Thanks for the comments

It means so much to know you care enough to make a comment, especially when they are encouraging. Thank you. lm

So proud of you, son

Saw the video clip of MSNBC (Matt and Buzz being interviewed). Congrats for getting recognized for the excellent posts on Ma Deuce Gunner. I'm so proud of what you have done, and pray for continued protection, strength, and wisdom in all that you do. Love, Mom

You can make comments

Sorry, I didn't realize that some people were unable to make comments. I found where to change the settings, so hopefully that's fixed. Would love to hear from you.

I read my last entry, and realized I really didn't give enough emphesis to the value of Pastor Joe Griffin's teaching. Good stuff!! I listen more than once, sometimes 3 times to get it all. The lessons on marriage and family in the current "Special Series" of Clanging Chains (gdcmedia.org) are not just your typical establishment teaching. The issues at hand are well stated; young marrieds and parents could really benefit from his insights. Yes, he is teaching meaty doctrine, but it is necessary for those who wish to discern good and evil. Hebrews 5:14

Little Mazza

A year of hard training

I enjoyed running in college, and even managed to run a little when my children were young, but later, I thought my running days were over. Since we moved back to Hawaii, I discovered my supplements were helping me so that I could run again. Wow, I like the feeling of freedom and accomplishment that running has added to my life. I spent a year trying to become a faster runner with the goal of running an 8-mile race at a 10-minute mile pace. My progress seemed very gradual. I would better my speed by only a few seconds every week. I didn't know I needed to stretch my muscles, and I got tighter and tighter. To add to that, I had a serious illness, viral meningitis, 2 weeks before the race. The Lord was gracious to me, and allowed me to heal and regain my strength in time to run the race, but I only cut off a few seconds from my time from last year.

Then my daughter came to visit (she is a physical trainer). I started to prepare for her visit about a month before she arrived. I would do interval training, weights, and stretching from fitness shows before getting ready for work. Once she arrived, she was able to help me with good stretching and weight training. Wow, what a difference. The first time I ran an hour, I cut 1 minute and 34 seconds off my time. Today, I cut off another minute and 30 seconds.

Having a good trainer really pays off. My spiritual trainer is Pastor Joe Griffin in St.Louis, MO. My husband and I attended the same church he pastors when we were stationed in Ft. Leonard Wood, MO., before Joe became the pastor. It has been a tremendous blessing to get back on track with excellent Bible teaching. We can easily access the Bible classes by downloading the lessons as MP3 from their internet connection www.gdcmedia.org I am following his current lessons under "Special Studies". Sometimes I have to listen 2 or 3 times to get it all. Oh yes, the notes help, which he graciously supplies at REF or PDF. I Timothy 4:8 , 2 Thessalonians 3:3

Why do I do it?

I like to run on my days off. Sometimes I think before my run, that I might just keep it a simple jog, so as not to tire myself too much. But once I get started , I push myself to run a good pace, better my time. I guess this is why some people have a problem getting started on an exercise program, they think they better conserve some energy for other details of life. But it's suprising to discover that it's truely wonderful to strengthen our bodies. I think it is as God has intended, it takes some discipline to follow through on a committment to exercise, but the benefits are many. Is it the same way with personal time in God's word? Before we get into His word, we expect to be bored and tired, yet it seems that once we get into HIS word, empowered by the Spirit, it becomes alive to us. Now, I worry that I will let time get away from me when I am in His word. Hebrews 4:12

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

With love, Little Mazza

I'm "BERRY" Happy, In other words: My Favorite Smoothie Recipes

Just lately I wanted to make a slushie that was refreshing, tasty, and low on carbs, not to mention something nutritious. I was pleased with my latest creation for various reasons: 1) It's very filling, the ground-up seeds are easy to swallow and are good fiber. 2) The berries are naturally good for vision and loaded with antioxidants. Notice the factors of "16" make the recipe easy to remember.

Light Berry Zinger
8 oz crushed ice
4 oz. frozen mixed berries (blueberries, raspberries, marionberries)
1/16 lemon wedge
16 oz cool water
1/16 tsp. stevia powder ( or use as much to taste as you like)

If you have a VitaMix it works well to:
1. Crush the ice.
2. Add the frozen berries and lemon wedge. Cover.
3. Start whirling on low and start pouring in the cool water at the top. Slowly increase speed and blend to finely chop seeds and make it slushy. Add 2 small measures (approx 1/16 tsp) of Stevia powder. Serves 1 very large thirst or 2 14 oz. servings. Enjoy

Here are more of my basic smoothie recipies. They are just guidelines, and it's fun to experiment, but don't add too much banana (if you want to add banana).

Breakfast Smoothie (2 servings)

1 peeled navel orange
1/8 fresh pineapple wedge
1/4 apple wedge
1/8 lemon wedge (or 1 seeded calamansie)
2 T flax seed
1 T flax seed oil
6 oz. vanilla soy milk
4 oz. aloe vera juice
11 - 12 oz. frozen fruit (mango, strawberry,
pineapple, papaya) I use the frozen fruit from Costco

Start whirling slowly and gradually get to high speed
until all fruit is very smooth.  Add 1 scoop protein
powder if desired.


BERRY ZINGER  (2 servings)
1 peeled navel orange
1/8 fresh pineapple wedge
1/8 lemon wedge
6 oz. vanilla soy milk
4 oz. lilikoi (passion fruit)juice
4 oz. frozen blueberries or berry mix
4 oz. frozen strawberries
4 oz. frozen mango chunks
        OR if you don't have frozen mango
6 oz. frozen blueberries or berry mix
6 oz. frozen strawberries
Start whirling slowly and gradually get to high speed
until all fruit is very smooth.  Add 1 scoop protein
powder if desired.


Mango Smoothie (with Tapioca Pearls)

10 oz. frozen mango chunks
10 oz. lilikoi (passion fruit) juice
6 oz. vanilla soy milk
Whirl till  smooth, pour over prepared tapioca pearls.
    

This is my little friend, Jak from church

Baby Steps

I had the wonderful opportunity to see my youngest niece, Princess O, take her first steps yesterday. Although we live miles apart, an email with a short movie attached captured those precious moments to share with all her loved ones. So here I am taking my first baby steps as a blogger.

Since today is my birthday, I thought this would be a good day to publish my first post. Why? I think it will open up a new aspect to my life.......I have lots to share: favorite smoothie recipes, fitness and health tips, reflections of God's word that has given me encouragement, and so on. I've entertained the idea for a while, especially after reading the posts made by my son, MaDeuceGunner. We are so proud of the work he does, and to see him share what he thinks and does in Iraq adds such a dimension to our lives.

I mentioned it's my birthday. Thanks to those of you who remembered me with calls and card. It meant a lot to know you cares. It means even more to me to have a 2nd birthday. I trusted Christ as my Saviour on Sept 9, 1963; but my real start to growing as a believer came when I went to college. It was then I learned how to grow in my relationship with Christ and to appreciate HIS word. Everytime I open the Scriptures, I think to myself, "What a vast expanse of wealth of knowledge and wisdom we have. Why do I let time get away from me, before I go back to God's precious word? I've been meditating on Proverbs 3, and would like to share Proverbs 3:1-2 "My son, forget not my law, but let thine heart keep my commandments. For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee." So I believe what God says is always true, for he has added days to my life and peace. I thank Him for keeping his promises; for giving me a healthy life and contented peace.

Aloha, Yours in Him, Little Mazza