FEEDING MY SOUL/Self-Care~2025; Ocean Park-WA

SO good to listen to.

Pioneers of Messianic Worship (2025) | Full Official Documentary: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBQecYkvUy4)

SO much fun to see people I've met and known in my early Messianic Christian Walk - we've all gotten much older as the years passed 😂🤣

The Jesus People movement was fading when I became aware of the Messianic Jews for Jesus movement.

Over time, Bob joined me in the Messianic Walk, & I we met, fellowshipped, and sung with Stuart Dobermann, and Joel Chernoff.

From 1979 I was introduced by friends to the 'Jews for Jesus' movement, and the Messianic Band 'Lamb': I was immediately hooked (I had been praying for music I could relate to). I have listened to, & bought every song Lamb (Joel's band) ever out out: Bob & I met him in person in 2013; when he was a guest speaker/singer at the fellowship we were attending in Vancouver-WA. We met & fellowshipped with Stuart at a home fellowship in Lexington-WA, in 1987; at the time, he was a fledgling songwriter from Nebraska. I was also introduced to the 'Purple Pomegranate' Jewish Folk music, of Haight-Ashbury-CA (no longer operating), which I enjoyed. Stuart's music is sung in many Christian churches - and I spotted his songs in the hymnal at the Oak Point meets - I was glad to see that his songs had finally been put into a collection.

Paul Wilbur, a singer then with the Messianic Band, 'Israel's Hope' was an instrumental singer Bob listened to during his 1981 healing, following his death & resurrection (there are witnesses to this fact, as well as medical documentation on record). Paul's early messianic songs were too frantic for me … but, Bob loved the frenzy.

I had been listening to Marty Goetz's songs every Saturday on televised 'The Jewish Voice' program. Bob started watching with me after he got saved in 1981. And our biker friend Dave Hargrove started joining us in our livingroom, every Saturday: he eventually got saved & left this Earth in 2014, and I will see him again when my ticket to paradise is stamped 😊

Since 1988, Bob & I attended Messianic Fellowships in Portland-OR & Vancouver-OR, pretty exclusively. When Bob was called home beyond the clouds, the winter of 2018, it took me a while to drive myself to the Vancouver fellowship again & I went every Saturday morning until I remarried.

Holland gets nervous around anything Jewish - including me: this is part of the redmill religion paranoia.

BUT, my messianic lifestyle is being brought back into the home environment. For 30 months it has been stopped because Holland would get so furious; he was so fearful of anything Jewish, and accusing me of practicing seventh day aventism, and literally calling me a devil worshipper (his actual words a few minutes ago 😔). Now, I'm just tired of being silenced, & I'm really tired of trying to explain something he does not want to hear - he is determined to believe what he believes; he has been indoctrinated by the redmill religion based on cultic tyranny, and fear to hold him from breaking lose.

Personally, I intend to have peace reigning in the home; I have tried to meet my new husband halfway … but he is only interested in digging his heels in to force the devilish redmill religion. I am no longer going to be bullied, or shut down.

Messianic songs, again, will fill the interior environment.

And Shabbat meals with challah will grace weekend table, again.

I am going to be myself, again … and he can join me, or not: the choice is his. But there will be no more fighting with him on this issue. The Home Atmosphere is my decision (Holland has been very clear on male-female roles; I am going to hold him to his role preferences), and I intend to have peace reigning in the home. Our time spent in CA through the next few months should be interesting …

I'm glad I found this documentary; Elohim always provides 😁👌

AZ HABOOB~2025; Ocean Park-WA

AZ Haboob Dust Cloud; Aug.26, 2025

WOW! 😳

We have daytripped, & set pegs, in all of these areas during our Road Gypsy travels: and Holland has visited his mother's relatives, and lived-worked construction jobs, in all of the areas during his lifetime. He lived in Phoenix for 2 years during his 1st marriage.

