iPhone and Surfing

Surfing is serious business.  As Fermín and I walked down the beach (Sunset Beach in Oahu, HI), we notice these girls walking towards the ocean.  They were quiet, looked so serious and without a word they got into the ocean.  I guess they were having fun, the serious kind of fun.  I couldn’t help but feel a little scare for them.  I said a prayer, stayed a while and watched them and then left.

When we got to the car we notice Fermín’s iPhone was missing, couldn’t find it anywhere in the car or in any of our bags we had taken with us.  I called his number and a girl answered.  One of those girls had found the phone and was waiting for us to call!  When I got back to the beach I talked with her a little bit and told her I had prayed for them when they first got to the beach, she smile and thanked me and then they went back to their serious kind of fun, surfing.

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July in Hawaii – Part Two

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Girl’s Day Out #2

Hanauma Bay Park

This time we chose to go snorkeling to the Hanauma Bay Park and try to see if we could take a peek at the Humuhumunukunukuapuaa fish, (can you say that again?)  This is as close we got to the Hawaiian state fish…

Humuhumunukunukuapua’a – Hawaiian State Fish

Snorkeling in Hanuma Bay

We left our condo at about 6:00 AM so we could get there early before the crowds 8)

It’s a long way down, but there is a bus that will take you down for 75 cents and a dollar to take you back up.  Smart people.

After Hanuma Bay we headed to see the “blow-hole”.  I think it was off that day (lol), but the view was breathtaking.

Side Note:  We asked a man to take our photo –  he did not speak English.  It was funny how we got our point across.  We even took his camera and his picture and  I don’t think he wanted us to. 8)

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July in Hawaii – Part One

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On top of Diamond Head

While we were in Hawaii this summer and after both of our boys returned back to the main land early in the week, Fermin and Losiah decided to spend some “boy time” while we girls spent some “girl time” and on our first outing decided to go and hike Diamond Head.  I have wanted to do this since the first time I visited Hawaii, back in the 80′s, but never had anyone that wanted to do it with me – and believe me I have been to Hawaii many, many times since then.

So Heather, Sohaila, Seanna and I packed some sandwiches and drinks and headed to Diamond Head – boy I almost did not make it, but the girls kept encouraging me to continue and I finally made it to the top of Diamond Head!!!.  What an accomplishment!!! it felt so good to be on top of that volcano and with my girls!  I will never forget that experience!  Thank you Heather for facilitating this experience and thank you Honey for spending one on one time with Losiah.

Here are just some of the photos we all took on that hike.

Just before the hike

Am I smiling? It must be because Sohaila is helping me (LOL)

See those steps? I also had to climb them!  ”Yes, Heather, I’m OK, Go ahead, I’ll catch up with you guys”

Went through a dark tunnel.

Yes!!! They made it to the top!!

My arms are not as high as theirs, but I also made it!!! God is soooo good!!!

Hawaiian Shaved Ice – Sweet ending to a great day!!!

The Bible tells us to “Be strong and courageous” I’m trying Lord!

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San Diego with Uncle Eddie

May Activities

Fermín preached at Del Cerro Church in San Diego and later we got to spend some time with Uncle Eddie.  With their Daddy and Mommy gone they were eager to get in the car and travel all the way to San Diego to see Uncle Eddie.  Eddie took us to a very neat restaurant, the setting was like in the 50′s, I think the name of the restaurant was “Corvette” to which Losiah liked a lot, he is into cars, one of his grand fathers (not my husband, smile) has a Corvette and he just loves anything that has to do with Corvette.

Sohaila got to ride with Uncle Eddie in his cool convertible.

After lunch we walked to the marina and took pictures with uncle Eddie.  Seanna was in charge and she was telling us what to do, until Eddie lost his valance and the kids jumped all over him.  They had a blast.

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President Ronald Reagan Library

“Trust, but verify”

A signature phrase of President Ronald Reagan

While we were out-of-town, a few weeks ago, Fermín and I found ourselves with a few hours in our hands.  I have been thinking about visiting our Presidential Libraries and living here in California we are blessed to have two, President Richard Nixon’s and President Ronald Reagan’s.  Here are some of the photos I took while at President Ronald Reagan Library.

