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Wednesday May 27 2015 DAY 80 SHOPPING DAY!
Shopping is a lot of fun. Especially when:
1. You don’t have a man waiting for you!
2. You have a credit card!
3. When your husband is in another state!
4. And you have no idea in the world what you are going to buy!
5. And you know you aren’t going to spend very much money!
I’ll get back to the shopping a little later. First I’ll tell of my most extremely, unexciting, wonderful, accomplished day. I didn’t join a gym this week because I didn’t want to pay the price they quoted me. So…I actually got up and set out for a nice long walk. Decided to do 45 minutes of up and down the hills around Daneece’s home. What a beautiful walk. Not too hot since it was early and all the homes in her neighborhood are absolutely beautiful. What amazed me was how groomed and green the yards are. I was surprised because of the severity of the drought. There are so many flowers blooming at present and the walk was tour around a neighborhood. As I walked I listened to a sermon on my Iphone and had an absolutely wonderful time with myself. When I arrived back at the house I did stretches and floor exercises. It was unexciting, but it sure felt great! Then I ate lunch, received a call from someone I haven’t seen for 53 years. I will be staying with him and his wife at my next home location. He is the brother of a friend from the past. My friend is Charlene and we attended church together when we were both in diapers. Her brother Don graciously agreed to host me in his home as a stepping stone to Charlene’s place in Washington. We talked much too long and then I was on my way to pick up my Triple A travel pack at Triple A in Redding.
When I arrived at Triple A the lady that assisted me yesterday had just gone to lunch and only she knew where the packet was. So I left to return later. Where do you go in a strange city when you have an hour or so to use up? SHOPPING of course! And so I did. No man was with me, I had my credit card, my husband was in another state, I had absolutely no clue as to what I would buy and I knew I wouldn’t spend very much anyway. I’m just not a big spender. So off I went to my favorite place to shop. Googled its location into my phone and found it to be about two blocks away. I walked away with one pair of pants, one wool vest, one wool sweater vest, one sweater blouse, seven shirts, some dressy, some for workout, and three books. No much. Only took two bags. And the total was $37 and some cents (can’t remember right now). Of course that was with my senior discount! My favorite place of the day? GOODWILL of course.
The most pleasant and delightful young woman assisted me. It was such a pleasure to actually be a person, not a number, treated with respect and courtesy. I give Triple A Redding the highest rating possible for giving the best possible professional service, interspersed with live human contact. Not only did
After I spoke with Don, I had a few new twists and turns added to my itinerary so some of it had to be redone. All total it took another two hours or so to have everything rescheduled. I even have to schedule an oil change before I leave the states because since I am still under warranty with my car I cannot go over mileage between oil changes and have them for free. While I am on the road as long as I go to a KIA Dealership and save my receipts Russ Darrow, by KIA Dealership in Madison Wisconsin will reimburse for my oil changes. My last change was in Denver Colorado. I must have them done ever 5,000 miles. The next one will be done in Burlington, Washington. That will get me home.
Back home to Daneece’s and another TV fest with Joyce. It was interesting watching the first few episodes of OUTLANDER with her last night and a couple more tonight. It is the story of time travel beginning post World War II back to 1743. As the books continue there are several different time travel episodes. What is so interesting is that the historical facts of each time travel situation are based on accurate facts of time, place, names and events. Very involved and some of the scenes are a bit too graphic.
So now it is night again and I am the only one up and at it. I would like to go to bed soon so I will say good night. Before I do I will tell you that I plan to leave my comfy abode here in Redding on Sunday Morning. Maybe I will stay for church first and then leave. I haven’t decided for certain yet. I sure would like to go to church at Bethel just one more Sunday. If you’ve never heard of the class I just finished check it out online and think about next year. It is so amazing and worth the trip.