We been on all of these roads many times grocery shopping, sight-seeing daytrips, passing through to visit relatives … & I've never seen any of this in my time spent in AZ - but, Holland has:

Biggest Dust Storm In Years Slams The Valley: 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UIBGMwSwg0 & https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2H-YFskHK0)

I am GLAD 🙏 we are not in AZ now: and I'm pretty sure we'll never be going back, due to the sandstorms we experienced in Yuma & Quartzsite. Yuma was the worst, when the winds picked up. They are called "devil winds" for a reason.

I have never seen a "haboob" - but Holland has, when he lived and worked in, the Phoenix area. He did righteous by taking me to see AZ every 6 months for the past 2 years … but, I agree that we can't go back.

If we had been in Phoenix when this dust cloud blew through, we may well be dead right now: the dust is literally driven through any opening; even small openings that seem very tight in vehicles. Our lungs would not have survived the assault.

Towering Wall Of Dust Leaves Thousands Without Power In Metro Phoenix: (https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/towering-wall-of-dust-leaves-thousands-without-power-in-metro-phoenix/ar-AA1LdKEj?ocid=winp1taskbar&cvid=302afc0954b844d58c4e4aa84ea28aad&ei=6)

THE SUM OF SMALL EFFORTS; Ocean Park-WA

3 days left before we hook up, and pull outta here.

We'll be glad to leave the chill & fog behind. It's been a real bummer at the beach, this year 😕

Betsy & Independence; very foggy here, today; Ocean Park-WA

Another dense fog warning - it's been like this most of our time here, this year; we'll be glad to leave this behind.

We both spent the day intermediately between tasks and down time with online scrolling's: Holland worked more of Betsy projects, and social media … and between relaxing movies, I was securing stuff so it wouldn't bounce off the walls when Independence is trucking down the highway - I drafted Holland at one point, to help me store the lawn chairs in the upper bunk 😘

By Day's end, we had really accomplished quite a bit, even with out small-efforts-lazy way of going about it.

And, I even found time to get a short workout, in - nothing intense; but every little bit helps; a couple months from now, I will appreciate today's sum of small efforts 😉

Full Body Workout Muscles.

The Step Half Jacks is a low impact, full-body exercise, that engages a range of muscles, primarily in the legs and glutes (quadriceps, calves, glutes) and the core (abdominals and lower back), with the shoulders and arms also participating in the movement. This exercise is good for balance, stability, and cardiovascular health.

The muscles of the lower back include the erector spinae group (iliocostalis, longissimus, and spinalis), multifidus, and quadratus lumborum. These muscles work together to support the expand, rotate, & stabilize the spine - to maintain posture, and to enable activities such as bending, lifting, and walking. 

Glutes, quads, & calves muscles.

Shoulder & Upper Back muscles.

Lower Back muscles.

The Step Back exercise helps improve balance and overall lower body stability - and it's knee-friendly, making it a good option for those with knee issues.

Supper was a steamed meal of veggies and pork steak - it actually turned out pretty good. While we ate, we talked about things we hope the weather will allow us to enjoy on our way to Coalinga-CA … as well as some things we hope to enjoy once we get there.

We're both looking forward to new adventures 👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨 

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - 'Home' song: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHEOF_rcND8)

SHAVUA TOV~Self-Care 2025; Ocean Park-WA

"Shavua Tov" (שָׁבוּעַ טוֹב) is a Hebrew phrase meaning "good week".

We're leaving here on the 28th.

Holland worked on the door latch this afternoon - taking one out, and replacing it with another. Eventually he wants to get a digital one, but for now, this is what happened today:

Betsy & Independence; Ocean Park-WA

Holland wrapping tasks up.

Very strong winds - not gale force, but pretty strong.

The wind is high here in Ocean Park-WA today, so I engaged in some indoor stretching exercises for a bit. There are many workout movements that don’t involve machinery - as a Messianic Christian Jew, I am not bound by the endless orthodox rules and regulations enforced in many Jewish homes and communities … but I do join in solidarity & respect for the Shabbat Rest, with my Jewish brethren spread across Earth's surface; so I try to do things during my Shabbat Rest period that honors both my Jewish & my Christian heritages.

I like working my body - to strengthen it, and to keep it flexible. As much as possible, I want to be able to use my body for the purposes and with flexible abilities, it was designed and crafted for.

