Showing posts with label Beach. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Beach. Show all posts

Sunday, July 26, 2015

Monday, June 29, 2015

Manhattan Beach


Manhattan Beach, California...
I'd love to say I was here right now,
but I'm not. This is a photo I took about 3 years ago,
and I uploaded it to Pinterest.
It's also on my Instagram page,
and it's my Google + profile photo.
Yeah, I love this place!
(I found out today that someone else had 
claimed it on their website,
so I thought I'd put it on here and reclaim it) :)

There's nothing special about the photo,
other than the meaning for me and my husband
of an anniversary visit back to the place we met.
If you ever get a chance to visit
Manhattan Beach, you're gonna love it!!
Have a beautiful day :)

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Fear, Faith, Oceans, Snakes and...Miracles


I always loved missionary stories as a kid. 
God seemed to do amazing things through people who stepped out in faith.
I feared the stories too. I feared that I loved them so much
that it might mean God was going to send me somewhere...
like Africa. 
I feared Africa. I feared the snakes in Africa.
I feared the heat in Africa. I feared the scorpions in Africa. 
I really feared that I might be going to the African desert :)

When I was 18 years old I signed up to go on a one month mission trip 
with a group called Teens With a Purpose..TWAPS for short.
They sang in churches, did construction work,
and generally served where they were needed.

My motives weren't pure though.
The mission trip was to Hawaii, 
a long time dream location for this Cali beach gal.
A place I didn't fear. A place I longed for.
I went, and spent a month there,
falling in love with the people and the place.

I distinctly remember standing in the airport in Maui 
waiting to get on the plane to go home 
and hearing that little voice inside my head say "STAY, just STAY." 

I didn't.

I had paradise in my grasp, but I didn't trust the voice. I wasn't brave.
Fear of being on my own at that young age was just too strong,
and my faith wasn't strong enough.
As it turns out, I wound up in the desert after all,
instead of paradise.

In the desert where there is heat, and snakes and scorpions.
Oh, the irony :)
Kind of like the Israelites in the wilderness...
"Don't obey...you get the desert. You missed the Promised Land.
You get Plan B."
(which He knew I was going to take the whole time)

I think that God must have a great sense of humor
when dealing with our foolishness :)

However, even after growing up a beach girl,
now residing in the desert for oh so many years,
(with surfboards stacked in my bedroom)
and missing my early "opportunity" to live in Hawaii,
I've found the desert isn't so bad.
In fact, it's home, even if it isn't Hawaii.
I have still been very blessed.

I have children who are much braver than I was,
and have traveled to many corners of the world,
serving where God has led them.

I have friends who have done the same.
People who are brave.
Cody and Tiffany are two of these people.
They are friends of ours who have lived their lives in faith, not fear.

They have a blog called Hurting Hearts, Helping Hands.


My oldest son worked with Cody for awhile,
and the stories he would come home and tell are legendary in our household.
We hold Tiffany in equally high esteem because it takes
a very strong woman to be married to such a daring man :)

Cody and Tiffany went to Sri Lanka to help
right after the Dec. 2004 tsunami hit.
They fell in love with the people and the place,
and THEY listened to the voice that told them to go back.
We met them during the time they were waiting to go.
They were working hard towards that goal.
And they finally made it, several years ago.

They are surfers giving back...
through an organization called Surfing the Nations,
ironically based out of my beloved Hawaii :)
Over the last 4 summers, my youngest daughter has
also volunteered with STN. They are reaching into all corners of the world.
They have even gone to North Korea to teach surfing there.
Yes, you read that right. NORTH Korea.
(You'll see their little icon there on the side of my blog,
along with my favorite music apps) :)

Last year, while in Sri Lanka, Cody was bit by one of the deadliest
snakes in the world...the Russell Pit Viper.
I'm including his post, which breaks down what happened.
When he was bit, word was spread to his friends worldwide via Facebook.
We didn't know if he would survive...because few do.

