Thoughts for the Month ~ December

[JudyB]

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Morning Devotional...

From Chris Saunders

2 Thess 1:7-10 is about the Second Coming of our Lord and Saviour at the end of the seven year Tribulation period. This does not involve us at the moment as we shall be long gone to be with our Lord before then.
Verse ten is amazing when you think of it..people will still be saved during the Tribulation because of Paul being saved on the road to Damascus, there God anointed him to be the Apostle to the Gentiles, and the Gospel given to Paul had a reverberated all over the world and nothing and no one has been able to stop it. This Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached until the Lord comes back to rule to the end of time.
Salvation is available for all who can believe it..those who cannot have no hope.

[JudyB]

The Christmas Season is upon us.  Are we ready?  Ready to dwell on his birth without all the trappings and glitter? THe reason for the season is so easily curtained off, and not really seen.

This story says it best.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKMOyZi-jNg

[JudyB]

Sing along.

What Child Is This?
(Click to hear music)

Words: William C. Dix, The Manger Throne, 1865.

Music: "Greensleeves," 16th Century English melody



   


What Child is this who, laid to rest
On Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
Haste, haste, to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Why lies He in such mean estate,
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians, fear, for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.
Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,
The cross be borne for me, for you.
Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh,
Come peasant, king to own Him;
The King of kings salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
Raise, raise a song on high,
The virgin sings her lullaby.
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

[Carol]

It is or can be the most wonderful time of the year.  Always think of the gift of love we share. 

[Jacqueline]

This Dec 25th for me is going to be so so lonely, i would give absolutely anything to have my Richard back with me on this very special day of the year, if only but, sadly i - we, will never have this chance again...Little did i - we, realise at the time, that last Christmas day was, would be our last ever Christmas day we would share together...but it would be, it was...

Marilyn...
...I would urge you to rethink, as i would not wish you to have to live with regrets...as for me, Christmas day is the day to be with our loved ones if we still are blessed to have loved ones to share a Christmas day with, as we can never take next years Christmas day for granted that any of us will be here to enjoy it...I will be by myself and just want to get Christmas over with this year, i shan't be doing Christmas, not that i wouldn't want to, just that i cant....oh how i wish i could put the clocks back to Christmas day of our past 20 years together, my Richard and our three fur - babies....

[Jacqueline]

Last Christmas i bought an artificial 4 ft Christmas tree ( which we both loved ) and said to my Richard, " I am buying a Christmas tree this year as this might be our last Christmas together, " we might not be here this time next year to enjoy another Christmas, well sadly what i said has come true...I would love to enjoy a Christmas again, just like we once enjoyed our Christmases, Richard, me and our three dogs, our fur - babies...but this is now the loneliest place on earth for me...I so envy you all who have partners and family at this time of the year...you are truly blessed..


i

[Marilyn]

Jackie: Keith will be fine while I am gone. I really need this break. People who have never lived with someone with Alzheimer's/Dementia do not realize what a toll that burden takes on a person's emotion s and physical body. A carer can go home at the end of a shift, but the spouse has to live with it 24-7-365.  In all the classes I have taken it is highly recommended that that person take 4 hours 1 afternoon a week and get away and do something for oneself. Also recommended  is one full weekend a month. My Dr. has also recommended and knows I will be going away for a couple of days.He will not be alone I have someone coming in and will be in phone contact frequently.

[JudyB]

Hark the Herald Angels Sing
(Click to hear music)

A great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, saying,
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests."
Luke 2:13-14

Words: Charles Wesley, Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1739

Music:Music: "Mendelssohn," Felix Mendelssohn, in his cantata Festgesang, 1840, honoring printer Johann Gutenberg; arranged by William H. Cummings in Congregational Hymn and Tune Book, by R. R. Chope, 1857





Hark! The herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!"
Joyful, all ye nations rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With th'angelic host proclaim,
"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"


Refrain
Hark! the herald angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King!"


Christ, by highest heav'n adored;
Christ the everlasting Lord;
Late in time, behold Him come,
Offspring of a virgin's womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
Hail th'incarnate Deity,
Pleased with us in flesh to dwell,
Jesus our Emmanuel.


Refrain


Hail the heav'nly Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
Ris'n with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays His glory by,
Born that man no more may die.
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.


Refrain


Come, Desire of nations, come,
Fix in us Thy humble home;
Rise, the woman's conqu'ring Seed,
Bruise in us the serpent's head.
Now display Thy saving power,
Ruined nature now restore;
Now in mystic union join
Thine to ours, and ours to Thine.