My day was extremely unexciting because I didn’t really do anything great like go up in the Eiffel tower, it was wonderful because I went shopping and found so many nice blouses, sweater, vests, and pants, it was accomplished because I actually have the remaining plans of my trip in a semblance of order. And.. it was the day that the Lord had made and I rejoiced in it and was glad in it all day long! Even an unexciting day is an AWESOME day to me!
Good night.
Thursday May 21 2015 DAY 74 BONUS HOURS!
How awesome that the class schedule was not what I thought it was. Actually we were dismissed at 3:00 p.m. today and I do not have to report back until 6:55. The prayer room will be set up and every attendee will be prayed for individually. I am praying that my hands will be healed and my breast lumps will disappear.
Jessica, who I pick up and drop off each day came to the conference this morning. After she arrived in the packed room looking for me so she could sit next to me she realized how blurry everything was. She forgot to put her contacts in and did not have her glasses with her. She asked herself how could she do that. She felt the Lord impress upon her heart that it was because He was going to heal her vision today. Five years ago someone came to her church and prophesied over her (my paraphrase) saying that the Lord would one day heal her vision and she would see signs, wonders and miracles. That memory was brought to her recall and she again felt God impressing His word into her heart telling her that this was not only a physical restoration of her sight but would be restoration of her spiritual sight as to who He was and how He perceives her. There was more but I do not remember and do not want to misquote. During the first half hour worship session (remember, they are out of this world) her vision cleared and she can now see both near and far without needing glasses. Her eyes even looked different. Perhaps because I am used to seeing her with contacts or glasses. Needless to say, that was amazing to her and those around her. There have been many testimonies of healing taking place. I am ready to have a testimony. I could even go for my eyes being healed, especially the dryness! I’ll add that to my list. God is the God of miracles and what He starts, He completes.
The speakers today were awesome. All the speakers have been awesome but today clinched it for me, confirming that I need to hear it all again and so I decided I will buy the download of this week’s speakers. I just hope I will know how to upload (or download?) it onto my computer. I would much rather have CD’s so I could listen in the car.
So much is spoken by the speakers at each session that it makes it difficult to take accurate and thorough notes. Though I try I am certain a lot gets left out or incorrectly written. I’ll share a couple of highlights of today. A beautiful statement that stood out is “Miracles are an extension of worship. The proper response to miracles is PRAISE. When someone gets healed it is a song from the Lord. It draws people into praise”. I love “it is a song from the Lord”. The song I heard from the Lord when my ears were healed was the song that went into my heart when I first heard birds again. I hadn’t heard birds for many years except an occasional crow. I have a poem I wrote about that. When I find it I will print it in the blog. I think it is in the trunk of my car in a place that is difficult to get to. If I have time I’ll do it today. Our praise opens the heavens to increase more healing power. This class teaches us that our assignment is to release worship across the nations. “Our role is not to try to do God’s job for Him. Our job is simply to come to Him, recognize who He is, and to get out of the way. We are to take our eyes off the problem and put our eyes on the One who IS THE SOLUTION. Our worship is in intimate fellowship, not on the problem or illness at hand. Healing is not what God has to do, but healing is what He IS. WHEN HE IS PRESENT, SO IS HIS HEALING PRESENT.”
There is so much more but these sentences were interesting to me and thought you might enjoy seeing what we are learning. It is a very hands-on intense teaching. Some of the classes are so packed with information that it would not be possible to share just bits and snippits because it all builds on each sentence and explanation. That is why I will buy the download. So many wonderful scriptures to back up what is being taught. One of my favorite sentences that was in this last session today was: “FAITH IS NOT IGNORANT OF REALITY. IT JUST DEFIES IT!” (My exclamation point!) I have lots to study when I arrive home. I took careful notes and when I have the access to the messages again I should be able to comprehend and understand even more. I feel so honored to be able to attend these sessions. I would love to come back again with Dave. I highly recommend a trip to Bethel Redding for the Healing Classes.
Well, I think this will be my blog today. Tomorrow is an earlier day and a long one. Perhaps I’ll get to bed before 1:30 a.m. like last night.
