A GOOD WIFE~Self-Care; Ocean Park-WA

The "house" in this verse can be interpreted metaphorically to represent not just a physical dwelling but also the entire structure of a life, including relationships, reputation, and overall well-being.

August 11th: A lot of stuff going on in our Life 🙏

We are both investing in self care activities: physical 🏋️‍♀️, emotional 🕊️, & spiritual ✝️

Holland is taking care of the provisional 🤠 & upkeep end … I am taking care of the cozy vibe 😘 & the spiritual gatekeeper end. Together, we are guardians building our personal empire 👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨 

I started my morning out with coffee & body toning:

The Standing Rear Deltoid exercises primarily target the posterior deltoids, which are located on the back of the shoulder (making up 1/3 of the shoulder, the rear delts are responsible for arm extension and external rotation = think the gesture you make with your hands when you say 'I don't know'); they also work several other muscles in the upper back and shoulders, including the trapezius, rhomboids, infraspinatus, and teres major and minor - working rear deltoids in the female body is crucial for posture, injury prevention, and balanced upper body development. They help counteract rounded shoulders, improve shoulder stability, and enhance overall upper body strength and aesthetics.

The Dumbbell Bent-Over Rows exercises primarily work the latissimus dorsi (largest muscles in your back, responsible for pulling your arms down and back), rhomboids (located between the shoulder blades, these muscles help retract and stabilize the shoulder blades), and trapezius muscles in the back (a large muscle that runs from the base of the skull to the middle of the back, involved in scapular movement and posture = the motions of the shoulder blade (scapula) around the rib cage; these movements are crucial for proper shoulder joint function and overall upper extremity movement), as well as the biceps and rear deltoids. The exercise also engages the core for stabilization and can indirectly work the hamstrings and glutes.

The Side Dumbbell Raises primarily target the middle part of the shoulder muscle; additionally, the exercise can activate the rotator cuff muscles and muscles in the upper back like the rhomboids and serratus anterior, as well as the core muscles for stabilization. By strengthening these muscles, side dumbbell raises can contribute to improved shoulder strength, stability, and a more sculpted appearance.

This is only a guide! Go at your own speed; I cut the exercises down to suit my needs (ex.: instead of 5 repetitions = 1 do 1 set & done). I am toning my body, not wanting to look like a female version of The Incredible Hulk. 10 reps may not seem like a lot … but believe me, you feel feel muscles firming up - and you will see toning improvement over time.

The Flutter kicks primarily work the lower abdominal muscles, the hip flexors, and obliques (the the sides of the torso). They also engage the quadriceps, hamstrings, and lower back as secondary muscle groups.

The Scissor exercise, also known as scissor kicks, primarily works the core muscles, including the lower abdominal muscles, obliques, and transverse abdominis (the transversus abdominis is the deepest of the abdominal muscles, acting like a natural corset to support the trunk and internal organs. It wraps around the abdomen horizontally, helping to stabilize the spine and pelvis = contributes to good posture, core strength, and efficient movement), as well as the hip flexors and lower body muscles like the quadriceps, adductors, and glutes. It's a dynamic core exercise that also improves hip mobility and can be a good addition to a cardio workout, according to some fitness sites.

The Crunches work only the abdominal muscles: makes them ideal for strengthening your core, which includes your lower back muscles and obliques.

The Back Extension exercises specifically focus on the low back muscles - which help you support, protect, and extend your spinal column and entire back.

Exercises done, I went online to post a recipe … and saw that my knitted afghan had been highlighted for a featured mention on one o the Blogs I frequent 😊

MOD Knitted Afghan was featured on 'Butterflies in The Attic' Blog Hop.

When Holland woke up we discussed the Kelso gathering coming up on Saturday. Holland has been yo-yoing about attending since Scott died last Wednesday afternoon & Jake informed us that he was holding a family gathering at Bob's in Kelso this coming Saturday.