Refrain


Adam's likeness, Lord, efface,
Stamp Thine image in its place:
Second Adam from above,
Reinstate us in Thy love.
Let us Thee, though lost, regain,
Thee, the Life, the inner man:
O, to all Thyself impart,
Formed in each believing heart.


Refrain



Here is Charles Wesley's original version:

Hark, how all the welkin rings,
"Glory to the King of kings;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!"


Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
Universal nature say,
"Christ the Lord is born to-day!"


Christ, by highest Heaven ador'd,
Christ, the everlasting Lord:
Late in time behold him come,
Offspring of a Virgin?s womb!


Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see,
Hail the incarnate deity!
Pleased as man with men to appear,
Jesus! Our Immanuel here!


Hail, the heavenly Prince of Peace!
Hail, the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
Risen with healing in his wings.


Mild He lays his glory by,
Born that man no more may die;
Born to raise the sons of earth;
Born to give them second birth.


Come, Desire of nations, come,
Fix in us thy humble home;
Rise, the woman's conquering seed,
Bruise in us the serpent's head.


Now display thy saving power,
Ruined nature now restore;
Now in mystic union join
Thine to ours, and ours to thine.


Adam's likeness, Lord, efface;
Stamp Thy image in its place.
Second Adam from above,
Reinstate us in thy love.


Let us Thee, though lost, regain,
Thee, the life, the inner Man:
O! to all thyself impart,
Form'd in each believing heart.

[JudyB]

Good morning this chilly December morning. -10C (14F) here in North east Ontario.

Marilyn go and enjoy the time with family.  I know that you are missing the Keith you knew a few years back. You need the break, its well deserved.

Jacqueline I know you will have a difficult Christmas this year.  Do you have friends that are also alone?  Perhaps each of you could get together and supply part of the meal and enjoy the time together.  I little inexpensive gift, or a silly gift, for a bit of fun and laughter.  There are so many empty chairs at Christmas gatherings, so many gone ahead of us leaving us alone and lonely.  I pray for each of you as you travel these rough roads.

Our daughter lost her daughter 18 months ago.  Last Christmas she was numb, this year she is feeling everything.... I understand that toughness.

Have a great day folks, enjoy what the LORD has given you. 

I have challenged people to read their Bible.  We are 3 days behind here on CP.  If we read 1 chapter a day of the book of Luke, we will have read about the entire life of Christ this month.  Now if we were to read a chapter and a half, for 3 days we will have read the entire life of Christ by Christmas  Eve

Let me know if you are interested in doing this!

[Carol]

I don't quite know what to write - just sending you cyber hugs and prayers. 

[Carol]

After missing more than a year of meetings, I went to a genealology class yesterday and promptly remembered how much work goes into it - do I have the right to take time for this - second guessing.  Our dear friend here has macular degeneration and it is changing her life.  No more taking the car out - now she has help with a cleaning woman coming in.  She also forgot a few things as I suspect, this is a traumatic change of life. We can pick up groceries and other little things plus she has close relatives who already help. 

We spent Thanksgiving alone since the crowd gathering numbered almost 20 and Don cannot understand anything said with so many talkin over each other.  It is alright.

Judy:  I am on a year of bible study & this one is Charles Stanley and I really like it.  The other one year study finished and it was nice to start another one.  I do best by jumping into the reading first thing in the morning.  It is very thoughtful of you to share your prayer and reading time.  Oh, to mention, I just finished knitting a pink scarf with only knit, knit and so on.  Easy but I still have to pay attention or there will be a mistake.  .

Janet:  Are you ready for Christmas?  Did you see the heavy snow Denver had?  It must have gone east to you.  Don is from Duluth, Minnesota and we saw terrible film on those roads.  I remember being stuck there more than once - even a terrible storm after Easter.  That place never warms up.   

[JudyB]

We sang this in Church on Sunday.  I hope you enjoy it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yFXfAGl17M&list=RDw2MtaH3dMRY&index=2

[JudyB]

For those of you who have a n empty chair at your table, Listen to the words of this song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yFXfAGl17M&list=RDw2MtaH3dMRY&index=2

[Jacqueline]

Judy...
...i know yo mean well but, dont you think i am doing this, i have tried and all have let me down...you really would not believe the promises of help these people make...or the rigmarole of what one has to go through to even apply for any help...only to be told " you dont fit their quiteria...",

[Carol]

The doorbell rang and it is a box filled with medication from the VA - Veteran's Administration all for Don.  It saves us driving through traffic to pick up meds. 