Snake Bite

Russell Pit Viper: Based on several factors, including lethality of venom, aggressive behavior and number of human fatalities it is responsible for, it is commonly agreed upon by herpetologists that the most dangerous snake in the world is the Russell's Viper. Also known as the Chain Viper, the Russell's Viper ("Daboia russelli") causes thousands of deaths each year. When the Russell's Viper bites a victim, it can deliver up to 112 mg of venom which can cause pain, swelling of the area around the bite, vomiting, 
kidney failure and an inability for the blood to coagulate. 
These symptoms or even death can occur very quickly, within 
two and a half to 10 minutes from the time of first being bitten.

My miraculous story as I look back over this death defying week…. It was a normal night here in Sri Lanka and my family was headed over to our friendJohnson's house for dinner. It was 7:30pm and I opened my shed and reached around the door to grab my motorcycle helmet. As I reached in, I felt something bite me on my ankle and made it feel like it was on fire. I quickly turned on the light to find nothing but my clean shed room that I had been working in all day. Still not knowing what bit me, I asked Tiff to bring me a flashlight and our snake bite kit. I turned my shed upside-down and looked in every corner as I had the venom suction syringe attached to my ankle. I have been bit/stung by snakes, spiders, jellyfish, scorpions, stingrays, sea urchins, and centipedes; so maybe I was a little bit calloused to the reality, but after not finding anything I just shrugged it off as most likely being a centipede. So I said "lets go to dinner." 

I let everyone around know what happened so they could keep an eye on me and then we proceeded to have an amazing meal of shrimp hand caught by Johnson,Babu , Spencer, and myself. During our time there a National Geographic commercial came on about poisonous snakes and I jokingly said "maybe it's a sign." Two hours later we were headed home to go to bed after a long day. As we all unloaded off my motorcycle, Koda said "Mom there's a snake. I thought it was a big pile of dog poop, but it's not, it's a snake." It was at our front door step under our brightest outdoor light in a place that we could not miss it. (Miracle #1; I was headed to sleep; if we didn't find this snake literally on our front door step I would have not gone to the hospital). 

Thousands of emotions and feelings flooded through me as I recognized it as being one of the top 4 most lethal snakes in the world, a Russell Pit Viper. I knew I needed to stay calm to prevent the poison that had already been in my body way too long, not to be pumped throughout my body; but I also knew I needed to kill the snake so that I could take it to let the doctors identify it. As soon as we saw the snake, Tiff called Johnson to come pick us up and take us to the hospital. Johnson said over and over on the phone to not kill the snake, because one of the Sri Lankan myths about snake bites is if you kill the snake that bit you, you will surely die. (Johnson's big brother was bit and killed by this viper or one very similar). You can imagine how scared he was for us. 

We dropped off our kids with Johnson's wife and it was then when I felt the emotions of "this might me the last time my boys will get to see me." They were already scared and I didn't want to scare them more, so I lightheartedly gave them hugs, told them I loved them and wished them sweet dreams. "Hardest moment in my life thus far." 

We arrived at our local hospital to find out they couldn't help, and sent us on an hour and a half ambulance ride to a bigger city hospital in Ampara. Babu begged to come in the ambulance with us and I am so glad they let him so he could be with Tiff and help translate. In the ambulance Tiff got on the phone to get family and friends praying and to get our Doctor friend Matt's number. Within five minutes Matt was on the phone with Tiff walking her through everything she needed to know as I was copying and pasting on our computer things she or the doctors might need if I was to go into shock or pass out. 

When we arrived the doctors looked at the snake and looked at me and didn't understand why I was not dead. At this point they assumed that it must have been a dry bite without venom or else I would either be having severe reactions or be dead. Therefore they didn't want to give me the anti venom. They started running blood and urine tests and thats when they realized I did have venom in my blood. However, they still didn't believe it so they ran the same test again with the same results. (Miracle #2- I should have been going through death like side effects, but nothing.) 