The decision came to a head this afternoon: we will not be attending. Holland does not want to be anywhere near his Uncle Bob, has been very vociferous about never crossing the threshold of Bob's church building, and has really felt the pressure of Jake's phone call the other day. So, I asked, "Well, I'm not going - I won't know 95% of those people, and those I do know I'd rather not know. But if you feel so strongly about being forced to go, yourself; why are you even going? Considering the rotten things they all have done to you, personally, why would you even go?" He said, "Because Mark asked me & Jake expects it of me." I counted to 10. Then I said, "Is Mark going to do what you ask of him? Of course not, he's going to do what is best for Mark. You don't owe any of those people anything, Holland. You've been snappy for days due to the pressure of being emotionally blackmailed to do something you do not want to do, and it's wearing on us - personally, I'm of the opinion that our peace of mind matters more than they do. You don't need to keep jumping every time one of your dysfunctional family members demand you jump to satisfy their selfish aims. It would be different if the Redmills actually behaved as family, but they don't know the meaning of family. You owe none of them a demanded appearance. And honestly, I'm pretty mad at Jake right now for prodding his mother - as well as you - to do something he knows you both are both loathe to do, purely for selfish reasons. You know you're going to be under immense pressure to mingle with people who have stabbed you repeatedly in the back. Lana is going to be a nervous wreck, trying valiantly to keep herself in check being that close to Bob - God help him if he even looks in her direction or attempts to talk with her; she's a new widow and new widows are pretty emotionally volatile - if he pushes on her thinking her too weak to respond, he'll get what he deserves: a brawl may ensue if there's drinking or smoking going on. You're going to bristle every time Bob opens his mouth. You're going to be fuming at Jake. And you're going to be bringing all that chaotic angst back here … as well as subjecting your compromised lungs to cigarette and pot smoke. I'd really rather you didn't go. You'll take heat for sure, from gossiping mouths that don't know the backstory, but eventually those devils will adjust and get on with their own miserable lives running to raise hell on some poor unsuspecting soul. You don't need to subject yourself to any more of the hellish behaviors Babe - and our Home doesn't need any more aggravation." He nodded before saying, "They'll talk trash if I don't go." I said, "They've been talking trash for decades, and you know that they'll talk trash even if you do go. I'm not worried about how they'll try to damage me; I'm just concerned about your blood pressure once you get among all of them under the same roof. They are trashy people without a conscious or any moral aptitude at all."

So, we are staying home Saturday.

The dead can bury their dead; we are going to get on with living a Life with as much peace in it as possible. We have our own stuff to work through; we don't need, nor do we want theirs to deal with, as well.

Some people you just need to set firm boundaries with. And let Elohim deal with them.

AMEN 👏

You have got to protect your peace.

Forgive and release.

Don't let a.n.y.o.n.e. pressure you to keep devils in your life - you have to do what is best for YOUR soul's peace; they are not walking your walk. Their experiences are not yours - and maybe they share the same mean spirit.

If they deliberately create havoc - do not let them gain entrance.

If they deliberately mean ill-will towards you, your spouse, or your children; you are not obligated to invite them into your home's sanctuary - it doesn't matter who they are.

If they use manipulation tactics to force you to bend to their will … you do not have to tolerate that 'soft abuse'.

If they deliberately go out of their way to seek & destroy you, or your loved ones - you do not have to "overlook it, and engage anyways" to "keep familial peace". Oft times your worst enemies are intimate family members.

Yeshua never taught that you have to entertain the devil-spirited.

Holland & I have been engaging in sporadic spiritual battles for 30 months, ever since we got married, and it became clear to me the severe dysfunction I married into. Since coming back to WA State this April, we have had several heated verbal exchanges centered around familial fallout after he spends time in Kelso - I stopped going because my lungs can't handle the smoky atmospheres & the stressful visits result in painful angina flareups; and I really did not appreciate Holland exasperating his COPD, either, with those visits. I have been praying that my husband would distance himself from self-destructive Redmill Crazy Train.

The generalized Christian meaning of a wife as the "keeper of the home" reflects a historical and cultural view of gender roles (my husband is big on gender roles). Understood as Biblical, as well as Historical, [Wife role] is viewed as woman managing household duties and wisely caring for the family (man & woman without children refers to "family" as well). A healthy Christian attitude is that "a godly wife is not merely the heart of the home, but a warrior at its gates" reflects the characteristic complexity of strengthening influence a wife can embody within a Christian household - never above her husband, but wisely strengthening him to carry out his duties to her, and their home environment.

A Wife who is 💯 woman of God gives special attention to the safeguarding of her family from negative influences (physical & spiritual) by diligently secure the sanctity of the Home - in all it's implications. A godly wife is not only a source of love and comfort for her husband … she is also a spiritual warrior, a formidable force who actively defends and champions her Home, reflecting Yeshua's love and Elohim's protective nature; highlighting her God-given strength, resilience, and willingness to stand ground for the well-being of her home and family. In this her husband rests securely, knowing he can fully trust her in the big things (eternal) - as well as the small things (every day life) concerning the kingdom life (private marital empire) they are building together. He knows with confidence that she stands with him, beside him, and has his back at all times, in all things.

Proverbs 18:22: “The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the LORD.” The meaning of this proverb is that whoever is blessed enough to understand that every good gift is given by God … and the greatest treasure a man can have is his Wife.