I must get ready to leave for my healing time.
This week has passed all too quickly!!!
Tuesday May 19 2015 DAY 72 WOW! WHAT A DAY!
“WOW! WHAT A DAY” could mean many things. The first thing that made it WOW is that this day was long!!! I wish all my days would be as long as this one. Started my day at 6:00 a.m. and it is now 11:11 p.m. I still have a mile to go before I retire.
This school of healing has three classes per day both today and tomorrow. Thursday there is a bit of difference and then Friday’s class schedule is different than any of the other days. The schedule is not the important thing, rather just the fact that this was a long long day! Thursday and Friday’s schedule are different but I imagine will be just as long.
“WOW! WHAT A DAY” could also refer to the subject matter of the classes being taught. The speakers are all very interesting to listen to. It’s as if you are listening to up close and personal testimonies of people who have been healed. Always interesting to find out what is happening behind the scenes. I am learning a lot of new things in regarding the scriptures in the Bible that refer to healing. Way too long to go into tonight as I am already very sleepy.
This school’s mission is to teach and equip lay people to understand the concepts of the Bible in regards to healing. I didn’t realize there were so many scripture references, and when they are explained, using Greek and Hebrew correct translations, how clear the verses become. It is amazing it is to be a part of someone receiving healing. The healing does not come from our power but rather through the power of Jesus. As children of God we must realize that we have access to the promises of God. And one of God’s promises is for us today. That we will go into the world and heal the sick. We must always be aware of who lives within us. We do not heal from our own power but by knowing intimately who lives within us. It is the power of Jesus that heals, we are simply the conduit. We must walk in the confidence of releasing the kingdom even when you aren’t trying.
There is so much more I could say but sleep is getting the best of me. Maybe I can continue this at a later time as I must close soon and head to sleepy town. I do not have even one photo to show for today.
I want you to make record of the fact that I did not take even one picture today, not on my cell phone nor on my camera. I think that is first in the 72 days I’ve been traveling. I also do not have any wisdom from anyone today. I’ll work harder at getting that tomorrow.
Here is a poem I wrote today between the sessions.
AND ALWAYS GIVE THANKS
By Kathleen Martens
May 19, 2015
Happy is the man whose sins are forgiven
For he is the man who is truly living.
Good like a medicine is a merry heart,
The the mystery of God will never depart.
God has a plan for each one
That rejoicing always be part of the fun.
And we need pray without an end.
And always give thanks to Jesus, our Friend.
For God’s throne is forever and ever
And all evil in our lives must be severed.
And in righteousness we are to love
Anointed with oil of gladness from above.
To the unrighteous His mercy God shows
Their sins he chooses no longer to know.
He gave a new covenant, Jesus His Son,
And as believers we are the most joyful ones.
Sunday Sabbath May 17 2015 DAY 71 THE LARGEST SUNDIAL IN THE WORLD
Oh man! What a great day. It is Sunday! My favorite day of the week. The day set aside to worship God and the day God set aside so man could rest! Rest from the normal activities of work and life. And so I love this day. My first reason to to think this was such a great day, was because of my experience of worshiping the Lord in the presence of so many others with like minds and hearts. It was amazing. I was a first time guest at Bethel Redding. It is a church body well spoken of and known for their ministry to equip the body of Christ to go out into the world to serve others. On the Welcome card this is what is written:
“Our house is your house, and we’re glad you’re here. We are a big family who loves Jesus, and we have committed our lives to serving Him. We aim to love extravagantly, hope contagiously and serve joyfully. Enjoy your time with us, and we look forward to seeing you again!”
One thing they left out was the fact that they worship with their whole heart and that you better be ready to enter into the presence of God when you lift your hands in praise and worship! I could just feel the power of the Lord in that place. It was awesome!