The Reverse Lunge exercise primarily works the quadriceps and glutes, with significant contributions from the hamstrings, which are responsible for hip extension and stability. The exercise also engages the core muscles (abdominals and back) for stability, and the calves and inner thigh muscles (adductors) act as secondary stabilizers and supporters for the movement.

Reverse lunges are beneficial for building lower body strength, improving balance and stability, and enhancing functional movement.

The Step Jacks exercise engages a full-body workout, targeting the quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, adductors, abductors, and calves in the legs, along with the shoulders, lats, traps, and core for stabilization and upper body involvement. This low-impact exercise is a versatile cardiovascular and full-body strength move that benefits the entire body.

Adductor Muscles: (https://www.brisbanephysiotherapy.com/news/adductor-muscles-strain-injury)

Step Jacks work the heart and lungs to build fitness without too much impact on the joints. They improve balance and spatial awareness (spatial awareness is, very simply, an visual & mental awareness of the objects in the space around us, and also an awareness of our body's position in that space), help develop muscular endurance in the legs, arms, and shoulders

The lats are the latissimus dorsi muscles, a large, flat, triangular muscle located on the back, below the shoulder blades and extending to the spine. They are involved in shoulder and arm movement, as well as stabilization of the back.

The trapezius muscle, commonly known as "traps," is a large, triangular muscle in the upper back that plays a crucial role in scapular and neck movement, as well as posture. It's divided into upper, middle, and lower fibers, each with distinct functions that contribute to a wide range of movements

The Standing Knee-to-Elbow exercise primarily works the abdominals and obliques due to the twisting, contracting motion of the core. You also engage the hip flexors to lift your knee and the glutes and quadriceps to stabilize your standing leg and maintain balance. The shoulders and arms are also lightly engaged to help guide the movement.

As you lift your knee, the hip flexors activate. Simultaneously, you twist your torso, contracting the obliques to bring your opposite elbow to your knee. The abdominals work throughout the exercise to stabilize your core and facilitate the crunching motion. Meanwhile, the standing leg's muscles (quads and glutes) are engaged to keep you upright.

Mid-day, I’m ready for a Shabbat naps - even if I can’t actually sleep, I'll embrace that luxury of staring into space for a while, with nothing scheduled and no consequences. I may, or may not, pick up where I left off in my current Clive Cussler novel. Reading is encouraged during Shabbat observance; it doesn't always involve spiritual themed material.

And we'll eat light, tonight. Holland will finish off last night's chili mac & cinnamon cornbread leftover's; and I'll have a ramen noodle bowl. While the orthodox community does not cook or bake on Shabbat … it is permissible to reheat food prepared or bought before Shabbat, according to personal halakhic (hall-soft a-kick) practice = Jewish law and tradition that governs the religious and daily life of Jewish people.

Tomorrow, I get busy with my tasks ✅ of getting Independence ready to roll come Thursday 👍

Susanna - 'The Lord Bless You And Keep You Aaronic Blessing': (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mc-WaFYk3U)

SHABBAT: A Blessing & A Gift~Self-Care 2025; Ocean Park-WA

Betsy & Independence; Ocean Park-WA

The Sabbath is a blessing and gift from God.

I keep the whole Day low-key.

My husband does not join me … but, at least he is no longer fighting me on the issue.

I practice self-care: my body is the Temple of the Ruach HaKo'desh - it is on me to maintain it, so it functions to the best of it's ability.

I tone it.

I feed it.

Chili Mac in a mug for Supper;  with cinnamon cornbread. YUM!

And when sundown arrives … I rest it.

A Day of Rest = Shabbat, is a Commandment … it is not negotiable. That it is a hard and fast commandment is no hardship for me: I want to always stay close to Elohei - to learn what it is He wants to teach me; to do what He has for me to do with this brief Life I am blessed to be living.

I honor Elohim & I love Yeshua, so I engage in the 24 hour rest to please those I love. Those Who love me, unconditionally. Though Elohim has blessed me greatly with an Earth Husband to live my days out with, Yeshua is my eternal Bridegroom: "I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine: he feedeth among the lilies" (Song of Solomon 6:3).