A cousin and wife driving from Minnesota, pulling a trailer have been stuck for 5 days in a little town in New Mexico.  A thief stole tire bolts and when cousin Jim pulled on to the freeway a little later, one tire came off.  A second tire did the same so he had to get emergency and they took him to a  business site - truck repair place.  The parts have not been arrived to the little place yet but here is the good news.  The residents and repair shop people are being so kind - they drove them to a grocery store plus plugged in his electricity so Jim and wife can eat and sleep in the trailer.  The blessing is:  tires did not roll towards any oncoming traffic and all are safe.  A Christmas blessing!

Judy:  Thank you for the music!  I hope and pray that you will sell hay and have funds for wood heat. 

 

[Jacqueline]

I have only recently become a fully fledged member of the Oddfellows ( Lodge ) and attended a church Carol Service yesterday afternoon so I met a small " private " group for my very first time...and yes a handful were very friendly and welcoming, when after the short service we sat at the back where someone was serving a cup of tea and a mince pie....

Judy...
...i am so remote and so isolated here where i live, way down in the valleys ( although picturesque stunning ) a parkhome with just 25 homes where everyone keeps to themselves...and very few help will venture out to here...I am truly stuck here with a steep uphill slope ( the long open lane leading to the lane that leads out onto the main road several miles away, ) and a down hill slope to the homes at the bottom...one definitely needs a car and a car i dont have..also a stunning place ( hills and valleys, and the sea view ) for walking a dog, dogs but i have PP-Multiple Sclerosis so cant even walk very far, and would never be able to get up that steep hill on the lengthy lane that leads towards out, then another lengthy lane with cars, holiday makers that lead up on the clifftop car park......this place is idyllic for able bodied and dog walking...

[Jacqueline]

Judy...
...Of course when i - we came here three years ago we came here the two of us, with our two dogs but we lost one dog, our dog number three within seven months of coming here, now my Richard too has gone ( he was the car owner - driver ) and the other dog re-homed just outside this parkhome in a large house with another dog, so you see how my life has been turned upside down in a short matter of time...Three years ago there were four, now just the one left....me...i am very frightened and lonely..

Oh the church i attended yesterday was a traditional old church, very cold inside and a dangerous concrete step to the loo, but at least they had a loo, many of our churches dont....and sadly hardly anyone sang, so not a lively small congregation service but the male vicar had humour... i of course was sitting alone as being new to the group i did not know anyone but after the service i had time to get to know a handful and they were friendly and very helpful and welcoming to the Odfellows Hand - In - Hand as they are known...

We realy lost a good one the day we lost our Larry Hanna...I, just like the rest of us, i am really missing him and his regular daily postings, he was a very special person indeed..

[Marilyn]

Good morning. Jackie, it is good to see you posting and that you are starting to get out a bit and join some groups. I too have joined two support groups for dementia caregivers both on Facebook, and also one that is local. I am still able to take Keith to church and out to supper. He will be gong with me to California for Christmas this year. Last year he was unable to go as was having to be at the hospital every day for infusions.


We are doing well but feel fairly isolated. I do have someone coming in to do most of the housework for me, She is really doing a thorough  cleaning of things that havin't been cleaned in years. She will come to feed Keith's cats while we are gone and my Freckles is going with me. I take her everywhere I go. she is my best friend. I will be taking her to the Cancer center tomorrow to visit with the people in the Chemo room\, They love her to visit with them.

[Jacqueline]

Marilyn...
... yes, do both go to California this Christmas as one never knows what next Christmas has in store for any of us...next Christmas is never guaranteed...

Yes people love stroking and petting dogs, dogs are great ( feel good ) therapy..i hope to have a dog in my life sometime in the future, as my late father often would have said..." we live in hope..." yes we sure do...

[Rebot]

Greetings Carol  I am replying to your message from November 14, as I have just read it.  Sorry for not responding sooner than now. 

And the reply is also for you as well Janet.

It is a very wet and windy day on the Isle of Man.  Which is what made me think of the warm weather on our cruise.  We sailed from Southampton in the UK.  and we had three days at sea day.  Our passage was through the English Channel and then across the Bay of Biscay, going past the coasts of France and Spain during the three days.  There was a Force nine gale with winds of fifty five miles an hour, or 90 kilometres an hour.  The ship shuddered a bit, but as P&O's Britannia is a big ship and with stabilisers, the journey was not as rough as we thought it might be.  After thirty six hours the seas moderated.