They were finally convinced and immediately gave me 10 viles of viper anti venom, which they also said would have really bad side affects. With epinephrin shot in hand, all the nurses and doctors watched in amazement. Thirty viles of anti venom later and there were still no severe side effects. (Miracle # 3- No side effects to the anti venom). 

Soon my blood was back to normal and as they were still continuing to monitor all my systems for effects, they were convinced that my brain, heart, kidneys and other organs were miraculously unaffected- ( Miracle #4). Three days later I'm at home, back on my feet, entertaining all of my loving Sri Lankan family/friends who have come to see this walking, living Miracle. What do I have to say about all of this? 

Well….. my Jesus Rocks and I give him all the credit he deserves, even when some might say "why would he let you get bit in the first place?" My response is this: Jesus wanted to show off and to show others that don't know him how much he loves his people and how he can do the impossible, the supernatural. Thank you first off to Jesus for saving my life. Tiff you were amazing and I am so proud of how you handled the situation; I am so lucky to have you. Dr. Matt, you are my hero and my family and my life has been so, so blessed by you. Thank you for doing what you do. Friends, family, and people that I don't even know who prayed for me, I am overwhelmed by your love. Your prayers were answered and you now have a personal testimony of Jesus's amazing healing power. Share it with everyone you know. I love you all. I love you Jesus. 
Some scriptures people shared that were powerful during this time. 
Psalms 91, James 5:16, Acts 28. Psalms 56:3. 


Miracles...they happen when we least expect them.
They remind us WHO is in control.

My favorite song in the world is called Oceans....
(surprise, surprise)
It's beautiful, and I have listened to it hundreds of times.
It's about trust, and being brave...
I especially love the line that says
"Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders"
I think it represents Cody, Tiffany and Surfing the Nations 
very well, along with many others 
who ARE brave...

Enjoy :)



Hillsong United ~ Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)

You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep
My faith will stand

And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand
Will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You've never failed and You won't start now

So I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

[6x]
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior

Oh, Jesus, you're my God!

I will call upon Your name
Keep my eyes above the waves
My soul will rest in Your embrace
I am Yours and You are mine...

Btw, the photo at the top of the page is of the
Surfing the Nations Sri Lanka Surf Club :)

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

To Russia With Love


I have a thing about pier shots. 
I guess it's because I spent many summers with this as my view. Sitting with my friends, next to the pier, bodysurfing, watching the boys surf, and laying out, working on our tans. 
It's still one of my favorite views. 

Which brings me to views. 
Blog views...
Oh wait, I'll backtrack a little first.
I'll start by saying that I'm not on here very often anymore. I know that's stating the obvious, lol. Like many other bloggers, I had moved on to other things and this blog seemed to take a backseat in my life. I've never been much of a writer anyway. I can remember sitting down to write a story for a school assignment, and thinking, "No, let me draw a picture instead." 
Art was my easy "A" class, not English. 

In fact, the only thing I remember writing that didn't stump me was poetry, which is kind of a written form of "Art" class. I guess that photography is now my "Art" of choice, hiding behind the lens of a camera instead of using pencils, pens or paint, sitting in the shadow of a pier, or waiting for the sun to pass just below the horizon to get the most vivid colors of a sunset. 

However, I come from a long line of storytellers. My mom's side of the family has always told stories. True stories. Oral history though, not the written word. My kids have heard my stories so many times they can tell them for me. I've written a few of them here on the blog, but my strength is not in the writing, it's in the telling. When I tell someone about the day I was held up, you will probably laugh about the ineptness of both myself and the robber. My next job was working for spies..no lie. I can tell you that one with a whole slew of websites to back me up :) I then worked for an actress, and I think a sitcom could be created from all of the stories I tell about that job. 