In a personal context, this verse carries a message of complete, mutual, and selfless giving between two lovers (Yeshua is the lover of my soul, and I in turn, love Yeshua more than anyone else; hands down, Yeshua is #1 with my  attention & affection), representing both the belonging to each other and the joyous recognition of the gift of the other (Yeshua joys over me with singing; Zephaniah 3:17). In a religious context, it symbolizes the intimate, unbreakable union between Messiah Yeshua and Believers, where each fully belongs to the other in a spiritual relationship of mutual love and possession.

Lilies, in their various forms, carry potent spiritual meanings. Generally, they symbolize purity, renewal, & a reflection of the cycle of life: the promise of new beginnings after a period of change.

So, on Shabbat I practice self-care by celebrating my God, exulting in His divine Spirit, and resting in Yeshua's presence. It is all so very simple, yet surprisingly many Believers overlook it - and some, raised on - or practicing light christianity = a compromise with sin, whereby claims of following Yeshua (Jesus) may be sporadic, highlighting a lack of a truly transformed life or a solid desire to live by Biblical principles; aligning themselves with cultural norms, and personal convenience … fear anything & everything connecting The Faith to Jews, ignore the Shabbat altogether claiming it as irrelevant.

Well, my take on the matter is, that Elohim commanded it - and Yeshua, Himself, observed it … making clear that the observance had primarily to do with rest rather than orthodox rules and regulations that lead away from Elohim's true purpose, and sour people on the observance.

If we follow Yeshua's example in all things, we cannot go wrong: I observe the Shabbat Rest as Yeshua did.

As Messianic Christians, we know we are supposed to learn about His character, who He is, His plan for our lives, His plan for the future. You know what self-care looked like to Jesus? It looked like getting away to spend time with Father Elohim … resting in His presence is true freedom, peace, and joy the world can never give us. He has the answer and it doesn’t look like what the world is pandering to us. The One who created us is the only One who knows what we truly need. It behooves us to put aside a brief 24-hour period in which our bodies, minds, and souls can rest from the world's chaos; a brief span of time at the busy week's wrap-up, where our bodies are refreshed, our minds are calmed, and our souls are soothed.

Joshua Aaron 🎶 The "Shabbat Shalom Song" - Shalom (Lyric Video) שלום:  (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aBPxMiWr-4)

Only when we are recharged to operate in the fullness of our created purpose can we hope to live out Elohim's message, stated in Leviticus 19:18 to "love your neighbor as yourself" - loving others with respect, kindness, and empathy: these things sound very nice to say … but they are actually very hard to do if you are not practicing self-care mitzvah.

The literal meaning of the Hebrew word mitzvah is commandment, but the generally accepted sense is that of a good deed. The emphasis is on deeds - not on positive thoughts or wishes, but on conscious acts of empathy and kindness.

The phrase "as yourself" implies something deeper than just an outward action - to me, it suggests that loving others with an outward action is first generated by loving oneself, as a first requirement. How can you healthily love a stranger, if you do not first understand a healthy self love?

A healthy self-love is basic self-care: understanding your worth as a child of God, and as a human being designed to represent the triune Godhead - Father, Son, Holy Spirit = the Eternal One, by which you nurture your well-being, and create an environment where you can thrive; an environment sustained by the Shabbat's peaceful and refreshing Rest. Only by taking care of your inner self for a short, yet regenerating 24-hour Rest, will you be capable of filling your own vessel -  so you can then pour out love to others with authenticity, generosity, and compassion.

This is the purpose of Shabbat.

This is Yeshua's example of Shabbat observance.

This is why I take the time to make time for Shabbat.

The Sabbath is a blessing and gift from Elohim.

VAL'S SPICY 4Patriot's BEAN CHILI MAC Recipe; Ocean Park-WA

Betsy & Independence; Ocean Park-WA

Val's 4Patriots Bean Chili Mac, served with cinnamon cornbread.

