feel free to ask me. I'd be happy to talk further with you, or even post some other thoughts.  

Love to all, May you rest in the fact that God rejoices over you with singing... isn't that amazing?

Shalom, 

Kim

New Journies...

Over the past 10 months or so there have been any number of changes in my life. During this time I have tried hard to focus on God, His word, and His plan for my life. 

Until the age of 30 or so I was always under weight. SIGNIFICANTLY so... as in 20 pounds or more. Something changed after the birth of our second child and my body and I were not so friendly any more. It didn't seem to be treating me well and I was definitely not treating it well. Can you say cookies, ice cream and brownies? YIKES!

So, now here I am almost 50 and realizing I am not treating my body right. 

1 Corinthians 6:18-20

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

¹⁸ Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body. ¹⁹ Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? ²⁰ For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.

So, what immorality? Gluttony, laziness, and neglect. And so this journey, a journey to physical health, begins. I've started Couch to 5K using a free app on my iPhone. It was so easy to use and seemed just the right plan. That is it seemed just right until an old nemesis returned. Shin splints. OUCH! Having spent the time and money years back for properly fitted orthotics, and this year for properly fitted running shoes I really hoped that the flat feet were not going to be an issue. Alas, it was not to be. I wanted to say my body had failed me, much as I had failed it. But, I'm going to look at this as a way in which the Lord will guide me to what HE thinks is "just right" for me. 

Back to biking. 

And healthy eating. 

Ah yes, no more ice cream for breakfast. Okay, maybe now and again. But not every day. So to kick off the healthy eating I tried a smoothie as shared by my friend April. Here it is in all it's loveliness. 

Green Smoothie

1 carton Greek yogurt (I used Dannon Oikos Vanilla)
5 strawberries
1 frozen banana
BUNCH of baby spinach leaves 
skim milk (Or almond milk, soy milk, whatever)

Blend till smooth. I know... the color. OH MY! And the texture isn't much better. But, April was right, you don't taste the spinach. Give it a try. I had this smoothie and a bowl of rice for dinner last night. Not bad. 

Meanwhile, I'll continue to exercise, back to biking for while, and remember that God joys over me with singing. What a concept! May you also experience that joy!
Shalom, 
Kim