So what does pier views, storytelling and blog views have to do with one another? Well, the "pier views" comment was really just because I wanted to include a photo. I always want to include a photo. (Btw, that's my hubby on the surfboard. I'm still watching the boys surf, lol). The "storytelling" is because I haven't been telling any, and the "blog views" is because I'm always surprised when I check in here and see the stats on my blog.

First of all, I'm surprised that anyone is still checking. You are all wonderful to keep doing that. Secondly though, I'm surprised at the amount of visits coming from places like Russia...and Iran. Blogging has broadened my world, or shrunk it, depending on how you look at it. When I was blogging regularly, I "met" people from many countries who have come to be my friends.  So I started thinking, "If Russia is my second biggest viewing audience, what could I give them that would be meaningful?" 

I didn't know the answer. I wasn't even blogging anymore. The last post about my mom was going to be it. I'd lost the desire to share online. I'd lost my biggest cheerleader. I didn't know how much life could hurt without your mom in it. I didn't have any idea what this change was going to look like. My family has been very supportive, and I realize that people lose loved ones everyday. It just looks different when you're the one saying goodbye, doesn't it? 
So I've been learning to grieve. 
Hard stuff.

My mom was never one to let her kids wallow in their problems. Give them to God, she always said. Count your blessings. I can still hear her singing that song while she worked in the kitchen. I began to think about how I have it so easy. My goodness, I have it so easy! I have a roof over my head, food in my cupboards, and clothes on my back along with many more in my closet. My kids have never gone hungry, my husband has always had a job...
and I'm free to worship my God.

So I've decided that's what I'll share. I don't have the gift of writing, but oh, how I love the written word. My musical background is 'forced piano lessons for 5 years, and singing in a praise band."
I know enough to know how little I know. 

But I know what speaks to me. So I'm going to share that. The photos I hide behind. 
The stories that glorify Him. The songs and the lyrics that teach me, that inspire me, 
that remind me there is another view. 
An aerial view. 
His view.

"Lord I'm Ready Now
All the walls are down,
Time is running out
And I want to make this count."

Listen to the rest of this song if you have a couple of minutes. It's beautiful.


Saturday, September 15, 2012

Learning to Surf...


Yes, I believe I have become a once a month blogger, lol.
Thank you to the friends that have continued to check on me.

My husband has been home the past 3 weeks, due to a knee injury.
I love having him at home, but I know he's had quite a bit of pain.
We got away for a couple of days, and of course, headed down to the beach.

Just 4 kids this time...it seems kind of weird, but we had a great time.
Hubby is bit limited in mobility right now, but it didn't stop him
from trying to get his kiddos to surf....

and then he went to work on me :)


No, I've never surfed before. I grew up body surfing,
but somewhere between having a surfing hubby and 6 kids to keep track of, 
I haven't even done much of that in recent years.
He was planning on changing that....

first I put on a wetsuit, and then we we went out...

I actually got up a couple of times...briefly...
so briefly that my daughter didn't get photos of me in the upright position, lol.
but I can say, I had a blast and can't wait until we go again!!!

Maybe you really can teach an old dog new tricks!

I don't think I'll ever go out again without a wetsuit though,
it made such a difference!!

Now if we can just get hubby's knee back to normal :)
Thank you RussMyHoney....you are the best!!

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

The Writing on the Wall (Shelf) :)

Sometimes it just takes a little frame and a few words to share they way you feel :)
The words in the frame above were just some I typed up and printed. 
The Beach Boys kind of hold a special place in our hearts around here. 
They were the first band I ever saw in concert. 
They were on a come-back tour, and were considered local boys,
having grown up in the same area I did. 
In fact my friend's mom had gone to school with them 
and used to tell us stories about them before they were "known". 

I found the Subway Art on a featured post over at Coastal Blue Ocean.