Tomorrow is the first day of the class I will be taking. I will be taking a ministry class for healing. Can’t say what it will be like as I haven’t started the class yet. All I know is that if the Lord should use me to lay hands on others and pray for healing, I want to be equipped to understand and know what it is He wants me to do. When we continually seek the Lord I do not think that we ever cease searching for more to do for God. Will I be used in this area? I do not know. But, if I choose not to learn or discover my potential for the calling God has for me, how will I ever know? I am the child of the King and I long to do His will. It was just so amazing to be in the house of worship this day.
Today’s sermon was about worship. Why do we worship? Why do we do what we do? It was the third sermon in a series on worship. I think another sequel to the sermon comes next Sunday. It was very interesting and caused me to have a greater understanding of what worship is and can be. Several key points that stayed with me are: “Any act, thought, or deed, done for the Lord that brings pleasure to the heart of God is an act of worship. To impact someone deeply you must know that person deeply! We must learn God’s love language in order to worship Him. We must know Him intimately to know what moves the heart of God. We are aware of how we love to be loved. Are we aware of how God loves to be loved.”
I recommend listening to this series online if you have opportunity to do so. I certainly hope to do so. Many excellent scripture references were given and would make a great study topic.
For those who are reading this blog you may remember my friends Lana and Tim from Albuquerque where I stayed a few nights on two different occasions. They have also come to take the class this week. I am excited to see what God has planned for our lives. I’ll keep you posted.
It is late tonight so I hope to make this short but I would like to tell you about an interesting place Lana discovered, and she and Tim took me there. It is called the SUNDIAL BRIDGE located in Turtle Bay Exploration Park in Redding. It was designed as a work of art and that is exactly how I saw it. I saw it as a beautiful miraculous piece of intricate, graceful art.
Here is a little excerpt that I copied off a webpage for you to give you some facts:
“The Sundial Bridge is beautiful because of its aqua green, opaque glass deck; strips of granite; and smooth, white imported Spanish tile. The bridge is unique because of its design. The 217-foot pylon acts as a sundial, telling time on a tile covered garden border on the north side of the bridge. The designer of the bridge, world-renowned architect Santiago Calatrava, has said that, to him, the bridge resembles a bird in flight, and symbolizes the overcoming of adversity. The bridge is also environmentally sensitive to its river setting. The tall pylon and cable stays allow this unique suspension bridge to avoid the nearby salmon-spawning habitat. Several fly fishing publications and professional guides have rated this area of the Sacramento River as being in the top 10 tail water fisheries in the world!”
Words cannot make it beautiful enough. It must be seen and experienced to comprehend the size and architectural design. I had no camera with me so I only have images on my Iphone. That’s re reason I have so many photos to send.
I must make my apologies to the little dog who lives here and her people. I misspelled HER name last night. First of all, I thought Nikki was a boy. She is a girl. Secondly the spelling of her name is not Nickie but NIKKI. She is a SCHIPPERKE (pronounced “skipper key”). She is a breed of dog bred to catch the rats aboard ships. She has powerful jaws, strong short legs, bushy hair like a cat, and no tail due to having it bobbed (OUCH). From the rear she appears to be part monkey or miniature baboon (no disrespect Nikki). And…she is totally lovable and affectionate to me and melts my heart. She is a bit heavy and is going through a slow process of eating less than she is used to in order to reduce. She is always acting like she is hungry (but what dog doesn’t do that?). Her diet is working because she is weighing down 2 pounds since her portions have been cut. I’m with you Nikki girl. I know what that is like! The best part is, Nikki likes me! It seems like all the dogs like me, what can I say!