A chilly day calls for a chili dish topped with shredded cheddar cheese, sprinkled with snipped cilantro (I bought a bunch in Bouse-AZ a few months ago, cut it fine & froze it) … and a side of Cinnamon flavored cornbread; that combo sounds good for tonight's Supper 😊

A 4Patriots Survival Food Packet (original packaging); these dry food mixes take up very little space - that is crucial to full-time RV Living. For tonight's Supper; a 4Patriots food packet I had halved to feed 2 people - and vac-locked, & boxed cornbread mix.

I used one of the 4Patriot's dry mix packets of red kidney beans, elbow macaroni, & dry seasonings which I'm pretty sure has chicken flavored  bouillon in it - then, I tweaked this prepacked meal with a few addition's of my own: extra spices to liven the flavor up, tomatoes because MPO is that chili is not chili without tomatoes in it; and I also added corn because like my husband I love corn, and we've been missing it. And noticing that the bell pepper I'd purchased in Bouse-AZ was still in the freezer … I threw that into the mix, for more color as well as flavor 😉

Ingredients - prepared ahead of time; perishables refrigerated until suppertime cooking.

I usually - like today - prepare ingredients in advance: this cuts down on kitchen time (when supper cooking is underway), & dish washing (I wash the prep cutting board, measuring cups & spoons following the prep work; the dishes are not left to pile sky high; later on).

Also, if we decided to go sight-seeing or visiting before suppertime, the prep is already done, and all I have to do is pull it together - easy peasy 👍

I did dishes (prep & cooking) at intervals, so there would be no need for dishwashing jenga; space is coveted in Independence's Farmhouse themed Galley Kitchen.

About half an hour before starting the chili, I got the cornbread going …

Starting the cornbread; exact measurements given - this is new to us. Our taste buds were salivating; gently stirred, it definitely looks more than 'just moistened'. Hmm; I hope it will not taste doughy. I don't like doughy foods.

Turned into the pan with a hope & a prayer …

Placed on the top oven shelf, so it won't bottom burn & hopefully the top will [set]. Gas ovens are tricky.

Timer set for 25 minutes - we'll see; sometimes gas ovens take longer to actually cook at temperatures called for. Stoves cook differently - with toothpick, check center for doneness: add 5 minutes more, check again. Repeat if necessary until center is not doughy. My cornbread took about 30 minutes to cook through.

While cornbread is baking, gather the ingredients & get the chili underway:

Ingredients.

Val's 4Patriots Bean Chili Mac ~serves 4

1/2 pkt. 4Patriots Bean Chili Mac * 1/2 lb. lean Hamburger, browned & degreased * 1 14.5 oz. canned Tomatoes, diced * 3-1/2 c. Water * 1 Red Onion, sliced * 1 clove Garlic, pressed * 1/2 c. Celery, sliced * 1/2 Green Bell pepper, chopped * 1/2 TBSP Butter * 1/2 TBSP Margarine * 1/2 TBSP. Chili Powder (the dry mix already has some, but we like more flavor bite 👌) * 1/2 tsp. Oregano leaves, dry * 1/4 tsp. Mustard, powder * 1 tsp. Cumin, powder * 1/2 tsp. Himalayan Pink Salt * 1/2 tsp. Black Pepper, grnd. * 1/4 c. Cheddar cheese, shredded (opt.) * 1/4 c. Mozzarella cheese, shredded (opt.) * 1/2 TBSP. Cilantro, snipped * Cooking Spray * 1 Lrg. Soup Pot * 1 Lrg. Cooking Spoon

1) Spray the cooking pot with cooking spray - add onion, celery, & garlic: over medium-high heat, sauté until veggies are tender. Lower heat to medium, add cooked hamburger, and cook about 10 minutes …

2) Add the green Bell pepper & corn; cook about 5 minutes - or until pepper pieces are warmed through:

3) Cut 4Patriots packet open, and pour dry blend into pot; stir to thoroughly incorporate dry sauce mix …

4) Add Water, tomatoes, spices, butter, & cilantro - bring to a boil; then reduce heat to medium heat, and cook about 20 minutes, stirring frequently.

5) Remove from heat and let stand about 5 minutes to thicken, before serving.

Ladle into soup mugs & serve with cinnamon cornbread. YUM!

Husband approved & a repeat meal 😘