It was designed by Linda over at Seaside Style.
Thank you both for sharing this project. It was simple and fun,
and fits well in my home. I always have a little touch of the beach around here.
Our weather is still saying "Summer" although we had a little rain today, 
and it cooled down a bit. I haven't been motivated to get out the Fall things though,
since I'm still running the A/C :)
We're back at school now, and that does make our schedule a little more "normal", 
if there is such a thing. We aren't too normal around here most of the time :)
Wishing you all a lovely week!
Blessings,
Marcia  

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Ferris Wheel Fun

"I see nothing in space
 as promising
 as the view
 from a Ferris wheel. "
E.B. White

I know I've been absent from blog land this summer. 
I'd like to give you a good excuse, but I really don't have any. 
Just trying to keep a better balance in my life, I guess. 
Summer is winding down, so I'll be visiting all of you more often. 

Thank you so much for your sweet birthday wishes for my boys :)
Blessings,
Marcia 

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

{Blue}

 I'll bet you can't guess my favorite color ;)
I think the *blues* of summer are the best *blues* around.
 
My girls are home. They had a wonderful time in Hawaii.  
It's a busy summer, but we're enjoying it around here. I hope you are too.
Thank you so much for all of the anniversary wishes for my parents.
They were touched by your thoughtfulness.
Blessings,
Marcia

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Balboa Pier

Every time I look through a viewfinder,
  it takes me back to my childhood.
Such happy memories of peering through these :)

If you visit Balboa Pier, be sure to visit Ruby's 
 and have a giant *ice cream*
 Messy, but fun.

I just have to add that today is
my parents 63rd wedding anniversary!
Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad.
 
We love you both. 
(Aren't they cute?)

Enjoy your weekend everyone :)
Blessings,
Marcia 

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

California Dreaming...

 Are you planning and dreaming about all of the things you're going to do this summer? 

Realizing that it's getting close, and those extra winter pounds will not look good on the beach, in summer clothes, as if anyone will be noticing this middle-aged woman, I decided I needed to start exercising more, and maybe NOT eat quite as many fattening tasty treats.  

*Beach vanity* is a bit of an obsession here in southern California. ;-)

Oh, the best laid plans, my friends!

Today while shopping at Target with my girls, my daughter mentioned that she had a Starbucks card and offered to treat us all to something there. We conveniently have a Starbucks in our local Target store, btw.

I'm not a coffee drinker, so I'm no expert on Starbucks, but when we came out both of my girls were sporting a nice Iced Passion Tea, very few calories, I might add....

and what did I get?
A Strawberry Frappuccino..... 
with creme!
We won't talk about all the calories in this baby :-)

They really need to take all of those photos of their sweet drinks down off the walls,
because novices like me are gullible suckers for a pretty picture!
 Do you have any idea how much walking I'm going to have to do to pay for this?

*The last two photos are from the Starbucks website because you really don't think
I took the time to get a photo before I drank this down, do you?* 

And in case you're wondering, no, that isn't my pretty blue sailboat...
Just another "California dreaming" moment, I guess :-)
Blessings,
Marcia

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Simple Good Life :-)

 Growing up at the beach meant you could go here anytime.
Living in the desert doesn't afford us this luxury,
or provide this as an everyday view,
my dear hubby is always happy to teach one of our kids to surf ;-)
 or this, 
 although we can drive there in just a little over an hour.
  However, my newest patio chairs have become a favorite place to sit, 
 and enjoy the simple view I have.
They need to be painted, but I'll get around to that.......one day. 
(I know, famous last words).
 If you're willing to pay a bit of a water bill,
you can even have a green lawn here :-)
  I've been sitting out here a lot lately,
which means my house is not being cleaned like it should be :-)
Pretty soon our days will be too hot for this,
but I'll let you in on a local secret......
the summer evenings in the high desert are just ♥ heavenly ♥.
Visit A Beach Cottage to see other *Good Life* posts. 
I hope you're all enjoying your week too.
Blessings,
Marcia

*Jordan Update* posted yesterday on my brother's facebook page....Great News!!
"Just spoke with Jordan, he seemed in really good spirits. His legs are closed 100% & all skin grafts done & taking well, stitches removed from his right arm that had been broken. All wound vacs have been removed! He is on the mend! We love you Jordan!"
His address:
Naval Medical Center San Diego
34800 Bob Wilson Dr.
Bldg #1, Ward 4 East, Room #406
San Diego, Ca. 92101
Thanks for your continued support & prayers!