At church today I met a young man named Parker. He was an astounding young man, a junior in high school who came up for prayer while I was there for the same thing. Daneece knew his parents and so I was introduced to him also. I felt like I was to pray for him for specific protection from all the bombardment that the universities now teach our young people in persuading them that there is no God and that the Bible is not real. He has been accepted into Harvard and will be starting in a year. I asked him what wisdom he had and it came quickly to his lips: “Anything is possible if you believe and that you can do all things through Christ, and to never give up believing. Just continue believing. Nothing is impossible”
Parker was at the last minute accepted into Harvard University and needed $12,000 for tuition fees to hold the position. He trusted God, put himself on “Go Fund Me” (I have no clue what that actually is) and money came in. From what I garnered from listening to the conversation he still needs a bit more but it seems it is doable. We need young men like this with a strong faith in God to be our Harvard graduates of tomorrow. You go Parker! There will be prayer warriors standing behind you. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you, just like Philippeans 4:13 says! I just love the wisdom of a well grounded young person. It doesn’t matter how young you are, God gives wisdom to those who seek wisdom.
It is 10:30 p.m. and I still want to write a poem so I guess I’ll sign off. Have a great tomorrow when it becomes today. It is always so fun to see what poem God gives me each day. Like a present I haven’t unwrapped yet. I shall go and unwrap the words that fall into my brain and see what sense they become.
The poem is written and now it is 11:19 p.m. I’ll type it below for those interested.
Goodnight.
THE ACT OF WORSHIP
By Kathleen Martens
May 17, 2015
When everything we do
Is an act of worship to our King,
Our will is surrendered
That to God, joy we bring.
Sometimes our lives are get complicated
And our focus may be lost.
We forget that all we do
Should be simply done before the cross.
When what we do is worship
Only truth is what is said
For the opposite is always false
It is through acts of worship we are fed.
When you completely surrender
The selfish in you has died,
And it becomes your desire to worship
The one who was crucified.
Goodnight again.
P.S. Please notice the blueberries I picked today from Daneece’s back yard. They were delicious!
Saturday May 16, 2015 DAY 70 ON THE ROAD AGAIN!
I love being wherever I am when I am visiting friends and relatives…HOWEVER…I love just being on the road again. Today’s drive was short and sweet, about 3 hours or so. The entire way was blissful, quiet solitude. No radio, no CD’s, no listening to sermons. I did talk on the phone a few times trying to catch up on friends. Usually short and sweet because my car phone (no hands or visual needed) does not sound clear when I am moving on the highway. Too much tire noise comes through the speaker. I can hear the person I’m speaking to but they have difficulty hearing me. So the drive was mostly just the Lord and myself. I love the driving. Just wish I was the only one on the road so I wouldn’t have to keep my eye on the road. Too much to see!
Left Paulette’s house after 12:00 noon and went by the gym where I have been working out this past week. The young man I talked to three days ago told me he had a gift for me. He gave me a St. Christopher’s medallion that his Grandmother gave to him. I was touched in my heart. He wanted me to have it so I would have a safe trip. I accepted his gift with great humbleness in accepting something so carefully and purposely given that hand sentimental value as well. I told him Thank You. I expressed how much I do believe Jesus is watching over me and protecting me and that his gift would remind me that there is someone else praying along with me for my safe travels. I promised to send it back to him when I reached home. That is the only way I would accept it. This way he would know I was home safe and sound. Thank you Todd for our kindness to me. Tod also had another gift left there for me from the young lady I spoke with a couple of days ago. What a lovely card and variety of travel goodies she packaged up for me. How is it that people are so kind and thoughtful to someone they’ve only met once? I feel that is just God blessing me through the kindness of others and filling me with even more joy.
Included in my goody bag were 6 CD’s of various things from Bethel Church. Bethel Church is the one I will be taking the class at this next week. Included also was 5 packets of Eletro Mix which I have not yet tried. There were two bags of nuts, macadamia and a bag with a mix of walnuts, pecans, and almonds. Corrisa, the giver of this gift is pretty insightful as to what it is I would love to have. I also received an Herbalife “Formula 1 + PDM on the Go”. Can’t wait to try it! Also in the bad were two packets of H30 along with three samples from YOUNG LIVING, ESSENTIAL OILS. All total, this is one of the most needed and purposeful gifts I have received. Thank you Corrisa. Let me know if you read this.
