REFLECTIONS; Castle Rock-WA

Halfway through the silent treatment morning coffee, I decided to go for a walk.

In another town.

So, I did:

Willow Grove Park on Willow Grove Rd, Longview-WA from Toutle River RV Resort, in Castle Rock-WA; via Delameter & Coal Creek Roads~34 mins (21.8 mi)

Putting distance between me and animosity.

Self preservation is not wasting time.

Nothing is going over very well right now …

I ended open disrespect aimed at me, in 2020.

Cargo ship PAN MAJESTY anchored off Willow Grove-WA~PAN MAJESTY is a Panama-flagged, large-capacity single-deck bulk carrier, designed for grain and bale cargo. It departed from Pyeongtaek, South Korea on 21 June 2026, and is bound for Kalama, USA

Bunny Tail wild grass in the looping trail gravel.

Pretty, little, delicate lilac hued wildflowers; along the trail.

Beautiful red trunked Pacific Madrone, Arbutus menziesii evergreen: (https://nativeplantspnw.com/pacific-madrone-arbutus-menziesii/)

It was a beautiful morning to be out walking.

Little but loud; Banded Kildeerbird. 

(https://www.eastsideaudubon.org/corvid-crier/2019/8/26/killdeer)

The 2 acre, fenced, Dog Park area is sectioned - for different sized dogs.

My mileage was actually more than recorded; I started tracking late.

The walk was enjoyable.

The sunshine felt wonderful on my skin.

The sounds of nature were welcome.

I was beginning to feel that the animosity that drove me from home, was worth it.

Leaving the Park, I felt a prodding in my spirit to drive up to Columbia Heights & see if Keenager's was still happening - so, I gave in to the prod and went that way:

Valley Christian Fellowship, LV-WA from Willow Grove Park, LV-WA; via Willow Grove Road & Pacific Way~20 mins (10.5 mi)

Valley Christian Fellowship; #3136 Columbia Heights Rd., LV-WA

Making some changes for self-care.

Reflections Of My Life | Marmalade | Lyrics: 

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wD9D7PUITU0&list=RDwD9D7PUITU0&start_radio=1)

Slipping back into solo lobo mode, for self-care.

It's true he has rushed me through 23 states; rushing is not stopping and exploring. The past 2 years we never went past CA & AZ, because if he can't rush back to kelso non-stop, when beckoned … life gets miserable real quick. Fear that Mark or Lana will  die suddenly from overdoses, keeps him tethered to the kelso madness. It's unhealthy for him. It's unhealthy for our marriage. And it's annoyingly frustrating for me.

Entering the building, my eyes were happy to see old friends - and they, in return, were also happy to see  me, again; Judy & I shared and enthusiastic hug, her husband Dave welcomed me from the pulpit & happily introduced me to the newcomers since I'd last been there - about 4 years ago. I made new friends, and Bonnie and I talked for about 20 minutes … and I was glad for the helpful information she provided me, concerning places that need a helpful hand & a friendly face: I'm going to be looking into those opportunities.

Once Holland starts his knee relief procedure's, we'll be here in WA, well into 2027.

Holland will no doubt appreciate me being gone a couple hours.

And I will appreciate some time away from the black mood attitude, that sours the home atmosphere.

My table; I was glad to note that Alice is still among the living; she's been on my mind. So had Judy & her husband Dave, & David, & Bonnie - seeing all of then again, made my heart happy.

Linda & Judy; Bonnie & Dave.

David & Alice.

Hymns sung - I prefer hymns for fellowship services; rock music is for private time, not the Lord's time.

The topic today was Naomi, from the Book of Ruth.

Naomi was Ruth's MIL. Naomi was grieving the deaths her husband, and her 2 sons. She changed her name from Naomi (which means "pleasant" or "delightful") to Mara, saying, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara (literally meaning bitterness), for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me” (Ruth 1:20-21). She then told her widowed Moabite DIL's - Ruth & Orpah, to return back to their mothers … Ruth remained loyal to Naomi, refusing to leave her; but Orpah eventually left. Ruth loved Naomi, and said, "I will never leave you; wherever you go, I will go also: and your God will be my God." Naomi paired Ruth with Boaz - and their son had a direct lineage to Yeshua's earth parents.

The thrust of the message today, was that even in acute bitterness and despair, Elohim is busily working it for good & righteous benefit. Death creates grief & sadness … but, it can also be molded by Elohim's mercy to birth new beginnings & blessing.

Today holds the seeds of tomorrow; sow wisely.

If, in hard & difficult times, we keep our eyes turned towards Elohim, and our hearts soft towards Yeshua - instead of becoming angry with Elohim over unmet expectations & defining ourselves by momentary circumstances: Elohim will give us a hope of a future where there seems nothing but emptiness.

Elohim never promises a comfortable Life = He promises a faithfulness that carries blessedness.

The Scripture passages were: Proverbs 3:5-6; Isaiah 55:8-9; James 1 (focus on v. 8); & Romans 8:8-29

As Christians & joint-heirs with Yeshua, Scripture defines reality for us.

We are not self-resilient.

We are not self-centered.

Ultimately, our lives are under Elohim's control - and the circumstances He brings into our lives are therefore perfect, for he is perfect. Elohim's Plan … though very difficult at times … is always perfect.

And. the Lord is reliable.

It was a timely message, and I was thankful that I had been prodded to go to Keenager's. I will be going back, often.

I asked - and Elohim heard.  The message hit on everything I have been dealing with.

Toutle River RV Resort in Castle Rock-WA from Valley Christian Fellowship in Longview-WA; via WA 411 N (Nevada Dr., Westside Hwy., & Barnes Dr.)~25 mins. (15.5 mi)