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Bird Days

 I enjoy watching birds.
 

 I read recently that this was a sign of getting older. 
My turn to be King of the Hill!
I'm in trouble :-)

Are you my mother?
  I like to come up with captions too :-)

I noticed that birds of a feather,

 really do flock together...

 I thought it was interesting that they seemed to segregate themselves on land,
but when they took flight...

 They would soar all together!
This paints a beautiful picture, 
and perhaps...
we can all learn a little lesson


 From the birds :-)
Have a blessed Sunday!
Marcia

Monday, September 20, 2010

Unexpected Memories

  In case you missed my last post, we were blessed with a wonderful vacation last week.

We walked over to the California Surf Museum, because, as you may know, Russ has been a surfer for years, and we were within walking distance :-) When we arrived, the sweet ladies working there introduced us to a few surfing legends who just happened to be visiting at the same time. We were all thrilled. I even remembered to get a photo!
Chuck Quinn in back, Woody Ekstrom, Eve Fletcher and friend

As we headed back to our condo, we decided to take a different route, and as we were walking down the strand we happened upon these little cottages facing the ocean...and memories of my childhood came rushing back. I thought I'd only been to this beach one time before, 17 years ago, when I was pregnant with Serena. These cottages were part of a memory though, and it went back a lot farther than that.
 

 I told my family I'd stayed here as a child. I remembered these cottages well. I was here with my parents, my brother and my grandma. I couldn't remember the circumstances that brought us here, but I was sure of this place. I remembered getting up early in the morning with my mom and brother and going out hunting for seashells. It was overcast, and I kept looking back at the cottages, keeping my eye on them, not wanting to venture too far off.

When we got back to our condo I called my mom. She filled in the blanks. We had been to the San Diego Zoo, and decided to stop in Oceanside for the night. Yes, these were the cottages and I couldn't have been more than 4 or 5 when we'd stayed here.

 I asked around and found out a little more about them. Built in the 20's, they were originally a motel, but were later sold individually as condos. Called Roberts Cottages, they and are still available for rental, and are part of a condo association. In a place where large condominium complexes and apartment buildings are the norm, these sweet little cottages were such a pleasant surprise and a wonderful unexpected memory. We were also able to make a few new memories of our own :-)
Aren't these little cottages cute?
Have a wonderful week everyone!
Blessings,
Marcia

Sunday, September 19, 2010

The Gift




 Have you ever been given a gift that you know you can't possibly repay? One that blesses 
you more than words can ever say? Our family was given that gift this past week.

 It started several months ago, when a couple that we've become acquainted with at 
church asked us a simple question. 
They said "Does your family ever get away?" 
 We smiled, and said that it tended to be "day trips" with a family of 8.
 

 The next week they showed up with a book of destinations. They were offering us a week at 
their timeshare, anywhere we wanted to go! We were overwhelmed. People don't give
family of 8 a vacation, it just doesn't happen!

 We'd never been to dinner with this couple, never had them in our home, and only gotten 
to know them in the past year, but they chose to bless our family in this way. 
And what a blessing it was my friends. 

I can't even begin to tell you.



 

 Our entire family spent a week at the beach, in a lovely 3 bedroom condo. Both of our older 
sons were able to come too. We all had a wonderful time. 


Thank you  so much Larry and Aleen.

 You've exemplified Christ's example of offering a gift that can never be repaid.
It has meant so much to our whole family. More than you'll ever know.
Words cannot begin to express the joy and thankfulness we feel in 
our hearts!
Blessings,
Marcia