The first port we stopped at was Madeira, a very pretty Island with lovely flowers and shrubs. We enjoyed our day there, having visited Madeira before.  When we left the Island, we had five days at sea as we were crossing the Atlantic on our way to the Caribbean.

The first Island we stopped at was Antigua where we took an adapted tour of the Island, for passengers with disabilities.  Next day we stopped in St Kitts and we decided to stay around the town centre near the port.  On the next day we stopped in St Lucia and we took a taxi ride to tour the town, which we enjoyed.  On Thursday we stopped at St Vincent and took another taxi ride of the town, once more very enjoyable.

On Friday our last port of call was Barbados and we took a tour of the Island, again an adapted tour.  And like Antigua, the tour of Barbados was very enjoyable.  We stayed on the Britannia overnight before the flight to Gatwick, London on the Saturday.

We enjoy cruising and the staff onboard are wonderful with able bodied and disabled passengers.  They cannot do enough for you to make your cruise a memorable holiday.  Ellie

[Marilyn]

[Janet]

Well, after days of wondering what on earth had happened to this place, I went to CP's main page, clicked on forums, and there you were!  I guess something happened and November didn't get locked.  Also I didn't get any notices, email or otherwise, but all's well that ends well, and here I am!

I won't attempt to comment on each post just will say it's good to see you all here posting about your life events, good and not-so-good.  We are doing fine, I'm still going to therapy, have felt better since Saturday. So I hope to continue to feel better!

No, Carol, I'm not ready for Christmas, but I seldom am ready early!  I have been doing a lot of playing in paint!  Doing acrylic pours can get addictive, and there are so many different ways to do it, all producing different results.  I have everything ready for this weekend, as Daughter Kerri is coming from Salina, and Diane thinks she can get away from the store and come up to "play" with us, too!

Sorry you had to forego the big gathering, but I sure understand.  I am noticing more and more dimness in my vision due to the MD.  So I'm wanting to paint as much and as fast as I can while I can still see!


Marilyn, I see you have decided to take Keith to California with you, and I wish you well with that venture. I hope he feels well and the dementia stays at bay during that time.  Please stay safe!

Jacqueline, I'm happy to see you back here posting.  We need all of our people, and miss those who don't post.  Like you, I miss our dear Larry every day, and wish him a wonderful first Christmas in heaven.

Ellie, it sounds like you had a very enjoyable cruise with interesting stops.

Carol, we had only a tiny skiff of snow on Thanksgiving eve, so the big one missed us.  We do need moisture, though.

Well, now that I have found my way back, I will see you soon! [/size][/color]

[Jacqueline]

Ellie..
...as you know, me and my daughter lived in St Lucia ( Vieux Fort ) for six months, i was 31 my daughter was 12-13 at the time....

[Rebot]

Greetings Jackie  Not sure if we visited Vieux Fort. One of the areas we visited had busy market days. Splendid weather while we were there. I

[Marilyn]

Good Morning everyoner. I will be going to the gym in just a short while. Freckles gets her bath today so I will be taking her to the groomer. I also have to go by the Hospice office to pick up the folder on my new hospice patient. So I( can go ovewr all the information before I go to visit him.

[Rebot]

Greetings Everyone   Much colder on the Isle of Man today, dry and better with no rain.

Janet  Do you go on many cruises?   With hubby in a wheelchair, being based on board a cruise ship for 7 or 14 days.  I find the easiest way for us when travelling     

[Rebot]

Greetings Everyone  Much colder today and lots of rain earlier.

Jackie  A big day in the UK today, who will win?  Ellie

[Jacqueline]

Ellie...
...you would have visited Castries..as i did often..

Janet...
... yes not many of us left now is there...

[Rebot]

Greetings Jackie  One of the splendid churches we passed but did not enter was the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, in Derek Walcott Square.

The surname Walcott had hubby thinking the square  was named after a famous West Indian cricketer.  I searched Google and it was the wrong Walcott, as the cricketer was Sir Clyde Walcott.  Derek Walcott, I found out was Sir Derek Walcott who won the Nobel prize for Literature in 1992

[Rebot]

Christmas Greetings Everyone  A cold day on the IOM, only 44F or for those who use Celsius, 7C.