I couldn’t help taking this photo.

Marine One

Air Force One

A young boy contemplating history.  President Ronald Reagan grave site.

An authentic section of the Berlin Wall at the Library

A view from the Library – Simi Valley, CA

For more photos just click on my Flickr Photos to the right of this page.

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Highway 41 in the Spring

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Last week, Olga (from San Angelo, TX), Noemi and I took a three-day trip to the coast.  Just look at the show Highway 41 put for us.  The wild flowers were at their best.

“He will be like rain falling on a mown field, like showers watering the earth.” –  Psalm 72:6

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In Search Of Snow

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Can you see my big smile?

This year, with all the talk in the news about parts of our country getting more than their share of snow, I have been looking forward to experiencing it.  I live about 45 minutes from where there is snow, but because of one thing or another, I have not been able to get to it.

Earlier this month Fermin and I got to go to Idaho (the north part of Idaho) and thought, for sure there will be snow.  I saw pictures of where we were to stay and it showed a beautiful winter wonderland.  My iPhone weather report showed that it was to snow during the time we were to be there.  We even got the hotel van to pick us up from the airport so we would not have to drive in the snow!  To my surprise there was no snow, nothing, zero!  This year has been the driest winter in their history!  You could see a little bit of snow way up in the mountains (just like in Fresno, where I live).

During my stay, the ladies of our group, got taken to the slopes, and I thought, Yeah, finally I’ll see some snow.  Again, we got to the slopes and you could see that it had snowed sometime ago, but nothing to get excited about.  I went ahead and purchased a $17.00 ticket to go higher up – to where people ski and thought for sure there would be something there.  So finally on our way up there I started to see the snow, and it snow while we were up there!  I was so happy.

I know this is silly, but I don’t like for winter to pass me by and not experience some kind of frozen precipitation, just a little.♥

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I Never Have Enough of Seattle, WA

Fermín usually preaches somewhere on any given Sunday.  About two weeks ago he preached at a church in Des Moines, WA.  Des Moines is a suburb of Seattle, WA.  This young church is doing a great job educating the future leaders of the state of Washington.  We made some new friends in Seattle.

I have been to Seattle twice before, but have not had the opportunity to explore the city and on this occasion we had most of one day.  I couldn’t decide which photos to post, so please, indulge me.❤

Pioneer Square

Pioneer Square

Pioneer Square

Pioneer Square

The main square is a lush little park (Occidental Park) with an ivy-clad wall including totem poles and great tribute to the city’s firefighters.

Two-block pedestrian mall (Occidental Park)

Tribute to the city’s firefighters

Ivy growing on a clad wall

Waterfall Garden Park

Quest Field

A clock tower by Quest Field

Space Needle

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February is Here!!!

While in San Diego, I saw this statue and what a perfect picture for this post.  Happy Valentine’s Month everyone!!! ♥

…His love endures forever ♥ Psalm 136:1

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Ponce, Puerto Rico

I have been on the go for several weeks and even though I love it – sometimes my body does not take it as well as other times.  I just started going back to the gym, taking vitamins and trying to eat better

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Last week, Fermin and I left to go to Ponce, Puerto Rico to a Hispanic Evangelism Conference given by the North American Mission Board, SBC.  Men that work in evangelism all over the United States attended this conference.  Fermin preached an encouraging message for the group.  It was one of the most delightful conferences I have attended.  Many of the wives also attended this conference and we had a great time.

The hotel where we stayed used to be a private residence.  It was beautiful.  If you like to see more of this hotel and of the trip click on the word  ”Flikr“  which will take you to my photos of Ponce.

Rene Pereira (Pastor of the church) and Fermin Whittaker

Primera Iglesia Glenview was the church host.  This church ministers to their community like I have not seen any other church minister before.  Their pastor Rene Pereira  has been with them since the beginning of the church, 30 some years ago.

Next year this conference will be in the Los Angeles area.  It would be so hard to beat the wonderful job that our friends in Puerto Rico did.  They went out of their way to make everyone feel welcome and comfortable.

We were in Puerto Rico for four full days and did not go to the beach.  The only time I saw the ocean was from the airplane  BUT  Ponce is a beautiful city and I’m glad I went.  Thank you Lord! ♥

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