Back to departing from Paulette’s. Paulette talked me into taking EVERYTHING out of my car and starting over with a clean slate. I was reluctant and after we did, I sure was glad it was finished. Still didn’t find the toothpaste I thought I packed. When I say we took everything out , I mean EVERYTHING! I ended up sending two boxes of books home with a few articles of clothing squished inside the boxes. It seems like a lot of my things get squished! I did feel better after it was all done even though I was traveling such a short distance only to unload everything once more. I have two buried compartments in my car and now I won’t need anything from them for awhile.
I arrived at my cousin’s (First cousin once removed) home where she lives and her mother lives with her. Her mother Joyce is my first cousin. Our mothers are sisters. They would still be sisters if they were alive that is. I prefer to speak of them as in the present tense because in the presence in which they live, they are both alive, still sisters, just living in a different place, Heaven.
What a joyous greeting when we arrived. Sitting on the table in the dining room is a beautiful bouquet with red roses stuck here and there in the bouquet. Joy said she bought them just for me. I think she know how much I love roses. So exciting to see my cousin Daneece’s home for the first time. It is beautiful, spacious, and purposeful. I have a lovely room all to myself. My bed is an airbed with a foam mattress-like covering over it. Right about now I would like to be in it. Up too late again and in the morning we are going to early service at Bethel Church here in Redding, California. I am excited to register on Monday for the class that I am already registered for. We register after 3:00 p.m. on Monday and the first session is Monday evening at 7:00 a.m.
The rest of the weekdays begin at 10:00 a.m. and closes about 9:00 p.m. This will be my first class at Bethel. I’ll write more about the class after I take it a few days. I’m getting excited to learn what they are going to teach.
We had a delicious dinner tonight. Salad, cherries, fresh bread and chicken. Joyce was so kind by asking what kind of foods I liked to eat. She had practically everything I put on the list. I was just giving her ideas, I certainly didn’t expect for her to go out and buy it all. Both ladies were tired tonight so I just searched the fridge, designed a dinner and had it ready in just a few minutes. It is such a pleasure again to put my hands on real food and prep it and prepare a delicious dinner. So simple, yet so enjoyable for me to do. More enjoyable on the trip because I am not doing it every single day. Yet, when I am home I still have the same thrill when it comes to working with, touching, smelling, and visual sensations I receive when working with raw foods. I love them all. Joyce still thinks I eat weird!
I sure can write a lot when absolutely nothing has really happened today. But inside me a lot happened. I received such beautiful thoughtful gifts, I received a warm, warm welcome from both cousins, (mother and daughter), a refrigerator full of delicious foods I love (including a whole rotisserie chicken ready to eat), a beautiful bouquet of red roses, a front row seat to the the most beautiful hummingbird show, and a wonderful new friend named Nickie (not certain of the spelling” or even exactly what Nickie really is. He feels like a cat, sort of looks like a dog, and is the strangest little critter I’ve seen that claims to be a dog (at least my cousins believe he is a dog). Can’t remember the breed but he has a calling. That calling is to be used on ships to catch rats. I’ll find out more tomorrow when everyone wakes up.
Thanks for listening. It was an interesting day for me. Oh yes, cousin Daneece is 8 weeks post knee replacement and is still suffering much. If you have good knees you need to get on them and give thanks to the Lord that you have healthy knees. I hope I can pamper both Joyce and Daneece while I am here. I love being here in their home. It is an honor to stay with so many of our friends and family.
Too tired to proof read this evening as it is 10:44 p.m and I need to go to bed. Enjoy all my TYPOS!
Good night
P.S. I forgot to ask anyone for wisdom today so I’ll give some from my on experience. “Don’t stay up this late to write a blog because you will be tired in the morning.” Now it is 10:54 (But at least my teeth are already brushed)!
Visions of Poetry 